FOR millions who are Christians or otherwise, they are, invariably, thinking of their faith and sufferings at this time of the year.
A coincidence, this year the Muslims’ holiest month, Ramadan which demands disciplined fasting, praying and reflection. In this extreme Climate Change is particularly challenging.
Our Muslim brothers and sisters will fast and pray and forgive those at this time. That will lessen human sufferings .
Those of Christian faith will reflect on human sufferings, especially the plight of the poor, the destitute, the homeless, the terminally ill, the very sick and the most vulnerable.
For instance, the suffering of people from cancer is unbelievable. The Head of the Commonwealth, King Charles lll and his daughter-in-law, Princess of Wales have most courageously announced their illness in order to create awareness of this disease. We pray for them and all cancer patients: healing, space and speedy recovery. To all, we say don’t give up hope, there is always light at the end of the tunnel.
And now unfolding before us, 24 hours a day, the horrors and atrocities of wars, aggression, conflicts everywhere. The sufferings they go through physically, emotionally are beyond words. But even in their darkest hours, they have never given up hope.
On top of all these, there is the COVID-19, which we are now asked to live with. There is no choice, life must go on.
Every single human being, whether born the poorest of the poor, the weakest of the weak, the most privileged or incapacitated by serious illness, is entitled to be treated with dignity and respect. But might and relentless aggression have made this impossible.
Human dignity is certainly not relative to social status, financial standing, nor to physical or intellectual abilities.
Notwithstanding, every person warrants respect and his or her dignity must not be allowed to be impugned by misfortune, illness, vulnerability or pure aggression.
It is, I feel, fundamentally wrong, unethical and immoral, to persecute relentlessly all those who are already suffering in life.
It is the duty of each and every one of us to uphold the fundamental principle of upholding human dignity and respect at all times and in all situations.
But, are we? Seeing the way some foreign countries are exterminating the entire population of a targeted nation, with ruthless maximum atrocities, then razed to the ground with probably not a single building left standing. The foreign aggressor or bully to wipe off an entire people of a helpless country. No place is safe and there is no place to go!
The treatment of those caught in all these unjustified wars, proxy wars, aggression or conflicts is undoubtedly, the worst!
For the poor, the sick, the terminally ill and the vulnerable without upholding their dignity is to be abhorred and is without prevarication unacceptable in any circumstances.
All men are born equal in the eyes of our Creator. A convict, a person with any serious illness, so called inmate of an institution, an unemployed, a pauper, the destitute, the homeless, the oppressed, the down trodden, the persecuted and the sex worker.
Every day, not only at Easter, all should show kindness, compassion and empathy – all human attributes.
Our hearts are not made of stainless steel or granite, we are not monsters but are human and capable of giving love and affection and empathy in abundance in this most difficult and challenging world. Even animals are protective of their family, unless they happen to be some savage beasts or monsters.
We all must play a role in helping to relieve all forms of human sufferings.
Help to lessen them, not to intensify.
At Easter all could reflect on our faith and beliefs.
It is an ideal thing that all religions should get to know each other, and this will enable all not only to tolerate but to accept each other.
The newly proclaimed King of Malaysia, Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Sultan Iskandar, has been able to accept all religions in his Sultanate of Johor and thereby there is always peace and harmony in Johor.
Happy Easter to all.
