PUTRAJAYA, Aug 10 (Bernama) -- The term “kafir harbi” is unsuitable for use in the Malaysian context as all citizens are subject to the Federal Constitution and share the responsibilities of fellow citizens and compatriots, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Dr Zulkifli Hasan.
He said this was among the conclusions reached during a roundtable discussion titled “‘Kafir Harbi’ in Malaysia: A Discussion” held today to address the issue.
“Following discussions, presentations and an exchange of views, we generally concluded that the term ‘kafir harbi’ is inappropriate for Malaysia because all Malaysian citizens are bound by the (Federal) Constitution, and we are all part of one society and fellow citizens sharing the same homeland.
“I feel the term ‘kafir harbi’ is no longer suitable for our country, as we are united and share the responsibility of defending and developing this nation,” he told reporters here.
Zulkifli said the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) would collaborate with other agencies and ministries to intensify efforts to provide information, clarification and public awareness on the issue.
He said the collaborative approach is important to ensure efforts to strengthen national integration are implemented comprehensively and not confined to the religious sector.
“We urge all Malaysians to work together to strengthen unity, foster closer bonds of brotherhood, respect one another, and understand each other’s cultures and religions so that we can build stronger unity for our country, Malaysia,” he said.
“Following discussions, presentations and an exchange of views, we generally concluded that the term ‘kafir harbi’ is inappropriate for Malaysia because all Malaysian citizens are bound by the (Federal) Constitution, and we are all part of one society and fellow citizens sharing the same homeland.
“I feel the term ‘kafir harbi’ is no longer suitable for our country, as we are united and share the responsibility of defending and developing this nation,” he told reporters here.
Zulkifli said the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) would collaborate with other agencies and ministries to intensify efforts to provide information, clarification and public awareness on the issue.
He said the collaborative approach is important to ensure efforts to strengthen national integration are implemented comprehensively and not confined to the religious sector.
“We urge all Malaysians to work together to strengthen unity, foster closer bonds of brotherhood, respect one another, and understand each other’s cultures and religions so that we can build stronger unity for our country, Malaysia,” he said.