Berita Harian Online | Pukul badan guna rantai sucikan dosa

Pukul badan guna rantai sucikan dosa
Oleh Norhashimah Mohd Radzali, Suhana Roslan dan Nor Hatina Shuib

2010/12/17

ANGGOTA JAIS cuba menenangkan seorang pemuda yang bertindak agresif ketika serbuan ke atas sebuah premis yang dijadikan markas ajaran sesat di Taman Sri Gombak, semalam.

200 pengikut ajaran sesat Hauzah Ar Ridha ditahan

GOMBAK: Memukul badan sendiri menggunakan rantai sehingga berdarah sebagai tanda menyucikan dosa pada setiap 10 Muharam adalah antara 23 penyelewengan agama diamalkan kumpulan ajaran sesat dikenali Hauzah Ar Ridha yang diserbu Jabatan Agama Islam Selangor (JAIS) di Taman Sri Gombak di sini, malam kelmarin.

Dalam serbuan jam 10.50 malam kelmarin hingga 3 pagi semalam itu, kira-kira 200 orang, termasuk kakitangan awam, pensyarah dan pelajar di institusi pengajian tinggi awam (IPTA) dan swasta (IPTS) ditahan.

Turut ditahan wanita dan kanak-kanak ketika masing-masing sedang mendengar ceramah disampaikan seorang lelaki warga Iran yang dipercayai ketua fahaman berkenaan.

Bagaimanapun, berpuluh lagi melarikan diri dengan memanjat bumbung bangunan empat tingkat itu sambil melaungkan takbir sebaik menyedari markas itu diserbu 80 pegawai dan anggota JAIS.

Difahamkan, setiap ahli kumpulan dibekalkan tiga batu sebesar kurma yang diletakkan di depan sejadah dan ketika sujud dahi jemaah perlu menyentuh batu itu.

Penyelewengan lain dilakukan kumpulan ajaran sesat itu ialah menziarahi kubur Saidina Husain sebagai ganjaran ke syurga, menghina isteri-isteri Nabi SAW serta mengharuskan sembahyang jamak pada bila-bila masa.

Petang semalam, lelaki warga Iran berusia 48 tahun dan seorang lelaki tempatan berumur 44 tahun dibawa ke Mahkamah Rendah Syariah Gombak Barat, Kuang dekat sini, bagi perintah jaminan sementara pendakwa syarie menyiapkan kertas siasatan.
Hakim Syarie, Saiful Azli Jamaludin membenarkan mereka dijamin RM2,000 seorang dengan dua penjamin dan memerintahkan lelaki Iran menyerahkan pasportnya kepada mahkamah serta tidak dibenarkan ke luar negeri sehingga tarikh sebutan akan datang.

Saiful kemudian menetapkan 20 Januari depan untuk sebutan kes.

Kes itu disiasat mengikut Seksyen 12 (c) Enakmen Jenayah Syariah Selangor 1995 iaitu menghina, mengingkari, mempertikaikan arahan pihak berkuasa agama yang dinyatakan dan diberikan melalui fatwa.

Sementara itu, Ketua Pengarah JAIS, Datuk Muhammad Khusrin Munawi, berkata ciri-ciri kesalahan kumpulan itu termasuk Imam adalah maksum, kemunculan Imam Mahadi bersama orang mati untuk memberi keadilan, menyanjung Saidina Ali secara keterlaluan dengan menambah dalam Syahadah serta menghalalkan dan mengamalkan nikah mutaah (perkahwinan kontrak).

Katanya, kumpulan itu dikenal pasti dua tahun lalu dan dikategorikan sebagai serius kerana mereka menyebarkan fahaman Syiah secara sembunyi dan menggunakan pelajar Malaysia yang belajar di republik itu dengan menawarkan biasiswa serta memberi hadiah berupa buku.

“Malah, apabila ada pembesar Iran melawat negara ini, mereka mengadakan kempen dan penerangan berhubung fahaman itu sebelum membuat lawatan ke pusat pengajian tinggi tempatan untuk menyebarkan fahaman mereka,” katanya di sini, semalam.

Beliau menyifatkan tangkapan kelmarin adalah yang terbesar dalam sejarah JAIS dan tidak menolak kemungkinan orang ramai berminat menyertai ajaran itu kerana membenarkan perkahwinan mutaah yang menjurus kepada perkhidmatan seks.

Muhammad Khusrin berkata, daripada 200 yang ditahan, 128 masih berada dalam tahanan, manakala selebihnya kanak-kanak dan remaja dibebaskan. Berita Harian Online | Pukul badan guna rantai sucikan dosa

Utusan Malaysia Online - Berita Utama

Utusan Malaysia Online - Berita Utama

200 pengikut Syiah ditahan

Oleh ANGELINA SINYANG
pengarang@utusan.com.my

KUALA LUMPUR 16 Dis. - Kegiatan satu ajaran Syiah tegar yang dikhuatiri boleh mengancam keselamatan negara dikesan bergerak aktif di negara ini berikutan penahanan 200 pengikut dan dua ketua kumpulannya, malam semalam.

Dua ketua kumpulan itu termasuk seorang warga Iran telah dihadapkan ke Mahkamah Rendah Syariah Gombak Barat, Kuang, hari ini dan dibebaskan dengan jaminan.

Para pengikut lain juga telah dibebaskan dengan jaminan Jabatan Agama Islam Selangor (JAIS) dan akan dipanggil untuk diambil keterangan dalam masa terdekat.

Kumpulan yang ditahan di sebuah rumah kedai di Taman Sri Gombak, Batu Caves, dekat sini itu dikatakan berbahaya kerana menganggap penganut Islam mazhab lain sebagai kafir dan halal dibunuh.

Mereka yang menggunakan nama Hauzah Ar Ridha Alaihissalam itu dikesan sudah dua tahun menjalankan kegiatan mereka di tingkat empat rumah kedai berkenaan.

Dalam serbuan sepasukan penguat kuasa JAIS pada pukul 10.15 malam itu, seramai 200 pengikut terdiri daripada lelaki dan perempuan termasuk kanak-kanak sedang khusyuk berselawat dan mendengar khutbah daripada seorang lelaki warga Iran.

Sebahagian pengikutnya yang ditahan merupakan pensyarah dan pelajar institusi pengajian tinggi (IPT), peguam dan kakitangan kerajaan.

Pengikutnya terdiri daripada 75 lelaki dan 35 wanita tempatan, enam wanita dan tiga lelaki warga Indonesia, dua wanita Myanmar serta masing-masing seorang lelaki Pakistan, Myanmar dan Iran, manakala selebihnya kanak-kanak.

Ia merupakan penahanan terbesar melibatkan pengikut ajaran yang didakwa sesat dicatatkan di Selangor setakat ini dan JAIS percaya ajaran tersebut turut tersebar di negeri-negeri lain.

Pengarahnya, Datuk Muhammed Khusrin Munawi berkata, pihaknya telah mengikuti pergerakan kumpulan terbabit sejak dua tahun lalu dan setelah memperoleh cukup bukti mengaitkan mereka sebagai pengikut ajaran Syiah yang tegar, barulah markas itu diserbu.

Beliau berkata, ajaran Syiah jika dibiarkan berkembang boleh mengancam keselamatan negara kerana pengikut yang fanatik menganggap umat Islam mazhab lain sebagai kafir.

"Bagi mereka, darah pengikut fahaman lain adalah halal dan ia bermakna penganut Ahli Sunnah Wal Jamaah boleh dibunuh.

"Ajaran Syiah lebih bahaya berbanding ajaran sesat seperti Al Arqam. Pengikut Syiah di Iran dan India misalnya bergaduh sesama Islam semata-mata berbeza fahaman.

"Inilah yang ingin dielakkan berlaku di negara ini dan tujuan ia disekat," katanya kepada pemberita ketika ditemui di lokasi serbuan di sini hari ini.

Muhammed Khusrin berkata, mengikut Enakmen Pentadbiran Perundangan Islam 1989, fahaman dan ajaran Syiah adalah menyeleweng daripada pegangan Ahli Sunnah Wal Jamaah kerana wujud beberapa percanggahan dari sudut akidah dan syariah.

Katanya, antaranya adalah menyanjung sahabat Rasulullah, Saidina Ali secara keterlaluan, menghalalkan nikah mutaah, menolak hadis yang diriwayatkan oleh Ahli Sunnah Wal Jamaah sekalipun hadis Mutawir dan mengkafirkan para sahabat Rasulullah.

"Penyelewengan dari sudut syariah pula adalah menolak ijmak ulama, qias dan mengamalkan nikah mutaah. Pengikut Syiah juga terlibat pelbagai penyelewengan umum seperti percaya ganjaran syurga jika menziarahi kubur Saidina Husin.

"Selain itu menyiksa diri dengan memukul badan menggunakan rantai sehingga berdarah sempena 10 Muharam, mengharuskan jamak sembahyang dalam semua keadaan dan tidak mewajibkan haji," katanya.

Menurut Muhammed Khusrin, pihaknya percaya ajaran Syiah yang memudahkan ibadat dan menghalalkan nikah mutaah menjadi punca tarikan umat Islam di negara ini untuk menjadi pengikutnya.

Beliau berkata, kumpulan ajaran sesat terbabit mempunyai dana sendiri bagi membiayai aktiviti dan menyewa bangunan untuk dijadikan markas operasi, manakala penyebarannya pula dibuat secara tertutup melalui penganjuran majlis-majlis tertentu.

Katanya, semua yang ditangkap akan didakwa di bawah Seksyen 12(c) Enakmen Jenayah Syariah Selangor 1995 iaitu menghina, mengingkari, melanggar atau mempertikaikan arahan-arahan yang dinyatakan dan diberikan fatwa oleh pihak berkuasa agama.

Permohonan Shamala rujuk isu perlembagaan diketepi

PUTRAJAYA 12 Nov. - Seorang wanita Hindu gagal meneruskan permohonan untuk merujuk isu perlembagaan bagi mencabar undang-undang syariah dan sivil dalam kes perebutan hak penjagaan dua anaknya hasil perkahwinan dengan bekas suami yang kini beragama Islam.

Ia berikutan keputusan penting Mahkamah Persekutuan hari ini membenarkan bantahan awal Dr. Muhammad Ridzwan Mogarajah, 42, yang mempertikaikan kewajaran tindakan S. Shamala, 38, sedangkan ketiga-tiganya dipercayai berada di Australia.

Mualaf itu turut membantah permohonan tersebut kerana bekas isterinya yang diberikan hak penjagaan oleh Mahkamah Tinggi Kuala Lumpur, menghadapi tindakan menghina mahkamah kerana enggan membenarkannya melawat kedua-dua anaknya sejak enam tahun lalu.

Berikutan keputusan itu, Shamala terlepas peluang untuk mendapat penjelasan berhubung percanggahan undang-undang Islam dan sivil melibatkan pertukaran agama dan hak penjagaan anak, setelah permohonan rujukannya itu ditolak dengan kos.

Isu perlembagaan itu antara lain berkaitan kesahihan pertukaran agama kanak-kanak daripada satu perkahwinan sivil kepada agama Islam oleh bapa atau ibu tanpa persetujuan dan pengetahuan pihak yang tidak menukar agama.

Ia merupakan isu kepentingan awam melibatkan hak penjagaan anak bagi ibu bapa yang bercerai dalam keadaan seorang daripada mereka bertukar agama.

Keputusan itu dicapai oleh panel lima hakim diketuai Ketua Hakim Negara, Tun Zaki Tun Azmi yang bersidang bersama Presiden Mahkamah Rayuan, Tan Sri Alauddin Mohd. Sheriff; Hakim Besar Malaya, Tan Sri Arifin Zakaria; Hakim Besar Sabah dan Sarawak, Tan Sri Richard Malanjum; dan Hakim Tan Sri Zulkefli Ahmad Makinudin.

Bagaimanapun, panel bersidang mencapai pendapat majoriti 4-1 setelah tidak bersetuju dengan Hakim Malanjum yang lebih cenderung memerintahkan Shamala dan dua anaknya hadir ke mahkamah bagi mendengar prosiding itu.

Hakim Malanjum menyatakan, jika ketiga-tiganya gagal hadir dalam tempoh tiga bulan, permohonan tersebut akan ditolak dengan kos.

Ketua Hakim Negara sebaliknya mengembalikan rayuan kedua-dua pihak yang tidak berpuas hati dengan keputusan Mahkamah Tinggi berhubung pertikaian mengenai hak penjagaan anak, ke Mahkamah Rayuan.

Hakim Zaki berpendapat, Shamala tidak harus diberi masa kerana dia ternyata mengelak untuk menghadapi tindakan menghina mahkamah yang dikeluarkan oleh Mahkamah Tinggi pada 6 Mei 2004 akibat melanggar perintah sementara agar Muhammad Ridzwan diberi hak melawat anak-anaknya.

Pada hemat beliau, Shamala mendapat hak penjagaan secara tidak sah selama enam tahun setelah melarikan anak-anaknya sejak 2004 manakala kedua-dua kanak-kanak itu, J. Saktiwaran dan adiknya, Theiviswaran jika ditanya sekalipun, kemungkinan memilih tinggal bersama ibu mereka.

Hakim Zaki memberitahu, Shamala turut gagal mematuhi perintah mahkamah agar menyerahkan dokumen perjalanan anak-anaknya, sekali gus menunjukkan dia memperoleh kelebihan daripada suaminya secara tidak adil.

''Tindakan memberi masa untuk mendengar permohonan itu akan memberi manfaat kepada Shamala tanpa perlu baginya menunaikan tanggungjawab sedangkan dia boleh dikenakan tindakan menghina mahkamah.

''Dengan memberinya peluang sedemikian akan menggalakkan lebih ramai pihak melakukan kesilapan yang membawa kepada tindakan menghina mahkamah, dengan harapan mereka dapat membetulkan kesalahan yang dilakukan,'' ujar Hakim Zaki.

Sementara itu, Hakim Arifin turut sependapat dengan Ketua Hakim Negara atas alasan panel itu tidak akan berlaku adil kepada Muhammad Ridzwan jika permohonan Shamala dibenarkan sedangkan wanita itu jelas enggan mematuhi perintah mahkamah.

Beliau menyatakan, banyak masa berlalu sedangkan Shamala berada di luar bidang kuasa mahkamah menyebabkan tindakan menghina mahkamah tidak dapat dilaksanakan ke atasnya.

''Mahkamah tidak harus dipergunakan oleh Shamala untuk kepentingannya semata-mata. Dengan membenarkannya meneruskan permohonan itu, akan menjadikan hak suaminya di sisi undang-undang hanya bayangan semata-mata, tidak kira siapa yang akan menang,'' ujar beliau.

Sementara Hakim Malanjum dalam penghakimannya menyatakan, isu utama kes itu adalah berkaitan hak penjagaan anak dan ia perlu dipertimbang dengan mengambil kira kebajikan kanak-kanak tersebut.

Menurut beliau, tindakan melarikan dua beradik itu ke luar negara adalah serius dan bukan sahaja menunjukkan Shamala gagal mematuhi perintah mahkamah, malah menidakkan hak bekas suami terhadap anak mereka.

Shamala diwakili oleh peguam Datuk Dr. Cyrus V. Dass manakala Muhammad Ridzwan diwakili peguam Muralee Menon.

Shamala berkahwin dengan Jeyaganesh C. Mogarajah mengikut undang-undang perkahwinan sivil pada 1998 tetapi empat tahun kemudian, Jeyaganesh memeluk agama Islam dengan nama Muhammad Ridzwan Mogarajah.

Muhammad Ridzwan turut menukar agama kedua-dua anak lelaki mereka yang ketika itu berumur tiga dan dua tahun kepada agama Islam tanpa pengetahuan dan persetujuan Shamala.

Shamala yang tidak berpuas hati dengan tindakan itu kemudian ke Mahkamah Tinggi dan memperoleh hak penjagaan sementara menyebabkan bekas suaminya memfailkan pula permohonan hak penjagaan (Hadanah) di Mahkamah Syariah.

Muhammad Ridzwan berjaya dalam permohonan itu menyebabkan Shamala dikenakan waran tangkap di bawah undang-undang Islam kerana gagal hadir dan mengemukakan kedua-dua kanak-kanak tersebut.

Pada Julai 2004, Shamala memperoleh hak penjagaan penuh terhadap dua anak lelakinya itu dan diperintah untuk tidak mengajar agama kepercayaannya kepada kedua-dua anaknya itu atau memberi mereka makan babi.

http://utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2010&dt=1113&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Mahkamah&pg=ma_02.htm

MCA man says God commands Christians to fight Islamic state

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 8: Former Subang Jaya state assemblyman, MCA's Lee Hwa Beng (pic), has appealed to Christian sentiments when he suggested on Twitter yesterday that a state based on Islam would ban all other religions. "As Christians, we should fear Islamic theocracy nation [sic] more than anything. Why is DAP helping PAS to achieve it?” questioned Lee in a response to DAP supporters on the micro-blogging site. Saying religions other than Islam would not be tolerated under what he coined "Islamic Theocracy State" [sic] and that Islamic laws would be imposed on non-Muslims, Lee even went on to claim that it was "God's command" to fight an "Islamic Theocracy State". "One of God's command is to fight against Islamic Theocracy State," he said. He added that UMNO, unlike PAS, did not want to establish an "Islamic Theocracy State". Lee however was quick to add a 'disclaimer' stating that his remarks were his personal opinion. “I never say I am against Islam but cannot accept PAS objective of Islamic Theocracy State. In fact I accept Islam as the official religion. "Sorry I bring this theocracy topic up. Getting out of hand. I am quitting." The latest remarks by Lee followed similar comments by MCA president Chua Soi Lek in August, in which he suggested Muslim-majority nations were naturally corrupt in an attempt to urge Malaysians to shun PAS. Chua also claimed that it was UMNO's competing with PAS over Islam which had caused the country to be trapped as a “middle income” nation for more than 10 years. The comments drew strong reactions from both sides of the political divide, and had left the one-time Health minister blaming online portals Malaysiakini and The Malaysian Insider for 'misquoting' him. http://en.harakah.net.my/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1734:mca-man-says-god-commands-christians-to-fight-islamic-state&catid=36:headline&Itemid=70

MCA's comeback kid gets a dressing-down over remarks on Islam

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 7: MCA president Chua Soi Lek (pic), whose statement warning UMNO not to be Islamic like PAS, and claiming that the most corrupt countries were Muslim-majority ones and therefore PAS should not be given a chance to come to power, has earned him a place among Islamophobic leaders with condemnations pouring in from both sides of the divide. Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim attributed what he called Chua's 'ignorance' to his interaction with UMNO, which did not appear to have taught him about the religion. “His (Chua's) interaction with UMNO does not seem to have made him better understand or appreciative of Muslim concerns,” said Anwar, and said this contrasted with the ties between PAS and DAP, which among others have encouraged both sides to appreciate each other's stand, with DAP leaders quoting verses from the Qur'an in their speeches. Expressing his disappointment over what he described as UMNO's increasing tendency to be Islamic to compete with PAS, Chua said this had among others caused the country to be trapped as a “middle income” nation for more than 10 years. Selangor opposition leader and former Menteri Besar Mohamad Khir Toyo hinted that Chua's remarks bordered on religious hatred. “Dr Chua needs to stop doing this. He is shifting racial politics into religious politics. This is very dangerous. People might start blaming Islam because of what he said," he was quoted as saying by online portal Malaysian Insider. "They might blame Islam and say that corruption in the country is rampant because of the religion. We do not want to start blaming each other, pointing fingers… this leads into religious arguments. This is dangerous,” he warned. Meanwhile, speaking at a conference on integrity, Penang chief minister Lim Guan Eng gave him a brief lesson on Islamic civilisation, and advised the MCA comeback kid to read more on Muslim history which he said was not only about empires, "but also about their achievements in education, algebra, astronomy and the arts". Lim said the reason Muslim countries were corrupt was not because their majority population were Muslims, but as a result of being under imperialist leaders. “Muslim countries are suffering from the same problems suffered by India and China previously. Muslim nations could recapture their past glories like India and China, if they were allowed to be similarly unshackled like the two countries,” he was quoted as saying at the Caliph Umar Abdul Aziz International Integrity Conference in Penang. Nasrudin Hasan Tantawi, the PAS Youth head, echoed Anwar's observation, saying Chua's perception about Islam and Muslims had been coloured by its long alliance with UMNO and its corrupt ways. “Chua Soi Lek has failed to differentiate the Islam advocated by PAS, from that of UMNO which only knows how to claim to be Islamic yet Islamic principles were never applied in their administration,” said Nasrudin, adding that as an example, the two-decades of Islamic rule in Kelantan under PAS ensured that the state and its leadership were free from corruption. 'No moral right' Former Perak Menteri Besar and Bukit Gantang member of parliament Nizar Jamaluddin said Chua had no moral right to criticise Islamic principles. “[Chua] has no moral right to criticise the Islamic principles upon which PAS has existed over 50 years and which have guarded the party against all vices,” he said in a Twitter posting. Chua was the Minister of Health and MCA vice president before he was forced to quit all his government and party posts after video recordings of him indulging in sex with a "female companion" in a hotel room appeared in public. He is widely regarded as MCA's comeback kid following the party's poor performance in the 2008 general election, forcing the resignation of party president Ong Ka Ting. Chua contested against Ong Tee Keat and won in March 2010 amid intense infightings in the Chinese-based party. http://en.harakah.net.my/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1140:mcas-comeback-kid-gets-a-dressing-down-over-remarks-on-islam&catid=34:primary&Itemid=56

Islam, Kristian setuju reda ketegangan

PARIS 5 Nov. - Pemimpin-pemimpin Islam dan Kristian semalam bersetuju menubuhkan satu pasukan untuk cuba meredakan ketegangan antara kedua-dua agama terbesar ini, ketika penganut Islam dan Kristian terjebak dalam konflik senjata di Nigeria, Iraq, Mesir dan Filipina.

Pada mesyuarat di Geneva minggu ini, mereka bersetuju mengambil langkah penting bagi memelihara keamanan antara kedua-dua agama ini, daripada membiarkannya terjerumus dalam konflik yang disebabkan oleh persaingan politik, penindasan atau ketidakadilan.

Antara pertubuhan yang menyokong rancangan itu ialah World Council of Churches (WCC) yang dianggotai 349 gereja berlainan di seluruh dunia dan World Islamic Call Society (WICS), rangkaian yang dianggotai kira-kira 600 badan Islam.

Mereka akan menghantar pakar-pakar Islam dan Kristian untuk campur tangan dalam konflik agama bagi meredakan ketegangan dan menyelesaikan salah faham dan pertikaian tentang kepercayaan.

"Kami menubuhkan satu kerjasama kumpulan ini bagi membolehkan kami bersiap sedia berhadapan dengan sebarang krisis yang semakin meningkat berkaitan Islam dan Kristian.

"Kami perlu mencari penyelesaian untuk meredakan krisis agama dan memperbaiki hubungan antara kedua-dua agama ini melalui resolusi konflik dan keadilan," kata pemimpin-pemimpin Kristian dan Islam dalam satu kenyataan selepas mengadakan mesyuarat selama empat hari.

Institut Diraja Aal al-Bayt Jordan dan cendekiawan kumpulan Common Word Islam yang mempromosi dialog antara agama turut menyokong penubuhan pasukan ini, yang telah dibincangkan dengan beberapa gereja sejak dua tahun lalu.

Aref yang menyertai mesyuarat itu berkata, pakar-pakar Islam dan Kristian akan dipilih untuk membentuk pasukan kecil ini dan akan dihantar ke wilayah tercetusnya konflik. - Reuters

http://utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2010&dt=1106&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Luar_Negara&pg=lu_01.htm

Tony Blair's sister-in-law converts to Islam

Iran trip prompted journalist Lauren Booth to become a Muslim and wear a hijab

• 
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• (1518)

• Helen Carter
• guardian.co.uk, Sunday 24 October 2010 14.25 BST
• Article history

Lauren Booth speaks on Press TV, an Iranian associated TV news channel

Tony Blair's sister-in-law has converted to Islam after having what she describes as a "holy experience" during a visit to Iran.

Journalist and broadcaster Lauren Booth, 43 – Cherie Blair's sister – now wears a hijab whenever she leaves her home, prays five times a day and visits her local mosque whenever she can.

She decided to become a Muslim six weeks ago after visiting the shrine of Fatima al-Masumeh in the city of Qom.

"It was a Tuesday evening and I sat down and felt this shot of spiritual morphine, just absolute bliss and joy," she said in an interview today.

When she returned to Britain, she decided to convert immediately.

Booth – who works for Press TV, the English-language Iranian news channel – has stopped eating pork and reads the Qur'an every day. She is currently on page 60.

Booth has stopped drinking alcohol and says she has not wanted to drink since converting.

Before her spiritual awakening in Iran, she had been "sympathetic" to Islam and has spent considerable time working in Palestine, she said, adding that she hoped her conversion would help Blair change his presumptions about Islam.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2010/oct/24/lauren-booth-converts-to-islam

Govt keeping tabs on Internet users

Thursday September 23, 2010

By LESTER KONG
lester@thestar.com.my

PETALING JAYA: The Government is monitoring the way Malaysians use social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook, says Deputy Home Minister Datuk Lee Chee Leong.

He said there were cause for concern as there was a growing trend of using such sites irresponsibly.

“This growing trend of racial and religious insensitivity has created feelings of anxiety, anger and hatred in the country,” he said after witnessing a donation of a motorised wheelchair to a disabled businessman last night.

Lee said the Government was reviewing relevant laws relating to the responsible use of social networking sites, but declined to specify the laws.

He said a committee chaired by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Abdul Aziz involving the Prime Minister’s Department, Home Ministry, Information, Communications and Culture Ministry, and the Attorney-General’s Chambers was set up two months ago to check on the networking sites.

He said some politicians also used them to gain political mileage at the expense of racial and religious harmony.

“Some have gone overboard and crossed the borders of the laws. There is a growing trend of utterance or irresponsible statements that may be seditious. Racial and religious sensitivities have been trampled on,” he said.

Lee said Facebook and Twitter should instead be used to promote the merits of the newly unveiled Economic Transformation Programme (ETP).

“With understanding, dedications, commitment and with the people’s cooperation, the objective of the ETP will be achieved,” he said.

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/9/23/nation/7087861&sec=nation

Sebutan permohonan 2 lelaki ingin murtad - 19 Dis

Sep 22, 10 5:21pm

Mahkamah Tinggi Syariah Kuala Terengganu hari ini menetapkan 19 Dis ini sebagai tarikh sebutan semula permohonan dua lelaki untuk keluar daripada agama Islam.


Hakim Syarie Rosdi Harun menetapkan sebutan semula permohonan Mohd Rajiman Chin Abdullah, 48, dan Mohd Ramzan Maniarasan, 38, akan dibuat secara bersama pada tarikh tersebut.


Beliau menetapkan tarikh itu selepas Peguam Syarie, Syed Ahmad Shabuddin Syed Nong yang mewakili Majlis Agama Islam dan Adat Melayu Terengganu (Maidam) sebagai responden kes itu memaklumkan mahkamah Pegawai Penasihat Undang-undang Syariah yang mewakili Jabatan Hal Ehwal Agama Islam Terengganu (Jheait) sedang cuti bersalin.

Beliau meminta mahkamah menetapkan tarikh sebutan semula yang baru untuk kedua-dua permohonan itu iaitu selepas pegawai wanita itu kembali bertugas pada Disember ini.


Rosdi berkata beliau berharap tempoh yang panjang sehingga tarikh sebutan semula itu digunakan sebaik-baiknya oleh kedua-dua pihak untuk membuat persediaan memandangkan kes itu serius dan tidak boleh dipandang ringan kerana ia melibatkan akidah.


Katanya beliau mahu memberi peluang kepada dua agensi yang menjaga kepentingan orang Islam di Terengganu itu bersedia dengan dokumen lengkap untuk berhadapan dengan tuntutan itu.

"Untuk pemohon pula, kalau betul-betul mahu teruskan hasrat ini boleh lantik peguam. Memohon untuk keluar Islam bukan satu perkara yang ringan. Kalau orang Islam yang murtad, boleh dibunuh, itu hukum Islam," katanya.

Ketika mengulas permohonan Mohd Rajiman supaya kes beliau diselesaikan dengan segera, Rosdi berkata mahkamah mempunyai prosedur khusus yang perlu dipatuhi.


Mohd Ramzan pula berkata beliau terpaksa membawa permohonannya itu sendiri ke mahkamah kerana tidak ada peguam syarie yang mahu mewakilinya, ketika ditanya sama ada akan melantik peguam untuk mewakilinya.

- Bernama

http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/143320

The 2nd International SEARCH Conference 2011

The South East Asia Research Centre for Communication and Humanities is pleased to
be organising The 2nd International SEARCH Conference 2011 (SEARCH Conference 2011) on
the 28th and 29th of May 2011.

SEARCH Conference 2011

This is multidisciplinary conference aimed at bringing together researchers and practitioners interested in the field of Communication and the Humanities to introduce and discuss perspectives and directions in the area of New Media Effects.

We welcome contributors from all disciplines, field and themes that pertain to the study of Communication and the Humanities to submit papers on one of the topics indicated below, describing original work and/or survey papers.

Conference Theme

New Media Culture and Challenges

Sub-themes

· New Media Governance and Politics
· Ethical issues and New Media
· Identity formation and Reality television
· Creative Industries and Knowledge Economy
· Cyberculture
· Gaming Culture
· Pop Culture
· Marketing Communication in New Media
· e-Governance and Democracy

We also encourage other varieties related to New Media and its effects or on any sector in the humanities.

For more information on Registration, Fees, Abstracts Submission and other Conference details, please click HERE.

Papal visit: Pope Benedict in London

17 September 2010 Last updated at 17:11 GMT

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The Pope says that religion is 'marginalised' during his speech in Westminster Hall

The Pope has warned that religion - and Christianity in particular - is "being marginalised" around the world.

His comments came in his keynote speech to UK MPs, senior members of British society, and religious leaders at Westminster Hall in central London.

Pope Benedict XVI warned that there were some people who wanted to see "the voice of religion be silenced".

He called on those in attendance to seek ways to promote faith "at every level of national life".

BBC correspondent Peter Hunt described the speech as "a rallying call, and a plea - for religion not to be squeezed out by secular society".

The Pope was speaking as a sixth man was arrested as counter-terrorism detectives investigate an alleged threat to Pope Benedict XVI's visit.

In his speech, the Pope said: "I cannot but voice my concern at the increasing marginalisation of religion, particularly of Christianity, that is taking place in some quarters, even in nations which place a great emphasis on tolerance.

"There are those who would advocate that the voice of religion be silenced, or at least relegated to the purely private sphere.

"There are those who argue that the public celebration of festivals such as Christmas should be discouraged, in the questionable belief that it might somehow offend those of other religions or none."

The Pope then visited Westminster Abbey for a celebration of evening prayer.

'Deep friendship'

Earlier, he met the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, at Lambeth Palace.

Continue reading the main story

Analysis

David WilleyBBC News, London

Pope Benedict concentrated on what unites Anglicans and Catholics, not what still separates them.

He spoke of the deepening friendship at a personal level between these two very eminent professional theologians who find much in common to talk about at their periodic meetings.

The Pope also paid tribute to the 19th Century former Anglican priest Cardinal John Henry Newman - who perfectly shared both church cultures.

This is an important ecumenical gathering taking place more than 40 years after official talks began about possible reunification of the two churches five centuries after Rome refused to recognise King Henry VIII's divorce.

Lambeth and the Vatican have had a bumpy relationship in recent years as the Anglican Church first ordained women priests and is now considering ordaining women bishops, but both sides are still keen to go on talking.

It comes at a time when Anglican moves towards appointing women bishops have unsettled relations with Rome.

But the Pope said he wanted to focus on the "deep friendship" between the two churches rather than their differences.

The Lambeth Palace meeting marked the first time a Pope has met the Archbishop at his official residence.

It was viewed as an important event more than 40 years after official talks began about possible reunification of the two churches.

Divisions remain over Roman Catholic opposition to the ordination of women priests. Meanwhile the Church of England's General Synod left the way open for appointing women bishops at its meeting in July.

The Vatican angered many supporters of women's ordination by describing it as a "grave crime" to be dealt with in the same process as sex abuse, though it denied it was equating the two.

Dr Williams said in his opening remarks that the Pope was "most welcome" at Lambeth Palace.

He then praised the pontiff's "consistent and penetrating analysis of the state of European society".

As the Pope left Lambeth Palace to travel the short distance to Westminster Hall in his Popemobile, thousands of people lined the streets.

At one point he stopped the vehicle to bless a baby that was handed up to him.

True happiness

Earlier, the Pope led an assembly of 4,000 Catholic school children in west London.

He used his address at St Mary's University College in Twickenham, to say that the safety of children was vital in all schools, an apparent reference to the Church's child abuse scandal.

Continue reading the main story

Pope's visit

• 17 September: Meets Archbishop of Canterbury; Address at Westminster Hall; Service at Westminster Abbey
• 18 September: Mass at Westminster Cathedral; Open-air vigil in Hyde Park
• 19 September: Beatification Mass at Cofton Park Birmingham; Meets bishops of England, Scotland and Wales; Leaves for Rome.

• Tatchell heads anti-Pope protests
• In pictures: Pope visits day two
• Queen and Pope's speeches in full

He also warned against the limitations of celebrity and science.

The pontiff told the crowd young people were often encouraged to model themselves on celebrities.

He said: "My question for you is this: What are the qualities you see in others that you would most like to have yourselves? What kind of person would you really like to be?'

"I'm asking you not to be content with second-best."

He went on to say having money or a successful career was not enough to make people happy, but true happiness could be found in God.

Tight security surrounded the event, called The Big Assembly, and monks and nuns who had waited in long queues were frisked by police.

Around 100 protesters against the Vatican's record on gay rights, equality and birth control had gathered ahead of his arrival, amid tight security.

The Church saw it as an opportunity to celebrate the work of more than 2,000 Catholic schools across the UK, in partnership with the state.

But critics said it could fuel hostility to faith schools and serve as a painful reminder of the child abuse scandal within the Catholic Church.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11347073