SHAH ALAM: Despite Selangor's status as one of Malaysia's most developed states, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah remains concerned about subjects, particularly the poor and underprivileged, who continue to struggle with daily life.
Selangor Islamic Religious Council (MAIS) chairman Datuk Salehuddin Saidin said the Sultan's role as Head of the Islamic Religion in Selangor extended beyond safeguarding the faith and strengthening religious institutions to protecting the Muslim community's welfare while maintaining harmony with non-Muslims.
Salehuddin, who has known the Sultan for nearly 18 years and is a member of the Selangor Royal Council, said the ruler took his responsibility to safeguard his subjects' welfare, uphold the sanctity of Islam and ensure justice seriously.
"His Highness is always deeply concerned about matters affecting the Muslim community. Should there be instances where Muslims are oppressed, left without economic support or struck by misfortune, His Highness is the first to instruct us, the religious institutions, to take action," he told Bernama in an interview held in conjunction with the recent Silver Jubilee celebration of the Sultan's reign.
Salehuddin said the Sultan paid particular attention to low-income Muslims and those living in poverty, insisting that they be identified so assistance could reach them effectively.
"In every discussion, His Highness consistently reminds us that the poor and destitute must not be sidelined. He emphasises the need to compile data so that this group continues to receive the attention it needs," he said.
Despite his pride in Selangor's development, Sultan Sharafuddin has cautioned against measuring the state's success solely in economic terms while some of its people remain poor.
Salehuddin said the Sultan was aware of urban poverty, including residents of dilapidated flats where large families were forced to live in cramped two-room homes.
The Sultan has questioned the value of celebrating the state's progress if sections of society remain marginalised.
In response, he has directed religious institutions, including the Selangor Zakat Board, to identify asnaf, or zakat-eligible recipients, and ensure assistance reaches those who need it most.
Salehuddin said the Sultan had also said that state policies and budget allocations must address the housing, education and daily needs of underprivileged communities.
On strengthening Islam, Salehuddin said the Sultan wanted Muslims' aqidah (faith) preserved in accordance with the Ahli Sunnah wal Jamaah tradition, while measures were taken to curb deviant teachings and ideologies such as liberalism and pluralism.
He said religious institutions, including mosques and surau, must be managed professionally, particularly in administration and finance, to maintain public confidence.
The Sultan also wanted comprehensive religious programmes to reach urban and rural communities, including the B40 and other underprivileged groups, so that the benefits of development and welfare were shared more equitably.
At the same time, efforts to strengthen Islam must go hand in hand with respect for other religions to preserve social harmony.
Salehuddin said the Sultan viewed unity among Muslims and positive relations among people of different ethnic backgrounds and faiths as essential to national development.
Community leaders, he said, should promote unity rather than deepen divisions.
"His Highness expects community leaders never to act as the masterminds behind societal fragmentation. Instead, they should encourage Muslims and people of other ethnic groups to live in harmony and unity," he said.
The younger generation is another priority for the Sultan, who has repeatedly reminded Mais and the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais) not to overlook young people when planning religious programmes at state, district, mosque and surau levels.
Salehuddin said Sultan Sharafuddin wanted targeted initiatives to draw young people to mosques and surau through activities suited to their interests, including sports and recreation after the Subuh (dawn) prayer.
Mosque and surau committees had also been urged to engage younger congregants and diversify activities to make religious institutions more welcoming.
"We must not focus solely on the adult or older generations when planning initiatives to enliven our mosques," he said.
Salehuddin said the Sultan had called on mosque and surau committees to move beyond conventional approaches and tailor programmes to different segments of society.
Through such efforts, mosques and surau could serve not only as places of worship but also as centres for learning, strengthening community ties, distributing aid and bringing young people closer to religion.
Ultimately, the Sultan's vision for the Muslim community extends beyond economic growth and strong religious institutions to caring for the poor, preserving social harmony and ensuring no one is left behind.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd