JULY 23 — The traffic in the Klang Valley has been very smooth since the past two weeks. It took two hours to travel from Petaling Jaya to Kuala Lumpur city centre during rush hour in the past but it took less than an hour in recent days.
Of course, it is because we are now in the fasting month. Every year when Muslims entered the Ramadan month, their daily timetables change according to the time for prayer, pre-fast meal and fast-breaking meal.
This is also a month for understanding and peace. Everyone should put aside hostility and resentment while showing friendliness to make the society more harmonious.
Since the Kuala Besut by-election falls in the fasting month, Umno’s and PAS’s election campaigns are relatively calm. Although the Kuala Besut seat is important, the competition this time is more like a gentlemen’s fight compared to the previous intense fights.
It showed that both sides are more restrained and try not to hurt the feelings of Muslims or trigger disgust of voters.
However, other than the relatively calm by-election, society is not that calm in the Ramadan month. Numerous religion-related incidents have sparked emotional reactions.
A sex blogger couple’s insensitive Ramadan post has angered many Muslims.
The move was disrespectful to the religion and it even carried some profanity and provocation. Therefore, it has inevitably touched a sensitive nerve.
It is followed by the move to make Islamic Civilisation a compulsory subject for all local students in private universities. Some Chinese community and religious leaders oppose to the move, fearing that it might carry a hidden agenda.
It might be due to misunderstanding about the curriculum of the subject. It has reflected distrust and rejection of the society.
Meanwhile, the Vatican Ambassador to Malaysia, Archbishop Joseph Marino, expressed his support for the usage of the word “Allah” by Christians in Malaysia. Many Muslims protested and some wanted him to apologise and leave the country. Malay rights group Perkasa even called for a protest rally.
Vatican City sent its ambassador to Malaysia to strengthen Malaysia-Vatican City relations and it was also supposed to be a goodwill contact between Islam and the Catholic Church. The controversy was indeed not expected.
These incidents have brought many troubles to the country in the Ramadan month.
In Malaysian society, in addition to taking a respectful attitude, people of different religions also influence each other.
Ramadan is the holy month of Muslims and for non-Muslims, it is also a period for reflection. If suspicions and hostility can be removed and replaced with more understanding and trust, the series of storms could subside soon, just like the smooth traffic in the month of Ramadan. — mysinchew.com
* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malay Mail Online.
