Rudyard Kipling"
“When you're left wounded on Afganistan's plains and
the women come out to cut up what remains, Just roll to your rifle
and blow out your brains,
And go to your God like a soldier”
General Douglas MacArthur"
“We are not retreating. We are advancing in another direction.”
“It is fatal to enter any war without the will to win it.” “Old soldiers never die; they just fade away.
“The soldier, above all other people, prays for peace, for he must suffer and be the deepest wounds and scars of war.”
“May God have mercy upon my enemies, because I won't .” “The object of war is not to die for your country but to make the other bastard die for his.
“Nobody ever defended, there is only attack and attack and attack some more.
“It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived.
The Soldier stood and faced God
Which must always come to pass
He hoped his shoes were shining
Just as bright as his brass
"Step forward you Soldier,
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To My Church have you been true?"
"No, Lord, I guess I ain't
Because those of us who carry guns
Can't always be a saint."
I've had to work on Sundays
And at times my talk was tough,
And sometimes I've been violent,
Because the world is awfully rough.
But, I never took a penny
That wasn't mine to keep.
Though I worked a lot of overtime
When the bills got just too steep,
The Soldier squared his shoulders and said
And I never passed a cry for help
Though at times I shook with fear,
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.
I know I don't deserve a place
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around
Except to calm their fears.
If you've a place for me here,
Lord, It needn't be so grand,
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't, I'll understand."
There was silence all around the throne
Where the saints had often trod
As the Soldier waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God.
"Step forward now, you Soldier,
You've borne your burden well.
Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in Hell."
For
the uninitiated, only vegetarian food is served in Hindu temples, and
liquor is a definite “no”. More importantly, no one in his right mind
would belittle another religion, especially so in the House of God.
The
Hindu priests’ rituals are conducted in ancient Sanskrit, a language
few understand. Therefore, making speeches or singing songs as
propaganda is not an issue. Ditto for religious sermons and the singing
of hymns in churches which are primarily related to the Almighty.
Has there ever been an occasion where another religion has been demonised in houses of worship?
Important
religious rituals and weddings are conducted during auspicious times
according to the Hindu almanac, and barring them from being held during
Muslim prayer times is not acceptable.
If
the department can only issue guidelines or requirements to Muslims
under its purview, dictating terms and imposing conditions on
non-Muslims is unjustified and may border on illegality.
Another requirement is that premises do not contain non-Islamic religious symbols.
Should
the statues and photographs of deities be removed from the temple? This
is a preposterous demand that can never be implemented or enforced.
Undermining govt’s efforts
This certainly goes against Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s stand on strengthening unity.
Last Monday, he admonished
certain quarters that made an issue about different ethnic groups in
the country celebrating the festivals of other communities.
“Some
have raised the issue of Malays celebrating Chinese New Year, Thaipusam -
things that have never been a problem for decades are now being made
into an issue.
“But do we want to entertain this or focus on our
unity? Do we continue having differences of opinion, or do we strengthen
unity? And why unity? To boost our economy,” Bernama reported him as saying.
These
proposals are unnecessary, impractical, and divisive. They threaten
religious freedom and undermine the government’s efforts. They are an
affront to a multi-racial and multi-religious society.
Na’im’s subsequent statement that the guidelines were advisory
and aimed at fostering “social and cultural” harmony among Malaysia’s
multi-religious society is utter bunkum, to say the least.
“The
guidelines are meant to spur the government’s efforts to strengthen
unity and sow respect among the communities without any fear or
misunderstanding from an Islamic perspective.
“The guidelines
outline how Muslims could attend non-Muslim events in a manner that is
orderly, respectful, and in adherence to Islamic principles.
“The
guidelines will also ensure that the participation of Muslims in such
activities does not spark controversy or infringe upon religious
sensitivities.”
Where does it end?
For
decades, Malaysians have attended each other’s religious and cultural
events in houses of worship without issues. There has always been mutual
respect and understanding of the diverse religious constraints and
requirements.
YB Minister, if Muslims need guidance on attending
non-Muslim events, it should be directed at them; regulating events is
unwarranted and an abuse of one’s right to the freedom of association.
Were
Na’im’s proposals formulated overnight, or was there discussion and
consensus with stakeholders before they were presented in Parliament?
Was
the prime minister, whose international Islamic credentials are known,
consulted? Or was it a discreet and covert way of undermining him?
If previously air wells resembling a cross, hot dogs, and wordings on a cake were considered “sensitive”, now that term has been extended to the mere presence of human beings.
I
wrote: “How do you put an end to this? Two words stand out in this
issue - ‘sensitive’ and ‘confused’. They are interchangeable and are
most often misused and abused for self-interest.”
Under the
proposed guidelines, Muslim couples cannot bless and extend their best
wishes to newlyweds who tie the knot in a temple or a church.
They
can only do so after removing all fittings, including photographs,
murals, and stained-glass windows (which will be misconstrued as
religious symbols).
Tools of divisiveness
Whenever
the opportunity arises, politicians and so-called community leaders on
both sides quickly schedule meetings with the community.
Some
falsely sell a non-existent product called “Muhibah”. The sales pitch is
usually spiced up with related words - unity, congruence,
understanding, considerateness, religious and racial acceptance.
But these words are not worth the paper they are written on. Once they turn their backs, they know they failed.
Some
politicians and religious leaders have become tools of divisiveness
used by some quarters - unknowingly or otherwise for selfish purposes -
to claim and establish religious supremacy, while some are trying to
show that they are holier than thou.
