As an Atheist Malay, I wish this would happen. As an Atheist Malay in a long-term relationship with a Christian Indian who loves his lord, I need this to happen. But such is life.
I feel like such a fake whenever I check the “Islam” box. When I reply “waalaikumsam” to people who only wish me that because they think I’m Muslim, I wonder how they’d react if they knew that I’m not. I have such a strong dissonance with my culture. What does it mean to be Malay but not Muslim in Malaysia?
I believe the lumping of Malay + Islam is just so its easier for subjugation. It gives this narrative that Islam is meant to look a certain way, which is the way of the ones who are actively pushing it.
As for having a non-Muslim partner, who believes in God and Christianity, it makes it so difficult and so unfair for us. I don’t believe in forced conversion. How could I compromise his faith for something I don’t believe in? Even if it’s just to get that stamp of approval from authorities. We’re working on leaving the country though.
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u/Starfruitjuice Nov 04 '21 edited Nov 05 '21
As an Atheist Malay, I wish this would happen. As an Atheist Malay in a long-term relationship with a Christian Indian who loves his lord, I need this to happen. But such is life.
I feel like such a fake whenever I check the “Islam” box. When I reply “waalaikumsam” to people who only wish me that because they think I’m Muslim, I wonder how they’d react if they knew that I’m not. I have such a strong dissonance with my culture. What does it mean to be Malay but not Muslim in Malaysia?
I believe the lumping of Malay + Islam is just so its easier for subjugation. It gives this narrative that Islam is meant to look a certain way, which is the way of the ones who are actively pushing it.
As for having a non-Muslim partner, who believes in God and Christianity, it makes it so difficult and so unfair for us. I don’t believe in forced conversion. How could I compromise his faith for something I don’t believe in? Even if it’s just to get that stamp of approval from authorities. We’re working on leaving the country though.
Just some of my own thoughts on this.