http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/articles/20100203003339/Article/index_html
I welcome Deputy Prime Minister, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Mohd Yassin’s view that there is no need to set up an Interfaith Commission, (DPM: Solution may be found through dialogue, New Sunday Times, 31 Jan) read more…
In 2006, the former Prime Minister of Malaysia, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, published a collection of speeches under the title, “Islam Hadhari: A Model Approach for Development and Progress”. In his third chapter, “Islam, Malaysia, and the Wider World”, he declares that civilizational dialogue cannot succeed without conflict resolution, which is at the forefront of the Malaysian government’s efforts. read more…
Source: The blog owner wishes to acknowledge the Information Secretariat, Persatuan Peguam Muslim Malaysia (Muslim Lawyers Association of Malaysia) for granting permission to republish this article on The Reflective Heart.
Herald issue – I
The Malays, as one foreigner once summed up, are a people who rest under the coconut tree with the sun shinning brightly and cheerfully upon them whilst the wind blow softly against their faces. read more…
It is necessary for an individual to pause at the end of each day that has passed, in order to check himself and run through his achievements: What has he done in the course of the day? Why has he done it? What has he omitted? Why has he omitted it? read more…
Whatever we may think about Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s administrative skills, he frequently stated in his speeches one of his deepest hopes for the Malaysian community, which was recourse to rational conflict resolution. Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad has to a certain degree made the same recommendation, acknowledging the shortcomings of the judicial process in such matters. Other leaders of different political and religious persuasions have issued similar statements. read more…
Al-Hamdulillah, wa Sallallah wa Sallama `Ala Sayyidina Rasulillah, wa Alihi wa Sahbihi wa Man Walah, Wa Ba`du:
Shaykh `Abdul-Karim Yahya, the student of Sayyidina al-Habib `Umar Bin Hafiz al-`Alawi al-Husayni, transmitted to us this Dua of Imam al-Haddad Radhiyallah `Anh for the refinement of the heart. When one makes this Dua, we request that one pray for us and all the Muslims.
Media Statement By Zainul Rijal Abu Bakar, President, Muslim Lawyers Association of Malaysia.
In the days leading to the decision of the case brought by the Titular Roman Catholic Archbishop applying to use the word Allah in the Malay version of the bible, the Muslim community sat muted whilst being schooled by the non Muslims on their own religion. At the helm of this muted movement were politicians including their ulamas, political alliances and Muslim intellectuals who all agreed that it is permissible for the use of the word Allah in the Catholic weekly Herald publication.
One day, close to noontime, while the Prophet (peace be upon him) was sitting and conferring with his Companions, a group of desert dwellers approached. Their purpose was none other than to represent their people to the Prophet (peace be upon him) and declare their faith in Islam.
Dr. Ali Shariati, an Iranian scholar who has been well regarded throughout the Muslim world, discussed in his book on the Hajj, his concept of the “inner Hijrah”.
He believes that the journey of the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) from Makkah to Madinah was far more than a political move. He considers this journey as a template for an action that every single Muslim must take in order to fully develop Islam in his or her life. read more…
Kuala Lumpur, Dec. 12, 2009 — The Malaysian Muslim Lawyers Association announced at its 22nd Annual General Meeting in Kuala Lumpur that lawyer Hj. Zainurijal Abu Bakar has been elected to become its 5th president, succeeding Tan Sri Abu Zahar Ujang.
Islam is really vast, and most of us forget that it extends so far beyond our local communities. The first blessing of Hajj is to remind us of this reality. Another blessing is that, if you must travel the world, you might as well travel to the very gates of heaven and hell. Al Qur’an never dissociates these two ultimate realities, and in Makkah they are also both close to us. Among other things, our Taqwa will increase and we may even become more fearful upon return. There is nothing wrong with this. read more…
The United Nations concept of human rights is unacceptable to Muslims. The points where they clash are numerous, yet Muslims seem afraid to focus on these points, perhaps for fear of upsetting the international “powers that be”. When Abdullah Badawi formulated his “Islam Hadhari”, for example, he carefully avoided all these points in his “Ten Principles”, thereby robbing “Hadhari” of any distinctively Islamic identity. Undoubtedly, he was trying to “sell” Islam to the world in some moderate, essentially emasculated form. read more…
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), in partnership with Islamic Outreach-ABIM, organized a seminar entitled, ‘Protection and Assistance of Civilians Affected by Complex Emergencies and Armed Conflicts.’ It was held at the Equatorial Hotel, Kuala Lumpur on October 14, 2009.
The following story is based on a true experience by a dear friend whom I had invited to “iftar” during the recent Ramadhan. The event was held in one of the halls at Kuala Lumpur’s Masjid Negara. For all of Malaysia’s enlightenment, she still designs some mosques that are quite inaccessible for “warga emas”, or senior citizens, who may be a bit walking-impaired. This was my worry but with all sincerity I had hoped that my friend would attend the event. And more importantly, the following incident has made me reflect upon what we call as da’wah bil hal – inviting people to Islam through our personal good qualities and actions. This is indeed is Rasulullah (may peace be upon him)’s lifelong practise. His moral conduct had drawn many people to love and embrace Islam. His trustworthiness and amanah had long since impressed the community of Quraisy Arabs. So much so that he was named Al-Amin, the Truthful One.
There are a number of approaches which one might take when considering the freedom of religion in Malaysia, in terms of human rights. However, as delineated below, there will invariably be problems inherent in applying a Universalist perspective to the Islamic worldview. Given the constraints of time and space in this instance, then, the focus will be primarily on the Islamic perspective on the issues.
Muslim South East Asia NGOs call for Asean to overhaul its security-related policies
Press Release: Bangkok (October 16, 2009): More than 30 Muslim NGO activists and representatives from Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines and Cambodia today gathered in the capital of Thailand to discuss the impact and implications of three conflict-torn regions in Southeast Asia and called for ASEAN and ASEAN member governments to undertake new and renewed efforts to tackle the conflicts.
A recent encounter with a long-lost acquaintance (and followed by my wife’s advice – thank you dearie!) reminded me of a story during the lifetime of our Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him. The following is what I am gently reminding myself of over and again.
Through our daily lives, we sometimes unintentionally seek to find people’s faults; but Allah asks us to see the good in them. Whether it is a rebellious ignorant youth, a self-centered celebrity, or arrogant young and inexperienced politicians (whose existence are so prevalent these days), or even a mean old man; But yet Allah asks us to see the good in them.
The FOLLOWING IS MY WELCOMING Speech AT THE SEMINAR ON “Protection and Assistance of Civilians Affected by complex Emergencies and Armed Conflicts”, HOTEL EQUATORIAL kUALA LUMPUR
Mr Werner Kaspar, Head of Regional Delegation ICRC Kuala Lumpur, Distinguished speakers, Guest of honors, respected participants: I warmly welcome you to participate in this seminar on “Protection and Assistance of Civilians Affected by Complex Emergencies and Armed Conflicts” which is organized jointly by the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Islamic Outreach ABIM. I believe that today’s event will bring fresh understanding and greater awareness about this important theme, especially for those who are involved in civil society organizations that have a political and moral responsibility to act in such situations.
