Majalah Al-Hikmah Edisi ke 16

MA JA L AH A L - H I KMAH 40 According to Eugene Yapp, Muhibah constitutes a concept based on the presumption that Malaysian society is or should become a pluralistic society. He stresses the essential value of tolerance, which does not translate into compromising on everything. On this basis, common values can be found and propagated. “ Muhibah deals with pluralistic societies like Malaysia. In that sense, I believe we can work together. We are diverse, and the question of what is good for all calls for tolerance, acceptance, mutual respect, active engagement, and mutual understanding—values that are indispensable for a harmonious and pluralistic society.” According to Haslina, the original idea of Muhibah was to bring together the people of Malaysia after the crisis as a remedial policy. As a social philosophy, Muhibah emphasizes the relationship between the individual and society, highlighting the responsibility of every citizen to actively cultivate and demonstrate the Muhibah spirit. It is envisioned as a lifelong journey that shapes the daily lives of Malaysians— not merely a slogan promoted through media campaigns or festivities such as national celebrations and open house events, but a deeply embedded practice that fosters unity and harmony within the nation’s pluralistic context. The Muhibah framework comprises seven core values that will continue to guide Malaysia’s pluralistic society. The essence of Muhibah serves as a guiding principle toward national progress and prosperity. Moreover, the binding values of Muhibah are upheld as part of Malaysia’s cultural heritage and are regarded as essential to sustaining a harmonious way of life. Conclusion Almost all interviewed scholars affirmed that Malaysian society is genuinely diverse and therefore requires a strong foundation rooted in shared values such as respect, mutual understanding, and the celebration of differences. Among these, the promotion of Muhibah stands out as a vital principle in sustaining social cohesion. Remarkably, all participants perceived Malaysia’s diversity as a blessing rather than a challenge, emphasizing that unity in diversity is both a strength and a defining characteristic of the nation. In this regard, Muhibah and its core values emerged as the key guiding concepts underpinning Malaysian society. Diagram1.1 Seven Elements of Muhibah