Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has reminded Muslims in the country to emulate Muslims in the past who had practised the principles of wala' (loyalty) and unity which had enabled them to achieve success.

He said the Muslims who lived during the time of Prophet Muhammad strongly believed in such values, allowing them to win during the wars with the Quraisy people despite the number of the enemy's soldiers more than the Muslims.

"We can take this as a lesson. How on earth did they (the Muslims) manage to defeat the enemy who had a greater number of soldiers than the Muslims in the Battle of Badr which took place during the fasting month of Ramadan?

"The question is, why did the Muslims succeed? It is none other than the fact that the Muslims then were resolute in their struggle, with clean souls, strongly believed in their fight, were united, disciplined, obedient and had wala' to the leader," he said.

Najib said this at a breaking-of-fast event with the people where he also handed over donations to 77 senior citizens of Kampung Lampir here at the village mosque today.

About 500 people from Kampung Lamir attended the event.

Najib, who is also Pekan Member of Parliament, also performed the Maghrib and 'solat hajat' (special prayers), to pray for the well-being of the country with the villagers.

Meanwhile, Kampung Lamir Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK) chairman Ibrahim Abdul Latif said the presence of the prime minister in the village served as a 'remedy' for the residents after Najib could not make it to the same event three years ago due to unforeseen circumstances.

He also described the visit by Najib as a very meaningful one as the mosque was built following help from the prime minister, who was just three months into the post at that time.

"The prime minister has also shown concern on the problems faced by farmers in the village such as approving RM40 million to upgrade the irrigation system to increase the output of paddy.

"This coupled with the setting up of the Integrated Agriculture Development Area (IADA) after the declaration of Pekan as 'jelapang padi' (a paddy hub) for Pahang. Now, the planters can enjoy more output for paddy," Ibrahim added.

-- BERNAMA