The commercialization of religious activities is becoming more and more prevalent in Malaysia, to the point that the religious significance of certain celebrations is fading.

Panelists of an interfaith dialogue made up of religious scholars and academics agreed, that corporate organizations are commercializing religion.

"I drive to Bangi from KL everyday and I see a lot billboards and advertisements all the way and even before the month of Ramadan there were already a variety of ads on buffets.

"These buffet ads are not cheap. Have we lost our spirituality to the capitalists’ agenda?" asked the moderator of the Ramadan interfaith dialogue, Dr. Shahreen Mat Nayan. This started the ball rolling on the issue of religion and commercialization.

Islamic scholar Khalina Normaiza Khalili believes we’ve gone overboard in terms of celebrating or breaking our fast.

“Parents are responsible for instilling the love for fasting and the love for fasting month, but some parents find the easy way out, just spend money and have people serve you," she pointed out.

She added that since it is especially harder on youngsters to fast, it doesn’t help that advertisers push for cooking shows to be scheduled just before the azan for Maghrib.

Gradually over time and training they would learn the actual need for fasting, which is to become nearer to God, she said.

For panelist Reverend Dr. Clarence Devadass from the Archdiocesan Pastoral Institute, he agreed that the capitalistic mentality is prevalent and people are profiting from religious activities.

He said, “If you go to malls, before one celebration is over the decorations for another celebration is already being put up.

“Christmas is synonymous with Santa Claus and nothing else. Jingle bells and mistletoe has nothing to do with the true meaning of Christmas, but part of commercialization of these festivities.”

“Even gift-giving has become almost like a necessity in most festivities. We’re being swept away by this materialistic perception of all the religious festivities,” he said, adding that the religious significance of a celebration shouldn't be eroded by commercial values.

Though there isn't any actual opportunity for commercialization of religious activities in Buddhism, panelist and Buddhist monk, Venerable Kumara Bhikku said Buddhists themselves have commercialized Buddhism, with many enterprising adverts being placed in certain Buddhist worship places.

Meanwhile, panelist and Malaysian Hindu Sangam Deputy President V.Kandasamy agreed that advertising gimmicks should not influence us and distort our understanding of the true purpose of a religious celebration.

The Ramadan interfaith dialogue titled 'The Power of Fasting: Purpose and Benefits' put into focus the significance of fasting in different religions, namely in Islam, Christianity, Hinduism and Buddhism.

The dialogue which took place at the Centre for Civilization Dialogue, University of Malaya witnessed a gathering of some 50 participants, among them included religious scholars, academics and members of the public.