Rilek1Corner

Category: Agama

  • Last Year, Mosques Urged Not To Adopt Confrontational Approach With LGBT Lifestyle

    Last Year, Mosques Urged Not To Adopt Confrontational Approach With LGBT Lifestyle

    The Republic’s highest Islamic authority has called on mosques “not to adopt a confrontational approach or vilify those who are involved in LGBT lifestyles or in events such as Pink Dot”, referring to the annual event that will be held next Saturday at the Speakers’ Corner in support of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.

    In an internal advisory issued to the mosques, the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) said it was against the promotion of the LBGT lifestyle, but that “support and help” must be given to those who have been leading the lifestyle or have inclinations towards it.

    It said: “We do not agree (or) approve (of) the pervasiveness of the LGBT lifestyle and we cannot agree to the efforts in promoting such a lifestyle. Nevertheless, we have to plan for something which will not only strengthen the resilience of our community to the LGBT lifestyle, but also help those who have been leading this lifestyle abstain from it and, at the same time, help those who have inclinations towards this lifestyle overcome those inclinations by providing support to them.”

    Programmes conducted in the mosques must also not be seen as a movement to oppose these people, said the advisory which was dated yesterday and signed off by the council’s director of religious development, Mr Mohd Murat Aris. The advisory was circulated on social media by Facebook users and MUIS verified its contents when contacted by TODAY.

    It also highlighted key points from a pre-Ramadan discussion held by the Office of the Mufti on June 12 for mosque religious officers, social development officers and youth development officers. The session was intended for Mufti Mohamed Fatris Bakaram to provide guidelines on the issue of “building (the Muslim community’s) resilience towards the LGBT lifestyle”.

    For example, the mosques should stress in their Ramadan programmes the pro-family message and the importance of educating family members, so they would not be involved in LGBT-related activities. Nevertheless, the issue should not be the sole focus throughout Ramadan, the Mufti said.

    On the non-confrontational approach, MUIS said: “This is first and foremost to avoid them distancing themselves from the religion and the mosque. Secondly, this is to avoid being involved in unnecessary arguments with them, which will impede our long-term efforts (on the issue). At the same time, we also do not want them to get unwanted publicity.”

    The advisory also asked the mosques “not to be seen as being involved in the crossfire” between the Pink Dot and the Wear White campaign, which was started online by Mr Noor Deros, a 28-year-old Islamic religious teacher.

    Mr Noor is calling on Muslims to wear white next Saturday to protest against homosexuality and defend traditional family values. Ramadan begins next Sunday and the first evening prayer to mark the fasting month will be held on the previous day.

    Yesterday, Mr Noor reiterated his call for Muslims to wear white to the evening prayer. In a press statement put up on the movement’s website, he said it hopes to continue promoting “family-focused” campaigns throughout the year. He reiterated that the “informal grassroots” movement has “no membership or institutionalised committee”.

    The Wear White Facebook page has attracted almost 3,000 likes so far. However, it has also attracted criticism from some social media users for being divisive, especially during Ramadan.

    Earlier this week, findings from a survey conducted by the Institute of Policy Studies showed that Muslims and Protestant Christians feel most strongly about moral issues such as homosexual sex, sex before marriage, adoption of children by gay couples and gambling.

    Yesterday, Faith Community Baptist Church (FCBC) senior pastor Lawrence Khong declared his support for the Wear White campaign. He said the FCBC and LoveSingapore network of churches will also encourage their members to wear white next weekend as a show of support. “I’m so happy Singapore’s Muslim community is making a vocal and visual stand for morality and family,” he said.

    Last month, the Ministry of Social and Family Development rejected an application by an affiliate of TOUCH Community Services — which was founded by Mr Khong — to hold a pro-family event at the Padang. Participants had been asked to wear red to the event, which was to be held on June 28, the same day as Pink Dot.

     

    Source: www.todayonline.com

  • Hirzi: I Will Remain Ferarless For The Voiceless, Unconventional Young

    Hirzi: I Will Remain Ferarless For The Voiceless, Unconventional Young

    Hirzi Zulkiflie

    Last year same month, Youtube Fanfest granted us a wonderful opportunity to have a meet and greet with our fans and followers. I just graduated. I remember turning up in my graduation gown. Most that turned up were teens between the age of 12 to 17. At the meet and greet, we opened the floor just for a casual chat with the kiddos. What came out of it was surprising. Instead, the kids chose to confide in us, their darkest moments.

    A 12 year old boy told me he was a victim of sexual assault in school by a group of boys because he was effeminate.

    A 14 year old hijabi girl asked me how can she overcome self-mutiliation. When I asked her why she do it. She said because she does not know how to come to terms with her feelings for girls.

    Cameras from the event were rolling. I told them to shut it down. Heart heavy, I didn’t tell them what was right or wrong. We all had our own perception of what values and morals are. But I knew we all know what is human. My answer to them all stemmed from ‘support’. I said to them I won’t be the person today without Munah and she would not be the person she is today without me. I told them, they needed to find ‘their person’. I realise then my channel was more than just two weirdos attempting comedy, it was two comical persons representing weirdos… No, ‘Different people’. Unconventional people. I left that event packing up my bags to leave Singapore for a good 5 months for America.

    This year I came back and their voices and faces still etched in my memory. This year I came back and I said, if I told them they needed their person… I’ll gladly use my voice to be their person.

    Growing up we had no social media to turn to, to find representation for how different we are. I’m glad that in my lifetime I am able to reach out for every different persons. Gay, Straight, Fat, Weird, Special, Loud.

    And to my fellow peers in the industry, if you are afraid to show your support… You must remember these kids are more afraid than you. And for all the support they have showed in our work. Voicing up is the least of our fears and is fearless at the same time too. We all have different ideas of what is right and wrong, but we should all have the same idea of what is human.

    What I choose to do this year, is not my glory. It’s for these kids. It’s not to sensationalise that a brown person is standing up for a course as controversial as this. It’s not my moment. Fear is what some voices want me to feel at this point. And fear is the last thing I will show. Because these kids, need my fearlessness. And since I am Beyonce level bad ass… I want you kids to know. I am here for you. For I am your Minah.

    Smart people are not afraid of intellectual discussions. They won’t shut you down too quickly.

    Yours Sincerely,
    Hirzi Zulkiflie.
    Sometimes Syasya. Sometimes Corporal Hassan. Sometimes Ang Mo Kio Aunty.

     

    Source: MunahHirziOfficial

  • Malaysia’s Home Ministry Banned Four Books By Controversial Novelist Faisal Tehrani, Contain Syiah Elements

    Malaysia’s Home Ministry Banned Four Books By Controversial Novelist Faisal Tehrani, Contain Syiah Elements

    KUALA LUMPUR: The Home Ministry has banned four books authored by controversial novelist Faisal Tehrani as they were found to have contained Syiah elements.

    The books are Sebongkah Batu di Kuala Berang published by PTS Litera Utama Sdn Bhd, Karbala published by Abeerden Books World, Tiga Kali Seminggu and Ingin Jadi Nasrallah, both published by Al-Ameen Serve Holdings Sdn Bhd.

    The books also contravened the teachings of the Sunnah Wal Jamaah.

    The Publication Prohibition Order, which took effect on April 1, was gazetted on the four books because it contained elements detrimental to public order and safety, said the Ministry’s Publications and Quranic Texts Control Division secretary Hasmimah Nik Jaafar.

    The ban was also in accordance with Section 7(1) of the Printing Presses And Publications Act 1984.

    According to subsection 2 of section 8 of the Act, anyone found to have printed, imported, sold and in possession of the banned books in the country, can be jailed not more than three years or fined not exceeding RM20,000, or both. – BERNAMA

     

    Source: www.thestar.com.my

  • Religious Teacher Kills Divorcee Girlfriend Who Pestered Him To Marry

    Religious Teacher Kills Divorcee Girlfriend Who Pestered Him To Marry

    PETALING JAYA: A religious school teacher here allegedly stabbed and killed his girlfriend during a heated argument where she demanded that they get married.

    The man was arrested at his home in Jalan Songket 4, Taman Bukit Bujang, several hours after the bloodied body of Nur Salina Nazir was discovered in her grey Proton Wira at about 9am on Wednesday.

    The car was located outside Sekolah Rendah Agama Kuala Kubu Baru, where the suspect taught.

    The victim, Nur Salina

    Nur Salina, who has four children, was found in the drivers’ seat with seven stab wounds to her body.

    She was discovered by passers-by who then alerted the authorities.

    It is learnt that the incident took place when the argument escalated and the suspect whipped out a knife and stabbed her repeatedly.

    Hulu Selangor OCPD Supt R. Supramaniam confirmed the incident and said the case was classified under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder.

    “She was stabbed four times on her chest, twice on the ribs and once on the left arm.

    “Her belongings are also missing. We are trying to find the weapon that was used,” he said.

    Supramaniam said the suspect confessed to the stabbing.

    Nur Salina left behind four children – three daughters and a son – aged between seven and 14.

     

    Source: www.thestar.com.my

  • Two Gunmen Shot Dead At Draw The Prophet Competition in Dallas

    Two Gunmen Shot Dead At Draw The Prophet Competition in Dallas

    Two gunmen have been shot dead and a security guard injured at a contest for cartoon depictions of the prophet Muhammad in a Dallas suburb.

    The gunmen were said to have driven up to the Curtis Culwell Center in Garland on Sunday afternoon where the American Freedom Defense Initiative (AFDI) had been hosting the exhibition and contest.

    According to city authorities a guard at the event was shot at before the men who appeared to be driving a red truck were engaged by police.

    Authorities immediately locked down the center, evacuating participants in the event and sealing off large areas.

    The bomb squad was called in after reports of a possible incendiary device at the scene of the incident.

    An officer dressed in Swat gear took to the stage at the Curtis Culwell Center and told attendees, including an Associated Press reporter, that a shooting had occurred. He said one officer and two suspects were shot.

    It wasn’t immediately clear if the shooting was related to the event.

    However a statement from the City of Garland read:

    As today’s Muhammad art exhibit event at the Curtis Culwell Center was coming to an end, two males drove up to the front of the building in a car. Both males were armed and began shooting at a Garland ISD security officer. Garland police officers engaged the gunmen, who were both shot and killed.

    Police suspect the vehicle may contain an incendiary device and the bomb squad is on the scene. The surrounding businesses including Academy Sports, Walmart and Sam’s are being evacuated. Event participants are also being evacuated from the Curtis Culwell Center for their safety.

    The Dallas Morning News also reported that two men pulled up in a car near the event and shot at a security officer. The men were killed and their bodies were reported to be on the street near to the center.

    The security officer involved who had been shot at received injuries that were not life-threatening.

    The shootings were also reported by a local NBC reporter near the event.

    Large areas around the centre were sealed off and shops including Wal Mart were evacuated.

    The AFDI’s contest was attended by Geert Wilders, the Dutch far-right populist politician who gave a speech to the audience.

    Wilders, 51, heads the Party for Freedom, and has been accused of inciting racial hatred after pledging in 2014 to ensure there would be “fewer Moroccans” in the Netherlands.

    He later tweeted his praise for the efforts of police during the incident.

    After an alert was raised at the event in Garland, about 75 attendees at the controversial event were taken to another room.

    Later, a group of 48 people were escorted to a school bus. Authorities told attendees they would be taken to a nearby high school. A second group was set to be moved shortly after.

    Johnny Roby of Oklahoma City, was attending the conference.

    He told Associated Press he was outside the building when he heard about 20 shots that appeared to be coming from the direction of a car passing by. Roby said he then heard two single shots.

    He said he heard officers yell that they had the car before he was sent inside the building.

    The New York-based AFDI was hosting a contest that would award $10,000 for the best cartoon depicting the prophet Muhammad at the venue.

    Such drawings are deemed insulting to many followers of Islam and have sparked violence around the world. According to mainstream Islamic tradition any physical depiction of the prophet Muhammad, even a respectful one, is considered blasphemous.

    Geert Wilders

    Dutch far-right politician Geert Wilders speaks at the Muhammad Art Exhibit and Contest. Photograph: Mike Stone/Reuters

    In January, 12 people were killed by gunmen in an attack against the Paris office of the satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo, which had lampooned Islam and other religions and used depictions of the prophet.

    Pamela Geller, the president of the AFDI, said she planned the Sunday event to make a stand for free speech in response to the outcries and violence over drawings of the prophet.

    After the incident, Geller posted an angry statement on her website: “This is a war. This is war on free speech. What are we going to do? Are we going to surrender to these monsters?

    “Two men with rifles and backpacks attacked police outside our event. A cop was shot; his injuries are not life-threatening, thank Gd. Please keep him in your prayers.

    “The bomb squad has been called to the event site to investigate a backpack left at the event site.

    “The war is here.”

    Geller’s group is known for mounting a campaign against the building of an Islamic center blocks from the World Trade Center site and for buying advertising space in cities across the US criticizing Islam.

     

    Source: www.theguardian.com