Interfaith council urges temples, churches to open doors to Bersih 4 rally goers
(TMI) – The national interfaith council will appeal all places of worship in Kuala Lumpur to open their doors to Bersih 4 participants this weekend, despite Putrajaya’s declaration that the two-day rally is illegal.
Throwing their support behind the Bersih 4 rally, the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST) said the rally was to demand the people’s rights and not about going against the government.
MCCBCHST acting president Datuk R.S. Mohan Shan said this after three Catholic churches offered their grounds as “sanctuary” for the participants.
“We will request for the temples in the city area to open their doors for participants to rest and use the washrooms.
“This is a rally asking for rights, it’s not about being against the government, so nothing wrong for places of worship to open their doors to them,” Mohan told The Malaysian Insider.
In confirming that three Catholic churches will open their doors to rally goers, Kuala Lumpur Archbishop Julian Leow said a place of worship is not only a house of prayer but also a place of rest for the weary and needy.
“It is in this great spirit of compassion that the Catholic church has decided to allow St. John’s Cathedral in Bukit Nanas, St. Anthony’s Church in Pudu and Church of Our Lady of Fatima in Brickfields to be places of sanctuary during Bersih 4 rally,” said Leow.
The archbishop said the Catholic church is not aligned to any political party, but added that in the month leading to Merdeka Day celebrations, Christians have been praying for the nation and its leaders.
