From Thasleem Mohammed, via e-mail
As a Muslim, I’m compelled to write this letter to instill ‘Islamic values’ among all decision makers in the government. It is unfortunate that the “Malay” agenda is being given top priority in the Malaysian plural society.
My views will definitely hit a raw nerve of the elite Malays, politicians and government servants who have been brainwashed with ‘Ketuanan Melayu.
let me clarify that I have no other agenda except to correct the leaders / decision-makers who seem to ‘close an eye’ to issues which disrupt the harmony in our multi-racial environment. Allah SWT is the witness to my ‘niat Ikhlas’ in what I am writing.
The UMNO leaders participation in the Communities Liaison Committee (CLC) formed on 10 January 1949 had an important influence on their political thinking. While UMNO had been formed to protect Malay interests during the Malayan Union crisis of 1946, after the signing of the Federation of Malaya Agreement in 1948, the leaders tentatively began to embrace a broader political outlook encompassing the non-Malays, realising that it was the only hope of achieving the party’s dream of Independence. This paradigm shift was exemplified by Dato’ Onn Jaafar’s speech at the Umno annual general assembly on May 29, 1949:
“It is absolutely important for the Malays to obtain closer ties with the other people in this country. It is time for us to take the view wider than the Kampung view. I ask of you, which will you choose, peace or chaos, friendship or enmity.”
The Umno presidents’ new approach was because the British had made it clear that co-operation of Malays, Chinese and Indians was a pre-requisite before the question of Independence can even be seriously considered.
All Muslim politicians anddecision-makers are fully conscious that Malaysia is a plural society. They are also aware that it is important to ‘live as a Muslim in a plural society’.
Contemporary issues in Malaysia like: Interlok, unfair treatment of non-Malays (not honouring the spirit of the understanding agreed prior to Independence), Malay supremacy are just a few of the challenges in a plural society.
Muslims believe that Islam teaches them the right reaction to every situation. Unfortunately the right perspective is lacking as Muslim leaders/decision-makers do not care to learn enough about these teachings and their application in a given situation. All decisions must take into consideration other religions/races. Islam teaches us to follow this.
Malaysia is a good example. As a consequence of ‘unIslamic’ values in decision- making/policies, not only does the community suffer as a whole, but the image of Islam suffers. Introducing Interlok in the SPM syllabus is an example.
Living in a pluralistic society places a great burden on the average Muslim. One has to remember that one’s action conveys a message. If we observe the teaching of Islam and apply them in the correct perspective in day to day life, we convey the message of Islam correctly to others.
Otherwise we are projecting a wrong image of Islam and nothing can be worse than this. This is currently happening among the Muslim politicians/decisions-makers in Malaysia. Datuk Seri Najib, I am prepared to justify this in a dialogue with Ulamas and decision
makers.
I quote: Al-Quran 49:11 (Surah Al-Hujurat)
“O you who have attained to faith! No men shall deride (other) men: it may well be that those (whom they deride) are better than themselves; and no women (shall deride other) women: it may well be that those (whom they deride) are better than themselves. And neither shall you defame one another, nor insult one another by (opprobrious) epithets: evil is all imputation of iniquity after (one has attained to) faith; and they who (become guilty thereof and) do not repent – it is they, they who are evildoers!”
The above surah has a deep and far reaching meaning which should be reflected in our daily lives. There are other verses in Al-Quran and Hadith to be read and understood by every Muslim politician/decision-maker. I’m aware that all are well-educated Muslims and it is now mandatory for all of them to spell out a set of ‘Do’s and Dont’s’ to themselves and to all Malaysians in any given situation.
If only the Ministry of Education officials who decided on ‘Interlok’ to be introduced in the SPM syllabus had considered themselves ‘Muslims first’ then this book will not be in the hands of the students. I will not hesitate to state that the officials followed their ‘boss’, the minister that they are ‘Malays first’ and as a consequence all these controversies.
I am not sure whether our Malay Muslim politicians/decision-makers are aware that Muslim societies had always been characterised by pluralism. The early Islamic society in Madinah comprised diverse religious sects and ethnic groups such as Persians, Absyssinians and others lived in the town. Divergent religious faiths such Jews and Christians also lived in Madinah.
In later period of Ummayid and Abbari rules, cultural and religious diversities were a significant feature of the Muslim politics. During the Ottoman rule pluralism was far more pronounced in the Middle East as well as Europe.
In the Balkan states, Greek-orthodox, Armenian Georgians as well as Jews, were recognised as religiously autonomous. Muslim rulers were very particular in preserving the cultural freedom of minorities and allowed them total autonomy in their customs, traditions and religious rules.
All the above in my opinion was based as the primary objective by the ‘Reid commission’ which formulated the Malayan Constitution. To refresh readers memory, this commission comprised of:
Chairman - Lord Reid, an Appellate Court judge from Britain
Members – (1) Sir Ivor Jennings (Master of Trinity Hall, Cambridge)
(2) Justice Abdul Hamid (Pakistan)
(3) Justice B Malik (India)
(4) WJ McKell (Australia)
(5) Canadian nominee withdraw for health reasons.
(Italic) *Take note that 2 of the 4 members are Muslims from the Indian sub-continent. It was our beloved First Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman’s suggestion of a Commonwealth Commission that would be suitable to undertake this complex task of formulating the Malayan Constitution.(Italic)
Muslims have always been generous in absorbing desirable and useful features of other societies. They borrowed Persian warfare techniques as early as the battle of Trenches, adopted the medical system of the Greeks and the currency of economically advanced nations. Absorbed the
Byzantine culture of Hijab and benefitted, in profusion from the knowledge acquired by alien societies. Unlike the modern west, they
never fought shy to acknowledge their debt to other cultures.
This experience in living in contact with diverse cultures has never been foreign to the temper of a Muslim society. Muslims have not only been tolerant of divergent cultures but have taken positive measures for the security and prosperity of ethnic and religious minorities.
I beg all the Muslim politicians, administrators, decision-makers to declare themselves as ‘Muslim first’ and all of them require a paradigm shift in thinking of Malaysia for Malaysians, irrespective of religion and race.
Datuk Seri Najib, kindly do not allow ‘racial fanatics’ to bring shame to Islam. According to KBSM guidelines for textbooks the following matters must be avoided. The textbooks must not contain the following: Sensitive elements Matters which may be misconstrued, discriminatory, deemed insulting or offensive as pertaining to race, religion, culture, gender, age or occupation. Negative elements Matters pertaining to attitudes, thoughts, and behaviour which are contrary to noble values in Malaysian society. Subversive elements All matters which are contrary to national policies.
As a Muslim, I’m ashamed that ‘Interlok’ has been introduced as a literary textbook for SPM students. Interlok has miserably failed to meet (i) and (ii). Will the committee responsible be taken to task for this negligence. My gut feeling is ‘No’ because of the ‘Malay Agenda’.
Datuk Seri, the current trend of ‘racial fanatism’ is not healthy for your 1Malaysia concept. There is a very calculated move to dismantle all your efforts to unite Malaysians. Interlok is only the tip of the iceberg.
My ‘niat’ (intention) is not to degrade or disrespect Muslim Malays. Nobody has ever and will not question the ‘special privileges’ of the Malays. Similarly as a good Muslim it is the responsibility of politicians/decisions-makers to safeguard the legitimate interests of other communities as agreed by our founding fathers and as stipulated in our constitution. This is what Islam teaches us and we cannot shirk our responsibility.
May Allah SWT guide all of us to uphold Islamic values in our daily lives be at family, business, politics, inter-racial and inter-religious relationships.
Aameen Aameen Yaa Rabbal Aalameen. Wassalam
The writer is chairman of the National Interlok Action Team
As a Muslim, I’m compelled to write this letter to instill ‘Islamic values’ among all decision makers in the government. It is unfortunate that the “Malay” agenda is being given top priority in the Malaysian plural society.
My views will definitely hit a raw nerve of the elite Malays, politicians and government servants who have been brainwashed with ‘Ketuanan Melayu.
let me clarify that I have no other agenda except to correct the leaders / decision-makers who seem to ‘close an eye’ to issues which disrupt the harmony in our multi-racial environment. Allah SWT is the witness to my ‘niat Ikhlas’ in what I am writing.
The UMNO leaders participation in the Communities Liaison Committee (CLC) formed on 10 January 1949 had an important influence on their political thinking. While UMNO had been formed to protect Malay interests during the Malayan Union crisis of 1946, after the signing of the Federation of Malaya Agreement in 1948, the leaders tentatively began to embrace a broader political outlook encompassing the non-Malays, realising that it was the only hope of achieving the party’s dream of Independence. This paradigm shift was exemplified by Dato’ Onn Jaafar’s speech at the Umno annual general assembly on May 29, 1949:
“It is absolutely important for the Malays to obtain closer ties with the other people in this country. It is time for us to take the view wider than the Kampung view. I ask of you, which will you choose, peace or chaos, friendship or enmity.”
The Umno presidents’ new approach was because the British had made it clear that co-operation of Malays, Chinese and Indians was a pre-requisite before the question of Independence can even be seriously considered.
All Muslim politicians anddecision-makers are fully conscious that Malaysia is a plural society. They are also aware that it is important to ‘live as a Muslim in a plural society’.
Contemporary issues in Malaysia like: Interlok, unfair treatment of non-Malays (not honouring the spirit of the understanding agreed prior to Independence), Malay supremacy are just a few of the challenges in a plural society.
Muslims believe that Islam teaches them the right reaction to every situation. Unfortunately the right perspective is lacking as Muslim leaders/decision-makers do not care to learn enough about these teachings and their application in a given situation. All decisions must take into consideration other religions/races. Islam teaches us to follow this.
Malaysia is a good example. As a consequence of ‘unIslamic’ values in decision- making/policies, not only does the community suffer as a whole, but the image of Islam suffers. Introducing Interlok in the SPM syllabus is an example.
Living in a pluralistic society places a great burden on the average Muslim. One has to remember that one’s action conveys a message. If we observe the teaching of Islam and apply them in the correct perspective in day to day life, we convey the message of Islam correctly to others.
Otherwise we are projecting a wrong image of Islam and nothing can be worse than this. This is currently happening among the Muslim politicians/decisions-makers in Malaysia. Datuk Seri Najib, I am prepared to justify this in a dialogue with Ulamas and decision
makers.
I quote: Al-Quran 49:11 (Surah Al-Hujurat)
“O you who have attained to faith! No men shall deride (other) men: it may well be that those (whom they deride) are better than themselves; and no women (shall deride other) women: it may well be that those (whom they deride) are better than themselves. And neither shall you defame one another, nor insult one another by (opprobrious) epithets: evil is all imputation of iniquity after (one has attained to) faith; and they who (become guilty thereof and) do not repent – it is they, they who are evildoers!”
The above surah has a deep and far reaching meaning which should be reflected in our daily lives. There are other verses in Al-Quran and Hadith to be read and understood by every Muslim politician/decision-maker. I’m aware that all are well-educated Muslims and it is now mandatory for all of them to spell out a set of ‘Do’s and Dont’s’ to themselves and to all Malaysians in any given situation.
If only the Ministry of Education officials who decided on ‘Interlok’ to be introduced in the SPM syllabus had considered themselves ‘Muslims first’ then this book will not be in the hands of the students. I will not hesitate to state that the officials followed their ‘boss’, the minister that they are ‘Malays first’ and as a consequence all these controversies.
I am not sure whether our Malay Muslim politicians/decision-makers are aware that Muslim societies had always been characterised by pluralism. The early Islamic society in Madinah comprised diverse religious sects and ethnic groups such as Persians, Absyssinians and others lived in the town. Divergent religious faiths such Jews and Christians also lived in Madinah.
In later period of Ummayid and Abbari rules, cultural and religious diversities were a significant feature of the Muslim politics. During the Ottoman rule pluralism was far more pronounced in the Middle East as well as Europe.
In the Balkan states, Greek-orthodox, Armenian Georgians as well as Jews, were recognised as religiously autonomous. Muslim rulers were very particular in preserving the cultural freedom of minorities and allowed them total autonomy in their customs, traditions and religious rules.
All the above in my opinion was based as the primary objective by the ‘Reid commission’ which formulated the Malayan Constitution. To refresh readers memory, this commission comprised of:
Chairman - Lord Reid, an Appellate Court judge from Britain
Members – (1) Sir Ivor Jennings (Master of Trinity Hall, Cambridge)
(2) Justice Abdul Hamid (Pakistan)
(3) Justice B Malik (India)
(4) WJ McKell (Australia)
(5) Canadian nominee withdraw for health reasons.
(Italic) *Take note that 2 of the 4 members are Muslims from the Indian sub-continent. It was our beloved First Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman’s suggestion of a Commonwealth Commission that would be suitable to undertake this complex task of formulating the Malayan Constitution.(Italic)
Muslims have always been generous in absorbing desirable and useful features of other societies. They borrowed Persian warfare techniques as early as the battle of Trenches, adopted the medical system of the Greeks and the currency of economically advanced nations. Absorbed the
Byzantine culture of Hijab and benefitted, in profusion from the knowledge acquired by alien societies. Unlike the modern west, they
never fought shy to acknowledge their debt to other cultures.
This experience in living in contact with diverse cultures has never been foreign to the temper of a Muslim society. Muslims have not only been tolerant of divergent cultures but have taken positive measures for the security and prosperity of ethnic and religious minorities.
I beg all the Muslim politicians, administrators, decision-makers to declare themselves as ‘Muslim first’ and all of them require a paradigm shift in thinking of Malaysia for Malaysians, irrespective of religion and race.
Datuk Seri Najib, kindly do not allow ‘racial fanatics’ to bring shame to Islam. According to KBSM guidelines for textbooks the following matters must be avoided. The textbooks must not contain the following: Sensitive elements Matters which may be misconstrued, discriminatory, deemed insulting or offensive as pertaining to race, religion, culture, gender, age or occupation. Negative elements Matters pertaining to attitudes, thoughts, and behaviour which are contrary to noble values in Malaysian society. Subversive elements All matters which are contrary to national policies.
As a Muslim, I’m ashamed that ‘Interlok’ has been introduced as a literary textbook for SPM students. Interlok has miserably failed to meet (i) and (ii). Will the committee responsible be taken to task for this negligence. My gut feeling is ‘No’ because of the ‘Malay Agenda’.
Datuk Seri, the current trend of ‘racial fanatism’ is not healthy for your 1Malaysia concept. There is a very calculated move to dismantle all your efforts to unite Malaysians. Interlok is only the tip of the iceberg.
My ‘niat’ (intention) is not to degrade or disrespect Muslim Malays. Nobody has ever and will not question the ‘special privileges’ of the Malays. Similarly as a good Muslim it is the responsibility of politicians/decisions-makers to safeguard the legitimate interests of other communities as agreed by our founding fathers and as stipulated in our constitution. This is what Islam teaches us and we cannot shirk our responsibility.
May Allah SWT guide all of us to uphold Islamic values in our daily lives be at family, business, politics, inter-racial and inter-religious relationships.
Aameen Aameen Yaa Rabbal Aalameen. Wassalam
The writer is chairman of the National Interlok Action Team
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