Religious affairs minister Na’im Mokhtar said the bonds of harmony long fostered by past ulama and academics must be reinforced by today’s scholars.

“It is time we stop quarrelling among ourselves, stirring hatred in the name of religion, waging wars on social media, and spreading slander that divides families and communities.

“In the end, no one gains. None of this brings any benefit to religion, the nation, or the ummah,” he said when launching a congress of ulama and religious scholars here today.

Na’im said ulama, asatizah and academics must play a more active role in developing society through knowledge-based initiatives and take the lead in facing social, economic, technological and community issues.

He added that ulama should also offer solutions grounded in divine knowledge, conveyed in language that is clear and easily understood by the public.

“This is the true role of ulama – respected for their wisdom and sincerity in guiding the ummah. All forms of extremism, including slander, hatred and the practice of labelling fellow Muslims as infidels, must be firmly curbed for the sake of national harmony and prosperity.

“We must strengthen our unity to build a Madani ummah grounded in compassion, inclusivity, love and mutual respect, guided by the principles of ‘fiqh ta’ayush’,” he said.