If I haven’t already blogged about it, the Micah Mandate is a new Christian website aimed at collating stories and commentaries about Malaysia. It will be on a whole range of issues, but this month the focus will be on Citizenship. I will *try* to write for the site, but if not other articles are also usually posted up there from other sources.
Check it out!
I spent two days learning about Sufism at a conference last week at the Institute of Southeast Asia Studies – jointly organised with the Department of Malay Studies, NUS. It was truly fascinating, from someone who knew little to nothing of its teachings. A mystical spirituality is taught, that transcends systematic or regulated religion. The Wahabiyah movement would be typically opposed to Sufi teachings, since the former preaches more regulated practice of Islam. In fact, some even argue that Sufism is not Islam.
Neverthless, there also exists tarekah, which means a more organised version of Sufism. This comes in the form of groups that meet regularly. The tasawuf is a movement in reaction to the tarekah. Indonesia has little mushroomings of Sufi groups, although they may not necessarily be called Sufistic in nature. (Since it was a Western term to begin with..)
What was interesting to me was the political dimension of Sufism. The West has been looking to Sufism as an alternative to radical extremist Islam, which is both good and bad. Good, because it is true that Sufism does not preach violence nor hatred. In fact at the heart of it lies love. But it is bad because the only way to counter terrorism through Sufism is to have a systematic response – when Sufism is predicated on non-systematic faith. As a result, you may get a secret society-type movement that is overly reliant upon one leader alone. You know, like how Christian types can get all crazy over a charismatic leader (just because he can speak well and repeats himself five times over).
Prior to this, I’d only read about Maimun and Layla’s story – and the beauty of longing and desire after something so intensely felt – this is the longing of a human after God, it was argued.
I still know very little, but people have been messaging me with little bytes of knowledge. The conference was good since it exposed me to the philosophical ideas of Islam, and finally some good solid Arab music (from Yemen) finished it off nicely.
Although Sufism is not debated widely in Malaysia, I think it would be an interesting idea to discuss it vis-a-vis the Wahabi standards that we currently practice today. Just a thought to simmer in the mind.
Will do a bit of advertising here. During the March Elections, we prepared a daily policy factsheet on a whole range of issues. It was very well received (thanks everyone!). We are resuming it for a total of 6 working days (the entire campaigning period) on a series of other issues again.
You can access them here… and the first two were on National Unity, and the Judiciary. Look out for more!
The whole world will be flocking north to Permatang Pauh this week. Penang’s economy will flourish. I say, take advantage of the situation and sell kuih-muih to maximise profits. Schools will prosper. Families whose relatives die will benefit within this specific period (do it now to optimise!).
The money is also flocking north. Who is keeping check of the loose promises of money that keep spewing out of mouths on either side? Any monitoring of campaign financing? Coincidental representation of an NGO when one is a candidate is not even a valid excuse – in fact when one if campaigning as a candidate one’s affiliations should be cut off so as to remove confusion and overlapping of roles.
Politics will be the death of Malaysia I tell you. But let the year of reckoning come to pass before we can flourish again – yes I still believe the day will come.
So I apparently came out in this month’s edition of Style Magazine. Yes, fancy picture and all. It was featured under “Freedom Fighters: The Nation’s Best Minds” or something to that effect. I was more interested in the answers that were given by all. It was good to have a mixture of individuals chosen – all working colleagues.
Here were the answers I provided to them in full…
What do you believe in?
I have always seen the direct link between seeking social justice in the public sphere, and the ultimate will God intends for the nation, being a Christian myself. I believe in a mature Malaysia that recognises the rights of all its inhabitants – bestowing human dignity and honour upon the marginalised and oppressed in society, the poor and those needing to be spoken out for. I believe in a shared nation, one that all Malaysians must affirm their ownership to; I look forward to the day Malaysia can rid itself of fears to speak publicly about “sensitive issues”, so that open and rational discourse can clear society from old historical cobwebs that still haunt us today.
What issues/passions drive you when it comes to Malaysia?
A multitude of issues drives me. I believe in a society in which no citizen is made to feel unequal relative to the other. I am driven by the ideals of social justice, equality, and non-discrimination on account of race, religion, gender, region and class. Only a utopian society can achieve these in totality, but to have baby-steps in that direction means supporting the principles of mutual respect and inclusivity. I believe that transparency and accountability are the benchmarks necessary in achieving a society that practices good governance. Ultimately of course, I am driven by the desire for national unity – creating an environment every Malaysian feels he or she belongs to and is treated likewise.
I often cringe whenever I read the CPPS being quoted in newswires and papers, as “The Center for Public Policy Studies”.
The correctly spelt word should be “Centre”!
Yes I am a stickler for British spelling, and that’s how I was brought up.
My church BLC is doing one of the more creative things this Saturday. I can’t make it myself, but I hope others will be able to. It’s an awareness talk on protecting children from sexual abuse…
Sometime last month I was given the honour of moderating a lecture by Dr. Chandra Muzaffar at this International Conference: Religion in the Quest for Global Justice and Peace. His political faux-pas aside, I truly resonate with his views on religion.
I am pasting his paper in full here (I hope that is okay!) – with a full citation and attributed to him of course.
TOWARDS A UNIVERSAL SPIRITUAL-MORAL VISION OF GLOBAL JUSTICE AND PEACE.
by Dr. Chandra Muzaffar, Universiti Sains Malaysia
Humankind is at a critical juncture. Our very survival as a species is in balance. Our present ideologies and religions do not seem to offer a solution. Because the challenges that confront us are global in nature, it is imperative that the philosophy that guides us in facing them is also truly universal. A universal spiritual-moral vision which seeks global justice and peace for the entire human family is what this imperilled moment in history demands.
Someone thought I was going for a Christian concert, until I mentioned the band’s name was “Death Cab for Cutie“. Nothing very spiritual about that, although one could beg to differ.
The four-piece band started with the first song “Bixby Canyon Bridge”, from their latest album, Narrow Stairs. Their next song was also the first entry “The New Year” from an older 2003 album, Transatlanticism. Both were great introductions to an even greater night of music.
I’d been waiting for the longest time for this amazing band, since their music has accompanied me throughout the past two and a half years over various periods. I think some of the best renditions were “Title and Registration”, “I Will Possess Your Heart”, and “I Will Follow You Into the Dark”… maybe because these are my favourite songs anyway.
Kings of independent music they are. Ben Gibbard is pure genius in writing lyrical songs that transcend this earth, really. And I love watching musicians who put their whole heart and soul into playing. Bassist and drummer, spectacular. Every pluck of the guitar string and precise tap on the tophat that I’ve memorised whilst driving and listening became a reality on stage.
The solo by Gibbard on “I Will Follow You into the Dark” was truly one of the best, personally – a strange, surreal love song about death and attachment. The lighting, silence of the hall, unordinary words, simple strumming and clear voice created your hush ambience of a concert that anyone would have loved. Reminded me of Kings of Convenience.
Love of mine some day you will die
But I’ll be close behind
I’ll follow you into the darkNo blinding light or tunnels to gates of white
Just our hands clasped so tight
Waiting for the hint of a spark
If heaven and hell decide
That they both are satisfied
Illuminate the no’s on their vacancy signsIf there’s no one beside you
When your soul embarks
Then I’ll follow you into the darkIn Catholic school as vicious as Roman rule
I got my knuckles bruised by a lady in black
And I held my tongue as she told me
“Son fear is the heart of love”
So I never went backIf heaven and hell decide
That they both are satisfied
Illuminate the no’s on their vacancy signsIf there’s no one beside you
When your soul embarks
Then I’ll follow you into the darkYou and me have seen everything to see
From Bangkok to Calgary
And the soles of your shoes are all worn down
The time for sleep is now
It’s nothing to cry about
Cause we’ll hold each other soon
The blackest of roomsIf heaven and hell decide
That they both are satisfied
Illuminate the no’s on their vacancy signsIf there’s no one beside you
When your soul embarks
Then I’ll follow you into the dark
Then I’ll follow you into the dark
Music keeps me sane whilst politics rages on in Malaysia.
I was invited to speak at the Inaugural Council of the Church World Mission’s East Asian Region (EAR) Youth Leaders’ Assembly 2008 this week, on Tuesday 12th August 2008. I spoke for an hour on “The Role of Christian Youth in Nation Building”, thereafter shared a panel with Ps. Sivin Kit (Pastor of Bangsar Lutheran Church) and YB Hannah Yeoh (State Assemblywoman for Subang Jaya constituency) on the topic of “A Christian Response to the Rapidly Changing Youth Culture, Secularism and the Role of Media.”
It was a great experience sharing the floor with friends who share the same vision for the country’s future. I’ll type out my reflections for the session in a separate article, but here is the paper that I presented during my session itself. One key point I highlighted was the need to have role models in their respective countries. In Malaysia, I think the youth have an increasing number of people to look up to as role models, which is something I thought lacking even as late as 2 years ago!
Now we have the likes of young people involved in public life like Hannah Yeoh, Tony Pua, Nik Nazmi, Khairy, Nat Tan, Michelle Gunaselan, Nurul Izzah, Teo Nie Ching, Firdaus Fuuad, Wan Saiful, Abidin Muhriz and so on. (Note that I’m emphasising the fact that they’re young, I don’t necessarily agree with all of the above’s political principles haha.)
The Role of Christian Youth in Nation Building
Inaugural Council for World Mission East Asia Region Youth Leaders’ Assembly
11th August 2008
Tricia Yeoh
National Identity
The notion of nation-building presupposes that the nation itself is in need of building; or rebuilding, in some cases. The term nation-building in its original sense referred to newly-independent nations in Africa to reshape colonial territories that had been carved out by colonial powers without regard to ethnic or other boundaries. This would later include the creation of paraphernalia such as flags, national anthems, national days, national languages and so on. At the heart of this lay the deep-rooted need to search for a national identity.
For many Asian countries bar a few, this was certainly the case. Countries like Malaysia and Singapore (then Malaya), Vietnam, Philippines, Indonesia, and so on, have had to grapple with their respective national identities in a post-colonial world. A nation’s identity is usually framed along certain themes. In Malaysia, it has been “unity in diversity”, in dealing with the reality of a multiethnic and multi-religious society.
Each nation will have its individual identity based on specific cultural and historical heritage, language, norms and social frameworks. However, can it also be said that our faiths should inform national identity, and hence be instrumental in shaping the nation-building process? What role does Christianity play in the shaping of a nation? The question to ask ourselves within our respective countries is – in attempting to collectively build a nation, exactly what kind of nation do we want to build? What should the nation look like, cultural differences aside?
Building what kind of Nation?
If we believe that Christian principles are holistic, then they should also inform our ideas about public life. Faith in the public square is very different from imposing strict religious values; rather, it is putting to practice those “kingdom values” espoused by Jesus in His time. This means tuning our senses into a frequency that sees the world as a landscape that God can transform. This transformation is one that is prescribed in the Bible: turning society away from dominance, hypocrisy, pomp, pride, “greed, malice, deceit, envy, slander, arrogance and folly” (Mark 7: 22-23) and towards kingdom values of justice, peace, sacrificial love, compassion and goodness.
In the process of nation-building, we then set out to do precisely that: to build our nations based on very concrete values already articulated for us. This is “His kingdom come on earth”. It is important to hold true a vision we desire for our nations, or nation-building effort comes to naught. The cause fought against corruption is a cause fought for social justice. The cause fought against systemic evil is a cause fought for what we believe in through Christ. Sacrificial love also includes having the grace to speak the truth with love, without prejudice of the other.
My most recent activities are found on my LinkedIn page here.
