M.Krishnamoorthy
A media coach, adjunct professor and author
On Valentine’s Day, 14th February 2024, India’s Prime Minister Narendra, inaugurated a Hindu temple, a symbol of communal harmony and global unity, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. While Middle Eastern Islamic countries are propagating multiculturalism, Malaysian political parties are seen to divide inter-racial harmony.
Prime Minister Modi, speaking at the temple's opening and Harmony Festival, highlighted the global significance of the temple, stating, "This temple will serve as a beacon of communal harmony and global unity for the entire world. The presence of UAE's Minister of Tolerance, Sheikh Nahyan Al Mubarak, here echoes the strengthening of our shared dreams."
In a significant development, the Muslim UAE government allocated land to construct a temple in Abu Dhabi in August 2015.
This gesture was made during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's inaugural visit to the UAE, and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan gifted the land.
Construction of the iconic temple commenced in December 2019, and this video briefly explains its details.
Working on the theme of unity, Hari Raya, Malaysia’s Civil society group, launched the “Maaf Zahir Batin 365 (#MZB365)” campaign to urge Malaysians towards reconciliation amid worsening communal provocation in the country.
The campaign leans on a tradition from Hari Raya Aidilfitri next week, when Muslims would exchange greetings of “Maaf Zahir Batin,” meaning “Please forgive my wrongs, both thoughts and deeds.” The “365” indicates it will run for a year rather than just the month of Syawal.
Seeing a trend of demagoguery paralysing countries and destroying communities worldwide, the groups said Malaysia needed to avoid the same trajectory and that a shared sense of forgiveness was foundational to this.
According to Projek Sama, one of the participating civil society groups, conflict and disagreement were unavoidable in any human society. Still, it was vital not to let hostility fester and fuel prejudice.
“A mature society must know how to heal pains and prevent conflicts from escalating. This is where seeking forgiveness and forgiving others is vital for social harmony and political stability.
“It builds peace, reduces enmity, strengthens bonds, and leaves no room for those who instigate hatred and violence to tear us apart,” Projek Sama said.
The groups also said that while #MZB365 draws from Muslim traditions, forgiveness and repentance were virtues common to major faiths practised in the country, including those of native and indigenous peoples.
Freelance Writer M. Krishnamoorthy (www.imkrishna.net) is a media coach, adjunct professor and undercover journalist. He has freelanced with Bernama, NST, The Star, and Malaysiakini. He also freelances as a fixer/coordinator for CNN, BBC, German and Australian Television networks and the New York Times. As an undercover journalist, he has highlighted society's concerns.
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