Set differences aside for TN50 - DPM

Instead, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the people should have a common mindset to enable Malaysia to become an exemplary model to other countries and to be recognised globally.

"Let's set aside our differences...we want to empower Malaysia as an exemplary model. Despite our racial and religious diversity, we should have a common mindset recognised by the world, that's our aspiration, InsyaAllah," he said in the recorded "Dialogue on TN50 from Islamic Perspective" aired by Bernama News Channel (BNC) tonight.

The dialogue between the deputy prime minister and over 1,000 youths, most of whom were leaders and members of Muslim student associations, was held at Dewan Tuanku Canselor Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM), Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, last Monday.

Various issues ranging from education, economy, politics, racial solidarity and religious extremism were discussed during the dialogue moderated by Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki.

It followed the first dialogue held by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak with 500 youths at Universiti Malaya here, during the launch of TN50 on Jan 19.

On the government's commitment to upholding and strengthening Islam in the country towards 2050, Ahmad Zahid said various efforts had been done, including the implementation of the concept of wasatiyyah and Islamic banking.

He said the government would also continue empowering Islamic education by funding 42,681 Al-Quran and Fardhu Ain (KAFA) classes and 72 secondary and 332 primary religious schools.

At the same time, Ahmad Zahid, who is also Home Minister, said the ministry had managed to rehabilitate 87.5 per cent of individuals involved in extremist groups through the deradicalisation programme shared by other countries.

He said to make the TN50 a reality, Muslims in Malaysia should be among the players, and not just as spectators.