After local authorities approved Mazu statue two years ago, state government halts construction of the goddess of the sea. In July state mufti declared the statue was “offensive” because too close to a mosque.
Political opposition and Chinese community protest. The incident is the latest in a string of cases that threaten inter-faith harmony.
Kuala Lumpur (AsiaNews/Agencies) – The construction of the world’s tallest Taoist Goddess of the Sea statue has set off the latest row over religious freedom in Malaysia. The 36-metre (108-foot) statue of Mazu, known as Tin Hau in Hong Kong, should be erected in the fishing village of Kudat on Borneo Island. So far only the platform has been set; the statue itself is waiting some 200 km away in the port town of Kota Kinabalu. Local authorities had approved construction in December 2005 but Sabah state authorities stopped construction saying that the statue was “offensive to Muslim sensitivities.”
Opposition leader Lim Kit Siang, who heads the Chinese-based Democratic Action Party, warned that if the row was not resolved it could hurt multiracial and inter-faith harmony in the hitherto tolerant Malaysia.
“The insensitive controversy objecting to the building of the Mazu statue is created by a small group of Muslims with ulterior political objectives, which setS a dangerous precedent in undermining inter-religious goodwill in Malaysia,” he said.
“All we want is for Mazu Goddess to protect us when we are at sea and our Muslim countrymen have nothing against,” said a local fisherman.
After the state government halted construction Sabah’s mufti issued a fatwa saying the statue was “offensive to Islam” because it was too close to a mosque.
Sabah’s deputy chief minister Chong Kah Kiat, an ethnic Chinese, resigned in protest and in early December took legal action challenging the order to stop construction.
About 60 percent of Malaysia’s 27 million people are ethnic Malay Muslims; 25 per cent are Chinese and 10 per cent, Indians, mostly Hindu or Christian.
Malaysian commentators and minority leaders have sounded the alarm over the growing ‘Islamisation’ of the country and the increasing polarisation of the three main ethnic communities, which mix much less than in the past.
In recent weeks there have been other controversies, including a ban issued by the Ministry of Internal Security on the use of the word ‘Allah’ for God by the Herald, a Catholic weekly.
Catholics and Protestants have also had their right to build places of worship severely restricted.
“All we want is for Mazu Goddess to protect us when we are at sea and our Muslim countrymen have nothing against,” said a local fisherman.
And when harm touches you upon the sea, those that you call upon besides Him vanish from you except Him (Allah Alone). But when He brings you safely to land, you turn away (from Him). Most ungrateful is man!
al-Isra 67
“Do not argue with your Lord on behalf of your soul, rather argue with your soul on behalf of your Lord.” - Dhul-Nun
"It is the very pursuit of happiness that thwarts happiness." - Victor Frankl
...which considers itself free and multireligious...
Anyway, the article doesn't say the location has a special meaning for the taoists, so I guess they could build it some palce else. If they decide to do so, the Malaysian government ought to pay the all the additional expenses caused by this sham.
Last edited by Whatsthepoint; 01-04-2008 at 10:46 PM.
Reason: spelling
well... that's not really what i meant. malaysia is more than just borders with some people living between them... it is also a culture. their culture is traditionally asian, religiously diverse but predominantly muslim... and their ethics and laws are traditionally based off of islam.
if you see the Muslims in Malaysia are about 60% of the population...but 40% is a large "non-Muslim" community. Measures against non-Muslims communities will bring them together and the country can be half.half divided.
why the big hindu statue in batu caves doesn't offend anyone.
grrr....
25:36 And the true servants of the Most Merciful are those who walk the earth with humility and when the ignorant address them, they respond with words of peace.
given, i'm a 'catholic extremist' if such a thing ever existed, i don't believe that it is wise or right to dishonor God by allowing people to build their idols, in order to please men... whose memories and affections are subject to the erosion of time. the commandments of God must always come before public opinion, i applaud the muslims from this article for putting the first commandment before outside perceptions.
given, i'm a 'catholic extremist' if such a thing ever existed, i don't believe that it is wise or right to dishonor God by allowing people to build their idols, in order to please men... whose memories and affections are subject to the erosion of time. the commandments of God must always come before public opinion, i applaud the muslims from this article for putting the first commandment before outside perceptions.
que Dios te bendiga
Ya, I think there is such a thing as a Catholic extremists and I think you are one of them.
Anyone who in effect says "my god is right and your god offends my god so you have no right honor your god" is not only an extremists but also totally intolerant of other people's beliefs and feelings.
given, i'm a 'catholic extremist' if such a thing ever existed, i don't believe that it is wise or right to dishonor God by allowing people to build their idols, in order to please men... whose memories and affections are subject to the erosion of time. the commandments of God must always come before public opinion, i applaud the muslims from this article for putting the first commandment before outside perceptions.
que Dios te bendiga
i disagree. malaysia has a history of tolerance. i think the people behind this are wanting to cause division for their own political aims.
each man thinks of his own fleas as gazelles
question authority
Ya, I think there is such a thing as a Catholic extremists and I think you are one of them.
Anyone who in effect says "my god is right and your god offends my god so you have no right honor your god" is not only an extremists but also totally intolerant of other people's beliefs and feelings.
hola,
it is not me who is intolerant... it is my God who is intolerant of other peoples' 'gods.' what God says is good... and the first thing He says to us is that He is God, and there are none like Him. i live to serve God, not to serve man... men do not know what they want or what is good for them... their creator knows what they need and what is best for them, that is why i do what i'm told.
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