Inter Faith Commision
The Muslim Professionals Forum ( MPF ) lauds the Prime Minister, YAB Dato’ Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his deputy’s prompt response and call for a moratorium to the proposed establishment of the Inter Faith Commission ( IFC ).
The primary purpose of any form of inter-faith body is surely to promote religious harmony in a plural society like Malaysia. Instead, the hasty manner in which this has been effected has only succeeded in alienating mainstream Muslims and Muslim organisations. The claim by the proponents and multiple press reports that the IFC concept is supported by many Muslims and Muslim groups is preposterous since only two Muslim groups were at the inaugural conference in Bangi. The time tested Malaysian way of conflict resolution in the spirit of “cross-cultural muhibbah” was unheeded and not surprisingly, the ensuing polemics has acutely polarised opinions and is a sure recipe for interfaith discord.
It is most perplexing that in this highly sensitive domain of religious beliefs, teachings and practices, the proponents of the IFC have opted for an unprecedented legal process; the first of it’s kind in the world. When it was first mooted in 2001; the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism and Sikhism ( MCCBCHS ) in their memorandum to the Bar Council; had proposed a statutory body with adjudicative powers which was enthusiastically embraced by the latter. This despite the vehement objections and counter proposals from ACCIN (Allied Coordinating Committee of Islamic NGOs) and the Shariah subcommittee of the Bar Council. Their motives and designs then would be in direct contravention of the letter and the spirit of the social contract as enshrined in the federal constitution. Apart from their dabbling in intrafaith matters, an interfaith commission with purported adjudicative powers would undermine the role of the Malay rulers as the heads of Islam and interfere with existing constitutional arrangements between the states and the federal government.
This historical context of the evolution of the IFC is vital to our understanding of the misapprehensions of mainstream Muslims and Muslim organizations and the unwritten agenda of the IFC proponents and her legal allies. The universal solidarity of mainstream Muslims and Muslim organisations against the IFC was very instrumental towards the much watered down profile of the commission as now being just advisory and recommendatory in function. These two functions could have been readily served by the existing machinery which undoubtedly needs better official recognition, repair and upgrading but the interfaith hurt and suspicions which this unnecessary confrontation has unleashed would take double time to mend. Nonetheless, the absolute power of God’s love, mercy and forgiveness have always been the essence of our faiths and together we shall overcome
As an organisation of Muslim professionals, we feel that the provisions in the federal constitution remain the fairest and democratic framework within which Malaysians of all denominations can freely practice their religious beliefs and interact in a harmonious manner while safeguarding the status of Islam as the religion of the Federation. In the spirit of respecting the faith of others, Muslims do not question nor challenge the teachings and practices of other religions. It is only fair that we request this respect to be reciprocated. We feel there are at present sufficient mechanisms through which legal disputes pertaining to freedom of religion can be adjudicated.
The MPF looks forward to all forms of interfaith dialogues to share many of our common aspirations for humanity and religiosity. As Muslim professionals, we believe that a healthy and fertile discourse towards the persuasion of the minds and the awakening of the hearts should be within the Quranic exhortation of “Call unto the way of Thy Lord with wisdom and fair persuasion and reason with them in the best possible manner” ( Al Quran; Surah An-Nahl, 16 : 125 )
The MPF calls on all parties to heed the advise of the PM in order to safeguard Malaysia’s hard-won religious harmony.
S.L. Pang @ Farah Abdullah
Board Member
Muslim Professionals Forum
Suite 1810, 18th Floor, Plaza Permata (IGB Plaza)
Jalan Kampar, off Jalan Tun Razak
50400 Kuala Lumpur
Tel : 03-40426102
Website : http://mpf.org.my