It would be better to say that ‘God comes first’, and if all leaders were to say that, then perhaps belief in the ‘one God’ can be a unifying factor."

Najib further added that in our country "schools have become less diverse, people more polarised and religions taking on less tolerant interpretations".

Malaysia’s diversity includes religious diversity as well. While recognising Islam as the official religion of the country, the Constitution also guarantees freedom of other religious worship and beliefs in a peaceful and non-threatening manner.

However, there are genuine rumblings at the ground level which need to be addressed urgently. Increasingly, many non-Muslims feel that their religions are not given the due respect, freedom and equity they deserve.

Many, including Muslims, are also unhappy that a small minority of Muslims are trying to interpret Islam in a narrow and unjust manner. The "cow head incident" in Shah Alam is only one high-profile case, but there are many other cases, reported or otherwise, which show a lack of understanding, respect and sensitivity to other religions.

I wish to state that as a non-Muslim, I have the highest res-pect and regard for Islam as a great religion which appears to emphasise much more on social justice than other religions. I am totally against the Islamophobia currently sweeping the West and the racist stereotyping of Islam as a violent and intolerant religion, no thanks to a small minority of terrorists who have distorted the teachings of Islam to justify their actions in reaping havoc in many parts of the world. I have also supported the Palestinian cause for more than two decades knowing full well that it is a case where a racist ideology (Zionism) is used to justify suppressing and oppressing people of other religions especially Muslims.

We live in a deeply divided world. Religions at the global level do not seem to unite humanity even though they, especially the monotheist religions, seem to have much in common. The late US political scientist Samuel Huntington’s famous theory of the "clash of the civilisations" (with which I disagree) is unfortunately gaining more credence in recent times. This theory explains that the main source of all conflicts in the world is not ideological or geopolitical but cultural and religious in nature.

According to Huntington, the major world cultures (including religions), especially the Muslim world and the Christian western civilisation, are inherently in conflict with one another and have been so for a long time. It is only a matter of time before serious confrontations take place to finish off one or the other, i.e. a "winner take all" scenario. Many supporters of this theory are expecting the so-called "culturally superior and advanced" Christian West to win and completely dominate the world one day (they are already dominating the world in many ways).

Regarding the role of religion in our country, does Hungtington’s theory of inevi-table religious conflict have any truth here? My answer is no. It appears that in Malaysia, the politicisation of a certain religion, especially its narrow and extreme interpretation, is becoming a major obstacle in our quest for national unity. The situation seems to be getting worse lately. Some recent examples are the hue and cry over the conversion of minors, "body snatching" cases, attacks on other religions (such as the "cow head" incident) and even open public declarations by certain politicians about putting their religion first, above party and everything else.

On putting religion above all else, what do these politicians really mean or imply? In itself and if confined purely to their own religious circles, such statements may seem all right or harmless, but if everyone, especially those seeking political power, were to make similar public declarations that "my religion comes first above everything else", they are bound to be interpreted negatively. There would then be constant strife as there are at least four major religions practised in the country. By claiming that their religion comes first, they also imply that national unity is secondary.

Each of the major religions is essentially a different interpretation of the "how and what" of their practices in their belief in God.

It would be better to say that "God comes first", and if all religious and political leaders were to say that, then perhaps belief in the "one God" can be a unifying factor. Then they should obey God to do and say the right things including respecting other religions instead of making provocative and arrogant public proclamations to imply that other religions are inferior.

So is religion a unifying force in our country? It should be, but it does not appear to be so. A small number of people are creating negative ripples and coming out with all kinds of do’s and don’ts based on their narrow interpretations of their religion. They are putting obstacles in the way of national unity and exacerbating the cultural divide among our people. The silent moderate and fair-minded majority should speak up to regain lost ground.

The prime minister and the authorities concerned should constantly drive home the point that the 1Malaysia vision cannot be achieved without full and mutual respect and acceptance of all religions practised peacefully by our people. There are no two ways about it.

The writer is the CEO of a think tank and management consultancy based in Kuala Lumpur. Comments: letters@thesundaily.com