Inter-religious Dialogue in Malaysia: Past Experience, Present Scenario and Future Challenges

Wan Sabri Wan Yusof; Arfah Ab Majid

doi:10.7187/GJAT422013.03.02

Authors

Wan Sabri Wan Yusof Kolej Universiti Islam Sultan Azlan Shah, Bukit Chandan Bandar Diraja, 33000 Kuala Kangsar, Perak Darul Ridzuan, Malaysia
Arfah Ab Majid Department of Government & Civilization Studies, Faculty of Human Ecology Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7187/GJAT422013.03.02

Keywords:

Inter-religious dialogue, Intellectual discourse, Understanding

Abstract

Inter-religious dialogue in Malaysia has taken place more than a century ago either in the form of ‘dialogue of life’ or in the form of intellectual discourse. ‘Dialogue of life’ normally occurs in a superficial ways of interaction such as ‘open house’ during festive seasons and daily interaction in market places, offices or schools while dialogue in the form of intellectual discourse occurs in official events such as forum, seminar and public lecture. Earliest endeavours of inter-religious dialogue were championed by non-Muslim organizations with the aim to protect their rights that was allegedly threatened with the execution of Islamization policy in 1980s. The involvement of Muslim’s organizations could only be seen until 1990s with a pioneering attempt by Center for Civilizational Dialogue (University of Malaya) in 1995 that aimed to generate greater inter-religious understanding. The implementation of inter-religious dialogue in the form of intellectual discourse however is still limited due to its nature which is apparently more appealing to the intellectuals’ community. On top of that, inter-religious dialogue also facing constant objections by some critics due to misunderstanding of the actual goals of inter-religious dialogue. Therefore, correct understanding about the concept of interreligious dialogue must be nurtured among the masses prior to commencing any inter-religious dialogue program.

References

Ahmad Sunawari, L. (2003). Dialog antara Agama-agama: Prasyarat Persefahaman antara Agama-agama [Inter-religious Dialogue: Prerequisite for Inter-religious Understanding]. Agama dan Perpaduan Kaum di Malaysia [Religion and Racial Unity in Malaysia], ed. Jaffary Awang. Bangi, Selangor: Fakulti Pengajian Islam, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.

Azrinah, A. R. (2009). Persepsi Pelajar Terhadap Dialog antara Agama: Kajian dalam Kalangan Pelajar Tahun 4, Fakulti Pendidikan, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), Skudai, Johor [Students’ Perceptions towards Inter-religious Dialogue: A Study among 4th Year Students, Faculty of Education, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), Skudai, Johor].Unpublished Doctoral Thesis, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. Johor.

Center for Civilizational Dialogue. (2008). Report on “Dialog antara Penganut Agama Mengenai Isu-isu Semasa” [Dialogue among Religious Adherents on Current Issues]. : Author, Kuala Lumpur.

Dialog Khas Rapatkan Hubungan antara Penganut Pelbagai Agama [Special Dialogue Foster Closer Ties between the Adherents of Various Religions] (2008). Retrieved from http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2008&dt=0729&pub=utusan_malaysia&sec=Terkini&pg=bt_20.htm&arc=hive. Retrieved on 19th February 2010.

Ghazali, B. (2005). Dialog antara Agama di Malaysia [Inter-religious dialogue in Malaysia]. Kuala Lumpur. Pusat Dialog Peradaban. UM.

Guidelines or National Policy on Inter-religious Dialogue needed. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.mmail.com.my/story/guidelines-ornational-policy-inter-religious-dialogue-needed Retrieved on 23th April 2012.

Haridas., K. (2010). Per. Comm.

Haslina, I. (2011), Dialog antara Agama dan Sumbangan terhadap Perpaduan Nasional: Status, Prospek dan Cabaran [Inter-religious Dialogue and its Contribution to National Unity: Status, Prospects and Challenges]. Paper presented at Persidangan Kebangsaan Perpaduan Nasional [National Conference on Natinal Unity], Majlis Professor Negara, Kuala Lumpur, pp: 1-20.

Hussin, M. (1990). Islam and Ethnicity in Malay Politics. Oxford University Press, New York, USA.

Khadijah, M. K., & Suraya, S. (2009). Citra Dialog antara Agama dalam Perspektif Orientalis: Analisis Awal [Orientalist Perspective on Interreligious Dialogue: Preliminary Analysis]. Paper presented at Seminar Antarabangsa Ketamadunan Islam [International Seminar on Islamic Civilisation], Kolej Islam Darul Ridzuan, Perak, Malaysia.

Khairunnizam, M. K. (2005). Reality Behind the Application of Inter-Faith Dialogue in Malaysia: A Study on Inter-Faith Spiritual Fellowship (INSaF) and Centre for Civilizational Dialogue, Unpublished Research Project, University Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

McCoy, M. L., & Scully, P. L. (2002). Deliberative Dialogue to expand civic engagement: What kind of talk does democracy need? National Civic Review. Wiley Periodicals. 91 (2): 117-135.

Nurhamizah, M.R., Suraya, M., Muhamad Naim, A. R., & Muhammad Huzaifah, M. J. (2010). Per. Comm.

Tan, S. K. (2011). Public Confidence in State of Ethnic Relations Decline. Merdeka Center for Opinion Research. Retrieved from www.merdeka.org. Retrieved on 22th July 2012.

Osman, B. (2008). Malaysian Islam in the Twenty-First Century: The Promise of a Democratic Transformation?, In J. L. Esposito, J. O. Voll and B. Osman (Eds.) Asian Islam in the 21st Century, Oxford University Press, New York.

Rahimin Affandi, A. R., Mohd Anuar, R. Paizah, Ismail & Nor Hayati, M. D. (2011). Dialog antara Agama: Realiti dan Prospek di Malaysia [Religious Dialogue: Its Reality and Prospect in Malaysia]. Kajian Malaysia. 29 (2): 91–110.

Rohaini, A., Ayu Nor Azilah, M., & Nor Azlina Endut. (2011), Dialog dan Keterbukaan: Kepentingannya kepada Perpaduan di dalam Peradaban di Malaysia [Dialogue and Openness: Its Importance towards Unity in Malaysian Civilization]. Paper presented at Persidangan Kebangsaan Perpaduan Nasional, Majlis Professor Negara, Kuala Lumpur, pp: 1-22.

Religious Harmony Workshop (2010). Retrieved from http://insafpls.wordpress.com/2010/09/06/religious-harmony-workshop/. Retrieved on 17th January 2012.

Shahrom, TM. S. (2004). Dialog Peradaban Agama di Malaysia: Praktik dan Kerelevenannya Hari Ini [Religious Civilizational Dialogue in Malaysia: Practice and its Relevancy Today]. Pemikir, 37: 21-36.

S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS) (2011). Malaysia’s Interfaith Committee: Time to Start Dialogue –Analysis. RSIS Commentaries. Retrieved from www.rsis.edu.sg. Retrieved on 20th May 2012.

Tan, S. K. (2011). Public Confidence in State of Ethnic Relations Decline. Retrieved from www.merdeka.org. 22th July 2012.

Yeoh, C. R. (2006). Malaysia, Truly Asia? Religious Pluralism in Malaysia. Retrieved from http://pluralism.org/reports/view/42. Retrieved on 15th March 2010.

Vaughan, J. D. (1974). The Manners and Customs of the Chinese of the Straits Settlement. Oxford University Press, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Zuniga, X., & Nagda, B. A. (2001). Design Considerations for Inter-group Dialogue. In D. Schoem and S. Hurtado (Eds.), Intergroup Dialogue: Deliberative Democracy in School, College, Community and Workplace. University of Michigan Press, Ann Arbor, USA.