Reflections on Ramadan’s Many Gifts
Reflections on Ramadan’s Many Gifts
[First published in the Sun, November 6, 2004]
To many, Muslims and non-Muslims alike, Ramadan means fasting, and only fasting. This narrow obsession leads to such strict but silly rules like closing restaurants during the day and jailing those not fasting. Recently a Malaysian religious official suggested that Muslims caught eating during the day be paraded around town in a hearse. This cruel and punitive streak, alas all too common among the religious establishment, is the very antithesis of the spirit of Ramadan.
To me, Ramadan means much more than just fasting from sunrise to sunset. This holy month is a time to pause and to ponder, to be forgiving and to seek forgiveness, and to be generous not only to others but equally important, to oneself. It is also a time for self-restraint and self-discipline.
Unlike the other pillars of Islam (shahada, praying, tithe, and pilgrimage to Mecca), fasting is a very private and personal act. No one but Allah knows that you are fasting. You may not be eating but that does not mean you are fasting. Those silly rules serve nothing more than to discourage people from eating in public during the day.
Living in largely secular and predominantly non-Muslim America, I am thankfully spared of these bullying religious functionaries. Nobody forces me to fast; there are no religious police wandering around looking for sinners. I fast because I want to, and for that reason it is a much more meaningful act.
In today’s harried and hurried world it is easy to be caught up in the maelstrom. Ramadan forces one to pause and reflect; in short it is a “time out.”
The drastic change in my daily routine during Ramadan forces me to view matters differently. The quiet of the morning, with ample time now available that was previously consumed with preparing and eating breakfast, is ideal for such contemplation. Such moments alas are too rare during my regular day.
My lunch break is now my most productive time as I am alone and uninterrupted. It is amazing how much time we idle away at lunch. I can also count on losing five to ten pounds during Ramadan. It is flattering to hear comments on how fit I look at the end of the month!
Today, fasting has been “modernized,” with evenings now consumed with never ending feasts. I once attended an iftar (break fast) in Malaysia hosted by somebody important. Far from enjoying it, I was offended by the display of crass commercialism. It was in a luxury hotel, hardly the place for pious reflection, and the culinary extravaganza was matched only by the guests’ gorging appetites. No wonder many Muslims gain weight during Ramadan; they simply rearrange their gluttony from daytime to nighttime. Where is the spirit of restraint called for during Ramadan?
The traditional teaching is that fasting would remind us of the hunger pains endured by those less fortunate. It is hard to empathize with the poor when you know that your own hunger will be satiated – no, indulged – come sunset.
We would remember the poor best and empathize with them more were we to pause and contemplate their fate. Then we would realize how much good we would do for them if only we were less extravagant in our desires. Imagine how many of the poor could be fed with the leftover food from one of those lavish feasts.
This preoccupation with fasting distracts Muslims from other equally important elements of Ramadan. Consider charity. While Muslims are familiar with giving tithe, more important is the generosity of spirit. I have yet to see a formal amnesty program for our prisoners during this blessed month. Nothing would demonstrate this charitable spirit more were the government to release some prisoners, especially those held under the Internal Security Act. That would be far more meaningful than all the rhetoric on Islam Hadhari.
Praise be to Allah, this Ramadan I am blessed with health, peace and prosperity. I am also mindful that millions of others are less fortunate, which makes me even more thankful of my blessings.
October 13th, 2005 at 12:16 pm
Fasting is no big deal for me!
Since petrol prices went up, business is bad. I dont earn enough to support myself, my four wives and twenty children. I can only afford one meal - a couple of roti canai with kepala ikan on banana leaf.
October 13th, 2005 at 4:17 pm
As you can see the US is more shariah compliant. Islam will rise to its greatness in the West - US that is. Muslims in the US pray, fast and give to charity without having to be coerced by some religious police or shamed by friends. They do it willingly for Allah and not for anyone else pleasure.
Muslims pray 5 times a day on their own belief in Islam. They fast to the true spirit of Insaf and break fast moderately not unlike in Malaysia where berbuka puasa is a feeding frenzy and cost RM 100 per person. After the feeding frenzy they are too full and will then miss taraweeh. The hotels do provide a small prayer room but only for Maghrib and Isha’ not teraweeh.
Muslims in the US are also charitable. Most mesjid have pot luck Iftar during Ramadhan, no cost to any Muslim or non Muslim to partake in. Most mesjid in the US are self funded i.e. by the local community itself, no government funds. Zakat and Fitrah are paid at mesjids without receipts and all monies are accounted for in a statement to the jemaah. Zakat and fitrah are disbursed according to the Quran. Unlike some countries where there is a Jabatan Zakat and Fitrah but the distributions are clouded in secrecy.
October 13th, 2005 at 4:54 pm
Long live Din Merican!
October 13th, 2005 at 5:00 pm
“This holy month is a time to pause and to ponder, to be forgiving and to seek forgiveness, and to be generous not only to others but equally important, to oneself. It is also a time for self-restraint and self-discipline.
”
True. If one fast but practised non of the above, fasting alone just doesn’t make sense. let them eat.
October 13th, 2005 at 8:16 pm
Hello abang Din,
Dia orang bilang Abang Din ni handsome lah! Adek Na ni lawyer di sebelah siang tapi GRO di sebelah malam. Lawyers dont get paid enough these days. Ada lawyer pun…seperti Dato Zaki tu. Buaya besar. Given half a chance he would pull me on to his lap. Di office pulak tu….eeeesh! Seram lah.
October 13th, 2005 at 8:19 pm
Heh…jangan TINA, bulan puasa ni. You must practice self-restraint, self-control dan passive resistance. Kalau tidak jahanam bangsa Melayu.
October 13th, 2005 at 8:21 pm
P.S.
Hey Tina,
Dato Zaki sekarang ni dah Tan Sri. Bila pulak dia turun pangkat??
October 13th, 2005 at 8:57 pm
Dear Tina,
Thanks for your kind compliments.
I want to be known as someone like Dr. Bakri who has a “beautiful mind” and “great and brave heart”. I am neither of those so far, but I am trying hard and will not give up this quest. It is not the impossible dream.
You must do whatever it takes to survive. But do it with dignity (and make sure that your honourable legal profession is not compromised). Protect your integrity, guard the family name, and always do your best. Live by those simple rules. If you can do that, you will be very successful, Insha Allah.
Vive le Ernesto Che’ Guevara (Che was a medical doctor with high ideals and compassion). Take care. Selamat Berpuasa and Id Mubarak.
October 13th, 2005 at 9:02 pm
10-4 Ibrahim,
Jangan lah bodek Amerika Syarikat sangkat. Kadang kadang indah di pandang saja. Tak kenang kampong halam dan budaya kita kah. Bagi saya Amerika ada banyak kelemahan juga. Sila lihat apa belaku di Appalachia. Rakyat di sana miskin dan daif, tiada perlindungan. Salams.
October 13th, 2005 at 11:41 pm
Bro Din
Saya bukan bodek Amerika, saya hanya menyatakan pengalaman saya sebagai saorang Muslim dirantau orang. Lagi lagi dibulan Ramadhan ini, jauh dari kampong halaman dan yang terdekat ialah mesjid dan masyarakat Islam. Disini masyarakat melayu tak begitu sepakat dan dalam bulan Ramadahan ini maseh banyak yang membuat fitnah dan back biting.
Memang benar budaya kita itu sangat tertib dan halus tapi kebelakangan ini budaya itu dah diambil aleh oleh materialsma dan menunjuk nunjuk saperti kata mat saleh keeping up with the Joneses.
Sunah Nabi dibulan puasa ni berbuka dengan buah tamar dan susu tapi budaya Melayu kita terbalek pula, jadi gelojoh dan tamak. Nafsu lebeh besar dan terbawa bawa. Kalau sekiranya shaitan dirantai mana pula datangnya nafsu dan temptation dibulan Ramadhan ini.
Saya semasa berbuka dimesjid rasa sangat insaf dan kecil sekali dikalangan muslimin dan muslimat yang berbuaka secara sederhana dan senantiasa diingatkan tentang orang islam yang lapar di merata dunia tambah lagi di Pakistan dan India yang baru ini mengalami gempar bumi. Kadang kala terus tak lapar apabila mengenang yang kaum keluarga dan shabat saya diMalaysia makan sehingga 100 macam juadah sahingga tak habis dan dibuang. Sedawa beberapa kali tapi tak berhenti sebab nak makan puas puas RM 100. Itu saja. Janganlah ambil hati.
October 14th, 2005 at 1:03 am
Bro Din,
A thousand apologies, I didn’t mean to be curt but sometimes I get carried away emotionally especially during Ramadhan. So many tragedy have happened to people I know and people I love. A long time friend recently suffered a severe stroke and is now a vegetable. He has been moved to a convalescent home with no hope of recovery. He has a wife and 2 small children. I emailed his friends in Malaysia and only 2 wished him speedy recovery. The rest were more interested in a Jamuan Berbuka Puasa at a hotel in KL. How sad.
A niece of mine was involved in an accident, went into a coma and passed away a few days back. Paid thousands of dollars for a Proton which was supposed to be equipped with air bags, but air bags did not deploy. She was young and full of life and just married.
A friend just lost her mother on the first day of Ramadhan, and again only a few friends in Malaysia expressed condolences. In their emails they were more concerned on who will be attending the majlis berbuka puasa at a hotel in KL.
Another friend lost his mother last night and he is at a loss whether to go back or not. When we broke the news to the circle of Melayu friends, none even cared to plan a majlis tahlil after Iftar. Most were interested in planning for Iftar on the weekend and who will host and what is on the menu. Imagine my anger and frustration. I’m not saying I am better than them but I feel sad thatwe have lost our caring character. I did asked the Imam to do a Do’a at our local mesjid right after Iftar.
All these happened within the first week of Ramadhan and I feel that this is a test for us Muslims during Ramadhan, having our loved ones taken back by Allah just before we celebrate Idil Fitri in a couple of weeks. Allah giveth and Allah Taketh. May Allah bless their souls, Amin. What bothers me most is my Muslim/Malay friends care more about Majlis Berbuka Puasa than the loss of a loved one.
October 14th, 2005 at 5:16 am
Abang Ibrahim,
Equally, I am saddened to hear about the deaths of so many.
But one death was entirely unncessary and due directly to third parties - the car crash.
Her next of kin should bring a lawsuit against Proton - for product liability, negligence, manslaughter even. Proton should be made to pay for the loss of earnings of someone so young. Together with pain and suffering and together with punitive damages, the claim could reach millions of dollars if the case had been in the United States - even after reducing the quantum by contributory negligence.
Tapi taklah dik Tina ni mahu nasihat sangat. Tanya lah dengan abang Din tu. Dia juga bertanggong jawab - sebagai director Proton.
October 14th, 2005 at 5:35 am
Who called my name?
The man from La Mancha - and his “Impossible Dream” is here!
I am prepared to take out my keris and destroy the wicked and the bad. Just show me the way!
October 14th, 2005 at 5:38 am
Sis Tina
As a lawyer, is there Product Liability laws in Malaysia and if any are they enforceable? I did a course in Product Liability in my graduate studies and we did discuss an automaker liability when their car caught fire after bieng hit from behind. The judge found the manufacturer liable as they fail to ensure that the gas tank is positioned safely and will not catch fire when involved in an accident. The car was removed from the market.
However after having said that a lawsuit will not bring back the dead and no amount of money can replace the loss both for the parents as well as husband. Life is precious and we must appreciate the gift from Allah. Sometimes manufacturer get carried away with the profit motive that they neglect safety of the consumers.
Life is cheap in Malaysia and nobody cares how many people die before it becomes a crisis. I remember the case of the bus company Naela. So many accidents and so many death yet the company was not persecuted. Instead the authorities went after the drivers. Even after finding that the drivers were not properly trained and licensed the company went scott free and the authorioties did not pull back the operating license.
Yes perhaps we need some inputs from Bro Din here.
October 14th, 2005 at 9:12 am
talking about product liability, allow me to chip in.
dont know if parliament has passed any laws. but there is always tortious liability in such matters. if parliament has brought it out of the realm of tort and has introduced statutory liability in such matters, that would be better for the victims because liability would be strict, shifting the burden of proof to the tortfeasors over certain issues. at the same time damages would not be too high so as to push insurance premiums to a level that few could afford.
but just think!
proton would be the subject of so many law suits that it would have closed down by now.
on the other hand, lawyers like TINA would not have to work as GRO to supplement their income. is that good or bad?
October 14th, 2005 at 12:12 pm
Dear All
The friend that had a stroke and is now in a convalescent home is the son of one of Malaysia’s distinguished educator Aminuddin Baki. Perhaps Bros Din Merican, Keris Always, Fathol Zaman and maybe MatMoto may remember the late Aminuddin Baki. For the younger set you may want to look up the history of Institute Aminuddin Baki.
October 14th, 2005 at 8:48 pm
Bro Ibrahim,
I pray that Allah make it easy for him and his family to go through the pain and hardship. I also pray that Allah keep their eeman intact and not be moved by the calamities that befall unto them.
Just to add a short comment on filing a lawsuit against proton… Although the money gained will not be even close to equivalent to the lost of life, the act of suing proton should come with the intention to correct and educate them that safety should come first. Insya-Allah the money gained can be used as a donation (sadaqa) to help the needy, and I think that is better. God knows best…
My 2 cents…
October 14th, 2005 at 10:00 pm
10-4 Ibrahim and Tina,
Sorry to hear about the state of the Aminuddin Baki’s son. I knew the late Aminuddin Baki when I was a very young officer in the Foreign Ministry for two years (1963-1965). I was always impressed with the man himself. Top Civil Servants then were examplary for their dedication and professionalism and I was indeed my privilege to serve and look up to them. Aminuddin Baki deserves to be remembered. Our prayers are now for his son.
Talking about road accidents, building safe cars, trucks and motorcycles is important. But this problem is not with these vehicles at the design, engineering and production stage. That can be easliy dealt with. PROTON has been doing that today, and even when I was a PROTON director.
The biggest challenge is the attitude of vehicle owners. I suppose, we need to design fast moving tanks now for the Malaysian market. Even that would not help. The problem has to be elsewhere.
In the heads of motorists. That should be need fixed. Do they maintain their vehicle properly? Do have good road manners? No!! The motor cyclists and taxi drivers, for example, are a nightmare in Kuala Lumpur.
We also have arrogant motorists in their Benzs, BMWs, Porchses, and Ferraris(also Harley Davidsons) who are looking for the slightest pretext to “test” drive their prized possessions. My advice to these new rich is “Go and hire the Sepang circuit”. They should go there and drive at any speed they like without risking the lives of others except their own and those of their sleeky companions they seek to impress.
So we have thousands traffic offences everyday. I bet you that the offenders are mainly taxi, bus and truck drivers and motor cyclists who ply our city roads, and superhighways day and night, some of them without proper rest and sleep.
Moreover, their vehicles are poorly maintained. Yet when their owners send their vehicles to a privatised body call Puspakom for inspection and tests, these are invariably given certificates of fitness. How come, Tina?
So vehicle owners or Puspakom, or both?
Traffic rules are mildly and gently enforced because of the “bisa diatur” culture of the Police traffic cops aided and abetted by the offenders themselves. Soon these cops will be busy again setting up road blocks. Why? “Hari Raya is coming, no harm getting some angpow lah”, is probably the way they rationalise their actions. But I also sympathise with the decent and honest cop who will have his work cut out for him with the rather tedious task of issuing traffic offence tickets.
I have no answers except to say that we all must learn to drive safely and observe traffic rules and regulations. That is easier said than done. So I sympathise with the Minister of Transport, and regret that despite Government safety campaigns during festive seasons, more and more Malaysians are getting killed every day of the year on the roads, including street walkers.
As far as court action is concerned, Tina, I rather let Tan Sri Gani Patil answer you. Right now, he is probably too busy with the problems in his own A-G’s Department in light of recent acquittals in murder cases by our Courts for lack of evidence, these being the consequence of poor Police investigation, and case preparation by his staff. I wonder, Tina, what the Malaysian Bar Council thinks of this.
So, I think, we Malaysians have an attitude problem, that is, we have first world infrastructure but also have a worse than third world mindset when it comes to road safety.
Finally, 10-4 Ibrahim, you can share your experience in the US. Are Americans better drivers, more cautious and considerate than us in Malaysia?
Thanks.
October 14th, 2005 at 10:51 pm
Dear Friends,
I need to know only this: what was the original intention of the Prophet to introduce fasting and compare that with the “trendy and fashionable” public relations propaganda it has become now. Does this mean that those Muslims who subscribe to such a practice in this country may be classified as deviants? Why is the religious authority in this country dead silent on this? Or as I would imagine, they are at best hypocrites.
October 14th, 2005 at 11:18 pm
Bro Din,
Americans may not be better drivers but they are more considerate and better trained in road etiquette. Students are taught driving while still in High School. They may not drive till they have successfully sat for the written part and even then they can only drive under supervision of an adult.
Driving is a privelege not a right. So the drivers has to apply to the Department of Motor Vehicle for a Driver’s permit. A permit is issued subject to the driver having passed a written and practical test. No duit kopi here. Remember driving is a privilege not a right. Walking is a right and so pedestrian have right of way.
Drivers here respect road signs and stop when ordered to. There are junctions with nothing more than a stop sign. Drivers are required to stop even though there are no oncoming or cross traffic. Try that in Malaysia.
Safety is very important as it can be costly to the drivers. Drivers with a record of accidents are sometimes denied insurance coverage. They thus can’t drive without insurance. Law enforcement officials are strict but consistent when issuing traffic citation. If it is a moving violation they will be issue a ticket and you will pay a fine as well as go to a traffic school. If you do not go to traffic school the citation appears on your driving record and your insurance premium goes up and the Department of Motor Vehicle will not renew your Driver’s License if you fail to pay the fine. Often times a warrant will be issued for your arrest.
Police and Highway Patrolmen have access to a central computers and can check your driver’s license for any outstanding traffic citation or warrant even while stopping you on the road. Don’t try to give them duit kopi or you may see yourself in iron bracelet.
When applying for a job that requires driving you are often asked to bring a copy of your driving records. This is issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles. An unsatisfactory record may cost you your job.
Commercial drivers are governed by a different set of rules. You need to have a Commercial Drivers Permit and for Buses you will need the commercial license with Passenger Endorsement. If you drive school bus or school children then you will need SPAB Certificate (School and Pupil Activity Bus) Certificate. Each level have different training requirements and you also need recurrent training every 6 months. As a commercial driver you will be required to maintain a Driver’s Log with you at all time which shows the hours you were on duty and the hours of driving for a seven day period. You can only drive no more than 500 miles per day or be driving no longer than 10 hours in a 24 hour period. You need to have an 8 hour break once you reach 500 miles or 10 hours whichever comes first. The vehicle will also have a log showing mileage driven and dates.
Buses and trucks are often fitted with Tachmeters which will record time and speed vehicle is driven. This will be used as evidence in traffic accident.
If death occurs during an accident involving a vehicle the driver may be charged with vehicle manslaughter. This is short of murder and the driver may end up in jail for a long time.
The other deterrent is litigation. Drivers can be sued for monetary damage and the lawsuit may also include the owner of the vehicle or owner of the company if you are a commercial driver. If you allow your car to be driven by an unlicensed driver you may lose the car as well as face jail time.
The Highway Patrol also have a Commercial Division. These officers are trained to check for roadworthiness of commercial vehicles. They can stop a vehicle on any road and conduct the test and if the vehicle fails the test, the vehicle will have to be towed. This check is above and beyond the mandatory checks for all commercial vehicles.
Again drivers are individuals and driving habits vary. So US drivers may not be better drivers than Malaysians but they certainly are held more responsible for their actions. And lastly they are taught defensive driving.
I think this will suffice for now.
Salams
October 15th, 2005 at 7:15 am
Bro Din & Bro Ibrahim,
I do agree with Bro Ibrahim on his contention over the poor road mannerisms in Malaysia. While I was in UK, drivers on the road, to a very large extent, are well-mannered and show respect and courtesy to other road users. When a siren is heard, everyone moves aside to give way for the ambulance. I stopped counting the number of times our Malaysian drivers not only refused to give way but cynically try to follow an ambulance and you know why. Citing the traffic congestion is one thing, but even when it is not, our drivers are very unruly, selfish and il-mannered.
While the traffic police are busy hiding behind some remote corners to get some duit kopi, the motorcyclists beat traffic lights with impunity and it is a sickening sight. No respect for the traffic laws.
When Patrick Teoh once raised this issue during a talk-show, the traffic police quickly cornered him and tried to show that they “mean business”. With such unruly behaviour among traffic police, it is small wonder that our road discipline is pathetic and disgusting.
What can one expect when the Transport Minister does not know where he is heading to and a police force noted for its indiscipline. The findings of the royal commission has been gathering dust.
But I feel some undercurrent is evident at the desperate and jittery ways the govt has been acting in recent days. The recent handouts to civil servants and Samy’s outbursts seem to point in that direction. With information no more privy to them, more citizens are losing confidence in the way our country is governed. Let us be hopeful.
October 15th, 2005 at 9:46 am
Di kesempatan ini atuk ucapkan Selamat Berpuasa dan Selamat Menyambut Idulfitri khusus untuk Blog Owner M. Bakri Musa dan keluarga, serta kengkawan yang mengenali Rose Chan the classical artiste. Bila teringat Tuan Bakri teringat pula lagu Umar Bakri nyanyian Iwan Fals. Atuk lom dapek nak cakap apo-apo. Masih bersedih sebab anak ketigo atuk belum dapek kojo walaupun ado ijazah. Masuk tahun kedua jadi penganggur terhormat. Kerajaan sungguh bukak ladang sendiri guna teknologi, tetapi atuk tak ado tanah yang luas. Yang satu tu jo… eh eh dua …
October 15th, 2005 at 9:50 am
..and this is all because malaysians have no respect for the law. cannot blame them.
corruption and poor law enforcement works in a vicious cycle. judges are corrupted.
now we have the son of the IGP getting caught in corruption. this is unprecendented. son of the head of law enforcement being arrested for corruption - the very person we look towards for examplary behaviour.
we have to stop the rot! and stop it now!
October 15th, 2005 at 12:36 pm
Bro LawyarBurok,
Malaysians will respect the law if it is applied and enforced with just and consistency. The laws should apply equally to Kancil drivers as well as Mercedes drivers. However currently the Kancil and Proton drivers will get a ticket if they flout the law while the Mercedes and BMW drivers get away scott free for flouting the same laws. Notice along Jalan Sultan Ismail in front of ShangriLa. This stretch of road is a no parking zone and there is a Polis Bit Base there at the corner. Yet each day the Mercedes and BMW drivers park their vehicles wantonly right under the noses of the policeman and not getting a ticket. No consistency.
How can you enforce the laws when motorcyclist don’t have to pay road tax. Road tax are fees for use of the road and this is the agreement between the government and the motorcyclist. In consideration of a fee, the motorcyclist is given the rights to use the road to operate his motorcycle. Since there is no consideration in this case, there is no contract.
What we need is Driver Education, not Driving Schools. Driver education prepares the driver not only in learning how to drive but also basic auto mechanic, understanding the vehicle and most important driving etiquette. driving school just teach the student how to drive and pass the driving test.
I once joked with a senior policemen officer what if I recruit some California Highway Patrolmen and send them to Malaysia for a two weeks all paid vacation. All they have to do is enforce the traffic laws. I am sure they will write tickets whose collectable value will far exceed the cost of bringing these officers over.
On the arrest of the IGP’s son, you cannot blame the IGP for the action of his son. Furthermore his son is an adult and can think for himself.
October 15th, 2005 at 5:10 pm
yep. just like we cannot blame george bush the president, for the actions of his daughters for under age drinking.
but then there is what they say about apples or durian not falling far from the tree. this is the worrying aspect of the arrest reported.
the IGP being the top policeman in the country has many enemies. has he been enforcing the law lately irrespective of who the law breakers are??
October 15th, 2005 at 5:28 pm
I say… abang Din. Ini fasal Proton ni…
If Proton makes defective cars, then they should be made to pay for it. Looks like everybody has something to complain about the quality of Proton or Made in Malaysia cars. Has these defects or the way the cars were designed led to deaths on the road?
Because of the poor quality, I guess it is responsible for quite a few deaths.
Saya repair kereta saya tahu.
Elsewhere the manufacturer would have been made to close shop a long time ago! The fact that it has not happened speaks volumes for the quality of leadership we have - and the independence of the judiciary.
The live of motorists in Malaysia is not as important as the continued viability of this pet project of Mahathir. It is time we wake up from this nightmare.
October 15th, 2005 at 5:34 pm
Eeeesh tak baik, bang Mat. Ini bulan baik, hari baik. Jangan tuduh menuduh. Dosa tahu!
Lagi pula, abang Din tu handsome lah orang nya. Abang Din dah kahwin ke belum?
October 15th, 2005 at 7:35 pm
Bro Ibrahim,
I agree that the problem is not the laws or the lack thereof. The real problem is in the enforcement. With rampant corruption, very little seems to work.
Even if we create a Driver Education, the pervasive system will turn him into a corrupt person. Such is the entrenched position of corruption in this country. The race towards 2020 perhaps is a race towards who can become more corrupt than the other.
October 15th, 2005 at 8:02 pm
Dear Fair Malaysian,
Fasting is a time for Muslims to remember about the poor, who often have great difficulty in getting a balanced meal a day. Ramadhan is a time of special prayers and sober contemplation after the fast, forgiveness and good deeds.
The act of fasting itself is a reminder to Muslims so that they will be grateful for small mercies, be patient in the face of adversity and deprivations, and be generous towards those who are less fortunate than us, especially the orphans. In stead, Malays feast themselves at the time of breaking fast. I do not understand this.
As for hypocrites, we have plenty of them in our country. I prefer the simple life. The simple life is already challenging in itself, and I choose not to further complicate it. Humility is better, I think. Don’t you?
Thanks.
October 15th, 2005 at 8:26 pm
Dear MatMoto and TINA,
I find it hard to believe that PROTON designs and manufactures unsafe cars, and puts them on Malaysian roads. Its cars are made with safety uppermost in mind.
I may concede that since 90% of the car parts are supplied by bumiputra vendors, those items could be a problem, but PROTON has never compromised safety. That has been their Board policy, since the company commenced business more than 20 years ago.
The vendor policy should be revised to enable PROTON to purchase from more competitive suppliers. Helping bumiputras does not mean that they can free ride on the national car company. All suppliers must supply quality parts at competitive prices.
If bumiputra vendors cannot meet Proton requirements in terms of quality and price after 2 decades, they deserve to be out of business. This is the point made by YB Dato Shahrir Samad recently.
I hope the Government makes a firm stand on this vendor issue and the AP matter, and helps PROTON move forward. This is also my message to the MITI Minister, Dato Seri Rafidah Aziz. She should stop mucking around with the AP issue, and assume that it would just go away. Come clean as we Malaysians have the right to know the facts.
Thanks.
October 15th, 2005 at 9:30 pm
Dear 10-4 Ibrahim,
Your comments on road safety, policing traffic, and dealing with errant motorists in America are most helpful. You prove the point that one needs to take a holistic approach in tackling the traffic problem.
Education of drivers is vital so that they learn early to respect the rules and regulations which are designed to protect the safety of all road users. So too, strict enforcement of them by Malaysian traffic cops and other agencies, including the Courts.
In Singapore when I was there in 1988-1991 during my Sime Darby days, their trafffic cops would check on your license on the spot from their cars which were linked to a central computer. I am sure their system is much better now.
Singapore traffic cops, who were smartly attired, did not entertain any excuses, (no “sorry” business), and the traffic ticket would be automatically issued and recorded. And the fine would have to be settled within a prescribed time. I believe that part of the fines would go to a kind of fund for the Police. Everything was transparent.
Apart from getting a traffic ticket, the errant driver could be penalised on the stop. The main computer would then deduct driving points so that an errant motorist would automatically be suspended from driving for a prescribed period after the allowed number of points were consumed.
If we introduced the Singapore or the American system here, I suppose there will be no “angpow” for our traffic cops, and others along the line in the motoring game, including the Road Transport Department (JPJ) Puspakom, the taxi licensing board, the driving schools, and the vehile repair shops (which also help the motorist cheat on the insurance companies, with due respects to MatMoto), to name a few. How sad Malaysia can be!
Thanks.
October 15th, 2005 at 10:18 pm
Dear Bro Din,
Since this article is on Reflections on Ramadhan’s Many gifts, lets go back and reflect on Allah’s many blessings during the month of Ramadhan. The first 10 days Allah showers the fasting person with his forgiveness and the second 10 days Allah grants mercy on the people that fast. We have already passed the first 10 days and are into the second 10 days. Lets partake of his blessings and discuss other issues some other times. I am sure there will be plenty of opportunities in the future.
Salams
October 15th, 2005 at 11:09 pm
Hopefully, Allah will forgive the traffic cops, the guys at JPJ, Puspakom and the testers, whom are mostly Malays and therefore Muslims, for extracting some “duit raya” from innocent motorists like you and me.
What does the spirit of Ramadhan mean to those who have a callous disregard for religious piety then? Search me.
There seems to be a misconception among believers that fasting and doing good during Ramadhan will absolve them of their sins. So, when “Sawal menjelma” they will back on the streets with vengence.
How naive can these people be?
I am peeved, really peeved.
October 15th, 2005 at 11:21 pm
Just be a good person and practice all the good value..God knows….thanks.
October 16th, 2005 at 12:19 am
Bro Din,
I am glad that I am among peers with whom I can share and learn. It is for this reason I asked about “fasting”.
When I was growing up, we had a Malay (uncle) living within the vicinity and I learnt a great deal about patience, compassion and love. Those were the times when there was no compulsion on fasting and yet he would be fasting and the serenity I saw in him then made a lasting impression on me. So, when I was working in govt agency years later where I was the only non-bumi, I made it a point to fast with my muslim colleagues and break fast with them. It was then that invitations were abundant to break fast in hotels, etc from others who were dealing with us but as a matter of principle I refused to join/attend any but do so with some colleagues or friends in a simple way. I also made it a point not to raise my voice at any of my dept staffs or for that matter at anyone during this period.
The act and impression of that uncle made me realise there is nowhere in any other religion that mandates its followers to observe fasting as a way to understand the many things about life and yet our Malaysian Muslims (of course, not all) could see it fit to relegate it as public relations tool. If Dr. Bakri in faraway America can and still observe with piety, then I have to agree with him with what he has said in his latest article.
October 17th, 2005 at 3:28 am
does anybody know how they “celebrate” fasting in places like iran and saudi arabia?
thanks.
October 17th, 2005 at 5:46 am
Dear Fathol Zaman,
You posed a very pertinent question about those who disregard religious piety. Well, maybe Malaysians think they can bribe their God.
From anecdotal experiences, mata-mata sangat rajin sembunyi di belakang pokok at junctions particularly during the Ramadan season.
I am not a muslim but the gist of the spirit of Ramadan is universal. If one truly observe the spirit of Ramadan, surely, our country will be cleansed of rasuah. Malaysia semua akan jadi OK.
Selamat Berpuasa to all my dear Muslim friends
October 17th, 2005 at 6:38 am
..but i am sure it is not to be limited to the month of ramadan only!
October 17th, 2005 at 6:59 am
hello brothers in faith,
i ask myself what is the difference between muslims today in malaysia and muslims during time the tunku was PM? have the bar been raised? are we more islamic today than say four decades before?
we were not wearing tudung and turbans and walked around in stockinged feet. we didnt have prayer rooms at our workplace. we didnt block traffic and break the law with impugnity when attending friday prayers.
saudara bakri and saudara din merican were contemporaries who grew up when there was more religious freedom (not freedom to change religion but to practice their faith as they see fit) and less hypocrisy. now religion is in your face wherever you go. am i less a muslim because i view religion as a matter of personal relationship between me and my God? who is to say whether i have sinned or not - except the Almighty. Nobody else has the right to judge me - but God himself.
Malaysia is committed to secularism and the special position given to the religion of Islam in our constitution is only a ‘defensive’ one i.e. it is to protect the religion, not expand it.
unitl the likes of anwar ibrahim came into the picture. what changed???
October 17th, 2005 at 7:07 am
we are muslims and unlike christians who need the church to be in communication with the Creator, we communicate with our Creator directly - no clergy or ulama to act as go between or intermediary. we certainly do not need our neighbour and strangers to knock on our door to tell us to attend friday prayers, or to fast during the month of ramadan.
October 17th, 2005 at 7:10 am
there is no doubt that i am a liberal muslim. so let’s hear what the conservative muslims among my brothers have to say.
selamat berpuasa.
October 17th, 2005 at 11:18 am
Bro Saladin,
You should address this question to Bro Baju. He is well learned and can put up great references to answer your questions. Hope he is still monitoring this site.
Salams
October 17th, 2005 at 7:57 pm
Brother Saladin,
Your Dad did not give you your name for nothing. You are named after the great Islamic warrior and emperor Saladin who sent his best surgeons to treat the badly wounded Richard The Lion Heart who, as a leader of the Crusades, fought against Saladin’s army to prevent the spread of Islam, protect Christianity and defend the Pope in Rome. Saladin was an examplary Islamist and a man of religion.
Dr Bakri and I went after normal school hours to sekolah ugama where we taught to read the Quran until we “hatam Quran”. We had strict religious teachers who never spared to the rod if we mispronounced the words or read verses of the Holy Quran badly. We were taught to pray in the right way. We were told to be good Muslims, that is, by observing the 5 Rukun Islam.
In particular, I remember my Che Gu Ugama in Alor Setar telling me that I should respect those who were Buddhists, Hindus, Sikhs, and Christians. They too are people of God. “Mereka juga Ummat Tuhan” (They too are People of God), he said to me whenever he was more relaxed and contemplative, and less inclined to use the rottan.
So, in fact, our conservative religious teachers taught us to be “liberal” and “tolerant”. Fancy those were the 1950s, and the dark days of the Cold War and the Communist insurgency in our country. Our world was very ideological, one was either a Communist, or a member of the Free World. I used to be scared of the Russian “bear”. Islam was (and still is) my guiding light.
Because of my religious teacher, I have no problems walking into a Church or temple, even now to pay my last respects to departed non-Muslim friends, or attend wedding ceremonies of the children of my Hindu, Confucian, Buddhist, Sikh, and Christian friends. When I was a student in the United States in the late 1960s, I had no hang-ups about going to the synagogue with my Jewish classmates. I wanted to know how they all worshipped God.
When I was in Cambodia and Thailand in the 1990s, I interacted with monks who were highly educated and knew a lot about philosophy, ethics, Islam and other great religions. What impressed me most about these monks was their humility and respect for humanity.
My exposure did not make me less a Muslim. On the contrary, the exposure I made me understand my religion better. Today, I read books about the great religions of the world. Tolerance and respect for the dignity of difference seemed to be the norm in the less developed days of my upbringing.
Now times have changed. We have developed as a people and a country and are more exposed, yet paradoxically we, as Muslims, have regressed in terms of our attitude towards other Malaysians who worship God in different ways. Malays in particular must thank Bro. Anwar Ibrahim (DSAI)for turning us into inward looking and exclusivist Muslims. Sorry for our beautiful women. This is, to him, Islamic revivalism. What is a sadder still is that others in UMNO and PAS have followed him. If that is so, well, I rather do “my own thing”.
Yes, let the so-called Muslim purists explain their position to us who have been labelled “Muslim Liberal”. I am sure they will be giving us a very strict interpretation of the Holy Quran and the Hadith. Why must we who profess an enlightened religion feel so insecure? I wonder. Mr. Baju help!
Thanks.
October 18th, 2005 at 2:59 am
Saladin,
God is omniscient. Do we need representative to God? No, I do not think
Allah avails to us through the mosque, certainly not God through the church. Our relationship with Him is direct. No amount of pretence can we hide from Him. Ultimately we only answer to Him.
Selamat Berpuasa.
October 18th, 2005 at 3:35 am
well, it looks like mr baju has left, faded away into oblivion with his shirt ripped from his back! he is now baju-less. a man without his baju is forced to bare all, his naked body and soul to the world - and that to a conservative muslim is a no-no.
why are we waiting? why are we waiting?? why are we waiting???
October 18th, 2005 at 3:56 am
well, saudara din merican…
when i listened to our saudara from cherok tok oon give his speeches, i am impressed by his ability to quote the koran. where did he learn to do that?? when he was an undergraduate doing malay and islamic studies?
every time i looked at his wife, i never failed to notice the very expensive silk tudung she had on her head.
do we want the likes of anwar ibrahim to lead us as an islamic nation?
when i was attending koran classes after school together with tunku yusof (he was the oldest in the group, very much older), my guru ugama who was a relative told me never mind if i dont understand arabic. to be able to recite the koran would be my pass to the after life, to question it is blasphemy. i am now unable to quote the koran, but only to recognise and recite verses. unable to understand the cultural and socio-political context in which it was written.
i didnt have mr baju to help me.
October 18th, 2005 at 4:04 am
to mr baju, the resident tok guru:
we need your wisdom, the words and experience of your wisdom mean a lot to us who are less enlightened and have not seen the light!
October 18th, 2005 at 6:28 am
Patience, patience, dear Saladin, 10-4 Ibrahim and friends. Mr Baju, our resident tok guru, will soon respond. He is thinking at the moment. He cannot just quote the Quran and the Hadith out of context. There are guys in cyberland waiting to pounce on him.
At least he still has his baju (jubbah). I am sure he is worried that he might lose it by making the incorrect move. So let us give him a little time. Thanks.
October 18th, 2005 at 11:33 am
I think Mr Baju is probably doing his Umrah or just refraining from commenting during the month of Ramadhan. From his past comments, Mr Baju exhibits indepth knowledge not only of the Quran but also the Hadiths and the Sunnah of the Prophet pbuh.
Bro Saladin, this is the age of technology. There are lots of Quran on CD and also hand held PDA type that you can bring along with you. There is an audio version that you can follow along plus an English translation of the surah line by line. I have been using this for last 6 years now.
Personally someone is either a Muslim or non muslim. Someone who practises the faith is a muslim and there is no mention in the Quran of liberal muslim or conservative muslim. I really like to hear Mr Baju’s views.
October 18th, 2005 at 11:33 am
I think Mr Baju is probably doing his Umrah or just refraining from commenting during the month of Ramadhan. From his past comments, Mr Baju exhibits indepth knowledge not only of the Quran but also the Hadiths and the Sunnah of the Prophet pbuh.
Bro Saladin, this is the age of technology. There are lots of Quran on CD and also hand held PDA type that you can bring along with you. There is an audio version that you can follow along plus an English translation of the surah line by line. I have been using this for last 6 years now.
Personally someone is either a Muslim or non muslim. Someone who practises the faith is a muslim and there is no mention in the Quran of liberal muslim or conservative muslim. I really like to hear Mr Baju’s views.
October 18th, 2005 at 10:06 pm
Dear 10-4 Ibrahim,
I agree your view with “someone who practises the faith is a muslim and there is no mention in the Quran of liberal muslim or conservative muslims”. It is nice.
But try to carry that message to our Sunni and Shia brothers in Iraq, the bearded mullahs in Iran, the Wahabbists in Saudi Arabia, or the aping mullahs of PAS, and UMNO’s Islam Hadharists and their “Goebbels” in the Radio and Televisen Malaysia.
Thanks.
October 18th, 2005 at 10:09 pm
Please change “with” to “that” and add “with” before “your view”. Puasa lah. Sorry. Thanks.
October 28th, 2005 at 1:15 am
Liberal or conservative, Sunni or Shia, Pas or UMNO emerged as Muslims rejected certain verses from the Holy Quran and as replacement, accepted certain verses authored or edited by men.