“SHAPING A SHARED FUTURE

IN MALAYSIA”KAIROS DIALOGUE NETWORK (KDN)

PREAMBLEMalaysia was formed as a MULTI-RACIAL and MULTI-

RELIGIOUS NATION with a CONSTITUTIONAL DEMOCRACY which grants EQUALITY & RELIGIOUS LIBERTY to all citizens

under the law.However, recent social-political developments have caused deep concerns that the rights enshrined in the FEDERAL

CONSTITUTION are being undermined by racial and religious extremism resulting in political marginalization of minority

groups, increasing authoritarianism in government and society leading to the restriction of freedom of speech, assembly and association of citizens as well as encroachment by religious

authorities on the fundamental liberties of all citizens.

KAIROS DIALOGUE NETWORK (KDN)

“UNDERSTANDING WHERE WE ARE”

• HISTORICAL

• THE DE-SECULARIZATION OF MALAYSIA

• CONSTITUTIONAL

• THE RE-INTERPRETATION OF ARTICLE 3(1) OF THE FEDERAL CONSTITUTION

CONSTITUTION OF MALAYSIA

Constitution of Malaysia, Article 3: Religion of the Federation

(1) Islam is the religion of the Federation; but other religions may be practised in peace and harmony in

any part of the Federation.

Constitution of Malaysia, Article 11: Freedom of Religion

(4) State law and in respect of the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur and Lubuan, federal law

may control or restrict the propagation of any religious doctrine or belief among persons

professing the religion of Islam.

RE-INTERPRETATION OF ARTICLE 3

Eugene Yapp: Serious attempts to read Article 3 of the Federal Constitution in such a way that “Islam has a special position and that all other religions must practice their faith without affecting the peace and harmony of the practice of Islam.” – The Apandi Doctrine

Dr Elsa Singham: This drift from the original intent by the courts comes as certain judges make decisions that deviated from the mainstream interpretation of Article 3 and more Muslim judges tend today to take that interpretation.

“UNDERSTANDING WHERE WE ARE”

• HISTORICAL

• THE DE-SECULARIZATION OF MALAYSIA

• CONSTITUTIONAL

• THE RE-INTERPRETATION OF ARTICLE 3(1) OF THE FEDERAL CONSTITUTION

• THEOLOGICAL

• THE TRUNCATED APPROACH OF THE CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY TO NATION BUILDING

• “A Public Theology of Engagement”

SHAPING COMMUNITY

THE EMMAUS ROAD PRINCIPLE

“PROCESSING HISTORICAL EVENTS

TOGETHER”

“And they talked together of all these things which had happened. So it was, while they conversed and reason, that Jesus Himself drew near and went with

them.” – Luke 24:13-15

“What actually happened?” – LOOKING AT HISTORY

“ARTICULATING OUR PRESENT PERSPECTIVE”

“And He said to them, ‘What kind of conversation is this that you have with one

another as you walk and are sad? Then the one who was Cleopas answered and

said to Him, ‘Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem, and have You not known the things

which happened there in these days? And He said to them, ‘What things?’“

– Luke 24:17-19a

“What is Your Interpretation of HISTORY?”

“CREATING A NEW NARRATIVE”

“Then He said to them, ‘O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets

have spoken! Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His

glory?’Beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.” – Luke 24:25-27

“Correcting the Interpretation” IDENTIFYING DEVIATION

A NEW NARRATIVE FOR MALAYSIA1. SHARING COMMON EXPERIENCES/EVENTS2. INDENTIFYING COMMON SHARED VALUES

TIME FOR DIALOGUE TOGETHERWE NEED

3. LEADERS WHO UNDERSTAND HOW TO FACILITATE DIALOGUE AND NEGOTIATE WIN-WIN SOLUTIONS.

4. CHRISTIAN LEADERS WHO ARE ABLE TO PRESENT A BIBLICAL, PROPHETIC PERSPECTIVE TO EVENTS HAPPENING IN OUR NATION

SHAPING THE NATION 1. BY INTER-FAITH DIALOGUES

SHAPING THE NATION 2. BY SHAPING CULTURE

1. ON HOW MALAYSIAN CHRISTIANS CAN IMPACT SOCIETY

“Why Culture is More Important than Politics"

2. ON A PUBLIC THEOLOGY FOR ENGAGEMENT

(The Creation Mandate & the Cultural Mandate)

“Christians Must Engage in the Changing of Culture for the Glory of God.”

• CHRISTIAN

COMMUNITY

• RELIGION SPHERE

• CELEBRATION SPHERE

• MEDIA SPHERE

• ECONOMY & BUSINESS SPHERE

• FAMILY SPHERE

• EDUCATION SPHERE

• GOVERNMENT SPHERE

SHAPING THE NATION 2. BY SHAPING CULTURE

SHAPING THE NATION 3. BY BUILDING BRIDGES OF HOPE

SHAPING PROCESS

• CREATING A SENSE

OF “BELONGIN

G”

• ADOPTING

COMMON

SHARED VALUES

• “BELIEVING”

• BUILDING

BRIDGES OF HOPE “BLESSI

NG”

THE MALAYSIAN“PREFERREDCOMMUNITY”