Calligraphy enthusiasts are in for a treat as an Arabic and Chinese calligraphy competition is being organised with the twin aim of promoting inter-religious understanding.

While Malaysian politicians kicked up a fuss over an article said to be insulting to Islam written by a lawyer in the Bar Council's newletter Infoline, three organisations are going the other way to promote religious tolerance.

The '1st Malaysian Arabic and Chinese Calligraphy Competitions on the Golden Rule', will, as the name suggests, have the Islamic and Chinese versions of the Golden Rule as its main theme.

What is the Golden Rule? The Golden Rule, which came from both of these two ancient cultures, is broadly defined as: 'Treat others as you would like to be treated.'

"The Golden Rule is the most fundamental common ethical denominator of all religious and non-religious belief systems on Earth," said Peter Schier ( photo, far right ), Malaysian representative of the German-based Konrad-Adenauer-Foundation, one of the contest organisers.

"As a matter of fact, the Golden Rule is found in the holy scriptures of all major religions and faiths - in different words but with the same divine meaning."

The main theme of the Golden Rule is the promotion of religious tolerance.

The other two organisers of the competition are the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia and the Buddhist-based Soka Gakkai Malaysia (SGM).

Unity in diversity

According to the organisers, calligraphy was chosen as the medium as throughout history, writing had played a key role in civilisation and therefore was a better means of achieving the goal of unity in diversity.

"Writing has evolved from a means of functional communication to one of the most highly regarded and refined art forms, from the Far East to the Middle East and the European world," they said a press statement.

The Arabic calligraphic competition will deal with the Golden Rule as it appears in the Hadith verse, "No one of you (really) believes in (Allah and in His religion) until he loves for his brother what he loves for his own self".

Meanwhile, the Chinese calligraphy is based on the Confucian precept, "What you do not wish done to yourself, do not do to others".

The deadline for registering for the competition is Sept 2, and which competitors will have one month to submit their entries for judging. Cash prizes will be awarded to the winning calligraphers.

A selection of the art works from the competition will be first shown at the Islamic Arts Museum and later in other parts of Malaysia.

For further information on the competition, visit the Islamic Arts Museum's website .