Questions for Malaysian Muslims and non-Muslims

Studying different religions with an attitude of goodwill results in mutual good understanding. It further gives rise to peaceful co-existence amongst all communities of different backgrounds in this country.

M.G.G Pillai rightly pointed out in his article "A Hindu looks at an Islamic State" (Harakah December 6, 1999) about the failure of Islam in India to convert the Hindus and the failure of Hinduism in enveloping Islam into its consciousness. Pakistan therefore is a monument of failure of both Hinduism and Islam.

Now the question cuts both ways: do the Malaysian Muslims understand the non-Muslims and the non-Muslims appreciate the beauty of Islam? Do we want to become another example of failure? Isn't this the right time for Malaysians to create history and prove to the world that Muslims and non-Muslims can join hands in forming a harmonious society?

The late Buddhadasa Bhikkhuu (Servant of the Buddha), a Buddhist monk in Thailand who had won friends from the whole nation and around the world, said, "The real enemy of religions is not any other religions, but materialism that feeds on and cultivates the human instinct of selfishness for the sake of material development"; and "The more broadminded and tolerant the believers of different religions are towards each other, the more fruitful religious life will be, and the more the world will be blessed by God".

We find Pillai saying in the same breath, "The Javanese penchant for musyawarah (consultations) has its roots in its Hindu background, an essential component of Hinduism to ensure the diverse conflicting, contradicting sects and sub-sects to accept the same set of values while going hammer and tongs with each other."

Before we find an answer to these, there are few crucial issues that need to be addressed by both the Muslims and the non-Muslims.

Questions for Muslims

Is the provision of Malay special rights enshrined in the Federal Constitution against Islamic teachings?

It sounds sensitive, but Tuan Guru Nik Abdul Aziz had answered this affirmatively which was reported in Sin Chew Jit Poh. I doubt that any serious Muslim who fights for justice for all will echo that. However in real life it seems very far from the answer. The true Islamic teachings have long been regarded as having less animating influences as compared to the Malays notion of "sovereign right" of the Malays or Ketuanan Melayu.

Are the Malays - Muslims too - prepared to relinquish the notion of Ketuanan Melayu as propounded by UMNO and instead ready to take up the notion of Islamic sovereign right or Ketuanan Islam upheld by PAS which is guided by the Qur'an and Sunnah?

It savours somewhat of a cultural baggage, but indeed if the inner essence of Islam is well spread throughout the country then the hardness can be swallowed in less than a second.

Are the Muslims gearing up to propagate the inner essence rather than the mere outer form of Islam?

The obsession of Malaysian Muslims to the brute outer form remains strong. It is not an easy thing to deal with. Even some PAS leaders still keep harping on the outer form, instead of the inner grace of Islam. Indeed, we need more profound and courageous Islamic leaders such as Nik Abdul Aziz to examine and reform the status quo. Recently, in an interview with PAS Deputy President Abdul Hadi Awang by Sin Chew Jit Poh prior to the elections, he instructed the Terengganu PAS members to protect the non-Muslims should any riots happen. I was really touched. I see him as another exemplary leader.

Are the languages, cultures, religions, interests and sensitivities of the non-Muslims part of the Muslims' concern?

If the Islamic preachers understand or master all these, there is a high possibility that more will convert to Islam and less will go against Islam. Can you imagine how impressive it is for the non-Muslims should an ulama deliver his speech in their mother tongues, understand their backgrounds and speak for their rights?

Questions for non-Muslims

Are you prepared to do some soul-searching into your own religion as to why the non-Muslims have become mere slaves in the pursuit of wealth?

In the recent election, the fact that Chinese voters did not commit themselves to the cause of justice bewildered many political analysts. One of the reasons given is the fervour of Confucianism is slowly losing its influence among the Malaysian Chinese community. The two main religions of the Chinese, i.e. Buddhism and Christianity, also have been discredited for their failure in awakening the Chinese political conscience. Perhaps the Islamic leaders can give them a hand through mutual study and dialogue.

Is there a genuine understanding of Islam and the struggle of PAS amongst the non-Muslims?

The moon is the common idiosyncracy of both the Chinese and the Islamic culture. The same idiosyncracy has become a phobia for the Chinese when drawing a cross on the ballot paper.The understanding is so shallow so much so that Islamisation has been accepted as a "danger". On the contrary, many do not realise that Islam lies in its inner essence a pulchritude. Can we afford to miss in looking up to such a breath-taking beauty?

Are you determined to improve your command of the national language at least up to the mark?

The passive attitude of Malaysians towards the national language is one of the reasons for the misunderstanding of Islam. Language is a key to relationship. It may be necessary for the Islamic preachers to spend a good deal of time in mastering the non-Muslims' mother tongues, but it is just as important for the non-Muslims to get down to an actual study of the national language. Not all Malaysians stand for the notion of Islamic State due to misunderstanding. But gradually by having more dialogues and insights Islam will pervade the heart of Malaysians. That the outcome of the recent election offers new challenges cannot be in doubt, but both the Muslims and non-Muslims have to do much initial spadework.