Rilek1Corner

Tag: racial harmony

  • Walid J. Abdullah: Racism Should Be Eliminated Regardless Of How Poorly Other Countries Are Doing

    Walid J. Abdullah: Racism Should Be Eliminated Regardless Of How Poorly Other Countries Are Doing

    Amongst the most common statements made when one recounts instances of racism in Singapore, or even discusses ethnicity in the first place is, ‘At least minorities here have it better than anywhere else in the world. Can you name me anywhere in the world where racism is less rampant?’

    Aside from the condescension in the statement, and the fact that many who make such statements have actually never lived in other countries – lived, not visited for a week and then speak as though one knows everything about a place -, there are more serious questions to be asked about the statement and question.

    Firstly, I do not get a vote in Malaysia, or India, or the USA. Nor do I live in those countries. I do get a vote, however, in Singapore. I do live here, as does my family. So i should be bothered about what happens here.

    Secondly, how on earth does pointing out worse situations absolve oneself of blame or self-introspection? These people are essentially saying that ‘others have it worse, so do not complain.’ Why does that even make sense?

    ‘Oh don’t complain or do anything about your stage 1 cancer. Others have stage 4 cancer.’

    And most importantly, when a person makes that statement and/or asks that question, he/she is basically devaluing my citizenship. Why should i compare myself to a Rohingya in Myanmar, or a Palestinian, or an Egyptian Copt? I should be comparing myself to other Singaporeans!!!!

    Whether people realize it or not, when they make such statements or ask such questions, they are, in actuality, saying that minorities SHOULD NOT expect equal rights in this country. And that is an assumption we should all reject.

    For us minorities, when someone asks ‘where else in the world are minorities treated better?’, we should not even legitimize the question by thinking of countries where minorities have it good. We should just point out how bigoted that question is in the first place.

     

    Source: Walid J. Abdullah

  • A Chinese-Muslim Convert’s Experience With Ignorance In Singapore

    A Chinese-Muslim Convert’s Experience With Ignorance In Singapore

    I need to get this off my chest.

    I was seeing a new doctor yesterday (4th time this month, don’t ask) and she expressed surprise that my name sounded ‘Chinese’ when I’m wearing a hijab (and therefore look like a Muslim aka. Malay in Singapore). So I said I’m Chinese Muslim, yes, my family is Chinese, yes, I’m the only Muslim in my family, yes, I’m a convert to Islam, yes.

    Then she asked me why I converted. Usual question.
    Me: “I researched.” (Shortest answer, I’ve figured, that prevents unnecessary questions and only engages those who really want to know more, because, what bores people more than research?! hahaa)

    And then she says this.
    “Huh. You researched? Don’t research until become ISIS ah!”

    WELL.
    I’m not offended, no don’t get me wrong. I’ve had this said to me a few times before. But today I feel so strongly about it and am just appalled to know that it has come to the stage whereby learning and gaining knowledge in Islam can be viewed as a route to becoming ‘brainwashed to terrorism’.

    Ever since my reversion close to 3 years ago (I turn 3 in 10 days time, yay!), I’ve met countless Muslims and Muslim converts in Singapore week after week, class after class. Muslims who are so knowledgeable in their field of work, AND in Islamic knowledge. Scientists, mathematicians, historians- and what they all have in common is the knowledge in Islam which sets the strongest foundation in whatever they do. And I’m learning from an ustaz who has no professional certification to his name, yet embodies the humility and disposition of people who have spent years of their lives gaining more and more knowledge. Such people are overflowing with wisdom, but they don’t ever stop learning. As my ustaz would say, “The more you know, the more you realise you don’t know.”

    To all my friends out there, you’ve got nothing to be afraid of, because the epitome of a Muslim lies in gaining knowledge. And the more knowledge we gain, the less we ‘become ISIS’ (I cringe even writing this sentence). What they do/ claim to do in the name of Islam, they are no more than a bunch of terrorists. Got that? Just Terrorists. No “Islamic extremists” or “fundamentalists” or “Islamists”- just terms that the media has coined to make you believe that we Muslims have got anything to do with that bunch- when in fact we are as much related to them as you are.

    Now let me go back to my jihad of trying to be as patient as I can and not have a sarcastic comeback everytime someone tries to link me to ISIS. Ugh.

    —
    The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ- peace be upon him) said: “A servant of God will remain standing on the Day of Judgment until he is questioned about his time on earth and how he used it; about his knowledge and how he utilized it; about his wealth and from where he acquired it and in what activities he spent it; and about his body and how he used it.” (Al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 148)

     

    Source: Maryem Chin

  • Taxi Driver Racially Abuses Indian Passenger

    Taxi Driver Racially Abuses Indian Passenger

    Hello SMRT, I just encountered a very racist taxi driver, licence plate SHC 4460T today at around 6pm. After I got into the cab, he asked me if I’m Malay. I said no, I’m Indian.
    He scoffed and said, “No you’re not Indian. Indian people are BLACK you are not black.” I replied that that wasn’t true and decided not to engage him in further conversation.
    Then he asked me if I speak Malay or Chinese. I said, no I don’t, I speak Tamil.

    “Tamil is most useless language. Even all Indian people here speak Malay. If you are in Singapore you must speak Chinese or Malay not Tamil” Again I said, that’s not true. I’m Indian and I don’t speak Malay or Chinese.

    Then we passed a stall selling durians along Serangoon Road and he remarked that the durians at this stall are very cheap but “Chinese people don’t buy from here because Indian people buy.”  He continued and said, “You know in Singapore Chinese people hate Indian people.” And he made hand gestures as if he’s drinking a bottle. “All Indian people know to do is”- continues making those hand gestures. “They don’t know to help” – I’m assuming he meant that Indian people do not contribute to society apart from paying alcohol tax.

    At this point I had had enough and told him I did not appreciate the comments he had been making about Indians and told him to drop me off by the side of the road. As I moved to get out he said “where are you going pay the fare first”. This was still along Serangoon Road and nowhere near my house where he was meant to drop me off, so I told him if he wants the fare he can drive me to the nearest police station where we can both make reports. Needless to say, he must’ve known what he had been saying was clearly wrong because he then told me to get out of the cab.

    It’s a very sad state of affairs, when just less than a week ago we celebrated 51 years of coming together as a nation regardless of race, language or religion.

    I’m sure that SMRT does not condone such racism amongst any of its employees and I would very much appreciate if this matter is followed up with and the taxi driver in question educated on the need to keep his opinions on certain races to himself.

    Thank you.

    EDIT: Hi guys, SMRT has followed up regarding this incident. I’ve attached a screenshot of their response in the comment section. SMRT thank you for assisting me with this. I have no doubt that this was an isolated incident and in no way represents the entirety of your company or employees. 🙂

     

    Source: Peshhalaa Davendran

  • Joshua Simon: What Is Racial Harmony?

    Joshua Simon: What Is Racial Harmony?

    I propose a challenge.

    Go to town. Ion, 313, Orchard Central, Wisma, Takashimaya – any mall in town. I want you to count how many Malay/Indian men and women featured on the posters.

    Ok now out of town. Wherever you go in Singapore now open your eyes to it and really count. On the bus. On the train. On the commercials before the movie starts. On the newspapers. On the magazines. On the tv commercials.

    Are you cool with that?

    Because it seems to me the ‘Singaporean Look’ is a skinny Chinese girl with long hair and a big smile! ☺️ Yay and her boyfrend smiling right behind chasing after her is a slim fit Chinese boy with straight hair and a big smile! Tee-hee!

    Are you cool with that? Seems to me we are. Coz if this was the US we’d bring this up and talk about it. Really, talk about it and fix it. But Josh this is Asia! And this is the Asian look! Ah, see that’s the problem right there.

    As a young kid growing up in Singapore, I’d never see someone of my skin color rocking ads and headlines unless it’s Singapore Idol Season. I couldn’t entertain my first ambition of being an actor coz every role (although said open to all races) would go to the man with the Singaporean Look.

    I do music, I do radio. I’m behind a microphone. If I had a dollar for every person that has come up to me saying “OMG I didn’t know you’re Indian!” I’d be able to afford a down payment for an HDB flat.In the industry, I’ve had peers get turned down gigs because they were too “ethic looking”. I don’t watch Channel 8 or Vasantham but… off the top of my head I can name you 10 Chinese local celebrities (includes Rui En). Is it just me?

    Maybe there isn’t enough talented Indian and Malay celebrities. Or maybe we’re not given a chance to see them.
    Who’s stopping them? Who’s saying no to these people? Who’s decided what the Singapore Look is?

    I’m not celebrating Racial Harmony in Singapore till I get my answers and see some change. It’s 2016. Do not get complacent. I represent the next generation that isn’t gonna just keep quiet and nod my head and say it’s all okay.

    Racial Harmony isn’t just about us getting along. It’s equal opportunities. Equal chances to shine. I wanna see diversity.

    I can smell the smoke and tell that something ain’t right. Now I wanna see people move. Share that spotlight.

     

    Source: Joshua Simon

  • Hijabi: Auntie Let Me Have Aircon Even Though Bus Was Hot

    Hijabi: Auntie Let Me Have Aircon Even Though Bus Was Hot

    The other day, it was super hot, and I boarded a super crowded bus from the airport heading home.

    Me and 2nd boy sat right at the back, left side of the bus. Beside me was a lady (not really sure what race) and it looked like she just got off from work.

    She asked me, “the Aircon cold or not?”

    I placed my fingers close to the Aircon vent to check. “OK la aunty. Quite cooling. Are you hot, I shift it for u?”

    She replied “no no no. U take. I know u wear this ah (pointing to my Tudung) so u need more Aircon. U take u take. The bus at the back always very hot one.”

    It was true. It was very warm. Plus the crowd made it warmer.

    I shifted the vent to blow in her direction.

    She just smiled at me : ))

    We need more of her please

     

    Source: Siti Khadijah Kat