Tuesday, January 29, 2013

The man who brought the 'cake of peace'




Tuan Guru Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, the top PAS spiritual leader scored 2 major victories for peace over his weekend visit to Penang. First his unprecedented call on DAP Chairman and political antagonist Karpal Singh at the latter's home and the second was his meeting with the Bishop of Penang Sebastian Francis. Both these visits, coincided with the 82nd birthday of the PAS leader, and came at a time when Muslim- Christian tensions were running high of late, leading to the planned burning of bibles in Penang.

By calling on Karpal,Nik Aziz has shown a level of statesmanship that in not seen in our local political scene. The attitude of ‘agree to disagree’ is most welcome and an example for all political leaders. The goodwill behind Nik Aziz-Karpal meeting gave a boost to the unity of the parties in Pakatan. The meeting with Bishop Sebastian was a sign of his concern for the safety and respect for Christians as it was a day for the planned burning of bibles by Muslims in Penang. His actions help calm the tense situation that was created by irresponsible parties. 

Nik Aziz is the most sought after man for peace among the various races and faiths in the country. He is revered by both the Muslims and non-Muslims alike for his life of simplicity and honesty. He is a symbol of what a real man of God should be - simple, honest, and righteous and above all have the love for fellow men regardless of their race or creed. If only there are more such people like him among Muslims and non-Muslims alike there will not be any major inter-faith disputes that will be beyond amicable solution.

On this 82nd birthday we wish TG Nik Aziz a very happy and memorable birthday. We pray that God (whatever name we prefer to call Him) will bless him with good health for many more years so that he can continue to be a guiding and moderating figure for inter-faith harmony in the country. His presence is of great importance at time of intense political campaigning for the crucial 13GE that may create tensions among the people of diverse faiths.

We pray that God will bring together more moderate minded leaders like Tok Guru from all religions to the forefront of our nation so that the suspicion and hate among the people of different faiths will soon disappear from the hearts of all Malaysians.

Happy birthday Tok Guru.

God bless Malaysia

Monday, January 28, 2013

Nik Aziz - The Man of Peace


                            Meeting Karpal at his home in Penang

Tuan Guru Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat,the top PAS spiritual leader scored 2 major victories for peace over his weekend visit to Penang.First his unprecedented call on DAP Chairman and political antagonist Karpal Singh at the latter's home and the second was his meeting with the Bishop of Penang Sebastian Francis.Both these visits come at a time when Muslim- Christian tensions were running high of late,leading to the planned burning of bibles in Penang.
 


 
 
                 Meeting Bishop Sebastian Francis of Penang with his "peace cake"
 
 
 
 
 
Nik Aziz is the most sought after man for peace among the various races and faiths in the country.He is respected by both the Muslims and non-Muslims alike for his life of simplicity and honesty.He is a symbol of what a real man of God should be - simple,honest,righteous and above all possess love for fellow men regardless of race or creed. We hope there will be more such people like him among Muslims and non-Muslims alike to overcome all inter-faith disputes amicably.
On this 82nd birthday we wish TG Nik Aziz a very happy and memorable birthday. We pray that God (in whatever name we prefer} will bless him with good health for many more years so that he can continue to be a guiding and moderating figure for inter-faith harmony in the country.We pray that God will bring together more moderate minded leaders like Tok Guru from all religions to the forefront of our nation so that the suspicion and hate among the people of different faiths will soon disappear from the hearts of all Malaysians.

Happy birthday Tog Guru.

God bless Malaysia

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Bible burning a despicable act



 Perkasa President Ibrahim Ali’s call to burn all Malay bibles that contain the word ‘Allah’ is most unbecoming of a lawmaker who is responsible for representing the interests of all his constituents, which include Christians as well.

Burning of the Bible or for that matter a sacred document of any faith is a despicable act of cowards who are not brave to engage in civil dialogue to settle their disputes amicably as their religion teaches. They have no respect whatsoever for God whom they claim to worship. Fortunately this irresponsible and incentive act is condoned by only a few as the vast majority of our Muslim friends are also disgusted with this proposed bible-burning event.

Perkasa and its leader Ibrahim Ali may be just an MP, not even in the cabinet but appears stronger than the PM and his cabinet. They fear him because he can bring them down. The PM could have given his approval before for Allah to be used by non-Muslims but will he have the courage to defend his previous stand now when it matters most?

It is disgusting that a MP can openly call for the burning of the Bible which is sacred to the Christians. It is even more shocking that he can do it so openly without any condemnation from his colleagues and the top political leaders. Those in positions of power who must stop this crazy man from destroying the peace among the races choose to be silent for fear of losing.

How do we, the minority, handle such trouble-makers who blatantly breach the laws and with the enforcement agencies standing idle watching from the sidelines? Call for peaceful dialogue falls on deaf ears and the unreasonable assault on our religion and rights continues unabated. This is the greatest test for the minority non-Muslims in our country.

As the minority we are hurt and angry with the way those with power are trying to bully us to give up our constitutional rights as citizens. But this is the time we should have faith in what we believe - the truth will finally prevail if we have the patience to keep the peace till the end.

Something from Mahatma Gandhi to reassure and give us hope, "If patience is worth anything, it must endure to the end of time. And a living faith will last in the midst of the blackest storm."

With the all-important 13GE so close and the BN for the first time appears to be losing, people like Ibrahim will do anything to just to keep Umno-BN in power. On our part let's not be drawn into this filthy political game. We go slow with our claim of the 'Allah' and not act with anger but with great patience and restraint to maintain the peace we have. Let us not retaliate but allow the police to investigate professionally and take necessary action on those responsible as we wait for the God-given opportunity to show displeasure peacefully at the coming polls them. Let us use this issue to show what we really are - patient, forgiving and peaceful.

Whatever happens remember God is watching us and He will do what is right at the right time. Human leaders can let us down but not God. Let’s continue to have faith in God that He will be on our side when it matters most. They can burn our bibles, our churches and even our bodies but they cannot burn away the God who dwells in our hearts, doesn't matter what we choose to call Him.

God bless Malaysia

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

KL112 - People's Unity versus a lopsided media




The Himpunan Kebamgkitan Rakyat  or the People’s Uprising Rally in Kuala Lumpur on 12 January 2013(KL112) witnessed over a hundred thousand ordinary Malaysians of all walks of life assembling in Stadium Merdeka to protest their frustrations of government’s  alleged indifference to their grouses.
Although it was one of the biggest anti-government rallies in the history of the nation and was the talk of every citizen around the country, the Main Stream Media (MSM) chose to ignore such a mammoth event, writing it off as insignificant. Even the usually aggressive police chose to allow the rally that was peaceful and orderly and in keeping with the laws of the country. It was with dismay that we note the media was still in denial of what was happening around them. It is most irresponsible of them to keep blindly supporting the government against the people.

The media play a very important role in a democratic nation, to bring the right change and check abuses in the government. The unprofessional attitude and behavior of the MSM is most regrettable and a hindrance to the progress of the people and the nation.

The peaceful conclusion of the KL 112 was a great achievement for the people. The biggest lesson from this mammoth rally was UNITY of the people that was undeniably the source of their strength. It was this unprecedented unity among the people of all ethnicity that had brought them thus far to a state where they have the power in their hands to make demands and change the government as they wish. It is this unity of the people that will empower the rakyat to determine their own destiny. 

This unity is being put to the biggest test with the election campaign intensifies with the approaching 13GE where winning is vital for both the ruling and opposition parties. Controversial racial and religious issues keep coming up again and again despite being settled amicably before, the latest being the ‘Allah’ issue. Will these controversies disrupt the unity of the people to the extent as to prevent the change demanded by the them? Will the people succumb to the divide and rule tactics of the politicians?

The people are now in the final lap of our campaign to bring in a new government and create a two-party system.They are up against a powerful government and a biased media all out to hinder their success. They must not fall prey to the foolish and selfish in-fighting of their leaders over a few minor differences among them which can be amicably settled later when in power.Only their strong unity based on mutual trust can overcome these forces arrayed against them. As the saying goes, “united we rise, divided we fall". They must put their differences aside for the sake of their future, their nation and their children.

At the mammoth rally of KL112, Pakatan leaders have pledged to listen to the wishes of the people. They have pleaded for a chance to make the people's voices the voices of the leaders of this nation. The people have taken great pains to be there in the packed Stadium Merdeka standing for hours under the scorching heat of the sun of that Saturday afternoon as a sign of their sacrifice and willingness to give Pakatan that chance with earnest hope that its leaders will not let them down. 

Come what may they must stand up boldly to honor their pledges to the people.



Monday, January 14, 2013

Pongal 2013 A time to reflect on our failures



A Happy Pongal to all Malaysians of Indian origin

Pongal is a harvest festival that reminds us of our origins and our past. We may have advanced tremendously but we must not forget our past, the humble beginnings of our colorful culture that takes pride in our cherished values of duty, dignity and discipline.

Today we are fast losing these values as we struggle to cope with the advances in the modern world where such values appear useless and a hindrance to our material progress. We may have become more religious but in actual fact have we? Religion should be part of our life as a guide but unfortunately to many religion has become their life, where rituals have replaced values and form replaced substance.

Today instead of indulging in all the rituals let’s reflect to see where we stand as a race in our country and the world. What respect do we command among others? In our country why are we in such a deplorable state, to be looked down by others and having to depend on handouts? What has gone wrong with our values and principles? 

Pongal is not about boiling  pongal rice and shouting ‘pongalo-pongal’.It is not about sugar canes and cows or watching the newly released movies  but it is about regaining our past glory as a premier community in the country.

The past is not something to be shy of but however humble it could have been be, it is a lesson for the present and the future. Unless we appreciate and take pride of our past we can never be successful as a race, family, nation and most of all as a human.

Happy Pongal


Attaching a meaningful song that takes pride in our humble but valuable past
  

CNY - Year of the dragon

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