The responsibility of keeping the extremist tendencies in society in check lies with the state and it must create a balance among the diverse sections of the population. Malaysia has also its share of radical and extremists groups but the government despite favoring a certain level of Islamization in the country, has not allowed extremist groups to disrupt peace and harmony in society. Thus, Malaysia has successfully exhibited that the state has all the ability and potential to set some paradigms for the country to ensure the concept of equal citizenry.
The visiting Malaysian scholars Prof. Ruhanas Harun and Prof. Dr. Kamarulnizam expressed these views while delivering lectures during the seminar ¿State, Religion and Democracy– at Fatima Jinnah Women University (FJWU) here Thursday. The seminar was part of a series of discussions with Pakistani intelligentsia, academia and civil society on various contemporary issues facilitated by Heinrich Boll Stiftung (HBS) and Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS), Islamabad.
Prof, Runhas Harun, during her lecture covered variety of issues regarding governance and ethno-religious problems in Malaysia and said that respecting differences was a key to resolve issues especially in society like Malaysia which was compassed of huge religious, cultural and ethnic diversity. She informed the audience that the government if Malaysia has been successfully able to establish a counter narrative including by presenting versions of Jihad based on inner strive and struggle to serve the humanity.
Discussing various aspects of secular democracy, Prof. Dr. Kamarulnizam on the occasion said that religion has a significant role in Malaysia. Yet, he said the government has taken appropriate measures to ensure that and religion should not be posing a hindrance to the democratic and social development of the country. He said that the state has assumed its role to works for the betterment of underprivileged classes and to get them mainstreamed in society.
The students of FJWU, during the questions and answers session of the seminar, asked various question regarding the governance, state, religion and democracy in Malaysia and made some interesting observations about the different situations in Pakistan and Malaysia. The guests speakers, while responding to various queries said that a secular democracy could safeguard the interests of every individual and groups in society.