Tag: Islam

American Working In Egypt: True Islam Rejects Violence, Don’t Blame All Muslims For Orlando Shooting

I WORK IN THE MIDDLE EAST.

My wife convinced me that I needed to share this. Most of you know that I work for Siemens as a Service Engineer in the Middle East. I am currently on a project in Egypt. It is a German project and I believe I am the only American here (definitely the only Texan).
Over the last two days I have had over 20 people (Egyptians) many I don’t even know personally come and ask if my family and friends were okay. They understand the magnitude of the Orlando shootings and they simply wanted to let me know they cared.

This morning I went out to site with a smile and a “sabah-al-kheir” (Good Morning) and the supervisor shook my hand then apologized to me for what happened in Orlando. As we talked, even more foreman and laborers began gathering around me shaking my hand. They wanted to let me know that this act is not acceptable to them as Muslims and they were “anah-aswah”…I’m sorry.

Those who couldn’t speak english asked the supervisor to translate who in broken english let me know that they all wanted to let me know that this upset them and they hoped I would not hold all Muslims responsible. They hoped America would not blame Islam.

This was impressive enough, but when I went to another area well away from where I was before, the same thing happened. Shaking hands, apologies, and condemnation to the shooter and the shame he has brought upon their religion. From Engineers to the young man who makes us coffee, even the guy who cleans my room; they all wanted to let me know they are angry too.

I know that after the shootings the news and radio are probably all over this spreading fear and anger, because that is what sells. I want you to know, I spend months at a time living here and in other Muslim countries to include Saudi Arabia and it is the same everywhere. The Muslim people I meet are honest, friendly, caring, and consider you a close part of their lives with a simple shake of the hand.

So take it from someone who practically lives here; don’t let the media or politicians sway you with their spin to win ratings and votes.

True Islam does not accept these actions, it condemns them. Don’t hold the majority responsible for the actions of the very, very few.

Source: Edsel Townsend

June 23, 2016
Malaysians, Indonesians, Threatens Boycott Over Honda’s LGBT Campaign In US

KUALA LUMPUR — Several Malaysians and Indonesians have expressed outrage over Honda’s support of a US lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) pride parade, saying they would boycott the Japanese carmaker.

American Honda Motor Company, Inc, which is the North American subsidiary of Honda Motor Company, Ltd, posted on its Facebook page last Saturday (June 18) that it would be participating in the 2016 Columbus Pride Parade in Ohio and posted a photograph of its vehicles in various colours, following the signature rainbow colour of the LGBT movement.

“At Honda, we value diversity and inclusion of everyone. Our support for the LGBT community is a reflection of our company’s commitment,” Honda wrote.

Many Malaysians and Indonesians, however, found issue with the automobile company’s backing of the community and posted comments saying they would trade in their Honda vehicles and stop buying from Honda.

“I am a potential buyer who had a keen interest in your new Honda Civic, but since Honda support lgbt, you just lost a customer. I will spread this post and made you lost EVEN MORE customer,” said Facebook user called Penulis Tanpa Nama, whose post received 474 “likes”.

Another Malaysian Facebook user, Syarifah Husna, said she would now choose Mazda over Honda, warning Malaysians that “eventually it will come to here… And last thing u know they will fund lgbt here”.

Malaysian Facebook user Bendahara Alam Warisan said he used to be a big supporter of Honda, but now he would trade off all his vehicles and cancel two orders of a CR-V and Civic.

“I shall never buy honda again n i shall tell all my friend dont buy honda. The least we could do to stop lgbt,” he wrote.

Indonesian Facebook user Didi Rachmadi said “since Honda support gay, lets move to Toyota for the next car”.

Some Facebook users, however, supported Honda’s pro-LGBT stance.

Shafiqah Othman Hamzah told Honda to keep “spreading the love and keep making bucks”.

“Thank you for standing up against homophobia,” she wrote.

Facebook user Mohd Faiz said: “Dear ‘muslim’ Honda users. Please donate me your Honda Jazz. I love that car the moment I’m using it”.

Facebook user Zanthrax Will apologised on behalf of Malaysians who posted offensive comments, saying: “We all know that LGBT are humans to [sic]”.

Malaysia and Indonesia are Muslim-majority countries. The local LGBT communities are often targeted by Islamic officials on grounds that homosexuality is forbidden in their religion.

Source: www.todayonline.com

June 23, 2016
Orang Sibuk Berterawih, Pasangan InI Ditangkap Basah

INDONESIA: Sedang umat Islam sibuk menunaikan ibadah terawih di masjid setelah seharian berpuasa, sepasang kekasih juga sibuk memadu asmara di sebuah rumah sewa di Jawa Barat.

Pasangan itu, Ahan 35 tahun dan Lis Hermawati 29 tahun, bagaimanapun ditangkap penduduk kampung semalam (19 Jun) semasa orang lain sedang bersolat terawih di masjid.

Serbuan ke atas mereka itu dibuat hasil daripada rasa curiga pemilik rumah sewa tersebut yang sering melihat Ahan masuk ke rumah itu semasa suami Lis tidak ada.

Semasa serbuan dijalankan, pasangan yang pada ketika itu hampir tidak memakai seurat benang pun, cuba untuk mengelak ditangkap basah dengan bersembunyi di dalam sebuah almari.

“Semasa serbuan dibuat rumah itu seperti tidak ada sesiapa, tetapi apabila saya memeriksa di dalam, mereka sedang bersembunyi di dalam almari,” menurut Soleh pemilik rumah tersebut.

Pasangan itu kemudian dipaksa keluar dan hanya dengan berpakaian dalam, mereka diarak keliling kampung sebelum dihantar ke balai polis.

Pasangan itu masing-masing sudah berkahwin bahkan semasa di balai polis, isteri Ahan dan suami Lis turut hadir.

Source: http://berita.mediacorp.sg

June 23, 2016
Walid J. Abdullah: Racism Is No Laughing Matter

A lot of us like to share feel-good stories about seeming cooperation and tolerance, or acts of goodwill, involving people from various races. Of course, there is nothing wrong with that. In fact, it can be an extremely positive thing: if we are too mired in negativity , we may forget that there are genuinely nice and kind human beings all around us, and that we experience these acts on a regular basis.

At the same time, some of those who wish to believe that their societies are harmonious and tolerant find it difficult to accept that racism does indeed exist, or even, that they themselves are racists. Too many times I have seen people justifying their palpably chauvinistic stances via what they think is “reasoned” argumentation.

“Calling an Indian apuneneh is not racist, it is just a term of endearment.”

“Saying ‘keling’ is not wrong, it has historical roots.”

“It was just a joke, don’t be so sensitive.”

“How is saying that Malays make good barbers and security guards racist; I joke like that with my Malay friends all the time.”

“Believing that Malays are lazy is not necessarily racist; that is just stating a fact.”

Next time, I hear some smart alec making a racist comment, I may just be tempted to slap the person and then say:

‘Don’t be so sensitive, i am just playing.’
‘This is my way of showing endearment to you.’
‘I do this to my friends all the time!’

Racism will continue to exist, as long as we allow it to, and as long as it remains unchallenged. Whether mainfested in ‘jokes’, words or actions.

Source: Walid J. Abdullah

June 23, 2016
Wanita Yang Ugut Mahu Letupkan Masjid Ditangkap Polis

Seorang wanita ditangkap polis setelah mengugut mahu meletupkan sebuah masjid di Florida, di Amerika Syarikat.

Menurut laporan Russia Today (RT), wanita tersebut, Irina Bihary, antara lain dituduh merosakkan harta benda dan memiliki bom palsu.

Dalam kejadian pada Ahad lalu itu (19 Jun), Bihary, 40 tahun, datang ke masjid Yayasan Islam Selatan Florida pada sebelah pagi, dan bertindak mengoyakkan risalah-risalah serta menendang-nendang barangan di situ.

Seorang jemaah masjid, Rabia Khan, memberitahu Sun Sentinel: “Dia berkelakuan amat aneh.”

Bihary kemudian meninggalkan masjid itu, lapor RT. Namun dia kembali sekitar 5.00 petang dengan sebuah pakej dan telefon bimbit dengan bateri dan wayar-wayarnya kelihatan.

ANCAM “SEMUANYA MELETUP”, “KITA SEMUA AKAN MATI”

Wanita itu juga bertanya para jemaah soalan-soalan pelik, seperti berapa ramai orang akan hadir untuk menunaikan solat.

Menurut Miami Herald, Bihary ketika itu berkata: “Saya menyampah dengan tempat ini. Saya tak sabar untuk memusnahkannya. Saya tidak kisah jika kita semua mati di sini hari ini dan semuanya meletup. Pada akhirnya, kita semua akan mati.”

RT melaporkan, para jemaah kemudian menghubungi polis. Apabila polis tiba di masjid itu, Bihary cuba melarikan diri namun ditangkap. Masjid itu dikosongkan dan wanita itu disoal siasat.

Skuad pemusnah bom, anjing polis, ejen-ejen FBI dan ejen persekutuan Alkohol, Tembakau, Senjata Api menjalankan siasatan di masjid itu. Namun mereka tidak mendapati sebarang bahan letupan dan mengesahkan ugutan wanita itu adalah palsu.

Bihary dilaporkan memberitahu polis bahawa para jemaah masjid merupakan “parasit yang merampas wang” yang membunuh suaminya. Dia juga berkata jemaah di masjid bukan orang Islam yang sebenar dan masjid itu diasaskan oleh seorang pembunuh, lapor WPLG.

JEMAAH LEGA UGUTAN PALSU

Dia dibawa ke hospital untuk menjalani pemeriksaan mental.

Bihary menghadapi dakwaan melakukan perbuatan nakal serta memiliki bom palsu.

Menurut Sun Sentinel, dia dikenakan dua tuduhan merosakkan harta benda kerana menendang pintu balai polis.

Bagaimanapun, para jemaah masjid berasa lega ia hanya ugutan palsu.

“Dalam masa-masa berbahaya ini, kami risau ugutan seperti ini akan menjadi sesuatu yang buruk,” kata jurucakap Majlis Hubungan Amerika-Islam di Florida, Wilfredo Ruiz kepada WPLG.

Source: Berita MediaCorp

June 22, 2016