THE DIALOGUE FOR HARMONY
About 60 people from 29 organisations of
different faiths participated, together with representatives of foreign
missions in Kuala Lumpur. The Dialogue was co-moderated by Datuk Saifuddin
Abdullah (CEO, GMM) and Datuk Dr Denison Jayasooria (Secretary General, PROHAM).
Appreciation
The dialogue lauded the government’s
initiative led by the Minister of Unity and National Integration Tan Sri Joseph
Kurup in observing the harmony week at the national level.
The dialogue highlighted and appreciated
the good work of many individuals and organisations who have, for a long time,
steadfastly fostered better inter-faith understanding.
They have organised discussions, field
visits to places of worship, community service projects at the grassroots level,
etc.Their activities transcend ethnicity and religion for the good of the community and the nation.
Their activities are shining examples of harmony in diversity, of working together for the common good of humanity.
However these activities and their positive images are not the dominant national discourse.
Concerns
Participants lamented the deteriorating situation
in Malaysia with respect to harmony and religious tolerance. Many shared
positive recollections of their past experiences. They said Malaysia previously
enjoyed greater levels of religious tolerance, appreciation and understanding.
Participants spoke openly, frankly and with
frustration about some incidents which they perceive have contributed to the
current state of affairs. 5 key concerns emerged:
First, the failure of political leadership to-date to recognize the
urgency of the situation and intervene in consultation with all parties to urgently
resolve issues and conflicts. Political leadership is seen as unwilling or
unable to put aside political and religious differences for the common good of
the nation.
Second, the absence of elder statesmen and women from all communities who
work for the best interest of the nation, to foster greater collaboration and
resolve conflicts.
Third, contradictions in public policies and weak implementation of
efforts to address inter faith concerns especially from the point of view of
fairness to all. One example highlighted was the promotion of identity-based behaviours
in schools instead of the promotion of appreciation for diversity.
Fourth, unwillingness of Federal and State religious officials to
participate in interfaith dialogue and discussions.
Fifth, the restricted formal space for discussion of sensitive issues
between civil society and formal institutions of the state both at the federal
and state levels.
It is important to affirm that most
participants spoke (and this discourse took most of the time allocated for the
dialogue) of the pressing need for all stakeholders to work together to
strengthen mutual understanding, tolerance, harmony and cooperation among
people of different faiths.
The meeting urged the Federal and State
governments and all related religious groups and parties to adopt immediate measures
and seek urgent solutions to prevent the escalation of racial and religious
tensions as these can lead rapidly to social unrest.
Resolutions
and Way Forward
Many ideas and suggestions were presented.
The following ten points are a distillation of what was said:
First, show the political will to take firm and appropriate action at all
levels of government. Leaders must urgently consult all stakeholders and take
the lead in fostering harmony in the nation.
Second, provide space to promote new conversations among peoples of
different faiths, for example, through engagement and dialogue. Introduce the
proposed Harmony Act in Parliament after wide and thorough consultation of all
parties as way of fostering greater dialogue and understanding.
Third, promote and strengthen working together in community activities
such as voluntary service, social work, community service, medical camp, sports
& cultural events.
Fourth, foster better inter-religious understanding among the people,
especially the youth.
Fifth, foster greater networking and collaboration between different
faith organisations and the formal religious institutions of both the Federal
and State governments. The Interfaith Council must be revived urgently as part
of a concerted effort to reduce religious tensions
Sixth, enhance positive public opinion through advocacy work and better
media coverage of not just contested issues but also good examples of harmony
in community.
Seventh, review policies and legislation to assure that they promote
harmony. Formulate new policies and legislation as appropriate. A suitable
platform for this review is the National Unity Consultative Council (NUCC) and
the recently announced National Reconciliation process.
Eighth, establish and announce an effective mechanism to urgently and
transparently resolve and/or mediate conflicts through community mediation and
resolution with moral courage and wisdom.
Ninth, promote tolerance and moderation more actively (versus passivity
and reactionary responses) in the international arena, for example, with the
UN, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), European Union and the
Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Tenth, the call to submit the outcome of this dialogue to the second
meeting of the NUCC on 15 February 2014 together with a request from the participants
that a high level dialogue be organised and co-moderated by Tan Sri Joseph
Kurup and Minister in-charge of Islamic matters Datuk Seri Mohd Jamil Khir. We
hope this will take place in or earlier than the first week of March 2014.
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Issued by Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah (CEO,
GMM) & Datuk Dr Denison Jayasooria (Secretary General, PROHAM) Kuala Lumpur 6 February 2014
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