Interfaith event guidelines deepen divide, DAP Youth leaders warn
They warned the proposed guidelines could deepen the divide between Muslims and non-Muslims by limiting opportunities for people of different backgrounds to interact and foster mutual understanding...
Summary
DAP Youth leaders oppose proposed guidelines for events involving Muslims in non-Islamic houses of worship, arguing they add bureaucratic burdens and deepen interfaith divides.
They insist on the current model of multicultural celebration exemplified by the Malay rulers, and call for open consultation rather than restrictive rules that could hinder unity.
Several DAP Youth leaders have urged the government to maintain the status quo after a minister revealed proposed guidelines for events involving Muslims held in non-Muslim houses of worship such as holiday celebrations and funerals.
They warned the proposed guidelines could deepen the divide between Muslims and non-Muslims by limiting opportunities for people of different backgrounds to interact and foster mutual understanding.
“DAP Youth emphasises that such guidelines are unnecessary and only adds bureaucratic red tape that burdens organisers who genuinely wish to hold activities to promote culture and unity to bring together the rakyat of various races and religions,” said DAP Youth chief Woo Kah Leong.
He also cited Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar’s attendance at the Chingay Parade in Johor and Selangor’s Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah’s presence at Chinese New Year celebrations at a Buddhist temple as examples to be followed.
“The wisdom, openness, and moderation shown by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the Selangor sultan shows the existing model for relations between Muslims and non-Muslims is harmonious and correct.
“By using the example shown by the sultans, the rakyat of various races and religions have long celebrated their own festivities with openness and respect without causing any conflict.
“The hosting of such events at non-Islamic places of worship not only does not threaten the faith of any party, but underscores the harmony and togetherness of the rakyat despite their heterogenous backgrounds,” Woo (above) said.
Instead of introducing the guidelines, he said more events involving people of various cultures and religions should be held to promote understanding and respect for each other’s culture.
‘Sufficient laws against proselytisation of Muslims’
Echoing Woo, DAP Youth public policy bureau chief Jason Ng said Malaysians have long celebrated each other’s festivals despite their differences since independence.
“Now, the government wants to introduce new guidelines. Does this mean the government wants to build a wall between races, that would only weaken unity and trust between the rakyat?” he said in a separate statement.
He also said there are already sufficient laws against the propagation of non-Islamic religions to Muslims, and questioned if Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Na’im Mokhtar had consulted the cabinet and other stakeholders before drafting the guideline.
“The future of Malaysia belongs to all citizens, not the extremists. We need to defend diversity and harmony in this country, not head towards division and alienation,” he said.
Malacca DAP Youth chief Cassel Krishnan decried the guidelines as absurd, impractical, and divisive.
He cited a funeral as an example, where friends and colleagues of all races and religions would come together to mourn the passing of the deceased while various rites are being held.
“Under the proposed new guidelines, it appears that families of the deceased would be required to notify the Islamic Development Department in advance, obtain written approval, remove all religious symbols, and halt prayers or last rites before Muslim friends could enter to pay their last respects.
“This is utterly absurd! Such a guideline is not only impractical but also comes as a dangerous attack on the multicultural fabric of our nation,” he said in a separate statement.
He urged Na’im to clarify his stance and engage in open consultation with all stakeholders before making further announcements on the issue.
‘No offensive elements’
In a written parliamentary reply yesterday, Na’im announced that the government would be introducing a new set of guidelines for events involving Muslims taking place in non-Islamic houses of worship.
The guidelines include having to obtain permission from religious authorities if the event includes Muslims, and that the events must not contain elements that could offend Muslim sensitivities.
Potentially offensive elements include speeches and songs in the form of religious propaganda; religious pamphlets, performances or speeches that mock Islam; holding the event during Muslim prayer times; having it close to a surau, mosque, Muslim cemetery or wakaf (endowment) land; and the premises containing non-Islamic religious symbols.
Na’im said the guidelines will be finalised by the muzakarah committee of the National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs at the end of the month.
