Allah, Islam and Democracy
This time, Brian Geh speaks his mind on the Allah issue, bringing forth his views as an agnostic and questioning the concept of freedom of religion in Malaysia.
“I’m a secularist, being of the persuasion that secularism is the best system we know of so far for people of different religions to live together. I believe that Malaysia is a secular country, with Islam being the official religion of the country, and that this does not make the nation any less secular. The best comparison I can think of is the establishment of the Church of England, with Bishops sitting in the House of Lords, but the country as a whole is secular in almost every way.”
Happenings: Malaysian Freedom Film Fest
Malaysian
FREEDOM FILM FEST
Date: 6th February 2010
Time: 2pm - 6pm
Venue: Amnesty International UK [map]
The Human Rights Action Centre, 17-25 New Inn Yard London, EC2A 3EA
The latest edition of the Freedom Film Festival will present films made by Malaysians with the theme “Real Change?”.Join us in discussions after each session of films and take the opportunity to connect with others who hope for a better Malaysia.
Dari kebatilan, kembalilah kepada kebenaran
CEKU finally returns from a long unannounced hiatus with many apologies for its absence. The reason? We are transitioning from the old Chief Editor to the new, with lots of exciting plans in store including a much-needed facelift - more details to follow! In the meantime, Hizami Iskandar returns by examining the most pressing issue gracing Malaysian news: the Allah issue and the attacks of churches, and appeals to those out there to stop the violence.
“Oleh yang demikian, saya menyeru sesiapa yang menentang penggunaan kalimah Allah oleh umat Kristian di Malaysia, untuk menghentikan tentangan tersebut. Agama kita tidak mensyariatkan tentangan tersebut, manakala tindakan sebegini hanyalah akan memesongkan kita daripada perjuangan yang sebenar, iaitu untuk menjunjung keadilan dan membawa umat kita kembali kepada cahaya kebenaran. Janganlah kita sekali-kali membenarkan diri berlaku tidak adil kepada orang lain, kerana sesungguhnya Allah S.W.T. membenci kezaliman.”
Some thoughts on Islamic banking
This week, I offer some rambling thoughts on the desirability of criticising Islamic banking, in hope of producing a manifestation of Islamic finance which truly engenders justice for all.
‘I believe that we should be completely honest with ourselves, and admit that we have yet to even come close to tackling riba in its true sense. What we have now is still productive of injustice, and as long as that remains the case, what we have cannot be truly Islamic.’
Of Pakatan, politics, and passivity
As we approach the upcoming UKEC AGM, I will try to end my stint as Chief Editor on a slightly more productive note, with a few more articles before we move on to the new management - and with the Bagan Pinang by-elections fresh in our minds, what better topic than Pakatan and the future.
“A new Malaysia, a better Pakatan, even a better Barisan, are all possible - but if we merely stand by, complain, and do nothing, none of these happy endings will ever make it to the final draft of the script.”
I was Working on Malaysia Day
To mark Malaysia Day (albeit slightly belatedly), we bring you a deeply-felt piece by our regular contributor, Wilson Wong, on the need for West Malaysians, too, to take responsibility for the ailments of Sabah and Sarawak, and to support their brethren in East Malaysia in their efforts against oppression.
“…if you think that the Penans cannot stand on their own against the logging or plantation companies, then it is incumbent on you to help them…. Likewise, if you wish to see change in Sabah and Sarawak, then it is incumbent on you to help us.”
About Youth, and Friends Worldwide
This week, we bring an inaugural piece by Lim Ka Keat, who writes today of his experiences in widening his circle of social interaction whilst in the UK - a topic sure to be of great relevance to a great many of us.
“Amongst us, we can see many Malaysian students today having the habit of only mingling among themselves when they are overseas. Although this is not a completely bad thing, in terms of nation building and racial unity, it does somehow defeat the purpose of us being abroad.”
Perutusan Kemerdekaan oleh Presiden PKPIM
In light of the recent Merdeka celebrations, this week, we have an inaugural piece from Muhammad Faizal Abdul Aziz, asking us to ponder upon the true meaning of independence, and build the strength of character that must lie at the foundation of every truly independent nation.
“Maka, tugas dan perjuangan kita sebagai anak muda adalah kearah mengisi makna kemerdekaan sebagai penyambungan tradisi perjuangan mereka yang memperjuangkan kemerdekaan lebih 50 tahun lalu.”
In defence of sex education
“Sexual education isn’t so much about teaching the facts of life and preventing teen pregnancy (although that’s obviously a big part of it) - it’s fundamental purpose must be to contribute to respect for women and an equal relationship between the sexes.”
Going against the current
Today, Wilson Wong returns with another inspirational story, this time of a student activist from the Phillippines, who has a profound message to share on the need for us to keep our idealism alive.
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