Yes, Minister! Let common values of humanity drive us as one

YES, Minister, let’s rise and shine. Let’s draw strength from our shared values of humanity and bestow upon ourselves a sense of dignity and a human face as we strive to achieve enduring peace, harmony and the fulfilment of a shared destiny.

Let’s put aside our differences over religion and ethnicity and work to bring people closer together and to be more tolerant and accepting of one another.

If we wish to move on, we have no choice, do we?

We have waited too long. It is time to get our act together, concentrate on a revitalised commitment, and set in motion the shared humanity wheel. Rhetoric and short-lived feel-good sparkles ought to step aside.

Yes Minister, we must quickly identify, if we have not done it effectively yet, our strong common denominators that unite and not divide, that breed social justice and not create disparity, that fortify a commonality and not give space to ethnic hegemony, and above all, that strengthen the pursuit of a shared destiny.

Still, we must ask ourselves if we are courageous enough to step out of the rigid religious and ethnic framework to reach out to others on a common ground, without the need to compromise your faith and ethnic identity.

Historic meeting of Pope, Jakarta Chief Imam

The historic meeting between Pope Francis and Nasaruddin Umar, the Chief Imam of Jakarta’s Istiqal Mosque, last week sent a powerful message to all of humanity, particularly to those of us in the Malay Archipelago, emphasising the importance of people from all walks of life coming together and defending common human ideals and values.

Our leaders have previously stated nearly the same thing many times, albeit with some localised variations, and it will most likely be repeated. But not much appears to change in the minds of people who are either unprepared or swayed by socio-ethnic elements in their environment to look past their old narrative to a more expansive, inclusive reality.

Yes Minister, if the mindset is still firmly ingrained in the rigid, antiquated framework of the old template, then no amount of repeating the national ideology endorsing ‘Madani’ will be sufficient to achieve the desired results.

We need to rise beyond the hyperbole and jargon that drive the media buzz.

‘Wake-up call’

For many of us who would rather stay politically correct and safe than walk this seemingly slippery path to bridge the divide in order to further the cause of humanity, are guilty of not doing justice to humanity. They need to rethink again and look at the bigger picture of community, civilisation and humanity.

The signing of the Declaration dubbed ‘Joint Declaration of Istiqlal 2024: Fostering Religious Harmony for the Sake of Humanity’ at the recent meeting between the Pope and the Chief Imam of the Jakarta National Mosque, should serve as a wake-up call.

It also serves as a reminder of the potentially dire situation that might affect not just our community but all of humanity, if we do not act swiftly to bridge the difference and create a lasting common and binding platform.

Everyone is aware that even in well-regulated settings, religion and ethnicity can be touchy and contentious subjects that split society. The red line must not be crossed and the respect for each other’s faith must be upheld at all times.

Notwithstanding, the discourse ought to bring people together around generally accepted human values that form the basis of societal cohesion and a reinvigorated civilised system, or ‘Madani’, as Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim calls it.

Crucial contemporary issues affecting mankind and which must be jointly addressed by people from different faiths and ethnic belongings would, therefore, have to be viewed from the lens of humanity if we are to make good of the humanity crusade to change the social and economic landscape.

Yes, Minister.

Millions of people worldwide must have been moved by the charming and fraternal exchange between the visiting Pope and the Chief Imam of the Jakarta National Mosque, offering hope for a future of peace, harmony, and tolerance for all.

There was all-round positivity in the meeting and declaration that followed.

Shared values to deepen cooperation

The historic meeting sent a clear message about the value of people of different faiths uniting and finding a common ground in the pursuit of a common future that would include social justice, peace, harmony, and a sustainable environment.

It calls upon religious leaders to deepen their cooperation in order to defend human dignity, and fight climate change.

According to the declaration, the culture of violence and indifference afflicting our world should be effectively challenged by the values shared by our religious traditions.

Indeed, in order to combat environmental degradation as well as dehumanisation, shared religious principles ought to be focused on advancing a culture of decency, compassion, forgiveness, and brotherly solidarity.

There is a great anticipation that leaders would take up the cause and act if the Chief Imam and the Pope were sincere about achieving the objectives of the Jakarta Declaration, which they both signed for the sake of mankind.

Malaysia cannot opt to remain ignorant about it.

‘Stay clear of doctrine, dogma’

Our religious beliefs and rituals have a particular capacity to speak to the human heart and thus, foster a deeper respect for human dignity. To combat the culture of violence, we must successfully promote the virtues that our faith traditions share.

However, in order to expand the extent and reach of the human heart, individuals who are aware of this talent must share it with others and allow it to work in concert with the capacities of people of different religions.

Still, promoting human qualities that cut across religious divides requires avoiding religious dogma or doctrine.

We are often reminded that we, sometimes, make the error of thinking that attending or holding a joint-religious meeting means attempting to find common ground between differing theological concepts and views.

However, as every religious experience has its own set of guiding principles and beliefs, employing such a strategy might ultimately push us apart.

So, be true to the values that guide humanity and avoid it at all costs. Inter-dialogue, unless the agenda is properly drawn up with the dos and don’ts, may end up as ‘a hollow exercise’.

What really brings us closer is creating a connection in the midst of diversity, cultivating bonds of friendship, care and reciprocity.

This sets the foundation and environment for development and progress that cuts across racial and religious divides to take place.

Everyone would treat each other with trust and respect. Everyone would be able to rise in one voice to address and mitigate issues of concern such as climate change, environment, corruption, social injustice, poverty and sustainability.

Unpredictable forces of politics, democracy

From a broader and long-term perspective, this means resetting the social ecosystem in ways that would bode well for the promotion and acceptance of humanity values across the board. This effectively means seeking ways to review some social structure and processes that have been established by politics and legislation.

This may be a case of taking humanity to the furthest possible ends of the trajectory where justice and equality reign supreme.

In real life, this is almost an impossible task. The cruel and unpredictable forces of politics and democracy may decide differently.

Religion, which is a key factor in influencing and shaping the path to unity in a multi-cultural society, remains a delicate subject, and for most, a sensitive one.

Many would prefer to ignore or tiptoe around the subject than discuss it in public. But the curious nature of the educated and discerning public will not fade.

* Toman Mamora is ‘Tokoh Media Sarawak 2022’, recipient of Shell Journalism Gold Award (1996) and AZAM Best Writer Gold Award (1998). He remains true to his decades-long passion for critical writing as he seeks to gain insight into some untold stories of societal value.