Sacred Bond How A Politician S Act Bridged Divides At A Hindu Wedding

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After much debate, the dust has settled on the proposed guidelines for non-Muslim event organisers. However, amid the swirling sandstorm of words, a beautiful and inspiring tale of interfaith harmony and respect had emerged.
In a social media post yesterday, academic Barathi Selvam shared a heartfelt memory from his wedding at a Hindu temple, where former PSM chairperson Nasir Hashim was a guest.
“Nasir calls everyone ‘saudaraku’. But he calls my dad ‘komrad seumur hidup’ (lifelong comrade).
“When I asked Dr Nasir if he was comfortable handing me the ‘thali’, he replied, ‘I have been to temples all my life, I have no problem’,” Barathi recounted.
The “thali” - a sacred thread symbolising the marital bond - is traditionally tied around the bride’s neck by the groom.
Barathi also revealed the deeper significance of the venue, saying, “The wedding took place at the very temple my father and Nasir once fought to save from demolition when estates were fragmented, and workers were forcefully evicted.”
Former PSM chairperson Nasir Hashim (right) and Barathi Selvam’s father V Selvam handing the ‘thali’ to the wedded couple.Speaking to Malaysiakini, Barathi, a member of PSM, shared that the wedding took place in 2022 at a temple in Shah Alam, Selangor.
“My father, V Selvam, is one of the founders of PSM. He and Nasir have been close comrades for decades, and my earliest memories include their camaraderie.
“I asked Nasir to preside over the wedding and hand me the ‘thali’ instead of the priest, and he happily obliged,” he said.
Barathi’s post, accompanied by photographs of Nasir handing him the “thali”, was in response to Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Na’im Mokhtar announcing on Wednesday that the government would be introducing new guidelines for events involving Muslims at non-Islamic houses of worship.
The guidelines include obtaining permission from religious authorities if the event includes Muslims, and the events must not contain elements that could offend Muslim sensitivities.
The announcement sparked an uproar, with some condemning it as a divisive policy and an anathema to unity, while others urged non-Muslims not to polemicise the issue.
Earlier today, the cabinet decided that all decisions must be made in the interest of national unity.
Following this, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the cabinet decided that the proposed guidelines for Muslims are not required as Muslims are aware of their limits. - Mkini

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