I am sure many Malaysians have had unforgettable experiences in racial intermingling or cases of extreme religious tolerance that make the perpetrators of the Bon Odori edict look really bad.
They make Malaysians wonder if some leaders are hell-bent on destroying our multi-racial and multi-religious culture that is adored by foreigners.
On a personal level, I have seen some inter-faith mingling that were eye-openers to show that our bodily parts are all the same despite being of different colour, creed or religion. Most importantly, it has shown that our blood has only one colour – red.
Our blood banks, too, do not have a rule saying blood donated by Muslims can only be given to another Muslim who needs a transfusion. Or a Hindu to another Hindu, or a Christian to a fellow Christian.
The moment all tests are completed to confirm that the blood is not contaminated, personal particulars of the donor like the name, race and religion are all removed. No one knows whose blood you are getting to save your life.
Yet the bigots of class and caste within the Indian community till today insist that a certain section of their community belongs to a “low caste”, and openly demand in a marriage proposal that the partner must be of the same class or higher.
They have no right to condemn the racist policies and religious division practised by the government. You are no better.
And it’s the same with organ donations. There was even a news report once about a heart from a Muslim being used to save a dying Hindu in India. A Muslim heart continued beating in a Hindu body, it did not stop.
Why pick on Bon Odori now?
Hindus who are still laying marriage conditions about caste should note that hospital authorities will not tell them about the caste or class of their blood donor – and I’m pretty sure they won’t care, when it means saving their lives. After all, double standards are widely practised by all Malaysians when it suits them.
The religious authorities may well have a right to advise Muslims to stay away from the Japanese community’s Bon Odori festival because of possible elements of other religions, or culture, to be accurate.
What worries most people is that an edict is suddenly issued asking Muslims to stay away, after decades of the festival being held openly and freely,
Obviously, it makes one wonder if the ruling is part of some deep-seated agenda of PAS, whose leaders have openly advocated for the setting up of an Islamic state.
It was the Islamic party’s Idris Ahmad, the minister in charge of religious affairs, who made the call on Bon Odori.
No such ruling was made previously, when the religious affairs minister was from Barisan Nasional or Pakatan Harapan.
Renewed fear of PAS rule
As a result, many Malaysians now say they have reason to fear if PAS plays a key role in government. Keluarga Malaysia is becoming more and more meaningless with actions such as these.
Will we see a ban on multi-religious open houses for other festivals, especially Deepavali and Christmas, as they have religious rituals involving idols? Will government funds for other religions be stopped on the ground it can be construed as propagating faiths other than Islam?
To be honest, all that is very unlikely but can you blame some people for having such fears? One thing is for sure, politicians would go to any length to win votes and stay in power. They will use race, religion and even language to ruffle primordial sentiments, as long as they win and stay in power.
On a personal note, I have had some pleasant experiences with my Muslim friends, one of which gives me much hope that fanatics are hopefully the minority in this country, be it any race or religion.
Answering the call to prayer
A Muslim couple came over for a visit and a meal at my house recently, despite me being a Hindu.
When the azan sounded, the couple just excused themselves, checked the direction of the Kaabah and said their prayers kneeling on the carpet in the hall, to our pleasant surprise. They were in the midst of statues from Hinduism, Christianity and Buddhism but that did not bother them.
All they wanted was to be connected to Allah in their mind, heart and soul, and the surroundings were of no concern as long as they were clean.
My family was indeed blessed to have them spreading positive vibes in my home through prayers. It was a beautiful feeling to say the least. Neither their faith nor ours was shaken or influenced by this action.
Charity in the field
Another experience several years ago in India stands out in my mind, which to me was God in motion. My family of seven met with a bad accident in Kerala with some of us injured. At that moment, a van with Christians returning from mass stopped and rushed us to the hospital.
Those remaining behind at the site near a Muslim village had a pleasant experience when the villagers took them and all the belongings to one of their homes, even cooking them a hot meal. They made sure not a cent or valuable was lost although we were surrounded by strangers.
Over at the hospital, it was a team of Hindu doctors who attended to us and assured us that everything was in order.
That powerful and rare experience is still vivid in our minds. It made us realise that strength is drawn from the unity of all religions in a life and death situation.
Now that certain authorities seem to be drawing us apart, threatening the wellbeing of the nation, should we not accept each other and save Malaysia at a time when certain forces are more focussed in pushing for religious supremacy? - FMT
The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.
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