Effects And Problems That Arise

1.	This was the "brand" of Islam that was assimilated into the local populace. Being the only known "brand" it was taken as the same one that was brought by Muhammad (SAW), impurities and all. Obviously, the assimilation began long before the Malay Peninsula achieved its political independence. Colonial Year Period of Colonization Portugese 1511 130 years Dutch 1641 183 years British 1824 123 years Independence 1957 48 years Total Number of Years 484 years
2.	This state of mental colonisation went on for close to 500 years!
3.	In that time, Islam became a mere ritual. And that too, rituals that had been passed on from generation to generation, never mind if they went contrary to the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW). Not much was done (much less achieved) in reaching out to the understanding of and practice of religion. In short, not only in its form, but more importantly, Islam in its substance. It is a sad reality, that this state of affairs remain to this very day, 50 years after the country achieved its political independence!
4.	The teaching of Islam almost always starts and ends with the Islamic jurisprudence (hukum fiqh). This is akin to putting the cart before the horse. Too little attention is being given to the very core of the teachings of Islam, i.e. the question of faith (aqidah). Millions of Muslims perform the solat, and observe the fast. They are knowledgeable in the ritual, the do's and don'ts of each of these rituals. Sadly, not as many are knowledgeable in the do's and the don'ts of the very heart of Islam, i.e. the syahadah. Like the solat and fasting, most Muslims recite the syahadah in its form, but not in spirit.
5.	The same principle is applicable in the learning of the Quraan and the traditions of the Prophet (SAW). Muslims (generally) read the Quraan, complete with all the hukum tajwid, and indeed oftentimes even with the rhythm. Already starved of even the basic Arabic language, there has not been any official effort to include in the school curriculum (in the learning of the Quraan), the extraction of its meanings, the transliteration and the interpretation of the Quraan. These are critical aspects. Muslims can never live by the Quraan when they do not understand what they read. It was, after all, not sent down as a reading material! However, the principle of secularism which is a legacy of the colonialists, have all but confined the learning of religions as secondary subjects, and not as Islam should be taught, i.e. to provide the foundation to all and every other lesson!
6.	Whether we like it or not, tuition has become an integral part of Malaysia's education system. If one cares to look around, tuition means tuition in any or all the academic subjects, with little or no attention being given to deepening the knowledge on Islam. Even the little attention (if given), is all left in the care of an "uztaz". Next, the high achievers are then streamed into all forms of studies, be it engineering, law, IT, medicine and the like. Anything BUT Islamic studies! It is little wonder then, the Islam, as practiced by the born Muslims gain very little (if any) respect from, not only the non-Muslims, but also from these Muslims themselves. For, armed with little knowledge, the Muslim youths of today are a very vulnerable and volatile species. More so, in these days of the global village.