I just watched Fitna. I know,I know, *tsk*tsk* I’m a bit behind the times and the hype about this movie by Wilder might have already actually died down. However, the upside down smile on my face has only deepened.
I am the last person that you can or should call a devout Muslim. My sins are many and bluntly put, my days in hell are not only confirmed but definitely infinite if counted in terms of the human calendar. However, despite my sin filled ways, I do know that the Quran does not encourage violence in any way.
Anyway, in Bahasa Malaysia (the Malaysian language), Fitna is spelled with a ‘h’ – Fitnah, and means false vindictive rumours, to harm a person or those closest to them. Whilst browsing other blogs, I was lucky enough to come across that of Ihsan Attar’s ‘My Thoughts and Notes’ - http://mymines.blogspot.com/2008/04/fitnaindeed.html. Here, he explains that in Arabic, Fitna means “Creating division and hatred leading to commotion”. Sweeet huh? That means in both Bahasa Malaysia and Arabic, fitna means bad news - literally!
So folks, all the way from snowy London (yep, its friggin snowing in April!) I beg that you please take some time to read Ihsan’s take on the movie as my knowledge of the Arabic language and that of the holy Quran is very limited, which would make my clarification less eloquent.
Ihsan's post helped me understand what has been gravely misinterpreted and falsely depicted in Fitna. Hopefully, by linking his post, it will also help others out there to see and understand what Wilder might have edited and exaggerated to piece together his movie.
Allow me to end this post with Ihsan’s words, ‘I believe that faith does not need to be defended. The aim of my post is not to defend, but rather to clarify.’
I could not agree more!
Sunday, 6 April 2008
Friday, 4 April 2008
erm, aiseyman...
Errmmm, aiseyman, I am not usually at a loss for words, but I think this is the first time anybody has been able to make me completely gobsmacked without flashing me a pair of peep-toe Louboutins. Eh, but actually come to think of it, I nearly fainted when I saw her wear a big-collared-circa-70s-hot- pink shirt WITH a purple jacket AND flaired pants to an OFFICIAL FUNCTION not a theme party. Don't get me wrong, that, in my books takes a whole load of guts. My admiration for her knows no bounds, really, I am so not joking.
God bless her soul for making my day...erm...more interesting.
So..please read on and judge for yourself. I think this report speaks for itself.
Azalina: Tourism MoUs with Opposition-ruled states to be terminated
KUALA LUMPUR: Tourism memorandums of understanding with Opposition-ruled state governments will be terminated given the change in leadership, said Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.
She said this was in line with the termination of Tourism Action Councils in the states which were previously chaired by Barisan Nasional’s state executive councillors in charge of tourism in each state.
“Normally, the council works together with the state executive council and local authorities.
“But now that the leadership in the state governments have changed, we have to terminate the MoUs and the councils,” she told a post-Cabinet press briefing yesterday.
Perak, Penang, Selangor and Kedah fell to the Opposition in last month's general election.
Azalina said that a committee would instead be set up, with members appointed by the Federal Government similar to the format implemented in PAS-held Kelantan.
“We will appoint committee members from the tourism community to help develop tourism in these states,” she said.
Azalina said some tourism events, such as the Penang Music Festival (in May) and the Langkawi Water Festival (this weekend), would go ahead and contracts with state contractors would be honoured.
“However, we will re-evaluate plans for other events if they have not started or if the contractors have not been appointed.
“Maybe we have to look at other venues or options. But there is no total boycott in tourism. We have to play it by ear and see what these state governments do,” she added.
Azalina said industry players she met recently, including hoteliers and travel agencies, had expressed concern over tourism in Opposition-held states, given the players’ huge investments, especially in Penang and Kedah.
“They hope there will not be any negative policies in these states that will affect tourism,” she added. On PKR, DAP and PAS’ decision to form Pakatan Rakyat, Azalina said it would not last long given their different policies, unlike Barisan which had the same manifesto for all.
“Politics is a marriage of convenience. Politicians can say anything they want to gain the people’s support.
“Maybe Pakatan Rakyat will work for a month or a year but it will break up in the end as they are too different,” she added.
taken from: http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/3/nation/20833921&sec=nation
God bless her soul for making my day...erm...more interesting.
So..please read on and judge for yourself. I think this report speaks for itself.
Azalina: Tourism MoUs with Opposition-ruled states to be terminated
KUALA LUMPUR: Tourism memorandums of understanding with Opposition-ruled state governments will be terminated given the change in leadership, said Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.
She said this was in line with the termination of Tourism Action Councils in the states which were previously chaired by Barisan Nasional’s state executive councillors in charge of tourism in each state.
“Normally, the council works together with the state executive council and local authorities.
“But now that the leadership in the state governments have changed, we have to terminate the MoUs and the councils,” she told a post-Cabinet press briefing yesterday.
Perak, Penang, Selangor and Kedah fell to the Opposition in last month's general election.
Azalina said that a committee would instead be set up, with members appointed by the Federal Government similar to the format implemented in PAS-held Kelantan.
“We will appoint committee members from the tourism community to help develop tourism in these states,” she said.
Azalina said some tourism events, such as the Penang Music Festival (in May) and the Langkawi Water Festival (this weekend), would go ahead and contracts with state contractors would be honoured.
“However, we will re-evaluate plans for other events if they have not started or if the contractors have not been appointed.
“Maybe we have to look at other venues or options. But there is no total boycott in tourism. We have to play it by ear and see what these state governments do,” she added.
Azalina said industry players she met recently, including hoteliers and travel agencies, had expressed concern over tourism in Opposition-held states, given the players’ huge investments, especially in Penang and Kedah.
“They hope there will not be any negative policies in these states that will affect tourism,” she added. On PKR, DAP and PAS’ decision to form Pakatan Rakyat, Azalina said it would not last long given their different policies, unlike Barisan which had the same manifesto for all.
“Politics is a marriage of convenience. Politicians can say anything they want to gain the people’s support.
“Maybe Pakatan Rakyat will work for a month or a year but it will break up in the end as they are too different,” she added.
taken from: http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/3/nation/20833921&sec=nation
Friday, 28 March 2008
Love is a Losing Game
Don't ask me why, but I just have to post Amy Wino's lyrics for Love is a Losing Game. It reflects my current attitude towards this crazy lil thing called lurve.
*tsk* tsk* I know, I know, many of us go through a lot more adversities than my present-sorry-not-so-hippy-optimist-butt, but still if I can't wallow in self pity on my own blog, then hey, where else can I go?
So, bite me!
Love is a Losing Game
For you I was a flame
Love is a losing game
Five story fire as you came
Love is losing game
One I wish I never played,
Oh, what a mess we made
And now the final frame
Love is a losing game
Played out by the band
Love is a losing hand
More than I could stand
Love is a losing hand
Self professed profound
Til' the chips were down
Know you’re a gambling man
Love is a losing hand
Tho' I battled blind
Love is a fate resigned
Memories mar my mind
Love it is a fate resigned
Over futile odds
And laughed at by the Gods
And now the final frame
Love is a losing game
*tsk* tsk* I know, I know, many of us go through a lot more adversities than my present-sorry-not-so-hippy-optimist-butt, but still if I can't wallow in self pity on my own blog, then hey, where else can I go?
So, bite me!
Love is a Losing Game
For you I was a flame
Love is a losing game
Five story fire as you came
Love is losing game
One I wish I never played,
Oh, what a mess we made
And now the final frame
Love is a losing game
Played out by the band
Love is a losing hand
More than I could stand
Love is a losing hand
Self professed profound
Til' the chips were down
Know you’re a gambling man
Love is a losing hand
Tho' I battled blind
Love is a fate resigned
Memories mar my mind
Love it is a fate resigned
Over futile odds
And laughed at by the Gods
And now the final frame
Love is a losing game
...and I'm BACK!!
dear all,
am back from a long, long, long silence...missed the world of blogging immensely...
will write longer soon!
*woohoo*
am back from a long, long, long silence...missed the world of blogging immensely...
will write longer soon!
*woohoo*
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