The purpose of religion is to control yourself, not to criticise others.
– Dalai Lama, Tibetan spiritual leader
Four reasons compel me to touch on this subject this week.
One, a post from my dear friend, Dr KN Singh, in Johor Baru, of a video of the Sikh community in Dubai hosting a Ramadan event in the Sikh temple in the Arab nation. Muslims, Sikhs and Hindus broke fast together and consume the same food.
Two, an open invitation from Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri to an iftar with the people on April 17 in front of Sultan Abdul Samad Building/Dataran Merdeka. This is an annual do but the first since the pandemic.
Three, a reminder from Kuching Archbishop Simon Poh on the importance of maintaining Sarawak’s unique religious harmony and tolerance. My good bishop also forwarded several stories of previous Buka Puasa gatherings in Sarawak which he has always been proud to talk, or even brag, about.
Four, this is Holy Week and as a Catholic, let me spread some love, joy and goodwill to all my fellow Christians on this most auspicious week in Christendom and my many Malay/Muslim brethren on the holy month of Ramadan.
Well, this is not a new topic but one which has been written countless times by myself and others. However, from time to time, we need to be reminded of the beauty and grace of religious tolerance and the work we must put in to ensure that it remains the most important bulwark of the soul of our nation.
When tolerance and harmony, which binds us together, is destroyed, there is nothing left but chaos and turmoil. We must also be wary as there are religious extremists and fanatics lurking around. Such sickos, although small in number, can be just as dangerous and destructive as an army out to maim or kill in a war.
Coincidentally, also this week, a Kuching friend posted a story of one (former) headmaster of SMK Serian who allegedly barred students from wearing the crucifixes and rosaries or other Christian symbols, even if they are worn under their uniforms.
A female student from the school was ordered to remove the cross she wore under her uniform while another student was ordered to remove a rosary that she also wore under her uniform.
The post was accompanied by a photo of the headmaster who is from Perak.
I could not recall the case but was keen to take it up. I asked my friend to check for its verification and also forwarded it to other friends and associates whom I think would be able to help.
Less than an hour later, Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian responded with this message: “This happened in 2016. After complaints were lodged against him, he was transferred out that same year. He has been in Semenanjung since then. Regard as Case Closed.”
That was a forwarded message from possibly the Education Department in Sarawak which Dr Sim must have taken the trouble to check with, after receiving my note. So thank you so much again, Prof Sim, for the effort. That was much appreciated.
I will not reveal the name of the Perak educationist (which was stated in the post) as the case has been resolved.
Sarawakians have gone through such uncultured postures from Malayan officials all too often. They do not understand and are insensitive to our religious norms, local cultures and way of life.
Imagine, in a district like Serian, a Bidayuh/Iban enclave where the majority are Christians and you get one Malayan teacher trying to flash his Islamic credentials around. What was he thinking?
It was precisely for this reason that I could never tolerate an education minister like Dr Maszlee Malek of the Pakatan Harapan era for his Medan Dakwah pronouncement of Sarawak and Sabah as an arena for evangelism for religious teachers in 2018.
This is one specific episode which I remember and detest about Maszlee and his ilk whom I doubt really understand Sarawak and Sarawakians and what we have so carefully nurtured and wish to preserve. I have to tell such politicians to get lost and yes, to Maszlee, “just go fly a kite”.
My dear Malay/Muslim brethren in Sarawak know how we, of different races, live and work alongside each other for generations.
In 2019, in connection with the Malay Dignity Congress held in Kuala Lumpur, I wrote that “Malays in Sarawak are already a dignified group and they do not need a dignity congress to tell them so, unlike some Malays in Malaya”.
Finally, let me share this message from my old comrade in the news world, Datuk Azman Ujang: “We, Sarawakians, and Sabahans are the perfect models for a truly Malaysian nation that Tunku Abdul Rahman gave his blood, sweat and tears to build. In our two states, race and religion are non-issues. Malaysians in these two states will never ever disunite or quarrel based on race and religion. They are kept personal”.
And this is what we can all proudly declare – that is our beautiful religious and racial tolerance and harmony. We will continue to nurture and preserve it for our generations to come.
To my dear friends, Dr KN Singh, Nancy Shukri, Archbishop Simon Poh, Dr Sim Kui Hian and Azman Ujang, thank you for a memorable Holy Week.
The views expressed here are those of the columnist and do not necessarily represent the views of New Sarawak Tribune. Feedback can reach the writer at sirsiah@gmail.com
