Putting religion in the correct perspective
Raja Petra KamarudinSome Muslims, religious scholars included, are saying that the recent Tsunami tragedy is God’s (Allah’s) punishment for those who have sinned and deviated from His teachings.…
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Faith vs. logic
Raja Petra KamarudinI have always argued that logic can be applied to religion and that religion should not be faith (iman) minus logic. But Muslims resent what they view as someone ‘questioning’…
Many a true word is said in jest
Raja Petra KamarudinThe Malay College Old Boys Association (MCOBA) has been organising Annual Dinners for some decades now. In the beginning, professional artists were engaged to entertain the…
A taste of one’s own medicine
Raja Petra KamarudinI had this teacher who once lectured us on the bad habit of smoking. He would constantly stink of nicotine for he was a chain-smoker and we could smell him even before he entered…
Between right and wrong
Raja Petra KamarudinOn Friday, the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Dr Maximus Ongkili, said the federal government will always respect state rights and privileges, ‘whether those given to…
What is the ruling on apostasy?
Raja Petra KamarudinSome religious authorities say Muslims should not wish Christians ‘Merry Christmas’. In fact, they say, Muslims should not participate in any non-Muslim (kafir) celebrations at…
Speak up and be heard: Hishamuddin
Raja Petra KamarudinYesterday, Malaysia’s Education Minister, Hishammuddin Tun Hussein, who is also the Umno Youth Leader, called on ‘the moderate voice of Islam representing the vast majority of…
Sticks and stones and what else can harm me
Raja Petra KamarudinWhen I was a kid, whenever anyone insulted us, we would sing, “Sticks and stones can break my bones but words cannot harm me.” I am not sure though whether this is true…
Malaysians should not be allowed to think
Raja Petra KamarudinMalaysia Today’s readers come in two categories. One category welcomes the new-found freedom to express themselves (though some do not quite know how to use this freedom yet and…
So, you want to debate. Okay, let’s debate
Raja Petra KamarudinIt looks like I have caused a stir by revealing the excesses, abuses and corruption in the religious department. Now they want to get me under the Internal Security Act. Well, I…
Islam Hadhari vs. Islam Hak Babi
Raja Petra KamarudinIt is interesting that, of all people, the Deputy Prime Minister, Najib Razak, should be giving Malaysians a lecture on Islam. Well, I remember my Tok Guru (religious teacher),…
Insults, insults, and yet more insults
Raja Petra KamarudinSome ‘religious’ leaders have decreed that Malaysia Today, in particular its editor, has insulted Islam. Well, under the Hudud law, one of the Islamic laws, this crime is called…
Agreements are made to be broken
Raja Petra KamarudinIslam says:if someone breaks a promise more than three times, then you should no longer be associated with that person. But what if it is a government that keeps breaking its…
I love a good fight
Raja Petra KamarudinI have said this before and I will say it again: I will always be in the opposition. And why is that? Because I just love going against those in power. In short, I am…
The Malays and their high horse
Raja Petra KamarudinMalaysians shout and scream about wanting freedom of expression -- basically, freedom of speech, freedom of the media and freedom to assemble without the requirement of a police…
Malaysia Today: the Free Malaysia Campaign
Raja Petra KamarudinOn 2nd September 2004, the day Anwar Ibrahim was freed from jail, many came up to ask me what I would now do with my time. Since Anwar was now free, they reckoned, there would no…
Why Islam is so backward
Raja Petra KamarudinA few years back, in August 1998, one local Islamic organisation, Saba Islamic Media, launched a campaign to place a Koran in every hotel room, which it called ‘Hotel Qur’an…
A tale of two imams
Raja Petra KamarudinUMNO has alleged that the Islamic Party of Malaysia (PAS) has created a split amongst the Muslims to the extent that even masjids now have two imams, one for the PAS supporters and…
Plus and minus
Raja Petra KamarudinDo you own a PLUS tag? Well, be very careful. PLUS tags are hot items for petty thieves and drug addicts. If you display your PLUS tag on your windscreen as required, they will…
Imam Munafiq and Fasik
Raja Petra KamarudinI was the Chairman of the Kolam Mosque (Masjid Kolam, Kuala Ibai, Kuala Terengganu) for about 20 years from the 1970s. That was about the time Ustaz Haji Abdul Hadi Awang first…
One nation, two systems
Raja Petra KamarudinChina is not the only country in the world that practices the concept of one nation two systems -- which was a policy adopted after Hong Kong reverted to China. Malaysia, too,…
Malay rights and privileges
Raja Petra KamarudinIn March this year, Malaysian voters gave Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s government a resounding victory in the 11th General Election. The Umno-led Barisan Nasional government secured…
Anwar’s open house attracted Malaysians from all walks of life
Raja Petra KamarudinAnwar Ibrahim will be having a dialogue with the legal fraternity at 5.00pm today. The dialogue, which will, amongst others, feature his views on Malaysia’s legal system as well as…
