If the case of Park51 has thought us Malaysians anything, its that freedom and equality should trump any considerations of "lets-not-do-that-because-it-hurts-our-sensitivities". Consider the following:
- Mayor Bloomberg is a Jew, yet he champions the rights of Muslims and a mosque.
- Park51 is a stone's throw away from where Muslims killed thousands of Americans. Yet, every single regulatory body in NYC (presided over by New Yorkers, mind you), have approved the project.
- Islam-phobia has never been higher in America, yet the President of the United States weighed in on the issue on the side of Muslims (well, he did later clarify that he was on the "side" of the American Constitution, and not Muslims per se)
You can bet that every single one of those people, including those who actually lost loved ones, have yet to forget the horrors of 9/11. Lets not forget the ongoing "war" against Muslims in West Asia where many Americans have already lost their lives.
Would anyone blame them for saying no to the construction of the Park51 mosque? Under those circumstances, probably not. I didn't. I should have given the American people a bit more credit.
Compare that to Malaysia where our Muslim "sensitivities" are outraged nearly every other day.
- If you want to build a church or a temple, its got to be in a place where the Muslim community is a hugely significant minority. Forget about it if you want to build a synagogue.
- A local church wants to hold a Christian play in a public auditorium during Ramadhan. Nope, you can't do that either because it hurts our sensitivities.
- You can't publish the Bible in Bahasa Malaysia. Can't have you trying to convert people to Christianity. The reverse, of course, isn't true.
Why are Muslims so "sensitive"? Do people think that our faith is so weak that a church next door or a Christian play will be able to sway us to convert? It all smacks of a tremendous problem of identity, self-esteem and integrity
Do upon others as you would have them do upon you. I guess that doesn't apply to us. Grow up. Being mature means putting aside your "feelings" in favour of doing what's fair and what's right. Respecting the rights of others just as you would have them respect yours is the first most important step.
