1.（http://iina.me/wp_en/?p=1008498）
Malaysia/Islam: Handbook on Islamic view of nature to be launched soon
KUALA TERENGGANU (Malaysia), 29 Jumada Al-Thani/21 May (IINA)-WWF Malaysia and the Institute of Islamic Understanding Malaysia (Ikim) are working together to produce a handbook on conserving the environment with an Islamic perspective.
The book, the first of its kind in Malaysia, will be launched in July, said Ikim director-general Datuk Nik Mustapha Hassan.
“This book is produced as a reference for Muslims, particularly leaders who are imam, religious speakers and teachers who can help in the effort to conserve the environment.
“Citing Quranic verses, hadiths and parables of prophets as well as presenting comprehensive facts, the handbook can benefit all levels of society in contributing to the protection of the environment and wildlife in Malaysia,” he said recently.
Nik Mustapha said the publication was in line with Ikim’s function, which is to carry out research on the role of Islam and Muslims in facing challenges due to the ever-changing global situation.
“Through this handbook, we would like to emphasise that problems and issues related to the environment and wildlife have relevance to Islamic teachings,” he said.
He said Ikim authors visited two WWF Malaysia project sites – the Belum-Temengor Forest Complex in Gerik, Perak, and Setiu, Terengganu – while working on this book.
“Both locations are habitats for various endangered species including the two national icons, the Malayan tiger and turtle, which will be given particular focus in this handbook,” he said.
Meanwhile, WWF Malaysia chief executive officer, Datuk Dr Dionysius Sharma said the project was a continuation of ongoing activities carried out based on the Islamic approach in wildlife species conservation.
He explained that among the efforts made by WWF Malaysia with the local communities and Ikim included the preparation of a Friday sermon text titled “Environmental conservation is our collective responsibility” for 428 mosques throughout Terengganu in 2008.
“Nature conservation is an important aspect that is recognised by many religions around the world,” he said, adding that the world’s five main religions had declared their responsibilities to care for the environment through the Assisi Declaration in 1986.
These religions are Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Judaism and Islam. Three others, Baha’ism, Jainism and Sikhism, issued a similar declaration later.
AH/IINA
・Copyright International Islamic News Agency (IINA). All Rights Reserved.
2．The Malaysian Insider (http://www.themalaysianinsider.com）
(1a) Senator Australia akan saman NST, dakwaan anti Islam ‘meloyakan’, 4 Mei 2012
Oleh Clara Chooi
KUALA LUMPUR, 4 Mei — Senator Australia Nicholas Xenophon telah mengesahkan beliau akan mengemukakan saman terhadap New Straits Times (NST), menuduh akhbar Umno itu sengaja menjejaskan keselamatannya apabila mengeluarkan artikel yang menggambarkan dirinya sebagai anti Islam.
Ahli Parlimen bebas itu berkata kepada The Malaysian Insider, beliau memahami niat akhbar berkenaan menarik balik laporan yang disiarkan mereka namun beliau akan tetap mengambil tindakan perundangan sama ada di Malaysia mahupun Australia.
“Saya akan mengadakan perbincangan dengan peguam di Malaysia dan Australia berhubung perkara ini.
“Ini adalah fitnah yang keterlaluan dan ianya amat menyedihkan.
“Pendapat saya terhadap Islam adalah satu rekaan semata-mata ... ianya menjelikkan,” katanya dalam perbualan telefon kepada The Malaysian Insider semalam.
Akhbar pro-Umno itu semalam mengakui telah membuat kenyaatan tidak benar terhadap Xenophon (gambar) dalam artikelnya pada Rabu laluyang menggelarkan Islam sebagai “pertubuhan jenayah” ketika ucapannya pada 2009 di Parlimen Australia.
Namun, menurut Hansard, senator terbabit yang merupakan sekutu kuat Ketua Pembangkang Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, menegaskan beliau menggunakan istilah “Scientology”.
“Sudah tentu ia membahayakan saya. Saya dituduh melakukan sesuatu yang sangat serius ... menghina Islam dalam keadaan yang amat hina.
“Saya telah dinasihatkan keselamatan saya sekarang ini berada dalam keadaan merbahaya,” katanya.
Xenophon menjelaskan walaupun NST telah menarik balik kenyataan dalam artikel tersebut daripada laman web mereka, ia telah dibaca oleh ribuan pelawat.
Beliau menegaskan dirinya tidak menentang Islam malah amat menghormati agama tersebut.
“Sampai hati mereka melakukan perbuatan itu?” soalnya. “Saya amat menghormati masyarakat Malaysia ... Malaysia merupakan rakan saya.”
Tambahnya, beliau berada di Malaysia sebagai sebahagian daripada suruhanjaya pemerhati antarabangsa pembangkang untuk memantau Bersih 3.0 bukan atas jemputan tetapi atas “dasar kehendak” untuk negara dan rakyatnya.
“Ini adalah perkara yang saya perlu lakukan, satu keperluan. Saya perlukan tindakan mahkamah atas apa yang berlaku,” katanya merujuk kepada keputusan mengambil tindakan mahkamah.
Apabila ditanya, sama ada beliau akan menggesa kerajaan Malaysia mengambil tindakan NST, Xenophon menjelaskan beliau akan mendapatkan nasihat peguamnya terlebih dahulu.
Namun begitu, menurutnya, akhbar Umni itu telah “mengeruhkan keadaan.”
“Saya tidak faham bagaimana mereka boleh melakukan perkara ini,” katanya.
Dalam respon terhadap insiden semalam, NST telah berjanji akan menyiarkan “kenyataan yang sepatutnya” di akhbar dan juga laman webnya, dan menambah mereka menyesali tindakan ke atas senator bebas Australia itu.
Respon balas NST adalah: “merujuk kepada berita yang disiarkan terhadap rungutan Encik Nicholas Xenophon berhubung artikel bertajuk ‘Pemerhati Di dalam Perhatian’ dengan sub tajuk ‘Rakan Subahat Dipersoal: Pemimpin Anti Islam Australia Dikecam’, seperti yang disiarkan pada 2 Mei, 2012 edisi New Straits Times yang disiarkan kami.
“Kami menyesali artikel tersebut mengandungi kenyataan terhadap Xenophon, terutamanya yang menggunakan perkataan ‘Islam’ yang beliau tidak gunakan sewaktu ucapan di Parlimen pada November 2009. Kami mengambil langkah untuk meminda kenyataan itu dengan kenyataan yang wajar dalam akhbar dan versi online untuk menyelesaikan isu ini.
“Kami menyesali perkara ini dan memahami Xenophon telah terseksa dan malu daripada penyiaran artikel berkenaan, dan secara jujurnya, tindakan kami ini akan menyelesaikan perkara ini.
Menurut laporan Sydney Morning Herald (SMH) semalam, Xenophon mendakwa NST telah menuduhnya menggunakan perkataan “Islam” bagi menggantikan perkataan sebenar “Scientology”, yang telah dikritiknya pada ucapan 2009 adalah,”contoh taktik kotor kerajaan yang juga digunakan terhadap Ketua Pembangkang Anwar.”
NST telah menggugurkan artikel tersebut daripada laman web mereka, namun salinan tersebut masih boleh ditemui dalam direktori mereka.
Dalam artikel NST, Xenophon bukan sahaja dituduh menghina Islam dalam ucapan penangguhan Parlimen Australia pada 2009, namun turut menyatakan sokongan terhadap komuniti LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender.
NST memetik laporan ucapan tersebut yang mana senator itu berkata: “Apa yang kita lihat adalah paten jenayah dan kekejaman dunia. Sebagai bukti, ia tidak berlaku dengan sengaja; ia telah dirancang. Islam bukanlah pertubuhan agama. ia adalah organisasi jenayah yang bersembunyi di sebalik kepercayaan beragama.” (“What we are seeing is a worldwide pattern of abuse and criminality. On the body of evidence, this is not happening by accident; it is happening by design. Islam is not a religious organisation. It is a criminal organisation that hides behind its so-called religious beliefs.”)
Namun begitu, SMH melaporkan, ucapan sebenar Xenophon berbunyi: “Apa yang kita lihat adalah paten jenayah dan kekejaman dunia. Sebagai bukti, ia tidak berlaku dengan sengaja; ia telah dirancang. Scientology bukanlah organisasi keagamaan. Ia adalah organisasi jenyah yang bersembunyi di sebalik kepercayaan beragama.” (“What we are seeing is a worldwide pattern of abuse and criminality. On the body of evidence, this is not happening by accident; it is happening by design. Scientology is not a religious organisation. It is a criminal organisation that hides behind its so-called religious beliefs.”)
Menurut laporan NST, Xenophon turut menyatakan sokongan terhadap perkahwinan sejenis dalam ucapan penangguhan yang sama, dan menyatakan ahli Parlimen lain turut sependapat dengannya dan pertubuhan sedemikian dibenarkan oleh undang-undang.
Akhbar itu turut memetik kenyataan Ahli Parlimen Bebas, yang bersama PKR sebelum ini, Datuk Seri Zahrain Mohamed Hashim yang mengkritik Xenophon atas kenyataan tersebut yang bukan sahaja melampau terhadap Islam malah turut menyokong LGBT.
“Perlukah kita membiarkan orang macam Xenophon ini mempengaruhi budaya dan moral masyarakat kita menggunakan politik? dengan bersama Xenophon, adakah ini menyatakan Anwar turut menyokong pergerakan LGBT?” soalnya dipetik NST.
“Saya turut mencabar ulama PAS untuk menyoal Anwar kenapa beliau bersama Xenophon sebagai rakan, sedangkan jelas Xenophon menentang nilai-nilai Islam.”
SMH bagaimanapun tidak menyatakan laporan NST berkenaan sokongan Xenophon terhadap gejala homoseks.
Namun akhbar itu mendakwa NST enggan mengulas lanjut berkenaan perkara itu malam tadi.
Xenophon merupakan salah seorang panel bebas yang antarabangsa “pra pilihan raya” yang dijemput ke Kuala Lumpur oleh Anwar untuk memerhati sistem pilihan raya negara.
Kumpulan tersebut mempunyai misi enam hari bermula 25 April ditugaskan untuk menemuramah kerajaan tempatan dan pemimpin politik, sebelum menyiapkan laporan dan cadangan berkenaan penambah baikan system pilihan raya yang bebas dan adil di Malaysia, berikutan pembangkang menyatakan sistem pilihan raya Malaysia adalah tidak adil dan bebas.
Mereka turut membuat pemantauan sewaktu Bersih 3.0 Sabtu lalu, dan dalam respon awal, Xenophon menegaskan perhimpunan itu aman dan meriah, walaupun pemimpin kerajaan mendakwa berlakunya kekacauan. Oleh kerana kenyataan itu, Xenophon menerima kritikan kerana dikatakan bersekongkol dengan Anwar, dan persoalan berkenaan pendirian bebasnya ditimbulkan.
(1b) Aussie senator to sue NST, calls anti-Islam report ‘sickening’, 4 May 2012
by Clara Chooi
KUALA LUMPUR, May 4 — Australian Senator Nicholas Xenophon has confirmed he will sue the New Straits Times (NST), accusing the Umno-controlled Malaysian daily of jeopardising his safety by publishing an article portraying him as anti-Islam.
The independent lawmaker said he was aware of the newspaper’s decision to retract its report but said he would still seek legal redress in either or both Australia and Malaysia.
“I will be conferring with both Malaysian and Australian lawyers on this.
“This is a very serious defamation and it is distressing.
“My views on Islam were completely fabrication... I am sickened,” he said in a phone call to The Malaysian Insider yesterday.
The NST had yesterday admitted to having falsely quoted Xenophon (picture) in its article on Wednesday as calling Islam a “criminal organisation” during his 2009 speech in Australia’s Parliament.
But according to Hansard, the senator, a known associate of Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, had instead used the label to criticise “Scientology”.
“Of course this has become a danger to me. I have been accused of something incredibly serious... of disparaging Islam in the most disgusting way.
“I have already been advised that my safety is now in danger,” he said.
Xenophon pointed out that although NST had pulled its article from its website, it had already likely been read by thousands of netizens.
He stressed that he was in no way against Islam and instead has great respect for the religion.
“How could they do this?” he asked. “I have tremendous respect for the people of Malaysia... Malaysians are my friends.”
He added that he had been in Malaysia as a part of the opposition-commissioned international team of observers during the Bersih 3.0 weekend, not merely on invitation but due to his “passion” for the country and its people.
“So this is something I must do, something I need. I need a court ruling on what had occurred,” he said, referring to his decision to proceed with the legal suit.
When asked, however, if he would seek out the Malaysian government to mete punitive action against the NST, Xenophon said he would first consult his lawyers.
But he said the fact that the prominent English daily is Umno-owned “adds seriousness to the case”.
“I cannot fathom how they would stoop this low,” he said.
In its response to the incident yesterday, the NST had also pledged to publish an “appropriate statement” on the issue both in its print and online versions, adding its regret to any distress the incident may have caused the independent Australian senator.
The NST’s response, in verbatim, is as follows:
“We refer to the news regarding Mr Nicholas Xenophon’s complaint in respect of the article entitled ‘Observer Under Scrutiny’ with a sub-title ‘Impartiality Questioned: Anti-Islam Australian Lawmaker Comes Under Fire’, which appeared in the May 2, 2012 edition of the New Straits Times published by us.
“We regret that the article attributes certain statements to Xenophon, particularly the use of the word ‘Islam’ which he did not make in a parliamentary speech in November 2009. We are taking steps to make amends including publishing an appropriate statement in our newspaper and its online version to address the issue.
“We truly and sincerely regret that Xenophon has suffered any distress and embarrassment arising from the article and we honestly believe that that steps we are taking to make amends will resolve the matter.”
According to the Sydney Morning Herald (SMH) yesterday, Xenophon had said that NST’s alleged use of the word “Islam” to replace the actual term “Scientology”, which he had criticised in his 2009 speech, was “an example of the kind of dirty tricks the ruling party employs and had used against the Opposition Leader Anwar”.
The NST has since removed the article from its website, but cached copies can still be found of the offending story.
In the NST article, Xenophon was not only accused of insulting Islam during his 2009 adjournment speech in Australia’s Parliament, but was also said to have expressed strong support for the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) community.
The NST’s extract of the speech quoted the senator as saying: “What we are seeing is a worldwide pattern of abuse and criminality. On the body of evidence, this is not happening by accident; it is happening by design. Islam is not a religious organisation. It is a criminal organisation that hides behind its so-called religious beliefs.”
But in the excerpt from the Australian Parliament’s Hansard, cited in the SMH, Xenophon had actually said: “What we are seeing is a worldwide pattern of abuse and criminality. On the body of evidence, this is not happening by accident; it is happening by design. Scientology is not a religious organisation. It is a criminal organisation that hides behind its so-called religious beliefs.”
A cached version of the article can be accessed here.
According to the NST, Xenophon had also appeared to express support for same-sex marriages in the same adjournment speech, purportedly claiming that other lawmakers agreed with him and such unions would eventually be allowed by law.
The paper quoted PKR-turned-independent MP Datuk Seri Zahrain Mohamed Hashim as criticising Xenophon for his words, saying that the latter was not only outspoken against Islam but also supportive of the LGBTs.
“Should we let someone like Xenophon influence our culture and moral values through politics? By confiding in Xenophon, is Anwar also supporting the LGBT movement?” he asked, according to the NST.
SMH, however, did not dispute the NST’s report over Xenophon’s alleged support for homosexuality.
Xenophon was among a team of international observers or “pre-election assessment team” invited to Kuala Lumpur by Anwar to look into the country’s electoral reform attempts.
The team was on a six-day mission from April 25 and was tasked to interview local government and political leaders, before compiling its recommendations on how Malaysia could have a clean and fair polls process, which the country’s opposition leaders have insisted does not exist here.
They had also observed last Saturday’s rally for free and fair elections by Bersih and in an immediate response to the event, Xenophon had insisted that the rally-goers were well-behaved and even festive, instead of unruly as claimed by government leaders.
As a result, Xenophon has come under fire for his allegedly blinkered support for Anwar, with questions raised over his independence and impartiality.
(2)Guan Eng defends banning Utusan in Penang, calls it ‘party organ’, 18 May 2012
by Anisah Shukry
KUALA LUMPUR, May 18 — Lim Guan Eng today defended Penang’s decision to ban Umno-owned Utusan Malaysia, calling it a “party organ” masquerading as a newspaper following criticism that the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) bloc does not guarantee media freedom.
On Wednesday, the Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) said in its report that a Pakatan Rakyat-led government was no guarantor of media freedom due to its banning of Utusan in Penang and Kelantan.
But the Penang chief minister insisted today that when it came to media freedom, newspapers must “walk the talk”.
“When you talk about newspapers, you have to be clear, are they newspapers or party organs? You cannot have party organs that masquerade as newspapers,” he told reporters at a press conference here.
“Utusan Malaysia is not a newspaper. It is a party organ because they don’t give you right of reply.”
He cited Utusan’s yearly reports that Penang had banned a march to commemorate Prophet Muhammad’s birthday as proof of the newspaper’s false reporting and reluctance to allow him to reply to its articles.
“Every year, Utusan says (the march) is banned, when actually it isn’t. Penang people know (that it is not banned). Penang Malays laugh because they themselves marched in it.”
Lim, who is also DAP secretary-general, said that despite refuting the newspaper’s articles on the matter, Utusan only stopped reporting it after he had sued them and won the case.
But he pointed out that as he could not sue Utusan “every day” for its “false reports”, he was left with no option but to bar its reporters from covering the state government proceedings in Penang.
“Even when I sue and won the case, they still continue. What can I do? It’s an act of self defence. I have no choice but to say ‘please don’t cover me and print my news’,” he said.
“It’s okay with me because I’m scared of you. I throw my hands up. Don’t cover me because you don’t give me the right of reply,” he said.
The Penang legislative assembly adopted a motion in May 2011 barring Utusan from covering its proceedings following unverified reports on the renovation costs of Lim’s rented residence, and an alleged plot by the DAP and Christian pastors to change the country’s official religion to Christianity.
3. Malaysiakini（http://www.malaysiakini.com）
(1) PAS: No muzakarah with Umno, 21 May 2012
by Abdul Rahim Sabri
There will no muzakarah (discussions) with Umno as the issue does not arise at all, PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang stressed today.
He said the issue re-surfaced when a journalist asked on May 13 why PAS was holding muzakarah with a non-governmental organisations and not with Umno.
Hadi said the party was prepared for discussions with NGOs that claimed PAS had deviated from its Islamic policy.
"Hence the issue of muzakarah with Umno does not arise. It is an old issue... and Umno is using it for political gain in view of the coming general election. This is Umno's agenda," he said.
"There is no muzakarah with Umno. And we will contest against it... Umno was not sincere in the discussions (before)," Hadi told a press conference at the PAS headquarters in Kuala Lumpur today.
(2) Manji: Politics changed Islam from faith into dogma, 21 May 2012
by Hazlan Zakaria
INTERVIEW Political interference and heavy handed actions of self-appointed “ambassadors of God” changed Islam from a faith into dogma, and made mindless “robots” and blind “automatons”of its adherents, claims a controversial liberal-Islam activist.
“What happened was that toward the end of the 11 century, for purely political reasons, the gates of ijtihad or the doors of independent thinking were closed.
They narrowed in many parts of the world and then closed altogether in some parts of the world,” Uganda-born Canadian author Irshad Manji (left) told Malaysiakini in an exclusive interview last week.
“I do believe, this is about the time when Islam congealed, and calcified, from a faith into a dogma.”
The New York University (NYU) professor explained that the difference between faith and dogma was that “faith is a relationship of trust between you and your creator, and is deeply personal”.
Politically-motivated and institutionalised “dogma is always threatened by questions, as dogma by definition is rigid and fragile, and it snaps under the spotlight of scrutiny”.
Manji contended that faith, or the trust between Muslims and their Creator, allowed Muslims to experiment and explore, which is what really the scholars of the early Islamic age,like Ibnu Sina, Ibnu Rusyd and Ibnu Khaldun did.
“They experimented and explored, with faith along with other disciplines such as science, poetry, art, agriculture, and even fashion.”
Many of the early Muslim scholars of the Islamic civilisation were both religious scholars and scientists, and their body of work formed the foundation for the European Renaissance.
Such trust, she lamented, evaporated with the slamming the shutting of the gates on ijtihad as political interference and the moratorium on the exploration of knowledge, which saw the imam and mullah become set in their ways and impose their sole viewpoints on Muslims.
This, she argued, was how the faith, which once allowed Muslim thinkers to experiment, knowing that they have God’s trust in their niat, or intention, become a rigid and stultifying dogma, suffocating adherents rather than bringing true liberation, as was intended.
Verses that call to think, analyse and reflect
Such imposed restrictions, Manji says, go against the spirit of ijtihad built into the Quran itself.
While admitting that the holy book does not use that word, the author, however, claims that verses in the Quran advocate for Muslims to use their brains, freewill and conscience to keep thinking.
“In the Quran itself, there are three times as many verses calling on Muslims to think, analyse, reflect and re-think than verses that tell us only what is right and only what is wrong.
“In other words, triple the number of verses encouraging Ijtihad instead of blind submission and such.”
Thinking, Manji believes, is important as it will remind one of humility before the grandeur of the one true and all-knowing deity, quoting Chapter 3 Verse 7 from the Qur’an.
The verse from the Ali Imran Surah or chapter reads:
“It is He who has sent down to you, [O Muhammad], the Book; in it are verses [that are] precise - they are the foundation of the Book - and others unspecific. As for those in whose hearts is deviation [from truth], they will follow that of it which is unspecific, seeking discord and seeking an interpretation [suitable to them]. And no one knows its [true] interpretation except Allah . But those firm in knowledge say, ‘We believe in it. All [of it] is from our Lord.’ And no one will be reminded except those of understanding.”
“This is a clear call to remain humble,” Manji said, indirectly pointing out that it also speaks out against all those who try to use the holy book to stifle and distort Islam into their own image.
Manji maintains that her approach to Islam is not so different from what existed a thousand years ago except that it addresses 21st century issues instead of 11th century ones.
As such, she considers herself “a faithful Muslim” and claims that Ijtihad allows her to deepen her trust in God, while achieving individuality and remaining deeply faithful, and that she sees no reason to defend herself from those who criticise her as being deviant.
'Faith in God, not in self-appointed ambassadors'
“My faith is in God, not in God's self-appointed ambassadors,” she said hitting out at certain men who are mere robots, automatons and widgets unworthy of the one they claim to serve.
She also argued that she will only submit to the word of God, rather then “manmade” edicts.
“I base my interpretation of the Quran on the Quran. Hadith? Please, it is completely manmade. There is no evidence whatsoever that the Hadith is anything but manmade. Islamic law? Once again, manmade.”
Human beings, she further said, are imperfect and any “manmade lore” will have human imperfections built into them
Manji said that she is part of a global “Quran only movement, exploring the Quran as a living, breathing evolving text, remaining very happily within our faith, while at the same time thinking freely”.
Her views about Hadith or teachings of the Prophet Muhammad echo the Anti-Hadith movement prevalent in recent Muslim thought, that has roots even on Malaysian shores.
Some are offshoots of the Shiite movement that, because of political purposes, chose to believe that the Angel Gabriel or Jibrail mistakenly gave the holy revelations to Muhammad and not his companion Ali, whom they favoured. Some even reject the Quran completely because of this.
However, mainstream Muslims maintain that the Quran, Hadith and properly founded understandings promulgated by learned religious scholars, including fatwas and edicts, shall remain the three guiding lights of the faith.
In Islam, while the Quran itself is the word of God and Allah has said that it shall be safeguarded from alterations until Doomsday nears, the Prophet Muhammad is also accorded the special attribute of Maksum, one who is protected from wrongdoings and guided by God.
Manji was in Malaysia to launch the Malay translation of her latest book, Allah, Liberty & Love. Her first book, the international bestseller The Trouble with Islam Today: A Muslim's Call for Reform in Her Faith, has been banned in Malaysia.
As evident in her books and an Emmy-nominated PBS film, Faith Without Fear, her work mostly challenges accepted notions in Islam, in the belief that education and the freedom to think is paramount and not indoctrination, which she believes is commonly practised in most religious teachings.
(3) Don't incite religious sentiments, Lim warns Umno, 21 May 2012
by Susan Loone
Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has issued a stern warning to Umno not to whip up religious sentiments over the dead body of a Muslim convert who was nearly buried according to Buddhist rites.
He said Umno appears like a moderate party with its 1Malaysia concept promoted by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, however, it’s approach to racial and religious issues has not changed.
“I want to warn Umno not to play with religious sentiments. The body of the convert has been handed over to the Muslim religous bodies,” Lim told a press conference today.
“The problem has been resolved amicably between the Penang Islamic Religious Council (MAIPP) and the family concerned. Both are happy with one another,” he added.
The deceased, Khoo Boo Soo, 55, from Air Itam, who converted to Islam without his family’s knowledge, was finally buried according to Muslim rites last Friday.
But on Saturday, state Umno liason chief Zainal Abidin Osman said the misunderstanding showed that the DAP-led government has not been effective in managing MAIPP.
Zainal said the misunderstanding could have been avoided if the MAIPP chairperson - state executive councillor Abdul Malik Abul Kassim - had been able to handle the matter positively.
He criticised the state administration for delaying the burial for several days as Muslims should be buried within a day.
“This is not only a religious issue but touches on the sensitivities,” Zainal was quoted by the Malay daily Utusan Malaysia yesterday.
‘Don’t play with religious sentiments’
Meanwhile, Lim, also the DAP secretary-general, alleged that Malay rights pressure group Perkasa and “some extremist groups” supported by Umno were at the Chinese funeral parlor to snatch the body.
“They wanted to take the body just like that. Imagine if it had happened. The man was converted in Indonesia, not in Malaysia, so there was a need to ascertain the matter,” he said.
“No one can just snatch a body like that. This is a stern warning to Umno not to play with racial and religious sentiments.”
Lim also lamented that Umno continued to accuse the DAP of interfering with the religious issues of the Muslims.
He queried Zainal’s motive in raising the issue when Khoo’s remains was handed over to MAIPP after it was proven that he converted to Islam.
Funerals are sad times and one must understand the emotions of the family, Lim said.
“We never interfered in Muslim affairs. We let the facts and rule of law to proceed as normal.
“Zainal wants to win elections, he wants to win votes, but please don’t use racial religious sentiments against the non-Malays and non-Muslims,” urged Lim.
“This just goes to show that Umno is anti non-Malays and non-Muslims and have no respect for family feelings when they have just lost a loved one,” he added.
(4) Bishop bemoans attacks by rabid political supporters, 21 May 2012
by Terence Netto
Catholic Bishop Dr Paul Tan Chee Ing urged the top leaders of competing parties at the forthcoming general election to refrain from “intemperate rhetoric because supporters and followers seem only too eager to take matters to outrageous excess.”
Speaking to Malaysiakini, the head of the Catholic Church in the Melaka-Johor diocese said he was deeply concerned at the tenor of recent incidents that have marred the national political scene.
“We understand that the approaching general election is a critical one in our country’s history, but that is no excuse for the contestants to take leave of their senses and otherwise compose ourselves like this is a fight unto death,” said the bishop who is also president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei.
The Jesuit-trained prelate said Malaysians’ justified reputation for peaceful living among its diverse citizens was in danger of “disruptions by a manipulative and malign few adept at covering their trails after they have committed their mischief.”
“Random evaluation of eyewitness accounts of incidents at the Bersih 3.0 protest on April 28 and the subsequent behaviour of people aligned to one or the other side of the national argument are enough to suggest the gravity of the responsibility that resides with the principal leaders of the competing coalitions,” said Bishop Paul Tan.
“Unless these leaders refrain from stridency and intemperance in their rhetoric, supporters and followers would take matters beyond the bounds of what is considered permissible conduct,” he asserted.
Bishop Paul Tan declined to be specific “for that would tip my hand as to whose conduct I’m castigating, which I rather not do because as a Christian religious leader I must avoid being a partisan in political battles.”
However, he said, he applauded the goal of polls reform advocacy group Bersih that the upcoming election be free and fairly conducted and that the movement stayed free of political interference.
Peaceful general election
Those considerations apart, the prelate addressed himself to what he saw as the critical founts of civil conduct whose deportment he said was crucial to the staging of peaceful general election.
“I will confine myself to a general appeal to the principal political leaders to refrain from intemperate attacks because rabid supporters would then take matters to outrageous excess,” he said.
Bishop Paul Tan said the underlying premise of democratic discourse is the presumption that one’s opponent is mistaken rather than malignant.
“This is what makes for the civility of democratic exchange,” he opined.
“But when one attributes evil intentions and malign motives to one’s opponents, the discourse descends to intemperance and outrage pretty quickly and supporters take the cue and make matters worse,” argued Bishop Paul Tan.
“Hence my appeal to the principals that they refrain from intemperate attacks and inflammatory rhetoric because it appears that either side cannot abide the notion of defeat, which is contrary to the ethos of democratic combat which accepts that the winner takes power peacefully and the loser is unmolested unless he or she has plainly broken the laws,” said Bishop Paul Tan.
(5) Jakim finds Irshad Manji's book 'dangerous', 20 May 2012
by Bernama
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Jamil Khir Baharom has called on the Home Ministry to carry out immediate probe into a book authored by liberal Islamic activist, Irshad Manji.
He said the Malaysian Islamic Development Department's (Jakim) analysis of the book, entitled 'Islam, Liberty and Love', revealed that it was filled with words insulting Islam.
"The decision to ban the book is the prerogative of the Home Ministry. We (Jakim) can only advise them as our analysis found that the book is dangerous for the Muslims," he told a press conference here today.
Irshad Manji, who openly supported Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transsexual (LGBT) lifestyles, was reported to have arrived in Malaysia on Thursday to launch her new book.
The launch of the book took place yesterday and she was reported to have left for Canada last night.
Irshad Manji had also authored a book entitled 'The Problem With Islam Today' which offended Muslims worldwide and contained the same idealism as Salman Rushdie, the author of the novel 'The Satanic Verses'.
- Bernama
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