Since
Dr Mazlee was appointed the Minister of Education, I have received scores of
calls, WhatsApp and enquiries about him. I have hesitated to provide any
comments as I have inadequate knowledge and minimal interaction with Dr Mazlee.
I also am worried about my own biases and may not do justice to both he and the
enquirers. Perhaps I share with you my biases first and propose some ideas to
rectify the concerns.
Firstly,
I might be biased because I was totally elated when Tun first announced that he
personally will take the position. Changing it was a downer, and I am still
brooding over losing Tun as the Minister of Education.
Why
…?
While
the other ministries are important, I see the Ministry of Education as the most
crucial. In leading and managing change, we need to balance between managing
today and managing tomorrow. In other words, we need to manage two-time
dimensions - the short term and long term. Where values of the citizens are
concern, the Ministry of Education is the portion that is most central and
decisive in managing tomorrow. That is preparing Malaysia and Malaysians for
the future. The real dawn of the new era! That is why I was totally ecstatic
when Tun was to lead the Ministry.
Secondly,
I see myself as an Islamist. In fact, I see Tun as an Islamist too. I would not
want to lump all Islamist into one box. I will not make my decisions based on
if someone is an Islamist or not. I also do not like labelling someone narrowly
as it will not give a fair assessment about the individual. I would want to
check their character and past performance.
There
are good Islamist and there are bad ones too. In fact, I would choose a good
Christian, or Hindu or Buddhist over a corrupt Muslim as my leader.
But,
allow me to unpack a little about what I mean by a good Islamist within the
context of why some segments within Malaysia are disagreeing with Dr. Mazlee’s
appointment.
Pluralism.
A
good Islamist to me is someone who do not try to monopolize God and the
Heavens. A good Islamist have an undivided conviction that God’s mercy
encompasses all; Muslims, Non-Muslims and atheists too. He or she accepts and
embrace pluralism in the way of life. By pluralism, I do not mean equating each
religion or way of life as the same. That would be an obvious error. No two
religions are the same. In fact, even within a religion one can find
differences.
Pluralism
represents the acceptance of a diversity of views or stands rather than a
single approach or method toward life. It is the idea that we can agree to
disagree, to you your religion, to me mine (Quran chapter 109). There is no
compulsion in religion and way of life (Quran 2:256).
It
is the ability to see reality, that is, the universe and the earth that we live
in is by design a diverse one. To go further, the availability of many
religions and path is by design God’s creation (Quran 10:99, 5:48, 64:2) and as
such we need to learn to live with it. We do not ignore the differences of
various religions (and cultures). We try to understand the different ‘other’.
Ultimately, we are willing to defend them should they are wrongly condemned or
attacked (Quran 22:40).
To
go further, a good Islamist practices pluralism within his own religion. In
other words, he or she practices diversity and inclusion within the Muslim world.
They prevent takfir (declarations of apostasy) between Muslims. This is perhaps
one of the most critical concern and worry about Dr Mazlee’s appointment
amongst some Muslims, rightly or wrongly. Is he open to diversity and inclusion
within the Muslim world?
Thirdly,
my limited interaction with Dr. Mazlee.
My
few interactions with him were pleasant. He was humble and, in his talks, and
presentations, he is open to differences and practiced moderation. He seems
willing to listen to the other side. His manner was not arrogant and he does
not look like someone who will impose his position on others. Within the
‘spectrum of the religious scholars’, he is on the moderate side. At least
that’s how I feel.
My
little concern is my experience in a WhatsApp group I once joined of which Dr.
Mazlee and many other ‘Muslim scholars’ were members – including a very popular
Mufti. As I always keep my discussions and evidence from the Quran and was
critical to certain approaches on the collection of Hadiths, Dr. Mazlee was
quick to be label me as ‘Anti-Hadith’. I dislike being narrowly labeled and
prefer healthy deliberations. Labelling someone is an easy way out. (by the
way, Tun is also labeled as ‘Anti-Hadith’ when he took a critical position on
the collection of the Hadith!)
So
what next?
I
find it sad and unfair that Dr Mazlee is made to justify his appointment. I
will not like it if I am in his shoes. However, like it or not Dr. Mazlee will
need to nip this in the bud. He must REMOVE THE UNCERTAINTIES. To lead
successfully a leader must be totally determined to remove uncertainties as
failing which, Dr. Mazlee loses power and influence and in the long run will
fail and fall. We cannot afford to let the Ministry of Education fail.
In
other words, either Dr. Mazlee clarify the uncertainties and confusions
experienced by his distractors and come out on top, or he can submit to the
uncertainty, and end up the victim. There is nothing more crucial in legitimate
leadership and power as the ability to remove uncertainties.
How?
May
I humbly suggest Dr Mazlee to make a clear stand to support and do the
following.
1.
That he unequivocally supports the ambitions of Rukun Negara especially items 2
and 4 that aims to “maintain a democratic way of life” and “ensuring a liberal
approach to her rich and diverse cultural traditions”. Some feel that there is
a reluctance among certain groups of people in taking a strong stand towards
the Rukun Negara because of their wish to change the character of the country
towards a more theocratic state and curb the liberal character of the nation.
By standing firm with the Rukun Negara Dr. Mazlee will disassociate himself
from these groups.
2.
That he explicitly stands by the Amman Message. The Amman Message is a
statement calling for tolerance and unity in the Muslim world that was issued
on 9 November 2004 (27th of Ramadan 1425 AH) by King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein
of Jordan in an international Islamic conference of 200 of the world’s leading
Islamic scholars (‘Ulama) and leaders from 50 countries. They unanimously
agreed on three fundamental issues (which became known as the ‘Three Points of
the Amman Message’):
a.
They specifically recognized the validity of all 8 Mazhabs (legal schools) of
Sunni, Shi’a and Ibadhi Islam; of traditional Islamic Theology (Ash’arism); of
Islamic Mysticism (Sufism), and of true Salafi thought, and came to a precise
definition of who is a Muslim.
b.
Based upon this definition they forbade takfir (declarations of apostasy)
between Muslims.
c.
Based upon the Mathahib they set forth the subjective and objective
preconditions for the issuing of fatwas, thereby exposing ignorant and
illegitimate edicts in the name of Islam.
Among
the Malaysians who signed the statements were former PM Abdullah Badawi, Anwar
Ibrahim, Khairy Jamaluddin and Professor Hashim Kamali. Should Dr Mazlee take
this stand he would remove any certainties among those who feel that he will
not practice diversity and inclusion with the Muslim community. For further
info go here http://ammanmessage.com/
3.
Call for a dialogue with the detractors. Deal with their concerns. Ask for
feedback and sought their opinion. I have seen Dr Mazlee in his presentations.
I am sure he will be able to manage the distractors and find a justly balanced
understanding and compromise.
Should
Dr. Mazlee make the above stand and act on them, I have strong convictions that
he will be able to remove the uncertainties surrounding his appointment. I for
one, will support him. I wish Dr. Mazlee the best and GodWilling he will
consider my suggestions
To
my dear Malaysians, let’s also practice this mantra.
May
all of us guide ourselves with love, logic and wisdom. Love, because love makes
us fair with our hearts; Logic, because logic makes us fair with our minds;
and, Wisdom, because wisdom leads us to combine our love and logic in the way
of God and for the benefit of Malaysia and Mankind.
Peace,
Anas
Zubedy
Kuala
Lumpur
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