MALAYSIAN PM WANTS MUSLIMS TO RESPECT PEOPLE OF OTHER RELIGIONS

MELAKA (Malacca), Feb 5 (Bernama) -- Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak Thursday called on Muslims in the country to respect people of other religions in accordance with the teachings of the Quran and the life of Prophet Muhammad.

He said Islamic teachings accorded great importance to good relationship
among people, whether it was among Muslims or between Muslims and non-Muslims,
and cited the example of Prophet Muhammad who had always respected people of
other religions.

"The Quran contains text which specifically prohibits the spurning or
sabotage of other religions, including their houses of worship.

"If we (Muslims) torch the places of worship of other religions, for
example, those people (of other religions) will also do that to Muslim houses of
worship," he said when opening the Asy-Syuja'ah Mosque in Merlimau Utara in
Jasin, here.

Najib said that when individuals practised Islam in its fullness by
respecting people of other religions, the people of other religions will also
respect them.

The prime minister said the 1Malaysia concept was based on the principle of
religion besides the principle of social justice.

The Asy-Syuja'ah Mosque, which was built at a cost of RM4.6 million
(US$1=RM3.4), can
accommodate a congregation of 3,000 at any one time.

At a news conference after a visit to the fishing village in Pantai Siring
in Merlimau, Najib said the government in principle agreed to upgrade amenities
at the village under the 10th Malaysia Plan, among them constructing three
jetties and a wave-breaker.

Earlier, Jasin Member of Parliament Ahmad Hamzah, who accompanied
Najib on the visit, had asked the prime minister for an allocation of RM31
million to build the amenities at the village.

-- BERNAMA