Religion since time immemorial has been used by those at the top of the religious hierarchy to imprison the minds of the populace. And those who question them suffer persecution.
NO HOLDS BARRED
Raja Petra Kamarudin
Many of my Muslim friends are no longer my friends because of what they regard as my deviant views of Islam. Of course, to most Muslims, ‘deviant’ means any view that you have which differs from theirs. As long as you do not also believe in what they believe then you are a deviant.
In the old days, those who thought that the world was round rather than flat were deviants because the majority believed that the world was flat. And the church was extremely uncompromising towards those perceived as deviants.
Years back I said that racism is haram and frowned upon by Islam. The response from many was: which Islamic university did I attend to be able to talk like that? Can I even speak Arabic, they asked.
That is an old trick they used in medieval times as well to deny the population their own understanding of religion. Only those who spoke Latin could interpret religion. It became a sort of exclusive club. The fact that Jesus spoke Aramaic and not Latin failed to grab their attention.
Christianity has since progressed beyond that. But Islam is still suffering from what Christianity suffered more than 1,000 years ago. Islamic critical thinking is not tolerated because the interpretation of Islam is the monopoly of this exclusive club where membership is denied to those without the right credentials.
And Raja Petra Kamarudin does not possess these right credentials: thus one of the reasons of my ISA detention in 2008.
But what have I said that the people with the right credentials have not also said? I said that racism is haram and that the Prophet Muhammad himself said so in his last sermon in Arafah.
Today, the ex-Mufti of Perlis and the spiritual adviser of PAS have both said the same thing. But I get detained without trial for saying what those with the right credentials have also said.
I said that Jihad is not a war where suicide bombers kill innocent women and children but your personal struggle (or war) against greed, lust (lust for power included), pride (which also breeds racism: pride of your race), ego, vanity, jealousy, etc.
Now, many of those with the right credentials are saying the same thing.
I said that Hijrah is not just about the Prophet migrating from Mekah to Medina but more about you ‘migrating’ from the old you to the new you -- basically transforming or reforming yourself.
New Year’s Day 2011 will soon up be upon us. If you make your New Year’s Resolution to stop smoking, stop visiting massage parlours, stop cheating on your income tax, stop beating your wife, stop raping your daughter, stop siphoning money from your company’s petty cash box, stop taking commission from contractors, stop awarding contracts to your family and friends, and whatnot, that is Hijrah -- you Hijrah from a life of sin to a life of repentance.
Now Bernama, the government-owned propaganda agency, also says the same thing. But then the man quoted by Bernama is someone with the right credentials while I am not.
Religion since time immemorial has been used by those at the top of the religious hierarchy to imprison the minds of the populace. And those who question them suffer persecution.
This has not changed over thousands of years. It is comforting to know though that what I have been saying for years and which resulted in me being branded a deviant is now being said by those with the proper credentials to speak.
Some may call me an Atheist. Some call me an Agnostic. Some may even call me anti-religion. Rest assured it is not for man to decide what I am and am not. That is the exclusive domain of God to decide what His creations are or are not.
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Hijrah: Time for Muslims to Reflect on Al-Quran
BERNAMA
The Maal Hijrah, which is also called Awal Muharram, is an important day for Muslims not only to commemorate the hijrah (migration) of the Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Medina but also to reflect on their inner self and deeds.
The Hijrah that occurred 1432 years ago is still relevant in its essence today that goes beyond the physical migration, the migration from ignorance to englightment through the Al Quran.
Every year the Maal Hijrah is celebrated by recalling the historic migration that is also the cornerstone of Islam.
The Essence of Hijrah
According to the Institute of Islamic Understanding Malaysia's (Ikim) Director General Datuk Nik Mustapha Nik Hassan, Hijrah is more than the physical migration from Mecca to Medina.
“Prophet Muhammad's Hijrah from Mecca to Medina is not just a change of place but a change in the system and values of a society based on the teachings of Al Quran that emphasises on truth, fairness and compassion.”
“So the meaning of Hijrah is all encompassing. Unfortunately, our society today view Hijrah literally on the context of physical migration that does not give the actual picture of this remarkable event,” he explained.
He hoped that the Muslims would see the Hijrah beyond the physical migration and dwell deep into the lessons that they can learn from Prophet Muhammad's Hijrah.
The Virtues of Hijrah
According to Nik Mustapha, Prophet Muhammad's Hijrah helped to create a highly civilised society anchored on iktikad (belief) and syahadah (attestation) of the faith and Allah Almighty.
The Prophet Muhammad wanted to establish a new bastion for Islam and restructure the society in Medina into a highly civilised society based on Al-Quran.
Based on the divine revelation in surah Al-Anbiya:107 that literally means
"We have sent you out of mercy from us towards the whole world," the Prophet Muhammad took on the role as Allah's messenger in establishing an Islamic administration through the Medina Charter.
“The ingenuity and skills of the Prophet Muhammad during Hijrah should be emulated. The way the Prophet won back Mecca through the Hudaibiah Treaty without going to war. The way the Prophet united the people by asking them to seek the truth, fairness and compassion through the Al-Quran.
Hijrah in the Present Day Context
The lessons to be learnt by Muslims today is how Prophet Muhammad brilliantly established the faith in the society then.
The other virtue will be how Prophet Muhammad planned his rule to strengthen Islam and the Muslims in Madinah. One of the good examples is that he turned the Nabawi mosque into a place of worship and congregation for Muslims.
According to Nik Mustapha, the mosque during Prophet Muhammad's time were the centres for human activities in matters relating to this world and hereafter, unlike in Malaysia today where the mosque activities is limited to religious affairs only.
He also called upon Muslims to absorb the Al-Quran in them.
“Parents have to capitalise on this opportunity to emphasise on the teachings of the Al-Quran that advocates truth, fairness and compassion. This is the spirit that we have to comprehend in our lives.
The same goes to an organisation, each leader must work to instill these three elements in implementing the universal values of Islam.
He pointed out the essence of Hijrah not only calls for the change within oneself for the better, but also to emulate the ways how Prophet Muhammad planned and administered a system based on divine revelation for the mankind.
written by IbnAbdHalim, December 07, 2010 14:29:37
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written by alacarte, December 07, 2010 14:15:55
The non Muslims are completely not allowed to comments on anything Islam, even the non Muslims have gone through Islamic studies.
Why made Islam so hard on ordinary people (Muslims and non Muslims alike), religions should mostly base on moral value and common sense, isn't it?
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written by Logger123, December 07, 2010 13:22:37
Its just that the insane have been told that they are insane, i.e., they do not conform to the behaviors of the rest of society.
So who appointed someone to judge if a person is sane or insane? Take a look around us, don’t you find everyone to be insane?
As adults, isn’t it the height of insanity to allow someone to tell us what to do with our personal life? Are we still babies needing to hold on to our Mummy and Daddy’s hands? As adults, don’t you think we have free will? A choice to do what we want to do? Why listen to appearances of piety and the self proclaimed exclusive club of “higher knowledge”? What do we gain? Do we want to obtain something conjured up in the mind of a possibly insane person?
What do you think the people would do if you suddenly declare that you know god? That you are having a conversation with god? If folks around you would throw you into the mental asylum for having said that, then why do you have to listen to the words of someone dead for centuries, and obey it, as interpreted and commanded by someone in a pious position around you? Does distance in time and distance really matter in knowing God?
Sure God is around. Or maybe around. But do we need to listen to others on what to do, just to get God’s mercy? Don’t you think God can interact directly with you or is God so weak that he needs to talk to you via another person? And so if God is talking to you via another person, don’t you think that person is mad for thinking he is having a conversation with God?
Think. Think. So who is the mad one?
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written by Nunuk Ragang, December 07, 2010 11:58:57
Any frontal attack on ignorance is bound to fail because the masses are always ready to defend their most precious possession; their ignorance
Albeit that, more Malaysians have become informed and enlightened due to your Malaysia Today news portal Sir, and regards you as the lighthouse guiding us against the waves and rocky shores to reach to the land of a better Malaysia.
Selamat Maal Hijrah Raja Petra and family.
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written by Wisdom above, December 07, 2010 10:02:47
. ... Hijrah is not just about the Prophet migrating from Mekah to Medina but more about you ‘migrating’ from the old you to the new you -- basically transforming or reforming yourself.
Jihad is not a war where suicide bombers kill innocent women and children but your personal struggle (or war) against greed, lust (lust for power included), pride (which also breeds racism: pride of your race), ego, vanity, jealousy, etc.
"...you Hijrah from a life of sin to a life of repentance..."
to reflect on their inner self and deeds.
emphasises on truth, fairness and compassion.”
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written by Aria, December 07, 2010 09:34:11
Also when someone dies, it is up to the dead person’s family to give the dead person his or her final rights. No religious gang must be allowed to snatch the body from the family to give it its final rights. Government should be firm on the laws of the land which protects every person’s right and freedom. These types of unbiased support will infester hate between Islam and the other religions and races in multi-racial and religious Malaysia. I am not ever talking about racism brought about by “Ketuanan Melayu”.
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written by educationist, December 07, 2010 04:19:07
Rational and thinking rakyat have always accepted your views with an open mind as they are void of extremist elements and in line with what is virtous and praised by the wise!!
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written by merchant222, December 07, 2010 01:37:18
Just to cut it short..........
RESPECT IS GIVEN; RESPECT BY COMMAND IS SIMPLY A DEVIANT THOUGHT!!!
So whatever rulers want to say to "THEIR" subjects (if there is any today) and as read by the Rakyat in the BN media is SIMPLY A DEVIANT THOUGHT!
God no Balls to Fark the BN government for selling (for FREE) our state assets to their cronies and then hold the rakyat at ransom???
And you still support them?? POLITICALLY apolitical or what ???
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written by truthbespoken, December 07, 2010 00:57:13
And goddam it ... yet so many self-professed religious idiots in Malaysia are still promoting racism through religion as though it is a tenet from God. These are hopeless humans and they might as well openly admit they are nothing more than natural blocked-heads prone to religious pretenses with the ultimate aim to control the masses using devious religious means. All I can opine is these bullshit people, being racist practitioners at heart, may never reach the Heaven they portrayed they yearn to reach. Hell, but I certainly do believe the good God will kick out human deviousness and racism in all stupid, really stupid forms!
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written by MaddieC, December 07, 2010 00:44:50
Please ask also Perak Mufti Harussani if he believes the same thing as ex-Mufti of Perlils and the spiritual adviser of PAS that racism and ketuanan Melayu are haram. I am still hoping that there is a chance that I could still have a tiny bit of respect for him since he claims himself to be one of the leaders of Muslims.
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written by Fart Fart Wah, December 07, 2010 00:33:26
the other day I asked a Muslim friend of mine as to why there are Muslims out there who kill and maim and murder and rape and commmit suicide in Allah's name ..calling it jihad. He said that it is because of deviant teaching. So I asked him "Has anyone seen Allah?" And he was shocked. I said do not be alarmed I do not intend to blaspheme. I just asked this because to the best of my knowledge no one has seen and will see him here I thiink. I have not seen him either. So what is your point he asked. I said if you did not see him and I did not see him then why are we fighting and killing for him in his name. And to make matters worse we are killing each other the very people he is supposed to have made. Do you see what I am making out I said. He kept silent. So I said why don't we let Allah fight his own battles because he is more powerful than you and me. With one wish he can turn me into pig and that his his perogative. Now you believe he exists and I believe he exists. My only believe is he wants to make this earth livable for all..ie heaven for all...and he is just waiting how far we will go doing that. And if it does not happen then I think he will step in. So it looks like we are creating our own hell here. And some of these religious leaders are creating hell for everybody. instead of having a jihad so that all have food , clothing and shelter to live. Instead of fighting for a fair share of the gifts Allah has poured on to this earth they are fighting to take more and more everyday for themselves. Instead of protecting the weak they are trafficking women and children as sex slaves . They are raising prices and they are burdening the people more and more. REligous leaders should be screaming for help to help all. In Iran religious leaders are corrupt. In Afghanistan they are corrupt. in Iraq they are corrupt. In Arabia they are extremely corrupt..you name it...No relgious leader is calling for a jihad to change the world for the better for all not for one community or religion. When can we find one like this??? and don't ask Allah...he is waiting..for those iin power to move things..as he wants...and he waits...he waits..
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written by asiana888, December 06, 2010 23:51:02
This is just like the Nazis in Germany where the majority does not subscribe to Hitler's views but choose to remain silent. I fear this is what is happening to Islam today!
Good article, RPK!
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written by taishan, December 06, 2010 23:26:07
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written by SoundMan, December 06, 2010 22:45:59
Darn, I will anyhow. In Seremban your town, the"1 Malaysia, 1 ummah" does not include YOU, a uncircumcised infidel...get it ?!
Go and live in the next town.
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written by Ocassey, December 06, 2010 22:42:45
Perhaps the time has come for the "top untouchables" and the "top politicians" to be constantly exposed for the way they sin without qualms while hypocritically and having the cheeks to constantly remind the rakyat to taubat and move in the right direction to salvation !
Heads of The religion just cannot be constantly ambiguous whenever they bertitah ! They seem to send the wrong signals (probably they meant to do just that ) to politicians in power to do whatever they think best for the nation (even if that requires the ultimate sacrifices of the rakyat ) !!!! The "top untouchables" cannot remain silent to avoid public exposures of wrong doings of their close relatives ! In fact they should unhesitatingly with haste stand up to register their opinions and undivided concerns to see that existing laws are adhered to without any compromises and the culprits to be brought to justice without fear nor favor !
Politicians in power seem to be following the trends to "corrupt to enslave" their subordinates for their bidding at all times and such behaviors have spread like wild fires in the civil services ! This scourge cannot be easily eradicated nor ever to be overcome as everyone will be protecting and covering each others' backsides ! The infection has gone into every strata of the government right up to the top politicians of the day and beyond into the households of he "top untouchables" ! WHY ??? YES !!! They are very "BERIMAN" as they too believe in the word "HIJRAH" or rather "HARJIH" ..... from good to bad !!!! They do not ever believe that there is a God nor will there ever be any "retribution" ! POWER AND WEALTH CAN OVERCOME ANY PROBLEM ALONG THE WAY !!!! The rakyat to them are meant to be "enslaved" for their quest in "HARJIH" !!!!
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written by by2020, December 06, 2010 21:44:53
Let's face it! Religion is not for the real life, it is for AFTER LIFE.
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written by lynn, December 06, 2010 21:08:31
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written by syd, December 06, 2010 20:15:45
where do i sign up to be a cult member.
You are the only one with balls to stand up to the ulamaks and religious scholars.
The ulamaks are so blind in their religious fervor, they cannot see right from wrong.
Religious scholars do not serve God. They serve their religion.
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written by singhkris, December 06, 2010 19:41:09
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written by gycgocnt, December 06, 2010 19:06:41
As a Non Muslim n Non Malay or Non Bumi in this racist country, what I observed is a situation of Malay makes Malay life difficult, Muslim makes Muslim getting problem.
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written by losyot, December 06, 2010 19:05:00
No amount of proof and explanation can change peoples pre-ception (pre-because it is a preconceived idea, whatever you say is deviant). They might not/maybe never going to change because change is the hardest thing to do. Especially if these people are sitting comfortably on their big fat laurels. Its those who feel the pinch who want change. (How ironic is that).
Some have even commented that your views are beyond this world. Maybe all of us, like minded, should just pack our bags and move to Mars. Looking at the way this world is beingmanaged, i think we have a better chance there!
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written by hellosunshine, December 06, 2010 18:57:33
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written by Voter get Voters 1, December 06, 2010 18:50:00
. And GE13 is around the corner...lets work triple hard
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written by Admiral Tojo, December 06, 2010 18:48:14
Shalom
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written by malaysianohope, December 06, 2010 18:38:22
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