Calls for unity ring loud and clear

KUALA LUMPUR: Religious and community leaders have called on Malaysians of all faiths and ethnicities to unite and choose peace over violence and extremism.

Federal Territories mufti Datuk Seri Dr Zulkifli Mohamad al-Bakri said Malaysians must stand as one to send out a message of peace and to reject all forms of hate.

The terror attack in New Zealand, he said, had served as a lesson to all Malaysians to reject all forms of hate and to instead foster peace.

“We wish for peace. This is taught in the Al-Quran.

“It is the key to happiness and can only be translated into reality through unity when our hearts celebrate and understand each other in society,” he said.

Malaysian Buddhist Association representative Venerable Sing Kan said the first step to solidarity was to see through conventional limitations and to stand against injustice, “listening to the voice of others that are crying out”.

Christian Federation of Malaysia chairman Archbishop Julian Leow Beng Kim said the turnout showed that Malaysians love peace.

“Today’s walk is a solidarity for peace. I think it’s a sign to all Malaysians that we love peace and harmony,” he said, adding that this voice of peace must drown out the voice of violence and hate.

Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hindu­ism, Sikhism, and Taoism president Datuk R.S. Mohan Shan said Malaysians stood together to express their support for peace in the wake of the terror attack in New Zealand.

“The march is for all Malaysians based on the spirit of peace and harmony, regardless of their race, religious beliefs or political ideologies,” he said.

As a loving nation, Malaysians, he said, should avoid creating any friction between different religious groups.

Malaysian Gurdwaras Council president Sardar Jagir Singh said Malaysians supported the solidarity towards peace.

“We want harmony and peace. We want all Malaysians to stay united. We want the pillar of peace to be the main pillar in the country. Therefore, we reject extremism and hate while standing together as one,” he said.

Bahai community of Malaysia representative S. Sangitaa urged all Malaysians to stay united and put an end to all forms of racial and religious prejudices.

“We can aspire to be beacons of hope through our words and actions, through clasping each other’s hands, and desiring with all our hearts for friendship with others,” she said.