Ramadhan Workshop 2009
THE GIFT OF RAMADHAN
BEING THE BEST YOU CAN BE
The month of immeasurable blessings will be with us again, Insha Allah. All of us most certainly desire great success each Ramadhan and it is truly a sign of heedlessness when we fail to reap the promised rewards of Ramadhan.
“May Allah rub his nose in the dust, that person who Ramadhan comes and his sins are not forgiven”
(Al-Tirmidhi, 3545)
Will our noses be the ones rubbed in dust? What about our children? They too must be made aware that we do not wait till Ramadhan to start preparing for it. They need to cleanse their hearts and souls before Ramadhan begins, learn about repentance, the power of dua, and how to make the most of Ramadhan. They need to rejoice and with trembling hearts anticipate the coming of Ramadhan and be spiritually in tune for this most blessed month of the year.
Muslim Professionals Forum’s (MPF) annual Ramadhan workshops are designed to remind and motivate the participants to aim to give their best in order to receive the best each Ramadhan.
Workshop 1 (9 – 12 years – conducted by Brother Mohamed Marwan)
A graduate of Darul Uloom Zakariyya, South Africa in Tahfeezul Quran and Shariah, brother Marwan is an experienced teacher, having taught Islamic Studies, Arabic, Jawi and Al Quran at Khalifah Model School and other centres for many years. He has also successfully conducted workshops and camps for children and youth besides conducting religious sessions for various Islamic NGOs. Brother Marwan is a hafiz, speaks English, Malay, Urdu, Arabic and Cantonese, and is currently the Shariah compliance officer at a major bank in Kuala Lumpur.
This workshop incorporates activities like games, videos, puzzles and quizzes to make it as interactive as possible.
Date: Saturday, 1st August 2009
Time: 9 am – 2.00pm (includes Zohor prayers at the mosque)
Place: Dewan Masjid Saidina Umar Al Khattab, 64, Jln Setia Bakti, Damansara Heights
Cost: RM 40 (includes lunch & other gifts)
RSVP: Pn Mimi 012 372 3135 miminora@gmail.com
Pn Azra 016 209 4500 azrabanu@gmail.com
Pn Aishah 012 223 1961 aish7177@yahoo.com
Workshop 2 (13 years and above – conducted by Brother Idris Tawfiq)
Brother Idris Tawfiq is a British Muslim writer now based in Cairo. With degrees in English Language and Literature and Sacred Theology, brother Idris spent many years working with young people. He was head of Religious Studies in various schools in the UK and has taught Islamic Studies at the prestigious Al Fatih Islamic Institute in Damascus.
A former Catholic priest, having served the church for twenty years, his journey to Islam coupled with his teaching background has made him immensely popular. He is able to explain matters of faith in simple and interesting ways, making his dakwah training and workshops very successful. In much demand, he travels widely and is the author of seven books besides writing for two Egyptian newspapers. In Kuala Lumpur for a series of engagements, MPF is privileged to have him conduct our annual Ramadhan workshop.
This is an opportunity not to be missed! Check out www.idristawfiq.com
Date: Sunday, 2nd August, 2009
Time, Place, Cost & RSVP: As above
Ramadhan is a gift from Allah, Al Kareem. It is a month of great mercy and holds great rewards for the righteous. May Allah make us all of the successful this Ramadhan, Ameeen.
Maulid & Kaitannya dengan Isu Palestin
Maklumat Acara
Di anjurkan oleh MPF & Masjid Saidina Abu Bakar As-Siddiq
Prof Madya Dr Hj Hafidzi Mohd Noor ialah Pengarah PACE, Palestine Centre of Excellence.
Beliau telah memperjuangkan isu Palestin semenjak tahun 1999. Beliau telah menjelajah seluruh pelusok Malaysia untuk menyampaikan ceramah mengenai isu Palestin. Dr. Hafidzi telah menulis tiga buah buku tentang isu Israel & Palestin. Beliau kini bertugas di Universiti Putra Malaysia.
Ceramah: Maulid dan kaitannya dengan isu Palestin
Tarikh: Jumaat; 10hb April.
Masa: 8.45 malam ( selepas solat Isya’ )
Tempat: Masjid Saidina Abu Bakar As-Siddiq, Bangsar, KL
Masuk: Percuma
Format: Ceramah 45 minit di-ikuti Q & A
Fundamental Challenges Facing Contemporary Muslims
Event Details
Date: Friday, 16th January
Time: 8.45 pm (after Isha’ prayers)
Speaker: Prof Dr Wan Mohd Nor Wan Daud
Topic: Fundamental Challenges Facing Contemporary Muslims
Entrance: Complementary
Format: 45 minute talk followed by Q & A
Curriculum Vitae – Professor. Dr. Wan Mohd Nor Wan Daud
Prof. Dr. Wan Mohd Nor Wan Daud is a scholar, educational administrator, intellectual activist and motivator, and poet. After obtaining is doctorate from the University of Chicago under the late Fazlur Rahman in 1988, he was invited by Syed Muhammad Naquib al-Attas to assist him at the newly established International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilizaton (ISTAC) in all the formal and non-formal academic development including library, publication and student affairs. From 1998-2002 he served as the Deputy Director of ISTAC. Now he is a Principal Research Fellow at the Institute of the Malay World and Civilization (ATMA), National University of Malaysia (UKM) in Bangi.
Prof. Wan Mohd Nor has written more 13 books and monographs as well as more than 30 academic articles in local and international journals, of which the major ones are: The Concept of Knowledge in Islam: Its Implications for Education in a Developing Country (1989); A Commentary on the Culture of Knowledge (Malay) (1990); The Educational Philosophy and Practice of Syed Muhammad Naquib al-Attas : An Exposition of the Original Concept of Islamization (1998); Development in Malaysia: Towards a Holistic Understanding (Malay)(2000); 2 books of philosophical-mystical Malay poetry ( 2003 and 2004); Hadhari Muslim Society: An Epistemological and Educational Approach Towards National Unity (Malay) (2006). His latest book, co-authored with Syed M Naquib al-Attas, The ICLIF Leadership Competency Model: An Islamic Alternative, was published by the International Centre for Leadership in Finance (ICLIF) came out in 2007.
Several of his books, articles and monographs have been translated into Malay, Indonesian, Turkish, Japanese, Persian, Russian and Bosnian, and Macedonian.
ISA Arrests 4th Press Release
MPF 4TH PRESS RELEASE – ISA ARRESTS
8th November 2008
The Muslim Professionals Forum ( MPF ) applauds the decisions handed down at the Shah Alam High Court and Kuala Lumpur Sessions court on 7th November, 2008.
In ordering the release of ISA detainee, blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin, judge Syed Ahmad Helmy Syed Ahmad has shown great wisdom and fairness as has judge Komathy Suppiah in denying the prosecution’s request for the case of Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim to be transferred to the High Court. We similarly echo the sentiments of the defense counsel in the former case, when he said that this was a “ historic ruling and profound moment for civil liberties in this country.”
The ISA is an archaic piece of legislation and the time has come for its natural demise. The Muslim Professionals Forum very strongly calls for the immediate repeal of this draconian relic and the prompt judicial review of all ISA detainees. We urge the government to take the bold step of doing what is right and just. Justice and fairness are principles enshrined in Islam, and it is incumbent upon every Muslim to uphold these values, elevating them to their sublime pedestal.
The decisions in our courts yesterday augurs well for our judiciary, which has been the brunt of many criticisms lately. These judges are beacons that shine through the winds of change, a gust that has blown across the globe. Resistance to such would only rank amongst the most futile of actions. We have but two options, to embrace this change that is upon us, or be left amongst the outcast nations of the world.
Board of Directors
Muslim Professionals Forum
Dr. Mazeni Alwi
Dr. Shaikh Johari Bux
Haji Mohamed Ali Ghazali
Dato’ Dr. Musa Mohd. Nordin
ISA Arrests 3rd Press Release
MPF 3ND PRESS RELEASE – ISA ARRESTS
The Qur’an guarantees Freedom of Expression, so Free Raja Petra and all ISA detainees
25th September 2008
We read the statement issued by the Home Minister concerning the detention of Raja Petra Kamaruddin under the dreaded and inhumane Internal Security Act (ISA) with skepticism. According to the Home Minister, Raja Petra was detained because his articles ridiculed Islam. One is now left to wonder whether Islam itself allows such detention without trial in order to protect its sanctity from being ridiculed by people, the likes of Raja Petra.
We would like to stress the fact that there is ample evidence in the Qur’an which guarantees freedom of expression (hurriyat ar-ra’iy) that is generally accepted as a subset of freedom of speech (hurriyat al-qaul). Individuals should be able to accept or reject a particular faith or dogma on the basis of personal conviction, and that no amount of external pressure or compulsion should be permitted. The cardinal Qur’anic doctrine is that: “There shall be no coercion in matters of faith” [2:256]
Every single person has the right, guaranteed by the Qur’an, to freely follow and express his convictions, irrespective of whether he is right or wrong. By emphasizing people’s right to follow their conviction, the Qur’an reiterates a long standing position, which it traces back to one of the earliest known Prophets, Noah: “Said [Noah]: O my people! What do you think? If [it be true that] I am taking my stand on a clear evidence from my Sustainer, who has vouched safe unto me grace from himself – [a revelation] to which you have remained blind-: [if this be true] can we force it on you even though it be hateful to you?”[11:28]
The message of freedom of belief and conviction, and the call to religious tolerance is reiterated time and again through various Prophets, as it is quite apparent in the message of Prophet Shu’ayb to his people: “And if there be some among you who have come to believe in the message which I bear, while the others do not believe, then have patience in adversity till God shall judge between us [and them]: for He is the best of all judges!” [7:87]
Not only does the Qur’an recognise the individual’s right to freedom of conviction, but it also recognises his/her moral freedom to act on the basis of their conviction: “Say: O my [truth-denying] people! Do ye all that may be within your power, [whereas] I, behold, shall labour [in God’s way]: in time you will come to know who it is that shall be visited [in this world] by suffering which will cover him with ignominy, and upon whom long-lasting suffering shall alight [in the life to come]!” [39: 39-40].
Indeed, one cannot find in the Qur’an any support for the internment or incarceration for those who opted to follow their conscience, even though their convictions might be contrary to the mainstream idea, or even up to the level of “heretical” in nature. Using Islam as a “tool” to justify detention without trial is anathema to the basic principles of “adl” (just) and “ihsan” (benevolence) that formed the foundation of Islamic jurisprudence. Such cowardly act of invoking ISA every time when there were dissenting views against the authoritarian government and their despotic ulama’ will not augur well for the future of free and democratic Malaysia.
One is then left to speculate whether such actions were in reality meant to maintain the political hegemony of the ruling elite and that we are actually gravitating towards the creation of a police state instead.
If one were to look back into history, the reason the Islamic world flourished during the earlier period was an early emphasis on “freedom of speech”, as summarized by al-Hasyimi (a cousin of Caliph al-Ma’mun) in the following letter to one of the religious opponents he was attempting to convert through reason:
“Bring forward all the arguments you wish and say whatever you please and speak your mind freely. Now that you are safe and free to say whatever you please, appoint some arbitrator who will impartially judge between us and lean only towards the truth and be free from the slyness of passion and that arbitrator shall be Reason, whereby God makes us responsible for our own rewards and punishments. Herein I have dealt justly with you and have given you full security and am ready to accept whatever decision Reason may give for me or against me. For “There shall be no coercion in matters of faith” [2: 256] and I have only invited you to accept our faith willingly and of your own accord and have pointed out the hideousness of your present belief. Peace be with you and the blessings of God!”
We, from Muslim Professionals Forum, believe that this is the recourse that should be taken by the government in handling issues pertaining to Raja Petra in particular. By resorting to intellectual discourse, any differences in opinions or interpretations could be ironed out in a civilized manner. We therefore call upon the Prime Minister of Malaysia, to release Raja Petra unconditionally, and all the other ISA detainees for that matter. We also call upon the Prime Minister to abolish this draconian Act that clearly violates the basic human rights that were enshrined in the Qur’an ever since.
Dr Farouk Musa
Dr Sheik Johari Bux
Dr Jeffrey Hassan
Dr Musa Nordin
Dr Mazeni Alwi
Haji Ali Ghazali
Muslim Professionals Forum (MPF)
ISA Arrests 2nd Press Release
MPF 2ND PRESS RELEASE – ISA ARRESTS
20th September 2008
The Muslim Professionals Forum (MPF) welcomes the release of MP Theresa Kok from ISA detention. However the unrestrained chorus of thinly veiled threats to invoke the ISA by a cohort of political leaders that include members of the cabinet is a very disturbing development.
It is not difficult for the ordinary citizens to see this as a deliberate, if not orchestrated attempt to cast a climate of fear and intimidation in the Malaysian political ambience.
That such a development continues despite the resignation of senator Zaid Ibrahim as de facto law minister, open disagreement of UMNO’s major allies in Barisan Nasional and widespread criticisms from civil society groups gives credence to the long held belief that the ISA is an indispensable tool to be wielded by the executive whenever its cling to power is under threat, hence the reluctance to repeal it.
It is unfortunate that UMNO with its illustrious history in the struggle for independence and nation building is today reduced, in the eyes of the rakyat, to a cornered beast.
We urge leaders of the ruling party, especially members of the cabinet to act more responsibly in carrying out the mandate to govern the country.
As has been repeatedly pointed out by many, the ISA is a gross violation of fundamental human rights, anti-democratic and inimical to the principles of justice in Islam.
Board of Directors
Muslim Professionals Forum
Dr. Mazeni Alwi
Dr. Shaikh Johari Bux
Haji Mohamed Ali Ghazali
Dato’ Dr. Musa Mohd. Nordin
ISA Arrests
MPF PRESS RELEASE – ISA ARRESTS
13th September 2008
The arrests of MP Theresa Kok and journalist Tan Hoon Cheng under the ISA following that of blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin raise grave concern for Malaysians.
An endearing legacy of Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s leadership that we have come to appreciate is the openness albeit limited, that has come as a breath of fresh air after 2 decades of punitive control of the public sphere.
The arrests of the three individuals under the draconian law at a time when Malaysians have become more mature politically and less inclined to be baited by racial politics will no doubt further erode the legitimacy of and support for the ruling party, perhaps irrevocably.
Of no less import will be the repercussions to Malaysia’s reputation internationally, that time and again the ruling party resorts to an unjust and antiquated piece of legislation to silence dissent in order to sustain her cling to power.
It is clear to all that the arrests of MP Theresa Kok and journalist Tan Hoon Cheng are completely without justification. Tan was merely doing her job as a journalist and UMNO has undertaken the appropriate measures, including an apology from its deputy president. In the “Puchong Azan Issue”, MP Theresa Kok was arrested over what is clearly a false allegation. We urge the authorities to immediately release the two and bring to book those responsible for fomenting racial and religious hatred.
It cannot be completely denied that Raja Petra Kamarudin in his writings and those who contribute to his blog have expressed views that many Muslims consider as denigrating the prophet and the religion of Islam. However we believe this can be countered by sound arguments based on well accepted teachings and sources of Islam. In the extreme, the authorities may take him to the Syariah court. The use of the ISA is excessive, inhumane and runs counter to Islam’s principles of justice.
In this blessed month of Ramadhan, we urge the authorities to act justly in carrying out their responsibility of maintaining the peace and security of the country. We also urge everyone in the public sphere to exercise restraint and wisdom in discussing issues of race and religion.
Board of Directors
Muslim Professionals Forum
Dr. Mazeni Alwi
Dr. Shaikh Johari Bux
Haji Mohamed Ali Ghazali
Dato’ Dr. Musa Mohd. Nordin
The strange allure of our ‘exes’
The strange allure of our ‘exes’
by Ziauddin Sardar
Published 18 September 2008
To declare that you are an ex-fanatic or ex-Muslim is now the shortest route to fame and fortune
It has become quite fashionable, in certain Muslim circles, to be an ex. We have a number of ex-fundamentalists and ex-fanatics, such as Ed Husain, promoting themselves as experts on fanaticism and terrorism and advising various branches of the government. We have a group calling itself the Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain, which specialises in denouncing all things Islamic. We even have an odd ex-terrorist or two seeking book deals.
I have nothing against people who want to make a new identity for themselves. That is their right. But it does seem strange to me that those who want to distance themselves from a certain kind of Islam, or Islam itself, still use Islam to describe their new identity. We don’t have reformed criminals calling themselves ex-criminals. Indeed, we don’t even have ex-atheists. So why ex-Muslims or ex-Islamists?
The answer tells us a great deal about contemporary Britain. When it comes to Islam we are ready to believe anything and everything. Anything that seems to help us fight fundamentalism is deserving of uncritical support. The exes also enable us to perform a neat con-trick. By embracing them and their call for “Islamic reform”, we appear to demonstrate our support for the Muslim community – thus drawing attention away from the fact that we continue to discriminate against, and marginalise, the majority.
The uncritical embrace of exes is justified by the assertion that they bring insider knowledge. They have been there, so they know what it’s like to be a fanatic, an Islamist, or a puritan Muslim. They are thus in a good position to provide useful insights into fighting the nasty Muslims and stopping their nefarious plans. This is a rather odd argument. How can someone who didn’t have the intellectual or spiritual capability to resist being brainwashed lecture other Muslims on how to avoid such traps?
The exes themselves have realised that they are on to a good thing. To stand up and declare that you are an ex-fanatic or an ex-Muslim is now the shortest route to fame and fortune. One of the first to realise this was Tawfik Hamid, a former member of the Egyptian terrorist group Gama’a al-Islamiyya, who now lives in the US. Just over two years ago, he declared himself an ex-terrorist and instantly found himself on Fox News and CNN. Offers for confessional stories and books flooded in. He became an expert on “terrorism” and “Islamic reformation” for the neoconservative Hudson Institute.
The exes in Britain have followed similar trajectories. Who had heard of Ed Husain, now jetting around the globe advising all and sundry about reforming Islam, a few years ago? Or of Maryam Namazie, the “voice” of the Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain? Has no one noticed that the Council consists largely of Iranian exiles, card-carrying members of Mujahedin-e-Khalq, the revolutionary Trots who fought the shah? They were hardly Muslims in the first place.
I have nothing against these folk (though I think those who take them seriously ought to be put in a straitjacket). Indeed, I am going to take a leaf from their book. This will be my last column for the New Statesman and I am therefore establishing a Council of Ex-Columnists. But I plan to parade my knowledge in longer articles for this magazine and elsewhere, thus enhancing my considerable fame and fortune.
Bar Council forum on conversion to Islam
MPF PRESS RELEASE
12th August 2008
MPF regrets the unruly action of protestors that forced an abrupt end to the Bar Council forum on conversion to Islam on 9th August 2008. We acknowledge that as a nation with two justice systems as accorded by the Federal Constitution, there would be outstanding issues that remain unresolved, one of them being the subject of the Saturday forum.
It is quite understandable that when a divorce case between a Muslim and a non Muslim spouse is brought to the Syariah Court, the non Muslim would see this as an infringement of Islamic law against their rights. This may be due to a number of factors, among which are lack of knowledge and misconceptions of Islam and Islamic law based on precedent cases. It would not be inconceivable that there would be some degree of animosity and prejudice that the religion has directly or indirectly contributed to the dissolution of their marriage.
As much as we hold that the Syariah is an indivisible part of Islam, the functioning of the Syariah courts and the intricacies of specific enactments are human endeavours that will always have room for improvement.
The recommendation by a former SUHAKAM Commissioner, Dr. Mehrun Siraj that the Syariah court should not unilaterally make any decisions that might affect the rights of non Muslims, is a sound initiative towards resolving the issue and should be seriously considered by all states.
The Saturday incident, similar to the disruption of Article 11 Forum not long ago, showed that Islam and the administration of Islamic Law in this country is still very much a sensitive issue, one that touches many a Muslim across party lines. However, from the viewpoint of non Muslim rights on these outstanding issues and freedom of expression, there is a valid reason for holding such a public forum, with the possible consequences taken into consideration.
Meanwhile, we urge the government to reactivate the joint committee of civil and Syariah lawyers which had been tasked to discuss matters relating to marriage and family issues, to work towards an amicable solution.
Dr. Mazeni Alwi
Chairman
Muslim Professionals Forum