Churches’ council invites Umno man for dialogue after ‘priest and nun’ joke

The Council of Churches of Malaysia has invited Sepang Umno chief Noorazli Said to an interfaith dialogue following his controversial lewd “joke” involving a Catholic priest and a nun.

The council said the widespread pushback against the Umno division leader was justified as his comments had no place in Malaysia’s multireligious and multiracial society.

It nonetheless welcomed Noorazli’s apology over his remarks “to those who were offended”, saying willingness to apologise and forgive were crucial steps towards achieving true reconciliation.

“We further believe genuine reconciliation can only be achieved when parties are willing to come together, sit at the same table, and offer grace to one another.

“With this hope of reconciliation, CCM extends a sincere invitation to Noorazli to a dialogue at the CCM Ecumenical Center at his earliest convenience.

“CCM’s heads of churches welcome a fruitful conversation to exchange views on how we can collectively strengthen interfaith relationships in our country,” it said in a statement.

The council also extended the invitation to other elected representatives, community as well as faith leaders “who believe that peace, mutual respect, and reconciliation are crucial building blocks for a progressive and prosperous Malaysia”.

Noorazli drew brickbats over a “joke” he made in a speech at the Umno general assembly earlier this month which revolved around a priest and a nun and hinged on a punchline erroneously attributed to a verse in Psalm 129.

The “joke” led to 86 police reports lodged against him and prompted Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh, Sabah Umno treasurer Salleh Said Keruak and Tuaran MP Wilfred Madius Tangau to demand that he apologise.

Noorzali apologised on Monday.

Federal police referred their investigation paper to the Attorney-General’s Chambers yesterday.