Growing ethno-religious extremism in Malaysia poses serious mounting challenges to social harmony among the population, yet the majority of Malaysians still believe that by adhering to the principles of secular governance and democracy can help in fending off these challenges. Visiting Malaysian scholars Ms. Ruhans Harun and Dr. Mohammad Kamarulnazim Abdullah expressed this optimism during their lectures on ¿State, Religion and Democracy– (SDR) at FC College and Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) held on January 13, 2014.
The SDR is a Center for Research and Security Studies initiative, supported by the Heinrich Boll Stiftung (HBS). It involves scholars from Turkey, Malaysia and Indonesia, who have been delivering lectures and holding intellectual interactions with Pakistani scholars and university students since early 2013.
The primary objective of the initiative is to highlight the need for separation of religion from politics and advocate promotion of globally practiced principles of democracy. During 2013 scholars from Turkey and Indonesia visited various Pakistani universities and think tanks to share their experiences and to inform the audience as to how their states were trying to keep a distinction between faith and political economy.
Ms. Ruhans Harun, eminent scholar and Professor at National Defence University of Malaysia, in her lecture said that political stability, security and socio-economic well-being of the population were necessary requirements to nurture democracy in Malaysia.
She said that state sponsorship of religious conservatism began in the last quarter of the previous century and resulted in creating a deep schism in society. However, she said, the state was gradually able to check the fallout of these policies, and eventually managed to and neutralize threats to the system posed by radical forces. Today, she said, there is a much greater realization that inclusive political economy and democracy is the only way to guarantee freedom, social harmony and economic justice.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Mohammad Kamarulnazim Abdullah from University of Utara Malaysia, highlighted different aspects of democracy in Malaysia, the role of the religion in the affairs of the state and negative role of various ethno-religious groups in distorting and undermining democratic values. He said that Malaysia was challenged by several issues related to its ethnic as well as religious diversity and an inclusive democratic provides the only answer to these challenges.
Dr. Saeed Shafqat, Founding Director of the Centre for Public Policy and Governance also shared his views on the topic while presenting examples from various contemporary issues pertaining to democracy and governance. He highlighted the importance of this dialogue regarding state, religion and democracy and said that only an informed and politically aware youth could play vital role in establishing a real democracy.
The students of FC College and LUMS, after the lectures, also shared their views on the topic during the interactive session of the seminar and asked various questions from the guest speakers regarding Malaysian experience of democracy and challenges.