Friday, September 15, 2006
A voice of reason in Zaid Ibrahim
Last week, a Barisan Nasional backbencher Zaid Ibrahim called on Muslims in Malaysia to get rid off a siege mentality that implied that their religion was under threat by developments taking place in a multi-religious, multi-racial society like ours. His voice was a refreshing reminder to all Malaysians that there are still politicians aligned to the government who could expouse logical thinking to counter irresponsible politicking by certain groups over the tenability of the status of Islam in Malaysia.
He gave particular attention to the ongoing case of Lina Joy, a Malay Christian who has applied to strike off Islam from her identity card. Judgement is expected to be delivered by the Federal Court, the nation's highest court. Zaid was quoted in a Malaysiakini report as saying, "She just wants her IC changed, let the courts decide that. There is no need to say that Islam is under attack. Islam is not under attack. It is your warped minds under attack. What’s the problem? She’s not Muslim anymore. God will punish her surely. Do we play god’s role now? How do you know god won’t forgive her? We should show kindness to these cases if someone strayed from the true path. We must try to understand."
Well said, and I am sure many moderate Muslims would concur with his comments. There is no evidence that Islam is under threat in Malaysia especially when Islam is entrenched as the national religion of Malaysia and Malaysia seen as a leader of the Islamic world. The government has spent billions of ringgit over the last few decades to ensure the primacy of Islam. Zaid's call to Muslims to have more confidence in their religion is an appropriate one; a self-created siege mentality will only ensure further uncertainties and anxiety over any future developments a la Lina Joy. I am a firm believer in religious freedom and future cases similar to the Lina Joy incident could appear on the legal horizon. In my mind, this is a natural occurence in a multi-religious society such as ours and not to be feared; instead such incidences should be a demonstration of the ability of the Constitution to deal with such cases without prejudice and by the letter of the law to find a just solution.
No hue and cry is raised when a Christian, Buddhist or Hindu converts legally to Islam. The followers of these religions do not adopt a defensive posture but are in fact stoic and resolute in their individual beliefs. All religions are going to face much stress and challenges in the 21st century to keep their followers from fleeing the fold. A siege mentality laced with hysteria, and egged on by irresponsible politicians, will not serve Malaysia's long-term interest. ¶ 2:15 PM
He gave particular attention to the ongoing case of Lina Joy, a Malay Christian who has applied to strike off Islam from her identity card. Judgement is expected to be delivered by the Federal Court, the nation's highest court. Zaid was quoted in a Malaysiakini report as saying, "She just wants her IC changed, let the courts decide that. There is no need to say that Islam is under attack. Islam is not under attack. It is your warped minds under attack. What’s the problem? She’s not Muslim anymore. God will punish her surely. Do we play god’s role now? How do you know god won’t forgive her? We should show kindness to these cases if someone strayed from the true path. We must try to understand."
Well said, and I am sure many moderate Muslims would concur with his comments. There is no evidence that Islam is under threat in Malaysia especially when Islam is entrenched as the national religion of Malaysia and Malaysia seen as a leader of the Islamic world. The government has spent billions of ringgit over the last few decades to ensure the primacy of Islam. Zaid's call to Muslims to have more confidence in their religion is an appropriate one; a self-created siege mentality will only ensure further uncertainties and anxiety over any future developments a la Lina Joy. I am a firm believer in religious freedom and future cases similar to the Lina Joy incident could appear on the legal horizon. In my mind, this is a natural occurence in a multi-religious society such as ours and not to be feared; instead such incidences should be a demonstration of the ability of the Constitution to deal with such cases without prejudice and by the letter of the law to find a just solution.
No hue and cry is raised when a Christian, Buddhist or Hindu converts legally to Islam. The followers of these religions do not adopt a defensive posture but are in fact stoic and resolute in their individual beliefs. All religions are going to face much stress and challenges in the 21st century to keep their followers from fleeing the fold. A siege mentality laced with hysteria, and egged on by irresponsible politicians, will not serve Malaysia's long-term interest. ¶ 2:15 PM
