Of Fatwa & Criticism

Of Fatwa & Criticism

 

There are a lot of things that you can hear while eating breakfast in a small crowded warung. Since all customers are seated near with each other, even the most solitary person cannot help but to hear discussions of others. Some are just plain rubbish. Some are porn material. Some are worth to listen to, because sometimes these warung tabloid-like discussions have better flair than an intellectual forum.

 

This morning, I eaves-dropped over a discussion with regards to the latest fatwa issue. I have been following this fatwa issue with much interest. “This should be interesting”, I said to myself.

 

And it is interesting and amusing until this following conversation…

“Jakim ni takde kerja lain ke?”

“Apa la sibuk-sibuk pasal yoga”

“Sibuk hal orang je”

“Betul tu”

 

As usual warung discussions lead to wrong conclusions. This happens when people try to talk about something in ignorance and without ample knowledge.

 

Recently Muslims in Malaysia are enlightened by the latest fatwa from the Malaysian Fatwa Council that prohibits the practice of yoga by Muslims. Since its prelude, torrent of criticisms and comments are hurled by many quarters against the Fatwa Council and the fatwa itself. And it has not yet abated.

 

Not an expert in Islamic law and theology, I have no right nor the faculty to comment over the validity of the fatwa. In matters regarding fatwa it is best for a layman like me to submit to the learned wisdom of the Council. They are the ulamas or scholars who have the knowledge, training and experience in this matter and I am sure that all fatwa are made after extensive and intensive procedure.

 

Non-muslims may criticize every single thing that Muslims wish to do. Even since the beginning of Islam or any Abrahamaic religion, the faithful are always criticized and even worse by the non-believers. It’s like a never ending issue. They may criticize the fatwa. They may criticize the Fatwa Council for being insensitive. The question is whether we as Muslims should respond to these criticisms with despise and anger?

 

In my own view, we should be composed in addressing these criticisms. Aggressive response over aggressive criticisms will create further momentum and tensions. It is the basic law of physics.

 

Let us understand that those criticisms are made out of pure ignorance. Their ignorance is caused by lack of knowledge and understanding of Islam including issues relating to fatwa. Whether this ignorance is self-induced or politically motivated or not, only they know the answer.

 

Ignorance over socio-religio matters cannot be tolerated in a multiracial-religion state. It is volatile, it breeds prejudice and prejudice breeds hatred, anger and violence. Ignorance is dangerous thus every effort must be made so that the public is ignorant no more.

 

Let us first cure this ignorance. Let’s spread knowledge. Let’s dakwah.

 

Perhaps then we may enjoy better warung discussions.

Of Language & Unity

Of Language & Unity

 

“The tie of language is perhaps the strongest and the most durable that can unite mankind.”

- Alexis de Tocqueville

 

“Bilingualism for the individual is fine, but not for a country.” – S.I. Hayakawa

 

A national language is a language (or language variant, i.e. dialect) which has some connection – de facto or de jure – with a people and perhaps by extension the territory they occupy. The term is used variously. A national language may for instance represent the national identity of a nation or country. National language may alternatively be a designation given to one or more languages spoken as first languages in the territory of a country. (Wikipedia)

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Some years ago, while I was sipping hot coffee at one of the Kopitiams in Melaka I heard girls’ chats and giggles from a table behind me. They talked in Bahasa Melayu. I being single at that time can’t help myself but to give a little peek at the girls.

 

I peeked and was surprised.

 

The girls who were speaking in very fluent Malay are not Malays at all. They are actually Chinese or specifically Baba Nyonya. I smiled, I feel proud. Proud to see people from other races able to speak the national language well.

 

The Baba Nyonya of Melaka was always one of the favorite examples of a successful racial integration and assimilation. Having lived in a Malay state since the days of the Melaka Sultanate has caused these people, who are originally from China, to partially assimilate the predominant Malays in order to integrate with society. Their language, dresses, foods and customs are quite similar to the Malays.

 

Nowadays it is extremely hard to meet a young fluent Bahasa Melayu speaking Baba Nyonya anymore. The ones I know seem to adopt English as their first language and have difficulties speaking in the national tongue unlike their predecessors.

 

The elderly, when asked about the Baba Nyonya, they love to reminisce the good old days when Malaysian regardless of race able to sit and talk together without any feeling of prejudice, when the bond of friendship between Malays an non-Malays is still visible and existent.

 

Those were the good old days.

 

An old man once said to me,

“Dulu boleh kata semua orang tak kira bangsa boleh cakap Melayu”

“Jadi rasa senang berkawan itu adalah”

“Sekarang nak ajak dok bincang semeja pun susah”

“Sebab apa?”

“Tak faham macam mana nak bincang…”

 

I agree with that old man. Amongst others, the use of the national language is an important unity factor. It promotes as sense of belonging and one-ness. It creates ambience of unity in a multi-faceted society. Our forefathers included Bahasa Melayu as the national language in the constitution not for nothing. It’s time that we appreciate their effort by thoroughly embracing and applying the concept of national language.

 

The much lauded Malaysian Malaysia or Bangsa Malaysia concept shall never be fulfilled if there is no common ground to unite all the races in this country. Some may say that this language issue is trivial. Maybe it’s true. However trivial it is, let’s work to bring Malaysians together on a common ground. Let’s start first with language so that we can talk, communicate and settle our differences at one table over a cup of coffee.

The ‘Thing’ Between My Legs

The ‘Thing’ Between My Legs

 

“Yes, I have one right here, it’s bulky but I consider it carry-on” says Ace Ventura, Pet Detective while pointing at his ‘thing’.

 

Gender discrimination or discrimination based on sex is defined as adverse action against another person, that would not have occurred had the person been of another sex. This is considered a form of prejudice and is illegal in certain enumerated circumstances in most countries. (Wikipedia)

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VC Universiti Malaya yang telah ditamatkan kontraknya baru-baru ini telah membuat satu statement yang menarik. Mungkin atas sebab marah perkhidmatannya ditamatkan, bekas VC itu umpama menyalahkan pihak kerajaan. Dituduhnya pihak kerajaan mengamalkan diskriminasi gender. (Baca ulasan Melayu Lama tentang isu ini).

 

Bekas VC itu berkata, “”Just because we are women and we don’t have that thing between the legs so we are not good”.

 

Wow… hebat. Tak sangka seorang ahli akademik, seorang VC (ex), seorang ikon universitinya boleh membuat komen sebegitu rupa.

 

Diskriminasi gender adalah satu isu yang wujud sejak zaman berzaman. Walaupun manusia makin meningkat maju, prejudisnya terhadap mereka yang berlainan jantina masih berada ditakuk lama.

 

Tak mungkin prejudis sebegitu hadir kerana kebodohan, kerana tak mungkin bekas VC itu bodoh. Orang bodoh tidak boleh jadi VC.

 

Mungkin sebab marah sangat agaknya… patut masuk kelas Anger Management. Mungkin sebab nak buat sensational statement… macam Ace Ventura.

 

Negara ini bumi bertuah, sesiapa yang rajin berusaha insyaallah akan berjaya tanpa mengira bangsa, agama dan juga jantina. Wanita dinegara ini boleh dikatakan berdiri sama tinggi dengan lelaki. Mereka menjawat jawatan tinggi, mereka menjadi majoriti di pusat pengajian tinggi. Sekiranya negara ini mengamalkan dikriminasi gender sudah tentu mereka yang tidak mempunyai ‘benda itu di celah kaki’ menerima nasib yang berlainan. Mempunyai ‘thingy’ itu bukanlah satu paspot kejayaan. Kejayaan tidak diukur dengan ‘thingy’, tetapi diukur dengan jasa, bakti dan keredhaan ilahi.

 

The thing between my legs does not confer me nor any man special privileges. But only higher degree of responsibilities as entrusted to man since time immemorial.

 

 

 

Comic strip courtesy of CartoonStock.

Bumi Manusia

Bumi Manusia

 

The first moment I caught glimpse of this book was during my school years in SDAR. I can still remember that it was placed on the library shelf together with other titles written by Pramoedya Ananta Toer. Though the books are neatly arranged I saw that this particular book seems to be worn out, perhaps due to over-handling i.e. over-reading of the book I presumed. I pulled it out and gave a quick read.

 

Literature… Literalistic… the book was too heavy for my blissful mind at that time, I put it down.

 

More than 10 years later, deja-vu. As I was rummaging through my aunt’s personal collection I came across Bumi Manusia again, interestingly also in worn out condition. I then asked my aunt…

“Angah, bagus ke buku ni?”

“Buku apa?”

“Bumi Manusia”

“Bagus… sangat bagus, one of the best books ever”

“Pinjam”

I took it home and gave it a read.

 

True. It is one of the best novels I have ever read. Lively characters, gripping plot, epic background are all beautifully molded in a flow of intense writing. An intense read indeed, I found myself gasping for pause. The story leapt out of the pages forming vivid motion-picture in my mind.

 

The story takes place in the late 19^th century Java, then part of the Netherlands-Indies. The main character is Minke, a pribumi (indigenous). Born in an aristocratic family he has the privilege of attending a prestigious secondary school mainly for Europeans and the mix-bloods. It is here Minke learned all about the European culture, civilization and himself.

 

His adventures lead him to a family of Nyai Ontosoroh, a concubine of a Dutchman.

 

Minke’s relationship with the family of Nyai Ontosoroh became tighter and closer when he falls in ‘love’ with the family. First he falls in love with the well-learned characteristics of Nyai and then later with Nyai’s daughter, the beautiful Annelies.

 

This relationship is the background of the plot of the story.

 

As the story unfolds, Minke is tested by many tribulations. All are tested, his intellect, his roots, his life, his love, his marriage. Nothing is spared. From the story one could see the ill effect of colonial rule.  A rule imposed by a civilization upon another with the pretext that the other is lowly and live only to be exploited. A kind of rule experienced by the people of the Malay Archipelago some time ago.

 

Educated in the European way, Minke finds himself a non-belonging. Enlightened by education he rebels against his own cultural tradition. He then tries to be part of the learned-modern society he so adore but was not allowed to fit in.

His non-belonging caused Minke to reluctantly try to change the situation in colonial Java to a better. His efforts gain some people’s attention but not enough to change the whole system. This results in series of failure and tragedy that befalls Minke, especially his marriage ala the Natrah (Maria Hertogh) tragedy. 

 

Enough said. This book is definitely a must read. A splendid work I rarely come across. The story, perennial in nature is relevant to today’s situation in so many places in the world, where exploitation and victimization continue to exist.

 

Fuel Surcharge

15^th of September 2008 marks the date when commuters of busses are burdened with 30% fuel surcharge imposition.

 

At that time Noh Omar as the minister in charge stated that that imposition is a must in order to help bus operators to cope with losses suffered due to the sudden hike in fuel price. He also stated that the surcharge imposition will stall the demands of operators who want the fares to be adjusted up to 100% in increment.

 

Today marks the latest adjustment of fuel price in Malaysia. Including today’s adjustment there have been several other prior reductions.

 

The significant fuel price reduction allows Malaysian-based airlines to dispose its fuel surcharge fee. Thus allowing consumers to enjoy much lesser price in air-fare compared to the last couple of months.

 

The rakyat rejoice and thankful to the government for their attention to this matter.

 

Sadly, for bus-ticket fares the 30% fuel surcharge remains the same with no sign whatsoever that it will be removed. No statement, no adjustment, no re-pricing… nothing from the responsible ministry.

 

Why is this so?

 

The responsible ministry seems to overlook the public outcry and discontentment over the fuel surcharge issue. The silence of the ministry over this issue may cause the public to perceive that the government has a tendency to falter to demands made by companies and corporations rather than the plight of the low income rakyat.

 

The majority of bus-commuters comprise the lower income section of society. In the Malaysian scenario, where public transportation is far from efficient and reliable, only those who cannot afford to travel privately dare to use the available public transport services. Until the fuel surcharge is removed, these people will continue to suffer from ticket overpricing which does not at all reflect the current fuel price.

 

In this time of economic downturn and painstakingly high inflation, the plight of low income earners must be heeded by the government above all else.

 

Remove the fuel surcharge.

Homecoming Pin

Welcome home Ayah Pin. It seems that the self-claim God-intermediate and reincarnation of Buddha, Shiva, Jesus and Muhammad is back in Terengganu after a short stint of refuge in Thailand.

 

The IGP was right in speaking his worry about this matter and about the order from Terengganu religious authority (“the Authority”) to not to take him in.

 

The Authority stated that the cult and teaching is finished following the destruction of the commune base in Besut and disband of its followers. Is this enough to ensure non-revival of the cult? I beg to differ. Teachings and ideologies cannot be easily erased. Destruction of its material embodiment cannot be equated with the end of the cult. Physical and the metaphysical are obviously distinct.

 

History exists to teach us something, so that the current generation may learn from it. In the context of socio-religio history, much can be learned from Karen Armstrong’s History of God. In one of its early chapters we can read that ideologies and teachings are difficult to be eradicated even though efforts were made to do so. This point is supported by actual facts from history that encompass the time before Judaism to the latter Islam.

 

The Authority may have forgotten the one point in Islamic history where deviant cults flourished following the death of the Prophet Muhammad during the reign of Abu Bakar as the first caliph. The period is known as the Al-Riddah. Extreme measures were taken to eradicate deviants to a point that wars were waged. This alone shows the importance of deviant cults to be culled in order to preserve to unity of ummah and religion.

 

In its heyday, the cult’s followers was said to boast more than 20,000 with the majority being Malays. The numbers seem to show that the cult was allowed to operate for many years before its disbandment. Why is this possible? Is the Authority not doing their job because of sheer laziness? Or is it just pure ignorance?

 

In the time where the Malays are divided by petty politics, it is not prudent to allow the Malays to be divided in religion as well. To the religious authority, please reconsider your decision and your stand. Learn from history. Act to ensure non-revival of the Sky Kingdom or any other deviant cults.

Common Sense

Baca antara post terkini dalam blog Chua Soi Lek. Tajuk post, Hero welcome for Ahmad Ismail? Lawak. Cepat sungguh orang ini lupa diri.

 

Dia menulis, “Common-sense seems to be lacking in some UMNO grassroots leaders.”

 

Jelas dimaksudkan orang UMNO kurang common sense kerana menyambut Ahmad Ismail seperti menyambut seorang hero.

 

MCA mencatat sejarah membenarkan seorang yang mempunyai skandal seks mengetuai parti itu. Bagaimana pula dengan common sense MCA yang membenarkan dia menyandang semula jawatan tinggi dalam parti itu? Sudah tiadakah orang yang molek moralnya untuk dijadikan pemimpin?

 

Mungkin untuk boleh bergiat dalam politik di  negara ini, adab, moral dan tatasusila bukan satu kemestian.

 

Perogol boleh…

Perasuah boleh…

Pelaku seks bebas boleh…

Penyamun boleh…

Semua boleh…

 

Manakah adab, moral dan tatasusila kita? Mungkin dalam longkang.

 

Semua orang Malaysia tahu negara ini ada rukun. Rukunegara namanya. Rukun yang terakhir, kesopanan dan kesusilaan. Adakah penglibatan seseorang dalam satu skandal seks melayakkan orang itu dikatakan sebagai sopan dan bertatasusila? Lantas layak menjadi pemimpin? Tidak patut rasanya.

 

Jika tidak mengapa, maka rukunegara patut dikaji dan diubah mengikut kesuaian, ikut common-sense.

Union of Jurisdiction

The Malaysian courts system separates civil and syariah into two distinct entities. The general rule for the system is that one shall not have any power or jurisdiction over the other. It ensures the public that syariah remain separated from the normal civil courts thus relegating the syariah courts specifically for Muslim religious affairs especially matrimonial issues.

 

Today it is reported that the former CJ, Tun Abdul Hamid Mohamad recently opines that that two systems can be harmonize together as one in order to better serve the country.

 

Personally I applaud this idea of union.

 

About more than a hundred years ago, the UK (a country which legal system is adopted by Malaysia) witnessed the union of two distinct courts namely the common courts of law and the chancery courts. The former deals with common law and the latter deals with equity and natural justice. The union of the two systems can be said as a legal renaissance which allows the public to benefit from two branches of law and ethos.

 

It’s about time our legal system embarks upon such quest of renaissance as well.

 

To the ex-CJ, I salute your ideas. However why such opinion is only brought forward after your retirement? Perhaps if you are given more time as CJ, then you may have make effort to realize that idea. As for now I doubt that any of your proposals implemented, as currently there is no one that is capable to make the Herculean effort to revolutionize the legal system.

 

For now, even the much publicized judicial reform is going nowhere. It stops after a flamboyant dinner and payment of ex-gratias.

 

Something must be done.

Ex-Gratia (Part 2)

Sebelum ini saya pernah menulis tentang pemberian wang kepada sekumpulan bekas hakim di bawah tajuk Ex-Gratia. Tak sangka jumlah yang diberikan agak besar. RM 10.5 juta untuk 6 orang, yang dua daripanya sudah pun mati. Untung benar warisnya.

 

Kerajaan tidak pernah mengaku bersalah dalam pemecatan hakim itu. Bahkan kini kerajaan nampaknya tidak pasti sama ada hakim itu dipecat atau pun diminta meletakkan jawatan. Mana satu yang betul?

 

Kalau ikut Tun Mahathir, hakim itu dipecat. Tapi dalam situasi sekarang di mana semua orang nampaknya tidak menghiraukan pendapat negarawan tersohor itu (mungkin sebab mereka lebih bagus dan kacak) saya terpaksa membelek semula Perlembagaan Negara.

 

Apa yang saya faham, sekiranya satu tribunal ditubuhkan dalam konteks artikel 125, keputusan tribunal itu akan menentukan samada seorang hakim itu di ‘remove’ dari jawatannya. Removal ini sama seperti satu pemecatan.

 

Tidak kisahlah sama ada dipecat atau tidak, pembayaran itu terlalu tinggi.

 

Terlalu tinggi hanya kerana wang itu adalah wang rakyat, wang cukai. Tidak mengapa sekiranya wang itu datang dari poket peribadi menteri undang-undang ketika itu (seorang yang kaya-raya yang dikhabarkan berpendapatan RM2 juta setahun). Perlukah wang rakyat sebanyak itu dibayar kepada sekumpulan orang tua yang senang hidupnya. Mereka tidak melarat. Mereka dapat pencen bulanan beribu-ribu. Perlukah mengkayakan mereka yang sudah sedia kaya.

 

Tidak.

 

RM 10.5 juta sepatutnya digunakan untuk membina 350 unit rumah kos rendah untuk orang miskin, menaja 525 orang pelajar IPTA sepanjang kursus mereka ataupun memberi kemudahan kepada ribuan anak yatim. Itulah antara perbelanjaan yang wajar dimana wang rakyat dinikmati rakyat bukannya digunakan dengan sewenang-wenangnya atas nama agenda politik dan persendirian.

 

To all the ex judges, congratulations. Why not be noble by surendering all to charity? What say you?

Sajak Kematian

Recently I was informed by a friend about ‘Sajak Kematian’ and the issues that arises from it. Sajak Kematian is actually video of a pantomime act that try to depict alam barzakh or the life-after-death as generally understood by Muslims in particular during the questioning period right after a person is entombed in his grave.

 

I searched the internet about this issue and I found out that it was initially brought forth by TV3 Buletin Utama. The news reported about a protest made by some parents, who seem offended with the fact that their child was ‘forced’ to see the video by the school which they are attending. The parents state that the video is too horrific thus unsuitable for consumption of children.

 

At the time when pornography can be acquired easily. And when students regardless of age are reported to be addicted to porn. Parents seem to make loud protest against ‘Sajak Kematian’ instead of the porn issue. Thus voicing against religious-inclined subject rather than sheer immorality. Aren’t they a bit wayward and misguided in setting their priorities?

 

Out of curiosity I logged on to youtube and watch the video my self.

 

The video shows the situation of a dead person within the confine of his own grave. The body is coiled by a huge serpent and writhes in agony, punished for questions he unable to answer. For me, the video is indeed horrific. Horrific in the sense that it inculcates fear in my heart, so chilling that I fear for my own safety in the afterlife. Will I suffer the same fate or be free of it?

 

The question now is whether primary school children (age between 7-8 years old) should be ‘forced’ to watch such video?

 

Children during that age can be considered still as having clean souls and I am sure that all of them have not yet attained adulthood (baligh) by which they are still unable to determine good and wrong on their own unless rightly guided by adults.

 

At this stage, children should be inculcated with the good and rosy side of religion and faith. Stories of benevolence and practical aspects of the faith should be told. It is not wrong to expose them to the fearful reality of the afterlife but being children there is a high possibility that it be misunderstood, unless it can be thoroughly explained. I am of the opinion that the main aim in children religious education is to teach them religious obedience by promoting sincerity in faith rather than compelling them to abide the rules of religion by fear. Sincerity lasts throughout lifetime but fear ceases when the subject is forgotten. That is my liberalist view of course.

 

Upon further discussion with my best friend (my wife), I realized that in the Quran dwells two aspects that are ancaman and berita gembira. The concept of threat and good news form the base of the Quran. We are obliged to accept Islam thus the scripture as a whole and not to take one part and discard another as we see fit (Al-Baqarah: 208). And this applies to Muslim and Mukmin regardless of age. Children not excluded.

 

To some extent fear of should be introduced to children during their early years as during this period their brain is like a sponge and can absorbed everything, good or bad. Education coupled with their pristine heart makes it easy for them to develop future attitude. A good education will nurture goodness vice versa.

 

I marvel the fact children are more likely able to grasp knowledge and understanding about religion, God, dosa and pahala compared to adults. Perhaps their untainted mind facilitates that understanding. For instance, my wife’s niece, Qistina (6 years old) surprisingly has a good understanding of the basic concept of faith (Akidah). If she is warned with dosa (sin) for behaving badly she will retaliate by saying “Nana budak lagi. Takpe buat dosa. Tak masuk neraka”.  Yes, she knows how to twist things. And it shows that she understand the concept that for you will be accountable for the things that you have done. And that trait of accountability is somewhat scarce nowadays in both children and adults, especially adults (emphasis added).

 

To say that children will develop psychological illness after watching such video seems to be a bit overrated. I am sure that the ustaz or ustazah will discuss and elaborate the matter in the way that the children will be able to understand the subject matter. If the children still don’t understand they can always go back home to ask their parents. Parents are obliged to answer, to clarify… unless they themselves do not know how to answer.

 

All in all, there is nothing wrong to have the video ‘Sajak Kematian’ to be watched, either by children or adults. For children, they must be supervised when watching it. Instead, to adults, I recommend that this video as a must see. See it and ask yourself, “Am I afraid?” If you do then rejoice as at that moment you still have time to set things right, to taubat before all is over.

 

Click HERE for the news clip.

Click HERE for the Sajak Kematian Video.