Archive for October 19th, 2006

Who is the inconsiderate one?

Oct 19, 2006 in General

Quote:

I did not realise it but there are less than 7 days left to the end of Ramadhan. How quickly time flies by, and it is sad to see the Holy Month end. I've managed to get through the month without any backbiting, alhamdulillah, and may this ibaadah be accepted by God.

Someone thinks he has not been backbiting. Shall we reconsider (almost all) the posts that has happened in the past few days that has, well, intrigued and pushed me into this daily analysis of 'anti-muhibbah' religious nitpicking?

Immediately after saying that he has passed the entire month without backbiting, he says this.

However, some inconsiderate bloggers (particularly the one who writes mini shorts) are testing the limits of my patience in the fasting month.

Well. You tell me, friends.

Oh but pardon me, but are you telling me that because it is Ramadhan, and because you are fasting, therefore you are entitled to diss my religion, the belief of other people, and call people who do not share your version of Islam, 'liberal heretics?'

If that has been so, then I am gladly inconsiderate.

I've always been told that Ramadhan is a time of religious consideration, a time where Muslims have to rethink their values and inward struggle in the walk with God. I may not believe in your teachings, but I respect it all the same.

If you think I have been inconsiderate, than may I continue in this tirade of inconsideration by saying this to you, sir:

I've always understood Islam to be a religion of peace. But in recent years, the behaviours demonstrated by some of its followers have been nothing but detrimental to its cause and teachings. When you first started the blog, I saw it as a blessing, someone who was on a noble mission, to rectify the all the slander and destructive comments that Islam has had to suffer. A brave Muslim, who chooses to use God's gift of the gab into doing something constructive. Ideally, all the blogs you have commissioned have noble intentions, and your behaviour, if exemplary, should be replicated in the contents of your blog, for all to see, as a proof of what 'True Islam' is all about.

In particularly so, during Ramadhan, I've seen my Muslim friends going into the true spirit of fasting, and I've been humbled by the meaning of fasting so much that I've told myself that next Lent (read up on what it is before you blaspheme on Lent by the way) I too will try to make a religious Oath.

But I want to say this, if a true Muslim's version of practising patience has been exemplified in YOUR blog for this entire month, than I'm very sad, MENJ. I'm very, very sad. Because I know that many people have been hurt by all the things you've said about us, and these 'many people' do not constitute kaffirs alone.

So I will be extraordinarily clear here, if you think my job is to tarnish the image of Islam, then you are very wrong. What have I been doing here? I just want to give an opportunity to Muslims in this country who have had much to suffer from over-outspoken people like MENJ to have their piece. With the freedom of speech I have exercised on this blog, I want to show the rest of the world, that my Malaysia, a secular state with Islam as its official religion, allows me to speak up on behalf of my people, and the people who share my beliefs. With all the misunderstandings in the world with regards to 'people who have been suffering in Islam-driven states', I want them to know, that these misconceptions are unfounded. That while there are the MENJs of the world, and there are the Walskis and the Noorhidayats. And I am thankful we have friends like this.

Having said that, I sincerely pray that God blesses you MENJ, and that He may give you the Grace and understanding to listen to Him clearly. I understand that you need the blessings more than all of us.

Inconsiderately yours,
Minishorts

Things I missed about the old job.

Oct 19, 2006 in Diary-writer

You know, one thing I really missed about my old job was the freedom to read at anytime of the day. Doing what I did, my boss never blinked or glared at me whenever she walked past my desk and saw me tucking deep into a paperback.

At the older office, it was even better. Once I was given money, to run to the nearest bookstore, get a book which I needed to learn up for the materials we were producing, run back to the office and try to finish the entire book in 5 hours.

Technically I could do all that in this office, if time could permit me to. And I don't have to suffer nosey bosses poking around the corners anymore, since I have my own room (whee!). Technically, I could spend the whole day watching a DVD from the comfort of my office chair on Fridays where we have 2 hour breaks. Technically, I could spend about 2 hours a day reading the newspapers on a daily basis, since it is supposed to be part of the job. I could also walk out of the office should I need to take someone out to lunch or take up an invitation on dinner, anytime.

But I don't do that, because the deadlines are killers.

So as much as I can't wait for the week-long break, I dread the work that will surely follow after I get back.

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