1. Herald Malaysia (http://www.heraldmalaysia.com/40165/1)
For a Christian convert, Christmas is a time of blessings
Peter Hasan, a former Muslim, was disowned by his family and denied his inheritance. His Muslim family would probably kill him if he ever went home. Before he was baptised he hated Christians and Hindus. Today he says “Christ is a source of love, forgiveness and mercy”.
28 December 2017
by Sumon Corraya
"I think the birth of Jesus Christ is important because he came to earth as a man to save mankind. I welcomed Jesus Christ in my heart. During this period of Christmas, I receive peace and blessings," said Peter Hasan (not his real name).
A Muslim who converted to Christianity two years ago, Peter spoke about his story. Noting that as a result of his conversion, his family disowned him, and would probably kill him, he is not unduly concerned because “even though I do not have the support of my family, I have the support of many new friends."
At present he lives in Dhaka with his Catholic wife whom he met after his baptism. He is also a "great devotee of the Virgin Mary" and recites the Rosary every evening in the company of his wife.
For the Christmas holidays, he has put on new clothes, cleaned up his home, and prepared himself spiritually for the birth of Jesus through prayers.
Peter learnt kirton (Christmas carols) and sings them with the Christians of the neighborhood where he lives. He goes to Mass every Sunday, as well as visits Christian friends and neighbours' houses.
He said that his life has been very different from what it was few years ago. Things changed one day when he found a copy of the Bible in a library and started reading it. In doing so, he found “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (Jn 14:6).
"The lifestyle, teachings and message of Jesus Christ touched my heart deeply. From that moment on I went looking for Christians." Before that "I had never seen a Christian,” he explained.
Eventually, he “went to a Catholic church in Dinajpur. There I met a young man who became my friend. Thanks to him I started going to church. Then one day I confessed to a priest that I wanted to become a Christian ".
After his baptism Peter was disowned by the family, opposed to his choice. He was no longer able to see his siblings and relatives and was denied his share of his father's inheritance. "If I go home, they’d kill me for of my religion," he bemoaned.
Despite everything, he is happy because Jesus Christ "has changed my life. Before I hated Christians and Hindus. I thought they were enemies of my religion. But through Jesus I understood that I was wrong. Christ is a source of love, forgiveness and mercy."--Asia News
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2. Free Malaysia Today (http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/)
28 December 2017
Inter-faith group wants end to race, religion in politics
by FMT Reporters
MCCBCHST criticises PAS president Hadi Awang's recent comments on Malay-Muslims forming core of cabinet, government.
PETALING JAYA: The country’s main inter-religious body has called for an end to the use of race and religion in politics.
Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST) said this in response to comments attributed to PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang on Malay-Muslims forming the core of the cabinet.
“The race and religion card has been overplayed. This must end immediately.
“The energy of all Malaysians especially politicians should be channelled towards further developing a society filled with mutual understanding and respect,” MCCBCHST said.
The council was referring to comments attributed to Hadi, as published in the Islamist party organ, Harakah Daily, recently.
Some media had reported Hadi as saying that the “Malaysian government must be led by a Muslim and Malay Bumiputra, and that the head of government and his cabinet members must profess the religion of Islam and must be from the most influential race.”
However, on Tuesday, PAS information chief Nasarudin Hasan told FMT that Hadi had been misquoted and that what he had meant was that “Malay Muslims need to be the core of the country’s political system and administrative structure based on Islamic Jurisprudence”.
MCCBCHST said Hadi’s comments, as explained by Nasarudin, was also wrong as it went against the Federal Constitution.
“The call by Hadi for only Malay Muslims to be the core of the country’s political system and administrative structure based on Islamic Jurisprudence, is contrary to the Federal Constitution.
“The Federal Constitution was enacted to protect and provide for all Malaysians. The constitution does not impose any requirement of race or religion for the appointment of members of the executive branch of the government,” the council said.
It added that the Supreme Law of the Federation as declared by Article 4 is the Federal Constitution and that the norms of the constitution has higher legal validity than any other rules or laws enacted by Parliament or States, be it of a Primary or Secondary status, of peace time or during emergency and of secular or theocratic nature.
Calling secularism the corner stone to harmonious living for all Malaysians, the council also reminded Hadi and PAS of the sacrifices by people of all races and religions for the country.
“Many Malaysians regardless of race and religion fought the insurgence of the communist and risked their lives defending the sovereignty of the country.
“The sheer growth and development of the nation was made possible through the hard work of Malaysians of different cultural, racial and religious backgrounds. This is the uniqueness of Malaysia,” the council said.
With the multi-racial and multi-religious composition of the country’s population, the council said there was no place for political rhetoric that could tear the fabric of Malaysian society.
“The various religions in our country promote a common ethos of peace, harmony and mutual respect.
“PAS should now heed the call to embrace and develop the nation towards a more cohesive society, emphasising on the elements of mutual respect and unity for the common good.”
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