By Natasha Jee & Amyra Varkisa
SIBU: Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has suggested building mosques with architectural designs that represent Sarawak’s multi-ethnic background.
He said he has already discussed with Nangka assemblyman Dr Annuar Rapaee that possibly in newly developed areas where there are non-Muslims, mosques with architectural design of different ethnic communities can be built.
“I have done this for a mosque in Piasau, Miri and Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud has also done one for the Islamic Information Centre (IIC) at Jalan Ong Tiang Swee in Kuching where the architectural design of these buildings have Chinese motifs.
“Hence, when we live in a multi-racial society and where there is such architectural design, like the mosques in China, we can carry out our ‘dakwah’ and understand the teaching of Islam,” he said when officiating at the re-opening of the refurbished Al-Qadim Mosque here on yesterday (July 11) evening.
Earlier, Abang Johari said when the state’s population increases, it also means that places of worship would increase as well.
“For the Muslim community where there are more mosques, more will come to pray. And when we pray a lot, indeed Allah will help us.
“Not only that, we must also be fair to the non-Muslim community. Therefore, I uphold Prophet Muhammad’s message when he formed the government in Medina, that is the Medina Charter, that gave justice to all Muslims and non-Muslims under the Islamic government,” he said.
He said this is how the Sarawak government is administering the state, that is to be fair and look after the well-being of both the Muslim and non-Muslim community.
Also present were the Premier’s wife Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tun Tuanku Bujang; Deputy Minister of Utility and Telecommunications Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi; Sarawak Islamic Council (SIC) president Datuk Misnu Taha, Political Secretary to the Premier Sayeed Azmee Wan Junaidi; Sibu Resident Wong Hee Sieng; and Temenggong Datuk Wan Hamid Edruce.
