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.

Interesting feedback

Here is an interesting feedback emailed to me regarding the Deepavali advert. We do get various feedback and i usually write back without posting it. But this one, perhaps I should share ...

His Email -

The article under the title " Have a meaningful Deepavali" advertised by Zubedy will in no way add value. It is because the whole article is written by a person with half-baked ideas. He does not seem to have full knowledge of what he is writing. It will not create empathy unless one who reads it is apathetic.

In fact, the whole article is a farce, written under the pretext of peace-loving citizen. It back-fires and creates backlash. I do not see any relevance in printing the picture of Periyar E.V. Ramasamy. He is a well-known reformer, well-known critic of Hindu religion, idol worship, and an atheist. He was not in the habit of celebrating Deepavali.

The writer does not seem to know about Hinduism either. Perhaps a certain sect in Hinduism does not prefer to eat beef. But Hinduism does not prohibit eating beef. In Vedas, there are "slogans" asking Hindus to serve beef and intoxicating drinks.

The writer shows true colours when he says "we blast" 'ceramahs' after midnight prayers on loud speakers". Perhaps, one in a thousand mosques, it might happen and that too in areas where only malays reside. Know your facts before you fire. This spoils the purpose of the whole article.

My reply

Salam bro,

On the contrary, I know of all the facts you commented below especially abt Periyar. It is just the Hindus are generally more liberal people who can accept him as part of them – because while he is against religion, he practice it better than those who profess to. In fact I have so many Hindus who called, emailed, sms, facebook, etc thanking me for featuring him.

And no, the ceramah’s are everywhere, just go check the police reports ( but no action lah). In Selangor/KL alone I know of more than 20 mesjids and suraus jolly doing it. And for Muslims sake too, they should not coz Muslim students should concentrate on doing their homework and READ ( the first word of Quranic revelation.)

In the first place there is no such thing as Hinduism. It is a new name evolved after the British occupation and more so since the 19th century. The term is a foreign concept – basically came from the word Hindi, a Persian name for India in the 12 th century. Perhaps the correct way to call the religion is Sanatana Dharma. It is a mosaic of hundreds if not thousands of ‘way of lives’ – and ‘Hinduism’ absorbs all of them – it’s a very sponge like religion.

Vegetarianism for example was a Jain influence. You see, Sanatana Dharma it is an evolving religion that started perhaps more than 5000 years ago. Many ‘silly’ souls ( usually in the form of Muslim and Christian chauvinists) will find a quote from some Hindu text that was written before the Jain influenced to suggest that Hinduism does not prescribe the act to shun meat eating. Poor souls…

Since it is a liberal religion, if a Hindu man chose to eat beef, by all means he can go ahead. As far for the Hindu is concern, he will just delay reaching moksha. No priest or ulama is going to cane him or fined him.

There are some Muslim sect and even Ulama who still think that the world is flat, it would be wrong to suggest that the rest think the same way. There will be some Hindu minority sects ( from the thousands) who suggest that beef is good to eat, I don’t think that it is smart and fair for you to suggest that its ok for all Hindus to do the same.

But, we can agree to disagree.

Thanks for the feedback. Salam, anas

There is still honor in this country - thanks Anon

An anonymous writer posted this comment to my previous blogpost. I have always have strong convictions that we are honorable people .... Instead of publishing it as a comment, this warrants a blog post by itself. Thanks Anon, you are cool...

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Today, we all can celebrate BN, PR and Non-Partisa...":

peace bro

sorry for my rude comment

Publish this comment. Reject this comment.
Moderate comments for this blog.
Posted by Anonymous to anas zubedy at October 22, 2009 10:42 AM

Missing link found? Scientists unveil fossil of 47 million-year-old primate, Darwinius masillae

My first ambition when I was 10 years old was to be an archeologist. So pls excuse my excitement.

Click here to read more : http://www.nydailynews.com/news/us_world/2009/05/19/2009-05-19_missing_link_found_fossil_of_47_millionyearold_primate_sheds_light_on_.html

and

http://www.3news.co.nz/Fossil-sheds-light-on-primate-evolution/tabid/311/articleID/104975/cat/73/Default.aspx

and

http://www.renewamerica.us/columns/fischer/090520

and

http://dailynightly.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2009/05/19/1937065.aspx

Constitutional Monarchy

We value food not bullets, clothes not uniforms,
homes not barracks. - The Tunku

At UM, I studied Economics, majoring in Public Administration – meaning I studied many papers dealing with Malaysian Politics. While I was always either absent or half asleep during the economy classes, especially macro and micro (I find this amazingly ironic because in my late 20s and early 30s I found them exceptionally interesting especially macroeconomics as I read them on my own! It takes a lot of talent to make those subjects boring. Kudos to the lecturers! ) I was an exemplary student of politics.

One of my favourite subjects was Malaysia’s Political Structure. We had some really good lecturers too, Shabery Cheek the current Minister of Information, Michael Ong who I think is Kit Siang’s good friend(I borrowed many of Michael Ong’s books especially Kit Siang’s writings and every of the books has Kit’s signature and wishes on them, I still keep the photostated copies hehe!!!) Firdaus Abdullah who was also a poet and many others.

I read many paper and books, attended hundreds of talks, forums and discussions about Malaysian Politics, History and Culture not because of the exams but because I found them drop dead interesting.

The Malaysian Constitution for example is an extraordinary document. Our history of Merdeka , how Tunku and Gang’s patience and cooperation in realizing our freedom without much fuss, shedding of blood nor riot is something I found not just as a blessing, but almost a modern day miracle. What’s waiting a few years if the results is saving human lives and arriving at a political system where civilians are the kingmakers instead of the military? When the British left us, we parted as friends. Compare all these with the other colonies and their history and we will appreciate better this country we call Malaysia.

One of the uniqueness of this history and what we have today is our democracy of a constitutional monarchy. A special system we inherited but today not appreciated by a good many that do not understand nor are aware of its beauty.

Here's an article taken from THE STAR about the subject that is worth reading.

Sunday March 22, 2009
The democracy of a constitutional monarchy
By SYED HAIZAM JAMALULLAIL and TUNKU ‘ABIDIN MUHRIZ

THE Conference of Rulers, a unique gathering of monarchs with origins in the Durbar of 1897, convened for the 216th time last week since its first meeting in this format on Aug 31, 1948. Throughout its history, it has made many important decisions as required by the Constitution, and has acted as a check-and-balance in the interplay between the branches of government.

Click here to continue http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/3/22/focus/3484321&sec=focus

The Transcription Of The 1996 Star Interview

Apology , somehow the picture file cannot be enlarged in my earlier post and a few of you requested thru the blog and emails for a better version... anyway, this is the transcription ...

Anas Zubedy is a 32-year –old consultant in change management. He speaks Bahasa Malaysia, Hokkien, English and a smattering of Tamil.

“When i was three years old, my family shifted to Fettes park, a predominantly Chinese area in Penang.

“For years we were the only Malay family in the area and by the time I was five, I was proficient in Hokkien.

“In fact, i can say that Bahasa Malaysia is my first language, Hokkien my second followed by English. I mean, outside the house i grew up like a Chinese kid. I played with the other Chinese kid and mingled with them a lot.

“Later, i even had the chance to experience the Indian way of life. This was when i was in standard four. I become friend with a new classmate, an Indian, and being close to him, i naturally spent a great deal of time at his house. It was then that i absorbed the Indian culture.

“For example, i remember reading about Hinduism in his house. I also learn to call his grandmother pathi and, during Thaipusam, i joined in the celebration by dancing with the Indians. I practically became one of the family.

“Sometimes my mum would return to Medan (Sumatra) and that’s when his mum would cook Indian food for me.

“I was fortunate that the situation was such that it allowed me to be exposed to more than one cultural setting. I learn so much about cultures other than my own. More than that, I learn to respect them.

“There are so many benefits we can derive from this. For instance, in business we can learn to think Chinese and at home we think Malay hospitality.

“Placed in a global situation, we should fare better than homogeneous societies for we have the experience of working with various kinds of people.

“We must see multi-racial Malaysia as an opportunity for creating universally oriented men and women who would, one day, take centre-stage in leading the world.

“But in order to achieve this kind of unity, Malaysians must first understand and accept two things: First, we have to understand and appreciate the fact that the Malays gave away what they called “Malay land” (tanah Melayu) and shared it with the other ethnic groups like the Chinese and Indians, so much so that they have created a new entity called Malaysia.

“Secondly, since 1957, the non-Bumis have accepted and made this country their country. So from now onwards, whether we like it or not, a new race called Bangsa Malaysia has come into being.

“Efforts in building unity must start at the earliest age possible. Parents must ensure that their own personal biases are not filtered down to their children.
“The school too plays a vital role in uniting all Malaysians. In the long run, it would be wiser and more beneficial to open all boarding schools like Mara, ITM, and Maktab Sains to all races.

“The current national school system integrates the Chinese, Tamil and Arab schools under one roof. The ideal situation would be if the national school caters to those who desire to learn their mother tongue. It would be even better if we make it compulsory for all Malaysian to learn a language other than English and their mother tongue.

“For example, a Malay student should learn either Mandarin or Tamil as a second language. I think the Malays are presently on the losing end. The Chinese or Indians know at least three languages, but most Malay knows only two.
“Barisan Nasional’s efforts towards creating a single multi-racial party should be our next step. I believe most Malaysians would find it attractive if there is a direct membership to BN without having to go through UMNO, MIC or MCA. Perhaps after Wawasan 2020, UMNO can stand for United Malaysian National Organization.

“At the end of the day, the more towards national unity should come from within each and everyone of us. Every individual in this country must be aware that he or she plays a vital role. We should not unite due to political or economic reasons but because we truly desire to be one nation.

“The Muslims must also remember that the “Al-Quran preaches ummah wahidah, the concept of one single community. As this country is led by Muslims, this would be a great opportunity for them to practice this concept.”

Conspiracy Theory

The China earthquake was man made? A new weapon of mass destruction?

Click here http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2483018799620172183&q=Fulford+vs+Haarp&ei=Q3dCSM6OCYGgqQP9j4ToCA


The terrorists were not responsible for the 9/11 tragedy as they found no photo evidence of a plane wreckage at the Pentagon attack?

Click here http://www.911inplanesite.com/

What do you think?

Note there are two votes, the first two for the China earthquake, the second two for the 9/11. Last day to vote is June 30th 2008.

Thanks!