The Star Online > Nation

Sunday May 13, 2007

Spread info via SMS and blogs, Zam tells officers

KANGAR: Use the short message service (SMS), blogs and websites to keep abreast of new information technology. 

That's the directive Information Minister Datuk Seri Zainuddin Maidin has for RTM officers. 

“Many officers are still using outdated methods in disseminating information and are not maximising advertising space to the fullest. 

“Sometimes, their thinking may have prevented them from taking a more radical stand in effecting changes,” he told a press conference after chairing the National Information Council (NIC) meeting at Putra Palace Hotel here yesterday. 

He said that before blogs or websites were up, RTM and newspapers were among the popular sources of information for society. 

Of late, he added, more would resort to getting news from blogs and websites. However, only the intellectual society was able to gauge the reliability of information derived from such sites, he said. 

Zainuddin said he met the president of the French Printed Media Association in France who voiced out the growing threat faced by the printed media from blogs. 

“I’m not disputing blogs as the latest means of disseminating information through the Web but there is this fear that information posted on these sites are baseless and not obtained through reliable sources. 

“Not everybody who reads them can differentiate the truth from the rumours,” he added. 

He also said there was a proposal for RTM to put up information in the form of “wall newspapers” at bus stands like in China for easy accessibility to information from the Government.  

Orang Asli easy prey of recruitment agencies

© Copyright 2007 The New Straits Times Press (M) Berhad. All rights reserved.

The Star Online > Nation

Sunday May 13, 2007

10 organisations under probe over use of third-party fundraisers

By FOONG PEK YEE AND MAZWIN NIK ANIS

The Star Online > Nation

Sunday May 13, 2007

Plan to enhance racial integration launched

KUALA TERENGGANU: Reducing racial segregation and inter- as well as intra-racial tension are among the five main objectives of the National Unity and Integration Plan 2006-2010.  

The plan, which draws up the steps to be taken for the next five years to enhance racial integration in the country, was launched by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin here yesterday. 

The plan was launched in conjunction with national-level Unity Month celebrations at Batu Burok. 

Among the other objectives of the plan are to boost the spirit of unity and patriotism among Malaysians and to increase the level of tolerance and harmony among the various ethnic groups in the country. 

The plan, which was approved by the Cabinet on May 17 last year, was drawn up in the hope of further strengthening racial unity and creating a sense of belonging in this country, as well as a feeling of being proud to be Malaysian. 

The plan outlined 19 strategies which government agencies and statutory bodies were supposed to implement. 

The agencies were to foster close racial relations by applying principles like mutual understanding and to carry out steps like monitoring of current affairs or conflicts and gauging of the impact of unity. 

The private sector, non-governmental organisations and the public are to be roped in. 

The plan also sought to promote a national identity through a quality education system and to boost the people’s understanding of the Rukunegara and the Federal Constitution. 

The plan said one of the challenges faced was that integration among the various ethnic groups in the country was still at a “functional level”. 

It said there was only integration among working peers while sincerity, a caring attitude, honesty and understanding of one racial group towards another was still not achieved. 

On the Bangsa Malaysia concept, the plan stated that the definition was still unclear and had yet to be discerned by society. 

During the event yesterday, former foreign affairs minister Tun Dr Muhammad Ghazali Shafie, former Sabah chief minister Tan Sri Peter Lo Su Yin, and previous Sarawak Dayak National Union vice-president Datuk Seri Tra Zehnder @ Philomena Tra ak Jemat received the first “Generators of Unity in Malaysia” awards.  

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Sunday Interview/National unity and integration: Behind closed doors, sometimes

By PATRICK SENNYAH

13 May, 2007

Racial unity in the country has come a long way since May 13, 1969. Though the foundations are strong, more can be done to strengthen it. PATRICK SENNYAH speaks to Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili, the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department in charge of national unity, on the issue Q: How would you describe racial unity now?

A: I have been in this job for the last three years. Coming from Sabah where the level of inter-racial tolerance is high, I have seen some very positive developments in the peninsula also.

In fact, the relationship among the Malays, Chinese and Indians has never been better. People are more conscious now and aware of the importance of racial tolerance.

Nobody wants a repeat of May 13. I have visited Kampung Medan five times and believe the people there have learnt from the bitter experience.

However, I have noticed that in urban areas, Malaysians are much more vocal these days and speak openly when they come across obstacles to national unity.

Even the media is allowing people to comment and discuss certain issues more openly.

The problem is sometimes when people are allowed to express views, sometimes competing ones, it tends to look like they are disunited.

This is not so. People are just more open these days and comment more freely. It does not mean that the core of unity is under threat.

They should be allowed to speak openly for it builds maturity. It is better for people to voice their opinions and grievances openly rather than have demonstrations and riots.

We (Prime Minister’s Department) encourage people to speak out. We welcome people of all races to sit together and speak out and resolve any misunderstanding or differences.

The only way to come to an understanding or resolve anything is to speak freely and openly, sometimes, behind closed doors.

However, things must be within limits. People must talk sensibly to build better relations and not talk nonsense.

People must be careful about what they say. Sometimes words uttered by certain groups or people may cause others to react.

That is why sometimes the government has to impose certain restrictions, like when we curtailed open discussion on Article 11 of the Federal Constitution. Some issues are sensitive and only those with the relevant knowledge should speak.

Back in Sabah, about 80 years ago, we were hunting each other’s heads.

However, after sitting down together and speaking our minds and understanding each other, we have learnt tolerance and today we live in harmony.

I believe in Malaysia, unity strongly exists. What we need to work on is the integration part.

Overall, the situation is fine. The police don’t get many race-based complaints, just about 300 per year.



Q: Could you elaborate on these race-based complaints?

A: Sometimes it is over a woman, like the last such complaint in Cheras two months ago.

However, there have been no major incidents. People are sensible enough to get to the root of the problem without getting at each other’s throats.

Each year, I visit every state at least three times and I have noticed that there is strong harmony between the three main races in smaller towns, even in Kelantan.

Based on reports from our Rukun Tetangga beat bases, there is no problem of racial unity and tolerance in small towns. The problem is in bigger towns, and especially among the middle-class.

Sometimes sentiments are triggered by some Bumiputera middle-class intellectuals who feel strongly and speak openly on the fact that other races cannot question their rights.

This is not necessary and everything can be explained and clearly understood in a more conducive and less tense situation. In fact, other races strongly respect Bumiputera rights.

At the end of the day, we should all move towards working hand in hand.

With a ruling party like the Barisan Nasional, multiracialism should form the cornerstone of our strength and no one race should belittle or look down on the other.



Q: What is the aim of the National Unity and Integration Action Plan?

A: The thrust of the plan is to co-ordinate the responsibilities of all ministries and government agencies concerned.

With the plan, we hope to inculcate unity and get all people to celebrate diversity.



Q: How will the RM100 million allocated under the Ninth Malaysia Plan be used to strengthen national unity and racial integration?

A: The money will be used for infrastructure development. We need money to build community halls, meeting areas and other facilities where people can meet and interact.

More and more people are living in flats these days where, with no meeting rooms and playgrounds, there are few opportunities for interaction.

We have raised this with the local governments and have asked them to ensure all flats and high density areas have facilities for people to mingle and organise activities.

In countries like Singapore, the ground floor is for residents to hold activities.

Our government is also going to make it compulsory for open spaces and community halls in housing areas.

We need the money to organise sufficient programmes to prevent repeats of the Kampung Medan incident. We need to spend to increase the buffer of tolerance.



Q: Was there any follow-up on the proposals submitted by the Young Lawyers Committee?

A: I have submitted the proposal to the National Unity panel that will meet next month to study it. There are some bright ideas from this group of young, bright professionals.

The proposal includes, among others, visible multiculturism in the civil service and private sector.

They (Young Lawyers’ Committee) are also doing a survey on hindrances to national unity.



Q: What has been done to ease tension in certain hotspots, such as Kampung Medan?

A: There is a high level of crime, drug abuse, unemployment and congestion in these hotspots. All these elements create tension.

Under such conditions, the smallest incident can cause tempers to flare.

And when this happens, people tend to take matters into their own hands.

Worse, there is a high concentration of illegal immigrants living in these areas.

Many of these illegals look like Malaysians and sometimes when they misbehave, we think it is actually the work of one of our people.

One way to defuse the situation would be to set up more Rukun Tetangga beat bases in these hotspots.

There are 230 such hotspots nationwide, mainly in Selangor, Penang and Johor.

We are also working closely with the police for more RakanCop projects in these areas.

There are plans for more dialogue sessions to give residents in these areas a suitable avenue to speak out.

The Youth and Sports Ministry is also organising more events for the youth in these areas.

Sometimes, there is not much for these youths to do and when their minds are idle, all kinds of negative thoughts come to them.



Q: What are the efforts to enhance racial harmony among schoolchildren?

A: The National Unity panel will focus on racial polarisation in all public and private institutes of higher learning. We will also focus on all national schools to ensure students begin mingling at an early age.

Our aim is to make national schools more multiracial and have more teachers of various races. We want to get rid of the perception that preference is given to Malays.

The problem is some teachers on their own are exuberant and because of this, we label the whole school.

If parents feel their children are not being treated fairly, they should use all available avenues to voice their grievances. We have so many avenues, including Suhakam.

In fact, the Students Integration Plan for Unity (Rimup) will go into full gear in July under the leadership of Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein.

This plan will ensure students from both national and vernacular schools share common activities and mingle at an early age.

Another integration programme called E-Integrasi was introduced in Penang recently where students use an e-module to learn the background and cultures of each other.



Q: There have been allegations that enforcement agencies, like the police, have been unfair to certain races.

A: We have not received any such complaints. If anyone feels they have been treated as such, please contact us, email us.



Q: What about the use of certain words that may upset certain races?

A: Well, that all depends on what the word is. My panel has raised this matter before and certain words deemed derogatory by the Indians have been removed.

If anyone feels any word is upsetting to their race, we will act on it.

Even in parliament, we find that some of our MPs have used certain words, though in a joking manner, which have upset other races. This must stop.



Q: What about certain ongoing issues which are race-sensitive?

A: (For instance) when one wants to leave Islam, it raises a lot of questions. This is a new experience to us.

In a way, it is good that such cases have come up for sooner or later, we will have to deal with them.

If the outcome of a case causes dissatisfaction and unhappiness among certain communities, then the government will definitely look into the matter.

If certain laws are outdated, unclear or unfair, we will clarify them and make the necessary changes to ensure they do not affect race relations.

Such cases will increase consciousness and we must resolve them on a case-by- case basis.



Q: What do you think about the recent footage on apostasy on Al Jazeera?

A: The courts must play their role. If there are no laws on certain issues, then it is the government’s duty to enact them.

I feel the judiciary has acted fairly. Issues of apostasy are sensitive to all, especially Muslims.

Before one converts to Islam, he must have sufficient understanding with the authorities. This will ensure he fully understands the nature of his conversion.

The prospective convert must be fully educated and this should be open and transparent. The convert must be fully aware of his responsibilities so that there are no future problems.

This issue of apostasy must be resolved by the relevant agencies.

People must never use religion to achieve certain goals, for example, to claim rights to their children.

I don’t think the Muslim community is happy with this as it is a clear abuse of religion.

National Service is one initiative by the government that enhances racial integration.

What is needed now is a post-National Service programme to ensure the lessons learnt during National Service are not forgotten.

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© Copyright 2007 The New Straits Times Press (M) Berhad. All rights reserved.

The Star Online > Nation

Sunday May 13, 2007

Raja Nazrin declines using state funds

Zara: Will marry Raja Nazrin at Istana Iskandariah in Kuala Kangsar on Thursday

“As the chief executive of the state government, I really appreciate the concern of the Raja Muda of Perak not to permit the state government to spend money for his marriage,” he said. 

Tajol Rosli said Raja Nazrin conveyed his wishes when he had an audience with him recently. 

“During the audience, Raja Nazrin politely thanked the state government for allocating funds for the royal wedding. 

“Instead, he advised the state government to spend the money for development projects to meet the needs of the people,” he said in a statement issued to Bernama yesterday. 

Tajol Rosli also said Raja Nazrin had told him that he would pay for all expenses incurred for his wedding. 

“Hence, if there are expenditures involving the state coffers, they are to repair and upgrade infrastructures that benefit the people in the long term,” he said. 

Raja Nazrin also said expenses for the feast for the common folk would also be borne by him. 

Some 5,000 ordinary folk, including orphans, would be feted in conjunction with the May 19 wedding reception. They include local Village and Security Development Committee (JKKK) members, village heads and grassroots politicians. 

The orphans are from Rumah Anak Yatim Kati, Rumah Anak Yatim Sultan Abdul Aziz and Rumah Anak Yatim Sungai Siput and students from schools in and around the royal town of Kuala Kangsar. 

Tajol Rosli also said the Raja Muda wanted a simple royal wedding conducted on a moderate scale. 

He said Raja Nazrin also advised companies and individuals against competing to buy advertisement space in newspapers on the occasion of his wedding. 

“Instead, he advised them that he would be happier if the funds for the advertisements are channelled for charity, especially donating to places of worship, welfare bodies, old folks homes, orphanages and schools in Perak,” Tajol Rosli said.  

The Star Online > Nation

Wednesday May 9, 2007

Assessment to replace UPSR and PMR

By SIMRIT KAUR

simrit@thestar.com.my 

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Examinations Syndicate (MES) has proposed the abolishment of two major public examinations – the Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) in Year Six and the Penilaian Menengah Rendah (PMR) in Form Three. 

Its director Datuk Dr Adi Badiozaman Tuah said there would be no public examination at the primary and lower secondary levels following the proposed introduction of school-based assessment. 

“If this is approved, the UPSR will be conducted for the last time in 2012 and the PMR in 2015,” he said. 

The MES has proposed five forms of assessment for students in the national education system. These will be piloted in the 30 pioneer cluster schools next year. They are: 

 2007/05/09

Non-Malay Muslims: Only fair for converts to keep original name

By : TUNKU YUSUF JEWA, Kota Baru

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MUCH has been written on the requests for mosques to be built for Chinese Muslims and that converts be no longer required to change their names.

Therefore, the statement by Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Othman, the religious adviser to the prime minister, against these two proposals ("No need for Chinese Muslim mosques" — NST, May 1) must have disappointed those in favour of the proposals.

First, Hamid said there were enough mosques for all Muslims. He believed that if the authorities allowed Chinese Muslims to build their own mosques, it could lead to disunity and segregation of Muslims in the country.

Secondly, he was against the idea that converts need not change their names once they became Muslims.

If the government is more considerate and sympathetic towards the cause of Chinese Muslims, it could achieve racial harmony and unity and better understanding of non-Malay Muslims.
Perhaps one of the problems with Islam in Malaysia is the close association between being a Malay and being a Muslim. The issue of Malay Muslims is constitutional, not Islamic.

It must be realised that there is a big difference between a constitutional position and a Malay position.

There are more Muslims in China than in Malaysia and more Muslims in India than in Malaysia.

In Penang, there are Tamil Muslim mosques and Pakistani mosques where the sermons can be in English during Friday prayers.

Furthermore, how could Hamid say that before conversion, some of the names were not suitable for Muslims?

A man has every right to keep his name even after conversion. What about Omar Sharif, the film star? His name sounds Muslim for an Arab but he is not a Muslim.

No confusion

I REFER to the letter from Rosey Wang Ma ("Nothing in the Quran, Hadith that compels name change" — NST, April 7) in which she touches on the "blanket decisions for the country’s Muslims based on established practices" made by Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Othman, the religious adviser to the prime minister.

She contends that there is no provision in the Quran or Hadith compelling Muslim converts to change their names to Muslim names.

She is of the view that converts should be allowed to retain their original names.

However, it is noted that when a non-Muslim embraces the Muslim faith, he is given a Muslim name and this is stated in the conversion certificate issued by Majlis Agama Islam (Islamic Religious Council).

Following this, he has to change his name in his identity card and should thereafter be known by the new name, for example, Hussein Abdullah. This has been the accepted practice.

The name change will eliminate any confusion that may arise as to his identity and the religion he professes.

S. SUNDARESON, Petaling Jaya

Focus on belief

I REFER to the report "No need for Chinese Muslim mosques" (NST, May 1). I feel compelled to respond although I have kept silent for the past 35 years of my life as a Muslim convert.

I do not read or write the Jawi script and, therefore, am unable to read the Quran. There are many who suffer this predicament.

In the twilight years of my life, I yearn to learn more about Islam. I look forward to the day I can listen to sermons conducted in Mandarin in a Chinese Muslim mosque.

As a Chinese-educated Muslim, born and bred before independence, I am proud of my Chinese heritage.

I was not happy having my name changed.

Having my name changed does not in any way make me more Muslim.

It is the akidah that I believe in. I subscribe to the views of the Perlis mufti on the matter.

I am saddened by what was mentioned by Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Othman.

SOON ABDULLAH, Kota Baru

 2007/04/04

Raja Nazrin: This country belongs to all Malaysians

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Raja Muda of Perak Raja Nazrin Shah addressing the Young Malaysians’ Roundtable Discussion on National Unity and Development in Malaysia.

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia belongs to all Malaysians equally, and all have an equal right and responsibility to take ownership of their country and its future, the Raja Muda of Perak said here yesterday.

Raja Nazrin Shah said Malaysians needed to realise they all had a vital role in building a strong nation.

The first of seven steps he defined towards this end was a sense of belonging and a common destiny, binding Malay- sians of all races, religions and origins together in a common purpose.

"Only when each citizen believes that he or she has a common home and is working towards a common destiny will he or she make the sacrifices needed for the long haul," Raja Nazrin said yesterday, in a keynote address on "Prospects and Challenges for Nation-building" at the Young Malaysians’ Roundtable Discussion on National Unity and Development in Malaysia.

The event was organised by the Bar Council and the Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute (Asli).
Raja Nazrin said the Federal Constitution, the Rukunegara and Vision 2020 encapsulated the rights, hopes and aspirations of the population in a way that no other documents could.

"The integrity of these documents must be defended and promoted, especially the first (the Federal Constitution)," he said.

Step Two: Don’t just wish away problems, as nation-building is premised on the fact that there are differences in society.

"If we all walked, talked and thought the same, it would probably not be needed. There will, unfortunately, be chauvinistic groups here, just as there are in others.

"They will fight the idea of national unity, block social change and try to be politically dominant. The existence of these groups, however, does not mean that nation-building is a futile exercise."

What it meant, rather, was that Malaysians needed to be prepared to negotiate their way through and around these differences.

Raja Nazrin suggested the creation of social movements to enlighten the people and deny popular support to chauvinists who impeded national unity.

Step Three: Nation-building required accommodation and compromise.

"In our haste to be prescriptive, we should not be so idealistic that we are incapable of also being practical. We should not allow perfection to be the enemy of the good.

"Yes, we should seek the best solutions and expect the highest standards of performance, but we should also be prepared to sacrifice some part of our positions for the good of the whole."

Raja Nazrin said individuals ended up worse off when they acted out of self-interest and not in their collective group interest.

Step Four: Avoid enforced solutions, as coercion or threats of violence would nullify nation-building.

He emphasised that might was not equal to right.

Solutions, he said, had to be found within the political and social structures, as the alternative could lead to a strong temptation to resort to illegitimate ways and means.

Nation-building required society to be open, tolerant and forward-looking, he added.

"So important are these values that they are embedded in Vision 2020’s nine strategic challenges, as are those of a mature democracy, a caring society and innovation."

Step Five: Inclusiveness, to enable the various sectors of society to be productively engaged.

Malaysians need to guard against all forms of extremism, chauvinism, racism and isolationism. In this respect, there should also be social, political and legal sanctions, he added.

"Nation-building is a process rather than an outcome. When Malaysia started off 50 years ago, there were no examples to study. There were no manuals to follow.

"While a sense of impatience is perhaps fully understandable, nation-building takes place over a period of time and only with persistence."

Raja Nazrin said trust had to be built where there was none, and co-operation established where it was absent.

"Building on layers of foundation is the only way to ensure that the process is solid and sustainable," he said.

Step Six: Political, social and economic incentives should exist to reward good behaviour and penalise bad.

"I know this statement is self-evident, but it is a fact that many countries are as likely to punish good behaviour as to reward it," he said.

"After all, if there are benefits for corruption, then there is a real cost to being honest."

The incentives for building a nation must be greater and more compelling than breaking it down, he said.

The Raja Muda said the price of racial and cultural intolerance should be made prohibitively high.

Step Seven: The greatest challenge to nation-building was balancing the need for change with that of continuity, particularly in facing globalisation.

Globalisation, Raja Nazrin said, had unleashed sweeping economic, political, social and cultural transformations that had weakened national institutions, values and norms.

On leaders of the future, Raja Nazrin said that able young people needed to be mentored. "The young should be allowed to make mistakes along the way as part of the overall learning process."

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Raja Nazrin’s bride: Chemical engineer to wed Raja Muda

09 May, 2007

© Copyright 2007 The New Straits Times Press (M) Berhad. All rights reserved.

The Star Online > Nation

Wednesday May 9, 2007

Zara Salim Davidson will become Raja Puan Besar of Perak

IPOH: Zara Salim Davidson, a grandniece of first Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman, is the bride-to-be of the Raja Muda of Perak Raja Dr Nazrin Shah. 

Zara, 34, a chemical engineer by training, heads an oil and gas consultancy based in Kuala Lumpur.  

Raja Nazrin’s bride-to-be: This is Zara Salim Davidson, a grandniece of first Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman and the bride-to-be of the Raja Muda of Perak Raja Dr Nazrin Shah. Zara, 34, a chemical engineer by training, heads an oil and gas consultancy firm based at KLCC. She is the daughter of prominent lawyer Bill Davidson. Raja Nazrin and Zara will be married in Kuala Kangsar on May 17. — Bernama

She and the prince, who has been the country’s most eligible royal bachelor for decades, have known each other for about eight years. 

The royal town of Kuala Kangsar is already abuzz with the wedding scheduled to be held at Istana Iskandariah on May 17.  

A day after the solemnisation of their vows, there will be a special proclamation ceremony to bestow Zara with the official title of Raja Puan Besar of Perak.  

The royal wedding reception will take place on May 19. 

Raja Nazrin, 50, is the eldest child of Sultan Azlan Shah and Raja Permaisuri Tuanku Bainun. 

Born in Penang on Nov 27, 1956, he was appointed Regent of Perak when his father became the ninth Yang di-Pertuan Agong from 1989 to 1994. 

Raja Nazrin holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics from Oxford, a Masters in Public Administration from the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard, and a PhD in Political Economy and Government also from Harvard. 

His research interests are in the areas of economic and political development in South-East and North-East Asia, historical national income accounting and economic growth in developing countries.  

The prince has also written articles and spoken on a wide range of issues including the role of the constitutional monarchy in Malaysia, education, Islam, ethnic relations and economic development.  

The Star Online > Nation

Friday May 4, 2007

Nothing wrong if non-Muslims use salam, says mufti

By ZIEMAN

Interview with the Mufti of Perlis Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin:  

Perlis Mufti Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin

He said there were non-Muslims who greeted Muslims with the salam in the proper manner and “with all honesty, that is, they truly wish us peace.” 

“Islam teaches us that an honourable greeting must be replied appropriately. Therefore, Muslims should answer such a greeting fully.” 

Dr Asri, the country’s youngest mufti, said this in a new weekly column in mstar, the Malay news portal of The Star. 

The Islamic scholar skyrocketed into the Malaysian consciousness after his bold comments last year on the need for religious authorities to stop snooping and spying on Muslims for khalwat (close proximity), urging them to look at the bigger picture and focus on the community’s more pressing problems. 

Since then, the 35-year-old mufti has expressed opinions on a range of issues, some of which have not exactly endeared him to some of his more conservative peers and segments of the public. 

In his column, Dr Asri will take questions from Muslims and non-Muslims who want to know about Islam and its application in daily life in a multi-ethnic setting. 

His views on the Muslim greeting was in response to the following question posed by a non-Muslim: 

In the Middle East, it is customary to greet people, including non-Muslims, with the salam – Assalamu ‘alaikum (meaning, “peace be upon you”) – and to reply to the greeting with the phrase, “Wa ’alaikum salam (“and upon you, peace”). However, in Malaysia, the greeting seems to be confined to Muslims. Why? 

Dr Asri said: “In Malaysia, the greeting is a cultural practice established by people in the past. It is a problem of comprehension and interpretation, which has resulted in the belief that Muslims are not allowed to answer the salam expressed by non-Muslims. 

“This has happened because of a confusion over a hadith (tradition) of the Prophet, who instructed Muslims to reply to the salam from the People of the Book (Christians and Jews) with the phrase wa ’alaika (and upon you). 

“During the time of the Prophet, non-Muslims who were hostile to Muslims sometimes cynically greeted them with assamu ‘alaikum, which means ‘destruction upon you’.  

“That is why the Prophet told Muslims to reply with wa ’alaika. The instruction contained in this hadith is not applicable in every situation.” 

Dr Asri encouraged Muslims to show that Islam projects an image of harmony and that Prophet Muhammad was sent to bring peace. “There is no problem with Islam. All this happen because of inaccurate interpretations, and we have to fix it.”