Malaysiakini.com (http://www.malaysiakini.com)
(1) Where are the new temples and churches?, 24 December 2003
by Badak Bodoh
Reading Edmund Burke Fan’s letter to the editor, ‘Don’t expect religious equality’, I think the writer is terribly mistaken in his/her perceptions.
First, only mosques and suraus in Malaysia are built by the government. In the West, churches are built not by governments but by the parishioners. Parishioners collectively donate money so that a church can be built in their area. Sometimes they even have to collect money to buy the land.
But in Malaysia, the land and building are provided for by the government. That is why there are dilapidated mosques in India and China. Worshippers are too poor to contribute. If Malaysian mosques were built by the worshippers, I'm sure there would be areas where mosques are dilapidated too.
Are there dilapidated Chinese and Hindu temples in Malaysia? Of course, but unless Edmund Burke Fan has not been to the rural areas in Malaysia, this won’t be visible. The reason is obvious: Chinese and Hindu worshippers are too poor to maintain their temples. Has the government built any temples or churches for these people? Have land been provided?
There has not been many new churches nor temples in Malaysia, not even in Barisan Nasional strongholds like Selangor, Penang and Johor. And all those silly MCA and Gerakan politicians attack PAS for neglect in Kelantan. They should be looking at their own backyards.
Religious freedom is not religious equality. It is just that no one has gone to court to challenge the government for what is rightfully theirs.
(2)Call to ban SIS cannot be justified nor defended, 16 June 2009
by Dr Mazeni Alwi et al
We refer to the Malaysiakini report Hadi adamant on SIS, 'ban them'.
The malaise of disagreement and discord afflicting the ‘ummah' since time immemorial is a cancerous disease, recognising no bounds as it eats away at our intellect, morality, heart and soul. We have somewhat lost the basic decorum of intellectual engagement and the ethics of disagreement which has led to the incessant strive and the fracture of the ummah.
Notwithstanding, we are blessed with a formidable legacy from early Muslims who have showcased the true art of managing disputations, demonstrated forbearance and understanding in the face of diversity of opinions and never lost sight of the higher aspirations and priorities of the syariah.
Suffice to mention the magnanimity of Uthman (RA) in his dialogue and verbal exchanges with the leaders of the Saba'iyin, the bravery of Ali (RA) to debate with the Khawarij and the wisdom of the early jurists to engage the intellectual and rationalist nuances as well as the political ideas of the various sects such as the Khawarij, Shiah, Murji'ah, Mu'tazilah and Jahmiyah.
Thus, as a Muslim organisation, we are very concerned that some delegates at the recent PAS muktamar had called for the ‘banning of another Muslim organisation, Sister-in-Islam and the rehabilitation of its members'.
SIS is a legally-registered organisation and has been a prominent civil society player, especially on issues relating to Muslim women and Islamic family law. As long as SIS operates within the bounds of the law, it should be allowed to continue its advocacy role and its right to freedom of expression protected.
In a modern multi-religious society like ours where free social interactions are the norm, and information and outside influences are impossible to filter, a diversity of opinions and views even among Muslims is inevitable.
Matters of religion continue to remain a sensitive issue for many as the majority of Muslims try to reconcile the demands of modern society with that of the dictates of Islam.
Delegates to a political party convention often come from a diverse social and educational background and with PAS this is especially so, drawing its members not only from the traditional religious background but also from the professionals.
Given the history of its struggle, programme and its specific objectives, it is not unexpected that such calls were raised by some delegates at its muktamar.
However, as observers, we need to be objective whether such counter-productive proposals by the delegates are formally adopted as resolutions by the new leadership line up. Going by newspaper reports, this is by no means clear.
As insiders, we fully understand why many Muslims are not comfortable with SIS views on a number of issues. However calling for ‘SIS to be banned and rehabilitated' cannot be justified nor defended.
Whatever it is, PAS would do well to heed the advice of its spiritual adviser Nik Aziz Nik Mat that the party engage SIS rather than calling for its ban if it wishes to play a bigger role in national politics.
・This letter is also signed by Dr Shaikh Johari Bux, Haji Mohamed Ali Ghazali, Dr. Jeffrey Abu Hassan and Dr. Musa Mohd. Nordin of the board of directors, Muslim Professionals Forum.
(End)
