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.

Launch of CHARTER OF COMPASSION - a short videoclip

have a good watch -

http://vimeo.com/7379025

Good news for Malaysian - Pakatan applies to be formal coalition

http://www3.themalaysianinsider.com/lite/articles.php?id=42253

also read my previous blog post here

http://letusaddvalue.blogspot.com/2009/10/sikit-komen-on-politik-malaysia.html

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

BFM Interview on Hari Malaysia 27 Oct 2009

Why arrest Dr Asri? fr Malaysian Insider

click here

http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/index.php/opinion/breaking-views/42130-why-arrest-dr-asri--the-malaysian-insider-

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