ABDULLAH: DOWNFALL OF ISLAMIC GOVERNMENTS HAS COME FROM WITHIN

SEREMBAN (Malaysia), Sept 13 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said that history has shown that many past Islamic governments and empires had been destroyed by people from within.

Their downfall was not only due to outside forces, but also orchestrated by
those from within who had bad intentions.

"Although the plans might work well and seem effective, the end result was
destruction," he said before a congregation of about 1,000 people at the Taman
Tuanku Jaafar mosque, in this southern city Friday night.

Abdullah broke fast with the congregation and also handed over
contributions from the Negeri Sembilan Islamic Religious Council to mosques in
the Rembau parliamentary constituency.

He said those out to do bad, and to make baseless accusations and cause
turmoil in society forgot the divine retribution awaiting them.

"In a situation where there is economic prosperity in the country, we
should instead be grateful for what we have and do more good deeds.

"Praying, for instance, is just not surrendering yourself to God but
scientific studies have shown that the body movements during prayers is good for
fitness.

"It's the same with fasting, as there is medical evidence to show that it
could assist in the healing of the human body," he said.

In relation to this, Abdullah advised the people to follow Allah's command
and fulfil all religious obligations as expected of them.