Respect other religions for others to respect ours - Zahid

Malaysians should respect the religions of one another to ensure their own religion is respected, says Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

He said festivals celebrated together by the people in the country such as Christmas was a manifestation that Malaysians, despite their different religious beliefs could respect the religions of others.

"The differences in religions to us is a uniqueness for followers of all religions as it was mentioned in the Al-Quran as 'You are with your religion, I am with my religion.'

"The harmony we preserved despite the different religions, races, cultures, languages and backgrounds as Malaysians will strengthen our solidarity forever," he said when opening the 2015 Malaysia Christmas Open House at Proclamation of Independence Memorial Square in Bandar Hilir here Sunday night.

Also present were his wife, Datin Seri Hamidah Khamis; Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz; Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Tan Sri Joseph Kurup; and, Malacca Chief Minister Datuk Seri Idris Haron.

Ahmad Zahid said differences among the people in Malaysia would not cause them to be divided but it was a symbol of uniqueness of the people in the country.

Therefore, he called on Malaysians to stay united and live harmoniously despite the differences.

He said the incident involving a small group which felt it was victimised by traders should not be turned into a problem involving race.

"Such misunderstandings are small problems which would be dealt with accordingly, by the police.

"Datuk Seri Najib Razak, as the prime minister was always committed to seeing the country peaceful and prosperous, which were the foundations established by the national leadership before and after independence."

Ahmad Zahid said the aspirations of early leaders were for Malaysians to defend togetherness, harmony and prosperity which should be understood by the present generation.