Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad speaking at the Amanah convention in Shah Alam December 10, 2016. — Picture by Mohd Yusof Mat Isa

SHAH ALAM, Dec 10 — Allah did not create the world exclusively for Muslims and therefore there must be cooperation with those of other faiths, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said today.

Speaking at the Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) convention today, the former prime minister agreed with party president Mohamad Sabu that cooperation with other races and religions was needed in order to achieve harmony.

“It is not the will of Allah to want the whole world to be Muslims. If Allah wanted that, today everybody would be Muslims.

“But Allah doesn't tell everyone to be Muslims. There are those with different race and religion so that everyone can live together in peace and be friendly to all,” he said in a press conference here.

Dr Mahathir added that by following the teachings of Islam, moderation should be promoted instead of extremism.

“When we speak about the teachings of Islam, we have to be moderate. A lot won't agree, they would want to be extreme in their understanding of Islam,” he said.

During his president address this morning, Mohamad Sabu said that Amanah is a party that will represent all Malaysians regardless of race and religion despite having predominantly Muslim leadership and membership.

He added that parties should move away from a tribal mentality and promote the concept of togetherness.

“When we chose to be together, we should avoid tribal-like thinking and jumud which only cares about your own group.

“Our political struggle is for togetherness among all humans. Amanah stresses that Malaysian politics should reject any sort of extremism and terrorism whether it is in the name of race or religion,” Mohamad Sabu said during his speech.