Will Our Political Leaders Learn To Walk In Our Shoes

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So now it’s shoes…
A few columns ago, I did say that I was done with the socks issue, and that I was moving on.
I also did say that a few (read – many) zealots would be scouring discount stores, supermarkets and the internet for the latest discovery of who is insulting Islam.
Was I right or was I right?
What can I say about the latest offending items: it’s footwear, which Malays find unclean and even offensive. It’s built-in into our psyche – point out something with your foot, even I will feel very offended.
But for fellow Malaysians, some advice: keep out of retail stores of whatever kind, for now. The aisles could be crowded with Umno Youth members and assorted heroes looking for even more proof that Islam is being insulted.
That would make the stores crowded enough, but then the aisles would also be full of store employees checking every shelf to ensure they don’t have anything, from darning to curlicues, from curves to cursive writing, that could be seen as an insult to Islam.
Maybe the stores can pay overtime for employees to do their inspection at night? This will allow daytime inspections by the aforementioned heroes. Otherwise, in the frenzy, nobody might get to do any shopping at all.
We really do need to get this matter sorted out quickly, or else, inaddition to crowded stores there might be so many boycotts we wouldn’t have anywhere to shop.
An SOP for controversies?
Given how often people “up there” have been dealing with this matter so far – from ministers to all kinds of enforcement bodies secular and spiritual and, no doubt, youth wings of desperate political parties – they seem to be all handling the latest matter with a practiced ease.
It’s almost as if SOPs have been put in place for the occasion when somebody somewhere brings up yet another discovery of yet another everyday item (especially footwear) that may resemble anything Arabic.
If this means that such matters can be brought up and dealt with quickly so that we can move on, then I’m all for it.
Meanwhile, there is a strange silence at the very top. Our prime minister seems to have swallowed his tongue. He seems to have decided that he’d rather not risk being seen as not being a defender of race and religion.
Ironically, when Umno went to town with the socks issue, the other Malay political parties saw the opportunity to appear sane and wise, and hedged their bets by not opening their mouths to inflame the matter further.
The Umno connection
This is politics, after all. Now that we’re in the second chapter of this drama, perhaps Umno themselves will be the one trying to appear sane and reasonable and deciding to cease and desist.
After all, their calls and provocations that inflamed the socks issue have led to some unfortunate criminal acts, which they can’t easily dismiss as being unconnected to their actions.
The fact they’re not seen to be connected with the latest shoe issue will allow them to dial down their rhetoric and hope that people will forget who actually dialled it up in the first place.
But I doubt reasonable Malaysians will forget about it.
This is how low Umno has fallen. In recent decades with Umno, we have seen nothing but unrepentant thieves who stole billions for themselves that could otherwise have gone to help ordinary Malaysians.
I can’t imagine anybody with any shred of decency at all remaining with Umno. They’re gambling on the current madness to make them relevant again with Malays; the sad part is that it may even work for them.
Unresolved problems
All the problems facing Malays – from lack of self-sufficiency and resilience in education, employment, the economy etc, and the corollary of a needy dependence on politics and the government – are still around, and in all likelihood has even deteriorated.
All the problems facing the Muslims in the world, from the tragedy in Palestine to the enmity and hatred between the various sects of Muslims, are still there too.
None of the heroes and defenders involved have any idea about what to do to improve the lot of the Malays, apart from spending more public money on them. All they know is how to keep Malays as addicted as possible to their words and commands.
Malay leaders, whether in the government or in the opposition, chose to keep quiet because none of them dare to face up to the question – is this what Islam is all about? Is God, looking down on us from heaven during this holy month of Ramadan happy or angry with us?
Do I have the answer to that question? Of course not. I’m just a simple being trying my best to make it through life. Don’t look at me for guidance and direction on how to live your life.
Seeking deliverance
But it’s apparent we can’t look to our “leaders” up there either, because they’re either clueless, cowardly or opportunistic or all three.
Look into your heart instead and ask yourself – are you living the life of a true Muslim, a life that will inspire others to follow? If you’re not, if somehow you cannot live according to the word of God as passed to us through his messenger, the Prophet Muhammad, and be a shining beacon for others, then something has gone wrong.
Go back to the very beginning, something all Muslims must do, regardless of sect or race or age or gender.
Back to the beginning that says “In the name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful”. And take it from there. Ignore all the noises (or lack of), and find the answer from within your heart. For clearly, you’re not going to find the answer out there.
In the meantime, let me take this opportunity to wish all Muslims Selamat Hari Raya, Maaf Zahir Batin. May your month of fasting opened your eyes and your hearts to the real pain and suffering of your fellow human beings out there.
And may that lead you to be beneficent and merciful too. - FMT
The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.

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