The mosque

The mosque as a dynamic multicultural institution

1.0 The idea of a get-together

When Budayawan Bertindak, BB (literal for: Cultural Activists) a loose sort-of cultural organisation among fellow Malaysians was formed, we were definitely not aiming for something ‘pompously’ (what an adjective!) significant. To us cultural events ― simple get-together sessions among friends would be more than sufficient. Till this day, BB remains in that form. Loose, casual but is definitely purposeful.

The ‘we’ here refers to friends and fellow cultural activists from Paksi, Teras and LLG. Dinsman, Hasni, Azizi, Annuar Asmadi, Cikgu Azmi of Teras, Cikgu Goh, Lee Ban Chen and Razali ― just to list some of those involved.

Apart from the speeches by Anbakri and Cikgu Azmi, that evening was indeed a poetry-reading event. Lee Ban Chen however spoke at length the significance of the day’s event: Beside the cemetery in the back yard of a mosque.

2.0 The dynamism of Masjid Batu, Kampong Pertama, Permatang Pauh.

It was no coincident that we picked, Masjid Batu in Kampong Pertama, Permatang Pauh as the avenue for an evening poetry reading programme. As Dinsman had earlier penned the memorable occasion in his Harakah column, Wacana Budaya, it was a record of some kind.

Most of us are of the opinion the Mosque has the track record of a religious institution which is much ahead of its time. When others are still struggling and debating whether it ‘Islamic’ or otherwise to stage a play it its main hall, Dinsman had his “Menunggu Kata Dari Tuhan” (literal for: “Waiting for the Words of God”) performed in the mosque after the maghrib prayer.

Of course much of its success was due to the hard and serious effort of the Mosque Committee led by Cikgu Khairuddin.

3.0 Must it be exclusively elusive?

Now I come to my next point.

Is it true if I were to suggest that the hue and cry about the ‘haram’ and ‘halalness’ of non-Muslims entering (read: to appear in a mosque and if necessary address its congregation) a mosque, reflect the way we (all Muslims in Malaysia) ‘manage’ Islam? Or am I a ‘jahil murakab’ (the expression for ‘banyak kali bodoh’. The other word for murakab is berganda, bersusun i.e. hopelessly ignorant) by asking such a question? Some may not even like the notion of Islam being managed. But isn’t that the way it is and has been, in our society?

There are many more questions out there to be clarified and ― saying ‘No’ definitely does not solve the problem. It is here that we need the Islamic, religious wisdom and expertise of muftis like Harussani to quickly come forward.

(Please, please come again…Who is it that you want to step forward?)

Yes, I agree ― professionals including even those in the realms of the sacred religious sector must be above politics. If not one has to register and join Umno. At least we are quite clear on that.

Aren’t we?

Why?

Islam should not and must not be constantly and consistently hijacked by anybody including the so-called religious expert.

Look at what Umno and its religious experts have done to Islam.

Imagine, the question of entering a mosque is already a big issue!

On that I have something interesting to narrate. It’s on Umno’s commitment in upholding Islam.

Insyallah, I shall talk about it in the coming entry/posting.

Wallahuaklam.