Christmas in the crosshair of extremists

CELEBRATED by Christians to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ, Christmas has evolved into a universal season of peace, goodwill, and shared humanity – one that transcends religious, cultural, and social boundaries worldwide.

Tragically, in our imperfect world, Christmas gatherings have, at times, been targeted by extremist attacks, turning moments of celebration into scenes of fear and loss.

Such assaults are not only attacks on individuals, but also on the core values of peace and coexistence that the season represents.

Extremist groups often select symbolic soft targets like Christmas bazaars, open-air celebrations, and church services.

Recently, police in Germany arrested five men over a plot to attack Christmas bazaars by driving a vehicle into the crowd in the markets, with the aim of killing as many people as possible.

These public events are designed to be welcoming and accessible, which unfortunately makes them vulnerable to those seeking to inflict maximum psychological impact with minimal resistance.

By striking these visible symbols, extremists aim to send a message far beyond the immediate victims, amplifying fear and division across societies.

The motivations behind this violence are multi-faceted.

Christmas, with its widespread cultural acceptance, becomes a target for those who reject pluralism and seek to impose a narrow interpretation of identity.

Furthermore, attacks during high-profile seasons guarantee extensive media coverage and public shock.

The timing is calculated to maximise fear, disrupt social cohesion, and undermine trust in protective institutions.

In some cases, the goal is to provoke overreaction, inflame communal tensions, and deepen mistrust between groups, as extremists thrive in polarised environments where dialogue is eclipsed by suspicion.

Understanding these drivers – ideological intolerance, political manipulation, and the desire for attention – is essential to addressing the root causes.

Ultimately, the strongest response lies not in fear or division, but in a renewed commitment to the dialogue, inclusion, and peaceful coexistence that extremists seek to destroy.

Malaysia has long been regarded as a society where diverse religions and cultures coexist with relative harmony.

Islam is the religion of the Federation, while Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism, Taoism, and indigenous beliefs are freely practised.

However, maintaining this tolerance has become more challenging as subtle – and sometimes overt – forms of religious extremism gain traction.

One significant challenge is the increasing politicisation of religion.

When faith is mobilised as a tool for political legitimacy, it can sharpen the ‘us versus them’ narratives, reducing complex social concerns into simplistic religious binaries and amplifying community suspicion.

Social media accelerates this strain by rapidly spreading misinformation and incendiary content, allowing false claims about religious threats to quickly erode decades of built-up trust.

Moreover, extremist ideologies are increasingly transnational, flowing through online networks.

While local contexts differ, imported narratives can resonate when framed as a defence of faith or identity under siege.

Simultaneously, grassroots interfaith dialogue – a quiet but effective stabiliser – has weakened in some areas.

As communities become more insular, opportunities for meaningful interaction diminish.

Without regular engagement, stereotypes harden, empathy erodes, and society becomes more vulnerable to polarising narratives.

While Malaysia’s diversity remains a strength, tolerance cannot be taken for granted.

The task ahead is not merely to manage differences, but to actively nurture understanding.

In the face of rising extremism, the nation must reaffirm a collective narrative that values dignity and mutual respect, ensuring pluralism defines Malaysia’s future rather than becoming its fault line.