Worsening Middle East crisis: What Malaysia can and must do

The escalating situation in the Middle East following the slaying of the Hamas leader has grown threatening and increasingly fragile.

While Malaysia cannot remain indifferent to the geopolitical spillover effects, it certainly cannot take sides by aligning with any political or national front along religious or ideological lines.

Malaysia has a multicultural population with centuries of multi-religious coexistence. So Malaysian leaders must not desecrate this sense of harmony, which has been a hallmark of our nation. 

We can be a global game changer by leading an international wave calling for peace, starting right here in Malaysia. 

What we in Malaysia can and must do is to come together and call for peace in that region and between world powers. 

Let us, Muslims and non-Muslims, come together and demonstrate our faith in peace. 

Let us not pit people against each other by taking sides based on religious fervour, prejudice and political agendas.

Instead, our leaders must lead the way in registering our nation’s unequocal call for peace. 

We can communicate to world leaders our 34 million voices praying and pleading for peace to prevail. 

As the warring people have crossed the red line, taking sides now will only escalate the situation, leading to devastating outcomes. 

We can even declare a national day to call for peace. We can unleash a tidal wave of schoolchildren holding peace and prayer rallies.

We can have our huge civil service personnel converge for peace in a public rally. We can engage the public sector – the economic turbine of the nation – to join hands nationwide in a prayer-for-peace rally. 

We have the credentials to promote harmony. After all, we live in peace in a multi-racial, multi-religious, multi-ethnic society. So now we have an opportunity to make a difference in the world during these dangerous, stressful and vulnerable times. 

Will our political, social and economic leaders have what it takes to galvanise the nation to take a powerful stand for peace?

The views expressed in Aliran's media statements and the NGO statements we have endorsed reflect Aliran's official stand. Views and opinions expressed in other pieces published here do not necessarily reflect Aliran's official position.

AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama

1. Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
2. Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
3. Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
4. Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
5. Lawan rasuah dan kronisme

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