KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has highlighted the significance of upholding values and faith in the execution of duties, obligations, and entrusted mandates by public officials at all levels.
He emphasised that despite the ongoing technological advancements and the fast-paced development globally, individuals should not lose sight of the elevation of faith while simultaneously preserving ethical values.
"Regardless of how busy we are and the rapid development in line with the world's technological advancements, our faith must be elevated, along with the preservation of values and ethics," he said in a statement today.
In drawing parallels, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim referred to the narrative of the seven youths of Ashabul Kahfi, as narrated in the Quran's Surah Al-Kahf.
The story revolves around a time when a system, government, and a tyrant king were engrossed in idol worship. The believers, including the seven youths, rejected this and sought refuge in a cave, showcasing their unwavering faith.
Anwar also underlined the importance of public servants learning from the resilience and strong faith of the youths, which shielded them from engaging in polytheism and corruption.
"However, my views have been misinterpreted to the extent that some have gone on to criticise and mocked various parties, including preachers and scholars. In my opinion, this is excessive and should not happen.
"Certainly, a culture of constructive discourse should be encouraged, rather than elevating harsh criticisms, especially involving the context of Quranic verses, which are now widely discussed on social media," he added.
He said the need for fostering a culture of positive discussion, especially in the context of Quranic verses, given the increasing prevalence of such discussions on social media platforms.
Anwar concluded by expressing his hope for an improvement in the understanding of Islam, emphasising the importance of constructive engagement for the benefit of society.
Last week, Anwar said that he respected ulama except for those who made poor and foolish comments that were overtly political and constantly changed their "fatwa" (edict) while being intolerant of disagreement.
Similarly, he recounted an incident where some preachers took one of his speeches out of context, specifically when he cited the Quranic verse Ashabul Kahfi, the story of seven youths in a cave.
