Religion and society in Malaysia

By Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad

AUG 23 — As Muslims the world over begin their fast with the blessed month of Ramadan, perhaps it’s time for us to reflect on the role of religion in Malaysian society.

At a youth programme in Subang Jaya I attended recently, a friend of mine asked whether it was possible to move beyond the twin bugbears of religion and race that has poisoned in Malaysian politics and cleaved our people. This sentiment has been gaining some currency lately — the idea that religion should be removed from our public life. Many even see religion as something anachronistic to the modern world.

I responded by saying that religion will always exert a powerful influence over all Malaysians. In fact, one has reason to doubt the idea that religion is somehow on the retreat worldwide.

In the United States, for instance, Barack Obama helped to reverse the Democrats' long malaise because he could reach out to communities of faith. Many Democrats were uncomfortable with religion, thus allowing the Republicans to frame the discourse of faith to suit their conservative politics.

I went on to say that I always express my belief that justice is a central tenet in Islam whenever I address my fellow Muslims. An important part of this includes reaching out to non-Muslims and treating them fairly.

A large part of the failures and troubles that have beset the ummah the world over is due to the fact that our tradition of moderation has somehow been waylaid, and this is something that we must regain. Doing so will not only guarantee our progress in the various fields, but also contribute to peace and dialogue between the other civilisations.

Thus, religion to me is not something that is a barrier or a problem but a source of civic virtue, providing a moral and ethical framework in life. I also feel that it is important for Muslims to always strive to achieve the moral high-ground — because that is what our faith demands of us.

That is why I believe that it is impossible for us to remove religion from the public discourse in Malaysia. What is not right and what no one should countenance — and this is the point of my article — is the cynical manipulation of religion for political purposes. Recent events have unfortunately shown that inciting sectarian conflict to score political points is the “in thing” in Malaysia today.

Thankfully, the vast majority of the Malaysian public have always been wise enough to call the bluff of such schemes. In fact, in my experience, the shrillest cries in any controversy almost always comes from those who are the least knowledgeable about religion (and more often than not the least devout) in order to give them the cloak of piousness.

The problem here is that sometimes these shrill voices can cause real and even long-term damage to the otherwise harmonious relations between our religions. While I believe that peace, tolerance and respect still reigns between the various creeds in Malaysia, it cannot be denied that the scaremongering by certain parties of late has caused some amount of ill-will.

It would be a great tragedy if these feelings crystallise and contribute to making the divisions that now rend our country apart permanent. Every incident and every provocation is a smear on the honour and sanctity of all our faiths. One simply cannot understand why some Malaysians are going all-out to incite hostility between Islam and the other religions, especially when we Muslims have always allowed for other faiths to be practiced in its borders.

The idea that ecumenism or engaging with another faith will somehow weaken our own is preposterous. I have for instance been invited to give a talk at a health programme in New Life Sanctuary, a church in my constituency — which I accepted and I can assure you that my faith has not been eroded in any way, nor has it made their parishioners think less of Islam.

On the contrary, it is always understood by all parties concerned at such functions that I will not be expected to take part in any religious ceremonies of theirs, but that I nevertheless respect their right to engage in such practices. On the other hand, I am more than happy to join in their community activities such as dialogues or National Day celebrations. I think this is a perfectly reasonable attitude and I would expect nothing less or more from a non-Muslim legislator if our roles were ever reversed.

All the same, I enjoy such opportunities because it not only affords me the chance to learn about other religions, but also to share my Muslim faith with them. Neither side attempts to convert the other, but the convictions of both are strengthened while creating a healthy appreciation for those of the other.

In my speech to the New Life Sanctuary, I acknowledged the positive role played in societies by faith communities. Often, I said, we only look at our differences. But many faith communities have many things in common and similar concerns: like social ills, crime, violence against women, etc. Why can’t we work together to overcome these issues?

For example, the recent alcohol controversy in Selangor that featured heavily in the media. While it is easy to see it as a Muslim vs. non-Muslim issue, we often forget that alcoholism is a problem that negatively impacts us all.

I was surprised, for instance when several non-Muslim residents in PJS8 complained to me about how easy it was for youths to buy alcohol and engage in anti-social behaviour at a park in their neighbourhood. Communities both in Malaysia and all over the world have suffered the ravages of alcohol abuse — including violence and poor health. One wonders therefore why no one thought about these issues, and why everyone was so quick to claim that it was a sectarian matter.

Let me make this clear: I am not disputing the right of non-Muslims to consume alcohol, and it would be a grave injustice to arbitrarily deny anyone this right. Rather, the Selangor alcohol saga is an example of how religion has been convoluted with partisan politics in this country. Instead of focusing on our common interests, certain parties used this dispute to smear their opponents.

They are doing a great disservice to the faith they so earnestly protest to be upholding. Their actions play into the hands of those who would claim that religion makes human beings irrational and intolerant when its intention is the exact opposite. They are spreading the canard that religion causes fear, rather than liberates, that it brings conflict, rather than peace.

Of course, we cannot hide from the fact that there are meaningful differences between one religion and another. Some of these are cannot and are quite possibly never meant to be bridged. Here, we can agree to disagree. But we need to be able to listen to one another and talk about our differences.

Sweeping them under the carpet is not an option any more, nor will threats or unreasonable demands make life in a multiracial, plural society any easier. All Malaysians must combat the dangerous trend towards sectarianism that our country is being hoodwinked into. Muslim community leaders in particular must have the courage of conviction to listen to differing views and present our position with hikmah or wisdom.

Religion is not and was never meant to create division and discord, but rather to enrich our identities and bring us together through our common humanity.