The peace rally in Kuala Lumpur today sought to show solidarity with the victims of the Christchurch massacre but beyond the solemnness and mourning, it was also to send a message to hatemongers in the country.
Several leaders who spoke at the event stressed that Malaysians must reject any elements that resembled the terrorist Brenton Tarrant, a suspected white supremacist who opened fire on two mosques in New Zealand, killing 50 including a Malaysian, and wounding scores.
Federal Territories Minister Khalid Abdul Samad urged the people to foster unity and reject those who would divide them.
"Let Malaysia become a light for unity for its multiracial and multireligious people.
"The terrorist wanted us to fight each other. This was what he wanted.
"Those who spread hate, fear and anger also carry the same manifesto of the terrorist. I hope we can take this as a lesson to decide the direction of our country," he said.
Echoing this message was Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mujahid Yusof Rawa, who is in charge of Islamic affairs.
"It was the killer's intent that we become violent like him ... If we are like him, if we are angry and we want revenge, then we are no different from the terrorist.
"If there are such 'species' in this country who are sowing hatred so that one religion would hate another or one race would hate another, either without realisation or due to political interest, then we who are here today will be the barrier to defend our country from being wrecked," he said.
Hundreds of participants clad in white were joined by representatives from various faiths as well as diplomats, including New Zealand high commissioner-designate to Malaysia and Brunei, Hunter Nottage.
At the rally, Mujahid also announced the Kuala Lumpur peace declaration, which noted the "rise of racial and religious hatred".
"The world must be shielded against the culture of hatred that can lead to violent acts," said Mujahid who read out the declaration.
The five points of the peace declaration are:
- Condemnation of any act of discrimination, violence and killing in the name of religion and ethnicity.
- Total rejection of any act or culture based on hatred in the name of religion or ethnicity.
- Supporting all efforts to foster peace and promote harmony amongst people of all ethnicities and religions.
- Defending the sovereignty of our country from being destroyed by agents of racial and religious hatred.
- In solidarity with the citizens of the world in developing an environment of peace and prosperity based on the recognition of diverse ethnicity and religion
