KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 28 — National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar chaired the the Inter-Faith Harmony Committee’s (HARMONI) inaugural meeting today.
Set up on Aug 14, 2020, HARMONI replaced the Committee to Promote Inter-Religious Harmony and Understanding Among Religious Adherents (JKMPKA), which was established in 2010 and dissolved on Dec 31, 2019.
Both ministries issued a joint statement today stating that the HARMONI Committee is an important platform to increase understanding of various religions.
“It (platform) is also for discussing issues that can disrupt religious harmony and public order, as well as proposing policies to the government based on religious values,” the ministries said.
The 30-member HARMONI Committee comprises three representatives from the government, 10 representatives of Islam, four representatives each of the Buddhist and Christian faiths, as well as two representatives each of the Hindu and Taoist religions, along with a representative each from the Sikh and Baha’i faiths as well as the Sarawak’s Unit for Other Religions (UNIFOR).
The HARMONI Committee will meet twice a year or when needed with the aim of strengthening a climate of good and friendly relations among leaders and followers of various religions based on the spirit of respect and cooperation at all levels.
It will also encourage all religious adherents to understand and respect the Federal Constitution, increase appreciation of noble values in line with the principles of the Rukun Negara and propose programmes and activities to increase understanding of the diversity of religions, cultures and customs to strengthen the country’s harmony.
In his remarks, Aaron expressed hope that the committee would achieve its objectives to be a bridge between Muslim and non-Muslim religious bodies and that it would share views that will benefit the well-being of Malaysia and its people and go on to implement a programme to foster understanding and harmony between religious leaders and followers to support the goal of bringing about Malaysia MADANI by embracing the Unity in Diversity concept.
Mohd Nai’m meanwhile was confident the committee is the best platform for all parties to take a wise and orderly approach with a high level of tolerance to deal with religious issues and ensure the social situation in the country remains stable and at the time time ensure that Islam is the federal religion as enshrined in the Constitution.
