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A storm in a teacup


Sunday, 10 January 2010 admin-s
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The righteous will always be persecuted, but god’s wrath will rain upon those who deny the children of god their right to worship their one true lord. Take pride that other Christians in this world still has the right to worship in peace and call their rightful god by his Name, and while you may be envious of them, you know your faith is being tested. Your God, will not forsake you and neither will he forget. 

By Capt. Iskandar Dzulkarnain

It was a dark and gloomy morning. Sporadic rain showers in the capital added a touch of helplessness and doom as dawn began to break.

June 8 will go down in history, as the day Malaysians wake up to a new reality. Our peaceful nation and our way of life are at stake. This beloved nation as we know it is under siege. It is vulnerable to attack, not externally but from within ourselves.

Our race relations are at an all time low. People are fearful and angry at the same time. The blame game is on, and everyone is blaming everyone, but themselves. Freedom of religion is at stake. And our right to worship has been questioned. Someone is out there pulling the strings. And like puppets, we are singing to its tune. The government is telling us to be calm and vigilant. They are even telling the churches to increase their security. How ridiculous can it get?

About two years ago, the Home Ministry had declared it illegal for non Muslims to use the name of Allah! This case was dragged to the courts and very recently the Supreme Court had overruled this decision. Shock and disappointment followed the court decision, and has led to the chain of events that followed. Many interpret it as a racial and religious intolerance but it is not the Malays and Muslims who are at fault. The unseen enemy is not one to mess with. It has an agenda, and the die is cast.

The court decision is a plus point for the Christians, and Christians should feel vindicated. However, at what cost? If we continue to pursue this matter, it will be fodder for the flames. Malaysians, from all walks of life, whether Muslims or otherwise, sympathises with you, and we support your right to worship. Be contented, that this incident is a blessing in disguise. The divine hand of God is at work. And one day, your rights will be restored!

The righteous will always be persecuted, but god’s wrath will rain upon those who deny the children of god their right to worship their one true lord. Take pride that other Christians in this world still has the right to worship in peace and call their rightful god by his Name, and while you may be envious of them, you know your faith is being tested. Your God, will not forsake you and neither will he forget.

The dice has been thrown, and it’s your move. All eyes are on the Christians, and your next move, will have an impact on the nation. Dragging the Name of God, through the courts again will only create more chaos. The government has declared that Allah is not the same god as that of the Muslims, and we have to take it with an open heart.

Although the nation is aghast at this chain of events, the nation silently sympathises with the Christians at their time of need. We are powerless to intervene or advise the Christians on their next course of action. There is really not much the Rakyat can do, except to vote wisely in the next election. All the ills of this nation can be solved by our votes and I believe that one day we can vote this entire wrong doings that belittle our nation away.

Therefore, I would like to appeal to the Council of Churches, to convene and make a declaration to the world, and to our government, that for the sake of national unity and peace, that Christians nationwide, will momentarily halt the usage of the word Allah, at least.....ah.... until the next election. Malaysians, will thank you one day for your sacrifice to the nation. And until that time, they should make a beeline for the nearest booth to sign up as voters, if they have not already done so.

Also surrender all the Indonesian bibles to the authorities, and appeal to Indonesia to reprint the same bibles with a name replacement. Doing so will appease the few religious bigots, hell bent on creating insecurity, and save the country from further chaos. Remember, our hearts are with you, and we will be proud of your stand in the interest of national security, and that we have averted another potential racial conflict. One day, by god’s will, we would like to join hands with you and all other Malaysians, to celebrate the birth of a new nation, one that we have always dreamed of!

It’s nothing but a storm in a tea cup. Add fodder to it, and the flames will get hotter. And when it starts to brew, a nation may disintegrate!


Comments (23)Add Comment
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written by popuri, January 12, 2010 11:17:55
God have eyes. I'm waiting.
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written by Pegasus, January 11, 2010 12:45:34
Just one word...that fits...all this misery....UMNO......whatever went wrong in malaysia ..i am sure you knew who to be blame for ....UMNO....... if there is manipulation, blackmailed scheme ....UMNO! sO EVERYONE KNOWS... umno IS RESPONSIVE TO everything !
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written by monstercat, January 11, 2010 11:23:25
Therefore, I would like to appeal to the Council of Churches, to convene and make a declaration to the world, and to our government, that for the sake of national unity and peace, that Christians nationwide, will momentarily halt the usage of the word Allah, at least.....ah.... until the next election. Malaysians, will thank you one day for your sacrifice to the nation. And until that time, they should make a beeline for the nearest booth to sign up as voters, if they have not already done so.
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- With respect, why should the Christians MOMENTARILY indulge the Muslims? The Christians and non-Muslims have indulge the egos of the Muslims for a long time.
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Also surrender all the Indonesian bibles to the authorities, and appeal to Indonesia to reprint the same bibles with a name replacement. Doing so will appease the few religious bigots, hell bent on creating insecurity, and save the country from further chaos. Remember, our hearts are with you, and we will be proud of your stand in the interest of national security, and that we have averted another potential racial conflict. One day, by god’s will, we would like to join hands with you and all other Malaysians, to celebrate the birth of a new nation, one that we have always dreamed of!
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- Again, with respect, why should we appease the few religious bigots? Would you do the same as a Muslim? In actuality, the Muslim leaders of this country should be saving the country by doing more counselling work. Now, the Muslims being the majority in Malaysia, should be protecting the rights of the minority who seemed to be bullied left, right & centre, top & bottom. And moreover, when the Christians preach in BM using Allah, the congregation is made up of Christians only. You definitely won't find Muslims in our mass. We are not seeking your sympathies nor your approval, to have our right to pray in our own manner.
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It’s nothing but a storm in a tea cup. Add fodder to it, and the flames will get hotter. And when it starts to brew, a nation may disintegrate!
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- So, you mean the Christians are to be blamed if this nation disintegrate? It's very noble of you to worry. So you consider fighting for your rights as adding fodder?
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written by jokersland, January 11, 2010 11:03:54
Capt, I agree with the thougtful well written article. Back down does not mean we are cowards. It's because we really care for the unity of our nation regardless of races. Do not put in more charcoal to the burning flame to make it bigger and hard to douse off later. Be patient in these trying times and keep your cool.
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written by Ben, January 11, 2010 10:59:25
Peace be with you, Captain and MT readers.

I wish to share a solution for the recent spate of church bombings and the events that led to it; forgive.

Living Debt Free

Break the bands of bondage; set your prisoners free.

Jesus did it for you; now you can do it for me.

Let loose your captive contracts; throw open doors of steel.

Cast off your vast collections and live a life that’s real.

Forgive without repentance and sever ties that bind;

For only such adjustments can free your tortured mind.

Let go of old resentments and don’t allow the new.

You’ll live debt-free within your means and only peace accrue.
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written by Downunder, January 11, 2010 02:31:26
I wonder can a muslim use "God" to refer to their Allah?
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written by imanj, January 11, 2010 00:22:40
Let's just take the numerous articles,comments,reasonings,historic informations,pleas,dissagreements and ponder....

Where many disagreed with my entry comment on the latest Taiping church attack,I do think some have misunderstood comments made by others and some articles written....

This is Malaysia,still the one thing no one can ignore and the other is by which party the country is run by.
The point to remember also is the constituition of the Malay rights and where the rights for non-malays are stupilated,it is nice to know but there is restriction to in order to cater for the feelings of the Malays and the National religion Islam....

We are typical human being who when it is convenient,we make general statements to speak on behalf of everyone concern in the said race/religion for the current situation believing that sentiments of all peoples are collective.
Right now all Christians irrespective of denomination and the Catholics will come together to be concern for each other,but ask yourself if it is not true where the Catholics and Christians differ in their way of belief.?

Many seem to think that by fighting all the way to bring century old practises to change the mindset of your obstacles,in order to make it a right in the name of justice will come with no disruptions or bloodshed..Are the Christian and Catholic children to be made victims of an unfortunate need due to circumstances and facts or century old practises or even if the truth ins in all the Holy Books? Would it matter to these children for their safety if we give away the right so as to make the path in live peaceful while on earth. GOD at this stage would surely understand when a change is done for the purpose of peace even if we know it was done out of no choice....

The Christians amongst themselves will soon be at logger-heads if the matter gets worst,where I am quite sure there are many who have differing opinions or just think not to pursue this matter altogether...

Lastly if we keep saying we are seeing GOD as the same and one,why are we all praying to HIM in different ways? Cause the one fact in History till date ignored is,if we pray to the same GOD,we should then pray to HIM in the same form....So which form is it? If the form is different,then the same GOD has certainly shown us that His changes were not accepted by all to conform to one standard way of prayer and form through one religion ...

I still think the man is his only enemy and it is his way that causes harm not only to himself but to others as well,unless the man sees his path to GOD is not by claim of any kind but by way of goodness,purity and most of all love and respect for oneself and for others,no matter whom it may be.And that is the most hardest thing to do in the minds of many.....
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written by albert zacharias, January 11, 2010 00:10:22
Sorrry..

You need NOT apologize...
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written by albert zacharias, January 11, 2010 00:09:06

KC Lim,

Apologetics in Christianity is a study where one gives a word to another ignorant or less initiated to let them understand why Christians believes, behaves and live the way they do which may be contrary to the non believer.

It is through aplogetics Christians and non Christians learn and unlearn from one another.

My premise to write my views are strictly to point out my principles and belief system that work and not rhetoric.

Rhetoric is cheap, walking the talk is tough. So you need to apologize to anyone in this blog reply if your think, write and speak the absolute truth. Truth can be relative and there is such a thing as half truth.

What Captain proposes sounds right, looks right but is it right? You and others can digest what he writes and come to your own conclusion and write it in this reply for others to read and think about it.

Cheers...
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written by SoundMan, January 10, 2010 23:37:08
Capt. you are a fool ! The Court of the Land has spoken. Obey. UMNO will learn the hard way how their fool deeds to divide and rule will turn real ugly for them, in the very bitter end!
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written by kclim, January 10, 2010 23:09:26
Dear Albert Zakarias , pardon me for my impoliteness in pointing out the message from Capt. Iskandar's article ....... " And until that time, they should make a beeline for the nearest booth to sign up as voters, if they have not already done so. " ..... I believe you are already a voter , so please allow those who are not registered ,the chance to have their say when the next GE comes along. Capt. Iskandar's message is probably not meant for you. My apologies if I offend you Mr. Albert Zakarias.
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written by hklee, January 10, 2010 22:56:26
I agree with Alice but why most if not all the time the right thoughs n doers have to be told to give way to the aggrassors instead of putting the aggrassors under ISA/behind bars?
Cow head issue no one was put behind bars and if the people who oppose the BN lead government u can be sure of police haressment and taken to the lock up or under ISA.
PDRM, MACC, AG CHAMBERS, JUDICIARY you people salaries are paid by the tax payers money.
PM, MINISTERS AND DOWNWARDS YOUR ARE POLITICIANS, USELESS VOTERS WILL REJECT U DOWRIGHT.
REMEMBER THIS CAREFULLY. YOUR DESTINY IS FIXED. AMEN
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written by albert zacharias, January 10, 2010 22:43:26
Captain... if what you suggest is followed Malaysian Muslims will be a laughing stock for the rest of the Muslim brothers and sisters of the world who are not 1/2 bake like we have.

Why don't we call an orange.... say brinjal so as not to offend our Melayus who do not want to call it orange?
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written by albert zacharias, January 10, 2010 22:40:55
Captain...

If you are what you claim to be a Captain you would not have suggested what you did!

Postponing the issue by delay use is not going to help anybody. The worst are the Malays who refused to grow up and face reality. If they can't even accept a simple issue like a word "Allah" which has been universally accepted by Muslims and non Muslims alike!

Only in Malaysia, our Melayus have not grown up! When will they grow up to compete at this spiritual level with the rest of the world?

You still insist others give the Melayus more time and space to think? Do you treat your children like this? Everytime they throw tantrums you obliged them?

Come on lah! Face the others fairly and squarely with compromise. That is life!

Tell me I am wrong! Grow up and don't continute to be a five year old.
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written by Aria, January 10, 2010 22:30:08
A very well written article Capt. Iskandar Dzulkarnain, you should get a prize for it, but won't be from UMNO.
If everyone of us MT readers just finds one un-registered voter or voter that has not bothered to vote for many elections and make him or her vote, it will make a difference. "Just go find one eligible voter and make him/her vote", come on everybody.
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written by earthman, January 10, 2010 22:28:14
Captain, you are right, already some have suggest to use other names in worship and publications. If our faith is strong , we would not worry that a storm in a tea cup could shake our faith in the most high God. Let them have their way. Didnt we read in the Bible, that Jesus thaught us that ' if someone wants to sue you and take your coat, let him have your shirt also'?.

We urged all Christians to remain faithful and trust in the Lord. Let the government have their way and pray for devine intervention. Let them have their Allah.
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written by earthman, January 10, 2010 22:18:05
Yes the correct and right ways to bring all together as one in Malaysia is to talk to each other, to listen to each other, to understand each other and to respect other's opinion and beliefs.
Having said that, let our beliefs be a private matter and let our energy and resources be used for building the nation, All resources should be for the benefit of all regardless of race or belief. No one should claimed that his belief is correct or superior, otherwise we would see advanced and developed nations according to their faith.
Let the faithful contribute to supporting their faith and not the government's fund as it is contribute by all and belongs to all, and should be used for all.
Lastly but not least let there be true freedom of faith and not just in worship but in choosing our faith. No one and no law should be allow to stop or threaten another to change their faith , for faith is a private matter `dear to every individual.
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written by kclim, January 10, 2010 22:17:36
What Capt. Iskander says here makes a lot of sense. When someone runs amok you do not confront him as it will only make things tragically worst. Capt. Iskandar is telling us Christians to be patient and wait upon God to resolve all this in His ways and His time. We cannot rush any decisions. No decisions will be appropriate at this point in time when an amok person is burning down the house. Wait till the smoke settles. It is all God's will as no man can do what God does not allow to happen. It has already happened. There has to be good coming out of all this at the end of this trying nightmare. Be patient and wait upon the Lord to unveil matters that pertain to this issue of His Holy name.. Let our Almighty God do it His way.
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written by DreamLady, January 10, 2010 22:08:29
Captain Iskandar, you are a wise man. Thank you for a solemn but enlightened piece of write-up. I truly believe the time is not ripe to retaliate against the wrong-doers and the devils. We, the Muslims, the Bhudists, the catholics and the Christians shall and continue to pray in unison, begging our Almighty for mercy and protection, to lift us all up to a higher level, away from the abyss of chaos created by the seemingly formidable devils..

Thank you once again for your effort to make us understand the message intended. May God bless you in abundance...
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written by Alice, January 10, 2010 21:46:00
Interesting piece of writing.Food for thought.
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written by singhkris, January 10, 2010 21:14:30
Very diplomatic way to say don't fight.! Just ignore the judicial pronouncement and give in the lunatic fringe who you say are in the minority?. Today they will say No Allah. Tomorrow NO church! It does not sound right to me.
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written by StevenO, January 10, 2010 20:54:51
I am not an optimist but in these cases of burning Churches, I am making an exception! I am quite sure something good will come out of this political manipulation of religion by UMNo to hang on to power!!

Vote wisely!!
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written by Buayanegara, January 10, 2010 20:42:42
So Capt Iskandar,
u also read the wrong quran !
U better study the umno one also them u will know the truth.j

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