In an editorial today, the New Straits Times voiced its concerns over the ascendancy of the muftis:
It is disturbing to note that these conservative guardians of morality who advocate the rigid and repressive control of individual behaviour hold such power by virtue of their positions as state mufti and council members. They should not be allowed to impose their one-sided views.
Late last year, the Prime Minister proposed the establishment of think-tanks to study issues before fatwa are pronounced.
Indeed, other voices must be heard, and other interpretations need to be articulated in the discourse on Islam.
The dialogue on the meaning of Islam should not be monopolised by the traditionalist commentators, certainly not to the point where they can hand down arbitrary laws in a democratic society. [New Straits Times: Forbidding views of Islam]
The muftis are indeed traditionalist and very powerful.
But if NST is worried about the power of the muftis, they should also worry about other traditionalists sitting in equally, if not more powerful positions, like Dr Abdullah Md Zin, minister in the Prime Minister's Department for religious affairs:
Q: Is moderation a feature of Islam Hadhari? A: Wasatiyah or a balanced approach to life would be a more precise way to describe Islam Hadhari.
Moderation, on the other hand, could connote hastiness to the point of neglecting traditions. Islamic scholars tend to shy away from using the word "moderate" because it can be manipulated and exploited by external influences.
In the same way, scholars are cautious about the word modern which they associate with Western civilisation. The word progressive could also be used to define Islam Hadhari but wasatiyah is preferable.
Q: Do you consider yourself a moderate Muslim?
A: I am but I am moderate within the traditionalist mould.
I consider myself very open but at a Quran reading competition, I am not comfortable with participants who sway too much when reciting the Quran.
But, if it's a modern nasyid group, I don't see it wrong in them moving to the music. [New Sunday Times: The Sunday Interview -- A balanced approach that is Islam Hadhari]
How much more open is this traditionalist?
Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri, Datuk Dr Abdullah Md Zin menyifatkan trend terbaru hiburan seperti Akademi Fantasia, Malaysian Idol dan program seumpamanya, sebagai satu tamparan terhadap usaha kerajaan untuk mempromosi konsep Islam Hadhari kepada rakyat. [Malaysiakini: Akademi Fantasia, Malaysian Idol ‘tamparan’ kepada Islam Hadhari] The answer is, much less than you think.
My point? Criticism should not be meted out on only those who are outside the main power structure.
In this instance, the muftis clearly have an ally inside.
