Cattle Sacrifice

Another religious spat is coming to a boil, and this time over the ritual slaughter of cattle during Hari Raya Aidiladha in school compounds. 

A primary school in Kuala Lumpur was reported to have slayed a number of cows in its compound on Thursday during school hours. Another school in Bandar Baru Bangi did likewise on that same day too. This resulted in complaints from non-Muslim parents. 

[The practice of butchering cattle during Hari Raya Aidiladha in school compounds over the years has become a subject of contention with the Hindus, with protests being lodged each year with the Education Ministry]. 

Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST) president Jagir Singh said the animal was sacred among Hindus and the authorities must respect the sensitivity of those practicing the faith. He argued that the continued act of slaughtering cattle in schools violated the constitutional rights of non-Muslims. He also contended nowhere in the Education Act did it provide for school authorities to conduct any ritual of sacrificing animals within school compounds.

A Muslim NGO rejected the criticisms and declared that Muslims should not bow to pressure on the issue. Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia's (Isma) deputy president Aminuddin Yahaya said Muslims must show courage to defend their own religious practices. 

"Why should we bow to pressure from them (Hindus)? It is as if we do not have our own identity. This is our country and it is an Islamic country," he was quoted by news portal Malaysiakini as saying. 

"We want to slaughter cows, who cares? What is the percentage of the Indian community in Malaysia? Only 1% or 2%," he said, adding Malays were over 60% of the population. 

This is the guy from that same organization whose president was reported to have told the Christians they could leave the country if they would not accept the “Allah” decision. 

On Saturday, a second workshop 'CC Projects 8, 9 & 10' was again organized by District 51 at Universiti Malaya’s Faculty of Engineering. This time, Tan Lay Theng took charge and she did an awesome job! And again, I was one of six facilitators. Photos of the said workshop: