by Azrul Mohd Khalib
The Malay Mail Online
Aug 12, 2013
The Malay Mail Online
Aug 12, 2013
AUG
12 — While I was listening to the Hari Raya Aidilfitri sermon at the National
Mosque the other day, I was struck by its gloomy, depressing and combative
tone. Rather than a message of celebration and rejoicing at the achievements
represented by the conclusion of the holy month of Ramadan, the sermon was one
which spoke in strident tones about the enemies of the faith, and attacks and
threats to the ummah.
One
of the elements identified in the sermon as being a threat to Islam (along with
secularism and feminism, strangely enough) was pluralism.
Somehow,
in less than 10 years, pluralism has become from being a proud attribute of
multicultural and multi-ethnic Malaysia to one that has been vilified and has
left certain people trembling in their boots.
In
case anyone is unsure, the Oxford dictionary defines pluralism as being a
condition or system in which two or more states, groups, principles, sources of
authority, etc., co-exist. In the context of Malaysia, a condition in which
numerous distinct ethnic, religious or cultural groups are present and
tolerated within a society.
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