AS we approach our 62nd Merdeka, the country is still grappling with racial flare-ups. Of late, they have become frequent, while real and significant efforts to mend ties have become less enthusiastic, and few and far between.

Though most of these fires were sparked by provocative quarters, a blaze cannot spread without oxygen. When spreading malcontent, the most powerful weapon is, perhaps, ignorance. To knowingly or unknowingly tap into the unfounded fear of the unknown and manipulate it into a critical-mass bogeyman, and to position oneself as the godsent solution to an unholy problem, is to achieve indefeasible political control.

But ignorance does not happen overnight.

In the Information Age, where people are better educated, including in religious matters, the desire to share knowledge is natural. However, the overemphasis on one’s own religion, often at the cost of developing an understanding of others’, creates a sense of superiority – moral, intellectual, even historical – over our neighbours of different faiths. Here, the lack of compassion and empathy serves to widen the chasm between communities.

Respect for and understanding of basic religious beliefs and tenets, such as the prohibition on eating beef for Hindus and the requirement to pray at certain times of the day for Muslims, used to come as naturally as breathing. But suddenly, it became okay to question and ridicule them. Inflammatory comments made on social media elicit equally incendiary responses, and this cycle only escalates, corroding the unspoken “walls” we’ve put up to safeguard harmony.

A poor understanding of issues like khat/Jawi, the M. Indira Gandhi case, and even the international practice of having copies of the Bible (and sometimes, the Quran) in hotels has caused unnecessary tensions between communities. These matters need only be better explained to the people. Empathy in all situations helps, especially when it concerns another person’s religious beliefs.

Leaders from the country’s various communities need to see the greater good instead of viewing things purely from the perspective of an adherent of a particular faith – even if it means putting aside certain personal convictions.

That 5,000 complaints have been filed with the Malaysian Islamic Development Department and many reports lodged with police over insults against religions is alarming. Not to mention the occasional, but increasing, calls for boycotts and counter-boycotts between communities on each other’s products.

Suspicion of one another has led to accusations of meddling in religious practices other than one’s own, proselytisation, insensitivity, irrational demands and radicalism. The list goes on. But if Malaysia has seen 60 years of Islamisation or Christianisation, why aren’t we one or the other yet? And if every race feels bullied, every religion threatened, who exactly is doing the bullying?

Tracing the problem is always helpful. Is there even a “real” challenge to the status quo? Who is doing the challenging? And, is it reflective of the wishes of an entire community, or just a handful of troublemakers?

More often than not, upon closer examination, we find that there is no real issue to begin with.

Pride in our own way of life, beliefs and ideologies is good, but it should not turn into stubborn arrogance. The former gives a sense of personal identity and history, while the latter creates obstinate communities that refuse to give in to our common identity: Malaysian. A unique, independent identity that belongs to us all, after a hard-earned Merdeka.

This August 31, let’s try to listen more than talk, empathise more than insist, and educate instead of argue. Bringing us back together as one is a Herculean effort that requires all to pitch in, and it is a struggle worth fighting for.

Selamat Hari Merdeka, Malaysiaku. – August 29, 2019.

* Emmanuel Joseph firmly believes that Klang is the best place on Earth, and that motivated people can do far more good than any leader with motive.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.