It is expected of Utusan Malaysia columnist Dr Ridhuan Tee Abdullah to defend the removal of Christian symbols at a Christmas tea party which Prime minister Najib Abdul Razak, attended on Christmas day.
He said, “In my opinion if there is any truth in the report, the request of the prime minister’s office is tolerable. It has nothing to do with violation of religious freedom, except for those who seek political mileage.”
Tee was referring to Najib’s invitation to a tea party, by Catholic Archbishop Murphy Pakiam. Before the PM arrived, Najib’s aides had issued a list instructing the removal of crucifixes and other overt Christian symbols, as well the banning of hymns and quotes from the Scriptures. An inspection was made before the arrival of the PM.
Tee’s assertion was that the removal of crosses or similar religious items did not violate religious freedom.
Perhaps, Tee will not be too upset, if a multinational company or any other establishment in Malaysia banned Muslim women from wearing headscarves when on their premises. The same goes for the skullcaps worn by Muslim men.
Does Tee not realise that these little symbols mean so much to people? Their significance is powerful. That is why the racist Johore headmistress made comments and asked for the removal of the prayer strings of her Indian students.
Tee opined in his Sunday weekly column that the instruction did not violate freedom of religion, and urged the Christians to respect the prime minister’s Islamic faith.
It appears that Tee does not realise that respect is a two-way flow.
Has he not seen the 1Malaysia logos which are supposed to promote unity and harmony?
The Prime minister is trying to build bridges between people of different faiths and culture but Tee is dismantling them as fast as Najib is building them.
According to him, Christians have always been allowed to celebrate Christmas despite forming less than ten per cent of the population. He even suggested the community tone down its celebration to reflect its population size.
He said, “Christmas celebration sometimes looks as if they form more than 50 per cent of the population.”
Poor Tee would have a coronary if he were to be in Sabah or Sarawak around Christmas time!
We are told that Najib is on vacation in Dubai. If Tee had been fortunate to accompany Najib, he would see that countries in this sultanate go all out to celebrate Christmas. Their Christmas celebrations, including decoration, trees, carol singing and functions, in the shopping malls, hotels and other hospitality outlets, rival those of any European capital.
Fortunately not all Muslims are as constipated as the rigid and extremist Tee.
Tee said that Najib’s presence at the Christmas celebration was a major compromise made as a Muslim.
However, we would hope that Najib’s willingness to attend the Archbishops’ tea party was borne of sincerity and a willingness to partake in the Christmas spirit of goodwill. Not just a mere ‘compromise’.
Tee makes out like the PM had to sacrifice something so precious, like a limb, or his morals, just to enjoy the Archbishop’s Christmas hospitality.
“True, Christians have every right to mark the celebration. But shouldn’t they show some respect to the prime minister as the No 1 leader who is a Muslim?” asked Tee.
Tee has no clue about tolerance and restraint. And his brand of religion is offensive and intrusive. He has no desire to respect the beliefs of others or to accommodate them.
Tee also said that Najib would suffer political setback if his aides had not taken the precautions.
Tee need not worry. Najib will suffer political setback without having to remove any of the church’s religious symbols.
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