By Khairul Anuar Muhammad Noh

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 17 (Bernama)-- Malaysia is a glorious Islamic country because its people shun racism and are not blindly obsessive,obsession, the Grand Sheikh of Al-Azhar Dr Sheikh Muhammad Sayyid Tantawi, said.

"I pray to God for Malaysia to continue to be peaceful, safe and progressive, have a loving and caring people and be spared of slander," he said in an interview with Bernama Saturday.

His speech in Arabic was translated by religious advisor to the Prime Minister, Tan Sri Dr Abdul Hamid Othman.

Dr Sheikh Muhammad advised Muslims not to use religious differences to shy away from cooperating with people of other faiths in the country.

He also disagreed with the action of branding other Muslims as infidel. On the split among Muslims due to sect, Dr Sheikh Muhammad said differences in opinion and split among the sects were allowed as long as they did not lead to physical assault.

On the Palestinian issue, he said Muslims there helped each other. "When they (Palestinians) refrain from fighting each other, they can be like a strong building and victory will be theirs soon if they unite," he added.

Dr Sheikh Muhammad, 80, is in the country for the Al-Azhar World Alumni Multaqa.

-- BERNAMA