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Its 12.30 am and I couldn't sleep. Mind you, I dozed off on the couch and went to bed early. Once in bed I couldn't sleep. I began to toss and turn. As it often happens in cases such as these, the mind starts throwing up things for consideration. There was something that was bothering me.
A few days earlier a Dutch guy released a video which was offensive to Muslims all over the world. There were demonstrations in Indonesia and angry write-ups in the local Malay dailies. There was also a call for boycott of all Dutch products with one chain-retailer labeling all Dutch products to alert the conscientious purchaser. This set off a round of debate on the net on the wisdom and genuineness of the retailer's move. Dutch Lady quickly came out with an advertisement condemning the video and disassociated itself from the maker.
Earlier I received a few smses and e-mails informing me about someone posting a video clip on you-tube which had angered Hindus. There was another round of debate on the net, especially on the Indian based groups condemning the act and calling for a 'fatwa' against the maker.
I had a hearing today ( or yesterday, rather ) so I didn't have time to download and watch any of those videos. In any event, I wasn't too keen to watch it as it is an utter waste of time to watch a video that ridicules another's religion. Besides, it hurts the humanity that is in all of us.
The intention of the maker is to enrage some and then to raise the curiosity in others in order to attract as many viewers as possible. Whether we watched it out of curiosity, to agree or disagree with it, the makers' objective would have been met. We watched it!
Which brings me to the main point of this post. The video that seeks to degrade Islam should be condemned. The video that seeks to degrade Hinduism should also be condemned. They should be condemned not only because it disrespects OUR religion but because it disrespects ANOTHER's. We should oppose such degradation regardless of our own religion or the religion it was intended against. Any act that maliciously seeks to degrade another person's faith or lack thereof is an affront to ALL humanity, not just people of that faith. We should not play into the hands of the instigators that seek to polarize one group against another.
If God is ultimately ONE, then all of us irrespective of our religion, colour or creed are also ONE. Let humanity be the common thread that strings us together as ONE.
Murugesan Sinnandavar
http://s-murugesan.blogspot.com
A few days earlier a Dutch guy released a video which was offensive to Muslims all over the world. There were demonstrations in Indonesia and angry write-ups in the local Malay dailies. There was also a call for boycott of all Dutch products with one chain-retailer labeling all Dutch products to alert the conscientious purchaser. This set off a round of debate on the net on the wisdom and genuineness of the retailer's move. Dutch Lady quickly came out with an advertisement condemning the video and disassociated itself from the maker.
Earlier I received a few smses and e-mails informing me about someone posting a video clip on you-tube which had angered Hindus. There was another round of debate on the net, especially on the Indian based groups condemning the act and calling for a 'fatwa' against the maker.
I had a hearing today ( or yesterday, rather ) so I didn't have time to download and watch any of those videos. In any event, I wasn't too keen to watch it as it is an utter waste of time to watch a video that ridicules another's religion. Besides, it hurts the humanity that is in all of us.
The intention of the maker is to enrage some and then to raise the curiosity in others in order to attract as many viewers as possible. Whether we watched it out of curiosity, to agree or disagree with it, the makers' objective would have been met. We watched it!
Which brings me to the main point of this post. The video that seeks to degrade Islam should be condemned. The video that seeks to degrade Hinduism should also be condemned. They should be condemned not only because it disrespects OUR religion but because it disrespects ANOTHER's. We should oppose such degradation regardless of our own religion or the religion it was intended against. Any act that maliciously seeks to degrade another person's faith or lack thereof is an affront to ALL humanity, not just people of that faith. We should not play into the hands of the instigators that seek to polarize one group against another.
If God is ultimately ONE, then all of us irrespective of our religion, colour or creed are also ONE. Let humanity be the common thread that strings us together as ONE.
Murugesan Sinnandavar
http://s-murugesan.blogspot.com
3 comments:
Well, i got a different view on the subject.
Arent the media who is responsible for this racial discord?
Ok.. some brainless creates a racial documentry and post it on net. but,90% of the online community will not be even aware of it unless, its blown up and made public by the media.
ISA should be imposed on the media who publishes these types of news. Not against the people fighting for their constiyutional rights.
I got this matter of codemning hinduism youtube in our editorials section in Malaysia today few days back.I purposly denied to publish as an editor(one of few)of an online media who is responsible for the well being of the community.
If we publish, what will we gain.political milage? Support of hindus? or the publicity for our site?
No, whats important is the racial harmony and well being of the country and its citizens. Any discussion won these will only lead to emmotional commotion.
We dont need that just because of few idiots Mischief or ignorance.
Again to be noted is that our community is not made of saints. They are aswell equally racist and fanatics. Or else why should they first of all forward this clip and start a discussion on it? Also, there is much to be commented on hindraf also. but stopping here for time being.
We dont need to catch the culprits. We learn to ignore the ignorants.
Just my views, could be long for you.
cheers,
vineeth menon
Good day to all!
Mr Murugesan,
I have read Mogan’s (indian –malaysian) response to your comments on Video Clips Degrading Religion. I have taken the liberty to paste his reply below just to edify other readers. I hope he does not mind. Further below are my queries and thoughts. I look forward to his riposte.
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Dear Murugesan,
Yr message was posted on my e-mail and whether I liked it or not it was there for me to read and read I did so in the time I had and here is my comment. I agree with you that the video of the Gujurati convert Shah Kirit K.... ( or Bro Shah, as I understand he is called ) which degrades and condemns and ridicules Hinduism should be condemned and opposed just as any video that ridicules any other religions. I disagree with you on the aspect that the person who posted the video is seeking to polarise one group against another. Here it is not the issue of Muslims against the Hindus but rather one person, Bro Shah, degrading/ridiculing Hinduism. Is his lectures not seditious ? It had little regards for the feelings of the followers of the religion he was lecturing on. If GOD is one irrespective of the religion and humanity is the common thread, where was these in the missionary lectures of this, to quote from his own website " one of the leading and most popular speakers on Comparative Religion and on Islam for non-muslims in Malaysia today. " What amounts to condemn and oppose ? If as you say the video seeks to degrade Hinduism and is an affront to all humanity how is that this guy (Bro Shah) is still walking about without being hauled up under ISA ? Are we seeing a double standard here ? The fact that the video was posted without his knowledge and that he now regrets having said all that in the video and that he apologises does not make sense. This only remains me of the comments made on the not so long ago sex-video scandal. The recent posting of the Dutch MP clip/video on the internet rightfully drew furious protest from muslims the world over including Malaysian who have sent protest notes to the Dutch and call for boycott of Dutch products. Where is this in comparison to your lacklustre words of condemnation and opposition, just words used to please one and all and that's it ? Lectures like that in the video only creates disharmony amongst the various religion. Rather the common grounds expounded by all religion should be highligted to enhance the inter-religious strength for peace, harmony and prosperity amongst the people of this nation of our. How are we going to sustain this peace, harmony and prosperity if people like Bro Shah are left to say as he wishes and get away with it ?
Rgds
Mogan
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Dear Mogan,
I seek some clarification please .You say "I disagree (with you) on the aspect that the person who posted the video is seeking to polarize one group against another. Here it is not the issue of Muslims against the Hindus but rather one person, Bro Shah,"
However, you go on to later say “Lectures like that in the video only
creates disharmony amongst the various religion"
Wasn't your second statement Murugesan's point exactly?
I disagree with you that Murugesan's was "lackluster words of condemnation and opposition." His was the salient and calm words of all peace loving Hindu's. As he had aptly cautioned us "We should not play into the hands of the instigators."
You’re upset with the video? Of course and so was I. But I soon realize that it was only the limited and misbegotten views of Kirit Kumar Kakulal Govindji. His views will not change my beliefs and will certainly not change the conviction of other true believers either.
To your question “How are we going to sustain this peace, harmony and prosperity if people like Bro Shah are left to say as he wishes and get away with it?” Bro Shah was not the firs person to degrade Hinduism and he definitely will not be the last. Must we react to all such ignorant affronts. Then how indeed are we going to sustain this peace, harmony and prosperity? He has successfully proven beyond doubt that he is ignorant and inconsiderate. He requires no assistance from any of us in that sphere. Ask yourself why the video was the created in the first place. If you can’t find the answer, please read Murugesan’s comments once again.
I don’t profess to know the ideology of other religion, but Hinduism, regardless of who says where it originated from, leads us to find true peace and harmony with all Gods creations.
As the ultimate aim of the Hindu faith is to achieve Moksha, let us liberate ourselves from all this anger and hatred. Let us practice Ahmisa in our deeds as well as in our words.
mukam karoti vachalam
pangum langhayate girim
yat-kripa tam aham vande
shri-gurum dina-taranam
"I offer my respectful obeisances unto my spiritual master,
the deliverer of the fallen souls.
His mercy turns the dumb into eloquent speakers
and enables the lame to cross mountains."
om ajnana-timirandhasya
jnananjana-shalakaya
chakshur unmilitam yena
tasmai shri-gurave namaha
"I offer my respectful obeisances unto my spiritual master,
who has opened my eyes,
which were blinded by the darkness of ignorance,
With the torchlight of knowledge."
Finally, I leave you with the words of Murugesan -
“Let humanity be the common thread that strings us together as ONE.”
A devote of Sanatana Dharma,
the Eternal Religion
Adithya Nair.
Good Day Sir
I cant help but feel a little nostalgic with this latest posting of yorus sir.
I like your quote and share the same sentiment - "Let humanity be the common thread that strings us together as ONE".
In this present world where the new clash between the people are not of ideologies (democracy, communist) but religion.
Which reminded me of an incident when I was still a varsity student. At a Greenpeace environment rally, an activist was peddling music CDs. I bought one and on the CD back sleeve, was written a memorable quote "Lets live in harmony and rejoice in our common spirit of humanity, let us put a stop in destroying the earth, let us stop killing each other in the name of a God whom none of us have seen".
To all my fellow brothers and sisters regardless of your faith, "Ahimsa Pramo Dharma".
Thank you for your space and time.
Kind Regards
Asha Iyengar
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