Posted by
wetbenang
at
Friday, July 07, 2006
TO KONGSI, OR NOT TO KONGSI
A lot of people have said a lot of things over the statement made by the Perak Mufti a while ago that the Muslim Hari Raya ought not be jointly celebrated with people of other faiths as this could erode the faith of Muslims and lead to blasphemy.
In a truly Malaysian fashion, as soon as this was reported, hundreds of Som, Nik and Mary came forward to voice their two-sen opinion on the topic. It doesn't matter that most of them are quite clueless (read not quite an authority on Islam), but thanks to the equally clueless reporters, their misinformed views get air time and column inch, and contribute further to the confusion.
Granted that the Perak Mufti is not actually a person known for making PC statements (remember not too long ago he suggested that all HIV/AIDS patients be banished to some island?), I think that this particular topic needs to be looked at within the context within which it was made/meant to be discussed.
A lot of people (including me) do not really understand the concept of Hari Raya, and why Muslims celebrate it. Who can blame them? Hari Raya today has degenerated into a highly commercialised affair of excessive consumption, wastage and stupid TV entertainment. It has been almost totally stripped off its religious meaning.
Hari Raya Aidil Fitri is to mark the end of puasa, where Muslims must also pay the zakat fitrah. These two ibadah, part of the five rukun Islam, when performed correctly and with utmost sincerity, would "purify" the Muslims. The other Hari Raya, the Aidil Adha, is part of the haj ritual, another one of the rukun Islam, and has a lot to do with the concept of one-ness of Allah, often reminded through the story of sacrifice made by Nabi Ibrahim of his son Nabi Ismail.
So, basically, the two Hari Raya have a lot to do with the doctrine and rituals of Islam and the Muslim worship. Therefore, it doesn't make any sense to kongsi them with people of other faiths. It's the same with festivities of other religions, which should be respected but not neccesarily shared by every Malaysian.
I think it was in this context that the Perak Mufti was talking about. But then again, I could be wrong, sebab saya pun tak berapa arif bab ni.
As for kongsi makan during Hari Raya (and during all other festivities)? I'm all for it, as it has become what Malaysia Truly Asia is known for.
Right.
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