Why are they feeling so insecure?

Guong

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 8 — A city church in the leafy Desa Melawati suburb was set on fire at midnight as police warned angry Muslim groups not to protest a controversial ruling allowing Catholic weekly Herald to use “Allah” in its national language section. more

It happened. I was kinda expecting it. Why are they doing such terrible act?

As a Christian, do I feel upset on this?
Yes, because I'm still a human being.

Why am I upset? Is it because of the burnt church?
No, the church is nothing more than just a building build by man as a place for worshiping Him. I'm upset to those irresponsible people who did such an act.
I'm upset to those politicians whom exploit this issue to such extent.

Should I do something to defend my religion from such act?
No, because the God I worship can defend Him Self.

I call to all Christian in Malaysia. Pray. Don't fall to the same act as they are for our God need no help from us, it is us who need help from Him. Yes, we might feel angry, but don't let our anger cause us to sin. Forgive our enemies.

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good (Romans 12:17-21).

God Bless...

Racism is growing in Sabah?

Guong

What? Is it true? Sabah are beginning to show more racist attitudes?

Ok, first of all, racism exist in all of us. The difference is the 'level' or 'how much'. I also sometime show racist attitude like stereotyping. It can be positive or negative but stereotyping is still a racist act.

As much as I want to deny it...but it's a fact that racism are beginning to show a stronger 'stinkin' smell in Sabah. Why do I say so?

1. Datuk Pairin ask that the 'lain-lain' in referring Sabahan to be change to 'Bumiputera Sabah'. You might say, "Hey, isn't that a good thing?". Yes, but it's based on Racism. It's true that this term acknowledge us the 'lain-lain' but it is still racism. And this seems like a West Malaysian vs East Malaysian kind of racism. Why not ask for 'warganegara' and 'bukan warganegara' instead and abolish all of the race column? I know..."Jangan cabar kami" would be the answer..

2. The younger generations are not as color blind as it used to be. Why? Do you remember how last year, Sabah UiTM students rally against the proposal for 10% quota for non-Bumiputera to enter UiTM? I was shocked to hear the news. Was it Sabah students or Peninsular students? It was Sabahan! Shame on these 'stupid' Sabahan UiTM student! No brain? Didn't they realized that they were just being used? or did they joined the demo just to skip class? Ok..it's an old case yet it shows how racism began to tarnish the younger Sabahan through education.

3. Religion conflict that involve Sabah & Sarawak. The word 'Allah' and the seizure of books and other Christian material. Some Sabahan actually support it! Ok, the number of people who support it are rather small, but it shows racism is using religion as its tool to penetrate Sabah.

4. Politic. Now this is the main culprit. I'm sure those who are aware of the political situation in Sabah know which party I'm refering to. They are the one that brought this race base politic into Sabah. They are the one who stir the ethnics demografic in Sabah by bringing in 'Melayu Baru' a.k.a 'I.C Projek'. And I bet these are the people that support the banning of 'Allah' word in Christian publication. In a nut Shell, 'UMNO'.

What can we do to prevent this? We can't do it by force, for we are peace-loving people. We can only prevent it by educating our younger generation and reminding ourself constantly what it meant to be a Sabahan. Living in a land without prejudice and color blind.

Not just Sabahan or Sarawakian but also our brothers and sisters in West Malaysia. Teach your young one what it meant to be a true Malaysian Malaysian and also to yourself.

We can print, write the word Allah..But..

Guong

“The printing, publishing, sale, issue, circulation and possession of any document and publication relating to Christianity containing the words ‘Allah’, ‘Kaabah’, ‘Baitullah’ and ‘Solat’ are prohibited unless on the front cover of the document and publication are written with the words ‘FOR CHRISTIANITY’,” Fr Lawrence said, quoting from the letter dated Feb 16, 2009.

“The words ‘FOR CHRISTIANITY’ referred to in sub paragraph (1) shall be written clearly in font type Arial of size 16 in bold,” he added.

The notification, which falls under the Internal Security Act, was gazetted on Feb 16 this year.MI

Meaning, we can use it but we can't say it. If we want to say it, we must say it in front of Christians only since the phrase For Christianity is needed.

Since most of our previous publications, songs, articles contain this word but not the compulsory phrase, beware, we might get ISAed (Isai Sumaap Atangkap). New materials are needed.

In Christianity, human words are irrelevant when we are praising God. That is why the Bible is not restricted only to one language (which is Hebrew). So, it doesn't really matters weather we are ban or not from using 'Allah'. As long as they don't ban Christianity itself.

Just that we want to tell those peoples responsible that don't press us too much for we'll defend our faith.

One more thing, this case is still not yet resolve in court. So, this gazetted letters from the Home Ministry can be seen as acting in contempt of court.

Oh, I almost forgot, FOR CHRISTIANITY. Hehe..

We Exist!

Guong

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 1 — When the next issue of The Herald, a local Catholic newspaper comes out on Jan 11, it will be missing an entire section in the National Language.

Two days ago, the Home Ministry ordered it to close down its Bahasa Malaysia section, for fear that Malaysian Muslims would become confused over the newspaper’s use of the word “Allah” to mean God outside of Islam. More

This issue have been long drag since 2007. Resulting a court action taken against the government which still on going yet the Home Ministry already took this matter according to their own 'verdict'. Stop using it or no more 'The Herald'. The sad part is, it is politically motivated. The Herald is just collateral damage.

Is it true that this word is exclusive only for the Muslim? Read this article if you want to know. Or you can watch this sermon conducted in Arabic. You might hear a familiar word in it.

But really, why does Malaysian Christian community seems to fight back over this issue to the extent on taking this matter into court? Why not just accept it and stop using that word? Honestly, it doesn't really bothers me as a Christian even though we've used that word for decades (way back before Malaysia even born). They want the word back? Fine, they can have it. It is such a trivial matter. I'm sure the leader of Malaysian Christian community share the same thought as I am.

I'm guessing it is because to remind our government about religious freedom in Malaysia. To remind them on the diversity of belief in Malaysia. To remind them that we are the one that have been tolerating them, not the other way around. To remind them not to push us to much. To remind them on the non-English speaking Christians in Sabah and Sarawak.

So, it's not a matter of weather we win or lose the case but as a reminder for them that we exist.

Oh..and Happy New Year 2009.

Selamat Hari Raya

Guong

Yup, Hari Raya is just round the corner. To all my Muslim friends, I wish you Selamat Hari Raya, balik kampung kirim kuih pinjaram aa.

Here in the Peninsular, the Malays celebrate Hari Raya with traditional foods, visiting relatives and friends, wearing their new baju raya; the baju melayu, complete with samping and songkok for the guys and baju kurung for the ladies. Well it is obvious since those are their tradition.

What about Sabah's muslim communities? How do they celebrate it? Ok.. What I will say in this post are just my opinions and maybe offensive to some Sabahan but I am just pointing my view also as a Sabahan. So, sorry in advance.

I'll start by asking this question, why do you, as a Sabahan wear baju Melayu or baju kurung when celebrating Hari Raya? Let say you are Dusun. Why don't you wear Dusun traditional dress when celebrating Hari Raya? Or maybe Bajau, Rungus, Chinese, murut etc..

It's sometimes puzzle me. If they (the Malay) can be proud with their tradition and incorporate it with their religion, why can't Sabahan? Why must the Sabahan Muslims forsake their own identity and culture? Some even went to the extreme by saying that they are now Malay because they have convert into Islam. Since when did practicing Islam changes one race? what about a Japanese converting to Islam, does that change his/her race into Malay?


I'm not bashing Islam or the Malays, just questioning the Sabahan Muslims mentality. And once again, I'm sorry if my post offended any of you in anyway.