ISLAMISATION OF OUR COUNTRY?
There is real fear amongst the non-Muslims, especially Christians, that the country is slowly being Islamise. A Muslim columnist in a English daily commented that there is anger among the Christians that their religious freedom is being eroded. Quote from the column "Ceritalah" by Karim Raslan (the Star, 27 May 2008) : "Decades of creeping Islamisation under the aegis of leaders like Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad has seen a steady erosion of Christian confidence, ....".

For one, I am against the choice of words by the columnist. "creeping"? - why not slow or gradual? According to the New Oxford Dictionary, "creeping" means to move slowly and carefully in order to avoid being heard or noticed. Is there a covert effort by the government to Islamise the country? Honestly, has there been any action to curtail the freedom of any religion?When did Islamisation of our country started? - "Decades" ago? Since when? Why only mention Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Tun Dr. Mahathir? What about the PAS leaders of Kelantan and Terengganu? Or even the Muftis? Personally, I feel there is no Islamisation of our country but only the awakening of Islam in our country. As the people are made more and more aware of the real meaning of Islam there has to be an reaction to their lives.

The real issue here is not the Islamisation of our country, as the freedom of religion is clearly enshrined in our Constitution. The situation is created by some political players and their supporters (both sides) who see the easy way to shore up their popularity by playing the religion card. This is further complicated by the mass medias which gave the wrong picture or half-truths, in pursue of profit. Some reporters/columnists do not have the indepth knowledge of Islam as a religion and in the pressure to meet datelines, forgo the need to check their facts with the relevant authorities. This, plus the access and speed that information can be disseminated, make the people more confused and angry. The foreign news medias which have been demonising Islam for decades play a big role to harden the non-Muslims stand in Malaysia. If previously the non-Muslims are more tolerant and respectful, now they are more demanding and vocal, to a point of confrontation. This is not going down well with the majority of Muslims in this country. Articles after articles are published about how unjust Islam is to the non-Muslims and their religions.

All these have to bore some effects on the normally sedate Muslim community. Will the line be drawn in near future between Muslims and Non-Muslims in this beloved and peaceful country? If this should happen, it will be very difficult to undo the damage and all stand to lose in the end.