MIC flays ex-judge for 'racist' comment on idols
Former Appeal Court judge Mohd Noor Abdullah has been slammed again, this time for saying Hindu and Buddhist statues should not be displayed in public as it is un-Islamic.
Former Appeal Court judge Mohd Noor Abdullah has been slammed again, this time for saying Hindu and Buddhist statues should not be displayed in public as it is un-Islamic.
"MIC Youth feels it is a disgrace the manner in which former Appeal Court judge Mohd Noor Abdullah ( right ) expressed his views that "huge” statues (such as) at a Hindu temple in Batu Caves and a Buddhist temple in Penang were against the teachings of Islam as the religion forbids idol worship.
"As such, MIC Youth warns him to stop passing 'racial sentiment' remarks that interfere with the harmony of Malaysians," MIC Youth chief C Sivarraajh said in a statement.
Sivarraajh was referring to an article published in Malay Mail Online yesterday.
Mohd Noor was quoted in the report as saying that such statues "of non-Muslim deities should not be built in the open, but should be placed within an enclosed building instead".
Last May, Mohd Noor was derided for warning the Chinese of a " backlash " for allegedly betraying the Malays in not supporting BN in the general election.
His remark prompted opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim to liken the retired judge to America's Ku Klux Klan .
'Out of his mind'
Mohd Noor yesterday told the online news site in a joint interview with Bernama that large statues such as the Lord Murugan statue at Batu Caves, Kuala Lumpur, and Kuan Yin statue in Ayer Itam, Penang, were shows of "power" that the respective religions were more "mighty and powerful" than Islam.
He argued that as Islam is the religion of Malaysia, as outlined in the Federal Constitution, and "Islam is above other faiths" and the existence of such large statues "hurts people’s feelings".
Sivarraajh said, "As a learned former judge, (Mohd Noor) should refrain from passing such remarks that could give avenue for diversion and unnecessary brickbats from other religious practitioners."
"We live in a country that advocates love, peace and harmony for one another. Such remarks could stir unnecessary racial sentiments."
The MIC Youth chief reminded Mohd Noor that the constitution also guarantees freedom of religion.
"Other religions respect and give tolerance to any other religion embraced by the people of their own choice and belief," he said.
While acknowledging that idol worship is forbidden in Islam, he called for mutual respect as practitioners of other religions respect Islam's views and have never questioned its beliefs.
Sivarraajh ( left ) added that the notion that large statues are meant to signify the respective religions were "mightier and powerful" was all in the ex-judge's mind and his own negative perception.
"It is only the human mind that does not perceive ideas in a positive manner will pass unfavourable remarks that can irk other religions," he said.
"All religions in this world should not be measured as which is mightier and more powerful."
Calling Mohd Noor "out of his mind", Sivarraajh said the former judge should instead "embark on a journey to understand the customs of other religions/races rather than criticise others."
Report this comment


Are you sure you want to delete this comment?
This action cannot be undone.