A plea to the Catholic Church - drop the use of "Allah"

As a Christian, I urge the Catholic Church to drop the use of "Allah" even though you have every right to do so. Why? It is because Christianity teaches us to be kind, to be forgiving, to compromise, and to turn the other cheek. Turning the other cheek does not mean you are weak or a coward. While the extremists try to oppress using violence to destroy people and country, as Christians, we should show otherwise. We show that we are willing to compromise, turn the other cheek for peace and harmony. The will think they have won. Indeed, they have won but on earth. To their Maker they will be answerable. The whole world is watching them and us too. Let us shine for the Lord with our actions of forgiving and compromising.

My family and I were non-Christians. Without anyone trying to convert us, we chose to find out more about Christianity and we converted because of the teachings of love, forgiveness, kindness, others first, yourself last and all the unselfish teachings. We were impressed and still impressed today that despite all the violent acts against us, our Church leaders and Pastors still ask us to forgive in our prayers those who hurt us. Never once, were we taught to retaliate or curse others. By their actions, we converted whole heartedly.

Every religion will preach they are good but actions will speak louder than words. People judge us by our actions. Violence, spewing words of hatred and curses, oppressing others, will only bring a bad name to our God and religion. Let them do it, we do not have to follow. So, as a Christian, my plea unto the Catholic Church, drop the use of "Allah" and the whole world will see Christianity is good.

The only thing that you should ask for from the Government is that they compensate the Church for the confiscation of all the Bibles and other materials. Use this money to print new Malay language Bibles, minus the word "Allah". We have so many other words to use for the word "God". To be honest, as a Christian, I find it uncomfortable to refer to God as "Allah". I prefer "Father", "Lord", "Lord God", "Jehovah God" and so on.

What does your religion teach you?

My religion teaches me good things. What about yours? Do you practice what you preach?

1. To love your neighbour as you love yourself.
2. To forgive others as God has forgiven you.
3. Not to kill anyone.
4. Not to be jealous of others.
5. Not to want things that belong to others.
6. To be tolerant of others irrespective of race and religion.
7. To help others in need irrespective of race and religion.
8. Not to be a racist.
9. To be kind to others. 10. To have compassion for others.
11. To have respect for others.
12. Not to judge others or you will be judged yourself come judgement day.
13. To be honest.
14. To have faith in ourselves to resist temptations and do the right thing.
No force or policing required.
15. Not to be selfish.
16. To put God first, others in between and yourself last.

It is by our actions and deeds that people will judge whether our God is a good God or whether our religion is good or bad. We can tell the world how good our God is but our actions will speak louder than words.

Racism in Malaysia

These days, it is pretty depressing to read the papers in Malaysia. It is all about politics and racism. The most recent being the "cow head protest" which showed the utmost disrespect for the hindus in Malaysia.

In the midst of all these extremisms, even non-racists people like me are tempted to turn into one because of the anger these acts. However, I realise that I am not a racist and should not turn into one because of the acts of these people. I also realise there are many good people out there who are against what these people did. Coming across articles like the ones below also gives a glimmer of hope that one day Malaysia will be truly one country, one people and racism gone. Unless every race come out and try their best to stamp out racism, a united Malsysia will be just a dream or superficial thing. I urge non racists Malaysians of all races to come out and let your voice be heard. It is time that we drown the voices of these racists to save our country.

Please read the great articles below: Let's stamp out racism by Azmi Sharom

The beautiful Malay by Haris Ibrahim

Barbarians at the Gate by Marina Mahathir

Shame on you, Hisham by Abdul Rahman Hashim

To my misguided brethren by Mohd Tajuddin Mohd Rasdi

A lesson in tolerance by Mohd Zaman Khan

From cow-headed to level-headed educationby Azly Rahman

Let us the parents decide what language to teach Science and Maths

The one thing that pisses me off here is Anwar, PAS, DAP, the NGOs and even MCA wanting to have Science and Maths taught in the mother tongue - Bahasa, Mandarin and Tamil. This is the only area where UMNO has it right - teaching these 2 subjects in English. I am talking as a parent and have talked to many other parents - Malays, Chinese and Indians and they are all in favour of these two subjects being taught in English. These two subjects if our children enters college will be taught in English and not other languages. Do the Malays even realise that why it is they are not so employable in the market? The reason is simple - their lack of proficiency in English. There were many times that I wanted to employ a Malay because I believe in a multiracial working place - it is fun as it exposes us to other cultures. The only problem was, I couldn't find one who is proficient in English so I employed Indians or Indian muslims instead coz they have better command of English. So, why stifle the progress of Malays especially?

POLITICIANS, who are you to decide for our children? We want the best for our children but you politicians only want the best for yourselves. If you care for the Malays, you would push for English to be taught even more so. You would try every measure to make sure the Malay children catch up in English. If our teachers cannot handle it, then get foreign teachers temporarily to do it. Take a look at Korea and China. They hire American teachers to teach their children. They are overtaking us and what do we do? Go backwards!

I voted for PR in the last election and influenced my friends and relatives to do so too. However, this might not be the case again if PR insists on teaching Science and Maths in the mother tongue. I do not want my children to study these subjects in Bahasa or Mandarin coz they are of no benefit to them.

ISA detainees weevil and wild life meals

A quote from Malaysiakini,
Jeffrey Kitingan and four of his fellow inmates managed to catch a small snake on two occasions and a bird to supplement their diet when they were detained under ISA.
---end---

Is it not bad and cruel enough for people to be detained without a trial under ISA? Why treat them even worse than criminals in normal prisons by not giving them the same privillege accorded to criminals to buy food and drinks from canteens? If the authorities are not willing to spend a little more money for better food for the detainees, allow their families and donors to provide food for them or run a canteen for them. ISA detainees should not be treated badly as most of them these days are politically motivated arrests. They are not hardcore criminals.

First, Teresa Kok complained about the food and I thought that she was being choosy but slowly the truth is coming out from other detainees. Imagine having to catch wild life like snakes and birds to supplement your food or having weevil infested food.

If Syed Hamid thinks that the food is alright, then he should stay there for a month and eat the same food with additional weevil protein added.

I urge the government to have a heart. To those who believe in God, you would not do this to another human.

MANSUHKAN ISA!

Let not heroes like Raja Petra cry alone

This morning I stumbled upon this particular blog by Sheih Kickdefella (his blogger name) touching on the arrests of Raja Petra and how we Malaysians are all talk and no action. It is indeed true. Malaysians rather grumble, curse and talk behind or come online and scream profanities and then hide or give one thousand and one excuses for why they are not able to show support for those who have been detained unfairly under ISA. How do I know? Well, I've tried convincing my friends to join me in Kamunting to show support for RPK and other ISA detainees during Raya and disappointingly, their replies were er.......

My dear Malaysians, don't grumble or regret when you see your country going down, when you see no future for your children or grandchildren coz what have you done to help make Malaysia a better place for all or even support the people who fought on your behalf. Don't let these heroes and their families suffer alone is my plea to all. Ever heard of the saying "Laugh and the whole world laughs with you. Cry and you cry alone"? Don't let it happen to these heroes.

Quote from his blog:
So truly Malaysian we are, we will rather relax and enjoyed our forthcoming holiday sipping Earl Grey in the balcony of the resort and yes, we will have no problem seeing our once beloved fella rotten in the Kamunting Detention Centre. Well, he is not the first, right?

--end---
To read more on his article, click below:

http://kickdefella.wordpress.com/2008/09/24/bariah-ishak-marina-lee-and-the-rest-of-the-heroes/#comment-39211

Hari Raya visit to Kamunting

I almost missed an important event today. I overslept. hehehe Anyway, I rushed and was one of the few earlybirds to arrive at Bays Water (near Tesco), the meeting place for all wishing to go to Kamunting to convey our Hari Raya greetings and show of support to RPK and the other ISA detainees.

Halfway on the bridge, there was a slight jam due to an accident and up pulled this car and the driver waved to me. I wound down my window and it was my friend who said "Wah, you also going?" Of course, I was going. How can I miss or not show my support for RPK after all he has done for us.

We made a stop immediately after the toll at Kamunting, took some photos (unfortunately I forgot to bring my camera along, so those who took them, please either post them here or email them to me at malgal128@gmail.com. Mohan, your email is not working for some reasons) and many said they were here because of RPK. RPK didn't have to do this and risk himself being in ISA but his sense of justice is so strong that he did it so this is why they were all here to let him know that he is not going to walk this walk alone. I must say that I agree coz that was what woke me up too. How can I let a man who has done so much walk alone?

My dear friend brought along cookies and other stuff for RPK and the other ISA detainees. I wanted to cook some curry chicken for them too but was told not to as they were not allowed to receive things like this. It is really inhumane of our government not to allow these detainees to receive food brought by well-wishers during this Hari Raya. Where is the spirit of forgiveness and compassion? Like I have mentioned before, these people are not criminals so don't treat them like one.

To the Malay guy who gave us chocolate cakes to eat, I want to say thank you for your kind gesture and support.

To the rest of the Malaysian who didn't go, please try to in future to help make a difference in our country. Abolish ISA. Freedom!