The Sultan of Kelantan, Sultan Muhammad V expressed his regret over the attempts by certain quarters to exploit the religious diversity in Malaysia.

The deputy Agong said the attempts not only could bring about negative impact, but could also destroy the harmonious ties among the people in the country.

"Malaysia is a multi-racial country which comprises people of different religions, languages, cultures and economic status.

"The fact that Islam is the official religion in the country and that other religions can also be practised in peace and harmony as stipulated in the federal constitution, as well as in state constitutions, should be respected by all," he said when opening the 54th International Quran Reciters Assembly at the Putra World Trade Centre today.

Present were Prime Minister Najib Razak and Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Jamil Khir Baharom.

Sixty-nine qari and qariah from 44 countries are participating in the assembly, which will end on July 13.

Minister: Gov't practises moderation

While expressing similar regret over the disputes among Muslims in the country, Sultan Muhammad said Muslims who love Al-Quran should feel responsible to preserve unity of the ummah and should use their potential to foster unity.

"We all must react to any attempts to tarnish the image of Islam and we must also help cleanse the image of Muslims which had been portrayed as terrorist and extremist by enemies of Islam," he said.

Earlier, Jamil Khir, who is also the assembly's organising committee chairperson, said the government had always practised the concept of moderation as a catalyst for 1Malaysia concept in ensuring the effectiveness of the national transformation programme.

"The concept is a continuous approach in the existing government policies, especially the Government Transformation Programme, Economic Transformation Programme, Rural Transformation Programme and the transformation programme in religious agencies," he said.

- Bernama