The Malaysian Insinder (http://www.themalaysianinsider.com)
As tensions simmer, faith panel plans 2011 getaway, 8 October 2010
by Debra Chong
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 8 – Malaysia’s multi-religious leaders will go on a retreat early next year to draw up practical solutions to faith issues, as debate over Muslim and non-Muslim rights continue to heat up.
The Malaysian Insider understands the proposal was put on the table yesterday at the Cabinet’s recently rejuvenated Committee to Promote Understanding and Harmony Among Religious Adherents, chaired by Datuk Ilani Isahak.
“There will be a two-day brainstorming workshop early next year to see how we can resolve these areas of concern,” Reverend Thomas Philips, president of the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST), disclosed to The Malaysian Insider after the 90-minute meeting held late yesterday evening.
“We need to move forward,” he said, but admitted no specific date had been fixed.
Philips added it was likely to take place within the first quarter.
Cabinet appointed co-ordinator Datuk Ilani Isahak declined to comment when contacted last night, but said she was arranging a media statement in her text reply.
Speaking on behalf of the non-Muslim council, the head of the Mar Thoma church explained that concrete measures to resolve growing interfaith disputes appear to be slow because much groundwork was needed but many members of the main Cabinet committee had religious duties to perform for their respective communities.
He also related that it took time to rebuild trust and friendship following the bloody 1969 race riots, which also left a deep scar on the people of different faiths.
He added that the ties between the Muslim and non-Muslim groups were on the mend and leaders were “less hostile” now to each other.
“We need to build the kind of pre-1969 relationship,” Philips said.
The relationship between the Muslim and non-Muslim communities appear to have soured further in recent weeks after YouTube videos of two preachers — one belittling Islam and the other, Buddhism as well as traditional Chinese beliefs — went viral on local political blogs.
Last week, a video of a Malay Christian convert accused of insulting Islam – Malaysia’s official religion and one held by some 60 per cent of the population – in a Sarawak church six years ago, created an uproar among Muslims after it was highlighted by a Malay-Muslim blogger.
Putrajaya has ordered a probe on the video.
Two days ago, another video showing a Chinese-Muslim preacher apparently making fun of Buddhism and traditional Chinese beliefs — first uploaded three years ago — resurfaced, raising questions on the motive.
Authorities have yet to respond to calls by Buddhist leaders to investigate the video.
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