VENUE: Hang Tuah Room, Mines Wellness Hotel, Seri Kembangan

TIME: Saturday, 8th May 2010

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INTRODUCTION

Opening speech by Moderator of the dialogue, Bro. Mohamad Isham bin Isnin, volunteer at IIS. In his opening speech, he introduced the speaker from both Muslims and Buddhists side. Buddhist speaker was Venerable Suthoda Thero, an invited speaker of Buddhist Maha Vihara. The Buddhists was lead by Mr. Sirisena Perera, Vice President of Buddhist Maha Vihara. Muslim speaker was represented by Bro Shah Kirit Bin Kalkulal Govindji, Chief Da’wah Officer of IIS. After the introductory remark, the Moderator of the dialogue read out the agenda and guidelines of the dialogue.

Later, Puan Sabariah, Secretary General of IIS was invited to deliver her welcoming speech. In her speech, some of the keypoints were,

1. Faithful people are the defenders of faiths not the ones causing trouble.
2. It is okay to be different as long as we agree to disagree respectfully. This was addressed in regards to the issue of unity in diversity.
3. The role of media. Most of the time media do not represent the true image of religious communities.

After Puan Sabariah, Mr. Sirisena was invited to give his welcoming speech. In his speech, he stressed:

1. The importance of education and the need to educate our respective communities.
2. Cordially invited Muslim NGOs to make a visit to their Sunday Dhamma School at the Maha Vihara Temple Brickfields.
3. Accepted the hand of friendship extended by Muslim NGOs.

PROGRAM

Bro Shah Kirit presented on Solat. His presentation consist of 10 minutes video presentation and 10 minutes explanation. The presentation began with a video on the origin of the practice of Solat. Among the highlights from the Muslim presentation on solat is the difference between the word “prayer” and “Solat” and also the wisdom behind the prayers. Following suit was the presentation from Buddhists side. Buddhism as presented is a non-theistic religion which focuses on the human mind through three stages, Panna, Samadhi and Sila.

During the dialogue session, numerous of questions were asked from and towards each side. Q & A session was very warm and active. Basically the questions asked by the Buddhists were more on certain norms in Islam as well as religious and social relationship between Muslims and Buddhists.

Example of questions asked by the Buddhists.

1. Can a non-Muslim touches Al Quran?
2. an Muslim pray at public places?
3. Can a Muslim in Malaysia learn about Buddhism?
4. Are there difference school of toughts regarding a particular issues in Islam?

The Muslim side had also posed few questions to the Buddhist side. Among those questions are:

1. Discipline of eating for monks and Budhists
2. Is there life after death in Buddhism?
3. Do Buddha considers Siddharta as human or prophet?

It is quite interesting to note that during this dialogue session, some members of the dialogue both from Buddhists and Muslims side have shared some of their personal and social relationship experiences in the past. For example, from the Buddhist side, one person was telling about how closed he was with his Malay friend in Kelantan and some stories about how sensitive the Malays are when it comes to dogs and pork. The stories were later clarified in terms of it real position from the Islamic point of view by the Muslim side.

However, with the professionalism displayed by both parties, the dialogues resume friendly and smoothly. The morning session was adjourned for lunch at 1.00pm.

The noon session was focused on future collaboration between Buddhists and Muslims. Quoting the successful dialogue experience with the Hindu Sanggam, Puan Sabariah was very hopeful of getting the same momentum in the future with the Buddhists.

Many suggestions were brainstormed during this noon session from both parties.

The conclusion of the dialogue decide that in future the following will be done :

1. To hold more interfaith talks and dialogues in future.
2. To visit the Sunday Dhamma School and have a look at the Brickfields Maha Vihara temple.
3. To organize an activity where children of these two different faiths can mix together for example through sports activity.
4. Create more opportunity for Q and A program.

Thus, the dialogues arrived at four future plans. There are:

1. Religious talks
2. Visits
3. Youth program
4. Answering the questions (Q&A)

Before calling the dialogue a day, Tan Sri Lim delivered a concluding remark. Among others, his short concluding speech talked about :

1. Introduction to Cheng Ho Multi Culture Education Trust and its role in support towards unity in Malaysia society.
2. The importance of religious education and to practices filial piety.
3. Religious dialogues or interfaith activities should promote harmony and stress on national interest.

There are some suggestion on:

1. Providing Mandarin translation of Azan so Buddhists or Mandarin speaking people would have better understanding about the azan and therefore will appreciate its message rather than unhappy with the sound.
2. Finding similarities between Islam and other faiths.
3. The importance of all religions is working together especially during if there were in big disaster like earthquake.

ADJOURN

The Interfaith Dialogue session adjourned with a small group of press conference about 4.30pm.

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Islamic Information & Services Foundation (IIS) Press Release

Sowing Seeds of Understanding & Harmony
(An Interfaith Dialogue between Muslims & Buddhists)
Venue: Hang Tuah Room, Mines Wellness Hotel, Seri Kembangan
Time: Saturday, 8th May 2010

Religions as Defenders of Humanity
Contrary to what many people mistakenly believe, religions are seldom the cause of human conflicts and miseries. The two world wars were certainly not fought in the name of any religion, and even the so called ‘holy wars’ were not due to any religious teachings. They are the direct results of human greed for wealth and power and the need of others to defend themselves against such people.

The pattern of generating discords and conflicts in Godless pursuit of material gains, while making scapegoat of religions, continues till today. It’s time people of all Faiths come together and make real effort to restore religions to their rightful place – that is, as defenders of humanity.

Need for Dialogue
Islam is one of the most misunderstood religions in the world today, in spite of it being the second largest with 1.8 billion followers and one of the fastest growing religions in the world. That is not to say other religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism and Christianity are not being misunderstood by adherents of other religions including Muslims.

In Malaysia, we are fortunate to enjoy excellent relation between people of various races and various faiths, ever since independence. However, this state of intercultural bliss should never be taken for granted. We are all aware of the occasional ‘ripples’ in the otherwise perfectly calm water – a constant reminder for us to always consciously work towards maintaining the precious peace. Central to this intercultural peace is the interfaith component.

At best, the media is proven to be inadequate in helping to promote interfaith and in fact is a hindrance, at worst. The government and social organizations can only do so much, especially in faith related issues. The responsibility would then fall mainly on the religious NGOs as the last check point to help iron out any faith-related intercultural discords. So what tools are there at our disposal that can be used to help foster interfaith communication? Without any doubt, the interfaith dialogue is as effective today as it was during Spain’s seven hundred years rule under Islam.

The Qur’an states that God created the various races and ‘nations’ so they “may know one another, not despise each other”. Similarly, scriptures of other religions too preach love and respect among human beings. This would then be the strong “common platform” from which to initiate and maintain interfaith dialogue.

So, are all religions the same? No, clearly they are NOT – neither do they have to be, for peace to prevail. Agreeing to disagree in certain matters is no stumbling block to unity in diversity, nor the reason why we cannot achieve “One Malaysia”!

Sowing Seeds of Muslim/Buddhist Understanding
Welcome to the “Sowing Seeds of Understanding & Harmony” – an interfaith dialogue between the Muslims & the Maha Vihara Buddhists of Malaysia, organized by the Islamic Information & Services Foundation (IIS), in collaboration with the Buddhist Maha Vihara.

Following the ground breaking 2-day dialogue with the Malaysia Hindu Sangam in August’08, IIS is pleased to announce the second in a series of formal interfaith dialogues, taking lessons from numerous interfaith encounters prior to 2008 on ad-hoc basis.

Through this dialogue, we hope to demonstrate the powerful role that interfaith communication can play in helping to establish cross-culture understanding between adherents of Islam and Buddhism –  the two religions with the most number of followers in the country.

“One Malaysia” ambition would be that much more achievable, strong, meaningful and lasting with these two groups actively cooperating and working towards the common goal of maintaining peace & harmony in this beautiful country of ours, for ourselves, for our children, forever – insha’allah.

Other Info
Post-dialogue news will be available on the IIS website www.iis.com.my.

About Islamic Information & Services Foundation (IIS)
IIS is a non-profit organization dedicated to informing the world on true Islam through the dissemination of information to all – both Muslim and non-Muslim.

Its long term goal is to help maintain racial and religious understanding in the country and indeed the world, through inter-faith dialogues, various social events and also through countering misinformation and disinformation about Islam and Muslims.

Events organized by IIS range from talks, courses, the Hotel Qur’an Project, high-teas & dinners, Buka-Puasa and Hari Raya get-together events, to the full fledged high profile International Islamic Fair (IIF), of which IIS is a co-organizer. Themes like ‘unity for peace’ and ‘world peace now’ are typical with events organised and co-organised by IIS.

IIS is run by a small core group of permanent staff assisted by volunteers. It is funded by public donations and through sales of tickets for its events. IIS always welcome constructive comments and suggestions that can improve its services, and is always on the lookout for new ideas, new cooperation and new volunteers.

About Buddhist Maha Vihara (BMV)
The Sasana Abhiwurdhi Wardhana Society (SAWS) means “Society for Dispensation of the Buddha Dhamma”. The SAWS, also known as the Buddhist Maha Vihara (BMV) was formed on 1 January 1895 by a group of pioneer Sinhala Buddhist immigrants led by Mr TA Gunasekara, the founder President of the Society.

The Society took a turn for the better with the arrival of  Ven. Dr. K. Sri Dhammananda in 1952. Ven. Dhammananda worked tirelessly to propagate Buddhism to all corners of Peninsular Malaysia even in a very risky time like the communist insurgency of the 1950s. The reorganization of the Sunday Dharma school, the recognition of Wesak as a National holiday and the increased number of devotees to the temple was due to the efforts of Ven. Dhammananda. The BMV has the distinction of being the oldest registered Buddhist Society in Malaysia. Through the untiring efforts of the late Ven. Dr K Sri Dhammananda (1918 – 2006), the former Chief High Priest of Malaysia and Singapore, the BMV has become a center of Buddhist learning and culture.

Today under the leadership of the new resident monk, the Chief Priest of Malaysia, Ven K Sri Dhammaratana Nayaka Maha Thera and the Committee of Management with it’s President, Mr Tilak Leslie Jayawardena, this center has grown vibrantly . We are fortunate that with the support of the devotees and increasing interests of our Dhamma friends we are able to carry out the many activities including religious services, counseling and distribution of free publications on Buddhism. Apart from it’s religious obligations, the BMV conducts many social programmes and strongly believes in preserving the culture and heritage of the Malaysian races. This is to expose and remind the younger generation of our rich culture and traditions which should be preserved.

Islamic Information & Services Foundation (IIS)
8th May 2010

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Buddhist Maha Vihara Press Statement

Islamic Information & Services Foundation
And
Buddhist Maha Vihara

“Sowing the Seeds of Understanding and Harmony”
A Dialogue

The Buddhist Maha Vihara (BMV) was very pleased to receive an invitation to dialogue with the Islamic Information & Services Foundation (IISF). Our Chief High Priest of Malaysia, Ven K.Sri Dhammaratana advised us, ‘When someone extends a hand of friendship, accept it. Go, listen, learn and explain so that there is mutual understanding then we can continue to live in harmony’.

The BMV delegation comprises of members who are either serving and/or a product of our education arm, the Buddhist Institute Sunday Dhamma School (BISDS). We have come with the intent of learning and our Buddhist tenant of enquiry. As a religion, Buddhism has no problem with Islam or any other religion but those professing to be Buddhist and Muslim may, due to a lack of mutual understanding, disrupt the harmony we enjoy.

We trust this dialogue will help foster understanding between our two organizations and we extend an invitation to IISF to visti BMV and as we say in Buddhism, Ehi Passiko “Come and See” our activities of service to society especially our youth who are our future.

click play button to hear the interview

IIS (Islamic Information & Services Foundation)

on the

Unauthorized posting on ‘YouTube’

of Shah Kirit’s video lecture on Hinduism

This press statement comes out of necessity, due to continuous and deliberate escalation and exploitation of the above stated incident by certain quarters. It is an effort to further clarify the matter, in addition and subsequent to the speaker’s own written explanation which has been posted on www.shahkirit.com and www.iis.org.my , and also officially communicated (dated 8^thApril’08) to President of Hindu Sangam, Malaysia. A copy is also attached to this statement, for easy reference.

IIS is happy to report that the speaker’s compact yet sincere and truthful explanation has found deep appreciation and acceptance by many, including educated and broad minded Hindus who are keen to put the matter to rest. Unfortunately and as expected, there are those who are in a state of ‘high emotion’ who are either unable or unwilling to see the facts as they are. From the numerous loose and not to mention highly inflammatory remarks (mostly on the internet) of the most dangerous kind, some almost seem to ‘enjoy’ themselves – reflecting a worrying attitude of total disregard for peace and harmony in a multiracial country. If there had been a case of “insulting religion”, it certainly could not be found on Shah Kirit’s video, but rather on these irresponsible remarks.

From some of the remarks made, it is obvious the true nature of the lecture and hence the full meanings of the speaker’s own explanatory note and apology were not fully comprehended. It is not our intention here to repeat what has been declared and clarified in the note, but for the sake of those who genuinely care to know and take an objective view of the entire scenario, we append below the necessary facts around the incident:

• First and foremost, it was neither the speaker nor IIS who posted the lecture video on the YouTube, and IIS has since traced it to an overseas source, and demanded it be removed
• The lecture is not a “recent close-door ceramah” as reported to some newspapers; it is 5 years old – during the ‘learning curve’ period of the speaker’s career in comparative religion
• The lecture was on the subject of basic belief in Hinduism, specific for the purpose of missionary work training, limited to the group in attendance, and not for public viewing
• The basic content of the lecture is derived entirely and faithfully from authentic Hindu scriptures without any deliberate exaggeration or dishonest interpretation, although attempts to make the lecture simple and ‘light’ (to suit the audience) could be misunderstood by some people as ‘mocking’
• For the record, it is IIS’s policy and guiding principle to adhere to the well known teaching of Islam NOT to mock or ridicule any religion; and any objective and discerning viewer of the video will observe such was the manner by which the speaker approached the subject but without straying from what is written in the relevant scriptures
• In spite of all the above conditions, the speaker has been gallant enough to express regret and offer public apology to all concerned, and further, he has also offered follow up eye-to-eye clarifications if deemed appropriate by any and all of the established Hindu organizations in the country, including Hindu Sangam and Hindraf.

Lastly, in case it is not well known to some quarters, IIS has an excellent record for proactively and continuously seeking and maintaining good inter-faith relation with many organizations in the country, including Hindu Sangam (an umbrella organization for more than 200 Hindu organizations), Pure Life Society (headed by the honorable Datin Paduka Mother Mangalam), and various Buddhist and Christian organizations in the country. Our inter-faith activity aims at promoting true understanding between various faiths and cultures based on knowledge rather than conjecture, and actual contact rather than diplomacy via remote.

In this big effort of IIS, Br. Shah Kirit plays a major role, and has personally undertaken numerous lectures, explaining Islam, in venues all over Malaysia, including government departments, private corporations, universities, temples and churches. IIS also offers programs for Muslims and new ‘reverts’ to Islam, including our enormously popular weekly Friendly Comparative Religion course – always stressing the importance of maintaining good inter-human and inter-faith relation and interfaith sensitivity through basic knowledge in the belief systems of other religions.

As always, IIS will be more than happy and ready to receive delegations from any religious organizations, pertaining to this specific issue, or any other related issues, at our headquarters in Taman Setiawangsa, Kuala Lumpur.

Sabariah Abdullah

Secretary General

Islamic Information & Services Foundation, IIS

(in response also to article in STAR dated 9^th April 08-article enclosed)

To whom it may concern,

It has come to my attention that the video of a talk on ‘Hinduism’ which I gave almost five (5) years ago in Kedah, in response to a request for a simple lay-man’s explanation on the basic belief in Hinduism (for purpose of Islamic missionary work training) has been posted on YouTube by an unknown and unauthorized person overseas. We are currently investigating his/her identity and possible motive.

I would like to reiterate here that the talk is old and was for the specific purpose of missionary work training only, limited to the group in attendance, and definitely NOT for public viewing. This is very evident from the talk itself, especially towards the end when the speaker stressed again and again the point of being discrete about the material. Further, it is very much against the teachings of Islam to mock or ridicule any religion, and I assure you that was never the speaker’s intention.

However, since the material is now in the public domain, I would request that all those whom I have unintentionally offended, to please review the whole thing with the above explanation in mind. Perhaps, you would then perceive it in a different light. Please note also that in addition to material that Hindus may find ‘negative’ to the Hindu cause, there is also material which is positive, such as when the speaker strived to dispel negative misconceptions regarding Hindus’ intent in Malaysia. Of course, looking back, I would never have approached the subject in such ‘frank & candid’ manner had I known it would one day find its way into the public domain. It has been a valuable personal lesson for me.

To all that this particular lecture has caused antagonism and grief, I’m extending my sincere regret and apology, and I promise to do everything in my power to get the video removed from YouTube. I am also willing to meet up with any of the official Hindu organizations (such as Hindu Sanggam), if necessary, for a more detailed discussion/clarification relating to the video.

Thank you.

Yours sincerely,
Shah Kirit Kakulal Govindji

On October 14, ten Muslims sat in the pews at Mass at Holy Trinity Church in Kuching. Several Church sources told UCA News they were sure this had not happened in the history of the Archdiocese of Kuching and had not heard of it happening anywhere else in Malaysia either.

Malaysia is a majority-Muslim country. Out of a population of 26 million people, 60 percent are Muslim, 19 percent are Buddhist, 9 percent are Christians and 6 percent are Hindu.

Christians and Muslims commonly believe that Muslims are forbidden even to enter a church. Led by Shah Kirit Kakakul Govindji of the Islamic Information and Services Foundation, the Muslim visitors initiated the visit themselves. Shah Kirit explained that the purpose of the visit was to discover similarities and common traditions shared by Muslims and Christians, and to respectfully “agree to disagree” on differences.

Archbishop John Ha Tiong Hock of Kuching supported the visit.

After Mass the parish priest invited the visitors and the parish council to breakfast and a session of interreligious dialogue. The Muslim visitors asked about the various denominations of Christianity, training for the Catholic priesthood, the Church’s ministries and apostolic work, and Christ’s Second Coming.

One parish council member said the meeting created “a sense of amazement.”

At the request of the parish, Shah Kirit promised to send them English-language copies of the Qu’ran. The two groups have discussed a reciprocal visit by Catholics to a mosque.

Source: Catholic News Agency