Letter referring to “More Arab Than Arabs” NST article
by Adnan Mohd Tahir

12 May 2004

Adnan Mohd Tahir
10 Lorong Limau Kasturi
Bangsar Park
59000 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 22841289
Fax:22841981

Group-Editor-In-Chief
New Straits Times
31 Jalan Riong, KL

Attn: En Kalimullah Hassan

Dear Sir,

MORE ARAB THAN THE ARABS?

We refer to the above article which appeared in New Straits Times issue of 28 April 2004 which it seemed was intended to provoke the Muslim Malays.

We thought that with the new Prime Minister with Islamic credentials and with the change in Group-Editor-In-Chief in NST, NST would be more responsible, credible and balanced. Unfortunately, on top of giving anti-hadiths group a media platform, you are now giving non-Muslim non-Malay writers the opportunity to criticize us. Have you ever published articles critical of the Christians who are turning secular and godless, or Indians who are becoming more westernized than the Westerners, or the Chinese who are getting more materialistic than ever? Are these articles (if any) written by Muslim Malays? Do you dare to publish if we submit?

Why are your non-Muslim writers paranoid about Muslim Malays wearing jubbah, kopiah or serban, and not when we wear bikinis, skirts or suit and tie in the hot weather, dressings which are not part of the Malay culture? Your writers should have interviewed Islamic scholars for a balanced perspective, instead of just hearing opinions of people in the arts field if they want to relate Islam to culture. Anyway your writers, being non-Muslims cannot possibly be expected to know and feel the beliefs and sentiments of Muslims. It is therefore dangerous and inappropriate for them to write on matters concerning Islam.

Finally culture evolves, and if with more awareness, the Malays decide to be more Islamic and discard ancient un-Islamic ignorant practices, so be it. It is not for others to comment.

Yours truly,

Adnan Mohd Tahir

Letter referring to “More Arab Than Arabs” NST article
by Azra Banu

8th May 2004

Azra Banu
1 Jalan Tebrau
Ukay Heights
68000 Ampang
Tel: 4260 4581

The Editor
New Straits Times
31 Jalan Riong
Kuala Lumpur

Dear Sir,
I refer to the NST article ‘More Arab than the Arabs’ dated 28th April 2004. I fail to comprehend how a paper that claims to hold such high standards can allow such a shallow piece through. It would seem not much thought was given by your writers (I hesitate to call them journalists) in writing it.

Why did they present only one side of the coin? Did they even think of asking the ones they are accusing of abandoning their culture, why? Why are they ‘Arabising’?

Why didn’t they interview a broader spectrum of people? Were they afraid of what they may discover? And some of the quotes were so void of deep thought that it left me dumbfounded as to how these people can claim to have an insight on the matter.

With the growing awareness of Islam worldwide, there will naturally be a different understanding of it. Some for the better and some not. With a better understanding of Islam, certain practices are no longer acceptable, some clearly defined, others requiring further insight.

Whether you want to admit it or not, a deeper and better understanding of Islam does cast a shadow on certain cultural practices of the Malays. And if you look beyond the Malay world, the same shadow is cast on other cultures. Would these same Muslims tell a Muslim in India the same if he decides to rid himself of certain practices that are so steeped in Hinduism? What about a Chinese Muslim?

What about some practices long abandoned? Like visiting ‘keramat’, ‘mandi safar’ and ‘puja pantai’? Shall we revive that?

As Muslims, we must keep increasing our level of piety. If a certain garment, language or music helps some, why should we impede that progress? The progress to not only a higher level of spirituality but ultimately, a sharpened understanding of Islam.

When a journalist puts pen to paper he must present as balanced an article as possible. He may take a stand, but he must allow views from all sides to enable the readers to form their own opinions. And with a topic of such importance and impact the writers must be able to feel for the issue. The choice of your writers and the partiality of the article don’t reflect well on the integrity of your paper and certainly cast doubts on your intentions. It is hoped that your paper will discharge the duties entrusted upon you in a more responsible manner.

Yours truly,

Azra Banu
Letters@nst.com.my
Rehman@nst.com.my