LETTER | Covid 19 has gripped the world and the experience is chaotic and most unpredictable.

As governments around the world grapple with this viral attack on humanity and in trying to contain the spread of the virus, we are also witnessing a clash of contemporary civilisation.

The clash is one of religion and traditions versus science.

While the medical world is directing action plans to save humanity from this deadly virus that not only endangers human life but is already paralysing global economies that eventually will delve a brutal blow on human livelihoods, we also increasingly witness how religion is pulling people in the opposite tension.

In Malaysia, some 16,000 Muslims gathered over three days at the heights of the battle over Covid 19 in many nations.

Today those tested positive in Malaysia is feverishly climbing to a count of over 1,000 with many of those cases coming from the Muslims who participated in the religious gathering.

Likewise, a similar gathering of 9,000 Muslims was unfolding in Indonesia that eventually was stopped after appeals by the local government. But the damage is done as the people were already there in droves.

Before we go ballistic on Muslims for not being scientifically vigilant in the wake of the pandemic, we also find that 1,500 Christians gathered in a cathedral in Indonesia to witness the ordination of a new bishop.

Despite a near begging appeal by the local authorities, the Christian leadership justified its action to proceed with the ordination.

Meanwhile, Hindus partook in a major celebration in Penang right in the midst of the globally spreading Covid-19 virus.

And the Chinese are grumbling that they are unable to observe the Qing Ming (prayers at ancestral tombs) because of the restricted movement order enforced in Malaysia.

Underlying all such disregard for the need to observe medical advice and government action is the serious question of why are religious leaders and followers defying the parameters dictated by health and medical sciences?

In fact, these religious congregations are even claiming that God will guarantee their fate.

It appears that such large numbers of religious followers are ready to believe in the teachings and practices of their respective faiths while totally disregarding the call of medical and health sciences.

It calls for serious reflection. Is this really the beginning of a clash within contemporary civilisation?

If it is, the world is heading for an unprecedented collision course with colossal damage to civilisation. And that will be most detrimental to governments around the world.

Keep up with the latest information on the outbreak in the country with Malaysiakini's free Covid-19 tracker.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.