LOS TEROPONG: Chinese Mosque in Malaysia

Let the Chinese build mosques in Malaysia ... NST, 28 Jan '07 - KUALA LUMPUR: It’s time for Malaysia to have Chinese mosques run by the Chinese for the Chinese community - says Mufti.

Perlis Mufti Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin said state governments, particularly religious departments, should allow Chinese Muslims to build mosques and surau for their community.

He said it was unfair of state governments to deny the right of the Chinese Muslims based on the misunderstood conception that Islam could only mean Malay language, customs and traditions. "The idea that Islam in Malaysia must be Malay in all forms is wrong.

It discourages non-Muslims from wanting to know about Islam and at the same time denies the non-Malay Muslims the right to worship in their mother tongue. "Chinese from China have been Muslim hundreds of years before the Malays accepted Islam. I believe state authorities should give permission for Chinese Muslims to build their mosques." He also said the current situation made it difficult for Chinese who converted to Islam because they had to "masuk Melayu" (assimilate into the Malay culture), too, alienating them from their non-Muslim family and friends. "If a mosque or a surau for the Chinese is allowed to be built, their non-Muslim community will still accept them as they are still considered Chinese by continuing to practise their language and traditional customs, which are not at odds with Islam," he said.

What an exceptional idea, brilliant!! This is the kind of Mufti we need to see in the 21 century .. progressive, level headed and definitely a step in the right direction. He forgot to mention that the Indians have this set-up already such as the Masjid India in KL and also in Penang. Even sermon are delivered in Tamil. You should see their donation box, there is no slit to put your money in, just a small hole .... so you have to roll up your one Ringgit note into a 'small cigar' and slot in it. Very clever ... the least donation is the RM1.00 ... a definite ethic strategy ... aiyaaa.. tak tau lah ...

Been to China and even prayed in one of the Mosque in Shenyang ... see more om Mosques in China .. Xian, Beijing ..

LOS TEROPONG

Los Teropong (Teropong means binoculars) comments on current issues in Malaysia, and sometimes the world, and put forth another opinion and perspective. BY THE WAY - THEY HUNG THE WRONG GUY ...