MARCH 18 — The Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST) refers to the statement by the Selangor Religious Affairs EXCO Mohd Zawari Ahmad Mughni that any program involving Muslims at Non-Muslim houses of worship is not allowed. This appears to suggest that even unity walks to Houses of worship are not allowed.
The MCCBCHST recalls that king of Jordan had proposed a Resolution in the United Nations many years ago to have a World Interfaith Harmony week to create goodwill and unity amongst all races and religions of the world. The Resolution was unanimously supported including by Malaysia and the first week of February of every year was declared as World Interfaith Harmony Week. For more than 10 years the MCCBCHST together with other NGO’S like ACCIN ABIM IKRAM had taken part in Unity Walks to places of worship as a show of respect and tolerance including some organized by the National Unity and Integration Department. This had created great goodwill amongst the different races and created a sense of Muhibbah amongst them. We quote the Grand Mufti of Syria Sheikh Dr. Ahmad Badri Al-Din Hassoun: “The nation that is established on the collectively of races and religions is destined to succeed in the future. And when cultural diversity is embraced, the strength of humanity shines through. [New Straits Times, October 6, 2010].
The Unity walks to places of worship are to see and understand the different cultures. There is no Propagation of any religion involved. The Non-Islamic Religions (control of Propagation Amongst Muslims) Enactment 1988 referred to by the state EXCO is enacted under Article 11(4) of the Federal Constitution and which prohibits only “Propagation of any religious doctrine or belief among persons professing the religion of Islam”. Thus, if there is no Propagation of other faiths to Muslims,” no offence is committed. Therefore, the mere visiting of places of worship cannot be an offence.
The MCCBCHST thus calls upon the Government and Islamic authorities to not impose a blanket ban on Muslims from going to non-Muslim places of worship but to make it clear that there should not be any Propagation of other faiths to Muslims. It is necessary for all races to work together in a spirit of goodwill, mutual respect to enhance Harmony and Unity in the country.
* Jagir Singh is the president of The Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism.
**This is the personal opinion of the writers or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail.
