Muslims urged to foster responsible engagement in multicultural societies

KUALA LUMPUR: In a thought-provoking discourse, Datuk Dr Afifi al-Akiti, a prominent theologian and philosopher listed annually in The 500 Most Influential Muslims, emphasized the critical importance for Muslims living in multicultural societies to exercise responsibility in their interactions.

Drawing from his experiences at Oxford University, where he engaged with scholars from diverse disciplines, Dr Afifi highlighted the prevalence of affective polarization in contemporary global politics.

"Affective polarization," Dr Afifi elucidated, "pertains to the manipulation of emotions rather than reasoned debate, leading to a dangerous escalation of tensions."

Dr Afifi who is also the Kuwait Fellow in Islamic Studies at the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies shared his thoughts on the podcast ‘Kindred Stories,’ titled ‘Islam and the West, Exploring al-Ghazali’s Teachings and Bridging Differences,’ which was published and hosted by Khairy Jamaluddin and Shahril Hamdan last Tuesday.

He also pointed to the rise of nationalist populism worldwide, citing examples such as President Donald Trump in the United States, President Jair Bolsonaro in Brazil, Brexit in the UK, and leaders like President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Turkey and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in India, cautioning against the perilous fusion of politics and religion in such populist movements.

"In today's cultural landscape, we witness a clash of values and the imposition of certain beliefs on others," Dr Afifi remarked, underscoring the need for clarity amidst the prevalence of populist rhetoric.

As a Muslim residing in the West, he noted the vulnerability of minorities in such environments, urging introspection on the potential repercussions of right-wing nationalist prejudice and religious populism.

Reflecting on Malaysia's societal dynamics, Dr Afifi highlighted the need for vigilance against the pitfalls of full-on nationalism and religious populism.

"We must be responsible for not exacerbating existing tensions. We must be responsible for not making things worse. We must not add fuel to fire," he stressed, calling for a concerted effort to foster understanding and dialogue in diverse communities.

In a world fraught with culture wars and ideological divides, Dr Afifi's message resonates as a poignant reminder of the shared responsibility to uphold tolerance and respect in multicultural societies including Muslim-majority countries like Malaysia.

As Muslims navigate their roles in such environments, the call for responsible engagement echoes as a beacon of hope amidst the tumult of contemporary geopolitics.