The Inter-Faith Harmony Committee (Harmony Committee) will be reactivated by the government to facilitate discussions between religious leaders in order to resolve issues related to religion and race, according to Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar.
Together with National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang, Mohd Na’im, who is the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs), will co-chair the committee. The committee will include leaders from various religions practiced in Malaysia.
Although established on Aug 14, 2020, the Harmony Committee has been inactive lately. Mohd Na’im announced the plan to reactivate the committee at a press conference after the Merdeka Goodwill Ceremony with Religious Leaders on Aug 29.
He stated that stakeholders would be contacted promptly to initiate the reactivation process of the committee. According to him, the Harmony Committee is expected to function as an official consultation body for leaders from major religions in Malaysia. Its purpose is to provide valuable input and practical suggestions to strengthen mutual understanding and harmony within the community.
A total of 20 representatives from various religious-based organizations in Malaysia attended the ceremony, including delegates from the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism, and Taoism, as well as the Buddhist Association, Christian Federation of Malaysia, Malaysian Hindu Sangam, Sikh Federation, and the Taoist Society of Malaysia.
Mohd Na’im highlighted that empowering the Inter-Civilisational Dialogue program was one of the key matters discussed at the meeting. This program serves as an approach to enhance harmony in Malaysia’s multi-religious society.
He explained that the dialogue approach aims to improve understanding and overcome ignorance. This will be achieved through organizing seminars, providing explanations, and publishing informative materials on the subject. Mohd Na’im emphasized that the meeting reaffirmed the spirit of understanding and cooperation among the different religious leaders in Malaysia. – Bernama
Credit: The Star : News Feed
