The SUN - 15 June 2006
Ulama cannot be allowed to decide
Zainon Ahmad
The Malaysian practices of kongsi raya and open houses are under
attack. We must speak up if we want these practices to continue to be a
feature of Malaysian life.
They have been with us even before Merdeka but were encouraged by the
government as a way of fostering goodwill or muhibbah following the dark
days of 1969. They have helped.
Of course, occasionally we hear of people questioning the usefulness of
these annual practices held in conjunction with the major festivals of
the various ethnic and religious groups.
But open houses, especially those hosted by government, political,
business and community leaders, continue to be overwhelmingly
patronised, including by foreign tourists.
They are recognised as a Malaysian tradition and our leaders, our prime
minister among them, never tire of boasting about them to foreigners as
testimony to the ethnic and religious harmony that prevails in this
country and that have contributed to this nation's prosperity and
progress.
But now, the Muslim ulama want us to do away with them as, according to
them, the faith of Muslims who attend these open houses will be
compromised because Deepavali and Christmas, for instance, are religious
festivals.
Some Christian and Hindu priests have also tried to discourage their
flock from attending these open houses, especially Hari Raya, as their
faith could supposedly be compromised, too.
But it is the establishment Muslim ulama, taking the cue from their
non-establishment counterparts, who seem to be more strident and vocal
in speaking out against Muslims attending open houses.
And it is they who have been more successful in convincing some Muslims
that attending the open houses of people of other faiths is akin to
accepting those faiths.
"At first I didn't understand why many of my Muslim friends stopped
coming to my open house because I still go to theirs," laments a Chinese
Christian colleague.
At first he was told they could not eat and drink from utensils in his
house because they had been "contaminated" by non-halal food.
"OK, so I got a Muslim caterer to cook for us and used only disposable
plates, cups, forks and spoons. But they still did not turn up. So I
gave up inviting them. I know now that it is religion."
It is unfortunate that this is happening. And so those who want the
tradition of open houses to continue because they see the good that
these practices do for race relations in this country, they must speak
up, especially now.
If the establishment Muslim ulama have become bolder under the new
openness encouraged by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's
administration, others must also take advantage of the situation to
speak out even more boldly against them.
It is apparent that the Muslim ulama are seeking to extend their
influence beyond their traditional roles and their just ended conference
in Ipoh is significant in that they have come up with resolutions which,
if adopted by the government, could further increase their say in many
things, and polarise an already polarised Malaysian society.
>From the keynote address by conference chairman Perak Mufti Datuk
Harussani Zakaria entitled Purifying Islam from Liberalism and
Pluralism, it is clear that the Muslim ulama want Muslims to be
unquestioning in their acceptance of their teachings.
And in this regard, they are urging the government to set up a
monitoring body to stop the spread of liberal Islamic thinking. It
should be clear now that the ulama have an agenda.
It is unfortunate that Islam, a liberal religion, is being gradually
transformed in this country into a faith which is intolerant of
different views and opinions.
The government, either in awe of the Muslim ulama or unwilling to do
anything to jeopardise the good relations they have with them, is
unlikely to roll back all that has already been informally instituted in
the name of Islam.
This is clear from the response of Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Tajol
Rosli to the state mufti's speech. All he could say was that Muslims
must respect the ulama and follow their guidance.
A complete surrender.
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