Thread by @walski69

If you’re a Muslim in Malaysia, especially if you’re “born" into the religion, Article 11 of the Federal Constitution is a myth, at best. And at worst, a blatant lie.

Effectively if you’re Muslim, there is NO freedom of religion. In addition to many other NO FREEDOMS you enjoy

https://twitter.com/azmirliberty/status/1377842376857673732

The first clause in Article 11 reads as thus:
“Every person has the right to profess and practise his religion and, subject to Clause (4), to propagate it”

Note that ‘every person’ in literary terms means there is no distinction between which person.

In practice, however, a Muslim in Malaysia practically doesn’t enjoy this right. Let’s not even talk about religions other than Islam - a Muslim may ONLY practice what the state allows one to practice, or more accurately, seen to practice.

And by this, I mean Sunni of the Shafi’i persuasion, except for selected areas of practice that are cherrypicked from the other three of the Big Four (i.e. Hanafi, Maliki, Hanbali).

But it’s not up to you to decide. No, a Muslim in Malaysia has no right over her/his faith.

One only has the right to remain silent, obey, or otherwise. Put a little more simply, "Believe what we tell you to believe. OR ELSE.”

Lovely, eh?

But, I guess since the majority find happiness in mental and spiritual bondage, who am I to say anything, right?

So forget what I said, for the moment, and consider what The Amman Message says: ammanmessage.com

Certainly more authoritative than Walski, that’s for sure.

Oh, and by the way, Malaysia is among its signatories: ammanmessage.com/list-of-the-si…

The 3 key points of the Amman Message (paraphrased):

1) The validity of 8 Mathhabs (legal schools) of Sunni, Shi’a and Ibadhi Islam; of traditional Islamic Theology (Ash’arism); of Islamic Mysticism (Sufism), and of true Salafi thought

(cont.)

2) The forbidding of ‘takfir' (declarations of apostasy) between Muslims

3) Fatwa dos and don’ts in order to expose ignorant and illegitimate edicts in the name of Islam

I’m not sure about the value of one’s John Hancock (signature) in your world, but in mine it’s a symbol of giving your word.

So while FIVE Malaysian delegates put their name to paper (see earlier tweet in the thread), Malaysia seems to pretty much ignore the Amman Message

In particular, continuing to carry out practices CONTRARY to the first point. Frankly, I don’t know enough about the 2nd and 3rd points in as far as Malaysia is concerned, so I won’t comment further.

But the 1st point, and arguably the most important, being ignored?

And when did Malaysia become a signatory to the Amman Message? July 2005. Yes, almost 16 years ago.

Frankly, I don’t recall this even being reported in 2005. Nor has much of it been mentioned since. I personally only got to know about the Amman Message about 4-5 years ago.

And that, too, quite by accident.

So, we agree - at least in principle - but refuse to practice what we agree to at home.

But, it is what it is. And I expect there will be little change to the amount of NO FREEDOM Muslims here enjoy.

So until the unthinkable happens, Muslims with minds of their own will have to continue a life of duplicity, constantly looking over their shoulders, and being wary about who can or cannot be trusted.

As if just plain regular life didn’t present enough to worry about…

(END)

@threadreaderapp unroll please. Thanx in advance