It appears that the used of the word ³keling² is still taking heated if not curious debate amongst the Hidayahnet members.
On the one hand you have those who subscribe that such a term bears no ill reference to anyone but merely a label long used to describe a person¹s ethnicity. On the other, you have the target themselves who regard such reference as nothing more than racial slurring. Whatever school of thought we adhere to, peaceful communal living and common sense would dictate that we need to be not just tolerant of others but acutely receptive to their needs and sensitivities for without it, the slightest transgression (whether innocent or otherwise) may signal an unwarranted call for endless feud. If people cannot be persuaded by such a fundamental rule in harmonious living then perhaps they can be persuaded by the Holy Quran through the following verse: > O you who believe let not a group scoff at another group. It may be that the > latter are better than the former ............. Nor defame one another, nor > insult one another by nicknames ............. > > Surah 49 (Al-Hujarat), Ayat 11 May Allah lead all mankind towards unity. Salams Megat Shaharuddin Merican
