WHAT does it take to stay ahead of the curve in design? How can a foundation, company, industry or country nurture and keep creative talent? What needs to be in place for a traditional craft to be transformed into contemporary and modern designs? These were some of the questions that were raised in the final […]
discussion
Trusting the experts
By Andrew KhooSheila MajidRECENTLY, I shuddered to read a quote by performing artiste Sheila Majid in an interview she did with The Nut Graph. I shuddered because her quote reminded me too much of another quote I’d read earlier in The Star by Dr Wan Azhar Wan Ahmad, senior fellow/director at the Institute of Islamic Understanding. Towards […]
The role of intra-faith dialogue
By Shanon ShahWe need more intra-faith dialogue (© arte_ram / sxc.hu) DISCUSSIONS on religious issues, or a lack thereof, are increasingly defining public policy and society in Malaysia. A few key words are enough to jog memories — the cow-head protest, the whipping sentence on Muslims for drinking alcohol, Christians and the word “Allah”, concert banning, and […]
Unity needs empathy
By Deborah LohRACE and 1Malaysia have occupied my thoughts in the last few weeks. It can’t be helped, given the articles I’ve had to write on both subjects of late. I’ve almost reached saturation point listening to people debate the meaning of 1Malaysia. Last Friday, 24 July, I attended a forum where a small group of academics, […]
Islamic authorities in crisis?
By Shanon ShahWHEN the National Fatwa Council issued two successive fatwas in late 2008 banning tomboys and yoga, outcry from the Malaysian public was palpable. Tomboys sneered, youth collectives protested, and Muslim yoga practitioners posed in defence. Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, the National Fatwa Council, and even Inspector General of […]
