From the NECF Research/Religious Liberty Dept:
Continue to pray for the nation #2
The two recent hot-headed protests – one at the Bar Council on 9th August, and the other in front of the Bangunan Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah on 12th – simply demonstrated the deep-seated communal spirit. The former was reacting to a public forum on “Conversion to Islam”; the latter was a response to the mere suggestion of Selangor Menteri Besar that 10% of the student quota at UiTM be opened to non-Bumiputeras and foreign students.
After 51 years of independence (45 for East Malaysia), civil maturity seems utterly far-fetched in the peninsula. Ingroup bias and outgroup animosity persist. Distrust and insecurity continue to reign. Inter-ethnic/religious hostility is easily stoked up by irresponsible remarks of a few individuals. One readily reacts or comments on a subject without seeking clarification or further information about it. Wilful ignorance breeds contempt.
At the silver jubilee dinner of the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST), Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Abdullah Badawi called for more interfaith dialogues to ensure continuous harmony among Malaysians of different religions. However, matters relating to Islamic faith could not be “touched” or “changed”, he said (NST, 7 Aug).
One wonders how an interfaith dialogue be carried out 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 dissolution of marriage and custody of children, among other things. The plight of mothers like Subashini and Shamala are painful realities. We should also not forget the grieving Hindu family of the late Elangesvaran Benedict whose body was taken away by the Islamic authorities for Muslim burial. Body-snatching cases continue to occur.
Seemingly contradicting his call for more interfaith dialogues, the Prime Minister’s response to the Bar Council forum was: “Issues concerning religion are very sensitive. Matters (on religion) are already spelt out… there is no need for discussions” (Bernama, 12 Aug).
However, Dr Mehrun Siraj, a law lecturer of the International Islamic University and a participant at the forum, begged to differ: “Open discussion is the way to discuss the issues between Muslims and non-Muslims.” Even the PAS Research Center saw “valid reasons for such forum.” Indeed, it is about legal quandary that affects the lives of ordinary citizens.
Mr. Sam Ang, the Acting Secretary General of NECF Malaysia, 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 said. At the MCCBCHST dinner, the Prime Minister gave 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, 7 Aug).
Yet, we must be mindful of the peace-loving and sensible fellow Malaysians in our respective neighbourhoods. We applaud the forum organizers and the speakers, Muslims and non-Muslims alike, for their courage and sincerity to help solving the drawn-out 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:
1. for God’s grace and mercy upon our nation;
2. that the deep-seated communal spirit that has been haunting our country be broken;
3. for civil maturity and more towering Malaysians who are able to see beyond ethnic and religious differences;
4. for sensible national leaders to lead the nation with justice and righteousness;
5. for independent judiciary and competent judges to rule with wisdom and without fear or favour; and
6. for genuine police reform: corrupt-free, vigilant and impartial.
15 August 2008
