What is true diversity?

Salam.

When we say diversity is good, what does that mean?

From my observation, when people say diversity is good, they mean diversity of races, cultures and religions in a society is good for the nation.

But why and how is it good?
Nobody explain this in detail.

Just having browns and yellow, white and dark coloured skins living side by side, each doing their own things, is not going to improve society or the nation.
Nor having different cultures and religions just for the sake of hiking up the numbers of tourists.

We know for a fact from our own history that this melting pot are also a pressure valve waiting to explode like a volcano. All it needs is just a spark.

With all this potential for violence/chaos/riot/disagreement/disunity/, we pay lip service to the goodness of diversity. And still nobody explain why or how is it good.

For diversity to contribute to the improvement of society, something concrete, physical and/or tangible has to happen for it to be good.

Is it cultural exchanges that enhance the food cultures?
I am a foodie and I thank God that we have all these varieties of food in Malaysia to engorge my stomach with.
But this is superficial.

What is real diversity that enriches society and augments national development?

Diversity is about diversity of individuals, diversity of opinions, diversity of ideas and diversity of experiences.
When society is homogeneous along one racial or cultural or religious line, people tend to think the same.
The "diversity variety" is limited, almost non-existent.
Hence, society and the nation can stagnate.
But different ethnic groups, cultures and beliefs have different opinions, ideas and experiences, be it personal or as a group.
This diversity is the true diversity.

If exploited correctly, via a vibrant democratic society that promotes exchanges of ideas, opinions and experiences, this can benefit society and the nation.

As stated in the Qur'an, verse 49:13;

"...We have made you into nations and tribes, so that you might come to know one another..."
-Qur'an 49:13-

For this to happen, freedom of speech and expression, has to be respected. No group should monopolise public discourse. All ideas should be open for scrutiny, people should be thick skinned and not be offended to any criticism by anybody. Criticism should be given & answered intelligently, with evidence, proofs and sound logical reasoning.

For all Muslims out there, remember what the Qur'an says;

"...the ones who listen to what is being said, and then follow the best of it; these are the ones whom God has guided, and these are the ones who possess intelligence."
-Qur'an 39:18-

This is true diversity.
Not nasi lemak, dim sum or thosai side by side.


Disclaimer: I do like nasi lemak, dim sum and thosai. While I use them as examples of the superficiality of Malaysian diversity, just to drive my point, they do contribute to the rich Malaysian cultures. In fact I wouldn't mind eating nasi lemak wrapped with thosai along with dim sum filled with boiled egg & sambal ikan bilis. Come to think about it, time to head to the kitchen and  experiment with this new recipe.

SELAMAT HARI MALAYSIA!