The prime minister, the religious affairs minister, Jakim and social media influencers appear to be missing something in the way they represent the Islamic faith, particularly regarding the proposal for broader halal certification.
The faith does not seem to be represented in an honourable and dignified manner.
Ironically, those who do not practise the faith may have negligible transgressions against it, while some adherents may misrepresent and mislead. As the saying goes, “We don’t read your scriptures, worship, rituals or practices – we read you!” Unfortunately, in reading them, we see them apparently going beyond the prescriptions of faith.
When controversy arises, we wait with bated breath, anticipating the inevitable negatives. Sure enough, there’s a consistent predictability: an explosion manifesting boorish conduct. The sickening thud of intimidation is obvious: politicians or social media influencers stir the hornets’ nest, inducing others to threaten perceived offenders.
A vile potpourri of personal attacks is unleashed: venomous character assassination and slanderous comments based on invisible insinuations that faith is insulted. Unthinkable, inflammable innuendos exaggerate what could otherwise be coffee shop banter. Police reports are always readily available.
It’s upsetting that even a prime minister with strong Islamic credentials and other politicians are embroiled in this sordid mess.
The tactics employed are simple yet effective. A protagonist ambushes with an insensitive initiative without consultation – and people walk right into the trap.
- Sign up for Aliran's free daily email updates or weekly newsletters or both
- Make a one-off donation to Persatuan Aliran Kesedaran Negara, CIMB a/c 8004240948
- Make a regular pledge or periodic auto-donation to Aliran
- Become an Aliran member
This lowest form of power play is then weaponised to divide the people. The problem is that people are not rising up in a united chorus to take to task those displaying uncouth behaviour.
After each controversy settles, the usual suspects find something else to embroil us in, another needless dispute.
We lack authentic, raw communication. We’re not engaging each other transparently on contentious religious or racial issues. Strong relationships are built on seeking truth.
But can the truth be fully expressed without fear of retaliation? Or does it have to be watered down to the point where disagreements are indecipherable? Sometimes the truth can be damaging, as the response could be irrational anger. This could then breach the peace, consigning the truth to the background.
Interfaith dialogue between the Muslim and non-Muslim communities is clearly lacking. The Muslim community is not represented in the MCCBCHST, an inter-religious group of the main non-Muslim faiths. Official government representation in such a group could lead to better interaction, intervention and integration.
So is this a manufactured controversy, a deceptive ploy to distract from real issues? I’m convinced it is a cosmetic deflection.
Those who prioritise wider halal certification should do some soul-searching: is it truly halal (permissible in Islam) when there’s destitution, poverty, lovelessness, rising food prices, faith by imposition, and inequality? Is it halal when the corrupt are absolved while petty thieves are incarcerated, when kidnappings go unsolved and institutions lose billions of ringgit?
Let’s use logic and reasoning. Which eateries have the highest number of recorded medical gastrointestinal cases? Basic food safety is not a halal or non-halal concern! It makes no sense for a restaurant to be halal-certified but unhygienic. How many small, powerless stallholders can afford halal certification? Would Jakim provide it for free?
This mandating of wider halal certification could impose a religious structure on what was meant to be a secular nation. The consequences are beyond comprehension. We don’t need people with half-baked ideas selling us stifling mandates. Do better!
- Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
- Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
- Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
- Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
- Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
Well written emphasized