FEBRUARY 24 — Non-Muslims cannot be faulted for asking themselves this question whenever yet another measure is introduced to somehow “protect” Muslims in this country from being “confused.”
The latest issue has been the placing of “no pork” or “pork-free” signs at eateries and restaurants which supposedly are intended to mislead Muslims into thinking that they are halal.
Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, enforcement director Mohd Roslan Mahayudin of the Domestic Trade, Consumerism and Co-operatives Ministry and the Malaysian Islamic Consumer Association (PPIM) have openly made this claim with no evidence to back it up or even substantiate the assertion.
The Pahang Islamic Religious Department has even gone as far as to issue a restriction order on food outlets in that state not to use the term “pork-free” or “no pork” at their premises to avoid confusing the public.
It’s embarrassing when the katak-katak di bawah tempurung croak in their ignorance.
Perhaps many of them believe that all non-Muslims eat pork by default. That there can’t possibly be any non-Muslims who abstain from eating that other white meat. And that placing such a sign is solely intended to lure and dupe Muslims into eating non-halal food.
With all due disrespect to all those people above, we can make up our own minds and use our eyes and common sense to figure out what is halal and what is not. Confused? Speak for your own ignorant self but not for other Muslims, please.
I do not know where these malicious and paranoid delusions come from or which deep well of hatred and bigotry they draw on. What I do know is that it continues to be alarming that an ignorant and malevolent opinion such as this one can move from an NGO with a documented history and track record of unsubstantiated and wild claims of this nature, become articulated as the views of a senior civil servant of a government ministry, and transformed into threats of action by a Deputy Minister in the PM’s Department. Without any evidence to prove or even demonstrate their suspicions.
Is this how public policy is made these days? Should the moon, stars and heavens rotate around the insecurities of such people who appear to be so weak in their faith of themselves and of others? Every other month, yet another allegation is thrown and suspicion cast upon non-Muslim communities. Is our government dancing to the tune dictated by bigots and religious zealots?
Being the majority population in this country does not provide licence to oppress and dominate others. Nor is it about imposing your will on others. A nation’s greatness is judged by how it treats its minorities not the perceived entitlement of the majority. This continues to be a lesson from the Prophet Muhammad pbuh which has yet to be understood and practised by the authorities who seem to have forgotten that they serve all Malaysians and not just those who profess to be of the Islamic faith.
Muslims in Malaysia must also throw aside the yoke of infantilization and paternalism which continues to dominate the interpretation and practise of the Islamic faith in this country. Assent by virtue of silence to speak in opposition or condemn has resulted in the religion of the majority being abused and misused by persons and entities intent of using religious beliefs to dominate, impose, bludgeon, intimidate, subdue and threaten others.
When will it stop? When will Muslims in this country speak out against this abuse of Islam and insult to their intelligence? What will it take?
* This is the personal opinion of the columnist.
