Suhakam to mediate interfaith dialogues
The Malaysian Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) will facilitate interfaith dialogues to promote understanding and respect among the different faiths, a statement from Suhakam said today.
The first of such dialogues was held yesterday at its headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, chaired by out-going chairperson Musa Hitam.
The dialogue was, however, a closed-door session discussing the issue of human rights from the perspective of religion. Representatives from the Malaysian Muslim Scholars Association (PUM), the Department of Islamic Development (Jakim) and the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism and Sikhism were present.
The statement released by Suhakam secretary Kamaruddin Mohamed Baria said the participants welcomed Suhakams initiative as it could provide a respectful and peaceful atmosphere to discuss issues which could lead to conflict and tension.
Suhakam offered to facilitate further meetings between the two sides and will identify a wider representation from Islamic institutions to engage in further interfaith dialogues, Kamaruddin said.
Promote better understanding
The principal aim of the dialogue was to facilitate understanding of the concept of human rights within the context of Malaysias multi-religious society
The dialogues was also held to promote better understanding and respect among the different religious groups in Malaysia, Kamaruddin said.
Kamaruddin also said Suhakam was optimistic of the support from the religious bodies as evidenced by the enthusiasm shown by representatives yesterday.
Given the disturbing worldwide trends that seem to further entrench religious intolerance and chauvinism, Suhakam is encouraged by the response to its first attempt to bring together the leaders of the different religious groups to engage in a dialogue in a conducive environment, Kamaruddin said.
Meanwhile, a Suhakam spokesperson said national news agency Bernama had misquoted Musa as saying that the dialogues would concentrate on the issue of Islamic state.
Musa, who was attending a conference on Malaysia at the Malaysian Embassy in Washington DC, the United States, organised by Ohio University last Tuesday, had actually said the dialogues were on interfaith understanding.
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