Taken: Brides

They came for elderly, living or departed. Then they came for your kids. Now, they've have come for your brides. Sounds like a tagline for a horror movie doesn't it?

We have the police force to catch the criminals. For everyone else, there's JAIS.

Whoever thinks Malaysia is not an Islamic country is clearly delusional. Malaysia was never a secular state in it's full sense because we enforce Sharia Laws. A secular country does not instituitionalise religious laws. Secularism separates state and religion.

Red indicates states with state religions. Blue indicates those without state religions aka secular. Source- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secular_state

In the scale between liberalism and theocracy in Malaysia, and judging by recent and past developments, the scale tilts in favour of religion.

The Muslim religious authorities have been slowly asserting their powers for the past 20 years. Many incidents such as this that have been publicised through the years, and then forgotten. The people have short memories. Everytime an incident is publicised, they react as though it's something new.

I can't speak for the Muslims, but the possibility of Buddhist monks or Hindu priests doing the same, is close to zero. Because the Buddhists and Hindu communities will not tolerate such meddling and abuse.

Excerpts from an article:

Jais denies raiding Hindu temple, says wanted to speak to bride about her religion 

 - http://news.malaysia.msn.com/tmi/jais-denies-raiding-hindu-temple-says-wanted-to-speak-to-bride-about-her-religion

• only investigating complaints from the public and took a statement from the bride to ascertain her religious status. 

I wonder which members of the public complained. I suspect it would have to be those close to the bride and bridegrooms' families. It also proves that JAIS have absolute authority over Muslims.

• Checks on the bride's MyKad showed that she was Muslim, and Jais officers took her away for questioning before she was released. 

• department acted under Selangor’s Non-Islamic Religions (Control of Propagation Among Muslims)

In this country, it is easy to convert to Islam. Even kids are able to do it. But to get out, not so easy. And in this case, the bride being a Muslim, will not be able to marry any guy who is not a Muslim. It's the law. She will need to go through the lenghty process to change her religion out of Islam.

• Jais's actions have been condemned by the Malaysia Hindu Sangam, the Bar Council and the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf)

• The Bar's human rights committee co-chair Andrew Khoo said Jais's action of going into the temple was tantamount to trespassing. 

• "We have a serious problem in this country. The civil service is dominated by Malay and Muslim-centric officers who bulldoze their personal beliefs in the supremacy of their religion in the government administration. - P. Waytha Moorthy 

JAIS would be considered to have trespassed if the temple was closed. If it happened during visiting hours, it is open to the public. Morever, they have authority to do so because a Muslim was in the compound. Remember, Muslims are under their authority.

Apparently, the bride's father converted the kids to Islam when they were young, before he abandoned them. The kids grew up as Hindus, so I presume the rest of the family and their mother are Hindus. Has it ever occured to anyone why such conversion incidences are so prevalent among Hindus?

Anyway, even if this couple managed to get married and have kids, what are the chances that JAIS will not come after their kids years down the road?

To avoid future problems, perhaps it should be regulated that when non-Muslims convert to Islam, their families should be notified and reactions recorded. For minors, consent from both parents should be mandatory.

But the easiest solution is to just keep out of people's personal lives.

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Hindraf: Jais raid on Hindu wedding unlawful

PETALING JAYA: The NGO Hindraf has accused the Selangor Islamic Religious Affairs Department (Jais) of conducting an unlawful and unconstitutional raid on a wedding reception that was being held in a Hindu temple.

“This action by Jais clearly shows disrespect to the sensitivities of non-Muslims and their place of worship. They clearly crossed the boundaries of their jurisdiction,” said Hindraf chief, P Waythamoorthy.

“The overzealous attitude by the Jais officers shows that they are given a free hand to interfere into the personal life of a non-Muslim individual and they seem to have impunity from the law.
“The absolute arbitrary power of these Jais officers to interfere into the non-Muslim affairs needs to be stopped immediately.

“There is a clear infringement of Article 11 of the supreme law of this country as seen in this matter.”
Yesterday Jais stopped a Hindu wedding in Petaling Jaya and detained the 32 year old bride.

Jais are investigating the case under the 1988 Enactment (Control of Propagation Amongst Muslims), which cites it as an offense to persuade, influence or incite any Muslim to change their faith.
According to a Jais official, the bride’s identity card identifies her as a Muslim.

“The woman did not know that her father had registered her and three of her siblings as Muslims.
“She only found out when a relative saw their birth certificates,” the unnamed Jais official was quoted as saying in a Malay news daily yesterday.

Her father, who had abandoned her a long time ago, had been responsible for registering her as a Muslim but she was raised and grew up as a Hindu.

She said that she had gone to the National Registration Department (NRD) to make a change on the religious status in her MyKad, once in 2007 and again last April.

She failed on both attempts as she was unable to obtain her father’s signature. - http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2014/06/02/hindraf-jais-raid-on-hindu-wedding-unlawful/

Selangor state govt must set aside differences with federal govt: Bible Society Malaysia

An update on the Bible-seizing drama... Basically, from what I gather, it's something like this...

1. The Selangor State Government and Pakatan Rakyat people says the Federal Government is responsible.

2. The Federal Government says otherwise, that it is a state matter.

3. DAP points the finger at Najib, insisting that the PM is responsible.

4. Federal Government says JAIS comes under the purview of Selangor state.

5. JAIS says it is not answerable to the State Executive or MB.

6.... etc... etc...

Both Muslims and Christians keep beating around the bush, avoiding the root of the problem, which is propagation/proselytisation/conversion. They would rather fight and argue over words, bibles, history, and whatnot, but are too cowardly to face the actual issue. In the meantime, the others will just have to live with it, while both continue to actively proselytise each other, as well as others of different religions.

But the main reason for playing up this issue, I believe, is political. It is a political hot potato, used to force Pakatan Rakyat into a crisis among its coalition partners. PAS is an Islamic party. DAP is led by mostly Christians. PKR... well, they can be whatever you want them to be hehehe... So, in a way, it's actually good that they are pressured to come out to state their stand on sensitive issues. Since they want to form the Federal Government, they must show the people that they can be trusted to co-operate effectively to maintain stability, harmony & peace among the multi-racial multi-religious population. Enough of sloganeering & rhetorics.

Anyway, RPK has posted a rather interesting piece with regards to this... What he says makes sense and I believe it is quite accurate...

The 1,000-year old turf war

What begs answers is (1) why was this 1988 law and that Article in the 1957 Constitution never challenged and opposed earlier and (2) why is the government eager to implement this law after so many years of this law being ‘silently’ around?

The challengers say they never challenged this law earlier because it had never been used before so it was not a problem until today, while the authorities say they never needed to use this law in the past because the Christians have always behaved themselves and never tried to convert Muslims to Christianity...

...I remember writing, ten years or so ago, that many Malays want to leave Islam to become Christians. ...

...If Muslims want to leave Islam to become Christians then it is the fault of the Muslims and not the fault of the Christians. Something must be wrong with Islam or the Islamic education...

...the National Registration Department (NRD) who revealed that they had received thousands of applications from Muslims requesting to change their Muslim name to a Christian name....

...The NRD, said this man, normally delays approval and instead ‘sends someone’ to talk to these people to try to convince them to remain Muslims. Some are even sent for ‘religious rehabilitation’ so that they can be ‘re-indoctrinated’. Eventually, many leave Islam quietly without applying for a change of name on their IC out of fear of being taken in for ‘religious rehabilitation’.

So Malaysia actually has many ex-Muslims who are now Christians but will remain in the closet just like gays because if they were to come out of the closet they would become a target.... - SOURCE

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Members of the Bible Society of Malaysia.

The Bible Society of Malaysia said the Selangor state government must set aside its differences with the federal government to resolve the "Allah" issue. 

SHAH ALAM: The Bible Society of Malaysia have had their statements taken from JAIS, the state Islamic authorities, who seized more than 300 copies of Malay-language bibles earlier this month because they contained the word “Allah” to refer to God.

The Bible suppliers do not know when or if the holy books will be returned.

It is now up to the Selangor state government to find a resolution.

The Bible Society said the opposition-run state government must set aside its differences with the federal government.

It feels old state laws that ban non-Muslims from using “Allah” in religious contexts need to change to keep up with federal enactments -- specifically Prime Minister Najib Razak's 2011 10-point solution, which had allowed Christians to import and distribute Malay language bibles containing the word “Allah”.

Lee Min Choon, president of the Bible Society of Malaysia, said: "The federal government has kept to the 10 points. This problem is a problem of the state. If the Selangor state government is prepared to embrace the 10 point formally, we'll be happy to forget about legal action because that would be a good enough, in our opinion, a good enough securing of the rights of the Christian community.”

Three Bible society members, including its president Lee Min Choon, met JAIS officials accompanied by a representative from the prime minister's department.

After more than two hours of having their members’ statements taken, the Bible Society has urged the Christian community in Malaysia to remain calm.

The Selangor government had directed JAIS to defer to the Home Ministry.

But the federal government has passed the buck back to the state and the Sultan of Selangor, who also oversees religious affairs.

There remains strong opposition from certain Muslim groups, which marched to JAIS headquarters.

Jamal Md Yunos, spokesperson for Muslim groups, said: "The Home Ministry may have approved the Bibles in different languages but this is for states where there are now religious enactments.”

More than 100 people delivered a letter of support for JAIS, commending the body for seizing the Bibles, and also warning the Selangor government against defying the Sultan's wishes. - SOURCE

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After Al-Kitab seized, DAP reminds Najib of 10-point solution

DAP publicity chief Tony Pua called on the prime minister to remember his own 10-point solution when dealing with the Allah row. — Picture by Choo Choy May

PETALING JAYA, Jan 2 — The DAP urged Datuk Seri Najib Razak today to intervene on the Selangor Islamic authorities’ raid against a bible distributor here, saying the prime minister could use the 10-point solution he mooted in 2011 to settle the “Allah” row.

DAP publicity chief Tony Pua said the Selangor Islamic Religious Department’s (Jais) raid of the Bible Society of Malaysia (BSM) earlier here today was not in line with the spirit of Islam.

“The leadership of this country needs to put its foot down and stop the entire circus over the term ‘Allah’,” Pua told reporters at the Damansara police station here today.

“It is up to Najib to stop this based on his own stamp of moderation, including the 10-point solution,” added the Petaling Jaya Utara MP, referring to the Cabinet decision in 2011 that allowed the Malay-language bible - the Al-Kitab - to be freely distributed in both the peninsula and East Malaysia. - See more at: http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/after-al-kitab-seized-dap-reminds-najib-of-10-point-solution#sthash.llqSYsuE.dpuf

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Govt allows import and local printing of Bible in all languages

PETALING JAYA: The Bible can now be imported into the country in all languages including Bahasa Malaysia, Bahasa Indonesia and in the indigenous languages.

It can also be printed locally and there is no requirement for any stamp or serial number.

These are part of a 10-point solution developed by the Government after being in dialogue with Christian groups, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Idris Jala.

He hoped the solution would be received positively by Christian groups.

Below is the full statement by Idris on the 10 points provided to the media.

The Government confirmed that it has been in dialogue with the Christian groups to look into their specific requests on the Bahasa Malaysia/Indonesia Bible and also other religious issues. Taking into account the polarity of views of the different religious groups, including the Muslims, the Government decided on a 10-point solution.

1. Bibles in all languages can be imported into the country, including Bahasa Malaysia/Indonesia.

2. These Bibles can also be printed locally in Peninsula Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak. This is a new development which should be welcome by the Christian groups.

3. Bibles in indigenous languages of Sabah and Sarawak such as Iban, Kadazan-Dusun and Lun Bawang can also be printed locally and imported.

4. For Sabah and Sarawak, in recognition of the large Christian community in these states, there are no conditions attached to the importation and local printing of the Bibles in all languages, including Bahasa Malaysia/Indonesia and indigenous languages. There is no requirement for any stamp or serial number.

5. Taking into account the interest of the larger Muslim community, for Peninsula Malaysia, Bibles in Bahasa Malaysia/Indonesia, imported or printed, must have the words “Christian Publication” and the cross sign printed on the front covers.

6. In the spirit of 1Malaysia and recognising that many people travel between Sabah and Sarawak and Peninsula Malaysia, there should be no prohibitions and restrictions for people who bring along their bibles and christian materials on such travel.

7. A directive on the Bible has been issued by the Ketua Setiausaha (KSU) of the Home Ministry to ensure proper implementation of this cabinet decision. Failure to comply will subject the officers to disciplinary action under the General Orders. A comprehensive briefing by top officials, including the Attorney General (AG), will be given to all relevant civil servants to ensure good understanding and proper implementation of the directive.

8. For the impounded Bibles in Kuching, Gideon, the importer can collect all the 30,000 Bibles free of charge. We undertake to ensure the parties involved are reimbursed. The same offer remains available for the importer of the 5,100 Bibles in Port Klang, which have already been collected by the Bible Society Malaysia (BSM) last week.

9. Beyond the Bible issue, the Government wishes to reiterate its commitment to work with the Christian groups and all the different religious groups in order to address inter religious issues and work towards the fulfilment of all religious aspirations in accordance with the constitution, taking into account the other relevant laws of the country. In order to bring urgency to this work, the Prime Minister will meet the representatives of the Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) soon to discuss the way forward.

10. The Christian Ministers in the cabinet will meet on a regular basis with representatives of the various Christian groups in order to discuss their issues and work with the relevant Ministries and PM in order to resolve them.

Dato Sri Idris Jala said, “I hope this 10 point solution will be received positively by the Christian groups as being fair and reasonable. We have to look for a solution that deals with the Bible issues and also put a way forward to handle other issues raised by the Christian groups”.

“I think the Bible issue is very unfortunate, and in the spirit of Lent, it is time for sacrifice, reconciliation and forgiveness.

"In our history as a young nation, we achieved a lot in a short period of time, but we have our shortcomings.

"The Government and our civil servants are not perfect as indeed all human beings are “beautifully imperfect” in the eyes of God.

"And for all our shortcomings in handling the Bible issue, I hope the Christians would find it in their hearts to forgive us.

"In my Church at SIBKL, we have been praying for a Christian revival to take place in our country. For all the hurt that exist as a result of our differences, I believe that we need healing, forgiveness and reconciliation in this country.

"The Bible says in Matthew 18: 21-22 “ Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times”. - SOURCE