Ms. Fakihah is a partner at a successful law firm in Kuala Lumpur as well as being a devout mother of 5. We spoke on February 2, 2002 over breakfast at a typical Malaysian roadside restaurant in the heart of KL's Golden Triangle district.
FASOTE: What are your thoughts on the United States, from either a political or social perspective?
FAKIHAH: I think their nature is self-righteous. They are about preservation of their own culture and expansion of their own political hegemony. I see a collaboration with Israel, and protection of shared values with Israel. They carry out their actions in the name of protecting the United States, but those actions can be harmful and for them the ends justify the means.
FASOTE: Why do you think America collaborates so closely with Israel?
FAKIHAH: Well, we see from the Palestinian issue that there is a link between the non-resolution of that situation and the alliance between the U.S. and Israel. The U.S. has the capability to make a stronger stand than the one they are now, and the fact that they refuse to do that shows they have some shared agenda with Israel. And apart from preservation of their political hegemony, they also want to enrich themselves by plundering wealth from other countries. I think that a lot of Malaysians feel that the call for war against Iraq is more about liberating the oil to assist the U.S. economy. So, the call for war has little credibility because it is very difficult to hide their true intentions. I think it is quite apparent what they are doing. They have provided no solid reasons for their war.
FASOTE: OK - what about the spiritual and political state of the Islamic world?
FAKIHAH: Well, the Ummah (worldwide community of all Muslims) is in chaos, especially in the Arab world. We see them trying to preserve their status quo - they are afraid to let go of their wealth, and that is why they are not making a stronger stand on the Palestinian issue. They wish to preserve their status as rulers in their prospective countries. They've gotten used to wealth, and I don't think they want to compromise it. The Palestinians are Arabs - they are closer to the Arabs than anyone else in the world. But the reason their brothers have failed to come to their aid is because of wealth - they don't want to lose it. They don't know how to live without it.
FASOTE: You are talking about the ruling Arab governments, right?
FAKIHAH: The lower classes have probably been dissatisfied with the government for a long time. There have been uprisings in the past, though scarce. I think Osama bin Laden, if he does exist, the first thing he should do, because he is a Saudi citizen, is not to bomb the twin towers but to topple the Saudi government, because that is the root of all evil in that region.
FASOTE: So, you are not sure if Osama bin Laden exists? This is not the general viewpoint - in fact, most people believe he exists and that he was responsible for the attacks of September 11th. What are your thoughts on those attacks?
FAKIHAH: Of course, the events have allowed the media to manipulate images as much as they want. As far as the West is concerned, it has really given Islam a bad name. The media has shown it as a terrorist act, and they have linked terrorism to Islam. But here in Malaysia, we also like to look at the causes that lead to such things. A few weeks before 9/11, we were watching TV and saw pleas by Arafat and other Palestinian leaders for international help to aid them in the aggressions being committed against them by Israel. But of course not much was being done. I remember one Palestinian minister, while they were showing the bombings, said 'If this is not war then I do not know what is'. So you can really feel the genuine distress being felt by the Palestinians. there was a general feeling that something needed to be done. For a lot of us, we see 9/11 as a desperate act. If it was committed by Muslims, then it was probably a desperate act to bring attention to the Palestinian issue. However, it could be other things. It could also be a plot by the West - I don't discount that. It justifies the actions they have taken thus far, and it allows them to insert troops into whatever country they want. Because, before 9/11 it was hard to justify direct U.S. intervention into Muslim countries, but now it is much easier to gain European support for such interventions. America has certainly benefited from the attacks. I think, also, that it is hard to believe that a group of Muslims could carry off such a precise attack - it takes state governments to do such things.
FASOTE: Do you believe that Islam and the West can co-exist in a peaceful world? Are we in a zero sum game between the two?
FAKIHAH: I think that humans are, by nature, very adaptable. They can adapt to their environment. I have not traveled to the West much, but I don't see that much animosity towards Muslims in Europe. I think that Muslims have a higher burden, to show to other non-Muslims what is the proper way to live, according to Islamic tenets. Because, after all, we are the chosen people on this Earth.
FASOTE: I thought that was what the Jews called themselves.
FAKIHAH: Of course - I don't deny that. During Prophet Moses' time, they were the chosen people because they were monotheistic. Islam exists in many facets according to time. During Prophet Moses' time, they were Muslims because they believed in one God. we believe in the earlier prophets - in fact, it is mandatory for us to believe in them. So, basically, everyone who believes in one God is a Muslim.
FASOTE: You are talking about the concept of the People of the Book?
FAKIHAH: Yes, but some of the books were distorted because of politics. Religion at that time gave dominance over other people. The Jews, for example, were able to gain dominance over the other populations by virtue of being People of the Book - they were literate and had more knowledge. Religion gave them a tool to dominate over others. Islam, however, is the perfect religion, and it is our duty to show others the right path.
FASOTE: Islam is the perfect religion because, in the timeline of prophets God sent to Earth, it was last, most complete, and its book was untampered with, right?
FAKIHAH: Right. And we have to persevere if the non-Muslims need more time to understand. We have to be patient.
FASOTE: So your answer to my original question would be that Islam and the West can coexist because humans are adaptable, but since Islam is the most complete message it will eventually take over?
FAKIHAH: It is possible. But, eventually, the best one will win - Islam.
FASOTE: So, you believe there is only one right answer for mankind?
FAKIHAH: Well, as a Muslim I must say Islam. The way that Islam should be portrayed is - we must highlight the universal values, meaning that anything that is good is Islamic. We cannot be so quick to brand things as Islamic and un-Islamic. For example, in Malaysia, the Chinese immigrants in the 19th century came here as miners and traders - they were mostly working in the tin mines. Malaysia was rich in tin, and the British were colonizing us and reaping the wealth from the tin mines. They brought many Chinese and Indians to work the mines, but mostly Chinese. Most of the Chinese who came were from the poorest provinces of China, and there used to be many social problems. Many of the Chinese were part of organized crime, and crime, abduction, extortion and gambling were rampant. And, there were frequent gang fights between the rival Chinese gangs. They brought so many problems here, but over the years, because of their interactions with the Malays, they have acquired some of the Malay values - like tolerance, like patience, like the lackadaisical attitude (laughter) - which is good to a certain extent. So now, the Chinese here get along very well with each other and everyone else in Malaysia, although they may still have differences with mainland Chinese or Hong Kong Chinese. And Malay values, of course, are very influenced by Islam, because most Malay are Muslims. So you see - they are a more softer version of the Chinese. They still retain their culture, but they have become more tolerant.
FASOTE: So, is the one right answer the Malay way?
FAKIHAH: No no - I don't believe that. What I am saying is that we should highlight the universal values which don't contravene Sharia (Islamic law) and are accepted by everyone as good. Basically, anything that is good and benefits society, no matter what society it comes from. Anything that is good and doesn't contradict Sharia is Islamic.
FASOTE: OK - moving on. Do you think the U.S.A.'s War on Terrorism will help or hurt humanity?
FAKIHAH: Of course it will hurt humanity because the War on Terrorism is linked to Islam. The campaign is drumming into people's heads that terrorist are Muslims. So, definitely, it will negatively affect humanity because some of the poorest countries in the world are Muslim. Poorest in a sense that they are underdeveloped, but rich with raw materials and waiting to be plundered.
FASOTE: So it will hurt humanity because it will allow the rich countries to further exploit the poor?
FAKIHAH: Yes - it happened in World War II when Britain was on the verge of bankruptcy. They plundered many archeological sites - so now, when you go to London, one of the must sees is the British Museum. I went there - it is really a great museum. You have everything there, but you must not forget how all those treasures came there - it was through plunder, through blood, through tears - nothing legitimate. It was not acquired in a legitimate way. But many people come to London to see the treasures - this is just a tip of the iceberg. When you go to Europe, you can either be very self-aware of yourself as a Muslim or you can just become someone who is in awe of the West. When I go to the British Museum, I think it is a great place, but as a Muslim I must never forget how these things were obtained. At the expense of Muslim blood. We must always have that self-awareness, otherwise we would end up in awe of the West, which is not right.
FASOTE: You obviously believe very deeply in Islam. What would you say to those who would claim that your religion is oppressive to woman?
FAKIHAH: Well, in most countries it is not religion that prevails. So you see, the treatment of women is really a manifestation of thousands of years of culture. I think Malaysia benefits where women play a vital role in the family - we are very much respected. We have a few states where women are very much leaders of the whole group. For example, in the state of Negeri Sembilan, there is a culture where women are leaders of the tribe. When you marry into their culture, all the land goes to the woman - the man gets none. And in Kelantan, traditionally women are the ones who always bring in the money.
FASOTE: And what do the men do?
FAKIHAH: They sit in the coffee shop and talk politics (laughter). So, we have certain states where such cultures are prevalent, where women are very strong and in some cases in control. So, we benefit from our culture - the men are used to seeing women like this. Our religion makes us feel comfortable with our role as women. We are feminists in one sense, in that we need to have our independance, but we are not feminists in the Western sense because we know are limitations, and we are comfortable with them.
FASOTE: What are your limitations?
FAKIHAH: Limitations in terms of roles, of responsibilities. I mean, we take the responsibility of bringing income to the family, but we relish our role as mothers. If there is an emergency, family always comes first. We don't view this as a sacrifice. It is very important to be comfortable being a woman - comfortable with who you are. Because, in the West there is the possibility that if a woman puts her family first she may think that she is making a big sacrifice. But when you have Islam as your guide, then you are comfortable with your limitations - which role should take priority. We have no questions on that.
FASOTE: OK - next question. What is the best thing about Malaysia?
FAKIHAH: Equal opportunity for education for every level of society. So, a farmer's son can become a doctor or an engineer. Or, a fisherman's son can become a successful corporate figure. And, this is true to this day. Some of the most successful corporate figures in Kuala Lumpur are village boys or girls made good - this is not uncommon here. We have programs that aid students from poor families who have good grades - they are given opportunities for higher education. Education is one sure way of uplifting their status in life. So, basically, if you work hard, you have the chance to uplift yourself.
FASOTE: Do you have a hero?
FAKIHAH: I'm not sure. Never really thought about it. Maybe Saladin, as far as historical figures go.
FASOTE: Because he fought back the Crusaders?
FAKIHAH: Because he was trusted - pushed into that position. It was a calling that came to him, and he answered it. If you read history, you'll see that he wasn't looking to become a leader of men, but the call came and he answered it, and I admire that.
FASOTE: Thank you for your time.
