DR M SUGGESTS POLITICIANS GET COMMISSIONED AS PREACHERS TO GIVE RELIGIOUS TALKS

KOTA KINABALU (Malaysia), Nov 14 (Bernama) -- Former Malaysian prime
minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad on Saturday suggested that politicians get
commissioned as religious preachers if they want to conduct talks on Islam so as
to avert disunity and confusion among Muslims in the country.

"I notice that many politicians conduct religious lectures without having
been commissioned to do so. Religious lectures with a political motive cannot be
trusted.

"The commissioning is to ensure that the lectures adhere to the true Islamic
teachings propagated by Prophet Muhammad," he told reporters after opening the
annual general meeting of the United Sabah Islamic Association (USIA), here, the
capital of East Malaysia state of Sabah.

Dr Mahathir, who is president of the Malaysian Muslim Welfare Organisation
(Perkim), said it was feared that the differences of opinion among certain
Muslim personalities would be misinterpreted by Muslims and lead to disunity and
factions.

He also said that the commissioning of the religious preachers would also
ensure that true Islamic teachings were disseminated in all the states.

"We find that some people can preach, while some cannot. Some states can
accept a certain preacher, while others cannot," he said.

He said differences of opinion among Muslims could occur but this should not
necessarily lead to enmity.

He also said that Muslims should not neglect other knowledge in their quest
for religious excellence.

"We should not confine ourselves to preaching only. If we want to tell
others about the distinction of Islam, but are seen as poor, weak and dependent,
then how can we convince them about Islam?" he asked.
-- BERNAMA