SEVENTEEN MUSLIM NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS (NGOS) AND 13 CHRISTIAN NGOS IN PAHANG MET SUNDAY TO SEEK CONSENSUS IN ADDRESSING THE ISSUE OF ATTACKS ON HOUSES OF WORSHIP WHICH HAVE BEEN OCCURRING OF LATE.

Muslim, Christian NGOs Meet Over Attacks On Houses Of Worship

KUANTAN, Jan 17 (Bernama) -- Seventeen Muslim non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and 13 Christian NGOs in Pahang met Sunday to seek consensus in addressing the issue of attacks on houses of worship which have been occurring of late.

Among the NGOs involved were the Malaysian Islamic Youth Movement (Abim), Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia, All-Malaysia Federation of Muslim Undergraduates, the Kuantan Baptist Church, Kuantan Chapel and Victory Assembly.

Abim deputy president Amidi Abdul Manan said a muhibah (solidarity) statement would be disseminated to the people in Pahang, besides proposing to all NGOs nationwide to hold such meetings as the result was positive.

"We held this meeting as we realised that unity depended on harmonious co-existence of the various races and that everyone has a role to play in preserving peace and prosperity in this country," he told reporters after the meeting here.

Meanwhile, a representative of the Christian priests here, George Lau, urged all quarters to respect the provisions on religion in the Federal Constitution.

"As NGOs, we urge the parties responsible to end the disturbance which has caused uneasiness among the public," he said.

Lau said those who attacked churches and mosques (over the "Allah" issue) should be immediately brought to book.

He said that NGOs would always support initiatives to enhance interaction and understanding among people of different religions.