Tearing down religious barriers

Religious scholars, academics and members of the public converged at the Centre for Civilization Dialogue, University of Malaya (UMCCD), Thursday for an interfaith dialogue in this holy month of Ramadan.

It was heart-warming to see people of different faiths at the dialogue titled, ‘The Power of Fasting: Purpose and Benefits’, a session which also aimed to form networks between people of different religions and ethnicities.

One pertinent message illuminated throughout the session was for more dialogue; simple conversations to better understand each other and bridge people from different walks of lives.

The interfaith dialogue also focused on the significance of fasting in different religions, namely in Islam, Christianity, Hinduism and Buddhism, kick-started by the director of UMCCD, Associate Professor Dr. Faridah Noor Mohd Noor’s opening remarks.

The session then began with each panelist explaining the origins of fasting and its significance in their respective faiths.

Below are some highlights from the dialogue:

Buddhism Buddhist monk, Venerable Kumara Bhikku: “People who are awakened, will naturally fast. Fasting is abstaining and to abstain is to observe the eight precepts, among them include abstaining from intoxicants, eating at the wrong time, and stealing.”

Hinduism Deputy President of Malaysia Hindu Sangam, V.Kandasamy: “Fasting has been a practice ever since the time of saints and sages. One who fasts has his mind focused on God and he becomes closer to God.”

Islam Islamic scholar, Khalina Normaiza Khalili: “Fasting was something common to those who had a connection with God. Every act of worship will be rewarded as He wishes.”

Christianity Catholic priest, Reverend Clarence Devadass: “In the Bible (Old Testament), fasting is associated with repentance. Fasting is something profound, a personal intimacy with God.”

It was a moment of realization when the moderator, deputy director of UMCCD, Dr. Shahreen Mat Nayan read a verse from the Quran, “O mankind! We created you from a single pair of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, so that you may know each other not that you may despise each other.

"Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is, he who is the most righteous of you. God is all knowing and all loving.”

She said that if everybody were to have the same mind-set the world would be a lot different place altogether to live in.

The three-hour event which was attended by about 50 people hoped to gradually increase their outreach by continuing the type of interfaith and cultural discourses to restore hope for a better society.

“Looking at our situation in Malaysia, I think there is lots of mistrust among each other so much so affecting our everyday lives.

“I think that kind of trust needs to be built not just in a forum like this but by committing ourselves to go out there, break the mistrust and understand one another to be part of each other’s lives. That’s when the actual dialogue takes place,” said Reverend Clarence.