Showing posts with label Religious. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Religious. Show all posts

Thursday, April 07, 2011

A Call For Patience

CHRISTIAN FEDERATION OF MALAYSIA
(PERSEKUTUAN KRISTIAN MALAYSIA)
Address: 10, Jalan 11/9, Section 11, 46200 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
Telephone: (03) 7957 1278, (03) 7957 1463, Fax: (03) 7957 1457


7th April 2011


A call for patience and careful consideration

The statements of regret and appeals for forgiveness expressed by the Government of Malaysia with respect to the impounding and stamping of the Bahasa Malaysia Bible, the Alkitab, resonate deep within the Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM).

As a body that brings together a wide cross-section of the Christian community in Malaysia, we know about the sinfulness of man and have experienced the forgiveness of God. As such, we receive these expressions with all the sincerity with which they are offered.

We believe the Government’s proposals represent a basis for further dialogue and engagement towards a viable long-term and comprehensive solution.

As such, CFM feels that this process ought not to be hurried. Its constituent bodies are currently undertaking their own internal consultations prior to responding collectively to the 10-point resolution proposed by the Government.

We call for patience and perseverance, and continued prayer and quiet reflection, as we allow the Holy Spirit to guide us in our deliberations.


Yours sincerely,


(signed)
Bishop Ng Moon Hing
Chairman and the Executive Committee,
Christian Federation of Malaysia
Tags: Christian Federation of Malaysia, CFM, Bahasa Malaysia Bible, Alkitab, Christian Community

Monday, April 04, 2011

Being Labelled As An Extremist Christian

Looks like what was stated in the Christian Federation of Malaysia's ("CFM") media statement as per my previous blogpost has been deemed extreme and hence, the CFM has also been labelled as extremists in requesting for its Constitutional rights to be recognised.

Who said that?

The Islamic Defenders Organisation (Pembela), an umbrella body representing nineteen Muslim non-governmental organisations has, on 28 March 2011, came up to say that these Christians should apologise and should use a proper channel to voice out. They suggested that the Committee for the Promotion of Religious Understanding and Harmony Among Adherents is the right place to settle this issue peacefully.

In the first place, the Christians had only issue a memorandum and didn't even stage a demonstration.

Secondly, the Christians are reminding the government of the Constitutional rights.

I think this Pembela has forgotten two things.
One - that the government has encouraged all students to study/learn in the Malay language during school age. No more English language except for one.

Two - that lots of people in Sabah and Sarawak speak/read in the Malay language only apart from their tribal language.

I believed that the Allah issue would be the main thing that caused thousands of Malay language bibles to be detained by the government.

Then the Valentine's Day issue was also thrown at the Christians.

Lately, even a dance movement by the name of Poco Poco has been linked to Christianity especially on its movements which signifies a cross. I almost fainted when I heard that.

These are all divide and rule signs and these are the things that will hold Malaysia back for years to come. Surprisingly, all these protestors are not concerned with the drastic drop in the Foreign Direct Investment or the terrible corruption that has plagued so many government agencies. But we are more concerned with which language the Christians would use or how certain events are linked to Christianity.

Even a Christian prayer rally that was held in Kuching on 23 March 2011, atteended by 3,000 people, was construed as going against the government. It was condemned by the Deputy Federal Minister, Joseph Salang Gandum telling the Christians not to make a fool of themselves.

Out of a sudden, Idris Jala in representing the government and in full view of the upcoming state election in Sarawak, the government has decided that everyone can import bibles of any language into Malaysia. Do I hear any protest from the Pembela now?

Suddenly you see the mainstream media potraying the government as the saviour in this issue.

You call this nation building or whatever you name it, 1Malaysia?

The Interlok book that will be used as a reference book in the secondary school is also another issue. Since there are so many people that are unhappy with it, why can't the government just remove it from being one of the recommended books. Such a simple step but the government insist that it has to be the book. Why? Again it talks about the minorities in Malaysia.

This is a pure divide and rule policy that will help those in power to rule the subjects by creating disharmony amongst Malaysians. Yet many Malaysians would fall for it.

And in many cases, new things will crop up to create a big news in order to cover other news that were hogging too much of a limelight.

This blogpost is not to stir any hatred or any discomfort among Malaysians but if any of the above issues have created tensions, blame it on the current government. Malaysia will not flourish as long as all the races are divided.

Anyhow, CFM has welcomed the government's green light as a positive move.

But then all this negative news have 'flown' all over the world and they are already laughing at us.
Tags: Divide And Rule Policy, Extremist Christian, Interlok, Malay Bible, Nation Building, 1Malaysia, Pembela, Allah, Bible, Christan Federation of Malaysia, Poco Poco Dance

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Man Utd To Be Banned in Malaysia?

At the look of it, it won't be long that Manchester United will be banned in Malaysia if the muslim cleric in the state of Johore has his ways.

An adviser to a state of Johore's religious council stated that there are certain football jerseys that muslims shouldn't wear. Reason given (as extracted from Star) - it is as if Muslims are worshipping and exalting the symbols of other religions. Islam does not compromise on this matter, regardless of whether it is worn for fun, fashion or sport especially when it displays images of crosses, liquor brands and devils.

Try googling for this sentence "Muslims warned against wearing 'devilish' Man Utd jersey" and you'll get about 7,990 results. This piece of news travelled round the world after it was published in Malaysia.

I know that Liverpool couldn't come into Malaysia due to their main sponsorship with Carlsberg. With that sponsorship being changed to Standard Chartered Bank now, Liverpool fans in Malaysia can look forward to seeing them playing in Malaysia during the summer break.

My hope is to see Man Utd vs Liverpool in Malaysia. I believe that the police will have to segregate the opposing fans for real this time.

Man Utd coming to Malaysia again? Bad news now ..... sigh

Nothing against that comment made by the religious council adviser. Even in the christianity circle, I have heard of some people questioning our filial peity towards God when we wear the Pagoda brand singlet. The Pagoda symbol is somehow linked to Buddhism.

I had been 'ridiculed' before by friendly christian friends when their english football team that they support lost to Man Utd. They will quote "they are the red devils and you support them?".

People will have their own thinking and mindset. You can't change it.

Importantly, you know it yourself. I have been supporting Man Utd since 1981 and it's the team that I support, not the devils ....... hehe.

By the way, maybe someone from that religious council can write to Turkish Airlines, MTN (Kuwaiti owners), STC (Saudi Telecom) and Tri Indonesia to withdraw their sponsorships as they are the official sponsors for Man Utd.

At one time, even Malaysia's AirAsia and Ministry of Tourism were one of the many sponsors for Man Utd. As I have heard, Man Utd is quite selective on their sponsors and there's a queue actually just to have your brand name being displayed.

It seems that the football teams of Brazil, Portugal, Serbia, Barcelona and Norway may not be encouraged to be supported as the crests on the football jerseys carry images of the cross.

And should muslims or christian employees resign from their companies where bosses or main shareholders profess religions not of their own? The answer simple is very simple actually. Only human beings make it difficult.
Tags: Manchester United, Man Utd, Football Jersey, Red Devils, Religion

Wednesday, July 07, 2010

Brilliant Conversation Philosophically

An Atheist Professor of Philosophy was speaking to his Class on the problem Science has with GOD, the Almighty. He asked one of his new Christian students to stand and..

Professor : You are a Christian, aren't you, son?
Student : Yes, sir.
Professor : So, you believe in GOD?
Student : Absolutely, sir.
Professor : Is GOD good?
Student : Sure.
Professor : Is GOD all powerful?
Student : Yes.
Professor : My brother died of cancer even though he prayed to GOD to heal him. Most of us would attempt to help others who are ill. But GOD didn't. How is this GOD good then? Hmm?

(Student was silent)

Professor : You can't answer, can you? Let's start again, young fella. Is GOD Good?
Student : Yes.
Professor : Is Satan good?
Student : No.
Professor : Where does Satan come from?
Student : From...GOD...
Professor : That's right. Tell me son, is there evil in this world?
Student : Yes.
Professor : Evil is everywhere, isn't it? And GOD did make everything. Correct?
Student : Yes.
Professor : So who created evil?

(Student did not answer)

Professor : Is there Sickness? Immorality? Hatred? Ugliness? All these terrible things exist in the World, don't they?
Student : Yes, sir.
Professor : So, who created them?

(Student had no answer)

Professor : Science says you have 5 Senses you use to Identify and Observe the World around you. Tell me, son ... have you ever seen GOD?
Student : No, sir.
Professor : Tell us if you have ever heard your GOD?
Student : No, sir.
Professor : Have you ever Felt your GOD, Tasted your GOD, Smelt your GOD? Have you ever had any Sensory Perception of GOD for that matter?
Student : No, sir. I'm afraid I haven't.
Professor : Yet you still believe in him?
Student : Yes.
Professor : According to Empirical, Testable, Demonstrable Protocol, Science says your GOD doesn't exist. What do you say to that, son?
Student : Nothing. I only have my Faith.
Professor : Yes, Faith. And that is the problem Science has.

Student : Professor, is there such a thing as Heat?
Professor : Yes.
Student : And is there such a thing as Cold?
Professor : Yes.
Student : No, sir. There isn't...

(The lecture theatre became very quiet with this turn of events)

Student : Sir, you can have Lots of Heat, even More Heat, Superheat, Mega Heat, White Heat, a Little Heat or No Heat. But we don't have anything called Cold. We can hit 458 Degrees below Zero which is No Heat, but we can't go any further after that. There is no such thing as Cold. Cold is only a Word we use to describe the Absence of Heat. We cannot Measure Cold. Heat is Energy. Cold is Not the Opposite of Heat, sir, just the Absence of it.

(There was pin-drop dilence in the lecture theatre)

Student : What about Darkness, Professor? Is there such a thing as Darkness?
Professor : Yes. What is Night if there isn't Darkness?
Student : You're wrong again, sir. Darkness is the Absence of Something.
You can have Low Light, Normal Light, Bright Light, Flashing Light ... but if you have No Light constantly, you have nothing and its called Darkness, isn't it? In reality, Darkness isn't. If it is, you would be able to make Darkness Darker, wouldn't you?
Professor : So what is the point you are making, young man?
Student : Sir, my point is, your Philosophical Premise is flawed.
Professor : Flawed? Can you explain how?
Student : Sir, you are working on the Premise of Duality. You argue there is Life and then there is Death, a Good GOD and a Bad GOD. You are viewing the Concept of GOD as something finite, something we can measure. Sir, Science can't even explain a Thought. It uses Electricity and Magnetism, but has never seen, much less fully understood either one. To view Death as the Opposite of Life is to be ignorant of the fact that Death cannot exist as a Substantive Thing. Death is Not the Opposite of Life: just the Absence of it Now tell me, Professor, do you teach your Students that they evolved from a Monkey?
Professor : If you are referring to the Natural Evolutionary Process, yes, of course, I do.
Student : Have you ever observed Evolution with your own eyes, sir?

(The Professor shook his head with a smile, beginning to realize where the argument was going)

Student : Since no one has ever observed the Process of Evolution at work and Cannot even prove that this Process is an On-Going Endeavor, are you not teaching your Opinion, sir? Are you not a Scientist but a Preacher?

(The class was in uproar)

Student : Is there anyone in the class who has ever seen the Professor's brain?

(The class broke out into laughter)

Student : Is there anyone here who has ever heard the Professor's brain, felt it, touched or smelt it? No one appears to have done so. So, according to the Established Rules of Empirical, Stable, Demonstrable Protocol, Science says that you have No Brain, sir. With all due respect, sir, how do we then trust your lectures, sir?

(The room was silent. The Professor stared at the student, his face unfathomable)

Professor : I guess you'll have to take them on Faith, son.
Student : That is it sir ... Exactly! The Link between Man & GOD is Faith. That is all that keeps things alive and moving.

That student was Albert Einstein.
Tags: Atheist, Albert Einstein, Faith, Christian, Science, Established Rules of Empirical, Premise of Duality, Philosophical Premise, Professor of Philosophy

Sunday, April 06, 2008

Cult Leader Has Better Plans for Himself

A cult group in Russia which has predicted the world to end in May 2008 has seen 14 of their members leaving the cave they created and are staying in a house owned by their cult leader under the watchful eyes of the relevant authorities.

Their pathetic cult leader, Pavel Kuznetsov, didn't even stay in the cave with his members and had been undergoing psychiatric treatment lately. Gone cuckoo?

Should be but then he was still smart enough not to stay in the cave which has no luxuries. He told the authorities that "God had different tasks for him".

Wherelse those members who left the cave as they were cut off from the rest of the group due to a cave-in told the authorities that the reason they left the cave was - "God had given them a signal to leave". The cave-in was the signal?? Hehehehe.....

Reading: Russia doomsday cult prays for sign to leave bunker - Reuters
Tags: Cult, Doomsday, Russia, Pavel Kuznetsov

Friday, November 16, 2007

World Ending in May 2008

The world's ending in May 2008? Yeah, it's true according to a group of 'simple christians' living in Penza, central Russia. This group of people said that the church is not doing a good job, hence they left the church and stayed in a cave while awaiting doomsday.

It seems that 33 people (incl. 4 children) have entered the cave bringing in along food supplies. As this group of people has threatened to blow up a gas tank in the cave, the police is patrolling the area ensuring that this group of people is not provoked.

Apparently, their cult leader has been detained when not with the group.
hmmmmmmmmmm....... you threatened and you get police protection?
Tags: Penza, Central Russia, Cult, Doomsday, Simple Christian

Monday, October 01, 2007

Religion Conversion Case in Egypt

To change your religion from Islam to Christianity (or others) in Egypt, you will need a court approval. This is similar to Malaysia's case for Lina Joy.

The Egyptian courts are handling a number of cases where former Christians are intending to convert back to Christianity after having taken up Islamic faith earlier on. What a pressure on the courts. This kind of cases are quite common but most Egyptians would convert to Christianity quietly instead as in Malaysia. Indonesia, being a country populated with majority muslims, do not require such permission to do so. You are free to practise any religion.

The weird one is when a group of citizens from the Baha’i tribe wanted their religion to be left blank in their official documents but Egyptian laws require each citizen to state that they are either Muslim, Christian or Jewish. I guess the judges must be having sleepless nights lately.
Tags: Religion, Islam, Christianity, Egypt, Baha'i

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Court Order Was Required to Kill a Bull

A bull, considered as sacred by a Hindu community, was ordered by London's Court of Appeal to be slaughtered. What caused a court to issue an order in order for a bull to be slaughtered?

The members of the Skanda Vale's Welsh Hindu temple's has vowed to save the bull's life with their own. I knew that cows/bulls are considered deities in India but quite surprised that the Hindu community in Wales itself was that pious too. An online petition has gathered about 10,000 signatures in a campaign to save Shambo.

The main reason for the sacred bull to be slaughtered was because the bull was tested positive with bovine tuberculosis. The Court of Appeal found it logical and justified to slaughtered due to health reason. But the temple worshippers are not giving up just yet. It seems that an appeal would be submitted to the highest court, the House of Lords, for a final verdict.

The Hindu Forum of Britain said slaughtering Shambo would be a "very gross affront to Hindus' beliefs". It's going to be a long legal process, it has gone through the Welsh Assembly, Cardiff's High Court and the London's Court of Appeal..... but if such situation was to happen in Malaysia, I really wonder how the case would have been handled ....
Tags: Sacred Bull, Court of Appeal, Shambo, Hindu, Wales, Bovine Tuberculosis, Hindu Forum of Britain, House of Lords, Welsh Assembly

Friday, June 15, 2007

Jesus Wants You To Drive 4x4

Jesus wants you to drive 4x4 - that was the sermon being preached at the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God ("UCKG") located at Soweto in South Africa. UCKG is now known as the biggest church in Africa where their new cathedral could fit in 8,000 that comes with a large underground car park. Wow!!

UCKG explicitly teaches their worshippers to dream big and that as a christian you should live in a classy house, use the latest cell phone and wear the snappiest designer clothes. The church told their worshippers to dream up money-making schemes ahead of the 2010 soccer World Cup, which South Africa is due to host.
This UCKG is one of Igreja Universal do Reino de Deus' ("IURD") new branches around the world. IURD originated from Rio de Janeiro in 1977.

How influential is IURD and what do they own?
Their presence are felt in Los Angeles, New York, Manila, Tokyo, Paris, Antwerp, Brussels and Rotterdam. It is also active in the England, Switzerland, Spain, Luxembourg, Portugal, Paraguay, USA, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Kenya, Malawi, Congo, Mozambique, Japan, Phillipines and India. Next target - Russia!

The IURD own 2,000 temples, 22 radio stations and 16 television stations around the world. Founded a bank called Banco Credito Metropolitano that has been beset with many financial issues.

What else they do? You have to read the article found in Apologetics Index. Extensive news on IURG's activities throughout the world. The report, in French and Dutch, is available in its entirety online.

What does IURD claims?
That the Kingdom of God is here on earth and that it can offer a solution for all manner of ills, depressions, joblessness, family- and financial problems. Promotes word-faith teachings, with a particular emphasis on the seed-faith doctrine. Since its theology and practices are far outside those of normal, biblical Christianity, this movement is considered to be a cult of Christianity.

Their founder - Edir Macedo, a former lottery worker in Rio de Janeiro, who elected himself bishop and now lives in the United States.

Saturday, May 12, 2007

Building Bridges Global Interfaith Seminar

MAJLIS GEREJA-GEREJA MALAYSIA (COUNCIL OF CHURCHES OF MALAYSIA)
26 Jalan University, 46200 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
Tel: 03-79567092/79551587 Fax: 03-79560353 E-Mail: churchm@streamyx.com

Press statement
Cancellation of Building Bridges Global Interfaith Seminar

The Council of Churches of Malaysia is as much confused as the organisers of the London office of the Archbishop of Canterbury, as to the sudden withdrawal of the endorsement and support by the Malaysian authorities for holding the Building Bridges seminar in Kuala Lumpur , from 7-11 May 2007.

The Conference was to coincide with the first visit of the Archbishop, Dr Rowan Williams, to the Anglican Church of Malaysia.

At the stage of initial preparations, begun a year ago, representatives of the Archbishop's office for Interfaith Relations received a warm reception from the Prime Minister's Office and other Islamic institutions, welcoming such a seminar as consistent with the government's emphasis on encouraging civilizational and interfaith dialogue to foster and build mutual respect and understanding between the world's religions.

To this end, the London office received a formal letter welcoming such a seminar which would have brought together over thirty world renowned Islamic and Christian scholars and theologians to deliberate under the theme; "Humanity in Context: Christian and Muslim perspectives on being human".

The Building Bridges Seminar would have been the sixth held in a series since six years ago. Such seminars were held in London , New York , Qatar and Sarajevo and the papers from the seminars have been published.

The organisers were excited at the prospect of meeting in Malaysia , as the context would provide the international scholars exposure to the achievements of Malaysia in encouraging interfaith dialogue at the national and international levels. Malaysia could have offer itself as a model of harmonious living between different cultures and religions.

The Council of Churches and other Islamic institutions were approached in the initial stages to host mini seminars to which Muslim and Christian participants could interact with local people of the deliberations of the seminar.

But for unknown reasons the organisers received formal word from the authorities here that support has been withdrawn. This came barely three weeks before the scheduled dates. In respect to the government, the organisers felt it wise to cancel the seminar.

The Council of Churches is at a lost as to the reasons why the authorities have withdrawn support at such a late stage.

The Council of Churches had hoped that such a seminar would have gone a long way in pursuing the path of respectful dialogue and strengthens our country's claim to be a viable venue to host such global interfaith dialogues.

In the light of this development, the Council of Churches most sincerely and humbly appeals to the government to review its decision and offer the organisers an alternative date when the said seminar could be held in Malaysia .

The Council of Churches reaffirms its commitment to building peace through interfaith dialogue. The Council will continue to support the Prime Minister's vision and efforts to nurture and strengthen Malaysia as a model nation of harmonious living between cultures and religions.

Rev. Dr. Hermen Shastri
The General Secretary
Of the Council of Churches of Malaysia
10th May 2007 (source: Malaysiakini)

Reading: Summit on religious harmony is thrown into discord by Malaysia - Times Online
Tags: Council of Churches of Malaysia, Religious Harmony, Interfaith Relations, Malaysia, Building Bridges Global Interfaith Seminar, Dr Rowan Williams, Islamic Scholar, Christian Scholar, Muslim, Christian

Friday, May 11, 2007

Somalia Soldiers Burn Face Veils

In the last few days, Somalia's soldiers took it in their own hands to remove face veils worn by ladies and burn it in public. This latest move was due to the recent upheaval caused by the ousted Islamists force. By removing the veils, the soldiers would be able to identify any Islamists forces, mainly guys, hiding behind those veils. (source: BBC News). Unfortunately, the soldiers caused more retaliation from unknown parties where grenades have been thrown into the capital city's busy market injuring innocent bystanders.

Tunisia and Morocco have implemented similar rulings on headscarves.

With those recent disturbances caused by so called Islamists parties, it has somehow created fears amongst the soldiers too.
Tags: Somalia, Veil, Islamist, Africa

Wednesday, April 11, 2007

Inhuman Treatment

In this era, many medical teachings pointed to close bonding between the parents and a newborn will affect the baby's growth as it grew older. Every parents would have been so joyful of seeing their newborn. Some may have sleepless nights in the first few months but nonetheless it's worth it.

But not so for a couple, the husband an Indian and the wife who was an Indian Muslim. They didn't register their marriage due to the wife's religion. A child was born and the mother was subsequently taken to a detention camp known as Pusat Pemulihan Akidah (or Faith Rehabilitation Centers in english) at Ulu Yam, Selangor. Reason: it's to rehabilitated her for 100 days as she has declared herself a non-practising muslim. Though she's expected to be released on 18 April, such rehabilitation programme could be extended.

The baby was also taken away by group comprised of a policemen, a lawyer and the wife's mother to a place not known by the baby's father.

HOW COME HUMAN SENSE DOES NOT PREVAIL AT ALL????????????
How can an issue on religion brought such inhumane treatment upon this family who just want to have a simple family life? Religious officials who wants their religion to be upheld properly should have thought of how will the baby's mother cope knowing her newborn is out there without her. The baby's father had 'lost' the wife to a religious detention camp where over-zealous religious people are determined to change the wife's mindset.

What would God do if he was on earth? Last few days, blogs (e.g. here) and mainstream media have been publishing about a lost child, Mohd Nazrin aged 5, who had wandered around Sogo shopping centre and yet to be found. Why bother? This child don't need your concern as the child will find his way to someone who is willing to buy the child from unscrupulous gangs preying on such victims. I'm insensitive? It's the same logic behind the couple who had been separated now.

On the other hand, Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) and the Education Ministry are organising a Best Human Rights Practice in School competition. Why waste time with such competition when one small matter as above couldn't be solved properly.

Reading: First his wife and then his daughter taken away… - Lim Kit Siang
Reading: What’s Lina Joy’s status? - The Star
Tags: Religious, Inhuman, Human Rights, Siti Fatimah, Malaysia, Pusat Pemulihan Akidah

Friday, February 16, 2007

Restricted Sports For Viewing

Recently I came across a statement by a mufti (mufti (Arabic: مفتى‎) is an Islamic scholar who is an interpreter or expounder of Islamic law (Sharia), capable of issuing fatwa) that men could still watch women athletes as long as they are dressed decently. Why this statement arose?

PAS, an Islamic political party in Malaysia, was organising a Malaysian All-Women Games this coming weekend. The PAS's state women and sports committee chairman Abdul Fatah Mahmood mentioned that men can only attend the opening ceremony but NOT the individual sporting events. Did I read it wrongly or did the press published the wrong words? (source: The Star)

I can bet for sure that the attendance for the sporting events will be real bad. I wonder how is PAS going to re-coup the money dumped into organising this sporting events then if the ticket sales are restricted to women only. Most women are either housewives or working mothers and do you think they will take time off to watch a local women-only sporting events. I'm not against PAS's view to ensure that men don't lust by watching women participating in sports. Maybe they can implement a new competition ruling that women athletes must wear certain sporting outfits rather than prohibiting men from viewing the sporting events.

I joked with my malay colleague that he would be barred from watching the following women's sporting events in the coming Beijing 2008 Olympic Games:-
1) Synchronised Swimming, Water Polo, Swimming & Diving;
2) Volleyball
3) Athletics
4) Cycling
5) Gymnastics
6) Tennis
7) Rowing
and especially 8) Beach Volleyball

To which he responded "Only can watch Archery then? Anyway, for a mufti to have said something, it's a very strong issue already"

I'm wondering whether it's intended as a sporting event or a way to tell muslims that PAS is very pious with some subliminal message too. But kudos to PAS for taking the effort in trying to organise such an event. Seriously speaking, how did they picked the participating athletes? From which qualifying events? Please enlighten me.
Tags: PAS, Islamic, Mufti, Malaysian All-Women Games, Beijing 2008, Sports, Women

Tuesday, December 26, 2006

Discrimination at Pizza Hut??

Received this via an email being circulated:-
A Shock at Sunway Pyramid Pizza Hut
Hello everyone. I have some interesting news. I was in Pizza Hut (Sunway Pyramid) yesterday and suddenly my friend showed me the bill. The bill contains normal things la (number of person, bill. number and what is ordered). But, what shocked me is that they had space called "RACE". I guess since we were all wearing tudung, they labelled us as 0, which means MALAY. Later, when we went to pay...we had no service charge and no tax charge. Still in shock, I peeped into another bill in the counter. In that bill, under the race space, it was labelled as C (which I guess means Chinese). That bill had service and tax charges!!! I started investigating. One of my Sri Lankan friends was labelled as Indian it seems and she also had to pay service and tax charges a few weeks back. What I'm wondering is that...does anyone know about this? I find it rather strange that they charge service and tax charge using race in Pizza Hut, out of all the places!
Tags: Pizza Hut, Sunway Pyramid, Race, Service Charge, Tax, Religious, Discrimination

Sunday, December 17, 2006

Kenyan 'Miracle Baby' Pastor Held

Weird things sure to happen somewhere around the world. That's the reason for naming my blog as such "Life's Happenings". When I did a general search on that same blog name via Google Search, to my surprise there are a few blogs which has similar blog name too.

While reading the BBC News/Africa, came across this news on a so-called Pastor using religion to camouflage his misdeeds. Apparently, Gilbert Deya, a Kenyan evangelist who claimed to have created miraculous pregnancies through the power of prayer has been arrested in London by British police. What superpowers! I don't doubt that God could perform something beyond our belief but in Kenya itself, DNA tests showed that 20 babies were not related to women claiming to be their mothers that were supposed to have conceived after being prayed over by Gilbert Deya.

Kenyan authorities said their investigation revolves around the disappearance of babies from Nairobi's Pumwani Maternity Hospital. It was after the arrest of his wife, Mary, in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, that exposed Gilbert. She arrived at a hospital with a newborn baby to which she claimed to have given birth, but doctors who examined Mrs Deya, aged 57 at the time, said her claim of recently having given birth was false. (source: BBC News/Africa)

How true is the above report or claim? More about Gilbert's 'ministry' can be found in his website, Welcome to Gilbert Deya Ministries. After going through the website, there are conflicting statement 1 and conflicting statement 2 made by Gilbert Deya on his wife's pregnancy. A conspiracy theory that is being put up by the Kenyan police??? In his website, the Kenyan police has bribed many people to conceal the truth on his wife's birth and has hid his wife and the baby boy in unknown places till his family/relatives/lawyers could not locate. Date of birth was on 10 Sept 2005.

I'm confused.

Wednesday, December 06, 2006

Cover Up Or Else

Women working in retail outlets and restaurants in Kota Baru, the Kelantan state's capital city, (a state in Malaysia under the rule of an opposition Islamic political party - Parti Islam SeMalaysia a.k.a PAS) have been warned to mind their dressing or be prepared to face a fine. The Kota Baru Municipal Council (MPKB) has announced that it would “no longer tolerate indecent dressing” by women, both Muslim and non-Muslim.

Under local council by-laws women who “dressed sexily or indecently” could be fined up to RM500 (US$138). “Such outfits are prohibited here as it smears the reputation of Kota Baru and affects its status as an Islamic City. The local council added that although punishment for indecent dressing was in place under the by-laws, it had not been totally enforced. “But now, MPKB will no longer tolerate skimpy outfits, following mounting complaints from the public,” MPKB PR officer said, adding that under the by-laws, women working in retail outlets should wear decent clothes. Council enforcement officers, he added, would step up checks in various localities. He said MPKB would focus on “suspicious areas”.

The council stated that they had received complaints from ratepayers that certain shop assistants and waitresses here donned sexy outfits, supposedly to woo more male customers. Under the standard dress code here, a Muslim women has to be covered until the ankles and wear a tudung. Non-Muslim women are required to wear decent clothes. Tight-fitting tops and pants were not allowed, even for non-Muslims, the PR officer said.

(source: 5 Dec 06, The Star and 4 Dec 06 International Herald Tribune) I'm still wondering how come an international newspaper could have reported this issue 1 day earlier than a Malaysian newspaper???????
Tags: Kelantan, Kota Baru, Muslim, Non-Muslim, Indecent, Dressing, Clothing, Dress Code

Saturday, October 28, 2006

US Couple's Condominium Raided

Another case of overzealous actions, this time by officials from the Kedah's Islamic Affairs Dept. Their routine vice prevention squad's raid was conducted on a US retired 60 plus couple holidaying on Langkawi Island. The raid was done at 2am and the officials demanded to see the "woman" that the man was with. Even when told that the lady was clad in sarong only and they are Christians, the officials insisted on seeing the woman, in humiliation.

In Malaysia, under the Islamic syariah law, a muslim person could not have close proximity with a non-muslim in an enclosed place and if caught, could be penalised. In this case, the officials didn't do a good check on who was in the room and raided their unit in the middle of the night.

Though this has happened almost 2 weeks ago (reported on 22 Oct, New Straits Times) the Tourism Minister said that investigation would be taken to find out what happened. Till today, as reported in The Star, both Kedah State Religious and Humanity Development Committee chairman Professor Datuk Wira Dr Othman Ishak and Kedah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid said they will check on the matter with the state Religious Department to find out what really happened. It took 2 weeks to find out????

On behalf of their unwarranted actions, the general public has to apologise to the couple and assure the world that Malaysia is not what it seems to be reported.
Tags: Islam, Langkawi, Kedah, Malaysia, Syariah Law, Sarong, Religious, Khalwat

Wednesday, October 18, 2006

Tunisia moves against headscarves

My earlier blog on 8 Oct stated that Morocco had moved to drop headscarf worn by the female gender. It seems that the Tunisian authorities have launched a campaign against the Islamic veil worn by some women to cover their hair.

Human rights groups describe the move as unconstitutional. Police in Tunisia have been stopping women on the streets and asking them to remove their headscarves and sign pledges that they will not go back to wearing them. Under a ban introduced in 1981, women in Tunisia are not allowed to wear Islamic dress in schools or government offices. Those who insist on it face losing their jobs. Strong call indeed. (source: BBC News)
Tags: Headscarf, Morocco, Tunisia, Veil, Islamic, Religious

Sunday, October 08, 2006

Morocco moves to drop headscarf

Morocco has made changes to religious education, in particular regarding whether young girls should wear headscarves. A picture of a mother and her daughter wearing headscarves is being removed from the latest editions of a text book. A verse from the Koran that says girls should don veils has already been taken out of the books.
Other Arab countries have made similar changes, worrying that the veil could be used as a symbol of extremism. Across the Arab world the headscarf issue seems to be gathering momentum. In Tunisia for example, young women who wear veils say they have been harassed by the authorities who are forcing the girls to remove their veils at schools and universities.

Younger Arabic women nowadays will wear everything from that long robes to more modern clothes such as trainers, jeans and T-shirts, with nothing on their heads - except perhaps some expensive designer sunglasses. (source: BBC News)
Tags: Morocco, Tunisia, Koran, Quran, Headscarf, Veil, Arabic Women

Monday, July 24, 2006

Religious Sect in Kenya

Members of a religious sect in central Kenya, introduced in Kenya in 1997, are bracing themselves for a nuclear war predicted to take place no later than 12 September 2006 and have begun building special shelters to protect themselves.. (wonder why will Iran or Israel (being nearest to Kenya as it’s too far for N.Korea) aim 1 nuclear at Kenya???)

This is the doomsday warning issued by their spiritual leader Yisrayl Hawkins, who is based in the United States and traces his origins back to Israel. (Can you imagine a person staying so far away could influence the people back at his home country. And what is he doing in USA???)

The sect members refer to their creator as Yahweh, not God, and the male followers all sport long goatee beards. House of Yahweh is the latest, but intriguing, sect to have emerged onto Kenya's packed religious scene, where more than 100 groups are now registered by the Kenyan government.

Six years ago, neighbouring Ugandans were shocked by a tragic end to a doomsday prediction. After the world failed to end in December 1999, as predicted by the Movement for the Restoration of the Ten Commandments of God, hundreds of the sect's followers were found murdered four months later.

Many Kenyans are concerned that should this prophecy prove untrue, its fallout will not prove as fatal. (Please don’t panic and start building a shelter/bunker for yourself unless you are their member) (Source: BBC News/Africa)
Tags: Kenya, Uganda, Religious Sect, House of Yahweh, Doomsday, Yisrayl Hawkins, Movement for the Restoration of the Ten Commandments of God

Pattaya International Fireworks Festival

Pattaya is definitely firing up its presence internationally. Covid19 has hit many nations really hard and Pattaya wasn't exempted from ...