(Nov 19): Pakatan Harapan chief secretary Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah said he was confident the concept of "Maqasid Shariah" (higher objectives of Shariah) would be infused in the new opposition pact's common policy.

"Maqasid Shariah" is an Islamic principle of governance that emphasises justice and the protection of religion, life, intellect and property in administration.

"I believe Maqasid Shariah will be an important approach which we will include in the context of Pakatan Harapan's common policy.

"In fact, it was already there in Pakatan Rakyat's 'muafakat rakyat', the Maqasid Shariah was already there," he told the forum “Maqasid Shariah: A National Agenda?” at the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH) last night.

After leaving Umno to join PKR earlier last month, Saifuddin (pic, right) was put in charge of the new pact’s common policy drafting committee.

Meanwhile, Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) committee member Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the principles of Maqasid formed the party's foundation.

He said Amanah, as a second generation Islamist party, was committed towards turning Maqasid into a major discipline of knowledge.

"The Maqasid Shariah is what drives us to the ultimate goal, which is world prosperity and the welfare of the humam race.

"Ultimately we want to enjoin what is good and prevent what is bad," said Dzulkefly, who was also a panelist at the forum.

Meanwhile, PKR Youth committee member Wan Ji Wan Hussin suggested that religious leaders visit the various houses of worship to promote interfaith understanding and dialogue.

He proposed that non-Muslim religious leaders deliver lectures to Muslims after Friday prayers, while Muslim leaders do the same at other houses of worship.

"This is because our prejudice towards other religions happens because we don't understand one another enough," said the former PAS Ulama wing committee member.

Also present at the forum were International Islamic University lecturer Dr Maszlee Malik, Bukit Bendera MP Zairil Khir Johari, Centre to Combat Cronyism and Corruption (C4) director Cynthia Gabriel and KLSCAH Civil Rights Committee vice-president Ngeow Chow Ying.

The forum was moderated by Penang Institue fellow Dr Wong Chin Huat. – The Malaysian Insider