Malaysiakini（http://www.malaysiakini.com）
(1) Now, even children are split by race and religion, 1 November 2012
by Kon Onn Sein
As parents who are concerned with playing our responsible role in nation-building and bridging the ethnic divide, we had consciously sent our children to national school despite the horror stories of sub-standard education.
We had intentionally encouraged our daughters to make friends with their Malay and Indian classmates, especially the poor.
My seven-year-old daughter has been enthusiastically following our encouragement.
Today, when I chatted with her about her friends in school, she related that she had wanted to join her Malay classmates in their play during recess.
However, one classmate said this to her: "Kamu bukan Islam, kamu tidak boleh main sini. Kamu Cina".
(You are not a Muslim; you can't play here.You are a Chinese.)
It is so tragic that children at a young age of seven can say things in such a racist manner.
What has become of our education system that it is enabling such polarised thinking and polluting our children's innocence?
One cannot blame this seven-year old girl.
But it does send an alarm bell of how deeply our nation is being torn apart by decades of racial politics.
Unless more is done to turn back polarised thinking that is inflaming our young, we will become a nation that is divided along ethnic and religious lines.
Religion that is meant to teach caring for one another has been used to justify ‘judgementalism' and discrimination.
Instead of upholding the values of respect for each other, not discriminating along racial lines and looking for the common good in others, religion is being used in a narrow self-righteous way of private morality.
People are being judged according to the external: what they wear and eat, and how often they pray. True spirituality is ignored.
Integrity, working responsibly, caring for the poor, treating one another with respect, and speaking out against oppression of the poor have become secondary to external righteous behaviour.
Hypocrisy, favouritism, putting another down along non-rational ethnic and religious lines is not perceived with greater or even equal magnitude of evil as different dress and moral codes.
Something has gone terribly wrong with our society where substance is less important than superficial religiosity.
It's time our political and religious leaders mobilise all of society to reverse this growing tragedy of all Malaysians.
It's time all our religious leaders sit down to define the real ugliness of bigoted religion and pave a way forward.
Self righteousness of putting private morality above real spirituality is destroying this nation and their own spirituality.
Expressions of hatred, dishonesty, greed and pride are encouraged at the expense of upholding external symbols of faith.
Core values of having the right heart and attitude are sacrificed at the altar of hypocritical lip service professions and external dress codes.
We need to return to the true meaning of our faith, to accept each other as God's creations, and to appreciate the different ways God has created each person.
(2) Some model Islamic nation we are, 2 November 2012
by Alan
I refer to Azril Mohd Amin’s letter On the Islamic State last week. While it is pretty obvious and readers have been quick to point out that the guy betrays his BN-friendly sentiments, and offers no substantive arguments over what is basically opinionated factoids, I would like to point out just several issues points he raised that should be rebutted.
Firstly on the subject of Indonesia’s secularism, Azril writes as if the Indonesians, all the hundreds of millions of them, are of the same mind on the matter. Well, I happen to know a fair number of Indonesians who would disagree with Azril’s take on the republic’s secularism. They have often expressed to me their disdain for the Islamists who try to force their values on them, and value the freedom of religion that they, Muslims themselves, presently enjoy.
One friend from Indonesia once told me the fundamentalists were “a joke” while others have in their own way expressed their general antipathy for Islamists in their midst who are trying to press home their religious agenda. Another found Malaysia’s official Islamic zeal amusing. These are Indonesian Muslims I am talking about.
And I would think their opinions, as citizens of the nation, should be every bit as valid as that of other Indonesians who might think like Azril. And I am sure unlike Azril, my friends do not find that Muslims having to take care that they do not “offend” fellow non-Muslim Indonesians isn’t such an outlandish concept.
For a majority group to look after the interests of someone other than themselves may be an alien concept to this lawyer, but consider this - in Singapore, when there is an event, it has become common practice for organisers to cater halal food just in case any of the guests might be Muslim.
Secondly the writer’s condescending attitude towards the basic human rights of gays (Azril: “...demands for legal and public recognition”) as merely a “secular aspects of western liberalisation” is another empty sweeping statement often repeated without any basis whatsoever, the usual style of such commentors.
Without going into argument over the matter as it has been argued to death here, I’d just like to point out the demand of a Malaysian citizen for basic rights is neither a “western” concept nor a “liberal” one, just a humane and an equitable one.
Humane because LGBTs (lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgender) are humans just like the writer, and equitable because they are citizens and taxpayers just like the writer, and stand undifferentiated from the writer in the eyes of our constitution.
Finally, other than mouthing what sounds like BN-like propaganda about the fantasy Islamic utopia that Malaysia presently is (Azril: “A large part of Malaysia's recent successes in the modern world are due to government support of Islamic style and practice...”), let me burst the bubble of bliss with just a few examples to the contrary starting from the most recent.
Just close your eyes and point to any report: the recent slapping of the Orang Asli kids in Kelantan and similarly abusive teachers cases last year, the banning of Irshad Manji’s book and the judicial shenanigans that are playing out over the matter, the fake ‘Christian conspiracies’ from the likes of Hasan Ali and Utusan Malaysia, the countless bodysnatching cases through the decades from that poor Indian man in Negri Sembilan to the famous mountain climber’s case...
Or S Banggarma’s case where a grown-up can’t even decide her own religion, the numerous child custody cases, the caning of the beer drinking girl, Lina Joy’s case ...
And what of the thorny Al Kitab and the use of the term ‘Allah’ for Christians issue? Surely the government is displaying utmost bad faith in appealing the ruling that the judiciary has already made, one that in my mind and in that of many Malaysians, is a just ruling fit for multireligious Malaysia.
And of course the burning of churches, cows’ heads at Hindu temples, and the list goes on.
And while our friend is touting Malaysia as the model Islamic nation, I would ask what kind of model are we when we are tottering on the brink of economic and social collapse, with a country rife in corruption and crime and economically crippled?
Azril must be either blind, or just a sycophant and self-deluder. Well, live in your fantasy world, suck up to the powers that be, while the future of your children and their children lie at the brink of oblivion because of apologists such as yourself.
(3) Transcript of Nurul Izzah's Q&A at forum, 8 November 2012
Last Saturday's forum in Subang Jaya, on the topic 'Islamic state: Which version? Whose responsibility?', was jointly organised by the Oriental Hearts and Minds Study Institute and Islamic Renaissance Front.
At the forum, Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar had said that there was "no compulsion in religion" when responding to a question from a member of the audience on whether religious freedom also applied to Malays.
This was reported by Malaysiakini under the headline, 'Nurul: There should be no compulsion in choosing faith.'
Nurul Izzah had also said, in her reply to the question, that she was "tied to the prevailing views" in the country.
On Monday, Utusan Malaysia attacked Nurul Izzah for her comments at the forum in a report on its front page, and quoted the Malaysiakini report in the article headlined ‘Melayu perlu bebas pilih agama?' (Should Malays be free to choose religion?).
Subsequently, Nurul Izzah was accused of advocating apostasy among Muslims - a claim she has vehemently denied and has threatened law suits against both Utusan Malaysia and Berita Harian.
Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, who also stepped into the row through a Bernama report yesterday, questioned why the Lembah Pantai MP was suing the two dailies, but not Malaysiakini.
Here, Malaysiakini produces the transcript of the event, during the period Nurul Izzah responded to questions from the floor.
She took the questions ahead of other speakers because she had to leave early.
Question 1: It's heartening to know that you just cannot coerce someone into believing your beliefs, right? On any matter.
Now, I do want to ask a very controversial question, so what then the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community) here or the sexual minority here?
I'd like your views on that because there are people who feel that just by being able to love the same sex goes against their religion or beliefs, but we don't believe that.
Our own beliefs are such that we are answerable to God, yes, but let us be answerable to God. Thanks.
Moderator: YB Nurul can you... all right, we'll have one more, just one more question, then she'll answer both then take leave. Yes.
Question 2: I'm very happy to hear YB Nurul speak about freedom of religion. Does she actually apply that to Malays as well in terms of freedom of religion? That is number one.
Number two, I think it is a fallacy to believe that Egypt now is (in) a better condition than it was before. Everybody knows that it is getting worse.
I have a friend in Egypt and she is really not happy about what is going on over there, so I do believe YB is trying to promote the idea of an Islamic state, like you know this which is completely not true.
But mainly my question is, when you speak of freedom of religion, are you actually applying to the Malays as well? Thanks.
Moderator: Well YB Nurul, that's a good way to start the morning.
The audience laughs.
Moderator: You have two questions of great import at two ends of the spectrum. Could you try to answer that, please.
Nurul Izzah: Thank you, Cyrus, I love too.
The audience laughs.
Nurul Izzah: Okay, so the first question. In terms of the sexual rights of LGBT, Tariq Ramadan addressed this question when IRF organised his programme, I think about three months back and I think, of course, you're not just talking about Islam.
There are limitations and you know, implemented in Christianity with regards to people of - you know - LGBT, but one thing is important is you should not victimise anyone.
You should not also implement and you know, ensure the laws of the land encroach into private... uh.. into public space.
I think that is the main underlying principle. But if you ask me whether, as a Muslim, I can accept, I think yes, you or whoever that, besides their particular sexual orientation.
Yes, in private you cannot enforce them certain regulation, etcetera. But as a Muslim, I also cannot accept and that is regulation of my faith and as well as my friends who are Catholic, etcetera.
I think here you want to make sure that they are not victimised, the current practise, whether how, through the Borders (bookstore) ... sort of, err, how Jawi or Jakim at that time went to the Borders, some books etcetera, so the way it is practised does not respect and does not give any meaning for the sanctity of Islam, or any religion for that matter.
You must always use hikmah, so yes, I will say here, we have limitation, but certainly it should not be encroached into public space.
The second question with regards (to) what you think I'm trying to promote, I would correct that assumption. Yes, Egypt is undergoing a tumultuous process. It has not been resolved, there are many challenges they face.
I am not saying they have achieved a Utopian ideal view of a state and how it should be governed but I always take the development of the Muslim Brotherhood, in particular, from seen as a rather dogmatic Islamic movement come up with a political entity to meet the needs of the time and their relationship and collaboration with the Christian Coptic is something in particular that we have to observe and appreciate.
So if you say things are bad for Egypt, no. You, and we, must not be so judgmental and that is partly the society or the country that we have inherited that allows us to see things in black and white, whereas sometimes it is not as simple as that.
Sometimes in a stormy period, it is important for them to undergo and hopefully, because we wish for the best. We wish that they will have wisdom and finally manage the governance of the country itself.
But...
The bell rings.
Moderator: Okay, one more minute.
The audience laughs.
Nurul Izzah: Yes, umm, but the idea itself, I think, goes back. And when you ask me, there is no compulsion in religion, even Dr (Ahmad) Farouk (Musa) quoted that verse in the Quran.
How can you ask me or anyone, how can anyone really say, 'Sorry, this only apply to non-Malays.' It has to apply equally... apply equally.
The audience applauds.
Nurul Izzah: In the Quran, there is no specific terms for the Malays. This is how it should be done. So I am tied, of course, to the prevailing views but I would say that.
So what you want is of course in terms of quality. You believe so strongly in your faith, that even me, being schooled in Assunta with a huge cross in the hall and an active singing Catholic society will not deter you.
The bell rings and the moderator thanks the speaker.
The audience applauds as Nurul Izzah leaves the hall.
(4) PAS sees no wrong in Nurul's speech, 10 November 2012
Islamic party PAS sees nothing wrong in Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar's "no compulsion in religion" statement and went on to slam Umno for its ‘champion of the faith' theatrics.
"Nurul Izzah has explained what she meant after the controversy arose, when she said that if a person has embraced Islam, he or she must follow Islamic laws," PAS central working committee member Idris Ahmad said.
"Why is Umno continuing to make a fuss? What she did is in keeping with the saying that returning to the truth is better than remaining in lies."
Idris, who is also PAS outreach director, expressed his "glee" in seeing Umno leaders trying to be champions of Islam for he believes that the party has strayed from the faith.
"When Umno tries to portray itself as a champion of Islam, all right-thinking people will laugh and grin with cynicism.
"Do they have the standing to speak and act as a champion of the faith?" he wondered aloud.
Appalling statements
Idris said that Nurul's adherence to the faith was a far cry from those Umno leaders who had spewed appalling statements with regard to Islam, but refused to retract them after being proven wrong.
He pointed to previous accounts of statements by the Malay party's leaders, which he alleged were "dangerous to the faith".
These included their criticism of hudud, former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's assertion that even angels make mistakes and Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak poking fun at the "qiamullail syndrome" (special early morning prayer) when he was education minister.
"Umno acts as the champion of the faith just to fish for support from the Muslims," lamented Idris.
(5) Nurul not anti-Islam, but a true Muslim, 10 November 2012
'This is what it is all about: true believers can never be coerced, either to embrace a new religion or to leave the religion that they believed in.'
JimmyKL: I salute Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar for speaking honestly and sincerely.
She is not a hypocrite like many other politicians but her honesty and sincerity might cause Pakatan Rakyat, especially PAS and PKR (because these parties compete in rural and semi-rural constituencies with Malay-Muslim majority), some Malay-Muslim votes.
At this crucial point where the general election is just around the corner, Nurul should be more cautious with her statements.
It is the Malay-Muslim votes now that are in contention. Without the support of at least 60 percent of the Malay-Muslim votes, capturing Putrajaya is difficult if not impossible.
So at this point of time, any issue that might affect the support of Malay-Muslim voters should be deal cautiously and pragmatically.
Fairplayer: It's clear that Nurul was merely responding to questions asked and she was just being level-headed and honest in her answers.
Her accusers should appreciate her moral courage to speak with honesty and sincerity. At least, she is not a hypocrite.
Onyourtoes: Nurul, I think you spoke the last part well. "You believe so strongly in your faith, that even me, being schooled in Assunta with a huge cross in the hall and an active singing Catholic society will not deter you."
You used the word ‘quality' in our faith. This is what it is all about: true believers can never be coerced, either to embrace a new religion or to leave the religion that they believed in.
Only the lesser quality type (or fake believers) can embrace a new religion by coercion and also can be easily enticed to leave.
It does not matter what the man-made rules and regulations have stipulated. They only govern nominal and not true believers.
Chee Hoe Siew: So there is not a single thing in Nurul Izzah's answer that suggesting she propagate religious freedom for the Malays.
Best of all, she insist that if your faith is strong, nothing in the environment can deter you. It looks like BN and its cronies are really trying to spin hard to attack Pakatan, even when it is below the belt.
Joepaul: Nurul, I salute you for speaking out what many Muslims think and feel but have been intimidated into silence. Please stand firm and don't let the religious goons grind you down.
They think they are defending God (as if He needs their help) but are only insulting Him and doing Islam a great disservice.
Anonymous #18452573: Nurul has a good head on her shoulders and a good spirit in her heart. No wonder, they are attacking her.
This is not only because she speaks like a good stateswoman, but also like a good leader and a future prime minister whom we so sorely need.
Wira: Someone in Utusan Malaysia definitely could understand English. However, understanding English and getting the facts right is not Utusan's purpose in journalism.
Spinning facts and propping up a corrupt and decaying regime is Utusan's declared intention.
Francis_14a3: That's a perfect answer from a very matured thinking young woman. What's the fuss, BN?
Come on, please stop twisting everything what Pakatan MPs say. BN must be completely bankrupt of ideas.
Sarajun Hoda: How wicked the minds of Umno leaders are. More so, those playing God and who are made to be in charge of Islam. There is no critical or rational thinking at all. They are only fond of twisting words and make them sound evil.
For having such leaders representing Islam in Malaysia, I think, all Muslims should be ashamed of them.
Jaguh: Nurul is so forthright and sincere in her comments, not to mention being very honest about her feelings and she does distinguish between how she feels and what the rest of the people should be.
I wonder how she can be chastised by BN and obviously they are holding her to her 'own' beliefs.
Somehow, I feel she was cornered and hookwinked by some of the questions asked and in some ways 'played' into BN's hands.
But she displayed honesty in her endeavours to answer the questions thrown at her. She is definitely not anti-Islam, but a true Muslim.
Unspin: Let's do a simple litmus test:
If abstinence from alcohol, gambling and corruption is the trait of a good Muslim, can any "holier than thou" Umno hypocrites stand up if they think that they are better Muslims than Nurul Izzah?
(6) 'Virgin Mary' draws hundreds of Malaysian Catholics, 11 November 2012
Hundreds of Catholics have gathered in prayer and worship outside a Malaysian hospital after seeing an image said to resemble the Virgin Mary on one of the windows.
Pictures of the image have gone viral among local Christians on Facebook and large crowds have gathered at the Sime Darby Medical Centre just outside Kuala Lumpur.
Those assembled today maintained they can now also see an image of an adult Jesus Christ just two windows away from his mother.
Nearly 100 Catholics were still at the hospital today, lighting candles, singing hymns and saying prayers. Several tourist buses added to the congestion.
Some have come from as far as Singapore, over 300km away, to see the image on a seventh-floor window which they describe as a miracle.
“We believe Mary, mother of God, has a message for us, as she is looking down on us and then at a Malaysian flag. We can also see Jesus and he is also moving, they are not static,” Eunice Fernandez, who lives nearby, told AFP.
The 54-year-old housewife dismissed claims the image could be a hoax.
Sime Darby, which is primarily a plantations conglomerate, could not immediately be reached for comment.
Father Lawrence Andrew, editor of Malaysian Catholic newsletter The Herald, told AFP the church would need to investigate and verify the authenticity of the images and “the experiences of the witnesses”.
“It could be private revelations. We have to make sure they are not imagined but real apparitions,” he said.
Catholics make up a sizeable minority in Muslim-dominated Malaysia.
- AFP
(7) Amid Christian bashing, Pakatan reassures CFM, 11 November 2012
by Terence Netto
Amid uneasiness over another round of Christian bashing in the guise of attacks on Anwar Ibrahim for consorting with Christian leaders, sections of the Pakatan Rakyat leadership cohort held a closed-door briefing for members of the Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) earlier this week in Kuala Lumpur.
According to CFM sources who attended the meeting, its purpose was to reassure Christian leaders that Pakatan's quest for an egalitarian Malaysia would be firmly on track the minute they take hold of Putrajaya, a goal that seems increasingly attainable judging from rousing receptions to the coalition's ceramah nationwide.
"The aim of the Pakatan leaders who met up with us was to reassure us that no matter what slant the attacks on Pakatan or its principal leaders take, the coalition would be unswerving in its quest for political and economic reform," said an attendee who spoke to Malaysiakini.
"That was music to our ears because we feel that only with major political and economic reform, the spate of Christian bashing we have seen in recent years would be a thing of the past," he elaborated.
Some 20 representatives from CFM were present at the meeting with Pakatan leaders among whom were Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad and Mujahid Yusof Rawa (both from PAS), Tian Chua, Chua Jui Meng, Dr Tan Tee Kwong and R Sivarasa (all PKR), and Ngeh Koo Ham and Teresa Kok (both DAP).
Perturbed by the appearance of leaflets in Slim River earlier in the week attacking Pakatan supremo Anwar's closeness to Christian leaders in advance of a ceramah he was to give in the southern Perak town, Pakatan leaders requested for a meeting with CFM representatives to reassure the latter on issues such as hudud that are viewed as troubling to non-Muslims.
Anwar arrives late
Initially, the Pakatan coterie did not want Anwar to attend the meeting but the opposition leader dismissed fears his attendance would leave him at a disadvantage in fending off attacks on his Islamic rectitude stemming from perceived closeness to Christian leaders and insisted on being present.
In the event, Anwar arrived late for the meeting, his return flight from Jakarta where he had been earlier in the day was delayed by bad weather.
Before his arrival, the Pakatan leaders who came for the meeting advised CFM representatives not to be perturbed by calls for the implementation of hudud that do not emanate from the top tier of Pakatan's leadership.
"We were told that Pakatan allows a certain berth for the expression of a range of opinions within the coalition," said the same CFM representative who spoke on background.
"They do not think that it is right for the top leadership of the coalition to stifle the gamut of opinions within the coalition with a single set of vocal chords. That's not the Pakatan style," explained the CFM rep.
He said the Pakatan leaders emphasised there will be no unilateralism on the major issues such as the implementation of hudud.
"We were told that hudud is not in the Pakatan Common Policy Framework and therefore it is not on the cards where a Pakatan government is concerned," said the CFM rep.
Bread-and-butter issues
What's on the upper tier of the Pakatan agenda is the reduction in price of oil and the abolishment of repayments on higher education loans.
"The allocation of resources for the eradication of poverty is top priority with the main thrust of the effort directed to those in need, irrespective of race," said the CFM attendee.
The Pakatan leaders were at pains to emphasise that no overnight transformation of the Malaysian polity should be expected once they are in harness in Putrajaya because the civil service would have to undergo a mindset change before it can be steered in the direction of the desired transformation.
"We were told that the civil service is imbued with the BN ethos and that this was a half-century in the making. So Pakatan would have to tread subtly and carefully to change the prevailing mindset in order to implement the wide ranging reforms that are the ultimate purpose of the coalition," said the CFM rep.
The CFM representative said he had attended the Anwar ceramah in Slim River earlier in the week out of plain curiosity to see if the leaflets that attacked the Pakatan supremo for closeness to Christian leaders had any effect.
"I was happy to see that the leaflets had no effect because the large numbers of Malays and Chinese people who attended the ceramah appeared keen to see Anwar and hear what he had to say," he said.
He said that despite the inclement weather a crowd of about 2,000 came to the rally which was held in the forecourt of a Taoist temple.
"People appear more interested in matters to do with corruption and misappropriation of resources than in sectarian concerns.
"The crowd was largely from middle class to lower middle class and they seemed content to sit next to each other, oblivious of racial and religious differences. Those leaflets were from a different world as far as that crowd was concerned," he opined.
(8) Nasha: Nurul is wrong, Muslims have no choice, 11 Novemnber 2012
Former PAS deputy president Nasharudin Mat Isa insists that Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar’s statement that there was “no compulsion in religion” was tantamount to giving religious freedom to Malay Muslims as the verse which she quoted can only be applied to non-Muslims.
“When Allah has decided in matter of faith, syariah and morals, we (Muslims) do not have a right to choose.
“Our right is only to listen and obey as it is clearly stated in the Quran,” he told the Sunday edition Umno-owned Utusan Malaysia in an interview published today.
As such, Nasharudin said Nurul Izzah must justify her argument if she is now denying that it was tantamount to giving religious freedom to Malay Muslims.
Otherwise, he said, the PKR vice-president must retract her statement.
Responding to fellow PAS leaders who had defended Nurul Izzah, Nasharudin said they had no Islamic studies background.
Instead, Nasharudin urged the party’s top leadership to take Nurul Izzah to task as party members were uncomfortable with her remarks.
“They have been waiting for the leadership to make a statement but to date none has been made,” he said.
PAS spiritual leader Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat haddeclined to comment on the matter, citing that Utusan Malaysia was not a credible publication.
Malaysiakini on Oct 3 reported Nurul Izzah’s statement in an article ‘Nurul: There should be no compulsion in choosing faith’.
Utusan Malaysia subsequently ran a story on Oct 5 called ‘Malays free to choose religion?’ to criticise the Lembah Pantai MPs statements, a report that the latter has complained "twisted" her statements.
(9) Hishammuddin accuses Nurul of politicising Islam, 11 November 2012
by Bernama
PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar's statement that religious freedom applied to Malays as well has been described by the home minister as insensitive and causing public anger.
Hishammuddin Hussein said the statement "tantamounts to politicising religious belief and making religion a pawn".
"As the minister responsible for security, I will not allow this.
"If (religion is) mixed with politics and you're not practising what you preach in religion and on racial issues, it can jeopardise national security," Hishammuddin said after officiating at a Sabah Rela-with-Leader programme, Sandakan, today.
He said they (PKR) should respond to Nurul Izzah's statement from the legal aspect if it was in conflict with the existing law, and that the relevant authority should take action.
A news portal, in a report on Nov 3, had quoted Nurul Izzah as saying that people should not be compelled to adopt a particular religion, and that this should also apply to Malays.
"When you ask me, there is no compulsion in religion ... how can anyone say sorry, this (religious freedom) only applies to non-Malays, it has to apply equally," she was quoted as saying when speaking at a forum on ‘Islamic State: Which version; Who's responsibility?’ in Subang Jaya on that day.
Hishammuddin said he wanted to know PAS' reply to Nurul Izzah's statement as the party had called Umno members infidels before for cooperating with MCA and Gerakan.
"But now such a sensitive issue as this is acceptable to PAS, which shows that the party is not consistent in its stand.
"The victims in this matter are the young who could get confused over the question of religious belief with the statement (made by Nurul Izzah)," he said.
Dr M: Nurul’s statement ‘stupid’
Meanwhile former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has described Nurul Izzah's statement as a stupid and extreme calculation.
He said Muslims could not change their religion as they liked while the non-Muslims had the right to practise their religion without compulsion from any quarters.
"I don't know....(Nurul Izzah) wants too much freedom and she's politicking with no restraint. As Muslims, we cannot change our religion as we like but if others want to, it's their business.
"Under the (federal) constitution, each community can practise their own religion without restrictions.
“The Muslims practise theirs the Islamic way and other groups according to their religious belief," he said when met at the Paintball World Cup Asia 2012 championship at Dewan Mahsuri, Padang Mat Sirat, Langkawi, today.
"Although the majority of this country's population are Muslims and Malaysia is recognised by the world as a Muslim nation, it does not mean the non-Muslims here are forced to accept this religion of the federation as theirs," he added.
Earlier, four groups today lodged a police report against Nurul Izzah Anwar over her controversial statement.
The report was lodged at 1pm at the Meru police station by Gerakan Masyarakat Prihatin Meru, the resident association of Taman Datuk Bandar Meru, the resident association of Kariah Kampung Hj Mohamad Sharif Meru and the association of Kariah Surau Hj Kamarudin Meru.
Chairman of Gerakan Masyarakat Prihatin Meru, Jaya Kusuma Rosman, said Nurul Izzah should be responsible should there be Malays who leave Islam as a result of her statement.
He said she should also apologise to the Malays for the mistake.
- Bernama
(10) 'No compulsion in religion' only for non-believers?, 12 November 2012
'I know that ‘no compulsion in religion' is clearly stated in the Quran, but can Nasha please tell me where it is written that ‘it only applies to non-Muslims'?'
Nasha: Nurul is wrong, Muslims have no choice
The Mask: Former PAS deputy president Nasharudin Mat Isa, you said "the verse which she (PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar) quoted can only be applied to non-Muslims." You also said, "Our right is only to listen and obey as it is clearly stated in the Quran."
I know that "no compulsion in religion" is clearly stated in the Quran, but can you please tell me where it is written that "it only applied to non-Muslims"?
Ipoh2: Nasha is only half right. While Muslims in many other parts of the world have switched from Islam to other religions, Malays in Malaysia can't. But if the same Malays moved away or migrate to other countries, they can have the choice.
What is contained in the Quran concerning this remains an unresolved issue among Islamic scholars. If Nasha said this in Indonesia or Turkey, he would probably be denounced.
Gerard Lourdesamy: Is the Holy Quran, which is a divine revelation, subject to qualification and interpretation by mere mortals? What is the point of having a bad Muslim who does not practice what is required in the Quran?
How does an apostate become an enemy of Islam if he converts without instigating others to follow or without publicly attacking Islam? It seems like it's more of a numbers game than actually following what the Quran teaches.
People like Nasharudin seem to be obsessed with the form and rituals of Islam but not its substance and beauty. It is sad that such a great religion is misused for political purposes in this country predicated on racial superiority and hegemony.
Pemerhati: Anyone can interpret and misinterpret what is written in the religious text as he wishes.
One thing that is certain is that the former frogs from Pakatan Rakyat and the potential and aspiring frogs like Nasharudin will interpret the current religious text in question according to the wishes of the corrupt Umno in order to get the crumbs that would be thrown at them by their Umno masters.
They must also be aware that there is no such thing as a free lunch and the size of their crumbs depend on their performance.
That is why whenever there is the slightest window of opportunity, you will that find that these frogs will start croaking and try and impress and please their Umno masters with their performance (i.e. telling lies to demonise the opposition) in order to earn their ‘lunch' and in the hope that the size of the crumbs will get bigger.
Apa Ini?: The way this issue has become an unending debate, one wonders if the Malays know what their rights are in this matter.
Writer Mariam Mokhtar in her article 'mind snatchers' points out that the late Lord President Mohamed Suffian Hashim's wife was a life-long Christian and 'they' snatched her body from the morgue and had her buried as a Muslim almost, it might seem, before he woke up to the fact. (He had hoped to fulfil her dying wish to be cremated and buried as a Christian.)
There's your choice, dear brothers and sisters in Islam. If the former chief justice could do nothing against the Islamic forces in this country, neither the constitution, the syariah courts, or a Quranic verse or two can help.
Geronimo: I sure would like Nasha talking to Prince Abdullah al-Sabah of Kuwait who apparently converted to Christianity early this year. His royal highness would probably give Nasha a pointer or two about his conversion and tells Nasha to mind his own business.
Swipenter: If Allah/God is who he is made up to be, then Allah/God has no choice but to judge us on our deeds committed when we are alive and not on whether we were Muslims, Christians, Hindus, Buddhists, atheists, etc.
Anonymous #76965586: I am a human being. I have right to choose which religion to worship to make myself a better person. Nobody can force me to stick to a religion as this person is just another human being and not God.
God is perfect, but man is sinful. Please look at those who have been manipulating these issues. Are they better than us or actually devils? Are they doing it for a certain purpose?
Let's pray to God but not to them. If we think that we are not stupid, then we should know how to response accordingly.
I salute Lembah Pantai MP Nurul as she has the courage to speak her mind. We have been living in a country with too much intimidation. We must reject it.
Realis: The non-Malays/Muslims are having a field day quoting the Quran, etc, lambasting the average Malay/Muslim's feelings. They are joyous to see a Malay/Muslim trying to untie a uniquely close-knit and caring Malay/Muslim community not seen anywhere in the world.
They would like Malays to be like Malays in Indonesia and Arabs in some Middle Eastern countries. Please lah, be sensitive, we have in no way intrude into your way of life.
Magnus: I am amused by the level of response to Nasha's personal views of his religious beliefs.
I don't think anyone in their right mind here or anywhere else actually believes for one moment in this day and age that he is in any way speaking for or on behalf of the silent Almighty that one can only potentially only really hear or really feel within the stillness of one's own self.
But I have to laugh anyway at Nasha's real gall and give him some credit at least for stimulating what seems to be a healthy discussion on what Islamic spiritual teachings actually mean.
Mahashitla: Utusan Malaysia and Umno are once again stirring up race and religious issues, using the same old modus operandi. This time it won't work.
Too many issues of corruption and abuses in government have not been properly dealt with and now they think Nurul's speech can get them off the frying pan. You have to do better than this, Umno.
Not Confused: This is yet another example of a human being (Nasha) putting his own interpretation on that particular verse - "no compulsion in religion" - in the Quran. Why should his interpretation be any better or worse than any others?
The Quran is for the ‘enlightenment' of Muslims. So how come this particular verse only applies to non-Muslims?
(11) Will BN listen to the Christians as Pakatan has?, 12 November 2012
'The Christian Federation of Malaysia must meet with BN and hear what it has to say about the Christian bashing that has been going on.'
Amid Christian bashing, Pakatan reassures CFM
Lamborghini: Now that Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) has met with Pakatan Rakyat leaders, I would urge that it also arrange a meeting with BN leaders to voice Christian concerns and hear what the government has to say, and has done or will do, to stop the Christian-bashing and harassment that has been going on.
It is not enough for the government to just give some money to mission schools and some churches now and then, which is of course appreciated.
But more importantly, we want to be given the assurance to practise our faith without undue interference from the authorities and be protected from uncalled for attacks and unfounded accusations from religious bigots in our country.
Christians have been praying for our country faithfully and contributing positively and productively in building this wonderful country.
Please stop using us as your punching bags but respect our rights and be sensitive to our legitimate concerns as patriotic citizens of this beautiful country
Gerard Lourdesamy: Pakatan is assured of the Christian vote, which is decisive in Sarawak and Sabah.
We, Christians, are a patient lot and we do not expect overnight changes if Pakatan takes over Putrajaya given the Umno/BTN-inspired attitudes of our civil servants, but at least it will be a good start after the rot over the past 55 years.
While the church is above politics, Christ tells us to fight for social justice, freedom with responsibility, truth and reconciliation.
Priests, pastors and elders must engage the Christian community in this GE13 and encourage them to vote without fear and with their conscience, to do what is right and just.
It is not just about giving money to churches and Christian schools but about our freedom to practice our religion without unnecessary restrictions; respect for our faith both in public and private; engaging us on nation building and socio-economic issues; and justice and fairness to all regardless of race, religion, gender, disability and sexuality.
Ghkok: Our country is on the threshold of ending 55 years of one-party rule, of repression, oppression, suppression, tyranny, monopoly, and abuse.
Let us cement the two-party system with a resounding victory for Pakatan in order to tear down the structure of one-party rule, pave the way for restoration of our government institutions, solidify the rule of law, introduce free and fair elections, and freedom of the press.
Thereafter, let us put into practise a genuine two-party system. Never again shall we allow one party to rule for 55 years (indeed, not even 15 years). That's our responsibility as voters.
Anonymous #58458950: I have faith that Pakatan is on the right track in fostering racial harmony and in changing the Malaysian mindset to be Malaysians first and race second.
Right now, there is too much segregation everywhere and nothing concrete is being done in schools or elsewhere, to bridge the racial divide.
The Armed Forces in Umno quagmire
Black Bull: The quality of flag rank officers have definitely deteriorated during the years. There's no love for duty and country, but rather for ambition and position.
That's what happens when we've got spineless cowards as generals.
Love Malaysia63: What can you expect from generals who kiss the hand of the minister? There is no longer is any dignity left in the armed forces.
Anonyxyz: Malaysiakini columnist S Thayaparan and many other patriotic Malaysians have been penning so many excellent soul-searching articles in English, which are understood by only a section of the population.
The transformation of the country today from its pathetic situation to one of better hope, can only be achieved when the unaware majority, who can't understand the language well enough, and the not-so-politically conscious, are exposed to these articles.
Can't Pakatan form a team of translators in Mandarin, Malay and Tamil to perform this task to raise awareness and figure a strategy to reach out to these people?
Mr KJ John: Well done brother, I hope the current leadership can understand you.
Maybe they are so blinded that they cannot see truth clearly and cannot distinguish between public interest and Umno interests.
Gone are the days of professionalism; of soldiers and gentlemen.
(End）
