I have been showering this blog with a stream of feeling to blog recently. I just came back from Jakarta, Indonesia for a short holiday trip with family and to attend my uncle wedding ceremony last Sunday. Still not fully recovered from the dust and polluted air of Jakarta, I am back here to spill some bollocks.
I will blog about Jakarta later, but before that..
I was in Senayan City Shopping Mall in Senayan, Jakarta which is located near my hotel where I stayed. And I managed to do window shopping (because as usual, I am dead broke) and found myself astonishingly glaring at few Yohji Yamamoto silver men sneakers to put into my wannabes list.
But I was actually looking for white shoes and a pair of white Onitsuka Tiger catch my attention too.
Yohji Yamamoto is too pricey, but they looks fantabulous. Silver is too hard for me to say no. Onitsuka Tiger on the other hand, is a must have.
Here I am, stuck between two shoes.
Hey where is my paycheque again?
I am going to post this entry bilingually, in Malay and English.
I am one of yoga practitioner (well not an avid one, but I have the experience) and I started early of this year and I enjoy it very much. But unfortunately, I had to stop practicing yoga for a while, because of certain reason. Throughout my experience in practicing yoga, I never had any chants, mantras or Hinduism philosophy thought in any class I attended. All we did just stretching and breathing.
It is very clear and undeniable that yoga(Wiki:click) has its root from Hinduism. But to specifically say modern yoga practice is directly connecting to Hinduism, I am beg to differ. I am not here to object the decision of Majlis Fatwa Kebangsaan Malaysia (nanti aku dituduh murtad and melanggar hukum Allah plak, nauzubillah), but I believe every fatwas worth debates and intellectual, logical justification.
My concerns include:
1-Have the council check on modern yoga classes nowadays? In fitness centre or any modern yoga studio to be specific? I am pretty sure that there's no mantras, karmas or whatsoever or the so-called 'unification with God' is taught in class. Yoga class in Hindus temple is not considered as modern yoga classes, because I believe modern people who are not Hindus (especially Muslims) will not going to such classes (my basic assumption).
2-If yoga is prohibited, then what about taichi, qigong and other form of exercise which I believe has some roots of non-Islamic faith?
3-I have always look to Mufti Perlis, Dr. Asri Zainul Abidin for Islamic view and thoughts. He is one of the muftis (I believe he still is, although he has submitted the resignation letter), thus I believe he is part of Majlis Fatwa Kebangsaan and his opinion is matters. I am totally agree about his view of this yoga-banned fatwa.
4-They said Singapore and Egypt has banned yoga as well. I do not found this helping at all. Does that mean that Muslim can practice yoga when they are not in these countries (Egypt, Singapore and Malaysia)?
5-If faith and aqidah(Wiki:click) is the issue, why programs about mystical behavior like susuk(Wiki:click), bomohs etc. which definitely more faith and aqidah eroding in the mainstream media is not prohibited?
Just my two cents from my humble opinion.
Further reading about this issue, checkout:
Yoga Instructor Diaries
RantingsbyMM
Fatwa Council says yoga with worshipping, chanting is prohibited (updated)
By MAZWIN NIK ANIS
Fatwa Council says yoga with worshipping, chanting is prohibited
PUTRAJAYA: The National Fatwa council has declared that the yoga practice which involves three elements of physical movements, worshipping and chanting as haram (prohibited) in Islam.
Its chairman Datuk Dr Abdul Shukor Husin said although merely doing the physical movements of yoga minus the worshipping and chanting might not be wrong in the eyes of the religion, it should be avoided as “doing one would lead to another”.
He said yoga has been practised by the Hindu community for thousands of years and incorporates physical and religious elements and chants and worshipping, with the aim at “being one with God”.
“Because of this, we believe that it is inappropriate for Muslims to do yoga and the council has declared that practising yoga when it comes all together with the three elements as haram.
“We discourage Muslims to do yoga as a form of exercise because it will ultimately lead to religious worshipping and chanting which is against Islam.
“In Islam, one must not do things which can erode one’s aqidah or faith. Doing yoga, even just the physical movements is a step towards an erosion of one’s faith in the religion, hence Muslims should avoid it,” he told a press conference.
He added that the council had come up with an edict on yoga as the matter was brought up to them following growing concerns whether it would be against the religion if Muslims do the exercise.
Recently, a lecturer Prof Zakaria Stapa of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia’s Islamic Studies Centre advised Muslims who had taken up yoga to stop practising it for fear that they could deviate from the teachings of Islam.
Shukor said the declaration of yoga as haram was done after serious and indepth discussions were made by the council members who met last month.
He added after studying the matter, including the history and purpose of yoga where the ultimate aim was to “be one with God”, the council decided that it was inappropriate for Muslims as it could affect one’s faith.
Asked if the decision would draw flak within the Malaysian community, including the non-Muslims, he said the ruling was only meant for Muslims and the rest were free to practise yoga.
“The fatwa (edict) is meant solely for the Muslims to follow. The non-Muslims need not question or debate about this because they are free to do whatever they wish. It is the Muslims who have to adhere to this,” he added.
Shukor said once the edict was gazetted, it would be up to the state governments on how they plan to implement and enforce the ruling as religious affairs come under its purview.
“Malaysia is not the only country which declare yoga as haram in Islam. Singapore and Egypt have come out with the same edict as well,” he said.
He said Muslims must be careful as to not do things which could erode their faith, adding the religion strongly advocates “prevention is better than cure”.
“There are many other forms of exercise that Muslims can partake especially when the religion promotes healthy living and lifestyle. Performing prayers for example is a good form of exercise,” he said.
I am one of yoga practitioner (well not an avid one, but I have the experience) and I started early of this year and I enjoy it very much. But unfortunately, I had to stop practicing yoga for a while, because of certain reason. Throughout my experience in practicing yoga, I never had any chants, mantras or Hinduism philosophy thought in any class I attended. All we did just stretching and breathing.
It is very clear and undeniable that yoga(Wiki:click) has its root from Hinduism. But to specifically say modern yoga practice is directly connecting to Hinduism, I am beg to differ. I am not here to object the decision of Majlis Fatwa Kebangsaan Malaysia (nanti aku dituduh murtad and melanggar hukum Allah plak, nauzubillah), but I believe every fatwas worth debates and intellectual, logical justification.
My concerns include:
1-Have the council check on modern yoga classes nowadays? In fitness centre or any modern yoga studio to be specific? I am pretty sure that there's no mantras, karmas or whatsoever or the so-called 'unification with God' is taught in class. Yoga class in Hindus temple is not considered as modern yoga classes, because I believe modern people who are not Hindus (especially Muslims) will not going to such classes (my basic assumption).
2-If yoga is prohibited, then what about taichi, qigong and other form of exercise which I believe has some roots of non-Islamic faith?
3-I have always look to Mufti Perlis, Dr. Asri Zainul Abidin for Islamic view and thoughts. He is one of the muftis (I believe he still is, although he has submitted the resignation letter), thus I believe he is part of Majlis Fatwa Kebangsaan and his opinion is matters. I am totally agree about his view of this yoga-banned fatwa.
4-They said Singapore and Egypt has banned yoga as well. I do not found this helping at all. Does that mean that Muslim can practice yoga when they are not in these countries (Egypt, Singapore and Malaysia)?
5-If faith and aqidah(Wiki:click) is the issue, why programs about mystical behavior like susuk(Wiki:click), bomohs etc. which definitely more faith and aqidah eroding in the mainstream media is not prohibited?
Just my two cents from my humble opinion.
Further reading about this issue, checkout:
Yoga Instructor Diaries
RantingsbyMM
Me and my fellow friends has been planning to go backpacking to Thailand since God knows when. And the dream has been materialized last October, finally. So here is my Bangkok-Pattaya report, based on my observations, comments and experiences throughout the trip.
We made it from Bangkok on 24th October and managed to come back in one piece on 27th October. Apart from unstable political situation in Thailand (especially in Bangkok), we came in to conclusion that the trip must be go on since the flight ticket cannot be rerouted and refunded.
Contrary to popular belief, there's more to discover in Thailand than a-go-go bars, prostitution and fucking elephant.
For example:
We made it from Bangkok on 24th October and managed to come back in one piece on 27th October. Apart from unstable political situation in Thailand (especially in Bangkok), we came in to conclusion that the trip must be go on since the flight ticket cannot be rerouted and refunded.
Contrary to popular belief, there's more to discover in Thailand than a-go-go bars, prostitution and fucking elephant.
For example:
1. Horrendous traffic problem in the heart of Bangkok
2.Awesome and tasty street delicacies, from sweets to deep fried bugs.
3. Convenience stores and ATM bank are everywhere.
4. Soothing and relaxing body massage.
5. Stuff in pink.
6. Forget the tuk-tuk. Opt for the huge and spacey Skytrain. Enjoy yourself with cool commercial break every now and then.
7. Surprisingly efficient transportation, for example inter-city bus service.
8. The jeep is the national car.
9. The most fabulous dessert on earth, Mango with sticky rice.
10. Hard Rock Hotel Pattaya Weekend Night Foam party. Rocks.
11. The train station name that is actually pronounced in a different way. Thai is a tonal language, don't expect you know the right way to pronounce anything unless you heard the local says it first (example: Ratchadamri and Nana Station).
12. Awesome cafe in the middle of heated and cramped Chatuchak Sunday Market. They have this Latin and cozy ambient with to die for deco.
13. Thai coconut drink in street stall. A must in hot and boiling day.
14. Muslim food stall in clock tower of Chatuchak Sunday Market. Definitely a must try, especially for Muslim travellers like me who always very strict in the food rule. Try the chicken briyani, infamous tomyam, and roasted beef slice. Yummy. I even drooling when writing this.
15. If you're traveling backpacking way and very careful about hygiene issues, go Lub D. They're the coolest hangout pad for backpackers ever existed on this Earth.
16. Shopping, shopping, shopping. Higher end crowd, go Ratchaprasong area, where Siam Paragon, MBK, and Siam Centre located. It is almost impossible to finish loitering around this area in one day.
17. Muslim Prayer Room is actually available in Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok. And surprisingly it is more comfortable and huge compared to the one in Kuala Lumpur. Ironic, it is.
18. I didn't have enough spare time to go to Jim Thompson house, which is near to my place of stay in Bangkok, but if you do have spare time, do not forget to visit the famous house of Thai silk.
19. Soi Patpong, Silom and Thaniya area. A bit dodgy image since it is the red light district of Bangkok, but believe me they are surprisingly safe. Go Patpong if you're into a-go-go girls, Silom for gay crowd and Thaniya is for Japanese crowd. It is the mini Shinjuku of Bangkok.
20. If you stay in Lub D, relax yourself in the lounge area, with LCD flat TV and collections of DVD. And yes, its time to mingle with fellow smelly backpackers.
21. Don't waste your time doing boutique hopping from Dolce & Gabbana to Louis Vuitton if you looks like someone who just came back from night market (flip-flops, straw hat, shorts etc.) because the staff is not as friendly as the one in KL and Tokyo.
22. Go buy Thai Silk Boxers with Chinese character prints. They're fucking good.
23. And go buy the funky unisex underwear in Chatuchak Sunday Market. They're available in different colors and funky Paul Smith kinda like design. And they're so cheap you feel like buying a dozens for your relative back home.
There's so much to tell about this great city. But what I missed the most is the people. Everything about Thai, the sweet people, funny-sounded but polite language, awesome food and great warm welcome is something we do not normally find in Malaysia, but I believe we're not that far. Maybe better at certain aspect.
I know it is a bit late for this, but I can't resist myself from talking about it. Everyone in this world know about this, and of course, everyone talks about it. The United States of America finally has an African-American elected president for the first time. It is certainly a big thing for America, since racism is a long debated issue, and the new elected president, Barack Hussein Obama II is not white.
It has been a long journey for him, Senator Barack Obama, who represents Illinois, but born in Hawaii. It also has seen a tough competition from Senator John McCain from Arizona, who is more experienced since he used to serve for the army during Vietnam War. But Obama managed to win the vote of people of America, with a history of landslide victory, by winning some of the states that known to side with Republican before.
Winning the US Presidential Election does mean a lot of things for the one who wins. The President of US has the full power and authority to change the landscape and the history of the world. By that means Obama able to get the votes from the people because he tackles major issues facing the people of America like Iraq War, subprime credit slump, economic uncertainties, disciminacy against gay and lesbian, renewable energy, climate change and many more.
For us living on the other side of America, we do hope for the change to come soon. The change is not just having the first African-American president who has quite a global family and used to live in Jakarta during his childhood but also it need to be followed by actions, following the campaign that has been promised. It is indeed not an easy road, nor something we can predict in a click of time. But the need to give our mother Earth, the people who lives in this planet a fair chance to improve the critical situation is crucial. We have been living in issues like war, poverty, global warming, disciminacies, energy sustainability, and lots more for so long, let alone with the hassles of war against terrorism after September 11. It looks like just a simple saying, 'Make this world a better planet to live in' but it is actually not that easy. After a long wait, we are so desperate to see the better change to come.
Three Malaysian Students Get Panasonic Scholarship To Study In Japan
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 6 (Bernama) -- Three Malaysian students were today awarded the Panasonic scholarships to pursue postgraduate studies in Japan beginning April next year.
Japanese Ambassador in Malaysia Masahiko Horie said the programme provided opportunities for excellent students from Asian countries to do research at universities in Japan as well as enable them to contribute for the development of their respective countries.
"I hope these three students will study hard and get good results and at the same time introduce their culture to the people in Japan," he said at the presentation of the scholarships to the affected students here today.
He said the programme also helped in fostering better relations between Malaysia and Japan and an opportunity for Malaysian students to learn more about Japanese culture.
"This programme offers not only scholarship, but also a lot of organised opportunities for students to communicate and mingle with the Japanese people throughout their stay in Japan," he added.
The three students awarded the scholarships are Muhammad Firdaus Anuar, of Universiti Tenaga Nasional, OOi Poh Sien (Universiti Teknologi Malaysia) and Pua Chern Hwui (Nottingham Trent University).
Firdaus will pursue studies in Sustainability Science at Tokyo University, Ooi in Biotechnology at Nagoya University, while Pua will take up System Design at the Tokyo Metropolitan University.
Also present at the function was International Trade and Industry Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
-- BERNAMA
Oh, I don't mean to boast this thing, but I think it is a pretty normal reaction when you get featured in the mainstream media. This is not my first time dealing with reporters, as I got experience when I was featured in The Star for an article about Shell Gourami Business Challenge in Langkawi, 3 years back. Mind you that it is not easy to confront bunch of reporters and tackling their tricky questions, but hey, at least I have tried. Some of weird questions thrown out to me during the interview are:
1. Can you tell me your CGPA? What is your current salary? Don't you feel regret to resign your job because of this Masters thingie?
2. Do you have handicapped siblings? Or your parents, perhaps? Our readers like this kind of stuff.
I must say that at certain point, I did feel insulted, but I think being calm helps you to control the situation much better. Talking about anger management.
Still have dream on becoming celebrity? No, thanks.
It's been a while since Eid, and I know, there is too much to report right now. Let's have some snippets on updates that will follow (sooner or later, let's hope):
1. The Fatwa Council of Malaysia is banning yoga for Muslims. For more info, click here
2. I was away to Bangkok (and Pattaya), Thailand for backpacking trip and it was awesome.
3. I had submitted my application to University of Tokyo for next year admission of research student.
4. I was asked to give an acceptance speech tomorrow in front of Minister of International Trade and Industry, YB Tan Sri Muhyidin Yassin and fellow honorable guests from Japan for Panasonic Scholarship Award Ceremony. Yes, I am currently nervous like hell, and yes, I hate public speaking THAT much (but I'm trying to improve that)
5. I read Hanis Zalikha's blog and ready to list down my 'senarai kesyukuran' (list of grateful things?). And true, I am ready to blog in Malay. Be careful, be very careful.
6. I am so interested to blog more about sustainability and climate change (since I am going to be seriously involved in that field starting next year), but hold on, I am preparing before pulling it full throttle.
7. I am also interested to blog about The United States Presidential Election, but I do not know whether I have sufficient info for that matter.
8. So in a nutshell, give me time to read and be ready for the next post. We'll take it from there.
Till then.
1. The Fatwa Council of Malaysia is banning yoga for Muslims. For more info, click here
2. I was away to Bangkok (and Pattaya), Thailand for backpacking trip and it was awesome.
3. I had submitted my application to University of Tokyo for next year admission of research student.
4. I was asked to give an acceptance speech tomorrow in front of Minister of International Trade and Industry, YB Tan Sri Muhyidin Yassin and fellow honorable guests from Japan for Panasonic Scholarship Award Ceremony. Yes, I am currently nervous like hell, and yes, I hate public speaking THAT much (but I'm trying to improve that)
5. I read Hanis Zalikha's blog and ready to list down my 'senarai kesyukuran' (list of grateful things?). And true, I am ready to blog in Malay. Be careful, be very careful.
6. I am so interested to blog more about sustainability and climate change (since I am going to be seriously involved in that field starting next year), but hold on, I am preparing before pulling it full throttle.
7. I am also interested to blog about The United States Presidential Election, but I do not know whether I have sufficient info for that matter.
8. So in a nutshell, give me time to read and be ready for the next post. We'll take it from there.
Till then.
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