If you are a non-Muslim in Malaysia , one of the things that you will find bewildering about the Muslims, is that they seem so intent on preserving and defending Islam, as if they believe that Islam is under threat.
You will likely find it bewildering, because in your mind, Malaysia is composed of Muslims and non- Muslims, so if the Muslims are clamouring to defend Islam, logic would suggest that it is you that they see as the threat.
You however, don’t see yourself as a threat, because from your point of view, between you and the Muslims, it is the Muslims that are the clearly the more powerful group. Considering they are clearly stronger than you in terms of numbers and strength, why would they need to defend themselves from you at all, you can't help but think.
Other than bewildered, you yourself might feel threatened, because when you keep hearing someone bigger and stronger than you frequently saying that they have to defends themselves from threats, but you are the only one near them, of course you will think that they are saying that it is you that they think is the threat.
So what is the truth here? Is Islam really threatened in Malaysia?
Well, to this I will just say that yes, Muslims in Malaysia might genuinely feel that Islam is being threatened, but the one that is threatening it is not us, the non-Muslims of Malaysia, but the forces of history and global geopolitics.
First of all, we must understand that Islam is not only a religion or a way of life, it is also an identity, and identities can and do feel like their existence is under threat.
Since the 911 attack in 2011, Islam as an identity group, might very well be facing a global threat.
Islamic nations, like Iraq, Afghanistan, Yemen, Syria have fallen, while many other Islamic countries are in tumult, from events such as the Arab Spring as well financial troubles, as what ails Islamic nations like Bangladesh and Pakistan.
Other than that, Muslims minorities also are facing difficulties in countries such as China, India and Myanmar.
The most recent and gravest threat that the Muslims are facing today is happening in Gaza, where millions of Palestinians, are facing the prospect of a mass genocide.
Because of these global events, Muslims all over the world, including in Malaysia, do probably feel that their identity is under threat, and thus they do genuinely feel that they have to do something to defend and preserve their identity.
Even if that is the case, you might wonder, we the non-Muslims in Malaysia are certainly not to be blamed for what is happening to the Muslims worldwide, so why are the Muslims in Malaysia making us feel as if we are the ones that are threatening them?
To this, I will just say that although the Muslims can instinctively feel that they are under threat, the Muslims can’t really put a finger on what it is that is threatening them, and because they can’t really put a finger on what it is that is threatening them, everything might seem threatening to them.
We all can see that many Muslims nations and communities worldwide are facing decline, danger and difficulties, but we don’t know what is causing it or whether it is caused by the same source.
If you feel that you are deteriorating and declining, but you don’t know what is the reason that you are deteriorating and declining, you might suspect everything, from the food to the water to the pesticide to the air quality to the doctors and the amount of plastic in the ocean, to be the reason for your travail.
In the same way, as the Muslim nations and communities worldwide continue to face decline, danger and difficulties , without being able to clearly see what is it that is causing them to face decline, danger and difficulties, they might suspect everybody, including the non-Muslims in Malaysia, as being the cause of their travail.
Can we do anything to reassure them that we are not the source of their problem ?
Honestly, I don’t think so. I think the only thing that will convince the Muslims, both in Malaysia and worldwide, that they are not under threat, is when Muslim nations and Muslim communities all over the world stop feeling that they are in a state of danger, difficulty or decline.
Looking at the signs, I have doubts whether we will see this happening anytime soon, so I am quite convinced that the Muslims worldwide, including in Malaysia, are going to continue to feel like their identity is under threat, and as a consequence, the non-Muslims in Malaysia will likely continue to feel like we are being suspected of being the source of the threat, although we obviously do not have the strength and power to be a threat.
Some things cannot be changed. They just have to be accepted. This is one of those sorts of things.
Saying that, I leave you with the Serenity Prayer, to console you with the wisdom to accept what you must accept.
God, give me grace to accept with serenity
the things that cannot be changed,
Courage to change the things
which should be changed,
and the Wisdom to distinguish
the one from the other.
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