SEPTEMBER 23 ― It has become a trend to blame religion for one's stupidity, cruelty, and general idiocy.
Murderers, thieves and corrupt officials are quickly learning that there are many who will accept, and even forgive if the justification is relatable to anything good and holy.
ISIS comes to mind. Boko Haram is the other.
And here at home ― and as if idiots are trying to outdo each other ― we have people saying with conviction that Islam allows racism, which translates into the peddling of intolerance based on skin colour.
This, folks, comes from a country that supposedly champions a moderate and tolerant Islam. Remind me again, who initiated the Global Movement of Moderates?
The unimaginable, unbridled stupidity and superficial understanding of the religion aside, one wonders if Muslims would be from a single race if they had their way.
Or limited to the Arabian peninsula.
Because as it is today, Islam transcends race, culture, geography, political divides and social status.
How can you find Islam the world over today if racism and intolerance is acceptable by Islamic standards?
The Quran, among other things, says:
“And when it is said to them, 'Do not cause corruption on the earth,' they say, 'We are but reformers.' Unquestionably, it is they who are the corrupters, but they perceive [it] not.” 2:11 - 12
“The servants of the Beneficent (Allah) are those who walk on the earth in humility.” 25:63
“Do not turn your face away from people in contempt, nor go about in the land exultingly.” 31:18
“O you who believe! Avoid most of suspicion (against others), for surely suspicion in some cases is sin...” 49:12
“O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another...” 49:13
The problem we have as a nation is the lack of leaders who read, and who are intelligent enough to realise that the greatest threat to the Malays is themselves. Declining education standards, on purpose or not, the alleged corruption and wastage, perceived or not, are actual and immediate threats to the survivability and welfare not just of the Malays, but all Malaysians.
Don't play hero by turning the non-Malays into bogeymen.
If the march on Malaysia Day is an indication of where we are heading as a country and whether or not our leaders want us united, we are on the brink of a national disaster that may forever change the landscape of the Malaysia we know.
Malaysians should know that Islam doesn't condone bigotry any more than it tolerates corruption and injustice.
What happened during the march has nothing to do with religion or race.
Only politics.
*This is the personal opinion of the columnist.
