By : SHANNON TEOH (TMI)
DATUK Seri Najib Razak has called for all religions to respect other faiths but did not censure yesterday’s seminar by the Johor government on the 'Christian threat' despite calls from non-Muslim groups for the prime minister to 'walk your talk' of unity and moderation.
The Malaysian Consultative Council on Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST) had said Najib’s 1 Malaysia concept for unity and moderation is in 'disarray' after Johor education and religious authorities decided to carry on with the seminar for about 300 religious schoolteachers.
“Whatever it is, we don’t want it (the matter) to be the source of misunderstandings between the followers of the various faiths in our country.
“We can discuss matters pertaining to faith, but we cannot be insensitive to the other groups, whether Muslims against the non-Muslims or vice-versa,” Najib (picture) told reporters after meeting Felda settlers in Bera yesterday evening.
The Umno president added that as a general election is near, “everything can be manipulated or twisted to become a political issue that is why we must be careful in this matter.” News of the seminar’s theme earlier this week drew swift condemnation from non-Muslims, who expressed shock and dismay over the characterisation of Christians in the title.
“We implore you (Najib) to walk your talk. Be the leader of a responsible government that practises what it preaches. Your concept of 1 Malaysia and your call for moderation is all in disarray,” MCCBCHST said in a statement yesterday.
But Muslim NGOs insisted that the government was duty-bound to address the “threat of Christianisation,” which they repeatedly profess to be real despite the absence of firm evidence.
In response, Johor dropped specific mention of the “Christian threat” from the seminar originally themed “Pemantapan Aqidah, Bahaya Liberalisme dan Pluralism Serta Ancaman Kristianisasi Terhadap Umat Islam. Apa Peranan Guru?” (Strengthening the Faith, the Dangers of Liberalism and Pluralism and the Threat of Christianity towards Muslims. What is the Role of Teachers?).
But Johor Mufti Department officials said that while the title of the seminar will be changed, the contents and structure will remain unaltered.
The Mufti Datuk M. Tahrir Kiai Samsudin also insisted the seminar was for the good of teaching Islam.
Christians form 9.2 per cent of Malaysia’s 28.3 million-strong population.
In recent years, the Christian and Muslim religious communities have been engaged in a tug-of-war over the word “Allah”, with the latter group arguing that its use should be exclusive to them on the grounds that Islam is monotheistic and the word “Allah” denotes the Muslim god.
Christians, however, have argued that “Allah” is an Arabic word that has been used by those of other religious beliefs, including the Jews, in reference to God in many other parts of the world, notably in Arab nations and Indonesia.
Conservative Muslim groups have also accused Christians of attempting to convert Malays, resulting in heightened tension between followers of the two religions.
Sabah is a practical and visible example of unity in diversity. Sabahans of all diverse ethnic groups are able to live, learn, work and play together in the spirit of 1Malaysia. “In fact the spirit of 1Malaysia has long existed in this ‘Land Below the Wind’,” said 1malaysia Foundation trustee Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye.
ReplyDeleteAnd, he called on all Malaysians not to take unity and harmony for granted but to make continuous efforts to promote, nurture and reinforce these vital prerequisites for the success and survival of Malaysia.
DeleteLee also stressed the importance of unity in diversity which was one of the hallmarks in multiracial, multi-religious and multicultural Malaysia.
The Rukunegara which was formulated in 1970 is our guide for nation-building and should be respected by all. It is a shared vision for national unity. Its principles should always be upheld and practised for Malaysians must never take for granted the stability, peace and harmony that had been attained so far.
DeleteThe Rukunegara, through its five tenets – Belief in God, Loyalty to the King and Country, Upholding the Constitution, Rule of Law, and Good Social Behaviour and Morality – have formed the principles of nationhood and these should be embedded in the young generation who are the future leaders.
DeleteLee also said many people were taking unity and harmony for granted. “This is not a healthy development for in a multi-racial, multi-religious and multi-cultural country like Malaysia, continuous efforts must be made by all Malaysians to nurture and reinforce unity and harmony”.
DeleteMalaysians, he added, must be prepared to reduce their strong sense of ethnicity in order to achieve “Bangsa Malaysia” and they should start accepting each other as Malaysians regardless of race and religion.
Delete“Malaysians of different ethnic origins must always be conscious of the need to have mutual respect for one another.
“They must always remain vigilant and be conscious of the sensitivities of our respective religions and cultures for the sake of inter-racial harmony,” he said.
Lee said the process of establishing a united Malaysian nation in response to the first challenge of Vision 2020, was a continuous one and what has been achieved so far must be nurtured and reinforced.
DeleteAll plans for the nation’s economic growth and all corrective measures to address the country’s social imbalances, he pointed out, would only be meaningful if they were geared towards national unity.
Programmes of action for Malaysians of all races should continue to aim at nurturing and strengthening the spirit of love, loyalty and unity for the country.
DeleteAnd, the spirit of patriotism and unity must always be cultivated and nurtured particularly among the young generation.
Continuous efforts must be made by all to strengthen racial harmony and religious tolerance at every level of our society.
DeleteIn the days ahead, the creation and sustenance of national unity must be given the highest priority for unity is vital to ensure the continued growth of Malaysia as a secure, peaceful, progressive and united nation.
Unity must first start with the individual. If there is unity in a person’s thoughts, emotions and actions, it will be reflected in how they treat others,” Lee added.
DeleteLee received Sabah’s highest award – Seri Panglima Darjah Kinabalu (SPDK) – which carries the title Datuk Seri Panglima, from Head of State Tun Haji Juhar Haji Mahiruddin during an investiture held at Istana Negeri.
“It is a great honour and I will continue to render my services to Sabah in my various capacities,” he said.
Lee was conferred the SPDK in conjunction with the Governor’s birthday celebration last year.
isu2 sensitif agama tak perlu nak ditimbulkan. kita harus saling menghormati.
ReplyDeletePihak-pihak yang taksub dengan kaum dan agama sendiri merupakan salah satu penyebab kepada keadaan huru hara berlaku dan perpaduan rakyat kian runtuh.
ReplyDeletePenyakit yang tiada ubat. Lebih baik tinggal di hutan.
DeleteMereka yang bersikap seperti Hasan Ali dan Ibrahim Ali adalah antara yang perlu dikenakan tindakan kerana menggugat keamanan dan keselamatan negara.
ReplyDeleteMungkin mereka yang membawa isu agama ini adalah mereka yang benar-benar ketandusan isu yang ingin dipolitikkan.
ReplyDeletekerajaan patut bertindak tegas terhadap mana2 pihak yang menaikkan isu sensitif di negara ini.. bila kerajaan dapat menunjukkan contoh yang baik, secara tidak langsung rakyat juga akan mencontohi yang baik itu dari kerajaan..
ReplyDelete