I refer to the Malaysiakini report Al-Islam apologises to Christians .

In response to the apology from Islamic affairs magazine Al-Islam and their two journalists, we Christians in Malaysia will accept the apology from them as it is the teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ to forgive one another. It is under this principle teaching that we forgive the Al-Islam publication. The apology from Al-Islam is as below:

‘ Majalah Al Islam memohon maaf berhubung penyiaran artikel `Tinjauan Al Islam dalam Gereja: Mencari Kesahihan Remaja Melayu Murtad’, keluaran Mei 2009 kerana artikel itu tanpa disengajakan telah menyinggung perasaan para penganut agama Kristian, khususnya Katolik.

‘Adalah dimaklumkan, tinjauan itu dilakukan bertujuan mencari kesahihan dakwaan orang awam berhubung isu tersebut. Al Islam juga sama sekali tidak berniat untuk menghina agama Kristian, apatah lagi mengganggu atau menceroboh rumah ibadat mereka.

‘Dua wartawan yang terlibat turut memohon maaf kerana tidak menyedari apa yang mereka lakukan semasa melaksanakan tugasan tersebut telah menyinggung perasaan para penganut agama berkenaan. Al Islam berharap perkara seumpama ini tidak akan berulang lagi. – Pengarang Al Islam’.

‘Permohonan maaf ini juga akan disiarkan dalam Al Islam keluran April 2010 yang akan berada di pasaran pertengahan bulan ini.’

In view of this, I and Annou Xavier, the lawyer whom had helped advocate for this issue will be canceling our planned protest and we will not pursue the pressing of charges against the publication anymore. We have all learned in this whole process and what is important is the respect and understanding we Malaysians should have for the religions of others in this country.

We all know Malaysia is a multi-religious and multi-racial country thus great understanding and unity is very important for this country to prosper to greater heights. We should not let any group based on racism to tear us apart and destroy this wonderful country.

On why the two Al-Islam journalists should have been charged, it was very interesting to see the response from one member of Parliament Khairy Jamaludin and from the Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail himself.

Yes, although we have forgiven the publication on this issue, we will not forget how the government had dealt with this issue from the very beginning. They had portrayed themselves in a very bad light and have set a very bad example. They came out with stupid reasons and thought that we were also stupid to believe their reasons. They forgot that Malaysians have grown up to be matured lot now.

The AG and Khairy should know that this country is governed by the law and the law favours justice. But all Malaysians know in who`s favour as far as the ‘law’ is concerned here. This proves that our country needs serious and major reforms. This incident will be kept deep down in our hearts and when the times comes, the sentiment will be transferred at the ballot box. We have had enough of racism, cronyism, favoritism and gangsterism from this ruling government.

I would like to thank every single Malaysian who stood up together in unity to advocate for this issue. I was very impressed as not only did the Christians come together to reject this act but also Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists. If the planned protest had taken place, we would have seen thousands of non-Christians including many Muslims joining in to protest against the decision of the AG.

I would like to thank Lim Kit Siang from the DAP who stood up together to advocate towards justice on this issue. A special thanks also to Khalid Samad from PAS who had stated his disagreement with the AG. When I was in school, I remember how PAS was described as ‘anti- Christian’, ‘racist,’ ‘terrorist’ and such.

But I found out the truth about PAS on my first visit to Kelantan. The love and respect that I experienced through Muslims in Kelantan have changed my whole perspective on Islam. It is people like Khalid and Tuk Guru Nik Aziz Nik Mat that bring Islam a good name and help create unity among the different races in Malaysia.

Their views on religion, beliefs and practices may be different but what’s important is that the understanding and respect they have among the other religions in Malaysia.

We will definitely make this country free from racism in the years to come. We will work together towards achieving that. I ask for every Malaysian to stand united and fight against the evil forces which are trying to tear us apart and ruin this country. Justice and truth must succeed.