10/03/2026

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TUESDAY | MAR 10, 2026

ON YOUTUBE

Malaysian Paper

/theSunMedia /

COMMENT by K.T. Maran

T HE recent spats over religion here in Malaysia have been deeply troubling and uncomfortable for many. It shows just how easily tensions can spiral when we let intolerance take the wheel. We cannot afford to be complacent. It is crucial that we remain conscious of how easily hurt feelings can deepen into real divisions within our society. For many of us, faith is everything. It offers quiet comfort during hard times, serves as a moral compass guiding our decisions and gives us a sense of belonging to something greater than ourselves. For billions of people around the world, including many here in Malaysia, religion is like home. Yet if we are honest, there is a paradox. The very traditions that teach us to love our neighbours and show compassion can sometimes be twisted into tools for pushing people away. This happens when we lose sight of the spirit of our teachings and cling too rigidly to the letter or when fear creeps in and hardens our hearts. Living in a country as richly diverse as Malaysia, navigating this paradox is not just a matter for the government; it is a daily, human challenge. Getting it right is the difference between a nation that merely “tolerates” one another and one where we truly feel we belong together. The thing about religious prejudice is that it rarely starts with hate. It usually starts with something quieter: a lack of exposure. Many of us grow up within our own circles, learning our own stories and prayers. When we later encounter people whose traditions are different, they can seem foreign, even unsettling. It is not necessarily malice; often, it is simply unfamiliarity. And the cure for not knowing is simple: it is learning. Imagine every Malaysian child growing up not only understanding their own religious traditions, prophets and stories but also learning a little about those of others. They may be surprised to discover that the core messages are remarkably similar: be kind, be honest, be humble and care for your neighbour. Finding that common ground can make all the difference. But this is not only about what we learn in school; it is also about the people with whom we share our lives. Some of the most powerful bridges are built over shared meals and shared efforts. When

Beyond belief: choosing respect over rigidity

Protecting harmony is a responsibility for all of us and it starts with a simple truth we all share - every person, regardless of their beliefs, wants to be treated with dignity. – BERNAMAPIC

“Malaysia has been doing this dance of diversity for a long time. We have had our stumbles, sure. But we have also shown the world that different faiths can coexist, not merely side by

Protecting this harmony is a responsibility for all of us – teachers, leaders, journalists and every individual striving to live a good life. It starts with a simple truth we all share: every person, regardless of their beliefs, wants to be treated with dignity. They want to matter. They want to belong. When we truly grasp this, we will realise that our different faiths are not rival teams; they are simply different paths ascending the same mountain, guided by the same hope – to grow, to love more and to seek the divine. When we focus on that shared hope – the kindness that all our traditions teach – we will stop viewing one another with suspicion and begin to see each other with respect. That is when religion will fulfil its true purpose: bringing us together. Comments: letters@thesundaily.com

all in this together. There is a beautiful thought from the Baha’i writings that captures this spirit: humanity is one family and we should strive for unity among all peoples and religions. It is an idea that feels more urgent than ever. Look at the major challenges we face today – climate change, poverty and inequality. These issues do not discriminate by religion; they affect all of us. No single community can solve them alone. Here lies religion’s greatest opportunity: to move beyond being a badge that separates “us” from “them” and to become a force that brings us together in collective action. Malaysia has been doing this dance of diversity for a long time. We have had our stumbles, sure. But we have also shown the world that that different faiths can coexist, not merely side by side, but as neighbours and friends.

your neighbour is Hindu and you help them prepare for a festival or when your colleague is Christian and you show solidarity during Lent, something begins to change. You stop seeing a label and start seeing a person. In Malaysia, we have so many opportunities for this – in our schools, workplaces and neighbourhoods. We simply need to take them. Our diversity is present in our streets every day; it can either become a wall that divides us or a window through which we can better understand one another. The choice is ours. Our religious leaders also have an important role to play. Their words carry weight – when they speak, they can either build fences or open doors. When they remind us that every faith calls for justice, compassion and service, they help water the roots of a peaceful society. In doing so, they remind us that we are

side, but as neighbours and friends.

Education retains its importance in the Malaysian landscape for parents, students and stakeholders. The changes are fast paced with new developments in new fields of study such as cybersecurity, data protection, augmented and virtual reality, machine learning in education, digital education and artificial Intelligence. Leading the way are universities, who are invited to showcase their latest programmes, curriculum and content in our Education Focus for 2026.

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