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Never Reject Yourself, You Are Born This Way

Muhammad Khairul Ikhwan

Muhammad Khairul Ikhwan

Yes there are these bunch of people whom always get treated badly because of their appearance / attitude / behaviours , because they are DIFFERENT. Yes , they are loud and party people and fun to hangout with . Yes , they SEEM to not know anything about stuff where the ” REAL ” Couple go through. Yes , they seem to go to a path differently from the “origins” path WHICH doesnt even EXIST cause really , the path that each of us are walking will always be the true one. Many people say , you are confused thats why you are like this , whereas we are’nt . We are the LBGT Community. IN FACT , I dun even wish to categories.We are the normal human beings that you also see everyday in your lives. We are the human being with feelings too , we are NEVER A TOY to PLAY. We Get Criticize Alot Thats True but we really don’t care about the things that they THE IGNORANCE were saying. We just play along with the words they say and act as if it never happened. Though sometimes it kills to hear those harsh words from them.

DO YOU EVEN KNOW WHATS DISGUSTING?!! Seriously. The way we walk , talk , dress and our lifestyle are DIFFERENT. Yes it is different. When we walk outside , dressing up as a Metrosexual , putting on Makeups to boost our confidence , there you go EYES STARES everywhere , and then came gossips here and there . The malay aunties will go preech the OMG , the uncles will just shaked their heads . The normal aunties will just brag about the way we dress and stuff. And the teens , they will just look at us as if we are some kind of FREAK. The friends that you are not close to / expose to , will give weird comments and even questions that you don’t even wish to hear. Will just have to pull it off and make fake smiles to them or in other words SLY. This is roughly the daily basis of our lifestyle which applies to those who aren’t comfortable with us or still not accepting us.

WHATS THERE TO ACCEPT OR NOT TO ?!? IS THERE EVEN A CHOICE WHEN COMES TO ACCEPTING ANOTHER BEING? You ask yourselves that , in terms of LBGT , you can ask them why they become like this , or what made them like that , but really there is never a fixed answer to that , NEVER , cause they themselves are not sure of what to reply back to you cause really , they are born that way or the lifestyle around them which helps them to shape up to what they have become now , and they have NEVER taken it for granted , they only can accept the fact of what they have done and accepting the reality and goes on in life to what they are. Yes we do have choices in LIFE that you can’t deny , but if we are comfortable with who we are and that people around us or our loved ones accepts the way we are , we will never hesitate to be more passionable and more fruitful in life than ever.

Muhammad Khairul Ikhwan

Muhammad Khairul Ikhwan

THE FAMILY , its a tough tough situation when comes to this , and it will take years to get accepted or will NEVER be accepted. Its hard for people in LBGT to get accepted and love from families due to the status that they are in, even I myself am still stuggling to get my family accept the way I am. They would always ask why you have chose to be this way or that way and that the fact is we don’t choose , we just feel ourselves when we are that and GOD loves each and every one of us.Though there are some parents whom still accepts their child for who they are and supported them. My mum supports for what I’m doing and stuff , but still there is always a nudge sometimes .. I really hope she does. They were many obstacles that people like us have to think of besides thinking of how to feel or be accepted in the public.

ASIAN OR AMERICANS , IT DOES NOT MATTER WHERE YOU ARE OR RELIGION YOU ARE?! Its the same everywhere or anyone, you will just feel disconnected from the society or sometimes feel not being socialize to your family members due to some circumstances. Firstly , you do not want to have an impression where they will just like hates the way you are , and being in that situation , you try to avoid them and spend more time with your friends . Secondly, sometimes going to your own worship places , you will feel uncomfortable due to stares received , and people whom are Homophobic / or people whom are noble . Though there will be some of the nobles that will come and talk to you and try to be understanding yet very rare to find those noble people these days. Which is why sometimes , its hard for us to go there .

THE SOCIETY . Teachers , friends family members ,SAID JUST BE YOURSELVES AND NEVER LIE TO IT , I’m not sure whether the things they say the MEAN IT. When we be ourselves , we get criticised , we get bad comments , we get haters , we get stares , we get teased , we get DEHUMANISED to the extend , some of us Commited Suicide due to overly depressed about not being able to get accepted for being themselves. Should we Discreet and LIE to ourselves the whole LIFE we live. Should we do dirty stuff and things that we should not do and make ourselves uncomfortable and “GET USED TO IT ” to the situation or the appearance of the people . Should “FIT IN ” to please or respect others people demand whereas they dont even respect and disgusted towards us? Should we?? Should we live a life with 2 faces ? or even deny the things that we like and rejects everything we love to and passionate about?

THERE GOES , they will then say , not that we don’t accept you or whatever you are doing BUT…BUT….BUT.. There will always be a BUT , …just stop SLY~ing we had enough of it. Appreciate us. We are Nevertheless The Same As You. If you think that we are that disgusting , think again , the worst and sick people are out there somewhere , you shall know when time comes…

Lastly for the last part of this note , this goes to all those people whom you think you are having a hard time getting accepted just because you are Different . This note Is Especially For You Isaac Hasan<3 .

NEVER REJECT YOURSELF, I WANT YOU TO REJECT ANYONE OR ANYTHING THAT EVER MAKE YOU FEEL LIKE YOU ARE AN OUTCAST OR MAKE YOU FEEL THAT YOU WILL NEVER BE GREAT OR YOU ARE NOT FIT ENOUGH , YOU ARE NOT GOOD ENOUGH OR YOU CANT SING WELL ENOUGH OR YOU CANT DANCE WELL ENOUGH OR YOU WILL NEVER BE A STAR YOU JUST REMEMBER THAT YOU’RE GOD DAMN SUPERSTAR AND YOU WERE BORN THIS WAY – LADY GAGA – MY INSPIRATION.

PLEASE SPREAD THIS NOTE

Authored by Muhammad Khairul Ikhwan

Contribution from Hj Ali Kassim

Muhammad Khairul Ikhwan

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July 5, 2014
TAA, MUIS Turn a Blind Eye to Poor Muslim Family?

Photo taken from Yasmin Osman

Photo taken from Yasmin Osman

Today I am sad. Today I am angry.

The thing about fasting month is it trains you to curb you anger. It trains you to be matured.

Earlier this week after our last saturday FTPC Pre Ramadhan drive i recv some calls for assistance. Alhamdulillah we are trying to deliver some more groceries to those in need. Your calls and PM’s will be attended too.

But this call came in a different manner. It came not from the person who needs help. It came from a concerned father of a friends friend

Hj Kadil called me in the early hours of monday which I did not answer. He persistently call me until i answered his call (after my class). His daughter’s friend suffer Buergers Disease. I do not know what this disease is, all i know is that she can no longer walk and there is some problem with her legs.

First question I ask him was, “Haji have you tried other avenues? Because FTPC we do not give money…we only give groceries” – have to make things clear as FTPC is not affiliated with any MMO nor NGO. We do not recv any grants to give out.

His answer on monday made me uncomfortable. But today I am angry because of it.

“I have called MUIS to help them, but they say they will get Ar-Rabitah to assist because its nearest to their home – but months have pass and no one ever called back!”

silence….or in truth its simmering!

“I also called TAA for assistance but they say the dateline is already closed since May so no quota to help for this year”

I will reserve my opinion to either the end of this post or for another post.

I asked for Sis Zakiyah hp number and I called her. Her voice is soft but cheerful. She sound like a 15yrs old giggly girl to me.I told her who i am and I’d like to visit her (well its never easy to convince people to help if I didn’t see her conditions myself – we are a cynical community incase no one realise it! juz saying) I told her I’ll visit her on wed and I will call her back before I come over.

Yesterday I was busy sending samples for Our KitchenSg Hari Raya Goodies. I totally forgot about her….and my list of to do things got longer!

This morning I got awaken by Haji’s call. He sounded urgent. ” Da (family and close friends still calls me ayda!) she is in the hospital since the last 2 days…the doctors diagnosis doesnt seem too good…can you pls..pls see her today?’

Its disturbing to wake up to this kind of call…reminds me the calls i receive in the wee hours when my brother passed away many years ago…nevertheless i told him im goin this afternoon. I asked Sis Aayesha along and together we went to visit her. Along the way i recv a message that the doctors wants to amputate her right leg ASAP. I am not mentally prepared to see a person in this state but I put up a brave front.

When we arrive, she was crying in her bed accompanied by her hubby. We spoke to her & try to calm her when we ourselves are trying to fight back our tears. We chatted, We encourage and motivate her. We ask lots of questions. We want to help to the best of our capabilities.

Again FTPC have never run any drive other than our groceries pack. Sometimes I would write to a few people to ask for assistance to help some with their ‘situation’ but this is the 1st time ever I am doing a drive to raise funds for this couple.

The doctors are insisting that they make a decision right away to get the leg amputated (seriously!) but the couple ask for a bit of time to ‘istikhara’ before deciding further.

They have until tomorrow evening to give an answer.

They have a 2yrs old boy who is need of a mother’s love. The hubby is a sole breadwinner working as a despatch rider. They stay at her mum rental flat at Bt Merah (which have outstanding with HDB coz whenever she need medication they use the money meant to be paid for rental)

If you wanna help please keep them in your prayers… She is at SGH but are not accepting visitors for now coz worry about infection. Any updates can either pm me or sis Aayesha Ariana Hong.

If anyone wants to contribute to this couple you may do a fund transfer to Posb sav acct 245-92792-4. Upon trf pls sms/wa to 82918897 in this format <Zakiyah><trf amt><Ref nbr>

Again its not about the money, but any amount will be able to ease them for the time being. They are eligible zakat recipient. The choice is yours.

May Allah swt facilitates our intention and actions in this blessed month of Ramadhan.

‪#‎buergersdisease‬ ‪#‎ftpcadhocdrive‬ ‪#‎zakiyah‬ ‪#‎zakatrecepients‬

Authored by Yasmin Osman

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July 5, 2014
Soup Kitchens Exist to Feed the Poor and Hungry

PETALING JAYA: Netizens gave an overwhelming no to the move to stop soup kitchens in the Bukit Bintang area.

Heartless, inhumane and short-sighted, they said, of the proposal to stop Kuala Lumpur’s homeless from receiving free food.

This came about after Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor said soup kitchens will no longer be allowed to operate within a 2km radius of the city centre. Read more on Izzati’s wonderfully written perspective on this saga:

https://www.facebook.com/izzatirahman21

I am not a veteran volunteer, but I have had a fair share of experience volunteering at various soup kitchens across Kuala Lumpur since I was 16. This is my humble opinion and is not linked to any organisations that I have volunteered with.

From cutting onions to packing food to distributing food in the soup kitchen, we have never been paid. Most soup kitchens receive monetary donation or food donation from various sponsors, be it an individual, company or food operator. Each soup kitchen has their location of distribution (sometimes 3/4 a night) and it is almost at the same spot every time they are on duty. Faces change among volunteers, some regular, some not. Same goes to those who come for food, some are regulars, some are not.

You see, not all of the people who come for soup kitchens are homeless. Some of them are, but a big number of them are people suffering from poverty. Extremely small income earners who cannot afford to feed their family, single mothers who have worked double shift on minimum wage and is unable to provide food for their children, and also old people who are not being cared after. People who have so little to live on, but with many many mouths to feed. Those are the people who line up day after day.

Do we feed the homeless, the drug users and sex workers? Yes we do. The raunchy looking guy with bloodshot red eyes? Yes we do. The man who smells like booze hardly able to stand straight while queueing? Yes we do. The man who pushes a stolen trolly from Giant with all his things inside? Yes we do. But we do not discriminate, we feed because they are hungry and because getting food is a problem for them.

Now, Dato Seri Tengku Adnan said in his statement, “We give them jobs but they don’t want as it is easy to get food as these street kitchens are feeding them”. Putrajaya created a plan to give jobs to the jobless, and not specifically jobs for the homeless. Half of the homeless people do not even have proper identification as they are born out of prostitution, poverty, or is mentally unstable and unfit to find an occupation. Now Dato’, I am pretty sure you have never gone down to the streets to volunteer, so let me give you a little introduction. Soup kitchens in Malaysia are not a walk-in-for-free KFC where it is open 24 hours for you to come in anytime you like, place your order and walk away with hot delicious food. Most soup kitchens only operate at night because volunteers have a day job. Then there’s the weather, and the queue to take food, and trust me Dato’, it is not the gourmet food you are fed with your entire life. Its basic food, just to beat the hunger. So those who come for food, can only come once a day, walk to the area of distribution, bear with the weather and queue just to get basic food. Easy? No Dato’. Its not.

By following your logic, we should ban free food for buka puasa at Masjids, because free food breeds homelessness. We should ban Langar meals at Gudhwaras and temples giving free vegetarian lunch, because we will breed homelessness. We should probably ban Ministers lavish open houses during festive seasons (which are paid by us, the rakyat btw), because that too will breed homelessness. Go ahead, ban them.

Another statement I find to be a bit out of hand is that, volunteer soup kitchens cause garbage infested scenes. Again, Dato, this is not a restaurant where we open tables and serve food under the romantic streetlights of “your” city. Most of the food are packed and given to them where they would go to other places and eat. Either at home, or if they are homeless, wherever they seek shelter. Most don’t eat at the location because there is no space due to the queue and also due to the other services a soup kitchen provide, like a mobile clinic or a free haircutting service. In every soup kitchen, there will be volunteers who will be in charge of the location and queue to ensure that people don’t mess the area up or create a scene. Guess what, some of them even clean after the place too, even when the litter was there before the soup kitchen came.

Its funny how you say soup kitchens cause the garbage. Let me ask you, Dato, have you ever been to a pasar malam or pasar ramadhan? Where people dump garbage as they walk, after they buy food and after they sell their goods? Have you ever walked on a street the morning after a pasar malam? Its infested with garbage, plastic wrappers. Oh go shut them down too, why not.

Do you know why the rakyat is so unhappy with this ban? Well first of all, it is not your city, it is ours. We paid you to run it. Secondly, is because this shows what your priority is, which is image over welfare. Orang melayu kata, biar papa asalkan bergaya, mungkin itulah pegangan hidup Dato. And thirdly, is because we know how it is like to fall. Sometimes, life pulls the carpet under you and you crash with everything around you, and you need help to get up. There is no shame in asking for help, but there is great shame when you are so arrogant, you stop others from seeking help. You may be blessed today, you drive your fancy car, live in your big house and eat delicious food all day everyday. But like those who queues up for free food, they did not ask for that moment when their life turned upside down. And lastly, is because, we, the volunteers/donors, take it upon ourselves to settle a problem that should have been YOUR responsibility. But in our mission, you ban us?

I sincerely hope you learn a few lessons on humility before life teaches you the hard way. There’s no shame in wanting to erase poverty and homelessness. In fact I think its noble. But there is shame in condemning others, just because life is a little harsh on them.

I hope you reconsider. But nonetheless, I know the NGOs will not let your ruling stop them, because they are the heroes. They have always been the heroes.

Thank you.

Authored by Izzati Rahman

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July 4, 2014
Singapore and Johor Set To Increase Entry Fees

JOHOR BARU: Consumers can expect a hike in the delivery charges by local freight forwarding companies to Singapore following the city-state’s decision to increase the Vehicle Goods Vehicle Permit (GVP) fee next month.

Federation of Malaysia Freight Forwarders (FMFF) president Alvin Chua said forwarding companies would not absorb the fee hike.

“The huge increase will have a significant impact on our members’ operating costs,” he said, adding that the additional cost of S$30 (RM77) would be added to the overall transportation fee next month. FMFF has about 1,100 members nationwide.

He said local companies exporting their goods to Singapore, however, could opt to revise their rates by striking a deal with companies in Singapore.

“I think it is fair that we charge it back to them (Singapore companies) as the increase in the GVP fees was imposed by their government.”

On Tuesday, Singapore’s Land Transport Authority had announced that effective Aug 1, the GVP fee would be raised by 300 per cent from S$10 (RM25.70) to S$40 (RM102.80) a month while the Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) fee by more than 50 per cent from S$20 (RM51.40) to S$35 (RM90) a day.

With the hike, operators of more than 3,000 lorries entering Singapore via both checkpoints in Johor will have to spend a total of S$1.44 million (RM3.7 million) a year for the GVP fee alone.

However, the hike will not affect buses, taxis or foreign-registered motorcycles, which are charged at S$4 (RM10.28) per day.

Johor Sand and Granite Lorry Operators Association president Chia Jee Onn said the hike would have affect customers as the operating cost would also be raised.

“Customers can expect lorry operators to increase their charges because the GVP fee hike is significant. We can’t absorb such a high increase.”

He estimated more than 3,000 lorries from Malaysia entering Singapore daily to deliver all sorts of goods, from granite and building materials to electronic goods and finished products from factories.

“We have yet to calculate how much the (operating) cost would increase. We need about two weeks to get the response from our members.”

On Tuesday night, Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin had said all parties must respect and accept the decision by the Singapore government.

He said the state government had submitted a proposal to the federal government for the introduction of a charge to every Singapore-registered vehicle entering Johor Baru through the Causeway or the Second Link Highway five months ago.

It was proposed that an entry charge of RM20 is imposed, of which RM5 is for road maintenance purposes.

“We are still waiting for a decision. We hope the federal government will expedite the decision on this,” said Khaled, while dismissing that it was a retaliatory move by the state government.

In Sepang, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said the Johor government’s proposal would be considered and a thorough study done.

“It is not something that could be implemented immediately as Malaysia has many entry points.

“The proposal must be studied carefully and properly especially on the implementation method.”
Source: New Straits Times

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July 4, 2014
True Encounter from Muslimah: Islamophobia is Real in SG

Islamophobia is REAL.

Please read this with much discretion, thought and understanding before any conclusions.

Today I met up with my classmate sister in the train on my way to school.

The train was fairly empty and the reserved seat next to her was too.

I don’t quite have a habit of sitting there, unless the train is empty enough.

So I sat there – and it turned out to be the biggest mistake ever.

After some time my sister pointed out to me that there was quite an elderly man standing around the corner.

I hadn’t noticed him earlier so I immediately stood up and tried to gesture to get his attention so he can have the seat.

Strangely he seemed oblivious to my gestures and when there was a seat available across us he moved over to sit there while glancing at us.

I immediately apologized saying I didn’t see him and while sitting down he passed some remarks. Which included things like, “You’re wearing that scarf on your head but it’s all rusty. Permanent brain damage.”

I brushed it off because I have no interest in dealing with such things in honor of this beautiful month, and most importantly, in honor of my religion.

My younger sister was trying to digest her astonishment and it seemed like she was trying to stare at him – which he then picked up and questioned, “Why are you are staring?”

I was standing so I faced the other way but I overheard his remarks with the other commuters – “They saw me coming in and yet they took my privilege.”

It was unsettling for me mainly because I would not have sat there if I had seen him – so when I saw him about to alight – I followed suit to apologize again.

At the MRT station I caught up with him and said, “I’m sorry, Uncle but I swear I didn’t see you earlier.”

After which he shouted and said “I have no interest in talking to Muslims! Please don’t talk to me. It’s Ramadan and you pray five times a day you idiot!”

Everyone turned to look at us and my sister has already broken down in tears from the time before we alighted.

She found it difficult to comprehend the entire situation, and I can completely understand why.

Although what he’s said may appear offensive – I was utterly relieved to know that he wasn’t mad at me for not being considerate enough to notice his presence… But the problem was bigger than this – that he was mad at my religion.

I felt horrible knowing I had caused an elderly man to be unhappy because I had taken up his seat….

But later I found out he was just an unhappy person.

Dearest Uncle,
I’m sorry I didn’t find it in me to not take up that seat.
But I’m not sorry for being a Muslim.
Islam teaches me to love you, and to care for you when I can.
I err and forget because I am human.
Islam is beyond just fasting in this month and praying five times a day…
Islam is what made me alight to speak to you, to apologize, so you don’t get angry at me when you don’t have to.
Islam is what made me stand up to give you the seat in the first place – whether or not its reserved seating.
Islam is the smile, the peace I still feel right now after meeting you, the concern I still have for you and that which I convey through my prayers.

Dearest Uncle, may God protect you, and grant you good health. May He place you around those whom you love, so you may find it in you to love even those whom you do not too. May He forgive me and us for my and our actions, and may He forgive you too.

I hope, if you happen to read this anyhow, somehow…
That although I am Muslim, Islam is not me because Islam is perfect…
So it doesn’t matter at all if you are angry with me… But please don’t be angry because there is no reason to be so, there is absolutely no reason to be angry with Islam.

Dearest Uncle, may God bless you always.

Although my sister is slightly affected by this entire experience, I am thankful for it has opened our eyes to observe our conduct more dutifully, to be more considerate and giving, and to always remember RasulAllah salAllahu ‘alayhi wasallam – what he had to go through for us and how we should emulate him.

Dear God, Thank You.

Islamophobia is real. And it does exist.

Thank You God, for this experience – even if I haven’t traveled to places where I have read and heard it is more prevalent.

This might just be inspiration for something good on the future, and may nothing but goodness be a result of this.

Authored by Nazeera Mohamed

EDITOR’S NOTE

To sis Nazeera Mohamed, you have remained calm despite being criticized and mock at publicly. For that, we are so proud of your composure and patience.

It must have been hurtful, but you are truly an example. No one should be treated in that manner especially when we meant well. But human beings are unpredictable.

The grumpy old man is probably bitter because life must have been difficult for him. Just let him be. Don’t let him take away your power, your faith and your good spirits sis!

This incident just further reinforces our faith. As usual, minorities just have to dust ourselves off and move on.

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July 3, 2014