IPOH (Jan 12): Muslims are reminded not to give their trust or hand over responsibilities to those with evil and hypocritical image, with low morality, tainted by corruption and abuse of power, as well as are untrustworthy and insincere.

Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Shah said Muslims should strongly reject the behavior of this group as this could tarnish the good name of the ummah and the sanctity of Islam.

He said Muslims must protect the sanctity of Islam from any form of defamation or degradation in the course of fighting for political power.

"The Muslim community should be built from among the ummah who live by the Islamic way of life in all fields, in fulfilling their duties to their family, neighbors, community and country.

"The Muslim community should reflect prominence through the excellence of its ummah in mastering knowledge, showing work and professional competencies, economic dominance, wealth ownership as well as greatness of culture and civilization," he said.

Sultan Nazrin said this at the ceremony to present letters of appointment  to members of the Perak Religious Affairs and Malay Customs Council (MAIPk), members of the State Fatwa Committee, state Syariah judges and state Syarie chief prosecutor at Dewan Al Ghazali, Kompleks Islam Darul Ridzuan, Ipoh.

At the event, Sultan Nazrin presented letters to 18 of the 19 MAIPk members present, including Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Saarani Mohamad and Perak Dewan Negara member, who is also MAIPk president Datuk Seri Mohd Annuar Zaini, as well as to four of the five Perak Fatwa Committee members.

Also present to receive the letter was Datuk Dr Mohd Naim Mokhtar who has been appointed Perak Syariah Court chief judge and Mohd Asri Ghazali as Syarie chief prosecutor.

In addition, Sultan Nazrin said the Constitutional provision which states the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the Rulers as the Head of the religion of Islam, guarantees that Islam will be protected and will not be affected despite political leadership changes in the country and state, each time after a general election.

He added that the glory of Islam must be upheld and should not rely solely on the special position of Islam as the religion of the Federation, because with no efforts made, whatever is enshrined in the Constitution will only remain a legal phrase.

"The responsibility in giving meaning to the legal phrase rests on the shoulders of every Muslim who must strive to embody Islam and their religious belief in their daily life," said Sultan Nazrin.

The Perak ruler said the people are watching, listening and following current happenings in the country while describing the tests being faced now, the results of human failings and ill-doings.

"Your servant pray for the innocent ummahs’ protection  from calamity as a result of the cruel actions of those who have violated Your command Ya Allah! Ya Wahhab! Ya Razak! Ya Rafiq! Ya Muiz!

"On the shoulders of Your servant,  You entrust the heavy responsibility as the Head of the Islamic Religion of Perak Darul Ridzuan. To You alone, Your servant pray that guidance be given, to help him fulfill the trust, lead the congregation in seeking the straight path to eternal happiness in this world and the hereafter.

"As the world faces crises, ranging from infectious diseases epidemic threats, frequent natural disasters, increasingly turbulent politics and gloomy economic climate, strengthen your faith and place your trust in Allah Almighty’s infinite power and greatness," said Sultan Nazrin.