Sivin Kit’s Garden

Archive for the ‘Religion’ Category

GLOBALISATION AND THE KINGDOM OF GOD

A Public Forum organized by World Vision Malaysia & Kairos Research Centre

Speakers: Vinoth and Karin Ramanchandra

Place:  Corus Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, Ballroom 1

Time:   Monday, March 1, 2010 7 pm – 9 pm

Attendance is free.

The world has shrunk. We are traumatized by news of violent terrorists randomly attacking innocent civilians, whether in Europe or in the Asia subcontinent. We feel a sense of economic injustice when millions lose their jobs just because some business tycoons played with the stock market at Wall Street. These events highlight the interconnectedness of life in the “global village”.

These global forces that are reshaping the social fabric of society and overwhelming our experience of the world seem so inexorable and unstoppable that they give rise to confusion in our perception of the world around us. We vacillate between feelings of optimism (global development will bring economic prosperity) and pessimism (we are merely pawns in the hands of media moguls and financial tycoons).

Our mindsets are caught in the contestation of global myths related to terrorism, religious violence, nationalism, postcolonialism and multiculturalism. We are desperate for handles to understand, critique and subvert dominant global myths so that we may regain the ability and freedom to choose for ourselves how we should live.

But how can we break free from the hypnosis of the present age? In this public forum, Vinoth and Karin Ramanchandran will outline the contours of the dominant myths that hold captive our mindsets and suggest ways to think beyond the global herd mentality and free ourselves from ongoing colonial mindsets and practices.

Biodata of Speakers

Vinoth Ramachandra

Vinoth Ramachandra is from Sri Lanka, and lives in Colombo with his Danish wife Karin. He holds BSc and PhD degrees in nuclear engineering from the University of London. He currently works as the Secretary for Dialogue and Social Engagement for IFES, an international Christian federation of about 150 autonomous, national university student organizations. He gives lectures in universities, colleges and at conferences all over the world, and his special interests at present are in the areas of the dialogue between theology and science, bioethics and political philosophy. He is the author of five books of which the most recent is Subverting Global Myths (IVP Academic-USA and SPCK-UK, 2008). He has also been active for many years in the Civil Rights Movement of Sri Lanka, and in A Rocha, an international environmental network committed to fostering research and advocacy in the area of biodiversity conservation and caring for the earth.

Karin Ramachandra

Karin Ramachandra has been involved in different forms of Christian social work – with drug addicts in Denmark and Holland, Cambodian refugees along the Thai-Cambodian border and foreign prisoners in Bangkok’s jails.

She holds a Diploma in Psychology from Denmark and a B.A. in Counselling and an M.A. in Biblical Studies from the University of the Nations, an international university developed by YWAM. Her Master’s dissertation was on “Biblical Ethics for Working with the Poor”.

Karin is also on the Visiting Faculty of Colombo Theological Seminary. She teaches regularly on the following topics: A Christian worldview, a theology of suffering, justice and the poor and cross-cultural pastoral ministry.

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Synopsis of Vinoth Ramanchandran, Subverting Global Myths:

The Global Myths that hold us captive

What myths about terrorism are spread due to lack of historical memory and moral focus?

Why since 9/11 are religions blamed for violent conflicts around the world?

Are human rights self-evident truths, or does protection of rights around the world demand a deeper understanding?

How does liberal talk of multiculturalism mask the way cultural diversity is threatened by forces of secularism and capitalism?

What encourages the divorce of scientific research from moral reflection, with dire consequences for the planet?

Are we trapped between the contradictory stories that we are determined by our genes and that we have an unlimited capacity for redesigning ourselves?

What historical myths lie beyond current thinking about globalization, and how do we free ourselves from ongoing colonial mindsets and practices?

Thanks to popTV for a fruitful short less than 8 minute conversations on the stuff that matters!

Civil Society Joint Statement

2010-01-29

Police Investigation on Mosque Attacks must pursue the political operators

We the undersigned civil society groups condemn in the strongest terms the utmost sinister act of throwing heads of wild boar into the compound of two mosques on Old Klang Road in the early morning hours of January 27, 2010 (Wednesday).

Like the cow-head protest in Shah Alam last August and the earlier attacks on churches, mosques, suraus and gurdwara, the desecration of the At-Tirmizi Mosque, Sri Sentosa and Jumhuriyah Mosque, Taman Dato Harun is the latest of deliberate and desperate acts to provoke religious conflicts in Malaysia.

Malaysians of all faiths have however once again valiantly defeated such wicked plots. The ahli qariah (members) of the desecrated mosques and the Muslim community at large have demonstrated admirable calm and cool-headedness, just like the Hindu, Christian and Sikh communities before this.

As in the past, Malaysians of other faiths see the attack on Islam as an attack on their own faiths. In an immediate response, the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST) has condemned any such violence on any house of worship as “a sin of the highest order”.

The inter-faith solidarity of Malaysians is a clear and loud testimony that Malaysian society has passed another test on communal relations and emerged only ever stronger than before. No cow head, pig head or fire can set the fraternity and goodwill amongst Malaysians on fire. The agent provocateurs are only burning themselves in stark desperation devoid of any modicum of civic consciousness or religiosity.

The  indomitable spirit of mutual respect and muhibbah  of the Malaysian society in the face of   challenging inter-faith issues is however tarnished by the continuous failures of the Malaysian state of law and order. The police must stop dismissing such attacks as purely  acts of vandalism or juvenile delinquency.

The time related sequence  in the aftermath of the court’s decision on the use of the word “Allah”; suggest the orchestrations of these malicious incidents by a mastermind behind the scenes. These serial attacks can only be halted if the police undertakes a thorough and impartial investigation to uncover the heinous hidden hands, who are most probably politically connected. Unless, this is done the situation may become more serious and ugly and God forbid, lives of our citizens maybe in jeopardy.

We however object to any use of the Internal Security Act or Sedition Act. No one should capitalize on the pain of the religious communities to rejuvenate the evils of authoritarianism. The culprits must be charged in Court under the Penal Code or other relevant laws. We demand that all ISA detainees, including the latest 12 to be charged in court or released unconditionally.

Endorsing Civil Society Groups:

1. Academy of Tamil Studies
2. Aliran Kesedaran Malaysia (Aliran)
3. All Women’s Action Society (AWAM)
4. Bar Council of Malaysia
5. Borneo Research Institute Sarawak (BRIMAS)
6. Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ)
7. Child Development Initiative
8. Child Information, Learning and Development Centre
9. Civil Right Committee, Kuala Lumpur & Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall  (CRC-KLSCAH)
10. Civil Society Initiative for Parliamentary Reform (CSI@Parliament)
11. Community Development centre (CDC)
12. Council of Churches Malaysia (CCM)
13. Editorial board of Horizon e-journal
14. Educational, Welfare and Research Foundation Malaysia
15. Federation of Indian Non-Governmental Organisations
16. Friends in Conversation (FIC)
17. Group of Concerned Citizens
18. Hartal Mainstream Media (Hartal-MSM)
19. Indian Malaysian Active Generation (IMAGE)
20. Institute for Development of Alternative Living (IDEAL)
21. Jamaah Islah Malaysia (JIM)
22. Jaringan Orang Asal SeMalaysia Sarawak (JOAS)
23. Jaringan RAkyat Tertindas( JERIT)
24. Kelab Bell Belia Selangor
25. Kuala Lumpur & Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall Youth Section
26. LLG Cultural Development Centre
27. Majlis Kelab Bell Belia Tamil Malaysia
28. Malaysia Hindu Dharma Mamandram
29. Malaysia Lekshmi Pooja Meditation Society
30. Malaysia Tamil Artiste Association
31. Malaysia Tamil Neri Kalagam
32. Malaysia Youth and Students Democratic Movement (DEMA)
33. Malaysian Association of Indian University Graduates
34. Malaysian Consultative Council for Buddhism Christianity Hinduism Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST)
35. Malaysian Dravidian Association
36. Malaysian Hindu Youth Council
37. Malaysian Indian Business Association
38. Malaysian Indian Development Association
39. Malaysian Indian Historical Association
40. Malaysian Tamil Forum
41. Malaysian Voter Union (MALVU)
42. Muslim Professionals Forum
43. Penang Du Zhong Education Society
44. Penang Watch
45. Penggerak Belia Zon 23 MPSJ
46. Persahabatan Semparuthi
47. Persatuan Kesedaran Komuniti Selangor (Empower)
48. Persatuan Murid-murid Tua Sek. Serdang Bharu
49. Persatuan Penduduk Taman Muhibbah Seri Kembangan
50. Persatuan Prihatin Komuniti Selangor & KL
51. Research for Social Advancement (REFSA)
52. Sarawak Central Region Friendship Association
53. Sarawak Dayak Iban Association (SADIA)
54. Sarawak Native Land Rights Owners (TAHABAS)
55. Sarawakians Access (SACCESS)
56. Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia
57. Service Civil International
58. Sisters in Islam
59. SOS(Save Ourselves), Penang
60. Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram)
61. The Micah Mandate (TMM)
62. Thiruvarul Thavaneri Mandram Malaysia
63. Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO)
64. World Tamil Federation – Malaysian Chapter
65. Writer Alliance for Media Independence (WAMI)
66. Yayasan Penyelidikan dan Pembangunan Pendidikan Tamil Malaysia (Tamil Foundation)
67. Youth for Change (Y4C)

For those who missed the recent Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia Roadshow, the video above gives some clips and feel of the event.  And the pictures below another window for the special moments we had together.

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Upwards

Written by straits-mongrel

Sunday, 24 January 2010 22:53

TAGS:Events Malaysia|SABM|Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia|KL|Roadshow

BLOG UPDATES:

You can read the thoughts and opinions about the recent Klang Valley Roadshow at the following blogs.

• STEEST – The Colour of Blood
• Resonating Ripple – Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia roadshow – Taking back our country
• Sivin Kit’s Garden – Multi-Mosaic Malaysia: Living Together as Malaysians! Dancing Together as Humans? (You can also view the good Reverend’s slideshow there.)

If you have a posting, or know of one, do let us know.

There is a heartbeat in the Klang Valley. It is but a baby’s, but it is strong. We heard it Saturday afternoon – felt it – up in the nosebleed section of the KL-Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall.

The grungy MCPA Hall on the top floor was filled to the brim with people of different age groups. There were songs, film, and drums. And messages we hope to share with all who want a better home.

Below are some snapshots of the SABM Klang Valley Roadshow.

"Eh, chuak lah saya," groans SABM’s Hasbee. The otherwise gungho Sarawakian steals a quiet moment to practise his song before the crowd showed up. And to think he wasn’t even on vocals.

Half-an-hour to go and the crowd builds up: Taylor’s College Canadian Pre-U program came with a 30-plus-strong group.

Friends from the local indie scene: Nik (right) and Meor opening the show with an acoustic set.

The founding of the nation: Fahmi Reza delving deeper than history textbooks would care to reveal. He talked about the formative period after World War 2 leading up to independence, paying special attention to the Putera-AMCJA coalition and its People’s Constitution.

Aman: Original composition by Rahmat Haron (right), backed up by Meor. There’s something about the no-frills dark walls that seem the perfect backdrop for the performers, indeed the entire event itself.

‘Chuak’ or not, it’s on: SABM’s DelCapo doing his own version of the timeless All Along The Watchtower with Hasbee (face hidden) and Adi.

Pulsating: Tugu Drum Circle getting more than just the heart pumping. The group brought all kinds of drums and percussions and invited the crowd to join in.

Soloist: Amazing how this boy, his hands a blur, could make a rumble feel so sweet.

Human beings, all born free and equal: Jahaberdeen covering facts from the UNDHR, and faith from the Islamic perspective.

…and Rev Sivin Kit does the same with the other faiths in Malaysia. Bottom line: God doesn’t discriminate, so why should we?

His articulate self: Lawyer Azahar Harun, better known to the internet-enabled as Art, clearing some of the misconceptions about the Federal Constitution. He covered the hot issues of Islam as the official religion of the federation, and the special position of the Malays and natives of Sabah and Sarawak.

Nation in distress? Did we let it happen?: Lighter moment shared between Haris and Sivin. It hardly remained in this tone as Haris started tearing into the records of wimpy nation-building and, the core of it all, personal responsibility.

The slide says it: Jaya closing with the final message for the evening. A dialogue session took place right after with the panelists and the audience.

For those who came, we thank you. It couldn’t have been easy staying attentive for the whole afternoon, and yet you did. There were many who helped behind the scenes – the performers and guest speakers, GMI for their Anti-ISA exhibition, voter registrars, the four from the kebun, Frinjan, Malaysiakini and Malaysia Today for their kind publicity. Six from ABM-Selatan (Johor-Singapore) drove up all the way to attend the Roadshow. That’s Believe for you.

This baby will grow. Its heartbeat will get stronger. And with that, so will this nation. Together, let’s  mind it, nurse it well.

p.s. Ipoh, you’re next!

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