DON'T TAKE SOLIDARITY LIGHTLY

KUALA LUMPUR, March 10 (Bernama) -- Malaysian King Tuanku Mizan Zainal
Abidin has called on the Muslims to appreciate the life history of Prophet
Muhammad who had placed much emphasis on unity and solidarity to achieve
excellence.

The King said efforts to unite the community was an ongoing process in
line with the demands and challenges of the 21st century.

"As such, all policies that are formulated to turn the country into a
developed nation in future will not be achieved if the aspects of unity and
solidarity are taken lightly by everyone.

"When a section of the population becomes greedy and places self-interest
above others, ignoring noble values in pursuing material wealth, then various
calamities will strike bringing destruction to the people and drawing the wrath
of Allah," he said.

Tuanku Mizan said this at the National Level Maulidur Rasul Celebration
(Prophet Muhammad birthday's celebration) at the Dataran Merdeka, here Monday.

The King said the appreciation of Islam, which had been translated through
the history of its glorious era, had shown that the ummah had once united on the
axis of truth.

During the Islamic glory, there was harmony, stability and consensus, he
said.

Tuanku Mizan said Islam also prohibited all forms of malpractices, power
abuse and discrimination and propagated peace, equality and mutual help.

He said Islam made it compulsory to protect and ensure equal rights for all
strata of the society regardless whether they were Muslims or non-Muslims.

He also presented awards to six recipients at the function.

The celebration Monday started with a procession comprising about 100,000
people who recited praises on the Prophet along the way. Those taking part in
the procession were public and private sector employees, representatives from
the non-governmental organisations, schools, public institutions of higher
learning and training institutes, and representatives from the mosques.
-- BERNAMA
RT