Islam: A religion with no color or creed

Speaking at the forum, "Islam and the Future of Inter-Ethnic Relations in Malaysia organized by International Institute of Advanced Islamic Studies (IIAIS) and ISIS, Dr Chandra Muzaffar stressed that "Ignorance and narrow-mindedness about Islam are the two key factors that can undo what Malaysia has achieved".

Chandra Muzaffar said many non-Malays here failed to understand Islam and its history in Malaysia, adding that the mentality would, in a sense, retard the progress of national integration.

Dr Chandra said: "What many failed to understand was that Islam was best suited in multi-ethnic and religious conditions because of the resources it had."

"Because of the universalism embodied in the Quran, it is the only scripture that forbids a person to compel another to adopt Islam as a religion, or any other religion for that matter."

"Islam's principals of openness and accommodation were among the factors why British historian Arnold J. Toynbee once argued that of all religions, Islam was the one most capable in overcoming racism," he said.

Chandra said he did not think that Islam, although being the official religion of the country, could deny the rights of other religions.

He, however, pointed out that there was communal damage among the Muslims who subscribed to narrow and superficial views of Islam.

"There are some Muslims who express their faith as someone who is honest, accountable, caring and compassionate. And then there are others whose expressions of faith are just the attire and how they treat their non-Muslim neighbours," he said.

He added that sometimes Muslims did not set good enough examples to earn the respect of others.

"By not setting a good example, how can you expect the non-Muslims to respect the Muslims?" he asked.

To address such issues, Chandra called for efforts to develop and transform the thinking of individuals.

"Instead of talking about a state and having a structure, let's start looking at the transformation of individuals.

"If more Muslims in Malaysia embodied the psychology towards openness and universalism, I think our country will be a much better place," he said.

On political parties' actions of using Islam to promote inter-ethnic relations, Chandra said Parti Islam SeMalaysia, Umno or any political players could not have a state that distinguished people based on faith, ethnicity and culture.

The country's politics, he said must lead one to recognise and respect equality among all citizens despite their religions and ethnicity.

Later, Jawhar said Islam was universal, accommodative and an open belief. He agreed Islam provided the best approach for any multi-religious society.

The moderators of the three-hour session were Isis chairman and chief executive officer Tan Sri Mohamed Jawhar Hassan and IIAIS chairman and chief executive officer Professor Dr Mohammad Hashim Kamali.

Source: NST: 'Muslims must embody openness of their religion'


British historian Arnold J. Toynbee said: "of all religions, Islam was the one most capable in overcoming racism". Dr Chandra and the moderators agreed. I too agreed.

If that is pure truth, which I subscribed fully, it must therefore be part of the constitution of Umno and PAS, both of which lay claim to be Islamic party and for the fact that Malaysia was declared an Islamic state.

However, factual evidence á posteriori runs counter in contradistinction. Umno, an Islamic party, distinguishes the people by race, color and creed; Islam lay claims as the religion that do not distinguish the people by races, do not discriminate against anyone and do not deny the rights of anyone, and do not have any social contract but a universal contract inscribed in the Holy Quran.

In Chandra's words, PAS and Umno could not have a state that distinguishes the people based on faith, ethnicity and culture. Tan Sri Mohamed Jawhar Hassan said: Islam is universal, accommodative and Islam provides the best approach for any multi-religious society.

Malaysia is an Islamic state, the government lay claim. So, please practice the Islamic virtues.