Signatories of 'Kuala Lumpur Interfaith Declaration on the Global Refugee Crisis' comprising of religious leaders from Muslim, Christian, Hindu and Buddhist communities stood together with activists and humanity champions calling for effective solutions to overcome the global refugee crisis. The declaration signifies a solemn commitment, unbound by faith and cultural differences in the name of humanity and harmony.
In conjunction with the World Interfaith Harmony Week under the auspices of the United Nations, the International Institute of Advanced Islamic Studies (IAIS) Malaysia organised an Interfaith Refugee Day on 3rd March 2018 under the banner of ‘Love of God & Love of the Neighbour, Love of the Good and Love of the Neighbour’. This event empowers the roles of religious institution in spreading the message of interfaith harmony and goodness across the globe.
Religious Contributions in Peace-Making Process
During the programme, an Interfaith Forum entitled ‘Religious Contributions in Peace-Making Process: Calling for Justice, Love, Compassion and Mercy’ was held featuring prominent multi-faith leaders in Malaysia, including Datuk Abdul Halim Tawil, Most Ven. Datuk K. Sri Dhammaratana Nayake Maha Tera, Mr. Jason Leong, Dr. Jasbir Singh, and Mr. N.J. Singam. The Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur, Most Rev. Julian Leow Beng Kim and Founding CEO of IAIS Malaysia, Prof. Hashim Kamali were also present.
The Mufti of Malacca, Datuk Abdul Halim Tawil began his presentation by emphasising the roles of Islam in peacemaking process; stating that the prophet was sent as “mercy to the world” and Islam encourages Muslims to promote harmony. The prayer of the oppressed will be accepted, so we should “help” an oppressor by preventing him from committing oppression. Reflecting upon verse 32 of Surah Al-Maidah, Islam enunciates that whoever kills a soul - it is as if he had slain mankind entirely; and whoever saves one - it is as if he had saved mankind entirely.
In reclaiming peace and justice in the conflicting areas, Datuk K. Sri Dhammaratana Nayake Maha Tera focused on the common values of respect, love, and kindness. The Malaysian Buddhist Chief High Priest later said that the five principles of Buddhism (pancha-sila) and Buddhist notion of suffering (dukkha) promote good conduct and prohibit any form of misbehaviour that could harm the society.
Driven by a message from Jesus Christ: “If you’ve shown kindness to human beings, you’ve shown kindness to me”, the Founder of Christian for Peace and Harmony Malaysia (CPHM), Mr. Jason Leong proposed five steps on how religion can contribute to equanimity against the difficult situation: respect a set of values; ability to re-humanise the “dehumanised” situations; ability to mobilise community; having a sense of calling that gives spirit of perseverance; and spiritual dimension to peace-making process.
The President of Sikh Naujawan Sabha Malaysia, Dr. Jasbir Singh offered a remedy to the corruption of mind and soul pertaining to the human-made disasters by quoting Guru Nanak’s teaching to value three important things in life: honesty, do good and share earnings with all.
The Vice-Chairman of National Religious Bureau of Malaysia Hindu Sangam, Mr. N. J. Singham concluded that mutual respect should be honoured in resolving crisis and only the ignorant and unenlightened believe that love and divinity are separate. According to him, there are certain rules mentioned in Mahabharata to be observed when it comes to handling conflicts: (1) peace must be observed, even in war (2) stop fighting by sunset, (3) if enemy surrenders, must give protection as asylum, (4) to practice dharma (righteousness) by doing right things in the right way.
He also hoped that the recommendations by the Kuala Lumpur Interfaith Declaration on the Global Refugee Crisis will be implemented by the authorities as a step forward to solve the refugee issues.