I never thought I would see this come full circle in my lifetime
My original plan was to be a songwriter for other artists. A sudden twist of fate changed my path and I became a singer-songwriter. My guiding reason is based on a strong belief in everyone's ability to exercise their right to freedom of religion.
Everybody should be able to freely practice their faith, religion, and beliefs freely - in privacy without any interference from anyone. As long as they are not causing any harm to anyone else, they should be left in peace to practice their religion in any way they so wish. This includes reciting, writing, and professing in their language of choice, performing rituals that they resonate with, and being able to go about their own unique ways of worshipping. Their relationship with God is personal and private with no need for intermediaries. I feel that this is all beautiful in its own way and a perspective on life that should be celebrated and respected.
I feel deeply about the importance of understanding, respecting, and accepting one another. There should be no coercion in religion. This is true for everyone, regardless of race, ethnicity, or culture. No one should be forced to subscribe to any religion or faith or lose the right to have non-religious beliefs.
It is also important that no one should be forced or feel pressured to join a particular religion just because they are born into a family that subscribes to that particular religion. Also, nobody should be forced to convert to a particular religion simply because they love and want to marry someone of that religion. Lastly, all of us should be allowed to leave a religion or faith that we do not feel in alignment with. If there are irreconcilable disagreements, one should then be able to exist peacefully with dignity and respect.
When I composed "Katakanlah" in 2010, I wanted to provide a platform for the idea that everyone should be free to choose and practice their religion and faith peacefully with dignity and respect. I was devastated to learn about the desecration of Muslim and Christian houses of worship over the use of the word "Allah" in the Malay Bibles. I was saddened that something so beautiful, recognizing that first, God is one and second, how our relationship to "God" might be the same throughout different Abrahamic religions, was causing major disagreements among different groups of people. This universal understanding of "God" has always been for me a tool to forward the awe-inspiring concept of "unity" versus using it as a tool to divide and promote violence. I was extremely distressed that this was happening in my beloved country. This was the motivation to compose "Katakanlah." This particular chain of events changed the trajectory of my musical journey and provided a way for me to become not only a songwriter, but a singer-songwriter encouraged by the love and support of my new fan base.
As the battle went on in the Malaysian courts, it was heartbreaking to learn of their final decision: The word "Allah" was forbidden and could not be used by Malaysian Christians in their Malay Bibles. I could just imagine how heartbroken the Malaysian Christians felt. After 10 long years, to my surprise, I stumbled upon an article stating that this rule had been overturned and finally, Malaysian Christians could now freely use the word "Allah" in their Malay Bibles and practice their religion freely. I hope this still stands true today and will not ever change. I let out a huge sigh of relief. Who would have thought, that exactly 10 years later, the reason I composed "Katakanlah", would come full circle, with positive results, in my lifetime.
To all Malaysian Christians, especially the indigenous Christians in Malaysia who had to endure this long and painful heartache for 10 long years, facing extreme shame, pain, and rejection: I stand with you and my heart goes out to you. We all deserve a place on our Tanahair equally, as free and respected citizens of Malaysia - no matter our religion, language, culture, status, gender, sexual orientation, or disability.
May we all move forward in this process of healing and acceptance. Let us keep inspiring and encouraging unity, together.
- A
Links:
https://www.loyarburok.com/2013/01/06/katakanlah/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVxeCqcVjwU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAx51SQsFHc