I WISH to inform the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (MAIS) that a book that is available physically and online, which contains negative sentiments towards Christians.
It is shocking and surprising to know that MAIS, which is undoubtedly a learned body representing Islam, has sanctioned the book as stated above. The passages and book itself, for all intents and purposes, is, unfortunately and unfathomably, inflammatory in nature.
This is a manufactured plastic cosmetic controversy with a lot of unfounded and unsubstantiated insinuations and allegations. The connotations in the book may appeal to some moderates who may transform into extremists.
Incomprehensibly, it seems to be a misinterpretation, misperception and misrepresentation of Christianity and Christians. It is, as I feel and know, essentially in dissonance, incompatible and not in calibration with the prescribed teachings of the Islamic faith, as I understand to the best of my knowledge.
The added fact is, Christians constitute just 9.2% of the Malaysian population. Consider:
- Is it not a specific instruction from the lips of the blessed Prophet Muhammad to protect and treat Christians with goodness and kindness?
- Isn’t the book and its contents a direct breach and contradiction of the blessed Prophet’s wishes?
Such offensive words or expressions as contained are an implicative sword of the negatives towards Islam. It is defilement, desecration and defamation of its constituent structure to be a religion of peace. The humanity and compassion of Islam advocates the highest ideals and here, the expressions contained in this book compromises and destroys those ideals.
I wish to assure you that MAIS or any Muslim organisation will not find among the Christians any detrimental thoughts towards our Muslim brothers and sisters. With constructive composition of prayer, we are consistently encouraged, enabled, empowered and consciencised by our bishops, priests and pastors in our church services to pray for all, irrespective of race or religion. It is embedded and encapsulated as a natural embodiment of expectation to think well and care about others.
Such is the illumination and inspiration we are privileged to receive that we strive with valour and nobility to be goodly to all. I am sure our twin faiths share such replication, reflection and reciprocation of irresistible and irrepressible values in nature. This is the specific instruction for us since 1962 from the Vatican council. This is precisely the reason that I find the book from MAIS a puzzle.
Over a period of time, reverential respects have been expressed by the various pontiffs.
With liberties and passion from the roots of my own Christian faith, I am called to be a spiritual glue. My core intention is binding and bonding our beautiful faiths. Appreciating that we are blessed with colourful and celebrated diversity, we have the responsibility to coat each other with the garment of brother and sisterhood. The daggers of discontent, discrimination and disunity are regretfully noted in your book. I am a strong advocate of promoting harmony and peaceful coexistence. I desire that we have genuine acceptance of each other, even if there are nominal differences.
I do not wish to cast the doubt of an injury or a wound on MAIS. The ramification and consequences of a misguided or misconstrued language in reference to Christians has the potential to cause disharmony and disrespect. It can influence and contaminate minds to create invisible opponents.
Any breach that divides citizens as such is against national unity and, therefore, inappropriate, inexcusable and unacceptable. Venomous contamination in the heart, soul and mind of some segments of our Muslim brothers and sisters is already evident as follows:
- Facebook postings that are inaccurate and inappropriate about Archbishop Julian Leow.
- Comment by the ex-religious affairs minister Datuk Seri Mujahid Yusof Rawa, expressing that it is against Islamic law to make generalisations.
- Comment by the mufti of Penang Wan Salim Wan Mohd Noor on advice to find common ground.
- This is the Bahasa Melayu version of the Vatican II on building relationships with Muslims and other faiths.
- A church in Spain opening its premises to Muslims during the fasting month. Why is it so difficult for us to have such a harmonious relationship?
- Latest article from the online news portal The Vibes.
This book is a concern and issue in public space. Who bears the responsibility for division? The ones who prepared and promoted the book or the ones who have read the book and responded as to how the book would have directed us to respond?
The seeds of extremism and terrorism are always sown, accidentally, incidentally, unintentionally and innocently, sometimes. When sensibilities and sensitivities are not applied conscientiously, we reap negatives. Negligence to do anything or the right thing is the brewing concoction of a recipe in the cauldron for a perfect storm, that blows everyone away.
I am aggrieved that such conflicting and contradictory expressions have been contrived, which can only lead to animosity and suspicion between communities and faiths. If there was some breach by any Christian group, please expose them, engage them intellectually in a non-inflammatory discourse. Please don’t tarnish all of us with one brush.
I humbly submit this request to MAIS to re-evaluate the content of its book, which may have erroneously and unintentionally escaped the scrutiny and attention of those who prepared and published the book.
I hope MAIS, with its knowledge and wisdom, can sieve through the contents of the book and remove the passages of contention or remove entirely the book from public eye.
I address this with the confidence and trust that MAIS will engage in purposeful and meaningful discourse or dialogue with the relevant bodies that I have copied this letter to.
This is inclusive of other state or federal Muslim organisations – find an amicable solution to this grievance that I submit. Please, I appeal, don’t lose this window of opportunity to vanquish pride and use sacred reverential humility with humanity to engage each other with the holiness and sacredness of one divine flute incontestable tonal beauty in the fraternity of brother and sisterhood.
Instead of being embroiled in frivolous trivialities we can use our respective strengths to collaborate, cooperate and complement each other in healing the world of its ailments.
May I humbly submit my apologies if inadvertently I have offended in presenting my opinions.
Reluctantly and regretfully, if MAIS believes otherwise that such offensive material should be promoted, I will have no option or recourse but to pursue and seek justice via other constructive engagements offered by the law of the land.
Wishing your esteemed body every success in your spiritual and social endeavours. – The Vibes, May 7, 2021
Dominic Damian reads The Vibes
