PETALING JAYA: Former religious affairs minister Datuk Seri Dr Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri visited Thean Hou Temple on Monday in conjunction with Wesak celebration, and the Cathedral of St John the Evangelist the following day.

Dr Zulkifli visited the cathedral with Mohamed Abdelsalam, secretary-general of Hukama’ Muslimin Council based in the United Arab Emirates.

The Federal Territories mufti, who was appointed a senator and minister in the prime minister’s department for religious affairs in 2020, wrote on Facebook he had promised Archbishop Julian Leow Beng Kim, chairman of the Christian Federation of Malaysia, to visit the cathedral when the latter visited him at his office in Putrajaya six years ago.

“Our photo was published by local and foreign media, including The Vatican then.

“In conjunction with Mohamed Abdelsalam’s visit, we went to the cathedral together,” he said.

Dr Zulkifli said ongoing dialogue sessions had enhanced mutual understanding among religions.

“We are Malaysians and we should use the Malaysian way to deal with our differences and diversity,” he said.

On the request by Mohamed Abdelsalam, both witnessed the Wesak Day celebration held at Thean Hou Temple, which is managed by the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Hainan Association.