Today, August 31st, is Merdeka Day—the day when
the Jalur Gemilang waves proudly as our
symbol of unity. On this day, we remember that we are one people, bound by one
flag. Yet, in the days leading up to Merdeka, instead of drawing us closer, the
flag somehow became a point of quarrel. A few flags hung upside down, a careless
misprint here and there, and suddenly it turned into anger, blame, and even
tit-for-tat across ethnic lines. What was meant to unite became a reason to
divide.
We can do better. Mistakes will
happen—sometimes out of ignorance, sometimes by accident. The question is not
whether mistakes occur, but how we choose to respond. Do we lash out, or do we
educate? Do we shame, or do we guide? Each of us has the power to decide, and
our decision must draw strength from our unity in diversity.
I am reminded of my best friend, Jubal—a
Catholic, a Christian—who left us two decades ago. He and I had a simple but
powerful practice. When I was faced with a decision, he would ask me, “What would Prophet Muhammad do in this
situation?” When it was his turn, I would ask him, “What would Jesus do in this situation?” We reminded each
other of our compass, of the role models who shaped us. That habit helped us
anchor our choices in values larger than ourselves.
Perhaps we can do the same now. Let us ask: What would they do in this situation?
What
would Jesus do in this situation?
If Jesus saw someone mishandle the flag, he would likely say, “Forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
He would teach us that mercy is more powerful than anger.
What
would Buddha do in this situation?
If Buddha were here, he would tell us to remain calm. He would remind us that
holding on to outrage only creates more suffering. Compassion is the wiser
path.
What
would Guru Nanak do in this situation?
If Guru Nanak faced this, he would call us to humility and oneness. He would
remind us that the flag belongs to everyone, not to one race or religion, and
that each of us is equal under its colors. He would point us back to Ik Onkar—that God is One, and that unity is
the foundation of all creation.
What
would Thiruvalluvar do in this situation?
If Thiruvalluvar, the Tamil sage, were present, he might recall his Tirukkural: “Offensive words bring grief, though uttered without intent.”
He would tell us to respond with kindness, even when mistakes happen.
What
would Lao Tzu do in this situation?
If Lao Tzu were among us, he would say: be like water. Gentle, patient, flowing
around obstacles instead of crashing against them. True strength, he would
remind us, lies in softness.
What
would Prophet Muhammad do in this situation?
If Prophet Muhammad were here, he would choose mercy. He taught that gentleness
is greater than harshness. He would correct the mistake, yes, but without
shaming, and he would remind us that our duty is to bring hearts together, not
to tear them apart.
So, on this Merdeka Day, let us not compete
over who loves the flag more. Instead, let us live the values the Jalur Gemilang stands for—compassion,
respect, humility, and unity. When mistakes happen, let us correct with
patience. When others falter, let us remind with kindness. Only then will our
flag truly remain what it was meant to be: a banner that unites all Malaysians.
We must remember what our goal was in the
first place. Let us be reminded by these crucial words of the Tunku, our Father
of Independence:
“We
appreciate food instead of bullets, clothing instead of uniforms, houses
instead of barracks.”
And,
“Our future
depends on how well many different kinds of people can live and work together.”
HAVE A
MEANINGFUL MERDEKA 2025
Peace,
Anas Zubedy
Kuala Lumpur
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