The complexities of modern times have resulted in further blurring the lines of responsibilities of individuals, families and even to an extent, governments; ideas of what would work best for a society are debated, albeit, often lacking substantial content needed to create healthy discourse.
Today, we find ourselves at crossroads where right and wrong are increasingly difficult to differentiate; the significance of religion and life are misinterpreted depending on whoever intends to win this self-righteous debate. Malaysians are now faced with the searing flames of social injustice, economic disparity and ethno-religious intolerance – all made possible by a government that has failed to address these issues proactively and organizations seizing the opportunity to self proclaim themselves are social protectors.
During the a recent conference organized by Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (Ideas), Hazlin Chong from Isma openly rejected the idea of freedom of individuals and expression by deducing it as matters incapable of feeding our society’s needs. While I agree with her statement, “We do not want injustice to others. We want peace but to achieve that we need to recognise that we have differences. As a nation like Malaysia grows bigger, to achieve and maintain harmony gets difficult” –I disagree with the context this remark was driven by.
Encouraging diversity and respect ought to be the main proponents to achieve such a statement and not by demonizing liberalism.
It is clear that Isma fails again to recognize the actual growing problems that have been plaguing international societies – terrorism masked as religious entities and violence masquerading as indoctrinated beliefs. With so many pressing issues at hand – child marriages, rape, the failure of our public education system, rising cost of living and youth unemployment – these issues have all been somewhat instrumental in the inevitable radicalization of countless Malaysians who have been recruited to join extremist organizations under the guise of religious jihad.
Fact is, no one is really addressing the problems Muslims are facing; the far right is simply too busy blaming the left, the liberals and the progressives.
Isma has yet again proven to be an organization that is disconnected and removed from the realities we, as Malaysians, are forced to cope with. At best, Hazlin’s observations provide a light hearted anecdote of how the far right mind thinks.
The main objectives of Islam are protection of religion, life, property, intellect and dignity. Hazlin has neglected to address how moderation, tolerance, cooperation, justice, equality, and peace are also values and principles highly promoted in Islam.
The hast to label people and pass self-righteous judgment is a very serious crime, not just in Islam but also in any modern society. Individuals and organizations that continue to propagate such beliefs can cause irreversible harm to Islam and more so, to any multicultural society.
The continuous blaming and demonizing will not come to end anytime soon because the aversion of individual self-assertion, personal liberties and expression is what drives the narrative of the far right. However, we know that by not valuing individualistic rights and failure to exercise discourse on liberalism, that act itself can mark the breakdown of social relations and ultimately, destroy the fabric of social cohesion in this country. If we are indeed a nation filled with individuals who want peace – Isma should be more constructive and sensible in their deliverance.