Interesting Article

Someone forwarded me this article written by our former deputy prime minister today through e-mail which I find interesting. Honestly, the views presented in the article cannot exactly be considered as original or new. But still, in a time where people's memories are short, it serves as a good reminder or an occassional nudge on our shoulders of the reality of the state of the Islamic society today. And even more importantly, suggestions of what needs to be done in the face of that reality.

Happy reading.

We Muslims Must Reform Our Own Politics
By Anwar Ibrahim

(From THE ASIAN WALL STREET JOURNAL)

(Editor's Note: Mr. Anwar, a former deputy prime minister of Malaysia, has been in jail since 1999. He is currently appealing his conviction by a Malaysian court on charges of corruption and sodomy.)


Affirmations of brotherhood and lamentations over the elusiveness of a long-sought fraternity are two perennial themes of modern Muslim rhetoric. It seems that no summit or conference would be worthy of the name unless displays of such sentiments were somehow woven into the agenda. The 10th summit of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) to be held outside Kuala
Lumpur from Oct. 16-18, will probably be no different.

Few will be surprised if the opulence of the conference venue is matched by an appalling poverty of ideas on how to cure the Muslim malady - poor governance,
the economic deprivation of millions, political restiveness among citizens, and, of course, the bad press the community has been receiving. Sure, the delegates will be vociferous in condemning terrorism. They will also
express disgust with the U.S. for its imperialistic designs. And they will launch diatribes against the World Trade Organization, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund for their failure to address the concerns
of developing countries.

No doubt, these groups are all culpable in some way, but ranting about insidious neocolonialism and issuing pious platitudes about the superiority of the Islamic approach are no substitute for a workable plan to address
the depressing state of the Muslim community. And their Muslim audiences are not likely to miss the irony of living under virtual one-party systems.

The Palestinian question will continue to be the dominant issue at the conference. Israeli state terrorism must be condemned before there can be any effective check against the desperate and retaliatory acts of terror
that the dispossessed Palestinians resort to. Many Muslims see the U.S. stance in this conflict as diabolical, and the outrage has been aggravated by the occupation
of Afghanistan and Iraq.

But concerned Muslims are asking where this Muslim outrage was when the Taliban insulted the Islamic tradition of respect for other religions in their destruction of the two statues of Buddha at Bamiyan? And why was there damning silence for decades in the face of Saddam Hussein's atrocities against the Kurds, Marsh Arabs and Shiites; and what about his war against Iran and
conquest of Kuwait? Indeed, when the body count is tallied, Muslims will find that more of their brothers and sisters have been butchered by their own leaders than by non-Muslims. Even now, Muslim governments have expended little or no effort in the quest for a just and peaceful resolution to the conflicts in Chechnya, Kashmir and Aceh.

Thus one can appreciate the widespread cynicism among ordinary Muslims about the OIC. They see it as a body too frail to champion Muslim causes and a loose ensemble operating on ideas out of tune with the tenor of the times. One testimony to their ineffectuality is the Islamic News Agency. Formed in the early days of the conference, it was, on the face of it, a noble idea. Its role was to correct an imbalance in international news coverage due to the perceived biases of Western news agencies.

But it was doomed at its very inception because it was not to be an agency selling uncensored news and featuring vigorous reporting and critical commentary. Its creators meant, instead, for it to be a recorder of
official views and a peddler of reports on national development and successes. In short, it was to be an internationalized propaganda agent. It is not
surprising, then, that al Jazeera, hailed as a new voice of independent journalism in the Middle East, is viewed with apprehension by many Arab governments, even as it irks the U.S.

Paradoxically, though, the controlled national media have been parroting the most naive utterances, perpetuating stereotypes of Islam and Muslims. Thus the ruthless and secular Saddam Hussein has been styled an "Islamic
dictator,"the perverse policies of the Taliban equated with the Shariah, terrorism ascribed to Wahhabi teachings and the Shia community characterized as people with a propensity to violence. And then, it is a simple matter of sticking the label Taliban, Wahhabi or Shia on dissenters and political opponents before
eventually arresting them under draconian laws allowing detention without trial.

Many developing countries welcome the wind of democratic change sweeping across the globe, embracing reform to ensure the enlargement of democratic space, the entrenchment of fundamental liberties and the promotion of economic growth. But a large section of the Muslim belt remains stuck in political systems that are anathema to freedom. And, as a cultural group, Muslims
appear to be the most resistant to democracy. Their economies, straining under dirigiste systems, are slumping the fastest. Western academics observe
that the few Muslim majority countries that can claim some measure of economic success have done so because of secularism and democracy, as in Turkey,
or the presence of industrious Chinese, as in Malaysia and to some extent Indonesia. To them, the dynamics of Islam have no relevance.

Yet after half a century of independence, we hear the standard sermon of the self-serving Muslim autocrats that their subjects are incapable of participating in a democracy. Who in his or her right mind does not
want to be free to exercise choice? Could there be morality without freedom? These are questions that should be hurled at the enemies of democracy. They have
to be reminded that the notion of choice is deeply embedded in Islamic theology.

It is a moral imperative for Muslims to make the leap to responsible government, departing from oppressive and corrupt policies. Having been embittered by the Central Intelligence Agency and Mossad, as they claim, Muslim leaders should know better than to use intelligence apparatus such as Saddam's Mukhabarat or the Special Branch in Malaysia to harass or terrorize citizens.

Instead of denigrating the Shariah and demonizing Ulama, the Islamic council of wise men, Muslim leaders should ponder the reasons why an increasing number
of Muslims, including young professionals, see the Shariah as a viable alternative to the current systems in their countries, where the rule of man has supplanted the rule of law and the institutions of justice have been
all but physically destroyed. A legitimate and presentative government, with adequate constitutional safeguards is the best insurance of peace and harmony, and economic
progress. And while it would have clearly defined parameters against threats to stability, it would have the flexibility and latitude to engage those leaning toward extremism.

To be relevant to our times, those claiming to represent Muslims cannot afford to gloss over these burning issues. Most of all, they must accept the inevitability of a predominantly democratic and pluralistic world. The
Muslim world must navigate its way toward freedom and justice, which, after all, were integral components of the Prophet Muhammad's mission. What path it should
take is secondary, but the commitment is indispensable.

The Week That Was


It is past midnight and it is now Sunday. It has been a rather eventful week. Work is murder as always, and I am going to the office tomorrow (or today rather). Was thinking of going today, but my mind and body just rejected the idea. All work and no play makes Izwan an unhappy boy.. hehe.. So I went to accompany my parents and my sister with her hubby and 2 nieces for shopping. The traffic on Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman was horrendous. It made me realize it has been a long while since I went there for shopping. Was it last year’s Raya? Hmm… can’t remember.

Been doing some surfing of other fellow bloggers’ sites. It has been an eye-opening experience. The blog that caught my attention the most is Nisa_rk’s. I have to say that her banner is rather daring, and she has some interesting items as well in her entries. The one about the footballer’s penis showing out of his towel while he’s celebrating his team’s victory in a picture on a national newspaper is something that you don’t get to see happening everyday. The picture was published in Singapore’s Berita Harian. For those who wish to take a peek (of the picture, not the penis… well, what’s the difference..), you can click here for direct access to Nisa_rk’s site and the story which was posted in her blog on the 29th September 2003.

Another fellow blogger is a lecturer in UTP. She is still young, in the age range of 21-25. It is kinda interesting reading her related experiences of teaching, and the sort of things that she has to deal with as a young lecturer. An entry that she made on a poem by Robert Frost titled ‘The Road Not Taken' is of particular interest. It is a favourite poem of mine too… An excerpt of the poem (and arguably the most famous of the poem too) is as follows:

"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference."

Imagine giving someone advice on a better way to do something and adding this bit of the poem to that advice. Whoa.. won't that make you look good. Coincidentally I was going to put the poem up on my blog too, but she beat me to it! For more interesting musings of a UTP lecturer, you can click here for direct access to Ain's blog.

Watched a movie this week titled The Roman Springs of Mrs Stone. I didn’t quite get to watch the whole of the movie, but a quote in the movie caught my attention. ‘When you’re in love, never listen to the things that he/she says out of anger, but just look in his/her eyes and see the love’. Kinda catchy I thought.

Well off to bed for me for now. The office awaits tomorrow… boo hoo!

The EPL is back!

Well, this might sound like 8 games overdue (with my snail pace blog updates and all) but the English Premiership season is back yet again! And my team Arsenal is making a good start to their season too, despite not being able to strengthen their squad like the other favourite teams to the League title. The odds might be against them this time around to finish the season triumphant as champions but as a loyal fan, I have faith that they’ll do fine to the end. Over the weekend, Arsenal maintained their position at the top of the league with a hard fought 2-1 win over Liverpool, with Chelsea very hot at their heels with a win over Middlesbrough which ended with the same scoreline.

For the record, I’ve been a Gunners fan since 1987, back when I was 10. The story behind the beginning of my support for the red and white team is rather unique (at least I think so!) It was the 1987 FA Cup final and Arsenal were playing Luton Town that year. And in those days, my brother and I just loved to placed ‘empty’ bets on who would win games at final. Empty meaning we would place big bets such as a million dollars or so with the idea that one of us who loses the bet would pay the other much later in our lives. Or the bet would be nett off if the one who wins the bet this time loses the next one (I know, it’s kid stuff :-p) And on a hunch I chose Arsenal, probably because the name sounded groovier then just a Towner team. Well, Arsenal lost the final that year and I lost a million dollar bet to my younger brother (which would have made him the youngest millionaire ever, had I had the money…). But my allegiance with the Gunners had begun, and I’ve become a loyal fan since. It helped that Arsenal won the League title the year after (1989) and another in 1991, when Man U were still scraping in the mid table. In a space of 16 years, Arsenal are still there among the teams chasing for the title. I could have done worse and chose Luton Town in that historic moment in 1987, and God knows where they are now. And what about my brother? He’s now a Gunners too!

Well, I think every guy would celebrate the return of the English football season. To those who are single, there is now something to look forward to during the weekends. And to those who are not single, it’s time to look up the internet or survival kits on how to make up excuses to your spouses to avoid making arrangements on football nights. Who’s your pick to win the EPL this time? Will it be Man U again? Will Arsene Wenger’s men be determined enough to win it back from Man U after last year’s fall at the last hurdle? Will it be only one season for the Roman army that is Chelsea to build the beginning of their new empire in English football? Or will it be Liverpool’s year to end a drought that has lasted 13 years now since they last won the League? The drama and suspense will unfold come May 2004.

Go Gunners!

Another weekend at the office

My.. how time flies. It felt like only yesterday that I made my last posting here, when in actual fact it has been 4 months. Pheww... and how so many things have happened in that same time. I remember when I did my last posting about my toilet extravaganza, I just sat for my ACCA exams. Which probably explains why I was in a such literary mood at that time. I guess studying in your spare time does that to you. I know I've been so quiet since that it's a wonder that I still have hits coming into September. Well, perhaps it wouldn't come too much of a surprise if you realise that I've got a strong backing for visitors with my site being generously listed in Sarini's blog. I could not thank you enough Sarini. You tips and pointers on blogging will come in useful.

At the moment, it is another busy season for me at work. I was in the office yesterday, and nearly went again today if not for a family engagement that my mother insists I could not skip (among the things mothers will say to corner you into submission). September being the half-year of my company's financial period, it is the time of half year audit and performance reporting to the company board. What will make it more interesting this time is that for the first time, I would have to be at the forefront of all the action, since my senior colleague, who's been the person in charge all this while, will be going on maternity leave. I am feeling kinda anxious about the prospect of being passed the reins completely. Of course, I've never backed from a challenge and would relish the prospect. I do feel it is high time for me to be given something meatier at work. Hey, you would never know how tough you are until you scale a real challenge right? When the going gets tough, the tough gets going.. hehe.. which means regular attendance for me at the office over weekends for the next few weeks. With a life like this, who needs a social life right? Haha.. I'm talking from my backside again.

I hope to post more interesting stuffs here more regularly from now on. Sorry my blog environment is rather bland. I'm either too IT illiterate to put some extras to my blog make-up, or just too cheapskate to spend on the means that would allow me to do so. Any suggestion out there on how I could improve the make-up of my blog? Don't expect any free gifts for great suggestions though.. : - )