In these past few days we have been given a very insightful meaning of the word ' keling '.

I am a Muslim and obviously my approach to this matter will be of what Islam has to say about it. Coincidently, the protagonists on this matter also happen to be Muslims.

The right of human beings to be protected from defamation, sarcasm, offensive nicknames, and backbiting are guaranteed by Islam:

  • O you who believe! Let not some men among you laugh at others: It may be that the latter are better than the former: Neither let some women laugh at others: It may be that the latter are better than the former: Neither defame nor be sarcastic to each other, nor call each other by (offensive) nicknames: Ill-seeming is a name connoting wickedness, to be used after he has believed: And those who do not desist are (indeed) evil-doers.(Al-Quran 49:11)

Though historically, the term was not meant to be derogatory, but today it has evolved to cause offense. For those who still want to claim that it is only a historical fact or connotation and persist in their divine view, then I suggest, why not take it a little bit further if you are sincere and believe very much that the word ' keling ' is a non issue.

The next time you want to address an Indian Malaysian, address them as ' keling ', be they your neighbour or your friends. If you do not dare for some reason (for surely you would not dare) then desist.

I hope the Muslims will take to heart the spirit of Islam and stop the sarcasm that they have knowingly been subjecting others. No body in their right mind would advocate the usage of ' keling ' and dictionaries should note that such racial slur is despised by Indian Malaysians.