‘I am #26’ petition, a follow-up to prominent Malays’ open letter
Malaysians are signing up to be "No. 26" in the open letter signed by 25 retired high-ranking Malay civil servants who called for an end to extremism and for rational dialogue on Islam recently.
An online petition called "I am #26" has gathered more than 1,500 signatures as of this morning, in a move to boost support for the 25, whose open letter has gone viral, drawing praise from many and vitriol from Malay rights groups.
A certain L. Khairuddin from Kuala Lumpur started the petition – which is directed at Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak – stating it supported "the stand taken by the group of 25, by standing together as #26".
Published in English and Malay, the petition reiterates the points published in the open letter.
It urged Najib as prime minister to exercise his "personal leadership" to "send a clear signal that rational and informed debate on Islamic laws" and their application "are not regarded an insult to Islam or to the religious authorities".
It called for a review of the shariah laws of Malaysia, noting that the dual legal system practiced has led to much conflict. It also said personal morality should not be policed and legislated.
"Sins are sins, between the iman (faith) of any Muslim with God. They should not be viewed as crimes as it distorts the public image of Islam," the petition said.
The petition also said elected representatives at state and federal levels should be more aware on the legal jurisdiction and limits of religious authorities.
It added that fatwas (Islamic decrees) were bound by constitutional limits and open to judicial review, and civil society should be allowed to discuss Islam openly as the religion was a source of public law and policy in Malaysia.
Many of those who signed the online petition also added personal comments, such as Khaliq Zulkepli who said: "I do not want my beloved country to be run by potential Talibans!"
One Ahmad M. Ayob said: "I'm signing because the PM is silent on many issues, as if he's condoning the actions of right-wing groups like Perkasa and Isma. It is about time he makes a strong stand to reject their extremist views that look at non Malays n nonMuslims as enemies of the nation. That is not the teaching of Islam."
The lead signatory of the open letter, Datin Noor Farida Ariffin, told The Malaysian Insider that fears that Malaysia would become another Pakistan or Afghanistan where religious extremism was on the rise, prompted her to get other prominent Malays to speak up through the open letter.
She hoped the letter would spark the start of "something big" and positive in Malaysia after noting the huge amount of goodwill received for it.
"It is not going to end here, this is a genesis of a movement of moderate Muslims," the former Malaysian ambassador to the Netherlands said. – December 16, 2014.
