Actually, I have wanted to open my big mouth and give my opinions on the protest against the fatwa on tomboys and pengkik. (read Malaysiakini)However, I have not find something to support what I wanted to say.
Few days ago, I saw a video on Malaysiakini where this Chinese girl and Indian girl were interviewed on Malaysiakini regarding the Muslim fatwa on tomboys and pengkik. I was shocked at how vocal they are because as far as I know, fatwa is for Muslims. Unless they are Muslims, I personally feel they should not walk on the street and screamed, Stupid Fatwa Everywhere (or at least that’s what I heard). I mean, come on, why interfere in the Muslims issue? What’s their purpose and motive?
To me, if we live in a multi-racial and multi-religious country, we have to play by certain rules. We do not meddle and interfere with things not related to us. And if it is religious, then, all the more we have to be tolerant unless it personally affects our freedom. I am puzzled at Ivy Josiah’s very vocal verbal protest. She made it like the Government is banning the wearing of pants and short hair and all Malaysian women have to abide.
I fully understand why there are fatwas. It is a guide based on Islam for Muslims. Each of our faith have their dos and don’ts. Lesbianism is probably the main concern of the Islamic authority. Same sex relationship that involves sex is clearly not accepted by the religious faith. I have seen girls hugging and kissing in the public, at Gurney Plaza. (and I am not talking about the sisterly hug and peck on the cheek) It is not something I want to see in public. Call me a prude but sorry, it is just not part of our lifestyle here in Malaysia.
If you need to understand why the Muslims are not happy with the protest, please surf over to Tulang Besi. Tulang Besi has his points and I am afraid that eventhough I am a woman and a Christian, I do partially agree with him.
Before you disagree with me and start to hurl abuses, ask yourself if you want your mother to have a sexual affair with another woman, in front of you and your friends? If you do not mind and feel it is fine with you, then, hit me. Otherwise, just go somewhere else and play.
November 13th, 2008 at 11:59 am
Tulang Besi’s points cannot be dismissed altogether. Studies have shown that our society is deteriorating … fast, especially with all kinds of liberalism and individualism ideas. It definitely runs contrary to God’s ways. However, again, though the intention may be right, the implementation method may not be the best and that’s why you get all these protests.
November 13th, 2008 at 8:34 pm
Salam Sejahtera . I am a muslim but I never miss to read your blog . About pengkid fatwa issue I am 100% agree with you that is a muslim affair and those non-muslim pengkid shuold not to worry about it. I don’t think the government will implement this fatwa ruling and even if it will be implemented it will just cover the muslim only .SALAM
November 13th, 2008 at 11:05 pm
When I was at Gurney Plaza last week, I too saw 2 girls holding each other hands and hugging each other. I feel that it is just not right.
November 20th, 2008 at 8:03 am
Assalamu’alaikum..
I also wonder at my first time (and shocked) when i found out the the protest is done by non muslim (sigh) that’s pretty strange.
There’s reason why we banned activity that eventually will lead to the the homosexually activity like pengkid and gay.
Islam ia a religion of fitrah (what it is supposed to be@ nature according to human being) and our state of fitrah in relationship is to
love those who is opposite to our gender as Allah says that he make the women to the man as a sense of calmness and serenity. MAn and women complementing each other.
I dont know what others think but for me, (my personal thought and for the purpose of discussion, we leave out the religion view) it is disgusting to see man and man or woman and woman having intimate relationship.
like you said sister, can we imagine finding a close relative of us sleeping in bed and having sex with the same sex? what would be our action at that time?
November 22nd, 2008 at 8:18 pm
actually, i would be disgusted if my mother were to have sexual relations with anyone, in front of me and my friends! won’t you? What she does behind the doors, and does not cause harm to others, is really her business. Talking about having an affair is one thing, homosexuality is another. If you’re homophobic and don’t know anyone who’s gay, then you’d probably be disgusted by gays, especially if you lack the compassion and filled with prejudice instead that people of the same gender can and do fall in love. just like how white people outlawed marriage between white and black people, because they are disgusted that white people can want to be intimate with black people. Thank goodness times have changed or else we won’t have an obama.
If you don’t see gay people and pengkids as human, which you probably don’t, then you probably won’t care what can potentially happen to them with the fatwa. We ‘think’ the fatwa won’t be enforced. Are you ’sure’ they won’t be enforced? that’s what the whole lot of people thought about the ISA until it was used and abused for DSAI and a whole lot of people the govt just didn’t like. How do u define ‘tomboy’ anyway’? Short hair? Wear pants? more than half the women of Malaysian muslims could be potentialy arrested. The point here is that it CAN be used and thus can be a dangerous tool, apart from sexism and homophobia issues.
I personally think muslims should fight for their own cause, as otherwise, it may be wrongly perceived that non-muslims are ‘challenging’ islam. I believe there are also muslims, men, and straight people who were also protesting. so it’s not really a protest by ‘non-muslims’ only. though its understandable with all the sexist and homophobic threats, that very few muslims would want to speak up about it.
but honestly, why the extreme reactions by some muslims? Have you read some of the blogs spewing threats? This protest is a small group of young people making a stand against sexism, who may be insensitive in using their chants. but does it represent some dangerous ‘challenge’ to islam? What challenge? It is these kinds of hostile reactions by some muslims that fuel perceptions of islamaphobia.
a more in-depth study and contemplation into religion is needed if one cannot see past the prejudice and treat all human beings with love and compassion.
November 23rd, 2008 at 2:22 pm
Hi, i stumbled upon your blog once or twice before and i love it
I am very happy to see a Malaysian that has your way of thinking, which is to know one’s boundaries, respect each others religion and live without negativity in this all-around-multi-everything country. I mean, if it doesn’t affect non-muslims then they should not meddle as muslims also should not meddle with Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity and etc. I think people like you make Malaysia a more understanding and peaceful country, thanks 
November 25th, 2008 at 1:58 am
Fatwa is law. We don’t make law just like that. I doubt the fatwa council make some law based on their feeling. Let me tell you what you all don’t know.
To make a fatwa you must make a deep detailed discussion with protocol. Everyone must give evidence to go against or accept the new fatwa. All evidence must come from holy Quran. If there is no evidence, it must come from what prophet Muhammad SAW had said (hadith). If still no evidence, we have to rely on his successor,the khulaf arrasyidin, for evidence. If still no evidence, we have to entrust the wise men of muslim to come out with a solution (syura or ‘discussion’). To do that, the wise men must be from a good background in holy Quran studies and must fully understand arabic (meaning he understand what is written in holy Quran better than we ever will). You think discussion are made in one day? Just like any law, we have to present a draft and have to be refine until it is acceptable and undeniable. BTW, this is a priority about the evidence, Quran>hadith>syura. Quran’s evidence can cancel all evidence regardless their source
Still think that they do easy work to get easy money? Do you ever go to a meeting where you are making a decision while being constantly heavily pressured??? Do a wrong decision, eternal wrath await you. Do a right decision, wrath of some(many?) people await you. Personally I choose people’s wrath than everlasting wrath.
If non-muslim want to follow the fatwa then go ahead. It is not something bad and intended to bring better life quality.
November 25th, 2008 at 2:14 am
Eh – BACALAH BAIK-BAIK. Stop giving your opinions unless you really get what I was saying. I said, It is OK for the fatwa/or not ‘cos it covers the Muslims and those protestors there are NOT Muslims and they should not be saying stupid fatwa everywhere.
Gee…where is your eyes lah?
November 25th, 2008 at 9:51 pm
lolz. Again I apologize of misunderstanding I caused. Next time I’ll mind my grammar very carefully. I just wanna tell how fatwa is made not flamming anyone. Chill. There is no ill intention in my post. It’s all about facts. If I made mistake, then sorry lor.