HOW CRAZY CAN THEY GET! Glorifying Islam or making a fool of Muslims in Malaysia?

With all the debate going on about abolishing of fuel subsidies, legalized paedophilia, liquor bans on MAS and the1MDB fiasco, the recent move by state governments to ban non-Muslims from using words related to Islam has been overshadowed.

Many Malays view the move as a 'wonderful, positive and productive' move to protect the national language from being misused or be made a mockery by bahasa users.

The Kedah government recently amended the state’s law to increase the number of words non-Muslims are prohibited from using from a mere 24 to 55. The increased number of words has left many Muslims out of breath in excitement, about its prohibition from being uttered by Non Muslims. Finally, Muslims have gained the exclusive right to the use of these words which is rather flattering!

While this latest amendment has resulted in a flurry of debates online, many state governments also have a similar list of words non-Muslims can’t use.

Among the banned words are common ones, such as shariah, masjid, surau, ulama, Assalamualaikum and Quran, making it easier for non-Muslims to converse in Malay as they do not need to use or remember the banned words.

A blanket ban

Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, Malacca, Negri Sembilan, Pahang, Perak, Perlis, Selangor and Terengganu each have a list of banned words for non-Muslims.

Authorities say the blanket ban will further create a better environment for non-Muslims to have learning access and a better understanding of Islam.

It is certainly commendable that the Malays have sole monopoly now over certain words in the bahasa melayu language, which is long regarded as a language for national unity.

Religious authorities also believe that such a ban would foster more unity between the ethnic communities and there is no doubt, that it can be enforced effortlessly, even among Muslims.

To these hardliners, the ban should not only be restricted to curb attempts at proselytising among Muslims but it should be a blanket ban to disallow the Nons from uttering, reading, writing and listening to it.

Some Muslim scholars may not see any problems with non-Muslims using the greeting “Assalamualaikum” (peace be upon you), but since it is banned by some states, Non Muslims should stop using it with immediate effect, as it would enhance the sense of camaraderie among all races in the country. And this is a NO-NO o the ruling Umno-BN government!

A booklet for dummies

It is time the respective state authorities throughout the country, to publish the list of prohibited words for Non Muslims to memorize without delay. As each State has different words that are prohibited, some words that are banned in one state may be permissible in other States, so a booklet like a dummies guide to non usage of banned words, would be a blessing for the nons and reduce the overwhelming confusion.

Non-muslims will get used to it soon enough, and rephrasing those words will come naturally with practise. For instance: 'Haji pergi ke Masjid' can be rephrased to 'Lelaki pakai kopi putih pergi ke rumah sembahyang besar orang Islam’. See, how easy that is?!

Although, the Nons may not utter the banned words, the law is still silent, as to whether Non Muslims are allowed to write or type these words on paper or onto their electronic word editor? Non Muslims would need to include these words into their Internet Banned Software so their kids and anyone browsing the net can be kept safe.

Ignorance isn’t an excuse

Non-Muslims can read signboards like Masjid Jamek but not utter them in public. Maybe later, the Muslim public can be roped in to police any Non Muslims for infringing on these copyrights.

Ignorance is not an excuse, so uttering banned words three times in a row, can be a compoundable offence or a light jail sentence, like the Kelantanese wants to implement on those who skip prayers.

Likewise, Muslims should not utter the banned words out loud in front of the nons, for fear of insulting them. Muslim names are not under the ban, so we can safely call them by their names.

This is the way of moderation.

The authorities can still promote mainstream Bahasa to everyone, including non-Muslims, without the banned Muslim words. Later, they can reduce more Muslim words that are found in the language until there are none left. So, be patient and memorize these banned words now, so that we won’t get confused or threatened later.

Text books from kindergarten and secondary schools will gradually reflect the new changes, when the Education Ministry gets a higher budget.

The proposed ban would “slowly but surely make Bahasa Malaysia a high calibre international language for everyone and close the racial gap between Malaysians as communications between Muslims and non-Muslims will be greatly simplified.

So whatever happens, Non Muslims should not take the ban as an excuse not to use the national language, but be called upon to accept the ban without question.

In the same tone, non-Muslims have the right to ban sensitive words from being used by the Muslims. All they have to do is to approach their assemblyman, and have the sensitive words gazetted in Parliament.

Meanwhile, we should be grateful to the religious authorities for educating us in the finer points of the language, and preparing us to face the future with an open mind. -MAIL BAG