PM urged more inter-faith dialogues
But don’t discuss Islam, he said
More inter-faith dialogues are needed to ensure the continuous harmony among Malaysians of different religions, Prime Minister Dato' Seri Abdullah Badawi said in his speech at the 25th anniversary of the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MAJLIS - the Malay acronym) on Aug 6.
A day later, he charged that matters relating to the Islamic faith could not be "touched" or "changed" (NST, Aug 7). His remark appeared to have been exploited to the hilt by the 500 protestors who stormed the Aug 9 Bar Council public forum organised to discuss legal issues arising from conversion to Islam. The forum had to be cut short when the demonstration turned ugly.
Commenting on the demonstration, the PM said, "Issues concerning religion are very sensitive. Matters (on religion) are already spelt out… there is no need for discussions" (Bernama, Aug 12). His comment was perplexing, considering that five days earlier, he had called for more interfaith dialogues at the MAJLIS dinner where he was the special guest of honour. There, he had also given his assurance that the government would "not ignore the issues faced by non-Muslims in the country, especially problems relating to religion and faith" (malaysiainsider.com, Aug 7).
NECF Malaysia Acting Secretary General Sam Ang lamented the inconsistencies of our national leaders who did not appear to walk their talk. "The Prime Minister has pledged to listen to all. He has said that we must remain sincere and ready to talk and listen. Discouraging such public forum is not the way to go, for the issues have long been swept under the carpet," he held.
In any case, can an interfaith dialogue happen if issues pertaining to Islam - one of the faiths concerned - cannot be discussed?
Conversion of one's spouse to Islam has been the bone of legal contention for decades.
A non-Muslim has no choice but to raise the matters relating to Islam when his or her spouse converts because it involves the dissolution of marriage and custody of children, among other things.
The plight of mothers such as Subashini and Shamala has become almost legendary. Not to be forgotten is the grieving Hindu family of the late Elangesvaran Benedict whose body was taken away by the Islamic authorities for Muslim burial. Bodysnatching cases continue to occur.
But, in the midst of public despair of ever finding a solution to all the pain, a streak of light shone when a participant at the Bar Council forum, , Dr Mehrun Siraj, said, "Open discussion is the way to discuss the issues between Muslims and non-Muslims." Words of hope, indeed, from the law lecturer of the International Islamic University. Days after the forum, PAS Research Centre added that they saw "valid reasons for such forum."
We need also to remember the many peace-loving and sensible fellow Malaysians in our respective neighbourhoods. We applaud the forum organisers and the speakers, Muslims and non-Muslims alike, for their courage and sincerity to work towards solving the long-drawn problems, as well as their willingness to share their expertise and knowledge with others.
These are among the extraordinary people to whom Malaysia will one day be grateful. Continue to pray for:
- God's grace and mercy upon our nation;
- God to liberate us from the communal spirit that has been haunting our nation;
- civil maturity and more towering Malaysians who are able to see beyond ethnic and religious differences;
- selfless, sensible national leaders to lead the nation with justice and righteousness;
- independent judiciary and competent judges to rule with wisdom and without fear or bias; and
- genuine police reform: corruptfree, vigilant and impartial.
Post script: The government has reactivated a joint committee comprising syariah and civil lawyers, formed in April, to solve conversion, interreligion and other related issues (The Star, Aug 27).
However, the committee will discuss the issues in chambers and not in open court, said Minister in the Prime Minster's Department Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Pray that good measures to resolve the problems will come out of this committee. |
