Tag: Singapore

Mizi Wahid: Respect And Tolerance Is Important Whichever Mazhab You Follow

I majored in Islamic Law for my degree. And one of the things we learned about was on Mazhabs (which essentially refers to Schools of Thought). My biggest takeaway from it was not of obsession towards one particular school of thought, or even the rejection of all.

Instead, the most profound lesson I gained, was from appreciating the beautiful character of the scholars who were the “founders” of their Mazhab.

Their individual opinions differed. Their reasonings weren’t the same. And the criteria used for the process of deriving rulings and arriving to conclusions were varied.

But some things stood out amidst the differences. Respect. Tolerance. Mercy. Objectiveness. And humility.

Were there disagreements? Yes. But there were also compliments. Were there conflicting ideologies? Yes. But there were no expectations to appease.

For those who know me well enough will tell you, that I’m not the kind of person who likes to keep lessons confined to one discipline (and you may be too). First, I’ll try to see where else in the world am I seeing something similar taking place. And secondly, how these lessons can be applied in other parts of my life.

What I’ve discovered is that in every area of our work and relationships, there are Mazhabs.

When young parents believe in raising their own children a certain way, while their parents or in-laws believe in doing it differently. After all, “You ended up OK today.”

When nursing mothers who believe in doing things 100% natural, disagree with those who are a bit more flexible – things can get pretty nasty. My wife has shown me some of the “discussions” in some group pages. Imposing views – is an understatement.

When you find it uncomfortable seeing others posting photos or updates about personal religious practices, but you are fine posting updates about your new bag, new car, new house, your voluntary work, or an unplanned good deed that you did today. Mazhabs.

When certain entrepreneurs believe strongly in working long hours and over the weekends, while others believe in the chill-by-the-beach concept – again, just different Mazhabs. Those who hustle feel alive when they do. While the other group simply believes that their businesses should be giving them more life, instead of draining it all away.

So, in politics you see Mazhabs. In leadership you see Mazhabs. In school you see Mazhabs. In healing and medication you see Mazhabs. The list goes on and on.

I must add that scholars of Mazhabs respect and acknowledge their peers because they know that the opinions are based on sound research, a trusted process, and the integrity of the individuals. I just hope that respect, mercy, tolerance, and humility will prevail in the end.

ps/ for those who don’t subscribe to a particular school of thought, Lo and Behold! That is also a Mazhab

‪#‎whatsyourmazhab‬

Source: Mizi Wahid

January 22, 2016
Zulfikar Shariff: Remember The Malay Regiment?

The Malay Regiment was established in 1933 as “a body of Malay
troops who would share the responsibility of military defence and protection of their homeland”.

The British were initially hesitant to train the Malays since they were known to be warlike and were fighters.

They felt the problem was “not to get the Malays to fight (at which they had shown themselves only too ready) but to prevent them from fighting.”

Johor established a Malay Regiment in 1885 and its success was used as proof of the efficacy of the project.

The first batch of 25 soldiers from Malaya were selected from 1,000 applicants. This ensured a very high standard of recruits.

During the Japanese invasion of Singapura, the Malay Regiment fought with their heart and their blood to defend the island.

In the words of General Percival, the Malay Regiment “acquitted themselves in a way which bore comparison with the very best troops in Malaya.

In particular, by their stubborn defence of the Pasir Panjang Ridge at the height of the Battle of Singapore, they set an example of steadfastness and endurance which will become a great tradition in the Regiment and an inspiration for future generations.”

On “the morning of the 14th again saw enemy shells falling steadily on the Malay Regiment area and casualties mounted.”

After heavy fighting, including some hand to hand combat, the Japanese army tried to trick the Malay Regiment by dressing like Punjabi soldiers.

But the Malays quickly realised the trick and gunned down the enemy “at close range (which) left about 22 (Japanese) lying on the ground dead or wounded.

The ruse having failed, the Japanese staged a determined attack about two hours later in overwhelming strength. Although the defenders fought bitterly with grenades and automatic weapons they were unable to hold the hill.”

“Lt. Adnan, commander of Platoon No. 7,… encouraged his men. Mortally wounded he ordered his men to fight on to the last man.”

Many of the men and all the officers (except Second-Lieutenant Abbas) died in the close and at times hand-to-hand fighting which developed. A number of the captured survivors were massacred by the Japanese.

Lt. Adnan who, along with his brother officers, fought gallantly in this action was shot down and bayoneted by the enemy.

His body was then hung upside down from a nearby tree; no one was allowed to cut it down for burial.”

British “surrender did not mean the end of casualties to the Regiment.

Within a fortnight five Malay officer-internees of the Regiment were summarily executed for refusing to serve under the Japanese or, alternatively, to put on civilian clothes and accept release.

Most officers and men who escaped internment at Singapore were arrested on their return home during the year and imprisoned for a while.

A number of the other ranks were pressed into forced labour gangs and sent to work as far afield as Siam and Indonesia.

The majority were released from prison camps in Singapore at different dates in March when all up-country evacuees in Singapore were ordered to return home.

Several of them in a party of 98 Malay personnel serving with the Imperial forces were removed by the Japanese military police and machine-gunned near the Gap.”

Reference:

Ramli, Dol. “History of the Malay Regiment 1933-1942.” Journal of the Malaysian Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society (1965): 199-243.

Picture: NCOs and Men of The Malay Regiment 27th May 1941.

Source: Zulfikar Shariff

January 22, 2016
Walid J. Abdullah: Singapore Needs To Re-Examine Ideas Of ‘Tolerance’, ‘Harmony’ And ‘Extremism’

We really need to think through the idea of ‘tolerance’ and ‘harmony’, and ‘extremism’.

Is a person intolerant because (s)he refuses to say merry christmas to someone else? Does one turn into an extremist for having the belief that religious practices should be exclusive to one’s own faith? And if we start here, i wonder where do we draw the line: what do we make of a person who refuses to marry outside his/her faith? Is that person an ‘extremist’?

Personally, i know of a couple of elderly Muslims who do not attend events at churches or temples (it’s a personal preference, as they would mostly acknowledge), but no one in the right mind would ever make the claim that they are ‘distant’ or ‘intolerant’: they are probably some of the nicest neighbours one could have. They give food to their neighbours (yes, non-Muslims too), always strike a conversation with strangers in the block, and never fail to smile at anyone.

At the same time, i have many non-Muslim neighbours who have never wished me ‘Selamat Hari Raya’ or ‘Eid Mubarak’ (for whatever reasons): but of course, no one bats an eyelid when that happens. When a Muslim does/does not do the same thing, it is suddenly problematic. Unfortunately, Islam is always on trial.

One of the ways that we should not make a community feel ‘distant’, is to stop viewing the world in false binaries. We should not be too quick to accuse and ‘advise’ a particular group, based on our own worldviews and understandings of the world.

Source: Walid J. Abdullah

January 21, 2016
Damanhuri Abas: Problems Of Malay-Muslim Isolationism And Foreign-Worker Terrorists Emblematic Of PAP’s Policy Failures

First the Minister made statements that essentially are tacit admission of the failures of the government’s policies towards the Malay Muslim community which has caused the ‘distancing and alienation’.

The more critical question for the Malay Muslim community to ask both the government and the Malay leadership appointed by the PAP is to explain these failures. Maybe it got to do with something called discrimination. Not so smart after all.

Then we hear another bad news, the arrest of foreign workers who are radicals or radicalized. Again, this are glaring examples of risk that the government sadly took at the expense of the safety and interest of Singaporeans by sticking to a policy of cheap labour to shore up declining GDP instead of biting the bullet and invest in our own people to allow for greater innovation to compensate for the shortage of manpower.

Singaporeans must begin to know that the policies of the government are shallow coming from this million-dollar paid brilliantairs and they still want to justify through another warp logic called natural aristocracy.

Wake up lah 70%!!!

Source: Damanhuri Abas

January 21, 2016
Mohd Khair: Singaporean Muslims Have Contributed To Singapore, Why Are We Still Viewed With Suspicion?

I DISAGREE with this view.

Muslims in Singapore have been very active in inter-religious dialogues and other related activities.

I must say that at times some quarters of our community even say that we are even “overdoing” those things because we seem to have to keep on proving to others that we are indeed Singaporeans.

It seems, time and again Muslims in Singapore must always prove themselves to be okay.

Muslims in Singapore have contributed so much in ensuring racial and religious harmony, over and above the contributions we’ve made in other aspects of nation building.

And yet now, we are being accused of having grown more distant.

Why must the authorities cast aspersions on Muslims in Singapore?

Source: Mohd Khair

January 21, 2016