PAS’ dialogue with non-Muslims should refrain from ideological or political positioning. Veteran journalist Terrance Netto seems to think that PAS should organise dialogues with non-Muslims so that the latter can understand the party’s version of Islam better.
I agree with Netto that to ask PAS to accept the notion of a secular state or separation of the state and religion held by the non-Muslims might be a tall order.
Islam does not distinguish between the state and the practice of religion. In fact, religious principles are much more sacrosanct than the actual practice of governance.
Thus, asking PAS to abandon the notion of fusion of religion and the state is a non-starter or asking for the impossible.
Drawing upon my experience in peace engagements, for meaningful dialogue between the adversaries in conflict to take place, it is advisable to avoid discussion about the relative political positions of the parties involved.
Putting forward the respective political and ideological positions of the adversaries might not be the best way to start peace negotiations. Instead, the peace process should start with matters that might be of common agreement between the parties.
Positional insistence might have the tendency to derail peace talks even before substantive matters could be engaged. I don’t think PAS and non-Muslims are in an adversarial position in the country.
Over the years, the hardening of political positions on the basis of race and religion have led to a situation where issues affecting the ordinary people have been neglected.
The methodology adopted in peace negotiations might not be applicable to non-adversarial situations. It is not that pushing ideological and political positions of the parties is a sure way of ensuring success in peace negotiations in areas where peace has been rather elusive.
But nonetheless, some lessons could be learnt and applied in domestic national situations so as to avoid outright failure when it comes to dialogues or discussions.
Non-Muslim support
This is the reason why rather than arguing on what PAS stands for or what the non-Muslims expect from the party should be avoided at the outset. Getting into these extreme positions might derail the process of rapprochement between PAS and the non-Muslims.
Alternatively, I think PAS should elaborate on policies and measures that might gain the confidence of the non-Muslims.
The dialogue is essentially about undertaking confidence building measures. There is already realisation in PAS circles that they have to move beyond the present political parameters of race or religion. If not, there is little or no chance for the party to embrace non-Muslims.
PAS might be labelled as an Islamic party by virtue of its name but for all intents and purposes it is a political party that is inextricably linked to the acquisition of power.
The party thinks with Islam as its guide, it is able to govern the country in a better way than the existing political parties. The only thing that is standing in the way of PAS gaining national political power is the lack of support from the non-Muslims.
Non-Muslims cannot be faulted for having misgivings about PAS simply because its past trajectory had no place for them. It is good that PAS is beginning to re-think of its political option of how to gain the support of the non-Muslims.
Since it is PAS that wants to make the in-roads gaining the support of the non-Muslims, then the onus and responsibility is with the party to wave the olive branch.
In this respect, PAS should not reaffirm its religious ideological position but to find ways and means to establish a common ground with the non-Muslims for the purpose of political accommodation.
A dialogue away from positions will enable the identification of common denominators that define the relationship between the Muslims and non-Muslims.
Recently, PAS at its 69th General Assembly has indicated its willingness to embrace non-Muslims in the country. However, it has dawned upon the party that to go for national power, it must get the support of the non-Muslims.
Let us see whether PAS lives up to the concerns of political accommodation with non-Muslims. – Oct 25, 2023
Former deputy chief minister II of Penang and ex-Perai state assemblyman Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy was also a former Penang Development Corporation (PDC) board member.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
