By Datuk James Ligunjang JP
KOTA KINABALU : – Malaysian Religious Minister Na’im Mokhtar has introduced guidelines that could undermine the nation’s multicultural and multi-religious harmony.
These guidelines require event organizers to seek approval from Islamic authorities for Muslim participation in non-Muslim events, a move that risks fostering divisions rather than providing clarity.
Aimed at regulating Muslim involvement in events such as festivals and funerals held at non-Muslim venues, these guidelines appear counterproductive to fostering understanding, tolerance, and unity.
Rather than promoting inclusivity, the minister is endorsing a policy that reflects an underlying mistrust among Malaysia’s diverse communities.
Such actions challenge the very essence of Malaysia’s historical trust and tolerance.
By implying a need for oversight of Muslims in non-Muslim contexts, Mokhtar undermines mutual respect and casts doubt on interfaith harmony.
The bureaucratic obstacles presented by these guidelines may discourage the organization of interfaith events, reducing valuable opportunities for cultural engagement.
Rather than celebrating diversity, this red tape could deepen the divisions it purports to bridge.
These proposals also contradict with Malaysia’s constitutional principles, clashing with the tenets of religious freedom and equality.
By potentially privileging one religion, Mokhtar’s stance risks prioritizing division over unity and nondiscrimination.
Interfaith dialogue, vital for Malaysia’s social cohesion, is endangered by these restrictive measures.
By imposing unnecessary barriers on Muslim participation in non-Muslim festivals and funerals, Mokhtar not only inhibits understanding but also threatens the societal bonds that maintain Malaysia’s unity.
It is important for the religious minister to recognize the political and social risks inherent in his proposal. Instead of fostering a more cohesive society,
Mokhtar’s guidelines may alienate both non-Muslim and Muslim communities, undermining efforts to promote unity and potentially sowing seeds of discord within Malaysian society.
