July 26, 2012
Malaysia’s Multi-Religious Society threatened by “Politics of Emotion and of Identity”, says Scholar and Islamic Philosopher Tariq Ramadan
by Harakah Daily
European Muslim scholar Tariq Ramadan, penning some observations of his recent Malaysian tour, has warned that Malaysia’s multi-religious society and huge potential to play a significant role globally were being threatened by “politics of emotion and of identity”.
“The fault-lines are visible, especially on the eve of anticipated elections,” said the Swiss academic, writing in his column in Dubai-based English daily Gulf News.
Tariq (right) opined that Malaysia, alongside Indonesia, has the potential to
play significant role at the world economic stage, adding that the two countries had often been overlooked because attention was focused on China and India.
But he cautioned that despite Malaysia’s multi-cultural heritage as well as a “first-rate” economic and geo-strategic potential, a cacophony of political tensions and slogans, many of which referred to Islam, posed obstacles.
Tariq, who spoke at several events in Kuala Lumpur and Penang, highlighted a prevalent view among the non-Muslim minority that they are being marginalised in the wake of Islam becoming a “permanent reference in political debate”, comparing similar debates among Muslim minorities in the West.
“Like the mirror image of many Muslim citizens in the West, they may be perfectly respectful of the constitution, of the laws and prerogatives of the civil state, but it is as if they are slightly excluded from the shared narrative upon which the Malaysian nation is founded. It has proved difficult for them to achieve the fully equal status that would establish their sense of belonging to a pluralist society,” he said.
He noted how the presence of large number of Indonesian immigrants had fed into the existing political rhetoric, lamenting frequently hostile policy “towards the very immigrants the country needs”.
The grandson of the founder of Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood Hasan al-Banna, Tariq, who teaches at the Faculty of Oriental Studies in Oxford, also commented on what he described was a penchant for “Islamising” modernism, capitalism and consumerism, “a strange mixture indeed”.
Impressed with Perlis Mosque-Majid Al-Hussain
But what impressed him the most during his many tours here is a mosque in Perlis built along traditional architecture and which incorporates green technology.
Tariq said it was a far cry from the “American-style modernism” which according to him characterised Kuala Lumpur’s buildings.
“The contrast between the capital, Kuala Lumpur, and other cities is striking. Here, looming skyscrapers surround the celebrated twin towers that challenge America’s tallest…
“There, a superb structure built on supporting piers, known as the ‘floating mosque’, reflects the extraordinary maritime landscape. Fifty per cent of its electricity consumption is generated by wind turbines and, when completed, solar panels will account for its remaining energy needs: A ‘green’ mosque beneath whose dome Islamic scriptural references are inscribed in the five national languages, to signify that Islam is not the property of one language and one culture,” he wrote.
Tariq further hailed the mosque as possibly the “symbol of Muslims’ greatest contribution to an era in search of meaning: To express its specificity in universal terms, in full respect of pluralism and to respond in full awareness and with all necessary expertise, to the challenges of our time,” said Tariq, whose recent works include the book The Quest for Meaning.
He is believed to be referring to the Al-Hussain Mosque in Kuala Perlis (above). Facing the Straits of Malacca near the Kuala Perlis jetty, the construction of the mosque was financed by entrepreneur Ta Sri Mohd. Ariffin Yusuf to fulfill the dying wish of his brother Dr Mohd. Hussain after whom the mosque was named.
“This mosque is ultimately far more ‘modern’ than all the blind mimicry of American models,” added Tariq. “What a pleasure to pray in such a mosque: one senses the encounter of intelligence and creative imagination.”
” What a pleasure to pray in such a mosque : one senses the encounter of intelligence and creative imagination “. – t . ramadan
I like this line . This really represents tribute – not to the mosque per se but more to those who conceived it.
General To Cik, please give us your impressions of Tariq Ramadan since you and Hilda attended his Penang Institute lecture in Georgetown recently.If you have publish an article in Ipoh Echo on the subject, please send it to me and I have it on my blog in a jiffy. Okay, Buddy. Bean, and Samy cum Kerbau hand Tean Rean will be looking forward to it.–Din Merican
Sunshine,
I know the Yusuf brothers–Isahak, Hussain, Zain and Ariffin–very well. They are like my brothers and I stayed with their family when I was a student at the Penang Free School. They are close to each other. This mosque is a fitting tribute to my brother Hussain who was a kind soul like the father, Pak Yusuf who treated me like a son. –Din Merican
Dato,
LtGen Affendi aka Tok Cik has his hands full right now. So too Tean-Rean who has both hands on his kerbau’s teats to ensure his day’s supply of kerbau milk which he makes into minyak sapi.
Enough talk from pin heads in striped suits like Tariq Ramadan. Both UMNO and PAS and the faction of PKR led by Anwar Ibrahim have dragged what is a secular state down the provervial slopes. It has yet to touch bottom. Religion is extremely divisive even among Muslims; with 40% of the population being non-Muslims those responsible in the drafting of the country’s federal constitution could not have envisaged anything but a secular state.
To then create agencies with overlapping functions like JAWI and JAKIM, to step us the process of Islamization to affect all aspects of public life coupled with the elevation of syariah law to the same status as civil law, to introduce syariah criminal law and to then oust civil law in favor of syariah law in the event of a ‘conflict’ has put this secular nation along the wrong trajectory.
The proliferation of independent agencies with over lapping functions is a serious problem that no one wants to solve. Each has now become territorial, bent on protecting its own turf, flexing its muscles. JAWI is a case in point.
Malaysia is a run away train and it has to crash some time, some place.
Tariq Ramadan reminds me of our own scholar, Dr Azly Rahman in terms of the ideas both attempt to bring to the table. The former uses religion as the cornerstone of his thesis while the latter uses critical reasoning to buttress his arguments. Both men of considerable substance.
Only one difference, Tariq Ramadan talks in layman language, so it is easier to be persuaded by him, while Azly Rahman tends to talk in esoteric language, ie you got to have plenty of mental power to catch a glimpse of what he is trying to say.
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Dr Tariq is a better communicator because he does not need to impress others. Dr.Azly appeals only to a select group of people.–Din Merican
”Tariq (right) opined that Malaysia, alongside Indonesia, has the potential to play significant role at the world economic stage, adding that the two countries had often been overlooked because attention was focused on China and India” T. Ramadan
India and China are populous countries even Indonesia can be considered as one but not Malaysia with its 27mio. Malaysia can play an important role because of its strategic location, infrastructure and an educated population, once upon a time. it is being forced to become a high-income society producing high-end products!! because it can’t compete with countries like Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and soon Myanmar for cheap labour. I just came back from an electronic store where they were selling cheap (44.99Euro) record players of Malaysian origin, thats called high end product?
Braun and Siemens are producing med. equipments et etc. in Penang and they are full of praise for their malaysian colleagues who work independently and creatively even making the german designs better.
what Malaysia seriously and urgently needs is a moderate government and not religion moderate or not. religion cannot fill ones stomach. it can sooth the soul if it is moderate and understanding only IF the stomach is full.
no way am I saying religion is bad but don’t overtax religion with the task of running a government. it was not meant for that purpose and definitely not for the 21st. century.
T. Ramadan says malaysia is a multi-religious country but did he see any chinese, buddhist, hindu temples? he missed the Batu Caves Temple where the MIC-wallahs make the surrounding insecure? there is that lovely Penang Hill temple worth seeing. not forgetting the churches.
the good professor has a love-hate friendship with US of A just like his fellow Europeans. KL buildings are not neccessarily of American architecture but more European who derive it from american designs. so what is NOT american? our flag is of american origin with the royal colours. but the central station in KL, some of the older mosques and most of the shophouses in the country are typically malaysian, lets be proud of it.
Prince Charles once said that the british architects have done more damage to the buildings in London than the german bombs in the war!
Isnt this the truth in M’sia. I have witnessed comments on fb that are emotional, arrogant from some malays who then claim to be fasting. They use emotions and yes identity for all arguments. One cannot reason with them at all. They are dangerous people.
The “fault lines” arte indeed visible yet they choose to justify it over and over and ignore it till it becomes an ideologi which is dangerous to everyone and threatens progress. I wonder what our beloved Prophet and all our Prophets ( pbu them all) are saying now looking at the hypocrisy that is the practise of Islam in M’sia.
I have done so, Pak Din. Will fwd to you in a jiffy. Cheers.
” religion cannot fill one’s stomach….” reeperbhan. That of course is axiomatic and i don’t intend to contradict yourself on your detailed elaborations….Though of course i need to stress that food alone for the stomach is not quite sufficient for creatures called ‘humans’ – ” religion” / spirituality if properly understood is meant for the Mind & the Heart, unfortunately its the ” Brain ” that often corrupts human nature….(too much manupulations…)
Looking at the topic pardon me for saying that Prof Tariq Ramadan is correct in saying about too much Emotion, both political & religious life of Malaysia – but that’s only half truth…. because the regime in Malaysia is doing “manupulations” the wrong way to REDRESS Economic dispairity between the Races, ie Malays vis a vis Non-Malay Malaysians.
The Reality is Malay-Malaysians have, particularly under Mahathirism for 20 odd years, have been entertaining a deep-seated ” FEAR” of Chinese Economic Dominance both in S’pore & Malaysia. So Malays should not politicise Islam to correct the Imbalance, BUT competing with them through Industry & Resilience of the Chinese character, which is lacking in the Malay traits generally (though things have improved somewhat lately)….
We pray that Malaysians would redress the Imbalance the correct way, through the Sciences & Economics, and discard methodology of Falsities….
“Isnt this the truth in M’sia. I have witnessed comments on fb that are emotional, arrogant from some malays who then claim to be fasting. They use emotions and yes identity for all arguments. One cannot reason with them at all. They are dangerous people.” – Kathy.
True, Kathy. I just got chastised for telling somebody that he’s spreading a fake picture and that that might lead to “fitna” and might hurt somebody. You know what he told me? He said I have no sympathy for my muslim brothers and sisters. It doesn’t make sense because the picture that he’s sharing on his FB is not really of something he’s claiming it to be. I’m in a state on confusion now.
MR.BEAN (July 26/ 11.16) has got it right… good comment sir.
Over-lapping entities… that’s the main reason why the train will crash if we do not wake up.
didi, I empathise. I am worried and scared for M’sia and all M’sians. You must still speak the truth no matter how much pressure they put you under to protect their lies. it is simply not on. I even witnessed oen of them being so very rude to another M’sian of another background as if no one else has a right except them as moslems and malays. this situation is true and serious. It is out of hand.
Abnizar,
I admire with your observation but (scientifically) food and water are primary requirement for a living organism. without food the sugar household in the body becomes instable resulting in nervousness, anger and inability to think objectively. Abnizar the humans are special animals. if their stomach is empty they can’t think properly; if it is full, they are too lazy to think; Oh God! show us the right way.
yes, the malay malaysians have been shown the wrong way by the umno-spinners.
Yes Mr. Bean, when those on Government Payroll and those asociated with the powers that may be live well beyond their means then the country becomes a run away train and will crash when the money runs out. The irony is that those who are responsible for the crash will not be affected.
He said I have no sympathy for my muslim brothers and sisters. It doesn’t make sense because the picture that he’s sharing on his FB is not really of something he’s claiming it to be. I’m in a state on confusion now.- didi
Don’t be confused by some of these half-baked muslims. I am NEVER confused by anybody who holds his/her religion on his/her sleeve. These are people who suffer from incurable insecurity and lack of self-esteem.
So, don’t you be confused by these fools.
Many Malays have been wearing their religion on their sleeves for a while now. I think they should check their religion at the door when they leave home.
Just like everybody should check their problems at the office door when they leave for home. That’s why we guys make a bee line to our favorite watering holes after office to decompress. Women workers would head for the gym if they are not into watering holes. When I was working briefly in Tokyo it would be panchinko parlors and karaoke bars.
Tun Mahathir for once, as from yesterday, talking sense & saying the right thing : Quote ” Jangan terlalu taksub dengan Guru Ugama….” – And the crowd with gaping mouth is in awe…..like a Question mark on their faces..blank….
Fully agreed for the first time, b’coz of the day-in, day-out lectures in their faces, they all go back thinking that just do invocations ” Doa “, everything will work like magic…no need to worry too much about life or living, and neglect every thing…. that surely must be ‘ paradise ‘….
For many of us it will be dfficult to leave our religion at the door as we would our shoes when we enter a home. Politics in many countries is not comlpetely devoid of religion. But what is in question here is the extreme manner in which religion is used. Those who do this must underatand that in accordance with our Constitution Malaysia Is a Democracy and not a Theocracy