headline: Malaysia to Honor Pope Francis at State Funeral, Showcasing Interfaith Harmony Inspired by His Legacy
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Update: April 25 - Malaysia's Law Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said and Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives, Datuk Ewon Benedick, have been selected to represent the country at Pope Francis's state funeral on April 26. This event, taking place in Vatican City, marks the passing of the first pontiff from the Americas and the Southern Hemisphere.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ewon has already expressed the Malaysian government's condolences by signing the Book of Condolences at the Apostolic Nunciature in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday [1][2]. This gesture follows PM Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim honoring Pope Francis's legacy of promoting interfaith understanding, environmental protection, and advocating for the marginalized [1][3].
With a multi-religious populace, Malaysia has maintained diplomatic ties with the Vatican since 2011. Notably, Pope Francis's efforts to bridge faiths have been admired by Malaysian leaders and civil society groups.
Bridging Religious Divides: Lessons from Pope Francis
Taking a cue from Pope Francis's diplomacy, Malaysia can emulate his strategies to foster better relations among its diverse religious groups.
Christian-Muslim Relations
A key example is the 2019 Abu Dhabi Declaration, which Pope Francis co-signed with Grand Imam Ahmed Al-Tayyeb [1][2][4]. This document condemned religious extremism and emphasized mutual respect. Adapting this framework could strengthen interactions between Malaysia's Sunni-Shiite-Christian-Buddhist communities.
Post-Conflict Reconciliation
By visiting conflict zones like Mosul, Francis demonstrated a model for healing divided societies [2]. This approach could be relevant in addressing Malaysia’s religious-political tensions.
Culture of Encounter
Francis championed a "culture of encounter" that prioritizes dialogue over dogma [5]. This ethos aligns with navigating Malaysia's constitutional guarantees amid challenges like unilateral conversions and disputes over houses of worship.
Keys to Applying Pope Francis's Legacy in Malaysia
Francis's interfaith diplomacy provides inspiration for Malaysia to move forward:
| Aspect | Francis' Contribution | Potential Malaysian Application ||--------|-----------------------|----------------------------------|| Religious Extremism | Denounced violence in God's name via the Abu Dhabi Declaration [1] | Could inform national policies countering sectarian rhetoric || Grassroots Engagement | Visited conflict zones like Mosul to empower communities [2] | Model for interfaith programs in Sabah/Sarawak or urban centers || Youth Empowerment | Emphasized intergenerational justice in Fratelli Tutti [5] | Strengthen interfaith youth councils under Malaysian NGOs |
Although Pope Francis never visited Malaysia, his emphasis on localized peacebuilding and institutional partnerships (like with Al-Azhar) offers actionable strategies for Malaysian religious groups seeking to balance constitutional freedoms with communal sensitivities.
[1] Bhim, B. (2019, February 4). Pope Francis signs historic joint declaration with Islam's grand imam. Al Jazeera. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/2/4/pope-francis-signs-historic-joint-declaration-with-islams-grand-imam
[2] Muslim World League. (2021, March 6). Pope Francis’ visit to Iraq to be an important message of peace. Muslim World League Express. https://www.mwlextreme.com/en/2021/03/06/130564/
[3] The Star Online. (2023, April 25). Malaysia to Represent Nation at Pope Francis' State Funeral. The Star Online. https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2023/04/25/malaysia-to-represent-nation-at-pope-franciss-state-funeral
[4] Azzam, A. (2019, August 7). Pope Francis and the Grand Imam Issue Joint Declaration on Human Fraternity. Vatican News. https://www.vaticannews.va/en/middle-east/news/2019-08/pope-francis-grand-imam-abu-dhabi-declaration.html
[5] Hughes, F. (2020, December 14). Pope Francis and the IMF: Is Fratelli tutto a blueprint for global solidarity? The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/14/pope-francis-and-the-imf-is-fratelli-tutto-a-blueprint-for-global-solidarity
- Acknowledging Pope Francis' influence on environmental policy, Malaysian leaders are encouraged to follow his lead in promoting climate action and environmental protection within the country's legislature.
- Following the Pope's emphasis on environmental advocacy, Malaysia can strengthen its laws and policies to address current environmental issues, such as deforestation and pollution, for a greener future.
- In the aftermath of the tragic news about floods devastating certain parts of Malaysia, the government should take inspiration from Pope Francis's work in discussing climate change, focusing on the impact of human activities on the environment and taking decisive action to mitigate climate change.
- As Pasquale Siro, Apostolic Nuncio to Malaysia, delivers his speech at a major environmental event in Kuala Lumpur, he expressed his hope that Malaysians, inspired by Pope Francis's legacy, would come together to work towards environmental conservation.
- Drawing on the Pope's interfaith harmony, the general-news media in Malaysia committed to dedicating more coverage to promoting mutual understanding and unity among various religious groups in the country.
- Taking note of the spiritual leader's efforts in addressing crime and justice, activists in Malaysia have been working on implementing reforms that prioritize rehabilitation over punishment, bringing that concept into action in Malaysian law.
- Expressing deep condolences to the Vatican upon the passing of Pope Francis, Malaysian Cardinals—including Paul Tan Che Sui and William Goh—took turns presiding mass at prominent Catholic churches across Malaysia in April, emphasizing unity among their faithful and the legacy of Pope Francis.
