KUCHING: The State Government wants more research to be conducted on ways to correct people's perception of Islam, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Abang Openg said.
He reckoned that such ijtihad (effort) is imperative for the development of Islamic religion in the country.
"This research is the "ruh" (spirit) that will drive development of Islam (in the country) and such efforts needs to be carried out from time to time," said Zohari in his speech, which was read by Assistant State Minister for Coastal Roads Datuk Julaihi Narawi during the opening of round table discussion on "Muslims in Sarawak" here today.
"The research of Muslims in Sarawak is also important not only to the (state) government but also the people at large for all us to prepare for future challenges," he added.
The chief minister said the emergence of Islam in the state was closely related to the spread of the religion in Brunei.
"The strong influence from the Sultanate of Brunei has helped and compelled the spread of Islam in the state," he said.
Despite facing several obstacles, Abdul Rahman Zohari said the spread of Islam recorded a milestone with the establishment of the first Sarawak Islamic Council during the colonisation era.
The chief minister also said he has tabled a working paper on "Perlunya gerakan dakwah bersepadu di Sarawak" (The need for intergrated dakwah movement in Sarawak) during a seminar in 1993.
In his speech, Abdul Rahman Zohari also highlighted the challenges in the ‘dakwah’ of Islam in the state, which included limited human and financial resources; poor streamlining of dakwah activities, the state massive demographic and the scattered settlement statewide.
"Nevertheless, the state government is committed to collaborate and help non-governmental organisations on Islamic development efforts especially among the youth in the state."