Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has lauded Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan and Wisma Putra for their diplomatic prowess, noting the significant presence of foreign ambassadors at events hosted by the ministry.
Speaking at the ministry's buka puasa event on Sunday (March 9), the Prime Minister emphasised Malaysia's growing diplomatic recognition, particularly within Asean and on the global stage.
Anwar also highlighted Malaysia's distinctive Ramadan traditions, underscoring the celebration's inclusive spirit.
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Speaking at the ministry's buka puasa event on Sunday (March 9), the Prime Minister emphasised Malaysia's growing diplomatic recognition, particularly within Asean and on the global stage.
Anwar also highlighted Malaysia's distinctive Ramadan traditions, underscoring the celebration's inclusive spirit.
Read more at https://tinyurl.com/s2wrz8yv
WATCH MORE: https://thestartv.com/c/news
SUBSCRIBE: https://cutt.ly/TheStar
LIKE: https://fb.com/TheStarOnline
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NewsTranscript
00:00And I, my experience together in the visit and out of the country,
00:10ASEAN, especially in several foreign countries, I see the achievement, I am proud,
00:16not only in me, but also in the country.
00:19So I came among others, in Iftar and also say Jazakumullahu Khairan Kathiran.
00:24Thank you very much.
00:27And excellency, ladies and gentlemen, I mean, I was just following through
00:32our earlier Sheikh just now in his attempt to expose the meaning and significance of Ramadan.
00:39And it is unique in Malaysia because not only the Eid, but the Ramadan,
00:45we invite our non-Muslim neighbors and friends from the ministries.
00:53And this is significant, although some of them pretend to fast and break fast,
00:59but some break fast two times a day.
01:02But this measure of tolerance is meaningful.
01:07You respect the practice of Ramadan.
01:10And from the time I was a kid in Penang, I hardly see my close colleagues,
01:17the Chinese and the Indians, eating in front of me.
01:21Somehow or other they would avoid.
01:23They go somewhere distant, to be sure, out of respect.
01:31And this is important to my mind.
01:33And the significance of Ramadan is, of course,
01:36essentially it is spiritual purification, spiritual enlightenment.
01:41There is no question about it.
01:43And the rituals are perfected to make sure that you add on to the normal practice.
01:48That is why Muslim scholars relate Ramadan as a training schedule.
02:09Which means, without exception, Excellencies, Ambassadors,
02:13or Ulama, or teachers, they are all compelled to go back to the school of Ramadan,
02:22to make sure that they enhance their spirituality, their practice.
02:30Secondly, of course, the discipline, the integrity.
02:36Because this is one practice that you can pretend to fast, but you don't fast.
02:42So you are finally accountable and answerable to Allah.
02:46So this sense of discipline among Muslims is to me remarkable.
02:51Because you are trained from a very early age that when you perform this ibadah,
02:58you are answerable to God because you can always break fast along the way.
03:05But, and the third, of course, the social dimension.
03:09Health-wise, and also social dimension.
03:12The care, the compassion, the ihsan and the rahmah.
03:16Why is it that we can fast and enjoy the luxuries,
03:21at the same time leave our neighbours in the lurch?
03:26That's why I mentioned the term actualization of the ideal.
03:34How the practice, the rituals, are meant to be not only personally, spiritually enlightening,
03:46or to drive that sense of discipline,
03:49but to have the capacity to affect, change and reform in yourself,
03:56family, society and nation.
03:59May Allah bless us and ensure that our Ramadan gives that necessary push.
04:05That we must be, after the 30 days of intensive training,
04:12we are expected, Muslims generally, are expected to enhance their capability,
04:18to be a better person, to be more caring,
04:23to understand the essence and meaning of justice.
04:27Well, whether it is being realized is, of course, a major question.
04:33It is, of course, the internal dynamics and debate and discourse among Muslims
04:37for centuries has been that.
04:40We all fast, but sometimes we don't even care for our neighbours not having enough food.
04:45We fast, but we don't have any concern.
04:48Of course, not only land as far as Gaza, but at least even among our neighbourhood.
04:54So that is the major test.
04:56The meaning and significance of Ramadan, may Allah reward us and bless us.
05:03And thank you again for this opportunity and thank you.
05:06I was joking with, not joking, it's a serious note to the foreign minister.
05:10I said, when prime ministers invite, not all ambassadors attend.
05:13But when foreign ministers invite, I see so many present without fail.
05:19You see the strength and influence of a foreign minister and the ministry, of course.
05:24So thank you again.
05:25Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.
05:36For more information visit www.fema.org