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Monday, February 14, 2011

Not nice to put another religion down

Lack of understanding and ignorance of another's culture is widening the racial chasm in this country.

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Statistics between 2005 and 2009 showed 407 babies were abandoned in Malaysia. In 2005 too, among the HIV/AIDS cases, there was a greater proportion of Malay Muslim men, at 72.8%. Likewise, among drug abusers, the Malays in 2005 were once again over-represented, at 68%.

In 2005, of the new addicts recorded, 71% were Malays, 11% Chinese and eight percent Indians. These figures are a cause for worry but then not to religious teacher Siti Nor Bahyah Mahmood.

To Siti Nor Bahyah, there is no bigger “threat” than that coming from Valentine’s Day, which she alleges is a day of sin and vice indulged in by the Christians. Siti Nor Bahya, 47, who, with her husband, hosts the “Semanis Kurma” aired on TV9 at 10pm every Thursday, had a year ago
said Muslims should not copy the sinful Christians and abstain from celebrating Valentine’s Day.

In the online clip of her remark, Siti Nor Bahya alleged that it was the Christians who usually indulged in vice, be it frequenting discos or dating.

“Selalunya buat maksiat, pergi disko… couple, couple, bersunyi-sunyian, ini adalah tradisi bagi masyarakat yang beragama Kristian bukan agama Islam…,” she had said.

The video which had over 80,000 hits also has Siti Nor Bahya warning Muslims that celebrating Valentine’s Day would mean “supporting Christianity and English”.

It appears that Malaysia’s Muslim clerics or religious teachers are bigots in disguise. They have little compassion towards anything outside the circle of their religion, Siti Nor Bahya being one such example.

Indeed, it is perplexing that as a religious scholar Siti Nor Bahya is ignorant of the fact that Valentine’s Day has no religious bearing. It is simply a day dedicated to show love and affection to our loved ones, both people and animals.

At the same time, it is worrying that scholars like Siti Nor Bahya do not think twice before opening her mouth, albeit being fully aware that her pernicious remarks would clearly hurt the feelings of the Christian community in particular.

This is definitely no way to preach the word of God but alas such religious teachers have taken the liberty of imposing their prejudice on the lay people of this country. In Siti Nor Bahya’s case, how did she arrive at the damaging conclusion that it is the Christians who revel in sinful activities?

For one, it is obvious that Siti Nor Bahya is either ignorant or simply a racist for she has made uncalled-for allegations against the Christians. When was the last time this ustazah set foot in the park of Kuala Lumpur City Centre, popularly known as KLCC? The majority of the youngsters
coupling there are the Malays.

Likewise, the majority of the mat rempits or road delinquents comprise the Malays. And similarly, the number of fathers raping their daughters as reported shows a big number comprising the Malays. Now, what does this so-called ustazah has to say to this?

Stop being prejudiced

If Siti Nor Bahya has some personal discomfort with the date Feb 14, she has to find another way of dealing with this instead of making disparaging remarks about the event. It is so sad that Valentine’s Day has been blemished by unfounded accusations.

If engaging in a happy day like Valentine’s is against the teachings of Islam, then by all means find another way of educating the Muslims, but certainly not by putting another religion down and trying to portray Islam as being superior.

Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism president Thomas Philips had rightfully put it by pointing out that no religion should be belittled due to a lack of understanding.

But still, several quarters prefer to reflect their ignorance over the history of Valentine’s Day and continue to condemn it. For instance, Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) head Wan Mohamad Sheikh Abdul Aziz said in reality and historically, Valentine’s Day is synonymous with vice activities.

“Islam would reject anything, even from the Eastern culture if it contravenes the Islamic teachings,” he had said.

Wan Mohamad said that a fatwa or religious edict issued six years ago made it clear Valentine’s Day “is associated with elements of Christianity” and “we just cannot get involved in other religion’s worshipping rituals.” A typical killjoy, Jakim will carry out nationwide “Mind the Valentine’s Day Trap” campaign to prevent Muslims from celebrating Valentine’s Day.

Get rid of ignorance

This misplaced zelousness by Siti Nor Bahya and Jakim in “criminalising” Valentine’s Day brings to memory the fatwa imposed on Muslims banning them from practising yoga, the ancient art of self-healing which originates from India.

In 2008, the National Fatwa Council issued an edict saying that yoga includes Hindu spiritual elements like chanting and worship and if allowed, could corrupt Muslims.

(The council has the authority to rule on how Muslims must conduct their faith. But its decisions are not legally binding on Muslims who comprise about two-thirds of Malaysia’s 27 million people unless they are enshrined in the national or syariah laws.)

Council chairman Abdul Shukor Husin had said Muslims who practised theworld famous yoga failed to understand that its ultimate aim was to unite with a god of a different religion.

“It is inappropriate. It can destroy the faith of a Muslim,” said Abdul Shukor.

The truth, however, is that there are no mantras involved when doing yoga. Such a pity that the council and the rest of the Muslim scholars were totally ignorant about the history of yoga, jumping to the conclusion that any involvement in it would lead Muslims astray.

Just what is making the Muslim community so insecure day by day that every other practice or event is viewed suspiciously? Why is there no effort made to understand the history of an event or practice before an unwarranted remark is made?

At a time when racial distrust has taken deep root among Malaysians, people like Siti Nor Bahya should not worsen the situation through her lack of understanding and ignorance. It would not take much for Siti Nor Bahya to expand her knowledge and work at narrowing the racial chasm beleaguering the people of this country.

There are many other issues that Siti Nor Bahya can lend support to, be it abandoned babies, providing a listening ear to people living with HIV/AIDS or showing support to rape survivors.
But for heaven’s sake, do not abuse religion to destroy harmony in this country. The road to perdition does not take much effort, just let us all remember this. - FMT

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