These words were the headlines of New Straits Times on Tuesday, February 15, 2011.

Datuk Seri Najib, at a luncheon with leaders of various groups in conjunction with the World Inter-Faith Harmony Week at the Putrajaya Conference Centre on February 14 said that the government will fight any form of extremism as such ideologies only serve to divide the rakyat and weaken the country.

To obtain zero religious extremism is simple – the strict compliance with Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights:

“Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.”

The following are some of the changes that will have to be made before we can witness such zero religious extremism in our nation:

1. A person’s race and religion are two separate issues (see Article 160 of the Federal Constitution)
2. Freedom to propagate any religious doctrine or belief (see Article 11 (4) of the Federal Constitution). The sharing of one’s faith must exclude the use of both force and bribery.
3. A person’s religion should not be displayed on identity cards.
4. In the event of one of the partners married in a civil ceremony converting to Islam, any divorce, custody or financial matters should be brought to the civil court.
5. The use of the word ‘Allah’ must be retained.

Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights – so easy to understand but, in far too many countries, including Malaysia, so difficult to put into practice!

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