Locally manufactured versus imported Muslims: Malay-Muslims and ‘other’ Muslims

The life of an idea is never dull. At least the life of those ideas that survive. Many die a natural death. Some linger and transform our lives, often after a charismatic public figure adopts and propagates the philosophy. Like Marx or Mao.

And if you want to spread the word quickly, arrest the person who is preaching the gospel. A fine idea will surely mushroom when forcibly repressed.

That is exactly what happened to the former Mufti of Malaysia's Perlis state. Earlier this month, Dr. Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin was arrested by the Selangor Islamic Department for preaching without authorisation.

The Straits Times headline read 'Maverick cleric arrested for preaching.' Headlines are bait for any reader and I am a sucker for 'maverick Islamic clerics!'  

An unorthodox Islamic cleric has got to be good news for modern Islam. When orthodoxy means whipping a woman for drinking beer then any 'maverick Islamic cleric' fascinates me.

The cleric's arrest appears to be a political ploy to pressure him in one direction.  

Dr. Asri is wanted on both sides of the political aisle in Malaysia, the ruling party and the opposition. The reason for Dr. Asri's popularity is clear. His Islamic pronouncements combine modern realities with the spirit of the religion.

His popularity with me increases the more I read about him.

After all, Dr. Asri is a credible Islamic scholar who lends support to at least one view which is dear to me. That being Muslim does not equate with being Malay – a belief fairly common in Singapore.

Dr. Asri believes a decoupling of being Malay and Muslim is necessary. According to Dr. Asri, Malays have not been 'Islamized' but instead they have been "meMelayukan (to influence with Malay) Islam." While speaking about Malay rights (in Malaysia) he stated, "Do not in your efforts to defend Malay rights relate it to Islam. Islam was not sent down by God to protect Malays but all of humanity."

The statement unambiguously advises against using the terms Malay and Muslims either synonymously or even together, i.e. Malay-Muslims. Of course, one can be a Malay-Muslim but to categorize all Singaporean Muslims as such is incorrect.

Any non-Malay who happens to be Muslim occupies a no-man's land. In my case, is my mandatory contribution to the Singapore Indian Development Association (SINDA) or to the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS)? By law SINDA gets my money. But maybe I have more in common with MUIS than I do with Singapore's Tamil community?

It is time to drop the racial prefixes and suffixes which are all too common in Singapore. I am simply a Singaporean Muslim (who sometimes has views not shared by MUIS).

The reality is that if I really wish to understand Dr. Asri's Islamic philosophy I must learn Malay – he is a Malay-Muslim!

Is the Little Red Dot a Special Administrative Region within Greater China?

Singapore's Minister Mentor Lee's is no stranger to controversy. His most recent storm was caused by his comments about the regional balance of power.  

"The size of China makes it impossible for the rest of Asia, including Japan and India, to match it in weight and capacity in about 20 to 30 years. So we need America to strike a balance." MM Lee.

Many ordinary Chinese felt slighted by their perception that MM Lee treated China as an outsider. The Chinese, it seems, see Singapore as one of 'our own.' Obviously, Big Brother China feels betrayed by the impolite remarks of one of its smaller siblings.

Can anyone spot the Little Red Dot on the map?

As a member of the non-Chinese minority in Singapore, the comments by Chinese netizens struck a chord within me. Hopefully, I will not be the only person who was taken aback.

Singapore is not a Chinese country. (Please correct me if I am being naively idealistic.)

Singapore is a country with a population which is majority Chinese. Singapore's main language is not Mandarin but English. In fact, many of Singapore's older generation speak Malay and not Mandarin.

Not particularly the signs of a Chinese republic, or am I deceiving myself?

However, if Singaporeans are not careful a subtle change in attitude can precipitate larger problems for the future - a new 'Singaporean' mindset which incorrectly views Singapore as part of 'Greater China.'

The impact of the recent wave of Chinese immigrants has some signs of a shifting attitude becoming more visible. Today, it is not uncommon for Chinese service staff to insist on speaking Mandarin (at the expense of English).

For me, that often means I ask a question and my (Chinese) friend will get the reply. I feel like a superfluous stranger. It is a frustrating experience.

Singapore's national consciousness is a work in progress. Singaporean 'character' is influenced by a top down policy approach engendered by the government. To date, the system of highlighting cultural differences between the various ethnic groups have worked well.

However, over time the racial complexities of Singaporean society have increased. Perhaps a new tack now needs to be considered in dealing with a more cosmopolitan and urbanized population mix.

Ultimately, ordinary residents will determine the nature of Singaporean society. As long as we behave by remembering that our neighbours may not be Chinese we (or I?) should be fine.

Singapore’s secularism – is there an opt-in clause for Muslims?

Many may consider Singaporean Muslims to be a privileged segment of the Republic's population.

Muslims are served by a Minister in Charge of Muslim Affairs, a Mufti operating under the auspices of the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) and, in some matters, are subject to Islamic law under the Administration of Muslim Law Act (AMLA).

The relationship between Singaporean Muslims (read Malay/Muslims) and the state is a delicate one. The sensitivities are generally due to the peculiar history of being a Chinese majority city-state which seceded from a larger Malay dominated federation.

For Singapore's Muslims, secularism must mean more than just the freedom to drink alcohol and/or eat during Ramadan

Perhaps that is why Singapore's legal relationship with Islam perplexes me at times.

Singapore is a secular state, theoretically. No one dare question me if I consume alcoholic drinks in public or private. That is my choice.

Yet, the AMLA has several conditions which impinge on the civil rights of Muslim citizens. For example, a Muslim is unable to write a Will assigning more than 33% of his wealth to his preferred heirs. AMLA forbids it.

Put another way, the law dictates that as a Muslim I cannot give 100% of my wealth to (say) my mother if I wished. I can only leave a maximum of 33% to my mother. Under Singapore law, the remaining 67% of my wealth must be distributed by MUIS (based on Islamic law).

I find this odd legislation for a secular state.

All citizens of a secular state have the right to hand down their wealth as they see fit. To take the choice away on the basis of religious law is, well, not secular!

While referring to the Singapore government's decision to allow casinos on the island, the Minister in Charge of Muslim Affairs, Dr. Yacoob Ibrahim said:

We understand that in our multi-ethnic and multi-religious society, it is not tenable for government policies to be dictated by the views of any one group or groups. If we go down that road, then should we ban abortion or the use of condoms because some religious groups are against them? Or should we ban the sale of meat in line with the convictions of groups who believe that animals should not be slaughtered for food? It is in the interest of all Singaporeans that policies are not dictated by the views of any group.

Choice is the bedrock of freedom within a secular society. Hindus exercise choice if they eat beef and Catholics if they use a condom. Similarly, Hindus exercise choice when not eating beef and Muslims when not drinking alcohol. Freedom of choice should prevail in all matters of personal conscience.

Wills are valid legal documents in many Islamic countries. This is a plaque commemorating the Will of Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the Founder of Pakistan, at the Sindh Madrassa in Karachi

Muslims deserve the same choices which other Singaporeans take for granted. One such (lack of) choice pertains to the law of inheritance. There are also other instances.

AMLA creates a parallel legal framework based on religious law which is applicable only to Muslims. By removing freedoms on the basis of religious law, AMLA defies the norms and liberties found in a secular society.

Secular freedoms permit all of us to order our lives on the basis of our own conscience and religion. To some that freedom may result in their foregoing the right to draft a Will or not gambling.

Personally, I want these freedoms for myself, not as a diktat from the state. It all comes back to choice.

Singapore is a harmonious multi-racial society. The various organs of state, including MUIS, play a valid role in maintaining a balanced society. For the most part, Singapore is a secular state.

I hope to rewrite this commentary one day without the phrase, 'for the most part.'

The Islamic Religious Council of Singapore

The Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura (MUIS), also known as the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore, was established as a statutory body in 1968 when the Administration of Muslim Law Act (AMLA) came into effect. Under AMLA, MUIS is to advise the President of Singapore on all matters relating to Islam in Singapore.

The role of MUIS is to see that the many and varied interests of Singapore's Muslim community are looked after. In this regard MUIS is responsible for the promotion of religious, social, educational, economic and cultural activities in accordance with the principles and traditions of Islam as enshrined in the Holy Quran and Sunnah.

The role of MUIS is to see that the many and varied interests of Singapore's Muslim community are looked after. The Council of MUIS is the overall decision-making body and is responsible for the formulation of policies and operational plans. The Council comprises the President of MUIS, the Mufti of Singapore, persons recommended by the Minister-in-Charge of Muslim Affairs and other persons nominated by Muslim organisations. All members of the Council are appointed by the President of Singapore. (MUIS Website)

Of Mothers, babies, storks and nation states

Valuing human relationships is a tricky business.

Is a relationship between two people quantifiable based on years spent together? Is the amount of money spent a better criterion?

Maybe it is just about family. Orthodox Islamic law seems to think so.

Upon my death, my male first cousins inherit a part of my assets. Even though I have not met many of my cousins for decades, I have no choice in the matter. That is Islamic law, as applicable to Muslims in Singapore.  

It's not that I am a bad boy and avoid my relatives. But coming from a large family in a globalized world it's tough to keep up with relations!

Anyway, back to relationships. The subject has been bothering me since a friend related the following dilemma to me.

Mary (not her real name), a 26 year old wife and mother, has decided to divorce her husband. She wishes to return to her family. As Mary does not work, she is seeking her father's help in maintaining herself and her two month old son.

The father is insisting that Mary abandon her son and make 'a clean break' from the marriage. He will not accept the son into the family home. The son must be left with Mary's husband or she is not welcome to rejoin the family.

While it is fair to point out that Mary's father opposed the marriage in the first instance, it does not seem relevant to the new reality.

The father's proposal is a no-win situation. A mother may abandon her child physically but the guilt will surely swallow the remaining years of Mary's life. At 26, Mary has many more years of living left.

Mary's only other option is to reconcile herself to a failed marriage. A partnership she has already annulled in her own mind.

Perhaps the approach is part of a complicated psychological strategy? The father will ultimately relent. The mother and son will be allowed to stay together. A ploy to ensure that the marriage is dissolved for good and neither party has any thoughts of settling their differences in the future.

Being proved right is a sweet sensation. The urge for revenge is human and normal. But family members are meant to provide unconditional support to each other, rising above even major differences.

Blood relationships are not measured. There is no formula to plug into an excel spreadsheet. I am not a father. Maybe I cannot understand Mary's father's thought process.

Still, my sympathies are with Mary. It is against the grain of human justice to separate a mother and child, especially to a potentially uncaring husband.

Mary's son is defenceless. He has his entire life ahead of him. Who can blame him if he grows up to be an angry and bitter man - discarded by his own mother.

The circumstances make me wonder about the wisdom of the modern nation state. Post colonial countries where international boundaries were drawn by civil servants. Families were separated and cultures arbitrarily divided.

Nationalism and patriotism has its place in the world but much of our fate is predetermined.  The proverbial (baby carrying) stork drops his baby into a home randomly.  

Our family, culture, history and nation are presented to us, fait accompli.  

The Global Economy, Futures Contracts and Good Old Fashioned Lock and Roll

There is no doubt my hair is important to me.

It may be vanity or it may be a yearning for youth. Whatever the reason, I like having hair on my head. Criticality of hair aside, pay me USD 15,000 for tufts of my hair and I will start shaving my head as regularly as Mother Nature grows it back!

For centuries, alchemists tried to create gold in their laboratories. Howeber, the real gold is in finding a cure for baldness

USD 15,000 is the sum paid at a recent auction for a lock of Elvis' hair. The hair was allegedly cut in 1958 when Elvis was drafted into the army.

Don't misunderstand me, I am flexible. I will happily enter into a 'futures' contract through which someone can take possession of my hair at a pre-determined future date. Not only will I gladly preserve my hair for the buyer but I will try to 'discount' my receivables through some innovative financial institution.

No doubt, in these difficult times my 'Hair Contract' may be a valuable asset. Hair is a fixed asset and real assets should retain their value in the coming era of high inflation!

If my time in banking has taught me one thing, it is to take cash (any currency will do thank you) when it's available. The tap may be unexpectedly shut at a moments notice. Hence, the desire to 'securitize' my hair and convert it into cash – while I still have the hair to execute the transaction.

Hair is serious business.

Don't ask me how much I spend on Regaine to preserve the tresses I have, or how much some members of the fair sex spend at their hair dressers. Me, I have recently discovered the joys of a SGD 10 haircut at Sri Nada barbers. Not only can I hold a discussion about rock music with my barber but he cuts my hair well. Honestly!

Hair is a part of a person's psychological well being.  

Consider what the American Hair Loss Association (AHLA), a non-profit welfare organization, has to say about the condition. Hair loss is an "... emotionally devastating disease. The AHLA recognizes that hair loss of any kind is a seriously life altering disorder and understands just how crippling this disease of the spirit can be to many who suffer with it."

Wow! Yes, that is a description of hair loss and not Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease.

Islam teaches me to accept death as a normal part of the cycle of life. But what about coping with hair loss and its associated trauma? A gap in my religious knowledge best filled by consulting my learned Islamic mullahs from Pakistan's tribal areas! I am sure they can point me to the relevant verses from the Koran.

If Rock stars were Gods then the story of Ronnie James Dio is most appropriate for this tale. Dio, of course, means God in Italian. He is a rock star who shot to fame in the 1970s and 1980s. Like all rock stars of the day, long hair was part of his trademark.

Ironically, it was at the barbershop Sri Nada where I was reminded of Dio. My barber's cell phone rang and I recognized the ringtone as being a Ronnie James Dio tune. I enquired if Dio is still recording music.  

'I don't know la. But the last time I saw [a picture of] him, no hair already!'

Branding Singapore Inc. – Crazy Horse, F1, Casinos and Shopping Malls

Building upon the economic and political foundation laid during its first few decades of independence, Singapore's political leadership has attempted to 'reinvent' Singapore in the last few years.

Today, Singapore can 'punch above its weight' in global forums mainly as a result of its economic wealth and political stability. Having achieved developed nation status, building infrastructure alone will not act as a catalyst for further improvement of living standards.

A new tack was required to keep foreign capital and tourists flowing into the country.

Policy makers adopted the mission to change the perception of Singapore as a dull, stuffy and boring city was adopted. It was believed the image was impeding the growth of Singapore as a regional hub.

Many expats preferred the vibrancy of Hong Kong which gave Hong Kong an edge in attracting regional offices. Singapore's top down approach to 'opening up' the city often manifested itself in unusual ways.

A city famed for censoring kisses from television shows suddenly had to deal with a topless French cabaret show at Crazy Horse in its midst. Several nightclubs were given permission to open for twenty-four hours.

Daring prostitutes captured turf beyond Geylang. Soliciting of customers both in the heartland and the prime districts around Orchard became more common.

Singapore's transformation into the regional Las Vegas had begun in full earnest!

The Crazy Horse cabaret show had a brief life in staid Singapore

It did not last very long.

Crazy Horse wound up its operations for lack of public interest. Twenty-four hour nightclubs, if they can still be found, only stay open night and day on weekends or public holidays.

However, prostitutes have consolidated control of many of Singapore's streets and refused to be cooped up in Geylang or Orchard Towers. Perhaps the ladies are more a symbol of ASEAN regional cooperation efforts and Singapore's wealth rather than a sign of a 'Singapore gone wild?'

Undoubtedly, a focus on Singapore's branding is critical to improving Singapore's global 'mindshare.' At the heart of Singapore's brand are values central to an open though essentially conservative Asian society. Policy makers will do well to remember that as they concentrate on managing the changes the coming casinos may bring to Singapore society.

The Republic's reputation took years to craft. It is vulnerable to dilution due to social experiments and we must take care to preserve its essence.

Singapore's brand image is not a 'Crazy Horse' show – here today and gone tomorrow – 'bare breasted and naked' in between!

Will Islam’s ‘Scarface’ (Tony Montana) Please Make Himself Known to the Taliban?

The world was awash with narcotics in the 1980s. The drugs business was certainly larger than any multi-national business of the time. Many Latin American states were known as 'narco-states' with regimes dependent on the mercy of drug lords and organized crimes.

Today, the world is awash with terrorists and terrorist networks. The Medellin Cartel has disappeared but Al-Qaeeda and its affiliates have ably assumed their place.

My own birthplace, Pakistan, is fighting a brutal struggle against Islamic militancy. In an embarrassment to Muslims, Islam is used to justify some abhorrent acts. Women are flogged for working or interacting with men. Men are forced to grow beards. Suicide, one of biggest sins in Islamic theology, is a gruesome weapon deployed against innocents.

I can go on but, undoubtedly, you have seen and heard enough on the daily news. Sadly, it is a good day when Pakistan is not in the news.

In the past, Islam has had problems with heretical sects who have used violence to try and overthrow the prevailing political system. The most famous being the Hashashin group within Shia Islam. The group used assassination and other covert forms of violence to pursue their political aims.

More recently, brutal insurgencies were fought against Islamic militants in Algeria and Egypt. It took years before the violence was brought under control by both regimes.

Like today's militant Islam, whether found in North Africa or in South Asia, the movement based itself on a particular theological philosophy. Al-Qaeeda's roots lie with the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood organization while the Taliban intellectual underpinning can be traced to Wahabism. A version of Islam practiced in Saudi Arabia.

By contrast, drug dealers are mercenaries. They are in the business only for the money. Make the risks higher and the profits lower and most dealers will move away from drug dealing into other occupations.

It is the warped intellectual justification which gives Islamic militancy the resilience to battle Islamic modernism and create the mayhem we see all around us. It is in the theological sphere that the Islamic world is losing the battle.

Some of us may remember the Brian de Palma and Oliver Stone cult classic movie, Scarface. Scarface was the 'good, bad guy,' a drug dealer with a conscience.

Towards the end of the movie, there is a pivotal scene where Scarface refuses to follow through with a political assassination because the intended target's young child will also fall victim to the car bomb. Scarface's failure to kill precipitates a fatal war with a rival dealer.

Pakistan's Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) on the border with Afghanistan. Parts of FATA are heavily infiltrated by the Taliban

Today's Islamic militants have no such conscience. The recent attack at Meena Bazaar in Peshawar specifically targeted women and children – the main patrons of the bazaar.

Many in Pakistan yearn for the days when the international heroin trade flowed through Karachi's port. Drug dealers have a conscience. Religious bigots spawned by Al Qaeeda's philosophy have no limits and even fewer scruples.

They just don't make criminals like they did in the past!