Thumbs up to Johor Baru surau’s bilal 

StrainingGnats, SwallowCamels: Quote: “Patience is a virtue and there is a need to promote tolerance in a community that has diversity in religion and race…”

Johor Baru surau’s bilal Zulkifli Ahmad, let’s hope that this urging on patience is not only applied to the victim who was assaulted but also to the individuals who assaulted the victim.

More so, the tarnishing of any good name lies at the feet of those who carried out the assault. Yes, there should be disappointment and expression of hope that such an incident ought not to recur.

But more than that, an apology is in order. From the individuals who violated the victim and damaged his car.

If the situation was that a Muslim was assaulted and his car damaged by several adherents of another faith because of inconsiderate and indifferent parking, what might be expected? An apology? A riot?

The former, I fervently hope. And something as simple as a message on a banner would suffice.

The really big virtue here is humility. At least as big as patience, if not bigger, if I am not wrong. It takes real strength to apologise. Really apologise. Not because one anticipates unwanted consequences. But because one has been honestly self-critical, and acts on the realisation that one is at fault.

It is reasonable to surmise that the violent aggressors should not require too much reflection to admit to woeful wrong unless the perpetrators’ weakness, consisting of pride and a false sense of superiority, together, prevent them from doing right. Which is real strength, I think.

Human anger does not bring about the righteousness that God desires, it seems.

Rubystar_4037: I salute the surau committee to act so quickly. This is what religion should be all about… tolerance and consideration for other people. Tahniah!

The Observer: This is an encouraging sign of sanity. The followers should be constantly reminded of the need for tolerance in a multiracial and multireligious society.

We see cars parked indiscriminately along no parking areas on Fridays. The authorities should show the same level of flexibility and tolerance for parking on the worship days of other religions to be fair, provided they don’t block the traffic.

Ryan: Similar notices must be put up by all mosques, churches and temples. It is not only do you see obstruction near mosques but they also occur near all other places of worship.

Nil: I suggest that the surau committee also form a team of “traffic jockeys” to direct worshipers where to park, and to ensure vehicles are parked properly.

Alternatively, the traffic police can patrol the area to provide assistance and give out summons to offenders.

Although it is understood that in the two hours or so of Friday prayers at the mosque, there would be too many cars than available parking spaces, so drivers would be allowed to park at “No Parking” areas; but those who block traffic should pay the price.

17855980173210: There was a Rela man on duty that day to organise parking at the surau. Apparently the man did not do his duty or himself went for prayers. The surau committee should get non-Muslim Rela personnel to do the job.

Anonymous 1802761448130592: Thumbs up to the surau’s bilal, Zulkifli, for emphasising the virtue of patience and tolerance, which are values that embodies all decent caring humans. Terima kasih

Anonymous: Yes, congratulations to the surau authorities for taking steps to make sure such incidents will not happen again.

Now that the driver too has repented, there is no point in prolonging the issue. Let all places of worship learn from this incident.

By the way, Malaysia is not the only country where such things happen. During my visit to Kashmir in India, the boat house on the lake faces a hill where there is a huge temple.

Most nights, the bhajan singing goes on until dawn. All the loudspeakers are pointed towards the lake where Muslims comprise about 90 percent of the population.

Wazerman: This is an excellent example from the surau management. We need more such positive attitude from all rakyat Malaysia. It not just about religion but also about being true Malaysian.

Anonymous_4056: I salute the surau committee for speaking out righteously. No matter what, we must not take the law into our own hand. This smacks of an uncultured society.

I have always perceived Islam as a religion of peace. Anyway, let us forgive and forget, and hope and pray such an ugly incident will not happened again. Alhamdulillah.

Ravinder: Well done to the committee of the surau. A lesson is learnt and it should be remembered always.

The Department of Islamic Development (Jakim) should come in and advise/direct all prayer houses to ensure that the public’s free passage on public roads is not hindered at any time.

Anonymous 759201436321741: Look at it this way. Both parties took one step forward to meet each other. But the victim took the first step first. That spoke volumes of ‘live and let live’ in a diversified environment like our country.

Driver assaulted outside surau apologises

Meerkat: Driver Toh Chai Eun’s misdemeanour was minor. A nuisance, at most. Indiscriminate parking is a far worse offence. Yet he had apologise.

And apologise not only to those he disturbed but to all Muslims. Is this a religious issue or one of being a nuisance to the “public?”

Okay, I understand that he is being pragmatic and I would probably do the same in his shoes. But the overall environment that has brought this about is toxic.

Shunyata: I think we should stop victimising Toh. The guy is apologising for having disturbed people’s peace and prayer time in the first place. Sure, he was wronged too, first for having his vehicle blocked, and later for the assault.

No one is saying he wants it all swept under the carpet. He just wants all Malaysians to know that he is not the racist and bigot that people initially thought he was.

Unfortunately, as a non-Muslim and non-Malay, I’m sad to say many of us here are. I think we all need to keep our emotions under control.

OMG Okeylah: Let’s see if those aggressors would care to apologise to all non-Muslims for the assault.

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