Irrational Reaction by Extremist Minority

Hundreds of protesters burned efigies and demonstrated against a person who complained against a mosque in Kampung Kerinchi, Kuala Lumpur. The man had apparently complained that the loudspeakers used by the mosque was too loud.

It was alleged that some of the demonstrators even called for the complainant's housed to be burned down. Thankfully this complainant was reported to be alligned to a member of the ruling coalition, the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA). Or else, the issue would have been politicised. But then again, there is no guarantee that this issue would not be politicised as some politicians are extremely sly.

Looking at this news report, we should be thankful that the Christian community was mature and calm when certain extremists called for the ban on the use of the word "Allah" in Christian worship. Even when terrorists burned down a church in Kualau Lumpur, the Christian community exercised calm and maturity.

And recently, when news went around that a Christian church was asked to take off crucifixes from walls during the visit of a very senior politician, the Christians still remained calm.

This shows that the Christian community in Malaysia are extremely rational and calm. In fact, when a Malayan-based newspaper published an insulting cartoon of Jesus holding a beer bottle, the Christian church was willing to forgive the newspaper.

Let us hope that the narrow-minded and adrenalin-driven immature demonstrators in Kuala Lumpur could also be more mature and forgiving. The North Borneo Herald believes this group of demonstrators do not represent all Muslims. The Lembah Pantai Member of Parliament (MP) Nurul Izzah Anwar was a reflection of a true Muslim when she urged Muslims to be calm in the incident.