SEPT 2 — Can a non-Muslim step inside a surau?

We are not in any capacity to argue about this thing here. We should leave it to the wise religious clerics.

Should Teo Nie Ching offer an apology?

By right she should.

It is not a matter of right or wrong, but we have to take the feelings of Muslims into consideration.

Both Nik Aziz and open-minded Islamic cleric Dr Mohd Asri have thrown their support behind Teo, feeling that opening up prayer halls helps promote mutual understanding, which is positive and open-minded thinking.

But others beg to differ, and we should also respect their views which have been instituted in them based on their own understanding of their religion.

There is absolutely no necessity to go on debating this matter, more so if the issue gets politicised along the way.

I really like the way Masjid Negara’s Imam Besar Tan Sri Syaikh Ismail looks at this matter.

Syaikh Ismail does not agree that non-Muslims should step inside a surau, but he has exercised his wisdom in handling the issue.

He said: “If a non-Muslim has stepped inside a surau out of ignorance, we must not get angry... all we ought to do is tell him or her in private.

“This is actually a small matter. Muslims have the obligation to inform non-Muslims.”

Look, this is what we call wisdom.

Even if the Imam Besar does not agree, he has at least shown his open-minded side instead of adopting a hardline stance that will put everyone in embarrassment.

Such an attitude is of particular importance in a country like Malaysia, where people from different ethnic groups and religions have their own sensitive constituents.

At times, the offender might not have the intention at all to touch on the taboos of the offended party, but if the offended party takes things too seriously, the problem will never be resolved peacefully.

Perhaps we should look at things from another perspective, treating the matter as mere misunderstanding and seeing the conflict of interests as a kind of experience that makes up part of our learning process, then the stalemate will be dissolved and goodwill return.

In this way common understanding will grow between the opposing sides, and ways for peaceful co-existence learned.

Tunku Abdul Rahman said during the opening address at the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism and Sikhism: “I hope one day Muslims will also join in this organisation and pursue the noble objective together...

“As a Malaysian, every religion and every believer of any faith, has this obligation to preserve the eternal peace of this country.”

In the eyes of Tunku, the different religions in existence in this country must not divide the people, nor be exploited to achieve any political motive, but to teach Malaysians how to uphold morality and pursue our common noble values as we strive towards stronger mutual understanding and solidarity.

Going back to our question, it doesn’t really matter that much whether a non-Muslim should be allowed to step inside a surau. More importantly, whether we approve or disapprove of this, we should treat this matter with understanding and tolerance.

The handling of this issue is putting the leaders’ wisdom to test while allowing believers of different faiths to learn a lesson or two from the experience.

Before stepping inside the surau, think carefully whether it is an acceptable act; and coming out from it, reflect what type of lesson we have picked up from the incident. — mysinchew.com

* This is the personal opinion of the writer or newspaper. The Malaysian Insider does not endorse the view unless specified.