YOURSAY | ‘The way out of it is clearly to tone down racial and religious rhetoric.’
David Dass: At this time, we should grieve for the victims of this mindless slaughter (in Christchurch, New Zealand). Nothing justifies what the perpetrator of this dastardly crime did. His victims included women and children.
The statement of Australian senator Fraser Anning was callous and insensitive. All Muslims are not responsible for the actions of some Muslims. Nothing justifies the vilification of a religion. And the timing of such a statement could not have been worse
.We should all come together to condemn the hate crimes of this terrorist and to also condemn the tatement of this senator. Nothing can justify the killing of innocent people. The whole of humanity hould rise.
We should be past the time and age when people of a different colour, culture or religion are being reated as inferior or regarded as threats to our civilisation.
There are many aspects about attitudes in Malaysia that need to be examined,too. PAS under Abdul adi Awang maintains that non-Muslims can never be equal to Muslims and non-Muslims cannot be in the cabinet or hold senior positions in government. How can that be allowed?
And Muslim preachers like Zakir Naik are allowed to run down other religions. How can that be good for us, or how is that conducive to peace and harmony?
Politicians for too long have spoken of conspiracies by Chinese and Christians to undermine the Malays and Islam. This kind of rhetoric only encourages the extremists in our midst.
Indeed, policies and political parties that create division within our society should be proscribed.
Kangkung: The Australian senator has made a callous remark and we are all incensed at Anning's cold-blooded remarks. While Umno and PAS have done the right thing to condemn him, they must also take a hard look at the remarks they and their supporters have been making.
Time and again. they make racist and bigoted remarks. Rhetoric like DAP/Chinese have taken over the government, etc, and the use of the Seafield temple incident to spark anger are just two examples of the dangerous script Umno and PAS have been utilising.
In the manifesto of the deranged New Zealand mosque shooter, he used the term "invaders" to justify his killing. What is so different than the constant use of the term ‘pendatang’ here?
The police need to monitor all forms of hate speech in our country, especially on social media. They can be deadly. The NZ mosque shooter's Q&A manifesto: "Question: From where did you receive/research/develop your beliefs? Answer: “The Internet, of course. You will not find the truth anywhere else."
Tan Kim Keong: Racism and supremacy are the result of indoctrination supported by political parties, government institutions and policies. What have Umno and PAS been doing for the past 30 years and what have they perpetuated as a result?
Umno secretary-general Annuar Musa and former Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin (KJ), first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.
For heaven's sake, you don't even want to ratify Icerd (International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination). That speaks volumes about your racist and supremacist beliefs.
Nes: KJ, Anning is a soft target. Your 'anger' towards him is highly commendable if not for your reluctance and cowardice to show similar ‘anger’ towards racism aplenty in our own backyard.
Dr Suresh Kumar: I am saddened by this merciless, reprehensible act committed by a white supremacist. My heart goes out to the victims and their families.
I do not believe in an eye-for-an-eye solution, as violence cannot and will never lead to solutions or peace; nevertheless, I would like to ask Khairy to reflect on his reaction to the Icerd protesters' threat even though the prime minister had declared that Icerd would not be ratified.
I also would like to ask what was Khairy's reaction when hundreds of Christians were murdered while they were worshipping in churches from Africa to Indonesia.
Before calling someone a piece of s**t, go look in the mirror, Khairy. You may see a bigger piece of s**t.
GMan: Most abhor violence and I feel for the innocent lives lost. There are many honourable Muslims in this country who are humble, hardworking and honest.
I’m sorry, but Umno and PAS politicians have been spewing anger and hatred against the non-Muslims since I was in my 20s. We are called ‘kafirs’.
It was a norm for Umno general assemblies to have knives (keris) unsheathed and non-Muslims were told to obey or our blood would be spilt.
Hadi has called on Muslims to elect a corrupt/thieving/lying Muslim instead of an honest ‘kafir’. Yet, you are expecting the ‘kafirs’ to stand up for what you believe? Yes, look at yourselves in the mirror.
Quigonbond: Extremism begets extremism, this much is true. MSN reports five other shootings at places of worship - the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, which was anti-Semitism; Sutherland Springs Church in Texas; Burnette Chapel in Nashville; Wisconsin Sikh Temple; and Charleston Church in South Carolina. These were acts of terrorisms.
They could be done by Hindus, Christians, etc. They are reacting to circumstances which in their minds are desperately in need of change. It is clear that terrorism is not a monopoly of extremists who call themselves Muslims.
The way out of it is clearly to tone down racial and religious rhetoric. If Umno and PAS do not see this as a lesson, then they are further gone than I have imagined.
OceanMaster: It’s not the time for opinions but time for reflection. The only side there is for all us to take is humanity. This is not a zero-sum game. Two wrongs don't make a right; everyone is a loser.
I just ask politicians, and all who write and read comments here, to spend some time reflecting, and we, in our moment of reflection, can make little sparks of difference.
My prayers go to all the innocent fathers, sons and husbands who died in the hands of hatred.
TehTarik: My condolences to the families of the innocent victims who were massacred in Christchurch. The rise of white extremism has been one of the consequences of the multiple attacks by Islamic terrorists in the West.
The policy of Chancellor Angela Merkel to allow one million asylum seekers (mostly Muslims) to enter Germany has been extremely unpopular. Anti-immigration right-wing parties are on the rise in most European countries.
Donald Trump’s presidency and Brexit were partly due to the fear that the West would be swamped by immigrants. Extremism begets extremism.
The victims of Islamic terrorism in Europe are predominantly whites. Today the victims of white supremacy terrorism are Muslims.
It is high time that everyone refrained from hate speeches against other races and religions. It is these hate speeches that is the fertiliser for the growth of extremism which then culminates in terrible acts of violence.
This is a warning to all politicians around the world, including Malaysia. That’s why many commentators have issued numerous warnings regarding rabble-rousers like Zakir Naik. It will be difficult to stop, once the spiral of violence starts, like what happened in New Zealand.
Vgeorgemy: Non-Muslims have no issues with standing together with our Muslim brothers and sisters in mourning and to condemn this heinous crime against humanity and the minority Muslim community in New Zealand.
We are much aware of the pain and anxiety felt by the Muslims all over the world as we, progressive Muslims, minorities and marginalised communities in Malaysia, have been subjected to such fear of politics every day by the majority racist politics in this country.
This crime against humanity was conducted in the name of protecting the “majority community” against the “onslaught of minorities” on the religion and culture of the majority population.
Stop spreading hate and intolerance now. Secure the nation from the “inspirational” figures, who are destroying the fabrics of the society.
Leon Moch: I'm glad to see Umno condemning the Australian senator, who is essentially labelling Australian and NZ citizens of non-white ethnicities as ‘pendatang’ and demanding that they go back to wherever they have "come from". - Mkini
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