Blurring race and religion

The Government’s effort in commemorating the inaugural World Interfaith Harmony Week recently is laudable, but many feel that more long-term efforts need to be taken to foster the right values in the most important target group – the young.

A GROUP of Chinese schoolboys see a tudung-clad Malay girl walking across the road and start wolf whistling. As soon as she passes them, one boy shouts, “Ninja, ninja!” while his friends bend over laughing.

In a classroom, tired of an Indian classmate’s incessant chattering, a Malay girl turns to her friend and says loudly, “Do you know why Indians talk so much? Because their fullstop is on their forehead.”

Kids will be kids, some might say, and we adults have our own share of “race and religion” jokes.
Interfaith advocates: Dr Gurusamy (left) and Father Philip Thomas holding the umbrella which states the golden rule: ‘Treat others the way you want others to treat you’.

Yet, if not checked, exchanges like these may well just escalate into full blow-ups.

The case might be closed now for the authorities, but the alleged prank on a Sikh National Service trainee whose hair was cut while he was asleep remains a sore point for many.

Currently, a video clip that is hotly making the rounds online is one of an Indian boy being “coerced” by two Malay boys – shot in what looks like school grounds – to say “Ke**** Babi.” Whether the clip is a hoax or not is a moot point. In a country like Malaysia where the lines between religion and race are blurred due to a lack of inter-cultural and religious knowledge, it should not be taken lightly.

Speaking from experience, TV personality Baki Zainal, 30, knows only too well how religious and cultural ignorance plagues the young here.

“One of the funniest incidents I had is a conversation with a Chinese friend who was afraid to put on the Baju Melayu thinking that it’s a religious symbol and he would be betraying his faith and culture,” he shares.

Understanding others’ culture and religion is vital, stresses the fluent Mandarin speaker.

“When you understand, you won’t need to ‘tolerate’ it for it would not even be an issue.”

It is sad that young Malaysians do not understand or know about other people in their community, says Dr Chandra Muzaffar, chairman of the Board of Trustees of Yayasan 1 Malaysia, conceding that “episodes” like these – which reflect a lack of religious sensitivity between communities – have become more frequent in the last 10 years.
Ananda: ‘They learn from the adults (at home and in school); they see what adults do and behave and simply copy.’

He attests that education is important. “We have to educate our people about each other’s religious sensitivities, practices and beliefs. We need to educate on how the different communities have certain practices and observances that are unique.”

This is something founding Director of Institute of Ethnic Studies (KITA) at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Prof Datuk Shamsul Amri Baharuddin has been recommending for years.

“The solution is not to go and have a durian party. The solution is to teach the young to understand and learn about other races. We are not making an effort in teaching Malay­sian studies or ethnic differences,” he argues.

In our schools there are no subjects that teach and expose our young to other cultures, he laments. “Previous attempts to introduce Ethnic Studies have been shot down and criticised.”

For Dr John Gurusamy, a Malaysian Interfaith Network coordinator, having interfaith studies is the answer.

“The Moral or agama classes that we have now mainly emphasise matters of indivi­dual faith. If we have interfaith studies, we can look at the customs of different religions, and students can learn to respect each other,” he argues.

Dr Gurusamy believes this can help overcome the lack of mixing in schools among our young.

“Many of our young are ignorant about other religions. They are not able to appreciate or accept the differences. Learning about each other’s cultures and religions will help open their minds and hearts,” he says.

Crucially, fostering interfaith harmony is a 365-day task.

A 20-something IT professional who only wants to be identified as N. Singh agrees.

“The government should encourage interfaith dialogues in schools to discuss and learn about each other’s religion and cultures. The leaders of each religious group should be active in dialogue engagement so that any misconception can be avoided. Worship places should be preaching kindness and compassion for all humans,” he opines.

Change from within

All agree that more needs to be done to train teachers to be aware of religious and racial sensitivities.

“Teachers who teach these classes should make it a point to talk through sensitivities and not trivialise other people’s cultures.

“But teachers have been wrongly taught and are not inculcated with the right moral values, so many are prejudiced themselves. Worse, many are politicised – many religious and moral teachers in school are teaching the wrong thing,” Dr Gurusamy alleges.

N. Singh, however, argues that it is not only teachers who need to be “educated” about respecting other cultures and religions.
Baki: ‘When you understand, you won’t need to tolerate it for it would not even be an issue.’

“For me, instilling respect and educating oneself on other cultures and religions needs to begin from a young age, at home,” he says.

Former ambassador and dhamma speaker Datuk Dr G.K. Ananda Kumaraseri concurs, saying that the home is where these values need to be instilled.

“The unwholesome behaviour we see is a manifestation or symptom of a deeper problem. We cannot just blame the younger generation because they are a product of society. They learn from the adults (at home and in school); they see what adults do and behave and simply copy. They think there is nothing wrong with it or that it is an acceptable behaviour.”

It is the responsibility of society to provide the young with the right “grooming”, he stresses, and it is all in the “mind”.

“We need to accept the fact that the uncultured mind is the root of the inter-ethnic issues, intolerance and insensitivity that are plaguing our society,” he says.

“We need to look at the childcare service before formal education starts – it needs to address the development of the mind of the young.

“It’s important to mould a child from the ages of one to five so they do not start behaving insensitively at the age of 13 or 17.”

Respect for other people, religions and cultures cannot be taught; the values need to be “programmed” or inculcated in the child, he continues.

“We need to look at this in a holistic way –how we can develop this human being from birth at home until they go to school – regardless of their social, cultural, religious make-up.”

Family life and parents are the biggest aspect, he points out.

“We need to recognise that bad parenting is part of the problem – parents need to instil good values where these problems are concerned. By the time they go to school it will be too late to start instilling these values; the first five years is essential.”

Ananda also proposes parenting courses for all couples planning to get married, “People are getting into marriage without understanding or guidance on how to create a good family environment, raise children well and instil good values.”

But as the second important place for the young, schools still have a big responsibility.

This does not necessarily mean a reform of our education system, he clarifies.

“What we need is to focus more on experiential learning and less on rote learning. There should also be less emphasis on examinations,” he adds.

Providing the right “grooming” is not so much about telling children what is good or bad, Ananda points out.

“When we talk about education for the child, we need to look at their minds.

“This is something that we don’t do. In school, under the national curriculum, we look at developing their physical development and imparting knowledge and information. That is not wholly effective. Whatever we teach is not internalised because we don’t focus on their mind,” he stresses.

Ultimately, says N. Singh , the government needs to review policies that just champion the cause of the majority and ignore the minorities.

A Psychology lecturer who only wants to be known as Sonya also believes that the unwillingness of those in power, or majorities, to take the trouble to appreciate or understand minority groups is an obstacle to interfaith harmony.

“It is putting race and religion ahead of humanity and respect that is the problem. If we see all Malaysians as individuals worthy of respect, there is no issue. But because we want to be ‘superior’, to feel ‘better’ than others (due to lack of confidence in ourselves), we look down on other races – put them down to elevate ourselves.

“There is little room for this kind of archaic segregation any more,” she opines.

Dr Gurusamy adds: “If we develop confidence and assurance in ourselves as individuals, groups and a nation, we will not need to prove how much ‘better’ we are, and we will truly respect each other. Treat others like how you want others to treat you.”

He believes that everyone is to blame when people behave insensitively to other religious communities, citing a famous quote from Mahatma Gandhi: “We are all children of God. All humanity is one undivided and indivisible family, and each one of us is responsible for the misdeed of others. I cannot detach myself from the wickedest soul.”

He quips, “For example, I cannot blame the Taliban for killing my family member. They are also my brothers, their behaviour is a reflection of what I’ve not done to help them.”

Blurring race and religion

Diversity is our great wealth

Malaysian Muslims need to travel more, even within the Muslim world just to see its diversity. Muslims all over the world have just as many different cultures and traditions as they do similarities.

I was really hoping to end the year on a happier note. But in a very fractious year, there is simply no let-up. The long list of intolerance and human rights abuse continues unabated.

We live in a country of a great diversity. Our people are of many different ethnicities and religions. That is our great wealth and strength and undoubtedly we have managed to live better with that diversity for more than 50 years.

Now, however, diversity is a fact that can’t even be acknowledged.

What does plurality mean? It just means that we are not homogenous, that we have many different streams among our people, whether it’s ethnic makeup, beliefs or opinions.

Being plural is just a statement of fact, not a judgement call on which of these streams are better than the other.

Yet, there are people warning us about the dangers of pluralism, because apparently pluralism makes equal what they believe is not. Where they got this is not stated.

All of us believe that our religion is the best one. But the fact that other religions exist is something we have to accept.

In parts of the world, our religion is not accepted and indeed discriminated against. If we complain about that, is it not hypocritical for us to do the same at home?

In the Quran, God talks about believers and defines them this way: “Believers are only they whose hearts tremble with awe whenever God is mentioned, and whose faith is strengthened whenever His messages are conveyed unto them, and who in their Sustainer place their trust.” (Surah Al-Anfal, Verse 2).

Can we seriously go around and decide who are believers and who are not? And even if we could, can we do anything about it? As God says, “Behold, God lets go. Astray him who will (to go astray), just as He guides unto Himself all who turn unto Him” (Surah Al-R’ad, Verse 27).

Nor does pluralism refer only to us and the other but also within our own communities. How is it we can be so intolerant even of those within our own fold, unless we don’t know our own religion?

“All believers are but brethren. Hence, (whenever they are at odds) make peace between your two brethren, and remain conscious of God, so that you might be graced with His mercy.” (Surah Al-Hujarat, Verse 10).

And yet, our leaders are calling us to hound people whose beliefs differ from ours, even when their roots go back to the same source as ours.

Sometimes, I think Malaysian Muslims need to travel more, even within the Muslim world, just to see its diversity.

Muslims all over the world have just as many different cultures and traditions as they do similarities.

Not everybody does things exactly the way we do it. Yet their core beliefs, what makes them Muslims, are all the same.

So who are we to decide whether they are wrong or not?

More practically speaking, if we insist that Shiites are deviants, then how do we explain the Islamic Republic of Iran and its membership in the OIC? Or is inconsistency simply part of politics?

Not only are we a plural society in terms of race, religion and within religion itself, we are also plural in other ways, including sexuality.

Here again we go against our own core beliefs in order to act out our own prejudices.

If we believe that God determines everything, then surely our sexuality is not a matter of choice either.

Therefore, if we did not choose to be heterosexual, it stands to reason that nobody chose to be homosexual either. In this way, we are equal before the Divine.

How then does this justify the type of savage discrimination that some of us insist must be inflicted against those of minority sexualities?

If we persecute every single gay man, woman and child in this country, would God guarantee that no disaster will ever befall us henceforth?

If I sound frustrated, it is because I am completely tired of the abhorrently arrogant way that those in authority have conducted themselves in the past year.

Somehow supremacist beliefs about just about everything is gaining ground, not just about race and religion but also about gender, sexuality, age, disability and everything else not considered the “norm”.

Those of us who complain about discrimination and abuse become the ones who are branded irreligious.

Did we forget this verse? “O men! Behold, We have created you all out of males and females, and have made you into nations and tribes, so that you might come to know one another”. (Surah Al-Hujarat, Verse 13).

Could there be nothing clearer about a pluralistic world?

Try and have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, everyone!

For enlightenment, do read this http://www.ammanmessage.com/.
Diversity is our great wealth

Love does not hurt nor hate

When we discriminate against any member of a group or community, we act against the Constitution, against the Government’s latest calling: 1Malaysia.

“If you just learn a single trick, Scout, you’ll get along a lot better with all kinds of folks. You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view ... until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it.” – Atticus Finch, To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee.

TRY this. Take the person next to you right now. Now, try to imagine that you are him or her. Perhaps, you do not know enough about that person? OK, even if you did, would he or she actually act or feel like that?

Slowly, you may just realise this: he or she is not you. But, what if that person were you?

Think about this: the words “transsexual, transgender, homosexual, intersex (person born with female and male genitals)” are just names. Like your name is James or Sarah. However, these words specify the identity of a particular group or community in our society.

Let’s have a look at our Federal Constitution (“the Constitution”); see the design created that appears to include and binds every group and community of Malaysian people. Simply put, the Constitution serves everyone.

For example:

> All persons are equal before the law and entitled to the equal protection of the law. – Article 8.

> No person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty save in accordance with the law. – Article 5

> This Constitution is the supreme law of the Federation and any law passed after Merdeka Day which is inconsistent with this Constitution shall, to the extent of the inconsistency, be void. – Article 4.

Clearly, the words “all persons”, “no person” alone shows that the Constitution does not discriminate against transgenders, transsexuals, non-heterosexuals, intersex and such people. Because if that were the case, why imprint these words onto the Constitution?

Meaning, Ah Boon with his noodles in the hawker stall is just as protected by the Constitution as Nanie, a mak nyah having her teh tarik at the mamak shop.

Ironically, when we discriminate against any member in these groups or communities, we act against the Constitution. Similarly, we act against the Government’s latest calling: 1Malaysia.

There has never been “1Malaysia, but ...”

But if you saw a mak pondan next to you right now, would you see her as a non-Malaysian?

Strangely, it would not be the first thing on your mind, would it? How would you feel if someone hurt you for being who you are? In fact, have you ever been hurt like that in your life?

Research also shows that in Malaysia, the transgendered community faces a daily living of rejection, marginalisation, hate, abuse, discrimination and brutality because they are what they are.

In addition, out of 16 countries around the East and Asia Pacific, only five, including Malaysia, deem male-to-male sex as illegal. One of the biggest nations in the world, China, does not decree male-to-male sex as illegal. Even Timor Leste considers it legal.

Are they actually dirty ... evil … wrong, or is it just what people have been telling you to think about them? Do you actually know of one, properly and personally? What if that very person they spoke so cruelly of … were you?

If one tries to analyse the words of 1Malaysia and the Constitution, this common thread may be seen: Malaysia is about peace, unity and equality.

Which makes a lot of sense, since it ties in with our Malaysian nature: “relak … chill la”. As a matter of fact, such spirit guide the law and the people therein, every day, to ensure that justice is served.

For example, the High Court, in the case of Re JG v Pengarah Jabatan Pendaftaran Negara, permitted a male-to-female to have her registration and identity card altered to suit her new gender.

James Foong J held: “She felt like a woman, lived like one, behaved as one, had her physical body attuned to one and, most important of all, her psychological thinking was that of a woman.

“In this case, the first prayer was for a declaration which the court had power under the Specific Relief Act 1950 to grant. As for the second prayer, it concerned only an administrative exercise and the defendant was empowered by law under S 6(2)(o) of the National Registration Act 1959 to make correction and alteration in the register and identity card.

“All these would give full effect to art 5(1) of the Federal Constitution which states that ‘no person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty save in accordance with the law’.”

Change happens and we almost always move with change. One man’s meat may be another man’s poison. Interestingly, not everything right makes another thing right: Would you protect your best friend in trouble despite knowing that she or he was wrong?

Why? Because the best thing within us is not a matter that is black or white. And we try our best to strike that balance.

In whole, our humanity lies in love. Just looking at the concept of 1Malaysia and the Constitution, it appears that we, the Malaysian people want to be guided by love.

Love does not discriminate, condemn, hurt or hate. It does not divide nor speak the worst of another. Love is real and fair.

The law looks like a scary piece of paper. However, it is real and, where outdated, change should occur to suit the ever-changing times and our ever-changing needs. After all, the laws were made for all of us.

Transgenders, transsexuals, non-heterosexuals and intersex are a part of us: can we put our sticks down?

> The writer is a young lawyer. Putik Lada, or pepper buds in Malay, captures the spirit and intention of this column – a platform for young lawyers to articulate their views and aspirations about the law, justice and a civil society. For more information about the young lawyers, please visit www.malaysianbar.org.my

Love does not hurt nor hate

Autogate system for foreigners

PUTRAJAYA: The Immigration Department is planning to create an autogate system for foreigners by the middle of next year, said director-general Datuk Alias Ahmad.

He said that at the moment, the autogate facility was being used by departing local passport holders only.

“By introducing the autogate system for foreigners, we will improve the efficiency of operations at the country’s entry and exit points like KLIA and other international airports.

“It will also strengthen the integrity of immigration officers by preventing bribery,” he said.

Alias added that the system would also be able to detect if foreigners were using fake visas or someone else’s passport. He said that only genuine visitors would be able to pass through the autogate.

“The system will be able to detect passports verified by the Inter­national Civil Aviation Orga­nisation which were being used in more than 60 countries.

On the detection of fake passports or the misuse of genuine documents, Alias said that every visa had a serial number which could be detected by the autogate system.

“If the visa is fake and cannot be read by the system, the gates will not open,’’ he said.

Based on statistics from the enforcement unit, 267 arrests involving foreigners were made under the 1966 Passport Act from January until October.

Another 22 offenders were arrested during operations with other authorities.

Alias said that his department was already working with other countries to share information and expertise.

“We are working with Australia and the Netherlands and will be partnering with the United States and Britain.

“We are currently preparing the framework for a memorandum of understanding with both countries,” Alias told mStar in an exclusive interview.

Autogate system for foreigners

1,000 retired English teachers to be hired

KUALA LUMPUR: The Education Ministry plans to recruit 1,000 retired English language teachers on a contractual basis, deputy minister Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong said.

The move would complement the recruitment of native English-speaking teachers from countries such as Britain and Australia.

“These retired teachers will be employed part-time on a contractual basis to teach English in schools.

“We are also looking at extending current teachers’ contracts and increasing the intake of English language teachers,” he told reporters after attending the 2010 Inter­national Competitions and Assess­ments For Schools awards ceremony here yesterday.

In the Budget tabled in Parliament last month, it was announced that 375 native English-speaking teachers would be employed to train local teachers.

Dr Wee added that recruitment of foreign teachers was just one method to strengthen the teaching of English in schools.

“There is a perception that we are not engaging local talent, but this is not true. We are trying to get as many qualified teachers as possible and this will involve a multi-faceted approach,” he said.

On sex education, Dr Wee said the subject was not a new one but an “improved and updated” version of the existing curriculum.

“There is the social and reproductive health component, which is already taught.

“As the primary and secondary school syllabi will be revamped next year, this subject has undergone an update as well,” he said.

Earlier in Subang Jaya, Dr Wee said the construction of a new Chinese primary school – SJKC Tun Tan Siew Sin – in Putra Heights would commence once the local council approved the building plans.

Announcing the approval of a piece of land worth RM11mil by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin for the school, he said the ministry had also approved RM6mil to build it.

He said the residents in Putra Heights were pleased with the news and thanked Muhyiddin and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak for it.

“The school can accommodate 1,400 pupils per session. It will also cater to the needs of the community in the surrounding areas,” Dr Wee said after visiting the site.

Also present were chairmen or representatives from the five residents’ committees in Putra Heights and the school’s building committee chairman Lim Kim Hui.
1,000 retired English teachers to be hired