Regardless of race, religion, culture, or social upbringing, we can all agree on one thing: we are all Malaysians. And as Malaysians, preserving unity and harmony among each other is by far and wide one of the most important virtues that we should always keep in mind. Kindness is a universal language after all, and a little bit of it goes a long way to preserving harmony.
Such is the case of the Muslim members of one surau in Petaling Jaya, who have shown compassion and empathy that should be a lesson for us all to follow as Malaysians. In a post that was recently shared to Facebook, netizen Syahril A. Kadir shared the tale of how Surau Al-Qudwah lends aid to two Indian grannies who visit them every so often.
Why? Well, it is revealed that these two Indian grannies live in a flat nearby the surau, and are both widowed and come from impoverished backgrounds. Having no money for groceries, they would often turn to members of the surau for help with food.
And without fail, members of the surau will always prepare a sack of rice, a packet of salt, a packet of sugar, and a packet of cooking oil for each of them, to ensure that they have food to eat.
The caretakers of the surau have never once turned these old Indian grannies away, despite the fact that they do not share the same faith. According to Syahril, their reasoning is simple.
“We have never turned them away, because this is not a matter of religion or race. This is a matter of simple humanity and being human.” he writes.
Apparently, these two Indian grannies aren’t the only ones who turn to this surau for assistance, as poor Chinese families have also turned to them for help before, and again, they have always offered it without question. In fact, whatever foodstuff they keep in their pantry is contributed from the very same Muslims who pray at the surau themselves!
In addition, members of the surau have never tried to preach or convert any non-Muslims who approach them for help, as they feel that if any non-Muslims wish to convert, it should happen by their own will and not because they are forced to.
Which comes to show that underneath all the political divide, there still exists a unity in Malaysia that we as Malaysians should always cherish and work hard to maintain! To the members of Surau Al-Qudwah, we salute you for being shining examples of what Malaysians can be!
Also read: Kind Malay Youth Stops 73yo Chinese Uncle From Committing Suicide, Proves Unity Exists Among M’sians
