Religious leaders should pray together to set example, say Christians

Noel Achariam Noel Achariam Updated 6 years ago · Published on 6 Sep 2019 7:00AM · 9 Comments

After the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 and MH17, Malaysians prayed for the victims of violence. The role of religion during times of strife and grief is important, say Christian leaders who question Jakim’s move barring joint prayers. – EPA pic, September 6, 2019.

RELIGIOUS leaders should be allowed to pray together so as to unite the country, said Christian groups in response to a government directive forbidding Muslims from participating in joint prayers.

They said the ability to stand together, especially in times of crisis, is necessary to teach the world of the goodness of their respective faiths and to comfort their communities.

“If we cannot stand together prayerfully, how can we ever work for peace?” said Council of Churches Malaysia (CCM) general-secretary Rev Hermen Shastri.

Hermen was responding to a statement from the Federal Islamic Development Department (Jakim) on Muslims participating in joint prayers with non-Muslims.

Jakim said that it was “not recommended” that Muslims take part in joint prayers with those of other faiths.

These instances include prayers where Muslims recite their doa (prayer of supplication) simultaneously with members of other faiths who recite their prayers before a function begins.

It also covers instances when Muslim and non-Muslim groups each pray before the start of a function.

Jakim based its ruling on conclusions reached by religious authorities and on the opinion of the Negri Sembilan mufti Mohd Yusof Ahmad.

Christian and Muslim clergy praying together to mark the anniversary of the outbreak of the Lebanese civil war in Beirut in April last year. Muslim leaders in Malaysia are now barred from taking part in joint prayers, bucking a global trend whereby religion is used to unite people of various faiths. – EPA pic, September 6, 2019.

Hermen said Jakim should not forget that in times of tragedy, religious leaders would band together to offer comfort and support to their fellow Malaysians.

“They should not forget the downing of MH370 and MH17 (Malaysia Airlines flights) and (the religious leaders’) response to New Zealand and Sri Lanka acts of violence and many more.

“Jakim should not forget how Malaysians of all faiths felt comforted and supported when religious leaders from all faith traditions stood together in silence in many ceremonies.”

He said the Jakim ruling appears to buck a global trend.

“There is a growing global movement that religions should work together for peace based on the universal values of love, compassion and justice they share throughout the world,” he said.

National Evangelical Christian Fellowship’s Eu Hong Seng said it is important that religious leaders stand together to unite their different communities.

“At a time when we are all trying to be less polarised, this advice is most unhelpful besides being misguided.

“Furthermore, when we pray together, we are praying to our respective Gods, not to each others’ God. Perhaps some may be confused but I seriously doubt our Gods are confused,” said Eu. – September 6, 2019.

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Comments

  • Exactly.

    Posted 6 years ago by Malaysia New hope · Reply

  • Bersatu Teguh!

    Posted 6 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply

  • Again the ketuanan thinking and to be exclusive - so dont blame the non-Muslims!

    Posted 6 years ago by Rupert Lum · Reply

  • Why can't? Govt job is to unite the people of different faith. Pray together by standardising the prayer statements. What's our first Quote on Rukun Negara. Kepecayan Kepada Tuhan. No religion can witness the presence of God in a visual or other sense of Her presence as material evidence. Its pure stupidity to say whose God is greater when u can't see, u can't hear and u can't feel.

    Posted 6 years ago by James Wong · Reply

  • No any religion is above the other bcoz ALLAH GOD CREATOR Makes No Mistake. From time to time GOD has send Its Mesenger to Earth to preach HUMANITY TOLERANCE COMPASSION KINDNESS LOVE .By belittleing one religion to the other is actually Human is Insulting n Undermining CREATOR n its CREATION.

    Posted 6 years ago by Mindy Singh · Reply

  • Praying Together is STRENGH .

    Posted 6 years ago by Mindy Singh · Reply

  • Agreed...but we are in Malaysia...the narrow minded clowns want to protect themselves and therefore will oppose such broad minded initiatives.

    Posted 6 years ago by Lipdah Lia · Reply

  • Every new twist to the Islamic practise and message is indirectly showing the weaknesses/understanding of our past generation elder Muslims. Is heaven really under the mothers' feet?

    Posted 6 years ago by Citizen Pencen · Reply

  • My dear Malaysian.

    One need to understand the religion before making any comments. There are the do's and don'ts in Islam that we must adhere to.

    When something is forbidden is not because of some individuals or some narrow minded clowns but the teaching that we Muslims need to follow as stated in the Holy Quran.

    Please don't make any uncalled comments that can hurts your Malaysian feelings.

    Posted 6 years ago by It's me GR · Reply