KUALA Lumpur Archbishop Julian Leow Beng Kim expressed hope for common sense to prevail among religious leaders to strengthen ties and unity among Malaysians.
“It will indeed be a sad day in the history of Malaysia when we cannot wish ‘Merry Christmas’ to Christians or ‘Selamat Hari Deepavali’ to the Hindus or Wesak to Buddhists,” he said at the annual Christian Federation of Malaysia’s (CFM) Christmas Hi-Tea today.
“We pray that common sense will prevail among religious leaders to promote ways of strengthening the bonds of friendship among Malaysians and not drive us apart,” he said.
Leow, who is also CFM chairman, said religious harmony was the cornerstone of a prosperous Malaysia, and must be preserved and defended by Malaysians across all faiths and creeds.
He said Malaysians should not allow race and religion to create a wedge between them or incite fear.
“It is important for all Malaysians to celebrate our unity in diversity to develop and bring our country to greater heights,” he told a 200-strong crowd.
Malaysia is unique in the world because of its people of different religions, races, ethnicities and cultures have lived together in relative harmony and prosperity, he added.
“Our differences in food, festivals, worship, idiosyncrasies are what make us Malaysians. We are the sum of all these factors that make us Malaysians. Let us never forget who we are.”
Leow also quoted a message entitled “Peaceful Co-Existence the Right Way” by Federal Territories Mufti Zulkifli Mohd Al-Bakri, who could not be present at the event.
Present were Foreign Affairs Minister Saifuddin Abdullah, Primary Industries Minister Teresa Kok, US envoy to Malaysia Kamala Shirin Lakhdir and Petaling Jaya MP Maria Chin Abdullah.
Meanwhile, Saifuddin in his speech urged Malaysians to celebrate Christmas in the spirit of liking each other.
“Brothers and sisters, we are all Malaysians, we are all believers; let us celebrate Christmas in the spirit of liking each other, regardless of our race, religion and background,” he said.
He added that it was essential for members of different faiths to like one another to peacefully co-exist.
Saifuddin said peaceful understanding already exists between the Muslims and Christians around the globe and in Malaysia.
He shared a personal story about his wife, who is an alumnus of Convent Bukit Nanas.
“She is a Muslim but there was never a problem. Muslims and Christians make up more than half of the population of the world. Without peace and justice between these two, there cannot be peace in the world,” he added. – December 25, 2019.
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Comments
Posted 6 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply
In Malaysia-the cabinet is to be blame, all of them have ebetted in allowing a terrorist, Muslim Radical who by now may be influencing "thousands of young muslims" about Jihad and using the travel agent "Darul Islam" to ship them out. Malaysia is dynamic because of its multiracial composition-Hinduism which was the 1st religion in Malaysia, then soon Islam, Christianity, Buddhism-this is the very essence of Malaysia. DR M is allowing Zakir Naik into the country is creating a national security event-more so, not getting the whole country to respect Christmas. In Malaysia, Islam is forced onto the Malays, and there is no choice-it is fine by Non-Muslims but wishing Non-Muslims is a tradition prior to independence. Why on earth are we allowing this now. Malaysia is going down the drain.
Posted 6 years ago by Kunta Kinte · Reply