RAMADAN is a few days away. Since 1995, Ramadan has become a fond reminder to my spouse and me of one evening at Perkim.

We went there to buka puasa (break fast) and witness one of my TESL undergraduate teachers’ conversion to Islam. We were specially invited by the said teacher to the occasion. Let me refer to this teacher as X.

It all happened in early 1990s. There was a glut of Science and Maths teachers, and the university decided that those with good grades in English should also have the knowledge to handle teaching language, if required.

For a book review assignment, X wrote about a book that was highly critical of Islam and Prophet Muhammad. I did not expect X to read such a book, what more, write about it. I had a serious private discussion with X regarding the assignment. I assured that it would remain a secret between us on two conditions – X had to redo the assignment, adding a more balanced view about why this personality is respected by more than a billion people in the world, and present it during one of the speaking assignments, which happened frequently in the class.

I also introduced a class discussion on what should be the ideal image of a teacher in a Malaysian school. We discussed the importance of a teacher to portray themselves as someone neutral, who appreciates and understands all students’ cultures and religions. Though this area is already covered very well in our Rukunegara and civic lessons in school, it is sad that many schools take this lightly. We do find moral education, or civic periods, used for other so-called “important” subjects.

A few weeks later, one day after the class, X asked me: “Sir, where does it say that you Muslims must pray five times in a day?”

“Muslims do it, so it must be in the Quran,” I replied.

X said: “Please, get me the reference.”

The five prayers a day are mentioned in the Hadiths. I felt embarrassed not knowing this fact.

I also told X that I was born a Muslim, and my knowledge of Islam is limited to the ritual requirements, like praying, fasting, etc. I added that religion was not my field of expertise, and I did not want to get involved in teaching any kind of religious studies.

I did my secondary schooling at a Methodist private mission school. In 1956, during the first LCE examination in Malaya, I sat for the Bible studies (revised version) paper because I did not have the targeted number of subjects, and Agama Islam was not taught in Malayan schools as a subject in those days. For further information about religion, X should go to other sources for help.

X did well in the examination and left the university. It was about one year after graduating that X converted to Islam, as mentioned earlier.

I am writing regarding the above incident with the hope that the authorities will reconsider the Kuching Sessions Court decision in March, where Alister Cogla, 22, was fined RM50,000 and jailed 10 years for insulting Islam on Facebook.

Could what I did to X be a better punishment for cases involving insulting religions? The offence of writing something from historical sources to hurt someone’s feelings is merely childish behaviour. In my humble opinion, it does not warrant such a heavy punishment.

The option to redo the assignment, reinforced by positive activities, must have prompted X to look at Islam in a different way. Though I did not expect the conversion part, it was a pleasant surprise.

Slowly and surely, there are many good things happening in Malaysia since Pakatan Harapan took over. Seeing Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa standing with other religious leaders in solidarity against the terrorist attacks in Sri Lanka, and some Muslims visiting a church in Sentul, I am happy to say Malaysia has finally taken the first two steps towards confronting racial and religious problems.

Let this year’s Ramadan become the turning point. Please consider giving Alister another chance. Make this Ramadan special for Malaysia. – May 3, 2019.

* Shaikh Abdul Karim reads The Malaysian Insight.

* 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.