level of phobia towards islam among non-muslim …...opportunities” discussed about the jihad...

ISSN 2336-2022 International Journal of Teaching and Education Vol. II (No. 3)

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Level of phobia towards Islam among non-muslim Students of

Higher Educational Institution in Malaysia

Azizah Hussin

Nawi Ismail

Mohd Zamri Ali

Azizah Hussin: Kelantan University of Malaysia, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, Beg Berkunci No

01, Bachok, Kelantan 16300, Malaysia. Email: [email protected]

Navwi Ismail: Universiti Malaysia Kelantan,Email: [email protected]

Mohd Zamri Ali: SK Lepan Jaya Gua Musang Kelantan, Malaysia. Email:

[email protected]

Abstract

This paper focuses on the level of phobia among non-muslim students of Educational Institution

in Malaysia. In this paper, the history of islamophobia is also discussed briefly. Islamofobia is not

a new issues in the world. Itâ€™s already exist since the emergence of Islam (religion of Allah).

Almost all the prophets, during their time faced rebellion and revolt from those who were against

Islam. But the resistance towards the prophets were different based on the races, skills (given by

Allah) and current situation. Almighty to Allah, all the problems, obstacles and resistance had

been handled and settled wisely by the prophets. Anti Islam or islamophobia happened in the past

and it is still there even today. Islamophobia increased after the terrific event in â€śSeptember 11,

2001â€ť. Most of the muslims from western countries were treated badly. Fortunately, in

Malaysia non-muslims live comfortabily and in harmony. But then, there are certain cases of

islamophobia happen. Nevertheless, it is not serious. This paper analyses islamophobia among

non-muslim students in Educational Institution. The purpose of this paper is to find out the level

of islamophobhia among them. As for this paper, the level of phobia is categorized into three

levels. The first stage is fear, second is hatred and third is threat. The three categories which have

been analysed has been defined before by Zafar Iqbal (2010), Ponyting & Mason (2007) and

Oxford Advanced Learnerâ€™s Dictionary (2005). Malaysia is an Islamic Country and majority

are muslims. So, knowing the level of phobia among non-muslim is very important to maintain

the harmony and peaceful relationship among all races in Malaysia. The researched has been

carried out by 250 set of questionaires to non-muslim students to know their level of phobia

towards Islam. The data analysed using SPSS method and the result will be discussed in

presentation and full paper.

Keywords: Phobia, islamophobia, non-muslim, jihad, hudud, poligami


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1 Instroduction

Malaysia is a multiracial and multicultural country. Consist of three major races with various of

ethnics. The three major races are Malay, Chinese and Indian. The dominant religion in Malaysia

is Islam. They are called muslims. The population of muslims are 61 per cent. The government

promotes the spread of Islam and declare Malaysia is an Islamic state. The second large of

population is Chinese. They practice a mix of beliefs such as Buddhism and Daoism and

Christian. The third major population is Indian. They are Hinduism. The relation between

different religious groups are generally tolerant. Christmas, Chinese New Year, and Deepavali

have been declared national holidays alongside Islamic holidays.

The Population and Housing Census, 2010, figures shows approximately these proportions of the

population following these religions:

Tab. 1: proportions of the population in Malaysia

Religion Percent

Islam 61.3%

Buddhism 19.8%

Christianity 9.2%

Hinduism 6.3%

Confucianism,Taoism 1.3%

No religion 0.7%

Others 0.5%

Source: Population and Housing Census, 2010.

Althought Malaysia is a multi-religious, it guarantees freedom of religion. In Malaysian

Constitution, Article 11 provides that every person has the right to profess and to practise their

religion. In Article 3, it says that Islam is the religion of the country but other religions may be

practised in peace and harmony.

Eventhought all races with varoius religion live in peace and harmony, normally the feeling of

dislike with each other (different religion) still exist in the deep of their heart. During the history

of Malaysia, we can see few controversial issues raised out by non-muslims such as the

declaration of Malaysia as Islamic State, implementation of Islamic Law and using the word

“Allah” among non-muslims.

The researcher has been teaching the Islamic Civilization since ten years. She conducted a survey

to get the feedback perseption about one topic under the current issues. The muslims and non-

muslims students ticked the topics that they like and dislike. And the result among the non-

muslims students shows that the topic of jihad, hudud and poligamy were the most dislike issues.


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Therefore, the researcher tries to explore the feeling of phobia among non-muslims towards those

terms. The feeling is categorised into three levels that we call ‘level of phobia’. The first stage is

fear, second is hatred and third is threat. The three categories which has been analysed by Zafar

Iqbal (2010), Ponyting & Mason (2007) and Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary (2005).

2. Literature review.

In Islamic field, there are many articles, journals, thesis and books discussing about phobia

towards Islam, muslims and Arabs. There are also many reference about jihad, hudud and

poligamy. But the level of phobia did not measured especially among non-muslims. So this

research will presents the result of the level of phobia towards jihad, hudud and poligamy. Besides

that, we also discuss the topic that related in this resaearch.

2.1 Jihad

Jihad is an Arabic word as well as an Islamic term. The word jihad translates as a noun meaning

“struggle”. Jihad means "to struggle or striving in the way of Allah". (al-jihad fi sabilAllah)".

This meaning covers inner spiritual and outer physical struggler. Jihad does not means

“attacking” or “killing”(Fikri, 2007). Both are very different from “struggling”. The controversy

of the usage the term jihad has arisen without further explanation.

The real concept of Jihad has not conveyed precisely. So that, non-muslims always

misunderstood with Jihad. They believe Jihad as war and has a military meaning in the large

majority of cases ( firestone, 1999). The wars in the history of Islam were merely done for the

sake of Islam. But the attacking which done by certain muslims were in the sake of personal or

groups not for Islam.

The research done by Amin Saikal (2004) entitle “Islam and the west: challenges and

opportunities” discussed about the Jihad during the period of Prophet Muhammad (peace upon

Him). All the meccans population (muslims and non-muslims) accepted the concept of Jihad

nicely just because they very clear about this concept. But then, the perception was totally canged

during the crusade. The enemy of Islam distorted the meaning and the real concept of jihad.

2.2 Hudud

Hudud is an Arabic word and Islamic term. Literally it means "limit", or "restriction". In Islamic

law or Syari’a hudud refers to the class of punishments that are fixed by Allah in the Quran and

explained in detail by Hadith. Hudud is one of the four categories in Islamic Law besides Qisas,

Ta’zir and Diyah. The crime that must be punished using hudud law is a serious crimes. The

offences that include under hudud are theft (Sariqa), highway robbery (Qat' al-Tariq), illegal

sexual intercourse (Zina'), false accusation of zina (Qadhf) and drinking alcohol (Shurb al-

Khamr). Abd al-Qadir Awdah. (1991).

Hudud is the best practised that introduced by Allah to all nations. It is practicle, complete and

global. Unfortunately some of the muslims themselves reject, not accept and hate of this term.


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According to John L. Esposito (2002), he observes that Muslim reformers have argued that "these

punishment were appropriate within the historical and social contexts in which they originated but

are inappropriate today and that the underlying religious principles and values need to find new

expression in modernizing societies”. Actually this thought is coming from uneducated person

and blind of the islamic history.

The Malay book written by M. Hanipa (2003), entitle “Hudud: One comparison, the answers of

accusation towards hudud”. He questioned in his book why some muslims themselves deny hudud

and some of them put hudud aside. They afraid to implement this law eventhough the declaration

as an Islamic State has been done. Hudud is the Creator law that symbolize the power of law and

power of belief (aqidah). So, implementation of hudud means show the power of Allah.

The rejection of hudud happen among muslims and morever among non-muslims. Dr. Ridhuan

Tee Abdullah (2014), a lecturer from Malaysia National Defence University, suggested to

implement islamic law (hudud) is ‘by force’. For him it is the best way because the people always

have million of reasons to avoid from hudud Anyway, one of the state member of religious affairs

(Kelantan), Nik Mohd Ammar (2014), using another approach by changing of mindset from

viewing Islam as a ritual to reviewing Islam as the way of life. Gradually, the people will be

educated and accept islamic law. From his experience, he believes that non-muslims are very

receptive to the explainations about hudud and Islam . The researcher tries to campare his

statement with the problem statement in this research. It is slightly different because through the

survey, majority of non-muslims dislike the topic of jihad, hudud and poligamy. Therefore, we

are discussing the level of phobia among non-muslims towards those terms.

2.3 Poligamy

Marriage is a legal arrangement in Islam, lays rights and corresponding responsibilities on each

spouse. The muslim scripture, the Quran stated in surah an-Nisa’, verse 3:

“… marry women of your choice, two or three or four; but if you fear that you shall not be able to

deal justly with them, then only one.” (Quran 4:3)

This verse shows that Allah give permission to muslims practise polygamy but it is limited to four

if they are affordable and fairable. Give permission is not the meaning of compulsory. Islam does

not allow a man to marry another woman if he will not be fair in his treatment. Prophet

Muhammad forbided discrimination between the wives or between their children. Actually, if one

husband can practise polygamy wisely it will settle many things in their lives. Upgrade the status

of women, decrease the number of unmarried women, birth many sons and daughters that will

continue the massage of the Prophet as well as helping eanch other in econmics, educations and

sosials. Anyway, in actual life the researchers estimate no more than 2% of the married muslims

male practise polygamy. Most of them feel that they cannot afford to spend more than one family

(Jumah al-Kholy, 2006).

Yvonne (2006) in the book “Muslim women in America, the challenge of Islamic identity today”

presents the accusation and wrong perception non-muslims towards polygamy. It also has been


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misunderstood by non-muslims. Islam is criticized for allowing polygamy. They view polygamy

as a relatively backward and impoverished. It is also considered as a license to promiscuity, a

violation of women’s rights and demeaning to women .

Historically, Islam did not initiate polygamy. Among the Hindus, polygamy prevailed from the

earliest times. There was, as among the ancient Babylonians, Assyrians, and Persians, no

restriction as to the number of wives a man might have. Although Greece and Rome were not

polygamous societies, concubinage was a norm. In fact, according to David Murray, an

anthropologist, historically polygamy is more common than monogamy. For example, the great

Hebrew patriarchs equally revered by Judaism, Christianity, and Islam - Abraham, Moses, Jacob,

David, and Solomon were polygamous. Besides that, according to the Bible, Abraham had three

wives (Genesis 16:1, 16:3, 25:1), Moses had two wives (Exodus 2:21, 18:1-6; Numbers 12:1),

Jacob had four wives (Genesis 29:23, 29:28, 30:4, 30:9), David had at least 18 wives (1 Samuel

18:27, 25:39-44; 2 Samuel 3:3, 3:4-5, 5:13, 12:7-8, 12:24, 16:21-23) and Solomon had 700 wives

(1 Kings 11:3).

Nowaday we can see many books and articles written about the history and the real concept of

polygamy. But then,still we notice that women cannot accept it rasionally. They judge it

emotionally. Therefore, this paper shows the level of phobia towards polygamy and we know how

seroius it is among non-muslims.

2.4. Theory of Fear and Anxiety

The reseacher builds the instruments to measure the level of fear based on the Theory of Fear and

Anxiety by Ohman (2000) and eckman (2007). Ohman talks about emotional information

processing, emphasizing the neural foundations that underlie the experience and expression of

fear. He use a functional, anatomical model of defense behavior in animals which described in

cognitive and physiological studies of human affect. According to him, unpleasant emotions

depend on the activation of an evolutionarily primitive subcortical circuit, and the neural

structures. This motivational system mediates specific autonomic (e.g., heart rate change) and

somatic reflexes (e.g., startle change) that originally promoted survival in dangerous conditions.

These same response patterns are illustrated in humans, as they process objective, memorial, and

media stimuli. Furthermore, it is shown how variations in the neural circuit and its outputs may

separately characterize as in specific phobia and more generalized anxiety. While Eckman (2007)

says that fearness is the long term and short term process. Is starts from one bad condition which

cause the negative effects on emotion. All nerves in the body co-relate each other and stimulate

individual emotion (affective), then flowing affect the brain (cognitive) and finally affect the

action (behaviour). The items are based on this theory.

2.5 Level of Phobia

There is no specific topic abaout the level of phobia. But, the researcher had done few literatures

from books and journals and started combining the meanings and the theories froms those


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sources. As a result, the level of phobia is categorised into three levels, those are fear, hatred and

threat. Fear is taken from the meaning given by Oxford Dictionary (2005), “strong unreasonable

fear or hatred of Islam”. It is also taken from Ponyting & Mason (2007), “islamofobia is fear of

muslim”. According to the theory of fear, it is related to anxious, uncomfortable, dread and

nervousness. It activates escape and avoidance ( Izard & Ackerman, 2000; Ohman, 2000).

According to Kwame McKenzie (2006) in his book “Understanding anxiety and panic attcks”, he

defines the fear as “a feeling that you have when you see or experiance something that frightens

you”.

Second level of phobia is hatred. Again it is taken from Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary

(2005), “strong unreasonable fear or hatred of something”. The situation of hatred is dislike or

not interested in something. The third level is threat. Zafar Iqbal (2010) defines phobia as

irrational fear including offensive actions and attacks against something. While in Webster’s New

World College Dictionary (2000), threat means “an expression of intention to hurt, destroy or

punish”. According to the theory it says that threat leads to escape or avoidance. It is usually

caused by terrorism or violence (Izard & Ackerman, 2000; Ohman, 2000).

Those three levels are framed by the researcher into triangulation form, decrease the danger of

phobia from the top to the bottom. Fear is less danger, hatred is medium and threat is the most

danger.

Figure 1: Triangulation form of phobia

3. Methodology

We are discussing about the respondents, questionaires, validity and reliability and scale reading.

3.1 Respondents

The respondents were non-muslims, undergraduate students, selected from educational

institutions of Malaysia. There are twenty seven of educational institutions in Malaysia with

various courses offered to the students. Only four institutions involved in this research. The

populations are 1080 who come from first semester 2013. While the samples are 280. The size of

Fea

r

Hatred

Threat


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sample is based on the table provided by Krejcie & Morgan (1970) which stated that the sample

for populations between 900-1000 are 269-278. But then, the questionaires that had been

collected were 233 sets. The total is still relevent according to E. Babbie (2007). She says that if

we get back the questionaires over 70% so it is considered as “good” and acceptable to make a

generalization.

3.2 Questionaire, Validity and Reliability

The questionaire consist of 31 items to measure the level of phobia towards jihad, hudud and

poligamy. The items built from the combination ideas of the researcher, mentors and supervisors.

All the items selected had been checked and approved by three choosen specialists from other

universities. 11 items measure the fear of jihad, hudud and poligamy. 10 items measure the hatred

of jihad, hudud and poligamy and 10 items measure the threat of jihad, hudud and poligamy.. The

scale using Likert-type scale, 5 point-scale, from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree). To

measure the reliability of the questionaires, the researcher used Cronbach Alpha analysis. And the

result is shown below:

Tab. 2 : Reliability of the items

Level of phobia towards

jihad, hudud and poligamy

N of items Cronbach Alpha

Fear

12

0.919

Hatred 10 0.908

Threat 9 0.868

Total 31 0.898

Alpha can take values between 0 and 1. The closer to 1, the more reliable scale of our variable.

Most researchers agree 0.7 is acceptable ( M. Rafi, 2011). According to table 2, the alpha of this

reseach for three variables are very reliable.

3.3 Scale Reading and Interpretation

Reading scale is very important to be discussed because the data will be interpreted wrongly if the

scale reading is vague. Point 1 and 2 means the respondents do not have feeling of fear, hatred or

threat. While the point 4 and 5 means that the respondents have feeling of fear, hatred or threat.

The researcher also would like to explain the reading scale of point 3 (no decision). The meaning

is ‘The respondents have no knowledge about the content or about the issues (jihad, hudud or

poligamy). It does not mean ‘don’t understand the question. The explaination of the meaning had

been given to the respondents before they answer the questionaires. The researcher and the


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assistants were around during answering session which had been distributed in the examination

hall after the examination.

4. Result

This paper focuses on descriptive analyses. The results have been analysed to get the mean and

percentage. The statistics about the respondents’ backgrounds are shown below:

Tab. 3 : Summary of respondents’ background

Background Percent

Gender Male 27%

Female 73%

Religion

Buddhism

56.2%

Hinduism

11.2%

Christian

25.8%

Atheism 3.4%

Others 3.4%

Having muslim’s friend

0-10 muslims 12.9%

11-20 muslims 16.3%

More than 20 muslims 70.8%

According to the table 3, the gender shows that the female students more than male students. The

difference number is big that is 73% are female and only 27% are male. The distribution of

religion shows that that majority respondents are Buddhism that is 56.2%, followed by Christian,

25.8%, Hinduism, 11.2% and 3.4% each are atheism and others. The other religions are including

Bahai, Toaism and Sikh. Having muslim’s friend shows that majority of the respondents have

more than 20 muslims’ friends. Only 12.9% of them having less friends around 0 to 10.


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Tab. 4 : The Level of Phobia Towards Jihad

Fear

%

Hatred

%

Threat

%

1

Strongly disagree 7.8 7.8 6

2

Disagree 21.5 32.7 24.2

3

Not sure 58.6 55.2 59.9

4

Agree 9.9 3.4 8.6

5

Strongly agree

2.2

0.9

1.3

Total

100%

100%

100%

Tab. 5 : Summarization the Level of Phobia Towards Jihad

Level of phobia/Reading scale

Fear

%

Hatred

%

Threat

%

Total

1 & 2 No fear/ hatred/ threat 29.3 40.5 30.2

33.3

3

No knowledge about

the issue 58.6 55.2 59.9

57.9

4 & 5

Having fear/ hatred/

threat 12.1 4.3 9.9

8.8

Total 100 100 100

100

Table 4 shows the analysed result for the level of phobia towards jihad according to the 5 point

scales. While the table 5 is the summarization of it. The summarization is based on the scale

reading. Jihad is not a serious phobia issues among non-muslim students in Educational

Institution. It is shown through the percent of scale 1 and scale 2 that is 33.3%. It is higher

compare to the scale 4 and 5, which is only 8.8% . Scale 3 which is means no knowledge about

the issue shows the highest that is 57.9%.

Anyway, eventhough the scale 4 and 5 is only 8.8%, still we can see the level of their phobia

towards jihad. Comparison between fear, hatred and threat, the highest is fear that is 12.1%.


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Tab. 6 : The Level of Phobia Towards Hudud

Fear

%

Hatred

%

Threat

%

1

Strongly disagree 7.3 10.8 7.3

2

Disagree 22 23.7 17.7

3

Not sure 63.8 59.9 66.8

4

Agree 6 4.7 6.9

5

Strongly agree 0.9 0.9 1.3

Total

00%

100%

100%

Tab. 7 : Summarization the Level of Phobia Towards Hudud


Fear

%

Hatred

%

Threat

%

Total

1 & 2 No fear/ hatred/

threat 29.3 34.5 25

29.6

3

No knowledge

about the issue 63.8 59.9 66.8

63.5

4 & 5

Having fear/

hatred/ threat 6.9 5.6 8.2

6.9

Total 100 100 100

Table 6 shows the analysed result for the level of phobia towards hudud according to the 5 point

scales. While the table 7 is the summarization of it. The summarization is based on the scale

reading. According to the table, hudud is not a serious phobia issues among non-muslim

students in Educational Institution. It is shown through the percent of scale 1 and scale 2 that is

29.6%. It is higher compare to the scale 4 and 5, which is only 6.9% . Scale 3 which is means no

knowledge about the issue shows the highest that is 63.5%.

Anyway, eventhough the scale 4 and 5 is only 6.9%, we still can see the level of their phobia

towards hudud. The comparison between fear, hatred and threat, the highest is threat that is 8.2%

compare to fear 6.9% and hatred 5.6%.


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Tab. 8 : Level of Phobia Towards Poligamy

Fear

%

Hatred

%

Threat

%

1

Strongly disagree 6 5.6 10.8

2

Disagree 2.2 3 6

3

Not sure 55.6 56.1 63.4

4

Agree 23.3 26.2 12.9

5


Total

100%

100%

100%

Tab. 9 : Summarization the Level of Phobia Towards Poligamy


Fear

%

Hatred

%

Threat

%

Total

%

1 & 2

No fear/ hatred/

threat

8.2

8.6

16.8

11.2

3

No knowledge

about the issue

55.6

56.1

63.4

58.4

4 & 5

Having fear/

hatred/ threat

36.2

35.3

19.8

30.4

Total 100 100 100

Table 8 shows the analysed result for the level of phobia towards poligamy according to the 5

point scales. The table 9 is the summarization of it. The summarization is based on the scale

reading. According to the table, the result for poligamy is different from jihad and hudud. The

result shows that poligamy is a phobia issues among non-muslim students in Educational

Institution. It is shown through the percent of scale 4 and scale 5 that is 30.4%. It is higher

compare to the scale 1 and 2, which is 11.2% . Scale 3 still the highest that is 58.4%. We can see

the level of the phobia towards poligamy through the comparison between fear, hatred and threat.

And the highest is level ‘fear’ that is 36.2% compare to hatred, 35.3% and threat, 19.8% .


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Level of Phobia Towards Three issues (Jihad, Hudud and Poligamy)

From the above results, the researcher summarises the data from those three issues into one table,

table 1.8. The results are shown below:

Tab. 10 : Level of Phobia Towards Jihad, Hudud and Poligamy

According to percentage

Fear

%

Hatred

%

Threat

%

1

Strongly disagree 8.60 9.90 6.50

2

Disagree 29.20 38.30 24.10

3

Not sure 58.70 48.10 63.80

4

Agree 3.50 3.30 5.20

5


Total

100%

100%

100%

Tab. 11 : Summarization the Level of Phobia

Towards Jihad, Hudud and Poligamy


Fear

%

Hatred

%

Threat

%

Total

%

1 & 2 No fear/ hatred/

threat 37.8 48.2 30.6

38.9

3

No knowledge 58.7 48.1 63.8

56.8

4 & 5

Having fear/ hatred/

threat 3.5 3.7 5.6

4.3

Total 100 100 100

Graph 1: Level of Phobia Towards Jihad, Hudud and Poligamy


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Table 10 and 11 show that those three issues are not a phobia issues among non-muslims’

students in educational institutions in Malaysia. Scale 4 and scale 5 which means having phobia

stated very low percent that is 4.3%. And the highest percent is still scale 3 which is the

respondents have no knowledge about those issues. Our understangding is more clearer through

the graph 1.

5. Discussion and Conclusion

We will discuss briefly about the results above. Firstly about the background of the respondents.

The data from Main Campus of Educational Institution shows that the number of male is very

critical. Based on the Educational Department’s statistics, 2011, shows that the ratio of the male

and female teachers in every states is different. But generally the ratio is 1:3. The research had

been done stated that most of the male did not interested ini educational area. Second, the

selection of the students are based on their Form Five results. Only those who have an excellent

results in all subjects are selected. And most of them are female. So to choose respondents equally

male and female is quiet difficult.

The majority of religion among respondents are Buddhism followed by Christian and

Hinduism. The ratio of this statistic is similar to the report made by The Population and Housing

Census, 2010. While the statistic for having muslims’ friends is showing a very good condition

which is majority having more than 20 muslims’ friends. So, this condition is not contradict with

the result of having no phobia towards the issues. Usually, the more friends we have, the more

experiance we get. It is similar to the research done by Hank Dekker & Jolanda (2007) says that

absence of direct contact with muslims creates the origins of Islamophobia.

The result for the level of phobia towards jihad and hudud shows the same. Majority of

non-muslims students have phobia towards jihad and hudud but very little. It is not a serious case.

Minority of them having phobia towards jihad and hudud. This result is very important to us as a

Malaysian to live peacefully and harmony.


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Anyway, we still have to concern with our sosialization and politics because we see that the

feeling of phobia among minority towards hudud is more than jihad. Besides that, the level of

phobia towards hudud among minority is at the level “threat” compare to jihad at the level “fear”.

It might be because the non-muslims always expose with the issue like implementation of hudud.

Besides that, there are some non-muslims politicions accused Islam by saying that hudud is old

law and not suitable in Malaysia (Zulkifli Hassan, 2013). So, no wonder this issue become more

famous than jihad. We all know that hudud is compulsory to be implemented in Islamic state. So

that, the government has to explain and educate the nations of muslims and non-muslims wisely.

At least non-muslims understand and accept it as a better law to tranform their lives. Actually this

way has been done gradully by Malaysia Islamic Party since 1991 (Nik Ammar, 2014).

Jihad in Malaysia is not a serious phobia issue. So, generally, we can say that non-muslims

students in Malaysia do not afraid of jihad. It is contradict to the west. Jihad is considered as a

serious phenomona. They face many tragic insidents related to jihad such as “Crusade” and

“Attacking of PWTC on September, 11”. The feeling of fear, hatred and threat increase from time

to time until Islam and muslims considered as “threatening others”( R. S. Humphreys, 1992).

The third issue is poligamy. The result is different from others which is poligamy is considered as

an issues of phobia among non-muslims students. Eventhough the difference is small, we still

have to look it seriously before it become worse. In this research, the majority of respondents are

women, so no wonder they are caring more about the issue related to them. According to the

researcher, the respondents answer based on their feeling and knowledge. It is because the ethics

of reseach has been emphasized during the the answering session. They are encouraged to answer

honestly and not prejudise as suggested by Mohd Majid Konting (2000).

Poligamy is a controversial issue not only among non-muslims but also muslims women

themselves. Non-muslims always raise up with the question about the allowance of muslims men

to have four wives and women only one husband (Yvonne et al., 2006). Kwame McKenzie.

(2006) says in his book that women are at risk than men. May be because of certain factors such

as genetic, psychological and sosial factors. For him the rate of anxiety are differents throughout

the world according to the gender and level of problems. That is why Islam pointed male as a

leader in a family, organization and country.

As a conclusion, the researcher frame the result of this research as below:


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Fig. 2 : Framework for The Level of Phobia among non-muslims

towards jihad, hudud and poligamy

The reseacher hope that the level of phobia whether fear, hatred or threat among the

majority or minority non-muslims will decrease in order to maintain the harmony and tolerance

among Malaysians. Besides that, the researcher suggests to all students especially non-muslims to

acquire knowledge about those terms formally or informally in class. The researcher congratulates

the Government of Malaysia especially Ministry of Education and universities for offering certain

cources that combine the islamic civilization and other civilization in one subject. And the most

important here is the role of teachers and lecturers. They have to strengthen the content dan

convey it promptly.

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level of phobia towards islam among non-muslim …...opportunities” discussed about the jihad...

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