Malaysia
ritual slaughter of cattle during Hari Raya Aidiladha in school compounds
October 18, 2013 - via 'The Malaysia Insider' - Another religious spat is coming to a boil, and this time over the slaughter of cattle during Hari Raya Aidiladha in school compounds.
And although this issue has been going on for years, an interfaith panel wants Putrajaya to put an immediate stop to it.
Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST) president Jagir Singh said the animal was sacred among Hindus and the authorities must respect the sensitivity of those practising the faith.
He said the continued act of slaughtering cattle in schools also violated the constitutional rights of non-Muslims.
"The Education Ministry must without delay send circulars to school heads to stop slaughtering cows in the school premises," he told The Malaysian Insider.
Jagir cited Article 12 (3) that no person was required to receive instruction in or to take part in any ceremony or act of worship of a religion other than his own.
He said what was being done currently in national schools was incorrect and hurt the feeling of Hindus.
Jagir also said nowhere in the Education Act did it provide for school authorities to conduct any ritual of sacrificing animals within school compounds.
"Non-Muslim teachers and children may not participate in such an event but witnessing any slaughter of animals was bad enough," Jagir said in response to an on-line news report that a primary school in Kuala Lumpur slaughtered a number of cows in its compound yesterday during school hours.
A similar act was carried out at a school in Bandar Baru Bangi yesterday.
This resulted in complaints from non-Muslim parents.
This incident comes while the Allah decision is still being hotly debated in the country.
The practice of slaughtering cattle during Hari Raya Aidiladha in school compounds over the years has become a subject of contention with the Hindus, with protests being lodged each year with the Education Ministry.
Malaysiakini reported that a parent, S. Dineswary, was told by her daughter that an adult cow and a calf were ceremonially slaughtered in the morning for a feast later that day in conjunction with Aidiladha celebrations.
She said non-Muslim students were asked to avoid the area whereas Muslim pupils were invited but believed some non-Muslim pupils might have inadvertently witnessed the slaughtering.
"It is not supposed to (happen) because this is a national school, not a religious school. That is why we were shocked, there are Hindus and Chinese (pupils) there.
"It is not only about religious issues, but also because there are children around. Some may be distressed by the slaughter," the on-line report quoted her saying.
Another individual, a grandparent of a pupil at the same school, claimed that the slaughter caused some panic amongst the students, while some teachers at the school who were Hindus objected.
"The cows started making noises and there were children there. By right, they shouldn't slaughter cows there – it shows no respect for the Hindus and the Chinese," he said.
He had requested anonymity, fearing that he would be targeted for harassment.
The grandparent stressed he was not seeking to get anyone in trouble, but hoped such incidents would not be repeated.
A similar controversy took place at the Aidiladha celebrations two years ago, when the MCCBCHST urged authorities to put a stop to the slaughtering in at least two schools.
Puchong MP Gobind Singh Deo said he had received many complaints from non-Muslim parents whose children are enrolled in national schools in his constituency.
“This is totally insensitive, especially to the Hindus. Why is there a need for this to be done in a national school during school hours? Is this part of the syllabus, part of the activities which is today celebrated in our National schools?” he said.
He said while it is important to respect the religious customs and beliefs of all people, there must be some level of understanding that some practices such as slaughtering cows are offensive to certain religions and as such should not be allowed to be carried out in public places such as schools.
“I call upon the Education Minister to put a stop to this. A school is most certainly not a place where such activities should be allowed to take place, more so during school hours and in the presence of students,” Gobind said in a statement today. – October 18, 2013.
And although this issue has been going on for years, an interfaith panel wants Putrajaya to put an immediate stop to it.
Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST) president Jagir Singh said the animal was sacred among Hindus and the authorities must respect the sensitivity of those practising the faith.
He said the continued act of slaughtering cattle in schools also violated the constitutional rights of non-Muslims.
"The Education Ministry must without delay send circulars to school heads to stop slaughtering cows in the school premises," he told The Malaysian Insider.
Jagir cited Article 12 (3) that no person was required to receive instruction in or to take part in any ceremony or act of worship of a religion other than his own.
He said what was being done currently in national schools was incorrect and hurt the feeling of Hindus.
Jagir also said nowhere in the Education Act did it provide for school authorities to conduct any ritual of sacrificing animals within school compounds.
"Non-Muslim teachers and children may not participate in such an event but witnessing any slaughter of animals was bad enough," Jagir said in response to an on-line news report that a primary school in Kuala Lumpur slaughtered a number of cows in its compound yesterday during school hours.
A similar act was carried out at a school in Bandar Baru Bangi yesterday.
This resulted in complaints from non-Muslim parents.
This incident comes while the Allah decision is still being hotly debated in the country.
The practice of slaughtering cattle during Hari Raya Aidiladha in school compounds over the years has become a subject of contention with the Hindus, with protests being lodged each year with the Education Ministry.
Malaysiakini reported that a parent, S. Dineswary, was told by her daughter that an adult cow and a calf were ceremonially slaughtered in the morning for a feast later that day in conjunction with Aidiladha celebrations.
She said non-Muslim students were asked to avoid the area whereas Muslim pupils were invited but believed some non-Muslim pupils might have inadvertently witnessed the slaughtering.
"It is not supposed to (happen) because this is a national school, not a religious school. That is why we were shocked, there are Hindus and Chinese (pupils) there.
"It is not only about religious issues, but also because there are children around. Some may be distressed by the slaughter," the on-line report quoted her saying.
Another individual, a grandparent of a pupil at the same school, claimed that the slaughter caused some panic amongst the students, while some teachers at the school who were Hindus objected.
"The cows started making noises and there were children there. By right, they shouldn't slaughter cows there – it shows no respect for the Hindus and the Chinese," he said.
He had requested anonymity, fearing that he would be targeted for harassment.
The grandparent stressed he was not seeking to get anyone in trouble, but hoped such incidents would not be repeated.
A similar controversy took place at the Aidiladha celebrations two years ago, when the MCCBCHST urged authorities to put a stop to the slaughtering in at least two schools.
Puchong MP Gobind Singh Deo said he had received many complaints from non-Muslim parents whose children are enrolled in national schools in his constituency.
“This is totally insensitive, especially to the Hindus. Why is there a need for this to be done in a national school during school hours? Is this part of the syllabus, part of the activities which is today celebrated in our National schools?” he said.
He said while it is important to respect the religious customs and beliefs of all people, there must be some level of understanding that some practices such as slaughtering cows are offensive to certain religions and as such should not be allowed to be carried out in public places such as schools.
“I call upon the Education Minister to put a stop to this. A school is most certainly not a place where such activities should be allowed to take place, more so during school hours and in the presence of students,” Gobind said in a statement today. – October 18, 2013.
Slaughtering animals in schools is unconstitutional
October 17, 2013 - letter written by Saravanan originally published at 'Free Malaysia Today'
Sekolah Kebangsaans are national schools with multi-racial children. We should respect all races and religions if we wish to take Malaysia forward. From the day of independence until a few years it was like that but recently respect for other races and religious sentiments are degrading.
When the non-Muslim school teachers, staff and children respect the Muslims, we expect the same be accorded to non-Muslims. In yesterday’s case I found out that many schools slaughtered cows in the school compound. There are rules for things that can be done in the school and things which cannot be done.
Every school activity should be aligned with the education system and the co-curriculum aspects, but slaughtering cows in the school compounds is not part of the system or related to education. I would like to urge parliamentarians to debate this. It is a serious issue which doesn’t align with education. The Ministry of Education needs to take stern action against schools which slaughter cows.
I called Sekolah Kebangsaan Puchong Jaya to ask for an explanation about the incident. The headmaster of the school didn’t have any black and white approval from Education Ministry. The relevant ministry and district council should take action on this matter. It is not proper to engage in double standard in a multi-racial country. If the education ministry would allow slaughtering of cows, I think we should allow pig slaughter and prayers for Chinese and Indians.
As an animal lover, killing should not be done at all. There are Indians students who studying who considering cow as one of the seven mothers on the earth. The school, education ministry and health ministry should understand that it is improper to do in a school where other races are studying. The whole scenario is unconstitutional.
Slaughtering animals in school is not hygienic. It is also not good for young kids to see the animals suffering. As for Indians cow is considered as one of the seven mothers on the earth. The school, education and health ministry should understand that it is improper to do in a school where other races are studying. The way things are going is extremely scary and unconstitutional.
Sekolah Kebangsaans are national schools with multi-racial children. We should respect all races and religions if we wish to take Malaysia forward. From the day of independence until a few years it was like that but recently respect for other races and religious sentiments are degrading.
When the non-Muslim school teachers, staff and children respect the Muslims, we expect the same be accorded to non-Muslims. In yesterday’s case I found out that many schools slaughtered cows in the school compound. There are rules for things that can be done in the school and things which cannot be done.
Every school activity should be aligned with the education system and the co-curriculum aspects, but slaughtering cows in the school compounds is not part of the system or related to education. I would like to urge parliamentarians to debate this. It is a serious issue which doesn’t align with education. The Ministry of Education needs to take stern action against schools which slaughter cows.
I called Sekolah Kebangsaan Puchong Jaya to ask for an explanation about the incident. The headmaster of the school didn’t have any black and white approval from Education Ministry. The relevant ministry and district council should take action on this matter. It is not proper to engage in double standard in a multi-racial country. If the education ministry would allow slaughtering of cows, I think we should allow pig slaughter and prayers for Chinese and Indians.
As an animal lover, killing should not be done at all. There are Indians students who studying who considering cow as one of the seven mothers on the earth. The school, education ministry and health ministry should understand that it is improper to do in a school where other races are studying. The whole scenario is unconstitutional.
Slaughtering animals in school is not hygienic. It is also not good for young kids to see the animals suffering. As for Indians cow is considered as one of the seven mothers on the earth. The school, education and health ministry should understand that it is improper to do in a school where other races are studying. The way things are going is extremely scary and unconstitutional.
The petition
Ban animal slaughtering at school and in the presence of young children
- author: Human Care
- target: Prime Minister's Office of Malaysia, Main Block, Perdana Putra Building, Federal Government Administrative Centre, 62502 Putrajaya, MALAYSIA. email: [email protected]
National schools with multiracial children in Malaysia slaughtering animals in the school while students were witnessing it.
Such activities are not under the provision of Malaysian education system or it is part of the educational co-curriculum. International animal lover society should urge Malaysian parliamentarians to debate on this matter. It is a serious issue which doesn’t align with education. The Prime Minister and the Ministry of Education needs to take stern action against schools which slaughter cows.
Slaughtering animals in school is not hygienic. It is also not good for young kids to see the animals suffering. As an animal lover, killing should not be done at all. There are Indians students who studying who considering cow as one of the seven mothers on the earth. The school, education ministry and health ministry should understand that it is improper to do in a school where other races are studying. The whole scenario is unconstitutional.