Gerakan was lambasted recently because of their remarks on the involvement of churches in Bersih 5.0. Hermen Shastri who is the general secretary for Council of Churches Malaysia (CCM) was fast to comment. Hermen resented at Gerakan’s focus on the involvement of Christians.
The fact that Bersih was promoted in churches and joined by Arcbishop Bernard Paul, shows direct involvement in the event. It should be noted that it is the non-Muslims that emphasise a secular Malaysia and not the majority Muslims. This is despite the Federal Constitution declaring Islam as the Religion of the Federation, in Article 3(1).
Secular in simple words, refers to the separation of state and religion. Involvement in politically inclined rallies does not reflect such ideals in any way. There is always “reminder” from some groups, on the nature of our nation as intended by our fore fathers.
Maybe this relation to the wishes of our “forefathers” should be avoided if religious bodies continue to participate in demonstrations of such nature. What we see now is a very contradictory approach to what is usually preached. If the active promotion and participation in such programs continue, the definition of secularism would have to be revisited.
So much fuss about political Islam and today this is what we see. We are not questioning the multi-religious and multiracial turnout. What we want to emphasise is the promotion of such events by the same people who want to see Islam separated from the government.
It was the same people who opposed the amendment of Act 355 with the pretext of hudud. Judging from what is happening currently, one can’t help but ask. Are we experiencing the rise of political Christianity?Since political Islam is so feared then should political Christianity be allowed?
As the saying goes, actions speak louder than words.
Rehan Ahmad Bin Jamaluddin Ahmad
Research Fellow, Institut Kajian Strategik Islam Malaysia (IKSIM)
A BRIEF HISTORY:
History tells us that Christian invaders that explored and conquered parts of the world including Muslim countries had three basic ideas that motivated them–Gold, Glory, and God:
(1) “Gold” refers to the search for material gain through acquiring and selling Asian spices, African slaves, American metals, and other resources. As merchants gained influence in late-medieval western Europe, they convinced their governments to establish a direct connection to the lucrative Asian trade, leading to the first European voyages of discovery in the 1400s. The Christian invaders and crusaders had deliberately plundered the natural resources of Muslim countries etc to enrich Christian countries and impoverish Muslim countries etc.
(2) “God” refers to the militant crusading and missionary traditions of Christianity, characterized in part by rivalry with Islam and hatred of non-Christian religions. Islam and Muslims etc were oppressed by Christian invaders and crusaders. In January of 1492, Spain had finally finished driving the Moors out of the Iberian Peninsula. The end of this war helped feed religious fervor among the Spanish. In addition, the Papal decree of 1493 gave Spain the authority and duty of converting any and all natives in the New World to Christianity.
(3) “Glory” alludes to the competition between monarchies. Some kings sought to establish their claims to newly contacted territories so as to strengthen their position in European politics and increase their power at the expense of the landowning nobility. They also embraced the ideology of mercantilism, which held that governments and large private companies should cooperate to increase the state’s wealth by increasing the reserves of precious metals.
Motivated by these three aims, several western European peoples gained control or influence over widening segments of the globe during the Early Modern Era. By 1914 Europeans dominated much of the world politically and economically.
The Christian 3Gs are responsible for the deaths of millions of natives of South and North America etc. By the time Christopher Columbus reached the Caribbean in 1492, historians estimate that there were 10 million indigenous peoples living in U.S. territory. But by 1900, the number had reduced to less than 300,000.
THE CHURCHES IN MALAYSIA:
The churches are playing provocative and dangerous roles by intervening in the affair of Islam and Muslims in Malaysia. They are deliberately inciting and promoting Islamophobia (fear, prejudice, hatred or dislike directed against Islam or Muslims, or towards Islamic politics or culture) by opposing, defaming and demonizing Sharia law @ Islamic law such as Hudud and Act 355 amendment etc . It seems to us that the churches are so desperate that they resort to dirty tactics to oppose, defame and demonize Islam and Muslims !
It seems to us that the churches are trying to destabilize this country and create racial and religious conflict in this country by pitting non-Muslims against Muslims. By doing so, the churches have proven that they are opposing and degrading the Federal Constitution that officially declares Islam as the Religion of the Federation, in Article 3(1).
The undeniable fact is the churches have no right to intervene in the affair of Islam and Muslims because Sharia law @ Islamic law has nothing to do with the churches and non-Muslims.
All Muslims must return to the true teachings of Islam and cooperate to defend and uphold Islam and the rights of Muslims in this country. After all, the Federal Constitution that officially declares Islam as the Religion of the Federation, in Article 3(1).
CORRECTION:
All Muslims must return to the true teachings of Islam and cooperate to defend and uphold Islam and the rights of Muslims in this country. After all, the Federal Constitution has officially declared that Islam is the Religion of the Federation, in Article 3(1).