Wan Azizah wants members to go back to the basics of 'justice for all'. — Picture by Choo Choy May



Yesterday PKR ended it's AGM at Stadium Melawati Shah Alam. It was interesting what was said by their leaders. They talk about multiracial approach and embracing it as part of the party dogma. As expected Anwar is still the adviser and his membership to the party was not discuss but he is we all know, the de facto leader whose membership I still doubt. They forget or purposely forgotten their MP Zukifli Noordin tirade and action which go against the idea advocate above. As usual in the case his action was not discuss and forgotten and as usual it was swept under the carpet. Where is the principle that is so sorely missing. I supported UMNO although I am not a member because I could live with a Malay party. I am a Malay thus it would be foolish if I try to be something else. I do frown on people like Zulkifli but i do not fool myself that I am ready to embrace multiracial ideas. If it lessen me in the eyes of my friends I am sorry but at least I am not a hypocrite which according to a hadiths is one of the characteristic of a Munafik. So to me if the party is really serious about the multiracial approach do make a stand on your members who is a Member Parliament thus must at all times outwardly portray that idea. Below this is a comment I posted on the news and I was happy it got aired. At least Malaysia Insider is fair.

Wan Azizah says Najib will be no different from Dr M

By Debra Chong

SHAH ALAM, Nov 29 – PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Ismail today likened the incoming administration of Datuk Seri Najib Razak to something "which is no different from the old regime" of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Articulating a widely held view that the impending departure of Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi next March has already seen a return of "Mahathirism," she said the new administration will bear many similiarities with that of Dr Mahathir's.

She told more than 2,000 party faithful assembled for the PKR congress here that she expected more arrests under the Internal Security Act (ISA), more corruption and the continued erosion of public institutions, all of which she said were the hallmark of the Mahathir era.

"The transition plan between the prime minister and his deputy will not bring any positive changes to the damage done to the judiciary, the police, the Anti-Corruption Agency and parliament," she said.

The PKR No.1 also reminded party members to go back to the basic principle of fighting for "justice for all" now that the opposition was only one step away from defeating the formidable Barisan Nasional government.

She said that the party must lead the opposition towards forming the next federal government. She noted that the half a million-strong multiracial and multireligious party held a very important position in the three-party opposition.

Welcoming a large group of delegates and observers from Sabah and Sarawak, she stressed it needed to grow stronger and include all the different races and places.

Wan Azizah said she expected the party to pull off what she said would be an incredible performance at next year's Sarawak state election

"The party constitution must be updated and its leadership more visionary, sensitive and responsible," the party president told a stadium full of delegates and observers at its fifth national congress here today.

The soft-spoken lady then announced a special party convention for next February, to take place just before Abdullah's promised handover of office to Najib.

Wan Azizah said that PKR must lead the opposition in forming the next federal government even though it was younger than Pas and DAP.

The party is only 10 years old but it has half a million members, she said, adding that a large number of Malaysians had given it their votes in the last general elections because they believed in its multicultural message.

The March victory had united the opposition, giving them more chances to truly represent the people, said Wan Azizah. While Pakatan Rakyat has yet to be made a formal coalition, she said it was commited to fight for the rights of all races.

They had signed a "communique" affirming their commitment to the provisions in the Federal Constitution including the positions of the Malay rulers, the special status of Malays, the national language and Islam, she said.

"We are even ready to restore the immunity of the rulers based on the spirit of Constitutional Monarchy," Wan Azizah declared.

Dubbed "Ibu Reformasi", the wife of Opposition icon Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim stressed the party must grow stronger and include all the different races and places.

PKR plays up multiracial message

SHAH ALAM, Dec 1 - When the Umno general assembly was aired live on TV two years ago, many Malaysians were so taken aback by the shrill Malay rhetoric that the brief experiment with openness was quickly aborted.

Comparisons will surely be drawn between Umno and its archrival Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), which decided to air its own congress, held over the weekend, live over the Internet.

The tone, however, was starkly different. A Malay-based multiracial party led by former deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim, the PKR stuck to a multiracial line even as it accused Umno of stirring up racial feelings.

Many delegates, starting with party president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, spoke emphatically about the need to press on with multiracialism.

To many Malaysians, it was refreshing to hear a Malay lamenting that bright Chinese students could not get scholarships and that Tamil schools had been deprived of land.

The three-day congress showcased the multiracial message which had reverberated so well with voters that it had helped sweep the opposition to unprecedented wins in the March general election.

The spoils of victory were more than evident. The gathering was held at a stadium in Shah Alam, the capital of Selangor. The state is now governed by the Pakatan Rakyat alliance, which is made up of three parties
including PKR.

The gathering took on a carnival feel. A bazaar sold food and PKR memorabilia. Speeches by PKR leaders were distributed in booklets, not photocopied sheets.

PKR now has 31 MPs and 42 state assemblymen; in 2004, it boasted just one of each. It now claims a membership of 500,000.

"Today, we no longer have problems getting a place for our meetings," said deputy president Syed Husin Ali, recalling the early years when hotels dared not rent premises to PKR.

The congress, the first to be held since the March election, celebrated the party's achievements. But it also revealed the first signs of the difficulties that the party is facing in managing its success.

In some ways, the timing of the event - held two months after the much-publicised failure of Datuk Seri Anwar to seize power after he had set a Sept 16 deadline - highlighted how far PKR still has to go.

The party's top leadership gave repeated assurances to the 2,500 delegates that the plan was still on track.

"People say Anwar is a liar. People are impatient, asking when, when, when. Be patient lah. Yes, Sept 16 did not happen, but we carry on. Do not give up," Wan Azizah said in her closing address at the congress.

A PKR member said that he had felt let down by this admonition. It was Anwar who had set the date, but he had yet to explain the failure to meet the deadline.

Anwar has now moved on to a new target: Sarawak. The Borneo state is due to hold its state elections by 2011, although PKR believes they could take place next year. The party hopes to tap the disenchantment of the Chinese and native communities there, which have been left out of mainstream development.

Party MPs have been told to 'adopt' constituencies in Sarawak, and must travel there weekly, starting from next week.

Most delegates at the congress did not focus on the failed takeover, but wanted to see the party work harder to build on its successes. They criticised the lack of institution building, especially of a grassroots network, and the absence of greater cohesion within the Pakatan coalition.

Some delegates called for a shadow Cabinet to be set up, to give substance to the coalition's claim of being a government in waiting. The other Pakatan partners are Chinese-led Democratic Action Party (DAP) and Parti Islam SeMalaysia (Pas).

"There must be a shadow Cabinet to show people that we have capable leaders to govern," said Johor delegate Lau Tek Hai.

Some PKR MPs and state assemblymen were taken to task by delegates.

Nizam Abdul Hamid, a delegate from Pahang, said that, since March, they had suddenly become 'too busy' to return to their constituencies.

Criticism was also raised regarding alleged bids by some opposition members to lobby for contracts. Stories were also told of how party branches had delayed applications for fear of admitting members who might have posed a threat to the branch leaders.

Such accounts are eerily reminiscent of Umno folk tales.

PKR plans to hold a special congress in February to tackle these problems.

"Chasing victory is far easier than holding on to it," said PKR vice-president Azmin Ali. - The Straits Times

Anwar seeks support from sultans in battle for power

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 1 - Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim is reaching out to Malaysia's powerful sultans in his latest strategy to try to wrest power from the government.

His wife, Dr Wan Azizah Ismail, the nominal president of Anwar's Keadilan party, has offered to restore their powers if the opposition seizes power. "We are willing to return royal immunity and power to veto laws in the spirit of constitutional monarchy," she said.

Her statement has sparked debate over whether the Malay rulers, one of whom is chosen as ruling sultan every five years, should get back powers that were taken away in 1984 by then prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Dr Mahathir amended the constitution and removed the sultan's power to veto bills, making the government the highest authority in the country. A 1993 amendment removed royal immunity from prosecution.

Constitutional law expert Shad Saleem Faruqi said on Friday that he supported the reinstatement of royal powers, but under strict codes of conduct to prevent the abuse of power.

The proposal came a day after Tunku Naquiyuddin, the regent of Negri Sembilan, made a rare demand to the government to reinstate royal powers.

The government's response was lukewarm, with the minister for law Nazri Aziz saying that a proposal must be made by the Conference of Rulers, a body that represents the nine sultans.

Despite his reduced powers, the ruling sultan does have discretionary powers to convene and dissolve parliament and appoint chief ministers, judges and senior civil servants.

The royals have also been outspoken recently on a number of issues, and many went against the ruling by the National Fatwa Council, Malaysia's top religious authority, to ban yoga for Muslims. The sultans have also
been critical of Malaysia's scandal-plagued judiciary.

"The royals have an expanding role as a check on government excesses," said Ramon Navaratnam, the chairman of think-tank, Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute. "We should not reject their suggestion outright, but examine it carefully."

Anwar's move to win royal support could be politically significant if he wins the backing of the king, Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin, who can convene parliament - a tactic that could be used by Anwar to stage a mass defection of government backbenchers to his party. - South China Morning Post

My Comment as posted

funny tho' that people forget that Zaid the founding member of the Muslim Association of Malaysia, who never bother to stoop in using the racial card then in order to built up Zaid Ibrahim and Co to one of the biggest law firm now, and dare say at present to talk about Liberalism and Multi culturism as his new mantra. Where was it then? Why keep attacking Najib, is there a hidden agenda? I am not pro Najib but it is disheartening to see a Muslimah slandering Najib as the same as Mahathir? Did he forget her hubby was so chummy with Tun at one time, until as tho we were talking then as Siblings and maybe father and son team? I really wonder how far has Datin stray from being a Muslimah or it is just a garb, a fashion fad to be discarded when she see fit. Is that what having an Islamic credential leader is all about in Malaysia? Duplicity? Is that not a criteria of a Munafik as describe by the hadiths? I leave it for the reader to digest.

I know I have said it earlier and happy that I was right. To me the trouble with many Muslim intellectual is although they have intelligence but not wisdom. So I expect those idiots would pander their knowledge for all to see and gave a fatwa which is correct but not wise. Yoga whether it is Hartal, Kharma or Bkhatti etc is no doubt Haram. But what is practice today is Commercial Yoga which remains only the forms and stance and nothing else. In fact id one were to go deeper the Sufi's tariqat has her root in Yoganism, the aspiration to be one with the maker. Pls go here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoga to give a brief idea of Yoga. But again I smell chauvinism in the air. Since most Modern Muslim women has embrace Yoga as part of the fad presently, they is a need to control their thoughts and idea. This idea of controlling minds is one of the faults in UMNO and the conservative Malays. The backlash they receive recently made them aware of their precarious position. They forget at this time and age knowledge is at your fingertip thus any remark which smack of double standard on the Muslim clerics would be hit by a torrent of backlash even from the Sultan. That is also the malady that hits UMNO and the old lady doesn't understand it still. It boggles the people's mind that a former Chief Minister could accuse an Opposition Woman MP of advising the Muslim congregation in a housing area to tone down the call of prayers especially the call in the morning which never happen and Notional type paper accusing her of wearing skirts inside the mosque which never happen and printed a story of an Opposition Woman MP being killed because of it. Because it is own by the ruling party it got away from slandering innocence person and I was happy to note their apparent believe that this would riled up the Malays to them seems nought because knowledge is not their domain anymore. So that is why UMNO must change and change she needs badly.

I remember a while back a Muslims NGO the Muslims Consumer Association leader Dr Maamor on the telly slander IKEA saying the food outlet was not halal, it created a buzz and all the utensil need to be clean by 'tanah' using soil. Later it was found out this was not true, he didn't even offer an apology for what he has done. Yet you can see him eating at outlets eating steaks I know damn well that they use alcohol as part of the ingredient( although Tantawi the former grand cleric of AlAzhar allow the using of Alcohol but it has not been deliberated by the National Religious Council).

I also want to point out that the Religious Council Of Selangor has also came out with an edict saying Smoking is Haram in 1994, why can't the National Religous pick on this issue and deliberated on it and say it out loud. I love that very much but I betcha you because some of them might be smokers too and they can't haram themselve for smoking would they? I remember in 1973 the Mufti of Terengganu issue a fatwa saying samak by soap is allowed. To me it make sense,the forerunner of Jakim at that time try to debunk him but can't in the end they say he was a Hanafi because he was Arabic and transfer him to KL. But funny when we pay our zakat which Mazhab do we follow Hanafi or Shafie and are they all not Ahli Sunnah Wal Jamaah? For me a fatwa edict must look at all things, people who comes out with edict must be wise and understand the environment they live in. Therefore let's be wise and not stupid as this is the case now. Here some news articles for you to ponder


Jakim says Rulers have last word on yoga for Muslims
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 25 — The Department of Islamic Development (Jakim) says the last word on the yoga fatwa is with the Malay Rulers.
The various states can choose to either accept or reject the National Fatwa Council's decision to ban yoga for Muslims.
The statement comes amid confusion caused by separate statements from the Sultan of Selangor, a Perak state official and other groups following the National Fatwa Council's announcement last week of a ban on Muslims practising yoga.
The decision to ban yoga for Muslims has sparked a roiling debate among various conservative and liberal Muslim groups as well as criticisms from non-Muslims.
Jakim director-general Datuk Wan Mohamad Sheikh Abdul Aziz explained today just how a fatwa by the National Fatwa Council is implemented, or even rejected.
He said the council's decision will now be discussed at state-level fatwa committees who answer and report to their respective Rulers.
"Once it is agreed upon, any decision will then be presented to the various state religious councils who then in turn bring the decision to the Sultans for consent," he said in Ipoh today.
The Sultan of Selangor has said that the fatwa would not come into force in the state yet as the Selangor Fatwa Committee would have to first discuss the matter.
Perlis Mufti Dr Asri Zainal Abidin had also spoken out against the fatwa, arguing that yoga with unIslamic elements removed should be allowed.
Commenting on the intense debate surrounding the fatwa on yoga, Jakim's Wan Mohamad said it showed Malaysians in general appeared to be interested in understanding Islam.
"It is good and bad. It is good that we can explain the beauty of Islam to non-Muslims.
"As we live in a multi-religious country, it is good for our religious authorities to share information and knowledge with one another," he said.
But he reminded the public to give due respect to Islam as the country's official religion.

Sultans' remarks cause a stir
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 27 - When the National Fatwa Council issued an edict on yoga last week, it also warned Malaysians not to question it but did not figure on the powerful Malay rulers stepping in.
Three rulers - from Selangor, Perak and Negeri Sembilan - have expressed disapproval that the monarchy was bypassed in the matter.
Under Malaysian law, the sultans are the head of Islam in their states, and the King is the head of religion for the country.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi added his voice to the issue yesterday, saying that "a physical regime with no elements of worship can continue".
He said that Muslims who performed yoga without chanting Hindu mantras could carry on with their activity as it was good for their health.
"I believe that Muslims are not easily swayed into polytheism," he told Bernama.
"What I understand from the decision of the National Fatwa Council is that it was aimed at explaining to Muslims the implications of yoga practice," he said, adding that the fatwa would be implemented only after the rulers had given their consent.
On Tuesday, Perak crown prince Raja Nazrin Shah told the Perak Fatwa Committee to consider the fatwa very carefully. He added it will have to be brought to the Perak Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council whichhe chairs, before being presented to the Sultan of Perak for consent.
A day before that, the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, said any fatwa on public matters should be brought to the Conference of Rulers first. Yesterday, the Regent of Negeri Sembilan, Tunku Naquiyuddin Tuanku Ja'afar, made a similar comment.
"Recently, the council has come out with edicts on tomboys and yoga. I am not at all certain that membersof the royalty had been consulted on these issues and if not, I would certainly encourage the council to do so," he said.
The public intervention of the rulers has caused a stir as it is unprecedented for them to come into conflict with the government's Islamic authorities. The Islamic bodies are rarely criticised by the politicians for fear of being labelled as un-Islamic.
The rulers' intervention has left the fatwa in limbo. So far, none of the states has gazetted the ruling that yoga is forbidden for Muslims if it included elements of chanting and worship. The physical exercises in themselves are discouraged as they might lead to an erosion of faith.
The fatwa has to be gazetted in each state for it to have the force of law for Muslims in that state.
There are mixed views. Kelantan Menteri Besar Nik Aziz Nik Mat said he personally agreed with the edict because of the Hindu beliefs associated with the exercise.But the Perlis Mufti, Dr Asri Zainal Abidin, hadexpressed reservations.
It is not clear if the rulers can reject the fatwa unilaterally. According to law professor Shad Faruqi, it is a grey area, but he believed that the sultans will have a strong say as they have wide discretion in matters of Islam in their states.
The rulers' intervention is the latest of a series of muscle-flexing by the monarchy. Under the Constitution, they have certain powers, but it is only in recent years that they have used it to defeat decisions of the Executive.
Many Malaysians see their intervention as a refreshing voice and a mechanism of checks and balances, filling a vacuum of leadership left by a weak political Executive.
To Prof Shad, the rulers' activism is part of a new cycle in Malaysia's history in which other centres of power are regaining prominence after a long spell of dominance of the political Executive."We are returning to the normalcy of a democracy, and a dispersion of power from a centralised grip to many seats of power," he said. - Straits Times
Faith, fatwa and freedom
COMMENTARY
NOV 25 - At a time when the entire world's confidence in the global financial system is being severely shaken, Malaysia's Muslim scholars are in a state over a four-letter word – yoga – the ancient set of physical movements and meditation that they believe can erode the faith of the faithful.
The fatwa banning yoga, particularly its accompanying chants and prayers, is the latest issued by scholars who form Malaysia's National Fatwa Council, deliberating on a whole host of issues that never cropped up in the time of Prophet Muhammad 1,400 years ago.
The council's last edict was weeks ago against women who dress like men which the learned scholars say could lead to lesbianism.Previously, they had issued edicts that banned cults, heavy rock music, Muslim women in beauty contests, stunning cattle to death, horror movies and others.
And now, yoga.
While the controversial edict will take its time to become law in the various states – Islam is a state matter under the Federal Constitution – the scholars themselves appear to be split on the issue.
Outgoing Perlis Mufti Dr Asri Zainul Abidin, who apparently did not attend the fatwa council meeting, yesterday said the authorities should offer alternative versions of yoga instead of banning the exercise.
"Yoga practitioners who are Muslims should be given an alternative by practising a version of yoga that does not resemble the version practised by other religions," The Star quoted him as saying, adding that chanting while practising the exercise should also be stopped.
"The fatwa announced in this day and age should not be too rigid. The human movement does not necessarily have a connection with religion," Asri said.
Most politicians have been silent on the issue, except for Malacca chief minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Ali Rustam, who is also aspiring to be Umno deputy president, agreeing to implement the edict, underscoring the establishment's penchant for top-down leadership and directives.
However, cooler heads appear to be prevailing. Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah has said the ban will not be enforced until the matter is studied further
But yoga practitioners, be they Muslims or not, are upset.
National Cancer Society of Malaysia advisor Datuk Zuraidah Atan said Muslim cancer survivors are confused as the exercise has proven calming in their fight against the disease.
"An overreaching fatwa like this is not good for them as unnecessary worry can have a negative effect on them psychologically and physically," she said on Sunday, adding that "Some are already feeling guilty for practising it.'
Others fear Islamic department enforcement officials will raid yoga sessions in search of Muslims breaking the fatwa if the edict is implemented.
"You take up yoga to exercise and meditate, not run helter skelter," a yoga follower told The Malaysian Insider.
Another said the economy should be a greater concern than losing one's faith through yoga.
"They should be reassuring us in these crazy times, not putting the fear of God in us," she said. "And if they are so shallow as to think that yoga can lead to Hinduism or wearing pants can turn one into a lesbian, they don't deserve to be scholars of any kind."
But the scholars would beg to differ and have said their edicts should not be criticised but must be followed, fuelling the belief that it all boils down to control over Muslims and their insecurity that the faithful are, well... not that faithful.
And they believe they have the power of the state behind them to ensure compliance.
However, for Malaysians, especially the Muslims, the latest fatwa is a test of faith and freedom to decide what is best for themselves. Just like March 8.

You Can Do It As Long As You Don't Move

This is an article related to the news below

Saturday, November 22, 2008

You Can Do It As Long As You Don't Move

Fatwa Council says yoga with worshipping, chanting is prohibited (updated)

By MAZWIN NIK ANIS

PUTRAJAYA: The National Fatwa council has declared that the yoga practice which involves three elements of physical movements, worshipping and chanting as haram (prohibited) in Islam.

Its chairman Datuk Dr Abdul Shukor Husin said although merely doing the physical movements of yoga minus the worshipping and chanting might not be wrong in the eyes of the religion, it should be avoided as “doing one would lead to another”. (How do they know this? Is evidence unnecessary?)

He said yoga has been practised by the Hindu community for thousands of years and incorporates physical and religious elements and chants and worshipping, with the aim at “being one with God”.

“Because of this, we believe that it is inappropriate for Muslims to do yoga and the council has declared that practising yoga when it comes all together with the three elements as haram.

“We discourage Muslims to do yoga as a form of exercise because it will ultimately lead to religious worshipping and chanting which is against Islam.

“In Islam, one must not do things which can erode one’s aqidah or faith. Doing yoga, even just the physical movements is a step towards an erosion of one’s faith in the religion, hence Muslims should avoid it,” he told a press conference. (Ahh...that we are so weak-willed when we exercise that our faith collapses so easily...)

He added that the council had come up with an edict on yoga as the matter was brought up to them following growing concerns whether it would be against the religion if Muslims do the exercise.

Recently, a lecturer Prof Zakaria Stapa of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia’s Islamic Studies Centre advised Muslims who had taken up yoga to stop practising it for fear that they could deviate from the teachings of Islam.

Shukor said the declaration of yoga as haram was done after serious and indepth discussions were made by the council members who met last month.

He added after studying the matter, including the history and purpose of yoga where the ultimate aim was to “be one with God”, the council decided that it was inappropriate for Muslims as it could affect one’s faith. (But obviously they never went to observe a class?)

Asked if the decision would draw flak within the Malaysian community, including the non-Muslims, he said the ruling was only meant for Muslims and the rest were free to practise yoga. (Lucky them...)

“The fatwa (edict) is meant solely for the Muslims to follow. The non-Muslims need not question or debate about this because they are free to do whatever they wish. It is the Muslims who have to adhere to this,” he added. (Whereas us Muslims are not free to think for ourselves...)

Shukor said once the edict was gazetted, it would be up to the state governments on how they plan to implement and enforce the ruling as religious affairs come under its purview. (Now this will be interesting. Which state will enact such laws and HOW do they plan to implement them? Raid yoga centres? Raid private homes?)

“Malaysia is not the only country which declare yoga as haram in Islam. Singapore and Egypt have come out with the same edict as well,” he said. (Not true. See below.)

He said Muslims must be careful as to not do things which could erode their faith, adding the religion strongly advocates “prevention is better than cure”. ( But we can't use condoms for prevention of HIV?)

“There are many other forms of exercise that Muslims can partake especially when the religion promotes healthy living and lifestyle. Performing prayers for example is a good form of exercise,” he said. (But we're supposed to pray anyway, not just for exercise.)

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The global jury is still out on this though:

Nov 9, 2008

Yoga is okay

KL cleric had voiced concern about the exercise's Hindu origins

By Nur Dianah Suhaimi, Singapore Straits Times

A MUSLIM cleric in Malaysia has called on Muslims to stop doing yoga exercises, but some religious experts in Singapore do not share that sentiment. They are largely of the opinion that yoga is harmless as long as its spiritual aspects are not practised. Professor Zakaria Stapa, a lecturer at University Kebangsaan Malaysia's faculty of Islamic studies, said recently that yoga is based on Hindu elements and could affect the faith of Muslims practising it. That sparked a nationwide debate and the Malaysian National Fatwa Council may issue a fatwa, or decree, on yoga soon. The country seems to be alone in its concern. Yoga centres are flourishing in more orthodox Muslim countries such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. In Iran, yoga is so popular that there are classes for children. In Singapore, Mr Mohammad Yusri Yubhi Md Yusoff, 33, executive imam of Al-Falah mosque, said: 'Yoga may have its roots in Hinduism. But if you take away the meditation and other spiritual aspects, it becomes just another form of exercise.' Veteran religious expert Pasuni Maulan, 64, agreed. The former registrar of Muslim marriages said spiritual elements in exercises are not exclusive to yoga. Silat, which has its roots in Malay culture, can sometimes involve hailing spirits, a practice not allowed in Islam. 'Those who are not sure about what is allowed may want to do other exercises,' he suggested. As a rule of thumb, avoid the spiritual forms of exercises and embrace only the physical aspects, said religious teacher and counsellor Abdul Manaf Rahmat, 50. Teacher Hafiza Yahya, 26, who studied yoga through books five years ago, has been doing just that. 'In classes, instructors may ask you to say Hindu incantations. I simply did the exercises without all that,' said the mother of two, who shed more than 30kg through yoga after each pregnancy. She now weighs a trim 46kg. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ I was hoping for a 'can-do' fatwa instead of a 'can't-do' fatwa for a change. A more measured fatwa might have said that if you're uncomfortable with any chanting, then choose a class which doesn't have one (of which there are plenty). And it is simply insulting to the very many Muslims who have done yoga for years and have not felt their faith weakened to be now told this. Is this fatwa retroactive as well? Do longtime yoga practitioners now have to go for rehabilitation? Funnily enough I found a website for 'Islamga' or Islam Yoga. It's from Egypt; so much for the banning of yoga in Egypt. The bigger question is this: if Islam Hadhari is meant to be this great 'civilisational' Islam that is progressive and able to cope with modernity, is this the way to do it? When our leaders proudly claim that other countries want to import Islam Hadhari, do they tell them that this means also 'thou shalt not do yoga'? Meanwhile, read this.

I am sorry for nearly a month I have not updated anything of value. i have wanted to comment on what I have updated but I was lazy this month. It's difficult to go back on the groove after a long lay off. Lot's has happen! Around the world we have a new President of the United States. Obama won and everywhere I hear that a black man has won and only in America can it happen. Most of them complain of Malaysia forgetting that this country of ours has elect more mix breed than US has ever did as our Prime Minister. If we say that Obama is Black because of his father was black than I dare say Our former PM Tun is Indian and a blackie because his father was Indian from India Master Mohammad Ali Kutty. And as far as I know most of Our Prime Minister has mix blood. Tunku's Mom is a Siamese while Tun Hussein Onn the third Prime Minister Grandma was Turkish(Caucasian) and even Paklah's Mother is half Chinese. Therefore as far as I am concern we have never discriminate races only they have to be Malay or masuk Melayu itu saja.

For me Obama is as white as another one even though his skin is black if he upholds white ideas about governing the world than he is a white American as far as I am concern. How he govern when he assumes office will be examine closely, that will prove if he thinks like a black man or a white one. I have to report a sad note that on the 14th of November on Friday Che' Gu Salleh bin Ahmad pass away suddenly. He was the son of Dr Ahmad and he pass away at 6.45 pm after complaining of chest pain watching the telly. Alfatihah and may Allah took him to his bosom. Below is a news article that I would like keep for posterity to show the stupidity of fatwa at times in Malaysia. For me to advice is better than to ban. Mengharamkan patut dilakukan as a last resort. It should be makruh not harm in this case but then I am not a mufti but I know I am the one who will answer to God.

Fatwa council bans yoga for Muslims

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 22 — The country's top Islamic body today ruled against Muslims practising yoga, saying it has elements of other religions that could corrupt Muslims.
The National Fatwa Council's non-binding edict said yoga involves not just physical exercise but also includes Hindu spiritual elements, chanting and worship.
"It is inappropriate. It can destroy the faith of a Muslim," council chairman Abdul Shukor Husin told reporters.
He noted that clerics in Egypt issued a similar edict in 2004 that called the practice of yoga "an aberration."
Though the council's decisions are not legally binding on Malaysia's Muslim population, many abide by the edicts out of deference, and the council does have the authority to ostracise an offending Muslim from society.
The fatwa reflects the growing strain of conservatism in Malaysia, which has always taken pride in its multiethnic population. About 25 per cent of Malaysians are ethnic Chinese and 8 per cent ethnic Indians, mostly Hindus.
Recently, the council issued an edict banning tomboys, ruling that girls who act like boys violate the tenets of Islam.
The fatwa council took up the yoga issue after an Islamic scholar last month expressed an opinion at a seminar that it was un-Islamic.
But yoga teacher Suleiha Merican, who has been practising yoga for 40 years, called yoga "a great health science" and said there is no religion involved.
"We don't do chanting and meditation. There is no conflict because yoga is not religion based," Suleiha, 56, told The Associated Press.
There are no figures for how many Muslims practise yoga, but many yoga classes have a sprinkling of Muslims attending.
Putri Rahim, a housewife, said she is no less a Muslim after practising yoga for 10 years.
"I am mad! Maybe they have it in mind that Islam is under threat. To come out with a fatwa is an insult to intelligent Muslims. It's an insult to my belief," Putri told The Associated Press.
In a recent blog posting, social activist Datin Marina Mahathir criticised the council for even considering a yoga ban, calling it "a classic case of reacting out of fear and ignorance." — AP
Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Tomboys, Yoga...what next?
Coming soon:
Fatwa on yogaOct 29, 08 4:08pm,
Malaysiakini
The National Fatwa Council will be issuing a ruling soon relating to yoga exercise, which is deemed to be deviationist in nature for the Muslims.An announcement on the matter is expected to be made soon by the fatwa council's chairperson Prof Dr Abdul Shukor Husin.This was revealed by the deputy director-general of the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) Othman Mustapha, reported Bernama today.Yesterday, UKM lecturer Prof Zakaria Stapa advised Muslims who have taken up yoga - a widely popular exercise which has its roots to India and Hinduism - to stop practising it for fear that it could deviate them from their belief."Yoga originated from the Hindu community and it combines spiritual as well as their religious aspects. They believe it brings them closer to their god," he was reported as saying in Berita Harian today.Zakaria was reported to have said that more Muslims were resorting to yoga exercise to find a balance in their hectic lifestyle.He added that they should instead apply the Islamic teachings such as prayers to find peace and good health."If the Muslims want a healthy body, prayers are the right choice... why must we find alternate ways... a single mistake can deviate our teachings as yoga movements follow the style and tradition of Hinduism," he was reported as saying.Ban on tomboysThe perils of yoga to the Muslims is learnt to have been discussed at the recently held fatwa council meeting in Kota Baru, Kelantan.At the fatwa council meeting, the religious scholars have also decided to issue a fatwa against females from dressing or behaving like men and engaging in lesbian sex.Council chairperson Abdul Shukor had said that many young women admired the way men dress, behave and socialise, violating human nature and denying their feminity."It is unacceptable to see women who love the male lifestyle including dressing in the clothes men wear," Abdul Shukor was quoted as saying.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------I'm just waiting for the National Fatwa Council to come out with fatwas against corruption, violence against women, cheating etc. Instead they have these.Do they know anything about yoga or is this a classic case of reacting out of fear and ignorance? Yoga may have spiritual roots but most of us do it for the exercise, both for the mind and body. It helps you to focus and in fact helps you to focus when you do your prayers. The one thing it does not do is make you want to beat up anyone, call people nasty names or issue fatwas on things you don't understand.If prayers are the only thing you need to be healthy, why are there so many unhealthy Muslims? Is this an indication that they don't pray? If all you need do is pray, why do sports or eat healthily?If they have ever found any Muslim who has converted out solely because of yoga, they should produce evidence instead of speculating on the 'weakness' of our faith. If it is 'weak' at all, it is because people like the Fatwa Council have done nothing to make it strong, constantly weakening it through fear and ignorance.And what is this thing about 'dressing in clothes men wear'? If I wear a pantsuit (which incidentally covers very well), am I dressing like a man? If I cut my hair short because it is easier to upkeep, is that forbidden? Will we now have the Fatwa Council scan the fashion magazines and make rulings about which clothes are 'masculine' and which are 'feminine'? (And what is there to admire about 'the male lifestyle' when males are represented by the men on the Fatwa Council?)I know, I know...someone is going to tell me to shut up because apparently I don't know my religion. Well, that is a matter of opinion. The Islam that I believe in is just and fair, is compassionate, loving and peaceful.Someone tell me that's the wrong Islam.
Posted by MarinaM

Zulkifli Nordin accused several parties including his own party members of disrespecting or insulting Islam in Dewan Rakyat today.


Egyptian shop owners and passing Muslims perform afternoon prayers in front of their shops in downtown Cairo on Wednesday. Business grinding to a halt for daily prayers is not unusual in conservative Saudi Arabia, but until recently it was rare in the Egyptian capital. — AP pic

CAIRO, Oct 20 — The Muslim call to prayer fills the halls of a Cairo computer shopping centre, followed immediately by the click of locking doors as the young, bearded tech salesmen close shop and line up in rows to pray.
Business grinding to a halt for daily prayers is not unusual in conservative Saudi Arabia, but until recently it was rare in the Egyptian capital, especially in affluent commercial districts like Mohandiseen, where the mall is located.
But nearly the entire three-storey mall is made up of computer stores run by Salafis, an ultraconservative Islamic movement that has grown dramatically across the Middle East in recent years.
"We all pray together," said Yasser Mandi, a salesman at the Nour el-Hoda computer store. "When we know someone who is good and prays, we invite them to open a shop here in this mall." Even the name of Mandi's store is religious, meaning "Light of Guidance."
Critics worry that the rise of Salafists in Egypt, as well as in other Arab countries such as Jordan and Lebanon, will crowd out the more liberal and tolerant version of Islam long practised there. They also warn that the doctrine is only a few shades away from that of violent groups like al-Qaida — that it effectively preaches "Yes to jihad, just not now."
In the broad spectrum of Islamic thought, Salafism is on the extreme conservative end. Saudi Arabia's puritanical Wahhabi interpretation is considered its forerunner, and Saudi preachers on satellite TV and the Internet have been key to its Salafism's spread.
Salafist groups are gaining in numbers and influence across the Middle East. In Jordan, a Salafist was chosen as head of the old-guard opposition group, the Muslim Brotherhood. In Kuwait, Salafists were elected to Parliament and are leading the resistance to any change they believe threatens traditional Islamic values.
The gains for Salafists are part of a trend of turning back to conservatism and religion after nationalism and democratic reform failed to fulfil promises to improve people's lives. Egypt has been at the forefront of change in both directions, towards liberalisation in the 1950s and '60s and back to conservatism more recently.
The growth of Salafism is visible in dress. In many parts of Cairo women wear the "niqab," a veil which shows at most the eyes rather than the "hijab" scarf that merely covers the hair. The men grow their beards long and often shave off mustaches, a style said to imitate the Prophet Muhammad.
The word "salafi" in Arabic means "ancestor," harking back to a supposedly purer form of Islam said to have been practised by Muhammad and his companions in the 7th century. Salafism preaches strict segregation of the sexes and resists any innovation in religion or adoption of Western ways seen as immoral.
"When you are filled with stress and uncertainty, black and white is very good, it's very easy to manage," said Selma Cook, an Australian convert to Islam who for more than a decade described herself as a Salafi.
"They want to make sure everything is authentic," said Cook, who has moved away from Salafist thought but still works for Hoda, a Cairo-based Salafi satellite channel.
In most of the region, Salafism has been a purely social movement calling for an ultraconservative lifestyle. Most Salafis shun politics — in fact, many argue that Islamic parties like the Muslim Brotherhood and the Palestinians' Hamas are too willing to compromise their religion for political gain.
Its preachers often glorify martyrdom and jihad — or holy war — but always with the caveat that Muslims should not launch jihad until their leaders call for it. The idea is that the decision to overturn the political order is up to God, not the average citizen.
But critics warn that Salafis could easily slide into violence. In North Africa, some already have — the Algerian Salafi Group for Call and Combat has allied itself with al-Qaida and is blamed for bombings and other attacks. Small pockets of Salafis in northern Lebanon and Gaza have also taken up weapons and formed jihadi-style groups.
"I am afraid that this Salafism may be transferred to be a jihadi Salafism, especially with the current hard socio-economic conditions in Egypt," says Khalil El-Anani, a visiting scholar at Washington's Brookings Institution.
The Salafi way contrasts with the Islam long practised in Egypt. Here the population is religious but with a relatively liberal slant. Traditionally, Egyptian men and women mix rather freely and Islamic doctrine has been influenced by local, traditional practices and an easygoing attitude to moral foibles.
But Salafism has proved highly adaptable, appealing to Egypt's wealthy businessmen, the middle class and even the urban poor — cutting across class in an otherwise rigidly hierarchical society.
In Cairo's wealthy enclaves of Maadi and Nasr City, robed, upper-class Salafis drive BMWs to their engineering firms, while their wives stay inside large homes surrounded by servants and children.
Sara Soliman and her businessman husband, Ahmed el-Shafei, both received the best education Egypt had to offer, first at a German-run school, then at the elite American University in Cairo. But they have now chosen the Salafi path.
"We were losing our identity. Our identity is Islamic," 27-year-old Soliman said from behind an all-covering black niqab as she sat with her husband in a Maadi restaurant.
"In our (social) class, none of us are brought up to be strongly practising," added el-Shafei, also 27, in American-accented English, a legacy of a US boyhood. Now, he and his wife said, they live Islam as "a whole way of life," rather than just a set of obligations such as daily prayers and fasting during the holy month of Ramadan.
A dozen satellite TV channels, most Saudi-funded, are perhaps Salafism's most effective vehicle. They feature conservative preachers, call-in advice shows and discussion programmes on proper Islamic behaviour.
Cairo's many Salafist mosques are packed on Fridays. Outside Shaeriyah mosque, a bookstall featured dozens of cassettes by Mohammed Hasaan, a prolific conservative preacher who sermonises on the necessity of jihad and the injustices inflicted on Muslims.
Alongside the cassettes, a book titled "The Sinful Behaviours of Women" displayed lipstick, playing cards, perfumes and cell phones on the cover. Another was titled "The Excesses of American Hubris."
Critics of Salafism say it has spread so quickly in part because the Egyptian and Saudi governments encouraged it as an apolitical, non-violent alternative to hardline jihadi groups.
These critics warn that the governments are playing with fire — that Salafism creates an environment that breeds extremism. Al-Qaida continues to try to draw Salafists into jihad, and its No. 2, the Egyptian Ayman al-Zawahri, praised Salafists in an Internet statement in April, urging them to take up arms.
"The Salafi line is not that jihad is not a good thing, it is just not a good thing right now," said Richard Gauvain, a lecturer in comparative religion at the American University in Cairo.
The Salafis' talk of eventual jihad focuses on fighting Americans in Afghanistan and Iraq, not on overthrowing pro-US Arab governments denounced by al-Qaida. Most Salafi clerics preach loyalty to their countries' rulers and some sharply denounce al-Qaida.
Egypt, with Saudi help, sought to rehabilitate jailed Islamic militants, in part by providing them with Salafi books. Critics say President Hosni Mubarak's government sees the Salafists as a counterweight to the opposition Muslim Brotherhood.
The political quietism of the Salafis and their injunctions to always obey the ruler are too good an opportunity for established Arab rulers to pass up, said novelist Alaa Aswani, one of the most prominent critics of rising conservatism in Egypt.
"That was a kind of Christmas present for the dictators because now they can rule with both the army and the religion," he said.
The new wave of conservatism is not inevitable, Aswani maintains, noting that his books — including his most popular, "The Yacoubian Building" — have risque themes and condemnations of conservatives, and yet are best-sellers in Egypt.
"The battle is not over, because Egypt is too big to be fitting in this very, very little, very small vision of a religion," he said. — AP

Zulkifli Nordin attacks everyone over Islam

Zulkifli Nordin accused several parties including his own party members of disrespecting or insulting Islam in Dewan Rakyat today.By Shannon Teoh
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 23 - Pakatan Rakyat MP Zulkifli Nordin accused several parties including his own of disrespecting or insulting Islam in Dewan Rakyat today.
"This pillar is being challenged from left, right, above, below, behind or in front, whether from the ruling party or from this side," he said, referring to the opposition benches.
His statements are set to reignite speculation that he is ready to crossover to Umno as PKR have constantly been criticised for not punishing Zulkifli despite the party's principles of multicultural tolerance.The Bar Council bore the brunt of his outburst as he accused it of insulting Islam by supporting apostates in Dewan Rakyat today and called for a separate Bar Council for Syariah laywers to be established which will protect those who practise Syariah law.
"In the case of Azalina Jailani, the Bar Council sent a representative to be present in court to ensure she became an apostate," he added while debating the 2009 Budget.
Azalina, also known as Lina Joy, however, had failed in her attempt to have the Federal Court rule that her religion be changed from Islam to Christian in May last year.
The Kulim Badar Baharu MP also said that a recent forum by the Bar Council to discuss Islamic matters openly, caused racial and religious tensions.
Zulkifli had led a protest against the "Conversion to Islam" forum in August but insisted that he was there in his capacity as a Lawyers in Defence of Islam (Pembela) exco member, not an MP for PKR.
He reiterated his stand today, saying "There are those that speak as if I am supporting another party but I am actually fighting for Islam. I do not care about what other people think of me because I will have to answer to Allah."
Zulkifli proceeded to attack the suggestion that surfaced during the MCA General Assembly last weekend where delegates had called for the appointnment of a second Deputy Prime Minister who would be a non-Malay, calling it another challenge to Islam's position.
"It insults Islam when parties go to court insisting they have the right to use the world Allah like Muslims do," he said in reference to the ongoing case where local Catholic weekly The Herald is attempting to get a court order to allow it to use the word Allah.
Zulkifli also said that certain groups did not respect Muslims by disrupting Hari Raya celebrations by making unsuitable requests, an apparent reference to Hindraf's presence at the Cabinet open house where they lobbied Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi to release the Hindraf 5 detained under the Internal Security Act.
He further claimed that the undermining of Islam had occurred since the time of former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
"This man had tried to expel a mufti who wanted to defend Islam. He soiled the institution of the Malay rulers with his deeds. He should be the last person to defend the Malays, after what he did. His hands are soiled," he said.
Zulkifli then asked for a mosque to be built specifically for the Chinese Muslim community in Kuala Lumpur as more Chinese were converting to the faith.
"I suggest the Pudu prison site be used for this purpose," he told Dewan Rakyat.
He suggested als for certain articles in the Federal Constitution be amended "so that Islam is not challenged by irresponsible parties."
Article 11(4) allows for state law and federal law in respect of the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur and Labuan, to restrict the propagation of any religious doctrine or belief among persons professing the religion of Islam.
Zulkifli called for this clause to be passed into all state constitutions.
Article 3 protects freedom of religion which Zulkifli wants amended so that Muslims specifically be subject to the regulations of Islam.