Madinah: The Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Shah, described the Madinah Charter, or the Constitution of Madinah, as a highly significant foundation for Islamic governance, one that should be examined alongside the spirit embodied in the Federal Constitution.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, His Royal Highness noted that the scenario and spirit behind the drafting of both constitutions reflect essential values such as unity, justice, cooperation among diverse communities, and recognition of the rule of law, all of which serve as crucial pillars in nation-building. Sultan Nazrin emphasized that the drafting of the Madinah Constitution can serve as an interesting comparative study with the drafting of the Federal Constitution. This statement was made during the 73rd meeting of the National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs Malaysia (MKI), chaired by Sultan Nazrin and attended by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, among other dignitaries.
Sultan Nazrin, who is the MKI Chairman, highlighted that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) introduced a new dimension in governance while leading the city of Madinah by making the principle of the rule of law the foundation of administration through the drafting of the Madinah Charter. He explained that despite Muslims being a minority in Madinah at the time, they were entrusted with the responsibility to govern based on the wisdom of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), who succeeded in forging cooperation and unity among the city's diverse communities.
His Royal Highness elaborated on how the Madinah Charter enshrined key principles of loyalty, cooperation, tolerance, mutual respect, and guarantees of justice and equal protection for all residents, regardless of their religion, race, or tribe. Reflecting on Malaysia's context, Sultan Nazrin mentioned that the Federal Constitution, enacted during independence, also upholds similar principles, centred on constitutional government, parliamentary democracy, and the spirit of consensus among Malaysia's multiracial and multireligious society.
Sultan Nazrin expressed appreciation for the leadership of the nation's founding generation, particularly the late Tunku Abdul Rahman and his contemporaries, who succeeded in building a nation rooted in trust, integrity, and unity. However, he expressed concern over the current tendency among Muslims and Malays to fall into a culture of division and mutual undermining, warning that if this situation persists, it could damage the sanctity of Islam and tarnish the dignity of the nation.