glorifying converts?

I am not a fan of religious issues. Not that I am not fully knowledgeable on the area but it is more of not wanting to hurt another man’s feelings. I have a personal opinion of my own with regards to it, which could baffle many, but this is not the place or avenue to express so.
However, a TV show on RTM1 earlier today, certainly caught me off guard. Not that such a programme is new to me, but I wonder what is gained by glorifying converts.
(Note: I get the idea spreading religion was a good way for previous governments to spread their influence and perhaps gain more land, however in modern society, this ideology should no longer exists)
Yes, the programme was about how several converts from various ethic backgrounds accept their new found religion- Islam. As said earlier, despite my personal opinions, I still maintain my utmost respect towards all forms of religions, but to praise such antics certainly leaves a sour taste in one’s mouth.
A week earlier, the Sikh community were also yapping about a rumour on a programme on Astro which was later called off due to a turbaned pure Sikh embracing Islam. While the truth in those rumours are yet to be established, the fact remains that despite almost being half a century, the country still lives in a religion clouded society.
There is nothing wrong in practising what you believe. But cashing in on a show which glorifies converts certainly places the other religions at a disadvantage. Why don’t show Muslims who convert into Buddhism or Christianity? Why the double standards?
The problem with religions today is no thanks to those who proclaim to have a robust knowledge about it. Then you get people like Takaful Malaysia’s Syariah department head Fauzi Mustaffar forbidding his Muslims brothers to extending their Deepavali greetings to Hindu friends.
The email, claimed only intended for internal circulation, stated ‘Deepavali was a religious festival where Hindu deities were worshipped and thus wishing Hindus was like syirik to Muslims’.
“So Muslims who have inadvertently wished Hindus a Happy Deepavali, Happy Durga Pooja or Happy Lakshami Pooja must immediately repent and not repeat it in the future,” added Fauzi in his email.
Then we have the Pope, misconstrued in his speech, which angered the Muslim world urging for the head of Vatican City to apologise.
Should we tie Fauzi up around a pole and hurl stones at him, just like practiced in the earlier days of Islam?
Religion was needed then as a way of life, as law to govern a group of people. Today, we have laws in every country, may it be legal, moral or religious.
Religion is pure in nature, but sadly it is tarnished by its followers. If Nabi Muhammad, Jesus or Buddha were still around, they would surely be despaired.

NOTE: The writer once again establishes his respect towards all religions and the article is in no way belittling any form of the respected faiths practiced by people worldwide. This is purely an opinion based article.


-The Man Who Sold The World-