Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah today said leaders who are untrustworthy and devoid of integrity will only cause suffering among the people.
The deputy Yang Di-Pertuan Agong also said poverty would spread when leaders made it a priority to increase material wealth by denying the rights of the ummah.
Sultan Nazrin, who is also the Sultan of Perak, officiated the national-level Maulidur Rasul here at Putrajaya International Convention Center (PICC) here today.
PUTRAJAYA: Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah today said leaders who are untrustworthy and devoid of integrity will only cause suffering among the people.
The deputy Yang Di-Pertuan Agong also said poverty would spread when leaders made it a priority to increase material wealth by denying the rights of the ummah.
“Material wealth that is earned through suspicious means will make someone rich instantly.
“And sudden wealth without the enrichment of the mind, intellect, knowledge and the soul, is not the true meaning of being wealthy, and wealth that is earned this way does not last.
“This would only give birth to boastfulness and a culture of showing off which will then lead to unnecessary wastage,” Sultan Nazrin said in his speech at the federal celebration of the Prophet Muhammad’s birthday here today.
Such a culture, he said, would lead to the wastage of resources, poor development in the country and unemployment.
“The rate of outward migration, smuggling, crime and corruption will also increase along with other social problems.
“All these will affect public peace, political stability and the people would suffer greatly being trapped by violence and anguish,” he added.
Sultan Nazrin, who is also the Sultan of Perak, officiated the national-level Maulidur Rasul here at Putrajaya International Convention Center (PICC) here today.
The celebration is to commemorate the birth of Prophet Muhammad.
The prophet was born on Monday, the 12th of Rabiulawal, according to the Muslim calendar, in the year 570 AD in Mecca.
Present was Raja Permaisuri Perak, Tuanku Zara Salim.
Also present were Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa.
The grand celebration saw the attendance of more than 4,000 Muslims from governmental and non-governmental bodies and students from higher learning institutions and schools.
In his speech, Sultan Nazrin said the culture of hypocrisy would weaken the pillars of integrity.
He said many of the problems facing the people today was caused by a lack of integrity among those who were entrusted with power.
“Many of the problems faced by the ummah today is due to the crises that were triggered by the scramble for wealth in a manner that is not proper and transparent.
“In fact, power struggles happen because power is seen as a conduit to build personal wealth, their wealth of the families and their cronies,” he said.
Sultan Nazrin said the prosperity of a country and its people depended on their leaders’ behaviour and common sense.
“If leaders are always aware that they have a greater responsibility towards Allah, then the ummah and the country will be prosperous.”
Sultan Nazrin also said a country’s wealth could be distributed fairly if its resources were managed transparently.
“The youth, the educated and those exposed to many sources of information want leaders who are responsible to the ummah, are free of corruption and do not abuse their power.”
Sultan Nazrin said Prophet Muhammad was not only trustworthy but also strict when it came to upholding truth and justice.
“The Prophet’s rule was based on principles and the willingness to right a wrong even if it was committed by family members and close friends.
“The Prophet was never captivated by material wealth and was never tempted to enrich himself or his family. No one became rich by staying close to the Prophet.
“Instead, the Prophet fulfiled his promises, was not pretentious, and he was honest.”
Sultan Nazrin said Islam was a religion of peace that promoted gentleness and love.
He said Islam did not condone violence and hatred, and that it encouraged tolerance, mutual respect, cooperation and compassion among all
living beings.
“The Prophet’s leadership has lifted the prestige of the ummah and current leaders should learn from the example set by the Prophet.”
Mujahid, who delivered the welcoming remarks, said Islam is a blessed religion that does not oppress and discriminate based on religion and culture.
He said its teachings does not forbid anyone from doing good and being just towards people who do not wage war against them and drive them out of their state for the purpose of war.
Mujahid also said this year, the event was made more colourful with Berita Harian’s #JomCintaNabi which has been organised by Berita Harian (BH) alongside Jakim and a few strategic partners from the government and corporate entities.
Source: NST Online
