Amid growing religious tensions, this group walks for peace in Penang

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People gathering at Esplanade in Penang today for 'a walk in park' to promote and demonstrate peace and harmony. Participants visited St George's Church, the Goddess of Mercy Temple, the Sri Mahamariaman Temple and Masjid Jamek Lebuh Acheh, giving out flowers, balloons and gifts to others along the one-kilometer journey. (The Malaysian Insider by Hasnoor Hussain, February 16, 2014.)

BY LOOI SUE-CHERN
February 16, 2014

Hours after a mosque in mainland Penang was defiled with a slab of meat believed to be pork, a group of people visited places of worship in George Town promoting peace and love.

Dressed in purple – the colour that signifies religious tolerance – the group carried carnations and roses, as well as purple balloons as they walked together to visit the St George's Church, the Goddess of Mercy Temple, the Sri Mahamariaman Temple and Masjid Jamek Lebuh Acheh.

The group’s mission to promote inter-religious tolerance came some 12 hours after a mosque in Cheruk Tok Kun on mainland Penang was defiled with a slab of meat believed to be pork, which was thrown at one of its entrances.

Social activist Azrul Mohd Khalib from the group said the event, “Walk in the Park” by a loose group called Malaysians for Malaysia, is aimed at demonstrating that Malaysians are standing up for their fellow citizens, following increasing concern over tensions related to racial and religious issues.

http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/amid-growing-religious-tensions-group-walks-for-peace-in-penang