By Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye, Member of the National Unity Advisory Council
KOTA KINABALU: The statement by the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim that there is no need for new guidelines for Muslims visiting non-Muslim places of worship or events is most sensible and pertinent.
In the first place, it is totally unnecessary for the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs), Datuk Dr. Mohd Naim Mokhtar, to have raised the matter without first bringing it up in the Cabinet, knowing that this would be a sensitive issue.
There has been a negative response from many sections of the population over the announcement by the minister concerned about the involvement of Muslims in non-Muslim festivities and funerals.
Our beloved nation was born 67 years ago as a multi-racial, multi-cultural, and multi-religious country. And we prided ourselves on celebrating Unity in Diversity.
In all those years, we have not seen even one instance when Muslims were concerned about religious sensitivities or insulted if they interacted with non-Muslims.
Not once!
Over the years, Muslims and non-Muslims interacted several times at events similar to those cited by the minister.
And no, not one Muslim felt uncomfortable or had their religious faith shaken.
I know of one occasion when a group of Muslims also attended a non-worship session in a church in Kuala Lumpur and listened to the pastor talking about some practices, but not one, I repeat, not one, of the participants was confused or felt intimidated.
Let’s celebrate that maturity and not undermine it.
Hundreds of Muslims have gone to schools—some with Crosses–run by Christian missionaries, but to this day, not one, no, not one Muslim student has had any issues. If at all, their faith has been strengthened.
There is no threat, coercion, or other issues that Muslims face in attending those functions.
Malaysia is home to a mix of races, cultures, religions, and regions. And to date, no Muslim has ever been confused or threatened if he or she attended a non-Muslim funeral, a wedding, a performance, a restaurant, a celebration, or a recital.
So, please, let’s not look in the dark for a black cat that isn’t there.
Let us continue to celebrate our different religions, cultures, languages, food, and festivities and be enriched.
Mutual respect and understanding have long been the foundation of Malaysia’s harmony.
If we reaffirm, abide by, and practice the principles of the Rukun Negara and maintain mutual respect and strengthen interfaith harmony, there is no need to introduce any guidelines for Muslims to participate in non-Muslim events.
