Tag: Singapore

Amos Yee: I’m Now A Martyr Like Ghandi, Mandela And Jesus

After weeks of silence, Amos Yee re-emerged on Facebook with a series of seemingly unbelievable posts. At a time when he is supposed to still be in prison, he managed to make four FB posts since yesterday just to “fuck with the Government”. He told supporters that he went to jail for the sins of all Singaporeans and now pits himself against all of history’s great ‘Martyrs’ such as Gandhi, Nelson Mandela and Jesus.

Check out his epic facebook posts below:

“How is it that I am in prison, yet I am still able to post something on Facebook? Well… If you want to fuck with the Government, fuck with them all the way.”

“I am now literally in prison, simply because I insisted on upholding my views. So now, I am able to pit myself against all of history’s great ‘Martyrs’: Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, Jesus (not really). Now if anyone has any skepticism towards my intentions or their views towards me, just remember, I went to remand, for your sins.”

“My mother was absolutely shocked that in my entire time in prison, I had never been exposed to sunshine. The closest thing I had to going outdoors was a daily (except for weekends), 1- hour activity called the outdoor ‘yard’ where inmates get to play basketball or sepak takraw. But we’re not doing it outdoors, but in a 5th floor enclosure similar to that of an indoor sports hall. And of course, there is no opening in the ceiling for cellmates to have direct contact with sunlight.”

How did Amos gain internet access to make these facebook posts? Any geniuses have the answer? 🙂

Source: www.allsingaporestuff.com

June 19, 2015
Old Victorian’s Association Mohammad Ghazi Bin Mohamed Memorial Fund

Victoria lost one of her beloved sons to the recent earthquake in Sabah. As a big Victorian family, we mourn the loss of a dear brother and extend our deepest condolences to his family.

Ghazi left behind his beloved wife and 3 very young children, aged 5, 3 and 1 years old.

The Old Victorians’ Association (OVA) is embarking on this fund raising initiative and is appealing to all Victorians and friends to come forth and do your part by donating any amount towards this fund. ALL monies raised will be presented to the family of the late Mohammad Ghazi and we hope the amount raise will aid them financially in one way or the other.

Here’s what you can do:

1. Write a cheque payable to OLD VICTORIANS’ ASSOCIATION.
2. Write your NAME, CONTACT NUMBER and indicate GHAZI MEMORIAL FUND at the back of the cheque.
2. Mail your cheque to: Old Victorians’ Association c/o Victoria School, 2 Siglap Link, Singapore 448880

Fund Raising Cut off date: 30 June 2015

If you have any enquiry, please do not hesitate to email:
[email protected]

Once a Victorian. Always a Victorian.
Nil Sine Labore

Source: www.ova.org.sg

June 19, 2015
Are PAP Goodies Enough To Secure Your Votes?

The PAP is sparing no expense to buy votes and win the next GE under the guise of celebrating S’pore’s jubilee year.

If S’poreans vote for them again because of this $500, it would be akin to taking the money and slapping themselves because this political model is just not sustainable.

The PAP’s hegemony built on political bullying and ruthless and methodical marginalization of political opposition and critics has both intimidated and alienated a significant segment of the population who would otherwise have joined politics and made valuable contributions to the growth of this country.

As one can see over the last 10 years, this is not healthy as S’pore reaches a plateau in terms of economic and social development based on a paradigm that revolves around boosting GDP by importing cheap labour and keeping a docile population attuned to and quietly and unquestioningly following the dictates of the ruling Party.

In fact, under Lee Hsien Loong the future looks bleak as he continues to draw on his military fraternity to fill up ministerial posts. How many of these ex-generals have impressed you or performed up to the standard one expects of anyone who draws more than a million dollar in salary?

Is this the kind of environment you want your children to grow up in?

Let’s think about it.
Carefully.

Is your children’s future worth only $500 which in effect represents a drop in the ocean considering the billions that this Government collects in the form of various taxes from ERP to COEs to Stamp Duties?

Source: The Alternative View

June 19, 2015
10 Things To Know About Ramadan

The first day of Ramadan, traditionally a time for prayer and abstinence, started on Wednesday (June 17) evening.

The ninth month of the Hijri (Islamic) calendar involves a month of fasting from sunrise to sunset for nearly 1.6 billion Muslims across the world.

Here are 10 things to know about the holy month.

1. The dates for Ramadan change every year as the calendar is based on the lunar cycle, and it usually falls 11 days earlier than the previous year.

It begins at the first sighting of the new crescent moon.

2. Fasting is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. It is meant to cultivate self-discipline and direct one’s heart away from distractions, as well as to cleanse one’s soul by freeing it of impurities.

The meal that Muslims consume at dawn before fasting begins is called sahur. The breaking fast meal is known as iftar.

Hari Raya Aidilfitri is celebrated after the last break fast of the month. It also marks the start of a new month, Syawal.

A street light-up in Tampines to coincide with the launch of a Hari Raya bazaa nearby. — ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG

3. Besides abstaining from eating and drinking, Muslims must also refrain from smoking, sexual activities and sinful speech or behaviour while fasting.

4. During Ramadan, praying is emphasised throughout the day (for the full list of times, click here). Special evening prayers, when long portions of the Quran are recited, called terawih, are also conducted.

Filipino Muslim children being taught how to pray properly outside the Pink mosque in Datu Saudi Ampatuan town, Maguindanao province. — PHOTO: EPA

5. Not all adult Muslims need to fast – the elderly and people who are sick or travelling overseas are exempted, although in the latter cases, they are expected to make up for it.

Women who are pregnant, menstruating or breastfeeding are also excused. Children are not required to fast until they reach puberty.

6. Under the Labour Law in the United Arab Emirates, employees are entitled to work reduced hours during this period without a reduction in their salaries. Workers across the country get two hours cut from their regular work days.

The law does not differentiate between Muslims and non-Muslims.

This rule, however, does not apply in Singapore.

7. The most important day of Ramadan takes place some time during the last 10 days of the month. It usually falls on the 9th, 21st, 23rd, 25th, or 27th days of Ramadan. Muslims believe it was the day when the first verses of the Quran were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad.

It is known as Laylat al-Qadr, or Night of Power.

8. A recent local study conducted by experts from the National University of Singapore found that fasting during the Ramadan period can help improve blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes.

For a guide on how Muslims with diabetes can fast safely, click here.

9. Fasts are usually broken by eating dates, which is known for being easy to digest and possessing a high level of sugar. Soups, bread and fruits such as watermelon are also recommended.

Dates for sale at a roadside stall in Karachi, Pakistan ahead of Ramadan. — PHOTO: EPA

Click here for a list of local eateries offering Ramadan specials.

10. The theme for this year’s festivities in Singapore is “Celebrating Ramadan with family”.

Social media is expected to play a significant part in it, with Muis organising a photo contest on Instagram where uploaded photos with the themes of family, care or spirituality and with the hashtag #BlessingsofRamadan stand to win $300 every week.

Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Yaacob Ibrahim marked the start of Ramadan with a Facebook post on Wednesday evening. “May the Holy month strengthen our ties with our families and loved ones, and bring out the best in us,” he wrote.

Source: www.straitstimes.com

June 19, 2015
Why Are Muslims So Happy In Ramadan?

If you have non-Muslim colleagues who are missing their lunch buddies this month, perhaps this will give them a better idea of what’s really going on with Muslims this Ramadan.

Your Muslim classmates and colleagues may look pale, have chapped lips and look adoringly at the clock counting down to 713pm to break their fast, but despite the hunger and thirst, they’re kind of …. peaceful. Happy even! What sorcery is this, you wonder? Here are some reasons why:

1) Rewards are multiplied.

Ramadan is like the Great Singapore Sale of worship. In other months, we are told that our good deeds are rewarded in the ratio 1:10 (yeah, Allah is pretty great) up to 1:700 but for Ramadan, a narration by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) informs us that God says “Fasting is for Me, and I reward it accordingly.” And that means infinitely (and more!) probably because one of the attributes of God is that He is the Most Generous. There is no logic or system in His Accounting WHICH IS GREAT because we are so in need of extra points.

So that’s why we’re still smiling despite looking at you and your Big Mac during lunch time. Coz we’re hopeful of the rewards of remaining patient for that few hours.

2) We see our potential.

In Ramadan, we believe Satan gets locked up. No more bothersome whispers to do evil things! Although Muslims do believe that we all have innate bad characteristics (with or without Satan) that we have to remove, it does help that we get a free pass for a month from him and focus on cleaning our hearts!

This, coupled with the fact that its the GSS of worship, is why you may notice your Muslim friends who drink, stop drinking. Those who can rival a pirate with his swearing and cursing, bite his tongue in this month. And others turn down invitations for movies, parties and other general entertainment.

It’s because we realise what we’re capable of. We spend 11 months of the year trying so hard to be better people and it’s usually a great struggle. Yet in Ramadan, things get easier and we focus more on our spirituality and realise what we’re capable of. And that makes us mighty pleased and hopeful.

3) Great sense of community

Living in a fast-paced city like Singapore and with an increasingly individualistic system of living, it gets difficult to feel a sense of community sometimes. Ramadan reverses that. Makciks all over insist that their children come home to break their fast together, if not everyday, at least once a week.

This sense of community is most beautifully manifested during the special night prayer that’s only done in Ramadan. It is called the Tarawih prayer (tarawih literally comes from the word rest, or refers to the period of rest in between 4 cycles of the prayer). Mosques all over Singapore which are usually only packed for Friday prayers, are generally packed every single night in Ramadan for these prayers and not just men too. Women, children and the elderly all make their way to the mosques to perform this voluntary prayer together. And it’s an amazingly happy sight.

Fasting also teaches and reminds us of those less fortunate. When we’re hungry, we are able to empathise with those who are hungry not out of choice. Since Ramadan is basically our happy hour for extra good deeds, you will see many charity initiatives in this month too. SimplyIslam’s Ramadan Charity Basket has been ongoing for 8 years now and we help to provide financial aid and also food provisions to over 150 needy families. You can click on the link above to find out more, donate and also volunteer during the drive!

4) Salvation from Hell

Do I really need to explain? Ok. So Muslims believe in a Heaven and a Hell. If your good deeds outweigh your bad deeds, to Heaven you go! (With God’s Mercy of course!) If it’s the opposite, …. you know where this is going.

BUT! Ramadan is great because Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) says: “Fasting serves as a shield from Hellfire.”

And in another narration, “Whoever observes fasts during the month of Ramadan out of sincere faith, and hoping to attain Allah’s rewards, then all his past sins will be forgiven.”

ALL his past sins guys, ALL. So of course we’re happy in this month!

5) Ramadan Food

I know I was going for the spirituality angle in this piece but I’ll be a hypocrite if I say we don’t get excited about the special Ramadan food. These are things that even the non-Muslims enjoy too I’m sure!

There’s this milky, nutty, cold and yummy drink that magically appears in Ramadan and it’s called Katira. Katira is to Singaporean Muslims what the Butterbeer is to Harry Potter. (If you don’t get that reference, seriously why have you not read Harry Potter?!)

Katira Goodness

There’s also Dendeng which is basically our awesome, halal version of your Bee Cheng Hiang’s Bakkwa. ‘Nuff said.

Then there’s the simple, understated Bubur Masjid (literally Mosque Porridge) that we actually send our kids to collect at the mosque once they’re done with school because if we go after our office hours, it might run out. Seriously, we take our Bubur Masjid very seriously. Seriously.

So now you know what’s up with your Muslim friends this month. We’ll catch up with you on Hari Raya when we’ll all celebrate over pineapple tarts and fizzy drinks! But till then, please don’t post your lunch on Instagram, thanks.

Source: http://muzlimbuzz.sg

June 19, 2015