A religion of reasonableness
Bob Teoh, Sin Chew Daily
We are at our crossroads half a century after the formation of Malaysia. With the nation so divided by race and religion, there’s nothing to celebrate really, as we approach Malaysia Day on September 16. The latest controversy being the alleged desecration of a surau in a Johor hotel by a group of Buddhist tourists from Singapore.
We have a choice how to react to potentially explosive controversies such as this. Our choice may point to a hopeful and comforting prospect in the midst of difficulty – our own silver lining.
Dark clouds immediately formed when someone recently anonymously uploaded a 85-second clip on YouTube provocatively entitled “Surau dijadikan tokong?” (A surau turned into a temple?).
Citing the Qur’an, Johor Islamic Religious Council (MAINJ) adviser Nooh Gadut was reported to have said “If a surau is found to have hosted other religious activities, it can be demolished based on Surah At-Taubah verse 107.”
The Buddhist Maha Vihara Chief High Priest of Malaysia K Srï Dhammaratana has issued an apology on behalf of the Singaporean group.
The 45-year-old owner of the hotel had been arrested for four days under the Penal Code for “injuring or defiling a place of worship with intent to insult the religion of any class”.
“I have no intention of hurting anyone’s feelings. My intention is to show that Islam is universal and tolerant,” said the Singapore-born Muslim.
Meanwhile, the leader of Perkasa’s youth wing, Irwan Fahmi Ideris said, “Whatever reason given by those responsible for permitting the surau to be used by non-Muslims is something that is unacceptable.”
He wanted stern action to be taken against the resort management to protect the sanctity of the Islamic prayer room.
But Muslim Youth Movement of Malaysia (Abim) has called on Johor religious authorities to refrain from drastic measures in reaction to a surau being used by non-Muslims for alleged worship activities.
“The original purpose of the surau was for prayers and can still be used. There was no malice intended by all parties, though there may have been some misunderstanding,” said Abim secretary-general Mohamad Raimi Ab Rahim. He said there was no need for the surau to be demolished.
“This is a sensitive issue and we shouldn’t be too harsh. There are a lot of external factors to be considered and we can take this opportunity to educate people about Islam instead,” he said.
The Council of Churches Malaysia secretary-general Reverend Herman Shastri also called for moderation.
“There is no need to blow the issue out of proportion which in the end continues to feed religious polarisation in the country,” he said.
Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz chipped in that the country should move on to other matters, observing that a group representing the Buddhists in Malaysia had already issued an apology.
As a community of faith that Malaysia truly is, it’s better we choose a religion of reasonableness. Indeed every cloud can have a silver lining and there’s hope, which lies on choices we make. Malaysia is fifty years old this year as a nation. Nazri is right, let’s move on.
