GEORGE TOWN – In a show of racial tolerance and religious understanding, a delegation from PAS and a Christian religious group ate together recently at a restaurant here.
The luncheon, according to PAS vice-president Datuk Idris Ahmad and Roman Catholic cardinal-elect Datuk Seri Sebastian Francis, was to foster better ties and understanding between the different races in the country.
Idris, a former religious affairs minister, said the idea was mooted by PAS official Abdul Rahman Kassim, who was one of the pioneers of their interfaith dialogue sessions with former Parit Buntar MP Senator Datuk Seri Mujahid Yusuf Rawa.
Both Idris and Sebastian agreed to continue with dialogues and uphold open channels of communication.
Before the two groups exchanged gifts, Sebastian said he believed that after the conclusion of both the 15th state and parliamentary elections, those duly elected will promote the politics of harmony, pragmatism, and trust among the masses.
“In a challenging world, the strong values of spirituality and doing good are important in facing threats such as justice, erosion of morals, extremism, and corruption among others.”
He said that the political paradigm needs to take notice of such threats, as the young also demand strong values to ward off forces that undermine humanity.
He acknowledged the doctrinal differences between Muslim and the Christian faiths, but said both great religions can come together to parade their similarities, which include an enduring love for humanity.
“Humanity and compassion make us all similar in a world riveted with struggles,” he said.
Idris echoed a similar message when he referenced the Charter of Medina, which was advocated by Islam’s Prophet Muhammad, with several of its points containing sermons and references on how to co-exist peacefully with non-Muslims in the historical city.
Idris said that Islam under PAS leadership allows for goodwill dialogues and debates between Muslims and non-Muslims.
Other PAS leaders present were newly elected Permatang Pasir assemblyman Amir Hamzah Abdul Hashim and Pulau Betong assemblyman Mohamad Shukor Zakariah.
Penang PAS secretary Iszuree Ibrahim, who was present, clarified his recent encounter with Gerakan president Senator Datuk Dominic Lau, which went viral during the Penang election campaign.
Iszuree said that he did not mean to come across as rude or harsh, contrary to what was captured on video; it was just that he needed to convey a message to Lau quickly.
“As far as I know, Lau was not invited to the event. He just wanted a photograph taken with our PAS president (Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang). He could have done it differently.”
Iszuree said that Lau was his schoolmate at SMK Abdullah Munshi here, and while he was a little upset that the Perikatan Nasional leadership did not speak to the PAS grassroots before nominating Lau to contest in the Bayan Lepas state seat, he did not hold any grudges.
“I don’t have anything personal against him (Lau). It is in the past, we move on,” said the former Penang Island City Council councillor. – The Vibes, August 18, 2023
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