Are Christmas carols going to be banned in public?

I was watching news on TV3 and there was an interview by its lady crew member with a parent and his son, about the latter's experience in a kindergarten in Jalan Kelang Lama, KL, where Christian hymns were taught and videos on Christianity were shown. It seems to be a big deal in terms of sensitivity because both father and son looked away from the camera with their faces digitally covered even when a bit was shown. I do not condone such activities, especially under present circumstances of high sensitivities, unlike less than 50 years ago, when even Malay students could choose to even attend chapels in schools without anyone raising their eyebrows. A close Malay friend of mine did that! I have read Marina Mahathir's experience in Convent Bukit Nanas and I am sure even our PM, would have no trouble with what went on in St. John's Institution. I have just read Patrick Teoh's latest post in his Niamah blog which shows a 1968 picture of a Malay couple in a Guinness advertisement!

If the purpose of the news on TV3 was to expose the possible proselytizing going on in that particular kindergarten, then it only shows how narrow our education is going to be. In our present highly sensitive Malay Muslim environment, Muslim students are not allowed to have anything to do with Jews, and now Christianity. If this is the case, then very soon, shopping complexes would be banned from having images of Christmas events and the playing of carols during the Christmas season. In fact, certain Elvis's songs are very Christian indeed, so Muslims should not listen or sing those songs too. We have had complaints about the overly excessive decorations for Christmas as compared with Muslim festivals.

I dread to think how students in future would be so narrow-minded that they know only Muslim religion and culture, oblivious to what other races are doing. Malays should not study European history because it invariably touched on Christianity and its crusades. Touring Europe, all old buildings should be avoided because they are likely to have crucifixes and images of Jesus and or Mother Mary.

Personally, I was brought up in a very superstitious environment where my maternal relatives believed in treating illnesses with prayers to idols. I have been to many temples and been through all kinds of rites, yet I cannot claim to be religious. I have attended school chapels for 11 years, some church services and even played simple bass during a Christmas mass. Yet I am not a Christian. My daughter is very interested in European and other history and her visits to old buildings are likely to be very detailed, yet she is not a Christian. So the present fuss over some Malay Muslims found in Christian church or kindergarten is in my opinion, much ado over nothing. Even our King and Queen attended the royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton which took place in Westminster Abbey, with full Christian wedding service by the Archbishop and the singing of Christian hymns.



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