IT is understandably very easy to demonise PAS for its Islamic state agenda. After all, the party leadership seems quite adept at declaring its intentions to implement some features of an Islamic state, such as hudud, at the most inopportune moments. In a global climate of Islamophobia and because of Muslims acting out of a […]
islam
Getting the message across in KT
By Deborah LohELECTION ceramahs are always interesting to attend not just to listen to the speakers, but to see who else shows up. Chinese Malaysians attending a PAS event always raise eyebrows, because they are traditionally seen as Barisan Nasional supporters. Their presence is even more interesting in the Kuala Terengganu by-election where they are said to […]
Contrasting campaign styles in KT
By Danny LimTHE two major competing parties in the Kuala Terengganu by-election couldn’t have started their campaigns in more contrasting fashions. Umno revved up its election machinery in the gilded expanse and expense of Taman Tamadun Islam’s convention centre on the eve of the 6 Jan 2009 nomination day. PAS, with Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) and DAP, […]
Let Catholic weekly run in Malay
By Khalid SamadEVEN though the Home Ministry recently approved the publication permit for the Herald – the Catholic Weekly, only publication in English, Tamil, and Chinese is allowed. Publication of the weekly’s Malay language version has been held back, pending a court decision on the use of the word “Allah”. While my Christian friends applaud the decision […]
The future of Hindraf
By Tricia YeohMORE than one year after Hindraf supporters stormed the streets of Kuala Lumpur, the question remains: has the plight of Indian Malaysians been successfully addressed? Despite Hindraf leaders taking the forefront in anti-ISA (Internal Security Act) vigils, making international headlines, and creating awareness, are Indian Malaysians any closer to achieving their goals than they were […]
Muslims must enhance Islam’s position
PUTRAJAYA, 29 Dec 2008: The Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah, today called on Muslims to strive to enhance Islam’s position in the country. Muslims, who make up almost a quarter of the world’s population, could enrich their civilisation to greater glory if they used their capability and wealth, he said in […]
Islamic crime and punishment
By Shanon ShahA MUCH sought-after speaker, imam Feisal Abdul Rauf was born in Kuwait in 1948 into an Egyptian family steeped in religious scholarship. He has a degree in physics from Columbia University in New York, United States, and was also educated in England and Malaysia. His comfort in slipping into Bahasa Malaysia before this interview was […]
Fatwas 101
By Shanon ShahIMAM Feisal Abdul Rauf is the imam of Masjid Al-Farah in New York City, barely 12 blocks from the site of the 11 Sept 2001 attacks on the World Trade Centre. He is also CEO of the American Society for Muslim Advancement (Asma). Established in 1997, Asma is a Muslim organisation committed to bringing Muslims […]
Discuss religious issues behind closed doors
SHAH ALAM, 22 Dec 2008: Any discussion on religious issues should not be done openly to preserve racial harmony in the country, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. Instead, he said, such discussions or dialogues needed to be held behind closed-doors so that those involved would be able […]
Mandatory testing flawed
By Shanon Shah1,000 crosses put up by World Concern, USA, in support of World AIDS Day (© Andrew Conn / sxc.hu) STARTING from 2009, Muslim couples intending to marry must undergo mandatory screening for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). We don’t know how this became official, but it now is, with the cabinet’s approval. Deputy Prime Minister […]