Friends in Conversation
Last night at the BANGSAR LUTHERAN CHURCH, a very ground-breaking event took place. 2 Muslims – 1 from Australia and 1 from Malaysia; had a conversation with a Malaysian Christian young lady of their experience in a Pluralistic Malaysian society. A Christian Pastor was the host and facilitator.
By Aloysius Francis Pinto
There were about 80 people there from various ethnic backgrounds including foreigners who reside in Malaysia. What was very encouraging was that there were more than half of the attendees who are Malaysian Muslims. Through the conversations by these four persons, something interesting struck me!
It dawned on me that what is really happening is that there is a real battle heating up. The battle is not among races and religious groups, but between the Believers of TRUTH and the manipulation by PERCEPTION. Believer of all faiths have so much in common, and this event clearly showed the vast similarities.
Believers of various FAITHS must continue to engage with each other, not only in forums and formal events, but more so in our daily lives.
The manipulators of PERCEPTION are the irresponsible businesses who are supported and linked to politicians and aided by the vast array of COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES. The political masters use the media to create tension among various races. Supported by big businesses, they have been very successful in promoting the agenda to divide and rule.
Unless Believers of the various Faiths engage with one another, within persons of the same faith and believers of other faiths, the divide and rule by the political-business forces will continue to divide people. Malaysians in general do not practice genuine dialogue among themselves. Malaysians who have limited exposure in living and experiences in different societies, locally or internationally, tend to have a jaundiced way of viewing others. Malaysians who are well exposed to different societies and have experiences and good relationships with other communities seem more open to the "dialogue of life".
DIALOGUE OF LIFE is consciously being away from one's internal motivations, values and belief systems while engaging with others. This is so readily available in our daily living. The challenge is to be aware that an encounter with another human being is an opportunity for this DIALOGUE OF LIFE. Recognising that ALL MEN & WOMEN ARE BROTHERS & SISTERS of the ONE GOD/SUPREME BEING is a very important starting point. Except for the colour of our skin. We are same. We all have flesh, bones, and blood. We all breathe the same air, drink water from the same source, receive sunlight from the same source. We have similar aspirations for our future and the future of our children. We have the same challenges and anxieties in a world full of conflicts, climate change and health issues.
The event last night gave so much encouragement to those of us who still believe that Malaysia is a beautiful country with many beautiful people. Leaders in society must create spaces for interaction like this to happen. It doesn't have to be a forum or indoor activity. We have so many activities, like Festivities and Celebrations. Sporting and Social events. Work environment is one of the best opportunities for the Dialogue of Life. Having the same corporate goals and the opportunity to interact, we just need to remind ourselves that we must be guided by our internal values and belief systems.
In this globalised world where Corporate Governance, Accountability and Transparency are normal benchmarks for performance, it is our values and belief systems that help us to implement these BEST PRACTICES. The trick is to be consciously aware at all times of our internal values and belief systems.
We need to take large chunks of time to remove ourselves from the busy-ness of our daily lives and spend time in INTROSPECTION/REFLECTION.
