Tag: Muslim

  • TAA, MUIS Turn a Blind Eye to Poor Muslim Family?

    https://www.facebook.com/ayda.osman
    Photo taken from Yasmin Osman
    10400025_10204069505276182_5007190647945717701_n
    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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  • True Encounter from Muslimah: Islamophobia is Real in SG

    islamophobia1

    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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  • Model PlayBoy Peluk Agama Islam

    Felixia Yeap
    Oh Bulan

    KEDAMAIAN dan ketenangan hati dirasakan bekas model majalah Playboy, Felixia Yeap sejak beliau mengambil keputusan mengenakan tudung, tahun lalu. Felixia Yeap atau nama akhir Islamnya (Rania). Dia akan memeluk Islam di sebuah masjid yang dirahsiakan tanpa liputan media.

    Hatinya kemudian tertarik mendalami agama Islam. Akhirnya, hidayah mengetuk pintu hatinya dan esok merupakan hari istimewa beliau berhijrah memeluk agama Islam. Felixia, 28 tahun, dijadualkan mengucapkan dua kalimah syahadah esok bersamaan 5 Ramadan, seiringan dengan hari lahirnya.

    Beliau juga sudah ada nama Islam yang masih dirahsiakan tetapi dengan penghujungnya Rania (perkataan Arab yang bermaksud pemimpin raja yang mempesona). Ini didedahkannya di laman Facebooknya yang diikuti 783,000 pelungsur Internet dari serata dunia. Baca artikel yang ditulisnya sendiri ini:

    Assalammualaikum.

    Sejak beberapa bulan ini, dari saat saya bertekad sebulat hati mengenakan hijab walaupun sebagai seorang yang belum Islam hatinya, hingga ke saat ini (3 Julai, sekarang pukul 6 pagi baru lepas Sahur), di mana saya telah Islam di hati, cuma tinggal perasmian sebagai seorang Islam di atas kertas dan di depan 4 orang saksi… saya telah mengharungi pelbagai dugaan.

    Bantahan, Makian, Sindiran, Fitnah, Penyisihan, Tekanan.

    Tetapi syukur Alhamdullilah…saya juga dapat sokongan yang begitu hebat, yang menyentuh hati dan sokongan positif inilah yang serba sedikit menyumbang kepada saya untuk terus beristiqamah.

    Dan saya harus berterima kasih juga dengan kedegilan saya. Terkenal juga dengan kepala batu saya, saya tidak mudah mengalah.

    Ya… saya mengaku, banyak kali saya rasa tumpas, tewas dan menangis atas semua yang negatif dan kasar terhadap saya.

    Namun, saya tetap tidak tanggalkan hijab saya. Saya tetap teruskan perjalanan.

    Saya bertuah kerana dikurniakan seorang ibu yang bukan sahaja tabah untuk membesarkan saya dan adik dalam keluarga, tetapi rahmat yang terbesar adalah apabila beliau, seorang yang bukan Islam, langsung tidak mengetahui tentang agama Islam (kecuali yang Islam tak boleh makan khinzir) dan seringkali disindir saudara mara yang lain kerana anak perempuannya bertudung sehingga ke muka depan suratkhabar dan sebagainya… tidak membantah, malah merestui keputusan saya ini apabila saya memberitahu beliau yang saya sedang mempelajari tentang agama Islam dan bercadang untuk memeluknya.

    Ibu kata saya sudah banyak berubah lebih baik. Ibu kata saya dah matang, dah dewasa akhirnya. Dalam dialek Kantonis, bila saya bermanja dan menanya kenapa beliau merestui keputusan saya, beliau menjawab, “Sang seng jor lor, dai gor nui la… kwai jor hou dor.” Ibu saya senyum, dan saya menahan air mata.

    Rata-rata, ramai mualaf yang dibuang keluarga dan disisihkan keluarga kerana keputusan yang sama, dan ada segolongan pula yang terpaksa menyembunyikan identiti mereka sebagai seorang Islam daripada keluarga dan orang ramai kerana takut dibuang keluarga dan disisihkan.

    Saya mengaku, jika ayah saya tidak meninggalkan kami sekeluarga, mungkin perkara yang sama akan berlaku pada diri saya. Tetapi Allah Maha Mengetahui.

    Mungkin ini juga salah satu hikmah dari penceraian ibu dan ayah. (Ibu saya jauhhhh lebih bahagia sekarang juga, ALHAMDULLILAH!)

    Ia memaksa saya untuk berdikari pada usia muda, menjaga adik sehingga saya habis SPM dan terus meninggalkan Ipoh untuk mencuba nasib seorang diri di Kuala Lumpur dengan hanya RM300 sebulan sementara saya belajar di sebuah IPTS.

    Apabila sudah dihentikan saluran duit satu hari, saya keluar bekerja kerana saya tidak ingin melihat ibu saya terus bersusah payah menggunakan duit simpanan beliau yang tidak seberapa untuk menyara kami adik-beradik. Tambahan pula, adik saya perlu (dan saya pastikan) menyambung pelajaran dan perlu wang untuk membiayai yurannya.

    Saya mula memikul tanggungjawab menyara keluarga.

    Pada masa itu, saya tidak ada agama (saya dibesarkan di keluarga yang tidak percaya kepada mana-mana agama atau Tuhan), tidak ada apa-apa bimbingan agama… cuma berbekalkan nasihat dari ibu saya; iaitu jangan menyusahkan orang lain, jangan membiarkan mana-mana lelaki mengambil kesempatan, jangan berbuat jahat, jangan tertipu dengan orang di bandar dan jaga diri baik-baik.

    Namun sebagai seorang naif yang tidak tahu apa-apa tentang dunia, tipu helah dan godaan manusia (Ya, keputusan SPM yang baik tidak menjamin anda akan selamat dengan tipu helah dunia)… saya juga mula terikut-ikut dengan orang di sekeliling saya. TETAPI, saya cuba sedaya upaya yang boleh untuk melindungi diri saya dan pada masa yang sama mencari nafkah untuk dihantar balik ke rumah untuk ibu dan adik. Saya kekalkan pendirian untuk tidak sentuh arak, rokok, atau dadah.

    Pernah banyak kali dipaksa, tetapi kedegilan saya untuk menurut paksaan dan suruhan orang lain menyelamatkan saya dari terjerumus sekali dengan yang lain.

    Dengan mata saya sendiri saya sepanjang hampir 10 tahun saya terlibat dalam bidang modeling, saya pernah lihat pelbagai jenis manusia dan cara kehidupan yang dikatakan “mewah” dan bahagia. Mewah juga disamakan dengan kebahagiaan.

    Orang di sekeliling saya pada masa itu kebanyakkannya mengukur kebahagiaan dengan kekayaan teman lelaki, apa parti yang paling “happening” yang mereka dapat pergi, rasa “happy” janji dapat minum dan mabuk, berapa yang boleh dikikis dari lelaki kaya yang memikat, dan kebanyakkan mendahagakan kemewahan dan dicari tanpa mempedulikan harga diri.

    Tetapi bagi saya, itu bukan kemewahan yang saya cari. Sebab apa gunanya punyai kemewahan tetapi hidup rasa kosong, tidak bermakna dan bergelumangan dengan dosa? Itu bukan kebahagiaan yang saya carikan.

    Saya pernah cuba mencari Tuhan. Cuba mendekati diri dengan Tuhan.

    Saya pernah pergi ke gereja Katolik setiap Ahad petang selama 2 tahun. Saya pernah cuba memahami agama Kristian.

    Saya pernah cuba mencari makna dalam penyembahan berhala Dewa Kuan Yin dan sebagainya. Saya juga pernah cuba mengamalkan amalan seorang penganut Buddha.

    Tetapi hati saya tidak pernah merasa dekat dengan Tuhan. Hati saya tidak pernah rasa tersentuh.

    Harap jangan salah faham, di sini saya cuma ingin menekankan bahawa saya rasa lebih dekat dengan agama Islam, dengan Allah SWT. Saya hanya menjelaskan apa yang saya rasa dari hati.

    Sejak saya mula mengenali ajaran-ajaran agama Islam, saya lebih redha, lebih tenang dan lebih senang bersyukur dengan hidup yang serba sederhana.

    Duit dan kemewahan tidak lagi menarik perhatian saya sepertimana dahulu. Saya tidak lagi rasa “impressed” atau teruja dengan kereta sport, bag mahal, kehidupan glamor, atau cita-cita tinggal di rumah besar dan mewah.

    Ya, tidak dapat dinafikan, jika ada semua ini, bukan benda yang buruk, malah bonus kehidupan…tetapi wang dan kemewahan tidak dapat membeli rasa bertaubat, rasa ingin menjadi seorang yang lebih baik, ketenangan, keredhaan dan kebahagiaan.

    Sepanjang hampir 7 bulan saya berhijab dan mengenali agama Islam, saya banyak menangis.

    Bukan dalam kesedihan, tetapi dalam rasa penyesalan kehidupan yang dulu dan rasa ingin bertaubat.

    Seringkali saya merintih dalam bisikkan yang saya ulang tanpa henti, “Ya Allah, ampunkanlah dosa-dosa saya!”

    Pada kali pertama saya melihat video pengislaman dan pengucapan seorang wanita, saya tidak dapat henti menangis. Pada saya, dia amat bertuah kerana Allah SWT memilih dia untuk diselamatkan.

    Masa itu…saya masih tidak tahu apa itu hidayah dan taufiq.

    Dan pada hari ini, iaitu hari bersejarah dalam hidup saya…saya akan menjadi seorang Islam secara rasmi.

    3 Julai 2014, bersamaan dengan 5 Ramadhan 1435.

    Saya yang telah Islam di hati (tanpa disedari), kini akan mengucapkan 2 kalimah syahadah saya di depan keluarga terdekat saya, dan juga para kenalan yang telah seringkali menyokong dan memberi galakkan pada saya supaya terus istiqamah.

    Tidak ada sebarang media yang akan hadir.

    Hari ini bukan hanya saja Hari Lahir saya…tetapi juga Hari Kelahiran Semula saya. Hari saya kembali akhirnya selepas 28 tahun mencari jalan pulang.

    P.S: Saya masih berbangsa Cina, dan akan berkeras mengekalkan nama Cina yang diberi ibu saya. Nama Cina saya dalam bermaksud “Ketenangan, Keanggunan” atau di dalam bahasa Inggeris, “Silent Grace”. Saya cuma akan menambah nama kurniaan dari mimpi saya di hadapan nama asal.

     

    Sumber: Felixia Yeap

    Read more: http://www.myartis.com/2014/07/kisah-benar-hari-kelahiran-semula.html#ixzz36OUAL8ZW

    Read more: http://www.myartis.com/2014/07/kisah-benar-hari-kelahiran-semula.html#ixzz36OTo7HfY

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  • MFA: Kidnapping, Killing of Palestinian Teen is Deeply Reprehensible

    palestinian-children

    SINGAPORE: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a statement on Thursday (July 3) on the kidnapping and killing of a Palestinian teenager, apparently in revenge for the murder of three Israeli youths earlier this week.

    The statement said: “The kidnapping and killing of the Palestinian teenager on July 2, 2014, is deeply reprehensible. Singapore strongly condemns it and hopes that those responsible will be apprehended. Our sympathies go out to the family of the victim.

    “We also urge the Israeli and Palestinian authorities to do everything possible to reduce tensions arising from the tragic deaths of both Israeli and Palestinian teenagers and protect the lives of innocent civilians.”

    Eyewitnesses said 16-year-old Mohammed Abu Khder was seen being forced into a car by three Israelis in occupied east Jerusalem. Police confirmed a body had been found in a forest in Givat Shaul in west Jerusalem, although they did not link the two incidents.

    Source: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/killing-of-palestinian/1232432.html

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  • Confession of an Ex-Muslim Lesbian

    murtad lesbian-muslim

    Greetings R1C,

    I have a confession to make. I was formerly a Muslim who was interested in girls. It starts because I was confused about myself. Ever since I was young, I know that I dun really like boys. I feel very strange when I look at the TV and see so many people kissing. I didnt understand why pretty girls would kiss boys. I never saw my mother kiss my father as they were divorced when I was very young.

    When I was growing up I also dun understand why my friends like to go out with boys. I felt very lonely and kept this to myself until later when I was in secondary school. In sec 4, I met this nice girl and that was when I had my first kiss with another girl. I felt at that time like I truly loved her. She meant a lot to me. I know that Islam says LGBT is wrong but nobody reminded me and all the religious teachers didnt really talk about LGBT. Most of the Muslim religious preachers were silent about the dangers of LGBT so I was not aware of how much sin and danger I was in.

    Anyway suddenly this girl disappeared and dun return my calls. I was so sad at that time. I saw her again 2 years later. I had been with a few other girls but broke up after another short term relationship. I asked her why she never returned my calls. She said that she had met this Pastor at her church. He was so wise and know so much about God and told her she was living in sin. I was at first unhappy and angry with him. When I first met him, I wanted to slap him. But he was very calm and listened to what I had to say.

    He then invited me to one of his sessions at his church. It was so different from the religious classes I went to in the part time madrasahs that I went to. They were so open and welcoming and loving and supportive. It was also quite fun and joyful with a lot of singing. When I saw him speak, I realized that I could actually love a man. I also met alot of new friends who pulled me away from the sinful LGBT lifestyle. I am forever grateful to him and the church for opening my heart to God and leading me away from my sinful lesbian lifestyle.

    Now I read about the wearwhite movement. Even though Ustaz Noor Deros may not be the pastor who converted me from my life of sin, I see that inside he is sincere, and this movement will attract people to turn away from homosexuality. Maybe if he was born earlier I could have left the LGBT lifestyle but remained a Muslim.

    I hope our Lord grant the Ustaz with the strength in battling the evils of homosexuality and unnatural lust, and grace him and his followers with the knowledge that the only true marriage in the eyes of God is between one man and one woman (I left Islam partly because of the fact that someone pointed out that they support polygamy, which is a slippery slope to gay marriage, bestiality and pedophilia.) But I am glad that there are church leaders like Pastor Lawrence Khong who are standing up together with the Muslims to protect our morality.

    Sincerely,
    Rebecca Maryam

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