Cover image via The Straits Times
G25, the group of prominent Malays figures, say the Taman Medan protestors have tarnished the image of Islam
Marina Mahathir asks since when did Muslims believe that inanimate objects have power over them?
Taman Medan assemblyman Haniza Mohamed Talha says the protestors think the faith of Muslims is so fragile that looking at a cross can drive them away from the religion
Sisters In Islam echoed the notion that "the cross does not have magical powers that can compromise a person's belief"
"Only vampires fear the cross," says actress Wardina Safiyyah who believes Christians are the closest to Muslims
"I hope the cross stays there. #letthecrossstay Please don't take it down. My heart goes out to my Christian brothers and sisters. I am so sorry that you are being bullied by my fellow Muslims. The Muslims since centuries ago including during the times of Prohphet pbuh have long lived harmoniously with the Christians. I believe the Christians to be the closest to us Muslims and I sincerely with all my heart love my Christian sisters and brothers. "
"Dear Muslims, act like Muslims. Only vampires fear the cross. Let the Christians worship freely. The Prophet pbuh says 'Kindness makes things beautiful, while violence renders them defective,'"
Forcing the removal of the sacred symbol is unacceptable and disrespectful, says Selangor MB Azmin Ali
"The way to uphold Islam is through wisdom, good teachings and the best dialogue. Not by bringing down the cross at a church," former Umno leader Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah
In a statement, the Muslims Professionals Forum gives examples of how Islam is rich with respect of other faiths, their adherents, and protection of their places of worship
This mindless act of hatred and incitement against another religion's place of worship has no place in Islam and deserves unreserved condemnation. Islam is rich with examples of respect for other faiths, their adherents and protection of their places of worship.
During Umar ibn Al-Khattabb, the second righteous caliph's reign, the religious freedom of the citizens of Ilya (Jerusalem) and the sanctity of their synagogues and places of worship were confirmed: "This is the protection which the slave-servant of Allah, Umar, the Commander of the Believers, extends to the people of Ilya: The safeguarding of their lives, properties, churches, crosses, and of their entire community. Their churches cannot be occupied, demolished, or damaged, nor are their crosses or anything belonging to them to be touched. They will never be forced to abandon their religion, nor will they be oppressed …" (At-Tabari, Tarikh, Vol III, p. 609, ed. Dar Al-Ma`arif, Egypt.)
It is evident that there is no room in Islam for intolerance towards other faiths and their places of worship and any form of disrespect and desecration is antithetical to the essence of Islam.
