1. Non-Mulsims Protest Malaysian Proposal to Adopt Syariah Law
2. HH Sri Sri Sugunedndra Theertha Swamijii Attends World Religions Peace Conference
3. Hindu American Foundation Extends Invitations to Their Annual DC Reception

1. Non-Mulsims Protest Malaysian Proposal to Adopt Syariah Law

mccbchst@yahoo.com

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA, August 28, 2007: The Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism is distressed at the statements made by the Chief Justice and the Attorney General of Malaysia which seem to advocate the wholesale replacement of 50 years of legal tradition in Malaysia.

On August 22, 2007, The Star reported that the Chief Justice was reported to have called for the abolition of the use of English common law and advocated its replacement with Syariah and customary laws. It was reported in the August 23 edition of the Utusan Malaysia, that the attorney general was reported to have supported the view of the Chief Justice and said that Syariah laws are best, as they emphasize justice and equal distribution of rights. The editorial of Utusan Malaysia of the same day called for a repeal of section 3 of the Civil Law Act of 1956 to be replaced with a mixture of Syariah and customary laws to form the basis of a Malaysian common law. we are also concerned at the subsequent statements by Ministers in the Prime Minister's Department Dato' Seri Nazri Aziz and Datuk Dr. Abdullah Md Zin who both seem to welcome such a reappraisal. Of particular concern are the statements of Datuk Dr. Abdullah Md Zin who has welcomed the suggestion to implement Syariah to replace the common law and advocated that it be done in stages (Utusan, 24/8/2007).

The Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism wish to emphasize that all our religions teach justice, equality and fairness. We remind ourselves that the use of the common law, a body of judge-made law originally derived from England and now a part of the law in most of the Commonwealth, applies only where there is no Malaysian Statutes to deal with the case. As distinguished from Syariah law, the common law is administered by secular courts, i.e. our Civil Courts.

For 50 years the common law system has served Malaysia well and has not had any negative effect and in fact has strengthened Malaysia's credibility internationally. The common law links us to the rest of this increasingly globalized world.

Although the majority of Malaysians are persons professing Islam, a sizable minority of its people, approximately 45 per cent, profess other religions. Hence we would find it objectionable for Syariah laws to be imposed on and applied to non-Muslim through our laws and the Civil Courts.

Malaysia is a secular state and "the law in this country is still what it is today, secular law" (Che Omar bin Che Soh v Public Prosecutor (1988)). Therefore we wish to remind the Chief Justice, the Attorney General and Ministers of Government that their oaths of office are to "preserve, protect and defend" our Constitution and the rights of all Malaysians, whether Muslims or non Muslims.

It is wholly unacceptable for any theological law to replace the system of law we have in Malaysia today. We should be concentrating on making the necessary reforms to our Constitution and to our statute laws so that the rights and freedoms of all Malaysians are enhanced and the integrity of our Constitutional institutions are enhanced. We need more effective checks and balances to ensure that efforts to subvert our Constitution and turn Malaysia into a theocracy are thwarted.

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2. HH Sri Sri Sugunedndra Theertha Swamijii Attends World Religions Peace Conference

mangalorean.com

KYOTO, JAPAN, August 28, 2007: "Since terrorism is now taking new shape with the advent of modern technology, there is a need to strengthen peace process and come out with the novel approach of peace initiatives along with prayers," said His Holiness Sri Sri Sugunendra Theertha Swamiji of Jagadguru Sri Madhvaachaarya Moola Maha Samsthaanam, Sri Puthige Mutt, Udupi, Karnataka, India, while addressing the public ceremony organized by the Japanese Council of Religious Leaders, marking its 20th anniversary of World Peace Prayers, in Mount Hiei, Kyoto, Japan. Earlier in the day, delivering the key note speech during the panel discussion on "Harmony and Sustainable Living with Nature," His Holiness pointed out that the seed of aggravating terrorism and the seed of deteriorating ecosystem is nothing but the diminishing of human heart and vanishing of the human value system. His message from the Vedas was to "live like a guest in this world, use minimum and give maximum."

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3. Hindu American Foundation Extends Invitations to Their Annual DC Reception

and Campaign Dinners

WASHINGTON, D.C. AND NEW YORK, August 30, 2007: (HPI note: Following is a press release, please note some events are RSVP today!) You are invited to join the Hindu American Foundation (HAF) leadership and supporters from around the country at a Capitol Hill Evening reception along with presentations of their recent activities and previews of their upcoming plans. Presentations are planned for four venues - one in the Washington D.C. area, one in California and two in the New York City area.

Washington, D.C.: HAF will be hosting its annual Capitol Hill Evening Reception on Wednesday, September 12, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Join HAF in meeting Congressional and governmental leaders and honoring their efforts to promote the understanding of Hindu American issues, pluralism, and tolerance. Because this is a ticketed event, location details will be provided upon RSVP to the HAF Office at 301-770-7835.

New York: On Saturday, September 22, from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., HAF is holding their third annual Greater Long Island area campaign fundraising dinner. Professor Jeffery Long will speak on Hinduism, Tolerance and Pluralism: The Convergence of the Hindu and American Traditions. Rajiv Malhotra is the special guest for this event. The Long Island dinner will be held at Antun's restaurant, 244 West Old Country Road, Hicksville, New York.

Also on September 22, from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., HAF is sponsoring an additional program at the Hindu Temple Society of North America, Lakshmi Hall, Flushing, New York. To attend either program, please RSVP by August 30.

California: On September 28, HAF will host its 4th annual Northern California Hindu awareness and education campaign dinner. Speakers include Desh Deshpande and Professor Ramdas Lamb. Location: BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Hindu Mandir, 1430 California Circle, Milpitas, CA 95035. RSVP by September 1.

Washington, D.C.: On Saturday, October 20, from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. you are invited to HAF's first greater Washington, D.C. Area Hindu Awareness and Education Campaign Dinner in McLean, Virginia. To attend, please RSVP by September 20. Because this event is to be held in a private home, the exact location will be given upon RSVP.

You are welcome to attend one or all of the scheduled events. To attend each event, you must RSVP to "sheetal at hafsite.org". For additional information, please call the Hindu American Foundation's Office at 301-770-7835. For details of the many activities and accomplishments of the Hindu American Foundation please visit our website at URL above.

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