Muslim group visits Hindu, Buddhist temples and church to show solidarity with Easter bombing victims (updated)

Members of the group going into St Joseph's Church in Sentul.

PETALING JAYA: A Muslim group visited a church as well as Hindu and Buddhist temples in Kuala Lumpur Sunday (April 28) to show solidarity with non-Muslims following the terrorist attack in Sri Lanka.

Global Unity Network president Shah Kirit Kakulal Govindji said their group of 22 people visited the Sri Maha Kaliamman Temple in Kg Kasipillay followed by St Joseph's Church in Sentul and ended their visit at the Sri Jayanti Buddhist Temple.

"In Christchurch, when Muslims were killed, non-Muslims showed solidarity. In Colombo when Christians were killed, we as Muslims must also show solidarity (with the victims)," he said.

He said Muslims should show compassion at all times, not only when Muslims were killed.

"Even if only one non-Muslim is killed, we must show concern. We must be fair to everyone," said Shah Kirit.

Shah Kirit speaking to Fr George Packiasamy during the visit.

He said they saw how Mass was conducted and also held a dialogue session with St Joseph's Church priest, Father George Packiasamy.

"We have a very good relationship with the church," he said, adding that this was his fourth visit to St Joseph's Church in Sentul.

He added that when the group comprising students and working professionals visited the church, parishioners served them a halal breakfast while the Buddhist temple served them lunch.

Shah Kirit said the group had been doing a lot of interfaith work for close to 20 years to allow Muslims to learn about other religions.

"In Malaysia, we are a multi-racial and multi-religious country. So, it is very important that we understand one another," he said.

Shah Kirit added that many problems around the world stemmed from prejudice, presumption and misconception about other religions and races, adding that this could lead to more suspicion and hatred unless it was removed.

"The best way to remove prejudice, presumption and misconception is to learn from one another," he said.

He added that their group gave Muslims the chance to learn about other religions and to observe how they worship and pray.

"We also hold dialogues with priests or monks to get proper information about other religions," he said.

Fr George said the group made an appointment to visit the church a month ago.

However, he said he was hesitant to continue with the meeting after the Sri Lanka incident, but decided to meet with them to share views about religion.

"They came to get to know our Christian faith and they also had dialogues with my ministry.

"Each religion is unique and we should see the goodness in each religion.

"We should have respect one another and build friendships and live in harmony in our nation," he said.

On April 21, suicide bomb attacks on three churches and four hotels in Sri Lanka killed about 250 people with scores more injured.