Let us build a community in which people of different religions learn from one another and work together for the common good.

I am indeed very sad with the recent happenings in Malaysia especially on the double standard and bias treatment given to the various minority communities of this beloved country. Lately we have been reading a lot of news, and police reports are made regarding insensitivity to another religious practices and beliefs. Many are claiming to be 'insulted' or 'offended'. Our country was never like this. We used to be a model for a multi-cultural, multi-religious country where people live in harmony, happily caring for each other. What has happened to us now? What has happened to our country?

We have all become arrogant. We have all become 'faithless'. A perverse generation I must say!. At times it seems we have become bigger than God the Almighty! I am sure the Prophets, Saints and Sages are all feeling embarrassed for what we have become. Even God is sad I'm sure to see us all fighting in this way in His name, for this is not the purpose that He created us in this world of different peoples with different backgrounds and culture. We all need to be more 'human' and loving one another, and we are only able to do this sincerely is when we know and have a better understanding about the other's religion and beliefs. We need to be 'in(formed)' and educated. Inter-Religious Dialogue seems to be the best solution. Or maybe we can attend some classes on religion or better still ask a religious teacher.   

It was heart breaking to read a news report today that the latest 'issue' in Malaysia is about a surau within a resort is believed to have been used for another religious ceremony and people are being offended about this. Click 'here' and 'here' for a read about this issue. At this moment, As a Christian I'm thankful that we have had examples of churches opening their doors for Muslims to pray. For a read click on the links:-
Christian Church opens doors to Muslims. and Church opens its doors to Muslims in Ramadan.
I'm sure many other religion and even Muslims have been generous to open the doors of places of worship and even their homes for another religious person to pray and worship one's God.
 
In my interest about Islam, I remember reading about Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) granting protection and other privileges to the monks of Saint Catherine's Monastery, Mount Sinai.

The Prophet personally granted by the charter the rights and privileges to the monastery, including freedom of worship and movement, freedom to appoint their own judges and to own and maintain their property. Here is an English translation of the charter:-

"This is a message from Muhammad ibn Abdullah, as a covenant to those who adopt Christianity, near and far, we are with them. Verily I, the servants, the helpers, and my followers defend them, because Christians are my citizens; and by Allah! I hold out against anything that displeases them.

No compulsion is to be on them. Neither are their judges to be removed from their jobs nor their monks from their monasteries. No one is to destroy a house of their religion, to damage it, or to carry anything from it to the Muslims' houses. Should anyone take any of these, he would spoil God's covenant and disobey His Prophet. Verily, they are my allies and have my secure charter against all that they hate. No one is to force them to travel or to oblige them to fight. The Muslims are to fight for them.

If a female Christian is married to a Muslim, it is not to take place without her approval. She is not to be prevented from visiting her church to pray. Their churches are to be respected. They are neither to be prevented from repairing them nor the sacredness of their covenants. No one of the nation (Muslims) is to disobey the covenant till the Last Day (end of the world)."
Click here for a read on the document and its history.

There is a Lebanese movie that all of us must watch. The title in French is 'Et maintenant, on va où'  & in English it would be  'Where do we go now?'. It is about A group of Lebanese women try to ease religious tensions between Christians and Muslims in their village together with the Imam and a Priest. We can all learn from them. Watch the trailer by clicking here.

As I end, I would like to ask all to pray for peace and mutual love for each other as we build our nation once again as a harmonious multi-cultural and multi-religious country. Here is a song of peace for reflection:-