Crisis of religious freedom in Malaysia.
Over the past years, the Malaysian government has been emphasizing that Malaysia is a moderate Muslim country which should become a role model for other Muslim countries in promoting harmony, progress and economic development.
The relationship between Islam and religious minority groups in Malaysia has worsened over the last few years.
For secular and progressive Muslims, Malaysia still believe in the superiority of Islam over other religions. It is impossible to create a tolerant environment if one group feels more superior to others.
For progressive Muslims, the best model of civilized Islam was during the golden era of classical Islam — especially in Baghdad and Cordoba — where religious harmony and tolerance existed.
Here comes the irony: For many Muslims in Malaysia, the role model of civilized Islam is not Baghdad or Cordoba, but “the pious first generation” or, what is known as “al-salaf al-salih”, from which the ideology of Salafism takes its roots.
The later generation of Muslims, including those who lived in Baghdad and Cordoba during the golden era, are thought to have somewhat deviated from Islam. It is common knowledge that many Muslims are against philosophy and speculative thinking, one of the most significant symbols of the Islamic golden era.
A clear definition of Islam is needed here in order to decide which position the Malaysian government takes. It seems the absence of conceptual ground and a lack of commitment to its implementation have created many contradictions.
On one hand, Malaysia’s leaders wish to make their country modern, progressive and tolerant — but on the other hand, they have failed to secure civil liberty and religious rights for their citizens.
26/10/09
Over the past years, the Malaysian government has been emphasizing that Malaysia is a moderate Muslim country which should become a role model for other Muslim countries in promoting harmony, progress and economic development.
The relationship between Islam and religious minority groups in Malaysia has worsened over the last few years.
For secular and progressive Muslims, Malaysia still believe in the superiority of Islam over other religions. It is impossible to create a tolerant environment if one group feels more superior to others.
For progressive Muslims, the best model of civilized Islam was during the golden era of classical Islam — especially in Baghdad and Cordoba — where religious harmony and tolerance existed.
Here comes the irony: For many Muslims in Malaysia, the role model of civilized Islam is not Baghdad or Cordoba, but “the pious first generation” or, what is known as “al-salaf al-salih”, from which the ideology of Salafism takes its roots.
The later generation of Muslims, including those who lived in Baghdad and Cordoba during the golden era, are thought to have somewhat deviated from Islam. It is common knowledge that many Muslims are against philosophy and speculative thinking, one of the most significant symbols of the Islamic golden era.
A clear definition of Islam is needed here in order to decide which position the Malaysian government takes. It seems the absence of conceptual ground and a lack of commitment to its implementation have created many contradictions.
On one hand, Malaysia’s leaders wish to make their country modern, progressive and tolerant — but on the other hand, they have failed to secure civil liberty and religious rights for their citizens.
26/10/09
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