DHAKA - The Crown Prince of the Malaysian state of Perlis has called on Muslims to emphasise moderation in their daily lives, the Bernama news agency reported.

Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail, who is also president of the Perlis Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council, also known as MAIPs, said Muslims should be moderate in their religious dealings.

Speaking at a programme organised by the council in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on Tuesday (Oct 17), he said he wanted Islamophobia to be countered with moderation.

"Islamophobia must be effectively tackled through wasatiyyah, which stresses moderation," he said in his speech to about 150 Malaysians who are living in Bangladesh.

As part of the programme, Tuanku Syed Faizuddin presented the council's contribution of RM5,000 (S$1,606) to the First Secretary of the Malaysian High Commission in Dhaka, Idham Zuhri Mohd Yunus, for the Ibnu Sabil Fund.

The fund is aimed at helping Malaysians who encounter emergencies in Bangladesh, including getting stranded there. Besides Bangladesh, Maips has organised similar programmes in London, Riyadh, Jeddah, Kuwait, Muscat, Doha and Dubai.

The Perlis Crown Prince arrived in Bangladesh on Sunday to lead a humanitarian mission by various NGOs to check on the situation at Rohingya refugee camps in Cox's Bazar.

The royal's comments come after Malaysia's nine Malay rulers issued a statement earlier this month saying they were concerned the country's unity and harmony were being eroded by the onslaught of racially controversial issues.

His comments also follows recent controversy surrounding Muslim-only launderettes that were reported in the states of Perlis and Johor. The Muslim-only launderette in Perlis opened its business to everyone after receiving a visit from the Perlis mufti (the state's Islamic chief) and the Crown Prince.

Meanwhile, the shop owner of the Johor launderette removed the offending signboard after being rebuked by the Johor Sultan.

The issue, however, deepened after a preacher with the Islamic Development Department of Malaysia (Jakim), a federal government agency, criticised a sultan in a religious lecture - understood to be the Johor ruler - for barring the Muslim-only launderette from operating in the state.

The Sultan of Selangor has since revoked the cleric's preaching credentials.