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Friday 1/4/2005 New Article entitled Islam and Human Rights by Dr. Azzam Tamimi added. Tuesday 30/3/2005 MPF Press Release : Policing Morality The Muslim Professionals Forum ( MPF ) regrets the use of the jargon “moral policing” in the present campaign to seek a repeal of the Sharia enactment deemed in contradiction to international norms of human rights. We view this as an underhanded attempt to cast those who support the present administration of Islamic affairs based on the constitutional provisions in a very negative light even before fair debate begins. We acknowledge that recent incidents that highlighted the unprofessional conduct on the part of enforcement officers such as the JAWI raid on a discotheque deserves public scrutiny. It has to be admitted that some parties have been denied justice because of the human weaknesses either in the formulation or the implementation of some aspects of the Sharia enactment. However, instead of calling for a review or fine-tuning of the substance of the individual enactment concerned and rectifying the weaknesses of its enforcement, such incidents have been opportunistically and grossly manipulated to force-feed a totalising secularisation onto the Muslim community. It is correct for HAKAM secretary-general Ms Elizabeth Wong to say, “let people decide what they want to wear and when, until they break the penal code”( The Sun; March 26-27 ) insofar as non-Muslims are concerned, and we would strongly defend that right. But many Muslims, probably the great majority, should similarly enjoy the inalienable right to be governed by the Sharia as part of their religious obligations. Is this too much to ask by modern standards of fairplay and justice ? The Quranic verse puts it most plainly “unto you your deen (way of life) and unto me my deen” ( Al-Quran; Al-Kafirun : Verse 6 ). It is most unfortunate that the human rights language has been notoriously abused by a few individuals and groups who are pushing for Malaysian Muslims to jettison their religious traditions and adopt wholly the west's post modern materialism and secular ideologies. The phrase “policing morality” is well calculated to heap abuse and scorn on proponents of moral legislation. But like it or not, any so called civilised society cannot do without some degree of legislation that touches on moral issues, such as the age limit when consensual sex is considered rape even when there are supposedly no victims. The signatories of the “anti moral policing” document needs to recognise that the very foundation of the penal code itself is the preservation of morality. Decency laws exist even in the most liberal of societies. The campaign to repeal state and municipal bylaws ( which for Muslims is the Sharia enactments ) on the argument that it overlaps with the penal code, is misguided. From London and New York to Manila and Tokyo, decency laws under the purview of municipal authorities exist alongside the penal code. In Malaysia, just because it happens to be based on Islamic teachings, it is seen as unfashionable and anti-modern. But this concerns only Muslims and it is improper and insensitive for non-Muslims to interfere. Islam, in her outward manifestations, has definite rulings on such matters as alcohol consumption, gambling, sexuality and marriage, decency and morality, wealth inheritance and tithe collection and distribution. In Malaysia, statutory bodies under the aegis of the Malay rulers as provided for by the constitution, formulate, implement and administer these Sharia rulings. Understandably, there would be sections within the Muslim community who may find the Sharia rulings too restrictive or embarrassing to their western, secular sensibilities. But this is strictly an internal problem normal to any religious community, and best resolved intra-faithfully. We regret that a few Muslims, anxious to be decorated as champions of progressive, liberal Islam have turned these normal internal differences into national issues by seeking the support of those outside the faith who share the common desire for complete secularisation of society, to force religion and spirituality into the private domain. This is truly a morbid trend as far as religious harmony is concerned. In the spirit of mutual respect, Muslims have never interfered nor commented on the affairs of other religions. The Babas and Nyonyas,and to a certain extent the Chinese of Kelantan and Terengganu have peacefully lived among the Muslim Malays for centuries, even assimilating Malay culture and language, but the host community have never interfered in their religion. Hence, despite their cool and tolerant cultural predisposition, the mainstream Muslim Malays feel hurt, nay flabbergasted and outraged by this brazen interference in the affairs of their faith. We would urge our Muslim co-signatories of the “repeal Sharia laws” document to resolve these intra-faith matters through discussions and consultations with mainstream Muslim groups and the relevant authorities. In any case, these are relatively minor issues in comparison to the daunting problems which are afflicting our society notably, a culture of permissiveness and promiscuity, endemic corruption, poverty, the widening income gap, unbalanced development, rape of the environment, the urban-rural divide, alarming escalation in heinous crime and the perpetual drugs menace. In our joint pursuit of truth, justice and fair-play, we should not allow parochial and careless sentiments from jeopardising our time tested national religious harmony, tolerance and mutual respect. We should embrace the spirit of togetherness and synergy as exhorted by the verse “but help ye one another unto righteousness and pious duty; help not one another unto sin and transgression” ( Al-Quran; Al-Maidah: Verse 2 ) Signed Dr. Sheik Johari Bux bin Sheik Yaacob Bux sjbong3454@hotmail.com Board Member Muslim Professionals Forum Suite 1810, 18th Floor, Plaza Permata (IGB Plaza) Jalan Kampar, off Jalan Tun Razak 50400 Kuala Lumpur Tel : 603-40426102 Website : http://mpf.org.my Tuesday 22/3/2005 KHALIFAH INSTITUTE - JOURNEY TO ISLAM Event : Fund-Raising Dinner & Talk Date : 9th April, 2005 Place : Ballroom, Sheraton Subang Hotel, Subang Jaya Time : 7:30pm - 12 midnight Talks by: 1. Professor Muhammad Al'Mahdi (Founder of Khalifah Institute) Title: "From Atheism to Faith" 2. Brother Yahya Adel Ibrahim (Guest Speaker) Title: "The Threat to Islam in the World Today" Guest of Honour : YB Dato' Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil Minister of Women, Family & Community Development Enquiries : Sarah - 03 4256 6810 Dr Alini Marzuki - 019 226 8411 Nor Aishah Osman - 012 223 1961 Khalifah Institute - 03 4256 6810 Email - khalifahproject@yahoo.com Website - www.islamic-world.net Khalifah Institute Lot 298, Jalan 3 Taman Ampang Utama 68000 Ampang Selangor More info (Right-click and Save Target As) :- Brother Yahya Adel Ibrahim Khalifah Institute, Professor Muhammad Al'Mahdi and Brother Yahya Adel Ibrahim in brief  To view full article click here :- page 1 | page 2 Tuesday 15/3/2005 Inter Faith Commision The Muslim Professionals Forum ( MPF ) lauds the Prime Minister, YAB Dato’ Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his deputy’s prompt response and call for a moratorium to the proposed establishment of the Inter Faith Commission ( IFC ). The primary purpose of any form of inter-faith body is surely to promote religious harmony in a plural society like Malaysia. Instead, the hasty manner in which this has been effected has only succeeded in alienating mainstream Muslims and Muslim organisations. The claim by the proponents and multiple press reports that the IFC concept is supported by many Muslims and Muslim groups is preposterous since only two Muslim groups were at the inaugural conference in Bangi. The time tested Malaysian way of conflict resolution in the spirit of “cross-cultural muhibbah” was unheeded and not surprisingly, the ensuing polemics has acutely polarised opinions and is a sure recipe for interfaith discord. It is most perplexing that in this highly sensitive domain of religious beliefs, teachings and practices, the proponents of the IFC have opted for an unprecedented legal process; the first of it’s kind in the world. When it was first mooted in 2001; the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism and Sikhism ( MCCBCHS ) in their memorandum to the Bar Council; had proposed a statutory body with adjudicative powers which was enthusiastically embraced by the latter. This despite the vehement objections and counter proposals from ACCIN (Allied Coordinating Committee of Islamic NGOs) and the Shariah subcommittee of the Bar Council. Their motives and designs then would be in direct contravention of the letter and the spirit of the social contract as enshrined in the federal constitution. Apart from their dabbling in intrafaith matters, an interfaith commission with purported adjudicative powers would undermine the role of the Malay rulers as the heads of Islam and interfere with existing constitutional arrangements between the states and the federal government. This historical context of the evolution of the IFC is vital to our understanding of the misapprehensions of mainstream Muslims and Muslim organizations and the unwritten agenda of the IFC proponents and her legal allies. The universal solidarity of mainstream Muslims and Muslim organisations against the IFC was very instrumental towards the much watered down profile of the commission as now being just advisory and recommendatory in function. These two functions could have been readily served by the existing machinery which undoubtedly needs better official recognition, repair and upgrading but the interfaith hurt and suspicions which this unnecessary confrontation has unleashed would take double time to mend. Nonetheless, the absolute power of God’s love, mercy and forgiveness have always been the essence of our faiths and together we shall overcome As an organisation of Muslim professionals, we feel that the provisions in the federal constitution remain the fairest and democratic framework within which Malaysians of all denominations can freely practice their religious beliefs and interact in a harmonious manner while safeguarding the status of Islam as the religion of the Federation. In the spirit of respecting the faith of others, Muslims do not question nor challenge the teachings and practices of other religions. It is only fair that we request this respect to be reciprocated. We feel there are at present sufficient mechanisms through which legal disputes pertaining to freedom of religion can be adjudicated. The MPF looks forward to all forms of interfaith dialogues to share many of our common aspirations for humanity and religiosity. As Muslim professionals, we believe that a healthy and fertile discourse towards the persuasion of the minds and the awakening of the hearts should be within the Quranic exhortation of “Call unto the way of Thy Lord with wisdom and fair persuasion and reason with them in the best possible manner” ( Al Quran; Surah An-Nahl, 16 : 125 ) The MPF calls on all parties to heed the advise of the PM in order to safeguard Malaysia's hard-won religious harmony. S.L. Pang @ Farah Abdullah 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 New article added : Janet Jackson's wardrobe malfunction and legislating morality by Dr. Mazeni Alwi. Tuesday 10/3/2005 Pictures From ACEH  Click HERE to view ACEH pictures from the gallery Tuesday 9/3/2005 WITH DR. AZZAM TAMIMI 
THEME : ISLAMIC POLITICAL THEORY DATE : 2 – 3 April 2005 ( Sat & Sun ) TIME : 9AM – 6PM VENUE : MNI Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur (Opposite Mandarin Oriental Hotel ) CO-ORGANISERS : Muslim Professionals Forum (MPF) Jamaah Islah Malaysia (JIM) Malaysia National Insurance (MNI) RSVP : Azra Banu 019 282 4500 Asnah Ahmad 012 210 0577 Ustaz Maszlee 012 236 0189 Mimi Musa 012 372 3135 * Click here to download the brochure for more information (Right-click and Save Target As) Thursday 10/2/2005  The MPF lecture series The lecture series is intended to be one of MPF’s major regular activities, in line with our objectives of knowledge dissemination, intellectual engagement and dialogue on issues related Islam and Muslims in the context of Malaysia’s plural society and an increasing interdependent world. Islam as a universal faith that is embraced by diverse peoples of the world has made significant, lasting contributions to human civilization, and continues to influence world events and political trends today. This lecture series intends to bring scholars and experts to enlighten the Malaysian public at an introductory level on the various aspects of Islam and the Muslim world- politics and philosophy, art and architecture, history and culture, economics, science and technology, knowledge and spirituality and etc. It is hoped that this will further stimulate in depth reading and study on these subjects in those who have more than a passing interest in Islam. The speakers largely consist of Malaysia based experts and scholars. The lectures are held bimonthly. JAWI Issue Added Deal with morals of 'wayward youth', says MPF by Nurul Nazirin. The Jawi issue statement by MPF has also been uploaded, Click here for both English and BM versions. A new article written by Dr. Mazeni Alwi : Revisiting Highway 61 MPF Charity Sale 5th February 2005, Plaza Mont Kiara Pictures and Newspaper Articles  Click here to view more pictures from the gallery  Click here to view the full article |