Here, you can access to the article by entitled "Malay history twisted by ‘Western Christian conspiracy’, claims Isma ". CLICK HERE
The response and replies to the statement by ISMA will be done accordingly to the article publish on ISMA websites.
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ISMA
The Malays face a “Western Christian conspiracy” that has lasted over four centuries, Muslim group Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma) claimed today, as it launched its bid to rewrite the history of the Malay archipelago to reflect what it believes to be the true representation of Malay civilization.
Isma president Ustaz Abdullah Zaik Abd Rahman said Malaysian history and, by extension, the history of the Southeast Asian region has long been skewed towards the “contributions of the colonists” and non-Malays, which downplayed the greater role played by the Malays in developing the region.
“This is a conspiracy against the Malays. If you understand (history), you would know that the Malays were the lynchpin of the region,” he said at a press conference after launching a three-day colloquium on building the sovereignty of Malay-Muslims in the region here.
RESPONSE
"Western Christian conspiracy" - Instead of promoting intimidation, rage and violence, why don't ISMA make an effort in promoting peace, stability and harmony which is the easiest way to attract people to the kind and loving spirit of Islam.
Islam is the religion of peace, love and tolerance. The religion of Islam commands people to create an "abode of peace and well-being" on the face of the Earth, but those circles try to show the opposite of this as if there was a conflict between followers of other religions and Muslims.
However, the view Islamic morality takes of Jews and Christians known in the Qur'an as the "People of the Book" is extremely just and merciful. God makes this known in the Qur'an as follows:
Among the People of the Book there are some who believe in God and in what has been sent down to you and what was sent down to them, and who are humble before God. They do not sell God's signs for a paltry price. Such people will have their reward with their Lord. And God is swift at reckoning. (Qur'an, 3:199)
... There is a community among the People of the Book who are upright. They recite God's signs throughout the night, and they prostrate. They believe in God and the Last Day, and enjoin the right and forbid the wrong, and compete in doing good. They are among the righteous. You will not be denied the reward for any good thing you do. God knows those who guard against evil.
(Qur'an, 3:113-115)
Only argue with the People of the Book in the kindest way - except in the case of those of them who do wrong -- saying, "We believe in what has been sent down to us and what was sent down to you. Our God and your God are one and we submit to Him."
(Qur'an, 29:46)
According to this statement, "four centuries ago", ISMA is referring to the starting point of Western colonization in Malacca in 1511 by the Portugese. However, it must be noted that the concept of Malay civilization is only applicable in Malaya only in term of Malaysia federation.
As for Sarawak, the nationhood, independence, and the civilization achieve by the Sarawakian is only started in 1841 when Sarawak becomes an independent nation with Rajah James Brooke as the head of Sarawak government administration, being given to be the "Trustee" of Sarawakian by the consensus of all the tribes and various races of the people of Sarawak itself.
Attempt to associate Malay civilization of Brunei sultanate and Sultan of Sambas in Kalimantan is therefore misleading as this superpower of that time having loose control over Kuching, the region of Sarawak territories of that time, and very large region of Sarawak interior is actually governed by tribal concepts of government by various tribes of Iban, Kenyah, Kedayan, Orang Ulu etc.
Brunei nor Sambas Sultanate have any say on this tribal concept of government by Sarawakian. In facts, Sarawakian freedom fighters lead by Datu Patinggi Ali for Independence Sarawak is the turning point of Sarawak history of Independence nation which consist of Malay, Iban, Bidayuh and various other tribes. NOT JUST MALAYS.
It also must be noted that Sarawak nation building is not only by the Malay, but also by Iban, Chinese, Melanau, Bidayuh, Orang Ulu etc. The notion by ISMA saying; "non-Malays downplayed the greater role played by the Malays in developing the region, is therefore MISLEADING.
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ISMA
“The Western Christians want to change the timeline of history, which is the best way to destroy the Malays and the most effective way to do that is to destroy them through education and give a wrong picture of history,” he said.
RESPONSE
It was already a common knowledge that the current historical lesson in high school provided by the federal government (Malaya) is destroying and try to hide the truths of Malaysia federation history especially when it concern Sarawak and Sabah. While ISMA is blaming others for destroying Malays history, it must be a more urgent concern to tackle the issue regarding the distortion of Malaysia history textbooks which is done by the federal government (Malaya) by MALAYSIAN ITSELF!
FOR THE COMPREHENSIVE INFORMATION ON HISTORY LESSON MANIPULATION IN MALAYSIA: CLICK HERE
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ISMA
The British Empire made its foray into Malaya in the late 18th century, progressively expanding its influence until it controlled the entire Malayan peninsula, Sarawak and Sabah, which was then known as North Borneo, over the next two centuries.
RESPONSE
It's true that Peninsular Malaysia, now called Malaya, has been the subject of British Empire in the late 18th century.
However, Sarawak only become the subjects and a colony of the British Empire in 1946. British colonization in Sarawak only last 17 years until 1963 when Sarawak achieve unconditional Independence from the British on 22nd July 1963.
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ISMA
Abdullah Zaik said the Malays, especially the youths, have all but lost their identity and are “poisoned by liberal thinking” of the west, which he added will eventually lead to a breakdown in religion, society and country.
RESPONSE
Please define "LIBERAL THINKING" concepts that you try to stamps here. I wonder what is ISMA interpretation and perspectives on "LIBERAL".
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ISMA
“History needs to be rewritten according to the Islamic version. We don’t just want to uphold the social contract, but also the fact that this region is the centre of Malay civilisation,” he said, referring to the social contract that has been the basis for Malaysia’s race-based politics and government policies.
RESPONSE
History should encourage us to keep questioning and understand others. Being able to study our history and to question and ask for verification and to be free to write about and discuss our past – good and not so good – is part of what democracy is about, and act as check and balance when History is abused by others.
“Biasness” and what this means in the understanding of history and how this foster critical thinking has not been mentioned in the textbooks; and that the opinions and views of individuals are influenced by various factors including political affiliation, religious views, social class and others.
Therefore, biasness to rewritten history according to Islamic version only is not acceptable and going out of bound of historian priciples which interprete history from various perspectives. Is this just another excuse of Malaynization attempt by ISMA which concern Sarawak and Sabah?
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