KL Archbishop hopes common sense will prevail among religious leaders

Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur Julian Leow today expressed hope that common sense will prevail among religious leaders to promote unity rather than divide the people along racial or religious lines.

Addressing guests present during the Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) annual Christmas high tea, Leow noted how such gatherings allowed Malaysians to embrace their diverse cultural and religious identities.

"Our differences in food, festivals, worship, idiosyncrasies are what makes us Malaysians.

"We are the sum of all these factors that makes us Malaysian. Let us not forget who we are," Leow said during the function held at the Archbishop's office in Kuala Lumpur.

He said the practice of offering celebratory greetings have long been a part of Malaysia's culture, and one which should be continued.

"It will indeed be a sad day for our country if we cannot even wish Merry Christmas to Christians, Happy Deepavali to Hindus or Wesak to Buddhists.

"We pray that common sense will prevail among religious leaders to promote more ways to strengthen the bonds of friendship and not drive us further apart," he said in the Christmas Day message.

The question of whether Muslims are allowed to participate or offer greetings to non-Muslims during other religious festivals have often been asked and debated with various Muslim scholars offering different views.

Federal Territories Mufti Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri was among Malaysian clerics who said the practice is permissible so long as done with the intention to promote goodwill among races.

Leow, who is also CFM vice-president added that they would continue to work closely with all parties to bring about a true sense of unity among Malaysians.

"We are called to build bridges, not walls.

"Whether in politics, race relations, economic crises, disputes among families or local communities, we are challenged to be peacemakers, to find common ground and to engage in respectful dialogue," he said.

Leow also read out a message Zulkifli on how existing peacefully with non-Muslims is an essential Islamic principle that is clearly stated in many Quranic verses.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah, who was one of the day's guest of honour, said that a more progressive understanding of the concept should involve not only peaceful co-existence but actually liking each other.

"You can be seated next to each other, you can respect each other and say nothing, but neither will you cooperate to work together and live peacefully," he said.

"It is for us to like the other to enable us to understand and work together and hence, peaceful coexistence will then become relevant," he added.

This year's Christmas celebrations are held amidst heated debates over an Education Ministry's proposal to introduce Jawi lessons in vernacular schools.

With two anti-Jawi gatherings set to be held this weekend, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and other Harapan leaders had cautioned organisers of the gatherings on unwanted reactions which could ultimately lead to chaos.

Others guests present today include Primary Industries Minister Teresa Kok, various Christian leaders, foreign dignitaries and civil society group leaders. - Mkini

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