Malaysian Muslims urged to do charity

Muslims in Malaysia were Sunday reminded to discharge their responsibility to inculcate love by doing charity in thanksgiving for the country's wealth in the new millennium, Malaysian news agency BERNAMA reported.

Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said although Muslims must change their attitude in the face of challenges in the new millennium, one thing they must not forget was to show love and generosity.

Although they had to face bigger challenges in the new millennium, they should not neglect their social obligations, he said.

He said the country's wealth and success were meaningless if its people, especially the Muslims, did not show love and charity. "We do not want the Muslims to be left behind and forgotten when the country is so rich," Abdullah, who is also the MP for Kepala Batas, Pulau Pinang, northern state, said at the presentation of Hari Raya donations to 200 poor people, organized by the Kepala Batas Umno division, here.

The Muslims had an obligation to help the less fortunate by doing charity work to thank God for his largesse, he added.