RELIGION in Malaysia seems to be going off track. While making sensitive religious remarks should be avoided, there are, however, certain issues that should not pass off in silence but instead discussed with an open mind and rationality.
The brouhaha over Beer Festival 2017 has not come as too much of a surprise, given the incessant agitation by certain groups to kill it off.
Such an event in Malaysia has always been organised to celebrate Oktoberfest at specific locales. But the Beer Festival this year, originally planned for Kuala Lumpur, was called off after protests by PAS and some pressure groups.
Security concerns were cited for the cancellation and a longstanding celebration, which has always been held without any incident, was brought an abrupt halt.
Politics aside, who exactly are negatively affected by Oktoberfest? Should we have over-reacted just because of the protests by PAS and a small group of instigators, claiming that Oktoberfest would make Kuala Lumpur the ‘largest vice centre in Asia?’
Where is the proof?
Of course, out of deference and respect, issues considered emotive, could be brought up for further discussion to find a mutually acceptable solution, but when things come to a head and action as drastic as a ban is taken, then incidents like those that derailed the Beer Festival could follow one after another.
Drinking is, certainly, not a good habit. It’s taboo for Muslims but allowable for non-Muslims. Social drinking is a natural thing. Those who drink socially and responsibly never drink enough to worry about having to cut back. They know the safe limits.
Kuala Lumpur’s Oktoberfest is basically an event that promotes a certain merchandise – beer. To non-Muslims, such a celebration is quite common – even trivial.
Unfortunately, some over-zealous quarters have deliberately whipped up negative sentiments to discredit the celebration as immoral, prompting intervention by law enforcement.
The question everyone is asking is how could a handful of members from a community claim to represent the stance of the majority from that community?
Based on online comments, many have concurred that drinking is a private activity although there are some who would go as far as to say all religions should forbid drinking. This, of course, begs the question should non-Muslims go into hiding the next time they drink?
Apparently, Oktoberfest is not being targeted alone. Laundromats are in the crosshair as well. Halal laundromats are being set up across Johor, Perlis and some of the other states.
In fact, recently, some extreme non-governmental organisations had started extolling the opening of halal laundromats. Such an act of segregation can only put a grievous strain on the existing racial and religious harmony among the various communities.
Intolerance is rearing its ugly head and hopefully, it will be stopped before we should have to draw a clear line in everything we do? Otherwise, how are we going to break through the ethnic barrier?
Using religion to serve their own ends has become a common practice among some quarters in our midst. However, being Muslims or non-Muslims or from whichever political party we maybe is irrelevant if we are accustomed to ignoring personal agendas.
The eradication of religious extremism and radicalism cannot be accomplished by just buying someone dinner. What needs to be done is to put an end to the bigotry and prejudice that are driving a wedge between the various ethnic communities which have co-existed in harmony, peace and unity since time immemorial.
The government can only do so much to eliminate the perilous practice by extreme groups to use religion as means to an end. These bolshie bands are causing the country to move many steps backwards and may even spawn social retrogression, bringing nothing of benefit to anyone.
If such polarised action is left unchecked, can we still really claim to be on the road to being an advanced country? (translated from Oriental Daily)