Kuala lumpur: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi emphasized the importance of enhancing religious tolerance, fostering moral values, and ensuring the safety of worship places to maintain harmony within Malaysia's multiracial society. Ahmad Zahid, who also serves as the Rural and Regional Development Minister, highlighted the growing significance of these measures, particularly in urban areas where various places of worship coexist, necessitating mutual respect and exemplary conduct among the populace.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Ahmad Zahid used Brickfields as an illustrative example, noting that it hosts over 17 places of worship representing different religions, including churches and temples. He stressed the necessity of respecting other religions, which he believes is fundamental to Malaysia's identity as a harmonious, tolerant, and multiracial nation. He made these remarks while inaugurating the new additional building (Phase 1) of the Madrasathul Gouthiyyah surau in Brickfields.

Ahmad Zahid further articulated the need for places of worship to balance physical infrastructure development with their social role as hubs for community interaction and activities. He also underscored the importance of Muslims exemplifying good character and conduct in managing religious differences, both among themselves and with followers of other religions, thereby upholding the principle of religious tolerance.

The surau's new additional building, completed last month, aims to address the increasing number of congregants and enhance safety, particularly during Friday prayers. Originally established as a madrasah in 1987 and upgraded to a Friday prayer surau in 2012, the facility has faced capacity challenges, accommodating only about 800 worshippers. This limitation has necessitated conducting prayers outside the premises and on nearby roads, leading to the temporary closure of the main road for about 30 minutes every Friday to ensure congregant safety.