Muslims attend church service in show of solidarity with Easter bombing victims

Mikha Chan Mikha Chan Updated 4 years ago · Published on 28 Apr 2019 12:23PM · 18 Comments

The congregation for the regular Sunday service entering St Joseph's Church in Sentul. They are joined by several Muslims today. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Hasnoor Hussain, April 28, 2019.

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.

The group of Muslims visited the church to learn about how people of other faiths worshipped and what they believed in. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Hasnoor Hussain, April 28, 2019.

“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.

Parish priest Reverend George Packiasamy says he supports all efforts to foster inter-religious understanding. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Hasnoor Hussain, April 28, 2019.

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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Comments

  • This is good !! As long as people of different faith view each other with open mind the country is safe. It is always the politicians who talk about religion and the muftis who talk about politics and racial differences that stirr shits in the country. The rakyat should ignore all of them and thanks Almighty for giving us a mind to hink and intelligence to know the differences. Let the politicians ,muftis, priests and reverends work on what is in their porfolio of administrations and stop them in their track in dabbling into politics of racial disintegration and malicious religious sermons/ceramah. High time that Zakir Naik is called out to get lost or face capital punishment for inciting terrorism against other faith.

    Posted 4 years ago by Lee Lee · Reply

  • Exemplary! Let the people show the politicians how unity exists and is achieved. It always must start with well intended thoughts, materialised into action, before any talk is required. This is the best promotion of the benefits of religion when practised by level headed and compassionate disciples.

    Posted 4 years ago by Mahsuri Smiles · Reply

  • Excellent

    Posted 4 years ago by Gabriel Chelliah · Reply

  • Malaysians can show the world how people of different races and religions can live together in peace! We have to continue to fight extremism but such solidarity!

    Posted 4 years ago by LL Lau · Reply

  • Syabas!

    Posted 4 years ago by Anak Kampung · Reply

  • Any efforts by the community itself is great, it reflect the tolerance and understanding we have. Syabas

    Posted 4 years ago by Teruna Kelana · Reply

    • agreed

      Posted 4 years ago by The Lone Ranger ... · Reply

  • There is hope!

    Posted 4 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply

  • Let's pray there will be no extremists who would go out and create something to scream at and worse accuse the Church. Understanding brings harmony. Everyone can learn and hence trust one another. Our country will be a happier place and so will the government of the day.

    Posted 4 years ago by Concerned Citizen · Reply

  • learn and endorse diversity while appreciate unity and respect differences are key to human progress and unity strength. Anyone, any religion, any race and ideology that divide and rule, enriches themselves, limiting people growth, support arrogance and evil, forego good and right values, extreme destructive action and conservative stagnant progress belief MUST be stopped, detered and taught and rehabilitated with all means and ways.

    Posted 4 years ago by James Wong · Reply

  • This is great news. Maybe there is hope yet.

    Posted 4 years ago by Yoon Kok · Reply

  • Sorry to disappoint you pollies and royalty, this is the real Malaysia...

    Posted 4 years ago by C D · Reply

  • A place of worship is a place of peace. Everyone is welcome.

    Posted 4 years ago by Awang Bilis · Reply

  • A place of worship is a place of peace. Everyone is welcome.

    Posted 4 years ago by Awang Bilis · Reply

  • Thanks TMI for reporting on this hopeful story.

    Posted 4 years ago by Jo-Ann Ding · Reply

    • Indeed.

      Posted 4 years ago by Anak Kampung · Reply

  • I'm touched by this group of Muslims who broke through the walls of "haram" as preached by the likes of Zakir Naik and his ilk and went to church to see and understand how Christians worship. I'm sure none of them felt like converting to Christianity. They didn't lose their faith. More Malaysians of different faiths should visit the prayer houses of the others. This is what will bring about real unity. This is what the Ministry of Unity should be organising. This is what Mujahid and Jakim should support. If Zakir Naik says anything negative about this, he should be told to shut up and go back to India.



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    Posted 4 years ago by Ravinder Singh · Reply

  • I have hope in Malaysia now. Well done all those Muslims who stood up for unity, tolerance, peace, acceptance regardless of their beliefs/faith. This is what religion is about. All other preachers who promote disuntiy, hatred and interlorance should be put behind bars and gagged.

    Posted 4 years ago by Apple Baker · Reply