The relationship between religion and human rights (what I personally termed ‘human-rightism’) is complicated and likely to remain controversial. To foster a better understanding between them, IKIM took the initiative to organize the seminar ‘Religion and Human Rights: Towards a Better Understanding’ in June. Fifteen papers were deliberated, including a keynote address from Mashood A.…
This is a corollary to my previous article, “Blasphemy can lead to apostasy,” (The Star, 25 May), to re-emphasize certain positions and to provide further clarification on a few. I deem this extension necessary as there are still Muslims who-out of ignorance, misunderstanding, confusion-advocate ideas and translate them into acts that may lead to blasphemy,…
Legal dualism in Malaysia is reflected by the application of two sets of laws-syariah and civil. The former has been practiced centuries prior to the invasion of the colonialists while the later was introduced after the coming of the British to this land. Now, there exists two groups of lawyers – syarie and non-syarie legal…
‘Blasphemy’, derived from a Greek term, means “speaking evil”. It is contemptuous or irreverent words or speech about God or things regarded as sacred. Its synonyms, among others, are abuse, desecration, execration, profanation, repudiation, derogation, denunciation, heresy, insult, impiety, sacrilege, scurrility and reviling. ‘To blaspheme’ is to speak about the Divine or those sacred things…
I am utterly flabbergasted looking at the prejudices and misgivings of certain quarters of our people against religious teachings. I am speechless in awe reflecting on the degree of denial and obstinacy shown. Time and again it is portrayed over the ill-perceived conflict between the syariah and civil laws. The recent incident, arguably claimed to…
The public is basically ignorant especially when it comes to religious matters. They may be categorized into two groups: the uneducated or the non-formally educated and the formally educated. Regardless of the groupings, in Islam, all Muslims are advised to consult men of knowledge on matters that they do not understand. Scholars (ulama), therefore, are…
‘Religion’ is a belief in, or the worship of, a god or gods. The Oxford Dictionary & Thesaurus defines it as the belief in a superhuman controlling power, especially in a personal God or gods entitled to obedience and worship. It may also refer to anything to which one is totally devoted and which rules one’s life.…
The doctrine of human rights seems to have developed into an ism that has rapidly spread, and been embraced, defended and championed by an increasing number of people beyond ethnic and cultural boundaries worldwide. This universal ‘human-rightism’ is also perceived by many as an ideology that prevails over national laws and even transcending religions. For…
The long existing misunderstanding over the subject-matter reinvigorated when an ill-informed cabinet minister announced that the religion of minors from non-Muslim parents, upon conversion of any of the parents to Islam, remains in the religion under which the marriage was solemnized. Such a statement contradicts the Federal Constitution and some religious positions. It worsens the…
Over the years, a number of cases decided in court like Susie Teoh (1990), Chang Ah Mee (2003), Shamala (2004) and Subashini (2008) have caused a lot of confusion to the masses. The latest case involving Indira Gandhi and Pathmanathan has made Malaysians more anxious. Again, when a party to a non-Muslim marriage converts to…
