What is an Islamic state? Why do I fear it?
A commenter asked me to write about “What exactly u have in mind when PAS says islamic state and what exactly make u afraid of it..”
Islam, as most non-Muslims know it from the international media, is seen as a cruel, medieval religion, and incompatible with modern life. Why?
Fitna
ORIGINAL POSTHot film on Islam - Fitna. Muslims, care to enlighten me on inaccuracies? Were the verses quoted out of context? The film shows the darker, violent side of Islam. Some argue that Islam by nature is violent as it promotes jihad to Islamise the world. Infidels especially Jews are to be killed. True? Or more propaganda? If true, the film is very disturbing.
More @ liveleak.com
Comments are closed for this post. Thanks for the discussion. I’ve learnt a lot and am wondering if most of the “violence” are staged. Just like how agent provocateurs may be planted in non-BN events….Tks. JY. Tues - Apr 1, 2008
Asia Sentinel: Pandora’s Box - Shariah Law in Indonesia
By Jennie S. Bev
AsiaSentinel.Com
TUES - Feb 26, 2008
“If historical shariah is applied today, the population of Muslim countries would lose the most significant benefits of secularization. Even Muslim men, who are the only full citizens of an Islamic state under shariah stand to lose some of their fundamental constitutional rights if shariah is restored as the public law of the land.” Under shariah public law, freedom of belief, expression and association of Muslim men would be greatly affected by the law of apostasy and the ruler’s supremacy and power over the society.
When such bylaws are imposed in Indonesia, non-Muslims are considered second class citizens, in which fair treatment is hard to conceive. They would need to live under pledges of security or safe-conduct from Muslims. And with absolutism in the air, those who hold power absolute tend to absolute corruption, as Lord Action famously noted.
There are already examples. In the Padang municipality in West Sumatra, but female Muslims and non-Muslim women as well are obliged to wear the hijab, or headscarf. In Tangerang, located just a few kilometers from the capital city Jakarta, bylaws restrict women from walking alone in the streets after 10pm, or they face charges of prostitution. There have been incidents of wrongful arrests of female factory laborers who worked night shifts.
Asia Sentinel: Romancing the Koran in Indonesia
By Jennie S. Bev
AsiaSentinel.com
THU - Mar 20, 2008
In Love Verses, Islam is the religion of choice. There are at least five prevalent messages in the story that must be greeted critically. First, a hardworking, pious and handsome man has no problem finding multiple women to fall madly in love with him. Second, a man can have more than one woman willing to marry him. Third, a woman who loves a man dearly might be willing to have her man take another woman as a second wife. Fourth, a person must be a Muslim to enter Heaven. Fifth, a man might eventually choose a rich and attractive woman as his wife.
A movie and book about Islamic lovers is a vehicle for marketing fundamentalism
Of songkoks and sensibilities
Raja Petra wrote an article in his popular political website, Malaysia Today, which mentioned that most DAP leaders and supporters oppose wearing the songkok at official functions in the Istana. I think this is nothing new. It’s also nothing new that RPK has made a mountain out of this molehill to suggest that DAP is an anti-Islam party.
It’s accepted by most that the palaces have strict dress codes. Like the Brunei palace has some requirement to wear all black and all white or something like that. Also, if I remember correctly, women must wear skirts below the knees or even covering the ankles. It was a long time ago when I was asked to attend a function at the Brunei Palace. I think it’s ankle length and all black.
Additionally, there are lots of protocols to learn and I was required to attend a short course on it so I won’t screw up. As I am a person of minimum formality and an ardent believer of comfortable, casual dressing that suits our hot and humid weather, I suggested someone else go in my place. Plus, I may ask silly questions. Already I suspected I had semi-pissed the Palace off by asking if the absolute monarchy as practised in the country was better than democracy….Ha ha ha ha.
Those who refuse to wear the songkok will insist that they are not Muslims, which is a fair argument. Their traditional dress or a suit without a songkok should suffice. This is also the view of “modern” minds who oppose traditions for opposition sake.
On the other hand, like Raja Petra mentioned, is the fact that the Sultans’ are Muslims. So when in Rome does as Romans do. And I believe it’s simply good manners to respect the host, whether royalty or not.
I think the main problem is some DAP leaders may have gone on the overkill in their secular stance and their perjuangan (crusade) to defend Chinese culture that to suddenly wear the songkok, a move that they’ve criticised most of their political life, would just seem so glaringly hypocritical. The DAP now risks being labeled as being the same as the MCA.
I believe this is a good lesson and experience for both sides as more mingling among the different cultural groups will show how extreme certain arguments are. Whether defending the right of non-Muslims not to wear Islamic dress at official functions or pushing for “Malay rights” (which incidentally is a term not mentioned in the Federal Constitution) to ensure the survival of bangsa, agama and negara (race, religion and country).
Despite what we say, feel about LKS’s statement
We are probably not the core or hardcore supporters. Or the grassroots, to whom the party probably promised to defend from Islamisation and used lots of examples of rights of non-Muslims being trampled on in civil and syariah courts. So for LKS and DAP to turn around and work with PAS, which “berjuang untuk menegakkan Islam”, will probably be the ultimate betrayal to them grassroots. If I voted DAP ‘cos I bought their secular state rhetoric and then DAP forms govt with PAS. That’s bad.
Right now, I think DAP remembers who voted them in BY FAR. 
And they are trying to stay true to their promises unlike MCA — the voice of UMNO. It’s not so much that they don’t want to be truly Malaysian but probably due to the reality of their own devise. If they hadn’t played the secular card so much, then perhaps it’s easier to work with PAS.
PAS: The massive prayer meeting
I got goosebumps when I saw the women covered, I admit. The whole scene just had a medieval Middle Eastern feel to it. Perhaps it’s social conditioning that I am not used to seeing images like that which my mind will immediately link to oppression of women, Saudi Arabia, parochialism, etc. It really creeps me out to see so many women covered up from head to toe. Don’t mean to offend. It’s just how I feel….But I guess I must learn to look beyond appearances….Hmmmm, that din sound right….Ha ha ha ha…. 
PAS or rather is this Islam? Really?
But check out Husam on the state budget last year. He speaks well. I know, I act as if he has just burst into the political scene. Really, it just shows how one-sided our mainstream media are.
Wong Chun Wai’s PAS rant
He wrote: “We must keep our liberal way of life. This is Malaysia, not the Middle East.”
HA HA HA HA HA HA. Yeah. Our government is so “liberal”. HA HA HA HA HA. That’s why they have racist policies. HA HA HA HA HA. Check out our “liberal” press too.
More…
1. “Incredibly, there are non-Muslims who are shamelessly contesting as members of the so-called PAS Supporters Club, not realising they have joined in to advocate the orthodox Islamic system being pursued by PAS.”
Also, UMNO, MCA and MIC are all RACE-BASED parties. So, shouldn’t complain about PAS. That’s their belief, they set up PAS based on Islam.
2. “That would mean more gender segregation in supermarket checkout lines, concerts and, of course, at swimming pools.Yes, that would also mean watching movies with the lights on. If that is fine with you, then go ahead and vote for PAS.”
I think this is a SMALL problem if we can walk safely on the streets. Crime rate is up 40 per cent. And it doesn’t feel safe anymore. What’s the point?
This is the kind of SHALLOW reasoning by Wong Chun Wai or BN types. Please, watching movies is not such a big deal these days. We have DVDs!!! And what’s so difficult about segregated check-out lines to protect the women. With the number of raba cases on our buses and LRT, we should have segregated buses and LRT trains.
Wong is so worried that he won’t be able to check out girls, as he wrote in his earlier articles about PAS’s views.
Is Wong the kind of shining light to lead the paper and the nation forward? People like him should be barred from writing his narrow views.
I’m not surprised Hadi called you an “infidel” and “anti-Islam”. I am wondering if the NECF will advise you to STOP leading a Christian cell group.
We are sick of corruption, of BN, of crime, of cronies, of the repression, the racism, and the rubbish churned out by the mainstream media.
Wong Chun Wai Gasping For Air
I read with dismay and shock at The Star’s new Group Editor-in-Chief’s commentary on PAS yesterday. It shows BN’s desperation and fear for the head honcho of MCA’s PR outfit to write such a vile article which displays his lack of understanding of Islam and more so of his publicly professed religion, Christianity.
As a Christian, part of the way of life that PAS proposes is acceptable. Although under Christ, we are now under grace and saved from judgement from disobeying a law that we can never perfectly obey. Gambling (an addiction), adultery and drunkenness generally hampers a believer’s walk with God as He is holy. Let me emphasise it is not wrong — simply bad for our spiritual walk or growth. ‘Cos as Christians, we are under grace. It’s not a licence to sin but a new way of really living with God. I’ll deal with this more thoroughly later. I know many Christians may not agree with me. But let me explain later.
Again I must re-iterate that Islam and Christianity are very different belief systems. The most important difference is that Muslims believe that Jesus was just another prophet while Christians believe that He is the Son of God. When we say Son of God, we mean that He is God who took on human form to show us the Way back to Him and to redeem us as the ultimate sacrifice for our sins.
I want to say that although people in Arab garb and turbans frightened me before, I accept that it’s their way of life. Contrary to Wong’s assertion, PAS is not forcing us to wear Muslim clothes. Or tudung. That only applies to Muslims. Non-Muslims are free to carry on as they want. Although getting drunk, karaoke and clubbing are usually not advised by Christian leaders. Wong should know. He leads a Christian small group in his home.
I think generally Wong’s piece can be trashed.
It’s obvious that under Barisan Nasional, Islam is taking over our lives even if we are non-Muslims.
While clubbing at Zouk, JAWI can raid the premises any time. We all know that Malay Muslims hang out in Zouk in a big way. The biggest gay clubs in the city are mostly Malay. When the religious authorities raid these venues, non-Muslims are also affected but thank God not subjected to humiliating acts like some Malay Muslim girls are.
Then there are the body-snatching cases that the civil courts won’t even touch.
Malaysians should stop buying the crap that BN spews everytime to scare us. We should vote PAS just to tell BN that their stupid fear tactics don’t work anymore.
After elections, Muslim NGOs should do something to prevent such blatant slander and one-sided reporting.
So disgusting.
Just a reminder, our ex-CJ wanted to implement Sharia
Hello people, just in case you think UMNO is secular and won’t put us under Sharia. Here are some news articles to remind you of what our former and now disgraced Chief Justice Ahmad Fairuz said last August. For The Star, click here. And Utusan Malaysia’s frontpage article below. So better choose the better Islamic party, people.
Mansuh Common Law — Ketua Hakim Negara mahu perundangan lapuk Inggeris diganti
Oleh Zabry MohamadPETALING JAYA 21 Ogos — Ketua Hakim Negara, Tun Ahmad Fairuz Sheikh Abdul Halim hari ini mencadangkan rujukan kepada Common Law Inggeris dimansuhkan daripada undang-undang sivil negara ini kerana ia menggambarkan minda pengamal undang-undang tempatan yang masih terjajah.
Letter: Wong Chun Wai, do you understand the Gospels?
Therefore it is not “naïve or emotional” for a Christian to give his/her vote to PAS against the apartheid inclined regime that is racist and utterly devoid of honesty and morality…Shouldn’t a Christian stand up for the poor, the oppressed and the marginalized. (Please read Matthew 6).
From Mr Smith’s blog — See Evil, Hear Evil but Speak The Truth:
Dear Mr. Wong Chun Wai, ( I know he is a Datuk, so what?),
I refer to your commentary in The Star (29 Feb 200 
in which you wrote:
“ I hear church groups telling their congregation to vote anything opposition including PAS, which is simply naïve and emotional. Whatever the flaws of the system, it still works, despite some occasional hitches,” said one Penang Barisan leader.
Why didn’t you name that Penang Barisan leader? Because this quote is your personal view. Writers like you, who are de facto press secretaries of the MCA, write your views and attribute them to some sources or political analysts. Please lah, don’t mock at our intelligence!
INTERVIEW: Husam Musa, PAS vice-president
Husam (left) with Sheih of Kickdefella fame at a press conference in the PAS Media Centre in Kota Bahru on Tuesday. THANKS, Sheih! /JYPix
FULL TRANSCRIPT OF INTERVIEW ON FEB 26, 2008 (TUES) AT THE PAS MEDIA CENTRE IN KOTA BAHRU WITH HUSAM MUSA, PAS VICE-PRESIDENT AND CALON FOR STATE SEAT, SALOR, KELANTAN.
NOTE: Husam (I keep calling him Musa cos keep thinking of IGP Musa Hassan) is quite sporting and funny. Not like some dead serious types in some dead serious parties. Or those overly emotional types in you-know-which party. Actually, in my humble opinion, the PAS fellas that I’ve met seem to be the most moderate and open-minded. Strange. I think it’s really largely a case of negative media stereotypes and not making the point to find out more about the reality. But then again, I still need to meet more people and see more of the REAL Malaysia. Don’t take my word for it. Take a trip to Kota Bahru and see for yourself.
Jed Yoong: So do you think PAS has changed from when it started about 50 years ago when it broke away from UMNO — it was mainly a Malay nationalist party that used Islam as a differentiation?
Husam Musa: PAS is not using Islam. PAS is based on Islam. We are not using Islam. Inspired by Islam.
What some makciks think of Islam Hadhari…
Outside a mosque in Kota Bahru last Monday.
Me: Islam Hadhari ini macam mana (How is this Islam Hadhari)?
Makcik in her 70s: (shakes head) Di akhir tak kan jumpa (We won’t meet in the end).
Me: Apa ini Islam Hadhari (What’s this Islam Hadhari)?
Makcik: Islam yang baru. Bukan yang asal (A new Islam. Not the original).
Me: Siapa cipta Islam baru ini (Who invented this new Islam)?
Makcik and friends: Pak Lah….
PAS dep president promises review of Syariah cases
PAS deputy president Nasharudin Mat Isa is contesting the Bachok parliamentary seat in Kelantan. In Kota Bahru on Tuesday, he told reporters that among the first things that he will do in parliament is push for a review of controversial Syariah cases involving non-Muslims. He will also fight for the appointment of the first female Syariah judge.
Farish Noor: Islam Hadhari can’t save Malaysia
From Aliran:
Over the past three decades, it was Umno’s cultivation of the Malay-Muslim community, couched in terms of a protectionist politics of patronage, that crippled the Malays and kept the Malay intellectual community bound to its patronage machinery. Yet despite the opportunities given to them, the Umno leadership has never really tried to use this as a means of opening up the minds of the Malays, to challenge them intellectually and to present the Malays with an alternative (and genuinely progressive) understanding of Islam: Progressive Muslim authors have been banned by the government, their books taken off the shelves, debates on issues like religious pluralism and inter-faith dialogue scuttled.
The real result of five decades of Umno-led rule is the creation of a more narrowly-defined, racialised society where inter-racial and inter-religious dialogue has dwindled. To expect ‘Islam Hadari’ to correct the mistakes of Umno’s ethnocentric communitarian politics is a contradiction in terms, writes Farish Noor.
