Photo source: http://www.techwithus.com/2012/07/6-ways-to-survive-16-hours-of-ramadan-fasting/ | Breaking fast

Syahredzan Johan asks during this holy month, are Malay-Muslims entitled to better rights than others?

Photo credit: http://www.techwithus.com/2012/07/6-ways-to-survive-16-hours-of-ramadan-fasting/ | Is it time to have that sandwich?

So you are fasting. The sun is bearing down on you, your stomach is growling and your throat is parched. It is only 12.30 in the afternoon; you still have hours to go before you may break your fast. All of a sudden, a non-Muslim person appears before you, enjoying an icy cold can of your favourite cola. He looks like he is savouring the cola. You could imagine the sensation of that very same cola filling your throat with diabetes-inducing caffeine goodness. So you flare up. How dare this person drink in front of you? Does he have no respect for the holy month of Ramadhan, to be wantonly quenching his thirst in full view of Muslims? Does he not know that Muslims form the majority of this country and therefore must be respected?

This is the basic premise prevalent amongst many Malay-Muslims in this country. Muslims form the majority and therefore they are entitled to be respected. Malay-Muslim sensitivities must not be offended; the Malay-Muslim public must be protected from harm, confusion and many other bad and insidious things that may threaten the ummah. In recent times, these deep rooted sentiments are brought to the fore by opportunistic politicians. Thus it appeared as if Malay-Muslims have become more and more intolerant of minorities.

Malay-Muslims are entitled not to have a Hindu temple in the vicinity of their housing estate. Malay-Muslims are entitled to dictate what names others may use to invoke the Creator. Malay-Muslims are entitled to stop the sale of alcohol beverages and deny the establishment of a cinema in Malay majority areas.

Every Friday, Malay-Muslims are entitled to abandon their civic consciousness and park all over the place as if the streets belong to them. Malays-Muslims are entitled to blare religious ceramahs to every corner of the neighbourhood and into the wee hours of the night.

The prime minister must be Malay-Muslim, the civil service must be filled with Malay-Muslims and government bodies are seen as Malay institutions, tasked first and foremost to safeguard Malay and Muslim interests.

This premise of entitlement has also been used to justify the persecution and discrimination against sexual and religious minorities, purportedly because Article 3 provides that Islam is the religion of the Federation. So we say that LBGTs do not enjoy protection of the Constitution because their sexual orientations are against Islam, although we conveniently forget that other things, like gambling, are also forbidden in Islam but are still legal in this country. Books are seized and banned and fatwas are made absolute. In a recent decision, the Federal Court went so far to say that the integrity of the religion needs to be safeguarded at all costs. Does ‘at all costs’ include the supremacy of the Federal Constitution as the highest law of the land?

Make no mistake, this is not about Islam. It is about how we justify the discrimination, persecution and blatant disregard for fundamental liberties, all in the name of religion. It is how we view and treat others as inferior to us because we believe that we are entitled to do so. We permit transgressions because we labour under this presumption that Malay-Muslims, by virtue of being Malays and Muslims, are entitled to the best of the country as they occupy a higher standing than the rest of the rakyat out there.

There is no legal or constitutional basis for this. Article 3 does not make Malaysia an Islamic state and Article 4 expressly provides that the Federal Constitution is the supreme law of the land.  Article 8 provides that every citizen is equal before the law and enjoys equal protection of the law. The oft quoted Article 153 does not make Malay-Muslims superior in law or fact, it only provides for the reservation of quotas for Malays and natives of Sabah and Sarawak in certain matters.

So what if Muslims are the majority? We have such a flawed understanding of democracy; as if in a democracy, the rights of minorities are inferior to the rights of the majority. That is why we have a Constitution, which protects and guarantees the fundamental liberties of citizens from the tyranny of the majority.

We find ourselves up in arms at the fate of Muslims minorities in other countries like Thailand, Philippines, Myanmar and China.  We invoke freedom of religion when we hear of minarets being banned in Switzerland or burqas being banned in France. But if the rights of Muslim minorities should be protected in the face of the majority, why is it that we do not have the same vigour to protect the rights our non-Muslim minorities? Why must the rights of others here only be exercised if we deem those rights as exercisable?

So before you take offence at someone who is drinking in front of you while you are fasting, take a step back and think of your religion. Put aside your sense of entitlement and think; just because you are fasting, does it mean that everyone else around you must stow away their food and drinks?

Remember what Islam has instilled in you, not what Muslims have told you.

Syahredzan Johan adalah seorang peguam muda dan seorang rakan kongsi di sebuah firma guaman di Kuala Lumpur. Dia melihat dirinya sebagai seorang pengkritik politik dan pengulas sosial. Tetapi dia sebenarnya...

588 replies on “We are Malay-Muslims, we are entitled”

  1. If Fasting is one endurance test, wouldn't it the harder the better?

    The harder it goes then stronger it build the strength. So all those eating in front by others mean nothing, and Muslims should also work more and harder then others, for it the combination to strengthen the mind and toughen up on endurance.

  2. What nonsense is this ignorant moron writing?? If you re truly a muslim (which most of u are not), you will rather focus on your fasting instead of whining and talking about some stupid rights y'all are entitled to.
    How on earth would you expect people not to eat because y'all are fasting??? So now the rest non-muslims should starve themselves because of you all??! The muslims should learn not to look at others eating, during ramadan and therefore learn to endure with your focus on your holy month. No one forced you to fast, you put yourselves in it, so therefore learn and endure if truly you're doing it for your god!
    If truly you are all peaceful and respectful like you claim, then show it to the world and stop all your bitching around!
    What a senseless article tbh!

  3. Great write up. Makes alot of sense. If only more muslims thought like you. Hindus also fast, and so do buddist but we don't make a hoo haa about it and tell the whole office not to eat in front of us. We quietly go about our fast. Not that non muslims should purposely eat in front of muslims but its quite impossible not to eat in front of some muslims. If we are in a cafetaria what should we do. We do not have a choice. Muslims are majority so they are everywhere. Muslims should also be sensitive towards others religions. Most muslims do not respect nor care about others religion. I remember when I used to work in a bank, whenever there is a party organized for some reason, if it is organized by a muslims, they will surely have a beef dish despite the fact that the office has a number of hindu and buddist staff. But if its organized by a non muslims, they always ensure it is halal. It should work both ways. As a multi racial and multi religion country, we should learn to respect everyone irrespective of race or religion. Respect begets respect.

  4. Well said and well written. It is our prayer and hope that all our young Malaysians will show consideration and respect to one another, though we all come from different cultures, race and religion and that we should strive to change for a better future for all Malaysians but voting in upright, fair and honest leaders to lead our country. My generation may not see this happen but I hope those Generation X, Y & Z Malaysians will stand up to make this a truly Malaysia for one and only MALAYSIANS.

  5. Over the years, I have made lots of friends, for your information, most of my good friends are malays. Our politicians should tone down. Ask anyone about malaysia..they will tell you, Malaysia is a beautiful country but can't say much about our government. Sigh!!

  6. the comments are mostly positive, but seriously, those 'holier-than-thou' malays should never post their comments here cuz it looks real bad on the majority malays.

  7. Bismillahirahmanirahim,
    Yes I'm a Muslim and I am fasting. No. I don't expect my non muslim friends to understand a fasting Muslim and cower away with his icy cold can of cola. Come on. My faith is bigger than a can of coke. That is what Ramadhan does. It secures your faith. And no. I don't think being a Majority is a highway to say I'm much more supreme than any other religion. That is not what Islam has taught me. The ones who think otherwise should learn on what Ramadhan is really all about.
    No. I do not agree to say that being a Muslim I have a forsay and forbid other house of religion to be built around the vicinity of my housing area. As long as it is permitted by law, go ahead. Like I said, not a highway to say I'm supreme. Whereas Allah has said: “Dan janganlah kamu caci benda yang mereka sembah selain dari Allah, kerana mereka kelak akan mencaci Allah secara melampaui batas tanpa pengetahuan. Demikianlah Kami memperelokkan pada pandangan tiap-tiap umat akan amal perbuatan mereka, kemudian kepada Tuhan merekalah tempat kembali mereka, lalu Ia menerangkan kepada mereka apa yang mereka telah lakukan.” Surah Al-An’aam ayat 108. This verse tells us to respect other religion. Not forbidding them nor disrespecting them.
    Yes. Every friday noon the roads can be nerve popping. But I don't think that it is such a big issue. I may be biased on this one but, don't we provide road closures for Thaipusam? Tolerance is the word perhaps. Then again, I would rather see people park all over to perform his religious duties, than to park all over just to go to bazir.. ops.. bazar ramadhan. As for the ceramahs. Yes. I agree. It should not be a disturbance to others.
    Civil service? No. I work in a civil department and we have multi races working together. And no, I don't see any government body as a malay institution. I don't know, probably because I work in Selangor. Hah!
    In my opinion, LGBTs or LBGT or LBTG or whatever, yes their sexual orientations are against Islam but I don't see that as a reason not to be protected as a human being. Yeah there are conflicts where gambling is legal, it is the same as smoking is haram yet we still sell cigarettes. We even have a government body for tobacco. But I don't feel that because the superiors close one eye on one they should close both eyes on the other.
    At a certain point, we have to safeguard religion at all costs. I don't think just Muslims think that way, but other religions too. Except Islam has a higher priority being the religion of the federation although it does not import its islamic principles and whereby only that it is used during official events. So… Kuddos to Malaysia!
    Yeah it is not about Islam. Its about the ummah, and how illiterate they are on our sacred religion. What can I say since 80% of our muslim youth doesn't even complete 5 times of prayer. If they can't provide a firm base for the pillars to stand, how can they understand on why shouldn't a muslim eat in public during Ramadhan. It is just a sense of respect. Your brothers are striving for piety. Have some respect. I know many non muslims do. And I salute you! So go ahead and slurp your can of cola my non muslim friends. My faith is bigger than that. And if there are Muslims who fumes at you, tell them to increase their faith, cause apparently it smaller than a one ringgit fifty cent cola.
    Yeah. Muslims here take for granted on being the majority. And if we were the minority, our mindset would be different. But we are not. All we can do is preach, and preach, and preach, because the prophet s.a.w said: "Convey from me even if one ayah (verse) for it may be that the one being informed will comprehend better that the one listening (at present)." (Al-Bukhari). May our ummah be knowledgable for the sake of every religion. Amin

  8. Your article is most timely, Syah, in the light of the current developments following the aftermath of GE13. It is my personal opinion that it is the politicians that divide us, not among the people. Malaysia is so blessed to be multi-racial and rich in its resources. If we can stand in unity, Malaysia will prosper and do well. Sadly, the remarks from politicians that we read in the media on a daily basis is horrifying and disturbing. These politicians will have to stop making childish remarks such as 'tsunami cina' and 'if you don't like it, leave the country' , instead they should promote interfaith activities to promote close the gap and promote better understanding among the different races.

  9. Impressive article…not many can reflect objectively. I guess fasting month+thinking does that. Anyway for THE SHAH whom rubbished the article. I am the walking evidence….being reprimanded in public for eating when I was 9 years old. Oh boy that gave me some lasting impression. Saya ingat lagi Cikgu Nordin of Sek Ren Khir Johari, Sg Sumun…pratically hauled me up using my collar for eating my capati during recess…that's 30 years ago. That was one of the few times I was reprimanded. Memory lingers.

    Anyway I had fasted before. I miss water the most. No big deal…when come to missing the food. Its the other things that are tougher aka not gossiping!

  10. As a muslim I got the point he's trying to bring up, but the examples given are just plain rubbish. Plus, all the matters that he brought up IS about Islam. This is Malaysia, where the majority are Muslim. So, I'd not want ppl to stow away their drink but it is good if my non-muslim friends could quietly slurp their iced tea and understand that majority in the class were fasting.

    Go to south India and order kari kepala lembu. Is that correct? Haiya…

  11. THANKS VERY MUCH Syahredzan Johan for your enlightenment:)! Append below is my enquiry to Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL) for clarifications on our SAD EXPERIENCE at Gerai Makan Di Hentian Putra, Kuala Lumpur Pada Bulan Ramadan:O :-

    {Pada hari Ahad, 14/Julai/2013, kali pertamanya saya mengunjungi ke Hentian Putra di Kuala Lumpur dengan
    keluarga saya pada pukul 12.30 tengahari untuk membeli tiket bas ke Kuantan kerana tiket-tiket bas di Hentian
    Pekeliling sudah habis dijual.

    Kami dapat membeli tiket jam pukul 3.45 petang. Dengan itu, kami pun naik ke Gerai Makan tertunjuk di Tingkat Satu untuk makan tengahari. Tetapi diberitahu Penjaja Macik bahawa semua gerai tutup kerana Bulan Ramadan.

    Oleh demikian, anak remaja saya yang berumur 18 tahun bersama rakan sekolahnya yang berbangsa India pun menaiki LRT ke Stesen KL Sentral untuk membeli bungkusan McDonald sementara kami menunggu di tempat duduk menunggu yang disediakan di tingkat bawah Hentian Putra di depan kaunter-kaunter jualan tiket bas.

    Apabila mereka pulang dengan bungkusan makanan McDonald, kami mempertimbangkan orang ramai yang berpuasa di tempat duduk menunggu situ, kami pun naik ke kerusi meja yang disediakan di Gerai Makan tadi untuk makan tengahari. Tetapi Macik Penjaja yang tengah membuat persiapan makanan jualan gerainya tidak membenarkan kami makan di sana. Dia kata tempat itu adalah untuk orang Melayu sahaja dan kami orang Cina tidak boleh guna. Suami saya bertanya, Bukankah kami 1Malaysia? tetapi Macik itu tetap kata tempat itu untuk orang Melayu sahaja. Kami pun tunjukkan bungkusan McDonald dan memberitahu bahawa itu makanan ditanggung halal dari McDonald tetapi Macik tersebut tetap menghalau kami.

    Dengan itu, kami pun menuju ke suatu bilik di tepi pintu Gerai Makan tersebut, di tepi tangga, untuk memakan
    dengan cepat, tersembunyi. Selepas makan, kami kemaskan dan buangkan semua sampah McDonald ke tong
    sampah yang disediakan di tingkat bawah dan turut menunggu menaiki bas balik ke Kuantan.

    Anak saya yang berumur 11 tahun bertanya, Siapakah yang salah? pada pertengkaran tadi di antara Macik dan Bapanya?

    Kami ingin mengetahui bahawa, Benarkah Gerai Makan di Tingkat Satu Hentian Putra Kuala Lumpur itu disediakan
    untuk warga Melayu sahaja? dan Adakah Kerusi Meja di Tingkat Satu tidak boleh digunakan pada masa Bulan
    Ramadan?}

    Can you imagine the CONFUSIONS brought to innocent children, including teenagers, who LEARNT about 1MALAYSIA in school all their lives and ENCOUNTERED this LIVE experience in the SOCIETY, in REALITY:O?!?

    Hope to SEEK FAIRNESS & JUSTICE:)!

    THANKS:)!

  12. Let me paraphrase Maria Abdullah, a colleague. Ramadan is a month that begins with mercy progresses to forgiveness and ends with freedom, all of which is configured to play out in the backdrop of temptation. The teaching device in the context is ‘temptation’ hence go ahead Tom, don’t hide that coffee but if you don’t mind this holy month I will stay resilient to the aroma and resolute to my faith while I watch you indulge in yours.

  13. Syahredzan Johan,

    That's quite an article you wrote wwaaaaaaayyyy back and it still has legs judging by the many recent comments posted :) Surely a sign of a damn fine piece of work :)

    Anyway, for many years, I thought that one reason for Ramadan was so that one could know what it felt like to be without, when everybody else had plenty, eg a poor man who has no food when others around him has plenty to eat.

    Nowadays, it almost seems as though the focus is to deprive others of their plenty when one has nothing. Hmm….

  14. THank you for sharing a though with us. Tolerance and respect is make us what we are today. middle path walk is encouraged to walk by all religions. May all have a peaceful Ramadhan month

  15. Rational and intellectual view long due. Muslim Malays or Malay muslims need to buck up in mindset. Deliberate provocation aimed to stir religious sentiments is not acceptable – irrespective of any religion in the case of the " halal bak kut teh" incident. Why are we so sensitive only during Ramadhan when that someone eats and makes us drool? Doesnt that show lack of faith in our commitment to the religion..fasting is about submitting to God's wishes … its not as if one dies not eating for like 15 hours??

    I am Muslim and more often than not it gets to me that some Malay Muslims think they are just more entitled to "heaven's gate" than any other .. its not only the minority of non muslims here having issues.. Guess some of us go through worst with the stares and jeers..just cos I am a Muslim (lady) .. I smoke ..and I dont wear the tudung …ahhh…what better pkace to be than in Malaysia – to be specific KL .. that mentality lives on… peace ya'll ..

  16. – Simply, the next time anyone thinks they are "holier than thou", and that they can act impulsively, to scheme, plot, bully, accuse or trod upon others, pls. remind them that such action is in total disregard of moral or religious teachings that tell us not do no harm upon others, especially if they do it with intention. Look ourselves in the mirror, our actions merely reflects ourselves as a person. If we do not wish harm upon ourselves, then first learn not to harm others. How much can we claim to be religious? if we do not practice the fundamental tenet of all religions, which is to do good, and avoid evil?

  17. From the article, I come to understand that the Muslims in Malaysia are very selfish and intolerable bunch. Are Muslims in Malaysia really that bad?

    Retrospectively, mostly the actions of Muslim toward any issue had been those of reactions to issues pertaining to the what they consider to be the sanctity of Islam.

    Majority of Muslims would care less about non-Muslims eating in front of them, look around in the Ramadan bazaar to see these because majority of us know that one of the conditions of validity for fasting in Islam is that you have to be a Muslim…this action of eating in front of a Muslim during this fasting month is such a trivial matter.

    Civic conciousness is the practice of all races. If anybody has the solution on how to solve the parking woes during the congregations of Friday, please come forward. Solutions should also be sought out for the same problem during congregations and possessions of other religions. All the while these problem are being tolerated as they are not such big deals.

    When we are Muslims, naturally we believe that Islam is the ultimate truth and other religions are wrong…a true Muslim would not consider other way of life. We are prescribed with laws and ways to conduct and do things from the minute we wake up to the minute we fall asleep. We believe Islamic laws are the best and whatever things being prohibited should be shunned and not to be tolerated. It is prohibited in Islam to be practising LBGT, so it is haram and not to be recognised as a natural way of life.

    Suddenly, everything universally acceptable want to be shoved into the 'life-throats' of the Muslims even though it is prohibited in Islam. The moral values of man evolve to what the west see fit, and we like minions follow them blindly and the conditions does not turned out to be better. What is consider to be moral acceptable today might not be right tomorrow as man will set the values according to their desires.

    As long as we can govern the country with a hint of Islamic values, go for it. The values of man is deteriorating the world.

  18. This is our world.mother nature intended to give us all she can including land oxygen etc.it was designed for us to live in and share.mother nature gives us all without calculating and gets angry sometimes.she also gave us multiple ways of life.ex..Hinduism is multiple ways of life,Buddhism spirituality,Christianity religion,Islam religion.my point is enjoy it look at it as a blessing.respect all.love all and if not possible then be what you are.being universal makes me never to hurt others and only to understand a human.being able to look down on earth and see all the beautifull people is a wonderfull thing.do you think he is happy if we fight kill in order to show who is better?I sincere apologize if this was offensive but I really hope that we can achieve a united Malaysia where it's indirectly telling us..yo so many things to learn…be all ..learn all..why limit yourself?if we limit its our loss..we get angry with others..what if we practice all?

  19. If people do not mind and it's actually a fact where I hope it does not provoke,harm or enrage my fellow Malaysians.Religion and spirituality are two different things.I have done research and invested time in order to learn wisdom.That does not mean am full of it but allows me to share a little.Now a human relationship with god is direct if he or she wants.If You know he exists why should small thinks provoke people?do you want god to be very sensitive and punish you for small mistakes?isn't he known as the most mercifull person?why should any religion be offended when we do not educate our own people on religion?how come there are very few universal people whom practice and unify all religions in order to gain spirituality?and when we fast are we fasting for ourselves or for what people want us to do?did we choose our own path or put into it or born into it?why at this age we are still religion sensitive and when other countries have progressed towards a deeper level of understanding?

  20. Thank you for posting this. It is heart-warming to read of your respect for the minorities, be it racial, religious, sexual or otherwise.

    I grew up hiding my food away during the Ramadhan as I was concerned about offending those who were fasting. I have seen people being rebuked for eating in public as they are deemed insensitive and disrespectful. I developed a habit whereby I will not eat in front of a fasting person and if I were to drink, I will excuse myself or turn the other way. I did this for 18 years.

    When I moved to Singapore for my studies 2 years ago, I realized that the breed of Malay-Muslims here are very different. Being the minority, they did not exhibit the 'entitlement mentality' which came as a surprise in my earlier years. They were surprised by my habits and repeatedly told me that it was alright. They say that withstanding temptation is part of their fast and that they have been fasting for 20 years. Me eating a sandwich will not undo what they have learned in that 20 years. Their faith is stronger than the temptation of a sandwich.

    I have come to realize that my habits were bread by fear all this while, which stems from the demands that have been placed upon the minorities who do not conform to the majority mentality..

    I still practice my habits today but no longer out of fear but rather out of respect for my best friends (whom are all Malay-Muslim by the way). I no longer refrain from eating but rather this Ramadhan, I fast with them willingly as they have shown me that fasting is more that just a religious obligation. After 1 week of fasting, I can say that I am starting to appreciate what they do and why they do it. I find that my struggle is not about the hunger or thirst but rather the temptation to buy food and consume it just because I can (cause my fast isn't obligatory).

    I am not a convert but I can say that this is an experience that one ought to try. I think that better relations will develop from both parties showing mutual understanding for each other. Demanding and forcing will not make us see, but a gentle consideration will motivate us a long way.

  21. An insightful self reflection. I have long held that the hunger for entitlement can only be because of fear. Fear of inadequacy which naturally leads to one being defensive. Seeing another senselessly consuming food whilst one is under obligation to starve can indeed be very trying. But if this obligation is also by choice of faith and practice, one should know that to continue starving after being visually tested remains the true test of one's chosen belief. You may be angry with the other for not being considerate, but consider for a moment as well – this person eating or quenching his thirst senselessly may also have been fasting many more hours or days before that, perhaps under much harder conditions. You will never know. The mindful believer would say a prayer of peace and compassion, knowing that in a couple of hours more, your voluntary fast will surely end. Be mindful of your own mind as you practice in this month of trial. Peace.

  22. Dear Syahredzan Johan

    Good article. Kinda puts things in perspective for all of us in Malaysia. I think it boils down to two concepts that have been thrown around by our leader, TOLERANCE and ACCEPTANCE. I have heard numerous times this word tolerance being the key phrase behind unity behind uniting my Malaysian brother and sisters, which i am not comfortable at all with. The word tolerance alone implies that there is a limit to which an individual or a community can adopt another individuals or communities beliefs/culture/practices/religion. This limit or in my eyes a really thin line drawn out between Malay Muslims and non Malays/Muslims gives out a perception that our achieved harmony is actually quite fragile. I do agree that there are certain boundaries that should not be crossed because its simply rude/unjust and plain stupid, but that is a totally different debate. As a diverse society we should preach ACCEPTANCE of cross cultural beliefs/practices/religion and not moot in the TOLERANCE comfort zone. In time i have faith that with the right people (like you) in the right places ACCEPTANCE can be achieved and the fragile nature of our harmonious front will banish making us a stronger more united society striving to prosper together.

    PS: I know my comment might be a little of topic but i hold diligence that ACCEPTANCE is key to concluding your whole article.

  23. Change should start with freedom of speech. Please approve my comment.

    Thank you :)

  24. Well Written. Also the Malays professing Islam as their religion don't know why they are fasting or the signification of fast. Lack of education and the herd mentality is not helping them either.

  25. Of course Malay Muslims think they're entitled and superior. We've been indoctrinated to believe as such by our neighborhood mullahs and politicos, local boarding schools and universities, and venerable government insitutions like Biro Tata Negara (BTN). It's a systemic and structured brainwashing program that dates back to the genesis of the NEP (or even earlier!). So, with due respect to some you good-natured folks who believe this only occurs in the minority of Malay Muslims, the reality is that this state of affairs is deep-rooted in our country.

  26. Exaggerations! The grass is always greener on the other side.

    Why don't you speak about muslims being discriminated at private firms in Malaysia?
    What about many Hindu temples and shrines which are built on the government lands?
    Don't you know there are many Hindu temples near or beside Malay populations and nobody 'hurt' the temples so far?
    Are you there when the government conduct open interview and there is no single non-malays around want to apply the position?
    Are you around when the fierce dogs are barking at neighbour's family?
    Are you around when some non-Malay teachers look down on Malay students at some schools?
    Were you there when the non-Malays gave cynical remarks on 'tudung', 'sembahyang' and even the verse of Alfatihah?
    We can talk more about this and show you the proofs but I was brought up as a reminder rather than an ungrateful Malaysian like you.

    People like you always think that you are the one who hold the truth when actually you are hurting the silent majority who give peace and freedom to the minorities. Actually, you are part of the racism who laud about the differences rather than similarities.

    May God bless us and free us from these kind of thoughts in the future.

    Insya-Allah.

  27. Peristiwa Kampung Rawa.

    Once in Penang there is a Mosque and a Hindu temple that was close to each others. One day on the Friday prayer, when the Muadzin recite the adzan, the samis of the Hindu temple keep beating the bell louder and louder, if as they are challenging the sound of the adzan. Maybe they are not, maybe there are religious reasons for them to do that.

    But to some of the Muslims in the mosque, they felt that the samis are challenging the adzan, and a scuffle shortly issued.

    This is what I heard a long time ago from someone(I couldn't remember who). Maybe its not true.

    In Sunway near the Sunway pyramid shopping complex, there is a Mosque right infront of the complex. And a Hindu temple can also be found on the west side of the complex opposite the road. Nohing ever happened.

    I agree as a Malaysian and a Muslims, the Hindus or Buddhas or Christians should have their own temple/church in their home vicinity but it need to be apart from each others, if too close, maybe the same thing wll happened just like in Penang.

  28. Remember what Islam has instilled in you, not what Muslims have told you.

    If only everyone would remember this, the world would be a much better place.

  29. Oh please separate sheep from the goat. Mixing with political and religious and they are two different things. I hope non believers will respect the believers only the holy month of Ramadan. Other wise, every one will go back to his home town were he originated from. E.g, Indian's minority will go back to India, Chinese minority will go back to their home town China. Middle Eastern minority will go back as well. Whereas, the only REAL MALAY will remain for their home land and freely do what they want rather than disturbing by minorities. Be happy or not its up-to you but truth never been hide.

  30. Once, when I was attending to a subordinate, I had to put down my cup of coffee, which I did on his desk, forgetting it was Ramadan and he was fasting. I apologised when I remembered and he just smiled ,,, and said it did not bother him, showing how strong his commitment was. As for Sam's comment, yes, we need to be sensitive, yet we are human, and often forget – even in other aspects of life, we sometimes forget if one s from a different race or going through personal problems. What do we do then? We apologise, If I was the one trespassed on, of course I will feel it, whether it is deliberate or unintentional insensitivity, I need to deal with it… Either I suffer in silence or I speak up – but there is no reason to be abusive, more so if this is an exercise in penance. Personally I go on a vegetarian diet on certain days – but I do not admonish people for eating meat in front of me. When I first started, I DID crave for meat while I was on the diet, but realised that by doing so, I annul all intentions and purpose of going on that diet in the first place, Hence penance is only meaningful when one fully understands its purpose…. for me at least…

  31. moi je suis athée , et je respecte tous les gens de la planete,et je n'ai pas besoin de religion pour me dicter ma conduite……

  32. Today i just hang out at secret recepies with my non muslim friend.. No issue..fasting is not that bad.. Noting will happen just hang out.. I dont even feel anything.. Maybe for a kid they cant see people eat as they are still small and cannot control the trmptation for adult that cannot control temptation is ridiculous.. Happy ramadhan.. For non muslim dont worry so much.. Not much harm happen when u eat in front of us.. :)

  33. Dear Syahredzan Johan,

    Please enter politics and aspire to become our prime minister. We need Malays like you to save our beloved country!

  34. A few years ago, I rented a room with Indian-Hindu friends. They always warned me not to bring any meat product inside the house or eat in front of them even outside the house. I can just say the same thing "just because you're Hindu, doesn't mean I too are prohibited from consuming the meat", but I did not say that because I understand and respect. Please do not bring up things like Malay-Muslim, Indian-Hindu or Chinese-Buddha into this. The problem is the person him/herself not the race/religion. Some people will become big-headed when they belong to a group. Eg; a group of rich people…a group of bankers…a group of lawyers….a group of mat motor…a group of housewives.

  35. These demands make me sick , demand this demand that , screw all the religions , I am a non believer , I will not demand anything , I work for what I have on a level playing field called England .

  36. I am facing a trouble in my condo. There are 70% ++ of residents are Non Muslim, yet, 30% of Muslim insisted to install a speaker on the top of my block, facing the other 3 blocks and do Azan every morning at 5:45am.

    The Non-Muslim here feel that we should protect their rights and let them Azan. However, can't you guys also to protect our rights of "sleeping"?
    Why can't you guys skip ONLY morning session Azan? Is our requirement too much?

    I don't really think so. Take care of your Non-Muslim friend, there is no loss for not having morning Azan, but you may lose the respect of Non-Muslim and friendship, that's all.

  37. Maybe I don't live in the real world but I have never seen any fasting Muslims within my network of contacts that flare up when a non-fasting person eats or drinks in front of them.

    This is probably more perception than reality. Because its really not that much a big deal to most fasting Muslims anyway. Perhaps somebody are being a bit over sensitive?

  38. I just take up a job offered by a public uni. All the cafeterias are closed except for one. A department is going to conduct a 2-day workshop and no food and drinks will be provided to the participants. I am sent to attend the workshop. Why this public institution expect all the staff to fast? and where I can eat and drink if I am surrounded by Muslims?

  39. I am a vegetarian but I do not scold people when they eat meat. What they do is their business, what I do is my business.

  40. The issue I observe is that many of us are failing our common sense "intentionally" or "Unintentionally"
    To over one lie we lie again and thats a back logs, Yes we are talking about "YEARS" and to change that is not easy task.

    We need to hold hands together. Again there is a problem guess what ????
    Some still complaint that some hands are brown or yellow – good lord !

  41. That exactly the point ! " Dont Understand" AND Why is that AND for how long ?

    1. I choose not to understand is different from I dont understand :)
    2. We have everything but we dont have anything. In other words "non malaysian" are consuming and they make their stay and achieve what they want, BUT we ( the "actual citizens" ) getting hampered which is not fair
    3. We are all in a capsule whereby its covered with corrupted layer. So to break this capsule or for us to be heard we need to be LOUD & CLEAR. This sound frequency will eventually break this capsule and WE WILL GAIN A CLEAN COUNTRY.

    Solution
    Re Engineering of well being should be in place
    Awareness should be introduce.

    PS:
    -Saying and doing is TWO different thing
    -Creating or Generating is easy but WE MUST MAINTAIN & SUSTAIN
    -Handover is important to next generation.

  42. Brilliant. You make Malay Muslims in this country sound stupid. Your intention might be good but you are referring to only a few. Most of us have no issues attending events and being surrounded with food. It is a fact that in Malaysia, muslims dont understand other religions and others do not understand Islam either. Can you see how many are fo you because they think malay muslims are kampung people or city folks with kampung thinking?

  43. Guys
    I think we have much bigger issues to think about like the recent news in India & China or how we could be united at least.
    So why are we emphasizing so much on FOOD & RACE ! Think wise and vast
    We are all so contented and we feel "by fetching a pail of water from the ocean the sea level goes down by an inch"

    Smart ones will know ;)

    Respect should be kept within and not to ask or commercialize it

  44. The fact is….religion has always been used as a weapon whereas the original intention was to be used as a cure for the soul !!!! something to turn to when we are down and out not something to turn others away !!!!

  45. All my Muslim friends and I truly believe most of the Muslim are good and sensible people. It is unfortunate that at times the good Muslims are influence by some people (mostly politicians who for their own hidden money-seeking agenda) must destroy the good relationship that exists amongst the various races. At times, because of money they will even go against GOD. Otherwise it is so difficult to comprehend why some people are so corrupted when it is definitely against GOD's teaching to be corrupt.

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