Sivin Kit’s Garden

Archive for April, 2009

In no particular order . . .

1. “Canggih”.

2. And

3. Beyond

4. Random

5. Change

6. Engage

7. Conversation

As a follow up to Twitter in Plain English, I think it’s only right to put up Blogs in Plain English.

They are the reasons I don’t need to watch TV.

Within the last week more than 3-4 people asked me what is Twitter.

So here’s a 2:25 minute explanation.

With thanks to Common craft.

Thumbs up to living in Malaysian diversity

Who really speaks for the people of Malaysia? I heard Dr. Patricia Martinez mentioned this piece in her excellent presentation at the 8th National Christian Conference 2009 on Day 1. The survey may be dated in her opinion as an academic, but then it’s still food for thought.

In response to the question "Is it acceptable for Malaysian Muslims to live alongside people of other religions?" a resounding 97.1 per cent said "yes".

In response to other questions, 79.5 per cent said that Muslims should learn about other religions in Malaysia and 83.8 per cent responded that Muslims could participate in dialogues with people of other faiths.

These findings indicate a greater level of acceptance of the reality of Malaysia’s diversity than appears in current public discourse. The responses can also be interpreted as the security and confidence that Muslims have regarding their religious identity, and the innate tolerance and justice of Islam.

These results indicate also an outcome of the daily interaction of ordinary Malaysians who are not cocooned in their chauffeured cars but who travel, study, shop and work alongside each other.

In other words, Muslims are able to come to terms with what it actually means to live in a multi-religious nation, without detracting from their strong sense of identity as Muslims.

‘Bible’ without “Allah” promoted in Book Fair

How did this happen? Why did this happen? to what end?

Decision on conversion raises questions

We are ALL watching closely.

Time will only tell if there is resolve to follow through with law reforms. And whether these directives and reforms will be implementation by the civil service and the courts, which will for certain come under pressure from religious groups to assert loyalty to their faith.

A response to Prof Dzulkifli by Fr Martin Harun

A paragraph by paragraph reply to an earlier article Inconsistent, insensitive translations of ‘Allah’

Prof Dzulfikli Abdul Razak: The use of the term ‘Allah’ has captured the attention of the media again. Of late, even a newspaper from down south carried a commentary on the issue. The slant is usually political, and not religious, and does not throw any new light on the issue. It also does not appeal to the intellect; instead, it seems to border more on emotions that further confuse the issue.
[We disagree with the above sentence. In our response to what follows we challenge the subjective views of the author. Our statements are based on historical facts and intellectual objectivity. (Editor's Note)]

To all Muslims the term ‘Allah’ is laden with the concept of Tauhid – that ‘Allah’ is “the One and Only” as defined in the Quranic language, which happens to be Arabic. ‘Allah’ cannot be understood without this concept of his oneness. Any attempt to do so will amount to a vulgarism of sort, and an affront to Muslims.
Fr Martin Harun: All Christians in the Arabic world and Indonesia and Malaysia who use the word ‘Allah’ for God, confess ‘Allah’ yang Esa. Christian Trinitarian belief is monotheistic, although not in the same sense as Muslim monotheistic belief. Each religion has of course its own specific definitions, as has been acknowledged by Muslims and Christians from the very beginning.

MAIS forbids Ahmadiyya worship

Another area where ALL eyes are watching. What does freedom of religion mean in Malaysia?

According to Shad, the authorities’ treatment of the Ahmadiyya stands in direct contrast with its treatment of cases such as Lina Joy’s, in which a Muslim sought to publicly renounce Islam.

"We are effectively saying that an individual’s affirmation of faith is not enough for them to follow the religion of their choice," he said.

MAIS billboard outside the Ahmadiyya headquarters in Batu Caves
(Pic courtesy of Ainul Yakin Muhd Zain)

"In Lina Joy’s case, she is being prevented from leaving Islam, while the Ahmadiyya are being forcefully kicked out and yet are still liable to punishment by the Islamic authorities," he said.

Shad said that as far as the law was concerned, the Ahmadiyya should enjoy constitutional protection for their freedom of religion if they are considered non-Muslims.

"But if they want to declare themselves Muslim and follow their version of the faith, then the superior courts will defer to the syariah courts," he said.

The Ahmadiyya movement was founded by Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian, India, in 1889. They are sometimes inaccurately referred to as Qadianis.

Although Ahmadiyya consider themselves Muslim, mainstream Muslims reject this because the Ahmadiyya believe that Ahmad was the metaphorical second coming of Jesus.

During the Easter season of 50 days, I decided to do something that at first glance is not spiritual.  I signed up for 31 Days to Build a Better Blog challenge.

Here’s some posts, changes and learning I’ve done so far.

Write an Elevator Pitch for Your Blog [Day 1 -31DBBB]

I tweaked my subheading on my blog to “sharing head and heart happenings to better and beautify the world”

Write a List Post [Day 2 - 31DBBB]

I wrote 7 Pleasures That Keep Me Sane, had great fun and responses!

Promote a Blog Post [Day 3 - 31DBBB]

I did it through my twitter.

Analyze a Top Blog in Your Niche [Day 4: 31DBBB]

I scanned through a few even if they were not my niche – Problogger, Zenhabits, Seth Godin.

Email a Blog Reader [Day 5 - 31DBBB]

I used to do more of that earlier in my blog career I think it’s good practice. An extra mile no doubt.

27 Must Read Tips and Tutorials for Bloggers [Day 6 - 31DBBB]

Information overload for hungry ones like me! I liked the series in the way it’s balanced with one teaching and one task each post, and yet in like this one for example, we step back and just learn.  No doing.

Write a Link Post [Day 7 - 31DBBB]

I always do it with my Random Link series but I’ve tried a few which are more focused since starting this challenge – on Images, on blogging, and on Malaysia. I will try one based on new ideas for Day 7.

Interlink Your Old Blog Posts [Day 8 31DBBB]

This post!

As you can see, I had a lot of fun last night. So are the people leaving comments on my Facebook. It also led to sharing links which is another pleasure that keeps me sane. It’s Monday, so I usually go wacko a bit.

Fear not, I will resume functional parameters before the National Christian Conference/Biennial General Conference – which will be held from 27-28 April 2009 at Full Gospel Assembly, KL with the theme "Facing the new challenges of our Nation."

BTW, I’m sure you know who I’m referring to when I say “He’s Alive” right? We’re still in the 50 days of Easter!

Getty Images

They actually called me on the phone from Singapore.  Impressive!

30 Free Stock Photo Sites: Ultimate Collection

The title says what it means and means what it says.

A Complete Guide to Finding and Using Incredible Flickr Images

What would life be for image-hungry people like me without Flicker?

28 Online Photo Editing Websites To have Fun With

I had so much fun de-stressing  last night with some of the links here. Even started a photo album on Facebook called “Full Stomach Nothing Else to Do Pictures”

ninakupenda81’s photostream

jonnybaker’s photostream

I’ll end with 2 personal sites.

May Chin commented on how time flies as we see one by one each child in our family is growing in lightening speed. All with their own uniqueness.  As a father, I’m thankful to be able to not just count the minutes of being there, but capturing the moments of their baby steps . . .  literally

Way to go, Ewan!

I’m playing round with 28 Online Photo Editing Websites To have Fun With on Sunday evening.

One more blog post before I sleep, after a full day of reenergizing my blogging habit, getting better orientated to TweetDeck, and basically tried out most of the Seven Essential Applications For Bloggers Using Windows.

So my day is ending with a good feeling. Perhaps with some Potato chips it will feel even better!

But I know there are many out there who for whatever reason would say . . .

Why does my heart feel so bad?