Inter-faith dialogue decorum

AS anxieties rises due to the numerous fire-bombings of churches recently, the calls for inter-faith dialogues are getting louder by the day. While these initiatives are most welcome, there are some basic principles that need to be adhered by all who participates in any inter-faith dialogues to ensure the inter-faith dialogues itself do not creates more problems.

A close-door and limited inter-faith dialogue without any audience but participated by only one representative from each religion may be much more easy to managed and conducted. The probability of third party audience interference or creating unnecessary ruckus can be avoided.

On the other hand if an inter-faith dialogue are to involved public participation either by limited to invitation only event or opened to the public; much care, thoughts and preparation need to be considered. These are to ensure the well intended event will stays that way and does not develops any situation contrary to the noble intentions.

First - The organisor must be clear of the intention to have the dialogue. No hidden agenda or ulterior motives at the expense of any religion, disregards of whether all religions are represented in the dialogue or not.

Second -  there must be mutual respect between the speakers and the religion they represents. The purpose of the dialogue must be maintained at all times which is to enable all to have a better understanding of the participating religions and not to win converts or ridicule others.

Third - the moderator must be able to managed the dialogue professionally and does not take the opportunity to become another speaker and speaks on behalf of his or her religious background.

Forth - the audience must consists of a balanced and good representation of all religions.

Fifth - the audience must respect the right of every speaker to articulate his/her religious views within the stipulated time. There should not be any heckling or intimidation of any speaker by the audience.Any audience who wishes to ask any question must obtain consent from the moderator and should state his name and background and shall not criticized or condemn any religion or speaker.

Sixth - the inter-faith dialogue must be fully recorded on tape for the whole duration of the event and each speaker must be given a copy of the recording.

Seven - the organiser must ensure the personal well-being of all involved in the dialogue namely, the speakers, moderator and participants are taken care at all times.

Eight - the event must be held in a condusive place and for an open event in a public facility, all the necessary approvals must be obtained from the relevant authorities.

Inter-faith dialogues are to build bridges between different faiths and provide a platform for all to have mutual respect and understanding between fellow human beings who strive to build a harmonious world, compassionate society and caring individuals. - Loka

Doing charity wisely

Yesterday my family brought a car load of items for the Tzu Chi recycle collection centre near our housing area. About 30 volunteers were there to assist in this long term project of the Buddhist-based Tzu Chi Foundation. My kids were having part of the community compassionate spirit too when they chip in for the Haiti earthquake relief fund.

Having involved in raising funds for various calamities in different parts of the world, I know it needs commitment and passion to be part of this relief efforts. While I am confident that the every sens and dollars that dropped into the Tzu Chi collection box will see their way to the intended receipients, we still need to be cautious when approach by various relief groups which sprang up after each calamities.

Transparencies and accountability are part of the principles that must be uphold by all who collected funds from the public in the name of humanity. There are those who channelled every sen that they collected to the victims but there are also those who will forward the balance after deducting all the necessary expenses. There are even those who used the public donation to pay high salaries to their so-called "expert" officials, maintain a luxurious lifestyles of these officials and have posh offices.

It is the last of these groups which makes people puked and avoided from donating to such organisations which incurred high expenditure due to exhorbitant pay checks for the so called officials who flies first class and stays in posh condominiums while those they intended to help are clinging on their lives due to lack of clean water, food and a roof over their head.

So for those who plans to do charity, do it wisely too. - Loka

Ribbon of Peace, Harmony & Love

AN EVENT TO PROMOTE RACIAL & RELIGIOUS HARMONY


RIBBON OF PEACE, HARMONY & LOVE

Time: 10am - 5pm, Saturday, 16 January 2010

Venue: Rainforest, Lower Ground Floor, New Wing,1 Utama, Bandar Utama.




To All Peace Loving Malaysians (and Non-Malaysians)


In light of recent unfortunate events which jeopardized peace and harmony in

our mutli-racial and multi-religious country, Bandar Utama Residents’ Association

(BURA) has decided to play a proactive role by organizing an event called

“Ribbon of Peace, Harmony and Love”.

BURA would like to invite all people from all walks of life, irrespective of race,

religion, economic position or political beliefs to promote and inspire peace,

harmony and love by writing a heartfelt message or wish on a ribbon and then tie

it along with hundreds of other ribbons for public display at Rainforest, Lower

Ground Floor, New Wing,1 Utama, Bandar Utama.

Free ribbons will be provided so bring your family and friends to spend a fun and

meaningful Saturday together.

and inspire peace, harmony and love in our country.

Let us all resolve to repair, build and strengthen religious and racial harmony

through mutual love and tolerance, respect and understanding.

Peace,


BLTan HP: 012 280 2533
Organising Committee



Be there this Saturday, 16 January 2010 to provide your support for peace, harmony and love for the country and her people!

Can we sing the state anthem?

While waiting for the issue on the usage of the term "Allah" by the Catholic's Herald publication to be decided at the Federal Court, this sensitive matter is being discussed and debated all over. The implication that will follows whatever decision of the court goes beyond the usage of "Allah" in a Catholic newsletter. For many especially the non-Muslims, one big question is playing in their head nowadays. Can they sing some of the state anthems in this country?

A study on the lyrics of all the State anthems in Malaysia shows that States which has the term "Allah" in their anthem includes Selangor, Kedah, Perak, Johore, Pahang, Terengganu and Kelantan. As for the Malay term "Tuhan" which means God, the word exists in the state anthems of Penang, Kuala Lumpur and Sarawak. Interestingly the term "Tuhan" is also found in Kelantan's state anthem. The States which neither have the term "Allah" or "Tuhan" is Sabah, Negri Sembilan and historical Malacca where Islam spread during the era of the Malacca Sultanate.

If the term "Allah" is exclusive only to Muslims in Malaysia, can those other than Islam sing the State anthems of Selangor, Kedah, Perak, Johore, Pahang, Terengganu and Kelantan. On the other hand, if the Malay term "Tuhan" should be the direct translation for the term "God" used by those other than Islam as argued in the Herald case, can a Muslim sing the State anthems of Penang, Kuala Lumpur, Sarawak or even Kelantan since the word "Tuhan"  can also mean God for some religions other than Islam?

Furthermore, what about the national anthem "Negaraku" which also have the word "Tuhan" in its lyrics? What does "Tuhan" meant in the national anthem and whose "Tuhan" it refers to? Anyhow, the first principle of Rukun Negara is Kepercayaan Kepada Tuhan (Belief in God) and the word "Tuhan" applies to all followers of their respective religion, which includes Islam and Christianity.

At the end of the day does it make any difference to one's faith and practice on how a person's "God"  or "Tuhan" is called? What about Buddhism then, which is not a monotheistic religion and do not adhered to the one creator God concept? Should a Buddhist skip the word "Allah" or "Tuhan" when singing or reciting the anthems and Rukun Negara? Will it developes bad karma to Buddhists who sang and recites the  word "Allah" and "Tuhan".? Surely not!

If we put so much time and effort to challenge and arguing with each other over a five letter word, will it make any difference to one's spiritual development and progress of the nation? What matters are how we should strive to live up to the teachings and practices of our own religion, which means developing the compassion and wisdom in all of us. And it is surely not by creating more tensions and negative karma for our ownselves. - Loka

Youth snubs Najib?

At last the Malaysian Youth Council(MYC) held their overdue election to elect a new leadership. As usual the election this time also sees the usual lobbying and horse trading amongst the candidates and their supporters. To many youth leaders especially those linked to Umno, MYC is a platform for them to enhanced their leadership skills and political careers.

Amongst those that has been active and served as presidents in the MYC and later appointed to party and government positions includes Malacca Chief Minister Ali Rustam, Deputy Ministers Hasan Malek and Saifuddin Abdullah. The former Selangor Menteri Besar Mohd Khir Toyo was also president for two terms. Out going president Shamsul Anuar Nasarah was elected as an MP in 2008 during his term of office. Even opposition leader and former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim had helmed MYC as president during mid-70s.

Due to the strong influence of Umno members in the MYC, it is not surpirising that the umbrella organisation for youth in Malaysia is painted as pro-Umno. This perception became stronger in recent years and most obvious of them all was during the leadership of Shamsul Anuar who is also an Umno Youth Exco member. During his term of office from 2006-2010, the MYC was seen as the spokesman for the BN-lead government especially Umno. MYC became to act like a branch of Umno Youth when for many occasions its programs were held together with Umno Youth. Even the MYC's Hari Raya open house during his time were held in conjunction with  Umno's annual general meeting.

During the recent  MYC AGM to elect the new leadership, Shamsul Anuar tried to lobby for a certain candidate  to be elected the new MYC president to replace him.  It was claimed that this candidate was endorsed by the Prime Minister and Umno president Najib Razak. The said candidate was considered an outsider and parachuted candidate by many of the out-going Exco members and affiliates of the MYC. During the final Exco meeting to discuss the next line-up, 2/3 of the Exco members walked out of the meeting when Shamsul tried to push for Noor Azali Bin Sulaiman, a first term assemblyman from Terengganu as the "official" candidate.

After experiencing the last few years of perceived political interference, the grassroot youth leaders just wanted the MYC to stand firm on its principles as an youth organisation without domination of external influence. At last Noor Azali, after failing to convince his challenger Mohamed Maliki to give way to him to win unopposed and also having considered the feelings and rumblings on the ground, decided to withdraw from the presidential contest in the wee hours of voting day. The underlying message is that the lack-lustre support from the youth leaders for the PM's "hand-picked" candidate can be seen as a snub by the youths towards Najib Razak.

Even though the new president Mohamed Maliki is also known as an Umno supporter, he was accepted as the preferred choice due to his background as a serving MYC Exco member and a government servant in an university. The perception is that he will be less political in his approach and able to draw supports from different groups of youth organisations affiliated to MYC. So far, in his maiden press statement in relation to the fire-bombing of churches recently, he at least act like a leader for all races and religion by speaking out strongly against the cowardly act of aggression.

But then only time will tell if he will be able to live to the expectations for those grassroot youth organisations who paved the way for him to lead the apex youth organisation in Malaysia. - Loka