No choice but to live in harmony
“Racial tensions have risen in recent years amid complaints by the minorities that their rights are being eroded along with the rising influence of Islamic hard-liners,” the AFP report said.
Eugene Abraham, Malaysian Mirror
Malaysia hogged the limelight in the international arena in recent weeks all for the wrong reasons just when the country is celebrating its 52nd Merdeka anniversary tomorrow.
Foreign wires went to town with the cow head demonstration in Shah Alam last Friday emphasing the need for religious tolerance in multi-racial Malaysia.
Earlier this month part-time model Kartika Seri Dewi, 32, became an international “celebrity” when the Pahang Syariah court imposed a RM5000 fine and six whippings on her for consuming beer at a hotel in Cherating.
Then came the news that the government had restricted Muslims from attending the concert of international pop sensation Black Eye Peas because the event was sponsored by an alcohol company.
Giving nation a bad name
International news agencies have used unsavory words to describe the cow head incident when a group of Malay-Muslim protesters claiming to be residents of Section 23 carried a severed head of a cow from the state mosque after Friday prayers to the Selangor state secretariat building.
“Malaysia Muslims protest proposed Hindu temple,” screamed the headlines of an Assiciated Press report.
“Racial tensions have risen in recent years amid complaints by the minorities that their rights are being eroded along with the rising influence of Islamic hard-liners,” the AFP report said.
India’s DNA news portal carried a story headlined “Cow killed in Malaysian temple row” and called the protesters Muslim fanatics.
Political parties and the public have questioned their motives and agenda as the cow is a sacred animal to the hindus and their action is considered seditious and a threat to the nation.
The incident is a dent to Najib Abdul Razak’s One Malaysia concept as the government plans to bring Malaysians of different communities together and eradicate calling themselves Malays, Chinese, Indians, Bengalis or Pakistanis.
Ibrahim Haji Sabri, deputy chairman of the Section 23 resident’s committee warned of bloodshed and racial tension if the 150- year-old Maha Mariamman temple is re-located in the Muslim-dominated neighbourhood.
The protesters claimed that the noises from the temple could disturb their prayers but Ibrahim failed to realise the there are non-Muslims living near mosques in the country who have been tolerant to “noises” from mosque loud speakers.
There are many places of worship – churches, temples and mosques that are situated close to each other and people from these different faith live in harmony and visit each other’s homes during their respective festivals.
Sensitivities and implications
The action by the demostrators gives rise to speculation that there is a “hidden hand” as claimed by the opposition parties but politicians from both sides of the divide have condemned the incident and have called for speedy action by the police and the culprits brought to justice.
Some religious fanatics are self-centred and do not think of the sensitivities and implications that could give rise to their actions and give Islam a bad name.
Many Muslims besides condemning the cow head demo are also ashamed of the group’s behaviour especially when it happened after Friday prayers and during the holy month of Ramadan.
Malaysians must respect each other’s cultures and religions or there will be mistrust, discord and turmoil in the country which will discourage foreign investment which is vital to create employment for the masses.
