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A mosque and temple stand side by side in harmony

By : K.Harinderan
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KUALA LUMPUR: Religious harmony is more than a catchy phrase at Lorong Raja Muda Abdul Aziz here.

Amidst the hustle and bustle of the city, Muslims and Hindu’s have been worshiping just metres from each other over the past 40 years in Kampung Baru.

An air of calm prevailes at the Kuala Lumpur Hospital Mosque and Sri Maha Kaliamman Temple with members of both religious communities respecting their right to religious expression. While the mosque began as a surau in the 1950’s, the temple started off as a shrine in a simple wooden structure in 1968.

It was built by Kannan alias Veerapan in gratitude to Goddess Kaliamman for healing his then 16-year-old daughter.

V. Rajeswary, who had been falling ill often and could not be treated, recovered after going into a trance on several occasions. The shrine soon grew into a proper temple with devotees comprising hospital staff and occupants of railway quarters in Sentul.

Rajeswary’s husband, V. Narayanasamy, 68, who runs the temple, told the New Straits Times that the temple and mosque had shared the same grounds without major problems that could not be resolved.

“Cooperation, freedom and mutual respect has been shown by Hindu’s and Muslims alike and we have lived in harmony and even helped each other during festivals.’

A senior Kuala Lumpur Hospital Mosque official, who declined to be identified, said only zinc sheets separated the two structures.

“What began as a surau in the late 1950s has flourished together with the temple over the years. “Prayers at the temple do not bother us when we conduct our prayers. We have made certain adjustments to accommodate the temples’ wishes,” he said, adding that there had been no problems between the two parties.

The past four decades had seen “one or two” difficult moments such as during the May 13, 1969, riots when an Alliance flag was set on fire and thrown toward the main altar of the temple. The wooden structure was razed but the shrine survived the fire.

In 1979, floods which hit the city destroyed both structures.

P.Vasudevan, 53, who was born in Kampung Baru and frequents the temple, said the religious institutions were a unique testament to unity in diversity. “People of both faiths perform prayers side by side without problems.”