Pls spread the word and ask as many of your friends who fall into the category to complete the survey and submit by this tuesday Dec 1st 12 noon. TQVM.
http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dHR0blZwYWJqblhIcHBDemxwYnNpdFE6MA
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Sunday, November 22, 2009
I like this article by Justin Ong
Corruption is a two-player game
NOV 22 — Malaysians are a funny lot. We’ll rant and rave about institutional corruption yet have no qualms whatsoever partaking in bribery on a personal level. One minute it’s PKFZ this, double-tracking that but the moment we get pulled over by the coppers for any number of the traffic infractions we commit in a day, we see nothing wrong in slipping the guy a RM50 note to “make him go away.”
Sometimes we even take a perverse sense of pride in how “easy” it is to negotiate the pitfalls of our local traffic laws. Many a time, we will proudly declare to foreigners “Malaysia no problem wan, if get caught can settle!” It’s not so much that we even say this, but more the wicked satisfaction with which we tell all and sundry about something that cannot possibly be any source of dignity whatsoever.
to read more click here : -http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/index.php/opinion/justin-ong/44211-corruption-is-a-two-player-game
Related posting
http://letusaddvalue.blogspot.com/2009/06/terengganu-stadium-collapse-is-it.html
NOV 22 — Malaysians are a funny lot. We’ll rant and rave about institutional corruption yet have no qualms whatsoever partaking in bribery on a personal level. One minute it’s PKFZ this, double-tracking that but the moment we get pulled over by the coppers for any number of the traffic infractions we commit in a day, we see nothing wrong in slipping the guy a RM50 note to “make him go away.”
Sometimes we even take a perverse sense of pride in how “easy” it is to negotiate the pitfalls of our local traffic laws. Many a time, we will proudly declare to foreigners “Malaysia no problem wan, if get caught can settle!” It’s not so much that we even say this, but more the wicked satisfaction with which we tell all and sundry about something that cannot possibly be any source of dignity whatsoever.
to read more click here : -http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/index.php/opinion/justin-ong/44211-corruption-is-a-two-player-game
Related posting
http://letusaddvalue.blogspot.com/2009/06/terengganu-stadium-collapse-is-it.html
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Why the Indian poor is poor - NEP and the Indian poor
This is part of a longer article I wrote and blogged here : http://letusaddvalue.blogspot.com/2008/07/debate-anwar-and-criteria-to-be.html
The downside of the NEP partly contributed to the current socio-economic problem in the country. Read the following ...
In a country like ours, instead of the various departments or divisions we can cluster the groupings and individuals into the following depending which methodology we want to choose and work with.
RACE - The usual approach – the various races or ethnic groupings. It is very important that each group is moving and achieving at the same pace and no one and no group is left behind.
STATE – each state from Perlis to Sabah must not be left behind.
LOCATION – urban versus non- urban. The divide and quality of life must not be too far off.
SOCIAL CLASS – the haves and have-nots. The rich cannot be too rich and the poor too poor.
The NEP as a ‘Group to group’ action plan
No group must be left behind and none should get more (perceived or real). Failing which we will lose balance and brew trouble. That is why we must support affirmative actions. Affirmative action is like the CEO chasing and making sure the slower departments catch up with the rest. BN’s answer was the NEP and that was the job of the NEP; to reorganize society equitably. It is unfortunate that it was seen more from a politically raced tainted angle by most Malaysians instead of an organizational need. At the implementation level too, it was wrongly carried out as a racial policy by many officers.
However, the NEP was probably one of the most successful affirmative action taken by a government in modern times. We need to just tweak it here and there to make it a super success. Going against the NEP wholesale as Anwar is suggesting is counterproductive. The Malays and Bumiputra rightly or wrongly may perceive that they may lose in the future. That may create unrest.
I am not saying the NEP is without any flaws.Let me give you an example; let us use the RACE and LOCATION methodology. I would like to focus on the Indian poor (RACE) who resides in the urban (LOCATION) area.
The mistake happens on both sides, poor understanding of the Indian ethnic groupings and failure to detail urban poverty in greater degree. My organization’s Deepavali advert in 2006 discussed this concern.
“Imagine … Affirmative action for the urban poor.The flight to urban areas in search of employment present humanity with a new challenge — urban poverty.
Across the globe, particularly in emerging nations, cities become centres where the poor seek a better life only to find crime, drugs, broken families, juvenile delinquency, and despair.
The dilemma of the urban poor is that, even when they work hard and long, they are unable to make a decent living.
In Malaysia urban poverty affects all ethnic groups but the massive movement from kampongs and rubber estates poses a bigger challenge amongst Malays and Indians, with the latter experiencing the highest rate of urbanization.When plantations close down or crops change, many workers are forced to seek employment in cities.
Some displaced plantation workers are so totally uprooted, they do not have a hometown to go back to.Most have little education and lack skills. They get poor paying dead-end jobs that are dangerous and difficult, with no legal protection. Often there is little or no community support system and suicide rates are high.
This socio-economic background often means shoddy homes and inadequate educational support. Which translates to children underperforming in schools and high drop-out rates, which in turn affects future employment prospects. Unless things change, the vicious cycle continues.
The challenge for us as Malaysians is to ensure that no segment amongst us is neglected. We are all brothers and sisters. We need to look at problems affecting a community not as that particular community’s problems, because we all share the burden as a nation.
We succeeded in dealing with rural poverty through affirmative action. We can do the same for our urban poor. We have the resources, technology, know-how, experience, creativity and talent. We need to open our hearts and focus our will and take action.
We can do it!Imagine you and I... changing the world for the better!
Here the NEP is flawed in two ways.Firstly, we grouped Indians as one ethnic grouping as we did the Chinese, Malays and the other Bumiputras. Many non Indians do not understand Indians. That is why the Perak MB can make a simple mistake thinking a Punjabi is a Benggali.
The Indians are not one, not in India and definitely not here, not in history nor the present. Malaysian Indians are more ONE as a Malaysian as compared as Indians. I know this because I have many Indian friends and thank God for growing up in Penang! For instance you will find there are more inter race marriage between an Indian and non Indian as compared to intra-Indian ones.
Basically, if you are a Gujerati and you bring back a Tamilian partner to show your parents or vice versa, your mother may just go into conniption or drama (sorry my Indian brothers and sisters, you know what I am talking about, though now many parents are loosening their grip a little… especially if you are already 30+ and still single… ha!ha!).
By grouping all Indians into one group, we mistakenly aggregated mostly poor Tamilians and mostly richer non-Tamilians into one economic grouping thus creating a wrong picture in terms of per capita income for poorer Indians. (Don’t get me wrong, I am not saying there are no rich Tamilians and no poor non Tamilian Indians).
The net effect is that the real poor Indians failed to be detected in the poverty radar.
This lead to the second flaw; by location. The NEP place more attention to the rural poor. Thus, they face a double whammy. Furthermore, unlike our Bumi brothers and sisters who have easier access to government jobs and zakat- baitulmal, our Indian brethren does not. Here is where the Government must play the role of protector of the group and administer direct assistance and thus balanced off the ‘group to group’ imbalance. During a talk presented at Gerakan last year I suggested that if the BN fail to quickly deal with the Indian poor, they will take drastic actions, a few months later the infamous HINDRAF march took place.
... and the rest is still unfolding ....
The downside of the NEP partly contributed to the current socio-economic problem in the country. Read the following ...
In a country like ours, instead of the various departments or divisions we can cluster the groupings and individuals into the following depending which methodology we want to choose and work with.
RACE - The usual approach – the various races or ethnic groupings. It is very important that each group is moving and achieving at the same pace and no one and no group is left behind.
STATE – each state from Perlis to Sabah must not be left behind.
LOCATION – urban versus non- urban. The divide and quality of life must not be too far off.
SOCIAL CLASS – the haves and have-nots. The rich cannot be too rich and the poor too poor.
The NEP as a ‘Group to group’ action plan
No group must be left behind and none should get more (perceived or real). Failing which we will lose balance and brew trouble. That is why we must support affirmative actions. Affirmative action is like the CEO chasing and making sure the slower departments catch up with the rest. BN’s answer was the NEP and that was the job of the NEP; to reorganize society equitably. It is unfortunate that it was seen more from a politically raced tainted angle by most Malaysians instead of an organizational need. At the implementation level too, it was wrongly carried out as a racial policy by many officers.
However, the NEP was probably one of the most successful affirmative action taken by a government in modern times. We need to just tweak it here and there to make it a super success. Going against the NEP wholesale as Anwar is suggesting is counterproductive. The Malays and Bumiputra rightly or wrongly may perceive that they may lose in the future. That may create unrest.
I am not saying the NEP is without any flaws.Let me give you an example; let us use the RACE and LOCATION methodology. I would like to focus on the Indian poor (RACE) who resides in the urban (LOCATION) area.
The mistake happens on both sides, poor understanding of the Indian ethnic groupings and failure to detail urban poverty in greater degree. My organization’s Deepavali advert in 2006 discussed this concern.
“Imagine … Affirmative action for the urban poor.The flight to urban areas in search of employment present humanity with a new challenge — urban poverty.
Across the globe, particularly in emerging nations, cities become centres where the poor seek a better life only to find crime, drugs, broken families, juvenile delinquency, and despair.
The dilemma of the urban poor is that, even when they work hard and long, they are unable to make a decent living.
In Malaysia urban poverty affects all ethnic groups but the massive movement from kampongs and rubber estates poses a bigger challenge amongst Malays and Indians, with the latter experiencing the highest rate of urbanization.When plantations close down or crops change, many workers are forced to seek employment in cities.
Some displaced plantation workers are so totally uprooted, they do not have a hometown to go back to.Most have little education and lack skills. They get poor paying dead-end jobs that are dangerous and difficult, with no legal protection. Often there is little or no community support system and suicide rates are high.
This socio-economic background often means shoddy homes and inadequate educational support. Which translates to children underperforming in schools and high drop-out rates, which in turn affects future employment prospects. Unless things change, the vicious cycle continues.
The challenge for us as Malaysians is to ensure that no segment amongst us is neglected. We are all brothers and sisters. We need to look at problems affecting a community not as that particular community’s problems, because we all share the burden as a nation.
We succeeded in dealing with rural poverty through affirmative action. We can do the same for our urban poor. We have the resources, technology, know-how, experience, creativity and talent. We need to open our hearts and focus our will and take action.
We can do it!Imagine you and I... changing the world for the better!
Here the NEP is flawed in two ways.Firstly, we grouped Indians as one ethnic grouping as we did the Chinese, Malays and the other Bumiputras. Many non Indians do not understand Indians. That is why the Perak MB can make a simple mistake thinking a Punjabi is a Benggali.
The Indians are not one, not in India and definitely not here, not in history nor the present. Malaysian Indians are more ONE as a Malaysian as compared as Indians. I know this because I have many Indian friends and thank God for growing up in Penang! For instance you will find there are more inter race marriage between an Indian and non Indian as compared to intra-Indian ones.
Basically, if you are a Gujerati and you bring back a Tamilian partner to show your parents or vice versa, your mother may just go into conniption or drama (sorry my Indian brothers and sisters, you know what I am talking about, though now many parents are loosening their grip a little… especially if you are already 30+ and still single… ha!ha!).
By grouping all Indians into one group, we mistakenly aggregated mostly poor Tamilians and mostly richer non-Tamilians into one economic grouping thus creating a wrong picture in terms of per capita income for poorer Indians. (Don’t get me wrong, I am not saying there are no rich Tamilians and no poor non Tamilian Indians).
The net effect is that the real poor Indians failed to be detected in the poverty radar.
This lead to the second flaw; by location. The NEP place more attention to the rural poor. Thus, they face a double whammy. Furthermore, unlike our Bumi brothers and sisters who have easier access to government jobs and zakat- baitulmal, our Indian brethren does not. Here is where the Government must play the role of protector of the group and administer direct assistance and thus balanced off the ‘group to group’ imbalance. During a talk presented at Gerakan last year I suggested that if the BN fail to quickly deal with the Indian poor, they will take drastic actions, a few months later the infamous HINDRAF march took place.
... and the rest is still unfolding ....
Monday, November 16, 2009
This one Tok Guru Nik Aziz is wrong :(
Salam Tok Guru Nik Aziz,
With all due respect, I do not think you should accept any gifts while still sitting in office.
You may accept a hamper or two, a small gift from another head of state etc but, never cash amounting to thousands regardless if or even more so when it is money to go for another Haj.
In fact, if a good soul hand you money to perform Haj, perhaps best the cash should be channeled to the hardcore poor that still exist in your state, or the country or a neighboring one or anyone poor regardless of race or religion around the world.
Haj is not a must especially when one has already performed it before, as you have. But helping the hardcore poor is a must. That is righteousness- true piety.
"True piety does not consist in turning your faces towards the east or the west - but truly pious is he who believes in God, and the Last Day; and the angels, and revelation, and the prophets; and spends his substance - however much he himself may cherish - it - upon his near of kin, and the orphans, and the needy, and the wayfarer, and the beggars, and for the freeing of human beings from bondage; and is constant in prayer, and renders the purifying dues; and [truly pious are] they who keep their promises whenever they promise, and are patient in misfortune and hardship and in time of peril: it is they that have proved themselves true, and it is they, they who are conscious of God."
Quran 2:177
While the sponsor and you were genuine about it, the whole idea is wrong.
I have many times in the past supported your stand, but this is one that I cannot agree with. I am glad that you have decided not to go ahead with the trip.
Salam, anas zubedy
related articles
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/11/11/nation/5088206&sec=nation
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/11/14/nation/5108170&sec=nation
With all due respect, I do not think you should accept any gifts while still sitting in office.
You may accept a hamper or two, a small gift from another head of state etc but, never cash amounting to thousands regardless if or even more so when it is money to go for another Haj.
In fact, if a good soul hand you money to perform Haj, perhaps best the cash should be channeled to the hardcore poor that still exist in your state, or the country or a neighboring one or anyone poor regardless of race or religion around the world.
Haj is not a must especially when one has already performed it before, as you have. But helping the hardcore poor is a must. That is righteousness- true piety.
"True piety does not consist in turning your faces towards the east or the west - but truly pious is he who believes in God, and the Last Day; and the angels, and revelation, and the prophets; and spends his substance - however much he himself may cherish - it - upon his near of kin, and the orphans, and the needy, and the wayfarer, and the beggars, and for the freeing of human beings from bondage; and is constant in prayer, and renders the purifying dues; and [truly pious are] they who keep their promises whenever they promise, and are patient in misfortune and hardship and in time of peril: it is they that have proved themselves true, and it is they, they who are conscious of God."
Quran 2:177
While the sponsor and you were genuine about it, the whole idea is wrong.
I have many times in the past supported your stand, but this is one that I cannot agree with. I am glad that you have decided not to go ahead with the trip.
Salam, anas zubedy
related articles
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/11/11/nation/5088206&sec=nation
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/11/14/nation/5108170&sec=nation
Talks by Prof Richard Falk
Dear everyone,
JUST is pleased to inform you that Professor Richard Falk, one of the world’s leading authorities in international law and politics, who is also a member of the JUST International Advisory Panel (IAP), will be delivering lectures in Malaysia from the 17th to the 21st of November 2009.
His Public Lecture schedule is as follows:-
1. Gaza: Implications for World PoliticsDate: 17th November 2009Time: 10:00 am to 12:00 noon Venue: ISTAC Hall, ISTAC (No.24, Persiaran Duta, Taman Duta, KL).
2. A World in Crisis: Whither Humanity? Date: 18th November 2009Time: 9.30 am to 11.30 amVenue: Dewan Budaya, USM Penang.
3. Religion and Global PoliticsDate: 21st November 2009Time: 3.00 pm to 5.00 pm Venue: Institute of Advanced Islamic Studies (IAIS) Jalan Elmu, Off Jalan Universiti, KL ( organised jointly by IAIS and JUST)
We would urge all JUST members and their friends to attend any or all of the lectures above.
If you want any clarification please do not hesitate to get in touch with Mohamed Aliou at the JUST Office ( Tel: 03-79603207; email: muza@just-international.org)
Admission is free
A short biodata on Professor Falk appears below.
JUST Office.
Professor Richard Falk is Albert G. Milbank Professor Emeritus of International Law at Princeton University and Visiting Distinguished Professor in Global and International Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara. He is Chair of the Board of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation. His most recent books are The Costs of War: International Law, the UN, and the World Order after Iraq (2008) and Achieving Human Rights (2009). He is currently serving as Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories for the UN Human Rights Council.
JUST is pleased to inform you that Professor Richard Falk, one of the world’s leading authorities in international law and politics, who is also a member of the JUST International Advisory Panel (IAP), will be delivering lectures in Malaysia from the 17th to the 21st of November 2009.
His Public Lecture schedule is as follows:-
1. Gaza: Implications for World PoliticsDate: 17th November 2009Time: 10:00 am to 12:00 noon Venue: ISTAC Hall, ISTAC (No.24, Persiaran Duta, Taman Duta, KL).
2. A World in Crisis: Whither Humanity? Date: 18th November 2009Time: 9.30 am to 11.30 amVenue: Dewan Budaya, USM Penang.
3. Religion and Global PoliticsDate: 21st November 2009Time: 3.00 pm to 5.00 pm Venue: Institute of Advanced Islamic Studies (IAIS) Jalan Elmu, Off Jalan Universiti, KL ( organised jointly by IAIS and JUST)
We would urge all JUST members and their friends to attend any or all of the lectures above.
If you want any clarification please do not hesitate to get in touch with Mohamed Aliou at the JUST Office ( Tel: 03-79603207; email: muza@just-international.org)
Admission is free
A short biodata on Professor Falk appears below.
JUST Office.
Professor Richard Falk is Albert G. Milbank Professor Emeritus of International Law at Princeton University and Visiting Distinguished Professor in Global and International Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara. He is Chair of the Board of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation. His most recent books are The Costs of War: International Law, the UN, and the World Order after Iraq (2008) and Achieving Human Rights (2009). He is currently serving as Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories for the UN Human Rights Council.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Cerai Bini if you jump ship in PAS... Dashat!!!
At zubedy, my partner azree and I do set out certain rules to make our team members toe the line.
One interesting new rule is the PEISM ½ month bonus. PEISM is an approach for self development /spiritual growth I created for myself back when I was still an undergraduate (and now impose on others too..haha!).
In short it is an acronym for Physiological, Emotional, Intellectual, Social and Material. In other words if we want to self develop we must ensure we cover all these 5 areas, failing which we have lopsided growth.
Our new rules for zubedyans are that to get the half month bonus next May 24Th (zubedy’s anniversary date) they must clock in 3 times a week of approved workout ( like the zhumba dance lead by my Big Sis Mahani at the office and minimum 3 rounds of walk at TTDI park – the route that goes up the hill ) and go through a weekly reading and discussion of Peter Drucker’s management ideas.
But in no way Azree and I can top PAS’s rules on frogging – jumping seats be it as an MP or ADUN. Honestly I am for defrogging. But this one is really dashat. Accordingly if you are an elected rep from PAS you are “required to divorce their wives with talak tiga if they were to leave the party”. Wow! What a rule.
Leaving any judgement here, what I would like to know is, in PAS, does the rule applies on both sides?
That is, if you are a female PAS rep, does the rule apply too?
Click here for related write-up -,
http://letusaddvalue.blogspot.com/2009/02/both-bn-and-pr-is-unethical-in-this.html
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/11/8/nation/5069889&sec=nation
http://letusaddvalue.blogspot.com/2009/02/biadap-tetap-biadap.html
http://letusaddvalue.blogspot.com/2009/02/anwars-second-major-blunder.html
One interesting new rule is the PEISM ½ month bonus. PEISM is an approach for self development /spiritual growth I created for myself back when I was still an undergraduate (and now impose on others too..haha!).
In short it is an acronym for Physiological, Emotional, Intellectual, Social and Material. In other words if we want to self develop we must ensure we cover all these 5 areas, failing which we have lopsided growth.
Our new rules for zubedyans are that to get the half month bonus next May 24Th (zubedy’s anniversary date) they must clock in 3 times a week of approved workout ( like the zhumba dance lead by my Big Sis Mahani at the office and minimum 3 rounds of walk at TTDI park – the route that goes up the hill ) and go through a weekly reading and discussion of Peter Drucker’s management ideas.
But in no way Azree and I can top PAS’s rules on frogging – jumping seats be it as an MP or ADUN. Honestly I am for defrogging. But this one is really dashat. Accordingly if you are an elected rep from PAS you are “required to divorce their wives with talak tiga if they were to leave the party”. Wow! What a rule.
Leaving any judgement here, what I would like to know is, in PAS, does the rule applies on both sides?
That is, if you are a female PAS rep, does the rule apply too?
Click here for related write-up -,
http://letusaddvalue.blogspot.com/2009/02/both-bn-and-pr-is-unethical-in-this.html
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/11/8/nation/5069889&sec=nation
http://letusaddvalue.blogspot.com/2009/02/biadap-tetap-biadap.html
http://letusaddvalue.blogspot.com/2009/02/anwars-second-major-blunder.html
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Be part of a GLOBAL MOVEMENT and make the WORLD a better place!
Click here for trailer - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DrtxUX65QA4&feature=player_embedded
I would like to invite you to join the GLOBAL community in launching THE CHARTER OF COMPASSION this November 12th at PJ HILTON 1030 am onwards - After the launch there will be lunch, an interfaith dialogue and talk on YOUTH ON COMPASSION by 3 young Malaysians.
BE PART OF GLOBAL CHANGE EFFORT TO MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE .
Email to stephendoss@hotmail.com to confirm a place asap.
I would like to invite you to join the GLOBAL community in launching THE CHARTER OF COMPASSION this November 12th at PJ HILTON 1030 am onwards - After the launch there will be lunch, an interfaith dialogue and talk on YOUTH ON COMPASSION by 3 young Malaysians.
BE PART OF GLOBAL CHANGE EFFORT TO MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE .
Email to stephendoss@hotmail.com to confirm a place asap.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Rapera on Dr Asri's arrest ...
A good write from a my blogbrother Rapera
http://jahaberdeen.blogspot.com/2009/11/can-islamic-issues-be-discussed-without.html
http://jahaberdeen.blogspot.com/2009/11/can-islamic-issues-be-discussed-without.html
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Dr Chandra on Dr MAZA's arrest
I refer to the Malaysiakini report Ex-Perlis mufti freed on bail: Jais feels the heat?The arrest of former Perlis Mufti Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin raises disturbing questions.
One, isn't it unjust to arrest a person and take him to court while investigations on him are still on-going?
Two, doesn't this smack of arbitrariness and high-handedness, and doesn't it erode established judicial norms and the rule of law?
Three, wasn't the deployment of an extraordinarily large number of Jabatan Agama Islam Selangor (Jais) staff and police personnel a show of force which was tantamount to abuse of power?
Four, since Asri has been giving talks in Selangor and elsewhere for a while now, what was the reason for arresting him only at this point in time?
Five, was the arrest a well-orchestrated move by certain religious authorities, backed by some Muslim NGOs, to dissuade the federal government from going ahead with the appointment of Asri as the new head of a potentially influential Islamic 'dakwah' foundation, Yadim?
Six, if this was the motive, doesn't it show that there are religious institutions and groups in the country that are intolerant of views on Islam which are different from theirs, however humane and rational some of these views may be, and however well-grounded they are in the Qur'an?
Seven, isn't such intolerance a betrayal of the respect for differences of opinion, and for dissent, embodied in Quranic thought and in the practice of the Prophet?
It is important to ask these questions because Asri's crude and coarse treatment echoes the authoritarianism of certain groups in other parts of the Muslim world that has led to tension and conflict.
This is why any attempt by any group to monopolise religion and marginalise alternative voices should be checked immediately.
It was one of the causes of the closing of the Muslim mind in past centuries and was partly responsible for the decline of Islamic civilisation.
One, isn't it unjust to arrest a person and take him to court while investigations on him are still on-going?
Two, doesn't this smack of arbitrariness and high-handedness, and doesn't it erode established judicial norms and the rule of law?
Three, wasn't the deployment of an extraordinarily large number of Jabatan Agama Islam Selangor (Jais) staff and police personnel a show of force which was tantamount to abuse of power?
Four, since Asri has been giving talks in Selangor and elsewhere for a while now, what was the reason for arresting him only at this point in time?
Five, was the arrest a well-orchestrated move by certain religious authorities, backed by some Muslim NGOs, to dissuade the federal government from going ahead with the appointment of Asri as the new head of a potentially influential Islamic 'dakwah' foundation, Yadim?
Six, if this was the motive, doesn't it show that there are religious institutions and groups in the country that are intolerant of views on Islam which are different from theirs, however humane and rational some of these views may be, and however well-grounded they are in the Qur'an?
Seven, isn't such intolerance a betrayal of the respect for differences of opinion, and for dissent, embodied in Quranic thought and in the practice of the Prophet?
It is important to ask these questions because Asri's crude and coarse treatment echoes the authoritarianism of certain groups in other parts of the Muslim world that has led to tension and conflict.
This is why any attempt by any group to monopolise religion and marginalise alternative voices should be checked immediately.
It was one of the causes of the closing of the Muslim mind in past centuries and was partly responsible for the decline of Islamic civilisation.
More on Dr Asri ...
Click here
http://syedsoutsidethebox.blogspot.com/2009/11/tidak-cukup-oksigen-mengalir-ke-dalam.html
http://jahaberdeen.blogspot.com/2009/11/staronline-reports-that-pm-has.html
http://rantingsbymm.blogspot.com/2009/11/ohso-now-jakims-in-on-it.html
http://chunwai08.blogspot.com/2009/11/asris-arrest-of-hidden-hands-and.html
http://lunchatthelakeclub.blogspot.com/2009/11/wahhabi-who.html
http://www3.themalaysianinsider.com/lite/articles_headlines.php?id=malaysia/42195-khalid-samad-calls-for-review-of-selangors-islamic-laws
http://syedsoutsidethebox.blogspot.com/2009/11/tidak-cukup-oksigen-mengalir-ke-dalam.html
http://jahaberdeen.blogspot.com/2009/11/staronline-reports-that-pm-has.html
http://rantingsbymm.blogspot.com/2009/11/ohso-now-jakims-in-on-it.html
http://chunwai08.blogspot.com/2009/11/asris-arrest-of-hidden-hands-and.html
http://lunchatthelakeclub.blogspot.com/2009/11/wahhabi-who.html
http://www3.themalaysianinsider.com/lite/articles_headlines.php?id=malaysia/42195-khalid-samad-calls-for-review-of-selangors-islamic-laws
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Monday, November 2, 2009
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Join us at the launch of the " Charter For Compassion"
Peace everyone!
We are launching a Charter for Compassion on 12th of November at PJ Hilton. This Charter is the brainchild of Karen Armstrong and November 12th is also the international launch of the Charter worldwide.
Tun Abdullah is officiating the launch. There will be a youth panel representing the voice of youth on compassion and also inter-faith dialogues on the subject.
Registration : 930 am
Launch : 10 am
Youth on Compassion : 12 noon
Interfaith Dialogue : 2 pm
Venue : PJ Hilton Crystal Ballroom
Places are limited, only 250. It will be on a first come first serve basis, please fill up the attached form and revert by the 9th of November 2009.
To know more, click http://charterforcompassion.org and for more information on the charter and to download the forms for the event go to http://www.drivehq.com/folder/p6442133.aspx or you can email us at hazieralizara@gmail.com or contact Ezaruddin at 019-3653705.
Thank you and see you there.
Let us add value.
Anas Zubedy
On Behalf of JUST
Charter of Compassion Launch Committee
We are launching a Charter for Compassion on 12th of November at PJ Hilton. This Charter is the brainchild of Karen Armstrong and November 12th is also the international launch of the Charter worldwide.
Tun Abdullah is officiating the launch. There will be a youth panel representing the voice of youth on compassion and also inter-faith dialogues on the subject.
Registration : 930 am
Launch : 10 am
Youth on Compassion : 12 noon
Interfaith Dialogue : 2 pm
Venue : PJ Hilton Crystal Ballroom
Places are limited, only 250. It will be on a first come first serve basis, please fill up the attached form and revert by the 9th of November 2009.
To know more, click http://charterforcompassion.org and for more information on the charter and to download the forms for the event go to http://www.drivehq.com/folder/p6442133.aspx or you can email us at hazieralizara@gmail.com or contact Ezaruddin at 019-3653705.
Thank you and see you there.
Let us add value.
Anas Zubedy
On Behalf of JUST
Charter of Compassion Launch Committee