I was thinking about portions of the speech delivered by the French Ambassador that night at the talk. One thing that stuck in my mind was how France has made a concerted effort to stamp out religious symbols in schools.
I grew up in a very different time - in a school in Damansara Utama, and two schools in Philadelphia. In those days in Malaysia, I remembered being very aware of who I was (a Muslim) and the vast differences between me and my friends. It didn't bother me, we were just different, in much the same way that we already look different. Did it affect our friendships - no, not really. If I didn't like a kid, I didn't like them not for the fact that they were of a different race or religion, rather they were probably not nice to me to begin with.
When I moved to the States, being Muslim and Malay gave way to being Asian. There were very few Asians in our neighbourhood and hence, we stuck out like sore thumbs. Of course, I didn't have to wear a headscarf for people to pick on me. Being Asian, I generally got called names when the popular kids needed someone to harass. But slowly, as the months passed and I had teachers who encouraged show-and-tell, I got to tell my classmates about my country and my culture. True, I had no idea what I was saying at the time, but pointing out Malaysia on the atlas was enough to generate a sense of fascination among the other children - like 'Wow, she came from that far away?'
Ignorance gave way to understanding - removing the barriers of fear. Eventually, we were able to discuss things openly, and as I wore the headscarf for the first time in my life (I was an on-and-off person, by the way), there were enough people who appreciated me to understand, and to give me support in a society that is not kind to those who are not seen as 'normal'.
Which brings me to why I am beginning to feel somewhat disturbed by what's happening in France, and by the many more people who are willing to jump on the bandwagon. Crosses on Christian children are not allowed. Neither are headscarfs on Muslims. Yes, a sense of equality has to be inculcated, but we should be preparing our children for the real world - one where we have to live with differences of all kinds. If our young are not taught to not jump at the sight of a symbol of another religion, how will he be able to engage the world at a mature level, where religion, faith and beliefs are a major part of the world as it is?
While studying in Australia, I attended usrahs organised by Muslim sisters of different mazhabs. And no, we don't all pray the same way. I'm fine with that, because I learned long ago that in Islam, what is in your heart counts above all else. If you believe, it will shine through your actions quite naturally. I also admit to have followed my good friend Dharshini on her excursions to talks by resident swamijis and snuck into a church with Belina and her housemate one lonely Christmas eve to observe a midnight mass.
A lot of my fellow Muslims would have many things to say about my behaviour. But my personal opinion of religion, or rather, faith - it is not a destination, it is a path which some choose to walk. Those who do, that's their prerogative, as much as those who don't. In the path that I have walked, I have learned much. Seeing the similarities makes me understand others more, and fear them less.
Religious iconoclasm in school raises questions that we adults may not be able to answer ourselves. But perhaps we should consider the alternative, that the signs of devotion of other cultures terrify the next generation so much that it breeds paranoia and further isolation. If this is possible, shouldn't we change our paradigms sooner rather than later?
Side notes:
1. Secularism in France has its roots in its history, but is it applicable in all societies?
2. Confucianism as a way of Chinese life
3. The Challenge of Secularism: From a Priest
4. Religious Tolerance and Secularism in India
Didn't secularism in Europe start with the French Revolution when they succeeded in overwhelming the Catholic Church (with its many flaws)? Secularists may have 'evil' designs - they want to practise usury even when God forbids it. Some are afraid of religion largely due to ignorance aided by believers who give the religion a bad image.
If looking at a Muslim reminds one of suicide bombers, looking at a Christian reminds them of the Spanish Inquisition. Who's fault is that? The suicide bombers & Crusaders plus those who judge even before studying the Quran & base all opinions on the behaviors of the followers who are mere human beings, liable to stumble now & then.
It appears to many that to be a believer is just too much work, too many things forbidden, you are expected to stone people to death - so many ways to kill a human being & we have to pick a slow, cruel method. Who's supposed to punish a human being - another human being or God? "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone." Did Jesus say this? I guess most of us won't even be qualified to cast the last stone.
I believe that many people would be pleasantly surprised when they read the Quran & also extremely frustrated when they realize that many are prohibiting that which God has not prohibited, and committing deeds that God clearly prohibits.
These secularists need not be so afraid ... or maybe they should rethink their evil ways.
Posted by: Noreen at 2003年06月18日 16:58But Noreen how do we move forward being Malaysians i.e. Chinese, Indians, Malays and others, where we have a responsiblity towards each other?
Should we have an Islamic State while some aggresively opposes it?
Posted by: Sharizal at 2003年06月18日 17:38The question at hand is whether religion should be a point of divisiveness in this 21st century. There are some who think so - they are so afraid of its power to destroy and divide that they go to great lengths to smother the outward manifestations of its divisiveness - hence the French government policy on that.
Is this the right path? I don't think so. Preventing people from manifesting their faith is a recipe for revolt. Look at the USSR- and the quagmire of Chechnya, the Polish Catholic church is thriving now Post Communist era. The people will resent it - and religion will be their anchor of defiance.
People wear what they wear sometimes because of faith- which is the highest calling. The turban, the scarf , the yarmulka, the amulets, the crosses. Its their God given right to do so- literally! Make all man the same, in appearance, you'll never make them the same in their hearts.
Religion divides. Period. I am not in favour of suppressing religious iconoclasm. It'll just blow up in your face later on. Let it sprout- the multitudes of differing faiths and tounges. But following and understanding ones religion promotes tolerance. God will not ask you the colour of your skin, but the level of your Faith and whether you were Just in your interaction with other men. Sincerity, tolerance and acceptance will save us all.
An Islamic nation with classes of citizens or a secular nation with an Islamic majority but classes of citizens? Hmmm I'll get back to you on that :)
Posted by: speed at 2003年06月18日 19:29wow, nice topic to begin with. i have only one thing to say and that is, every otha countries should respect different religions in their populations, regardless. im glad our country is very well preserved in this manner n am very proud of it.
Posted by: lyna at 2003年06月19日 10:17Is Islamic Statehood that important at all to begin with?
Whatever happened to the Secular Nation outlined in the Constitution?
Why travel down the path of fundamentalism or theology at all?
Posted by: chez1978 at 2003年06月19日 10:48I read the article with interest. The title itself betrays the context. Religious iconoclasm is definitely something that no one as yet can define. Faith, divides naturally. It is bad enough that there are those who understand little, yet are put in the position to make significant changes to our lives and how society interacts.
Lets flip a coin, what would it be like if there exists a drive for a pure non-islamic state. Would we react like the others as well and oppose it just as hard? In all fairness, one should be fair. Why is Islam always the faith that is deemed misunderstood? How about the others?
Posted by: fische at 2003年06月19日 23:22Having attended school in the UK first, and then in Malaysia, I concur with your experiences on the way you see religion. I also had a Jewish teacher who was nothing but kind to not just me, but my more shy younger sister and my parents as well.
To date, I have no problems with Jews and Judaism; it is Zionists and Zionism that I have a problem with, and I've learnt that you don't necessarily have to be Jewish to support the Zionist cause. My views, however, don't go down all too well with the Malay Muslim majority who decry anything to do with Jews.
As for an Islamic state - I feel that in Malaysia this is more political-party motivated than actually having the best interests of Islam at heart. Rasullullah s.a.w. managed to do it with the Jews, no less.
Instead we are being scared of our hands being chopped off due to hudud - where as such a penalty, for instance, can only be given beyond any reasonable doubt. Other aspects of hudud which are positive are often downplayed - again, I blame the politicking of it all.
*sigh..*
I am waddling off the soapbox now :)