Arrest Misperception Between Islam And Christianity Through Dialogue
Malaysia has called on the world leaders to arrest the misrepresentation and misperception that exist between the Christian west and the Islamic world through dialogue. Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar said that only then would there be progress towards durable peace, stability and prosperity.
He said the leaders should commit themselves, their governments and their peoples to engage in dialogue that would result in tolerance and harmony. "This may require us to review policies at the national, regional and international levels. We must overcome injustice and inequalities between peoples and nations and reject double standards and selectivity," he said at the opening of the second Asia-Europe Meeting (Asem) Interfaith Dialogue at Larnaca Cyprus.
Syed Hamid said those who desired good governance and rule of law must respect international law and principles of inter-state relations, and one of the most effective ways to achieve this was through education. "We must all opt for education which nourishes our soul even as it educates our minds. We must reject that which preaches hatred and antagonism, bigotry and stereotyping.
He related Malaysia's experience in interfaith dialogue and understanding, saying that religion, whereby in Malaysia's specific case, Islam, was no obstacle to progress and modernity, including the protection of human rights and the promotion of good governance, justice and minority rights. In this regard, he said, the Malaysian government had taken the approach of Islam Hadhari (Civilisational Islam) to promote peace and understanding amid its diversity.
"This is especially pertinent to our case as Malaysia is a multi-racial, multi-religious and multi-cultural country of some 25 million people, of whom 33 per cent are non-Muslims."Syed Hamid said although Muslims were the preponderant majority in Malaysia, the country was governed according to the process of sharing of political power among the various ethnic groups which professed different religions and beliefs. "Economic and social inequities have been minimised by a distributional strategy of growth with equity, which was designed to affirmatively reduce progressively the economic disparities between the various ethnic groups, in the context of an ever expanding economy," he added.
Syed Hamid said the media too bore a great responsibility in the quest to create awareness, understanding, goodwill, respect and tolerance. The media at the local and international levels must promote the voices of moderation and tolerance, he said, adding that the calls for dialogue and understanding between faiths and civilisations must be given sufficient space by the media. The media, he said, should emphasise conciliation and rapprochement rather than highlight extremism and hatred.
"It must clearly be understood that freedom must not be taken to mean a 'carte blanche' to do all and sundry without taking into account the sensitivities that may exist between us. It is imperative for all to work together to enhance interfaith dialogue and understanding," he added.-- BERNAMA
**** That's all well and good minister and you sounded terrific at Cyprus. However when you return home we the people will be grateful if you could translate whatever you said about inter-faith dialogue there into concrete action. As far as I can see the government talks piously about such dialogue but the moment a demagogue or two raise their voice, all pretense of such openness goes out through the window. That's when we feel that the government plays politics even with faith issues and is either scared or has no will to see such dialogue through.
He said the leaders should commit themselves, their governments and their peoples to engage in dialogue that would result in tolerance and harmony. "This may require us to review policies at the national, regional and international levels. We must overcome injustice and inequalities between peoples and nations and reject double standards and selectivity," he said at the opening of the second Asia-Europe Meeting (Asem) Interfaith Dialogue at Larnaca Cyprus.
Syed Hamid said those who desired good governance and rule of law must respect international law and principles of inter-state relations, and one of the most effective ways to achieve this was through education. "We must all opt for education which nourishes our soul even as it educates our minds. We must reject that which preaches hatred and antagonism, bigotry and stereotyping.
He related Malaysia's experience in interfaith dialogue and understanding, saying that religion, whereby in Malaysia's specific case, Islam, was no obstacle to progress and modernity, including the protection of human rights and the promotion of good governance, justice and minority rights. In this regard, he said, the Malaysian government had taken the approach of Islam Hadhari (Civilisational Islam) to promote peace and understanding amid its diversity.
"This is especially pertinent to our case as Malaysia is a multi-racial, multi-religious and multi-cultural country of some 25 million people, of whom 33 per cent are non-Muslims."Syed Hamid said although Muslims were the preponderant majority in Malaysia, the country was governed according to the process of sharing of political power among the various ethnic groups which professed different religions and beliefs. "Economic and social inequities have been minimised by a distributional strategy of growth with equity, which was designed to affirmatively reduce progressively the economic disparities between the various ethnic groups, in the context of an ever expanding economy," he added.
Syed Hamid said the media too bore a great responsibility in the quest to create awareness, understanding, goodwill, respect and tolerance. The media at the local and international levels must promote the voices of moderation and tolerance, he said, adding that the calls for dialogue and understanding between faiths and civilisations must be given sufficient space by the media. The media, he said, should emphasise conciliation and rapprochement rather than highlight extremism and hatred.
"It must clearly be understood that freedom must not be taken to mean a 'carte blanche' to do all and sundry without taking into account the sensitivities that may exist between us. It is imperative for all to work together to enhance interfaith dialogue and understanding," he added.-- BERNAMA
**** That's all well and good minister and you sounded terrific at Cyprus. However when you return home we the people will be grateful if you could translate whatever you said about inter-faith dialogue there into concrete action. As far as I can see the government talks piously about such dialogue but the moment a demagogue or two raise their voice, all pretense of such openness goes out through the window. That's when we feel that the government plays politics even with faith issues and is either scared or has no will to see such dialogue through.
posted by The Malaysian. at 7/05/2006 10:17:00 AM
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