In the commentary “Malaysia, truly Arab?” (Jan 7), the writer referred to an event held on Dec 31 at Dataran Merdeka in Malaysia to question whether the country has become Arab.
Prophet Muhammad was born in the month of Rabiul Awal in the Islamic calendar. This fell on Dec 13 this time. Some Muslims celebrate it for the whole of Rabiul Awal. The event referred to was one such event, called Mahallul Qiyaam Selawat. The organisers could have chosen that time because the next day was a public holiday. The event coincided with New Year’s Eve in the Gregorian calendar, hence the article.
But it should be looked at in the context of an Islamic event televised by a Malaysian television channel.
Editor’s Note: The views of Haj Mohamed was published in Voices, Today, on 16 Jan 2015.
Source: www.todayonline.com
