Reconciling differences over human rights

The New Straits Times

by MAIZATUL RANAI

INTERCULTURAL Reconciliation does not mean conformity to a single, universal rule or system, says Raja Dr Nazrin Shah

Reconciliation does not mean conformity to a single, universal rule or system, says Raja Dr Nazrin Shah

The Raja Muda of Perak Raja Dr Nazrin Shah called for reconciliation of the differences between the Muslim world and the west over the position of Islam  on human rights.

He said human rights had become a source of contention between the Muslim world and the west.

“As is often the case with such deeply rooted intercultural issues, the discourse is frequently afflicted with emotion, prejudice and misperception,” he said.

Speaking at a lecture entitled “Islam, Muslims and Human Rights” at the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies in University of Oxford yesterday, Raja Nazrin, who is the centre’s newly elected trustee,  said in Malaysia, the people were striving to make the imperatives of modernity and aspirations of religion intermingle happily.

“Secularism and Islam largely co-exist in harmony, making Malaysia an example of a moderate, progressive and tolerant society.

“While the proportion of non-Malay, non-Muslim citizenship grew from 15 to 40 percent, the interests of all the ethnically and religiously diverse communities were safeguarded and entrenched in the Constitution, which included among all the equal rights to vote and seek elective office.”

He said the country (Malaysia) had also strived to maintain an independent judiciary, in which efforts were being made to amend certain acts and laws.

“The government is in the process of reviewing and repealing three overlapping Emergency Laws, the Banishment Act of 1959 and the Internal Security Act of 1960, which permits detention without trial.

“The Police Act of 1967 will be amended to remove some restrictions on public assembly, while the Printing Presses and Publications Act of 1984 will also be amended to make annual renewal of permits for printing and publishing no longer necessary.”

The reforms, he said, would make Malaysia’s security laws more consistent with Islamic principles of justice and the rule of law.

He  also suggested that reconciliation need not mean conformity to a single, universal rule or system.

“Such reconciliation will prove difficult to achieve, and may not be a practical option for the near future.

“Muslims are bound by their religion to comply with their sacred law as interpreted by their respective religious authorities.”

He said forcing upon them provisions from the International Bill of Rights, which might not be compatible with their religious law, might pose problems.