Sporting female Christian Iban cop: “Tudung for uniformity at PDRM parade, not forced conversion”

 

ACCORDING to the Cambridge Dictionary, the idiom “much ado about nothing” means making a great deal of fuss, excitement or worry over something that is unimportant or trivial. People use this phrase today to describe an over-reaction to a minor issue.

This seems to be the gist of a post by proud lady in blue Linda Kennedy who has no issues as a non-Muslim donning a tudung for the purpose of uniformity as part of the Sabah PDRM (Royal Malaysia Police) contingent for this year’s Malaysia and Sabah Day celebrations.

The sporing attitude of the Christian Iban lass from neighbouring Sarawak who refused to let attire requirements gets into the way of showcase patriotism for her motherland has been hailed by Muslims and non-Muslims alike as evident from her goodwill message on Facebook having garnered 31.6K likes, 2.4K comments and 478 shares at time of publication.

For a number of rational Malaysians, the wearing of a tudung was quite simply a non-issue. As pointed out by some commenters, the choice of garb does NOT denote a person’s ethnicity or religion.

Citing himself wearing the songkok and baju Melayu for formal events or even his silat (Malay martial art) proponent daughter donning the tudung when there are events, an ethnic Indian consultant contended that even Arab Christians put on scarves.

“I also wear saree on certain occasions. Of course with tudung. This is to celebrate diversity,” seconded a Malay Muslim woman.

Such open-minded perspective received plenty of praise and support from like-minded citizens who immediately chimed in that sharing each other’s fashion sense was one of the best things about Malaysia.

There is no compulsion to don a tudung or any other sort of head dress by female police officers outside the very specific needs of the parade for the simple purpose of uniformity. “So why the fuss?” wondered a netizen.

There were plenty of declarations of pride from Sabah and Sarawakians regarding their unique melting pot traditions.

In fact, there are no issues regarding a non-Muslim wearing a hijab even. Some were quite clear that they were unimpressed by “people from across the pond” trying to import their toxic politics into Borneo.

One commenter just urged everyone to calm down as the poster was not abandoning her religion to embrace Islam. It is merely for a parade. Besides, as he quite rightly reminded his brethren, “there is no compulsion in Islam”.

Amid all the declarations of mutual respect and love of diversity, there was ample evidence as to why some citizens feel suspicious of the need for non-Muslims to don headscarves.

One politically-attuned observer noted that when DAP minsters don Malay attire, their gesture is greeted with suspicion, prejudices and no small amount of racist invective.

Comments alluding to the female police officer’s faith and that it would be better if she converted to Islam underlined the suspicions certain quarters may harbour over the imposition of dress codes.

Few things to note about this episode.

Firstly, it is good to see so many rationale Malaysians who do not see what the fuss is all about. Celebrating diversity is a cornerstone of our great nation.

Secondly, wearing a headscarf does NOT make a person a Muslim. Likewise, a saree does not magically transform the wearer into a Hindu. A piece of clothing does not denote a person’s religious identity.

However, with 3R-prone (race, religion and royalty) sentiments constantly being hyped up, is it any surprise that Malaysians begin to react accordingly?

When 3R is constantly weaponised to divide the citizenry, is it any wonder that a minor issue such as this is blown out of proportion?

Time to step forward and make identity politics a thing of the past. –  Focus Malaysia