Make coexistence our guiding light - Tuesday September 1, 2009; The Star
THE controversy over relocation of a temple in Shah Alam shows how racial tolerance may have deteriorated since colonial days and how far apart Malaysians have become.
Those who are ever-so-fiercely territorial about their religious space should learn from our forefathers and take a walk around Jalan Kapitan Keling, Lebuh Cannon and Lebuh Armenian area in the heart of George Town.
Jalan Kapitan Keling, which is often referred to by tourists as “Street of Harmony”, is a very good example of religious tolerance and harmony.
Here we have three 19th century places of worship located within 200m of each other – the Masjid Kapitan Keling, the Goddess of Mercy Temple and Sri Mahamariamman Temple, one of the oldest Hindu temples in Malaysia. Along Lebuh Armenian and Lebuh Cannon we have the Acheen Street Mosque, flanked by the Yap Kongsi temple and the Khoo Kongsi.
To the people of George Town these places are their pride and their show of religious tolerance is to be greatly admired and applauded.
The coexistence of these religious places of worship, and acceptance and tolerance of the generations of people who have worshipped there since the 19th century, should be the guiding light to Malaysians today.
MY MALAYSIA, George Town.
THE controversy over relocation of a temple in Shah Alam shows how racial tolerance may have deteriorated since colonial days and how far apart Malaysians have become.
Those who are ever-so-fiercely territorial about their religious space should learn from our forefathers and take a walk around Jalan Kapitan Keling, Lebuh Cannon and Lebuh Armenian area in the heart of George Town.Jalan Kapitan Keling, which is often referred to by tourists as “Street of Harmony”, is a very good example of religious tolerance and harmony.
Here we have three 19th century places of worship located within 200m of each other – the Masjid Kapitan Keling, the Goddess of Mercy Temple and Sri Mahamariamman Temple, one of the oldest Hindu temples in Malaysia. Along Lebuh Armenian and Lebuh Cannon we have the Acheen Street Mosque, flanked by the Yap Kongsi temple and the Khoo Kongsi.
To the people of George Town these places are their pride and their show of religious tolerance is to be greatly admired and applauded.The coexistence of these religious places of worship, and acceptance and tolerance of the generations of people who have worshipped there since the 19th century, should be the guiding light to Malaysians today.
MY MALAYSIA, George Town.
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