AUGUST 24 — At 10.45am on August 22, I observed the one-minute silence to mourn the victims of MH17 tragedy with my colleagues.

Hundreds of thousands of Malaysians across the country had also gathered at the same time to join the mourning.

A special Malaysia Airlines (MAS) flight carrying remains of the first 20 victims touched down in KL International Airport (KLIA). The remains were slowly lowered from the flight and placed in the waiting white hearses. Time seemed to have been frozen in grief.

“Welcome home and may you rest in peace.” The words could be felt in everyone’s heart even without saying it out.

Malaysians will forever remember this moment in life, when we put aside contradictions and mourned the victims. We hope that the strength of all Malaysians could support the families who have lost their loved ones, so that they wouldn’t feel lonely.

The solemn ceremony to receive the remains and spontaneous mourning of the people told the world that Malaysians had stayed close together and existed as one. We felt the pain of loosing and we called for justice.

The national mourning day on August 22 was also the starting point of highlighting humanitarian spirit and cherishing life. We hate war and condemn violence. Life is precious beyond all but in war, lives have been tossed away.

Anger and sadness should have thoroughly awakened us that only love regardless of race can defend peace.

After tears are wiped off, we should open our minds and reach out to embrace people around us and love them. Life is fragile and impermanent, but love can inspire strength and courage to overcome twists and turns and misfortune.

The theme for this Merdeka Day “Malaysia, where love grows” meets the current atmosphere. After experiencing two major disasters, Malaysians started to learn that happiness should not be taken for granted. Catastrophe is anywhere and it could happen at anytime. Although war is far distant from us, it could still take away the lives of our beloved ones.

Therefore, we must cherish life and live up to the value of life at every moment.

Compared to life, all emotional issues are meaningless. Impulsive acts that harm the lives of others cannot be undone, regardless of how much price is paid.

Therefore, we should use love to defuse hostility in the society. With love, there wouldn’t be road bully; with love, crime cases could be greatly reduced.

Love can be sublimated to kindness. Even without the Ice Bucket Challenge, we can take the initiative to make donation; even without encouragement and appeal, we can take the initiative to care for the unfortunate ones.

Love can also be sublimated to humanitarian, including caring for others, love, respect, be people-oriented and people-centered.

Based on humanitarian, we condemn the Israeli massacres against Palestinians and we should also denounce the acts of the extremist organisation in Caliphate, northern Iraq that openly executed and killed infidels, as well as opponents.

In the Internet age, people have gradually lost tolerance and patience. They use rude words to insult others and a student was severely criticised, even threatened, after liking the “I Love Israel” Facebook page. It is not love.

It is neither respect to insult someone’s religion on Facebook. Turning en masse on individuals - the so-called human flesh search engine – and extremely insulting others in the name of justice is even much farther from love.

Young people should come to senses. Feel with heart and drive away indifference and estrangement with love.

I hope that the MH17 tragedy and the national mourning day could turn Malaysia into a place where love grows, and a heaven of love.

Life needs peace to continue and love to shine. Let love sublimate and this country will become more beautiful.

* This is the personal opinion of the writer or organisation and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Malay Online.