PETALING JAYA (Nov 12, 2009): Former prime minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi called on Malaysians today not to fail humanity but live with compassion and love for their fellow human beings.

"All I can ask of you today, my friends, is let us not fail humanity; let us not fail ourselves. Let us live with compassion and love for our fellow human beings. For what is life without compassion? For what is life if you cannot love, forgive and care for your fellow human being?" he said.

Abdullah was speaking at the launch of the Malaysian Charter for Compassion, an idea initiated by eminent British religious scholar Karen Armstrong, who invited people from all over the world to write a Charter for Compassion in November 2008.

The launch of the charter was organised by three citizens groups -- Yayasan Budi Penyayang Malaysia, The Malaysian Interfaith Network, and the International Movement for a Just World (JUST) -- to foster understanding of compassion among people of different faiths.

Stressing the importance of being a compassionate community, Abdullah said that in today’s world, which is wracked by violence, greed and selfishness, compassion is "severely lacking".

"We seem to lack the ability to see through the eyes of the poor, hungry, oppressed, discriminated and those of whom life has not given a break," he said.

"And in being unable to see through the eyes of the less fortunate, we are unable to empathise, thus, further propelling the world into a deeper abyss of suffering and gloom."

Abdullah also pointed out that another component of compassion people tend to overlook is the ability to forgive.

Quoting the various religions on compassion, he said: "There should be no doubt that peace, mercy and compassion are the core of all religions."

"We must then ask ourselves why mercy, compassion, steadfastness, justice and benevolence, which are so central to all religions, have all but lost their importance," he said.

He said the value of compassion is ingrained in the heart of every human being but it is within them as to whether they want to practise it or not.

"Too often, we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn the world around," he said.

"If we are sincere, we can make the world a better place."

Apart from the official launch, a panel discussions led by religious leaders and youths, a photo exhibition, and a Wall of Compassion to enable the general public to affix their signatures, were held.

Malaysia Charter for Compassion chairman Dr Chandra Muzaffar said: "In a multi-religious society like ours, it is crucial that we dedicate ourselves to the principle and practice of compassion. It is a principle that lies at the heart of all religious, ethical and spiritual traditions."

Emphasising the importance of "treating others as we wish to be treated ourselves", he said it is a challenge to demonstrate empathy with the suffering of all human beings.

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