PUTRAJAYA, Aug 11 (Bernama) -- Differences in views, including political ideas and beliefs, should not be taken to the point where those who disagree are portrayed as threats to religion or race, according to Yayasan Dakwah Islamiah Malaysia (YADIM) chairman Datuk Dr Hasan Bahrom.
He warned that such an approach could foster ghuluw - excessive or extremist thinking that goes beyond reasonable limits - while fuelling fear and suspicion in society.
“Not every difference in policy or approach is a threat to Islam or to a particular community. It is irrational to accuse groups that disagree with us of pursuing a colonial agenda, compromising the faith or undermining Islam without sound evidence or reasonable grounds,” he said in a statement today.
Hasan said understanding a community’s history and experiences of colonialism was important, but such history should not be selectively invoked to portray every present-day disagreement as a continuation of a colonial agenda aimed at weakening or destroying religious beliefs.
Nor should history be used to sow fear and suspicion among citizens to the point where certain groups are treated as enemies merely because they hold different views, he said.
Hasan warned that the consequences of ghuluw should not be underestimated, as it could deepen divisions among Muslims and encourage labelling and hostility over differences in choices or stances.
It could also lead non-Muslims to view Muslims as a community prone to hostility through rhetoric expressed in the name of religion, he noted.
“Islam does not become stronger when our language becomes harsher or more abrasive. Islam becomes stronger when knowledge grows, good character is upheld and society benefits,” he said.
Hasan said da’wah should bring people closer to Islam, not drive them away by creating the impression that Muslims are constantly attacking one another.
As such, he called on those who speak in the name of religion to reject a culture of personal attacks, slander and excess towards people with differing views.
“Offer criticism with knowledge, argue with facts and disagree with civility. Do not let excessive zeal in defending religion damage Muslim solidarity and make the work of da’wah in building a strong civilisation more difficult,” he said.
-- BERNAMA