As a secular state, we should have every right to
question religious authorities and rulings. The question is in the nature and intent of
the question. However, my experience is
that the government would rather not want to deal with the complications and
fallout of a sensitive Malay minority in a Muslim region. I am a Muslim myself, a convert. And because I am a convert, I do not have a
name that is identifiable as Muslim.
I used to hold a position on the board of a certain
Muslim organisation, and I questioned then, as I still do, this conflation of
Islam as a theological tradition and Malay culture. I do not get along with our mufti, and
we know each other. I have publicly
reported clerics who I have felt to be a threat to our secular traditions. Muslims who did not realise I am Muslim have
made police reports against me, and threatened me with the Sedition Act (Cap 290).
Essentially, a non-Muslim questioning Muslim
practices in a manner that inflames tension, and hurts the feelings of
non-Muslims, may be charged with this act, or the Maintenance of Religious
Harmony Act (Cap 167A). There is far too
much ambiguity here for my taste. As a
Muslim, I am exempt. I have come to
realise why non-Muslims are reluctant to do so, because there is still that
threat of legal consequences.
What we need to do is come to a nuanced understanding,
and encourage this dialogue and questioning. Islam needs to be understood as a
theological and jurisprudential tradition, not sacralised to the point of
superstition. Muslims must learn to
accept that they cannot have a free pass of questioning other faith traditions,
but being overly sensitive towards their own.
Should Singaporeans be allowed to question Islam? Absolutely. Should
they be allowed to denigrate it? No,
because it unravels our multicultural relationships. Should we try to differentiate between these
two? Yes, as soon as possible.
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