Now this is what I call creativity

How I wish our air stewards or stewardesses of MAS, AirAsia and FireFly could be like this guy. Sure make travelling by air a new form of experience.

Very soon, you will be hearing this

You have just finished your business in Kuching and are now boarding a flight back to good ol' KL. The flight was pleasant what with air stewardesses in those tight uniform prancing up and down the aisle serving food and drinks. After a while, an announcement came through the PA system.

"Ladies and gentlemen. Very soon, we will be landing at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport. We wish to remind all passengers that it is illegal for you to have in your possession copy or copies of Christian bibles printed in Bahasa Indonesia. Under the newly passed the Prohibition Malay Bible Act 20xx, it is deemed as an offence and anyone found with such item is liable to RMxxxx fine or xx years in jail or both. An air stewardess will be coming round with a garbage bag and would appreciate your depositing the item into the bag. A special note to all non-Muslim passengers that while in the country, the word "Allah" cannot be uttered in any form as it also deemed an offence under the same enactment. Thank you for your cooperation and have a pleasant stay in our country."

10th Church Attacked

The Grace Global Prayer church in Rasah, Seremban, became the 10th attacked in a week, after its windows were found broken yesterday evening, in the latest incident believed to be linked to the controversial “Allah” ruling.

Police are investigating the incident.

It is the latest Christian church of several now hit by firebombs, arson attempts or vandalism.

Seremban OCPD ACP Saiful Azly Kamaruddin told The Malaysian Insider that a blunt object had been hurled through the side window of the church.

He said church workers discovered the damage at 7.30pm and immediately lodged a police report.

“We are investigating and will step up security around the church,” he said.

The day I spoke at the Hall of The Holy Spirit

While UMNO is busy trying to put out the fire they started, PAS in its own quiet way have been visiting Catholic churches, saying "hello" to the parishioners, and to show them that they are not alone in the current debate over the use of the word, "Allah". This is what The Malaysian Insider has to say, a first hand report by Mujahid Yusof Rawa, MP for Parit Buntar and PAS National Unity Committee Chairman.

Since the controversial High Court ruling on Dec 31 allowing the Catholic newspaper Herald to use “Allah” in the Christian context, Malaysia has turned into a land wrecked with religious conflict and tension. After the ruling, years of living together in relative religious harmony has gone down the drain. Ten churches have been attacked — one of them burned, although one surau was also the target of contempt.

There were also protests by Muslim groups and now a little over a week later, the issue has not died down but on the contrary seems to be gathering momentum through statements made by politicians and comments online and elsewhere.

So what is the real problem here? Is it even an issue in the first place? How about holding a dialogue in a civilised manner? These are questions I have tried to answer and wish to share with the readers. This is also about the day I spoke at the Hall of the Holy Spirit in Penang.

When the “Allah” issue began to spread like wildfire, my party (PAS) took a different approach. Instead of playing the race and religion card, my party went with what has guided it all along — Islamic principles.

When I spoke on Jan 13 at the Catholic Church in Island Glades, Penang, I had no difficulty talking about the issue because my understanding of the teaching of Islam provided me with the eloquence and wisdom I needed.

I started off with the simple "Peace Be Upon my Brothers and Sisters of the Christian Faith". I did not feel there was anything wrong greeting them with peace since I came here for peace. I then started to praise the Almighty, Lord of The Universe (Alhamdulillah Rabbil Alamin) and told my Christian friends that the word “Allah” is made for us to recognise His Greatness and Superiority, not to hate one another for using it.

I also wanted the audience to understand that I did not come for purely political reasons although I represented an Islamic political party. I wanted them to know that there are greater reasons why I came that day. So I had to use the words of Allah to express myself.

I quoted the Chapter of Al Hujurat: “O mankind, we have created you from men and women, tribes and people of different kind so that you get acquainted with one another and the best among you in eyes of Allah is the most pious.” I explained that the verses taught me not to judge others but to rely on the judgment of Allah.

If we look at others through ethno- or faith-centric eyes, we are sure to be biased. This will create an artificial relationship and deep down the hatred will remain although it is concealed.

The best way is to surrender judgment to Allah’s interpretation and standard. He said clearly that the best among you are the most pious! What a splendid exit from an ethno- and faith-centric relationship.

I extended further my contention that there is a need for a more sincere relationship by quoting yet another chapter of the Quran from Al Isra when He said: “I have honored Sons of Adam and made them conquered the sea and land, I have endowed upon them wealth of the universe and have favored them more than my other creations.”

I had to make people of other faiths understand this so we can avoid disrespect and hatred. If a faith relationship is based purely on faith then there would never be the notion of Humanity, there would be no notion of Respect and you can forget about engaging in Dialogue and Talk.

What this gathering is all about is our commonality, Christians or Muslims are all Allah’s creation. I also told them about the time the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) stood up in respect as a Jewish funeral passed by. His companions asked why one should respect a non-believer? The Prophet said clearly: “Is he not HUMAN?”

Kicking off the talk this way gave me the strength I needed to defuse the tension. I moved in into the issue and provided them first of all PAS’s stand on the ruling. I began to clarify that with a verse from the chapter of Zukhruf.

The very basis of this verse shows that the issue of using the word “Allah” has come up before, and the Quran has said clearly that if non-believers accept that it is Allah, not other deities, that created them, the Prophet shall not worry about why they are using the word Allah but should engage in peace and explain to them so ultimately it is hoped that they know who the real Allah is!

I cannot ban what has been permitted because I would be dishonest about the knowledge of God although the blanket approval does not mean one can use it for bad intentions or create confusion. I do not understand the fuss about non-Muslims using the word “Allah” as long as the condition is they do not use it with any bad intentions!

I had to conclude that this is simply not an issue, then why all the rage? I told them unfortunately it was the politicians who had highly politicised everything including the word Allah.

Being a politician myself I felt bad as the issue has threatened the very fabric of our society. I told the audience to beware of the Munafiqin (The Pretenders), they are everywhere looking for victims and prey.

I said: “Our society is going through changes and on the course of that, perceptions are challenged, old ways of doing things are been questioned, it is hoped that whatever process of change we are doing, there is always a future for all Malaysians to live in peace and harmony.”

And that was when the rather sombre and serious atmosphere in the hall changed. There were smiling faces all over, this aura of hope gave both Muslims and Christians yet another new chapter in our society. A chapter called Dialogue in a Civilised Manner, a chapter called Humanity and a new dawn for Malaysia will surely come... that was the day when I spoke at the Hall of Holy Spirit.

PAS True Colours Appeal to Non-Muslims

Since its inception in 1951, PAS has always been seen as an Islamist party focused on the Malay heartland and with just one aim: To set up an Islamic state.

That changed when the Roman Catholic Church sued the Barisan Nasional government in late 2007 to regain its right to use the term “Allah” to describe the Christian God in Bahasa Malaysia.

The Islamist party has already publicly backed the Catholics, citing the fact that the Quran does not prohibit the usage. But its support now comes at a cost within its own Malay/Muslim base.

Anecdotal evidence suggests that a majority of Malays/Muslims — who form 60 per cent of the country — disagree with the Dec 31 High Court ruling. The bulk of them are PAS supporters.

So why is the PAS leadership doing this, countering their image as a group of hard-line fundamentalist Muslims bent solely on setting up an Islamic state where, as painted by their political rivals, non-Muslims could face a host of prohibitions?

Simple. Despite their failings and conservatism, every decision made by the Islamist party is grounded by the Quran.

It has been their supreme guide since 1951, no matter whether Malay nationalists or religious scholars helm the party.

There is also a political imperative and logic at work here. Yes, PAS could lose 5 to 10 per cent of the Malay vote but the opportunity to show non-Muslims that it is not an extremist party is priceless.

And that is what Umno fails to understand in the aftermath of the landmark ruling. PAS knows that its hardcore base of supporters will not desert it. That’s about 40 per cent of the Malay vote.

And by being firm in its principle, PAS now stands to reap support from the non-Muslims and perhaps a slice of the Christian vote that has, more often than not, backed the Barisan Nasional.

PAS spiritual chief Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat’s offer to host an inter-faith meeting this Jan 28 shows its confidence in handling the issue and projecting itself as a party that will take care of all people despite its Islamist outlook.

And Nik Aziz’s two-decade rule of Kelantan also reflects the party’s tolerance, if not respect, for non-Muslims. His pronouncements, policies and rulings have affected Muslims more, feeding their need for a pious life while allowing non-Muslims to worship and conduct their own legitimate affairs.

PAS’ true colours of setting up an Islamic state might still be a scary thought for some, but it might now appeal to more with its ready support of the Christians’ right to use “Allah” based on what is contained in the Quran.

Faith. It might just move mountains after all.

[Source: The MalaysianInsider]

Geronimo's Take : After viewing the 101 East screening of "Whose God?", there is no doubt in anybody's mind that PAS will swing more the non-Muslim votes in their favour in the coming 13GE, and it will cost UMNO and BN plenty. For all we know, UMNO could have already lost their "fixed deposits" in Sarawak and Sabah.

101 East - Whose God?

Another interview with leading Malaysians by Al Jazeera on their recent "101 East" programme. I feel this is a better presentation compared with the Inside Story version aired on January 12 2010 with both sides articulating their for and against the ban on the use of the word "Allah" by non-Muslims. I applaud Khalid and Marina for their courageous stand on the issue and Yusri Mohammad for sharing his views on the ban.

A Malaysian, again!

When the Singapore-Cambridge General Certificate of Education (Ordinary Level) Examination results were released last year, the country's leading Chinese-language newspaper Lianhe Zaobao used the headline: Top O-Level student again a Malaysian”.

I was attracted by the word “again”.

Her name is Lai Kai Rou and same as top student last year Haw Sue Hern, she studied in S.R.J.K (C) Lick Hung before going to study in Singapore.

The report stressed that in S.R.J.K (C) Lick Hung, everything is taught in Chinese except for English subject. I would like to add that S.R.J.K (C) Lick Hung is a Chinese primary school.

Lai, who has again won glory for the country, is one of the 17 foreign students among the 43 top O-Level scorers.

I must mention here that among the above-mentioned 17 foreign students, 11 of them are from China and six of them are Malaysians. The number is equal to 40% of the 43 top scorers.

Singaporeans exclaimed in surprise. They wondered why there were so many foreigners among the top scorers.

"In fact, leaving home is no longer about the pain of 'homesick' but the freedom without fear!"

At the same time, we also exclaimed in surprise. We wondered why so many top students have gone to Singapore.

Singaporeans were wondering why the top O-Level student was not a Singaporean and why Singaporean students were lack of spirit compared to foreign students.

Meanwhile, we were wondering why we always lose talents.

Lai said: “I like the freedom given by the peaceful Singapore, it allows me to move around without worry.”

In fact, leaving home is no longer about the pain of “homesick” but the freedom without fear!

Of course, a little girl's way of thinking is relatively simple. For her parents (both graduates of the University of Malaya), studying in Singapore allows her to enjoy other freedoms. For example, the freedom of choosing a university, the freedom of choosing a major and the freedom of getting a scholarship based on academic results without the so-called quota system and colour distinction.

How many Malaysian students, like Lai and her younger brother, have been flocking to further their studies in Singapore right after they have completed their primary schools with the scholarship provided by Singapore every year?

And how many Malaysian students from Chinese independent high schools (second-class students and copycats for Singapore Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew and historian and academician Prof Emeritus Tan Sri Khoo Kay Kim) have been enrolled into prestigious universities of the Lion City every year and end up settling down while contributing to the prosperity of the country?

There are many shining stars who are originated from Malaysia in Singapore. For example, founder, Group Chief Executive Officer, and President of the Singapore-based Hyflux Group Olivia Lum used to be an orphan from Perak; and Chief Executive Officer of Jetstar Asia Chong Phit Lian was just a little girl selling pineapples at her own doorstep in Kulai, Johor when she was six.

The current Health Minister of Singapore Khaw Boon Wan is also originated from Malaysia. He used to study in the Penang Chung Ling High School.

In fact, there are too many similar stories to tell.

(By LIM MUN FAH/Translated by SOONG PHUI/MySinChew)