Brother
Zakir, peace be with you.
I am writing
this letter to humbly ask you to leave Malaysia voluntarily. I will explain my
reasons below, but first, I would like to thank you for many of the universal
messages of Islam that you have shared over the years.
I remember
watching one of your question answer sessions (Video Code: A.D. Zn_M_15) where
you stood by the Quran when dealing with the problem of Sunni-Syiah divide. You
stressed with no uncertain terms that there is no Sunni or Syiah divide in the
Quran and our Prophet was neither. You quoted Quran 3:103 and 6:159 as evidence
and reminded the audience that where the Quran is concern, we are only to be
referred to as Muslims as per Quran 3:64. I fully support your stand and
respect your resolve in this issue. Your understanding of the Quran on this matter
is par excellence and exemplary!
It would be
most beneficial to Muslim Unity in Malaysia if you can advise, explain and
convince many of our local Ulama, even some muftis - many of whom you have
shared a stage with, to stop this schism. For your information, it is a usual practice
in many mosques all over Malaysia to paint the Syiah’s in a bad light
especially during Friday sermons. If you advise them, they may listen to you.
They respect you and want your approval. God-Willing they will pay heed.
Secondly, I
would like to also thank you for clearing the way and setting the path for
self-taught lay Muslim leaders (and not dressed as a typical ulama) to come to
the forefront in leading Muslims. As a lay leader, you not only stand on par
with classically trained Ulama, in fact you actually have surpassed many. I am
truly envious.
Now, let’s
get to my appeal – for you to voluntarily leave Malaysia.
Let me
explain.
1)
Your
presence is causing a family dispute
Allow me to
use a family analogy. Our situation is akin to when a senior family member
brings in a friend to live in a home but the other siblings are against it. It
causes unhappiness and tension within the family. The senior sibling is unhappy
that the other siblings do not respect his or her opinion while the latter perceives
that the former is insensitive to their needs and feelings. The situation then gets
more complicated. It is not nice for the family member who brought you in to
ask you to leave as that is very un-Malaysian. We are at a catch 22 situation. You
will need to volunteer and make it easy for the invitee.
2)
Your
presence in Malaysia have negative impact on non-Muslims towards Islam
I have
strong convictions that as a person who dedicates his life in the field of Da’wah,
one of your main goals is to get non-Muslims to come closer to Islam. Unfortunately,
in Malaysia, your presence is doing the opposite. It is counterproductive. If
you volunteer to leave, you will be seen as noble and magnanimous and likely to
alleviate this situation.
3)
Comparative
religious debates do not work in Malaysia
While in
many parts of the world, debates between religionists are game, but not so in
Malaysia. In Malaysia, Non-Muslims are not allowed to counter your points when
you give your views about their faith, let alone start a debate about Islam. It
is illegal to preach to Muslims. When a new upstart convert like Firdaus Wong
(perhaps someone who is emulating you) suggests that “Lebih mudah Islam dari
agama Buddha” (It is easier to be a Muslim rather than a Buddhist), a Buddhist
cannot really counter back with his argument to say otherwise.
Let me
unpack this in simple terms. Basically, in Malaysia, when we debate with
Non-Muslims, it is like a fight where we are allowed to punch the opponent as
we please but they cannot punch back because their hands are tight to a tree.
You know and I know that this is not Islamic as the Quran tells us to be fair
(e.g. Quran 5:48) and give equal measure (Quran 83:1-3). We will also look like
cowards and make Islam look weak. Both you and I do not want that, you would
agree.
Our
religious leaders and preachers in Malaysia for the most part preach to their faithful
by sharing the beauty of their religion without the need to compare or belittle
the other. It has worked for sixty years. We live in peace and harmony and we
are a showcase to the world par excellence. With all due respect, we want to
keep it that way.
I am not
saying you must stop your debates. Do it elsewhere. Just don’t bring that
culture to Malaysia, at least not till we have an equal playing field.
4)
Your
presence is slowing down Malaysia’s political revitalization
Brother Zakir,
many Malaysian Muslims look up to you. You have a large influence especially
amongst the Muslim masses. Today, there is not one Muslim political party in
Malaysia that commands a clear leadership. Asking you to leave is sensitive. It
can be used as a political fuel to attack the other. No Muslim based political
party will be willing to do that. We are in a conundrum. I plea that you be
kind and volunteer to leave on your own. Help Tun Mahathir by choosing to give
him an easier way forward. He has been kind and nice to you even though you
were unkind to him before the general elections. That is the right thing for
you to do. At least do it for him and by so doing, he can help Malaysia as a
whole. Not just for we Muslims, but bring forth Malaysia towards a more stable
and effective political state of affairs.
Brother
Zakir, please consider my request. Do continue your good work elsewhere. It is
unfortunate that many is not familiar with your other contributions like the United
Islamic Aid programs which provides scholarship to poor and destitute young Muslims.
Do visit
Malaysia often to preach the beauty of Islam without the need to compare or belittle
the other faith.
Please do learn and open your heart to the Malaysian way. In
the Malaysian experience, our leaders, the Ulama included have managed the country
for 60 years and create a beautiful, successful and peaceful society not just
for Muslims but Non-Muslims alike. You may want to learn how we do it.
Be that as
it may, I would be most happy to assist you in creating and promoting diversity
and inclusion within the Islamic world. The Sunni-Syiah divide is the Muslim
Ummah’s Achilles heel and I believe strongly you can help moderate it.
I end this appeal
with a Quranic verse as my gift to you.
“CALL THOU
(all mankind] unto thy Sustainer's path with wisdom and goodly exhortation, and
argue with them in the most kindly manner- for, behold, thy Sustainer knows
best as to who strays from His path, and best knows He as to who are the
right-guided” –
Quran 16:125
Brother
Zakir, I humbly appeal you to leave Malaysia voluntarily.
Peace.
Anas Zubedy
Malaysian
Movement for Moderates
Kuala Lumpur
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