Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah has stressed that calls for Malay unity should not be misunderstood as an effort to create hostility towards other races in Malaysia.
In his Aidiladha 2026 royal message, the Selangor ruler said unity within any community would help create a more peaceful, stable and harmonious nation where people respect one another regardless of race or religion.
Speaking in conjunction with the Hari Raya Aidiladha celebration, Sultan Sharafuddin urged Malaysians of all races and faiths to continue respecting each other’s sensitivities and live together peacefully.
“History has proven that Islamic civilisation once reached great heights during the Ottoman Empire era when people of various races lived harmoniously under Islamic rule,” the ruler said.
The Sultan also reminded Muslims that Aidiladha carries important lessons about sacrifice, sincerity and unity among the ummah.
According to him, the annual gathering of millions of Muslims in the Holy Land for the haj pilgrimage demonstrates a powerful example of unity regardless of status, race or background.
As such, Sultan Sharafuddin called on Malays and Muslims in the country — from political leaders to ordinary citizens — to remain united and avoid internal conflicts.
“If we continue to divide and quarrel among ourselves, then we will become weak and suffer losses,” he warned.
The ruler also expressed concern over increasing political disputes and public disagreements among politicians in recent times, saying such tensions could create anxiety among the rakyat.
Sultan Sharafuddin further reminded Malaysians to learn from history, noting that divisions among Malay Muslims in the past had allowed outside parties to take advantage and weaken the position and influence of the Malay community in their own homeland.
Meanwhile, the Selangor ruler and Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin also extended Aidiladha greetings to Muslims across the country, especially residents of Selangor.
The royal couple additionally prayed for the safety and wellbeing of Malaysian haj pilgrims, hoping their pilgrimage would proceed smoothly and that they would return home safely with a blessed haj.
