Fostering better inter-faith understanding

Inter-Faith Council for greater unity

I refer to “Goodwill body to be set up” (Star,April 9)

It was very encouraging that Penang will set up an inter-religious goodwill council similar to the inter-faith council proposed earlier at the federal level.Penang’s Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng must be commended for initiating the establishment of the council that will go a long way to resolve the bitter experiences of numerous inter-faith conflicts in recent years.

We were pleasantly surprised at the supportive attitude of PAS president,Datuk Seri Abdul Awang Hadi, reiterated that such a council will pave the way for the promotion of fairness among all races and creed. Furthermore it would also ensure that religious and racial issues are not exploited by any groups for political mileage. In fact the recent goodwill gestures shown by PAS representatives, in visiting churches and temples, have helped to reassure and gain them the respect of the non-Muslims.

The different religions may differ in the rituals they adopt in their worship but they are all similar in their aims – to instill good human and moral values to their members. Their differences are just in form not in substance. In fact all religions have more similarities than differences. It was unfortunate that all these years, only the differences among the religions were emphasized which led to the increasing inter-religious tension among the people.

Disputes due to misunderstanding will undoubtedly arise from time to time especially in a country with diverse religions and cultures. These conflicts can only be overcome amicably by the willingness by all parties to dialogue in a civil manner and never by threats and confrontation. History has shown that the latter only results in violence and bloodshed which are the last things the founders of the various religions would want have wanted.

All religions teach their followers to love fellow humans. It is important for us to reflect to see whether we are truly following these teachings of our respective religions. Fairness, respect for human rights, fight against oppression, corruption and ethnic equality are propagated by all religions, so are virtues like humility, charity and compassion. Why shouldn’t these be common platforms for people of all races to unite?

The voting pattern in the recently concluded polls has shown that Malaysians have risen above racial and religious divide which is unprecedented in the history of our nation. They have shown that they are ready for greater cooperation and integration among the races and it is the onus of the politicians to fulfill their dreams for a more racially united and harmonious Malaysia.

The establishment of the Penang inter-religious goodwill council would be a good start in that direction. It would also be more appropriate and timely for the government to review the stalled Inter-Faith Council at the national level in the wake of the people’s verdict in the recent polls. It should be one of the top priorities in the reforms being considered by the BN government.

Dr.Chris Anthony