Kamaapo: The greatness of a person in high position or power is not reflect in one’s insincere expedient, lofty exhortations but in one’s genuine empathy towards the powerless, marginalised and a muzzled minority. That’s being humane.

My great admiration and thanks for HRH Raja Zarith Sofia Sultan Idris Shah.

The royal family of Johor now appears as one source that provides the so badly needed rays of hope for the increasingly being stifled minorities here where the social weather is increasingly being made dingier by politicians in power and influential bigots; some imported.

“The greatness of a nation is reflected in how it treats its minorities.”

RM2.6 Billion Turkey Haram: “At the same time, we see the kindness and the acceptance of those who are Christians, Jews, or of other faiths, when we are in their countries,” says HRH the Permaisuri of Johor.

Her mention of kindness from Jews, a forbidden word among many Muslims, makes me take my hat off for her. It takes a brave Muslim to mention the Jews in a good light.

Anonymous_1429175092: This is what we call enlightenment. Religion enlightens us of the beauty found in diversity. Life becomes beautiful when one begins to admire and accept unity in diversity.

There is no bad religion. There are only bad people. There are bad people because their minds are ‘corrupted’ by the ulamas and people like Zakir Naik, that they cannot accept hard truths.

These people use religion to control the minds rather than using religion to enlighten them. They built a cult atmosphere around them, thereby true religious teachings take the back seat.

When one’s reasoning power is refused or curbed, the outcome is religious bigotry. Not only the beauty of their religion goes unnoticed but that of other religions too.

Kim Quek: Race and religion have been exploited for decades to entrench political hegemony, and amid the present ambiance of increasing religious intolerance and discrimination, the Johor permaisuri’s gracious words of wisdom and truth come as a breath of fresh air.

Her words should have far-reaching benevolent impact on Muslims misguided by reckless politicians.

It is hoped that more Muslims with influence would speak up promptly to counter extremist religious conduct and bring back sanity and good sense to a society so polarised and prejudiced through ruthless political scheming.

Ace: Yes, this is a breath of fresh air and is like a tiny speck of light from a crack in a long, long tunnel – which we do not expect to reach the end any time soon. May God bless her.

Labis Guy: Sorry to say that it is the few politicians and a few leaders in the NGOs that created the divide of Muslims and non-Muslims. Go to the kampungs and you find Muslims and non-Muslims coexisting peacefully.

I hope and pray that those few Muslims who are against the non-Muslims will listen to our beloved permaisuri. Then Malaysia will prosper and foreign funds will come in.

For the sake of our children and our children’s children, please listen to our permaisuri. You have nothing to lose and all to gain.

Drngsc: Most Muslims do respect non-Muslims, but they are afraid of the extremists so they keep quiet.

On the other hand, the extremists are loud, aided by politicians who shamelessly use these extremists to further their own political agenda. They more they are threatened, the more they use extremists to threaten others.

They even went to the extent of granting permanent resident (PR) status to an alleged fugitive from a friendly country, ignoring the many other Indian Malaysians who have been serving Malaysia, and who have been waiting in this country for years, to be given PR.

Permaisuri, we thank you for your comments, but please ask the politicians to stop using religion as a political weapon and to respect all non-Muslims like we, non-Muslims, have respected them.

Roar For Truth: Graciousness, consideration and respect for the minority when you are the majority, reflects the good character of the people. Bullying the minority when you are the majority is simply devilish.

P Dev Anand Pillai: Good wisdom from her Royal Highness but unfortunately a vast majority of the Malays seem to think otherwise.

We can’t blame them as that is what they are taught right from the beginning till they complete their tertiary education and assume positions in government and the private sector.

RCZ: She is one sane voice. And we have a leader of a certain party who calls his fellow Malaysians children of excrement. They have absolutely no respect for other religions and this is reflected the world over.

Anonymous 2460391489930458: How very true. I have just returned from Bangkok where, as you know, the majority of locals there are Buddhists. I found them extremely polite and respectful to all foreigners of differing faiths.

Muslims and non-Muslims are accorded the same level of respect and the local Muslims blend in so well with local Buddhists. There were no visible religious prejudices, unlike in Malaysia.

Worldly Wise: There should be no discrimination on grounds of race, religion or creed. In Malaysia. all of us show mutual respect and understanding.

Recent developments where Islamic groups claim superiority must be resisted strongly. All religions must be given equal respect. Practices harming individuals in some way or other have also to be delicately but firmly opposed.

MA: Is it so pleasing to read the permaisuri’s post. After all the chest-thumping by some religious individuals and groups, she is like an angel sent from Heaven.

Vision2020: Respect is having a big heart to love and be kind to others and be mindful to embrace differences irrespective of colour and creed, race and religion that are unique to every one of us.

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