Kuala lumpur: The establishment of the Ummah Consultative Council, as approved by the Cabinet, is set to act as a pivotal platform for fostering Muslim unity and promoting the national development agenda, announced Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. The council's formation aims to integrate expertise from multiple fields to ensure that its proposals and recommendations contribute positively to the well-being of the Muslim community.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Ahmad Zahid, who also serves as the UMNO president, stated that the UMNO Ulama Council has been tasked with creating a comprehensive blueprint focused on strengthening the Muslim unity agenda within 100 days as an initial step. The blueprint will address the unification of thought, the management of political differences, and critical issues concerning Muslims, with the outcomes to be presented to the Ummah Consultative Council under his chairmanship.

At the closing ceremony of the Multaqa Ilmuwan Islam Malaysia 2.0 programme, Ahmad Zahid emphasized the importance of the UMNO Ulama Council's blueprint in providing actionable strategies for unifying Muslim thought and managing political disparities. He reiterated the council's role in reviving previously established Islamic consultative platforms, including the Islamic Consultative Council and Islamic Consultative Body, to foster more scholarly voices in supporting and building the ummah.

Ahmad Zahid further highlighted that differences in opinions should not weaken the Muslim community. Instead, such differences should be managed with knowledge and respect, aiming to find common ground without enforcing uniformity in views. He stressed that unity does not necessitate identical perspectives and that various organizations and political stances can coexist without disrupting the bonds of brotherhood.

Urging scholars to prioritize critical issues over popular ones, Ahmad Zahid cautioned against allowing social media or political conflicts to dictate the priorities of the Muslim community. He called for empowering the ummah by enhancing education quality, strengthening family structures, improving economic capabilities, and mastering technology, thus advancing beyond merely defending Islam.