Joint Statement by MBCC: The Council urges everyone to view the incident in perspectiv​e and dedicate more effort to promote awareness and understand​ing among different religious groups

The Malaysian Buddhist Consultative Council (MBCC) expresses regret over the incident where a surau at a resort in Kota Tinggi, Johor, was allegedly being used by Buddhists to perform a religious service with the permission given by the resort operator.

The resort operator and the Buddhists involved in the incident were reportedly from Singapore and therefore, may not be aware that their actions may hurt the sensitivity of some Malaysian Muslims and may cause disharmony amongst the multi-racial and multi-religious community in Malaysia. The Council urges any foreigners who wish to perform religious services in Malaysia to respect and be more mindful of the sensitivity of the locals. As this incident is an isolated case involving foreigners, it must not undo the good harmony and respect that Malaysian Buddhists and Muslims generally have for each other all these while. 

The Council reiterates that this is an unfortunate incident that happened out of lack of the understanding amongst the adherents of different religions and urges everyone to view the incident in perspective and to resolve the issue in an amicable way. The Council also urges the public, including those in the social media, to heed the call by the authority not to aggravate the situation further. In such situations, where there could be ignorance by the parties involved, the Council urges the authorities to educate and provide counselling or guidance, instead of meting out harsh punishments.

In light of other recent incidents which had given rise to anger and disharmony, this latest misunderstanding underlines the need for more inter-faith dialogues to prevent further uneasiness. In particular, greater focus should be given to the Malaysian education system to properly introduce different major religions to all students in order to promote awareness and understandings of the various major religions in Malaysia.  

Members of MBCC: Young Buddhist Association of Malaysia, Vajrayana Buddhist Council Malaysia, Persatuan Penganut Agama Buddha Fo Guang Malaysia, Buddhist Missionary Society Malaysia, Sasana Abhiwurdhi Wardhana Society, Theravada Buddhist Council of Malaysia.

联合文告：促进宗教谅解，避免因宗教敏感课题影响国家团结

针对日前发生在柔佛哥打丁宜度假村，佛教徒使用祈祷室诵经掀起的争议事件，马来西亚佛教咨询理事会深表遗憾。根据媒体报道，这一群佛教徒在获得度假村负责人的允许下，使用该间回教祈祷室进行佛教诵经仪式。

这群来自新加坡的佛教徒及度假村负责人或许不了解马来西亚的国情及法律，也不知道他们的行为其实对于马来西亚回教徒是不尊重的。每一个宗教信仰，都有其仪轨与教条，对于宗教场所的尊重与维护，是基本的认知。因此理事会呼吁各造，包括在马来西亚进行宗教活动的外国公民尊重和主动了解马来西亚各宗教信仰的敏感度及禁忌。

马来西亚佛教咨询理事会强调这是单一事件，纯粹是因为不了解而衍生的误会，并非故意伤害马来西亚回教徒的感受。希望各造保持冷静，尤其执法单位需要谨慎处理，避免事情进一步恶化。

从最近的几起相关事件，已显示国人对于各主要宗教的认识是非常有限的。理事会因此促请政府通过学校教育，加强学生对各主要宗教的了解，同时配合各宗教组织于民间推动宗教对话，促进宗教谅解，以一劳永逸解决问题的根源。

马来西亚佛教咨询理事会组织成员包括: 马来西亚金刚乘佛教总会，马来西亚佛教青年总会，马来西亚南传佛教总会，马来西亚佛光协会，马来西亚佛教弘法会，锡兰佛教精进会。