Religious Tolerance in Malaysia: Problems and Challenges

Abstract

It is obviously seen that there is a struggle in the claims of religious tolerance in this 21st century AD which is equivalent to the fourteen year of the Hijrah. Claims are fought among the adherents of religions who are seeking for guidance to live in peace and harmony and also to have a mutual understanding for living together. Claims and struggles in the religious tolerance have been questioned by many either individually or in group and organization. Hence, it has also happened in Malaysia as a country with people of different religions. Dynamics of religious life seem to be promising good advantages but yet still to have some drawbacks. However, it is upon the believers of different religions to set a benchmark in producing a positive outcome or vice versa.The Concept of ToleranceThe literal and lexical meaning of tolerance means to bear, to endure or to put up with. Tolerance comes from Latin, tolerantia which means flexibility, softness of the heart, broadmindedness and volunteering (Abdul Halim 2008; Jaffary 2003:77). Abdul Halim (2008) explains that tolerance is equivalent to being positive and appreciating others in the frame of providing basic rights as human. There are two main models of tolerance: firstly, passive tolerance which means accepting differences as factual. Secondly there is active tolerance, which means being involved with others in the midst of differences and variations. The outcome of tolerance is living side by side peacefully and accepting variations that exist.Tamring (2008a: 147) states that tolerance in general refers to the willingness of an individual to establish a relationship and co-exist with another individual of a different cultural and social background. The concept of tolerance explained by social sciences scholars is different according to their respective fields. Tolerance can happen in relationships of political, economic and social nature. Those who practice tolerance are able to accept difficulty and critics, being one true self and the same time sacrificing oneself for others as well as being open and accepting. Tolerance certainly is a reciprocal process between two counterparts. The fact of tolerance is living side by side peacefully and appreciating between variations that existed. It can be said that without tolerance, the people of different affiliation will not enjoy the harmony of living together either as a friend, relative, coupling partner or member in the mix-faith family (Abdul Halim 2008).Agius & Ambrosewicz (2003) explain that tolerance is a formula to develop co-existence in a civilized way between sides that are different in terms of faith, belief and view. Tolerance means that every individual or community has the same right; to acknowledge the right of others to have a different opinion, desire and behaviour. Based on the Declaration of Principles on Tolerance announced during the General Conference of UNESCO on October 25 until November 1995, tolerance is defined as follows:. . . is not merely a matter of recognizing and respecting the beliefs and practices of others but recognizing and respecting themselves, as an individual and as a member of the social or ethnic group or class to which they belong. This is particularly the case with tolerance of racial and sexual differences in which the targets are often individuals as representatives of their particular ethnicity or sex.Tolerance is not only the recognition and respect towards beliefs, but also demands respect for the individuals who belong in the society. In contrary, tolerance as planned by the West is tolerance without borders that gives absolute freedom to human rights. For instance, an individual who wants to practice free sex, then his wish should be given based on tolerance. This culture was almost being followed in Malaysia when represents a coalition of Malaysian NGOs (incl. Malaysian Bar Council, SUARAM, Empower, PT Foundation, United Nations, Amnesty International) and individuals proposed the basis of the 'Program Seksualiti Merdeka 2011' that has been planned to take place on November 2, until November 13, 2011 at The Annexe Gallery, Kuala Lumpur. …