The Sad Tale of Islam in Malaysia

If I am a Muslim, I'll be the saddest Muslim.

Is there such thing as a Malay-Muslim Mosque, a Chinese-Muslim Mosque or an Indian-Muslim mosque?

We call denote it in conversation and writing, but in Islam, there is no race and prejudice. For Allah created mankind and the things on this earth, all were His creation and by His grace, mankind were endowed to enjoy it.

A mosque is a place for prayer and a place where believers congregate to discover the profound spiritual knowledge that enlightens our journey of life, while be reminded of the creator and His omnipresence and omnipotence.


Perak MB, Malacca MB and Johor MB were all against the idea of Chinese-Muslim having their own mosques for prayers.

In the words of Ali Rustam, it wasn't appropriate. Malacca was just too small to have a Chinese mosque.

But the States, including Malacca keeps building mosques, everywhere, every small districts and villages. So why the discrimination? Is it because they are Chinese and a Muslim? Is it because they cannot be allowed to be equal to the Malay-Muslims? Or, in the words of Abdul Ghani,

“Any concept similar to that of a Bangsa Malayan is unacceptable... they should also realise why any concept akin to it could not be accepted.”

“It is about everything being equal and this does not capture the hearts of Malaysians. Therefore, regardless of whatever name is given, this is against idea kenegaraan (the idea of nationhood) which we have inherited.”

- Mentri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman.

Ghani said: "Even if the term Bangsa Malaysia is to be used, it must only be applied in the context of all the peoples of Malaysia with the Malays as the pivotal race."

Ironically, Kelantan government is the only State government that promotes a universal Islam. Kelantan was officially proclaimed as an Islamic State by the PAS government. The State is a symbol of Islam. The leaders practices what they preaches.

To the PAS government, a mosque is a mosque and it's a place for prayers and congregations of all Muslims, be ye Arab, Thais, Russians, Africans, Chinese, Indian, Bengali, or Malay.

The Mosque is a building and the architecture did not denote a symbol of Allah - that's what the Quran said. The holy prophet had warned the Muslims many times, that nothing should symbolise Allah and no one should connote anything physical to represent Allah: no statute, no pictures, and no building should be taken to represent Allah.

So, what is Chinese-mosques or Malay mosques? What is the difference between a mosque with Minangkabau architecture and Chinese architecture? It is a building, period. It will be a place of worship for Muslims. There is no Malay, Indian or Chinese Muslims. All are Muslims in the eyers of Islam and the Quran. You may be defined by races within a political structure but no one, no Muslims can be define by race, color or creed. There is only believers and non-believers. In fact the Quran said that those who tried to divide their own brothers or sisters, the Muslims as a whole, they have acted in defiance of the word of Allah and will be punished.

Far more ironical is the fact that there should be an Islamic complex for Chinese in Seremban. It sounded clear that a Chinese Muslims should be segregated and defined as different and unequal to the other Muslims. If it is an Islamic complex, it is a complex for all Muslims.

Another irony is the fact that we had Mesjid India and Indian Imams and sermons taught in the Tamil language. There is no outcry against them. Why is it so different just because it is Chinese and a Muslim? Isn't it clear and unambiguous? Haven't we get clear signs and revelation of the political facts and ideology?

Perlis Mufti Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin said if the State government is not willing to fund the construction of Chinese-mosque, he is prepared to raise donations from the public to build the mosques.

Dr Asri: "The idea of Islam in Malaysia must be Malay in all forms is wrong. “Chinese in China have been Muslims hundred of years before the Malays accepted Islam."

Dr Asri said it is time to have Chinese mosques run by the Chinese for the Chinese community.

Dr Asri, I disagreed! A mosque can be run by any dedicated and knowledgeable Muslims and surmons preached in any language as long as it conforms to the teaching in the Quran. Anyone can and should be allowed to pray at any mosque and at any place. Of course if a sermon is taught in Chinese, it was intended for Chinese audience and intended to transmit the knowledge of Islam to those who understands Chinese language, be they any from any race or creed. It is not for the Chinese per se.