Is courtesy extinct?
Because would they know what happens to those who have never heard about the true teachings of Islam? Or those who are repulsed by one which is misrepresented by ill-behaved, ill-informed Muslims?
Malay Mail Online
You don’t go around calling people fat. Unsightly. Ugly.
Even if they are all that.
Neither do you brag about the trip you’ve taken to Europe or the Caribbean because you’ve worked hard and earned it.
Even if it’s true, and you are indeed the hardest working person on earth.
Nor do you tell those who are mentally ill that they are retarded. Or those who are of different faiths that they will end up in hell.
You don’t do all that because that is simply rude. Uncouth. No matter your faith, no matter the truth.
And if you can’t understand that, you are simply not fit to be part of a community.
Lonely in diversity
Recent events suggest that the assumption Malaysians are more respectful, tolerant, and simply more culture savvy given the multiracial composition of our society is no longer true.
The blame… or credit… I suppose must first go to the politicians whose systemic segregation of our society has resulted in communities that somehow manage to eat, live, learn, play and interact mostly among their own kind.
Workplace. Schools. Universities. In restaurants, eateries.
I have spoken to Malaysians who have never worked or studied with anyone who is of another race. There are also those who have never had Malay food their entire life—and treated their first rendang with the same amazement as a kid trying out his or her first ice cream.
When the term unity in diversity was first coined, I thought it meant being united across diversity. Certainly not according to it.
Then there is the influence of religious people in public spheres.
In a progressive society, people offer condolences or comfort to those who have lost someone. Flowers. Cards. Regardless of their beliefs. And if the government too is progressive, the country talks about road safety when there is a road crash. More allocation for research if it’s cancer. Mental health and awareness if it’s a suicide.
Certainly not about whether or not the dead is fit for heaven or hell. Or whether or not Muslims can or cannot have their photos taken in a non-Muslim shop.
Because that’s neither progressive nor reformist. It’s regressive.
And before you draw conclusions, I don’t question the legitimacy of holy books but the people who interpret them, and their ability to then draw conclusions on matters that they can’t possibly fathom.
Because would they know what happens to those who have never heard about the true teachings of Islam? Or those who are repulsed by one which is misrepresented by ill-behaved, ill-informed Muslims?
