YOURSAY 'This would be better than saying ‘ban this and ban that’.'

Jakim wants roundtable on Islam stopped

Cheong Sai Fah: The Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) is trying to limit access to information and opinions.

 

If "the practices of the Ahli Sunnah Wal Jamaah" can stand up to examination and can be shown to be superior, Jakim shouldn't be afraid of the invited speakers' opinions.

 

Anonymous_1388029052: This is a good opportunity for Jakim's director-general Othman Mustapha to take part in the roundtable discussion on Islamic fundamentalism, if it really wants  to rebut any claims or allegations, if any, against false Islamic teachings.

 

This would be better than saying "ban this and ban that". Please show us your intellectual heft if you have any.

                                                                                                                                                    

Aziz Kader: Indeed, Jakim should call Indonesian liberal Islamic speaker Ulil Abshar Abdalla for an open debate.

 

If Jakim needs help, there are ulama from India, China or the Arab world. Jakim must be open, why the need to hide?

 

Yom: When you don't have any intellect to debate but have some power, you use brute force.

 

Siang Malam: What about the anti-Christian speaker they brought in from Indonesia at the talks at UiTM (Universiti Teknology Mara) who claimed to be an ex-Christian priest ? That was okay?

 

My Opinion: Othman Mustapha's statement reflects his superiority complex of a religious bigot who thinks he is right in every way. He wants to have the last say. He thinks he is the final interpreter of Islam.

 

Adam Ningau: Once again, the authorities think that the Muslims in Malaysia are so weak that they need Jakim to decide for them what is right or wrong. Why are they so desperate to jump to the conclusion that a liberal brand of Islam is not good for the country?

 

Just let Ulil Abshar Abdalla speak and let the people judge.

 

YUNoAnon: It's just a lame attempt of an excuse in saying "we are not wise, intelligent, mature and strong enough to hold discussions which question our faith".

 

Anon1: It is not Jakim, it's the PM's Department (meaning Umno) that wants this forum stopped. Note that Jakim is also one of the many sub-contractors that do Umno's bidding.

 

Maharaja: When we started to look East and invite investors to Malaysia, one of the reasons why investors had chosen Malaysia over our Indonesian neighbour was that Malaysia was a more moderate, liberal, and progressive state.

 

Recently, Indonesia seems to have overtaken Malaysia in these aspects and is more religious and racially tolerant, which are also factors for investors to flock there, a scenario similar to Malaysia's experience 25 years ago.

 

Indonesia is now poised to stake their claim as the elder brother in Southeast Asia, and especially in leading their Malay brothers in Malaysia. Malaysia has lost its way while Indonesia has found the right path.

 

Therefore, instead of having to listen to their younger brother, Malaysia, they are now making their moderate and liberal voices heard loud and clear, and are moving forward.

 

Malaysia should therefore not shun but engage with them with an open mind. Maybe we can return to the right path.

 

Kachang Goreng : Jakim is not interested in propagating moderation. Moderation is a universal language and religion. If Jakim were to carry out its activities freely then Malaysia could turn into an extremist country.

 

No matter what sect one is in, the whole idea is to create moderation. Is that what Jakim is scared of?

 

The only way to defeat extremism is moderation. No matter what religion, be it Islam or Christianity. If Jakim is allowed do what it feels is right and thinking all others are wrong, then we are truly heading for grave trouble.

 

In fact Jakim is against inter-religious unity talks. They prefer divisive rule so that they can bring up sensitive issues to their advantage.

 

AJ: Is Jakim right in saying that Muslims in this country have so little faith in their religion that even a slightest breeze will confuse or cause unease? We have heard this so many times, it has to be true. We must have a nation of the most blinkered Muslims in the world.

 

Sodom Me Sodom You: Is there anything out there that is not a threat to Islam in Malaysia? Why is Islam in Malaysia always under threat and the Muslims always easily confused?

 

Umno is threatened by vernacular schools, PAS is threatened by PKR-DAP, and Perkasa/Isma is threatened by pretty much everything.

 

But no one is threatened by complete economic meltdown and the plundering of those in power, the rampant bigotry and oppression of right-thinking citizens and the opposition?

 

RZC: Jakim is scared. Scared that Muslims will become tolerant, broad-minded and respectful. All these traits won't translate into a win for BN, because BN wants intolerance, disrespect, hate, disunity among the Muslims, etc, for BN to win.

 

Or so Jakim thinks. I am truly shocked that Jakim does this under the name of Islam.

 

Flamescanner: So not only Christians and non-Muslims are the problem; anyone, including fellow Muslims who do not share the same train of thought is a problem.

 

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