The rise of Islamophobia in Malaysia: Rehan Ahmad

Rise of Islamophobia

In recent months we have observed the rise in Islamophobic activities not only in the West but also here at home in Malaysia. 

We have our own versions of Donald Trump, and they span vastly. From the government supporters to the opposition party stalwarts, they both carry the same tone against Islam. From labelling terrorist activities as Islamic teachings, (with great tendencies to use these as reasons for them) to (prelude) interference in the matters of Muslims.

Some have gone as far as to accuse Prophet Muhammad SAW of initiating bloodshed in Ramadan as a form of worship. And another seemingly unrealted move the Federation of Hokkian Associations initiated a campaign to obtain 1 million signatures against the private member’s bill tabled by Dato’ Seri Abdul Hadi Awang.

Joseph Kurup being a one man show for his party (his party only has one seat in the Parliament) warned that Sabah and Sarawak will go separate ways from Malaysia if the bill is passed. The audacity to make such threats in itself is remarkable for a non-performing party. That said, non-Muslims parties such as DAP, Gerakan, MCA,MIC, PBRS etc. seem to have a unified voice in going against anything Islamic.

Even if an issue is not related to the non-Muslim minority, opposition is a must. Opposition is staged merely because the bill or the issue at hand is deemed as “Islamic” though not necessarily. Muslim scholars, politicians, NGOs, individuals etc. are quick to condemn any action by so called Muslims who try their best to portray the whole Muslim community as extreme, squeezing those with lesser emotional strength to echo similar worries.

However when we look at the world, the genocide in Myanmar, Kashmir, Bosnia we do not get the same reaction from people of other races and/or religions. Why is it that Islam is entirely at fault when a person with an Arabic name terrorises the masses? Why were Anders Breivik’s actions not associated with any religion? How about Timothy McVeigh? Why wasn’t his ideology the centre of attention?

On what basis is Islam linked to everything done by these so called “Muslims”. Omar Mateen involved in the Orlando shootings was a regular at the gay club he committed the massacre. How is the act of being an active gay something associated with Islam? If Muslims are expected to apologise for everything done by people who associate themselves with Islam, then the rest of the community should also apologise for the atrocities committed by members of their faith/race.

It is not rational to relate everything done by someone who claims to be a Muslim to Islam. It would be a kin to blaming all the Buddhists for the actions of the monks in Myanmar, blaming Christianity because of Donald Trump, blaming Judaism for Zionism and the list goes on and on.

What’s worst is that the people who propagate Islamophobia accuse others of xenophobia. They propagate fear against Islam and at the same time when there is a reaction from the other side, it is labeled as being racist.

Either the Muslims wake up and educate the rest of the world on Islam or the rest of the world will force Muslims to abandon Islam. As the Prophet mentioned in a hadith,

The Prophet (ﷺ) said: The people will soon summon one another to attack you as people when eating invite others to share their dish. Someone asked: Will that be because of our small numbers at that time? He replied: No, you will be numerous at that time: but you will be scum and rubbish like that carried down by a torrent, and Allah will take fear of you from the breasts of your enemy and last enervation into your hearts. Someone asked: What is wahn (enervation). Messenger of Allah (ﷺ): He replied: Love of the world and dislike of death. (Narrated by Abu Dawud)

We should pray hard to Allah so that He will distance us from the the disease of the heart called wahn (enervation). We can only delay this Prophecy but can not stop it from becoming a reality. We should all take some time to think, if we have been instilled with wahn.

Allah knows best.

Rehan Ahmad Bin Jamaluddin Ahmad
President, Intellectual Wisdom Society

The post The rise of Islamophobia in Malaysia: Rehan Ahmad appeared first on Portal Islam dan Melayu.

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