AMANAH deputy president Senator Datuk Seri Mujahid Yusuf Rawa has called on Muslims to use mosques as places to spread peace and harmony to fight back against the animosity generated by certain quarters, who had portrayed the ugly side of Islam especially during Ramadan.
In Islam, mosques are places for propagating peace besides a place of worship to Allah, said Mujahid, who is leading an effort to defuse the tension during Ramadan when a retired civil servant was charged with slapping a non - Muslim because the latter was eating during the fasting period.
Mujahid said that both Muslims and non - Muslims must respect the rule of law, and assaulting someone with no apparent reason is wrong in all religions.
He pleaded with Malaysians of diverse faith to come together to condemn violence, including in opposing the renewed violence against the Palestinians, of all things during Ramadan.
Despite the government's proclamation to not exploit the polemic fault lines of race, religion and royalty, Mujahid admitted that certain quarters continue to do it either because they were misinformed or that they harboured the ill intention of politically dividing the country.
"The slapping incidents are shameful," said Mujahid, who hosted a harmonious "buka puasa" (breaking of fast) gathering at the historic Lebuh Aceh Mosque (Acheen St Mosque).
The 19th - century mosque sits at the end of George Town's Street of Harmony.
The street has a Taoist Goddess of Mercy Temple, the sole Anglican St George Church, a Sri Maha Mariamman Hindu Temple and the Kapitan Keling Mosque besides the Acheen mosque.
For the past five consecutive years, Mujahid together with Think City Sdn Bhd adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Fazal, have hosted a breaking of fast event at the mosque, frequented by other faiths' leaders, heritage activists, community leaders, government agencies and foreign tourists.
It has become a staple event for the Holy Ramadan month in Penang where Muslims fast from dawn to dusk before celebrating the Eid al-Fitr occasion - a time of joyous sharing.
Anwar, who is renowned as the "Father of Penang Civil Society," having founded the Consumers Association of Penang, echoed Mujahid in saying that there is no substitute for harmony and peace.
“Islam is a religion of peace and all religions teach us to tolerate each other in peace. We have had enough of violence in the name of religion.
"Muslims, are therefore, reminded not to tarnish the image if Islam with violence. We must all treasure national unity and harmony and live in peace," said Anwar, who has produced a pamphlet on anti - violence.
Present were His Eminence Roman Catholic Cardinal Datuk Seri Sebastian Francis, Buddhist members, Hindu Sangam members, Malaysian Chinese Muslim Association members and foreign dignitaries, as well as tourists.
His Eminence Sebastian addressed the occasion, reiterating the importance of peace. - March 22, 2025.
