Can we just enjoy all our M&M’s?

AS a Malaysian Chinese raised in the Christian faith, I happily celebrated Christmas and the Rabbit Lunar New Year with my family and friends.

This is one of the greatest benefits of living in a multiracial, multicultural, multi-religious nation like ours, to be able to enjoy and appreciate all kinds of festivals of the different communities.

After the Covid-19 restrictions and difficulties of the last three years, to be able to once again celebrate with full gusto was simply momentous.

Sunday’s revelries proved just how wonderful our multiracial social fabric can be.

For the Chinese, it was Chap Goh Meh, the 15th and last day of the CNY celebrations, and it was also Thaipusam, the second most important festival after Deepavali for Hindus in Malaysia. After the three-year hiatus, both communities pulled out all stops to celebrate on a grand scale.

While the inclement weather was a threat to the celebrations, for more than a decade, perhaps even longer, there have been various attempts to stymie, even destroy, this wonderful Malaysian way of multicultural sharing and accommodation.

As far back as 2012, I wrote in this column about PAS’ efforts to impose its brand of ultra-conservative policies in the states it governed.

These included a lights-on ruling in cinemas (which led to their demise), separate gender queues at supermarket check-out counters, banning unisex hair salons and renaming Pantai Cinta Berahi (Beach of Passionate Love) to Pantai Cahaya Bulan (Moonlight Beach).

As I noted back then, most of us just brushed aside such actions as typical of religious conservatives. Nothing to be unduly alarmed over, it’s just Kelantan, and what happens in Kelantan stays in Kelantan (“Beware the heat-seeking camel”, The Star, Dec 5, 2012; online at bit.ly/star_kelantan).

That’s no longer true. The results of last year’s general election have further emboldened Muslim politicians, as we saw with the PAS Permatang Pauh MP Muhammad Fawwaz Muhammad Jan’s demand that a beer promotion event at a mall in Seberang Prai, Penang, be covered up in the name of Muslim sensitivities.

He received plenty of brickbats but he got what he wanted. The mall management did as he demanded. They must have felt it was better to comply and not risk facing further pressure or a horde of protestors showing up on their premises.

For years, such beer promotions have been commonplace in other cities nationwide, held in conjunction with Christmas and Chinese New Year.

But this is PAS and if you recall, in 2009, Selangor PAS wanted to implement a blanket ban on the sale of alcohol in all Muslim-majority areas in the state.

Doesn’t this imply that, given the chance, the party will implement Islamic laws like hudud and syariah on not just Muslims but non-Muslims as well?

I believe what I opined in 2012 still holds true: PAS is laser-focused on one narrow aspect: to stop Muslims from doing or seeing anything it claims might mislead, confuse or upset the ummat.

Another example of this was when Idris Ahmad, the PAS MP who was Religious Affairs minister in the previous administration, exhorted Muslims last year not to attend the Japanese Bon Odori festival on the grounds it had Buddhist elements.

However, Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, did not agree; he issued an order to the Selangor Islamic Department not to forbid Muslims from attending the festival, and pointed out there is a difference between religion and culture.

So I repeat what I wrote 11 years ago: If PAS governs us, even if they may not be as extreme as the Taliban in their treatment of women, they will most likely go for blanket bans and wholesale rulings on matters considered unIslamic, rather than figure out detailed plans that take into consideration the needs and practices of a multi-ethnic society.

A clear example of this is the banning of all 4D and lottery outlets in Kedah. This was done despite warnings from experts that it would lead to corruption and illegal betting activities.

What’s more, people don’t need to visit physical shops to place bets when they can gamble online from the comfort and privacy of their homes.

What really confuses me, however, is why Muslims in Sabah and Sarawak behave so differently; why they are so comfortable in their interactions with non-Muslims with few restrictions and seem to be much more secure and confident in adhering to their faith?

Certain pronouncements and fatwas can also be confusing to Muslims and non-Muslims alike.

Take, for example, Johor’s Islamic Religious Council that issued a fatwa just before Thaipusam stating that Muslims in the state were prohibited from observing, attending and taking part in religious rituals of other faiths – like Thaipusam processions or Pongal celebrations, I assume.

Frankly, I am still unclear if a Muslim can or cannot watch a kavadi procession from the roadside or on YouTube and TV. After all, major stations like TV3, Bernama TV and Astro Awani gave informative and respectful coverage of the Thaipusam celebration at Batu Caves.

Then I chanced on the Dec 24, 2018, article “Wishing ‘Merry Christmas’ to Christians” on the Mufti of Federal Territory’s Office website.

The lengthy article examines the issue in detail and provides general guidelines on when it is permissible to wish Merry Christmas to Christians and attend Christmas gatherings; this should also apply to other non-Muslim festivals and events.

The article states: “It is permissible to wish Merry Christmas when there is a necessity to wish it to non-Muslims in maintaining the relationship or mending the social tension in our society. It is important especially in the context of a leader in a multi-religious country, a family of non-Muslims and Muslims and in our neighbourhood and work environment.”

It adds that to do so for the above reason is not “a sign of acknowledgement or honouring other religions”.

It further states: “It is permissible to attend events or celebrations held by non-Muslims, if it is held outside of their house of worship ...”

All this is quite positive and it would indicate Muslims should be able to watch a Hindu procession on the street or a church choir singing Christmas songs in a mall.

And being guidelines, it appears there can be exceptions, as our King and Queen were able to attend the late Queen Elizabeth’s funeral service at Westminster Abbey in London.

That’s why I also appreciate the final words in the article which pointed out that “scholars need to connect and associate with people of today’s society to understand al-waqi’ (‘read’ the current reality).

The ability to interact with these classical texts will bring Muslims into a broader paradigm and are not left behind. Hence, Islam will truly be a religion of rahmatan li al-’alamin (a blessing for the whole world).”

The present Unity Government seems keen to promote a moderate, inclusive, multiracial agenda with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim saying his Malaysia Madani* concept is the way forward for Malaysia and its multiracial and multicultural society.

This is surely what right-thinking Malaysians who believe there is a place for all under the Malaysian sun want and will support full-heartedly and not PAS’ joyless, divisive, intolerant and narrow vision for our nation.

After three festivals, it will be Malaysian Muslims’ turn to mark a major event next month: Ramadan.

Many non-Muslims will look forward to the food bazaars for breaking fast and joining in the festivities of Hari Raya Aidil Fitri. That’s Malaysia, Truly Asia. Peace be upon us all!

The views expressed here are entirely the writer’s own.

*Madani is an acronym for a policy under the Malaysia Unity Government that embraces six core values: keMampanan (sustainability), kesejAhteraan (prosperity), Daya cipta (innovation), hormAt (respect), keyakiNan (trust) and Ihsan (compassion).