#Malaysia: Growing intolerance of LGBTIQ community due to Islamisation, forum told

themalaymailonline.com, Growing intolerance of LGBTIQ community due to Islamisation, forum told " Social activist Azrul Mohd Khalib added that those from the LGBTIQ minority group are facing increased persecution on a daily basis as Islamic teachings in Malaysia were against sexual orientations that differed from the heterosexual norms." Opinion

Islamic State launches first successful attack in Malaysia

CNN, Islamic State launches first successful attack in Malaysia "Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar told CNN that a grenade attack on June 28 at a nightspot near Kuala Lumpur, the country's capital, was carried out on the orders of a Malaysian Islamic State fighter in Syria, Muhammad Wanndy Mohamed Jedi."

Malaysia should ban Ramadan ads that commercialise Islam

S M Mohamed Idris, President of Consumers Association of Penang, Free Malaysia Today, M'sia should ban Ramadan ads that commercialise Islam, 26 May 2016 "Iftar or breaking fast traditionally in the home with family members or in a mosque in a spiritual environment, has been turned into a “feast with a 100-dish spread” and for “corporate entertainment”. Prophet Muhammad broke his fast with only three dates."

I'm doing some research on halal issues at present, for a forthcoming Summer Academy at UWTSD, so found this interesting.

'Malaysia reveals Islamic State plot to kidnap prime minister'

UPI, Malaysia reveals Islamic State plot to kidnap prime minister, 9 Mar 2016 "Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said he was among the targets."

Rock Jihad: Rocking out the Islamic way

Rock Jihad: Rocking out the Islamic way - Yahoo News Malaysia: "When asked about their brand of music, Al-Farabi frontman Nazri said: "Our music is not meant to be relaxing. It is meant to be played at the highest volume to effectively burn into your soul and spirit!"" There's a photo of them preparing to play in front of Tahfiz Quran students in Shah Alam - would have liked to have seen the audience reaction...

Malaysia Islamic institute wants Muslims to innovate

bikyamasr.com, Malaysia Islamic institute wants Muslims to innovate "The Institute of Islamic Understanding Malaysia (Ikim) Chairman Abdullah Ahmed Badawi called on Malaysian Muslims to start “pioneering” new technologies using local resources in an effort to boost homegrown innovation."

'Islam and democracy can co-exist, says Anwar Ibrahim’s daughter'

Telegraph, Islam and democracy can co-exist, says Anwar Ibrahim’s daughter, 19 Feb 2012 "Islam and democracy can co-exist, says Anwar Ibrahim’s daughter Nurul Izzah Anwar, the daughter of freed Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, says the Arab Spring has shown that Islam and democracy can co-exist and propel the opposition into power in Malaysia at elections later this year."

Anwar Ibrahim acquitted

BBC News, Anwar Ibrahim 'elated' at acquittal on sodomy charges, 9 Jan 2012

The Star, Rais: Anwar's acquittal shows independence of judiciary (Updated), 9 Jan 2012

Telegraph, Explosions injure two after Anwar Ibrahim acquittal, 9 Jan 2012

Wall Street Journal, Handicapping Anwar Ibrahim’s Odds for Malaysia’s Premiership, 9 Jan 2012 "Just hours after Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim was acquitted of charges that he sodomized a male former aide, attention was already turning to whether he would contest the next national elections in Malaysia – and more importantly, whether he could win."

'Gay Marriage Sparks Malaysia Uproar'

OnIslam, Gay Marriage Sparks Malaysia Uproar, 20 Dec 2011 "The controversy also dominated the virtual world on the micro-blogging site Twitter with many tweets condemning the Malaysian student for straying from Islam and dishonoring his family."

"Djinn" in the machine (?)

The Star Online (Malaysia), Face it, you can be virtually spooked via Facebook, 14 Nov 2011

"Users of social media sites should not post their pictures online as they could be used for witchcraft, said Kelantan Darussyifa' Islamic Medicine Association chairman Zaki Ya.

"He said that djin (spirits) are able to “connect” with humans through the Internet, including Facebook, Sinar Harian reported."

Malaysia: 'Muslims need to counter Islamophobia on the net'

mysinchew.com, Muslims need to counter Islamophobia on the net: Ahmad Shabery, 19 Oct 2011 "Muslims need to have knowledge and expertise on information technology (IT) to counter Islamophobia in cyberspace, said Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek."

'Malaysia's youth energises political landscape'

Radio Australia, Malaysia's youth energises political landscape, 11 Oct 2011 "Malaysia's youngest sitting politician says his generation of leaders is ready to move away from race-based politics. "Politics in Malaysia is centred on race and religion, with the Malay UMNO dominating a multi-racial political coalition." Refers to blogs, and the impact of the internet in this audio interview with Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.

'Solehah' Malaysian Islamic reality TV

Reuters, Islamic reality TV show in Malaysia seeks best women preachers, Jun 18 2011

"The 13-episode prime time program titled "Solehah," an Arabic word meaning "pious female," is a talent contest that will feature charismatic young Muslim women judged by clerics on their religious knowledge as well as their oratory skills and personality."

Clips from 'Imam Muda' were popular online, so expect this series to be similarly followed through the net.

There are some good audition photos available here: fotowarung.net, 'Solehah', 18 Jun 2011

Malaysian tweet apology

Isabelle Lai, Star Online, A 'tweet' ending for activist, 3 Jun 2011 "Fahmi, who is also PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar's political secretary, had tweeted an apology on the same day saying: “I would like to formally & unequivocally apologise to Blu Inc and Female mag for my tweets earlier today. All inconveniences are regretted.”"

AFP/Dawn.com, Malaysian to tweet apology 100 times in defamation deal, 3 Jun 2011 "A Malaysian social activist said Thursday he will post an apology on Twitter 100 times over the next three days in a novel settlement to a defamation row."

widely covered (and tweeted); also see the related Isabelle Lai, Star Online, Apologising activist gains 1,000 followers, 5 Jun 2011

Human Milk 4 Human Babies - Malaysia

The Star, Forming breast milk-sharing network: "Montreal (Canada)-based Emma Kwasnica launched a global milk-sharing network online in October last year. Known as Human Milk 4 Human Babies (HM4HB), the network has 130 chapters spanning over 50 countries. The Facebook groups provide a space where families in need can connect with women who have milk to share. As Kwasnica’s philosophy states, “breast milk is not some sort of scarce commodity; it is a free-flowing resource,” the network doesn’t endorse buying or selling of breast milk.

"In Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur-based Nadine Ghows took the initiative to start the Malaysian chapter in November last year. “We are essentially a network that facilitates mother-to-mother connections for the purpose of providing human milk for human children,” explains Ghows, a breastfeeding and gentle birth advocate.

"As a Muslim, Ghows was also concerned about how the group should handle milk-sharing from an Islamic perspective."

The Malaysian group has used Facebook extensively: Human Milk 4 Human Babies - Malaysia

Anwar Ibrahim video allegations

James Hookway, WSJ.com, Malaysia Video Raises Questions, and an Outcry, 6 Apr 2011 : "Malaysia's government will consider establishing a royal commission to investigate whether embattled opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim is the man featured in a controversial sex video that is further polarizing this politically divided country.

"Parts of the video were leaked on the Internet Monday, triggering a flurry of speculation over whether the senior opposition politician allegedly caught in the film is Mr. Anwar. The opposition leader, who once served as Malaysia's deputy prime minister, has already said he isn't the man shown in the grainy, black-and-white film, and calls it "an evil plot" orchestrated by his political opponents."

Malaysia: Tun Musa Hitam profile

Interview with, and profile of, Tun Musa Hitam, the chairman of the World Islamic Economic Forum (WIEF) Foundation:

Gregor Stuart Hunter, The National, A bridge over troubled waters, 28 Jan 2011: "He [Tun Musa] says the Islamic world must take advantage of the internet - despite admitting he once fretted over the revolutionary potential of the fax machine.

'Most of my friends at my age don't even know how to send an SMS. They're like little children,' Tun Musa says. But he acknowledges that for many millions of citizens, technological literacy and curiosity can be rewarding.

"Now in his mid-70s, he has embraced the online world and is a tech-savvy operator. 'When you find that a blog has been closed and you cannot access it, I know how to do it through other means, through different routes. I may be an old man, but I want to know.'""

Imam Muda season 2

Beh Lih Yi, AFP: Encore for Malaysia's hit Islamic talent show, 6 Jan 2011 "During the 10-week season which will run from late April, 10 finalists -- all of them male, confined to a mosque dormitory and banned from using phones, the Internet and television -- will face written and practical tests."

YouTube reunites daughter

Julia O'Malley, McClatchy Newspapers, kansascity.com, A daughter's YouTube plea from Yemen, a mother found in Alaska, 29 Dec 2010 "In 2007, a Malaysian woman made a YouTube video to ask for help solving a personal mystery."

'How to get better Muslim preachers'

Tehmina Kazi, Comment is free, Guardian., How to get better Muslim preachers, 6 Dec 2010 discusses Facebook, Young Imam, Malaysia, and much more. "The scarcity of universal qualifications for Muslim religious leaders is part of the problem."