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Perception of Islamic Conservatism by a Non-Muslim in Malaysia

Lim Ming Shien

(Source: FMT)


I feel guilty for even writing this. I can’t describe why I feel this way, as most young adults my age are busy investing their time in a normal 9-5 job, and simply do not have the time to understand this sort of nonsense, I’m here trying to decipher taboo topics Malaysians refuse to talk about, I’m not surprised if I don’t have any friends.


This entry is a recollection of my thoughts and feelings towards the political climate in Malaysia in the past few months of 2022, as we are geared toward the general elections, it seems that politicians are scheming unthinkable and bewildering tactics.


Today, I saw an announcement by PAS, Malaysian Islamic Party saying that concerts are allowed in Malaysia as long it is not inappropriate, this was made after they mentioned they will protest heavily against any foreign concerts taking place in Malaysia. Why the U-turn? PAS is not just confusing their die-hard followers, but the Malaysian public in general!


I never had the chance to have a substantial amount of Malay-Muslim friends, (I think it’s common for young Malaysians nowadays to mingle within their own ethnic silos/ Besides, even if you have Malay-Muslim friends, I doubt race and religion is a topic that pops up in your conversation) and I admit I have a swallow understanding of the Islamic religion.


But, this is exactly what drives me to understand more, the Unknown. Most people would hate and fear what they don’t understand but I want to change that. I pledged that I will advocate for a stronger multi-cultural and religious understanding between the various ethnic communities of Malaysia, we simply deserve better than this.


Banning concerts might exacerbate social ills among the youth

Back to the statement by PAS, which is made by the youth chief of the political party, this brings up the relevance of youth in the topic. Clearly, I would understand how a youth feels, as every race and religion also has their youth-based communities, and all share similar aspirations. Being young is being rebellious, challenging the system, of course in an ethical way. We are worked to our bones and trampled upon by an unfair working place and society, and by how miserable the country is run, we need a place to vent our frustrations, this is the nature of being a youth, ‘Belia’, ‘青年’.


Most of the older generations simply think the youth likes to have it their way and engage in activities that are perceived as negative. I think otherwise, it is just a place to vent our frustrations, we could have ended up doing something worse which will bring harm to ourselves. Bring PAS into the picture, they have been governing states with the highest poverty rate. This has led to immoral activities such as Illegal racing, drug abuse, and many more. Unlike urban areas, such states also don’t really have a social place for the youth to hang out. With nowhere to go, with all the negative thoughts in their head. I wouldn't be surprised if they engage with illegal substances to escape from reality.


I would like to question what PAS has done to invest in the youth of Terengganu, Kelantan, and Kedah. Investing in the younger generation is investing in our future. Does this mean PAS does not have a solid plan for its future? Most of the youth moved away to the city and are simply unable to find a job, are you only interested in governing a state with an aging society with a conservative mindset?


Most people around me like to criticize and look down on their backward ideology, but there’s part of me that can’t help but feel bad for them, why are we bashing our Malay-Muslims brothers for failing to develop their state, shouldn’t it be the responsibility of all Malaysians to help each other to achieve aspirations?


(Source: FMT)


Another point I would like to bring up is the effect of Islamic conservatism on the local traditional arts and culture. Keep in mind before the arrival of Islam in historic Terengganu, Hindu and animistic cultures flourished, and a few traces still can be found in Terengganu if you look hard enough. Such practices have led to the state government banning traditional dances like Mak Yong for example, they should focus on apprenticeship programs that encourage the youth to partake, to keep them away from social ills. The youth feel insecure about whether or not to embrace this culture with the massive confusion PAS has started.


(Bon Odori festival, 2022)


A few months ago, PAS has also made a similar statement stopping Muslims from a Japanese cultural festival. In the end, there’s a huge turnout of Malaysians from all walks of life. I attended the event personally, and a big question popped up in my head.


Personally, I’m a Buddhist with influences of Taoism, I prayed to the Goddess of Mercy ‘Kuan Yin’.But, I don't see myself as religious enough. I stopped going to the local Buddhist association because I find it pointless to recite Sanskrit repetitively without understanding the meaning of words, and most importantly actually implement them in real-life scenarios.


The Big Question

I have logical thinking, and I believe everyone regardless of religion can comprehend this. If you know you have a strong spiritual attachment to your religion, why are you so afraid to approach places or people that are considered sinful? Religion tells you what is right and wrong whenever you go, it guides you in the choices you make in front of others. This is why it makes no sense that a very religious person shuts him or herself from the outside world because he/ she wants to avoid them. Then, what is the point of learning religion in the first place?? To keep it to yourself? Instead, you should spread your wisdom to various ethnic communities.



(Gubra, 2006)


I would like to explain my point further with an example from Yasmin Ahmad’s film in 2006, Gubra. There is a scene in Gubra which depicts a sex worker who wants to learn how to read the Quran from a religious preacher family. Did they chase them away? No, they welcomed them with open arms with no judgment whatsoever. Sometimes, I think religious Malays are the most confident ones because they can judge what’s right and what’s wrong in the blink of an eye, and they are more than happy to mingle with other religions. Instead, what I’m seeing now is that the religious Malay community is shutting themselves out from other religions and has grown more skeptical of other races.


Religious conservatism has not made me despise Islam in my country more, but more confused than ever. Islam in Malaysia should be promoted as a compassionate religion to all Malaysians, without forcibly converting them, let the beauty of Islam guide people to the right path. The Malaysian population is a multi-ethnic society, and we feel more insecure to be with each other with every passing day. We are afraid of each other, when a Chinese family has stopped inviting their Malay friends to their house, it's not because they dislike them, it’s because they are afraid of offending them.


Take me for an example, when I visited my Malay friend’s house for the first time, I brought my own cutlery because I wasn’t educated on the boundaries. (I thought I can't use their plates cuz I eat pork) I was brought up in an ethnocentric background and my impression of Malays was more conservative than reality. It was embarrassing.


Disunity is a complex problem in Malaysia with many overlapping factors. Better get used to it, instead of running away from it, my dear Malaysians. One day it’s our children who will suffer the consequences of our ignorance.


One more thing if I was in government, I wished to reform the Religious Affairs Ministry into the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Inter-Faith Harmony, just like what Pakistan did. We need to recognize that building trust between Muslims and non-Muslims is equally as important as protecting the sovereignty of Islam in Malaysia.



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