Al-Bakri: Ramadan is a great opportunity to enhance cooperation and solidarity

Datuk Senator Dr. Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri, member of the Muslim Council of Elders and Malaysia's former Minister of Islamic Affairs has revealed that Islam encourages peaceful cooperation and positive engagement and that respect, tolerance, justice, honesty, cooperation, kindness, and humility are examples of other positive qualities.

During episode 17 of the 'Values of Humanity with the Elders' program which airs on the Muslim Council of Elders' social media channels during the holy month of Ramadan, Al-Bakri affirmed that the month of Ramadan is a great opportunity to enhance cooperation and solidarity and that it is also a time for people to strengthen social bonds, share kindness, charity, and acts of kindness, and care for the poor and needy.

Malaysia's former Minister of Islamic Affairs added, “Islam also encourages people to treat others decently, to avoid mistakes, and to live peacefully with others while also interacting with them on the basis of love, cooperation, and tolerance. Hence, Muslims should treat non-Muslims with decent manners, as what is the value of fasting with poor behaviour and harming others.”

Al-Bakri concluded, “No matter how much a Muslim engages in pure acts of worship such as prayer, fasting, remembrance, and supplication, he benefits no one except himself since people around him are unaffected. Yet, if his acts of worship result in mercy, compassion, assisting people, meeting their needs, and smiling in their faces, they will feel his Islam. His actions are an open invitation to the noble faith of Islam. Ramadan is a month for reflection and reform and the education and refining of the soul.”

The Muslim Council of Elders’ social media pages will broadcast a total of 5 programs during the holy month of Ramadan which falls in line with the Council’s strategy to employ all avenues to promote the values of dialogue, peace and coexistence. Programs include Al-Imam Al-Tayeb, Crescent of Coexistence, With the Elders, Youth Peacemakers and Think About Your Fasting.