I read with interest the following articles. Several questions came to mind:
1. The official asked the foreign diplomats to "compare apple to apple, orange to orange." My question, so what "apple" or "orange" exactly are we in Malaysia?
2. "Muslims here may be from a different sect with Muslims in their countries. The Malay community here is different from elsewhere in the world.." Care to tell us, dear Sir, how different is the Malay community here? And what is the difference of the Muslims here?
If fellow Muslims in countries in the Middle East, of which Islam was embraced much earlier than Tanah Melayu, could share the word with others, how different are the Muslims here?
Imagine foreigners living and working in Malaysia, one day found themselves being accused of misbehaviour because "the Muslims here are different from other countries and the Malay community is different from elsewhere in the world..."
With friends from the Malay community, I know for a fact that they are not as narrow-minded as some tried to frame them to be.
The second article that appeared in The Sun today said the call to drop the use of the "word" voluntarily was lauded by certain parties. Again, the question is, "How does dropping the word voluntarily resolve the sensitive issues revolving around the multi-religions in this country?" Isn't that a really short-term view of things?
So for the sake of "national security", different groups should compromise by "giving up?" Does compromise mean just that? Or are we brave and adult enough to have a mature discourse and resolve the matter amicably, ie. all the parties involved reached a mutual consensus. For years, our excuse has been "national security" that we do not bring up sensitive issues, and it is exactly this kind of attitude that has brought us to where we are today - lack of understanding of one another's belief and values.
I seriously hope that there are wiser souls out there who will think out of the box!
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Home Ministry briefs foreign missions (The Sun, 12 Jan 2010)
by Husna Yusop
PUTRAJAYA (Jan 11, 2010): The Home Ministry and the police today briefed representatives of 96 foreign missions to explain the incidents involving houses of worship over the past few days.
Its secretary-general Datuk Seri Mahmood Adam said the meeting was meant to provide accurate information to the diplomats so that they get the correct picture and understand the situation better.
"We want them to get the accurate picture so that they can report back to their countries. We hope they understand the situation," he told a press conference ater the meeting at the ministry.
Asked what was raised by the diplomats during the meeting, Mahmood said they were mainly unclear as to why the word 'Allah' cannot be used by both Muslims and non-Muslims in the country.
"They tried to compare the situation here with other countries, but I said, be fair, you have to compare an apple with an apple, and, an orange with an orange. The landscape here is different," he said.
"Muslims here may be from a different sect with Muslims in their countries. The Malay community here is different from elsewhere in the world," he added.
Mahmood said the diplomats also wanted to know what action was being taken by the government to ensure peace and security, adding he assured them the country will be very safe.
Also present was Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar who gave an assurance that the situation in the country was normal and advised the public not to listen to rumours but to verify their information with the police.
"I give you an assurance, things are so normal, so good, so peaceful, Insya Allah, we will make sure this situation will continue," he said, while urging the public to be mature and objective in their actions.
Ismail advised the public not to listen to rumours or talks which are not verified and to contact the police operation rooms which are opened 24 hours a day to verify any news.
"If you want to go to church, please go. No problem. Monitoring by police is done all the time. Since three days back, we have been on guard and we will continue doing so.
"Carry on with your daily chores. According to our observation, there is no problem. Things are so normal. Don’t listen to rumours or SMS which you do not know the source."
"Contact the Malaysian Control Centre, Contingent Control Centres and District Control Centres. That is the best place to verify all information," he added.
Meanwhile, Ismail also gave an assurance that police will not hide or withhold anything from the public and will always be transparent at all occasions.
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Minister welcomes call for compromise in Allah case (The Sun, 12 Jan 2010)
Husna Yusop
PUTRAJAYA (Jan 11, 2010): The Islamic religious authority has welcomed the call by Sabah Justice of Peace Council president Datuk Clarence Bongkos Malakun for Christians to voluntarily drop the use of the word 'Allah'.
In lauding the call, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Jamil Khir Baharom said it is a good approach which should be emulated by other churches in order to restore peace and defuse the tensed situation.
"This is a very good move and the churches should be together in taking this stand. This will help to bring back peace, safety and calmness in the midst of the current sensitive situation.
"Other churches also should understand the situation and the history behind the matter. I welcome very much the awareness shown towards maintaining the country’s security and peace," he said.
Speaking to reporters after delivering his new year message to the Islamic Development Department (Jakim) staff during their monthly assembly here today, Jamil Khir said he was happy with the development.
On Sunday, Clarence called on Christians to volunteer dropping the usage of the word 'Allah' to pacify feelings of the Muslims and called on all parties to come up with a solution outside the courts.
On the act of burning of churches in the past few days, Jamil Khir said Islam enjoins fairness and allows freedom of religion but it does not condone untoward incidents like what had happened.
"It is not something which should happen. We cannot hurt the feelings of others. This is strictly Islamic teachings," he added.
Asked whether Jakim was organising inter-faith dialogues between various religious leaders soon, Jamil Khir said Jakim and other agencies like Yayasan Dakwah Islamiah Malaysia and Institute of Islamic Understanding (Ikim) have been doing it from time to time.
"Cross-religion discussions are always being held; Ikim holds it almost every month. However, in the coming week, we need to take various approaches to solve this sensitive problem," he said.
