A call from Marina Mahathir

Dear friends,

Today is a very sad day for Malaysia. Last night at least three churches were attacked by unknown people with incendiary devices. The ground floor of the Metro Tabernacle Church in Desa Melawati was totally destroyed. It was heartbreaking to see.

There is nothing in Islam that says that we are to treat the houses of worship of any faith with such disrespect. Surah 22, Verse 40 of the Quran says:22:40 (Asad)

"those who have been driven from their homelands against all right for no other reason than their saying. “Our Sustainer is God!” For, if God had not enabled people to defend themselves against one another, all] monasteries and churches and synagogues and mosques - in [all of] which Gods name is abundantly extolled - would surely have been destroyed [ere now]. And God will most certainly succour him who suc­cours His cause: for, verily, God is most powerful, almighty, -

Any place where 'God's name is abundantly extolled' must be protected.

It is time for the silent majority of Muslims, who reject fanaticism and extremism, who favour dialogue and debate rather than violence, to be heard. We can no longer remain quiet if we love our religion and our country.We should not let a small gang of thugs and hooligans speak in the name of Malaysian Muslims. We are NOT a religion of gangsters. We are a religion of peace, justice and equality. Do not let these people hijack Islam for their own ends.

The Government needs to know that there is a substantial number of us who disagree with the violence and harsh words. Our fellow Malaysians especially Christians need to know that we deplore these acts and mean them no harm.

As Muslims, it is up to us to be magnanimous and to extend the hand of peace to our fellow citizens and reassure them that this act is an aberration and we abhor it.

Thank you.Salams,
Marina