Ending tug-of-war of corpses between Muslims and non-Muslims

The body snatching cases by the Muslim religious authorities - from Moorthy to Mohan Singh would continue as long as there are conversions taking place in private. In fact, this causes the non - Muslim families much discomfort.

A Malaysiakini reader illustrated it by using the notion if Mikaeel Jackson died in Malaysia.

In the longer run, the Islamic faith would receive negative limelight due to these actions. In fact it may already be perceived negatively by the non - Muslim communities.

Yusuf Islam (formerly known as rock singer, Cat Stevens) once defined ISLAM as I Shall Love All Mankind during his visit here in the 1990s.

Unfortunately the pain endured by families such as Moorthy and Mohan Singh may not see the love at all. Only hate and disheartenment is haboured.

This does not mean to say that propagation of Islam or conversion to Islam should be stopped. That would deny freedom of to practice a faith. Plus Islam is the religion of the federation of Malaysia as prescribed in the federal constitution.

This issue can actually be sorted out via dual prong strategy by two key players - the would-be-converts and the state religious authorities.

Individuals who wish to convert must relay their intention of embracing Islam to their immediate family members. Division of properties, inheritance and child care also must be resolved to avoid another Syamala saga.

As for the religious authorities they should play a pro - active role too. The propagation of the Islamic faith is guaranteed as per Islam’s status as the religion of the federation, it does not mean that their duties are accomplished by conducting conversions per se.

Instead religious authorities must ensure that renunciation of faiths to embrace Islam is made for the sake of Islam and nothing else.

Why so? For this one should re-look at the history of Islam. Prophet Muhammad having moved from Mecca to Medina created the world’s first Islamic state.

There were several tribes who became citizens of Medina under the prophet’s administration - Aus and Khazraj who moved with the prophet from Mecca to Medina forming Muhajirin, Ansar who were the locals, Jews and a group known as Munafik

Of these groups of people, the Jews signed the Hudaibiyah treaty and later on betrayed the prophet. The Munafiks, on the other hand accepted the Muslim faith but betrayed the prophet and the first Muslim kingdom.

In a similar manner, it would be in the best interest of the religious authorities to screen would be candidates.

This pre - emptive move would also avoid unnecessary body snatching by the authorities.

I do not mean to say that converts to Islam only convert for ulterior motives. There are those who convert and become better individuals.

However there are also cases such as Siti Fatimah Tan Abdullah alias Tan Ean Huang of Penang who converted just for the sake of marrying a Middle Eastern man. Cases from M Moorthy to Mohan Singh is also happening rampantly, hence the need for screening would-be-converts.

Former Minister of Housing and Local government, Ong Ka Ting had suggested that converts be allowed to revert to their former faith if their marriage ended. Why do you need to do so? Instead it would be best if they are allowed to convert for the sake of Islam and nothing but Islam.

Do you want hypocrite Muslims who do not practice Islam as it should be? The ball is in the court of the state religious authorities.

Zulkifli Nordin - A Liability to PKR and PR

I am of the opinion that Kulim - Bandar Baharu MP (PKR) Zulkifli Nordin is fast becoming a liability to the political survival of PKR and PR coalition.

The failure of PKR in shaping this misfit MP has led him to come out with statements like seen here. Pakatan MPs must be united in issuing statements such as these. From my point of view, Islam has never been weak. It has moved from strength to strength. So how did he perceive Islam to be weak?

He calls for the strengthening of Islam and yet he has created the opposite effect towards the non-Muslims.

If he was so interested what he has stated since the Bar Council forum on Article 121(A), he should not be in politics.

It would be better to be in organisations such as YADIM and further his study on Islam.

Article 121(1A), Conversion to Islam 9.8.2008

I strongly feel against the 300 plus protesters from various different groups such as Muslim Consumer Association, PAS, GPMS and so forth.

I am writing this entry in support of Bar Council's bold decision to carry on with the forum despite it being interrupted by protesters who are religious bigots.

As much as the protesters may feel that the position of Islam has been threatened by running the forum, I actually believe otherwise.

The protesters has actually disgraced the faith of 1/5th of mankind. Islam, based on my understanding, is universal. The way the protesters were shouting, "India, Cina shut up" conjures the exclusivity that was never there during development of Islamic civilization. In fact difference of opinions is seen in the fourth source of Islam - ijtihad.

At the same I admit to concur with the statement as mentioned Adjunct Professor of Law, Dr Mehrun Siraj on NTV7 9.8.08. "Malaysia is 50 years old. If not now, when?

The behaviour portrayed by the protesters are definitely unIslamic. There were also racial slurs hurled at the ndian and Chinese minority. Isn't this against the values and traditions of Malay culture? There were more akin to people in Dark Ages.

I am willing to make a statutory declaration that no one attempted to bad mouth, insult provoke or confront Islam and its followers. It was the Muslim protesters who began the provocation.

When Archangel Gabriel delivered the first sermon to Prophet Muhammad, the first line was and is, Read in the name of God...
Relating the first sermon to this forum, had the protesters participated in the forum they would have learnt some new aspects of the law.

Alas, they did not. Instead they behaved like and are now 'jahil'.

And create a source of embarassment to the government and unto themselves in the presence of foreign dignitaries who were there.

On a larger perspective the image of Islam as a peaceful faith has been tarnished.

As for me I am clearly disturbed by this protest. It clearly shows that national unity on a community level is a mirage after all.

Reports of the forum and protest can be seen here.

Article 121 (1A) Federal Constitution

I write this in response to the Malaysiakini report, 'Sensitif' berforum isu tukar agama. It was the response of Home Minister, Syed Hamid Albar over a forum organised by the Malaysian Bar Council. While he highlighted the fact that there would be topics such as religious conversion discussed, he displayed his shallowness in the following statement.

"Saya tak tahu apa matlamatnya, apa isu kandungannya (forum), soal ini dalam negara kita ada proses dan prosedur.

"Kalau ada perkara yang kita tidak puas hati, ada forum (cara) untuk kita menyelesaikan masalah tersebut, bukan melalui perbincangan terbuka yang boleh membangkitkan salah faham atau ketegangan."

His statement indicates that he has got no inkling of an idea what the issue is about and yet he comments. Its a pity that Malaysia has a shallow Minister who interferes into issues without having full knowledge on the matter concerned.

Talking about forums, that's what premier Abdullah also claimed but he had no guts to defend forum organisers when Article 11 forums in Johor and Penang was ambushed certain Islamist groups.

Commenting on the event ABIM felt that the event is "kurang bersesuaian dan boleh menimbulkan salah tanggapan di kalangan masyarakat."

Dear ABIM members, had you bothered to find out a little further you would have known more. For beginners, one panelist is a Syarie lawyer for JAWI who was a former Syariah court judge and the other is a Senior Fellow at IKIM. If these enlightened people can talk about it, I don't see why ABIM should make an issue out of it.

Malay unity talks

My gut instinct feel that the talks that have been mooted by premier Abdullah Badawi has its own political benefits. Its been there ever since I heard a Malay audience at the social contract forum by the Bar Council mentioned that he fears that the Malays in Malaysia would end up like their counterparts in Singapore.

In addition the Barisan Nasional performed badly and UMNO is plagued with internal conflicts. Ku Li had even gone to the extent of suggesting the union UMNO-PAS. While Hadi Awang's assurance to remain in Pakatan is gratifying chances for the talks to take place is indeed very real.

Personally I do not have an issue with the talks but the topic of Islam and Malays seem exclusive. Looking at it in a wider sense, it actually underlines UMNO's unspoken motive to turn PAS into a racially based party similar to UMNO.

Pray and you shall get a job in Kelantan

This entry is in response to Malaysiakini report, Pray and you shall get a state job in Kelantan.

As stated in the report, I find it not only controversial but nonsensical. That too coming from a man who has immense knowledge on Islam and Syariah law.

I do not agree with this notion simply because job performance cannot be assessed by the number of times my Muslim brothers and sisters pray. It is simply based on what is also known as key performance index and scheduled internal assessments.

My second point would be on the human - Allah relations. I understand that this attempt by Tok Guru Nik Aziz is a way to call the ummah to be closer to Allah. However how is the Kelantan adminsitration going to monitor every single Muslim men in the state government machinery while they are in prayer.

At the end of the day, only the individual concerned can decide the level of his/her relationship with Allah.

P.S. I used the term Allah because I understand that it is equivalent to GOd in Arabic and because majority of the Kelantan state government staff are Muslims.

The return of body snatching

Body snatching by officials of the state religious departments has made a comeback. It was a contentious issue prior to March 8 among the minority non Muslim Malaysian community. Beginning with the Moorthy several years ago, the latest to join the list is Elangesvaran Benedict. (New Straits Times July 5 2008) The syariah court has ruled the deceased a Muslim even though family of the deceased have contested the notion based on the fact that the late Benedict had lived his life as a Hindu.

There are two points that is worth noting here. I am pessimistic that the current judicial reforms would ensure the superiority of the civil courts. I am saying on the basis that syariah law is only applicable to Muslims and matters raised are directly related to familial laws for Muslims. I do not, and will not prescribe to the superiority of syariah law in the judicial system based on my above mentioned points.

Second, looking at the number of inter religious cases and the number of body snatching that has been reported in the media, it is fair to say that the victims are general of Indian/ Hindus in origin. Despite of increase in the number of cases, I strongly believe that the Hindus have yet to understand the repercussions of conversion to Islam. In such a scenario, the responsibility of spreading the awareness should be beared by the Hindu Sangam. They should in fact ensure the unity of all temple organisations and use it as a centre for disseminating information. A good example is the manner Catholic churches create awareness through the publication of The Herald.

Masha Allah

The Herald case by the Catholic Church against the Government over the usage of the term, Allah, in the Malay Bible has taken a new twist as both the Perak Religious Department (JAIPP) and the Gurdwara Council had sought to intervene. This was reported in the Star, July 4 2008.

I wonder when the Hindu Sangam would intervene. After all there is a hymn sung in temples and related to Gandhi. Part of it goes as the following:
"Ishvara Allah Tero Naam, Sanmo Sanmathi Hey Bhagwan"

Notice the term Allah. Basically the entire hymn's message is the oneness of God and man calls God with different names. Contrary to the classification of religion that classifies Hinduism under polytheism, the Hindu faith monistic in nature.

Personally I have got no issue with other religious groups using the term Allah in their prayer. From a linguistic perspective, the term Allah means God in Arabic. So what's the big deal. it is more important for us to lead a righteous life instead claiming copyright over how we address God.

From a political perspective, furthering feuds over God's name is detrimental to the progress of Malaysia as race is unique factor that bind Malaysians. Race and religion is interconnected. As Malaysia undergoes a turbulent phase in politics this type of cases can be used by certain quarters to create civil unrest and race relations breakdown. The closest scenario to race relations breakdown would be May 13, 1969 and the Kg Medan incident in 2001.