By Mujahid Yusof Rawa
Assalamualaikum, peace be upon you
Amid the genocide in Gaza, Rafah and the continuing war in Ukraine and Sudan, the world community stands helplessly, witnessing their fellow humans die in the most inhumane and brutal way.
Our worst nightmare is that all this is happening in the holy month of Ramadan, celebrated for its symbol of kindness to our fellow human beings, kindled by spiritual joy and attainment.
The Quran states:
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The month of Ramadhan where the Quran was revealed, a guidance to mankind and with clear proof of guidance and also standard to distinguish between truth and falsehood…” (Chapter 2, al Baqarah: 185)
Here we are in the house of God, commemorating Ramadan, when all faiths and communities join in a buka puasa (breaking of fast) event in full awareness of the suffering and killings endured by our fellow human beings in Palestine, Sudan and Ukraine.
We should, in all humbleness, ask forgiveness from our brothers and sisters for not being able to help them and stand up against their murderers and killers and instead watching all the killings helplessly, every single day, while we enjoy our iftar (Muslim meal at sundown during Ramadan) and buka puasa.
Palestine, the holy site of the three Abrahamic faiths, has suffered most in a genocide and the planned elimination of the Palestinian race since 1948. The apartheid Zionist regime is a terror state that is suppressing the Palestinians’ right to self-determination and their right to livelihood in their own state.
Not surprisingly, the atrocities are supported by the US and its allies on the pretext of upholding Israel’s right to existence.
Peace is a means of protecting lives, human dignity and all the necessities of life. We should condemn destruction (fasad) and call for a stop to the genocide in Palestine!
The Quran states:
That is why We ordained for the Children of Israel that whoever takes a life – unless as a punishment for murder or mischief in the land – it will be as if they killed all of humanity; and whoever saves a life, it will be as if they saved all of humanity… (Chapter 5, Al Maidah: 32)
Back in our beautiful nation, Malaysia had been living in peace despite our multi-racial and diverse faith identities.
But we should not be complacent, as the trend towards hatred and animosity has grown of late due to racial and religious issues which have been highly politicised and sensationalised.
Radicals and extremist elements across all the divides have found a breeding ground to spread their message of hate to the innocent generation of youth in our nation.
All religions should condemn the radicalism of faith and curb acts of extremism in the name of religion.
Radicalism and extremism in faith take its seeds from exaggerating the command of religious obligations and thus transgressing beyond what is taught while thinking that this is the “true teaching”.
Islam has condemned such acts and made it a point that is obligatory – that no Muslim should not exaggerate and transgress in carrying out the religious duty prescribed to him or her.
Prophet Muhammad, pbuh, has said:
Beware of exaggeration and transgression (ghuluw) in your act of faith (fi dinikum), let it be known to you, those before you had perished because of their exaggerating acts of faith (narrated by Ahmad & Ibnu Majah).
People with such a radical nature take the law into their own hands. They justify their acts in the name of religion or race, condemn others who do not support their actions and will go another mile to subscribe to violent behaviour.
We have this to say to them: violence has no religion, because no religion subscribes to violence!
Our gathering may be small, but our message of peace sends shivers down the spines of warmongers and haters. This is our Ramadan message. This is the message of all the prophets followed by all wise persons, religious leaders and wise statesmen.
The Acheh Street Malay Mosque is honoured by your presence to our Buka Puasa Muhibah (goodwill breaking of fast) as a pit stop along our long journey of Peace, Salam.
“And Allah invites ËąallËş to the Home of Peace and guides whoever He wills to the Straight Path.” – Chapter 10, Yunus: 25
Selamat berbuka and thank you.
31 March 2024/20 Ramadan 1445
Senator Datuk Seri Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa, the former Parit Buntar MP, is chairman of the Acheh Street Malay Mosque in the George Town World Heritage Site.
AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama
- Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
- Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
- Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
- Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
- Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
Well said, Sdr. Mujahid. Your father would have been very proud of you.