Malaysia is Not An Islamic Country

Religious extremists would be encouraged to trample on the rights of Malaysians of other faiths, should no action be taken against Sunday's church protesters in Taman Medan, Petaling Jaya, said a group of former Malay high-ranking civil servants.

"Firm action must be taken against the ‘ignorant, intolerant’ Muslims who protested for the removal of a cross from a church," the group dubbed G25 said today.

"It will also provide damning evidence to the international community that Malaysia is no longer a country where racial harmony reigns and religious freedom is practised.

“This unfortunate incident, happening so close to the questionable guidelines issued by Jakim (Malaysian Islamic Development Department) on entertainers, will have serious implications on our economy as it may well frighten away foreign investors as well as tourists," said G25, referring also to the proposed guidelines which the department announced on Saturday which included gender segregation at concerts.

G25 added that the protesters' actions were an embarrassment to Islam and proved they were ignorant of the tenets of their own faith, which preached tolerance and respect for all religions.

"This abhorrent act of intolerance and bigotry against another religion's place of worship has no place in Islam and deserves the strongest condemnation.

"The protesters are obviously ignorant of the tenets of their faith and need to deepen their knowledge of Islam and of Islamic history."

The group said Islam's history was rich with examples of tolerance and respect for other faiths and their places of worship. 

It cited an example in which Prophet Muhammad allowed a visiting Christian delegation from Yemen, led by their bishop, to pray in his mosque in Madinah.

"The Taman Medan protestors, by their crude, disrespectful and unreasonable behaviour, have tarnished the image of Islam, the very religion they claim to 'protect'.

"Islam is a religion of peace, mercy and compassion and there is no place in Islam for intolerance towards other faiths and their places of worship," said G25.

On Sunday, some 50 people gathered outside the new church, which is housed in a corner shop lot, to demand the removal of a cross affixed to the building.

The protesters reportedly said the presence of a cross in a Muslim-majority area posed a challenge to the religion and could sway the faith of the youth.

The cross was taken down by church leaders a few hours later.

However, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said yesterday there was no element of sedition in the protest as the demonstration was not against Christianity, but the location of the church in a largely Malay-Muslim neighbourhood.

"We do not see it as seditious as it did not touch on Christianity but only on the location of the church," he said.

"The cross was taken down following the community's request. There was no violence," Khalid had said, adding that the matter was deemed a community issue, and had been left to the Petaling Jaya City Council and the Selangor government to deal with.

But later that day, Home Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi contradicted the IGP and insisted that the protest was seditious.

"Of course! Yes, yes, yes!" he was quoted as saying.

"I am very colour-blind. The police (are) very colour blind. Action has to be taken or will be taken against them."

Zahid, who is also Umno vice-president, was reported as saying that party members ‎who had joined in the protest would have disciplinary action taken against them.

"Of course, of course, of course... Because they are breaching the law. In Umno, we have to respect other religions. They have to face the consequences." – April 21, 2015.

- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/act-firmly-against-ignorant-cross-protesters-says-g25#sthash.3fB7TtlT.dpuf

lvbala said;

Yes, if we look at the way we are heading, we are going towards building a nation with out any tolerance. Let it be  religion, let it be politics or let it be anything to do with other religion. 

What I am focusing now is simply, is to high light that Malaysia is going towards a direction where by we are losing our trademark as a multi religious country. This is because some quarter in this country is focusing on making this country as an Islamic country and some even claiming this is an Islamic country. 

Are we? Can any one comment on this to show you actually know and aware where and what we are standing.

Out country is not an Islamic country. Malaysia is not an Islamic country. Because we don't practice Islamic law. Islam is the official religion but it doesn't make us an Islamic country. Bahasa Malaysia is our official religion but it doesn't make us becoming a Malay.

And so to all those who never understood this, please open your mind because mind is like a parachute, its only works when it open.  

Cheers.

All comments are good comments. There are no bad comments or good comments. So everyone have the right to comment. How about you?