LET THEM SPEAK

Salam

This is not a new issue but it is actually an ongoing issue that still not reaching the very end of it. Sensitive to say the least and at times, provocative. Sure, as a Muslim, the best way to handle this kind of problem is through 'hikmah' cause emotional outburst or comments won't lead to anywhere.

The issue of non Muslim one their voice heard talking about Islam is not a small issue. It is very sensitive in whatever way we see it and of course will bring out a lot of prejudices among the Muslim in general. Muslim are afraid of the voices of the non Muslim while for me personally it should not has happen at all. Why we should feel intimidated by their voices? Although we are not encouraging anyone to talk about Islam without clear knowledge, we can't stop them forever. Allowing them to voice out is actually one way of trying to understand the level of knowledge that they have and the way to know their feelings about us.

The freedom of speech is not something evil but the way they use it and they way we handle it that will determined the consequences. Of course we are not entertaining just anyone but this is our opportunity to further educate many of the people out there about Islam in general. I am very sure that Islam has the answer for everything. The only thing is many of us even up there in the hierarchy are not prepare to handle any issue properly which is unfortunate. Instead of becoming rather repressive of all the dissenting voices about Islam, we should go into the 'offensive' mode. By saying 'offensive' means we should be more effective in tackling any misunderstanding about our religion.

I am very sure that we have a capable Muslim scholar in the country that if they are given any chance, they will definitely become the trump card in developing the understanding of Islam. Let the non Muslim -even the Muslim- talk and the scholar explain. Explain in intellectual ways not emotional and I am quite convince that everyone will respect and understand.

We can't effort to educate everyone through the system but by hearing their voices, this is the good chances for us to make use of it. Of course with some help with the government, no one will feel insulted. The growing voices of the non Muslim who think they can speak about us can be turn into a very potent point for us in the long run. The end result, we are not only educating them and allaying their fear, we are also educating the other Muslim who also think like the non Muslim and misunderstood the religion.