A letter in Malaysiakini written by a brother, Mahdar Tahir, regarding the status of non-Muslims in Malaysia interests me greatly. I shall reproduce it here.
Actually, non-Muslim Malaysians are ‘dhimmis’ and for the sake of those who are not familiar with the term, below is brief explanation on the terms relevant to this issue:
Dhimmi: A dhimmi is a free, non-Muslim subject of a state governed in accordance with syariah — Islamic law. A dhimmi is a person of the dhimma a term which refers in Islamic law to a pact contracted between non-Muslims and authorities from their Muslim government.
Dhimmis were allowed to practice their religion, subject to certain conditions and to enjoy a measure of communal autonomy and are guaranteed their personal safety and security of property.
Meanwhile, a harbi is a non-Muslim who does not live under Muslim rule, as opposed to a dhimmi. The harbi is the inhabitant of the Dar al Harb - a state governed not in accordance with shariah. A harbi has no rights. If a harbi wants to enter the territory of Muslims (Dar al-Islam) he needs a safe conduct agreement called aman (in modern days called a visa).
As such, non-Muslims in Malaysia are definitely dhimmis.
Of course, that is only true up to a certain point. There are the dhimmis in the country who are, although protected as citizens of this nation, have sadly adopted the attitude of the harbi. Unfortunately as it stands according to Shariah, as long as these non-Muslims in question remain a citizen of the country, they will be protected and regarded as dhimmis, non-Muslims who are protected by the Muslim majority.
July 26th, 2007 at 4:14 pm
Interesting. So thus Muslims have to act accordingly and be an example to these Dhimmis right? But the bad apples in the Muslim community is in fact growing. Thus there are those that we can coin these Muslims as Liberalist Muslims.
August 4th, 2007 at 6:55 am
Is jizya protection money?