Hindus and Christians: Foster a culture of ‘inclusion’
The Ant Daily
Hindus and Christians, together with those of other religious beliefs in the country have been living together in great harmony and tolerance ever since Malaysia was born. In fact, long before the multi-racial and multi-religious citizens of this nation became Malaysians.
Unfortunately in recent years, the religious tolerance and racial harmony have been threatened by a small group of bigots and racists.
Perhaps a humble Kerling villager by the name of Jamil Mohd Yusof, 76, summed up best the sad situation today when he said that Malaysians have lost that loving feeling.
“Family togetherness is sorely lacking in Malaysian society today. It was different before…the Malays, Chinese and Indians used to live as one family. We shared experiences, especially during the festival seasons, which we celebrated together…those were really happy occasions,” said Jamil in an interview with Bernama TV.
As Hindus celebrate Deepavali today, Jamil has become a topic of conversation, attracting the attention of people from all walks of life, including those overseas, after he was featured in a 70-second video clip on social media sites like Facebook, Youtube and Whatsapp.
On the other side of the globe, Pope Francis also expressed his concern over the increasing discrimination, violence and exclusion throughout the world.
In a Deepavali message delivered by Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, president of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, the Holy Father urged Christians and Hindus to reflect this year on the theme “Fostering together a culture of ‘inclusion'”.
The message was contained in a statement forwarded to theantdaily by Rev Father Lawrence Andrew of Petaling Jaya stating that the Apostolic Nunciature wishes to send the Pope’s appeal to all Hindus, including those in Malaysia on the occasion of the Festival of Lights.
“In the face of increasing discrimination, violence and exclusion throughout the world, ‘nurturing a culture of inclusion’ can be rightly seen as one of the most genuine aspirations of people everywhere.
“It is true that globalisation has opened many new frontiers and provided fresh opportunities to develop, among other things, better educational and healthcare facilities. It has ushered in a greater awareness of democracy and social justice in the world, and our planet has truly become a ‘global village’ due in large part to modern means of communication and transportation. It can also be said, however, that globalisation has not achieved its primary objective of integrating local peoples into the global community. Rather, globalisation has contributed significantly to many peoples losing their sociocultural, economic and political identities,” the statement said.
“The negative consequences of globalisation, such as widespread materialism and consumerism, moreover, have made people more self-absorbed, power-hungry and indifferent to the rights, needs and sufferings of others.
“This, in the words of Pope Francis, has led to a “‘globalisation of indifference’ which makes us slowly inured to the suffering of others and closed in on ourselves” (Message for the World Day of Peace, 2014). Such indifference gives rise to a ‘culture of exclusion’ (cf. Pope Francis, Address to the Apostolic Movement of the Blind and the Little Mission for the Deaf and Mute, 29 March 2014) in which the poor, marginalised and vulnerable are denied their rights, as well as the opportunities and resources that are available to other members of society.
“They are treated as insignificant, dispensable, burdensome, unnecessary, to be used and even discarded like objects. In various ways, the exploitation of children and women, the neglect of the elderly, sick, differently-abled, migrants and refugees, and the persecution of minorities are sure indicators of this culture of exclusion.
“Nurturing a culture of inclusion thus becomes a common call and a shared responsibility, which must be urgently undertaken. It is a project involving those who care for the health and survival of the human family here on earth and which needs to be carried out amidst, and in spite of, the forces that perpetuate the culture of exclusion.
“As people grounded in our own respective religious traditions and with shared convictions, may we, Hindus and Christians, join together with followers of other religions and with people of good will to foster a culture of inclusion for a just and peaceful society.
“We joyfully greet all of you on the festive occasion of Deepavali. May the Transcendent Light illumine your hearts, homes and communities, and may all your celebrations deepen the sense of belonging to one another in your families and neighbourhoods, and so further harmony and happiness, peace and prosperity.
“We wish you all a Happy Deepavali!,” the statement concluded.
