I, as I'm sure many of you are too, am extremely disheartened and disappointed by the ongoings in Malaysia now.
(CNN) -- Attackers firebombed three churches in the southeast Asian nation of Malaysia overnight, assaults that come amid widespread Muslim ire over a court ruling that allowed Christians to use the word Allah as a term for God.
The violence comes as Muslims protest a recent court ruling that allowed a Catholic newspaper to use the word "Allah" for God. Muslims believe Allah, an Arabic word, should only be used by Muslims.
While disappointed, I can't say I'm surprised as many of us probably knew deep in our hearts something like this was inevitable. While I think the issue at hand (of the usage of a mere word) is petty, I'll stay clear of this since I'm fairly equivocal myself. What's disturbing is how groups are using violence, and threats of violence (seen on the website hackings) to intimidate others. This, in full defiance of the Malaysian courts; when the people disagree with the court, they take matters into their own hands. What kind of society does that make you? A vigilante, mob society?
In a highly polarized society as Malaysia's, with all her discriminatory practices, it has been so ingrained in some groups that they have certain privileges, while other groups are merely immigrants (never mind that they are 2nd, 3rd or 4th generation Malaysians). You knew it was a matter of time before something happened. After all, just how many times have the rest of us received subtle threats, like "Don't ask for too much, or else..." or "Remember May 13th" or simply "You should be thankful that we let you stay" like we just got off the boat from China.
With the firebombing of the churches, I imagine the court decision will be eventually 'overturned' which should appease the ignorant, unsophisticated mobs out there. However this will not be a good thing on several levels either; for one it serves to show that religious extremism and violence gets priority over the legal system and this will only positively reinforce these zealots. Secondly, the implications of the renewed peace that follows is, you'd better agree with us the next time, otherwise we'll do something harsh again. It's racial intimidation against the minorities.
On the international stage, even people I know here, are starting to compare Malaysian to countries of religious extremism, intolerance and terrorism. Because this was an act of terrorism.
On that level, perhaps I cannot comprehend this because I'm not very religious, but really, if you're trying to convince the world that your religion is one of peace, then resorting to threats, waving kerises, firebombs whenever someone disagrees with you, seems like a retarded way of convincing others.
It seems ironic that as a Malaysian, I've always face more discrimination, and felt more like a 2nd class citizen in my home country, than I have in these 12 years in North America. Thus, it's a good thing that I am making here home now.
This week, Malaysia has taken a giant step backwards. This week, Freedom bleeds.
5 Comments:
hey Vagus great blog out here, been reading around for sometime.
The news really took me by surprise while I was so absorbed with my part time job, but I hope everything will be alright - not entirely certain but yep, things'll go okay I suppose
well said vagus.
couldn't agree more.
Time is of the essence to get the havoc allayed as soon as possible.
No doubt UMNO should bear the whole responsibility of the entire event.
The only solution to break this vicious circle is to change the government via coming general election , albeit cannot uproot the unwholesome mindset implanted for decades overnight, but at least it make a good start.
I am in progress of my migration now, I do agree that human right prevail quite well & legitimately in western countries, than the country that I was born.
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/121506
Also expressing dissatisfaction with the court ruling was Abdul Rashid Mohd Fadzil, leader of Islamic proselytization group Pekida.
According to him, the fundamental problem was Herald's insistence on using the term Allah.
When told that Christians in Middle Eastern and other countries have long used the word Allah to describe God, Abdul Rashid replied: "We are talking about Malaysia".
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See, how bigoted are these laggard zealot.
For the past 40+ years, UMNO has cultivate
myriad of fanatics, in order to protect their vested interest, thus it didn't shock me when this statement popped up to my eyes.
a shame isnt it.
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