Malaysia urges all parties in conflicts to discard extremism

Malaysia's Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN) in New York, Datuk Hussein Haniff said such a culture would bring together all actors and could be undertaken by community and religious leaders, parents, families, teachers, artists, academicians, civil societies, journalists, students and people from all walks of life.

"Malaysia's call for a global movement of moderates is aimed at promoting an everlasting global peace and harmony. We invite everyone present here today, to join this movement, in their own way to promote moderation, at the international, regional, national and local levels," he said in his statement at the Wesak Day Celebration at the UN in New York, Friday.

The statement was sent to Bernama through fax Saturday.

About Wesak Day in Malaysia, Hussein said Malaysia joined fellow Malaysians of the Buddhist faith in celebrating it every year in the country with approximately 19.2 percent Buddhists.

"The holy day of Wesak is celebrated in Malaysia, and has been declared as a public holiday since 1962," he said.

He said this was a manifestation of Malaysia's long history of close interaction between peoples of different faiths and culture and Malaysia also took pride in its diversity, as it brought strength to the nation as a whole in the spirit 1Malaysia.

"One of the key elements in nurturing national unity has been the moderate approach, adopted by the Malaysian government and embraced by its people in dealing with wide-ranging issues, including enhancing interfaith and intercultural relations.

"Our success as a nation, till today, heavily relies on the willingness of the moderates, from all religions and cultures, to work towards a common goal in perpetuating peace, harmony and prosperity," he said.