A thinking artlcle from the good professor in in Malaysia Today…

Good job, Dr Azmi Sharom!


As a non-muslim I have always avoided the use of muslims’ greetings such as “Assalamualaikum”.

Firstly I have the impression these words are the sole domain of muslims.

Secondly I had always felt (from observing my other non-muslim friends using it to greet their muslim friends) that the use by non-muslims is not exactly welcome – even if the meaning of the word is harmless.

Thirdly, a non-muslim may mispronounced the word and the muslim may feel insulted.


I had thought – why not use the simple but very Malay, “selamat pagi”? Unlike “Assalamualaikum”, it sounds Malay.

But then I realise “selamat pagi” probably originates from the british “good morning”.

Wait – there is a subtle difference here:

“Assalamualaikum” is the direct use of the arabic word, while “selamat pagi” is a loose Malay translation of the English equivalent. That is to say, despite the fact that both words are imports, one uses arabic while the other uses Malay! Therefore in my mind, “selamat pagi” is more Malay than “Assalamualaikum”.


A commenter in MT said it rather succintly:

“I think it stems from self doubt. For example, will I be less of a Muslim if I greet a non-Muslim with what I believe to be reserved for my own kind? Will I be less than special? Will my religion be less supreme?

The Malays were not Muslims originally. They were animist. I believe that in this day and age, Malay Muslims are still grappling with identity issues and a deeper understanding of Islam. We have to move beyond the superficial”


Yes, I am afraid the Malays are grappling with identity issues. Unlike the Chinese and Indians.
I mean, if the Indian Muslims, the Indonesian Muslims, can be categorised as “Malays”, then you really do have an identity crisis.

A side note:
Did you notice how the indian muslims are taking advantage of their dual ‘racial’ profile?
As a muslim, they enjoyed the ‘bumiputera” advantage. As an indian, they can apply for the ASN shares slotted for the indians!

Zambry (of Perak fame) would be more comfortable being greeted with a “nandre” rather than “terima kasih”. At least in private



To continue:
I used to see the Malays in my kampung wearing songkok. That, in the opinion of this non-muslim, is very Malay and very “muslim”. The ladies would simply cover their heads with a ’shawl’. These shawls appear to be thin and (I thought) very suited to the weather. No, they did not cover the face. And no one raped the pretty ones for that matter.

Another side note:
I have a serious confession to make: as teenagers (and later young adults) none of us non-muslim students, with our testosterone running feverishly wild, ever talked about or lusted after these “uncovered” ladies. Or any ladies of any other race for that matter. The only ones we ogle were (regardless of race) those with revealing clothes (low cleavage, etc)


Back to topic:

The Malays’ simple kebaya, songkok, etc mark them as Malays. At least to my mind.

Later I started to see ‘arabian’ clothing – total cover up for ladies, skull caps, turbans, etc. My first thought: import from Arabs. Not really Malays but Malays trying to be more “muslim” by becoming more “arab”. As if the Almighty have only eyes for arab wears.

To use an analogy: I tried to look more like Bruce Lee (yes, my idol in my teens) by trying to walk with a hunch. And scowling like I have lost just my balls. All without any knowledge of kung fu or having a washboard six pack.

Moral of the story: it’s the substance idiot, not the form!



So Malays – who are you, really?


PS:
I had a close indian muslim friend in my school days (60’s). I could have sworn he was a pure indian. He swore like one too. He ogled every girls, women, ladies, that wore skirts any higher than the knees. Must have been seriously deprived, come to think of it.

But that was back in those days when indian muslims were not ‘one of us’, as far as the Malays were concern.

God, how I miss the simple Malays I knew when I was young.