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ANY DIALOGUE IS BETTER THAN NONE AT ALL!
The Christian-Muslim Dialogue had as its aim the fostering of unity and peace among the different faiths.
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Ambiga Sreenevasan @Ambiga_S Since the Government is incapable of fostering unity it is nice to see ordinary Malaysians taking on the task.
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Ambiga Sreenevasan @Ambiga_S Bravo to all those involved. It is time. http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/christian-muslim-dialogue-in-penang-goes-on-smoothly-despite-protests
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Malaysiakini photo
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On Saturday, several non-governmental organisations held a protest at George Town’s Speakers’ Square to oppose the programme. A police report was also lodged against Mujahid for organising the dialogue.
Malaysian Insider
Christian-Muslim dialogue in Penang goes on smoothly, even protesters attend
Despite many challenges, a Christian-Muslim dialogue at a church in Penang last night went on smoothly amid heavy presence of policemen.
Even the protesters who were against it attended the two-hour session at St. Mark’s Church to listen to what was being discussed.
The dialogue was organised by PAS’s Parit Buntar Member of Parliament Datuk Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa and the party’s Tasik Gelugor information chief Abdul Rahman Kasim, and Reverend John Kennedy from the Anglican church.
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“There was so much pressure for us to cancel the dialogue. The venue was changed from the church to a restaurant but we were told to leave as protestors had gathered outside there as well.”
The dialogue was then moved back to the church in Butterworth where at least 60 people joined the session hosted by Kennedy.
Mujahid said members of the NGOs who protested earlier and several police officers also joined in.
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Outside the restaurant, many police personnel stood watching and a police truck was stationed nearby.
Malaysiakini
Summary of events:
First, they met in the hall of St Mark’s Church in Butterworth.
Then they had to change to a restaurant but were told by the angry owner to leave.
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The group was then told to return to the church hall. At the church compound, though, police officers led by one M Balan approached Mujahid and the pastor.
“We are just going to have a discussion in conjunction with Malaysia Day. We will carry on with our dialogue,” Mujahid told Balan in negotiating for the event to proceed.
“Please protect our place and give me respect as a parliamentarian. Take care of (the participants) and tell them (Malay NGO protestors outside the church compound), instead of us.”
By then, the number of participants had increased to 60, and they entered the hall for the discussion.
Members of the Malay group then joined the dialogue, which ended peacefully.
M’sia Day dialogue runs into hitch over venue – Malaysiakini
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Malaysiakini
Catholic Bishop Paul Tan Chee Ing hailed the staging of a Christian-Muslim dialogue in the teeth of obstacles in Butterworth yesterday as “far and away the best Malaysia Day present people of goodwill in this country could hope to get in our fraught circumstances.”
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“Just look at what a few people of peace and goodwill can achieve when they decide to brave adverse circumstances to hold a dialogue that seeks to build bridges between communities,” commented the head of the Catholic Church in the Malacca-Johor diocese.
“Truly, this episode on a day of commemorative significance to us as a nation is a sign of God’s providence,” opined the Jesuit-trained prelate.
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“Let all understand that genuine dialogue makes us true human beings,” expatiated the prelate.
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The bishop praised Mujahid as “truly, a plenipotentiary of peace.”
Bishop hails dialogue held amid daunting difficulties
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Malaysiakini
PAS Parit Buntar MP Mujahid Yusof Rawa expressed regret that certain quarters have tried to stop his efforts at multi-religious dialogues with the Christian community.
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On the question of his expertise, Mujahid explained that after pursuing his studies at the American University in Cairo, he furthered his studies at the Al-Azhar University, did his master’s on human resource management at Universiti Putra Malaysia and later his PhD on Political Science and Islamic Studies at Universiti Malaya.
“I don’t know what to say. I have visited close to 30 churches and other places of worship nationwide and suddenly I am not an expert. You have to ask them how they come to this conclusion,” Mujahid said of his detractors.
“Anyway it is their right to say what they like. But that is not the issue. Let those who hear me speak, decide.”
Mujahid refutes claims he is not inter-faith dialogue expert
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weehingthong 