Calls for calm: The KK Super Mart in Sungai Isap, Kuantan, is the second outlet to have been hit with a petrol bomb attack. — Photo from Facebook
PETALING JAYA: A series of nationwide reconciliation events should be held to smooth ruffled feathers over the socks issue, says Malay moderate group G25 member Tawfik Ismail.
He said it is time the National Unity Ministry stepped up to do the necessary.
And as a long-term measure, he said the Islamic Development Department (Jakim) should re-examine the way Islam is taught, as Muslims in this country have a restricted knowledge of the religion and that forgiveness is a virtue.
“The public should also be educated on the sensitivities of all faiths,” he said.
His comments came about following a KK Super Mart outlet being struck with a petrol bomb in Kuantan early yesterday.
On Tuesday, a Molotov cocktail was thrown at a similar outlet in Bidor, Perak.
The attacks took place in the aftermath of the controversy over socks with the word “Allah” being sold at three KK Super Mart stores in Selangor.
Lawyer Datuk Seri Dr Jahaberdeen Mohamed Yunos, when contacted yesterday, said Malaysia should nip “radical Islam” in the bud or the country could pay the price in the future.
“There is no simple quick fix solution to this as we have to make amends from the very root of the problem. We have to start the conversation to fix the fragmented communities of this country,” he said.
The Madani government, he said, has done the right thing by stating that “3R” (race, religion and royalty) matters should not be taken lightly.
Citing past cases in the Middle East, he said the lack of action taken against those inciting violence using religion had led to civil wars there.
Jahaberdeen, who has conducted studies on terrorism, said: “We have radicalised Muslims; and we have a majority of peace-loving Muslims who subscribe to compassion and living in harmony.
“Should the authorities not nip this narrative of religious practices that wrongly incite violence in the bud, we may be faced with a civil war.”
He lamented that Islam, known as a religion of sciences and thought, is being turned into a Malay-Muslim tool by self-serving people.
Jahaberdeen urged the government to not fear to take on the radical voices in Umno despite the party being part of the government.
“The government must reclaim Islam from being hijacked by self-interested politicians and clerics.
“They must speak to the many more in Umno who subscribe to the true spirit of compassionate and thinking Islam,” he said.
Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism president Tan Hoe Chieow spoke about forgiveness too.
“To err is human, to forgive is divine,” he said, further calling on the authorities to investigate all parties involved and to find out whether self-interests had played a part in the escalation of the issue.
