The Crown Prince of Johor Urges Muslims To Respect Other Beliefs
I have lived in Malaysia for more than 20 years, and one thing that I have always admired about this country is the diversity, harmony and respect that most Malaysians give to each other. As a Dorje Shugden practitioner who has encountered many adversities because of my choice of spirituality, this mutual acceptance of differences in beliefs is something I truly appreciate and am thankful for in Malaysia.
As Buddhists, we practice the middle way and distance ourselves from any form of extremism, and we have the fasting Buddha showing us a clear reminder of how extremism can be counter productive to our spiritual path as well as create disharmony within secular life.
Recently the Crown Prince of Johor (a state in Malaysia), a wonderful leader who has earned the respect and support of his people has given very wise advice to his public. After reading HRH Tengku Ismail’s advice to his fellow Muslims, I really wanted to share this with everyone. His wonderful advice that encourages harmony is something that we all can apply in our lives, regardless of our religions, race or socioeconomic backgrounds in all countries. I am not commenting at all on the religious part but totally on how His Royal Highness advises harmony and mutual respect.
I hope that HRH Tengku Ismail, who is a leading figure amongst our Malaysian countrymen, will have a long and healthy life, and continue to be a great role model in encouraging harmony for all Malaysians. I pray all Malaysia will continue to grow, prosper and enjoy peace and harmony.
Tsem Rinpoche
The Crown Prince of Johor Urges Muslims To Respect Others Beliefs And To Refrain From Extremism
By coverage | December 25, 2015
The Crown Prince of Johor said Islam teaches its followers to respect people of different races and beliefs and to stay away from any form of extremism.
UNITY IS A BLESSING
I would like to take this opportunity to wish everybody blissful Friday. To my beloved Bangsa Johor; Islam is a religion of peace and love. Islam teaches us to respect people of different races and beliefs. I live in a state with various races and religions, and I was taught by my forefathers to respect all of them.
Johor is what Johor is today since 1885 due to the unity of Bangsa Johor. I have Malay, Chinese and Indian friends. During Chinese New Year, I wish them Happy Chinese New Year. To the Hindus, I wish them Happy Deepavali, and for the Christians, I wish them Merry Christmas. That doesn’t make me less of a Muslim, that makes us human. During Hari Raya Aidilfitri, people of other races wish us Selamat Hari Raya. If others can respect my beliefs, why can’t I respect them?
To my fellow Johoreans; be different from certain parts of this country. Being a Muslim is about your faith and the purity of the heart. Al-Qur’an is our guide. Don’t try to be smarter than the Al-Qur’an. Malays should remember our roots and education since childhood, and not be influenced by foreign elements. Let us refrain from extremism.
I don’t understand why you have to be so afraid of respecting one another? Let us not be divided bacause of political interests and position of certain people. Hate doesn’t make you a Muslim; it is common sense, love, and respecting one another that makes you a Muslim and human being. The quality of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts, so choose wisely. May Allah Bless Johor. Long live Johor.
HRH BRIGADIER GENERAL TUNKU ISMAIL IBNI SULTAN IBRAHIM, THE CROWN PRINCE OF JOHOR.
Malay Translation
MUAFAKAT ITU BERKAT
Saya ingin mengambil kesempatan ini untuk mengucapkan salam Jumaat kepada semua. Kepada Bangsa Johor yang dikasihi sekalian, Islam merupakan sebuah agama yang mengajar kita nilai-nilai kasih sayang dan keamanan. Islam mengajar kita menghormati orang yang berbeza kaum dan kepercayaan. Saya hidup dalam negeri yang berbilang kaum dan agama, dan saya telah dididik oleh keluarga saya untuk menghormati semuanya.
Johor tetap jadi Johor sejak 1885 adalah kerana perpaduan Bangsa Johor. Saya mempunyai rakan-rakan berbangsa Melayu, Cina dan India. Pada perayaan Tahun Baru Cina saya ucapkan Selamat Tahun Baru Cina kepada mereka. Saya mengucapkan Selamat Menyambut Deepavali kepada mereka yang beragama Hindu. Kepada yang beragama Kristian pula saya ucapkan Selamat Hari Krismas.
Ianya tidaklah menjadikan saya seorang Islam yang tidak baik, ianya menunjukkan budi bahasa kita. Pada Hari Raya Aidilfitri, mereka daripada kaum dan kepercayaan lain mengucapkan kepada kita Selamat Hari Raya. Jika mereka boleh menghormati kepercayaan saya, apa sebab saya tidak boleh menghormati mereka?
Kepada rakyat Johor sekalian, biarlah kita berbeza daripada sesetengah tempat di negara ini. Sebagai seorang Muslim, apa yang penting adalah keimanan dan keikhlasan hati kita. Al-Qur’an adalah panduan kita. Janganlah kita cuba jadi lebih pandai daripada Al-Qur’an. Orang Melayu kita harus ingat asal usul dan pendidikan kita dari kecil, dan tidak mudah terpengaruh dengan elemen luar. Janganlah kita mengikut fahaman yang ekstrim.
Saya tidak faham apa yang anda takut sangat hendak menghormati antara satu sama lain? Janganlah kita berpecah belah kerana kepentingan politik dan kedudukan orang lain. Kebencian tidak menjadikan anda seorang Muslim. Pertimbangan yang baik, saling hormat menghormati dan kasih sayang menjadikan anda seorang insan dan Muslim yang baik. Kualiti kehidupan anda bergantung kepada kualiti pemikiran anda, jadi pilihlah dengan baik. Allah Berkati Johor. Hidup Johor.
DYAM BRIGADIER JENERAL TUNKU ISMAIL IBNI SULTAN IBRAHIM, TUNKU MAHKOTA JOHOR
Source: http://thecoverage.my/news/the-crown-prince-of-johor-urge-muslims-to-respect-others-beliefs-and-to-refrain-from-extremism/
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I totally agree with what the The Crown Prince of Johor says. Unity and respect is the best policy regardless of race and religion. Thank you Rinpoche and blog team for this important write up.👍🙏😍
Malaysia is a beautiful country of diversity, harmony and respect . As we can see the Crown Prince of Johor did make a statement quite sometime back to show respect for one other even though there is misunderstanding at times. A beautiful advice as we live in a multi national country. All religions is the same ,teaches us to respect others of different races ,beliefs and religion. When we respect each other and have a peaceful ,harmonious environment , will some how makes our country a great place to live.
We are all different but what must remain is respect……as said by the crown Prince.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this article.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this article. HRH Tunku Ismail is such a good role model for everyone. HRH’s speech is a good one whereby HRH said that we as human need to respect other people’s beliefs no matter they are in Malaysia or anywhere in the world. HRH also adviced not to be extremes. Respecting each other’s culture and beliefs make the country a better to stay.
Regards,
Vivian
My respect for the Sultans and the Princess has just soared based on the Johor’s Crown prince statements. I am thankful that the monarchy, comes out with such level headed rhetoric that promotes harmony and betterment of society.
“I don’t understand why you have to be so afraid of respecting one another?” – Powerful words from the Crown Prince. When we are violent, vulgar and rude in protecting our faith, it means we are insecure in our beliefs. We are afraid people can convert us. But why be afraid if we are confident in what we know? I hope more people take heed of his words because it will benefit Malaysia for the future. The mark of a truly evolved society is one that respects all, regardless of differences in belief.
It is this kind of liberal, open-mindedness and strong belief in harmony that makes a better society or a country. In a multi racial country like our country, it’s vital to cultivate this kind of attitude that promote mutual respect. Everyone wishes world peace yet very little people are taking a step further to realize this dream, Crown Prince of Johor is indeed the light that brings us hope.
HRH Tengku Ismail is indeed a very wonderful and respectable leader of the Johor state.
He has earned the respect of his people and many others not because he is of royal descent but also because he is a very down to earth person who frequently encourages the spread of Unity, racial harmony, peace and many more.
In HRH Tengku Ismail’s speech above, his advice should not just be an encouragement for racial harmony towards Muslims but also to people of other religion and races.
Unity between all races and religions is important because if we are all not united with each other and choose to only depend on people of our race and religion then it is not possible to accomplish big things.
Like His Royal Highness said himself, the reason behind what Johor is what it is today is because the people were all united together.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this article!
This is such good news. Its good to see that the Crown Prince of Johor knows how to lead the state properly and most importantly knows how to create peace within Malaysia. This is great news and i was pleased when reading this article.
So many wars and battles have been caused by different beliefs. These wars could have been avoided if those people respected each others beliefs and religions. There would be less conflicts and fighting in the world if everyone accepted every else’s beliefs. The world would simply become a better place.
The Prince shows so many good traits. Compassion, Kindness, Fairness, Patriotism, Awareness etc. So many traits that make him a great leader for Johor. I am now confident that Johor will have a pleasant future as long as this Prince is in charge of the state. Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this post with us.
I am a Johorian. It’s so nice to see the message. That’s so true that when I visit to Malay, Indian or any race in Malaysia to celebrate Hari Raya, Thaipusam, Hari Gawai or any festive – this doesn’t make me less of a Chinese or a Buddhist.
“…That doesn’t make me less of a Muslim, that makes us human..” Thank you for the message. I think Malaysians need to contemplate on this message more than anytime in our history, as we are more and more distant each other by different political views or stands.
May my country Malaysia prosperous and people who live here happy and healthy always 🙂
Dear Rinpoche,
Thank you for posting this. It has left me cautiously optimistic. I would really like to keep my faith in humanity. 🙂
Your student,
Keng Hwa. _/|\_
The Prince of Johor is setting up a really good example to his people. We should practise tolerance and respect people from different walks of life, from different backgrounds, races and religion. Religion preaches to always be kind to others, if we can’t even follow this simple teaching, then how do we call ourselves religion practitioners?
I really enjoy this article because it’s educational and by reading about what the Prince did, I have even deeper respect towards him. I think this is what a person with high status should do, to influence others for the better and inspire the people around us.
It is open mindedness, acceptance and tolerance like this that can build a brighter tomorrow as the world gets smaller and integration is necessary. Reading this gives hope and makes me believe in the tag line: Malaysia, Truly Asia.
Thank you Rinpoche for always finding information to give us hope and faith.
The Crown Prince of Johor is very wise and inspiring. He has the courage to speak up logically for the benefit of his countrymen.
HRH stated that, “Hate doesn’t make you a Muslim; it is common sense, love, and respecting one another that makes you a Muslim and human being.” I agree with HRH. Spirituality is about loving kindness and compassion. Any sort of extremist behaviour that promotes violence, disharmony, discrimination, hatred, and intolerance is not spiritual.
In a multi racial country like Malaysia, it is important that we live harmoniously and respect each others’ differences so that the country can prosper and grow. I hope HRH will speak up more and put pressure on those with extremist behaviour to stop their political propaganda.
Thank you, Rinpoche for sharing with us HRH Tengku Ismail’s wonderful message. It is truly a message of peace, love, respect and harmony, for all Malaysians of different origins, Faith and beliefs. Quoting from what HRH said, “Hate doesn’t make you a muslim; it is common sense, love and respecting one another that makes you a muslim and human being.” Here is a crown Prince, so full of wisdom, compassion, love and respect for others’ freedom of Choice on what they want to believe in and choose to follow in their religious practice/belief. It is a basic human right that no-one should be deprived of! Malaysia will certainly continue to prosper and grow with peace, harmony and happiness under such an understanding leader of wisdom! May HRH Tengku Ismail have a long healthy and happy life to always remain dispelling the darkness of ignorances of all his people in our beautiful country Malaysia!
I have never think higher of Malaysian royalty because they are more known for their abuse of wealth and power than anything else. This article shines new positive light on the future of Malaysian royalty.
The advice from HRH Tengku Ismail, the Crown Prince of Johor is both wise and compassionate. To encourage unity, harmony and respect among different races and different religions should be fundamental for all religious beliefs.
I specially like what the Crown Prince said that being a Muslim is about your faith and the purity of the heart. Why do we have to be afraid so afraid of respecting one another?
Act of kindness, humility, respect and acceptance doesn’t make us inferior. Everyone should keep their own faith pure, that’s between you and your God. Respecting other religions do not denigrate one’s own. I think on the contrary it shows the purity of one’s faith.
Dear Rinpoche,
Thank you for sharing the message of HRH Tengku Ismail to all Malaysian recently.
His advice is absolutely correct. Religion is about harmony, peace and loving each other. Everyone had the freedom to choose what they believe in and practice and everyone should respect that freedom.
This is the same when it comes to Dorje SHugden issue. Dorje Shugden practitioners should be given the freedom and respect to practice whatever they deem appropriate as long as it is following Buddha’s teaching. It is basic human rights that nobody should be deprived of.
Humbly
Chris
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing HRH Tengku Ismail’s advice to all Malaysian recently.
I totally agree with the Crown Prince’s advice. All religion is about peace and love. We have our right to choose whatever religion which suites us.
“The quality of your life depends on the quality of your thought” from the Crown Prince had widen my thought because the quality of our thought always determine our action. If our thought is bad, no matter how well we cover it, one-day it will explode and the sufferings begin. Therefore set up a good motivation is a good start to transform our mind to be a better person and stop create more bad karma.
With hand folded,
NgJesvin
All religions teach love, peace, harmony, kindness, compassion, generosity, tolerance, forgiveness.
HRH Tunku Ismail Ibni Sultan Ibrahim is truly religious and a great leader.
Unlike HRH, the leaderships of CTA are the total opposite. They use religious issues to suppress, control, put down, divide their own people. Politics take front seat over the welfare of Tibetans who practice Dorje Shugden. Instead of spending precious time and resources on religious issues that bring no benefit to anyone, CTA should focus on bettering the lives and lifestyle of all Tibetans before they ran out of people to govern. No wonder the exodus of Tibetans to other countries. It shows the people want a better life, not pain and suffering. They have suffered far too long with too much agony.
Great advice by HRH Tengku Ismail to his fellow public. I totally agree with him that ‘Why have to be afraid of respecting one another?’ . ‘Hate’ doesn’t make one close to their spiritual and definitely not a value of human being. What HRH Tengku Ismail says shows that even Islamic teaching teaches respect others belief. I believe all religious teaches respect and as leader it’s very important for one to encourage this value to unite their people in a harmony environment. This is a true leader that emphasise human value instead of differences.
The Tibetan leaders should learn how to respect their people beliefs just like HRH Tengku Ismail and this practice has been a great value for all successful and democratic country to unite their people by giving respecting their human rights and religions freedom. Segregating and discrimination will only create separation and it does not create any positive value in anyway.
Hope the Tibetan leaders will lift Shugden ban soon and unite their people in a democratic way. This ban has been creating a lot of unnecessary suffering to many people around the world.