More letters to MCCBCHST

To the council members of MCCBCHST -

Some time back, a prominent politician said that the most pressing issues facing Malaysia at the moment are that of race and religion.

We agree with what has been said. Instead of freeing us, race and religion have been manipulated and used as tools to divide us from truly knowing and embracing each another.

We believe that it is time to heal this breach.

MCCBCHST has made its presence known in local circles on topics related to Islamisation. However, we are concerned that civil society groups are preaching to the converted.

We need to reach the wider Muslim community or all this hard work and well meant work will go to waste.

We are concerned that in many religious institutions, the constitutional right to freedom of religion has been pushed as a non-Muslim issue. When, in fact, there are Muslims who uphold the very freedom to practice one’s faith of choice for others.

This is divisive. It is a Malaysian issue. Yet, there are too many Malaysians who lump all Muslims into one category. This contributes to growing racial tensions.

We applaud MCCBCHST’s earnest engagement with the public. However, we strongly urge that this engagement extends to the wider community.

We also call for a conscious effort by all faith groups to push this issue as a Malaysian issue.

None of us are innocent in ostracizing those who live outside our community and therefore entrenching the racial and religious divide. Let us educate one another, truly listen and dialogue with a genuine spirit to understand.

Maya Angelou said: “We are more alike, my friend, than we are unalike.” She also said “In diversity there is beauty and there is strength… all the threads of the tapestry are equal…” 

We believe that every Malaysian knows this at heart.

Sincerely,

Eva San Ken Yeng
K.R Pramila
Elizabeth Gimbad
Lee Wei San
Cheryl Lim
Hwa YiXing
Gan Shuxian
Lee Chow Hui

 

_________________________

 

Dear Mr Goh, 

Thank you for your prompt response. 

Although I sympathise with the constraints and limitations of the MCCBCHST as what is stated in your reply – I am also of the opinion that the MCCBCHST by virtue of your representation of some of the key religions in Malaysia, it should also constitute that you command the attention of quite a big segment of the population. 

With such a foundation, the MCCBCHST should view this as a leverage to be able to yield sufficient influence amongst your members to make sure that the MCCBCHST shall be heard if not NOW, then, when the opportunity presents itself in the next election.  

“Libra” has spoken out in defence of the MCCBCHST at this link http://harismibrahim.wordpress.com/2007/09/17/another-letter-to-mccbchst/#comment-2491, if I have expected too much from the MCCBCHST or my views has offended any of the MCCBCHST Council members – please accept my apology.  

Please let’s not be diverted, as, greater issues looms ahead of us which will require our unified attention. 

I will continue to pray that God will guide the MCCBCHST with the wisdom for the “direction, action and resolution” necessary for the making of a better Malaysia for all Malaysians. 

God Bless. 

Regards, 

Gan

Anak Bangsa Malaysia