Zakir Naik issue: Need for empathy, Anas tells Malaysians
Anas Zubedy also says Zakir Naik should do the right thing and leave Malaysia because as a good Muslim, he must not want to cause trouble in the homeland of others.
In the post, Anas highlighted the need for empathy on the part of all Malaysians, saying it was very much an individual responsibility.
“I stopped eating beef in 1985 on my 21st birthday although my favourite meal then was the McDonalds Quarter Pounder with cheese.
“I tried to convince my university to stop serving beef to respect the Hindus because there was no pork served there too.
“However, since I did not manage to convince them, I decided to start with myself, and so I have not taken beef for 32 years,” Anas said, adding that he not only refrains from eating beef, but ensures that beef is not served at any of his functions at the office or at home.
Anas said he knew of Indian and Chinese friends who are sensitive to the needs of Muslims too.
“I have Hindu friends, who have many Malay friends, and they too avoid pork.
“I also have many non-Muslim – Chinese and Indian – friends who avoid going to non-halal restaurants and food outlets when I am in the picture. That is the beauty of Malaysia,” he said.
Saying for the nation to succeed, Malaysians need to practise empathy, Anas also called for Muslims not to serve beef at functions, “even if only one Hindu is present”.
Referring to the poem by Asri, a Muslim scholar who had previously received much praise from non-Muslims for speaking up against the views of his counterparts from Pahang and Perak, Anas said all Malaysian religious leaders should learn and understand about the other’s faiths.
“Some, or perhaps many, religious leaders in Malaysia make comments about other beliefs without having even a rudimentary knowledge about the religion.
“My dear Muslim brothers and sisters, Hindus do not worship the cow but they hold cows in very high esteem. It’s a respect they give to an animal that provides a lot within their agricultural history. Let’s respect that please,” said the founder of a company that specialises in human development.
Anas is famous for putting out full-page newspaper advertisements with positive messages during various religious festivals and on the new year celebrations of various ethnic groups in the country.
He also targeted controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik directly by asking him to do the right thing as a Muslim.
“The right thing for Zakir Naik to do now is to leave the country because as a good Muslim he must not want to cause trouble in the homeland of others. ‘Melayu kata, tahu malu. (As Malays say, ‘it’s about having a sense of shame’),” Anas said.
“Will there ever be a day when all preachers fully trust their God and religion so much so they need not belittle the other when they preach?”
The response to Anas’ FB comment was swift and full of praises with most agreeing with his view on abstaining from eating meats which are not eaten by their friends for religious reasons.
A few, however, said eating a particular meat does not in any way show disrespect to another’s faith as the two issues are separate.
Nizaruddin Tahir wrote: “Doesn’t mean I eat beef I don’t respect my Indian friend. It doesn’t mean I eat meat I don’t respect the vegetarian friend. Also doesn’t mean that when my Chinese friends eat pork, they do not respect me as Muslim. We have beliefs for us to adhere to and we practise it.”
Sures Thambuthurai wrote: “It’s okay to serve beef if you ask me in events which are attended by Indians/Hindus. A good practice would be to have labels, like how it is done to cater for vegetarians.”
Another Muslim commenter shared the same values practised by Anas, saying it was not just him but all residents in his area.
“Actually my housing area has been practicing this since the beginning. Basically it is no beef and pork. Vegetarian food is also served. Majority is Malay and there are Chinese and Indians,” Mohd Rafi Ab Rahman wrote.
Vijay Kumar laments the fact that Malaysians of all races could once host open houses during their respective festivals knowing their friends will attend without any reservations.
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“Remember Anas, those days when we used to go to Malay, Chinese and Indian houses for Hari Raya, Chinese New Year, Deepavali and Christmas. We just went and ate. No need to ask… (because) nothing inappropriate will be served,” he wrote.