Now, this is one thing that has been annoying me for quite sometime, and after a while, I guess it’s time for me to give my two cents on what I’d describe as a ‘current issue’.
You see, I just feel that playing religious chants, songs and prayers of only one religion is not right in education institutions. While it may be well understood and tolerated that there are times there is a need to have prayers said aloud, but I do believe it is not compulsory to have chants and religious songs being played throughout the working hours and played aloud during recess time for the listening pleasure of the general public. If the institution is a religious related institution, I guess it would be hugely fine, but when the institution is multi-racial and multi-religious, I think it’s just disrespectful.
I am not underlining the importance of religion in education, but I think it justifies being more respectful over others which are of other faiths. After all, these education institutions are known as ‘national’ education institutions, and not institutions which are built by a certain religion such as mission schools, and Madrasah. As for those working at these institutions, I believe you should be professional at work, and hence leaving out your religious preference for your own personal time.
With that said, I think one will only start respecting another, when both parties start respecting each other.