Last Monday, I had the privilege to be part of the Medical team that was providing free medical clinics in a place called Pasar Borong, Selayang. I have stayed in KL for about 2 years but I didn’t know this place existed. We were told that there is a huge population of refugees living here in poor and harsh conditions working for these wholesalers. In one day of clinics, we manage to see about 230+ patients, offering them free medications, eyesight and hearing checkup and of course the general medical checkup. Almost 98% of the patients we saw were Rohindya Burmese refugees, while the smaller majority are mainly from Indonesia. We went on a Monday (working day) and yet there were so many coming in need of medical attention. What impacted me most wasn’t just about being able to provide free clinics for them, but seeing different people in the team just providing care to the best of our capacity, regardless of status, religion or creed. The Muslim Rohindyas had to flee Myanmar because of the massive killings which many quarters recognise it as a pre-genocidal attempt in the name of religion. Today we see so many in our world today, from what is happening is Syria, in Iraq and of course the well highlighted conflict in Gaza. All these are done in the name of religion to justify the atrocities against humanity. Even when I was there, I was hearing lots of eerie stories of that place. Many crimes were committed, refugees stabbed to death due to conflicts and even how some quarters of the Muslim Rohindyas retaliating, due to what happened to them back in Myanmar, against other Burmese refugees of other faith. We in Malaysia also have been swayed to support such movement, and many support it base on our religion even though we might not be fully aware of the background of such conflicts. I am a man of faith, but I am against using “religion” as a tool for atrocious crimes against humanity. Our support and help shouldnt be based on the colour of the skin or the God they pray to, but because we all are fellow human beings and deserve the same dignity and respect. Seeing different people in the clinics just offering care and love to each and every one that came, showed me that it isnt “religion” to say that is needed in the world, but love that knows no boundaries. When our Muslims brothers or any faith for that matter came for clinics, it wasnt out of charity or sympathy, but purely out of love and support towards fellow human beings. What they had to go through is horrible, but we must make sure it stops right at our doorstep and it only will happen through outrageous love. So before we start boycotting any products, or joining any campaign whatsoever, let us examine the motives behind it and do most what is effective in stopping such atrocities. Hate must stop, and love must abound. I hope we can come to a point where we will always lend a hand without any reservations to different people not base on the colour of skin or the God they pray to, but simply cos we are all humans and all created in the image of God. “If you judge people, you have no time to love them.” Mother Teresa
Posted on: Wed, 13 Aug 2014 04:44:47 +0000
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