YOURSAY 'This ‘korban' rite is part of Muslim culture, and non-Muslims should not comment on it as we are not required to attend the ceremony.'

Mufti ticks off MCCBCHST's 'extreme' comment

Nik V: Respect begets respect. There was a time when Malaysian kids in schools could eat pork, chicken, beef or whatever together while not imposing on one another's beliefs.

They sat together in school canteens laughing, joking and chatting with the only fear the school bell would go and they would have to go back to classes.

Some of the best schools were operated by the Catholic brothers and nuns and everybody did not mind because they were well-run.

But over time, Umno-BN felt the need to divide the races and religions. No more pork would be served. The Catholic schools were taken over and the brothers and nuns were no more. Much focus again was on race and religion.

Perlis mufti Juanda Jaya and the likes of him need to understand that the non-Muslims have been very quiet for over 50 years and their personal liberties were gradually encroached on. Today, they speak out only for fairness.

Prejudice will beget prejudice. And respect will beget respect.

Rajens: The cow sacrifice is done in schools, but non-Muslims do not have to attend it and see it, so we should not make an issue out of it.

If we do, then we are playing into the hands of dangerous elements in our society who deliberately want to sow discord between the races for their own benefit.

This ‘korban' rite is part of Muslim culture, and non-Muslims should not comment on it as we are not required to attend the ceremony. Please, watch what you say - things are bad enough in the country.

The ranting of Perkasa and the Jais (Selangor Islamic Affairs Department) raid, etc, are not shared by many Muslims on the street who see such actions as more political in nature.

But if we non-Muslims start making issues about the ‘korban', then even the common Malay who does not care much for the politics of Perkasa or Umno would wake up in anger.

Let us know where to draw the line - if we do not approve of the slaughtering of animals which is taboo to us, just keep away from the ceremony. It is not like we are forced to attend.

Bicurious: The good mufti needs to re-read the statement by the Malaysian Consultative Council on Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST) because it is asking Muslims to stop slaughtering cows.

It only seeks to stop it from being done in schools, which is a public place, for the simple reason that it is not the appropriate nor hygienic place for such rituals and there are schoolchildren who will be distressed by the blood and gore, and there should be mutual respect.

Much public funds are spent to build surau and mosques all over the country, and these places can be used for the sacrifice.

The mufti is indeed being disingenuous to point his finger at the council and yet remain silent on his co-religionists' regular tramping on other people's rights and sensitivities.

David Dass: The intention is not to criticise a Muslim ritual. The request is that such rituals do not take place in a school compound where Hindu children could be present.

This is not a new issue. Hindu parents have voiced their unhappiness to this practice for a long time.

Another approach would be to give Hindu children, and others who do not want to witness such a ritual, leave on the day the ritual takes place.

The idea is not to cause offence to the Muslims but to spare Hindu children the trauma of witnessing the killing of the cow - an animal they venerate.

It is not right therefore to describe the request as an extreme act and to label the MCCBCHST as extreme right-wing group.

Perlis mufti Juanda has been the voice of moderation. Perhaps in this instance, he misunderstood the tone and intent of the request.

Ashoka PJ: My family is Muslim. My children, after witnessing the ‘korban' many years ago, have till today, refused to witnessed another ‘korban'.

So, I can imagine how the Hindu and Buddhist children would have felt if the so-called ‘korban' at the schools had happened.

Proarte: I have a simple question to ask. Is a school or public space an appropriate venue to have a slaughter of animals? This is the question the mufti must answer.

The notion that non-Muslims have no right to comment even when Islam impinges on their social, cultural or religious sensitivities must be challenged.

Many people, Muslims included, would be traumatised to witness any animal being slaughtered in their midst. When it involves a huge animal such as a cow, which is generally meek and docile, the emotional trauma inflicted can be overwhelming.

This is just a normal human reaction and it is simply unacceptable in any civilised society to inflict this on young school children.

If one does not have the cultural or religious acceptance of such a practice as Muslims do, performing the slaughter in a school or public place would be viewed by the public at large as gross insensitivity, the glorification of animal cruelty and the provocative humiliation of Hindus.

Pemerhati: To see the slow killing of a big animal like a cow is a gory and horrible sight, even for adults. If young school children are made to witness such an event, they are likely to be traumatised and shocked, whatever their religion.

I doubt any religion would want its children to be subjected to such trauma. In Malaysia, since modern and advanced facilities like abattoirs are readily available, it would be more logical and civilised to slaughter the animals ‘behind closed doors'.

But Umno is always on the lookout to capitalise on issues that would polarise the people and incense the Malays so that their chances of getting their votes are increased.

They will either manufacture issues, such as the cow-head and pig-head incidents or blow up simple matters, such as the use of the word Allah, to work up the Malays and to portray themselves as the champions of their religion and race.

Now they are milking the simple and reasonable request by MCCBCHST for all it is worth.

Etok: Sebagai seorang Islam, saya rasa ibadah korban ini dibuat didalam premis surau atau masjid, atau mana-mana kawasan yang berkaitan dengan agama Islam.

Disekolah tidak salah dibuat asalkan sekolah itu sekolah agama dan bukannya sekolah yang mana guru dan muridnya berbilang ugama.

Bukankah diMalaysia ini banyak masjid dan surau, mengapa sekolah pula yang dijadikan tempat?

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