COMMENT Despite the denial by the Islamic Information and Service Foundation (IISF), the real motive of distribution of the translated version of the Quran is to influence and ultimately convert the non-Muslims in the country. There are no two ways about it.

It is obvious that there is no good intention behind the distribution of the Quran. It is intended to create fear and anxiety amongst non-Muslims about their respective faiths and most importantly, whether non-Muslim faiths can co-exist in the country with Islam.

IISF has taken advantage of the special position of Islam and Malays and the lack of constitutional safeguards against the proselytisation of Islam to the non-Muslims. IISF takes it for granted that it can do what it wants as Islam is protected, whereas the non-Muslim faiths enjoy only a second of third class status in the county.

Under normal circumstances in the absence of a politicised atmosphere, the distribution of the Quran is perfectly all right. If both the religious communities understand each other, the distribution of the Quran or any other religious texts is a non-issue.

But the problem in Malaysia is that Islam enjoys constitutional protection, it is also the official religion of the federation and furthermore in terms of practice, Islam enjoys disproportionate power when compared to non-Muslim faiths.

Moreover, in the last 30 years of so, Islamic revivalism, special funds allocated for the conversion of non-Muslims, the forced conversions of minors to Islam (although forbidden by the constitution), conversion of spouses to Islam to the neglect of their families and children, the seizing of dead bodies on the grounds of their conversion to Islam and many other acts have destabilised the non-Muslims in the country.

Thus, given this context, the non-Muslims cannot be faulted for not accepting the distribution of the Quran.

The reason in favour of the distribution of the Quran is to address the lack of understanding of Islam by non-Muslims. However, the non-Muslims can also advance a similar argument since Muslims don’t care about their religious faiths, why should they take the trouble to learn about the Quran.

Not to forget that over the years, there are many deviant groups that have emerged among Muslims. Given this situation, non-Muslims also feel that Muslims themselves do not have real understanding of Islam in the first place. Thus, before they could preach about Islam to others, there is need for Muslims themselves to understand the real meaning of the Quran.

Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad hardly has the legitimacy or the honesty to favour the distribution of the Quran. He himself has commented on previous occasions that Muslims in Malaysia and elsewhere are divided and weak. It is obvious that Islam has not served to strengthen their faith. So, who is Mahathir to tell the non-Muslims to accept the Quran? He is not a religious scholar or person who is well-received in the country.

Racial and religious polarisation

Remember it was during his tenure as the prime minister that the country underwent the worst forms of racial and religious polarisation. Today, he serves as an adviser to racial outfits like Perkasa!

Non-Muslims, as advised by the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST), should reject the Quran, not out disrespect, but due to the hidden agenda of the IISF. Malaysians in general know very well that the free distribution of the Quran is basically intended to ultimately wean away non-Muslims from worshipping their respective faiths as protected by the country’s constitution.

I urge the IISF and its supporters including its patron not to create unnecessary trouble for Muslims and non-Muslims in the country. Distribution of the Quran would serve no useful purpose other increase the racial and religious polarisation.

Non-Muslims must respect the Holy Book of the Quran. At the same time, Muslims should also respect Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism. It cannot be a one-way process.

P RAMASAMY is deputy chief minister II of Penang.