The Common Prayer
11 July 2003

This article was published in both The Star (Sunday, July 13, 2003 'No need for common prayer') and Malaysiakini.com (Monday, July 14, 2003 'Silent prayer is the solution').

The most sacred prayer in the world does not require any words to be uttered, nor any ritualistic movements to be executed. It does not require any leader to guide the congregation and it is devoid of any symbols or idols. For this universal prayer, time is of no matter and neither is place. It can be conducted anytime, anywhere.

The most sacred prayer in the world is SILENCE.

In our daily lives, we are assaulted by a cacophony of noise, sights, taste, texture and smell from the moment we wake up until the moment we go to sleep. Each day, problems at work and home compound us. Our minds flutter from one situation to another, and our emotions rise and fall.

To cope with this daily deluge of information and stimulation, most people use their personal religion as guidance. All religious teachings contain instructions on how to conduct our daily lives in order to be at peace with oneself and with the rest of the world. Even people, who do not subscribe to any religion, follow a certain universal code of conduct similar to those found in most religions.

Malaysians have always been pragmatic when it comes to religion. Despite the minor tension that occurs off and on, we have managed to live peacefully with each other. We do not need to be told how to practice our own religion because it is a personal affair and should remain so that way.

Therefore I consider the Government's latest effort to subject our school children to a common prayer as an impractical venture. I view this as an infringement into the personal lives of our young citizens. The present Ministers in our Government are appointing themselves as the new Prophets of God by creating this common prayer for all students. It does not matter how inclusive or non-discriminatory the content of this new prayer may be. The word "prayer" connotes religion, and to force any citizen of Malaysia to participate in any activity with religious content is against the very nature of our country's Constitution.

Perhaps we should remind our leaders once again that the Constitution drawn up by our founding fathers guarantees the freedom of religious practice in our country. I must point out first that by introducing this common prayer, the Government has not taken away our rights to religious freedom. However, by imposing a common prayer amongst our children, they have breached the code of morality and social responsibility.

Does the Government have the moral right to force each of us to recite a hastily concocted prayer?

As I have stated earlier on, the most sacred and effective prayer in the world today is SILENCE. We should pull ourselves away from the hustle and bustle of the day and observe a moment of silence. Instead of reciting words, which would ultimately have no heartfelt meaning to anyone, why not allow our children to spend one minute in total quietness, and let them reflect on the teachings and value of their own personal religion. In that way, no one would be offended and the Government would have done its duty in upholding its social responsibility.

I believe that in any religious practice, it is not the actual praying itself that is most beneficial, but the little moment of silence and solitude we experience immediately after the prayer activity that has the most calming effect on us. It is this few quiet minutes after the final prostration, chiming of bells, cracking of coconuts, offering of the joss sticks and candles, recitation of prayers or singing of hymns that makes us contemplate on the values of our own religion.

Everyone talks too much nowadays and we are compelled to listen to a lot of inconsequential speeches. We should instead use this time to concentrate on listening to our inner thoughts and search for peace within ourselves. Therefore SILENCE is a virtue we should all practice. If ever there should be a "common prayer" for our young Malaysians, it should only be a moment of silence every morning.

It is an irony to note that even real historical Prophets of God, do not force their people to pray if they refuse to do it. How then can these self-proclaimed Prophets in the Government think that they have the right to do so to our citizens?

If the RUKUNEGARA has failed to unite Malaysians of all ethnic origins to become a single BANGSA MALAYSIA, how then can we expect this common prayer to work? The most it will do is take up a few minutes of precious educational time every day and after a few years of practice; the prayer will be relegated to mere words on the back pages of exercise books, just like the RUKUNEGARA.

Like many of the people whom I have spoken to, I suspect that the current trend to introduce programs such as the common prayer and the National Service is to ensure the ongoing survival and future of the Barisan Nasional Government. I fear to think that these two programs will be used to indoctrinate our young minds in order to secure their votes.

If the Government is sincere in its efforts to unite all Malaysians, then instead of a common prayer, we should all reflect SILENTLY on the following ideals.

1. There is only one RACE in this world and that is the HUMAN race
2. I embrace NOT religion, but SPIRITUALITY and HUMANITY
3. I call the Earth, MOTHER; and all human being, BROTHERS
4. Do unto others, as you wish others to do unto you
5. I swear ALLEGIANCE to no one, but only to HUMANITY

PELITA NEGARA

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