From The #MZB365 movement
We, civil society and media organisations, join forces to call on all Malaysians to fight ethno-religious hate speech and provocations with grace every day.
We call on all Malaysians to take the practice of seeking and giving forgiveness (“maaf zahir batin”) to the next level. This practice is a teaching in Islam, and also in the value system of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism, Taoism and the natives of Sabah, Sarawak and the peninsula.
Let’s make seeking and giving forgiveness a year long practice, not limited to the Aidilfitri festival and the month of Syawal, but from the first day of Muharam to the last day of Zulhijjah, from Jan 1 to Dec 31, 365 days a year.
Let’s make this #MZB365 movement a success because, as humans, we make trespasses and mistakes every day and, therefore, we have to be aware of them and seek forgiveness daily and be prepared to forgive daily.
Seeking forgiveness and forgiving can happen between husband and wife; children and parents; among students, parents and teachers; between neighbours, colleagues, and strangers whose paths cross each other‘s; between individuals who break laws and society; and among different communities.
When we forgive, it does not mean that we have become weaker and unwittingly encourage more trespasses and mistakes.
It is certainly not about compromising the rule of law. When the trespasses are legal offences, the offenders must still face trial and punishment. Pardon and the commuting of sentences only happen when the convict is aware of his wrongdoing, admits guilt, makes restitution, and/or strive not to repeat the mistake.
To forgive those who sincerely seek forgiveness actually strengthens us and the society as a whole. It builds peace, reduces misunderstanding, eliminates hatred, strengthens ties among us humans who are created differently, so that we understand each other better from our differences.
To promote the seeking and giving of forgiveness is more important than ever because there are individuals and groups who are seeking opportunities and pretexts to divide our society for their political, business, and personal interests.
They find faults that can be amplified to sow distrust and hatred so that they can emerge as their community’s heroes to the point that some even break the law through arson and violence.
The phenomenon of populism built on hatred and conspiracy theories has paralysed countries, destroyed societies, damaged economies, starved children, destroyed dreams, and even killed people in many parts of the world.
We must make sure Malaysia does not follow in their footsteps.
Where laws have been violated, the rule of law must be upheld without compromise. When minds have been deceived by propaganda and lies, truth and logical thinking must be upheld.
Meanwhile, there is no better antidote than grace, which may strengthen ties, reduce hatred, build trust, and defeat those who want to exploit circumstances.
Malaysians are capable of rising to the occasion before the toughest challenges.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, we had the #KitaJagaKita movement. To counter ethno-religious hatred, let us do #MZB365, let us fight hatred with grace every day. Join and make this movement a success.
This letter is signed by 13 members of the #MZB365 movement, comprising Projek SAMA, Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia (ABIM), Kuala Lumpur & Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH), G25, Architect of Diversity (AOD), Muslim Professional Forum (MFP), Allied Coordinating Committee of Islamic NGOs (ACCIN), Gabungan Bertindak Malaysia (GBM), IDEAS, Persatuan Patriot Kebangsaan (Patriot), Pure Life Society, Buddhist Missionary Society Malaysia (BMSM), and Gerakan Belia sePunjabi Malaysia.