Release of ISA detainees
On the eve of this festive season, the Muslim Professionals Forum welcomes the news of the release of 7 ISA detainees who are allegedly members of terrorist groups KMM and JI. We congratulate the home minister, also the prime minister of Malaysia for taking this bold albeit late decision. However, we urge the government to go further and release the remaining detainees or charge them in an open court.

The ISA has robbed men like Nik Adli and his colleagues 5 years of their life without their guilt ever been proven, and their young families have been subjected to untold anguish, uncertainties, financial difficulties and even shame which they do not at all deserve. Nothing can ever compensate them.

Except in the most extenuating circumstances (and under strict judicial review) this archaic legislation is against the Islamic principles of justice and the rule of law.

One question that remains in the people’s minds on the detention of these alleged terror groups members is whether we have violated the fundamental rights of a few of our Muslim citizens at the behest of a foreign power in this hyped up war on “Islamic terrorism”.

Justice and accountability, and an honest commitment to the upholding of Islam within the limits of Malaysian democracy is the only way to prevent religion from being exploited by marginal individuals with an extremist bent. And within the context of Malaysia this is an insignificant problem that can be easily handled by our security and justice system.

We wish all Muslims Selamat Hari Raya and Happy Deepavali to our Hindu friends.

Dr. Mazeni Alwi
Chairman
Muslim Professionals Forum
Suite 1810, 18th Floor, Plaza Permata,
Jalan Kampar,
Kuala Lumpur 50400
Tel : 03-40427139

Farewell Dr Nor Baizura
Dr Mazeni Alwi
Sep 27, 06 6:31pm

The medical community is saddened to learn of the passing of Dr Nor Baizura after 15 days in coma in the Intensive Care Unit. The young doctor was only a few months into her housemanship, and coming from a humble background she was her family’s hope for a better future.

Unfortunately, this is not the first time a government medical personnel died following a road traffic accident while in the course of duty. Many of us in this field can easily recollect similar tragic stories involving individuals that we personally know.

Given Malaysia’s rate of road traffic accidents, having to make frequent visits to peripheral clinics or sending ill patients to major referral centres in Kuala Lumpur can be very perilous.

Then there are young medical officers who contracted tuberculosis in the course of their work. They have to undergo long periods of anti-TB treatment, suffer chronic ill-health and have their plans for postgraduate careers disrupted. This is only going to get worse if the threat of the HIV pandemic becomes real.

The issue of insurance cover and compensation for government medical personnel has been raised each time a tragic incident like this happens. However it is all too easy for the administrative bureaucracy to give the shrug of indifference as those unfortunate enough to suffer injury, death or chronic ill-health are voiceless junior medical officers and staff nurses.

It is time we recognise that occupational hazards is not the monopoly of blue collar workers who at least have Socso, Niosh and the industrial courts. In striving to upgrade and modernise our public service to become more efficient, caring and friendly, we urge the government to seriously consider providing insurance cover and financial compensation to those at risk of injury and death in the course of serving the public. Posthumous words of commendation and passing the hat around simply will not do.

My sincere condolences to the family of Dr Nor Baizura. Al Fatihah.

The writer is chairman, Muslim Professionals Forum.

George Galloway – Hizbollah Is Not A Terrorist Organization

“One mans terrorist is another mans freedom fighter”
George Galloway has spoken out in support of Lebanon, saying he believes Hizbollah is justified in defending Lebanon against Israeli attacks . The Respect MP also lambasted media coverage of the war and said the UN resolution means nothing.

MPF Statement regarding PM Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s directive that issues of religious sensitivity should not be openly debated in the public arena

The Muslim Professionals Forum ( MPF ) lauds PM Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s directive that issues of religious sensitivity should not be openly debated in the public arena.

We recognize that freedom of conscience (in the present context, religious freedom) and freedom of expression are among the fundamental rights that characterize a modern democratic society. However we regret that of late the climate of relative openness under the present administration has been abused by certain quarters into a free for all Islam-bashing in the name of championing religious freedom.

From the issue of moral policing, the call for the repeal of article 121 (1A), the case of the late Moorthy, the Islam Family Law Act (Federal Territory) and the latest controversy surrounding the conversion status of Azlina Jelani (Lina Joy), the slant has been overwhelmingly anti-Islam. Among others, this includes the denigration of broadly accepted Islamic teachings, belittling the Shariah, the authority of the ulama and religious institution etc. This is overtly evident in the articles, commentaries and readers’ letters in the English mainstream presses, news websites and weblogs.

We accept that our religious bureaucracy may lack the understanding, empathy and sophistication in carrying out their duties in a modern, multi-religious society like ours, and controversies such as the case of the late Moorthy may be attributed to this. However the denigration of Islam, the Shariah, the beliefs and norms held sacrosanct by mainstream Muslims is deeply insensitive and thrashes all norms of civility in inter-religious discourse.

While we respect the views of a miniscule of Muslims who champion a hyper liberal interpretation of Islam – making Islam subservient to prevailing secular notions of rights, freedoms and gender equality, such views remain a minority within the larger Muslim community, however fashionable or loud they may be. The generous media space accorded to them at the expense of mainstream views regrettably emboldens non-Muslim commentators and letter writers to transgress the limits of propriety in public discourse to comment on matters that are essentially intra-faith polemics and at times border on unabashed islamophobia.

Of course the articles and clauses of the Federal Constitution are open to individual interpretations. However the convenient disregard of the historical and social context on why Islam is distinguished in Article 3 (1) as “the religion of the Federation” ( but other religions maybe practised in peace and harmony ) as well as the reckless insensitivity towards mainstream Muslim sentiments are fomenting an unprecedented rift in our society.

That mainstream Muslims are reacting by holding gatherings at mosques to discuss these issues and the spreading of messages for Muslim solidarity in the face of Islamophobia via the net and SMS as counter-reactions are grave signs that our cherished religious harmony is being undermined by this reckless championing of sensitive issues.

But the degree of injury and insult to mainstream Muslim sentiments must be real enough for Malaysia’s eminent and respected Muslim lawyers to form Peguam Pembela Islam and for some 80 Muslim NGOs to form the umbrella group PEMBELA ( Defenders of Islam )

This is an unhealthy evolution of our nation. We would urge that all sides need to rein in passions, remain calm and heed to the call of the PM.

Very soon we will be celebrating our nation’s birthday again. Perhaps we should take stock of this occasion and reflect on the contemporary scenarios in the spirit of Merdeka and Muhibbah.

Dr. Mazeni Alwi
Chairman
Muslim Professionals Forum
Suite 1810, 18th Floor, Plaza Permata,
Jalan Kampar,
Kuala Lumpur 50400
Tel : 03-40427139

MPF MENGALU-ALUKAN SARANAN PM HENTIKAN PERDEBATAN ISU KEAGAMAAN

Muslim Professionals Forum (MPF) mengalu-alukan saranan Perdana Menteri supaya dihentikan perdebatan isu2 keagamaan didalam arina awam.

Kita sanjungi kebebasan berfikir (dalam konteks terkini kebebasan beragama) dan kebebasan bersuara sebagai hak asasi yang mencernakan sebuah masyarakat yang demokratik dan bertamaddun.

Namun demikian, suasana keterbukaan yang dipraktikkan kini oleh kerajaan telah di salah guna oleh beberapa pihak untuk mengutuk Islam di bawah naungan kebebesan beragama.

Ia nya bermula dengan isu penguatkuasaan moral, usaha-usaha kearah pembasmian Artikel 121(1A), kes Allahyarham Moorthy, Akta Undang-Undang Keluarga Islam (Wilayah Persekutuan) dan yang terkini dihebuhkan kes murtad Azlina Jelani (Lina Joy). Kesemuanya mempamerkan nuansa penghinaan terhadap agama Islam. Ini termasuk merendahkan martabat ajaran Agama Islam, mengaibkan Shariah Islam, memandang rendah kuasa alim ulama dan institusi-institusi Islam. Ini jelas tersurat dan tersirat didalam penulisan, analisa dan komentari yang tersiar didalam akhbar perdana bahasa Inggeris, laman2 web dan weblog.

Kita tidak nafikan bahawa terdapat beberapa kekurangan dan kesilapan didalam birokrasi keagamaan rasmi didalam menangani pelbagai masalah yang timbul didalam sebuah masyarakat majmuk yang moden dan sofistikated. Kes Allahyarham Moorthy mungkin satu daripada contoh kedhaifan mereka didalam menangani suatu isu antara agama dengan cermat dan penuh hikmah. Tetapi ini tidak merupakan suatu lesen bertopengkan kebebasan beragama untuk menghina Islam, Shariah, kepercayaan dan norma-norma yang dianuti oleh kebanyakan umat Islam. Usaha sedemikian tidak sensitif langsung terhadap perasaan orang Islam dan membelakangkan norma-norma diskusi antara agama yang toleransi dan hormat menghormati.

Kita maklum dan hormati pandangan segelintir orang Islam di Malaysia yang terlalu liberal didalam fahaman mereka terhadap Islam. Mereka inginkan Islam tunduk patuh kepada nilai-nilai sekular yang dinobatkan sebagai nilai-nilai kemanusiaan sejagat berasaskan kebebasan mutlak dan persamaan jantina. Hakikatnya, mereka hanya merupakan pandangan yang minoriti, di anuti oleh sebilangan yang amat kecil, walaupun suara mereka agak kuat dan lantang.

Pihak media bahasa Inggeris telah memberikan ruang yang begitu bebas dan besar kepada golongan minoriti ini dan tidak mengendahkan pandangan umat Islam yang arus perdana. Tindakan ini telah memberanikan penulis-penulis bukan Islam untuk melontarkan analisa-analisa dan komentar-komentar yang melewati batasan-batasan penulisan yang beradab. Mereka mencampuri didalam hal-hal agama Islam yang tiada langsung bersangkutan dengan mereka dan menghasilkan tulisan-tulisan yang islamophobik.

Kita tidak menafikan hak mereka untuk membincangkan fasal Undang-Undang Persekutuan. Namun, usaha mereka menafikan konteks sejarah dan sosial didalam keunggulan Islam sepertimana termaktub didalam Artikel 3 (1) sebagai ”the religion of the Federation” (walaupun agama-agama lain boleh dipraktik secara aman dan tenteram) dan sikap tidak endah mereka terhadap sentimen orang Islam kini menatijahkan suatu keretakan yang dahsyat didalam masyarakat kita.

Orang Islam di Malaysia memandang serius prilaku yang biadap ini dan telah merancangkan pelbagai aktiviti untuk menangani arus Islamophobik yang kian meningkat. Senario terkini merupakan suatu petanda yang tidak sihat didalam hidup harmoni kita beragama hasil daripada kurang sensitifnya kita didalam menangani isu-isu keagamaan.

Rasa hina dan marah ini begitu memuncak sehingga peguam-peguam Muslim yang dihormati dan disegani telah menubuhkan Peguam Pembela Islam dan lebih 80 persatuan bukan kerajaan Muslim telah bergabung dibawah naungan PEMBELA Islam.

Selaku rakyat yang inginkan perpaduan dan kesejahteraan kita harus bersama-sama insaf terhadap keadaan yag agak getir ini. Kami diMPF mengharapkan semua pihak bersabar, tenangkan keghairahan yang melulu dan sambut dengan baik saranan Perdana Menteri.

Tidak lama lagi kita akan sama-sama meraikan Hari Kemerdekaan negara kita. Mungkin ini merupakan suatu peluang yang baik untuk sama-sama kita renung sejenak dan fikirkan cara yang terbaik untuk meredakan suasana yang tegang dengan hembusan jiwa yan merdeka dan muhibbah.

Dr Mazeni Alwi
Pengerusi
Muslim Professionals Forum Berhad
Suite 1810, 18th Floor, Plaza Permata,
Jalan Kampar,
Kuala Lumpur 50400
Tel : 03-40427139

5 Ogos 2006

MPF Official Statement on PENANG PROTEST

The Muslim Professionals Forum (MPF) regrets the public demonstration that disrupted a forum in Penang recently organized by Aliran and the Article 11 Coalition on “The Federal Constitution: Protection for all” as widely reported by the media yesterday. We hope the authorities will investigate the incident and apply the law in a fair and just manner.

We recognize and reaffirm the right of any group or individuals to express their opinions on the above matter in a public forum. However, it must be pointed out that many Muslims see the controversy surrounding the Inter Faith Commission (IFC) and the calls for amendments/repeal of article 121 (1a) as one not of dialogue and cooperation among major religions, but one of provocation and Islamphobia. Hence playing with a highly charged and sensitive issue with the potential for emotive over-reactions and manipulation by irresponsible quarters.

The argument whether our federal constitution is secular or otherwise is an endless game. We reaffirm our confidence that its provisions that enshrines Islam as the religion of the federation while at the same time protecting the religious practices of others is a sound basis for tolerance and respect amongst Malaysians of all faiths.

We reiterate our position that sincere and honest dialogue is the way forward for religious harmony which Malaysians have been enjoying without the need for a body armed with statutory powers like the proposed IFC which Muslims have every reason to be suspicious of.

Although we respect the rights of the organizers to hold such a forum, we question their motive for resurrecting the controversy surrounding the Moorthy and Nyonya Tahir cases. Muslims have learnt some hard lessons over the former and have accepted with openness the Shariah court’s ruling over the latter, demonstrating that such cases can be dealt with justly and objectively by our dual justice system.

It is unfortunate that our present climate of relatively improved openness has been exploited to dwell on sensitive issues that are divisive to society rather than focusing on the more fundamental issues of justice as well as the material and social well being of ordinary Malaysians.

Dr. Sheikh Johari Bux
Founding Director
Muslim Professionals Forum
Suite 1810, 18th Floor, Plaza Permata,
Jalan Kampar,
Kuala Lumpur 50400
Tel : 03-40427139

Handing of Joint Memorandum to Datuk Seri Nazri Abdul Aziz by Islamic NGOs at the Parliament House on March 20, 2006
by Puan Azra Banu

The turn out was excellent and the mood was one of enthusiasm and buoyancy.

Members from the various Islamic NGOs were seated very early, all impeccably dressed. From the onset, before the arrival of the Minister, it was quite clear that everyone shared a warm sense of camaraderie and it was almost already congratulatory for having come this far.

The Minister duly arrived and after brief formalities, Dr. Mazeni Alwi, Chairman of the Muslim Professionals Forum (MPF) started by thanking the Minister for his time and everyone else for their support and briefly outlined the objectives of the afternoon. The handing over of the memorandum then took place, following which the chair was handed over to Puan Farah Abdullah, a founding director of MPF who expounded the Executive Summary, a position jointly agreed upon by the Islamic NGOs involved.

The Minister then threw the session open to all present, encouraging them to voice any concerns they might have and there were a few raised. A few representatives expressed their disquiet at the interference of non-Muslims, ignorant in Islamic texts and jurisprudence, in what is clearly an Islamic issue.

The President of ABIM, Mr. Yusri questioned the attempt to base Islamic laws purely on human rational thinking with ill respect and regard for the hierarchy of the sources of knowledge in the divine text, traditions of the prophet and the consensus of classical scholars . Puan Soraya Khairudin of Islamic Information and Services Foundation, highlighted the funding of seminars, organized by certain Muslims on issues like apostasy and moral policing by foreign institutions like Friedrich Neumann and Konrad Adeneur Foundations. These institutions are clearly liberal and secular in nature and aim to promote their ideals, and it is alarming that they’ve been allowed a foothold here.

But the punching bag for the day was most certainly the press, with all who spoke taking their best shot. It started out tamely enough with polite requests for more balanced reporting on the part of the press.

Before long, stronger punches were being delivered. But the knock out blow was inflicted by Dr Musa Mohd. Nordin of MPF, when he said, unlike his colleagues who were being most polite, he was doing no such thing. He expressed his bitter disappointment as a citizen of this country at the total lack of professionalism he sees in the media. As a doctor, his profession is evidence based medicine reflected in best practice clinical guidelines. Unfortunately, he sees very little of evidence based journalism in our mainstream media, let alone being investigative reporting.

Letters in response to some very inflammatory articles never see the light of day, and when a few occasionally do, are so badly truncated as to render them diluted and often beyond recognition. He seemed to open the floodgates for other individuals representing the 43 organisations to ventilate their frustrations at the Islamophobic nuances of the mainstream.

Even the Minister jumped on the bandwagon, instructing the media to use better judgement in exercising their powers He warned, the government will not hesitate to take action against anyone inciting the sentiments of Muslims, adding he can say with absolute confidence that no Muslim has ever written to the media, insulting other faiths, and as Muslims we expect the same courtesy.

The discussion then took an amusing turn as the Minister touched on the handful of Muslims who have been opposing and running down the Islamic Family Law and in the process denigrating Islam, before focusing on an unnamed individual, referred to as ‘nyamuk’ who has been doing just this, even on the international arena.

This ‘nyamuk’ became the buzzword for the next few minutes. It was stressed that this ‘nyamuk’ does not represent the views of the majority of Muslims and if the press cared to look, they’ll find many “Sisters in Iman” right before them.

The press was accused of being ‘in love’ with this ‘nyamuk’ giving ‘it’ wide coverage. A recent rebuttal to one such ‘nyamuk’ by the MPF was completely ignored by our local press but was given wide coverage by the British and Australian press. Jonathan Kent of the BBC wrote to MPF “don’t say the BBC doesn’t strive to put across all views”

A member of the press then asked the Minster who might this ‘nyamuk’ be, but the answer was left to her intelligence.

The Minister then asked if the press had any questions and as if cowed into silence or shell shocked, only the reporter from Al Jazeera International managed one, asking how will the press know what they can print and not. Again, the answer being obvious, the Minister replied that as intelligent beings and citizens of this multi faceted nation, they shouldn’t have to be instructed.

The session ended soon after with the Minister thanking us for our support and saying he felt comfortable in our presence. He informed us that the Islamic Family Law will be tabled again in Parliament with amendments, and expects it to be passed without problems. In addition he stated that Article 121 1 (A), protecting the sanctity of the Shariah Court will not be repealed.

The delegation of NGOs was clearly satisfied with his statements and in return thanked him again. Right after his departure, there was much back slapping for a job well done as everyone agreed that it was a good meeting. And almost without exception we knew that we’ve still got a long road ahead but together we can ease the path, Insha Allah.

Puan Azra Banu
azrabanu@gmail.com

Representatives from the following media organizations attended the event:

1. New Straits Times
2. The STAR
3. Utusan Malaysia
4. Malaysiakini
5. Sin Chew Daily
6. Nanyang Siang Pao
7. China Press
8. Oriental Daily
9. Bernama
10. Al Jazeera International
11. Channel News Asia International
12. TV3
13. MPF TV

Click on image to view full size:

The Muslim Professionals Forum (MPF) is gravely concerned at the development in Iraq where four western individuals from the Christian Peacemaker Team are presently held hostage. We extend our heartfelt sympathy to them and their families. We pray that they face this ordeal with utmost courage and patience. We recognize the death and suffering that the people of Iraq have endured and the destruction of their society and nation as a result of the illegal invasion and occupation by the US-led coalition (coalition forces).

However, the four people that are held hostage are innocent of the crimes committed on the Iraqi people and nation, and in fact they are completely opposed to the invasion of Iraq. Not only does this go against the principle of the rule of law central to Islam’s notion of justice, but punishing these innocent four who came to promote peace would greatly undermine the cause of the Iraqi people.

We urge their captors to unconditionally release the four men. We wish our friend and associate Mr. Anas Al Takriti of the Muslim Association of Britain (MAB) success in negotiating for their release.

This latest episode yet again underscores the urgent need for a genuine, concerted international effort to replace the present occupation with a viable plan to restore Iraqi sovereignty, construct an inclusive representative politics and rebuild its society, economy and infrastructure.

Dr. Sheik Johari Bux Sheik Yaacob Bux
Founding Board Member
Muslim Professionals Forum
Suite 1810, 18th Floor,
Plaza Permata (IGB Plaza)
Jalan Kampar, off Jalan Tun Razak
50400 Kuala Lumpur
Tel : 03-40426102
Website : http://mpf.org.my