Kajian Sensitiviti Agama: Tinjauan Awal di Sabah [Religious Sensitivity in Sabah: An Overview Study]
Authors: Aratin Nur Azian , Abdul Rahman Nur Farhana 
Published: October 2023

Sabah merupakan sebuah negeri yang kaya dengan kepelbagaian budaya, etnik, kaum, adat, pantang larang, agama dan kepercayaan yang berbeza-beza. Walaupun wujudnya perbezaan-perbezaan tersebut dalam kehidupan bermasyarakat di Sabah. Ia tidak menjadi penghalang kepada pembentukan hubungan baik dan toleransi yang tinggi dalam kalangan masyarakat Sabah. Keadaan ini jelas dilihat menerusi sikap keterbukaan masyarakat Sabah dalam beradaptasi dengan kepelbagaian adat dan budaya yang wujud dalam kalangan masyarakatnya serta penerimaan terhadap budaya kahwin campur merentasi kaum, agama, kewarganegaraan yang tinggi sehingga membentuk hubungan kekeluargaan yang mempunyai pelbagai anutan agama di Sabah. Suasana kehidupan masyarakat Sabah ini jelas menunjukkan bahawa wujudnya toleransi yang tinggi serta suasana harmoni dalam kehidupan bermasyarakat di negeri itu. Namun, sejak kebelakangan ini timbul pelbagai isu-isu sensitif agama yang dianggap mampu menyentuh sensitiviti keagamaan bagi masyarakat di negeri Sabah jika tidak dikendalikan dengan cara yang betul. Justeru, kajian ini dijalankan untuk menganalisis tahap hubungan, faktor pembentukan serta cabaran dalam pembentukan hubungan antara agama di Sabah. Selain itu, menganalisis isu-isu sensitif agama serta pihak bertanggungjawab dalam menguruskan konflik antara agama di Sabah. Kajian ini menggunakan kaedah kepustakaan iaitu dengan merujuk artikel, jurnal, tesis yang mempunyai hubungkait dengan tajuk perbincangan kajian. Hasil kajian mendapati bahawa tahap hubungan antara agama di Sabah adalah tinggi. Namun masyarakat beragama di Sabah turut berdepan dengan pelbagai cabaran dalam mengekalkan hubungan baik antara agama di Sabah. Antaranya, cabaran dari aspek politik, Media Massa serta sikap individu yang pentingkan diri sendiri. Namun kebangkitan isu keagamaan yang berbangkit di Sabah melibatkan isu teologi, isu tuntutan hak sosial dan isu sosial dalam kalangan masyarakat beragama di Sabah.

Sabah is a state rich in cultural diversity, ethnicities, races, customs, taboos, religions and different beliefs. Despite the existence of these differences in community life in Sabah, they do not become an obstacle to the formation of good relations and high tolerance among the Sabahan community. This situation is clearly seen through the openness of the Sabahan community in adapting to the diversity of customs and cultures that exist among the Sabahan community as well as the acceptance of the culture of intermarriage across races, religions, and high citizenships until the formation of family relationships that have various religious affiliations in Sabah. The atmosphere of life in Sabah clearly shows that there is a high tolerance and an atmosphere of harmony in community life in the state. However, in recent times, various sensitive issues have arisen that are considered capable of touching the religious sensitivities of the state of Sabah if not handled in the right way. Therefore, this study was conducted to analyze the level and challenges in interfaith relations in Sabah. In addition, analyzing religiously sensitive issues and parties responsible for managing inter-religious conflicts in Sabah. This study uses the bibliographic method by referring to articles, journals, theses that are related to the scope of the study discussion. The results of the study found that there is a good relationship between religions in Sabah. However, religious communities in Sabah are also faced with political challenges, mass media, individual attitudes that are self-important in maintaining the relationships that have been formed. The rise of religious issues in Sabah involves theological issues, social rights claims issues and social issues among religious communities in Sabah.