PRESS RELEASE : MRM's Response to MCCBCHST statement
Kuala Lumpur, 14th Feb – We refer to the statement recently released by Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST) published in The Malay Mail & malaysia-today.net on 9 February 2015 where reference was made, among other things, to MRM. Alhamdulillah, we see the statement as an impetus to dialogue with between Muslim entities and MCCBCHST and we wish to respond to that statement, in good faith, and with the hope of clarifying matters and our position, as well as opening the door for further and healthy dialogue with MCCBCHST.
1. EDUCATE AND CLEAR MISCONCEPTIONS
We are blessed to live in a multiracial, multireligious society that is rich in diversity and yet bound by a sense of national identity. At MRM, we know that this diversity can be a means of strength for the nation if properly channelled, but it can also weaken the nation’s foundations significantly if this diversity is enveloped by an undercurrent of misconceptions, misunderstanding, prejudice, fear and distrust. It is not pleasant to admit this, but being an NGO that deals with Muslims of various races and backgrounds, we know for a fact that sadly, this undercurrent often exists whether in the home or at the workplace, among relatives and friends. We also know that this undesirable situation stems from many factors. These include cultural differences, persistent negative portrayals in the media, Islamophobia, misconceptions by Muslims and non-Muslims about Islam’s teachings, ignorance and a lack of access to proper information.
For this reason, we at MRM are committed to working hard at removing these unhealthy walls of ignorance, distrust and fear through right education because knowledge and the truth empower. Knowledge liberates while ignorance paralyzes us. We believe that it is equally important for us to educate Muslims as well as non-Muslims on Islam’s true teachings so that these unhealthy walls can be broken down and Malaysians (regardless of religion, creed or colour) can flourish hand in hand, as one nation to reach our full potential. Indeed, Allah says in the Quran:
49:13 “O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted.”
In line with this objective of promoting mutual understanding and dialogue, our President, Mr Firdaus Wong Wai Hung, often sits on the panel of interfaith dialogues, and has hosted the interfaith programme Dialog Harmoni produced by TV Al Hijrah.
We also welcome MCCBCHST to share their scriptures, materials and ideas with us towards this end, and we know that this approach of encouraging understanding, respect and cooperation between people of different religions is in line with MCCBCHST’s own aims.
2. PROPAGATE THE TRUTH
Like the various member Bodies of MCCBCHST, who (as outlined in their respective official objectives) seek to promote, spread and/or advance the mission, study and teachings of their respective faiths, Muslims are no different. We are also commanded to share the message of Islam with others, without compulsion. At MRM, we strive to fulfil this command and as a fundamental part of our faith, we believe that we are guided by the Truth and hence, it is our obligation to share the Truth with others so that they too may have an opportunity to save themselves from the Hellfire. Allah says in the Quran:
3:19 “Indeed, the religion in the sight of Allah is Islam.”
3:85 “And whoever desires other than Islam as religion - never will it be accepted from him, and he, in the Hereafter, will be among the losers.”
14:1 “Alif, Lam, Ra. [This is] a Book which We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], that you might bring mankind out of darknesses into the light by permission of their Lord - to the path of the Exalted in Might, the Praiseworthy.”
Whilst we are committed to sharing the message of Islam with others (whether by reaching out to them or when they reach out to us), we are always guided by Allah’s command that there is no compulsion in religion. We further firmly believe that guidance comes from Allah alone and therefore, it is not within our ability to convert others. Any decision to accept or reject the Truth is entirely theirs. Our job is simply to show them the map. Whether they wish to follow the route and head to the destination, is purely their decision.
2:256 “There shall be no compulsion in [acceptance of] the religion. The right course has become clear from the wrong.”
2:272 “Not upon you, [O Muhammad], is [responsibility for] their guidance, but Allah guides whom He wills….”
3. DENY ITEM (iv)
We wish to point out that MCCBCHST’s statement that “Multi-racial Reverted Muslims founded in 2010 by Firdaus Wong Wai Hung (Buddhist turned Muslim) distributed between 15,000 to 20,000 CD/s in Peninsular Malaysia last December just days before Christmas including one entitled “Jesus Christ in the Quran”.” is untrue and we ask that MCCBCHST provides firm evidence of this.
4. CLOSING
It is our sincere hope that we can create a more open society that can discuss religion without fear or prejudice and based on the principle that we “agree to disagree.” We end with this message to our brothers in humanity in MCCBCHST: Let’s talk to each other rather than talk about each other. And join us, hand in hand, to create harmony in this beloved country of ours.
Original news link > http://www.malaysia-today.net/1-million-translated-copies-of-the-quran-to-be-distributed-to-non-muslims-a-cause-for-concern/
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