Kuala Lumpur: Leaders and decision makers in the region should make the interests of nations and citizens their top priority, said His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah.
“Humanity must come before politics when it comes to any decision or agreement,” he said and referred to Islam as the source of love, tolerance, coexistence and human rights, irrespective of race, creed and gender.
Dr Shaikh Sultan made the statements during a meeting with Dr Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah, Sultan of the State of Perak, as part of his visit to Malaysia. Dr Shaikh Sultan’s trip to the country comes within the framework of the friendly relations between the UAE and Malaysia, which have grown steadily stronger in recent decades.
Taking place at the Palace of Perak (Istana Iskandariah), the meeting between Dr Shaikh Sultan and Dr Shah saw the two leaders discussing the current situation and developments in Muslim countries, in particular those that are suffering from turmoil caused by political crises and wars. The talks touched on the conditions of refugees around the world and their urgent issues that need to be viewed within a humanitarian perspective, with political considerations left aside. They called for urgent international action to protect refugees and alleviate their homelessness and hunger.
The talks reiterated how the UAE and Malaysia are actively involved in promoting dialogue among countries on the global stage.
Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah, who is the Royal Patron for Malaysia’s Islamic Finance Initiative, highlighted the scheme, which aims to promote Malaysia as a major Islamic finance hub.
Dr Shaikh Sultan lauded the Malaysian role in promoting Islamic economic values within Malaysia and beyond, which he said contributed to the increased demand for Islamic finance from all countries due to its ethical principles. He also underlined the role played by Islamic economy in meeting the needs of community members and achieving financial and economic stability for the prosperity of all countries around the world.
Dr Shah, who also serves as Malaysia’s Special Envoy for Interfaith and Inter-Civilisational Dialogue, praised Sharjah’s leading experience in promoting interfaith and inter-cultural dialogue. He referred to Dr Shaikh Sultan’s role in supporting the values of tolerance and inter-communication between people of different nationalities who live peacefully and safely in the emirate. He highlighted the great role of the Ruler of Sharjah plays in conveying the honourable image of Islam and Muslims, also citing the Emirati and Malaysian development experiences as outstanding examples of the progress seen in Islamic countries across the world.
The talk between the two leaders also focused on dialogue between cultures and the need to encourage and promote intercultural communication and understanding.
Dr Shaikh Sultan also presented an English copy of his book Under the Flag of Occupation to Dr Shah.
Abdullah Mattar Al Mazroui, UAE Ambassador to Malaysia; Badr Jafar, Chief Executive Officer of Crescent Enterprises and founder of Pearl Initiative; Erum Mazhar, Adviser at the Executive Office of Shaikha Jawaher Bint Mohammad Al Qasimi and Mariam Al Hammadi, Director of ‘Salam Ya Seghar’,’an initiative of the Big Heart Foundation, were also present at the meeting.
Dr Shaikh Sultan also visited the University of Malaya, located in the southwest of Kuala Lumpur. The University of Malaya established in 1905 is the oldest and most esteemed university in Malaysia.
Dr Shaikh Sultan commended the cultural diversity in the university, which opens its doors to students and researchers from all over the world.
