Concerns over division this Raya
Ramadan saw our country deal with ugly episodes and if political leaders do not tackle them fast, we may become an irreversibly divided country in decades to come.
THE open house at the palace in Seri Menanti – or Stano Terbuko – was festive as usual. Thousands of families came from across Negri Sembilan and beyond to enjoy delicacies in the royal capital, and it was especially pleasing to see such diversity among the attendees.
In the queue for the salams and duit Raya were plenty of nonmuslims, many of whom took the effort to dress up in baju Melayu or other traditional attire.
The most insightful observations – and words of praise – as is often the case, came from students among a delegation from Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (Usim), which is in Nilai. The Palestine, Uzbekistan and Nigerian students were in their traditional attire and they all marvelled at the community spirit and relaxed atmosphere at the event.
They were in awe of the religious rites and cultural traditions co-existing amid the many problems facing our nation and the world. Indeed, it is such a common phenomenon to see visitors or foreign observers – whether physically or online – cherishing our authentic diversity, whereas all too often we see Malaysians, usually politicians or their proxies, destroying it for their own political ends.
Indeed, Ramadan saw our country deal with ugly episodes of unnecessary divisions. Unnecessary because there were people who seized the opportunity to sow division and hatred when stupid mistakes were made. In such a toxic environment, no amount of contrition will suffice.
There are, in this world, individuals who look for ways to take offence because they see benefits in being outraged. It enables them to become heroes, which is especially useful when they or their party are being attacked.
When religion comes into the picture, the outrage becomes even more indignant. The terms of engagement become more exclusive, discourse becomes more polarised, and society becomes more divided.
Unfortunately, political leadership in overcoming these problems has been severely lacking. While decent Malaysians yearn for clear actions to quell the instability, provocateurs on both sides seize the opportunity to control the narrative with compelling viral videos on social media. The distrust and animosity spiral even further downward, leaving other institutions to pick up the pieces.
The lack of trust spreads to other institutions too, of course: the police are criticised for being too hard on some people and too soft on others; the judiciary is criticised as being too slow or having the wrong ideology altogether, thus challenging the very foundations of our Federal Constitution.
Thankfully, there is another institution in our country that is able to help bridge the divide, with the Yang di-pertuan Agong notably bringing together parties that were at loggerheads to calm down the situation. But trying to heal the wounds every now and then should not be the way forward. We need more resilient, comprehensive and courageous long-term planning that embeds national cohesion into policy making.
Sadly, I am not convinced that this is a high enough priority for the people in power, and so the role of civil society and private organisations in protecting our diverse Malaysia becomes more important.
Once again, Hari Raya has provided an opportunity, with corporate greeting videos universally spreading the message of forgiveness, tolerance and cooperation. I am particularly fond of “Apo Kono Ni, Alip?”, set in Negri Sembilan (and coincidentally directed by my cousin Adriana). While these videos will remain online probably forever, the underlying societal impetuses may not.
Over time, the many beautiful scenes of multiracial merriment we enjoy at open houses in Syawal may become more and more rare, unless current and future generations are taught that these are precious.
During Ramadan, I came across one news item that may dismay some Malaysian Muslims. In Abu Dhabi, a recently opened Hindu temple hosted an Interfaith Cultural Evening. It included sahur – the meal that Muslims eat before beginning the daily fast at sunrise. The food was fully vegetarian, and in attendance were several ministers – all Muslim – together with leaders of different faiths, including a rabbi, a vicar, and of course Hindu swamis. The event was celebrated as uniting people from diverse religious and cultural backgrounds for spiritual reflection, dialogue and community bonding.
I sent the link to some friends and they shared similar stories in Malaysia, notably mostly in Sabah and Sarawak, where non-muslim communities would prepare buka puasa for Muslims, or lend their premises to host them.
This was comforting, but unless it becomes a way of life, we may become an irreversibly divided country in decades to come.