Are interfaith relations strained by double standards?

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Double Standards in Interfaith Relations Lead to Strain

The discourse surrounding interfaith relations in Malaysia is significantly strained by apparent double standards exhibited by the Malay Muslim community. This is evident in differing reactions to freedom of speech, religious tolerance, and the treatment of minority faiths, where principles are selectively applied based on convenience rather than consistency.
Selective Application of Freedom of Speech

A notable instance highlighting this selective application of freedom of speech involved the cancellation of Islamic preacher Zakir Naik's talk at Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTeM) on April 17, 2016. The event, titled “Similarities between Hinduism and Islam,” was called off after causing unease within the Hindu community. While the cancellation led to an outcry among some Malay Muslims who viewed it as an infringement on free speech, the same community, as argued, often invokes "freedom of speech" to defend potentially inflammatory remarks made by Muslims against other religions. This contrasts with instances where dissenting Muslim voices or those perceived as “deviant,” such as Dr. Ulil Abshar Abdalla in 2014, faced entry denials or other restrictions.
Inconsistent Stance on Religious Freedom

The concept of religious freedom also appears to be inconsistently upheld. Some segments of the Malay Muslim community assert that religious freedom is mutually exclusive with Islam, thereby restricting the propagation of other faiths. However, these same individuals or groups may utilize the principle of religious freedom to defend the propagation of Islam, combat Islamophobia, encourage conversion to Islam, and protect converts from familial or societal pressure. This inconsistency is further underscored by past events such as Lina Joy's legal bid to change her religious identity, the case of Raif Badawi, and the deportation of Juli Jalaluddin, where a robust defense of individual religious choice was reportedly lacking from these same circles.
A Selective Approach to Religious Pluralism and Tolerance

Furthermore, there is a perceived double standard regarding religious pluralism and tolerance towards minority faiths. While advocating for respect for other religions and peaceful coexistence when Muslim minorities face persecution abroad, a less accommodating stance is often observed domestically. Examples cited include protests against Hindu temple constructions, instances of Molotov cocktails being thrown at churches, and churches being compelled to remove their crosses. This selective empathy suggests that the principles of religious tolerance are not universally applied within Malaysia.
The Issue of Excommunication and Dissent Within Islam

The controversy surrounding Zakir Naik also brought to the fore issues of takfir, or the excommunication of fellow Muslims. While some rallied behind Naik's statements against such practices, the same community is quick to label other Muslims as "kafir" (infidels) for holding unorthodox opinions. Organisations like Sisters In Islam have faced accusations of being "deviant" and unfaithful, and progressive Muslims have been told to leave Islam due to their views. The lack of a consistent effort to counter takfir when it occurs within the community, especially when the dissenting opinions do not align with the majority, further exemplifies this internal double standard. The core issue, as articulated, is not the individual preacher but the hypocrisy within the Malay Muslim community, which applies values and freedoms based on convenience and self-interest rather than universal principles.

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Are interfaith relations strained by double standards?

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