PKR teams up with Penang to organise dialogue on Islam, Confucianism

PKR, in collaboration with the Penang government, will organise a dialogue on Islam and Confucianism from Nov 30 to Dec 1.

Party president Anwar Ibrahim said the dialogue is necessary as there should not be any discussion that would lead to the destruction of cooperation between the different communities.

"We want to start a narrative where people will understand and respect each other, so that non-Muslims can learn about Islam from experts such as Penang mufti Wan Salim Mohd Noor and others of similar minds.

"So that Muslims can also listen on what Confucianism is, as it does not contradict with Islam, in terms of its views on humanity and virtues," he said in a press conference after attending the state PKR convention in Bukit Mertajam today.

Asked if the dialogue was a response to the just concluded controversial Malay Dignity Congress in Shah Alam, Anwar replied: "No, we have planned this three months ago."

The two-day dialogue will be held at the Spice Arena in Bayan Baru, and will be officiated by Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow. He and Anwar will give their keynote speeches on the subject.

Many were upset with the Malay Dignity Congress which was attended by Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and several Pakatan Harapan leaders.

Congress organiser and academician Zainal Kling made contentious remarks about Malay privileges while the event heard some thorny demands, which included that all top government posts be held by Malays only and that the social contract with non-Malays be terminated as the community had allegedly violated its principles. 

Anwar said his party had organised similar forums on poverty, reforms and governance for parliamentarians and senators in Parliament, courtesy of the House speaker.

"We have to address the issue of race among Muslims, that without the real understanding of religion, will lead to narrow chauvinistic thinking," he said.

"Also, we would like to invite the non-Muslims to know more about Islam, to dispel Islamophobia, where anything about Islam is viewed as Islamisation, there are such extremes.

"Then there are the Muslims who pressure others and impose their views on non-Muslims. We want to promote religious understanding which is positive and moderate, and urge Muslims to also hear about other views. It's not a zero-sum game, it's reciprocal, he added. - Mkini