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A Muslim Group's Unexpected Response To Religious Sensitivity

The open slaughtering of cows on a school compound has raised issue of Malaysia's religious sensitivity in a multi-racial, multi-religion community.

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Several Cows Were Slaughtered In A Primary School During School Hours In Conjunction With Hari Raya Aidiladha

It was reported in Malaysiakini that a primary school in Kuala Lumpur slaughtered a number of cows in its compound two days ago during school hours, prompting complaints of insensitivity by non-Muslim parents.

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One parent, S Dineswary told Malaysiakini that according to her daughter, an adult cow and a calf were ceremonially slaughtered in the morning for a feast later that day in conjunction with Aidiladha celebrations.

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A cow being prepared for slaughter during Hari Raya Adiladha.

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Non-Muslim Parents, Especially Hindus, Complained That It Was Insensitive To Their Religion As The Slaughter Was Conducted Before Non-Muslim Students

I have received many complaints from distressed residents in Puchong who have complained that cows were slaughtered in school compounds before students, both Muslims and non-Muslims.

malaysiakini.com

While we respect the religious customs and beliefs of all people, there must be some level of understanding that some practices such as slaughtering cows are offensive to certain religions and as such should not be allowed to be carried out in public places such as schools.

malaysiakini.com

This is totally insensitive to the Indian community especially.

Why is there a need for this to be done in a national school during school hours? Is this part of the syllabus, part of the activities that are today celebrated in our national schools?

malaysiakini.com

Gobind Singh Deo

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The Hindu Community Called For More Respect And Sensitivity Towards Their Religion

The practice of slaughtering cows in school compounds in conjunction with Hari Raya Haji must stop as it hurts the sensitivity of children, in particular the Hindus, said DAP's Ipoh Barat MP M. Kulasegaran.

themalaysianinsider.com

Kula described several ritual slaughter events carried out at several schools in the Klang Valley as baffling and unacceptable, and questioned the ignorance of school principals over the Hindu community's veneration for cows.

themalaysianinsider.com

"There is no reason that can justify such a ritual being carried out in a school compound, especially in a national school where there are multi-racial children". He pointed out that in a multi-racial and multi-religious society, the sensitivities of all must be respected.

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DAP's Ipoh Barat MP M. Kulasegaran

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The Slaughtering Of Cows In School Compound Was Also Against The Constitutional Rights Of Non-Muslims

Cows are considered a scared animal in Hinduism

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On Friday, Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism president Jagir Singh urged the authorities to respect the sensitivity of Hindus as the cow was sacred to them.

themalaysianinsider.com

He had said the continued slaughter of cattle in schools also violated the constitutional rights of non-Muslims.

"The Education Ministry must send circulars to school heads to stop slaughtering cows in the school premises," he said.

themalaysianinsider.com

Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia's (Isma) Deputy President Says "We Want To Slaughter Cows, Who Cares?"

A Muslim non-governmental organisation has rejected criticisms by some Hindu parents over the practice of slaughtering animals in school grounds by saying Muslims should not bow to pressure on the issue.

malaysia-today.net

"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.

themalaysianinsider.com

"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 said.

malaysiaedition.net

Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia's (Isma) deputy president Aminuddin Yahaya

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DAP's Ipoh Barat MP M. Kulasegaran Says He Will Raise The Issue To The Education Ministry And Parliament

Kula called on the Education Ministry to take stern action against the schools for failing to respect non-Muslim sensitivities.

themalaysianinsider.com

I shall raise this issue of cow slaughtering in school compound in the forthcoming Parliament to ensure that the government will take the necessary steps to ensure that such ritual sacrifice will never again be carried out in a school compound.

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In 2007, Open Slaughtering Of Cows In Parliament Grounds Were Stopped After Complaints Of Religious Insensitivity

In 2007, in appreciation of the former Prime Minister Tun Abdullah's marriage , some BN MPs decided to slaughter cows in Malaysian Parliament grounds.

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I raised this matter and criticised the open slaughter of cows and turning Parliament into an abattoir and the failure to be sensitive to Hindus . Dewan Speaker Tan Sri Ramli said cows were slaughtered every where. He was then asked if some "other" animals were also slaughtered in Parliament grounds, would this be acceptable? He didn't respond to this suggestion. But the open slaughtering has stopped since then.

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