UNITY: We must all learn to be more tolerant
I REFER to the report "PM: Help all to understand" (NST, Feb 16). Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said it was important to understand the various cultures and religions in the country.
So, why not have a campaign on this to ensure that all Malaysians will be better informed of the many things that we do not know about others and their religions.
Yes, we must all learn about Islam, Hinduism, Christianity, Buddhism and Sikhism to become a more tolerant and accepting society.
When meeting with religious leaders at the World Interfaith Harmony Week at Seri Perdana, Putrajaya, on Wednesday, Najib said people should not be confused over what constituted culture and what constituted religious belief.
He hoped more effort would be made to promote understanding and awareness through discussion and education so that the rakyat could understand clearly the differences and similarities between the various races in the country.
Let us do all things in moderation and use persuasion rather than force in whatever we do.
Let us accept all, whoever they are or to whatever religion or creed they belong.
That is the answer to our differences and troubles. I say we stand up and say no to extremism in any form. That should be the way in Malaysia from now on.
And in moderation, we can guide this nation to prosperity.
Najib cited his attendance at the Thaipusam celebration in Batu Caves recently as an example, which had been questioned by some quarters because he wore the kurta, a traditional Indian attire for men.
"They are not aware that in India, millions of Indians who are Muslims wear the kurta daily. Are they then not Muslims?
"As such, it is incumbent upon the committee tasked with interfaith understanding to clarify such matters," Najib said.
He added that with the advancement in information technology, whatever was said by anyone could spread like wildfire, causing people to face a more challenging environment and requiring more effort to promote understanding and awareness on a continuous basis.
He said Malaysians appreciated the harmony and prosperity enjoyed all this while due to its moderate policies that were very much in line with Islamic teachings.
"As such, if there is a country which wants to showcase itself as a model of multiracial unity, I don't think there is a country better than Malaysia."
I believe him. Trust me, there can be no better place than Malaysia.
Bulbir Singh, Seremban, Negri Sembilan
Yes, we must all learn about Islam, Hinduism, Christianity, Buddhism and Sikhism to become a more tolerant and accepting society.
When meeting with religious leaders at the World Interfaith Harmony Week at Seri Perdana, Putrajaya, on Wednesday, Najib said people should not be confused over what constituted culture and what constituted religious belief.
He hoped more effort would be made to promote understanding and awareness through discussion and education so that the rakyat could understand clearly the differences and similarities between the various races in the country.
Let us do all things in moderation and use persuasion rather than force in whatever we do.
Let us accept all, whoever they are or to whatever religion or creed they belong.
That is the answer to our differences and troubles. I say we stand up and say no to extremism in any form. That should be the way in Malaysia from now on.
And in moderation, we can guide this nation to prosperity.
Najib cited his attendance at the Thaipusam celebration in Batu Caves recently as an example, which had been questioned by some quarters because he wore the kurta, a traditional Indian attire for men.
"They are not aware that in India, millions of Indians who are Muslims wear the kurta daily. Are they then not Muslims?
"As such, it is incumbent upon the committee tasked with interfaith understanding to clarify such matters," Najib said.
He added that with the advancement in information technology, whatever was said by anyone could spread like wildfire, causing people to face a more challenging environment and requiring more effort to promote understanding and awareness on a continuous basis.
He said Malaysians appreciated the harmony and prosperity enjoyed all this while due to its moderate policies that were very much in line with Islamic teachings.
"As such, if there is a country which wants to showcase itself as a model of multiracial unity, I don't think there is a country better than Malaysia."
I believe him. Trust me, there can be no better place than Malaysia.
Bulbir Singh, Seremban, Negri Sembilan
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