News:
It is fair to say that lately, Malaysians are intensely perturbed by all sorts of things that have been happening in the country. Prime Minister (PM) Najib has been under intense attack over various issues, mainly, the 1MDB scandal and lately the MARA scandal. Dr. Mahathir, the ex-PM has been instrumental in the onslaught. Najib and the ruling party, UMNO, have never been in such a precarious position where they have to go on the defensive most of the time to save face. The opposition, while taking advantage of the situation, also have a fair share of problems. The opposition coalition consisting of DAP, PAS and PKR have recently broken up. This is due mainly to the diametrically opposing ideologies between DAP, a liberal, secular, Chinese dominated party and the Islamic party PAS. PAS itself is seen to drift apart from within when recently, the ulama’ dominated wing of the party won a landslide victory in their latest election, sidelining the more ‘liberal’ professionals. Now there are news that the ’Islamic liberals’ are planning to create a new ‘more inclusive’ Islamic party. Amidst these political dilemmas, there has been a tremendous surge of liberalism and Islamophobia in the Malaysian mainstream and alternative media. Various events that had occurred in the Malaysian public life within the past month have been taken advantage of by the liberals to directly or indirectly blame ‘Islamic extremism’ as the main culprit. Some of the criticisms on what had occurred are appropriate but there seem to be a general trend of leaning the blame on Islam in one way or another.
Comment:
Being a secular state with Islam as the official religion places Malaysia in a highly precarious position. This is especially so in this age of internet where information and ideas float freely for everyone’s consumption. Against this backdrop, it is quite easy to understand why the Malaysian political scene is rift with dilemmas. UMNO who have enjoyed years of power within the secular framework have gotten so used to the corrupt practices of Capitalism. The 1MDB and MARA scandals are but mere manifestations of these repugnant practices. On the other hand, Muslims who desire the implementation of Islam but opted to work within the secular democratic system are continually frustrated by their repeated failures. Their continued trust in democracy have left them immune to the system to the extent that they have been repeatedly bitten by the same snake from the same hole but never felt the pain! The recent dilemma faced by the opposition coalition is one of many lessons that PAS have failed to take heed from.
When a leading secular politician was asked about PAS’s desire to implement hudud, she confidently replied that PAS will never be able to implement any aspect of ruling in Islam as long as the Federal Constitution is the highest authority in the country. This is indeed true. And it is this ‘truth’ that has been used time and again by liberals from all ranks in their arguments against Islam and in creating the nuance of Islamophobia in Malaysia. Unfortunately, their contentions are mainly based on the sometimes questionable practices of Muslims in Malaysia but are ascribed to Islam whether directly or indirectly. Suddenly there is a ‘movement’ for moderation, against ‘racial and religious policing’, ‘religious bigots’ and ‘extremism’. Islam, as a way of life, as a solution to life’s complex problems is being deliberately forced to a corner and dismissed. One recent example is that of Farah Ann Abdul Hadi, the gymnast who won the gold medal for Malaysia at the 2015 SEA Games. She was heavily criticised in the social media for exposing her ‘aurah’ in the event. The criticisms snowballed into a big issue that the minister had to step in. Liberals, including some Muslims were quick to dismiss criticism concerning the issue of ‘aurah’ and critics of Farah Ann were swiftly labelled as ‘religious bigots’ and the matter was ‘resolved’ with an impression that ‘these bigots’ must not be allowed to undermine the ‘heroine’ of Malaysia. Islam is suddenly pushed aside and absolved.
The only way that these many issues can be cleared is if Islam is portrayed as it should be portrayed – a ruling ideology. On the issue of Farah Ann, a clear reference to Islam must be formed before criticisms that would inadvertently put Islam in a delicate position are made. Firstly, Islam as a ruling ideology will never allow sporting events that expose the ‘aurah’ of women, hence, events such as gymnastics for women will not be allowed. Secondly, Muslims should be clear that the ‘aurah’ is an issue which must be known by necessity in Islam. Muslims have been living too long within the fabric of secularism and liberalism that many have lost touch with the true ideological Islam. When a gold medal or political expediency is more important than seeking the pleasure of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, it is then not strange to see Muslims dismissing Islam for worldly gains.
Written for the Central Media Office of Hizb ut Tahrir by
Dr. Mohammad – Malaysia