DECEMBER 23 ― “For there is but one essential justice which cements society, and one law which establishes this justice. This law is right reason, which is the true rule of all commandments and prohibitions. Whoever neglects this law, whether written or unwritten, is necessarily unjust and wicked,” says a Roman statesman Marcus Tullius Cicero, in 43 BCE.
I gathered one couldn’t be a true respecter of law if one has no respect for reason.
That UiTM Lendu seminar
I was flabbergasted to learn that UiTM actually organised another “Christian bashing” seminar about two weeks ago. This time it is in its Lendu campus in Malacca. The seminar it titled “Threat of the Christian Proselytisation Movement”. Its Shah Alam campus held a similar themed event last May claiming that undercover priests were sent to Malaysia under various guises to proselytise and convert Muslims.
It created uproar. It has been 18 months since, but I am not certain if there had been any reports on the progress of police investigations or that the files were closed. No undercover priests were nabbed either.inister in Charge of Islamic Affairs Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom has publicly stated existing laws were adequate to address proselytisation of Muslims.
Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) is well funded to monitor all kinds of deviant teachings, proselytisation and conversion attempts. We also have various state religious affairs departments, among which are the headline-grabbing Federal Territory Islamic Affairs Department (Jawi) and the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais).
Jais was involved in the seizure of bibles from the Bible Society of Malaysia and the Damansara Utama Methodist Church proselytism allegation. I don’t believe officials from either the society or the church were ever charged for any infringements on the Islamic faith. Jawi’s fame lies in their three-year pursuit of Nik Raina Nik Abdul Aziz and the Borders bookstore for selling Irshad Manji’s Allah, Kebebasan dan Cinta, which technically wasn’t a banned title when the charge was made. Two days ago the Court of Appeals found Jawi’s arrest and detention of social and political commenter Dr Kassim Ahmad, 82, for allegedly insulting Islam, as unlawful. A good man, Rosli Dahlan was the counsel for both cases.
Who can forget the infamous mufti who managed to rile up folks to protest outside a church over the purported baptism of Muslims, when the celebration was actually for the receiving of the first Holy Communion. This mufti’s defence was that he wouldn’t have known, as he had reacted to a text message. It is an offence to set off the fire alarm if there is no fire even if we believe there could be a fire. What more when the alarmist is almost like the fire chief!
Back to what happened in UiTM Lendu. If there are people who know of actual proselytisation, they could have reported to Jakim, the state authorities or the police. Most will agree there is no possibility of those authorities not acting swiftly and with the full force of the law.
UiTM projects an image of internationalism with English as its medium of instruction. This seminar sullies it. I am told the seminar was organised by the Contemporary Islamic Studies Academy. Haven’t they learnt anything from the Shah Alam episode? I would urge all connected with UiTM, i.e. the various internal authorities, academics, and students, past and present, who disagreed with these seminars to put across their views in the strongest possible terms. Remember — Lendu is a repeat of Shah Alam. We don’t want a repeat of Lendu.
Common sense is beyond “laws”
When questioned about police being part of the presenter panel at the seminar, the Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Bakar retorted, “Are there any laws saying that (police attending such a seminar) is wrong?” Well, can there ever be enough laws to cover morality, ethics or sheer common sense?
There is absolutely no doubt on the provocation the seminar title can cause. Police are an expert on what can cause public disorder. I would have expected them to advise the organisers not to go through with the seminar, or at the very least, to change the seminar’s title. If all fails, stop the event from proceeding. As it is, I am afraid the police — intentional or not — have lent credence by being a presenter.
I asked a good buddy GJ, whom I think presents Islam most admirably, what he thought of the UiTM Lendu seminar. His thorough reply was – two of the earliest Islamic historians, Ibn Saad and Ibn Hisham had related that after the Prophet Muhammad’s discussion with 60 Byzantine Christians, their bishop asked the Prophet if they could perform their prayers in the mosque. He said, “Conduct your service here in the mosque. It is a place consecrated to God.” It was in the Prophet’s mosque in Madinah.
Isn’t the above self-explanatory? How else can it be interpreted?
There are probably a million reasons for Muslim Malaysians to practise their faith completely unhindered and also knowing that the most potent “dakwah” initiative is through example. My friend GJ is one such specimen. I could see how his unqualified faith gives him the confidence and courage in his decision-making.
Postscript
I wish during this season of peace and goodwill, more will speak up on what’s right and shame those fighting shadows. Stop blaming others. Rationality must reign for the good of all.
To those celebrating, have a happy and blessed Christmas.
* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail Online.
