Every now and then we see the eruption of some issue that splits Malaysians or causes worry and fear. The Madani government’s proposed new guidelines for Muslims attending non-Muslim events is the latest in this series of episodes.

Such eruptions are totally unnecessary and can be avoided by employing common sense and engaging everyone before announcing any plans, policies or guidelines.

It’s good to know that the Cabinet was sensible enough to decide against implementing the guidelines

In announcing the Cabinet decision, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the proposed guidelines that set rules regarding the involvement of Muslims in non-Muslim festivities and funerals were unnecessary.

According to a FMT report, Anwar said such guidelines would only cause anxiety.

So true. In fact, many Malaysians were anxious or unhappy or worried over the proposed guidelines. They rightly feared that it would further cause disharmony and damage national unity.

On Feb 5, minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Naim Mokhtar told Parliament that updates were being made to existing guidelines on Muslims attending non-Muslim gatherings and events.

Currently such advice is contained in the Guidelines for Muslims Attending non-Muslim Festive Celebrations which were endorsed by the Fatwa Muzakarah Committee of the Muzakarah Committee of the National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs (MKI) in 2005.

News reports said that under the proposed new guidelines, event organisers must seek the view of Islamic authorities if the event were to involve Muslims – such as when inviting leaders or Muslims for festivities, funerals or events held in non-Muslim houses of worship.

“The guidelines underline the involvement of Muslims in non-Muslim festive celebrations. Among them is that Muslims involved in such celebrations must not participate in actions that could touch on the sensitivities of the Muslim community,” he was quoted as saying in a written reply to Permatang Pauh MP Muhammad Fawwaz Mohamad Jan and Pokok Sena MP Ahmad Saad.

The new guidelines also touch on speeches, singing and the distribution of pamphlets that propagate religions other than Islam at such events. One proposal prohibits the holding of such events close to mosques, suraus, Muslim cemeteries or land donated for religious use through wakaf.

“The premises used for the events must not display non-Muslim religious symbols,” Naim was quoted as saying.

He said the proposed updated guidelines would be finalised at a MKI meeting scheduled to be held between Feb 25 and 27.

Following an outcry by many, including level-headed Muslims who saw the damage this could cause to national unity, the proposed guidelines were discussed by the Cabinet and a decision was taken to drop them.

Anwar told reporters: “I think there’s no need for such guidelines because Muslims know the rules (of our faith).

“This is the norm. Let’s not complicate things and cause anxiety in our society. This is what the Cabinet decided.”

When news about the proposals surfaced, several people and groups voiced criticism. This included the MIC whose deputy president M Saravanan said in a statement on Feb 5: “The nation has thrived on unity and this proposed ruling will disrupt the harmony we have maintained for decades.”

He asked whether non-Muslims would now be required to seek approval from the Islamic development department (Jakim) before inviting Muslim guests and whether permission would be needed for Muslims to pay their last respects to deceased non-Muslim friends.

He urged the government to engage with all communities before making decisions affecting both Muslims and non-Muslims.

This should actually have been done before the announcement of the proposed guidelines.

The Madani government must take this as another lesson on the need for thorough discussion and consultation when drawing up plans, policies, programmes, guidelines and laws that affect Malaysians.

Such discussions should also involve interest groups and the public at large, not just political parties or “experts”.

As I said earlier, if the people had been engaged before the guidelines were drawn up, it could have saved much angst and anxiety.

Also, I think no one should underrate the faith of Muslims. The assumption that Muslims here have weak faith and need to be protected – as those in authority, some politicians and NGO leaders seem to demonstrate – is misplaced.

As one of my Malay friends said: “I’ve spent more than six decades associating with non-Muslims and yet my faith is intact.”

He added: “Religion is being weaponised and used for political manoeuvring, causing more divisiveness. Such things will polarise us even more.”

He noted that we had no such problems in the sixties and seventies. And I have to agree with him.

In those days in the peninsula, Malays, Chinese, Indians and others mingled freely without any problem. They could go where they liked and attend whatever event they liked.

Many Muslims of my generation used to visit temples and churches in earlier days during some festival or other out of curiosity or to accompany their celebrating friends.

Some of my Malay friends have been inside temples and attended non-Muslim events, but they remain staunch Muslims till today. Their faith in Islam is unshaken.

They are, in fact, practising their religion even more fervently than they did years ago, yet have no problem mingling with others or attending non-Muslim events.

As I said earlier, let this be a good lesson.

Also, I would again urge policymakers to always give national unity the primacy it deserves.

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.