In Ramadan, interfaith ties bloom despite extremist voices at the fringe

Leaders of different faiths hold placards bearing letters to form the phrase 'Save Gaza', at the interfaith iftar event in Putrajaya, last night. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Faisal Salehhuddin, July 17, 2014.

In Malaysia, where the the Muslim religious fringe are demanding a dominant role, a small group of Buddhists, Christians and Hindus sat cross-legged in the prayer hall of Putrajaya's famed iron mosque to observe the Maghrib, or evening prayers.

They were at the Iron Mosque, officially known as the Sultan Mizan Mosque, for an interfaith session in solidarity with Palestinians, and to break fast with Muslims in the on-going Ramadan fasting month - a refreshing change from the growing pressure by groups who want Malaysia to be more Islamic.

One of those in the small group, Thai Ming Yeow, said this was the first time he entered a mosque and witnessed the Muslim prayer – an experience he felt was a significant step towards fostering interfaith ties in Malaysia.

“It really gives me a better understanding of Muslims. Usually we just watch on TV how they perform their prayers, and now I get to experience it first-hand.

“This kind of events are important for us to understand all other religions, foster mutual respect, and to strengthen our ties,” Thai, a national council member of the Young Buddhist Association of Malaysia, told The Malaysian Insider last night.

Even as racial and religious tensions continue to flare up in Malaysia, the group of religious leaders sat together to break their fast under the large dome of the iconic Iron Mosque in Putrajaya, Malaysia’s administrative capital.

Mohamed Maliki Mohamed Rapiee, president of the Malaysian Youth Council (MBM), speaks during the interfaith iftar event in Putrajaya, last night. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Faisal Salehhuddin, July 17, 2014.As the call for the Maghrib prayer resonated through the air, the Muslims sampled a few dates before getting up to perform the Maghrib, one of five obligatory prayers, while representatives of all the other major faiths in Malaysia were given a unique tour of the mosque.

The Muhibbah Buka Puasa, organised by the Islamic Youth Movement (Abim), was part of the non-governmental organisation’s effort to foster peace and understanding among different faiths.

Thai told The Malaysian Insider that he regarded the majority of Muslims as friendly, peaceful and harmonious, despite the divisive approach taken by some right-wing groups.

“Of course there is a minority that foster tension and prejudice and tries to discriminate others.

“But if we all work together like this and instill harmonious relations, we can just ignore this group altogether,” he said, his voice hushed in respect towards the Muslims praying several feet away.

Professor Dr G. Suresh Kumar (pic, right), president of the Sathya Sai Baba Council Malaysia, said their participation in the event helped them see “Islam in the truest sense of the religion”.

“We get to bask in the beautiful, excellent architecture of the mosque and learn more about this peaceful religion. It’s about inclusion and being a part of the community,” he told The Malaysian Insider.

As the coordinator for Friendship Group of Inter Religious Service (FGIS) – an informal coalition of the major religious groups in Malaysia – Suresh said he wanted to show all the other religious leaders the “cordiality, good will, and inclusivity of Islam”.

“There are a few extremists who are bringing in their own personal views, and that’s why we brought them here first-hand,” said Suresh.

The leaders intend to make a similar visit soon – next time to a church, said Jacob Simon, a youth representative of the Council of Churches Malaysia, and secretary of FGIS, which is made up of Abim, CCM, Buddhist Maha Vihara, Malaysia Hindu Sangam, and Malaysian Gurdwaras Council

“FGIS has been together for 11 years, and a lot of our events are centred on exposing different faiths to the various places of worship,” said Simon.

“Our purpose is to explain to different religions what each faith is about, and to stay united. So we get the message across to the representatives, and they portray it to their respective communities.”

Abim vice-president, Mohamad Raimi Ab Rahim, said the group believed the most basic approach to mend interfaith ties was to mingle with one another, gain a common ground and set aside differences.

“Non-Muslims have told me they find it difficult to come visit mosques and engage with Muslims, so we are trying to facilitate this,” he said.

“We have been visiting each other’s place of worship for years and taking part in each other’s programmes.”

But Raimi conceded that interfaith dialogue was still at its infancy in Malaysia, and angry religious debates in the media were not helping.

“We are trying to engage each other on more friendly terms, rather than get into heated debates through the media without even meeting one another face-to-face.

Friendship Group of Inter Religious Service founder, Datuk J. Jegathesan, tells participants of last night's interfaith event in Putrajaya that he is awed by certain verses in the Quran. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Faisal Salehhuddin, July 17, 2014.“Right now, we have double tasks, thanks to all the misunderstanding. So we have to refute the misunderstanding and explain the truth – not the extreme version promoted by certain groups.”

Raimi was apparently referring to right-wing Malay-Muslim groups such as Perkasa, Isma and Jati, which have taken to the media and the streets to champion Islam and Malays.

But in doing so, these groups have also labeled the Chinese community as “intruders”, claimed Christians had no other names for God, and even called for Bibles to be burned.

The recent spate of raids and Bible seizures by state religious authorities has further tarnished the image of Islam among the non-Muslims in Malaysia, and widened the chasm between the major faiths.

Yet last night, there was no trace of religious hostility, as FGIS founder, Datuk J. Jegathesan, eagerly told the multireligious crowd at the mosque how awed he was by certain verses in the Quran.

“What we see in the papers is a very misleading impression of Islam. I personally have a great regard for Islam,” Jegathesan told the crowd.

“One of my favourite verses in the Quran is as follows: ‘…indeed, We have created you from male and female and made you peoples that you may know one another’.

“So let us know and learn from one another, and show how much we love and hope we have for each other.”

- TMI