Living With The Malays
Transcript:
In the last two videos, I talked about how being Malay is not just about ancestry.
It’s about the people of Tanah Melayu who speak Bahasa Melayu, follow adat resam Melayu, and are Muslims.
And this is something important we need to understand about the Malay people.
We are not a closed group.
The Malay world has always welcomed others into its fold.
Yes, there are ethnic threads in our identity.
But bangsa Melayu is not about blood alone.
It is a living community.
It grows.
It includes.
It receives.
It evolves and accepts others without losing itself.
Many who were once outsiders became Malay. Many migrants are now Malays.
They masuk Melayu by choice.
And when they do, they are accepted.
They are embraced.
They are celebrated.
The problem in Singapura and Malaysia is this:
Some migrant communities entered the Malay world, but hold themselves apart from the society they joined.
For non- Malays in our world, I do not expect you to become Muslims. That is a major decision and I respect your rights to your beliefs.
I do not even expect you to follow our adat resam.
But it is not too much to expect that you learn our language.
And learn about our beliefs and our customs.
And to respect it even if you do not believe or practice it.
And while many do learn and respect our language, customs and religion, there are some who not only reject but insult it too.
For the migrant communities who have embraced Malayness, we welcome you as our brothers and sisters.
We wish you success in all that you do.
For those who do not wish to masuk Melayu but show kindness and respect, let us work together in goodness.
But for those who insult our world even as you enjoy our hospitality, you can do better.
Let’s be grateful that you live among the Malays.
A gentle, kind and welcoming people.
Be grateful.
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