Statement of love for our Muslim brothers and sisters

STATEMENT OF CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANISATIONS
“STATEMENT OF LOVE FOR OUR MUSLIM BROTHERS AND SISTERS”
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20 April 2011

Kuala Lumpur – 20 April 2011. A group of civil society organisations have issued a joint press release today expressing their concerns on the recent report on Friday 15 April 2011 in a leading alternative media, The Malaysian Insider, on a gathering of people in Kuala Lumpur comprising several groups, who had made insidious statements against the Christians at large.

This group noted that not only had this news been carried in local news portals such as:
•    Utusan Malaysia Online
•    Malaysia Today
But were also internationally syndicated and carried in news portals such as:
•    USA Today
•    Jihad Watch

They were deeply concerned that the excerpts of the statements reported in The Malaysian Insider have appeared to pose an open warning and threat to fellow peace loving Malaysians.

They read as follows: –
“An umbrella coalition of Muslim groups held a protest today and declared they are willing to shed blood against ‘extremist’ Christians that insult and ridicule the position of Islam in this country…”
“We ask all Muslim leaders to unite against extremist Christians that challenge and insult Islam…”

They were saddened by this development and urged Malaysians not to further provoke or incite hatred and violence towards other fellow Malaysians of a different faith, by saying words capable of disrupting harmony and causing hatred, contempt, and raise disaffection with Christians or people of any other faiths. Such statements made are against the grain of Article 3 of our Federal Constitution which clearly states that other religions may be practised in peace and harmony, and that each and every religious group have the right to manage its own affairs, maintain and manage its own property and practice his own faith given under Article 11. CCM Youth believed that such views do not represent the sentiment of the majority of our peace loving Muslims in Malaysia.

The civil society groups supported the act of concerned citizen, Annou Xavier, in lodging a police report today to enable the police to investigate this matter, so as to protect and preserve the rights and liberty of every citizen from all religious beliefs in this nation. They hoped that this would prevent any future intimidation and threats of violence to be uttered against one another in public spaces.

These civil groups have expressed their unrelenting commitment to play a constructive role in facilitating the complex peace and reconciliation processes in this country. Therefore, they will endeavour as a united group to engage in dialogues and peace building processes with various Muslim groups, as well as fellow civil societies and concerned citizens in the public sphere, in efforts to promote and encourage better understanding and appreciation for one another, and to combat radicalization.

Lastly, as the Christian community enter the Holy Week of Good Friday and Easter to mark the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, all groups stood in solidarity that His message of peace, reconciliation and God’s love would never be lost.

Endorsed by (in alphabetical order):

All Women’s Action Society Malaysia ?AWAM?
Council of Churches of Malaysia Youth (CCM Youth)
Civil Rights Committee of Kuala Lumpur & Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (CRC-KLSCAH)
Islamic Renaissance Front (IRF)
LLG Cultural Development Centre
Malaysia Youth & Students Democratic Movement (DEMA)
PersatuanKesedaranKomuniti Selangor (Empower)
Suara Rakyat Malaysia?SUARAM?

Media Contact Details:

Persons to Contact
Elaine Teh 016 221 7894 (on behalf of civil society organisations)