YOURSAY ‘Gov’t must stop the disturbing trend of intrusion into other religions.’

'Looking at cross won't alter faith of Muslims'

SteveOh: The suggestion that a religious symbol of a religion in multi-religious Malaysia where freedom of religion is enshrined in the constitution is offensive is not only 'shallow thinking' but a very un-Islamic act as PKR assemblyperson Haniza Talha rightly stated.

It is unbecoming of such people to create disharmony in the community when they should be showing respect for religious freedom in the country and spreading sound knowledge about the role of religion in fostering unity, not hatred and bigotry.

Where in Islam does it teach Muslims to get churches to remove crosses? These people insult their prophet, Isa Al-Masih (Jesus Christ). The cross symbolises his crucifixion.

It is high time the government stop this disturbing and growing trend of intrusion into the affairs of other religions by zealots who are not acting according to the teachings of Islam.

Their present actions along with other 'shallow thinking' and un-Islamic acts, give the wrong impression of Islam to more tolerant non-Muslims.

Keturunan Malaysia: Haniza, thank you for saying it out loud and clear, as well as demonstrating the fact that there are indeed level-headed Muslims with enough faith in their own religion to withstand the sight of crosses and/or idols and/or pictures and/or other religious books beside the Quran.

Like most things, it separates the weak from the strong, the smart from the stupid, and the good from the bad, and whatever else in between.

I have walked in and out, and even slept in mosques/churches more times than I can remember. But I am no less a Buddhist. And there is no reason for me to change religion because every religion is good. It is people who are bad and ugly.

Behsaikong: I commend Haniza for her courage to speak up. Muslims, Christians and people of all religious communities must have more confidence in their respective religious faiths and their adherents.

Resorting to public protests and calls for the arbitrary banning of the use of religious terminologies and symbols is detestable and ill-mannered.

People, especially politicians, who resort to such crude tactics, will only bring their own religions into disrepute.

Joepaul: Well said, Haniza. Statements like yours give us hope that all is not lost, that there are indeed Muslims who understand their faith and live accordingly, and that they are not all extremists.

And most importantly, as a politician in a largely Muslim constituency, it requires courage to speak up like you did, unlike many other Pakatan politicians who choose to keep silent for fear of losing a few miserable votes of the extremists. Keep up the good work.

Eyespye: If only people knew how long it takes to get approval to build a church in Malaysia... I have known some applications still waiting for approval after 10 years because the powers-that-be just push papers around.

And when it gets approval, it cannot look like a church. Muslims don't know how many shoplots have to be converted into churches, with Christians hiding in these confines to worship their God.

The final holdouts are those churches built in the past, decades ago. Those in Taman Tun Dr Ismail know what I'm talking about.

So, persecution? Hell, yeah. I wouldn't shed a tear when BN tears itself apart. Evil will always devour itself.

Blackmoon: Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) may have approved the church to operate there, but to put signboards (I believed the cross is also considered a sign) needs a licence from the local council. Does the church have a licence to put up the cross sign?

I think the church knew that it had broken the law for erecting the cross sign at its premises without a licence. That is why they readily removed it so as to avoid complications.

Swipenter: Blackmoon, assuming a signboard licence is required for the church to put up the "cross" and the church does not have one, it is nobody's business to demand its removal. It’s the job of the MBPJ and definitely not those protesters.

They can lodge a complaint with MBPJ but not engage in an alleged seditious act and/or take the law into their hands to demand its removal.

Do the protesters represent Islam as a religion of love, peace and tolerance? Allah have mercy on all of us then. Or are they representing Umno using race and religion to whip up hatred against the church and Christians?

I hope the right-thinking and peace-loving Malays in Taman Medan rally around the church and its members, to give them support and to show disgust and disapproval of the 50-odd protesters.

Drngsc: Dear Muslim Malaysians, please settle your political issues amongst yourself. We Christians just wish to be left alone to practise our faith.

Looking at a cross does not make one a Christian. Please do not use Christians as a punching bag for your political aspirations. Let us all uphold the Federal Constitution and Rukunegara.

Hcleong: Love thy neighbours as thyself. Let us practice love among all citizens or else the future of Malaysia is doomed. When my belief is challenged, my faith grows stronger.

Now is the time to use ‘enhanced’ Sedition Act

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