Book for Hindu temples emphasises Malaysian unity


Turkmenistan News.NetWednesday 14th January, 2009 (IANS)




The Malaysia Hindu Sangam (MHS) has compiled a book to serve as a guideline for priests delivering Friday evening sermons in temples, with emphasis on national unity.The book was compiled in line with Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's call for all religious institutions to play a proactive role in strengthening national unity, The Star newspaper said Wednesday.



It was published in Tamil to cater to the two million-plus population of ethnic Indians, a bulk of them Tamil Hindus who came here during the British era.Titled '52 Velli Sinthanai Manikal' (Virtuous Thoughts for 52 Fridays), the book is to be utilised by priests for delivering sermons Friday evenings.



'The prime minister's proposal that religious leaders help get the message across on unity through the Friday khutbah for Muslims and Sunday sermons for Christians is most appropriate,' said Balakrishnan Kandasamy, 50, who heads MHS' religious sermon division.MHS chairman A. Vaithilingam said the book has already been distributed to all temples.The book will be available in Bahasa Malaysia and English soon, MHS announced.