...but chooses to unsportingly disable my comment which now appears below.
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Christian icons in convent schools
Nov 23
Filed under: Kritikan, Pendidikan, Sosial
menj @ 12:56 pm
This has been in existence for some time already, I wonder why is it only now that they decide to bring this up in Parliament? The timing for this issue to be raised is certainly most suspect, although I have no objection that this is indeed a serious matter. You can read the parliament hansard here (pp. 143-144).
A translation of this excerpt follows.
Tuan Syed Hood bin Syed Edros [Parit Sulong]: Yang Di-Pertua, I would like to touch on a particular issue related to the Ministry of Education, which are Christian missionary schools such as Convent, La Salle, Methodist, etc. I was made to understand that the Board of Directors at these schools are partially administered by churches in foreign countries such as Vatican City. I was also made to understand that the application to build a “surau” [Muslim prayer room] in some of these schools had to go through the approval of these Board of Directors whereby they are partially administered by the Church.
Therefore, it is shameful to me that the school administration are still controlled by the Church. I was also made to understand that many Muslim parents send their kids to these schools, and that they have complained that sometimes, the school starts with church songs. I do not know if this is true, but what I discovered from these parents are the display of religious symbols. I feel disappointed that in an Islamic country, Malaysia, if I go to a convent school, the statue of St. Mary is displayed in the front of the school.
Datuk Haji Mohamad bin Haji Aziz [Sri Gading]: [Stands up]
Tuan Syed Hood bin Syed Edros [Parit Sulong]: Please proceed, Yang Berhormat for Sri Gading.
Timbalan Yang di-Pertua [Datuk Dr. Yusof bin Yacob]: Yes, Yang Berhormat for Sri Gading.
Datuk Haji Mohamad bin Haji Aziz [Sri Gading]: I am not shocked at all, Yang Berhormat for Parit Sulong. It’s not just a simple question. The question is, why has this happened? One. During the last Hari Raya, I was told by a father that when Aidilfitri was celebrated, these types of schools were not closed. Thank you.
Tuan Syed Hood bin Syed Edros [Parit Sulong]: Not only the statues, but fellow Yang Berhormat, go and see for yourselves, Christian crosses are displayed in front of schools. I do not understand [why] the Ministry of Education [is allowing for this], did their officers not see this, or is it our policy to allow such a thing? Nevertheless, I, as a responsible person to my religion, race, and country, my view is that these statues need to be demolished, th crosses need to be destroyed and Church influences of these schools must be ended. Also, the funds that are collected at these schools. Do we have a report? If possible, the Ministry should reveal the funds for these schools. I was made to understand that these schools are also sponsored by the Church.
I’m not sure where the Yang Berhormat for Parit Sulong got his information from but I can say with certainty that while these Christian religious icons which predate Merdeka did and still does exist in these former missionary-type schools (particularly prevalent in Convent Girls Schools where I have personally seen the Christian Cross and a huge Statue of Mary being displayed prominently at the foyer), no such influence from the Vatican City or difficulties in having a surau exist, and the principals of these schools are elected directly by the Government. As far as I know, these schools are funded and run by the Ministry of Education (and hence, the Government), just like any national-type school.
It does disturbs me, however, to see the Christian icons being displayed prominently which is in direct violation of Article 3 of the Federal Constitution, and that is certainly one point that I must concede in agreement. And while I strongly agree that Christian religious icons in these convent schools definitely should be removed, the rest of the information provided by the MP of Parit Sulong are most certainly baseless.
2 Comments »
Is this the article you are talking about?
Article 3
1. Islam is the religion of the Federation; but other religions may be practised in peace and harmony in any part of the Federation.
2. In every State other than States not having a Ruler the position of the Ruler as the Head of the religion of Islam in his State in the manner and to the extent acknowledged and declared by the Constitution, all rights, privileges, prerogatives and powers enjoyed by him as Head of that religion, are unaffected and unimpaired; but in any acts, observance or ceremonies with respect to which the Conference of Rulers has agreed that they should extend to the Federation as a whole each of the other Rulers shall in his capacity of Head of the religion of Islam authorize the Yang di-pertuan Agong to represent him.
3. The Constitution of the States of Malacca, Penang, Sabah and Sarawak shall each make provision for conferring on the Yang di-Pertuan Agong shall be Head of the religion of Islam in that State.
4. Nothing in this Article derogates from any other provision of this Constitution.
5. Notwithstanding anything in this Constitution the Yang di-Pertuan Agong shall be the Head of the religion of Islam in the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur and Labuan; and for this purpose Parliament may by law make provisions for regulating Islamic religious affairs and for constituting a Council to advise the Yang di-Pertuan Agong in matters relating to the religion of Islam.
Comment 1
…unless the msian govt has the courage & the conviction to transform that huge demonic eddifice on top of Genting into a massive Islamic complex, then I must say the powers-that-be can kiss their ‘Islamic Status’ goodbye!!!!! MALAYSIA TECHNICALLY DOES NOT QUALIFY….cos it still does benefit frm taxes derived from liquour, pork and gaming activities….all haram in all religions.
Comment by yhto — November 24, 2007 @ 2:22 am
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