MCCBCHST – RESPECT THE RELIGIOUS SENSITIVITIES IN SCHOOLS

Media Statement – 4 November 2011

As Muslims in our country prepare for their holy festival of Hari Raya Haji we in the Malaysian Consultative Council for Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST) wish our Muslims brothers and sisters Selamat Hari Haji.

However, we are concerned that a ritualistic sacrificing of cows in conjunction with the Hari Raya Haji celebrations is proposed to be held in schools on a school day in the presence of students.

We hold a dim view of this purported activity in front of our multi-racial and multi-cultural student population as it ignores the sensitivity of our school-going children and the larger mixed Malaysian society.

We call upon the relevant authorities to respect the sensitivities of our multi-religious society and implore them to halt this ritualistic ceremony in our schools, institutions of higher learning and other public places. We hold that the public places, especially schools, are not the right place for the performance of this ritual that pertains only to the Muslim community. It does not augur well for the promotion of harmony and peace among our varied peoples.

The maintenance and promotion of peace and harmonious living should be the prime concern and focus of education authorities among our students and not instil hate, suspicion disgust in them in their formative years.

MCCBCHST pray and hope for good sense to reign among us and call upon the authorities to do the needful and put a stop to this ritual of sacrificing cows before our students before it escalates into something undesirable in the future. God bless this Nation of ours – Blessed, Bountiful and Beautiful.

Daozhang Tan Hoe Chioew, AMS – President
Sardar Jagir Singh – Deputy President
Venerable Sing Kan – Vice President
Reverend Dr. Thomas Philips – Vice President
Mr. RS. Mohan Shan, JMW,AMK,BKM,PJK – Vice President
Mr. Prematilaka KD Serisena – Hon. Secretary General

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