Harmony Committee: Appointment Of 25 Scholars Reflects National Commitment To Unity - YADIM

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 20 (Bernama) -- The recent appointment of 25 religious scholars to the Interfaith Harmony Committee (JK HARMONI) emphasises Malaysia's dedication to fostering moderation and harmony, fundamental to the nation's stability.

Yayasan Dakwah Islamiah Malaysia (YADIM) deputy president Associate Prof Dr Adi Anuar Azmin, said the inclusion of representatives from various faiths, including 10 from Islam alongside those from other religions, demonstrates an inclusive and constructive approach to interfaith relations.

“This aligns with Islamic principles that promote tolerance, mutual respect, and openness in interactions among diverse religious communities," he said in a statement today.

Adi Anuar added that YADIM views the initiative as a crucial step toward nurturing a culture of peace and harmony within society.

He noted that JK HARMONI's establishment strengthens collaboration among religious leaders and promotes a deeper understanding of each faith's noble values.

He also commended Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s leadership in prioritising national unity and religious harmony under the Malaysia MADANI framework.

"His commitment to balancing religious freedom with the sensitivities of the Muslim community is commendable and deserves our support," he said.

As an institution dedicated to Islamic propagation, YADIM remains committed to supporting initiatives that promote harmony and cooperation among communities.

"We believe that platforms like JK HARMONI serve as effective mechanisms in shaping a resilient Malaysia MADANI, grounded in values of moderation, justice, and collective well-being," Adi Anuar added.

The 25-member committee, appointed during a meeting yesterday, comprises 10 representatives from Islam, four from Buddhism, four from Christianity, two from Hinduism, one from Sikhism, two from Taoism, one from the Bahai Faith, and a representative from Unit for Other Religions (UNIFOR), Sarawak.

Meanwhile, the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) has called on all parties to act responsibly and refrain from politicising the membership composition of JK HARMONI, following social media posts attempting to highlight the issue.

It warned that such actions could cause unnecessary public unease.

Its director-general Datuk Dr Sirajuddin Suhaimee said JK HARMONI is not a newly formed committee but has been in place since Aug 14, 2020, following the rebranding of the Committee for Promoting Understanding and Harmony Among Religious Adherents (JKMPKA), which operated from 2010 to 2019.

“The membership structure has remained unchanged since January 2021, with 10 Muslim representatives and 15 non-Muslim representatives.

“The committee plays a key role in advising the government on strategies rooted in religious values to foster understanding and harmony. It also organises awareness programmes and interfaith activities for the benefit of society,” he said in a statement today.

-- BERNAMA