Islamofobia

As promise, a lil coverage on Islamofobia forum held at University Teknologi Petronas last month in conjunction with Heart 4 Islam Campaign.

The forum starts at around 930am with guess arrival and 940am for doa'. The panels are Dr Jamnol Azhar and Mr Ann Wan Seng.

The forum start with an issue, what is Islamofobia? It is understand as the perception of community that fear of Islam. More or less explaination gave by moderator (which I don't remember who). Moderator start to throw first question to Dr. Jamnol about the symtoms of Islamofobia.

There is there outline give by him. First, because it is natural for non-muslim to fear of muslim. Because Muslim had a great history. Second, Islam is 'safe', as derived from arabic word 'taslim'. So non-muslim feel unsafe for having Islam around and they create the ideology to get Muslim to go with them. And third, it is because of Muslim nowadays themself. They who practice Islam already afraid of Islam. They don't really have deep knowledge of Islam.

Dr. Jamnol did stress on factor why Muslim today is week.

• there is no taqwa (willingness) to amar makruf nahi mungkar (do good, void sin) .
• inferiority complex. Muslim always do think that everything done by West will be the best. It is including management, lifestyle, education, etc.

Second discussion goes to Mr. Ann Wan Seng on example of Islamofobia. In his example, he discuss more on national issue. Islamofobia happen first because the mentality of Muslim (Malaysia context). They usually think negatively to new Muslim believer.

He story a lot about the history of China. How did Chinese Muslim in China survive in a lot more difficulty. Muslim should not discriminate among Muslim even they are different race.

He also did arise few current issues:-

• mufti Perlis statement on new Muslim can't change name. In his opinion, it is not suppose to be this way. Every Muslim has their choice of name, to maintain or to change. Btw, if the meaning of previous name is towards worship of different gods (ie: Hindus name.) that will be opposite from our aqidah. So better to change.
• Black Metal that widely spread on the north region of Peninsular.
• murtad. Nobody take it seriously.

Then, Dr Jamnol continue with few factor of weak Muslim.

• jahil (meaning don't have knowledge)
• less knowledge (does have knowledge but limited)
• forgot the great Islam during khalifah era.

He state that Islamofibia actually is a campaign from West to take down Islam. With the event of 11 Sept and terrorist as an issue. (Palestin)

Another current issue arise by Dr Jamnol.

• action from authorities to support Islam. (issue on murtad and black metal) Authorities took those case lightly.
• colonialism by west styles/principles.
• Coca-Cola, cigarette (supports to the west)

He include in the forum his experience having conversation with Hizbullah commander during his stay at the camp with PBSM (medical help). And above all, he summarize that Muslim is feared for their IMAN. But it is misunderstood by the west.

Final session is continue with tips from Mr Ann on how to communicate and dakwah to the non-muslim regarding Islamofobia and the truth of it. The easiest is to practice the good and avoid the bad. We can dakwah by example (knowledge, behaviour). And the most important, each Muslim need to respect other culture thats not controvert from Islamic teaching. On his last word. He did stress about Lina Joy case. The worst murtad cases in history.

The forum is end at around 145pm after a great nasyid presentation from student (Indonesian). Really great!

more details on : http://tganis.blogspot.com/ (I'm in any way do not related to blog writer. Just come across on the net! :p)