Surau incident a manifestation of a society getting less tolerant

YOURSAY | ‘How you react represents what you believe is the right thing to do - for yourself, not others.’

Is violent surau incident another lesson about who we are?

Hardboiled: Having vehicles blocking the roads during Friday prayers is a norm in Malaysia. If the cops fine these errant motorists every week, it may be fair to say we could reduce the Goods and Services Tax (GST).

But since it is the official religion of the federation, and as this article by Commander (Rtd) S Thayaparan implies, the majority can do as they please. Never mind - let us ‘tolerate’ this, even though if you park as such in Bangsar on Sunday to go to the gospel, you will get a ticket.

I want to delve into this from a different angle. Has anybody bothered to ask why after prayers, the man was assaulted? Where is the aggression coming from? Economic hardship, or racial inclination, or religious doctrine?

Usually, when people go to pray, they come out feeling humbled and ‘nice’. I think it is fair to say that this is the case for many. Is something amiss here?

Ipoh Pp: Thank you, Sir, for a well-thought-out article. The truth is painful and hurts. We have borne the 'cross' since 1969.

The years after it saw the non-Muslims seemingly slowly but surely being relegated to become second-class citizens. The National Civics Bureau (BTN) classes played its part in dividing us, putting us into ‘special’ class and the other being lower.

We are too far into this mess and what more with politicians, rather than uniting, divide us for their 'trump card' to stay in power.

A beautiful nation we were in the 40s, 50s and 60s. Alas, it’s all gone and we seniors dream of the great old days while breaking our hearts sending away our off-springs to distant lands in search for 'greener pastures' just like our forefathers did 100 and 200 years ago.

Dizzer: Racial conflict is a misnomer in Malaysia because the violence (if and when it comes) is always going to be a one-way affair. The minorities have internalised the lessons of May 13 a long time ago.

I never thought I would say this, but Malaysia needs more sociologists and psychologists - we have to properly understand and confront the multi-pronged reasons for Malay insecurity after all these years.

Anonymous #40538199: It is a failure of town planning. Why not build places of worship with multi-storey car parking facilities and/or be located near public transport centres?

In that way, traffic congestion can be reduced and more people can participate in the religious events with minimal friction.

We shape our buildings; thereafter they shape us, said Winston Churchill. More so, if the buildings are for religious purposes.

AP: The mosque or surau committee should inform the Muslims that haphazard parking should be avoided and always give a space for other road users as well.

As everyone is aware, some of the sermons given on Fridays allegedly do not encourage moderation and respect for minorities.

Clearwater: This incident was not so much a lesson, but a manifestation of what ails a society getting less tolerant by the day.

Watan: How you react represents what you believe is the right thing to do - for yourself, not others.

888: The bigger picture is that the populace is getting to be less law-abiding, not just this incident - road rage, running red lights, rampant parking on public roads on the excuse of religion of all faiths, etc.

The only way to arrest this state is strict, swift and rigorous law enforcement. Indeed, whipping would be a deterrent punishment for violent offences.

Gen Half Track: Dear Sir, you have covered a sensitive case very well with a logical argument. Unfortunately, a herd instinct tends to takes over at the drop of a hat when parties are of a different race.

Unless we introduce laws that can punish one with long jail sentences, this will be just a prelude of many more of such instances to come.

Sinan Belawan: I disagree with the writer and the article - there are too many widespread assumptions and allegations. There was absolutely no ‘surau violence’, the incident happened on the road.

We have Indians, Orang Asli, Iban, Kadazan, Chinese, Portuguese, etc, who are Muslims, too. The writer has singled out Malays.

This writer is stirring trouble. In a multi-ethnic, multi-racial and multi-religious society, articles like this have no place.

OMG!: Sinan Belawan, I respect you, sir or madam. Of course, there was no surau violence, because the incident was on the road outside.

The fact that the people from the surau were performing their prayers and spilled out to go after the car/driver is just irrelevant. Absolutely.

Articles like this have no place, you're so right. Not in our wonderful country where everyone has his place, some higher and more special, because they really deserve it for ever and ever, like the fairy tale says.

To many in that lot, the constitution is not the supreme law of the land. This was a stark demonstration that Heaven's law trumps the constitution, provided it is their particular Heaven.

The nine rulers in 1957 wisely told the Reid Commission that it would not be desirable for Islam to be the state religion and they were not in favour of such a declaration being inserted. But Justice Abdul Hamid of Pakistan wanted the declaration, suggested by the Alliance Party, inserted. And it was done.

Malaysians thus have a constitution that is part-secular and part-Islamic. The majority will never give it up now.

Abasir: It is not just another lesson about who we are, but also a telling reminder that in the larger scheme of things, this ‘incident’ is not as worthy of comment as say... football.- Mkini