Malaysia supports formation of ASEAN Ulemas Association

Deputy Foreign Minister of Malaysia Hamzah Zainuddin supported the formation of the Association of Ulemas and Preachers in Southeast Asia to fight for moderate Islam for Muslims.

"Malaysia is always open to cooperation with Muslims in ASEAN and in the world," Hamzah Zainuddin said here on Sunday.

He said that the gathering of preachers and ulemas in ASEAN will strengthen the relationships among the world muslims. The cooperation is to help Muslims in various parts of the world in defending their rights.

"The role of the ulemas and preachers should become the agenda of the ASEAN community," he emphasized.

The ulemas and preachers should introduce Islam properly to the people," he emphasized.

According to him, the struggle carried out by the ulemas is to create the secured situation for Muslims and non-Muslims, and create the economic opportunities for Muslims, in addition the ulemas should also oppose the radicalism.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Southeast Asian Ulemas Association Muhammad Zaitun Rasmin asserted that the formation of association is to support the integrity of the Asean countries.

ASEAN members comprising Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, The Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.

Source: ANTARA