Kuching archbishop calls for mutual respect among religions in Ramadan-Lenten message

A Malaysian prelate urged Catholics, Muslims, and people of every religion to consciously speak of the positive concept of “mutual respect and acceptance.”

In his message for the seasons of Lent and Ramadan, Kuching Archbishop Simon Peter Poh said it is not good enough to “simply tolerate each other’s differences in beliefs or cultures.”

“Positively, we need to acknowledge and accept the differences, respect each other, and consciously strive to live as good neighbors in friendship with one another,” he said.

He said that “unity in diversity” can be achieved when different religions live in mutual acceptance and respect.

Archbishop Poh also noted how Christians and Muslims share similar traditions of praying, fasting, and almsgiving during Ramadan and Lent.

“Let us consider this month of Ramadan for Muslims and Lent for Christians as a time of building bridges of harmony, goodwill, and friendship,” he said.

The prelate invited all Malaysian leaders, both religious and political, to work together for everyone’s common good.

“We pray and put in practice ‘love of God and neighbors’ and work together hand-in-hand to bless our tanah air (homeland) for the succeeding generations of children yet to be born,” he said.