Precisely Malaysian

Posted on 24 June 2010 By Ding Jo-Ann. (All pics courtesy of Tricia Yeoh) With her parents The Beautyful Ones Are (still) Not Yet Born For, the Beautyful ones are still not yet born.

The Hulu Selangor Saga

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April 23, 2010

Youth Empowerment and Participation

Youth Empowerment and Participation

National Christian Youth Assembly, Kuala Lumpur

12th December 2009

September 18, 2008

I Am Grieving

Posted in Malaysia, Personal, Reflections at 12:43 am by egalitaria Forgive my momentary pessimism. Today I am grieving the nation, but yet it is in deep mourning that I know is buried the desire for light to brandish itself anew.

Last night at the candlelight prayer vigil, we were asked to write prayers on the wall. And to say a word that came to mind. Some were hopeful. My word was “shadows”…

In shadows Malaysia waits

For redemptive light,

In shadows Malaysia longs

For what is right.

It groans and struggles.

All of its pains

To birth justice, peace,

Restoration again.

Your presence we desire

As we fight this good fight.

September 13, 2008

Prayer for Malaysia

Posted in Malaysia, Reflections at 8:46 am by egalitaria As dawn breaks

And the day breathes anew,

We are silenced.

When injustice is poured

Over the peoples of this land

We are adamant.

And those who have chosen to speak

And write the right,

We must remember.

God’s spirit hovers

Sad and grieved at deception,

We must respond.

Stand for truth,

Speak boldly and calmly,

We will do.

No hatred, no animosity,

No violence, no fighting,

We pray, o we pray.

Wisdom is needed

Whilst despair comes upon us,

We will prevail.

September 11, 2008

Remaking the Big Bang

Posted in Outside Malaysia, Reflections at 6:47 pm by egalitaria This has to be one of the coolest experiments ever conducted. After close to 20 years of research, a huge team of scientists has put together equipment that will replicate conditions of the Big Bang – or at least, it will attempt to do so.

It’s called the “Large Hadron Collider“, where the experimenters are trying to shoot protons into each other, hoping that their collision will show results similar to what happened when the universe started.

It’s really interesting to watch documentaries of this thing, because it’s actually built UNDER the surface, in a circular-like makeup. It lies under the French-Swiss border near Geneva, Switzerland, and is 27 kilometres long.

This is pretty historical, phenomenal (yes, more historical than September 16th 2008, even). The only thing is that it will take several years before any real answers will emerge. The team of physicists will be poring over the numerical data, running analyses and such.

Initially there was some fear that particle collisions might lead to negative effects, but that’s been pretty much cleared up.

In a couple of years, when the conditions and actual replication of the Big Bang can be thoroughly analysed, this may lead to some tearing apart of preconceived notions – about life, death, beginnings and endings of the world.. not to mention faith… and potentially, God. Maybe it’s time religious groups had better start getting prepared for questions and answers! (Mine included)

But I am generally excited about this awesome venture into science and discovery 🙂

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Why I Am Fasting

Posted in Malaysia, Personal, Reflections at 7:28 am by egalitaria I’ve been asked my many people why I decided to fast this month, so I shall write out my reasons why. I won’t write about my experiences yet, although I have been keeping a journal (my usual journal) to keep a log of what it’s been like. Plus, KLUE magazine found out I am doing it – and apparently I shall be writing an article on it after!

I’m fasting for the month of Ramadhan, for several reasons:

One, I am attempting to do it in solidarity with my Muslim friends around the world. I think it’s a great way to understand and emphathise with Muslims this unusual once-a-year experience.

Two, I actually wanted to quieten down this month to ponder over several personal decisions. (Quite impossible with the political ruckus in Malaysia now!)

Three, this comes at a time in Malaysian history which actually needs a lot of prayer and reflection. I’m not sure how much of this I am able to do right now, though, seeing as I am actually more greatly frustrated with the likes of Ahmad Ismail’s antics.

Four, again it is a good spiritual discipline. In our harried lives, (or mine specifically), it is not easy to keep a regular schedule especially in terms of sleeping, waking, eating in general. Discipline is good for the body, and hopefully after the month I shall keep to it.

August 20, 2008

Posted in Reflections, Religion at 2:03 am by egalitaria I spent two days learning about Sufism at a conference last week at the Institute of Southeast Asia Studies – jointly organised with the Department of Malay Studies, NUS. It was truly fascinating, from someone who knew little to nothing of its teachings. A mystical spirituality is taught, that transcends systematic or regulated religion. The Wahabiyah movement would be typically opposed to Sufi teachings, since the former preaches more regulated practice of Islam. In fact, some even argue that Sufism is not Islam.

Neverthless, there also exists tarekah, which means a more organised version of Sufism. This comes in the form of groups that meet regularly. The tasawuf is a movement in reaction to the tarekah. Indonesia has little mushroomings of Sufi groups, although they may not necessarily be called Sufistic in nature. (Since it was a Western term to begin with..)

What was interesting to me was the political dimension of Sufism. The West has been looking to Sufism as an alternative to radical extremist Islam, which is both good and bad. Good, because it is true that Sufism does not preach violence nor hatred. In fact at the heart of it lies love. But it is bad because the only way to counter terrorism through Sufism is to have a systematic response – when Sufism is predicated on non-systematic faith. As a result, you may get a secret society-type movement that is overly reliant upon one leader alone. You know, like how Christian types can get all crazy over a charismatic leader (just because he can speak well and repeats himself five times over).

Prior to this, I’d only read about Maimun and Layla’s story – and the beauty of longing and desire after something so intensely felt – this is the longing of a human after God, it was argued.

I still know very little, but people have been messaging me with little bytes of knowledge. The conference was good since it exposed me to the philosophical ideas of Islam, and finally some good solid Arab music (from Yemen) finished it off nicely.

Although Sufism is not debated widely in Malaysia, I think it would be an interesting idea to discuss it vis-a-vis the Wahabi standards that we currently practice today. Just a thought to simmer in the mind.
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