I found my Answers: Testimony of a Malay Christian.

My name is Tarmizi and I am an ethnic Malay from Malaysia. I am presently working in the private sector.

I came to know about Christianity on my own. Many years ago I took up a correspondence course on Christianity on my own initiative and without ANY external inducements because I wanted to know more about the Christian religion. I must acknowledge that the environment and friends around me at that time did influence me to inquire about Christianity. I was rather uncomfortable with my Muslim friends because I found certain things in Islam unacceptable for example prayers having to be made in a set pattern and be uttered in a language that is not clearly or commonly understood. The course helped me know the basics of Christianity and also the similarities it shared with Islam (like the belief in hell). I received a certificate when I completed this correspondence course.
After this study I attended a worship service somewhere in Kuala Lumpur. I went to church on my own initiative. Before going, I called the church to introduce myself as well as to inform them of my intentions to know more about Christianity. I was told that I was welcome to attend the service. I was happy when I attended the service. The people were friendly and I felt welcome. I also did not see any statues, which made me glad. The church was one big hall and it look just like a Mosque.
I was expecting Holy Communion to be served because I was told that that was the way Muslims were "trapped" - once they had eaten the bread, their hearts would become darken and they would forget everything. I was glad that this did not happen - Communion was not served that day! At the end of the meeting I was given a prospectus and encouraged to consider seriously what I wanted to believe.
In my heart I wanted to believe but I had my doubts. I asked myself, "What good would this bring to me?" I asked this question because I believed (at that time) that in Malaysia there was "no way a Muslim could become a follower of 'Isa". Questions like, "What would it cost me? What will I have to face? Am I making the right move?" plagued me. With so many questions unanswered, I put it off (i.e. believing in Hazrat 'Isa).
I became a religious Muslim again after this event. Family and friends encouraged me to pray and I joined them whenever I was asked to. Then I began to relax again. This happened a couple of times. For 6 months I would be enthusiastic in carrying out my Islamic obligations and then I would cool off. I was also quite influenced by my surroundings. Just before I got married, I was on a religious high. I never missed my five times of prayer. My wife (then my fiancée) had a great influence on me. Whenever I called her, she would ask, "What time did you wake up?" I usually woke up late so she knew I had not woken up to do my morning prayers. She then would ask me, "Why didn’t you get up early to pray?" With her constant encouragement I reached a stage where I was on a spiritual high.
It was at this time that I went to Mecca for the umrah. While observing the activities of the many people and races from all parts of the world who were there, I could clearly see the different types of schools in Islam from the different types of prayers that were being made. Though same in focus and direction, their prayers were different in method. These differences became a dilemma for me. I had been taught that the pattern for prayer was set and it had to be strictly followed. Yet here in Mecca itself, I was seeing different patterns of prayer being followed. I wondered which pattern was the right one and whether the pattern of prayer I had being observing all this while was right. If it was not, all my prayers so far would have been unacceptable to God! If it were right, then the prayers I saw being performed before my own eyes were actually unacceptable to God. This was a very disturbing conclusion.
The style of prayer is not mentioned in the Quran, only in the sayings of the prophet. How one interprets these sayings would determine how one prays. When one becomes so accustomed to a set pattern of prayer, there is bound to be questions when different patterns are observed elsewhere. For example, hand positions. Is the hand stretched out straight, or can it be moved to the left or the right? What about pauses in between - are there any or none? Matters like these are all not mentioned nor confirmed in the Quran. Islamic scholars would interpret the sayings of the prophet differently, each scholar giving a different interpretation. I witnessed and experienced different and new expressions of prayer because of these different schools of thought (almost, if not all were not subscribed to in Malaysia). In Malaysia we subscribe to the Shafie school of thought. So I prayed the Malaysian way!
Deep in my heart, whilst in Mecca, I had questions. I asked myself, "Why are we doing what we are doing? Why should we imitate what a Prophet did more than a thousand years ago?" I questioned the logic of this whole exercise. I struggled in my mind. "These things were done so long ago. Am I doing what is actually RIGHT?" I asked. When I rushed in after competing with many others to kiss the black stone I asked myself, "Why? Why? Why? What is this FOR?"
When I came back from Mecca I began to relax my observation of prayer times. I then began to think about Christianity again. Even so, there was still nothing significant happening because nobody told me anything (about Christianity) - what it really was and what’s the difference (between Islam and Christianity).
Suddenly a thought struck my mind. I took the Yellow Pages and I called up a church at random. I spoke to an Indian person who invited me to come out and meet her. So I went to see her. I asked her a few questions. One was concerning the use of statues. Previously, a Filipino friend had given me a small statue of Jesus. I brought it with me and mentioned it to this lady. She said, "This is not right". That was the first time I had heard such an answer. I was happy to hear it. She then explained more, gave me a leaflet and asked me to go home and read it. After reading the leaflet, I met with her again and informed her that I was interested in accepting Hazrat 'Isa as my Savior. I asked her, "Can you teach me to accept 'Isa as my personal Saviour?" On that day she helped me receive Jesus as my own Saviour by saying a prayer with me. I simply followed her in a prayer that she prayed, a simple prayer of repentance and dedication to Hazrat 'Isa. I was also given a copy of the Bible.
She then said that it would be inappropriate for her as a lady to continue guiding me. It would be better if I had a brother to guide and teach me instead. She gave me M’s contact and he has been very helpful since then.
I don’t ask why nowadays because I’ve found the answers. After my conversion, a friend gave me a book that helped answer all my doubts. It was a book with answers from the Bible on the common questions a new believer would ask. It was a very helpful book.

As a follower of Hazrat 'Isa in a Muslim community, I have to be careful in expressing my belief. The Muslim community can be quite belligerent toward those who leave Islam, and terribly unreasonably so. Fearful, oppressive and punitive repercussions are all brought to bear upon detractors of Islam and those who even dare to consider alternatives to Islam! All kinds of terrible consequences are conjured up for those who are considered 'apostates'.
There have been some significant changes in my beliefs since I started following Isa Al-Masih. When I was a Muslim, God was a feared Being, a Punisher. Now I see Him differently. He is still most supreme but He is also someone loving I can talk to and share things with. I know He is listening and he is very close to me. For me, Isa Al-Masih is Savior and God. This I always remember when I pray.
I believe the greatest blessing I have received from God is to be chosen by Him for salvation. God has chosen me and I believe His plan for me is to share what I know to other Malay Muslims. Recently I had the opportunity to talk to a Malay girl. We talked about many things - her Christian friends, the Bible, and the identity of 'Isa Al-Masih - but she was not prepared to take the step of faith. She, however, agreed that to be Malaydoes not necessarily mean one has to be a Muslim.
It is my sincere hope that the Malaysian government would be more open about conversion of Muslims to other religions. I hope that there will be no threats and that they would be consistent in their decisions. So far they have been lax one day and tough the next, especially when they come under pressure from certain quarters. I would like the government’s decision to be in black and white, allowing the people to decide whom they want to worship. I look for the day when there would be a freedom to chose ones faith and be respected by friends, family, society and workplace for the choice that has been made.

---

The Malaysian Crusade: Allah issue threatening racial unity

KUALA LAMPUR: Prime Minister Najib Razak is struggling to put things in perspective and ended up instead insulting his own intelligence. First he goes to declare that MCA needs political “viagra” to get its act in order.

Maybe Najib was being cheeky by taking a dig at former MCA chief Chua Soi Lek whose extra-marital affair came to light after he was caught in the act and which led to him quitting mainstream politics.

But then the “viagra” analogy did not go down well with both MCA and outgoing president Chua. Still, Najib, however, was far from perturbed, oblivious to the fact that associating MCA with “viagra” was the worst co-relation he could think of.

Then came the issue concerning the use of the word “Allah” by the non-Malays. During the Umno general assembly early this month, Najib had insisted that “Allah” was exclusive to the Muslims.

It did not end there. The premier later dropped hints that it was best Christians ended its battle over the “Allah” row and abided by the Constitution.

Najib’s biased and undemocratic stance has further divided an already divisive nation. To outgoing Archbishop Murphy Pakiam, this was the last straw that broke the camel’s back which led to Pakiam openly castigating the premier saying it was Najib who should stop preventing the Catholics from using the word “Allah”.

Responding to Najib’s call for Muslims and Christians to end the national-level debate over the use of the word “Allah”, Pakiam on Christmas Day voiced his worry that Najib’s insistence that “Allah” remain exclusive to the Muslims was inciting right-wing groups against the Christian community.

To Pakiam, it was Najib who was adding to the confusion by saying “Allah” can only be used in Sabah and Sarawak, but banned here in the peninsula.

“But still, he is the prime minister, so I have to pray, God, please help him to see his mission, his duty for the whole country, not for just Umno, ,” Pakiam had lamented.

The row over the “Allah” issue undeniably had a hand in Pakiam tendering his resignation as the Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur on Dec 6 upon reaching the retirement age of 75.

To some, the speed with which the Vatican accepted Pakiam’s resignation raised alarm bells, with some speculating that the Vatican was disappointed with Pakiam’s “soft approach” over the “Allah” controversy.

The episode started in 2008 when Catholic newspaper The Herald was ordered by the Home Ministry to stop using the word “Allah”.

The Catholic Church took the matter to court and won a High Court decision in 2009 upholding its constitutional right to do so.

Unhappy with the court verdict, Putrajaya counter-challenged the decision and was successful in overturning an earlier decision when the Court of Appeal on Oct 14 this year ruled that “Allah” was not significant to the Christian faith.

The Brits have it right: forget Happy Holidays, just wish people Merry Christmas I'd rather be able to wish people in the US a Merry Christmas this week without having to worry if they'll be offended

A colleague made a curious statement when she returned to New Yorkrecently from London, "Everything was so Christmas-y there."

At first glance, it's a bizarre statement. New York and London (among other cities in both countries) are decked out for the holidays. Who hasn't heard of the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree or London'sOxford Street lights and mince pies? And that's to say nothing of the famous storefront windows all aglow.

But look beyond the seasonal window treatments at Macy's and you'll quickly find a different story. In corporate America, everything is "happy holidays". Ads refer to "holiday shopping", end-of-year office soirees are "holiday parties" and kids' school concerts this time of year are "holiday concerts". You get the idea.

Even at the Guardian, when we put up our Christmas tree in the New York office, the first thing one of our interns said was, "Where's the menorah?"

It's the "politically correct" question. Evergreens and menorahs go hand in hand in most public places in the US. Some offices have gone a step further on the PC scale and simply done "winter wonderland" themed decorations. They have silver, gold and white lights aplenty, but no red and green anything. In short, snow globes are fine, Santa is not.

An annual survey that came out last week revealed just how conflicted Americans are on whether it's better to say "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Holidays" this time of year. Half of America prefers one term and half the other. However, in a business or public setting, nearly two-thirds of those under 30 feel it's better to wish someone the more generic Happy Holidays. It's about trying to be polite in an increasingly diverse society.

I see the trend just by looking at the greeting cards I've received this year in the mail and how people are signing off their emails. The majority wish me something along the lines of: happy holidays, peace, warm wishes for the New Year, and my least favorite, "seasons greetings". The cards have nice images of mittens, ice skates and snow covered landscapes (not to mention photos of cute kids), but not much overtly Christmas-y. They offer me everything jolly and merry this time of year, except a Merry Christmas.

I'm not to saying that Christmas isn't prominently visible in the states. There are still plenty of Santas and pine trees for sale here, and a drive around the neighborhood, especially in parts of America outside of the major cities, and you'll see people go all out with the Christmas lights and decorations outside their homes (there's even a TV show about it). But even people who are clearly celebrating Christmas in their homes tend to be conflicted about what to say in the workplace or at school. No one wants to offend anyone or make assumptions about people's religious beliefs, especially at work.

In America, the term "Christmas" still has a strongly religious connotation to it (despite what years of Santa and the "buy buy buy" mentality have done to the spirit of holiday). That's only further reinforced by claims on Fox News and other conservative outlets that there is a "war on Christmas" and, by extension, a war on the Christian faith. Now wishing people a "Merry Christmas" almost has a political tone to it.

What's striking to anyone who has spent time in the UK is that everyone says Merry (or Happy) Christmas. I've even had Muslim friends in the UK send me cards and write Merry Christmas on my Facebook wall. The saying in Britain seems to have lost its religious meaning. People say it regardless of whether or not they celebrate Christmas, and businesses feel no remorse whatsoever at openly calling things "Christmas sales" or "Christmas parties".

Of course, I am making broad generalizations. As a British friend reminded me, the UK has been celebrating Saturnalia long before Christmas, and plenty of places such as Birmingham have generic Winterval celebrations. Christmas isn't ubiquitous.

But by and large, in two diverse societies with similar roots, Americans have opted to try to find neutral sounding holiday greetings, while Brits have chosen to make Christmas as open to everyone as possible.

Personally, I think the Brits have this one right. I'd rather be able to wish people a Merry Christmas this week without having to worry if they'll be offended. I'd also rather have people wish me Happy Hanukkah, Happy Diwali or Eid Mubarak when those holidays come around. It makes me feel more a part of their celebration. Let's call each holiday what it is instead of trying to lump Jewish, Christian and even the Kwanzaa ritual together. If we need a generic holiday, we've already got the New Year, which touches all people and cultures.

Telling someone to "enjoy your holiday" or worse, sending them "seasons greetings" are cop-outs. Instead of feeling more diverse and inclusive, it just feels like someone took a bit of sparkle out of the December festivities.

Singapore on The Brink:

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong :   “whatever events may have sparked the  rioting, there is no excuse for such violent, destructive, and criminal  behaviour.”    “We will spare no effort to identify the culprits and deal with them with  the full force of the law,”.

It appears that the cloak of Singapore’s manufactured and artificial meritocracy (Sinocracy) is slowly but surely coming apart at the seams.

This “showcase” of “Asian values and economic prosperity” appears to be struggling to maintain its carefully crafted artificial image of a fair and prosperous society as the veneer of respectability peels away in the heat of an human experiment gone wrong.

Earlier this year Singapore deported with unholy haste 29 bus drivers (guest labourers) back to the mainland China. Their crime? Striking for better working conditions. The leader of the strike was jailed for 7 weeks. These were all ethnic Chinese (of the lesser variety if you asked a Singaporean).

“Human Rights” activists and civil societies supported by the US and George Soros have remained mute. First generation Singaporeans have nothing but contempt for its imported workforce with a common Singaporean insult being “you must be from China”.

A HUMAN DIMENSION OF SINGAPORE EMERGES FROM THE GLOBAL ECONOMIC DOWNTURN

With Thailand to the north on the boil, Malaysia now quiet having contained Singapore’s stirring of its political pot and the world economic mess not yet fully disclosed to Singaporeans, the government of Singapore through its Prime Minister continues to demonstrate the priorities  of his state. Human suffering and rights last, property and the island state’s image first.

The media carries a story about a riot in “little India” today. The story and any information about it will be contained and sanitized in every which way but……if Singapore has its way.

The prime minister has vowed swift and harsh retribution against these 'offenders'. But little or no mention is made of the victim or the circumstances in which he met his end under a bus which precipitated the riot. Not even a cursory “my condolences to his family” or a “promise to get to the bottom of it” nor a “promise to investigate the root causes of what it is that created a flash riot in such circumstances”.

It is all about effect and image. It always was and the government hopes it always will be the case. And there are those who support such an ideological stand amongst Singaporeans. It is demonstrative of the contempt with which first generation Singaporeans treat their workers and those they consider a lesser people. Especially migrants with limited or no rights on the island.

WE ARE ALL EQUAL (TO OUR BANK BALANCE)

As the world readies itself to bury the mortal remains of the late Nelson Mandela, Singapore reminds us that the legacy of Mandela may also be buried with him if no one acts.

Singapore has long housed the scum of this world in its midst. Providing these wealthy imports behaved themselves Singapore style whilst in Singapore. there will always be a welcome mat out for them. From joint venturing with the late Lo Hsin Han the Chinese Burmese opium and heroin producer and warlord, to supplying and housing Tamil Tiger ventures (supplying the RDX that was used to assassinate Rajiv Gandhi), to banking the murderous Suharto regime, its cronies and other despots regardless of their crimes against even the Chinese in the region, Singapore is always ready to welcome  money and the monied.

Only recently has Singapore appeared to suffer a slight pang of conscience when it refused to accommodate the commercial interests of deposed Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. There is more to that decision than pangs of conscience and that which meets the eye.

Singapore is a great and gracious host if you have the money. Lots of it. It has no capacity to boast of  in terms of the welfare of its population of robots who often fall between two stools. And there are many indeed amongst them. Singaporeans and the government have no capacity for compassion, viewing it as a weakness rather than a strength and a virtue. They suffer from a distorted and confused interpretation of Confucianism. Their troubled citizens and residents fall out of high rise buildings or riot as a means and a way out of their emotional, economic and psychological stresses. And Singapore breeds much of that. Problems created by the state and their Kia Su mentality.

THE UNDERLYING PROBLEM, AN EXCUSE FOR EXPULSIONS

This little India incident may give Singapore the opportunity to now get rid of a problem it has been struggling with of late. That problem is its imported labour, the bane of many first generation Singaporeans. Singapore’s population and its demographic today is another example of Neo Nazi, Apartheid style experimenting in social engineering, using humans they consider  lesser people as their guinea pigs. And they have the support of their first generation population. Mute and compliant.

An estimated 38% of Singapore, by some statistics, consist of imported labourers. The wretched, the cold, the displaced and the hungry.Many the by product of foreign labour scams and people smugglers. But who cares?  These are not first generation Singaporeans. Mostly not rich Chinese. They are vulnerable, disposable and dispensable commodities. And if there is a dollar to that misery then it’s a virtue in Singaporean terms. FIrst generations have been abandoning their island state for "greener pastures" like Australia and the US only to discover its not  all milk and honey on the other side.

GLOBAL ECONOMIC DOWNTURN, BOGEYMEN AND FOREIGN EXPEDITIONS IN STREET RIOTS

The reality of the global economic  recession conveniently swept under the carpet by many industrialised nations is beginning to rear its ugly head from under that carpet and starting to bite in places as far away as Singapore.

Singapore desperately needs to shed its imported labour force. Many will be without work soon. the government may claim otherwise  in denial and there may be some truth to their denials. But since when did the Singapore government let the truth get in the way of a good profitable political ideological statement devoid of any human considerations?

Singapore is now faced not only with a world focus on its pathetic treatment of its imported labour force, it is also having to come to terms with a changing world it has been this far insulated from with its large foreign reserves and small population. There is also a non compliant and suppressed Muslim volcano waiting to erupt in its midst.

SILENT KNIGHTS

Keen till recently to support an anti Malay coalition in Bersih and Anwar Ibrahim Malaysia and to regurgitate and reinforce an anti Islamic coalition of the west locally, it remains to be seen whether the chickens have finally come to roost on this mission.  It would be more interesting indeed to see how Singapore interprets what is fundamentally a class and race riot of the dispossessed as Bersih claimed to be supporting in Malaysia (which Singapore supported).

Organizations like Transparency International and its corruption perception indexes will have to back peddle very fast in the wake of these riots to adjust their latest published index to accommodate the emerging truths of the image of a clean state they helped to create.

It appears that Singapore is indeed headed for interesting times.

GOPAL RAJ KUMAR

Project Christmas: Hannah Yeoh Lift Up The Spirit Of Christmas,

Both the children from the girls’ and boys’ home were excited to celebrate Christmas early with the presence of YB Hannah Yeoh, Speaker of the Selangor State Assembly. In a move to symbolically represent ‘hope and future’ for the children, YB Hannah Yeoh together with the children had lighted up the “Dorsett Grand’s Wishing Tree.” The children’ wishes were then written on a card and placed on “Dorsett Grand’s Wishing Tree”.

7 Prayer Requests for Kelantan, Pahang, Terengganu and Johor Flooding Victims

The Kuantan Flood. 

Heavy rain has caused flooding around Pahang, Kelantan, Terengganu, Kelantan and Johor resulting in the evacuation of thousands and three deaths.

According to Utusan Malaysia, "Kuantan, Pahang saw more than 7 inches of rain in 24 hours, shattering the town's 95-year record for rainfall."

Muslim Prayer Hall

The National Weather Service released this warning: "Major flooding/flash flooding event underway at this time with biblical rainfall amounts reported in many areas in/near the foothills.''

Bernama reports that mudslides have hindered rescue operations.

Prayer List

1. Pray that if anyone is still trapped by the flooding, that they will be rescued.
2. Pray for the flooding to begin receeding.
3. Pray for the safety of rescue personnel (PDRM, BOMBA, JPA3 and the volunteers) as they work in risky conditions.
4. Pray for Christian disaster relief personnel and churches to have opportunities to meet the needs of the flooding victims.
5. Pray for housing for the homeless.
6. Pray for government officials to have wisdom in making decisions regarding the flooding victims.
7. Pray that God would be glorified in the midst of this tragedy.

The Chosen One

After six months, Umno decides it won popular vote in GE13

It must have been a busy six months at the Umno headquarters because they finally calculated and decided that Barisan Nasional, and not Pakatan Rakyat, won the popular vote in the May 5 general election.

The way Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Razak puts it, the Barisan Nasional (BN) won the popular vote in nine states compared to PR's four states.

And the Prime Minister also said Umno as a party got more votes than any of PR's three parties - PKR, DAP and PAS. Let's not forget Umno also gained nine more seats in Election 2013.

Remember When The Government Worked For The People?

A Christian MCA President in the next 10 years?

The idea of the MCA having a Christian President is possible if not probable. The Chinese in this country has long been represented by the two most powerful political entities in Malaysia the MCA (Malaysian Chinese Association) and the DAP (Democratic Action Party).

Most of the DAP leaders are known Christian. There are even big names in the Christian community who are currently the leaders of DAP. Theresa Kok, Hannah Yeoh just to name a few.

We are a legion if we work together and ensure that all of these parties are conquered by our Christians. Regardless of our political ideologies and political affiliation we must ensure that the government must be controlled by Christians.

Even UMNO has their Christian leaders that we can supports, Datuk John Embong from Penampang for example is a Christian leader in UMNO.

God Uses Us to Spread the Word of God! By: Won Suk Cho

The word of God is equal to the Bible. The Bible contains the good news/gospel of Jesus. For me I comprehend the Bible as, Basic. Instructions. Before. Living. Earth! But Bible is not the only way to spread the word of God, it is also through our actions.

But the question remains, why should we spread the word of God?

As we know we are Christians, and we are the chosen people from God. So we are the soldiers/children of God, and we have to follow, and we have a duty to fulfil here on Earth.

It's Time For A Christian Prime Minister For Malaysia.

Now its the time for Malaysia to have a Christian Prime Minister. This might not be so far fetched, as there are Christian UMNO leaders in this country. Well, we hope that it will become a reality in the near future.