Has the NAtional Fatwa Council been misinformed about yoga being Banned in Singapore?
A friend emailed this to me. Apparently this is taken from SIngapore Straits Times dated 9th Novemebr 2008:
A MUSLIM cleric in Malaysia has called on Muslims to stop doing yoga exercises, but some religious experts in Singapore do not share that sentiment.
They are largely of the opinion that yoga is harmless as long as its spiritual aspects are not practised.
Professor Zakaria Stapa, a lecturer at University Kebangsaan Malaysia’s faculty of Islamic studies, said recently that yoga is based on Hindu elements and could affect the faith of Muslims practising it.
That sparked a nationwide debate and the Malaysian National Fatwa Council may issue a fatwa, or decree, on yoga soon.
The country seems to be alone in its concern.
Yoga centres are flourishing in more orthodox Muslim countries such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
In Iran, yoga is so popular that there are classes for children.
In Singapore, Mr Mohammad Yusri Yubhi Md Yusoff, 33, executive imam of Al-Falah mosque, said: ‘Yoga may have its roots in Hinduism. But if you take away the meditation and other spiritual aspects, it becomes just another form of exercise.’
Veteran religious expert Pasuni Maulan, 64, agreed. The former registrar of Muslim marriages said spiritual elements in exercises are not exclusive to yoga. Silat, which has its roots in Malay culture, can sometimes involve hailing spirits, a practice not allowed in Islam.
‘Those who are not sure about what is allowed may want to do other exercises,’ he suggested.
As a rule of thumb, avoid the spiritual forms of exercises and embrace only the physical aspects, said religious teacher and counsellor Abdul Manaf Rahmat, 50.
Teacher Hafiza Yahya, 26, who studied yoga through books five years ago, has been doing just that.
‘In classes, instructors may ask you to say Hindu incantations. I simply did the exercises without all that,’ said the mother of two, who shed more than 30kg through yoga after each pregnancy. She now weighs a trim 46kg.
Dr. Hsu's forum 
Nov 26, 2008 @ 23:01:50
I found this whole thing weird. We are all ‘man enough’ to decide what is good or bad to ourselves physically or spiritually. After all, it is ‘we’ that have to bear all the consequences ourselves.
Why should somebody else instructing us ‘can do this’ and ‘cannot do that’. It seems that such ‘somebody’ is more powerful than the Parliament. Instruction issued immediately becomes ‘law’.
Personally, I feel this is not being fair to those who found this exercise helps them become a healthier person.
But, before I forget, this is none of my business. Am I right to have this attitude?
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Nov 26, 2008 @ 23:15:59
While the NFC has the right to issue Fatwas on its own accord, should there be transparency at least to disclose the research that was conducted to arrive at their decisions ? Surely this would help to assuage Muslims that the NFC has the facts to back up its rulings.
Then this will be a non-issue.
From what I have read, no one has converted out of Islam due to practising yoga. Of course, the NFC may have the evidence but why withhold it ?
There are also calls from certain Muslims parties for non-Muslims to refrain from comment. Did the NFC engage in discussions with the Hindu Sangam? If this was a unilateral discourse within the NFC, then it could be considered to be disparaging on the Hindu religion. It is akin to someone saying that the “halal” way of cutting a chicken is not acceptable to their religion without consulting an ustaz on how and why the methodology is used.
According to a blog article on the People’s Parliament, the fatwa does have legal implications to Muslims. Thus, it is really not just guidance !
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Nov 27, 2008 @ 00:31:54
PAS got 8 seats becoz chinese voted them but DAP will get 0 seats if malays do not vote them.
DAP MPs and state assemblymen still do not realised they are in power today becoz the Malays voted them and now they are trying to be heroes to the chinese community only.
to the DAP dont you all are aware that alcohol are bad for health just like cigarette.
I am a chinese and i hate all the above habits.
Not all policies by PAS are bad.
in fact PAS has been urging bread earners to go back to their families after work instead of heading to all these karaokes joint where alcohol and chinadoll are in abundance.
i remember not very long ago a group of chinese housewife went to see a certain OCPD asking for help
becoz their husband have been spending all their time in all these karaokes outlet.
how many chinese families have succumbed to these evil ?
bread winner spending their hard earned money on alcohol, gambling and later on womanising will come along.
DAP remember you guys represent all malaysians and please do not try to be a hero to a certain community even though knowing very well all the above are bad for everyone.
carry on with your typical chinaman attitude and i can guarantee you guys will all be a one term MP/state assemblyman.
P/S read LIM KIT SIANG BLOG.
BTW NONE DAP MPs has responded.
tony pua may god protect your children from the evil of alcohol.
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Nov 27, 2008 @ 04:05:45
Divide et impera (latin for divide and rule)
============================
I have been intending to write about this for some time. This yoga fatwa make it more urgent.
I have been seeing evil recently – with this fatwa thing and resurgence in the NEP and Ketuanan feelings among the Malay community. In fact, I see the hidden hands of UMNO.
I seem to see an effort to make Muslim and the Malay community different from the rest of the population. There seem to be a mind game going on to build a psychological fence around the community. Instead of pointing to similarities, there are an emphasis on differences.
What this will do is to allow a divide and rule strategy. It make it easier for UMNO to exert control over the community.
The British use this strategy with great effectiveness. With independence, the collective unconscious (to borrow the concept from Carl Jung) of divide and rule were inherited by the Alliance and its follow on Barisan Nasional.
I do not believe this divide and rule mindset were ever purged from the psyche of the civil service and politicians. The peaceful handover of power result in the transfer of power to an Alliance of race based political parties who continued in divide and rule practices unconsciously – dividing each community and handing the issues separately.
Co opting multi racial based political parties reduced the desire to make changes necessary to hold on to power. In fact it subverted the practices (not necessary the believe) of multi racial political parties like Gerakan and reduce to it to a party of eunuchs. A multi racial party in a consortium where divide and rule is the collective conscious, do not make sense.
The point I am making is we will see more and more mental games going on trying to split the Muslim and Malay from the other races. All for political gains.
I could be wrong, But I have this uneasy feeling for sometime.
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Nov 27, 2008 @ 04:11:08
And also to add to bangsa china. Yes, this divide and rule collective conscious extend to other political party like DAP. It is easy to deal with issues and aspiration of one race, rather than a country of multiple races. Dont forget DAP was set up to exploit the grievances of the Chinese community.
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Nov 27, 2008 @ 08:55:26
I have no problem with these banning of alcohol, gaming and gambling as ‘abuse’ of consuming these items bring disasters to a person and family.
I can see many people do not drink alcohol and habit of gambling even without a blanket ban on these items. Why? This explains the important of education since a child when young, to impart good values, maturity in thinking to mould a person with good characters.
So, without proper education and dissemination of healthy thinking, whatever amount of ‘banning’ will not solve these problems. Banning can only result in ‘curiosity’ in people in ‘trying’ these items.
It is common whatever issues in Malaysia can be played up as religious and race angle, but I believe we, Malay and Muslim inclusive, are mature enough to decide what is good and bad for ourselves and Malaysia.
As klm pointed out, there maybe motive behind all these propagandas especially after tsunami 308. Rakyat will continue to support DAP, PAS, PKR or even Umno, if their policies make ‘sense’. Banning of this and that are trival matters, immaturity in mentality.
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Nov 27, 2008 @ 10:30:10
Banning this and that because they are ‘sinful’ does not solve problems. The business just goes underground and is even harder to control. My Iranian friend tells me one can indulge in alcohol, drugs, sex, gambling in present day Tehran so long as one obtains these products and services from those who are in the right camp. He sees little real difference between the Shah’s and Muslim fundamentalists’ regimes; the principal players have changed but some of the same games go on. It is a question only of who wields the power and under what guise. Of course he prefers a more liberal regime but the point he was trying to make is that hypocrisy flourishes everywhere. If there is enough profit, someone will do it, prohibited or not.
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Nov 27, 2008 @ 10:43:09
Fatwa tu sbnrnya dah jelas.
1. Yoga yang dilakukan berserta mentera dan proses mendekatkan diri dgn tuhan adalah haram.
2. Jika hanya melakukan senaman dan gerakan, itu diperbolehkan, namun tidak digalakkan. (tidak digalakkan di sini adalah kerana takut2 seorang muslim itu akan asyik dgn Yoga dan akan melangkah ke tahap tinggi iaitu tahap membaca mentera dll)
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Nov 27, 2008 @ 11:01:47
If your parents say to you “Don’t play PS3 as your studies will suffer”, what do you do next? Visit your friends and play there lor. “Don’t smoke”, next thing smoke like a chimney to show off how sexy and manly you are. “Don’t dye your hair”, next thing put a tattoo and dye purple to send the bp up as it is a cool thing. These Councils never learn the principles of good management skills. Outline the principles, explain the rationale, give warnings of what is against the religion and leave it to the good sense of people to abide and practice. What about ‘internet surfing’, just because of possibility of porn sites, why don’t they fatwa the entire internet? What about ‘smoking’? ‘Alcohol’? Cinemas? Pole Dancing? The list of no no will never end. Might as well disappear into the jungle and live alone and shut yourself away from the evil and bad influences of the world. High time they respect people’s ability to think and live their own lives.
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Nov 27, 2008 @ 11:04:43
none of my business….
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Nov 27, 2008 @ 11:31:48
nick, I laugh at your analogy but that is because it is true, and you put it in such lively manner.
yes. Dale Carnegie mentioned in his teachings that to influence, you have to get to the heart of the person you want to influence. Praise that person first, bring out his good points, and subtly advise him on things you want him to do. And that too, you must have good reasons to do so. In other words, build up a rapport first and then convince that person with your points.
Not by banning this, banning that.
The main point to change a person is by getting to his or her heart and change the mindsets… not by making rules and laws… That was feudalism.
………….
That aside, I must say that I have often ask my peteints to go learn Tai chi or Yoga, for their stress relieving effects. ( I myself do not practice either, but I did Tai Chi for some time when I was young, and had attended yoga classes in Brickfield, in a HIndu setting. I have no problem with that, as I beleive all religions are good.)
Many of the present ailments are psycho-somatic, meaning coming from the minds and manifest as bodily pains and aches.
Part of this is because many people are getting very lonely, especially old people, and that give rise to depression.
Brisk walking , as an aerobic exercise is good for the heart and circulation and do give a certain feeling of lift too. But I find that tai Chi and Yoga , ina dditon to that gives an extra benefits of keeping all the joints moble as well as exercising those small muscles that we seldom used in daily walking and working.
In addition, Tai chi and yoga are usually done in a group , in a class atmosphere. there is social interaction for the practitioner, and that helps to drive away loneliness, as human beings are soial animals.
Besides, the breathing parts help a lot to relieve stress. We all know the effect of calming oneself down by taking a deep breath when we want to go into an interview or face a difficult customer. Similarly, the deep and slow breathing in tai Chi and Yoga, as well as in nonreligious type of meditation, helps to calm one’s mind and relieve stress.
It is a better form of treatment than just giving tranquillisers and so on.
It is a pity that people are getting narrow minded in all this. the world is becoming more cosmopolitan, and people will ultimately evolve to become one big family. Perhaps Malaysia will be the exception, as pointed out by Klm in his analysis.
I shudder to think of the future of this country if people are so narrow minded.
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Nov 27, 2008 @ 12:15:02
The comments made by the professor just amazes me. A professor, I thought would have made an indepth study on the subject before coming out with such comments.
I just womder??
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Nov 27, 2008 @ 14:46:13
Every Sunday at 7.30 am in the vicinity of the Paroi (Seremban) badminton hall & gym area, there are some 100+ people gather to do the Negeri Sembilan bon-bon. It is a type of line dancing except the beats are almost like the cha-cha. The participants are mostly women. I swear that the men who follow this line dancing (and many men do join) enjoy themselves so much as the dance move is akin to cha-cha. Soon, the N.S. religious council will learn about this and another fatwa will be issued because the dance music and moves are too sexy.
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Nov 27, 2008 @ 15:21:36
Dr Hsu,
Quote:
Professor Zakaria Stapa, a lecturer at University Kebangsaan Malaysia’s faculty of Islamic studies, said recently that yoga is based on Hindu elements and could affect the faith of Muslims practising it.
My Question:
Is there any proof that Muslims practising yoga has indeed converted out of their faith into Hinduism? If there is none, it means they merely applied the forms for physical exercises so should not be feared.
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Nov 27, 2008 @ 17:55:40
Looks like it is hard to be a malay muslim being subjected so many much pressure.
We have the evil hand of UMNO working on them giving them false promisess and yet majority of the malays are poor.
We have the council with the present fatwa and with Bodowi islam hadhari … making the malays confused? Certain state rulers have commented and of course Bodowi has also said it is ok making the Fatwa council and that professor looked so silly. What a day for the them?
I pity the malays, what a life they have in this country??
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Nov 27, 2008 @ 20:29:15
For a start, does JAKIM has a scientific way to measure how by doing Yoga, could affect a muslim’s islamic faith.
If there is any, what quantitative measurement unit to use to judge a muslimin/muslimat’s believe in Islam ?
IMNO, these fellas @ JAKIM is no different than the Al Qaedas and Talibans.
You all hijacked islam for the sake of personal gain.
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Nov 27, 2008 @ 23:07:03
I dont like to touch on personality. But take a look at this pprofessor ?? Zakaria Stapa academic background.
This fella seem to be have no external exposure. Fully home grown.
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Nov 28, 2008 @ 02:25:37
“” Fully home grown.””
Looks like it. Had alot of experience listening to dumb head professor as compared to others. I would just snores away ZZZZ ,usually break time for me. Surprising some of them professors cannot even interact and have some jovial discussion for a good laugh.
Narrow and negative outlook.
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Nov 28, 2008 @ 05:10:08
This cannot, that cannot. Dont question this fatwa, etc. Very soon cannot think.
With reference to your ealier post on innovative society, read the text of the speech:
by:
CHRISTOPHER A. PADILLA
US UNDER SECRETARY OF COMMERCE FOR INTERNATIONAL TRADE
MAY 8, 2008
Title:
OPENNESS OR ISOLATION:
CHINA’S QUEST TO BE AN INNOVATIVE SOCIETY
Website: http://www.trade.gov/press/speeches/padilla_050808.asp
I paste the two paras that talked about America innovative society below
Summary:
————
America
1. welcome new people to re-vitalise society and ideas
2. non-stifling hand of government
3, political system based on equal opportunity
4. education system that rewards independent thinking
There is no disgareement that America is a highly innovative society.
Its fabric is everything Malaysia is not. How to become an innovative society? This yoga fatwa may seem trivial. But in the larger scheme of thing it is an attempt in supression of individual thinking.
Quote:’………
America’s innovative spirit thrives in our open society. It is our openness – our fundamental belief that we are stronger as a nation when we welcome to our shores the world’s products, ideas, investment, and people – that gives us the ability to respond to new challenges and new competitors. As Fareed Zakaria recently wrote in Foreign Affairs, America has found a way “to keep itself constantly revitalized by streams of people who are eager to make a new life in a new world.” Half of all Silicon Valley start-ups today have at least one founder who is either an immigrant or a first-generation American. Our political system is built on the notion that all Americans have an equal opportunity to rise as far as their individual ability and drive will take them. Our innovation economy benefits from low taxes, an aversion to the stifling hand of government regulation, and a respect for others’ ideas in the form of strong patents, copyrights, trademarks, and other intellectual property rights. And our strong education system rewards independent thought and keeps us questioning, wondering, and always searching for ways to make things better.
In almost every way, America has grown stronger from its openness to the world. In this political season, when the winds of economic isolationism are blowing strongly, it is useful to remember that our openness – to foreign products, foreign capital, foreign ideas, and foreign people – is one of the most important reasons why the United States has been the world’s most innovative and dynamic economy for more than a century…… “unquote
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Nov 28, 2008 @ 12:26:46
Why the heck does the non-moslem think they can comment about Islam when many themselves have prohibited their kids from eating beef because there’s a pic of goddess of Mercy (Kuan Yin) sitting on one.
Sometimes I feel majority of chinese are a KPC bunch. Always bad mouth people or big headed. Please be more humble la.
as my first post on this subject, non of our blady bitness….
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Nov 28, 2008 @ 21:29:53
I waited for all regulars to respond to “wassup”. None.
hi….bodoh sekali wassup!!
The advises not to eat beef…was handed down…..thousands of years ago.
At that time…mostly are water buffalos.,and cows.
They help farmers to plough the land…give up milk to feed the family…skin can be made into so many useful protective clothes…shoes..dung to be manure and built a fire…horns as working tools…just to name a few.
Most important…bufallos and cows…help farmers plough the land and milk for youngsters.
After 2000 years…Buddhists eat beef…because they are smart and practical…..and keep up to contribute Vision2020…..hahahahahahaha
On the Yoga matter…..it is also 5000 years proven good for health exercise…and it must always be…..UMNO holy holy priests…to prove to the whole world…what wonderful Muslims they are.
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Nov 28, 2008 @ 21:35:16
wassup,
I hope you are not too emotionally offended by the comments over here and I wish to personally apologise to you if I offended you to any extent.
I think as a Muslim, if you are one, has a duty to explain whatever topics so that to bridge whatever gap between Muslim and non-Muslim, rather than close our minds and say ‘none of your business’.
In this globalised world, neither Muslim nor non-Muslim can stay in seclusion. I can understand political party like PAS aspires to have a society that has no alcohol, no gambling, no smoking, no adultery and so on, for which I myself also aspires, but these dreams of us cannot just by banning this and that, but should be through education, intellectual discussion, understanding of each other cultural, background and beliefs, etc, etc.
I can safely say that most of the religions are discouraging the same thing that Islamic teachings do, just different in approaches in reaching such aims.
The different in approaches are the reasons why you found certain of our comments here offended your feeling. We have no intention in offending whichever party.
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Nov 28, 2008 @ 23:15:39
Dear Wassup.
Because we are outraged that some silly men in long robes making silly judgments, we comment and we protest. These silly judgments have a way of creeping into other parts of our life if we are not careful.
Whether we like it or not, we live in an Islamic society. Not that it is a bad thing. But we have to careful of the silliness.
It is the same even if we live in a Christian society. There are silly judgments too. And equally, we have to be careful. But an Islamic society is more immature in human rights.
The environment we live in depend very much on us. Remember if we give these silly people an inch, they will take a yard.
The collective protests do make a difference. With the Sultans throwing their weights behind the
protest, the politicians are putting a quiet distance between themselves and the fatwa.
To give you an answer, we comment because we care.
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Nov 29, 2008 @ 02:10:07
Dear Wassup,
Non-Muslim Malaysians cannot distance themselves from issues that affect Muslims only for the simple reason that we are all Malaysians. It is not about being KPC but caring (as klm said) for Malaysia and all Malaysians.
The reality is Malaysia will be led by the Malays for many years to come yet and the Malays are Muslims. So what affects them will inadvertently affect the country.
Think of it this way, if it is an unfair edict, there will be many moderate Malay Muslims who will be turned off by it and will consider migrating for better living conditions. This will only mean those who leave are the very people this country needs most, being of the majority race but moderate in thinking.
If these edicts succeed in driving away our moderate Malay Muslim brothers and sisters, who will be left behind? The last thing we need to do is to drive away the intellectuals (of the majority race) of this country as these people are the custodians of the soul of Malaysia.
In a way, our speaking out against narrow-minded fatwas are for selfish reasons. In the hope that moderate Malay Muslim intellectuals from abandoning this country and to exert their influence to change it completely one day.
It will not be non-Malay Muslims who will shape the future of Malaysia but forward thinking Malay Muslim Malaysians who will one day lead this country to a colorless future.
We cannot let them shoulder the injustices thrown at them alone! The sooner we can share all our problems and learn to trust each other, the better for Malaysia.
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Nov 29, 2008 @ 02:44:14
The UMNO government and certain Islamic religious departments are the evil forces.
The Chinese and the Indians are the third forces…the watch dogs of Malaysia…and it will be … the many millions.. young educated Muslims…will be the real force…to bring Malaysia away from the race and religion politics …that divide us all.
13th election is Judgement Day.
Doc…I wrote..at ..9.29pm….and True Malaysian immediately..wrote at 9.35pm.
You are the conductor… I am..somewhat..a drum leader??……but certainly..not an agent provocateur….hahahahahahahaha.
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Nov 29, 2008 @ 03:33:27
my sister own a lingerie shop in bangsar ..60% of the buyers are from universtiy malaya..most are japanese imported with lace..some are g strings…we have many series of colours..i wonder would the fatwa goes under cover to check ? some of our lingeries has cruifixs. designed ..any comment here?
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Nov 29, 2008 @ 03:42:31
Hey romerz. I like the way you put the message across.
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Nov 29, 2008 @ 03:44:25
And it is not because i cannot sleep. My time is 1.43 pm friday.
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Nov 29, 2008 @ 11:47:05
Dr Hsu,
I’m not an avid blogger, so mine is not a blog worth following, but I’ve just posted a one-off discussion on my blog which I would like Malaysians who frequent blogs to read.
http://soohuey.blogspot.com/2008/11/ground-necessary-for-striding-forward.html
I hope you don’t mind me using your blog to draw attention to it? Please remove this comment if you feel it is inappropriate.
Thank you.
Soo Huey
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Nov 29, 2008 @ 12:36:29
Just 1 comment and already being called “bodoh” and mosterball feel he is better than UMNO’s muslim. Anyway, it’s true that we shouldn’t eat water buffalos or cows because they are more usefull alive. Eat more cats and dogs. Nice thinking…..
To everyone else (non-muslim) , when talk about ‘other not-so-human-right-practising religion’, how much did you pay your maid for that non-stop 24 hours work?
“Effect everyone else in Malaysia if not good for good innocent Muslim” ?? How about that incents we burn daily like nobody business almost everyday. Affect nobody? Please don’t be offensive when you have monsterball as your goalkeeper. It shows…
Keep to the subject of pig rearing…. (no pun intended)
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Nov 29, 2008 @ 19:48:46
True Malaysian can apologise to you….as he and me are like different human species…but you are real bodoh sekali…wassup writer.
‘WHATS UP”??…is your mentality….knowing nothing…so learn and be open minded.
Yes…I am hundreds time better than UMNO muslims….as I am first and foremost…..non racialists….to keep up with the times.
I do not talk how to agree to disagree in political matters.
I am for or against change of government and .you are either…for or against me.
Your forefathers eat all sorts of animals..even cats and dogs…especially pigs.
Your immediate relations in Indonesia are loving dog meat..right now..do you know that?
So cut out..that stupid remark.
I responded to you on cows and buffalos because you insulted Buddhism…which you know next to nothing too.
Maid matters…….what the hell you are talking about? Are you saying other Malaysians are treating maids cruelly..why you UMNO Muslims are a bunch of goodies??
UMNO Muslims can C4 others. Be proud of your teachers!!
Live babies just born….thrown to dustbins. Check out with race do that.
Rapists…and committing incests….also check which race do that in Malaysia.
Hi bodoh sekali wassup!!…Goddess of Mercy….Kuan Yin does not sit on a cow!!!
She sits on a lotus flower!!
You know next to nothing ..the significant of that..and keep talking cock and bull.
Do you know….the significant of the lotus flower?
Be nice…and you get monsterball or others .. to teach you.
Maybe you saw a picture..showing our Goddess RIDING on a cow? Very rare….should be worth a million RM….if drawn 2000 years ago…by a famous Chinese artist.
You know next to nothing about other cultures and race history.
You do ot know.even your race history and the root of Islamic faith.
You are smarter than me?
Go dream… the fool’s dream.
You will never support a Malaysian Malaysia….because…it is too difficult for you to survive.
You belong to the jungle.
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Dec 01, 2008 @ 12:38:21
muahahaha…… monsterball angry d??
You human meh? blady fossil. Don’t know how to read just wanna comment …..
muhahahaha……..
“open minded”? muahahaha….
“significant of lotus flower” , I guess a sign to lower your colestrol…. muahahaha….
(everybody…, include you, good Dr., I know you hate monsterball’s guts… ,common laugh with me… muahahaha….)
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Dec 01, 2008 @ 15:47:38
There…jungle man respond.
I leave ..for some..to play… the agree to disagree game…with one….mad dog.
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Dec 01, 2008 @ 15:53:12
Got to go and hentam some lazy Kelananese….always “GOD’S WILL”…praying and praying…doing nothing to help the poorest of the poor and flood situations…and call it a paradise State.
Wassup is a typical..gone case!….capable to be sarcastic.
He is the real idiotic rabbit….always asking….
“What’s Up Doc!!””
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Dec 01, 2008 @ 17:57:36
It is funny that most, if not all, religion claims that they are “universal” and is for all humankind.
Unfortunately, most, if not all, ends up being the most divisive force amongst humankind.
All the hate, and violence and discrimination, narrow mindedness, in the name of religion.
Let us just reflect on the carnage of the Mumbai terrorist attack and think whether religion is really for good or for evil ?
Simple common sense will but bring us to a conclusion.
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Dec 01, 2008 @ 21:44:21
Monsterball,
To tell you the truth, I did not read your reponse to wassup before I commented wassup’s comments.
I was out of town last few days, and am rather disappointed with wassup responses to your comments.
If this is wassup’s brand of Islam, then I regretted offer him my apology. I expected him to explain, at his point of view as a Muslim, to we, non-Muslims, the ‘rational’ behind the ban. Instead, he (or she?) brought up issues of cat and dogs, Muslim maid, cow, Quan Ying and so on.
I as a non-Muslim, found the banning of Yoga is not rational. Cannot you explain nicely the rational behind, wassup?
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Dec 01, 2008 @ 22:00:55
Great to hear you talk this way..True Malaysian.
We must not let any smart Muslim ass try funny with our dignity and principles in life.
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Dec 01, 2008 @ 22:38:20
Monsterball,
I was compelled to response to wassup’s comment, if not, I am not fit to use the pneudonym ‘A true Malaysian’.
If wassup is true enough, he should condemn Muslim terrorists who created havoc in Bombay, 911 and so on. Is he (she) so proud of these Muslim terrorists brand of Islam.
If there are more Muslims like RPK, Haris Ibrahim, Malik Imtiaz, Farish Noor and so on, how nice, right? Why should these so-called true Muslims use weapon and vengence to show their feelings that they are ‘ill treated’ by the world? Why can’t they adopt more humane approach?
If we have the ‘kind’ of Muslims, their actions and thoughts will isolate themselves to the rest of the world, where all the other people do, will be deemed as ‘haram’ to their religion.
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Dec 01, 2008 @ 22:43:48
Wassup cannot explain….True Malaysian.
He is out to insult non Muslims…especially Buddhists…..because it is the majority Malaysian Chinese…shouting against some of their fanatical Islamic holy priests…banning Yoga…that created so much attentions from the Royalties and now..from PM…who actually have no choice..but to say something nice for us to hear.
That is another gone case man…and our PM???
Wassup belong to those fanatics.
Come here….to a Malaysian Chinese blog…to throw some sarcastic insults back to Malaysian Chinese…who are Buddhists.
You know..I seldom blog here nowadays…as I do not want to scare the ever growing commentators.. away …with my comments.
I am glad…it is you…to fully understand…I am protecting Buddhists principles and dignities in life..and simultaneously protect our very rich cultures and heritages…that I will not allow..any low class Malays try to insult us.
If they ask nicely…they will learn alot…and know…how lucky they are..to have us as Malaysians.
But my style in teaching…is scolding first…..and them…..straight to the point..with clear explanations.
I have gained so many Muslim friends from blogging….particularly like Rockybru and Sheih….Amin Iskandar…that got few jealous Muslim eyes…always out to belittle me.
I am not so easy to be frightened away…….but nice to get supporters…like you…to speak out….even against me..I don’t mind……provided it is about the subject….and not about my character and personality.
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Dec 01, 2008 @ 22:50:10
ah…But when come to political bloggers…you have alot to learn….as you do not mix with them.
I do.
But never mind…all those are for change of government…”right now”.
That is most important
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Dec 01, 2008 @ 23:36:22
Monsterball,
You are indeed someone of ‘you kind’, there is no comparable.
I am far from your calibre, I don’t mix with the political bloggers. I just want to share my thoughts, that’s all.
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Jan 21, 2009 @ 04:13:18
Hmmm…Yoga
Now that Fatwa was out for the Muslims, well only applicable for the Muslims.
I myself practice a few movements in Yoga plus other exercise after my back operation.
Off course I do not clear my mind, no meditation and no movements for me that are linked to Hinduism.
Being a Muslim, i practise Zikir to focus to Allahswt and to rest myself my mind from work, can do it in the car, in the living room, before I sleep, etc.
Also being a Muslim we must know what are the harrams and would divert our akidah from Islam.
Its a simple matter but being magnified to sensationalize by a thousand times.
Non-Muslims and Muslims must have respects for each other but need not follow each other’s way of culture & related religion practise, all for the peace of the country.
In my daily life with non-Muslims, I uphold in
the Quran, Ayat Kaafirun, you can get the translation from the net.
My godsis & godson are Christian Protestants whom are part of my life.
I respect their religion and their version of Jesus & Bible. They respect Islam and our version of Nabi Isa & Quran. My godsis’s grandfather was a Chinese Muslim married to a Malay Muslim.
I myself had 3years of Kindergarten under a Dutch Christian missionary from Indonesia and at the same time going for Quran classes. Ended up in convent school with my godsister.
These days, when i execute daily prayers to Allahswt, my Christian Godsis would come into the mosque (properly attire) when shes “clean” otherwise she would wait for me outside.
We came a long way, 3 generations to come to this level.
Yoga is a very very small matter here.
Malaysians have a long way to know to learn each other’s religion.
Malaysia education system has segregated and deprived students from such useful educational information for daily living : religion & culture.
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