Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim says Maulidur Rasul should go beyond ceremonies and inspire Muslims to practise the values of compassion, justice and good conduct.
SERDANG: Maulidur Rasul should not be reduced to a ceremonial occasion but serve as a platform for Muslims to internalise the teachings of Prophet Muhammad and translate them into meaningful action, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Speaking at the National Maulidur Rasul celebration here today, he said the challenge facing Muslims was not merely understanding Islam but putting its values into practice and setting an example for others.
“Maulidur Rasul should not simply be about ceremonies, slogans or parades. More importantly, it is about what we truly understand and internalise for the sake of Allah,” he said.
Anwar said Islam should be presented through compassion, justice and good conduct rather than merely through preaching or displays of religious identity.
He said Muslims should strive to become a community that embraced goodness, respect and justice while rejecting wrongdoing, discrimination, oppression and injustice.
“The challenge for Islam is not simply to display our identity or preach, but to attract others through our actions and become the best example,” he said.
Anwar said Prophet Muhammad’s approach to transforming society demonstrated that meaningful change could be achieved through engagement, compassion and good conduct.
He said the Prophet’s example remained relevant today, particularly in efforts to build a harmonious and inclusive society.
“When Islam is presented in a way that is not overly harsh, people can better appreciate and understand its beauty,” he said.
Anwar also cautioned against approaches that could cause people to become fearful or uncomfortable with Islam, saying Muslims should instead demonstrate the religion’s values through their conduct.
He said the Prophet’s leadership in Madinah showed how justice, compassion and unity could transform society, adding that these principles remained relevant to Malaysia’s diverse social landscape.
Anwar said Maulidur Rasul should ultimately inspire Muslims to improve themselves and contribute positively to society.
“The celebration only has meaning if it creates awareness, enlightenment and a renewed spirit among us, if, after today, we become better human beings and strive to become better people in every aspect of our lives,” he said.
His remarks were in line with his Maulidur Rasul message that Prophet Muhammad’s strategy in building Madinah should remain a reference for Malaysia’s reform and islah efforts, particularly in strengthening justice, social stability and national unity.
This year’s National Maulidur Rasul celebration carries the theme “Madani Dihayati, Ummah Diberkati”
