1. Malaysiakini（http://www.malaysiakini.com）
Christians, Muslims are siblings of the same calling, 28 February 2012
by Mohamad Tajuddin Mohamad Rasdi
COMMENT I wish to comment on Dr Hassan Ali’s concern over the alleged attempts of Christian missionaries in converting Muslims. He has alluded to the presence of the men-in-white who are secretly doing Christian ‘dakwah’.
I have known Hassan Ali for a long time and my respect for him was to the extent that I had prayed he would be one of Malaysia’s prime ministers.
I had entrusted my children’s religious and moral training to his ‘summer camp’ programme and I deeply respect him as a man who embodies much of the character of the Prophet.
Needless to say I had wished that I would have had half of his knowlege and perhaps ‘iman’ before I leave this world.
I do not wish to deal with allegations of him coverting the chief ministership of Selangor and that his latest ‘revelation of these Christian men-in-white affair is a tool to put him in the limelight and find favours with leaders of his own racist mindset.
In this essay I wish to put across three important points concerning this matter. My first point is that I find his allegation has little credibility.
My second point is that if Muslims were to have been converted to Christianity, why blame Christians and not our way of interpreting and teaching Islam?
My final point is that, I believe that all religions are like siblings in a family and that I have found great faith in delving into how each and every religion attempts to give solace to man concerning the right way to find happiness in this world and the next.
With respect to the first point, I find it hard to believe that such men-in-white actually exist. Why do I say so? Well after 50 years of living, this the first time I have heard of such a thing. Why have we not heard of this before?
Secondly, I have seen Christians visiting many houses in my housing estate and none of them has ever tried to strike up a converstaion with me or my family about Christianity. I wish they would so that I could invite them in!
I have only had the Tabligh group coming to my house inviting me to the surau or masjid. Once a Chinese lady called at my house and asked: “Hello, ini rumah orang Melayu?” When I said “yes” she said sorry an went away.
Universal act of helping others
I have also seen those whom I think were Christians visiting Orang Asli bearing gifts of food and other life’s necessities. Why should we be angry with the Christians? To me they are practicing what is perhaps a universal act of helping others in order to help our souls.
I have read about this in Buddhist, Christian, Hindu and Islamic teachings. Universal! Except I do not see Muslims doing so in that manner.
The motivation gurus say that in order to stop anxiety and worry, talk to others who have an even greater problem and your worries or anxieties will become small in comparison.
Professor Dr Eaknath Easwaran says that “we can never make ourselves happy by doing things for ourselves, only the act of kindness and consideration to others will destroy the ego and then truly make us happy”.
Eaknath was of course deliberating from the Bhagavad Gita.
Finally, in a country like Malaysia with a police and military force made up almost entirely of Malay-Muslim population, I hardly think Christians would tempt fate foolishly in being too aggressive in their missionary works.
I think the Christians have great faith in their religion but they are certainly not stupid to do such a thing. So, I find Hassan’s allegation has little credibility, if any at all.
With respect to the second point, what if there were a few or many Muslims who have chosen to convert to Christianity, why must we blame the Christians?
Is it enough and hunky-dory to just pass a law that says no religion can tempt another of different faith to convert to their own? Such simplistic thinking indeed.
When I go to book shops to look for books on Islam to give my children, teenagers and young adults reading materials on Islam, I am at a complete loss since most of the books are too preachy and do not have any interesting presentation format to this kind of users.
In the Malay language, there is hardly any and in English, I would say very feeble attempts.
Our ulamaks can preach long and loud, but they do not know how to speak to our young. Perhaps, we can train the likes of Azril to teach religious values in his many TV shows. He could pull in a big crowd.
Through their songs and novels
When I visit mosques to listen to ceramah and lectures, I am sad to find that their method of delivery is still the same with long-winded explanations without much appeal to the young. Most are without power points and the presentation formats are as dry as the bones of dinosaurs.
Now let us look at the TV shows. Well, there are some interesting ustaz trying to dump down some values to the public but the attempt is still too conservative.
We must have a ‘waktu rehat’ kind of a sit-com that might appeal more and perhaps then ask the ustaz to be more savvy with their moral examples and stories.
I like the books ‘Chicken Soup for .....’ series and we should have this in Islamic frames. Incidently, I love the WALI band that sings religious rock songs and some of these lads were trained in Pasentran or religious schools.
I think Indonesia has a much, much better way at approaching dakwah to the young through their songs and novels. I do not like the dramas that are imported from Indonesia.
Perhaps, there are other religious-based ones that are more interesting but have failed to get pass our religious censor board.
I think we should set up an academy of creative arts and put young men with religious education and train them in the arts and multi-media in order to produce a generation of ‘hip ulamaks’ and make Islam more attractive to our young.
With respect to the third point, I hold to the personal view that all religious faiths are brethrens or siblings, Islam being the youngest in the family. Christianity and Judaism, I view as older brothers with Hinduism being the eldest to my knowledge.
The reformative ideas of Buddhism stems from Hinduism and can be considered part of the same family of religions. I can’t understand why Muslims hate to be viewed in this manner. My article on Malay-Muslims and the Perfect Religion Syndrome explains much of this view.
For me, I find great joy in reading many books about ‘Positive Thinking, Inspiring Messages’ and ‘You Are What You Think’ by the Christian psychologist Dr Norman Vincent Peale. His books have helped me a great deal in dealing with anxiety isssues as well as cultivate a closer relationship with God.
He has virtually eliminated any feeling of resentment on those I find difficult to deal with.
The books of Eaknath on meditation, commentary of the Bhagavad Gita and controlling the mind, help train the mind to focus at will and not let it wander ceaselessly.
His commentary of the Bhagavad Gita teaches me that the path to the love of God is through subjugating the ego and the way to do that is to put others first.
Readings of Islamic religious texts gives me much information but their style is not as exciting and motivational as the books described above, simply because the texts are translation of classical work such as those of Imam Ghazali, Ar-Rumi and Abdul Qadir Jailani.
Two thoughts from YouTube lecture
Only the work of modernists like Dr Aidh in his famous book ‘Don’t Be Sad’ comes close to an easy and consoling motivational work.
Thus, if we view all religions as one big happy family, imagine the resources that we have to tap on in discovering the true meaning of happiness. Let us not get involved into a debate of ‘my religion is true ergo yours is not’.
Some Muslims insist that there must be sombody who is right and somebody that is wrong. Simple. Well, I beg to differ. If you have five children like me, can you claim to love one child less than the others?
I love all of them equally whether one is bad tempered or good natured or what have you, they are all my children.
If you were a parent who can insist that he or she loves one of his or her children more than the others, I am afraid to tell you that you are indeed a ‘bad’ parent to do so.
Finally I wish to summarise what I understand from a YouTube lecture given by Profesor Dr Muhammad Tahir al-Qudri on ‘Signs that Allah Loves You’. Two things caught my attention.
First, he said that we must annihilate our worldly-selves in order to open our hearts to the divine attributes of love from Allah.
We must disassociate from our love of positions, wealth, popularity and many other vices in order to receive the attributes of the divine. One of the attributes of Allah is that he loves all mankind, whether good or bad, wealthy or poor, Christians or Muslims and so forth.
So, if we Muslims were imbued with his love and attributes we too would love all mankind, whether Muslims or of other faiths. Even Khurram Murad in his book ‘In the Early Hours’ wrote that the Prophet says one of the signs of iman is to love all man for Allah’s sake.
Of course, those who have done wrong with criminal acts must be punished and we shall hate their deeds but still open our hearts for them if they recite their ‘tauba’ or repentance.
Thus, if all religions teach that love for others is paramount to seeking true happiness and enlightenment, what are we doing mistrusting one another? Which religion is true and which is false? That is the wrong question and certainly the wrong discourse.
We should strive to be the best at attaining the divine attributes of love and care for others in whichever religion we profess, and let every individual choose their own path.
Lao Tze said “the way that can be told is not the eternal way”. Our own paths are ours and ours alone to determine and no one person can make this journey for us except our own self. The journey of a thousand steps begin with our own feet... and not others.
In closing, I wish Hassan Ali well in his career and hope that he can still be one of our great leaders of this country. I still have faith in him to do what is right for others in this country and not for his own selfish calling.
Only then is true leadership born. No self-appointed leader is acknowledged by history nor any that is propped up by parties of vested interests. I plead to Hassan Ali not to stoke the fires of religious and racial hatred in this country for the sake of his and my children and for the sake of all caring citizens of this country.
・PROF DR MOHAMAD TAJUDDIN MOHAMAD RASDI is a 23-year veteran academic and teaches architecture at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. He specialises in mosque and Islamic architecture particularly that which relates to Malaysia using a hadith-based and socio-cultural approach in order to create the total idea of built environment suited for a whole social structure.
2. Malaysian Insider(http://www.themalaysianinsider.com)
(1) PAS refuses to recognise Israel, 22 February 2012
by Shannon Teoh
Anwar had met Nik Aziz yesterday to explain his statements in the WSJ. — File pic
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 22 — PAS has refused to accept the Israeli state although its spiritual leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat said today he “understood Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s explanation” over his support for “all efforts to protect the security of the state of Israel.”
The Kelantan mentri besar said in a statement that “the existence of Israel is an injustice” as it has murdered and stripped away the rights of Palestinians.
“PAS absolutely does not recognise the haram state of Israel. PAS will firmly back the Palestinians’ who have been insulted in their own land. It is up to Anwar if he accepts PAS’s stand,” he said.
PKR de facto leader Anwar had met Nik Aziz yesterday morning to explain that his support for Israel was based on the condition the Jewish state does not thwart the Palestinians’ ambitions for statehood.
The PAS Ulama Council, led by Nik Aziz, had called on the opposition leader to retract his remarks or sue the Wall Street Journal for misreporting his remarks on the issue.
Last month, the WSJ had quoted Anwar as saying in an interview that he supported “all efforts to protect the security of the state of Israel.”
But the newspaper said Anwar stopped short of saying he would open diplomatic ties with the Jewish state, a step the former deputy prime minister said remains contingent on Israel respecting the aspirations of Palestinians.
Anwar came under heavy fire from Umno and its media after his statement was published by the WSJ in January.
He was forced to defend himself by stressing that his remarks in the newspaper meant that he supported a two-state solution, which he said was also mentioned by Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman when the latter addressed the United Nations General Assembly in September last year.
But Nik Aziz made clear today PAS will not acknowledge Israel and said this proved PAS has not “sold out its principles for the sake of being with Pakatan Rakyat.”
Malaysia is a staunch supporter of Palestine and has no diplomatic ties with Israel.
Muslim politicians have long vied for support from Malays by denouncing what they say are inhumane acts of aggression by Israel towards its neighbour.
(2) Israeli ships let in due to ‘international laws’, says ex-premier, 22 February 2012
by Clara Chooi
Dr Mahathir said barring the entry of Israeli vessel may infringe on international laws. —
SHAH ALAM, Feb 22 — Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said today that Israeli vessels are allowed to dock at Malaysian ports in accordance with “international laws”, insisting that this did not mean the government supports the Jewish state.
“The question that has arisen (over) why the Malaysian government allows Israeli ships into our ports... yes, this is an international practice.
“If we block them, we could be infringing on international laws,” the former prime minister told a press conference today.
But he firmly said the Malaysian government “cannot” support Israel as it is a “country of territories seized from others”.
“This is not good. The world may recognise Israel... but it (Israel) is quite violent and ignorant of international laws, even mounting blockades in Gaza... gunning dead nine people,” he said.
In May 2010, nine Turkish activists were killed during an Israeli military raid on a Gaza-bound aid ship that had attempted to run a naval blockade.
Malaysia’s alleged trade relations with Israel was raised recently by PKR leaders in an apparent attempt by the party to prove the Barisan Nasional-led (BN) government sympathised with Israel’s Zionist regime.
According to PKR-linked pressure group, Jingga 13, Israeli-owned ships have been docking at Malaysian ports. The group said this confirmed the existence of trade ties between both countries.
The claim also appears to be part of the party’s efforts to stave off similar accusations made against its de facto leader, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who has often been labelled a Jewish sympathiser by his political foes in Umno.
The opposition leader invited further suspicion over his alleged ties with Israel when he expressed support during a recent interview with the influential Wall Street Journal (WSJ) for “all efforts to protect the security of the state of Israel”.
Anwar has since explained that this support remains contingent on Israel respecting the aspirations of Palestinians but has continued to draw flak for his remarks, including from his political partners in Islamist party PAS.
The leader even held a meeting with PAS spiritual advisor Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat to explain his statement.
But Dr Mahathir continued to insist today that Anwar, his former deputy in the government, has always been a strong supporter of the Israeli cause.
He further accused Nik Aziz today of attempting to “protect” Anwar, when it was pointed out by reporters that the PAS leader did not pressure his PKR comrade to retract his statement or sue the WSJ.
“He (Anwar) has always been a strong supporter of Israel... Now Nik Aziz is trying to defend him.
“But what the Israelis are doing... Is this humane? ... Guarantee their (Israel’s) security? What should be done is stop them (Israel) from attacking others, not protect them.
“Thousands of Palestinians are still detained there, no trial, nothing for years. This is a cruel regime... If America wants a regime change, this is the regime that should be changed,” he said.
In a recent blog posting, Dr Mahathir had alleged that Israel and the US are conspiring to affect a regime change in Malaysia through a “puppet government” to be helmed by Anwar.
(3) Dr M admits wrote to ex-Israeli PM, 23 February 2012
Dr Mahathir said he responded to the Israeli prime minister to express Malaysia’s disapproval. — File pic
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 23 — Former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad today confessed to corresponding with his then Israeli counterpart, Ehud Barak, but said this was to convey Malaysia’s refusal to recognise the Jewish state.
“I responded saying that Malaysia will not have any ties with them (Israel) for as long as they refused to acknowledge the right of the Palestinians,” Dr Mahathir was quoted as saying in a Bernama Online report today.
According to the ex-prime minister, Barak had initiated the exchange to seek a softening of Malaysia’s stance on the Israeli-Palestinian dispute.
Allegations on the existence of this correspondence had surfaced online recently.
Today, Dr Mahathir said he wanted to publicise the letter but was advised against it by his administration.
Malaysia’s alleged ties with Israel were again dragged into the spotlight when the Wall Street Journal quoted Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as saying in an interview that he supported “all efforts to protect the security of the state of Israel.” He later clarified to say his backing was conditional.
This led to Umno rivals and Dr Mahathir attacking the opposition leader as a Jewish sympathiser.
PKR pressure group Jingga 13 retaliated by highlighting the presence of Israeli vessels in local ports, claiming this affirmed claims that Malaysia had clandestine ties with Israel.
Malaysia is a staunch supporter of Palestine and has no diplomatic relationship with Israel.
Muslim politicians have long vied for support from Malays by denouncing what they say are inhumane acts of aggression by Israel towards its neighbour.
(4) Security of the state of Israel — Mahathir Mohamed、26 Februari 2012
26 FEB— Kenyataan yang dikeluarkan oleh Dato Seri Anwar merupakan percubaan untuk mengalih perhatian terhadap pendiriannya iaitu, “Saya sokong semua usaha untuk melindungi keselamatan negara Israel” (I support all efforts to protect the security of the State of Israel) kepada soal pengiktirafan negara itu.
Israel telah mengambil sikap bahawa untuk keselamatan negara, ia akan mengganas lebih daripada pengganas (out terrorise the terrorists). Sebab itu kita lihat tindakan Israel apabila menuduh pihak Palestin melaku keganasan kepadanya, ialah dengan serangan yang keterlaluan.
Demikian kerana kononnya Israel diserang oleh puak Palestin, Israel melancar serangan yang dahsyat supaya penduduk Jenin sebuah bandar kecil Palestin terbunuh beramai-ramai dan bangunan-bangunan diroboh semasa penduduk-penduduk masih ada dalam ruman dan bangunan. Penduduk Jenin yang terdiri daripada orang awam, lelaki, perempuan, tua dan muda termasuk kanak-kanak di bunuh. Ini adalah balasan Israel untuk kepentingan sekuritinya.
Demikian juga di Gaza. Demi sekuriti bagi Israel, tenteranya telah melanggar masuk Gaza, membunuh lebih daripada seribu orang Palestin, menghancurkan hospital, sekolah dan ruman-rumah kediaman. Bekalan air dan api di hancurkan.
Kemudian walaupun atas desakan masyarakat antarabangsa tentera Israel berundur, tetapi sekatan diadakan supaya tidak ada bekalan makan dan ubat-ubatan yang dapat masuk Gaza. Bangunan-bangunan yang telah roboh akibat bedilan tentera Israel tidak dapat dibaiki kerana bahan-bahan binaan dihalang oleh Israel daripada dibawa masuk Gaza.
Penduduk yang rumah mereka telah dimusnah terpaksa tinggal dalam khemah atau rumah yang tidak berbumbung atau dinding. Di musim sejuk mereka menggigil kesejukan. Yang tua dan anak kecil boleh mati kerana kesejukkan.
Walaupun sudah undur dari Gaza bedilan roket dan meriam diadakan hampir setiap hari.
Apabila Malaysia dan Turki membawa barangan makanan, ubat-ubatan dan bahan binaan dengan kapal, tentera Israel menyerang kapal MV Marmara di perairan antarabangsa dan membunuh sembilan orang Turki yang tidak bersenjata.
Sekatan yang dibuat oleh Israel tidak sah dari segi undang-undang antarabangsa. Sudah tentu serangan dan pembunuhan orang awam yang sedang mengerjakan kerja kebajikan adalah salah dari segi undang-undang antarabangsa. Namun Israel tidak sedikit pun mengaku bersalah dan Amerika menyokong Israel dengan pendirian dan perbuatannya.
Kenapakah semua ini dilakukan. Israel mendakwa bahawa mereka sedang mempertahan keselamatan atau sekuriti negara mereka.
Israel memasuk dalam tahanan beribu rakyat Palestin tanpa sebab dan tanpa bicara. Tujuannya ialah supaya jika seorang dari askar Israel ditawan oleh rakyat Palestin, maka Israel akan menebus rakyatnya dengan melepaskan 500 orang tahanan.
Israel tidak memperdulikan garisan sempadan yang ditentukan oleh masyarakat antarabangsa. Sebaliknya Israel menawan lebih banyak wilayah Palestin dan dengan angkuhnya mendiri perumahan bagi rakyatnya di wilayah Palestin. Jalan dibina dalam kawasan Palestin yang orang Palestin tidak dibenar menggunanya.
Tembok tinggi dibina yang membahagikan kawasan yang diduduki orang Palestin supaya mereka tidak dapat hidup bersama.
Apabila rakyat Palestin membantah dengan menunjuk perasaan, mereka ditembak mati oleh askar Israel sebagai balasan kepada lontaran batu oleh orang Palestin.
Orang Palestin tidak dibenar memanggil wilayah mereka sebagai Negara Palestin (Palestine State). Mereka hanya boleh mengguna perkataan Palestinian Authority (Pihak Berkuasa Palestin).
Semua ini dilakukan oleh Israel sebagai tindakan bagi mempertahankan sekuriti Israel. Di belakang Israel terdapat Amerika Syarikat dan negara Eropah.
Tidak ada siapa yang sanggup membantu orang Palestin. Mereka terpaksa bergantung kepada tindakan kecil-kecilan untuk mempertahankan diri mereka. Jika mereka menyerang sebagai balasan kepada serangan tentera Israel, maka Israel akan mengganas tanpa had. Apa sahaja boleh dilakukan oleh Israel kerana kononnya mereka mempertahankan keselamatan (security) mereka.
Apabila Anwar berkata “ia sokong segala usaha untuk melindungi keselamatan Israel,” secara langsung ia menyokong keganasan yang tidak terhingga dan pelanggaran undang-undang antarabangsa yang dilakukan oleh Israel kononnya untuk menjaga sekuriti Israel. Apakah orang Palestin tidak berhak kepada keselamatan mereka? Apakah mereka tidak boleh bertindak untuk mempertahankan diri mereka, tanpa serangan keganasan yang keterlaluan yang dilakukan oleh Israel.
Pendirian Anwar sebenarnya menghalalkan strategi Israel untuk “Out-terrorise the terrorists” atau membalas keganasan dengan melipat ganda keganasan untuk keselamatan Israel.
Anwar memberi amaran kepada sesiapa yang membuat komen terhadap kenyataan yang dibuat olehnya. Saya tidak syak yang ia akan mendakwa di mahkamah supaya mulut pengkritik ditutup sepanjang proses pengadilan. Sudah tentu masa yang amat panjang akan diambil dalam proses ini kerana Anwar akan bermula degan menuduh hakim berat sebelah dan perlu ditukar. Masa yang panjang akan berlalu sementara ditentukan berasas atau tidak tuduhannya.
Jika didapati oleh mahkamah yang didakwa oleh Anwar tidak bersalah maka ia akan buat rayuan kepada ‘Appeal Court’ atau Mahkamah Rayuan.
Jika Appeal Court bersetuju dengan hakim mahkamah tinggi, Anwar akan appeal kepada Federal Court.
Hampir lima tahun berlalu sebelum kes saman malu olehnya terhadap saya tamat. Sementara saya dituntut bayaran sebanyak RM100juta, apabila didapati saya tidak bersalah, saya dibayar kos sebanyak hanya RM70,000.00.
Tentulah Anwar akan lebih berani membuat tuntuan beratus juta kerana jika ia kalah maka kos baginya hanyalah sedikit.
Anwar mendakwa bahawa ia menyokong kebebasan bersuara tetapi apabila dikritik oleh sesiapa ia tidak ingin lihat kebebasan bersuara yang ia kononnya memperjuangkan. Justeru itu ia mengguna “sub judice” untuk menutup mulut pengkritik. Sudah tentu jika ia berkuasa kebebasan media akan dihapuskan.
Pada hakikatnya Anwar sokong penuh segala tindakan ganas yang keterlaluan yang dilakukan oleh Israel kerana Anwar sokong “all efforts to protect the security of Israel”..
・Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed is the fourth Prime Minister of Malaysia
・This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication. The Malaysian Insider does not endorse the view unless specified.
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