THEY were advised that “maybe it is not a good idea” to visit a church this weekend, one week after the Easter massacre in Sri Lanka, but that did not stop a Muslim group from visiting the St Joseph’s Church in Sentul, Kuala Lumpur this morning.
Global Unity Network, a Muslim group comprising professionals and students, attended the Sunday service followed by a dialogue with the parish priest, Reverend George Packiasamy.
Group president Shah Kirit Kakulal Govindji told The Malaysian Insight that he was touched when he heard the message from the pulpit about forgiveness, which included forgiving the perpetrators of the Sri Lanka bombings.
He said the group, which numbered about 30 today, had visited the church to show solidarity with Catholics after last week’s tragedy.
It was also to educate its Muslim members how people of other faiths worshipped and what they believed in, adding that it was good to be aware of the many similarities between faiths.
“A lot of our problems come about because of prejudice and presumption. But the best way (to tackle the issue) is to learn, not assume,” said Shah Kirit.
“Muslims frequently ask members of other faiths to understand them. But understanding must go both ways.”
The culprits of the Easter suicide bombings in Sri Lanka, which claimed more than 250 lives and injured 500 others, were believed to be Muslim extremists. The Islamic State (IS) has claimed responsibility for the attacks on three churches and four hotels.
Most of the victims were said to be Catholics attending Easter Mass at three churches.
Churches in Kuala Lumpur were told to be on alert and to cooperate with the police ahead of this weekend’s mass services.
Advisories to step up security were issued as Malaysian church leaders sought to address unease among Christians, with circulars sent out to several ecclesial communities in Kuala Lumpur yesterday, notifying churchgoers of precautionary measures they should take.
St Joseph’s parish priest George said he welcomed efforts at inter-religious relations and reconciliation, and noted that this was not the first time his parish had been visited by groups of other faiths.
Yesterday, he met 40 students from the International Islamic University for two hours, and had spoke to them about the church’s functions and its ministries.
The Sentul parish has close to 7,000 parishioners. – April 28, 2019.
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