Albert Lin, The Merit Times staff writer
October 23, 2023

On October 18th, Venerable Ru Bin, Abbess of Fo Guang Shan Hsing Ma Si, was appointed as a member of the 2023 to 2025 Negeri Johor Inter-Faith Harmony Committee.

At the invitation of Ling Tian Soon, the Chairman of the Johor State Health and Unity Affairs Committee, Venerable Ru Bin attended the first meeting of the Negeri Johor Inter-Faith Harmony Committee for the year 2023 on the 18th. He was accompanied by Lin Jinhan, Vice President of Buddha's Light International Association (BLIA) Malaysia South Chapter.

Venerable Ru Bin received the appointment certificate. photo／The Life News Agency

Representatives from various religious organizations attended this meeting, including Taoism, Catholicism, Hsing Tian Kong, Sikhism, Johor Old Temple, Hinduism, Chinese pastors, and Islam, among others.

Representatives from various religious organizations attended this meeting. photo／The Life News Agency

Ling Tian Soon stated that the Johor government established the Inter-Faith Harmony Committee with the aim of promoting and strengthening unity among the people in the state. 

The committee's objective is to provide solutions and a platform for discussion on religious issues through meetings and dialogues among representatives from various parties. Given the current challenges, the committee hopes to facilitate greater acceptance and understanding between different religions.

After the meeting, Ling Tian Soon also discussed with representatives from Taoism, the Malaysian Buddhist Association, and Fo Guang Shan Hsing Ma Si. Ling Tian Soon stated that the state government will actively collaborate with the Buddhist Association and Taoist Association. If followers encounter any issues, they should inquire with authoritative organizations.