The eternal in his transcendent perspective is singular and absolute, as much as he is primordial and perennial. However, many are his earthly reflections, in order that his presence could be discerned by the mortal man.

Yes, most religions are from God. It is the mystical encounter of man, the created, prostrating and submitting himself to the Creator.

Religion is the revelation of the divine and the elevation of man on his return to the creator; the return of the profane to the divine. The direction for the returning is singular but the roads towards it are plural. Hence, 'there are as many roads to God as there are the minds of man.'

This indeed is one of the greatest divine graces to man. As a concomitant to this, the Almighty judges man by the convictions that reside in his mind and the conscience that is imbedded in his heart and never by his acts alone.

For 'God is closer to man than his own jugular vain'. It is only man, through his ego and self-righteousness that has distanced himself from the divine. God, throughout the existence of man, has addressed each community based on their time, culture, temperament and capacity.

God, in his glory and compassion, has always been fair and equal to all. Man, on the other hand, entrapped in his own situations, has always respond differently.

The issue of only one valid branded religion throughout the history of mankind is certainly out of question. From the divine perspective, there is only one religion and it is generic as it goes by the conviction and conscience of man.

Man, however, has branded it in order that it become exclusive to his community. Hence, man gives precedence to form rather than to substance. This has resulted in the dispersion of central believe in the divine.

'The way towards God, therefore, always involves an inversion: from outwardness one must pass to inwardness, from the multiplicity to the unity, from dispersion to concentration, from egoism to detachment, from passion to serenity, from the subjective to the absolute.'

As for us, fellow Malaysians, let us talk more about the core issues and universal values that could form the core of our religious believes.

As demonstrated above, it is futile to spend too much time arguing on peripheral differences. We must accept differences as a grace of God for He has said: 'I have created man in different races, colours and creeds in order that you appreciate the differences among you.'

Let us move forward towards building a strong, united Malaysia and a happy and prosperous Malaysian society through unity and religious tolerance.