Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Mujahid Yusof Rawa will be holding a “peace” meeting among religious representatives, NGOs and the police following the brutal slayings of Muslims at Christchurch in New Zealand last Friday.

According to the de facto religious affairs minister, the meeting will be held today at the Federal Territory Islamic Religious Department and is aimed at strengthening the spirit of tolerance and peace among people practising the different religions in Malaysia.

“The cruel act in Christchurch is a hard lesson for all, in that peace always has more to offer.

“But we cannot handle this alone. Therefore, we are calling upon all religious representatives, NGOs and the police to give their views on how this country can carry on peacefully and harmoniously,” Mujahid told reporters at the Dewan Rakyat today.

The meeting would be attended by representatives of various religions, including Islam, Hinduism, Christianity and Buddhism, along with representatives from the police force and muftis.

The aim, Mujahid said, was to come up with a long-term plan to preserve peace in Malaysia.

He added: “I hope those who attend the meeting will have their own resolves to assert their belief in peace.

“We cannot give room to hate, such as in the Christchurch incident. Peace is the best solution.”

The resolve reached in the meeting would be made public, the minister said.

'Peace rally' to be held Saturday

Meanwhile, Mujahid said a special committee comprising representatives from religious bodies and NGOs will hold a "peace" rally in Dataran Merdeka, this coming Saturday - subject to approval by the authorities. 

"Our intention is to gather NGOs and religious figure for a peace-related event. 

"It was already in the pipeline for this year, to strengthen inter-racial relations in the country," he told a press conference at the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Department today. 

Mujahid did not state any expected attendance, but expressed hope that as many peace loving Malaysians will attend. 

According to him, the event is not only a follow-up to the recent New Zealand mosque attack, but to pass a message that peace is the best way to address an issue, and hatred cannot be paid back with hatred. 

The meeting was also attended by representatives from the police, the Federal Territories mufti office, and other religious bodies. 

In the terror attack in the New Zealand city last Friday, a gunman stormed two mosques as worshippers were conducting their prayers. Up to 50 people have been killed.

Three Malaysians were among those injured in the attack, with one in the intensive careunit. Another Malaysia teenager is still unaccounted for. - Mkini