Joint Press Statement: Differences of Opinion in Islam
25 February 2002

In the past few weeks, it has become apparent there are groups determined to silence differences of opinion in Islam. This is a matter of grave concern to Malaysians as a whole.

At a time when Islam is increasingly shaping and redefining Malaysian life and society, law and public policy, this effort to exclude critical and diverse voices engaged in the discourse of Islam in Malaysia today violates the fundamental liberties of citizens of a democratic country. It is also a violation of Islam's cherished principle of scholarly disagreement among all schools of thought. Criticism of the views of certain ulama does not mean disrespect for the ulama.

We regard this attempt, to use the law to make differences of opinion in Islam a crime, as a dangerous effort to monopolise the meaning and content of Islam, with far reaching consequences on all spheres of Malaysian public life.

In a situation where Islam has become such a pervasive force, it is inherently contradictory then to suggest that only those with certain credentials and subscribing to one view have the legitimate right to speak on Islam.

For Islam to be relevant and better understood by Malaysians, all must participate in defining what Islam means to us as citizens in a multi-ethnic, multi-religious society.

All citizens, Muslims and those of other faiths, have a right to engage in a dialogue on issues of national importance that affect our lives, be it religion, economics, politics, education, culture, or social issues.

Within the framework of a democratic society, we the undersigned call for an open, responsible, rational and respectful dialogue on Islam and its impact on our lives, both private and public.

Freedom of expression is a universal value guaranteed by the Federal Constitution, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and upheld in the teachings of Islam. This fundamental right, which extends to all citizens in all religious and secular matters, must be protected and strengthened, not just by the authorities and influential sectors of the community, but also by all in civil society.

Endorsed by:

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