For your dosage of such things today, I recommend you to read Helen Ang's Pakatan lose election petitions so they create their own ‘court’
I particularly like this part of her posting
"It is their typical oppo M.O. — simply accuse. The Pakatan politicians do it. Apparatchiks and operatives use it as their main tactic. Dapsters and Jerusubang cultists have Fitnah as a middle name."
Ok, as for myself, today I just want to reflect on how we celebrate Hari Raya these days in this country.
I'm for one is most uncomfortable with how Malay muslims resorting to practices similar to those of different race and faith while celebrating Raya.
The most obvious is the duit raya culture. I think everyone knows where this one originates from. Nowadays the kids will not wait for us to give them duit raya but instead will tell you in the face that they want it.
I don't think there is anything said in the Quran or hadith about duit raya.
Of late, there is even the practice of giving out gifts on Hari Raya, which I think is a copy of the Christmas culture.
Ok, there is nothing wrong with giving gifts to your loved ones or friends or neighbors, but aping others over such things is rather pathetic in my opinion.
That I think is the reason behind all the cock-ups such as the Santa Raya advertisement a few years ago.
Then there are all those artistes taking centre stage in Raya celebrations. Just switch on the TV and you will find that the central theme of Hari Raya is entertainment dished out by artistes.
Some may accuse me of being a party popper, but really la, is that how Hari Raya was meant to be celebrated?
As I had always pointed out in my previous postings, I'm not an Islamic religious expert or even could be deemed as a devout Muslim, but I surely wish Hari Raya could one day be celebrated in this country the way it was originally intended to be.
Honestly, I'm myself not sure how Hari Raya should be celebrated according to the Islamic teachings. That's how deeply buried it was by all these foreign elements now dominating the way we celebrate Raya.
Maybe the alim ulama could give Muslims of this country some serious advice on the matter.
Not to force them into anything, but rather to educate them so that the true Raya culture, which I myself is not really sure what, could be slowly inculcated back to the mainstream psyche of Muslims in this country.
Selamat Hari Raya to you Annie
ReplyDeleteREF: "Some may accuse me of being a party popper, but really la, is that how Hari Raya was meant to be celebrated?"
ReplyDeleteDrag me to hell ..... I'm foreign influenced! Party time!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=YlSSWbMdgs8
Kalau anda seorang Muslim, mulut anda mamang cabul. Kita sentiasa berkata kata yang baik untuk diri kita dan juga orang lain. Kata kata itu adalah doa!
DeleteTapi kalau 'hell' yang anda ingin, " I wish you happiness in there!"
me too...i hope god wil send u to hell.u deserved that
DeleteNow you talking maam, anyway hope you have gone for that checkup since I last visited.
ReplyDeleteNo, Raya for West Malaysians has been like that for donkeys years and for as long as the 65 years I have lived. But after 1989, I have learnt that Syawal is just the beginning of the Month after Ramadhan has been performed.
My relatives back home in Kelantan, Trengganu and Pahang celebrate Eiduladha more. They puasa 6 second day straight!
Shawal Marks Muslims' victory over the Devil and shaitans and all other temptations. We fast all - eat, drink and abstain from all forms of mungkar! The `greeen pau' is just Sadakah - harus, tak bagi tak dosa!
Make children and strangers happy with their booties when they get home, and kira, see how much they have managed to `kumpul' - ikhlas barakah! My cousin will take my son to the Istana Pekan just for the `duit raya' and Tuanku will obliged his little subjects!But when my DiL wanted to my cucus get the feel of the tradition. I stopped her! Her chidren are not that pathetic.
We normally set aside new notes but its getting expensive. My cucus will roll their eyes if its not green or red `carur' and you will hear the plaintive `1 saja?' Lucky I have only 4 and a few nieces and nephews older than 12 years and college going.
Once a year, there will be more if one is charitable! We are blessed with extra than these little visitors, who are not interested with the cakes and rendang. They are forthright when you ask them `nak duit ke nak makan?' Save me the cuci pinggan as the maid is OFF.
As for the `Program Raya on all channels' its hiburan. Besides they are now competing with Astro so need to maintain their ads access or they may not be able to pay their staff! MSM papers going down and still sliding.
PAS and the many Ustaz have a long time ago condemned them. Those already enlightened switch off and play/do alternatives as they are not many good selections. If dramas, the fares have always lots of crying and bad portrayals of some errant Muslims and Tanggangs.
Might have to source for a better Programme planner. Can't be tuning to Arab fare - they are not better Muslims.
Please take care of your health. Do stay away from heart disease causing foods, no stress!
I went, got misdiagnosed by a few SDMC specialists.' Lucky found out its the heart and switch Cardio.
HAVE A GOOD RAYA DO!
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT IN A RELAXED WAY OVER RAYA?
ReplyDeleteLee Kuan Yew: Race-based policies disadvantage M'sia
Tengku Noor Shamsiah Tengku Abdullah / Bernama
11:11PM Aug 6, 2013
Former Singapore Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew says Malaysia's race-based policies place the country at a disadvantage.
In excerpts from his newly-launched book titled ‘One Man's View of the World' at the Istana in Singapore today, Lee said: "It is voluntarily shrinking the talent pool needed to build the kind of society that makes use of talent from all races.
"They are prepared to lose that talent in order to maintain the dominance of one-race.
"In recent times, the Malaysian government has been somewhat willing to acknowledge this loss of talent to vibrant cities elsewhere and is making an attempt to lure some overseas Malaysians back.
"But the reality is that these efforts may be too little, too late," said Lee, who was formerly Minister Mentor,in the book's Southeast Asia chapter 'Malaysia - A Different Path'.
Also in the book, Lee said in a globalised world, competitive advantage of a people will increasingly hinge on skills, the brain power and the drive they possess.
"Malaysia is losing ground. It is giving other countries a head start in the external competition
Tales circulating in the rumour mills quoted him as still harbouring for Singapore to return to Malaysia and him at the helm of the new Malaysia.
DeleteNow that LKS had turned 90 and dying, he wanted a short and painless death. For all the sins that he had done to Islam there, will he get his wish?
Only Allah knows.
Sins against Islam ?
Deletehehehehe...he can dream.....
DeleteLKY : Be Realistic About Pakatan Rakyat
DeleteLee said the opposition coalition coming to power in the near future was a very long shot indeed.
But even if it were to happen, he said the chances of it getting rid of Malay special treatment were next to nothing.
To understand this, Lee said one had to examine closely the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) coalition.
This, he said was an opportunistic and adhoc group not held together by even a vaguely coherent set of ideas but by a common desire to unseat the government.
"As long as it does not actually hold the reins of the federal government and therefore does not have to implement the said multiracial policies, some semblance of unity can be maintained.
When it comes to the crunch, Lee said, however, PR would not be able to do away with Malay supremacy.
LKY,
DeleteYou are dying and for once have some dignity before meeting your Maker. Are you still dreaming of becoming the PM of new Malaysia? No hope lah and no hope also for your kuncus in DAPig and that's a reality.
LKY: And Never The Twain Be One
DeleteWorld Bank data for 2012 showed that the island republic has raced ahead of its neighbour, with gross domestic product per capita of US$51,709 compared with Malaysia’s US$10,381.
Najib had said Malaysia is set to become a high income developed nation as early as 2018, two years earlier than the targeted 2020. (Wonder how high?)
Lee said in his book the separation of Singapore and Malaysia in 1965 marked "the end of a different vision in Malaysia on the race issue".
He added, "Much of what has been achieved in Singapore could have been replicated throughout Malaysia. Both countries would have been better off." - August 6, 2013.
Malaysia will never catch up with Singapore in GDP term, primarily because Singaporeis single mindedly pursued worldly wealth at the expenses all else. Halal atau haram makes no difference.
DeleteWhereas Malaysia take congsinance of religious, racial and social factors.
LKY never accept that their low birth rate was a result of their economic policies. They can't have everything. Allah is fair to all at all times.
Some Thoughts on A Culture of the Hari Raya:
ReplyDeleteGive thanks that Allah has preserved our health during the whole month of Ramadan and blessed us with a devotional heart. If unfortunately our health wasn't so good or our hearts found it hard to harmonize to Allah, then perhaps the the Most Merciful is cleansing us of our impurities and/or to raise our esteem in His sight.
So we feast the Raya happily with family and friends but are grateful for His showering graces. Of course we never must forget the lonely and the less fortunate on this Hari Raya. And with every difficulty there comes relief because no good deed is lost to God on High.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=MYq_35xJtFY
.
Eid Mubarak to Annie and all here.
ReplyDeleteMay Allah accept you ibadah during the whole blessed Ramadhan and bestow due rewards.
Allah would not bless Annie because she routinely fitnah orang, maki hamun orang yg oppose UMNO, and disparaging non Muslims at all the time even during the holy month of Ramadan.
DeleteAnon 12:06,
DeleteIf your heart is brimming with hatred to Annie or other muslims here, please keep it to yourself for a while and let us have an a peaceful Eid.
Anon 14.03 - tell that to Annie!
DeleteOrang tak posa pi main jauh2
Delete.. the true Raya culture is like in the 70s I think. After Raya prayer, you will visit all your senior family members house. The seniors will stay in their house to welcome the guests. Some will visit the graves as well on first day.
ReplyDelete.. for the remaining month, you will just visit your friends and other family members. They will visit your house too. The visitors don't expect anything fancy. Kuih raya and air are enough coz they come to visit you not becoz they want free food.
.. duit raya is already in existence back then too BUT "angpow" sampul was only given to family members cause the value of the duit raya is higher. The normal kids were just given the money (coins) direct.
I think the most nonsense practice of raya nowadays is OPEN HOUSE. I'm ok with the country or company's leaders doing it coz they have to cater for the rakyat and their employees BUT personal open house in my opinion kill the spirit of raya.
So many people at one time. More often than not, you managed to speak to the host for 5 minutes at most before he or she is called to meet the other guests.
Since weekends is the favourite time to do open house, so many houses are doing it at the same time. Your guests probably have 5 other houses to go to. So when they reached your house, they are either tired OR pressed for time since they need to attend other houses.
Open house is also the time to show case your wealth. The rich will cater for food. Kambing guling, satay.. make shift gerai cooking kuey teow goreng, cendol/ice kacang etc. Then the "ranking" will begin where people will compare which house served better food!
The most sad part of this fiasco is the kuih raya is totally abandoned! Nobody even looked at the kuih raya. How to eat kuih raya after eating the main heavy dishes? How can the kuih raya compete with cup cakes and macaroons? So kuih raya becomes just a decoration. How many of us are guilty of throwing away our kuih raya at the end of the celebration?
Whenever the leaders say that "Open House" promotes national harmony, I will always laugh. Have they taken a look at how their guests behave? The guests will seat and communicate among their friends and family members only. No interaction whatsoever with other guests even when they sit at the same table. Much worse when the language spoken at the table is not even inclusive. So forget about "national harmony", people go to open house for free food and because they want to shake hand with the leader. That's all.
All festivals, to me, are more importantly celebrated with your family and close friends. As such I will never do a general Open House nor bother to attend one (especially if it is by the leaders and top guns). In this way the celebration is more meaningful.
DeleteAssalamualaikum & Salam Sejahtera:
ReplyDeleteSy setuju dgn awk annie tp ang pow tu mungkin harus kot utk menceriakan hati kanak2.. Dunno...anyway, salam eidil fitr kpd annie, keluarga...dan semua tetamu blog ni sama ada bn @ pr @ neutral...
Eid Mubarak to you. Maaf zahir dan batin. May Allah SWT bless you and your family. Giving you guidance, rahmat and barakah.
ReplyDeleteSelamat Hari Raya Annie. Jangan dok melantak banyak sangat. Nanti berat badan naik.hehe..
ReplyDeleteSelamat Hari Raya, Annie. I do hope your health gets better too.
ReplyDeleteI may not always agree with you, but I do enjoy reading your posts.
Just want to drop a line to let you know that you have an interesting blog.
ReplyDeleteSelamat Hari Raya Annie... trust you and your family will have a good one.
Persetankan penulis penulis komenter yang mulutnya bacul dengan menuduh Annie menfitnah. Mereka itu sebenarnya mengata dulang paku serpih. Mengata orang meraka yang lebih.
ReplyDelete"Duit Raya" is a sedekah during for Ramadhan but it become a tradition to give during Hari Raya or at the end of Ramadhan.
ReplyDeleteJust"niat" it as sedekah.
"Adalah Nabi SAW adalah manusia yang paling bagus dan pemurah dengan segala jenis kebaikan, dan Nabi paling pemurah adalah di bulan Ramadhan, dimana ketika bertemu Jibrail yang datang di setiap hari di bulan ramadhan membentangkan (menyemak) al-Quran dari Nabi SAW, apabila ditemui Jibrail maka Nabi akan menjadi paling pemurah dengan kebaikan lebih dari angin yang bertiup" (Riwayat Al-Bukhari)