Bandar Seri Begawan - Religious Affairs Minister Pehin Jawatan Luar Pekerma Raja Dato Seri Utama Dr Ustaz Hj Md Zain Hj Serudin yesterday called on the Malay Muslim youth "to identify and preserve their identity" in the face of fast changing world.

The Minister was the guest of honour in yesterday's opening of the Muslim Malay Youth dialogue.

The two-day dialogue saw 400 participants from various schools and government agencies in Brunei, Malaysia and Singapore gathered together at the Seri Begawan Religious Teaching College University (KUPUSB).

Themed "Kesempurnaan akhlak belief Islam", or loosely translated as "towards Muslim youth's moral perfection", the dialogue called for Muslim youth in Brunei to understand the purity of Islam.

It also called for the youth to practise as well as possess the mentality to appreciate the nation's culture and make it a pillar in developing the nation through MIB philosophy.

The theme stressed the importance of Muslim youth to display maturity characterised by courtesy, behaviour, and attitude based on Islamic teachings.

In his keynote address touching on the importance of akhlak (moral values) in Muslim youth, Pehin Dr Hj Md Zain said the youth face a constantly changing world, which he attributed to the advancement of technology, globalisation and ICT.

"With these changes, we have seen chaos in Islam world and breaking of the ummah (Muslims)," he said.

The Minister added Malay Muslim youth should see, analyse and evaluate life according to the social, economy, politics, knowledge, techniques, arts, philosophy and religion aspects.

"We are not happy hearing the youth perceive as being the cause of and being involved in moral degradation and social ills," he said.

He said: "Malay Muslim youth need to identify, and preserve their identity as Muslim youth."

"Learn the teaching of Islam with greater awareness, perform your religious obligations, stay away from what is forbidden," he called to the youth.

"Do not forget to pray, always remembers Allah (SWT), practice good moral values according to Islamic teaching, and strive to strengthen the position of Islam in various fields," he added.

Ministry of Religious Affairs Deputy Permanent Secretary Pg Hj Bahrom Pg Hj Bahar said that akhlak is important as it is the main focus of Al-Quran.

"It guides the heart, mind, tongue, attitude and behaviour," he said.

The deputy permanent secretary highlighted the challenges faced by the youth in appreciating good moral values.

He said the challenges lies in several factors: internal, environment, education system and technology.

Yesterdays event was organised by Brunei Youth Council and Islamic Da'wah Centre, Ministry of Religious Affairs in conjunction with His Majesty and Yang Di-Pertuan Brunei Darussalam's 63rd birthday celebration.

The two-day dialogue featured six working papers from six speakers from Brunei, Malaysia and Singapore.

The dialogue continues today and is organised simultaneously in all four districts in the country.-- Courtesy of The Brunei Times

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