Video Link to Gathering of Youth for Unity

Gathering of Youth for Unity - Dr Chandra Muzaffar (1) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9uUZfPV2X4o

Gathering of Youth for Unity - Dr Chandra Muzaffar (2)- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4R3diDwcXg

Gathering of Youth for Unity - Dr Chandra Muzaffar (3)- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3qpYzWXKzA

Gathering of Youth for Unity - Tim Fernandez - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zX72h36m43U

Gathering of Youth for Unity - Marina Mahathir (1) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wudj2qCsckI

Gathering of Youth for Unity - Marina Mahathir (2)- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sudg_2pBklA

Gathering of Youth for Unity - Jonson Chong (1) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNV8JA6OXDU

Gathering of Youth for Unity - Jonson Chong (2)- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cptLq2V75bc

Gathering of Youth for Unity - Jonson Chong (3) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zinxJj8NTl4

Gathering of Youth for Unity - Anas Zubedy (1) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VG8m0sf0Gqo

Gathering of Youth for Unity - Anas Zubedy (2) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOTI0rvWanU

Gathering of Youth for Unity - Anas Zubedy (3) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-5BV1H61_g

Gathering of Youth For Unity

GATHERING OF YOUTH FOR UNITY

zubedy held our first ever Gathering of Youth for Unity on Saturday, the 26^th of March. It was exciting to see so many youth come together to do it for unity. We decided to organize this event because we feel the need to engage with the youth to build up more good leaders today, leaders who know how to manage diversity and this, we believe, can only be done if they learn to embrace unity.

Seventy one youths representing business corporations and youth organizations with a common passion for unity joined us to listen, learn and discuss about what they can do for unity. We were grateful to have with us Dr. Chandra Muzaffar, Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir, Jonson Chong, and Tim Fernandez as speakers.

In Dr. Chandra Muzaffar’s keynote address on the theme “Youth for Unity”, he spoke on the need to increase the quantum of youths who really understand the ethnic or religious other and look at issues of justice and injustice from a truly multi-ethnic perspective. He emphasized the need for youths to choose to be bridge-builders - to have a profound commitment to the well-being of all, regardless of ethnic or religious affiliation.

In the panel session, panelists Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir, Jonson Chong, Tim Fernandez and Anas Zubedy echoed the same urgency for youths to take up the challenge of implementing a change towards unity in the areas of Media, Politics, Education and Economy respectively.

As a resolution to the gathering, the youths identified three key action points they can begin implementing in each of the four areas. Representatives of youth organizations were then presented with the book “A Plea for Empathy: The Quest for Malaysian Unity” by Dr. Chandra Muzaffar. Throughout the gathering, the most striking theme is certain – that the youths must take accountability and be the change they wish to see in our nation.

Today in The Star - Have A Meaningful Vaisakhi :)

Have a meaningful Vaisakhi “God intended me to look upon all religions with one eye; that is why he took away the light from the other.” – Maharaja Ranjit Singh (1780 – 1839) Do it for Unity – Young Malaysians, You Can Lead Us to Unity! Before Independence, we lived in division. The British considered it a pragmatic policy that our homes, schools and work were segregated according to racial communities. This framework was the basis of our Independence. Three separate groups combined to form an Alliance, but we did not unite on a personal level. In 1951, Dato’ Onn Jaafar, founder of UMNO, wanted to open UMNO to all but the proposal was rejected. It was an idea ahead of its time – the nation was not yet ready. The formula of an alliance worked well to win us our Independence and bring us to a level of prosperity and peace. But at the same time, maintaining three separate groups gives way for misunderstanding and distrust among our people. The ground is now shifting, especially among the young. Dato’ Onn’s idea is becoming the consciousness of Malaysians. More Rakyat are seeing themselves as Malaysian first. The 1Malaysia campaign has added vigor to this shift. At the ground, level now we can even see co-operation between DAP and PAS, a scenario hard to imagine only a short time ago. Is a new platform emerging? Perhaps it is, and young Malaysians are our leading actors. We see the hope of Unity, of 1Malaysia, in our youth. Young Malaysians, we ask you to lead us towards greater Unity. And we believe now is the right time. Let us move away from politics of race and religion. While race and religion are important, for our Rakyat to be united we must see ourselves as first and foremost Malaysian. Let us support policies which are good for all Malaysians – not just for Malays, Chinese, Indians, Kadazans or Ibans. Let us fight for a new Independence. Free ourselves of the shackles of communalism. Let us expand our boundaries and be inclusive. Let us be 1Malaysia. Let us be first and foremost Malaysians. At zubedy, our programs draw strength from shared values and traditions. We believe that at 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 Vaisakhi

Gathering of Youth for Unity- An Invitation

You need to embrace unity, to manage diversity.

To be effective leaders, you need to know how to manage diversity. This is a valuable skill in today’s globalized world. To be nationally and internationally relevant, you need to know about the sociopolitical environment of the country, and to seize opportunities to learn, understand and participate in national issues in a controlled, non-partisan and safe environment.

Zubedy is happy to bring you this opportunity. We invite you to attend the Gathering of Youth for Unity.

Let’s start young. This is a platform for you, as leaders of tomorrow, to start learning about being a driving force for unity today.

Places are limited, so it is important that you book your places early and do attend on that day (participation is free). We want to make sure you do not miss out on this opportunity.

Title:
Gathering of Youth for Unity

What?
A gathering for you to understand your role as a driving force of unity, covering areas of education, media, politics and economy through forums and discussions.

Speakers include Dr. Chandra Muzaffar as keynote speaker, Marina Mahathir, Jonson Chong, Tim Fernandez and I *.

When?
26 March 2011, Saturday
8.30 a.m. to 1.00 p.m.

Who?
Those of you between 18 – 40 years old.

What you need to do?
If you are interested, please email these details to us at salihah@zubedy.com by 18th March 2011.

Name:
Age:
Contact Num:
E-mail address:
Address:
What do you do?
Which institution/organization are you attached to?

Where?
ZTS 1, Wisma W.I.M., 3rd floor
7, Jalan Abang Hj. Openg
Taman Tun Dr Ismail
60000 Kuala Lumpur

Let us add value,

anas zubedy
Managing Director
zubedy (m) sdn. bhd.

*
Presenters

Chandra Muzaffar is Chairman of Yayasan 1Malaysia and President of the International Movement for a Just World (JUST), an NGO which seeks to critique global injustice and develop an alternative vision of a just and compassionate civilization guided by universal, spiritual and moral values. He is a Professor of Global Studies at University Sains Malaysia, Penang. Dr. Chandra has published more than twenty books on civilization dialogue, international politics, religion, human rights and Malaysian society, among which are Human Rights and the New World Order (1993), Rights Religion and Reform (2002), and Hegemony; Justice; Peace (2008).

Marina Mahathir is a newspaper columnist, blogger, TV and film producer, and activist. Her areas of passion are women’s rights and HIV. She is a member of Women's Aid Organisation (WAO), a board member of Sisters in Islam, on the International Steering Committee of the Asia Pacific Leadership Forum on HIV and Development, and the International Advisory Council of the Asian University for Women in Chittagong, Bangladesh.

Jonson Chong is a human rights lawyer, whose first involvement in party politics was during the heyday of Reformasi. He was a youth leader of Parti Rakyat Malaysia before it merged with Parti Keadilan Nasional. Jonson was communications director of Keadilan until August 2010.

In 2008, Tim Fernandez arrived at an awakening that when life is lived from the discovery of one’s centre, the point of reference for living shifts within. Therein, all resources to create one’s reality manifest itself and serves as an inspiration. He founded Live & Inspire with a simple intent of facilitating that shift of awareness. The global work today expands with an unconditional zest for life.

Anas Zubedy is a Malaysian businessman who speaks English, Malay, Hokkien and some Tamil. Born in Penang in 1964, his early experiences growing up in a multi-cultural setting created a deep desire to practice and promote unity. His first love is religion and culture, he is passionate about the oneness of humankind and believes all religions lead to goodness and should be more accessible to everyone.

Key note

The Role of Youth in National Development
Keynote address by Dr. Chandra Muzaffar

Plenary Session

Education, Youth and Unity – Tim Fernandez
Politics, Youth and Unity – Jonson Chong
Media, Youth and Unity – Marina Mahathir
Economy, Youth and Unity – Anas Zubedy

Zakat collection is 4 ALL who R poor - Non-Muslims included

Muslim zakat collectors like JAIS is also responsible and must answer to God if anyone in Selangor, which is under their care, lives in poverty - like these families.

from Malaysian Insider -
KUALA SELANGOR, Feb 23 — Letchmy Ponasamy has not heard of a political tsunami. Neither has her friend Selvimari. The change that it was supposed to bring did not reach their village of Sungai Yu, Kuala Selangor.

Letchmy and Selvimari do not have identity cards. Nor do Lecthmy’s four children and Selvi’s middle child. The women cannot get jobs and their IC-less children have never attended school. To read further click here.

How come zakat (alms) in Malaysia is only for the Muslims when the Quran says...

"The alms are only for the poor and the needy, and those who collect them, and those whose hearts are to be reconciled, and to free the captives and the debtors, and for the cause of Allah, and (for) the wayfarers; a duty imposed by Allah. Allah is knower, Wise. - Quran 9:60

The Majority Malaysian Race

The Majority Malaysian race in Malaysia are Malaysians.

Accordingly there are 28.96 million of us. Many minority groups also reside in Malaysia. They are mainly those who came here to secure a job – sending money home to their families. While they are here to make money, at the same time they contribute to our growth and well being. The largest amongst them are those from Indonesia, Bangladesh, Pakistan etc and the smallest groups would be the Caucasians.

This 28.96 million majority race in Malaysia can be subdivided into many sub-races that represent like a rainbow, colours of people with the brown shade representing the largest spectrum. This rainbow of people consists of the Malays, Chinese, Indians, natives of Sarawak and Sabah, Eurasians, etc. This rainbow was formed in 1957 and later enhance in 1963.

Many Malaysians, including scores of respected leaders from both sides of the political divides are still trapped in the past, stuck to pre 1957 psyche. They still carry a colonial mentality and make the mistake of seeing one of the sub-races as the main race and some of the others as the minorities. This translates into public and party policies and also the base for opposition.

So instead of working to assist the weak and needy among the majority Malaysian race, that is the poor among the 28.96 million, they place more emphasis towards a particular sub-race. Those who oppose too, work within the same myopic framework.

Thinking Malaysians like you and I need to help these leaders see things with more clarity. We need to give them a gentle reminder that we are first and foremost a Malaysian :)