Friday, July 24, 2015

Interfaith Relations: Positive Approach Needed

A couple of weeks ago, the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST) release a press statement in response to the planned distribution of about a million copies of the Qur'an in the One Soul One Qur'an initiative.
There is not doubt at certain level, inter-faith and inter-ethnic relations is deteriorating. Largely due to the rise of fundamentalist groups with nationalistic inclinations. The over emphasis of their actions in most mainstream media is not solving the problem, even though they are small groups. The unnecessary media attention gives to reactions on social media, fuelling anger and negative emotions.
In a recent reaction by the MCCBCHST, the formal non-Islamic Interfaith council issue a statement which I felt set the wrong tone, hence my response. 
Reflecting on the tone and wordings used in the project, I felt that the approach could have been a little more positive.
My response, produced below, was published in The Malaysian Insider on March 4, 2014.
I refer to the press release by the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST) published on February 9, 2015.
I am disappointed by the tone and approach in the recent press release from MCCBCHST. My personal opinion is that the statement could have been more tactful and less confrontational. As a Buddhist and a life member of a MCCBCHST component organisation, I do not agree with the organisation's approach. I feel that it is not right for MCCBCHST's statement that implies that all Muslims are indulging in violence with this quote, "It is Muslims who are indulging in killing and condemnation of other religions and religionist."

I know of many Muslims who adhere to the nonviolent principles and who have spoken out against violence used in the name of Islam. I am also aware that Islam is not the only religion that has been misused by extremists to justify violence. Other religions too have been hijacked and used to wreak havoc in other parts of the world. Our religious leaders in the MCCBCHST must recognise that the real issue is violent religious extremism, not the religion itself. Perhaps careful wording of the press statement is necessary.
We also need to appreciate that the issue is extremism and the need to deal with it together. This cannot be done by simplistically advising the Muslim community "... to be educated on the true teachings of Islam..." I do not think it is MCCBCHST's place to give such advice. As non-Muslims, we have no right to judge what is true teachings of Islam and instruct education, and vice-versa.
If the main issue in the press statement was concern regarding the distribution of the Quran in different languages to non-Muslims, MCCBCHST ought to take the issue with The Islamic Information and Services Foundation (IIS) specifically. It would have been better if MCCBCHST reached out to organise dialogues or discussions with IIS and to seek to understand IIS’s perspective. It would be an opportunity share the concerns from non-Muslims community away from the perception built from the media. It would also be good if MCCBCHST would gently reiterate the right to accept or refuse a copy of the Quran if being presented, with the need to do so with the utmost respect for the holy book. A strong message of outright rejection is not necessary.
I personally feel that as a National Level Interfaith council, its role is to enable greater harmony among the different spiritual groups in Malaysia, not to reiterate who is right or wrong. While I disagree with statement, I understand too the challenges MCCBCHST faces against the situation where certain non-Muslim groups seem to be under constant watch and restriction despite the freedoms and guarantees of the Federal Constitution. We live in a country very much in transition. As difficult as it may be, we cannot detour from the bigger objective of a building a harmonious Malaysia, peacefully.
To build a harmonious Malaysia, all parties need to play positive roles. I do agree with Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad that Islam needs to be understood. While the distribution of the Quran in different languages is a noble move, I believe there are many more ways to enable a better understanding of Islam. This is where I feel that IIS and other organisations can do more to positively share the principles and values through organising talks, forums and even social activities, working in collaboration with leaders from different religions. Islamic organisations with large resources such as IIS can play a leading role. In a later response to from IIS on February 14, it was heartening to know that IIS had reached out MCCBCHST to engage in dialogue. I sincerely hope a dialogue will take place soon.
Beyond such activities, I think the real issue is trust, or the lack of it. I feel there is a level of distrust towards the initiatives of Islamic education and information sharing. Trust-building initiatives need to be greater encouraged.
Together, all religious leaders need to address the deterioration of interfaith relations over the past couple of years within the context of our socio-political environment. The role of spiritual leaders is more critical now to bring in values to address social issues. We must not allow extremists to create havoc that may derail efforts to maintain a harmonious Malaysia.
In the Buddhist tradition, we are taught to be mindful in body (action), speech and mind (thoughts) and continue to radiate lovingkindness from our hearts with compassion. I am aware that similar spiritual values are found in other religions. Without fear or hatred, let us be guided by the values of our spiritual practice to build a harmonious Malaysia.
All be well and happy.
Thank you. 

Saturday, May 16, 2015

Where are our religious and spiritual values




(source here)

Are there Buddhists, Christians, Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Taoist in our Malaysian government holding on to the teachings of compassion, mercy, kindness, empathy, benevolance and humanity to make a call to rescue the Rohingyas from the open seas?

We have done so before when the Vietnamese boat people arrived in the 70s. We can definitely do better!

Friday, May 15, 2015

This is not right!

Sharing my personal thoughts on the the Rohingya boat refugees turned away by Malaysia, sending them back to sea:

(Picture from www.nytimes.com)


1. What is done by the Malaysian government not right. How can it be that every member of the Malaysian cabinet, senior Government officials, in their hearts agree to this?  I do not think so. I believe we have the heart to save lives..


Monday, April 27, 2015

A Prayer for Nepal

I would like to express our deepest condolences and compassion for all of those who lost their lives in the Earthquake in Nepal. 

We continue to pray and raise support for those struggling with the post-quake crisis. 

May all beings be free from suffering. 



A Buddhist Reflection



Just came to a realisation that Buddha Siddhartha Gautama was not a Buddhist! Wondering why I try so hard to be a Buddhist? Perhaps, we need to be Buddhas.

or maybe no. Perhaps, we should just be...........

with some interesting discussion FB






what about other religions?



Friday, April 24, 2015

Activists, politicians call for protection of human rights at ASEAN forum

I posted this earlier. I think this is too important to be "just another post".
Human right is not is just a piece of news, it affect the individual's happiness and wellbeing. Governments and leaders have been elected or entrusted to safeguard our wellbeing. Be reminded!
By the way, #WhereIsSombath ?

Related to an earlier post HERE


Sunday, April 05, 2015

ASEAN NEEDS TO ADDRESS RISING INTOLERANCE IN MYANMAR

An event I attended.  The Roundtable on Tolerance in a People-Centered ASEAN, hosted by former Malaysian Foreign Minister Tan Sri Dr Syed Hamid Albar.  The event was held in Kuala Lumpur and it was good to see efforts to address issues of the raising violence in Myanmar. 
It is relevant today in as the ASEAN People's Forum is on the way right now. Our message is clear, ASEAN governments must review it interference policy, among other things.




Please share the Statement below.
Roundtable on Tolerance in a People-Centered ASEAN, hosted by former Malaysian Foreign Mminister Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar.

For Immediate Release: 10 April 2015

STATEMENT: ASEAN NEEDS TO ADDRESS RISING INTOLERANCE IN MYANMAR

HUMANiTi Malaysia, in partnership with the OIC, KAICIID and ALTSEAN-Burma, convened a roundtable ‘Tolerance in a People-Centred ASEAN’ on 6-7 April 2015 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The event brought together diverse stakeholders from the ASEAN region, including representatives of more than 20 national, regional and international non-governmental organisations, to discuss key trends, issues of concern and share approaches to promote tolerance in ASEAN.

Wednesday, March 04, 2015

Inter-faith Relations: A more Positive Approach Needed

There is not doubt at certain level, inter-faith and inter-ethnic relations is deteriorating. Largely due to the rise of fundamentalist groups with nationalistic inclinations. The over emphasis of their actions in most mainstream media is not solving the problem, even though they are small groups. The unnecessary media attention gives to reactions on social media, fuelling anger and negative emotions. 

In a recent reaction by the MCCBCHST, the formal non-Islamic Interfaith council issue a statement which I felt set the wrong tone, hence my response. The article below was published in The Malaysian Insider 



A response to MCCBCHST – K.V. Soon

I refer to the press release by the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST) published on February 9, 2015.

I am disappointed by the tone and approach in the recent press release from MCCBCHST. My personal opinion is that the statement could have been more tactful and less confrontational. As a Buddhist and a life member of a MCCBCHST component organisation, I do not agree with the organisation's approach. I feel that it is not right for MCCBCHST's statement that implies that all Muslims are indulging in violence with this quote, "It is Muslims who are indulging in killing and condemnation of other religions and religionist."

Tuesday, February 03, 2015

Dengue, we are not focusing on the root causes!

Dengue is becoming a real problem and we are now focused on developing methods of detecting aedes?

What will the come up next? Miniature laser shooter? 

As of 31 January 2015, there has been over 12,000 reported cases of dengue since 1 January 2015 with 20 death, and we are trying to detect them. We know where the hotspots are already!
 
I rarely say this but creativity sometimes has its boundaries, what can't we creatively deal with the larvae, the source?


Sunday, January 25, 2015

Thoughts on kids and electronic learning tools

Here's a response to someone who asked us If kids use computer for learning -



When our kids were growing up, we did not have a TV (by choice) and and internet only for work. The kids grew up exploring their environment, learnt to communicate with one another and improved their skills to adapt and change above all grows their imagination. I regard electronic games as rigid limited but the limitation of their producers or developers. Moreover I am not a big fan of having kids stare at a screen to "learn". More so If your kids are very young.

So, do NOT let the ipad, mobile phones, etc to be your kids teachers (or nanny)

My experience shows that if we leave the kids alone without electronic stuff, they WILL find things to do. :-)

Don't worry parents.

 

Saturday, January 24, 2015

Muhyddin has NOT fail our children and schools







The article above refers.

Education Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin did not fail our children nor our schools although he claimed that he cannot understand why the level of English language among our Malaysian student have declined. He cannot be blamed for the decisions, indecisions or inept decisions of his predecessors.

Our education system at best, is in transition, running on autopilot, lacking in direction.


Sunday, January 18, 2015

Thoughts on Chinese Culture Appreciation


I was having breakfast yesterday when I was approached by a couple of young people in red uniform soliciting donations for and event, "9th National Secondary School Chinese Language Society Camp" organized by the Chinese Language Society of Universiti Malaya.

I had a little conversation with them (not exact words, but trying to share the essence of our discussion)