CONFLICT AND RELIGIOUS UNDERSTANDING

Aliran supports the recent move by leaders and organisations representing both Muslim and Hindu communities to take appropriate measures to rebuild confidence, trust and mutual respect in the wake of the temple-mosque conflict in Kampung Rawa in Penang.

We hope that the initiative will not only help promote peace and security in the area concerned, but also foster much-needed inter-religious understanding.

The recent ugly incident indicates that some people are only capable of turning religion into a source of strife and tension, thus going against the true teachings of revealed religions, which call for love, compassion and understanding.

Perhaps it also shows that too much emphasis is being placed by certain religious leaders on forms and rituals at the expense of the deeper universal underlying messages of  these faiths.

Regrettably, the mass media were restrained by the authorities, particularly in the initial stages of the conflict, a situation that led to rumours spreading like wildfire.

We believe that in a conflict like this, what is needed it not only swift, bold and just action from the authorities to control the situation, but also adequate information about the actual situation.
 

Aliran Executive Committee
4 April 1998