Friday sermons stress on national security

The Friday sermon at several mosques today emphasised the importance of protecting national security and the need for the people to be sensitive to the deeds and sacrifices of the security forces in defending the country's sovereignty and peace. Ustad Sodik Mohain, when delivering the sermon before the Friday prayer at the Masjid Al-Hudah Felda Sahabat 16, said members of the security forces had placed their lives at stake in defending the country. As such, all Malaysians should appreciate and remember the sacrifices of the security forces in the struggle for national independence, he said. Also performing their Friday prayers at the mosque were Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar, Armed Forces Chief Gen Tan Sri Zulkifeli Mohd Zin and Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Hamza Taib. They were among the 200 congregators at the mosque who later performed the optional 'solat hajat' after the Friday prayers. In the sermon entitled 'Grateful For Peace', Sodik also called on the people in the country to join the efforts in maintaining the peace enjoyed by the people since the country gained independence. He said it was not easy to keep the peace enjoyed by the people and it had been achieved through the struggles by the security forces including the fight to gain national independence. Since the incursion by armed militants from Southern Philippines in Kampung Tadou, about 130 km from here, eight members of the security forces have been killed, two during the clash in Kampung Tanduo on March 1, and another six in an ambush in Semporna on March 2. Last Monday, the Director-General of the Islamic Development Department, Datuk Othman Mustapha said the department would provide a special sermon concerning the attack incident in Lahad Datu for Friday prayers this week. In Kuala Lumpur, National Mosque Imam Mohd Zamri Abdul Halim, when reading the Friday sermon entitled 'The Responsibility of Defending the Nation' said this responsibility was not only placed upon members of the security forces but also all citizens of the country. As such, he said, an integrated approach should be implemented in tackling the threat to the country and this included instilling awareness on every one that it was their joint responsibility to maintain peace. "The people must also understand that the threat to national security could come from anywhere. "This is the time for Muslims in the country to unite in defending national sovereignty and the religion based on the existing capability and it was their obligation to reject any effort by anyone who tried to destroy peace in the country," he added.