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🇲🇾 Malaysia /Culture & Society

Social media normalizes foolishness, Malaysian preacher warns

From Utusan Malaysia · () Malay

Translated from Malay and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

Opinion Named sources Context piece
  • Malaysian preacher Haris Ismail (PU Riz) expressed concern over the normalization of content lacking substance on social media.
  • He criticized the trend where "the dumber, the more trending," lamenting the elevation of foolishness over intellect.
  • Ismail also voiced worries about parents exposing children to the internet without considering future consequences, citing examples of inappropriate content.

Malaysian preacher Haris Ismail, also known as PU Riz, has voiced significant concern over the current state of social media, particularly the trend of normalizing content that lacks substance and serves only to gain attention. He observed a worrying phenomenon where "the dumber, the more trending," suggesting a societal inclination to elevate foolishness over intellect.

The dumber, the more trending.

· Haris IsmailMalaysian preacher Haris Ismail commenting on the nature of viral content on social media.

"It's getting dumber, it's getting more trending," Ismail stated on Threads. He contrasted this with a past observation by a scholar who noted that "fools are elevated, the intelligent are sidelined." Ismail finds the current social media landscape particularly perplexing, citing instances where private matters like divorce become public spectacles, leaving observers confused.

It's getting dumber, it's getting more trending.

· Haris IsmailHaris Ismail expressing his concern about the quality of content gaining popularity online.

Furthermore, Ismail expressed alarm regarding the openness of parents today who readily expose their children to the digital world without fully considering the long-term effects. He pointed to parents on TikTok encouraging children to dance, with mothers even directing them to appear "sexy" with heavy makeup. The preacher lamented that these children's performances, viewed globally, are often met with parental approval when they garner millions of views, further fueling "stupidity."

Fools are elevated, the intelligent are sidelined.

· Haris IsmailHaris Ismail quoting a scholar's observation on societal trends reflected in social media.

Ismail also lamented the reluctance of some social media users to accept criticism, especially from religious figures. When religious scholars offer advice, they are often labeled as "religious extremists," "unfun," "outdated," or "not open-minded." This resistance, he believes, hinders public understanding of important issues. Ismail concluded by emphasizing the simplicity of discerning right from wrong, urging people to follow the guidance of Allah and the Prophet.

Parents on TikTok start involving children dancing together. The mother directs the younger one to act this way to look sexy, with heavy makeup.

· Haris IsmailHaris Ismail describing his concerns about parents exposing children to inappropriate online content.
About this summary

Originally published by Utusan Malaysia in Malay. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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