Over the past few months Malaysia’s religious tolerance and secularity is being tested from various sources. Last month the capital Kuala Lumpur saw violent street protests by ethnic Tamils who alleged the ruling Malay Muslim majority of following a social and political intolerance towards the minorities. Malaysia is considered to be one of the most tolerable countries which allow religious freedom and the multi-ethnic cosmopolitan nature of the country certainly proves that. But according to many analysts, some hardline Islamic elements have made their ways into the government and their main motive is to increase the supremacy of the Malay Muslims.
In yet another blow to Malaysian religious tolerance, the Malaysian Catholic Herald, a publication by and for Catholics in the country, has been told by the government not to publish its Malaysian language edition if it continues to use the word ‘Allah’ to mean God. Sounds absolute ludicrous! In Malaysia the word ‘Allah’ is used as a common language to mention all forms of Gods. This is nothing but an attempt to make Islam exclusive to Muslims. Hey we are living in the age of globalisation and technology. Everybody has the right to practice and preach anything so long it does not abuse fundamental religious beliefs. Islam does not disallow other people of different faiths to utter the word ‘Allah’. This is an attempt to divide a trouble free society that for ages has coexisted peacefully.
To some experts the governmental decree has come as a total surprise. For years Malaysians of all faiths have used the word ‘Allah’ without any protest in sight. So what made the administration of Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmed Badawi suddenly realise the need to separate the word ‘Allah’? May be some of the policymakers inside the government do not know their country’s religious history. Far more surprising is the fact that this government came to power promising to promote its own brand of moderate Islam. May be it should have a rethink for the newest step of ‘moderate Islam’, if it is at all the motive, would certainly lead to unwanted tensions.
Source Link: BBC
Image Link: Romantika
