From: gt6737b@prism.gatech.EDU (E.A JAAFAR)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.asean
Subject: Malay and Islam:  an ever lasting match?
Date: 23 Jul 92 15:45:29 GMT
Organization: Georgia Institute of Technology

The story first reported by Berita Harian(BH) abt 41 malay women denounce
their faith(Islam) in U.K really hits me.  I started to think abt this
issue(malays denouncing their faith) since I was 15 years old.  I wonder
why some people who are so rich, leading a totally unislamic life, totally
rejects islamic principles but still would like to be identified as a 
moslem.

Later on I realized the fact that Malays must be a moslem is printed on
the constitution.  Since Malays are entitled to many privellages under the
constitution, I blame the hypocracy on the malays themselves.  Sometimes
I feel that the malays would rather be unfaithful  their faith rather  
losing their malay status.

Imagine this, what would happen if several member of the cabinet whom
we all know, are leading a totally unislamic life were brought to court
and proven that they do not practice the religion.  What would happen to 
them?  Are they still a malay?  Should they belong to a certain political
party?  Should they receive all the benefits as a 'malay'?

I'm sure a lot of malays out there who know at least one other malay that
has been brought up in a totally unreligious atmosphere and sometimes 
these people grow up elsewhere(mainly western countries), and as such have
no clue of the malay customs.  Should these peole enjoy the 'malay'
status?

These things make we wonder about the sincererity of the malays towards
their religion.  I must say that not all are insincere but please
undrstand we aren't talking abt those who're sincere.  I feel that if
Islam isn't on the constitution, the malays would be just like any other
race, where there would malays having many different religions.

The hypocrasy is so severe that I had the notion from reading BH that these
41 women are a bunch of ignorant loosers.  I think that's unfair.  Maybe
these people denounce their faith after doing some soul searching for
many many years.  At least they are sincere about their spiritual beliefs.

I've known many people whom would like very much to be call a malay and
moslem but their hobbies are really scarry.  I refuse to say what their
hobbies are but enough if I say it involves alcohol and women(and it
goes both ways). Some of these people brag abt their hobbies and
constantly trying to persuade others to be as sophisticated as they are.
They do not understand Islam and they hate to even learn a tiny piece
abt. islam and its principles but the irony I've never heard them saying
that they would change their religion.  So the question is, what do we
call them?  Do they fit the definition as stated in the constitution?
another irony is, eventhough I've seen a lot of malays leading a 
perverted life but they never eat pork intensionally. I wonder why?

I'm concern abt the survival of the malay people.  Unless something is
taken, the malays would not be able to survive the future.  As my
friend put it, the bad thing abt western civillization is that the more
we call ourselves civillized, the farther we are from our religion.
That can become a serious complication for the malays since they have to
be strictly tied to their religion in order to keep the status quo alive.
I believe that's the real 'Malay Dilemma'.
 
I'm not suggesting that I'm a perfect example of a moslem-malay.  I still
have a lot to learn abt the religion myself.  But what I'm saying is
that can the malays continue to go on forever producing a bunch of 
charlatans?  Is it a good idea to have that clause saying a malay
should be a moslem in the constitution?(assuming that nothing would 
change politically and socially).  Do you still believe that malays
would never perish from the face of the earth? 

That's just what I feel.  If there is any questions and ambiguity in
my writing etc. please contact me before making your assumptions.
I learned that to argue under a miss assumption is a waste of time. 

Y'all have a great day!


 




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 |**E.A JAAFAR, North Avenue Trade School, Atlanta.  "To Hell With Georgia"**|
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Newsgroups: soc.culture.asean