The topic of Islam has been embroiled in controversy lately in Malaysia, when it has never been an issue in the earlier years before Dr Mahathir came into power.

 

Naturally, with the increase of discourse over conversion, family disputes, and the bureaucracy imbibed Umno regime, Islam has taken centrestage in Malaysia.   

 

I always wondered whether Mokthar Dahari, when he played along with Arumugam, Santokh Singh, Soh Chin Aun, James Wong and Hassan Sani, was concerned with Islamisation rather than what Malaysians could actually do and achieve as Malaysians irrespective of race, religion or creed.  

 

If you look at the history of our country, no figurehead has actually propelled such an agenda of race and religion to the forefront, until Dr M came along. Today, Umno and the opposition PKR have taken his cue to perpetuate this agenda to frighten and cajole the non-Malays for their political gain and advantage.

 

Whether we like it or not, Hindraf provided the watershed in GE12 as they were not concerned with what others thought as they campaigned for something that is universal, that is, human rights for the poor and disenfranchised.

Malaysian Indians form the majority of the deprived, through the social engineering that was initiated by our great Dr M to create a spoonfed Malay society.

Islam was not the issue when he embarked on this route as he stripped the royalty (the guardian of Islam) but rather what was financially viable.

Look back and see how selected non-Malays have benefited as much as the select Malays.          

 

Islam is not at fault nor is the Muslims of our country, but our silent acceptance on everything related to religion and race when this has never been an issue before Dr M came into the picture.   

Protection of individual rights and religious freedom are clearly outlined in our constitution, and we should collectivelty stand by it rather than be hoodwinked by Umno or PKR with their never ending agenda to paint a different brush to divide and rule based on race, religion and culture.

 

Let's ignore them, like Mokhtar Dahari. After all religions are merely cultural constructs and are inherently counterproductive to positive social progress.

 

There is nothing wrong with Islam, only if we don’t continue to politicise it. Its tolerance to coexist with other religions has naturally been there all this while. It is we who have polluted it by not being united in standing up for the truth.

Don’t blame Islam, blame yourself.