In a surprising move, Malaysia has emerged as one of the rare Islam majority nations trying to uphold the textbook definition of secularism. In a recent development, Malyasia has announced a crackdown on radical Islamist politicians.
Malaysia to ban political scholars of Islam
Malaysia is on its way to demarcating a clear distinctive line between state and religion. Starting from January 1, 2022; no politician or religious scholar connected to any political party will be able to either teach or preach anything related to Islam in Selangor, Malaysia.
Selangor is one of the 13 states of Malaysia. It is very close to Malaysia’s capital Kuala Lumpur. Any new political development in the state has the potential to translate into a nationwide movement.
Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof, Chairman of Selangor Islamic Religious Council (MAIS) affirmed that previous licenses given to politically active preachers will be revoked before December 31, 2021. He said that Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, Ruler of Selangor has decreed (ordered) that Islam should not be preached from any political stage. It should only be taught in Surau (a building made specifically for the purpose of assembly of people following Islam) and Mosques.
Sultan of Selangor is worried about Islamic factionalism
Aziz expressed Sultan’s concern around the issue. According to him, Sultan is worried that the political use of Islam could weaken its image among the masses. Moreover, since politics is inherently divisive in nature, the political use of doctrine could create separate factions among people following Islam.
“The Sultan does not consent to accrediting political activists to teach Islam in Selangor to protect its sanctity,” said Abdul Aziz.
An exception has been made for the state executive councillor in charge of Islamic affairs. However, they will be required to stick to Islam’s religious lessons and not speak about Political Islam during their sermons.
Sultan has also provided penal provisions for people preaching Islam without any accreditation. They will be facing a two-year jail term and a fine of 3000 Malaysian Ringgit. Same provisions will be applicable to those who insult or challenge Sultan’s decree.
Malaysia’s relation with Islam in a nutshell
People following Islam comprise of more than 61.3 percent of the total Malaysian Population. The archipelago nation is one of the few ones that have declared Islam as the official religion of the country. However, people have the constitutional freedom to practice or propagate their own religion.
Read more: Hinduism in Malaysia
Moreover, the country recognises only a certain category of the population as Malay (adjective for a Malaysian national). One of the criteria for being ‘Malay‘ in Malaysia is that you have to accept Islam and follow Islamic practices in your daily life.
Malaysian love-hate attachment with radical Islam
Recently, Malaysia has been at crossheads with Islamists. The country recently came under criticism for allowing an anti-India terror group to flourish. Up until last year, a nexus of Malaysia, Pakistan, and Turkey was emerging as a threatening triangle for peace in the region.
Read more: Heartiest tributes to Pakistan-Malaysia-Turkey Islamic Triangle
The new beginning by Selangor should be held as a model by the Islamic world. The separation between religion and state is one of the fundamental principles of modern democracy. If a country has to thrive, then religion should be held as a private affair and religious scholars should not hold any political ambition whatsoever.
Malaysia is on the right path. But even without political Islam, Islam is not getting better. It has the 26 verses to loot and murder. Same with Bible. Both of these competitive and violent religions have to first tame down and understand that they do not hold keys to heavens. Sanatan is miles ahead in every aspect as compared to them.