A directive from the PM's office for crucifixes to be removed from the venue of the Christmas party if the PM is to attend...a directive that there be no christian hymns and prayers during the event... - I really hope that this was not true, for if true, it is seriously disrespectful of Christians. Christmas is a celebration of the birthday of Jesus - and it certainly is a religious event, and there is always at the least some prayers and the singing of christian Christmas hymns. If our PM is so intolerant - I am sure he could just drop by after prayers and singing are done.... (or maybe just do not come - and send some Christian minister as his representative)
The other question that must be asked is what did the Christians do after they received the said directive. Dis they quietly comply....and remove all crucifixes, canceled the prayers and hymns? If they did so, then they deserve this PM and the kind of intolerant government that he heads. If we do not stand up and fight for our rights - then our rights will be trampled upon over and over. Christians have stood up of late, together with Sikhs, in Malaysia to challenge the restrictions on non-Muslims using the words like Allah, etc - and that is good. They have stood up when the government tried to demolish churches, chapels, etc.... and that is good.
Seputeh MP Teresa Kok is demanding an apology from the prime minister for his office's directive to rid religious elements from a Christmas celebration, which she said was “disrespectful” to Christianity.According to Kok, who is also Selangor senior exco, the Prime Minister's Office's had issued a directive for crucifixes to be removed from the Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) Christmas event on 25 Dec, where Prime Minister Najib Razak was a guest.
The directive, she said, also prohibited Christian prayers and hymns during the event that was held at the Catholic Church Archbishop's residence.
“Najib should apologise to the Christian Federation of Malaysia for 'de-Christianising' their Christmas celebration, that yet again denied Malaysians the right to freedom of religion,” said Kok in a statement.
“Such an order from the Prime Minister's Office shows how insincere and ungracious Najib behaved, as a guest at the celebration held at the Catholic Church Archbishop's residence.
“It is doubtful that Najib could have been unaware that his office had issued such a directive and far more likely that he is back-pedalling after having been exposed and publicly shamed,” said Kok.
'Where is 1Malaysia?'The Seputeh MP called the directive “a betrayal of the multi-ethnic, multi-religious 1Malaysia that Najib so fervently preaches”.
“If only Najib would match his beautifully written public relations spiel with credible action,” she said.
The Seputeh MP urges Najib to issue a public apology and to direct the government to respect Christmas traditions and the Malaysians' right to freedom of religion.
“I hope Najib and his office can be aware that there is a deeper meaning to Christmas beyond Santa Claus and snow, and that that deeper meaning should be respected,” she said. - Malaysiakini, 30/1/2010,'Najib, apologise for un-1Malaysian directive'
See earlier posts:
Chapel of St John, Triang : The struggle for the land to be given to the church must continue - although the threat to demolish is on hold now..
Even, if not chapel but a mosque or temple..we will fight to save it...Fr Jean Claude questioned by police- Mother's citizenship status - what has that got to do with the actions to save the church?
Priest of St John's Chapel, Triang called in for questioning by police [Updated]
Prime Minister, Najib, you can save this chapel in Pahang from destruction...
St John's Chapel, Triang - the Church that needs saving
St John's Chapel, Triang (83 year old) :- Time is running out...
St John's Chapel(over 83 years old) being threathened with 'eviction' - help save this 'little' church
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