By Farish A. Noor
The repercussions of the somewhat clumsy attempt by some sections of the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party PAS to call for the investigation, and possibly banning, of the Muslim women’s rights group Sisters in Islam are still being felt today. Many questions have arisen in the wake of the proposal that was passed without debate at the recent General Assembly of PAS: How and why was the proposal passed as one of the ‘non-debated proposals’ in the first place? Why was it not vetted properly and why was it tabled at all? What does this say about the internal cohesion of PAS and its internal discipline? Does this proposal reflect just a faction of opinion among PAS members, or is it actually representative of the party as a whole? And what does this mean with regards to PAS’s avowed claims to be a modern party that supports the democratisation process and dialogue with others?
It is hard, to say the least, to believe that a party can be supportive of democracy if it starts by calling for the banning of NGOs even before it comes to power…
For now however we are left to watch the internal and external drama of PAS unfold as the party seeks to re-consolidate itself after what was clearly a hectic assembly for all. The lingering question of where PAS really stands, and where it goes from here though will have to be addressed sooner than later.
To help answer this question, we would like to propose a quick re-visit to the history of PAS from the 1980s to the present to illustrate a simple yet important point: Namely, that the Malaysian public has never had much appetite for violent, extreme and exclusive political discourse and behaviour, be it from PAS or UMNO.
In the 1980s, some of us will remember that PAS was heavily engaged in a fiery war of words with its nemesis UMNO. The leaders of PAS then – notably Yusof Rawa, Hadi Awang and Mat Sabu – were at the forefront of attacking and condemning the leaders of UMNO – notably (now Tun) Mahathir Mohamad and Anwar Ibrahim. It was during this period that UMNO and PAS both jointly raised the political temperature in the country, leading to the controversial kafir-mengafir episode where both sides were accusing the other side of being hypocrites (munafik) , secular and un-Islamic. This culminated in a number of bitter incidents such as the killing of Ustaz Ibrahim ‘Libya’ Mahmood at the village of Memali in 1985 and the controversy around the book ‘Hadis’ by Kassim Ahmad some years later.
PAS had then gone onto overdrive with its fiery polemics against UMNO, and the infamous proclamation of Hadi Awang that accused PAS’s opponents of being the enemies of Islam had done wonders to transform the image of PAS into that of a violent and extremist party. At the elections of 1986, the result of this overheated rhetoric were obvious: PAS’s share of the vote dropped to 15.3 per cent and Parliamentary seats to 0.6 per cent, winning only one seat.
Then, as now, PAS was trying to court the support of the non-Muslims in Malaysia through the Chinese Consultative Councils (CCCs) of PAS, but to no avail. The Malaysian public demonstrated that they were not able and willing to tolerate the violent oppositional dialectics of UMNO and PAS, but were more worried about PAS’s language of jihad and kafirs.
Fast-forward to 2002 and we see a similar scenario in the off-ing. In the wake of PAS’s victory at the elections of 1999, an over-confident PAS took it upon itself to once again play the role of the ‘defenders of Islam’. In 2002 Muslim writers, academics and NGOs (including Sisters in Islam) were once again attacked and accused of all manner of things. In the same year, PAS declared its support for the Taliban in the most blatant manner when PAS members demonstrated in front of the US embassy with posters and banners that read “Taliban are our brothers”.
The rest of the Malaysian electorate, however, was not inclined to think of the Taliban as their brothers, and once again PAS was badly damaged at the elections of 2004…
These incidents demonstrate a simple fact: That the Malaysian public may vote for PAS as a reaction against UMNO, but this does not mean that the vote is a vote in support of an Islamic state, liberal-bashing or Taliban-supporting. Consistently the Malaysian public has shown that whenever PAS (or UMNO) resorts to extreme communitarian politics and discourse, its votes will swing in the other direction.
PAS, like all political parties, has to learn the simple lesson of representative politics, and realise that the vote given to PAS in 2008 was given by the Malaysian public to the Pakatan Rakyat and what the Pakatan stands for; which is a new, freer, more democratic and plural Malaysia where diversity is respected and enhanced. The call for the investigation and possible banning of a Muslim women’s NGO like SIS on the spurious basis that it is ‘un-Islamic’ beggars belief, and makes a mockery of the Pakatan’s efforts thus far. But the ones who have the most to lose are the members of PAS themselves, who should always study their own history to learn from the past in order not to repeat the same mistakes in the future.
PAS has indeed come a long way, and no doubt will remain on the scene for a long time to come. We hope and pray that as it develops and evolves, PAS will evolve in tandem with the new spirit of the new Malaysia that we are trying to build, and not against it. Having learned from its history, PAS should not condemn itself to becoming a historical relic instead.

#1 by sotong on Thursday, 11 June 2009 - 7:33 am
PAS is not ready for the modern world……could be a liability for PR’s struggle for change, justice and equality.
Many of their members know little apart from feeling threaten by change and globalisation.
#2 by mata_kucing on Thursday, 11 June 2009 - 8:03 am
I had never trusted PAS and never will. DAP got it right from the beginning. Too many Taliban wannabes in the party. There may be some moderates in PAS but unfortunately too few to make a difference. When they wanted our votes, they said nice things and appeared to be softening in their extremism but it’s all pretense. PKR and DAP should think carefully. I get the feeling that after the next GE, they would abandon the coalition and form the next government with Umno. No doubt not all will be happy in PAS but the endgame is PAS will be able form the government on their terms, including the PM position whereas they might not get their way if they remain in PR. Certainly no PM post for them. Think about it. It’s not impossible. If fact, it’s going to be the most likely scenario. So my advise to all is to cast your votes very carefully or you’re going to be in for a nasty surprise.
#3 by a2a on Thursday, 11 June 2009 - 9:03 am
For the protection of Federation Constitution stated Malaysia is secular states, we must NOT trust the PAS and vote them, they don’t respect the Federation Constitution, they only interest their benefits and advantage.
You vote PAS and UMNO, Malaysia are racist and corrupted states.
Their core reading, it is no sin to be a liars telling lies for their benefits.
They do not respect truth, justice and democracy.
#4 by ctc537 on Thursday, 11 June 2009 - 9:11 am
More and more Malaysians are becoming aware that religious and racial extremisms are the country’s biggest threats. It seems that both the biggest religious and racial parties have to use religion and race to further enhance and salvage their political fortunes respectively. No doubt our country is Muslim majority, but the important thing is, never allow the extremist faction to triumph over the moderate Muslim faction, or there will be no hope for us. This applies to the biggest racial party, too.
If the West can ensure Iran behave and not acquire nuclear weapons to threaten Israel and Europe, then there is a strong likelihood that religious extremism will have its limit. The rise of PAS has more or less to do ith the developments in the Middle East. The Iranian revolution in 1979 sa the overthro of the pro-est hah of Iran and the triumphant return of Ayatollah Khomeini from eile to Iran. Luckily for the moderate countries in the Middle East, the Iran-Iraq ar lated from 1982 to 1987 put a stop to the rapid rise of extremism Ilam.
The TDM era also helped to stamp out Islamic extremism in the country but unfortunately there has been an apparent increase in racial extremism. It is not so frightening if it is a see-saw situation – when see more racial extremism, we see less religiou extremism taking place, and vice vera.
We just pray that both racial and religious extremisms will not reach their heights of glory, and thus putting a stop to all social and economic developments in the country.
#5 by Jeffrey on Thursday, 11 June 2009 - 9:51 am
///It is hard, to say the least, to believe that a party can be supportive of democracy if it starts by calling for the banning of NGOs even before it comes to power…///- Dr Farish Noor.
Since the word “democracy” started 2000 years ago in Greece, it has since meant different things to different people. Even Hitler claimed his Nazi party democratic : do did communist parties whether in China, Vietnam or Cuba.
PAS’s version of ‘democracy’ is from Islamic perspectives – and not the same as Farish’s. Farish’s version of it – tolerating NGO’s like Sisters-in-Islam, freedom of expression or to dissent, diversity etc – is associated with Western liberal values, such as free markets, individual rights and secularism.
Whilst it is not surprising at all that PAS will not accept SIS, what is surprising is that PAS shows its hand so early in the game before it arrives at the gate of its objective via PR.
The fault of Hadi’s faction – is that it is not sabar (patient).
From examples elsewhere (Algeria, Iran etc) it is not uncommon for fundamental Islamic groups to work with secular parties and liberal democratic parties in opposition front and alliances to win via ballot boxes or fight in the streets to oust corrupt, dictatorial/military regimes. After ousting the common enemy from power, these groups then grabbed power to establish their version of Islamic State.
So why show your hand so early in the game (even before the next GE) and frighten your non suspecting liberal and secular allies in PR coalition and their supporters? Problem is they don’t see film “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”.
Taqiyya derived from Sharia allows pragmatism/dissimulation in exceptional circumstances of self preservation to make alliances with non believers, to even pretend to subscribe for something one does not agree just so to attain one’s long term objectives.
This is not unique to Islamic jurisprudence – western common law jurisprudence shares this based on concept of “Necessity”.
We recall Justice NH Chan discoursing on this Doctrine of Necessity when he mentioned the case of Dudley and Stephens under thread subject “Even when you do the right thing, it is still wrong” in earlier part of this blog.
In that case 3 men in English yacht, Mignoneue castaway in a storm 1,600 miles from the Cape of Good Hope had no food, water and could not have survived if they had not killed the weakest – cabin boy – and fed on his body and blood.
Rescued later they were charged for homicide and were later given reprieve from gallows based on Doctrine of Necessity as defence – “Homicide is also justifiable from the great universal principle of self-preservation, which prompts every man to save his own life preferably to that of another, where one of them must inevitably perish.” In words of Mr Justice Stephen (on the Laws of England (1st edn, 1841).
So too Taqiyya (for self preservation extended from a person to the ideal of Islamic state) – the Islamic equivalent of Necessity in Western jurisprudence.
#6 by TomThumb on Thursday, 11 June 2009 - 10:02 am
PAS has taken DAP for a ride. thanks to PAS, UMNO looks set for a new lease of life.
#7 by frankyapp on Thursday, 11 June 2009 - 11:41 am
Don’t be so happy TomThumb for your Umno.It’s PR’s strategy to penetrate and weaken your Umno.Let’s watch who’s laughts the loudest at the end of the day.
#8 by Godfather on Thursday, 11 June 2009 - 12:23 pm
Taqqiya is a 15th century concept, so don’t spread your alarmist teachings here. You may be a QC Wannabe, but you are definitely not an Islamic scholar.
#9 by Godfather on Thursday, 11 June 2009 - 12:25 pm
You’re just a modern day anti-Islamist.
#10 by Godfather on Thursday, 11 June 2009 - 1:29 pm
Those who spread the dangers of Taqqiya are true anti-Islamic extremists.
#11 by Lee Wang Yen on Thursday, 11 June 2009 - 1:33 pm
Godfather, ‘Taqiyya is a 15th century concept…’
Many practices and beliefs widely held today involve concepts originated in the past.
‘Probability’, as it is understood today, is a 17th-century concept.
Many Christian doctrines and practices associated with them were formulated in the Council of Nicea in the fourth century. Does it mean that they are no longer believed or practised by Christians today?
#12 by monsterball on Thursday, 11 June 2009 - 1:37 pm
It is nice Godfather can understand Jefferey’s usually long philosophical messages…responding with a reply..to expose a braggart too.
#13 by monsterball on Thursday, 11 June 2009 - 1:45 pm
Lee Wang Yen…All religions have many sects and are practicing what they think fishes can be caught and controlled.
Never forget..Christianity derived from Judaism and Islam is so close to Christianity in many ways.
Lets not go into an argument on religion…when bottom line…all are teaching good for the souls.
It is what suited to modernize Malaysia..that matters most.
#14 by Loh on Thursday, 11 June 2009 - 1:49 pm
Sorry, off-topic, From chedet.co.cc
///1. Why is it that when I defend UMNO or the Malays I am labelled a racist but not when others speak up for Chin Peng?///– TDM
Assuming that TDM looked for an answer to the above question rather than making an argument, I will try to explain.
When people speak up for Chin Peng, say regarding his request to return to Malaysia, what has been the basis for their support? If the Chinese support Chin Peng for no other reasons than the fact that Chin Peng is Chinese, then they should be called racist. But if the reasons for their support are not based on the fact that Chin Peng is Chinese, and hence support was not on race, then they cannot be called racist. One the other hand when a person thinks that Chinese can only support the return of Chin Peng because of race, then that person has a racist tendency, if not a racist per se.
When a person defends Malays for no other reason other than race, then he is certainly a racist. That is because the basis for defence could not be based on right or wrong. When a person defends UMNO, the reasons for such defence should also be known. If he defends UMNO for actions which they could be criteria for determining right from wrong, then he should not be classified as racist. However if he defends UMNO because it is an organization for Malays, and he defends it on the account of race and membership, then he is racists.
UMNO is known to champion racist policies, so one is seldom wrong to call a person who defends UMNO as racists.
If the government policy states that people who belong to low income category should collective own 30% of the corporate sector equity, with the criteria properly established based on means, it is not a racist policy. But UMNO policy states that Malays should own 30% of corporate equity; that is racist.
When government choose to reserve certain percentage of place in educational institution based on race that could be benevolent racist if that percentage is low, so that people of the endangered races could participate. When the government decides to reserve 90% of the places in matriculation and Mara institution of higher learning to Malays, the government is discriminatory racists.
When the government makes handouts to the poor without consideration on the ethnic background of recipients, it is commiseration. When the handouts are given only to one race, it is racism.
Government regulations specifying that a certain percentage discount should be given to Malay purchasers of houses are racist and discriminatory. Those regulations started during TDM reign.
TDM cannot be that unintelligent as being unable to recognise what racism is. It might be because racism has been his reflect action. It is just like a person sitting in the toilet got used to the foul smell.
As I said to him at his blog, when I was able to comment in the past, he could have scaled greater height had he not been bogged down by his Mamak origin if he just accepted it without pretending to be Malay. The country too could have advanced. But he had made his choice, and now, nearing the end, he still prefers to be known as racist.
#15 by Godfather on Thursday, 11 June 2009 - 1:50 pm
Lee Wang Yen:
Do you still cover your modesty with a leaf ?
Why don’t you post the wikipaedia definition of Taqqiya so that modern day thinkers can think whether this is still a practice or not amongst Muslims?
#16 by Lee Wang Yen on Thursday, 11 June 2009 - 1:54 pm
I don’t understand why those who spread the dangers or Taqiyya are true anti-Islamic extremists. How could someone who spreads the dangers of a certain practice in Islam be anti-Islamic extremist?
I guess what you mean is that those who spread the idea or belief or notion that Taqiyya is dangerous are true anti-Islamic extremists. While this makes sense (compared with the above), Godfather owes us an explanation.
(Notice the key difference between spreading the danger of Taqiyya and spreading the idea/notion/belief that Taqiyya is danger: To do the former, you need to practise Taqiyya in a way that leads to some bad consequences. To do the latter, you need to tell people that Taqiyya poses a threat the the well-being of a community. )
If most reasonable people think that Taqiyya (deceit) is really dangerous, why is Jeffrey an anti-Islamic extremist if he spreads the idea that Taqiyya is dangerous?
If most reasonable people think that corruption is dangerous for the wellbeing of a community, can we say that those who spread the idea that corruption is dangerous are anti-xxx extremists?
#17 by Godfather on Thursday, 11 June 2009 - 1:59 pm
I do not deny that PAS, like all political parties, has its extremists, and that these extremists should be rejected. On our part, if we were to propagate our fears of Islam based on outdated theories and outdated practises not seen in the modern era, then we are no better than those extremists in the first place.
Malaysia has no place for bigots, whether they are from PAS or whether they are from the obvious anti-Islamist sects.
#18 by Lee Wang Yen on Thursday, 11 June 2009 - 2:19 pm
Jeffrey warns us about PAS’ possible use of Taqiyya.
But has he said or implied that ‘since Taqiyya is bad/dangerous, Islam per se is bad/dangerous’?
Even if Jeffrey has propagated fears of Taqiyya, please do not twist it and say that one who propagates fears of Taqiyya is the one who propagates fears of Islam.
You’re only justified to say this when you have evidence which shows that the one who propagates fears of Taqiyya also believes that Taqiyya is practised by most Muslims or that Taqiyya is essential to Islamic doctrines and practices.
For all you know, the one who propagates fears of Taqiyya may think that Taqiyya is practised by certain type of Muslims, to which many PAS leaders and members can be identified.
#19 by Lee Wang Yen on Thursday, 11 June 2009 - 2:29 pm
Godfather says that he does not deny that there are some extremists in PAS but pleads that we should not reject PAS out of hand simply because there are some bad apples.
This is in principle a fair point.
Well, some BN/police supporters will tell you that they do not deny that there are some corrupt and extreme guys in BN/police but plead that we should not reject BN/police simply because there are bad apples.
Godfather may retort that the difference lies in the ‘fact’ that most BN leaders are corrupt and/or extreme, but only a tiny fraction of PAS leaders are extremists.
Well, this is something we need to substantiate. I do not claim to know the answer. But we certainly need something more than mere allegations.
Do we seriously think that only a tiny fraction of PAS leaders hold extremist views?
Many admirers of Nik Aziz will be taken aback (and probably take back their admiration) if they know his views about women.
#20 by Lee Wang Yen on Thursday, 11 June 2009 - 2:32 pm
oops…’…WITH (strike out ‘to’ from ‘to which’) which many PAS leaders and members can be identified’
#21 by ekin on Thursday, 11 June 2009 - 2:54 pm
MR. PATHETIC TOMTHUMB AKA ONE OF 3 STOOGES,
“# TomThumb Says:
Today at 10: 02.09 (4 hours ago)
PAS has taken DAP for a ride. thanks to PAS, UMNO looks set for a new lease of life.” – THONG THONG IN A DUMB MIND, THAT’S WHAT YOU ARE. YOUR MIND HAS NOTHING OTHER THAN CRITICIZING DAP. OUT OF YOUR MOUTH ONLY DAP DAP. THANKS FOR THE CHANTING SLOGAN.
MR. MONSTERBALL, IN FACT, WE HAVE TO THANK THIS THONG THONG DUMBBELL FOR DAP CHANTING! HA HA
#22 by limkamput on Thursday, 11 June 2009 - 3:14 pm
PAS has taken DAP for a ride. thanks to PAS, UMNO looks set for a new lease of life. dumbo
Look, dumbo, we only criticise the parties we care and love. We don’t care about UMNO.
#23 by Jeffrey on Thursday, 11 June 2009 - 3:20 pm
All I said was that “Taqiyya derived from Sharia allows pragmatism/dissimulation in exceptional circumstances of self preservation (comparing it with even western concept of “Necessity”) to make alliances with non believers, to even pretend to subscribe for something one does not agree just so to attain one’s long term objectives. It is a necessary notion to reconcile/justify (from Islamic morality perspectives) the otherwise undesirable act of a party dedicated to the establishment of an Theorcatic Islamic State to act in cooperation with political parties of non believers upholding opposite secular values and opposing establishment of Theocratic State. It is like an internal “defence mechanism” sanctioned by Sharia to resolve conflicts of values amongst believers working with non believers.
Where did I say anywhere “Taqiyya” is per se dangerous and bad to be branded “anti-Islamist” as Godfather would twist it for others to believe???
Secondly, what has ‘Taqiyya being a 15th century concept…’ got to do with anything when I just said in another blog thread that the concept of Sedition Act practised today is derived from Elizabethen Era????
The basic strategy to give concessions to temporary inconsistencies for the attainment of larger ultimate agenda is not 15th century and even peculiarly Sharia- it is practised and embraced as a political strategy by political groups determined to effect change and come to power at all costs, such political groups being not confined to preserve of Islamic fundamentalist groups but all otehr groups whether communists, secular or revolutionary……
Thirdly, to warn against ideology of PAS’ theocratic agenda is to warn against a particular sect called Fundamentalist Political Islam influenced by the Wahhibi sect of 19th century of which the Iranian Revolution led by cleric Khomeini started in Iran, influencing some places within Middle East including Afghanistan talibans. It is different brand of Islam from that which is practised elsewhere (say) in mainstream Indonesia and Malaysia.
So how could a warning against a political ideology based on Islamic Theocracy as that espoused by PAS (practised say by the Afghanistan’s Talibans, Iranians or Saudis) and not necessarily practised in other countries of Islamic majorities (Indonesia & Turkey) be twisted to be Islam or Islamic faith in general?
From these, it will be clear that Godpapa is neither a thinking/ logical person nor a person inclined to a reasoned discourse – but a mere rabble rouser of hate speech, trying to discredit postings of certain posters that he is determined to discredit for the sake of discrediting by whatever intellectually dishonest and twisting means (eg brandinmg a person “anti-Islamist) that may persuade those who don’t examine his postings critically.
#24 by Jeffrey on Thursday, 11 June 2009 - 3:22 pm
Let’s examine what I said. All I said was that “Taqiyya derived from Sharia allows pragmatism/dissimulation in exceptional circumstances of self preservation (comparing it with even western concept of “Necessity”) to make alliances with non believers, to even pretend to subscribe for something one does not agree just so to attain one’s long term objectives. It is a necessary notion to reconcile/justify (from Islamic morality perspectives) the otherwise undesirable act of a party dedicated to the establishment of an Theorcatic Islamic State to act in cooperation with political parties of non believers upholding opposite secular values and opposing establishment of Theocratic State. It is like an internal “defence mechanism” sanctioned by Sharia to resolve conflicts of values amongst believers working with non believers.
Where did I say anywhere “Taqiyya” is per se dangerous and bad to be branded “anti-Islamist” as Godfather would twist it for others to believe???
#25 by Jeffrey on Thursday, 11 June 2009 - 3:30 pm
On the other question of, what has ‘Taqiyya being a 15th century concept…’ got to do with anything – how does that advance an argument when I just said in another blog thread that the concept of Sedition Act practised today is derived from Elizabethen Era????
Even the western democratic traditions we know today of separation of power etc started in 17th and 18th centuries philosophers like baron de La Brède et de Montesquieu, Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, John Stuart Mill (on Freedom of Speech) etc Are they irrelevant today? Stupid argument, that put forth by Godpapa.
The basic strategy to give concessions to temporary inconsistencies for the attainment of larger ultimate agenda is not 15th century and even peculiarly Sharia- it is practised and embraced as a political strategy by political groups determined to effect change and come to power at all costs, such political groups being not confined to preserve of Islamic fundamentalist groups but all other contemporary groups whether communists, secular or revolutionary……
#26 by Jeffrey on Thursday, 11 June 2009 - 3:31 pm
Thirdly, to warn against ideology of PAS’ theocratic agenda is to warn against a particular sect called Fundamentalist Political Islam influenced by the Wahhibi sect of 19th century of which the Iranian Revolution led by cleric Khomeini started in Iran, influencing some places within Middle East including Afghanistan talibans. It is different brand of Islam from that which is practised elsewhere (say) in mainstream Indonesia and Malaysia.
So how could a warning against a political ideology based on Islamic Theocracy as that espoused by PAS (practised say by the Afghanistan’s Talibans, Iranians or Saudis) and not necessarily practised in other countries of Islamic majorities (Indonesia & Turkey) be twisted to be Islam or Islamic faith in general?
In the premises of the above explanations, it is then clear that Godpapa is neither a thinking/ logical person nor a person inclined to a reasoned discourse – but a mere rabble rouser of hate speech, trying to discredit postings of certain posters that he is determined to discredit for the sake of discrediting by whatever intellectually dishonest and twisting means (eg branding a person “anti-Islamist) that may persuade those who don’t examine his postings critically.
#27 by Jeffrey on Thursday, 11 June 2009 - 3:37 pm
I am only addressing ideology of PAS’ theocratic agenda based on a particular sect called Fundamentalist Political Islam influenced by the Wahhibi sect of 19th century of which the Iranian Revolution led by cleric Khomeini started in Iran, influencing some places within Middle East including Afghanistan talibans. It is different brand of Islam from that which is practised elsewhere (say) in mainstream Indonesia and Malaysia. Why should a warning against a political ideology based on Islamic Theocracy as that espoused by PAS (practiced by the Iranians, Saudis and, say, Afghanistan’s Talibans destroying by dynamite the largest and tallest Buddha statues) – and not necessarily practised in other countries of Islamic majorities (Indonesia & Turkey) – be twisted by Godpapa to be warning against Islam or Islamic faith in general?
#28 by Jeffrey on Thursday, 11 June 2009 - 3:38 pm
In the premises of the above explanations, it is then clear that Godpapa is neither a thinking/ logical person nor a person inclined to a reasoned discourse – but a mere rabble rouser of hate speech, trying to discredit postings of certain posters that he is determined to discredit for the sake of discrediting by whatever intellectually dishonest and twisting means (eg branding a person “anti-Islamist) that may persuade those who don’t examine his postings critically.
#29 by Lee Wang Yen on Thursday, 11 June 2009 - 3:39 pm
While that ‘strategy’ is practised in many secular settings, I’m not sure whether other major theistic religions sanction it. At least Christianity does not.
#30 by Jeffrey on Thursday, 11 June 2009 - 3:49 pm
Notice the key difference between spreading the danger of Taqiyya (in terms of advancing a certain agenda not agreed to by other coalition partners) and spreading the idea/notion/belief that Taqiyya is danger (per se) – Lee Wan Yen.
How could a person like Godfather, whose foot is always in his mouth -a mental impediment that he blames on language not being a first language to articulate his thoughts- understand such subtle difference, when clearer and more obvious ones he also sometimes cannot grasp, in his hurry to discredit whats being said for sake of discrediting??? :)
#31 by Lee Wang Yen on Thursday, 11 June 2009 - 4:06 pm
I’m not sure whether DAP leaders think that in politics it is morally acceptable to pretend that one accepts something which one does not really accept (for example, pushing for 1Malaysia when UMNO has not really given up the notion of Malay supremacy), so as to survive.
By the way, being aware of the possible use of Taqiyya on the part of PAS does not mean that DAP and PKR cannot work with PAS to oust UMNO-BN. Unless PAS has jumped ship, PR remains the only realistic option to topple BN in the near future (4 years or so). It is pragmatically ok (whether it is morally ok is another issue) to work with an insincere partner to beat a common enemy if that is the only realistic chance to do so (as long as the partner continues to think that the common enemy is really their enemy) insofar as we are aware of the possible insincerity or ‘strategy’ of our partner and do something to protect ourselves from being trapped.
#32 by Jeffrey on Thursday, 11 June 2009 - 4:17 pm
///On our part, if we were to propagate our fears of Islam based on outdated theories and outdated practises not seen in the modern era, then we are no better than those extremists in the first place/// – Godpapa at 13: 59.11 (1 hour ago)
The wrong thinking here is that what are outdated theories and outdated practices will remain outdated all times.
Can they not be revived? Only the ignorant think not.
For example:
Wahhabism is a conservative/funadamentalist sect attributed to Muhammad ibn Abd-al-Wahhab, an 18th century scholar from what is today known as Saudi Arabia. He advocated a return to the practices of the first three generations of Islamic history. It was initiated to purge Islam of innovations and practices considered to be shirk in Islam. Muhammad ibn Abd al Wahhab died in 1792
For a time it was outdated.
When price of oil in the mid-1970s tripled Saudi Arabia, having the world’s largest reserves of oil began to spend tens of billions of dollars throughout the Islamic world reviving and promoting Wahhabism.
The real revival was 1979 revolution in Iran by Ayatollah Khomeini. Osama bin Laden after that. A lot of precepts of Wahhabism are central to the rhetoric of Khomeini/Osama bin Laden.
What started in 1792, remained dormant until revival in the 1970s. It has been increasing in influence ever since.
#33 by Lee Wang Yen on Thursday, 11 June 2009 - 4:18 pm
If we have no choice but to work with an insincere partner who harbours some hidden agenda, it is good to be aware of it rather than deceiving ourselves into believing that our partner is really sincere and has given up her unacceptable agenda (e.g. setting up an Islamic theocracy in Malaysia), when we have good reason to think that she has not.
By alerting us to the possible use of Taqiyya on the part of PAS, Jeffrey is doing a great service to PR supporters who reject Islamic theocracy in Malaysia.
#34 by Tan Siew Hong on Thursday, 11 June 2009 - 4:24 pm
PAS is one politic organization same like DAP, MIC, MCA, UMNO, PPP, PKR and others. Each parties have their own agenda for this country. If PAS make their own decision, it is their right. Same also if UNMO make decision want joint Pakatan Rakyat. What ever Pas want do event split from Pakatan Rakyat and join UMNO that is their own way. DAP, PKR or MIC, MCA, others to make statement dispute PAS decision is not correct way. Last month you sleep in on pillow maybe others month you split. Who know, we never oath promise for life and death together in politic.
#35 by Lee Wang Yen on Thursday, 11 June 2009 - 4:24 pm
Oops… ‘…the idea/notion/belief that Taqiyya is dangerOUS…’
sorry!
#36 by Godfather on Thursday, 11 June 2009 - 4:37 pm
“By alerting us to the possible use of Taqiyya on the part of PAS, Jeffrey is doing a great service to PR supporters who reject Islamic theocracy in Malaysia.”
Ooooo, Jeffrey’s fart has no smell.
What the QC Wannabe has done in his endless pontifications is just to reveal what he truly is – an anti-Islamist and scare-mongering bigot. You don’t need to highlight an archaic Islamic practice in this era to reject Islamic theocracy.
#37 by Lee Wang Yen on Thursday, 11 June 2009 - 4:47 pm
By the way, it is ok to criticise or question the doctrines and/or practices of a particular religion.
Doing so per se does not make one a bigot. A bigot is one who refuses to even allow others to voice out their sincere disagreements or criticisms. Of course, a sincere criticism could be misguided or simply wrong. So when a believer of a particular religion hears a sincere criticism of his religion, the appropriate response is to explain or invite other apologists to explain why that criticism is misguided, if it can really be shown to be misguided. Threatening the critics with ISA or calling for ‘ban’ is the worst kind of response that reveals deep-seated insecurities about the truth of the religion.
For example, Christians are urged to defend their faith with gentle answers and good behaviour, not by issuing threats or barging into a forum discussing issues of Christian faith:
‘…but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you, yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behaviour in Christ may be put to shame…’ (1 Peter 3: 15)
#38 by Lee Wang Yen on Thursday, 11 June 2009 - 4:52 pm
Taqiyya is not an archaic practice. It originated in the 7th century, but that does not mean that it is archaic.
The theory of probability originated in the 17th century, yet it is far from being an archaic theory.
#39 by Lee Wang Yen on Thursday, 11 June 2009 - 4:59 pm
As in the case of the theory of probability, Taqiyya is certainly not archaic if by ‘archaic’ you mean ‘something is no longer in use’.
If by ‘archaic’ you mean ‘something that originated in the ancient time, what has the historical origin of x to do with whether x is currently being used/practised?
Many of our mathematical concepts are even more archaic (in the sence of having originated in the ancient time) than Taqiyya.
#40 by Lee Wang Yen on Thursday, 11 June 2009 - 5:01 pm
oops… ‘…(in the senSe of…’
#41 by Jeffrey on Thursday, 11 June 2009 - 5:15 pm
///You don’t need to highlight an archaic Islamic practice in this era to reject Islamic theocracy/// – Godpapa.
Yes, but an archaic Islamic practice (whether 15th century Taqiyya or 19th century Wahhabism upon which modern day fundamental political Islamist ideology share common precepts) is highlighted if only to rebut your contention that what is archaic in past centuries is no longer applicable or could not be revived, and therefore should not be raised as a factor for consideration. See the illogic of our response.
///What the QC Wannabe has done in his endless pontifications is just to reveal what he truly is – an anti-Islamist and scare-mongering bigot.///
However I have in posting Today at 15: 22.58 (1 hour ago) explained why “Taqiyya” is useful for furthering a certain theocratic agenda in terms of reconciling to supporters/believers why certain compromises with non believers are necessary in terms of cooperation to push for final agenda. And it has also been clarified that there a key difference between spreading the danger of Taqiyya (in terms of advancing a certain agenda not agreed to by other coalition partners) and spreading the idea/notion/belief that Taqiyya is danger (per se).
It has also been amply explained that warning against a particular POLITICAL IDEOLOGY of theocracy justified on interpretation of faith prevalent in some countries of muslim majorities (eg Iran, Saudi Arabia, Taliban Afghanistan) but not embraced in other countries of muslim majorities (eg Indonesia, malaysia, Turkey) is standalone extraneous and unconnected with the Islamic faith (in general) of which there are different competing interpretations.
So what is the basis of accusation of “anti-Islamist and scare-mongering bigot”? No reason? You feel it so?
If I accuse you of being a PAS cybertrooper here – without reasons – then I am a bigot but if you accuse me as “anti-Islamist and scare-mongering bigot”, when there is no basis and not even a cogent rebuttal to the explanations given by me, then it is you who has proven yourself a the biggest bias bigot, taking strong positions without any let alone proper/reasoned basis of thought and accusation.
I think that is so clear.
#42 by Jeffrey on Thursday, 11 June 2009 - 5:28 pm
“Ooooo, Jeffrey’s fart has no smell” (Godfather) – yes, agreed, especially when compared to the breath from your mouth that smells like a skunk’s posterior
Why? Well it is fantastic that in the face of reasons and explanations given, for which not a single, let alone cogent rebuttal or contradiction has been offered, you could still shamelessly hurl baseless accusation like “anti-Islamist and scare-mongering bigot” without bothering of its lack of basis.
Your major contribution to this blog is to behave as an antidote to Reason, having an accusation to everything and rationale to nothing!
#43 by Jeffrey on Thursday, 11 June 2009 - 5:42 pm
Take one example of what the Godpapa had said – “You don’t need to highlight an archaic Islamic practice in this era to reject Islamic theocracy”.
Yes, although one could reject Islamic theocracy (in present times)without having to highlight an archaic Islamic practice of past era, however it was Godfather himself who first raised the contention that one should not raise archaic practice (whether 15th century Taqiyya or 19th century Wahhabism) to argue present circumstances, thereby making that practice (whether archaic or relevant now) an issue.
From simple example one can see how he raises an issue, when you address the issue with explanation that he could not offer a reply, he turns around and ironically berate/ridicule you for responding to an issue that he himself first raised, forgetting and sweeping under the carpet that he raised the issue.
The explanation clearly shows the temper of mind of this man : illogical, unfair and impervious to reasons.
, was revived in 1970s especially after Iranian Revolution (“Explanation”).
(2) So though one could reject Islamic theocracy without highlighing I don’t have The Explanation above is to rebut his contention that what is archaic in past centuries is no longer applicable or could not be revived, and therefore should not be raised as a factor for consideration. See the illogic of our response
#44 by Jeffrey on Thursday, 11 June 2009 - 5:45 pm
Please ignore last parts beginning ” was revived in 1970s especially after Iranian Revolution (”Explanation”)”.
#45 by Lee Wang Yen on Thursday, 11 June 2009 - 6:00 pm
As Jeffrey and I have shown clearly in our past postings, our rejection of the establishment of an Islamic theocracy rests on the fundamental inappropriateness of an Islamic theorcrarcy in a pluralistic society such as Malaysia, and has nothing to do with Taqiyya.
We do talk about Taqiyya. But we have not associated Taqiyya with the reason we reject or one should reject the idea of setting up an Islamic theocracy in a pluralistic society.
These are separate issues.
#46 by Godfather on Thursday, 11 June 2009 - 7:13 pm
“If by ‘archaic’ you mean ’something that originated in the ancient time, what has the historical origin of x to do with whether x is currently being used/practised?”
Hey, kid, just answer my previous question: Are you still using a leaf to preserve your modesty or have you moved on ?
#47 by Lee Wang Yen on Thursday, 11 June 2009 - 7:23 pm
Do you still use the Pythagorean theorem? Do you think that people today should still use the Pythagorean theorem?
Some x’s originated in antiquity are obsolete (e.g. leaves as a means of preserving modesty).
Some x’s orignated in antiquity are still widely used today (e.g. the Pythagorean theorem).
Conclusion: x’s historical origin per se has nothing to do with its current relevance.
#48 by Godfather on Thursday, 11 June 2009 - 7:31 pm
The Cambridge Kid quotes Peter chapter and verse about slander. He doesn’t realise that it is his legal advisor, the braggart and show-off QC Wannabe, who is slandering Muslims by spreading the word that Taqqiya is dangerous.
At 13.54.05 the Cambridge Kid asked rhetorically:
“f most reasonable people think that Taqiyya (deceit) is really dangerous, why is Jeffrey an anti-Islamic extremist if he spreads the idea that Taqiyya is dangerous?”
Then, at 15.22.58 today, the show-off asked “Where did I say anywhere “Taqiyya” is per se dangerous…..”
Everybody, including the Cambridge Kid, knows what the show-off means with those foot long postings which can be distilled into mere scaremongering tactics against Islam. You guys should coordinate your rebuttals better.
#49 by Godfather on Thursday, 11 June 2009 - 7:35 pm
“Conclusion: x’s historical origin per se has nothing to do with its current relevance.” Cambridge Kid
Agreed. All I am saying is Taqqiya today has no relevance, and certainly not in Bolehland, so why dredge up the origins of this practice ?
#50 by Godfather on Thursday, 11 June 2009 - 8:05 pm
Alright boys, I gotta go as my hourly rate is definitely higher than that of the QC Wannabe.
All I want to add to the comment of Farish Noor above is that the Malaysian public doesn’t like extremists, whether it is from PAS or from UMNO or from DAP. Yes, we should always strive for meritocracy and for transparency but we should not have this superior or holier-than-thou attitude. We may have a first class honours degree from Oxford or Cambridge, but that doesn’t give us the right to talk down to people, to dismiss people summarily. We may be endowed undeniably with eloquent English but we must be patient enough to let those who are less eloquent have their say. All these attributes are motherhood and apple pie, but they must be constantly reinforced in a multiracial country like ours. Extremism begets extremism, and in the end all parties become blind, as quoted by Gandhi-ji.