Have A Meaningful Gawai and KeAmatan

...perhaps next year zubedy can afford to add these festivals into our full page adverts too :)

Blanket Subsidies - We need to rise above politics!

I humbly suggest that politicians from both sides to view and act upon the subsidy issue based on economics rather than politics. Do not use the issue for political mileage, gain points for both internal party politics as well as the general elections. Whoever helm their party or the country sooner or later will need to face the consequences of blanket subsidies. There should not be any blanket subsidies, period . Here is an article I wrote with regards to the petrol subsidy – click here

Good to read :)

1. 
   We are many things at once by Tunku ’Abidin Muhriz click here
2. Integration with Integrity by Art Harun click here
3. May 13: Navigating our ethnic co-existence by Dr Lim Teck Ghee click here

Support Unity Efforts : Wesak Day Advert This Wednesday

Have a Meaningful Wesak

"Please tell me according to your ability, be it much or little. It will be my task to penetrate its meaning by way of a hundred or thousand methods." - Sariputta, the Buddha's chief disciple.

What is to be done :
Support all who is for Perpaduan regardless of race, religion, party or background.

Support Perpaduan and support all who support Perpaduan; do not tolerate Perpecahan; send a clear message that divide and rule has no place in today’s Malaysia.

Support unity and support anyone who believes in unity and are taking steps to unite us. Whether it comes from an NGO or individuals like Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia (SABM), the government - 1MALAYSIA, or an internationally affiliated organization like Malaysian Interfaith Network (MIN), anyone who promotes unity deserves our full backing.

We the Rakyat must do all we can to uphold our Perpaduan. Do not allow others to poke holes, belittle in any way or look down on efforts of togetherness. When we allow the non support of Perpaduan, we are promoting Perpecahan and allowing the ultras to win. Support Perpaduan, give credit and honour efforts; regardless of whose efforts they are; as long as it is an effort to unite us, give your vote, lend your voice and join in the support. Even when we are being critical, be constructive and always speak in the positives.

Encourage racial and religious based organizations to embrace a more universal approach. Promote inclusivity; when speaking of the poor, speak of the poor from all races, give data from all groups. When talking about uplifting education standards, talk about how we can lift the standards for all groups of Malaysians, not just any one group.

Let our leaders know that we want them to speak to all of us, to all Malaysians, and not to speak only to Malays or Chinese or Indians or East Malaysians or Christians, Buddhist, Hindu or Muslims, for we are Malaysians and we are all these, so speak to us all as one, as Rakyat Malaysia.

Brother and Sister Malaysians choose Perpaduan and choose it wholeheartedly; only then can we win over those who promote Perpecahan.

At zubedy our programs draw strength from shared values and traditions. We believe at the heart, all Malaysians want good things for themselves and for their brother and sister Malaysians simply because our nation cannot prosper as a whole if some of us are left behind.

Let us add value,
Have A Meaningful Wesak

Malay Mail on Recolor May 13th :)

Malay Mail

Thursday, May 13th, 2010

FINDING THE WILL WITHIN: Anas feels that people could take wisdom from May 13.

TODAY is May 13 - a date that has lived in infamy for most Malaysians, especially those who've lived long enough to hear about or experience the race riots that happened in Kuala Lumpur back in 1969.

Now and then, we hear politicians or people with political interests - from all sides of the divide - harping on the issue, using May 13 as some sort of 'bogeyman' or 'victim's tale' to further their agenda.

Well, one man has stepped forth with a unique agenda and plans for May 13. Anas Zubedy, corporate trainer, wants to inspire Malaysians to accept and even embrace May 13 as part of our history.

"May 13 pops up now and then and it is always used for negative purposes - 'do this, and May 13 will happen'," said 46-year-old Anas, during a lunch break at one of his corporate training sessions on Tuesday. "However, I believe that May 13 is part of our history and we should not sweep it under the carpet."
Anas believes that Malaysians first need to recognise that there was a May 13, that the riots and the killings did happen.

"We must acknowledge that we - as a country - made a mistake on May 13. We couldn't learn to agree to disagree and respect each other's opinions, which we allowed to escalate to physical violence," said Anas. "Still, the nation did not fail. Only a marginal few got violent, and I believe that 99.9 per cent of Malaysians were more concerned with their own safety rather than trying to kill people."
In fact, Anas believes that Malaysia came away from May 13 better than before. For one, the number of violent rioters was small, compared to the entire Malaysian population. It wasn't a nationwide event, though it was an event of national interest.

"The way I see it, it was just some groups of people who got really physical. Most Malaysians don't hurt their neighbours of a different race. In fact, we protected each other from the craziness happening in some parts."

He also illustrates that there are many uplifting stories where Malaysians of different races protected each other from violent rioters. These stories, he believes, are proof that Malaysians in general care for their fellow countrymen.
"It is in this neighbourhood spirit where Malaysians have shown how May 13 also brought us together in ways we could not have imagined," he said.

Another pet peeve of his is when people point at each other as to who started the violence.

"Look, whoever started it were bad people, no denying that," said Anas. "Whoever reacted to that were stupid. You followed the actions of bad men, so you are stupid."

This is all well and good, but when it comes to the mechanics of actually instilling a new perspective on May 13, Anas believes that it will have to rely on constant effort on his part as well as a slow snowballing of movement on the grassroots level.

The Star on Live & Inspire Recolor May 13th Chat :)

Malaysians urged to vote for unity

The Star May 14th, 2010

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysians should give their support to those politicians who want unity and not those who want to fight, said entrepreneur Anas Zubedy.

“At the end of the day, it is not about Barisan Nasional or Pakatan Rakyat.

“It is about who wants unity and who doesn’t, being inclusive or exclusive, to monopolise or to share the country.

“Vote for those who want to unite, and not those who want to fight,” said Anas, who is known for his newspaper advertisements carrying the message of social harmony.

Go for the good ones: Anas Zubedy (in white) at the interactive session with 50 over participants in a shopping mall yesterday.

He told some 50 people gathered at his interactive session on cultivating national unity at a shopping mall here that Malaysians should “Recolour May 13” from being a dark spot in history by learning from their past mistakes and celebrating shared values that united them despite their diversity.

“It is not wrong to be racial, but it is wrong to be racist,” he said during the session, which was also attended by social activist Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir.

When asked by a member of the audience if he had plans to enter politics, Anas said he had not considered the idea.

“Politics is not the only way to achieve change. I still have shallow needs.

“I want my BMW, a house and a sports car. If I enter politics, I have to be like Ghandi or Prophet Muham¬mmad (with no material needs),” he said.

BFM-Zubedy Unity Series - Let's Recolor May 13

May 6 , 2010

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Recolor May 13 - The Sun Daily today

Recolouring May 13
By ZAKIAH KOYA and KAREN ARUKESAMY


"Two new books attempt to change the way Malaysians view the date, by replacing fear and embracing the shared values that unite them despite their diversity"

KUALA LUMPUR (May 10, 2010): Anas Zubedy was five years old when the May 13 racial riots occurred in 1969. Yet, he remembers clearly his father returning home in a hurry and locking all doors and sitting up all night with a parang.

"I think if anything were to happen to us, I am sure that despite being the only Malay family in the Chinese neighbourhood, our neighbours would have come to our rescue," said Anas, an entrepreneur and trainer.

Anas, together with academician Dr Chandra Muzaffar of International Movement for a Just World (JUST), are on a quest – to recolour May 13 as a day when all Malaysians should learn from their past mistakes and celebrate by embracing the shared values that unite them despite their diversity.

"When we talk about May 13, what comes instantly to mind is the racial riots. We should stop blaming each other for what has happened and learn from our mistakes and talk about the positive side. We can blame others for what happened, or we can choose to transform things for the better, to be change agents and constructively fill our hearts and minds with what needs to be done so May 13 does not ever happen again, and that no one uses the day to bring about fear and negativity," said Anas.

On May 13, 1969, racial riots broke out in Kuala Lumpur, officially leaving 196 dead, leading to a state of national emergency and suspension of Parliament.

To promote unity and spread the positive vibes of May 13, Anas has written a book titled "The Quran and I", chronicling his life story of being raised as a Malaysian Muslim and at the same time growing up with friends of all races and religions.

Chandra’s book, "A Plea for Empathy – The Quest for Malaysian Unity", is a compilation of his articles on national unity written over a period of 34 years.

"It is an interesting take that we celebrate May 13 from a different perspective as people will always remember it as a day of racial riots – it is a date associated with the shattering of the fabric of our society," said Chandra.

The book dissects various important issues such as the communal polarisation, ethnicity time bomb, solutions to resolving issues in a multi-religious society and Malay sovereignty.

Chandra said that he hoped with the publication of such a compilation, Malaysians would not only have a deeper understanding of issues pertaining to national unity but also develop empathy for one another.

"I hope books like this would be bridge builders and break the walls that divide us," Chandra said.

A plea to celebrate the day with holding thanksgiving feasts can be read at Anas’ blog http://letusaddvalue.blogspot.com/.

The books will be launched on Thursday at Starbucks, Bangsar Village2. -- theSun

LET'S RECOLOR MAY 13

Dear Brother and Sister Malaysians,

I would like to re-color May 13, to breathe new spirit into the date, to dilute and eventually erase the negative thoughts and replace them with positive meanings and values. We are placing a full page advertisement in The Star this May 13 , with a call to re-color the day.

When reflecting on May 13, 1969, we can blame others for what happened, blame the situation, or we can choose to transform things for the better, to be change agents and constructively fill our hearts and minds with what needs to be done so May 13 does not ever happen again, and that no one uses the day to bring about fear and negativity.

What thoughts can we cultivate to make a difference to how May 13th is viewed? What actions can we take to shine a light on this day so it will forever be a day we learn from mistakes, a day we strengthen unity in our diversity and recommit to respecting one another and working together?

At zubedy we believe in re-coloring May 13 with all our brilliant hues, the many diverse peoples that we are, under this one great nation called Malaysia. We believe it is a day to reaffirm our shared values and traditions and rejoice in what unites us. A day for young and old to constructively talk about what makes us one people and how we can remain strong together.

This May 13 we are launching two unity books available at major bookstores to commemorate the day.

1. A Plea for Empathy, A Quest for Malaysian Unity by Chandra Muzaffar, is a collection of twenty-three articles on Malaysian national unity that appeared in newspapers, magazines and academic journals between 1974 and 2008. Dr. Chandra looks at language, culture, religion, the economy, politics, human rights, education, ethnic accommodation, ethnic conflict and trends in ethnic relations over the decades. The writing embodies the essence of his thoughts on the causes of disunity and the solutions that are possible. ( Retail price at RM 39.20 WM)
2. The Quran and I by Anas Zubedy is a collection of reflections and childhood memoirs featuring among others, inter-faith and inter-racial friendships and depictions of how the multi-cultural Malaysian setting is fertile ground for personal growth. The book highlights universal values found in the Quran through daily life experiences and serves as a simple introduction to the Quran. (Retail price RM 36.40 WM)
Please join us and make May 13 a day of Unity. Find ways to understand each other better, bring to light our Unity in diversity and share your stories with children and young people. Organize gatherings and discussions, Unity parties and kenduris. Or simply take a moment and reflect on where we are today and give thanks; we have much to be grateful for.

Peace and Let us add value,

anas zubedy

NOTE : FEEL FREE TO POST THE RECOLOR MAY 13 LOGO IN YOUR BLOG AND USE IT WHENEVER IT CAN HELP THE CAUSE, TQ

Have a meaningful and happy Mother's Day

Note : Pictures are from my Mother & Child Collection :)

BFM-ZUBEDY Unity Series - Work, The Worker, Working & Unity in Diversity

April 29, 2010

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