I was taken aback by an amateur statement that my silence by not entertaining rather provocative comments means cowardice. I am not surprised because it was merely a personal attack or character-assassinating, not to mention it was made on my own social media profile criticizing and belittling whatever thoughts I have and share, despite quite a few supportive remarks by others. His negativity does not shift my stance even one inch from what I believe.
Regardless, nowadays we discover the increasing pattern of issues being put under the spotlight and mentioned of. I am not saying there are no issues at all up to this day, either truly factual or mere sensational, but recently the trend has always been in connection with the sensitivity of the community at large, especially Islam and Muslims, the prescribed and traditions.
I would say that the adversaries of Islam and the notion of declaring Malaysia as an Islamic state know how to play the game. While Muslims in general are still struggling to understand, comprehend and implement the things that are as clear as the blue sky, the Muslims in Malaysia again are being tested with inconclusive and arguable issues, better pronounced as ‘khilaf’.
Let me state the issues;
Firstly, we look at the issue of COMANGO. We opt to strike all the demands out based on three underlying premises;
First, the demands contain what would Islam categorize as prohibited relating to LGBT rights (and a few others such as recognizing Syiah and allowing murtad). We are not looking at individual level because we understand, believe and even practice that education is important that we do not punish those individuals per se. The one thing we do not tolerate is the coalition to recognize such right. We consider it as an illness that needs to be cured and swept away, but they want to be normalized that anyone in the community could choose to be and to do.
Second, even though people have argued that the demands are not at all evil, there are still some beneficial points to be heard and fought for. We agree, but doesn’t it come from the very same understanding which produces the evil parts of it? If we would agree to this, it is like agreeing to accepting only what we believe as right from Islam and we leave out anything that we think impracticable or irrelevant to these days. Islam means submit in toto and not submit in parts.
Third, given that there are beneficial points to be heard and fought for, why not the Muslims be the frontliner for such effort? We don’t have to be behind those with liberalist and secularist agenda thinking that they rule this place, whilst we are not in the know of what is going on.
That is one clear cut issue that even some Muslims fail to understand the situation and the consequences and they continue to be confused as more and more challenging issues coming and they would not be able to make a firm and clear stand. Nevertheless, more than 100,000 people have signed the petition to refuse in entertaining the COMANGO demands that I believe the figures would grow as more issues are going to be brought up.
Secondly, the same arguments apply to yet another coalition namely NEGARA-KU, founded by none other the proponents of COMANGO themselves. Applying simple logical connections their agenda remains the same and we could see the very same figures in this newly invented coalition. Not to mention how surprising to see the existence of Muslims group claiming to represent the Muslim section when in fact they are not. Muslims in Malaysia would not want to re-enact the Constitution and have in particular the Provision 3 be removed or even jeopardized.
Thirdly, and quite a latest issue is with the Oktoberfest. I was shocked when my friend showed me one post on Facebook reporting that Melaka is also having Octoberfest at Jonker Walk. I felt like, please, not in my birth place! The one in Shah Alam was already famed and framed at that time.
Quickly I tried to follow up with any updates or news about it. I even checked the Chief Minister for Melaka, Dato’ Seri Ir Idris Haron’s personal social profiles to see if he had published any comments on that and luckily it was in the negative, but I would say the official statement was not decisive enough. They were saying as if the Octoberfest would proceed if they apply for permission which in fact was not made, thank Allah.
Numerous public figures or even individuals have expressed their views on such kind of event. Conventionally, Octoberfest is a festival originated from and held in Germany and it has been comprehended as an event of the year for that country. I believe we saw a few familiar faces and their pictures uploaded in the social media being present at the event, one particular figure who supports and even condemns those going against the cultural event which originated elsewhere when ironically she claims to be under the banner of Malaysian Malaysia. I cannot see how Octoberfest is a part of Malaysian Malaysia.
Reciting some arguments being put forward such as being unconstitutional, against the religion of the Federation, against the norm and local culture and being potential of creating unpleasant atmosphere, perception and aggressive attitudes, Octoberfest should be banned. The fact that it has occurred is no more an issue, what’s done is done. But the resonance remains and we will be hit once again in the similar form or other kinds, and it would be more extravagant if Muslims remain ignorant.
Forthly, around when the Octoberfest fever begins to fade away, Malaysia experienced another event which is extraordinarily cuddly in disguise. I Want To Touch A Dog Day has been reported to have occurred in Bandar Utama, Selangor but I am regretfully flabbergasted that whatever reports by whichever news portal on that event, most of the images I can observe are Muslim women wearing hijabs, tudungs or headscarves petting dogs as if that event is solely dedicated to Muslims.
As the issue spreads out, numerous scholars have made attempts to give lengthy and academic explanations on the rulings relating to touching dogs. But now the participants and organizers are running around the bushes, saying that they want to save more dogs, animals also have their rights to protection, and that Islam promotes love towards animals including dogs. It turns out that Majlis Agama Islam Selangor itself speaks aloud that the event did not meet the standards outlined and did not even implement what they have beautifully written in the proposal.
Fifthly, we look at the call to abolish the Sedition Act, and one of the big groups is the Bar Council themselves. We have regretfully abolished the Internal Security Act (ISA) and one of the major arguments supporting the abolishment is more on technical and procedural enforcement of such laws. It is the people that we need to change, not the law. I was in a lecture when my lecturer spoke about the laws regulating the Civil and Syariah Courts and he definitely expressed my thoughts, that there is no problem with the laws and that the problem is with the people.
Has it become a practice to abolish any law that is open for abuse when we could have only made amendments? The ISA had been playing important parts in our law enforcement and peace regulation, thanks to those who had accordingly and without unjustifiable cause made use of the law. It is a paradox that Ustaz Lah, the President of ISMA was argued to be liable under the Act due to his statement which was wrongfully misunderstood and causing unnecessary hatred when they simultaneously seek to nullify it. Not to mention selective charges that are practiced given that police reports have been made against a quite few political figure making sensitive remarks but no action taken. Isn’t this an abuse?
And the list of issues is non-exhaustive. I believe more issues are coming and that is when Muslims in our country would be ready to absorb the pressure. It is nice to see that as issues being raised and the sensitivity is at the expense, we could observe the attitude and the lines of thinking adopted by everyone especially public figures, political parties, government agencies and NGOs. Only now they know that Muslims are not ignorant of what they are working on. Mere silence does not mean Muslims are weak, coward or not awaken, they just need a push.
Danial Ariff Bin Shaari
Gabungan Peguam-Peguam Muslim (I-Peguam)
Gabungan Peguam-Peguam Muslim (I-Peguam)
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