After nearly 60 years of independence, we
expect Malaysians to be tolerant and accept the differences of race, religion
and culture. Unfortunately, the incident of protest over a Christian cross in
Taman Medan shows that religious bigotry and extremism is still thriving, even
among the more educated and the so-called well-connected personality.
It is prevalent to hear people championing
in the name of protecting their own religion but at the same time infringes the
freedom and rights of others. What is worrying for all Malaysians is that such incidents
are getting more frequent. It is common to blame our education system, our
politicians and the government of the day for the ills that besets Malaysia.
The reality of it is that we even find religious and racial extremists among
the more educated Malaysians.
The racial and religious harmony that we
enjoy now is fragile. All we need is a small spark before it flares out.
However, a lot of Malaysians are behaving like the proverbial ostrich burying
its head in the deep sand hoping that the wind will blow away our problem.
The silent majority must now wake up to
face reality. They must let their voices be heard and their numbers to be
counted. The silent majority rejects racial and religious extremism. Everyone
regardless of race or religion should has a stake in this country.
If my religious conviction can be
threatened by the sight or symbol of another religion, that something is very
wrong with my religious conviction. It is obvious that my religious conviction
is not grounded on knowledge and understanding but more on the emotion that is placed
to the gallery.
The time has come that firm action should
be taken against the protesters in Taman Medan. Failure to do so will empower
the religion extremists to continue their religious crusade that will hijack
the peace, harmony and prosperity that we enjoy.
We have to accept that Malaysia is a
multi-religious, multiracial and multicultural country. We not only tolerate,
but have to accept the unique differences that exists between fellow Malaysians.
The sooner we come to term with these realities, then only peace, prosperity
and high income economy will not be an elusive goal.
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包容及接受彼此之间的宗教和信仰
独立近60年后，我们都期望马来西亚人都能互相容忍，接受我们之间不同的种族，宗教和文化。不幸的是，美丹花园发生的抗议教堂十字架风波，显示宗教偏执和极端主义仍然横行，甚至出现在受高深教育和所谓的有广泛联系的人身上。
我们往往看到，有些人以宗教之名疾呼捍卫他们的宗教，可是却同时在侵犯他人的自由和权利。让我们感到担忧的是，这种情况是越来越普遍。当然最容易的是把这发生的一切，怪罪在是我们的教育制度，我们的政治人物和我们的现任政府造成的。一个不容否认的事实，我们发现连受高深教育的大马人，竟然是宗教和种族极端分子。
我们现在享有的种族和宗教和谐，其实是非常的脆弱，只要是一点点星火，就足以燎原。悲哀的是，还有许多的大马人像把头插入泥土里的鸵鸟，祈望着一阵风就能把问题吹的无影无踪。
沉默的大多数马来西亚人，现在是时候挺身而出面对事实。他们必须发出让人听到的声音，而且也必须让人知道他们是不在少数。沉默的大多数是拒绝种族和宗教极端主义。每个大马人无论他们的种族和宗教背景，他们都是这个国家的一分子。
想想如果我的宗教信仰，竟然会因看到另一个宗教或其标志而受到威胁，那么我的宗教信仰似乎出了问题。因为这凸显我的信仰并不是根植在宗教知识和了解，相反的是基于情绪作祟。
如今已是时候不惜采取严厉的行动，来对付美丹花园的抗议者。否则的话，这将使宗教极端分子肆无忌惮的进行他们的宗教战争，结局是我们享有的和平、和谐及繁荣将付诸东流。
我们必须接受马来西亚是一个多元宗教、多元种族和多元文化的国家。我们不只是包容，我们更必须接受大马各族人民之间的差异和不同。只有在我们能更快的领悟这些事实，那么我们的和平、繁荣及高收入经济体的愿景才不会落空。
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