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I am really wondering what is happening to our country. First it was the suggestion to banish Aids patients to remote islands and then Kongsi-Raya was deemed un-Islamic followed by a comment that oil lamps lighted around the house before Hari Raya are also un-Islamic. And now simple festive greetings are against Islam.

The latest is from one Mohd Fauzi Mustaffar from Takaful Malaysia who has ordered his Muslim staff not to wish or send 'Happy Deepavali' greetings to Hindus, the reason being that it will be like expressing greetings to Hindu gods. I am just unable to fathom how on earth can someone who is supposed to be an 'educated' can make such a conclusion!

Over the years, the people of this country which profess various religions have lived together and enjoyed and shared their happiness with friends during festivities. They have sat together at the same table in camaraderie and in doing this, has any Muslim become a lesser Muslim or any Christian become a lesser Christian or Hindu become a lesser Hindu? Why are people like Fauzi (and his ilk) trying to kill this friendship and tolerance and what the various communities have been trying to achieve - racial unity and harmony?

Let me digress here for the benefit of Fauzi and his likes who seem to be having an inexplicable 'allergy' for anything Hindu. It is worth remembering, Encik Fauzi, that Hinduism is genetically endowed in you. It is there staring at you in your 'adat-istiadat,' wedding ceremonies, palace and state rituals, dressing, cultural and literal traditions in your daily life.

How many times have you would have mentioned the word Iswara (as in Proton Iswara)? Have you ever realised that 'Iswara' is a Sanskrit (also Tamil) word used in reference to gods, more so Lord Shiva? Knowingly or unknowingly, consciously or unconsciously, you must have uttered the word 'Iswara' many, many times. I suppose now are you going to tell Proton to delete the word Iswara and herein after refer to Proton Iswara as 'Kereta itu' only.

A few words in conclusion to Fauzi and other religious fanatics out there. If it's true that Islam is a religion of peace and compassion as I have come to understand, than this is no place for the likes of you because you are sending the wrong message to others. You're also giving fodder to those spreading Islamophobia.

Let us Malaysians live peacefully and happily with tolerance and understanding as it used to be.

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