Monday 24 November 2008

Samy Velu to meet PM over yoga fatwa

This is a follow up to my earlier post, What next? Fatwa against thosai? Today, Malaysiakini reports that MIC President Dato' Seri S. Samy Vellu is going to take the matter up with the Prime Minister. Frankly, I don't see the Prime Minister intervening in this matter, but bringing the issue up is good, all the same. Our voice must be heard, and our disapproval must be conveyed.

Malaysiakini has also run another story, Bouquets, brickbats for yoga fatwa, which samples public opinion. I am particularly glad that some Muslims are speaking out against the need for a fatwa on this matter, and in general, the need for Muslims to be so strictly regulated in Malaysia.

2 comments:

tzul said...

Dear Mr. Premnath.

I agree with you. I do not see the rationale for the PM to intervene. Politically, it is, as the American would say, 'a hot potato'. But then again, he is on his way out. So, one never can say.

"Our voice must be heard, and our disapproval must be conveyed." Those are your words.

My question: what are you disapproving of? That one Muslim cautioning another Muslim, that what that person is doing undermines his akidah, because that action goes against the religion's teaching?

That would be like my voicing out my disapproval of Hindus who worship cows as sacred. I do not believe that cows are sacred. But it gives me no right to voice out to you what you should or should not believe with regards to your religion.

In fact, as a mark of respect to you, I shall not offer you beef dishes should you be visiting my house.

Or, will you be voicing out your disapproval that non-Hindus are slaughtering cows and consuming beef, taking that as an insult to your religion?

'To you, your religion. To me, mine'.

" I am particularly glad that some Muslims are speaking out against the need for a fatwa on this matter, and in general, the need for Muslims to be so strictly regulated in Malaysia."
These too are your words.

Thank you for your concern as to why 'the need for Muslims to be so strictly regulated...'

BUT no thanks. You are not a Muslim. And your knowledge of Islam is sorely lacking. Because when I am judged on the 'Day of which there is no doubt', I will not be able to call on you as my 'lawyer' to represent me.

Why the tone and tenor of this and the earlier 'thosai' article from you? Are you seriously offended by the fatwa? On what basis?

"I am the National Information Officer and Selangor Chief of Putera MIC, a wing of the Malaysian Indian Congress." -- that's your biodata.

You wouldn't be happy if the Hindus, the Muslims, the Christians, the Buddhists (at el), and by extensions the various races which makes Malaysia, live in peace, harmony, and with understanding of one another, would you?

I guess not. That would make MIC, MCA, UMNO, et al, irrelevant.

Nice try!

♥♥♥♥♥ said...

What is it with you MIC people? You claim to champion Indian affairs. Why are you putting your nose into Muslim affairs. How does this fatwa decision affect the ancient Hindu art of yoga? Is yoga going to die because the Muslims are not practicing it? How are the Indians affected by it? So what if the Fatwa bans Muslims from eating thosai and watching SRK? How does it affect your MIC Putera activities? Why do you people get side-tracked so easily and ever-so-often???
Anyway thanks for doing one decent thing, publicizing the call for release of 5 Hindraf leaders.