Thank you to my Muslim fellow citizens

I would like to thank all the Muslims fellow country men and women who stood by us and condemned in the strongest term the dastardly acts of arson of church buildings. ( But not those who fanned the hatred and now condemned those acts. Only one word for them. Hypocrites)

Anyway, on one of the darkest day in our nation, some Muslims have shown us why we still need to believe there is hope for us all in this nation. Some like Dr. Rafick has make efforts to raise fund for the church which was the hardest hit. Some like Marina Mahathir tried to canvass for Muslims to come out to strongly condemn the attacks.

I must also congratulate PAS for making a reasoned stand on the whole issue knowing full well it will cost them many votes among the Malay. That't what I call principle. That's the difference between PAS and UMNO despite the claims by both to champion Islam.

Despite my earlier laments, I now rejoice with all the voices of reason within the Muslim community. Your voices and acts have repaired the image of Islam sullied by those whom RPK calls "munafiks".

The King has spoken

It is reported in the Star that

“To ensure peace and harmony among the followers of different religions, the meaning and reference to “Allah” in the general context should conform to the description fixed by Islam because this practice has all this while been accepted by Malaysians of other faiths,” said Tuanku Mizan. (emphasis mine)

The judges in the Court of Appeal must be in a quandary now. Dare the judges go against the King? Wait a minute. Don't we have a constitutional monarchy? Well, yes we do but our constitutional rights seem to exist only at the pleasure of those in power or those who can intimidate the most as shown by the events of the past few days. Anyway, is it wrong for the judges in the Court of Appeal to respect the advice from the King?

They may have no choice but to decide in favour of the Herald. After all, "Allah" is always used there in the context of Christianity and never in the general context. So are all the Alkitabs that are being confiscated by the Home Ministry. So are all the Christians publications that use the word "Allah". Clearly the Christian "Allah" is different from the Islam "Allah" or the "Allah" in the general context.

Of course, to some who lack understanding and are easily confused it's not so clear. But the King has spoken and as good citizens we should respect what he say even though he is just a constitutional monarch. For those who lack understanding and are easily confused, the NECF recommends His Majesty Government to educate them "to be mature minded in a progressive democratic society."

Pa, Ku Ma (Auntie)'s church got bombed

Those words from my 10 year old daughter greeted me when I arrived home from work today. My sister is a regular worshiper at the Assumption Church in PJ which was petrol bombed early in the morning.

I'm wondering what kind of Malaysia my daughters are going to grow in. Are acts of religious and racial violence going to be common occurrences? Are lives going to be as cheap as those in Iraq where you don't know when you are going to be blown up? Are we, the minority going to be subject to the tyranny of the majority?

I don't know. I just know that I got to spend more time talking with my daughters. Not sure where to start. God help me.

A Day of Mourning

I was supposed to go for a lunch together with my staff to celebrate one of their birthday. Just a minute ago I told them I'm not going as I'm mourning for our nation. I don't want to spoil a happy occasion.

How many more churches are going to be fire-bombed and burnt down? How many more threats are going to be issued to the non Muslims? How many more restrictions are going to be placed on us in the way we worship our God?

How can I eat? How can I celebrate? How can I even smile? When my country is burning. When it is engulfed with so much hatred and bigotry. I can only mourn and weep. Not for myself. But for our next generation.

May Allah have mercy on us.

Is this how you want to be remembered?

I think it's bad taste to pass negative comments on those who had died. But I shall make an exception. I read in Augustine Paul's obituary today in the Star these words

"I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith" - 2 Tim. 4:7

Perhaps the following epitaph is more apt.

"I have perverted justice. I have sucked up to the Executive. I am finished."

I think I'm already kinder than most of the comments found in Malaysiakini. Even before he is judged by his Maker, the rakyat has already passed judgment. And there was no mercy. You can read his obituary written by the ordinary folks here.

Is it worth it, Yang Arif? I wish you can come back and tell your fellow judges especially those at the appellate courts.

I'll be making another exception when our 4th PM dies.

Update: Read this article just after I've posted. I think it's a fair one. The Relevance of Augustine Paul.