Unity minister sees The Grinch in Isma, Perkasa
Published: Dec 24, 2014 6:00 PM | Updated: Dec 25, 2014 12:09 AM
NGOs Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma) and Perkasa’s recent anti-Christmas gestures are acts of bigotry to undermine the Malaysian way of life.
NGOs Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma) and Perkasa’s recent anti-Christmas gestures are acts of bigotry to undermine the Malaysian way of life.
Such is the message of minister in the Prime Minister's Department in charge of unity on Christmas eve.
"What is wrong with them?" Joseph Kurup asked.
Proclaiming racial and religious supremacy and playing "the God card" is hypocritical and arrogant.
"Not only am I disappointed by these bigots but also flabbergasted by their actions to disrupt our way of life.
"But the sad irony is that most bigots don't think they're bigots. They think they're right."
Kurup said Malaysians must emulate Sabah and Sarawak people who practice moderation in religion and reject extremism.
'God's wrath'
He is the second cabinet minister to speak out against Isma over the matter, after fellow Sabahan and Urban Well-being, Housing and Local Government Minister Abdul Rahman Dahlan (left).
Isma ruffled feathers when it urged Muslims not to wish Christians ‘Merry Christmas’, while Perkasa members tore down a Christmas banner in Perak.
In response, Isma central committee member Mohd Hazizi Abdul Rahman said God will punish Abdul Rahman for his arrogance.
"This minister exemplifies the height of arrogance among Umno leaders today.
"They are arrogant but refuse to be taught; Allah will give them a painful lesson which unfortunately will also affect others, too," he said in a Facebook posting.
However, Isma president Abdullah Zaik Abdul Rahman told the Malay Mail Online that the call not to wish 'Merry Christmas' is just the view of an Isma activist and an official Isma stand.
PM: Freedom of religion guaranteed
However, in his Christmas message, Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak said the federal constitution guarantees freedom of religion.
"And the 10-point solution to address the Bahasa bible and other related issues – that was agreed upon in 2011, and which must be consistent with state laws – was introduced as a way to manage our diversity and protect this right," he said.
The 10-point solution is a cabinet decision brokered to allow Christians to use 'Allah' in the Bahasa Malaysia and native language bibles.
This did not spare Christians from facing bible seizures as enactments in 10 states ban the use of the word 'Allah' by non-Muslims.
Amending the state enactments will not make things easier for Christians, law professor Abdul Aziz Bari said, as the Federal Court has
Challenges aside, Najib said Malaysians should always preserve harmony despite.
"Regardless of our ethnicity, culture or religion, Malaysians respect each other’s religious festivals together in solidarity," he said.
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'All I want for Christmas is truce and harmony'
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Kudos to Rahman, hope more will do the same
Such is the message of minister in the Prime Minister's Department in charge of unity on Christmas eve.
"What is wrong with them?" Joseph Kurup asked.
Proclaiming racial and religious supremacy and playing "the God card" is hypocritical and arrogant.
"Not only am I disappointed by these bigots but also flabbergasted by their actions to disrupt our way of life.
"But the sad irony is that most bigots don't think they're bigots. They think they're right."
Kurup said Malaysians must emulate Sabah and Sarawak people who practice moderation in religion and reject extremism.
'God's wrath'
He is the second cabinet minister to speak out against Isma over the matter, after fellow Sabahan and Urban Well-being, Housing and Local Government Minister Abdul Rahman Dahlan (left).Isma ruffled feathers when it urged Muslims not to wish Christians ‘Merry Christmas’, while Perkasa members tore down a Christmas banner in Perak.
In response, Isma central committee member Mohd Hazizi Abdul Rahman said God will punish Abdul Rahman for his arrogance.
"This minister exemplifies the height of arrogance among Umno leaders today.
"They are arrogant but refuse to be taught; Allah will give them a painful lesson which unfortunately will also affect others, too," he said in a Facebook posting.
However, Isma president Abdullah Zaik Abdul Rahman told the Malay Mail Online that the call not to wish 'Merry Christmas' is just the view of an Isma activist and an official Isma stand.
PM: Freedom of religion guaranteed
However, in his Christmas message, Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak said the federal constitution guarantees freedom of religion.
"And the 10-point solution to address the Bahasa bible and other related issues – that was agreed upon in 2011, and which must be consistent with state laws – was introduced as a way to manage our diversity and protect this right," he said.
The 10-point solution is a cabinet decision brokered to allow Christians to use 'Allah' in the Bahasa Malaysia and native language bibles.This did not spare Christians from facing bible seizures as enactments in 10 states ban the use of the word 'Allah' by non-Muslims.
Amending the state enactments will not make things easier for Christians, law professor Abdul Aziz Bari said, as the Federal Court has
Challenges aside, Najib said Malaysians should always preserve harmony despite.
"Regardless of our ethnicity, culture or religion, Malaysians respect each other’s religious festivals together in solidarity," he said.
Related stories
Isma bigots are like Talibans, says MIC
'All I want for Christmas is truce and harmony'
I'm Muslim, I'll host X'mas dinner for Hindu mum
Kudos to Rahman, hope more will do the same
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