Interfaith harmony committee to be reactivated, says religious affairs minister

The government will reactivate the Interfaith Harmony Committee (Harmony Committee) to act as a medium of discussion between religious leaders to resolve issues related to religion and race.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Mohd Na'im Mokhtar said the committee would be jointly chaired by him and National Unity Minister Aaron Ago Dagang, and would comprise leaders from various religions.

The Harmony Committee was established on Aug 14, 2020, but had been inactive of late.

Speaking at a press conference after the Merdeka Goodwill Ceremony with Religious Leaders in Putrajaya yesterday, Na'im said various stakeholders would be contacted to reactivate the committee as soon as possible.

"This Harmony Committee is expected to function as an official consultation body of the leaders from the main religions practised in Malaysia to provide the best input and practical suggestions to be implemented to strengthen mutual understanding and harmony in the community," he said.

At yesterday's ceremony, a total of 20 representatives from various religion-based organisations in Malaysia were present, including representatives of the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism; Buddhist Association; Christian Federation of Malaysia; Malaysian Hindu Sangam; Sikh Federation; and the Taoist Society of Malaysia.

Na'im said among the matters discussed at the meeting was how to empower the Inter-Civilisational Dialogue programme as an approach to strengthen harmony in a multi-religious society.

"The dialogue approach to improve understanding and overcome a clash of ignorance will be done through the implementation of seminars, explanations and the publication of informative materials," he said, adding that the meeting proved the spirit of understanding and cooperation was intact among the various religious leaders in Malaysia.