Asian Islam
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22/07/2007 4:51:30 PMIn SEA, we too have a different outlook of Islam, our customs and traditions. The basics are the same regardless, the Quran & haditth and then the different interpretations. With more & more conversions into Islam, we are now taking on a totally new identity, a universal one indeed. Offcousre the traidional folks wnat their previous identity while the younger ones are embracing the diversity. At thend end of the day, it is one Islam with many identities that gives it a refreshing outlook.
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25/07/2007 8:40:12 PMAs a Muslim who is from Singapore but living in Australia, i have the opportunity to compare between the two places based on my observation. i think that Muslim in Singapore are constrains in fully expressing themselves. Somehow i discover that Muslims have to 'tune down' their identity as a Muslim. But i suppose this is a global phonemenon faced by many Muslims because of some very negative reputation.
Again, speaking from my point of view, i do not link myself with Arabs or muslims in the middle east or even their lifestyle or ideologies about what they think Islam is. I think that Singaporean have the ability to be a role model in what Islam is because of our environment. We are expose to a multi culture society, although i'm sadden to how other races are threatened by the presence of Muslims there. and Muslims in Singapore on the other hand are playing a low key on being a Muslim and clearly expressing t hat. By express i mean being comfortable that you are a Muslim and you have nothing to hide or be ashamed of.
i reckon Islam is a unique religion which is practice quite differently in every part of the world. Lifestyle is a great factor on how certain things are seen as acceptable or what is seen as a norm. Like what Mehboob said Islam will be embrace with different Identities.
Being married to someone who isn't from singapore for example made me realise how different the religion is being practiced in different countries. Of course the major manditory things in Islam is the same, but what i mean by different are all the other details, form the clothes, how people consider hijab, to how people say salam to each other, to daily etickets, what is considered as polite or rude within the 'Islamic framework'.
We are very different.
I think Muslims have to understand that Islam is very different in different parts of the world and should not expect others to do what they think is acceptable or correct to them because that is what they understood Islam to be practised in their country.
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28/07/2007 3:10:09 AMOn the general , most singaporeans do not discuss religions with people from other faiths.But personally for me , I can talk for hours with a christian friend discussing about our religion in a peaceful manner. I have muslim friends who reads the bible and goes to churches to gain their knowledge about other religions (without being converted of course) and by doing so conversations with them are more easier. Its flattering for people from other religion if they know you actually took the time to learn about their religion.
However there are some muslims who might are slightly more aggresive and probably get into a fight if anyone ever so slightly disagrees without a certain part of a religion instead of answering the person's doubts. Therefore I guess its a good thing that discussing religions with other faiths is not widely practice.
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14/08/2007 8:17:20 PMIt's hard to resolve such questions regarding Islam and other faiths. For example, based on research, between 1800 to 1950, about 50,000 books or articles being written against Muhammad. Most of the negative ideologies started mainly due to strong Islamic influence in military and political conquests. Hence, it is not impossible to know the propaganda against muslims are far greater than other religions on earth besides christianity itself.
But the worst of yet to come at the Sept 11. While I admit the situation worsens to the advantage of anti-Islam propaganda, I am amazed with a strong light in many western people to discover Islam in a different light. It is strange, even to the most unnoticed westerner, why a 1400 years of muslim faith has'nt evolved so drastic in it's doctrine and ideology in religion, as compared to Christianity and Judism.Furthermore, more than a billion muslims, divided by race and culture, despite heavy wars and different views, still do not bother to question their absolute faith in Allah and Muhammad as a messenger?
Such questions mostly drove some westerners to a conclusion that we are 'extremists', 'fanatics'and 'fundamentalists'. But what's wrong to love ur faith, and since when can we 'moderate' our faith in God our creator ? Would an extreme believer in Allah be a suicide bomber?No. Would a fundamentalist muslim actually declare jihad as an when he feels like hating a country?No. I often ask these same scenario to myself, and realize the whole wrong being about the Islam world is not about Islam itself. It's actually what we made and display others to show how we much we are as muslim. Believe me, there is NOT a single country or religion on earth yet, that is successful in forbidding it's believers not to drink intoxicants,gamble,lewd to women, stealing.And instead, promoting charity and brotherhood or sisterhood without littlt or any form of racism or discrimination in prayers or congregation. And all these teachings remain standing and practised for 1400 years by many, if not most of the muslims as a requirment and obligations.
It's a duty of every muslim to preach about the true teachings of Muhammad. Islam is in fact, actually a logical and relatively simple religion to follow. But many muslims, with the negative impact and free-world-society, thinks otherwise. For the past 27 years I lived and travelled in other countries, I see many people in this generations and next can't tell and decide whether he's going to do is right or wrong or then event repent, which is sad. That's why alhamdullilah, I always loved Allah for its greatness and mercy to bring a religion of wisdom to our Muhammad p.b.u.h. If not, I really do not know if a one God does really exist as we can simply see in many religions today.
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24/11/2007 1:06:49 AMMuslims in SEA are sadly lacking in preachers who are actually well versed in the Quran and hadiths.
So many innovations in Islam are being practised here, sadly. I myself, was, and hopefully, have stopped all known innovations. I am still learning myself.
as for fusion, yes agreed, a lot of practices from the former religion, i.e. hinduism, was and still are being performed as if its a Islamic practice. amazing isnt it?
We are linked, by the basic princile of Iman and Islam.
A small collective of ppl, will always strive to lead the community back to the roots, ie the fundamentals.
Discussion can be held, within reason, suppression, well, I dont want to be in a cell, I value my freedom. :)
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25/11/2007 2:45:17 PMHi all,
MDSG has a point of the assimilation of old culture into religion. This is a known problem in Islam, Christianity, Buddhism and other religions in fact. To add on the burden, the political and social influences weighs the very existense religion to question. It is a fact and challenge to the practisioner of religion today, be it you are a Buddhist, Catholic, Christian and even Muslim.
Humans aare busy with the earhtly wealth and influences to earthly issues. This is predicted in religious scriptures like in Quran chapter 104, 102,103. Furthermore the religious leaders are constantly busying with comparing whose methodology, theology and ideology is better than others <sigh>. How vain we are :(
With many religious authority/bodies esp in Singapore not contributing to significant effort to reduce the negative impacts of the society, it's quite reasonable how many would leave their faith behind their back. I wouldn't say all, but you can feel the problem arising among people's mind, moral and thinking these days.
Believing yourself in faith,doing good works, keeping religion in its purity is not enough , you also need to exhort people to rightenousness and good deeds, with patience and perserverence. That is the base of true religion.(based on Quran chpt 98:5)
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28/11/2007 3:27:49 PMIn order to exhort ppl to rightenousness, we must equip ourselves with knowledge first, or else more harm will be done, OBL is a prime example.
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I was wondering right.
A lot of my mates are SE Asian, and I wanted to ask how you see Islam in your region.
since you have the fusion of other faiths and ideologies, do you see yourselves somehow 'linked' to where islam originated...
or you do you strive to separate yourselves from that and consider your geographic and cultural circumstances as to how you'd define the way your religion in your part of the world is defined and practised.
also, is the fact that religion is either suppressed, or 'practised with limitations' to uphold apparent secular ideals in your countries a factor as to whether you can't openly discuss it...??
125 pts
rookie
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