Shah Alam Section 23

The Council of Churches finds it hard to comprehend that demonstrators in Shah Alam recently had to resort to using the head of a cow, which is sacred to Hindus, to protest to the authorities of the construction of a Hindu temple in their vicinity in Shah Alam Section 23, Selangor.

At best it was morally and socially inept and at worst it was a blatant show of religious insensitivity.

Those who have resorted to such preposterous behaviour should be brought to book by the relevant authorities. Incitement of religious feelings of one community against the other can never be tolerated in a plural society like Malaysia.

There are enough peace-loving Malaysians of the various religious communities who believe that harmonious religious coexistence can be achieved if people of faith are prepared to dialogue and work together to find amicable solutions.

The Council of Churches of Malaysia calls on the Selangor State government to urgently bring the concerned parties together and find solutions acceptable to all parties.

The churches pray for the speedy resolution of the problem.

Rev. Dr. Hermen Shastri
General Secretary

Dated: 1st September 2009