A Secular Islam Possible for Malaysia?

The recent PAS Muktamar brings to the forefront – yet again – the question of whether secular Islam is a possibility in an increasingly racially and religiously acrimonious and divided Malaysia.

May 11, 2017

A Secular Islam Possible for Malaysia?

by Dr. Lim Teck Ghee@www.malaysiakini.com

Secularism has been defined as the separation of public life and civil/government matters from religious teachings and commandments, or more simply the separation of religion and politics. It is an evolution that the great majority of the world’s nations have gone through – some quickly, others more slowly.

However, almost all nations, even as they develop at uneven speeds, have inevitably gravitated towards a separation of religion and state.

Today, except for a few countries such as Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Iran and Yemen, most nations – developed and developing – view a religiously-based state as a throwback to a more primitive form of government; and a historical era in which life was nasty, brutish and short, except for the religious elite.

Secular states in which governments are neutral in matters of religion and public activities, and where the states’ decisions are not dictated or influenced by religious beliefs, are the opposite of theocratic states.

At the same time it needs to be noted that not all secular states are alike. Thus we find states with a comprehensive commitment to secularism; those that are more accommodating to religion; and others that, although committed to neutrality, will selectively actively cooperate with religions.

Whatever the degree of secularity, secular states, except those which morph into totalitarianism or autocratic systems, are committed to the implementation of national and international norms protecting the freedom of religion or belief, and abide by constitutions which guarantee the equal treatment of different communities of religion and belief within society.

In sharp contrast the theocratic state has a God or a particular deity to be the supreme civil ruler. Also the God’s or particular deity’s commandments are held to be the definitive law of the land; and the authorities and their representatives who interpret the commandments claim a superior or divine duty in running the affairs of state and society.

Debates on merits ongoing, but no poll held

Debate on the relative merits of theocratic and secular states has been ongoing for several hundreds of years in both Muslim and Christian worlds. In our era, a poll of the world’s foremost leaders – including religious – on what they may view to be a superior form of government – secular or theocratic – has never been held.

The Late Karpal Singh is right but when he was Prime  Minister, Tun Dr. Mahathir had the audacity to claim that Malaysia is already an Islamic state, while his successor promoted Islam Hadhari and Najib Razak embraced Hadi Awang’s Hududism and Zakir Naik.  As a result, the Malays have become a confused people.–Din Merican

But if one were to be undertaken today, I will not be surprised if the polled group of religious leaders – despite their concerns about the negative impact that a sharp break separating public life from religion could have on their congregations – will agree that a secular state is the correct path to progress and a better life for their religious communities.

I expect too that few among the religious leaders would want a return to the days when there was a fusion of religious and political authority, even if they may personally benefit from the shift of power in society.

For, make no mistake about it, history – past and current – is replete with examples of how theocratic states, even after co-opting or hijacking secularised concepts of equality and justice, have invariably lapsed into religious tyrannies with dire consequences for all of the citizenry.

As Thomas Paine, one of the founding fathers of the United States noted, “Of all the tyrannies that affect mankind, tyranny in religion is the worst; every other species of tyranny is limited to the world we live in; but this attempts to stride beyond the grave, and seeks to pursue us into eternity.”

The crisis in Malaysia

Secular Malaysia today is facing a crisis with Muslim politicians from both sides of the political divide seeking to strengthen conservative Islam through castigating its moderate and liberal proponents, and by making the case that supporters of a secular Islam are kaffirs, traitors and enemies of the religion.

The situation has become so bad that few Muslims in the country are willing to take a public stand on the issue or declare support for secular Islam for fear of reprisal by religious extremists.

The sole exceptions that have stood out have been non-political figures, such as Mariam Mokhtar, Noor Farida Ariffin and some other members of G25, Syed Akbar Ali, Marina Mahathir, Haris Ibrahim, Din Merican, and Farouk Peru, and an even smaller number of politicians, notably Zaid Ibrahim and Ariff Sabri.

One sees in their messages to fellow Muslims in this country some of the same concerns that are animating liberal and secular Muslims in other parts of the world, viz:

• The rejection of interpretations of Islam that urge violence, social injustice and politicised Islam;
• The rejection of bigotry and oppression against people based on prejudice arising from ethnicity, belief, religion, sexual orientation and gender expression;
• Support for secular governance, democracy and liberty; and
• Support for the right of individuals to publicly express criticism of Islam (see ‘Muslim Reform Movement’ by M Zuhdi Jasser and Raheel Raza et al).

Unfortunately, these messages – partly because they are communicated in English and partly because the mainstream Malay (and English ) media have chosen to ignore them – are unable to reach the Malay masses – whether in rural or urban communities. They have even failed to elicit support from the unknown number of open-minded and liberal Muslims who are now openly branded as “deviants” by Islamic religious authorities.

In the Malay world, it is Malay politicians and the Islamic elite and bureaucracy who have a monopoly over the variant of Islam that is propagated to the masses. It is a variant that is currently feeding on heightened ethnic and religious insecurities and jealousy, so as to make it much more difficult, if not impossible, to have a rational discourse on secular Islam, save that advocated by Umno and PAS.

LIM TECK GHEE is a former World Bank senior social scientist, whose report on bumiputera equity when he was director of Asli’s Centre for Public Policy Studies sparked controversy in 2006. He is now CEO of the Centre for Policy Initiatives.

https://dinmerican.wordpress.com/2017/05/11/a-secular-islam-possible-for-malaysia/

Did Zahid call Malaysia an Islamic state?

PETALING JAYA: A prominent opponent of theocratic governance, Tawfik Ismail, has questioned whether Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was calling the country an Islamic state during a recent breaking of fast gathering in Alor Setar.

© Provided by MToday News Sdn Bhd Tawfik-Ismail_Zahid-Hamidi_600

3 June 2017
Sheith Khidhir Bin Abu Bakar

He said Zahid would be wrong if it was true that he rejected the notion that Malaysia was a secular state.

He was referring to a Bernama report that quoted the deputy prime minister as saying that those who claimed this country was secular should first have a look at the Federal Constitution. He said the constitution placed Islam as the official religion and referred to the country as a Muslim country.

“It would be more accurate to call the country a Muslim-majority country. That would be factual,” Tawfik told FMT.

“The constitution and the doctrine of separation of powers, the sultans’ role as heads of religion in their respective states, the notion of equality under the law, the right of everyone to stand for public office regardless of race or religion all guarantee that Malaysia is a secular country.”

Tawfik, who is a former Umno member and one-term MP of Sungai Benut, said Islam’s position as the country’s official religion gave little support to the argument that the country wasn’t secular.

“I think it means the sovereign or king is Muslim and therefore Islam is considered the official religion, just like the Queen in England is head of the church.

“You could say ours is a hybrid system because we have many races practising many religions allowed under the constitution. Just because the majority of Malaysians are Malays and Malays are defined under the constitution as Muslims, making Islam the dominant religion, it doesn’t dominate other faiths.”

Bebas spokesperson Azrul Khalib also spoke on the matter, agreeing that the constitution did not put Islam in a position to dominate other religions.

“It’s important to realise that nowhere does the constitution ever intend for the country to be an Islamic state,” he told FMT.

“At the end of the day, it needs to be emphasised that the position of Islam as the official religion of the federation should not be a reference or a tool to bludgeon people of other religions into submitting to Islam.”

He said that as much as it was important to look at the constitution to see that the country was a secular state, people should also look at court rulings affirming this.

“The supremacy of secular law in Malaysia was upheld in 1988 in the Supreme Court case of Che Omar bin Che Soh vs Public Prosecutor in which the Supreme Court rejected the argument that the death penalty for drug trafficking was unconstitutional for offending the principles of Islam,” he said.

“The court said Article 3 of the Federal Constitution recognises Islam as the religion of the federation but it does not allude to Malaysia being an Islamic state, confirming that the country is secular.

“We need to remember the second part of Article 3, which reads ‘Islam is the religion of the federation, but other religions may be practised in peace and harmony in any part of the federation.’ Therefore, Article 3 should not be used to impose dominance on non-Muslims or insist on religious superiority.”

http://www.msn.com/en-my/news/national/did-zahid-call-malaysia-an-islamic-state/ar-BBBQgeM?ocid=ientp

What those diesel fumes are REALLY doing to your health

What those diesel fumes are REALLY doing to your health: Heart attacks, strokes and 40,000 deaths a year are blamed on rising air pollution levels

• Air pollution kills more in the UK than in most Western European countries
• Serious conditions, from stroke to cancer, are increasingly linked to air pollution
• About a third of the country's air pollution is from transport
• 
  

By Angela Epstein for the Daily Mail

PUBLISHED: 22:00 BST, 29 May 2017

Taking a breath of ‘fresh air’ may not be quite as healthy as you thought. Air pollution has become a major health problem in Britain, claiming more lives here than in most Western European countries, an alarming UN report revealed last week.

This followed research published last year that blamed air pollution for at least 40,000 deaths a year in the UK.

It is well known that pollution can aggravate and possibly trigger health conditions such as asthma.

‘Over short periods, high pollution levels can cause damage to the lining of our lungs,’ explains Stephen Spiro, honorary professor of respiratory medicine at University College Hospital, London. ‘This can lead to coughing, wheeziness and breathlessness, particularly among people with a pre-existing lung condition.’

But other conditions, from stroke to cancer, are increasingly being linked to air pollution.

One of the major culprits is traffic fumes — about a third of our air pollution is from transport, explains Alastair Lewis, a professor of atmospheric chemistry at the University of York.

This pollution consists largely of nitrogen dioxide — most of which comes from diesel engines — and fine particles known as particulates, released from exhausts and by the wearing down of brakes and tyres.

Official figures show that 37 out of 43 areas across the UK breach legal European Union limits for nitrogen dioxide, which is linked mainly to breathing problems.

‘Almost every combustion process — such as functioning power stations — produces particulates,’ adds Professor Lewis.

‘The difference with cars is that unlike power stations, they are everywhere and close to where most people live. So the pollution they cause is disproportionately more important for public health.’

Polluting particles of soot, carbon and from aerosols are categorised by size and typically divided into two groups: coarse particles less than ten micrometres wide, known as PM10, and fine particles less than 2.5 micrometres wide (PM2.5).

Last week diesel vehicles were described as one of the ‘worst offenders’ for PM2.5 by researchers who found that even PM2.5 levels well within the EU maximum can cause inflammation in the body and raise blood pressure.

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Last week diesel vehicles were described as one of the ‘worst offenders’ for PM2.5

In a study funded by the British Heart Foundation (BHF) and the Wellcome Trust, the researchers found that the greater the exposure to this size of particulate, ‘the larger the heart becomes and the worse it performs’, raising the risk of death from heart disease.

‘This adds to the growing evidence that air pollution, particularly from small particles in diesel fumes, is dangerous for your heart and health,’ said Professor Jeremy Pearson, the BHF’s associate medical director.

And the smaller the particulate, the more harmful, it seems.

‘Ultra-fine particles even smaller than PM2.5 can penetrate the skin and enter the lungs much more easily,’ says Prashant Kumar, a professor in air quality and health at the University of Surrey.

This month researchers at Imperial College London revealed that tiny diesel particles just 0.1 micrometres in diameter can directly affect the lungs and cause tighter airways and coughing.

Here, with the help of leading experts, we reveal the latest evidence on what traffic pollution could be doing to your health . . .

How they can hurt your heart

Almost one stroke in three is triggered by air pollution, according to a worldwide study by Auckland University of Technology, in New Zealand.

The research, published last year, found air pollution was among the top ten causes of stroke, along with better-known risks such as smoking.

One theory is that over the long term, air pollution makes blood thicker and this in turn raises blood pressure, so boosting the risk of clots in the brain.

But even short-term exposure to air pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide and particulates increased the risk of hospital admission or death from stroke in the following seven days, according to a review of studies involving six million people published in 2015 by Edinburgh University.

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There is a strong link between pollution and heart problems

‘The evidence suggesting air pollution as a risk factor for stroke is very strong,’ says Pippa Tyrrell, a professor of stroke medicine at the University of Manchester. ‘It’s vital this issue is addressed by the Government. But in the meantime it is even more important to avoid other stroke risk factors and take more exercise.’

There is also a strong link between pollution and heart problems, says Professor David Newby, BHF John Wheatley Chair of Cardiology at Edinburgh University — as an acute trigger causing a heart attack, for example, or associated with long-term heart disease.

‘The mechanism isn’t exactly clear but these tiny particles may get deep into the lungs, then into the bloodstream,’ says Professor Newby. ‘This affects the blood cells, causing blood to become stickier and more likely to clot.’

He adds that compounds on the surface of particles of pollution are associated with processes that could lead to the build-up of fatty material inside the arteries.

Bad news for your sleep 

Air pollution could be to blame for bad sleep, too. A study presented to the American Thoracic Society conference this month measured how long participants spent asleep and found their quality of sleep was affected by air pollution: the more exposure someone had to nitrogen dioxide and PM2.5, the worse their chances of a good night’s sleep.

‘Your nose, sinuses and the back of your throat can all be irritated by those pollutants, so that can cause some sleep disruption,’ says Martha Billings, a professor at the University of Washington, who led the research.

Study volunteers with raised nitrogen dioxide in their bodies were up to 60 per cent more likely to suffer from sleep deprivation than those living in areas with lower pollution levels.

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A study found the more exposure someone has to nitrogen dioxide and PM2.5, the worse their chances of a good night’s sleep

They can make your eyes acidic 

High levels of air pollution can raise the risk of dry eye syndrome as well as allergic conjunctivitis — inflammation of the eye.

‘Particulates from diesel emissions can act as an irritant to the surface of the eye, causing dryness and irritation,’ says Marsel Bregu, a consultant ophthalmologist at Warrington Hospital and the Spire Cheshire.

Contact lenses may make matters worse, as particulates can lodge between the contact lens and the surface of the eye.

‘We have been seeing more cases of dry eyes in the past few years, as well as the inflammatory condition red eye. There must be a correlation between this and air pollution,’ says Mr Bregu.

There is a direct correlation between pollution levels and various eye infections, according to a study by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in 2002.

The researchers also suggested that high levels of air pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide make the tear film of the eyes more acidic.

‘This could cause a burning, stinging discomfort to the eyes,’ says Dr Jeff Kwartz, a consultant ophthalmologist at the Royal Bolton Hospital.

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There is a direct correlation between pollution levels and various eye infections

A worrying link to cancer

Pollution has contributed to a 10 per cent rise in cancer diagnoses, according to a study by the University of Illinois, published this month — equivalent to more than 28,600 cancer diagnoses in Britain.

While someone’s chance of developing the disease may be partly down to genetics, the report’s authors say it could also be that pollution damages DNA and the way hormones function, leading to cancer.

Air pollution caused by traffic and industry may increase the risk of lung cancer independently of factors such as smoking and age, according to research by the Norwegian Institute of Public Health.

Analysing data from more than 16,000 men between 1971 and 1998, the researchers estimated that the risk of developing lung cancer was 8 per cent higher for men living where levels of nitrogen dioxide, mainly produced by traffic, were higher.

It could be that inhaled pollutants damage DNA in the lung cells. Or soot particles may get lodged deep in the lungs, causing long-term inflammation. This could increase the rate at which cells divide and the chance of random mutations growing and spreading.

Why they can trigger eczema and age spots

Air pollution is a particular issue for those with eczema. This condition occurs when the skin barrier — the outermost protective layer of skin — does not work, explains Daniel Glass, a consultant dermatologist at the Harley Street Dermatology Clinic.

‘So those who are genetically predisposed to eczema may find it is triggered by air pollution.’

He adds that as eczema is associated with the subsequent development of asthma, pollution increases the likelihood of both.

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Air pollution is a particular issue for those who suffer from eczema

Pollution also damages skin cells, speeding up breakdown of the collagen that keeps our skin supple and eventually leading to problems with pigmentation and wrinkles.

Particulates have been linked to signs of ageing in the skin, especially pigment spots and more pronounced nasolabial folds (the lines that run from each side of the nose to the corners of the mouth), according to a 2010 study published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology.

The researchers looked at the skin of 400 women living either in rural areas or near busy roads in Germany and marked out signs of ageing such as pigmentation and wrinkles. Almost all had remained at the same address for the previous 30 years.

The study concluded that pollution may have caused skin ageing by triggering oxidative stress.

‘The study suggests that because of exposure to pollution, the skin is hindered from repairing itself, leading to signs of ageing,’ says Andrew Wright, a professor of dermatology at the University of Bradford.

Risk of problems in pregnancy

Expectant mothers living close to busy roads are at greater risk of serious complications because of their exposure to air pollution, research suggests.

This year, a study led by the University of Copenhagen of 73,000 women found that pre-eclampsia — a form of high blood pressure that affects 42,000 pregnant women in Britain each year — is made more likely by noise and pollution from roads.

Researchers believe the toxins may raise stress levels and cause inflammation leading to rising blood pressure. In severe cases, pre-eclampsia can lead to stillbirth or be fatal to the mother.

‘There is robust evidence to link low birth weight with exposure to pollution such as diesel,’ says Jonathan Grigg, a professor of paediatric respiratory and environmental medicine at Queen Mary University of London.

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Research suggests expectant mothers living close to busy roads are at greater risk of serious complications because of their exposure to air pollution

‘The theory is that the particles of pollution may produce inflammation in the mother’s lungs which then triggers mediators — substances released from cells — that leach into the blood and affect development of the child.’

This year, researchers from the Stockholm Environment Institute also found that particulates under 2.5 micrometres could be to blame for millions of premature births globally each year.

Could they cause diabetes?...

Researchers in Munich found that children living in polluted areas were more likely to develop insulin resistance — a precursor to type 2 diabetes — by the age of ten. They suggest the link is due to inflammation in the body caused by cells reacting to air pollution particles.

Meanwhile, a 2012 study of 4,000 women living in Los Angeles by Boston University found that those living in polluted areas were more likely to have high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes.

Jim Zhang, professor of global and environmental health at Duke University in the U.S, who has researched links between diabetes and pollution, told Good Health: ‘The evidence is mounting to support the link between air pollution and risk factors for diabetes.’

... And make bones CRUMBLE faster

Air pollution has been shown to accelerate the development of osteoporosis, according to Amit Amin, a consultant orthopaedic surgeon at St George’s Hospital in South West London.

‘Advanced age, menopause, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption and a sedentary lifestyle are the most common risk factors but pollution is likely to contribute to the breakdown of bone cells, raising the chance of developing osteoporosis,’ he says

Will wearing a face mask protect you?

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The easiest way to avoid pollution is to keep away from busy roads, says Alastair Lewis, a professor of atmospheric chemistry at the University of York. 

But what else may help protect you? We asked the experts.

Respro City mask

£29.99, respro.com

This moulded mask blocks airborne particles (or particulates) as small as 10 micrometres (PM10), such as those linked with vehicle exhaust emissions.

EXPERT VERDICT: ‘Good masks can stop us inhaling pollutants,’ says Roy Harrison, a professor of environmental health at the University of Birmingham. ‘This mask will filter out many harmful particles, such as diesel particles, efficiently.

‘However, it wouldn’t block all harmful gases in vehicle emissions such as nitrogen dioxide, as these can pass through the weave. The only way to keep them out is through an activated carbon filter, similar to those in World War II gas masks.

‘A mask must not leak air from the sides, which can occur if you have a beard. This mask is a good tight fit.’

8/10

Clarins UV+ Anti-Pollution Cream

30ml, £32, Boots

This contains cantaloupe melon extract, which has antioxidant properties; blackcurrant extract to limit inflammation; and an anti-pollution complex with white tea and succory to neutralise free radicals.

EXPERT VERDICT: ‘Pollution can damage the skin barrier, leaving it vulnerable to inflammation and irritation,’ says Justine Hextall, a consultant dermatologist at Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. ‘Damaged cells release free radicals that raise levels of the enzyme MMP-1, which breaks down collagen and elastin, our skin’s scaffolding.

‘While there may be some, albeit limited, evidence for blackcurrant and white tea to protect cells from free radical damage, this is a topical application and it is unclear how much you would absorb.’

4/10

Health Plus Detox Pack supplement

28 sachets, £15.45, healthplus.co.uk

This ‘advanced anti-pollutant formula’, with antioxidants such as glutathione, helps remove ‘toxins and heavy metals’ from the body.

EXPERT VERDICT: ‘The theory is that “oxidant” molecules and free radicals released in the body as a result of pollution are associated with inflammation and a range of diseases,’ says Professor Harrison. ‘In response, your body produces antioxidants — and this product helps to supplement these. But I know of no trials showing that antioxidants in supplement form help protect you from diseases or pollution.’

Glutathione is a strong antioxidant ‘but it’s broken down in the digestive tract and may not get to the cells, where it is needed,’ adds Dr Hextall.

3/10

Dyson Pure Cool Link Tower filter

£449.99, John Lewis

Air is drawn into a filter that traps particles as small as 0.1 micrometre (PM 0.1). It has pollution sensors to monitor and adjust the airflow.

EXPERT VERDICT: ‘The use of a HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter means it will catch a range of particles and sizes,’ says Professor Harrison. ‘The filter may need replacing after a time. Gases such as nitrogen dioxide — released when diesel is burnt — are so small, they may pass through the filter.’

9/10

London Air app

Free for iPhone and Android, see londonair.org.uk

This displays the latest air pollution levels in your area of London.

EXPERT VERDICT: ‘The information is reliable,’ says Professor Harrison, ‘and there is explicit health advice for people with illnesses such as asthma.’

Some local authorities around the country are developing similar apps, but you can also access this information at uk-air.defra.gov.uk.

9/10

Awair device

£179.99, getawair.co.uk

This tracks volatile organic compounds (chemicals released by cleaning products, burning fuel and cooking), dust and carbon dioxide. It sends this data via an app to your smartphone.

EXPERT VERDICT: ‘This claims to measure five key factors of air quality but how it can sense all the known pollutants at once I don’t know,’ says Professor Harrison. ‘To do this reliably I would expect it to be much more expensive.’

4/10

REN Flash Defence Anti-Pollution Mist

60ml, £24, escentual.com

A mist that forms a barrier against ‘free radicals and pollution’, with quercetin.

EXPERT VERDICT: ‘How can this claim to shield the skin from external free radicals when free radicals, by definition, come from within the skin?’ says Dr Hextall. ‘Whether quercetin has any antioxidant effect in spray form is unknown.’

2/10 

Jinan Harb

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-4553248/What-diesel-fumes-REALLY-doing-health.html