COMMENT | Conducting the groundbreaking for the Madani Mosque on the site of the 110-year-old Dewi Sri Pathrakaliamman Temple along Jalan Masjid India, Kuala Lumpur, in March last year, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim declared “victory”.

Anwar also said victory had been achieved when a Muslim can show a good example for others.

“Showing that this is a Muslim of good character - compassionate, caring, and just; not an example of cruelty and hatred. That has never been a part of our (government’s) policy,” he added.

Fellow columnist Mariam Mokhtar noted that claiming “victory” invites the suggestion of a clash of different cultures or religions, between non-Muslims and Muslims, or in this case, between Hindus and Muslims - “them and us”.

Things have been...