Sunday, February 05, 2006
I AM Muslim
Recently, there has been quite an uproar regarding da caricature issue. I have to admit tat it too caused me to be distress initially. As a muslim, i feel as much offended as other muslims in da world. Such insults being drawn upon by Denmark's media certainly rose angst amongst us. Although, I knw tat I'm not a very religious person, tat is an insult to Islam!
Yes, I believe in God. Just because I don't talk about da Almighty as much doesn't mean I totally forget Him, or am I ignorant of his existence. In many ways as I believe God is omnipotent, omniscient.
Yes, I knw I am a Muslim and my religion is Islam but tat doesn't mean I have to be covered up in 'tudung' ('Tudung' is malay for scarf, which covers da head to shoulder). I didnt wear tudung doesnt mean I dun knw wat is sinful and wat is not.
I'm as sinful as anyone of u out there. Nobody can run away frm sins. Even if I am sinful, it's between me and God. God is indeed Great, Respect, Understanding, Compassion and Forgiving. If one has sinned, he/she will face da consequences either here(Earth) or da next(Afterlife).
When people cannot accept da way you are, den they are in da wrong too. Why can't humans, as humble servants, be da same? As far as I knw, there are many out there who are worse off than me. Many who acts all nice, demure, modest and religious in front of everyone else, but behind that mask, it's a different story altogether.
Hence, da reason Y I was hurt and angry when Denmark's sketch of Prophet Muhammad wearing turban, and initiating tat as a bomb?! WTF?? Do they think its funny?!! It is an insult to Islam!!
I AM Malay
There had been many occassions when some strangers suddenly felt chatty and decided to question my nationality, and my looks suddenly become da subject of their puzzlement. I've always been mistaken for someone frm another country. First thing first, let me clarify, I consider myself a Malay Singaporean (although my NRIC states I'm Javanese - tats juz my race!! I dun speak Javanese or Indonesian language).
Well, da conversation I had with a stranger in da lift a few days ago certainly wasnt da first.
Stranger: Six floor please. Thank U. (Give me a stare). U local or foreigner?
Me: Singaporean absolutely.
Stranger: Serious ah?!!?! Not foreigner!? I thought U Indonesian!
Me: No, Singaporean.
Stranger: ic (still in disbelief)
With a taxi driver not long ago.
Driver: (Keeps glancing at me) U frm Singapore?
Me: Yes
Driver: Oh. U look like U frm Indonesia. U born here?
Me: Yah, born here. All da while here.
Driver: Den, ur parents..one of them frm Indonesia not ?
Me: Nope.. Both my parents are born here in Singapore.
Driver: But u dun look like u frm here one leh.
Me: (insisting tat I AM A SINGAPOREAN AND I AM NOT FRM INDONESIA!!)
Eventually, da driver stopped asking more questions. Indeed, taxi drivers are often da ones intrigue by my nationality. I've been questioned many times by different taxi drivers.
With an Indonesian maid not long after da taxi driver experience.
A maid thot tat I am an Indonesia, begin striking a conversation with me in Bahasa Indonesia?! First thing first, whenever I went to da market, I tend to be wearing very sloppily (selekeh) but tat doesn't mean I am an Indonesian maid!!!
Maid: (speaking to me in Bahasa Indonesia) Kamu dari desa mana? (which village of Indonesia r u frm?)
Me: Saya orang Melayu. ( I am malay)
Maid: Oh..kamu orang Singapur.. (oh, U're a Singaporean?)
Me: (nodding my head)
Maid: Maaf nya. (I am sorry)
Sigh.. Obviously, pple mixed up between race and ethnicity. Javanese is my race but my ethnicity group is malay. I am born malay muslim and I believe in da religion of Islam. Please bear in mind tat. Once again, I repeat. I am a Malay Singaporean. I am a Muslim. My religion is Islam. Dun ever say tat I am frm Indonesian or I look like an Indonesian..
