The holy month of Ramadhan

(Courtesy of Google)

It's not easy to restrict yourself from food and what more water! Eating in Malaysia is a culture. We are spoilt for choices and have the luxury of convenience in eating; you can get food anywhere and anytime. Then for the workforce, so called due to stress, they eat a lot claimming to have used up their energy before that. Eating regularly is also healthy to avoid gastrics and diseases related to food disorder. Then there are other who claim they are too busy working that they have no time to eat!

It is well noted in Malaysia the holy month of Ramadhan@ fasting month @ Puasa before the Aidilfitri celebrated globally by Muslims. The day starts with a meal before morning prayers around 5 am. The fast begins when 1st prayer of the day starts (5 times a day is the total prayers for Muslims). The fast last the whole day till around 7 something PM the same day(2nd last prayer for the day).

I totally have respect for Muslims who follow the fasting month. It is not easy. Not even a sip of water. I doubt I can do it! :P

Unless one is sick or going through menstruals, they are exempted from fasting. However, do people really fast? I do not think it is a law in other countries to fast but in Malaysia it is.

Today for the first time, I was asked by the Malay stall owner if I was Malay. Oh boy, I freaking exploded and my uncle held me back. I said,"How dare you ask me?". He replied my face looked Malay. What to do lah I am Serani and a bit dark. I was pissed and lost my appetite although I was hungry before that. As I ate I thought and my uncle told me it is normal.

They actually in Malaysia have to confirm if one is Muslim or not during fasting month. If he sold to a Muslim, all his food utensils will be confiscated by the police. According to the law, he was doing his job.

I am a guy who does not really like to fight with people. After eating, I went to pay and also apologised and shook his hand. He also apologised and explained to me the situation in Malaysia.

As much as I hated for being accused unnecessarily, this is what you have to face if you are tanned skin in Malaysia which is discrimination. For a Muslim who does not follow the fasting month, it is a crime and is punishable.

I can't believe people are being forced to practice their beliefs or faced penalty. Based on my religion as a Catholic, you are thought what is right. However, it is not a law or force. You decide what is right and what you are comfortable doing. From a general overview and not relating it to faith, you can tell people what is right but it is up to them to consider what is right and wrong.

I think the religion varies based on culture. Probably in a more liberal country, the decision is left to the individual to follow or not to follow. I look at it as we are only human. How to avoid sin?

Building of mosque near ground zero, New York

(Photo from Google)

September 11th 2001 will always be on our minds. The day the world stood in shock over the attacks of the World Trade Centre Towers in New York City. I have been previlledged to view the twin towers in 1995 during my family trip to New York.

As the planes hit the towers, we saw smoke and even people jumping from the towers. Then it all fell and killed even more people that were trying to evacuate the remainning levels of the building including police, paramedics and fire-fighters.

It was a very sad day for the whole world looking at that devastating dissaster. I can only imagine the bigger lost felt by the families of victims that perished that sunny morning.

We all looked at who and how the attack happenned. Terrorist who were from a Muslim background were involved in planning and executing this tragedy. The world began to grow hate towards Muslims. They felt that the religion was more harm than good. Boarder security was even more tighter at arrival points to most western countries.

But should we be mad at Muslims? Is this a response against Muslims or a response against 'people' involved in the tragedy?

Lately, there has been so much debate and objection over the construction of a mosque close to ground zero. Sometimes I feel it is so politically motivated amongst political parties in USA. What's the issue?

We all are geared to respond to acts of terrorism. However, going after the religion is no point when actually we should be going after the terrorist group involved. It is not a war against Islam but it should be seen as a war against terrorist. Terrorist are not Islam alone. Islam is like any other religion when it comes to teaching good values and beliefs that are worldly accepted.

Just imagine if a group of Christians would have brought down the Towers. Are we seriously going to ban a church near to the area? I sense a certain degree of biasness.

This would be a test against the USA, an economic giant, on how they treat citizens of the world. It would be a symbol of their shallowness should they go against the construction of a mosque. They always brag about freedom and justice. This would be the opposite of their belief.

I am voicing my stand that the mosque should be erected and we should respect Islam.