Viewpoint: Where Is The Respect!!!

How is it that Jabatan Agama Islam Selangor (“JAIS”) could barge into Church grounds with the assistance of Polis DiRaja Malaysia without the slightest credence of tolerance, dignity and respect that ought to be accorded to a Place of Worship!

What has become of our Constitutional Right to Freedom of Religion? What has become of our Rukun Negara, “Kepercayaan Kepada Tuhan”!!! When are they going to respect people of other faiths and places of worship?

How is a thanksgiving dinner a threat to society that warrants a raid by JAIS accompanied by the Police? Will such callous acts continue to spread to other Places of Worship?

How sad is it for all Malaysians that JAIS deems it fit to barge into a Place of Worship without even making a prior attempt to gently knock on the doors of Damansara Utama Methodist Church. If JAIS had only asked, I am sure the Church would have opened their doors and welcomed them.

For centuries, Christians in this country have been providing education, health care and alms to all, irregardless of race, colour, religion or creed. There was no mass conversion as a result of such good deeds undertaken by the Christians.

With such examples in place, why did JAIS act with such heavy handedness?

These are all questions which Malaysians of all race and religion should demand from JAIS.

JAIS must redeem themselves and apologise for their misconduct!

Not too long ago, we had two journalists from Al Islam magazine who entered a Church to investigate if there were conversion of Muslims taking place. They found none and instead proceeded to desecrate the Holy Eucharist. There was outrage and they apologise almost a year later. There the authorities had failed to act. History has now repeated itself!

These acts have been repeated far too often. The authorities must act to safeguard the constitutional rights of the minorities in this country.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are the views of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Catholic Lawyers Society Kuala Lumpur. CLS makes no representation concerning, and does not guarantee the source, originality, accuracy, completeness or reliability of any statement, information, data, finding, interpretation, advice, opinion, or view presented.

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