During this month, every able-bodied Muslim is required to fast, every day from dawn until dusk. In Arabic, it is called “sawm”, which means “to be at rest”.
The purpose of fasting is to help cleanse the soul and develop self-restraint, compassion, the spirit of caring and sharing, and a love of humanity and God. Fasting is a universal custom and is advocated by almost all religions, with more restrictions in some than in others.
Fasting makes us understand the pain of deprivation and hunger. The meaning of this powerful experience in a social and humanitarian context is that we are much quicker than anybody else to sympathise with the oppressed and needy around the world and therefore to respond to their needs.
“It is the month to visit the poor, the sick, and the needy to share their sorrows. It is the month where the food, sustenance and the earnings of a believing Muslim increases and they are blessed,” said Prophet Muhammad, a man who was known for his noble humanitarian causes, social justice, and for being responsive to the needs of others despite the fact that he himself lived a very simple and humble life. Ramadan enables us to reflect on the condition of those in this world who may not be as fortunate as we are.
Ramadan culminates with Eid Fitri celebrations
At the end of Ramadan and on the first day of Syawal, Muslims celebrate Eid Fitri for three days.
Eid al-Fitr is a time for Muslims to give charity to those in need and to show kindness, love and mercy to all. They also celebrate with family and friends, Muslims and non-Muslims alike, with feasts, food and drinks in the spirit of togetherness and in solidarity with each other. It is an opportune occasion for Muslims to showcase Islam as a mercy to the world and mankind.
Expectations and hopes this Ramadan and Eid Fitri
As we enter our second year under Pakatan Harapan (PH) rule, it would be most fitting if we could reflect this Ramadan and Eid Fitri on what we have gone through and what we want for our future.
The people fought hard for their well-deserved victory at GE14 after more than six decades of misrule and abuse by Umno and Barisan Nasional.
With victory came huge expectations and the hope of a new and better Malaysia. Not all of these expectations and hopes have been fulfilled. But the people know the march towards better governance is a work in progress, one which requires a bit of time to deliver but which will be fulfilled and delivered in due course.
The people and the government must recognise and accept the fact that the duty to shape the direction and destiny of the nation is our collective responsibility to bear.
But despite the mixed results and the high and low points of the PH government, we have the right and reason to dream and believe that we are poised for a better and safer future.
A dream and a wish
Like Martin Luther King Jr who gave a most inspiring speech about his dreams of the riches of freedom, security of justice and an end to racism, I too have a dream. A dream of a Malaysia Baru in its truest sense. And I believe it is not just a lonely and wishful dream in the wilderness, but a dream and hope that is shared by many Malaysians who are sane and sober.
A dream of seeing a new and united Malaysia where Malaysians of all faiths, creeds and races can walk hand in hand as a band of brothers and sisters under the new Malaysian sun.
A determination to move away from old and overplayed narrative of race and religion that has characterised the regression of the nation as a whole.
We need to remind ourselves that we have come to a stage where we have to change the old narrative of a fractious society if we are to survive as a nation. It would be fatal for us if we were to overlook the need of the moment. We need to accept the urgency of having to unite now rather than wait for another repeat of May 13 to blow up in our faces.
Now is the time to make our democracy work. Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of discrimination to the path of racial justice. Now is the time to lift our nation from the quicksand of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood. Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God’s children in Malaysia.
Let us not seek to satisfy our communal interest by way of bitterness and hatred. We must build our relationships based on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must never allow our protest to degenerate into physical violence. Instead, we must regulate our conduct through acts of love and compassion.
Let us break the wall of distrust and enmity between the Malays and non-Malays and let us accept that our collective destiny is tied up with each other’s. That our well-being is inextricably bound together. That no single community can walk alone. That our fates are intertwined. That there is enough bounty and blessings for all in Malaysia.
I would like to believe that I speak for the average Malaysian and the common folk who share my dream of a new Malaysia, in its truest sense. That where and when we speak, we speak not with the breath of race or religion but as united Malaysians for all Malaysia.
A special plea to the Malay Muslims
On this special day and occasion of Eid Fitri, let us make a special plea to the Malay Muslims for them to be more of a Muslim and less of a Malay. There is indeed no room for racism in Islam.
Let us plead and urge them to uphold and remain faithful to the dictates and principles of their religious faith, for them to steer away from religious bigotry and racism as promoted by some political parties and extremist groups.
The Malays must look at the non-Muslims as partners in the development of the nation and in our collective pursuit of happiness, harmony and prosperity. Don’t look at others as enemies or foes. Let us work together rather than against one another.
The Malays need not fear for their rights and privileges, including the official position of their religion. Comprising 67.4% of the population, the Malays and Bumiputera have the numbers to protect their position, rights and religion. There are sufficient safeguards in the constitution of the nation to protect these rights. The political equation has always been in their favour. The institutions of power and authority are also overwhelmingly in their favour. What more do the Malays want? If at all, they should use their might, power and authority to care for and protect the minority groups and interests, not to discriminate against or suppress them. Show them what is meant by Islam as a mercy to the world and mankind. Make others understand that the purported fame of Malays as a highly cultured race is indeed a reality, not just a matter of myth or fiction.
As for the non-Malays, you could advocate and should articulate your rights and legitimate expectations, but please do so in a measured, sober and circumspect manner. Be less intransigent and provocative to prevent friction and adverse reactions from the Malay Muslims. Let us work together and avoid fighting each other.
An eye for an eye will leave many Malaysians blind, and a tooth for a tooth will leave many Malaysians toothless. Malaysia Baru will flounder if there are too many blind and toothless Malaysians around.
Last but not least, let us fight tooth and nail to preserve our victory in GE14 which we fought so hard to win. For our sake and the sake of the future generations, let it not go down in vain.
Wan Haron Wan Hassan is a senior practising lawyer, active in civil society movements.
The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.