My belief is between me and Allah. 'Syurga' is 'bawah tapak kaki ibu'.’
Hang Tuah PJ: Isma, let me tell you something which is real and happening in Malaysia. There are many mixed marriages like mine.
I am a Muslim, my ailing mother is a baptised Roman Catholic and my late father, a devout Hindu. Even when my father was alive, my mother used to 'curi curi' attend confession at the St Anthony's Church in Puduraya and I used to follow her.
When my father passed away, we the children recognised her need to make amends with her soul and advised her to practice her faith openly. Eventually I became a Muslim, a practising one.
My ailing mother used to live with my Hindu sister and she celebrated Christmas on behalf of my mother every year and we gathered there.
This year, my ailing mother decided that she prefers to spend the rest of her life with me. She feels at peace in my home. It is sort of a dying wish.
So my dear Isma, please be advised that this year, I am going to host a Christmas dinner for my mother and family, complete with a Christmas tree. My Islamic belief is between me and Allah swt. My 'syurga' is 'bawah tapak kaki ibu'.
My siblings have always respected my conversion and have made so many changes in their lives to suit my Islamic requirements. And no way is anyone going to stop me from making my mother happy in her dying days.
Worried Sick: Dear Hang Tuah PJ, can I come to your home when you host the Christmas dinner for your mother?
I am a Hindu and I have hosted many Deepavali dinners for my Muslim, Christian and Buddhist friends and their families.
So, I am not in the least surprised when you, a Muslim, want to host a Christmas dinner for your non-Muslim mother. (It would be great to see this glorious event.)
Anyway, a very Merry Christmas to your mother and when Hari Raya comes, I am going to wish you a beautiful 'Selamat Hari Raya'.
Thank you, friend, for telling everyone what Malaysia is all about.
Louis: Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Abdul Rahman Dahlan, Malaysians appreciate your gesture and moderate approach.
You must have felt offended by the despicable action by Isma, and I believe most Muslims feel likewise. If good Muslims can feel offended, how much more Christians in this country?
And it is a wonder that such an obvious offence can go unheeded by the inspector-general of police (IGP). So far, there has been no response from him.
Had it been the other way round where a bunch of idiots tore down a poster bearing greetings to Muslims celebrating Hari Raya, would the IGP remain so quiet?
David Dass: Abdul Rahman has said the right thing. It took a long time for a government minister to criticise Isma. Earlier on former PM Dr Mahathir Mohamad had asked Isma to shut up.
The problem is groups like Isma has acquired traction. I have friends and associates who I have known for years. And these friends wish me “Happy New Year” without making any reference to Christmas. Quite definitely, consciously and deliberately.
Most Hindus, Buddhists and many of my Muslim friends have no difficulty going to a temple or church for a wedding or funeral. They do not feel that their faith is compromised by that fact alone.
Most do not accept that God judges us by these things - for instance, wishing someone Merry Christmas. God is not a God of petty things.
Anonymous #57883242: Isma, all the hotels, restaurants and supermarkets in Malaysia are playing Christmas music.
With so many Muslims visiting these places during this festive season; they (the Muslims) don't seem concern about the music. Which means, Isma, your campaign thus far to prepare a platform for the arrival of Isis (Islamic State) has been an utter failure.
Ratbatblue: Well done, Ahmad Dahlan, for standing up and facing these bigots. You being from Sabah, understand the sentiments well - that Christians have been part and parcel of this land for centuries.
How nice if some of your cabinet colleagues from Peninsular Malaysia too come out and make their stand against these troublemakers.
Why is it that moderate Malays/Muslims are so reluctant to stand up and decry injustices being committed in the name of religion. Does it not pain them to see their beliefs being abused by individuals without any compassion for their fellow men?
Gaji Buta: Who can fully claim to understand someone who was conceived from nothing, did not die and will return again, as believed by almost half the world’s population?
What is important is his teachings and his revelation of the Kingdom of God, and how one should live his life so he may enter it.
The secret lies in one’s inner self and not on outwardly practices or rituals, by inner realisation, rather than putting external restrictions to compensate for one’s weaknesses and temptations.
Will those who followed his teachings be punished by the Almighty God? I don’t think so.
Will those who persecute his followers (or any other human beings for that matter) be punished? Maybe. - M'kini
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