excusez-moi?

Will you be there, too?

On 19 June, 2007, I attended my first candlelight vigil at Dataran Merdeka.

That night, I held

a candle for Revathi, and
a candle for freedom of faith – as guaranteed by our Constitution…



Kuil Subramaniar/Sri Thandayuthabani, Rasa
On 12 Dec 2008, I joined fellow anak-anak Bangsa Malaysia in solidarity with our Hindu community who was threatened by the police to not pray for the release of ISA detainees.... Now, we even need the police permission to pray?

I went because I think it is absurd to have someone telling me what I can or cannot pray for, let alone the police. I’ve never seen a full Hindu prayer rite before, so I thought, this would be a good exposure for me too.

Haris told us that, if the police try to stop our Hindu brothers and sisters from praying, then we’re going to form human shield to protect them from the police.

It was indeed a pleasant experience; I saw smiles and gratitude on the devotees’ faces when they saw us. We were treated with much kindness and respect. After the prayers, there were some refreshments and also speeches. This was what Haris said,

“Thank you for inviting us, anak bangsa Malaysia here. When you talk just now, I can understand only one word, which is Makkal Sakthi. That is the word that brings us together. When I heard that our fellow anak bangsa Malaysia were denied their rights to pray in Rasa, we quickly come to lend our supports. Hindu, Islam and all religion, we are all anak bangsa Malaysia. We don’t care who we are, we are all anak bangsa Malaysia. We were very happy to be invited to come, to see your peaceful praying session. By the way, we also invite all of you to come to PJ civic centre where fellow anak bangsa Malaysia were having a candlelight vigil every Sunday to call for the abolishment of ISA. Thank you again for inviting us.” (Taken from SamKit’s blog, The Spirit of Muhibah)

That night, was a significant night for me as my life was never the same again after that.



Background:
Can our brothers and sisters pray in peace, please?

Invitation:
Malam Mesra Rakyat at the Subramaniar temple, Kg Kandiah, Rasa, Selangor tomorrow

What happened that night?
From Whisperer,
An Inspiring Night In Solidarity With The Hindus In Rasa, Selangor...

"The atmosphere was calm and serene with prayer chants ringing through the air under the presence of the Full Moon despite the clicking of the Special Branch's camera targeting on Our Entourage. But We, for one, are not to be cowed by their presence as we believe we are doing that right thing and marching in the right direction towards a harmonious Malaysian Race beyond the racial supremacy and religion line, peacefully.

All went on fine without any untoward incident. There were hugs and handshakes going around freely. Yeah, we all blended well with sincerity. More brother and sisterhoods were forged last night. Another progress for Anak Bangsa Malaysia. Very Inspiring, indeed!!"

From San Jiun,
SRI THANDAYUTHABANI月圆祈福大会 - Anak Bangsa M’sia相约RASA

From KitSam,
The Spirit of Muhibah

"..Even though I was sick and not a Hindu, but I just don’t want to miss this. Knowing very well that our fellow anak bangsa Malaysia was denied their rights to pray, I just don’t want to miss the opportunity to lend them the supports they need. In fact if today it can happens on Hindu, it could be Buddhist, Christian or even Islam. What couldn’t happen when the most unthinkable of denying people praying inside a temple already happens? Again, I would like to state this: For every step that the people retreat, the government takes two steps ahead, pushing the people to the sideline. This has happens many times before, if we don’t stand up for what rightly belongs to us, once it was taken, that’s it, we lost it forever. Worst yet, if we don’t voice out, we will be conveniently grouped into those silent majority who agree with whatever shit that the government do."

From Sunny,
Pournami Pooja 2:Rasa - 12/12/2008

"..As news of this intimidation reaches Haris. A group of Anak Bangsa Malaysia decided to attend their 2nd Pournami Pooja in Rasa on 12/12/2008 to give solidarity to our fellow Malaysian. Witness the prayers and rituals of Pournami Pooja in the video clips below. Can you spot the SBs? Please treat them well if you do, as they were just carry out their duty as INSTRUCTED from the top. But who are these people on the top? The CPO of Selangor, the IGP, the Deputy Home Minister or The Home Minister is everyone guess."

Kuil Arulmigu Sri Subramaniar, Kerling
0n 10 Jan 2009, we were invited again to join our fellow anak-anak Bangsa Malaysia for their Pournami Pooja to pray for the release of all who are still detained under ISA in Kamunting.

Same as the previous session, we witnessed their prayers and later were invited for makan-makan fellowship, after some speeches.

I was given the honour to receive one of the coconuts used for the prayers. :)

Mr Jaya told me that the coconut represent our “ego”. Normally, before the prayers started, the coconuts will be smashed and broken. It symbolises the breaking of our ego, so that we can come humbly before God in prayer. Err.. something along this line lahh..

I later passed it to a little girl because I feel that it would be more useful for her and her family.



Invitation:
Malam Mesra Rakyat on 10th January, 2009 at the Kerling temple, Kuala Kubu Baru : Joining hands, building trust, conquering fear

What happened that night?
From Whisperer,
Anak Bangsa Malaysia Spirit Spread To Kerling...

“ On this day, about 20 Anak Bangsa Malaysia braved through stormy weather to join our Hindu brothers and sisters in their special prayers to seek the release of all our Malaysian brothers who are still held in detention under the draconian Internal Security Act.”

From San Jiun,
Kerling Temple Pournami Pooja

From KitSam,
Malam Mesra Rakyat @ Kerling

“Haris (who came back all the way from Kuala Terengganu to be with our Hindu brothers and sisters) addressing the crowd on Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia. He reminds those present to think and act as anak Malaysia rather than category ourself according to race. We will not be going anywhere with race, while we have rejected BN during last election, we will not make any difference if we still regard ourself as Malay, Chinese, Indian, Iban, Kadazan etc. We need to break this tradition, we need to change, it’s Makkal Sakthi, People’s power, not Indian power, not Malay power not Chinese power. When you pray, don’t just pray for the Hindraf 5, pray for all the ISA detainees because we are all Anak Bangsa Malayisa.”

From Sunny,
Pournami Pooja 3: Kerling - 10/01/2009

"Part 1: Haris take the floor despite being not well. Came from Kuala Terengganu just to attend this prayer and will travel back to KT the following day to assist the KT by-election campaign. Request and lead all to shout SAYA ANAK BANGSA MALAYSIA. Highlight that for 38 years they had divide and rule us. Makkal Sakti means all races come together as one and claim makkal sakti and NOT makkal sakti melayu, makkal sakti india and makkal sakti cina alone. Must change our mindset (tukar minda), we are all malaysian."

Mystery - The Beauty Of Solidarity

"...When it comes to an important event to be remembered and treasured, solidarity will be the ultimate answer. Solidarity is the power to act collectively to support people who are in need to break free from whatever the fetters are. We can see individuals and groups practising moral and social virtues will take the trouble to foster themselves in social living. Then, under the necessary help of divine grace, there will arise a generation of new women and men, the molders of a new humanity.

We thank our friends in Kirling for inviting us to pray together for divine help for those detained under the draconian law. This is the solidarity that is in the dire need and we have to realise now that we all have to live as ONE."

***

Tomorrow, 1st Feb 2009, we’re ALL invited to join the Ahmadiyah community for a fellowship. I’ll be there. :)

The Selangor Islamic Affairs, Malay Customs, Infrastructure and Basic Amenities Committee chairperson, Dr Hasan Ali, has threatened to “bury” this small Ahmadiyah community in Selayang, Selangor. Will we now stand together to defend their right to worship?

Invitation:
Majlis Mesra Rakyat : An invitation to fellowship with our Ahmadiyah brothers and sisters

Labels: anak Bangsa Malaysia

posted by ee chia @ 11:46 pm