Anwar wants Malays to read Ramayana
Anwar encourages the Malays to read classical Hindu texts and for Hindu’s to read the Quran to better understand each other
K. Pragalath, FMT
Pakatan Rakyat candidate for the Kajang state seat by-election Anwar Ibrahim told a group of Malay youths that to understand the Indian community they needed to read and understand classical Hindu texts such as the Ramayana, Mahabharatha and the Thirukkural.
He said that it was vital for them to do so because it would enable Malaysians to better understand one another.
“Yesterday I met a group of Malay youths. I told them to read the Ramayana and Mahabharatha. I also told them to read the Thirukkural,” said Anwar who is Permatang Pauh MP and Opposition Leader in Parliament.
The Ramayana is an epic poem that narrates a journey of virtue to annihilate vice portrayed by Prince Rama and King Ravana. It was authored by sage Valmiki.
Mahabaharata is a tale of war between cousins, the Pandavas and the Kauravas.
Both texts are the greatest Sanskrit epics on ancient India.
“The Thirukkural is a summary of thoughts in Indian society touching on every aspect of life,” the PKR de facto leader explained.
Anwar was speaking at a dinner function attended by 150 Indian representatives from various NGOs, parent teacher associations, temple committees and associations at the Metro Prescott Hotel last night.
On the same theme he also encouraged Hindus to read the Quran.
“I am confident that this is the new Malaysia. I am still Muslim and Malay,” Anwar said.
He explained the insecurities present in the mind of the Malays and said that the challenge now was to change the Malay mindset.
“Malays see this land as theirs and feel like they are bowing down to the Chinese. My challenge is to break that perception.”
