No need for such a ‘ridiculous and stupid’ proposal.
Former Malaysian ambassador to the United States, Nazri Aziz, recently concluded his two-year tenure, during which he attended mosque-hosted events in Washington DC aimed at fostering interfaith relations.
Commenting on the recent controversy surrounding proposed guidelines for Muslims attending non-Muslim events, which was later rejected by the cabinet, Nazri dismissed the proposal as “ridiculous and stupid.”
“I don’t think there is any need for any interfaith guidelines,” he told Malaysiakini in an interview at his home.
Nazri emphasised that interfaith relations have long been a part of daily life in Malaysia.
“And suddenly today we need an interfaith ruling (guidelines)? Are we a nanny state? To tell us how to behave?
“I totally disagree and I think it is ridiculous to tell us how to behave,” he said, referring to the initial proposal by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs), Na’im Mokhtar.
He recalled that during his speeches in the US, he highlighted how interfaith relations are a natural part of Malaysian life. He stressed that Malaysians should be free to maintain their existing ways of living.
“Let us be ourselves. You don’t need to tell us how to behave. This is not a nanny state. I am very upset about this.
“It has never been a problem, but suddenly today we cannot sing Merry Christmas? Eh, it’s not going to change my faith!
“This is ridiculous, I am not for it,” he stressed.
On 4 February, Na’im stated in a written reply to the Dewan Rakyat that the government was planning to introduce the new guidelines. Among the requirements, event organisers would need permission from religious authorities if Muslims were to attend, and events must not contain elements that could offend Muslim sensitivities.