KING URGES MUSLIM COUNTRIES TO STRENGTHEN COOPERATION FOR COMMUNITY'S PROGRESS

KUALA LUMPUR, July 28 (Bernama) -- Malaysian King Tuanku Mizan
Zainal Abidin Tuesday urged Muslim countries to further strengthen cooperation
with each other to achieve greater progress for the community at the global
level.

He said the socio-economic, political advancement and survival of Muslims
called for greater cooperation among Islamic countries.

The Islamic world also needed greater unity in facing various threats like
phyical and spiritual attacks as well as the issue of Islamophobia, he said when
opening the 52nd International Quran Reciters Assembly at Merdeka Hall, Putra
World Trade Centre, here Tuesday.

His Majesty said the issue of Islamophobia which had poisoned the world
community, especially non-Muslims, needed to be tackled with urgency.

"I also hope non-Muslims will be made to understand that Islam is a
progressive religion and loves peace.


He added that it was not impossible for Muslims to regain their glory of the
past and that this could be achieved through greater unity, socio-economic
cooperation and mastering of the latest technology.

"Muslims, in my view, should not be at loggerheads over minor matters to the
point of causing disunity, bearing in mind the English saying " United We Stand,
Divided We Fall," he said.

Also present were Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak and Minister in
the Prime Minister's Department Jamil Khir Baharom.

-- BERNAMA