I received a few comments of late saying that some of what I say and write about is “Anti-Islam”. I’ve been thinking for a while about that and here are my thoughts about it.
Now a while ago MP Theresa Kok was arrested under the infamous ISA for being “anti-Islam”. She was accused of asking mosque officials at a local mosque to lower the volume of the call for prayers. Although the allegations were later proven untrue, the damage had been done. A law that was originally used against insurgents was imposed on a MP just because she was accused of being “anti-Islam”. If people, including the mosque officials did not come out and spill the truth she would still be in prison without a trail.
The question is, why is it wrong to be “anti-Islam” ? There are a lot of extremist Muslims (both in PAS and UMNO) who are anti-Christianity and anti-Hinduism. Churches have been vandalised and temples destroyed. Why not impose ISA on the culprits (who are usually civil servant Muslims under instructions from Muslim officials). Why the bias ?
Some argue its because Islam is the official religion of the Malaysia. Yes, that is true. But can someone point to me where in the Federal Constitution, Criminal Procedure Code as well as Syariah law currently in Malaysia a person can be arrested for being “anti-Islam”. If at all there comes a day such law is passed by the Parliament, wouldn’t there be appropriate laws for other religions as well ? How about the non believers ? Atheists do not believe in God. Isn’t that “anti-Islam” as well ? What are we going to do arrest them all ?
The large portion of these “anti-Islam” accusations usually from the subservient tendencies of the average Malaysian. The grow up being told that it is wrong to question anything – especially Islam. So when they hear anyone having a different opinion to them, the accusations start flying and they start frothing in the mouth. Don’t question Syariah law! Don’t question Malay rights! Don’t question about Islam!
Remember more than hundred years ago, at the mere suggestion of someone being a witch, lynch mobs formed and people were burnt at the stake. How far away are we in Malaysia from that ? Honestly, the moment someone offers an opinion that differs from the mainstream, they could be locked away for life!
These mob also fear exchange of views. They are afraid that just by chance someone else could be right and their entire castle in the sand will fall into pieces.
Personally I feel a lot of things wrong with Syariah law. For one, its not consistent throughout the states. For example, currently in Selangor mosque officials are empowered to arrest Muslims who consume alcohol or do not fast. Terengganu on the other hand is not implementing such a thing. So for a small country we have differing laws in differing states.
Same thing with marriage and divorce laws in Malaysia. In some states you have to have the first wife’s permission to have another wife, in other states you don’t. Hell, in some states you can run to Golok and get married as many of our UMNO officials have done. Paying maintenance to ex-wives also differs from state to state. Due to the entire Syariah process are filled with men, justice for ex-wives are usually very slow while the former husbands are enjoying with their brand new toy. The whole thing is literally legalised prostitution. Just ask Sisters in Islam.
But you say Syariah law is Allah’s law. Yes, surely that would mean that law would be consistent throughout all of Malaysia! If you can’t even get the consistency right, stop talking about it being supreme. It may be God’s law, but its men who are implementing it and they are doing a crappy job at it.
At the end of the day the question that must be asked is where do the Muslims in Malaysia want to end up ?
If I want to kill my wife or child based on honour killing, I will move to Pakistan.
If I want my wife to sit in the trunk of the car or forbid her to drive I will move to Saudi.
If I want Taliban style extremism and yet grow opium, I will move to Afghanistan.
Where do you want to stop. What is good enough ? When will you understand that people can and will have differing opinion to you and that is perfectly normal. When will Muslims stop having the need to force rape their needs onto other communities and think its perfectly OK ?
And then you sit over there and wonder why the whole world has an incorrect perception on Islam!
Share on Facebook
Anti-Islam
August 28th, 2009I received a few comments of late saying that some of what I say and write about is “Anti-Islam”. I’ve been thinking for a while about that and here are my thoughts about it.
Now a while ago MP Theresa Kok was arrested under the infamous ISA for being “anti-Islam”. She was accused of asking mosque officials at a local mosque to lower the volume of the call for prayers. Although the allegations were later proven untrue, the damage had been done. A law that was originally used against insurgents was imposed on a MP just because she was accused of being “anti-Islam”. If people, including the mosque officials did not come out and spill the truth she would still be in prison without a trail.
The question is, why is it wrong to be “anti-Islam” ? There are a lot of extremist Muslims (both in PAS and UMNO) who are anti-Christianity and anti-Hinduism. Churches have been vandalised and temples destroyed. Why not impose ISA on the culprits (who are usually civil servant Muslims under instructions from Muslim officials). Why the bias ?
Some argue its because Islam is the official religion of the Malaysia. Yes, that is true. But can someone point to me where in the Federal Constitution, Criminal Procedure Code as well as Syariah law currently in Malaysia a person can be arrested for being “anti-Islam”. If at all there comes a day such law is passed by the Parliament, wouldn’t there be appropriate laws for other religions as well ? How about the non believers ? Atheists do not believe in God. Isn’t that “anti-Islam” as well ? What are we going to do arrest them all ?
The large portion of these “anti-Islam” accusations usually from the subservient tendencies of the average Malaysian. The grow up being told that it is wrong to question anything – especially Islam. So when they hear anyone having a different opinion to them, the accusations start flying and they start frothing in the mouth. Don’t question Syariah law! Don’t question Malay rights! Don’t question about Islam!
Remember more than hundred years ago, at the mere suggestion of someone being a witch, lynch mobs formed and people were burnt at the stake. How far away are we in Malaysia from that ? Honestly, the moment someone offers an opinion that differs from the mainstream, they could be locked away for life!
These mob also fear exchange of views. They are afraid that just by chance someone else could be right and their entire castle in the sand will fall into pieces.
Personally I feel a lot of things wrong with Syariah law. For one, its not consistent throughout the states. For example, currently in Selangor mosque officials are empowered to arrest Muslims who consume alcohol or do not fast. Terengganu on the other hand is not implementing such a thing. So for a small country we have differing laws in differing states.
Same thing with marriage and divorce laws in Malaysia. In some states you have to have the first wife’s permission to have another wife, in other states you don’t. Hell, in some states you can run to Golok and get married as many of our UMNO officials have done. Paying maintenance to ex-wives also differs from state to state. Due to the entire Syariah process are filled with men, justice for ex-wives are usually very slow while the former husbands are enjoying with their brand new toy. The whole thing is literally legalised prostitution. Just ask Sisters in Islam.
But you say Syariah law is Allah’s law. Yes, surely that would mean that law would be consistent throughout all of Malaysia! If you can’t even get the consistency right, stop talking about it being supreme. It may be God’s law, but its men who are implementing it and they are doing a crappy job at it.
At the end of the day the question that must be asked is where do the Muslims in Malaysia want to end up ?
If I want to kill my wife or child based on honour killing, I will move to Pakistan.
If I want my wife to sit in the trunk of the car or forbid her to drive I will move to Saudi.
If I want Taliban style extremism and yet grow opium, I will move to Afghanistan.
Where do you want to stop. What is good enough ? When will you understand that people can and will have differing opinion to you and that is perfectly normal. When will Muslims stop having the need to force rape their needs onto other communities and think its perfectly OK ?
And then you sit over there and wonder why the whole world has an incorrect perception on Islam!
4 comments »
Posted in Malaysia
Tags: accusations Afghanistan Allah allegations Although Anti Atheists bias castle churches Code comments consistency Constitution Criminal culprits example extremism extremist Federal Golok Hell Hinduism Islam Just justice life maintenance Malay Malaysia Malaysian marriage moment mosque Muslim Muslims opinion Pakistan Parliament permission person pieces portion prayers prison Procedure religion religions Remember Rights Same Saudi Selangor Sisters Some suggestion Syariah Taliban temples tendencies Terengganu Theresa trunk truth UMNO Where wife