Religious leaders unite at 16th Selangor WADAH Summit

In a world grappling with religious conflicts and divisive rhetoric, the 16th Selangor WADAH Summit, held at UNISEL on October 28, 2023, became a powerful beacon of hope for interfaith harmony in Malaysia. It aims to harness the influence of religious leaders to bridge these divides. By promoting values of peaceful coexistence and simplicity, the seminar seeks to foster understanding, goodwill, and awareness among religious leaders, communities, and the general public, ultimately fostering unity and harmony across religious and racial boundaries in Malaysia while upholding the principles of Rukun Negara.

The summit brought together eminent religious leaders from Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity, and Islam who, through their presentations, stressed the importance of living peacefully together. The seminar featured representatives from each of the four major religions, each given 40 minutes to elucidate their faith’s teachings on living peacefully together. The speakers included Thai Ming Yeow, Assistant Secretary General of the Buddhist Missionary Society Malaysia, Dr. Muralitharan Paramasua, Central Council Member of Malaysia Hindu Sangam, Dr. Dennis Raj, President of the Tamil Annual Conference of the Methodist Church of Malaysia, and Ustaz Dr. Ahmad Zaki Abdul Latiff, Chairman of WADAH Selangor.

Bridging divides

Dr. Dennis Raj, President of the Methodist Church of Malaysia, emphasized the core Christian principle of acceptance, calling upon all Christians to embrace one another unconditionally. “The Bible teaches all Christians to accept one another without discrimination,” he asserted.

Dr. Raj’s message transcends the boundaries of faith, echoing a universal plea for people of all backgrounds to come together and foster a sense of togetherness, irrespective of their differences. His speech was a poignant reminder of the shared values that can bind people in a diverse society.

Thai Ming Yeow, from the Buddhist Missionary Society Malaysia, highlighted the urgency of addressing conflicts, stating, “One of the most urgent issues people face at this time is the conflict between religions, between countries, between people. This poses a serious challenge.”

Ming Yeow continued, “The principles and values of peace are common to all humans; we all want comfort.” He quoted the age-old wisdom: “There is no way to peace; peace is the only way,” underscoring the importance of starting the journey to peace within oneself.

Embrace of unity

Dr. Muralitharan Paramasua, representing Malaysia Hindu Sangam, delivered a powerful message, stressing the significance of upholding one’s Dharma and fostering unity through mutual assistance. In his speech, Dr. Muralitharan referenced the Vedas and sacred scriptures, underlining the responsibility of every leader to ensure that individuals honor their respective Dharma, or moral duties, and actively encourage one another’s well-being.

In a subsequent interview, Dr. Muralitharan expanded on this concept, articulating how the idea of living together is an inherent and foundational tenet of Hinduism. He highlighted the belief that all human beings share a common origin, a unity that transcends individual differences. “The idea of living together is already embedded in Hinduism because we all come from one source, and there is no way that we don’t live with one another,” he said.

Shared values for peaceful coexistence

Ustaz Dr. Ahmad Zaki Abdul Latiff, Chairman of WADAH Selangor, addressed a crucial aspect of harmonious coexistence in his speech at the 16th Selangor WADAH Summit. He emphasized the fundamental values that underpin peaceful living, including justice, helping others in virtuous ways, respecting freedom of religion, maintaining mutual respect, refraining from criticism, doing good and just deeds, embracing moderation (wasatiyyah), and advocating for goodness while preventing evil. These values, rooted in the teachings of various religions, serve as the building blocks for a society where diverse faiths and backgrounds can unite in harmony.

In an interview, Ustaz Dr. Ahmad Zaki underscored the seminar’s mission to convey the significance of practicing peaceful coexistence, highlighting that this endeavor holds the key to achieving true unity within the community. “The Living Peacefully Together seminar aims to reveal to the community the importance of practicing peaceful life together in order to achieve the true goal of unity” Ustaz Dr Ahmad Zaki Abdul Latiff said.

Positive feedback from participants

The resounding feedback from participants echoes the significance of interfaith dialogue in fostering understanding and unity. Participants, highlighting the importance of education and enlightenment about diverse belief systems, emphasized the transformative impact of such initiatives, underlining the program’s role in bridging the gaps between communities. Moreover, this sentiment demonstrates the growing appreciation for platforms that facilitate knowledge sharing and promote harmony. As these voices attest, such events not only serve as enlightening experiences but also contribute to a more inclusive and interconnected society.

The 16th Selangor WADAH Summit at UNISEL was a testament to the power of interfaith dialogue and understanding in fostering unity and harmony in a diverse society like Malaysia. The shared values and principles advocated by the religious leaders resonate as a path towards peaceful coexistence in a world yearning for harmony.