MUSLIM-CHRISTIAN RELATIONS IN MALAYSIA: ISSUES AND SOLUTIONS

Purpose: The issue of Muslim-Christian relations in Malaysia is often in the limelight of the mass media, domestic and foreign. Within recent years, there have been incidents directly related to this topic of discussion. This paper discusses these the issues and challenges faced by the Muslim and Christian communities in Malaysia. Methodology: This is a qualitative study, and the data were collected from library sources such as books, journals, newspapers, periodicals, websites, and detailed interviews with members of the Muslim and Christian faiths. The data was then analysed through a documentary analysis technique. Main Findings: This study found that Muslim-Christian relations often go through ebbs and flows. Generally, incidents involving religious sensitivities are fanned further by the mass media and interested politicians, although these issues are not as serious as reported. These situations then create an uneasy tension between the two communities, thus negatively affecting foster unity in diversity within the plural societies in Malaysia. What should be encouraged as an alternative is dialogue between adherents of different religions for them to know one another, and to promote religious harmony. Implications: In the New Malaysia era, room of dialogue seems to flourish with the inclusive approach of the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government. This is a positive development, which hopefully would be a catalyst to building a Malaysia society united in diversity

Attachment Styles and Marital Quality Between Spouses

The research was aimed to study the relationship between attachment styles and marital quality between spouses. A total number of 52 spouses representing teachers from Sekolah Menengah Agama Daeratul Ma'arifil Wataniah 1 (SMA DMW 1), in Peninsular Malaysia's northwest coast, participated in this study. There were two sets of questionnaires used: Experience in Close Relationship (ECR) and Marital Adjustment Test (MAT). The results showed that there was a significant relationship between attachment styles and spouses' styles. However, there is no relationship between marital satisfaction among spouses, and there is also no relationship between attachment styles and marital satisfaction among spouses. Future research is suggested to enhance the inquiry by moving beyond self-report instruments to develop alternative methods of assessment as some of the questions should be more specifically contextualised for the diverse Malaysian culture

The Effects of Parental Attachment on Personality Traits

This study aims to identify parental attachment's effects on trainee counsellors' personality traits in the Universiti of Malaysia Sarawak UNIMAS. This research adopted a correlational research design. The respondents were 209 trainee counsellors from the Counselling Program, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak UNIMAS. Two questionnaires were used in this study: The Inventory of Parents and Peer Attachment (IPPA) and the Big Five Personality. The findings indicated a significant relationship between Parents Communication, Attachment and Extraversion and the Agreeableness Trait of Personality. It also showed a significant relationship between Parents Communication Attachment and Extraversion, Agreeableness and Conscientiousness. We also found a significant relationship between Parents' Alienation Attachment and Conscientiousness, Neuroticism and Openness. The study informs society about the need to increase awareness about the importance of knowing attachment styles and personality traits as both impact individuals' lives.

Al-Bid'ah Al-I'tiqadiyyah: Faktor Kemunculannya dalam Masyarakat Melayu dan Ruang Dakwah yang Masih Terbuka

Bid’ah al-I’tiqadiyyah juga dikenali sebagai bid’ah dari aspek akidah. Kewujudan kepercayaan dan amalan al-Bid’ah al-I’tiqadiyyah dalam sesebuah masyarakat merupakan satu manifestasi pertentangan antara kemunduran dan kemajuan sesebuah tamadun. Sebagai contoh dalam masyarakat Melayu, apabila kepercayaan dan amalan seperti ini muncul menyebabkan kemajuan sebenar umat Islam sukar direalisasikan. Bid’ah dalam aspek ini memberi kesan terhadap akidah umat Islam, kesan tersebut ialah kemunculan murtad tanpa disedari. Kepercayaan dan amalan yang berkait dengan al-Bid’ah al-I’tiqadiyyah ialah budaya khurafat yang muncul dari aspek perbomohan, telekan, tangkal azimat dan sebagainya. Kesemuanya ini merupakan kepercayaan dan amalan syirik yang dikategorikan sebagai bid’ah dalam aspek akidah. Kertas kerja ini meninjau tentang punca kemunculan amalan bid’ah dalam aspek akidah yang wujud dalam masyarakat Melayu; dan usaha dakwah intra agama yang boleh dilakukan dalam usaha memurnikan akidah umat Islam. Kajian yang dilakukan menerusi pendekatan kualitatif ini telah menemubual beberapa informan utama dalam bidang agama dan kemasyarakatan. Dalam pada itu, kajian ini turut disokong dengan analisa kandungan menerusi kajian perpustakaan dan pemerhatian. Hasil kajian mendapati bahawa ruang dakwah ini begitu besar dan perlu diisi segera bagi memantapkan pembangunan duniawi dan ukhrawi umat Islam di rantau ini

Couple-Youth Attachment and Demand Withdraw Communication Pattern in the Relationship

An attachment relationship refers to a tie of affection that bonds someone with an attachment figure, principally the primary caregiver. Attachment styles and the quality relationships are determined partly as the result of mental images of both the self and others. Individuals who sensed that they were being rejected as children may develop insecure attachment relationships with significant people in their later life. In contrast, individuals who had positive experiences of relationships may develop a sense of security that allows them to seek such relationships in the future. This study aimed to explore the influence of couple-youth attachment on relationship quality related to demand and withdraw communication pattern in the relationship. A correlational research design was used to address the research objective. One hundred and fifty three (153) youth participants were employed. Two established questionnaires were used: Experience in Close Relationship and Communication Pattern Questionnaire. The results showed that youth couples with highly avoidance in attachment reported greater conflict demand and withdraw communication in the relationship

Kepercayaan bulan sial dalam masyarakat Bajau Kota Belud, Sabah

Masyarakat Bajau merupakan sebuah kelompok yang kaya dengan warisan khazanah budaya tradisonalnya. Kepelbagaian budaya yang subur ini tampil sebagai simbolik solidariti dan keprihatinan warga Bajau dalam mendepani cabaran kontemporari. Di samping itu, situasi positif ini ditambah dengan kesedaran masyarakat dalam memelihara warisan bernilai secara konsisten dan lestari menjadikan sesebuah pengamalan budaya itu terus subur seiring arus kemodenan. Menelusuri budaya dan kepercayaan bulan sial, boleh dikatakan bahawa amalan ini seolahnya hampir lenyap ditelan zaman. Namun, pada sisi yang lain, masih terdapat segelintir kelompok tegar dalam memelihara kelestariannya sehingga kini iaitu masyarakat Bajau di Kota Belud, Sabah. Oleh itu, kajian ini bertujuan mengkaji bentuk-bentuk kepercayaan dan pengamalan masyarakat Bajau dalam mendepani dua bulan yang dianggap sial iaitu bulan Muharam dan Safar. Kajian ini berbentuk kualitatif yang menggunakan kaedah temu bual dan observasi (pemerhatian turut serta) dalam proses pengumpulan data. Informan yang dipilih adalah terdiri daripada golongan tua, ketua adat yang disifatkan sebagai orang yang berpengalaman luas dalam hal berkaitan adat. Kajian ini mendapati, terdapat beberapa bentuk kepercayaan dan pengamalan bulan sial yang boleh diketengahkan yang secara umumnya memberi gambaran bahawa manusia perlu memberi penghormatan dan pelayanan kepada makhluk supernatural yang dipercayai menjadi punca kesialan bulan Muharam dan Safar. Praktik ini perlu dilestarikan sebagai wadah dalam menjamin kerukunan hubungan dan keamanan kehidupan manusia sepanjang dua bulan terbabit