BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

THE youth must recognise their potential and role in the development of Islam both in the country and in the eyes of the world, the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports yesterday said.

“Youths play a role and are obligated to defend the good name of Islam and promote its true image which is as a religion of peace, harmony, solidarity, and is against all of violence and extremism. This can contribute to the development of our civilisation and ummah,” said Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Laila Diraja Dato Seri Setia Hj Hazair Hj Abdullah.

The minister said this during the finals of the ministry’s annual Youth Musabaqah Tilawatil Quran Reading Competition.

The minister noted the current youth of Generation Y are living in a world without borders and have access to sophisticated technology and information communications, along with the wide usage of social media for everyday interactions.

Due to this, they are faced with influences that carry new and foreign values.

“The consequences from this borderless and uncontrollable freedom is that people have lost their considerations for hak (rights) and batil (falsehoods); facts and libel; and reality and imputation,” said YB Pehin Dato Hj Hazair.

The youth must be equipped with strong faith and taqwa (be God-fearing) in dealing with such challenges so they may prevent the weakening and collapse of the civilisation’s faith, stressed the minister.

“The construction of a defensive shield is required against the introduction of outside influences that go against the teachings of the true Islam based on the Quran and Sunnah,” he said.

He urged the youth to have a strong grip on the teachings found within the Quran and Sunnah as it could help develop not only themselves but the nation.

“By standing firm with the Quran’s teachings, it will give our youth the strength to rise from the negative stereotypes such as moral degradation, involvement in social ills, hedonism, unemployment, and identity crisis which tends to be associated with an image of the source of weakness in our development,” he said.

The sacrifice and contributions of past youth during the time of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) must also be kept close to their hearts so they can recognise the value of civilisations across developed countries in Asia and the West.

“Youth must race and reap the opportunities that have been provided by the government of His Majesty and the private sector to build and help their knowledge, skills, and their entrepreneurship flourish,” advised the minister.

He noted the positive developments amonfg the youth in the country in reciting the Quran and following its teachings. “InsyaAllah a generation that is well-versed and lives according to the Quran’s teachings will succeed our efforts to spearhead and act as agents of change for our society’s and country’s development.”

The Brunei Times