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
00:00Thank you very much, Mr. President.
00:04My experience together in visiting and traveling around the country, especially in ASEAN,
00:13I see the achievements, I am proud not only of myself, but also of the country.
00:19So I came among others, at Iftar, and also say Jazakumullahu Khairan Kathiran.
00:25Thank you very much, Mr. President.
00:29Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, I was just following through our earlier Sheikh just now,
00:35in his attempt to expose the meaning and significance of Ramadan.
00:40It is unique in Malaysia because not only the Eid, but the Ramadan,
00:46we invite our non-Muslim neighbors and friends from the ministries.
00:54And this is significant, although some of them pretend to fast and break fast,
01:00but some break fast two times a day.
01:03But this measure of tolerance is meaningful.
01:08You respect the practice of Ramadan, and from the time I was a kid in Penang,
01:15I hardly see my close colleagues, the Chinese and the Indians, eating in front of me.
01:21Somehow or other, they would avoid, they 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, essentially,
01:37the 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.
01:49That is why Muslim scholars relate Ramadan as a training schedule.
02:10Which means, without exception, Excellencies, Ambassadors, Ulama, Teachers,
02:18they are all compelled to go back to this school of Ramadan,
02:23to make sure that they enhance their spirituality, their practice.
02:31Secondly, of course, the discipline, the integrity.
02:37Because this is one practice that you can pretend to fast, but you don't fast.
02:43So you are finally accountable and answerable to Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala.
02:47So this sense of discipline among Muslims is to me remarkable,
02:52because you are trained from a very early age,
02:56that when you perform this ibadah, you are answerable to God,
03:00because you can always break fast along the way.
03:07And the third, of course, the social dimension, health-wise,
03:11and also social dimension, the care, the compassion, the ihsan and the rahmah.
03:18Why is it that we can fast and enjoy the luxuries,
03:22at the same time leave our neighbours in the lurch?
03:26That's why I mentioned the term actualization of the ideal.
03:35How the practice, the rituals are meant to be not only personally,
03:44spiritually enlightening or to bring that sense of discipline,
03:50but to have the capacity to affect, change and reform in yourself,
03:57family, society and nation.
04:00May Allah bless us and ensure that our Ramadan gives us that necessary push,
04:06that we must be, after the 30 days of intensive training,
04:12we are expected, Muslims generally, are expected to enhance their capability,
04:19to be a better person, to be more caring,
04:24to understand the essence and meaning of justice.
04:29Well, whether it is being realized is, of course, a major question.
04:34There is, of course, the internal dynamics and debate and discourse among Muslims
04:38for centuries has been that.
04:41We all fast, but sometimes we don't even care for our neighbours not having enough food.
04:46We fast, but we don't have any concern, of course,
04:49not only for the land of Gaza, but at least even among our neighbourhood.
04:55That is the major test.
04:57The meaning and significance of Ramadan, may Allah reward us and bless us
05:04and thank you again for this opportunity and thank you.
05:07I was joking with, not joking, it's a serious note to the foreign minister.
05:11I said, when prime ministers invite, not all ambassadors attend.
05:14But when foreign ministers invite, I see so many present without fail.
05:20You see the strength and influence of a foreign minister and the ministry, of course.
05:25So, thank you again.
05:26Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.