nor hartini kaharudin ( 0730698 )

“Of course religion is important. But I am a Malay first before I become a Muslim “. Discuss.
Assalamualaikum wrh wbt.
Errmmm…. before I comment this statement, I like u all think for a while.. Does this statement controversial? For me, as a Muslim, I feel shocked (and a bit angry) with this statement when it was written on the white board. Kononnya, this matter should not be risen up. But, there must be something happen out there. If not, this issue will not be a hot issue.
Yes. Of course we are born in nature (fitrah). Fitrah means here ‘Islam in nature’. Regardless what the religion of the parents is, a newborn baby is born in Islam, as a Muslim. And, their parents will mould them (baby) to be what their parents want to. Either wants to be Nasrani, Majusi or Yahudi. But, these terms are in general way.
Back to our topic, between being Malay or being a Muslim is a different thing. Every Malay is a Muslim but not every Muslim is Malay. For non-Malay who is Muslim, they are still in learning process to be a good Muslim. That’s good. But, what happen to Malays who are leading themselves to be like Westerners. These kinds of people we are worried of. They are not only just declining the Muslim image but also Malay image. So, for me I prefer to become a Muslim first rather than to be a Malay first because Islam is stress to practice good thing so, the image of Islam is increasing as well as image of Malay.
Islam is emphasizing us to be good to our society or surrounding. Society not only meant for those who are Muslim only, but also with the other religions and races. Al-Quran also highlighted the importance of making good with others and keeps getting to know of other tribes (taaruf). If we, Muslim, practices good things, so, the others will see the beautiful of Islam and Malay.
In businesses, if they are exercising the Islamic systems or concepts, the people will not going to fall in bribery or corruption. Islam is already given a guide in dealing with the business. It is easier in business if the leader is a Malay Muslim. It can avoid the company to stray away from Islamic concept. From that, other races and religions will respect us as a Muslim and Malay.
In politics, we can say that among the Malays, they are not having good relationship yet. They are still trying to overtake each other. Why not, if they are all Malay (or Muslim) unite together in order to get a strong ummah and society. If the Malay (or Muslim) united, we can going ahead of other races. Islam also emphasized its followers to unite together or muafakat in order to get strong and success.
However, some people may disagree with me. They are saying that Islam is a religion that all Malay must have. But, just keep remain it in their heart because everything done must be in sincere way. Because of that, Malays will preserve their ‘adat’ more than their religion. As Malay proverb says “biar mati anak, jangan mati adat” .
A proverb is just a proverb. For me, I refute this proverb practically because it is immoral behavior for us to precedence the custom more than our own children or generation.
From that, I can say that, if we are only to be Malay, we are not going success enough, but if we are being as a Muslim and Malay, we will success not only in this world but also in the hereafter. I am a Muslim first and then automatically Malay is coming.