IN the wake of the temple riots and the anti-ICERD rally which saw Malaysians split along ethnic and religious lines, Christians for Peace and Harmony in Malaysia (CPHM) hopes to pour oil on troubled waters with a gathering of people of various faiths. 

CPHM chairman Lee Min Choon said the aim of the gathering was to spread goodwill and demonstrate unity.

“Do we see each other as our enemy or our brother? 

“In order to understand each other and come together we need to put aside our differences,” he said at the CPHM annual Christmas gathering in Subang, tonight.

Since 2015, CPHM has hosted many multi-racial gatherings and events to foster friendship across race and creed. 

CPHM has organised Christmas and buka puasa events, Malaysia Day programmes as well as the Merdeka Day peace run to bring together the races of Malaysia.

Tonight, more than 150 Christians, Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists congregated at the Subang Grand Dorsett Hotel for dinner. 

Lee said the groups of various faiths had formed a special bond over the years.

“We have gotten to know each other in a very comfortable way. But what happens next? 

“Will we be still sitting here having dinner in 10 years’ time? 

“What we are all about is becoming friends with each other,” he said. 

Lee said by bringing the religious leaders together, it is hoped they would bring back with them the message of unity to their respective congregations. 

“We hope that the Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist and other faiths will work together to address their issues,” he said. 

Federal Territories muffti Dr Zulkifli Mohamad al-Bakri said peaceful coexistence with non-Muslims was an Islamic principle set out in the Quran. 

“This has been practised by Muslims throughout history. There is no contradiction between Islam and devotion to civil society, culture and co-existence with each other. 

“It is essential to Islam,” he said in a speech read out by his special officer Ustaz Mohamad Razif.

Zulkifli said peace and tolerance for other faiths was not merely advisable but compulsory in Islam.

“In order to achieve this objective, we would like to call upon all religious leaders to develop a cultural and religious strategy to face the threat of religious conflicts, religious zealotry and the madness of the current age.”

He said it was high time Malaysians learnt to cherish the peace and harmony that they enjoy. 

“We know that deep in our hearts that there is great love for the country.” – December 13, 2018.