PEKAN: Datuk Seri Najib Razak yesterday reminded Muslims to strive to become people of quality by continuing to perform their religious obligations at all times, instead of just during Ramadan.
The prime minister said deeds like praying together in groups at the mosques and giving alms which are usually observed during the fasting month, should become a habit at all times.
He said these would help foster love and respect amongst Muslims and eventually bind them together in a civilised society.
Najib said Muslims in Malaysia should be thankful for the peace in the country as it allowed them to perform their religious obligations without any fear for their safety.
| Datuk Seri Najib Razak presenting a donation to a senior citizen from his Pekan constituency yesterday. |
"Our country is safe and our lives here are comfortable. We can carry out our religious obligations like praying and fasting peacefully and we should not take these for granted.
"We should strive to become good Muslims and a Muslim of quality and it can start by fasting," Najib said in a speech after breaking fast and performing the Maghrib prayers at Kampung Merchong mosque near here last night.
He said Ramadan was different this year compared with the years before, as more Muslims were flocking to the mosques.
Najib, who is also Pekan member of parliament, also promised to help the villagers resolve the problem of poor water supply by building more water treatment plants in the district.
Earlier, he handed out donations to 164 villagers, comprising senior citizens, the handicapped, single mothers and orphans from several villages in the Bebar area in the Pekan constituency.
The donation was courtesy of Kampung Merchong Umno and Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) Pahang.
Najib also witnessed the handing over of a RM2,000 donation for the mosque to the village headman and Kg Merchong Umno chief, Akhil Mohd Yunus, by TNB senior vice president (co-operative and technical) Datuk Wira Mohamad Sidek Ahmad.
Najib, who also visited the Kampung Sungai Miang mosque to join the congregation in performing the Isyak prayers, said the obligation to fast is a test of their faith as it involves not only the physical aspect of abstaining from eating and drinking during the daytime but as a subtle way of instilling self-discipline.
"Fasting is a good way of strengthening ourselves physically, spiritually and emotionally as it helps to mould good characters.
"Our inner strength will automatically be reflected in our behaviour and we will project a positive image as a Muslim.
"Ultimately, the whole Muslim populations, in general, will gain the respect of others," he said.
Najib, who handed out donations to 128 people, also promised to build a new mosque next year in the village which would be constructed on a new site.
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