Muslim NGOs condemn attack on worshippers in New Zealand
KUCHING: Muslim nongovernmental organisations ( NGOs) in Sarawak condemned the attack on Muslims in Christchurch, New Zealand last March 15.
The attack claimed 51 lives including a child when a man started shooting at the congregation performing Friday prayers at Masjid Al- Noor there.
“The perpetrator has committed an act of terrorism and a heinous crime against humanity, which must be denounced by every international community.
“It was simply outrageous and detestable in any religion that a crime is committed while the people there were performing prayers,” said 18 Muslim NGOs in a joint statement here yesterday.
They said they held onto the principle that everyone should respect and appreciate one another regardless of their beliefs and religions, ethnicity, creed or colour.
“The right to practise one’s religion is enshrined and guaranteed under the international and Malaysian laws.
“We believe that any lawabiding citizens in any countries treasure peace, harmony and other universal values inherent in our religious teachings, thus do not condone any act of radicalism or extremism,” added the statement.
The NGOs asserted that the noble values prescribed and advocated by Islam clearly maintained that each life created by God is precious, and must be respected and defended not only by individuals but also by the community or the country.
They said noble values such as the importance of respect, mutual understanding and tolerance, fairness and humility should be inculcated and nurtured among the people.
“We should not let our differences be a dividing factor but should in fact utilise it as a meeting point for us to know and understand one another.”
The Muslim NGOs urged the media especially the Western ones to be fair when reporting about Islam or Muslims given that wrong or unjust reporting could lead to Islamophobia and the misperception of Islam.
They reiterated that ‘ Islam is a religion of peace and blessings to the universe’.
“Such noble values that Islam uphold could provide a longterm solution to radicalism and extremism.
“We call upon each and every Malaysian to continue practising a culture of respect and understanding like what we have here in Sarawak, which has indeed proven to be the most critical ingredient for a harmonious society,” the statement concluded.
The 18 Muslim NGOs that issued the statement comprised Persatuan Kebajikan Asyraaf Malaysia Sarawak branch, Pertubuhan Ikatan Muhibbah Permuafakatan Islam Sarawak, Majlis Perundingan Pertubuhan Islam Malaysia Sarawak, Pertubuhan Komuniti Harmoni Sarawak, Sahabat Yadim Negeri Sarawak, Yayasan Amal Malaysia Sarawak, Ikatan Graduan Melayu Sarawak, Urusetia Saudara Kita, Pertubuhan Kebajikan Saudara Kita Sarawak, Persatuan Ranuhabban Akhi Ukhti, Ikram Kawasan Kuching, Persatuan Dayak Muslim Kebangsaan, Pertubuhan Halaqah Kemajuan Muslim Sarawak, Perkim Bahagian Negeri Sarawak, Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia Sarawak, Yayasan Ikhlas Sarawak, Ikram Negeri Sarawak and Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia Sarawak.