Is Islam under threat?

The writer takes a cynical and satirical look on the Islamic threat that will backfire on the political and religious hypocrites.

COMMENT

Yes, Islam is under threat. It is not only from Christians who purportedly try to convert weak Muslims or from MCA which keeps on insulting the hudud penal code but also from within our very own borders.

Wahabbism is purportedly on the rise and Shi’itism, too, among the Sunni followers of Islam in this country. The Al Arqam sect which was supposedly neutralised by the government is rearing its head again.

There are also other deviant Muslim sects operating quietly in the country, and their low-key activities are yet to attract any attention.

Recently, 20 of Al Arqam followers were arrested for celebrating the 75th birthday of the late Ashaari, the founder of the deviant Al Arqam sect.

It has even been reported that Rawang, a back water town, has registered phenomenal economic growth due to its activities

The late founder’s wife, Khatijah Am, is operating from an expensive mansion (RSA Palace) in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. She is purportedly overseeing a “government” already in place in the country.

Although no one really knows how big the movement is, there is fear that it is large enough for them to form a “shadow cabinet” with 41 different ministries. Even the Malaysian government doesn’t have that many ministries.

Some of the ministries include the ministry of the netherworld (kementerian alam ghaib), the ministries of true souls and sects (roh suci dan tariqat), death and the hereafter (kematian dan akhirat) and family and holy sex (keluarga dan seks suci).

Intelligence agencies have reported that it is part of a plot to overthrow the government and to form an Islamic state. It also said that Khatijah had since been holding a total of 54 monthly meetings with “top leaders” of the sect in Malaysia via video conferencing, where she holds the post of prime minister.

It is also reported that nearly RM800,000 is collected each month through various sources to fund the movement. A clairvoyant of sorts, Khatijah claims she receive direct orders from her late husband.

Meanwhile, Nurul Izzah Anwar’s statement on the freedom of religion for the Malays seems to have confused everyone in the country. Now she is facing investigation by JAIS and legal action may be taken against her.

Even the news media and Barisan Nasional politicians were totally confused, judging by the vehement reaction towards her seemingly innocent statement. How can we expect the ordinary Muslims not to be confused?

A pondok cleric with far-sighted vision has declared that it is forbidden for Muslims to vote for opposition party DAP.

A Pahang mufti has also backed a growing campaign among Umno-aligned religious leaders to echo the same after several Islamic scholars called the secular party “belligerent infidels”.

Apparently, DAP is not such an innocent political party, after all.

Threats to our way of life

Even the Jews are known to be a security threat to the country and to Islam. That is why the government refuses to have anything to do with the Jews and Israel. Communism is another credible threat that needs to be constantly monitored.

Some non-Muslims pose a threat as they continue to ridicule the government about “sin taxes” collected from alcohol, gambling and cigarettes, even though the government has made it clear that such taxes go into a separate account.

Some have even gone to the extent of questioning income taxes paid by non-Muslims in this country. Now isn’t that going a little too far?

Not only that, “it is also very unnecessary of non-Muslims to comment on Islam by using far- fetched examples of “political hypocrisy”. They should put a full stop to it or comment on their own religion. The actions of a few renegade Muslims cannot be used to judge the majority of law- abiding Muslims.

As we speak, action is being taken on an outrageous letter to Malaysiakini written by one “Steve Oh.” How can Steve humiliate the country and its people by espousing such liberal views? Doesn’t he have a heart?

Yes, leave the Muslims alone and let us sort out our differences. Whether the Muslims choose PAS or Umno will be decided in the next election. And most people believe that race and religious issues will disappear naturally after the election, so be patient.

Even some Muslims are a threat to themselves. The liberal and pluralistic ones are threatening the current religious framework by questioning the status quo.

Some may be deviant Muslims, or have left the faith, lost their faith or who are questioning their faith, insist on highlighting their liberal views in the public media. No, they should keep the comments to themselves. No one wants to hear what the lost souls have to say, and you are confusing other weak Muslims.

Swift justice

The threat to Islam in this country is very real. Liberal and pluralistic lifestyles by some Muslims would lead to their ultimate downfall. Even political and religious hypocrites won’t be spared.

There will be no mercy for those who insist on hiding behind their political mask and religious veil. They will be identified and brought to book, someday.

Many Muslims seem to agree that the only way to combat rising crime and corruption is to implement hudud. All the corrupted politicians, givers and receivers of bribes, robbers and thieves would be swiftly dealt with.

With the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) directly under the ministry, everyone living beyond their means would be prime suspects for prosecution. There would be no mercy.

There would be no more cow-gate, car-gate, Selangor water-gate, LRT-gate, timber-gate, submarine-gate, forex-gate and other gates. It will only be the heavenly gates or the gates of hell.

Once judgment has been served on the corrupted, it will turn its full attention on the general populace. One can expect a drastic drop in crime from then on.

The way of life for Muslims in this country is moderate enough. Those who wish to have more religious freedom are free to leave. Those who wish to stay should repent and be good Muslims.

Shah Rukh Khan’s movies, Halloween, Valentine’s Day or live concerts are small sacrifices to make. Don’t blame the government, as they are merely looking out for the Muslims to prevent them from straying.

Today, Abim and PAS Youth are taking up, where the authorities have left off, to ensure that Islam is not under threat, and that Muslims conform to specific guidelines.

Political deadlock

Race and religious issues are spiralling out of control due to the impending election. Muslims, who do not subscribe to the PAS version of the hudud, should vote BN. When the time comes, Umno will come up with a better version of hudud to appease all Muslims.

PAS should stop using religious issues as fodder to win elections. Umno and BN should stop arguing with PAS on religious issues. It is also very confusing.

MCA, in its pursuit to shame the hudud penal code, is causing a rift among the Malays and Chinese, causing them to hate one another. It is very stupid as Dr Chua Soi Lek does not speak for the Chinese, and neither does Ibrahim Ali for the Malays.

Nurul Izzah does not speak for the Muslims either. If Senator Mashitah Ibrahim wants to take legal action against her, she should do so immediately, and not just talk.

The country is more interested to know what BN can do for the nation, instead of highlighting issues that do not concern the electorate. Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak should tell us in simple words why BN is so much better than the Pakatan Rakyat.

Today, many people remain clueless on whom to vote for. BN says that we should not gamble away our future by voting Pakatan. Yes, gambling is a sin, and gambling away our future is a bigger sin.

But Pakatan’s election manifesto sounds so tempting, so refreshing, so practical and so up to date that it would be a sin not to give them half a chance to prove it.

But one thing is for sure: the Muslims have matured. They will vote against corruption, religious intolerance, hypocrisy, inequality, extremism and disunity, which means that tainted political leaders may find it difficult to keep their seats intact this time round.

A tour guide, trained pilot and naturalist, Iskandar Dzulkarnain has been writing a few years now, especially enjoying satirical pieces like this one. He is a FMT columnist.