KOTA KINABALU: National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang urges Malaysian religious leaders to shape moral values and foster interfaith trust.
“Their responsibility extends beyond serving their own congregations; they are also guardians of social harmony,” Aaron said when opening the Roundtable Discussion on “Multi-Faith Partnership In Praxis For Human Flourishing And Dignity” here Tuesday (Aug 4).
He said religious leaders should embody and transmit values that align with the Rukun Negara.
He advocated local interfaith councils, youth exchanges, environmental initiatives, humanitarian missions, and early intervention mechanisms to build practical interfaith collaboration.
The minister cited Singapore's Inter-Religious Organisation and the United Arab Emirates' Abrahamic Family House as models demonstrating coexistence through sustained dialogue and shared spaces.
“Perhaps, the greatest challenge is not technological; it is moral. We are witnessing a growing deficit of trust, empathy and social cohesion.
“A nation truly flourishes when its people live with dignity, trust one another, respect diversity, and work together for the common good,” he said.
He said multi-faith partnership is not merely about religious tolerance. It is about working together despite our differences to solve common challenges.
“Malaysians have repeatedly demonstrated that compassion transcends religious identity. Whether responding to floods, supporting families affected by hardship, or rebuilding communities, faith-based organisations often stand shoulder to shoulder in serving humanity,” he added.
