SHAH ALAM - Umno will continue to uphold and fight for Islam as long as the party continues to exist in the country's political landscape.
However, said its presiden Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, the party will always respect the rights of other races to practice their respective religions.
"Several academic researches have acknowledged Umno's role in upholding Islam in Malaysia and this is a fact in the country.
"The history behind the writing of Article 3 (1) of the Federal Constitution was done after Umno's view were taken into account in the Reid's Commission in 1956.
"[The article stated] Islam is the religion of the Federation but other religions can be peacefully practiced in any part of the Federation," said Zahid on Facebook today.
The Bagan Datuk MP also pointed out that Article 3 was meant to nurture peace and harmony among a multiracial and multireligious society in the country.
He also highlighted the fact that Umno had, in order to showcase its seriousness in upholding Islam, amended its party's constitution after he was elected as president in 2019.
"Umno had unilaterally passed a motion to place Islam as the core foundation of the party.
"Umno's stand in safeguarding the interest of Islam has been witnessed since the country's indipendence and made better in 2019.
"That is why Umno has never rejected and always supported any programme involving Islam including the Maulidur Rasul celebration," said Zahid.
However, said its presiden Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, the party will always respect the rights of other races to practice their respective religions.
"Several academic researches have acknowledged Umno's role in upholding Islam in Malaysia and this is a fact in the country.
"The history behind the writing of Article 3 (1) of the Federal Constitution was done after Umno's view were taken into account in the Reid's Commission in 1956.
"[The article stated] Islam is the religion of the Federation but other religions can be peacefully practiced in any part of the Federation," said Zahid on Facebook today.
The Bagan Datuk MP also pointed out that Article 3 was meant to nurture peace and harmony among a multiracial and multireligious society in the country.
He also highlighted the fact that Umno had, in order to showcase its seriousness in upholding Islam, amended its party's constitution after he was elected as president in 2019.
"Umno had unilaterally passed a motion to place Islam as the core foundation of the party.
"Umno's stand in safeguarding the interest of Islam has been witnessed since the country's indipendence and made better in 2019.
"That is why Umno has never rejected and always supported any programme involving Islam including the Maulidur Rasul celebration," said Zahid.