Griffith University : Judge accuses Aussie varsity of promoting hardline Islam

Judge accuses Aussie varsity of promoting hardline Islam

MELBOURNE: A judge has likened Griffith University in Brisbane, which last year boasted it had attracted "two prominent Malaysian figures" to undertake their PhD research there, as propagating hardline Islamic teachings similar to the madrasah in Pakistan.

Queensland District Court judge Clive Wall also accused Griffith of promoting a Muslim ideology espoused by Osama bin Laden, founder of the al-Qaeda terrorist network.

In an e-newsletter last June, the Griffith Islamic Research Unit (GIRU) announced that Parti Keadilan Rakyat adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim would undertake research at GIRU.

The Australian newspaper quoted Wall as accusing Griffith of becoming an "agent" for propagating hardline Islamic teachings by using funds from Saudi Arabia.

But GIRU director Mohamad Abdalla rejected accusations that funding from Saudi Arabia would be used to promote Wahabism, saying that his centre was opposed to the hardline ideology, and was in favour of moderate Islam. - Bernama
Griffith Islamic Research Unit - The central aim of the Griffith Islamic Research Unit is to promote a Wasatiyya or balanced and contextualised understanding of Islam and Muslims.
The Asian Renaissance: Scholar - Anwar Ibrahim

Development and establishment of Islamic Real Estate investment trust in Australia : Scholar - Abd Khalid Ibrahim

Griffith gains Islamic Studies Centre - Story Deborah Marshall

Man in the net ‘too busy to worry about politics’ quits politicking

Ex-Gerakan deputy sec-gen ‘too busy to worry about politics’
PENANG: Former Gerakan deputy secretary-general Datuk Lee Kah Choon is too busy with his new duties at the Penang Development Corporation and InvestPenang to think about politics.
Lee, now an ordinary party member, said he preferred to focus on his new tasks at the two state economic development agencies and leave his political position as it was.
On whether he would quit the party, Lee said he hardly had time to think about anything else these past few days.
“I have started meeting up with investors. There are a lot of things that need to be done. My work can’t stop. I have a heavy responsibility,” he said.
On whether he would join DAP or PKR if the Gerakan central working committee terminated his membership, Lee said he did not have a crystal ball to predict the future.
Earlier at a function in InvestPenang office, Lee said his political affiliation and his decision to accept the appointments were two separate issues.
Asked to comment on Gerakan adviser Datuk Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik’s outburst over his appointments, Lee said: “As politicians, we are ready to take all blows from anywhere. Never mind, let him say what he wants.
“In the previous Barisan Nasional state government, there were also Opposition members working here. So, my presence here should not be an issue. From the civil servants’ point of view, they serve the government of the day.”
On Monday, Dr Lim had said it would be difficult for Lee as both Gerakan and DAP would be suspicious of him.
“Gerakan will be wary of him as he will be promoting the agenda of the Pakatan Rakyat state government while DAP would be guarded as he is a Gerakan member,” he said.
Lee said his post in InvestPenang was on a voluntary basis and did not come with a salary.

Related Stories:

Kah Choon the right man for the job, says Guan Eng

Lee’s action ‘against BN spirit’

Show-cause letter for Lee

Little choice for Lee but to quit

Lee quits as Gerakan member (updated)
By CHRISTINA CHIN
PENANG: Former Gerakan deputy secretary-general Datuk Lee Kah Choon has “totally retreated” from party politics by quitting the party.
Lee said since his decision to accept the state appointments as Penang Development Corporation (PDC) director and InvestPenang executive committee chairman was “unacceptable” to the party, he had submitted a letter to the Gerakan leadership to withdraw his membership.
“I believe it is best for me to retreat totally from party politics. This way, I hope we can put the matter to rest and move forward with the serious tasks at hand. I want to reiterate my stand that I will be focusing on serving society as a citizen.
“With the political ghost exorcised, I can now look forward to working with all parties to ensure that Penang leads again,” he said Wednesday.
Commenting on former chief minister and Gerakan acting president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon’s statement that he had no direct experience in promoting investment in the industrial sector, Lee described this as “inaccurate”.
“Criticism on my lack of experience is inaccurate. My professional and service track record speaks for itself.
“If anything, the criticism only drives me to achieve more for the state,” he said, adding that his decision to accept the “non-political roles to serve the socio-economic interests of Penang” was motivated by the fact that the state’s interest “cannot be compromised” by any political consideration.
“In the next quarter, the projected global economic slowdown is going to affect our export-orientated economic performance.
“I believe the focus on job creation and measures to ensure sustainable growth is more important than politicking.
“My objective – which is serving the people, is clear and it has remained consistent throughout my political career. Hence, I have decided to answer the Government’s call for me to serve in both state agencies in this trying period,” he said in a press statement.
On Monday night, the party's central working committee decided to send Lee a show-cause letter asking him to explain why disciplinary action should not be taken against him.
Dr Koh questioned Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng’s political motive in appointing Lee, describing the appointment as “improper” as it would jeopardise the state’s industrial sector and efforts and ability to effectively attract investment.

rules of shari’ah for all

The duties of the Shari’ah are for the novice as well as for the accomplished. In this matter an ordinary Muslim and the most perfect Gnostic are one. It is the amateur Sufis and unworthy heretics trying to throw away the yoke of the Shari’ah who say that the rules of the Shari’ah are for the laity.

In their view, what is required of the Sufi is to attain gnosis (ma’rifat), just as what is required of the amirs and the sultans is to rule with justice. They say that the purpose of obeying the Shari’ah is to gain knowledge; consequently, when knowledge is gained the duties of the Shari’ah decline.

In support of this they cite the verse of the Qur’aan: ‘Serve your Lord till you get yaqin,’ taking yaqin to mean God, following the interpretation of Sahl Tustari. That is to say, the duty of serving God comes to an end when one gets to know Him.

But if Sahl takes yaqin in the sense of God, what he apparently means is that the feeling of obligation in serving God disappears when one comes to know Him truly; he does not mean that the service itself drops.

To be sure, that would be sheer heresy and infidelity.

justice4all: Anwar wants Dr M’s blood?

Black 14: Anwar Asks PM To Conduct Open Investigation On Dr M – bernamaApril 19: Kenapa Sukar Memohon Maaf? -anwaribrahimblog
By Anwar Ibrahim 0 Comments
Categories: Anwar, Demokrasi, Isu Semasa and Mahkamah

Ada di kalangan saudara/i pantas memberikan reaksi terhadap kenyataan PM Abdullah mengenai krisis badan kehakiman. Ada beberapa persoalan yang berbangkit yang harus dihalusi.

Pertama: sanggahan kita terhadap rasuah dan hakim yang diperalatkan sang penguasa kini terjawab. Apakah jurucakap Umno dapat akui kezaliman berdekad tersebut?

Kedua: kalangan yang bertanggungjawab daripada pimpinan politik, hakim dan peguam negara harus diumumkan. Mereka perlu menuntut maaf terbuka.

Ketiga: berkaitan dengan pengumuman PM tersebut, Dato Najib mengulas menafikan bahawa Kerajaan menuntut maaf. Ajaib! Apa muslihat Najib, dan mengapa harus berselindung lagi?

Keempat: menyusul kenyataan tersebut, apa pula kesudahannya dengan orang-orang yang dizalimi oleh sistem perundangan yang dijadikan alat?

Walhasil, meskipun PM Abdullah kelihatan mengakui kesilapan lalu, namun kenyataannya masih terbatas, tidak menuntut maaf dan seolah-olah memelihara penzalim dan tidak bersedia membela kalangan yang dizalimi.

Inshaallah, langkah susulan mampu dikendali kerajaan Pakatan Rakyat.

ANWAR IBRAHIM

Related Stories:
Zaid Ibrahim: What is so difficult about saying sorry? - PETALING JAYA: Apologise to the judges sacked in 1988, then move forward to repair and reform the judiciary, Datuk Zaid Ibrahim said. "If one says it was not a major problem, then there is no need for all this, but it was a serious problem. And what is so difficult about saying sorry?" the minister in the prime minister's department said. Zaid also said he disagreed with the DAP chairman and member of parliament for Bukit Gelugor, Karpal Singh, who said Dr Mahathir should be the one to apologise to the sacked judges.
"All these people want blood. I don't want that. I just want for us to move on, to restore confidence in the judiciary. The repair work has to be done; we need to look at reforms to mitigate pressure from outside forces and on the appointment and promotion of capable judges. Times have changed. We need to revitalise our institutions, judiciary, the courts, legal service, police and parliament," he said.

Full text of PM's speech - SPEECH BY DATUK SERI ABDULLAH AHMAD BADAWI, PRIME MINISTER OF MALAYSIA, AT THE MALAYSIAN BAR COUNCIL DINNER ON APRIL 17, 2008:"DELIVERING JUSTICE, RENEWING TRUST" An amazing night when many miracles took place - Pak Lah's humble tone reached out to them and helped make a bitter pill a little easier to swallow. He said he wouldn't apologise, and didn't but the effort and courage it took him to get to where he was last night spoke volumes what he could not speak baldly in words. As Zaid Ibrahim, the minister in the prime minister's office who had first mooted for a public apology from the government, put it: “(One) can say sorry in other ways.”

aan - I see in one single instant the different parts of speech – noun, verb and harf – all one as speech. I see the munsarif one with the ghayr munsarif, and mabni one with the mu’rab. And yet speech which includes all the different parts is not at all connected with any of them, and is independent of them all. Everything past or future is available in that instant.

Ex gratia payment not an apology, says DPM - CYBERJAYA, April 18 — The ex gratia payment announced by the government yesterday for six former judges involved in the 1988 judicial crisis is not a form of apology to them, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said today. "The ex gratia payment is not tantamount to revisiting whatever that has been decided. It is not to be construed as any form of apology but this is our way of addressing some of their personal considerations and some of the personal experiences, hardship that they have gone through. That is all… so it is to be seen in that light. It should not be construed as anything beyond that," he told reporters after witnessing the signing of a joint-venture agreement between automakers Chery Automobile Co Ltd and Alado Corporation Sdn Bhd here.Najib: Think Before You Speak - Najib: Payment is no apology. Anwar: Justice Will Ultimately Prevail - Why no apology? Anwar will tell you why I'm ready to face royal commission: Dr M - In the latest tit-for-tat feud between Dr Mahathir Mohamad and top lawyer Param Cumaraswamy, the former premier said he was ready to face a royal commission over allegations of abuse of power.

Miracles: The sun is not to be blamed if one cannot see - Let the blessed ones enjoy their pleasure, the poor lover is happy with the pain he has.

pix courtesy of heliconia
Miracles are neither a part of walayat nor its condition; they are only a condition of nubuwat. However, miracles do happen at the hands of the saints, and this is common knowledge. There is hardly a wali who has not done a miracle.

But everyone knows that the greatest of the saints is not equal to the smallest of the sahabat. To look for miracles is to prove one’s inability to see the truth and follow it faithfully. The ones who benefit from the teachings of the prophets and saints are those who have greater ability to follow the truth than the ability to examine it theoretically.

Abu Bakr as-Siddiq (may God be pleased with him) did not demand arguments for accepting the Prophet’s claim, because he had power to follow the truth. On the contrary, Abu Jahl lacked this power, consequently he did not testify to the Prophet’s claim even though he saw many wonderful signs and mighty miracles.

It is regarding these unfortunate people that God says: ‘Even if they see all the signs they would not believe. They have become so obstinate that they come in order to argue with you, and say that this Qur’aan is nothing but the legends of the people of gone by.” [6:25]

The sun is not to be blamed if one cannot see; Let the blessed ones enjoy their pleasure, the poor lover is happy with the pain he has.

PM studying proposal to remodel ACA

I'm Studying Proposal To Remodel ACA, Says PM

KUALA LUMPUR, April 19 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said today he has received a proposal from the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) to turn it into an independent agency.

The prime minister said he would study the proposal thoroughly before making a decision.

"The proposal is with me. It was just given to me and I am looking into it before making a decision," he told reporters after opening the retreat for Barisan Nasional (BN) members of parliament.

He was asked to comment on a front-page report in the New Straits Times today that the ACA had proposed that it be allowed to operate along similar lines with Hong Kong's Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC).

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz, who confirmed the proposal, said the ACA had suggested to follow the operating style of the ICAC.

Since its inception in 1974, the ICAC had embraced a three-pronged approach of law enforcement, prevention and community education to fight corruption.

With the support of the government and the community, Hong Kong has now become one of the "cleanest" places in the world.

-- BERNAMA

Perak Sultan Calls For Measures To Check Looming Recession; Malay mindset a crucial factor in nations stability, says Raja Dr Nazrin

Perak Sultan Calls For Measures To Check Looming Recession

KUALA KANGSAR, April 19 (Bernama) -- The Sultan of Perak, Sultan Azlan Shah, Saturday urged leaders to initiate efforts to step up productivity and competitiveness, practise thrift, avoid wastage and optimise the use of resources at a time when the world is likely to face economic problems. He said petroleum prices were predicted to continue rising, and the costs of production, foodstuff and essential goods would go up in tandem.

"A high rate of inflation will reduce consumers' purchasing power. An economic contraction may take place. The world may feel the brunt of a vicious cycle which may result in difficulties," he said in his address in conjunction with his 80th birthday and investiture at the Istana Iskandariah, here. At the ceremony, held at the Balairong Seri (Throne Room), the sultan presented awards and medals to 46 people who were conferred the honours. Bernama TV provided live coverage of the ceremony, carried over the Astro 502 channel.

Sultan Azlan Shah said the state government should continue with development policies which can generate economic growth, as provided for in the Ninth Malaysia Plan and the Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER) programme.

He said the new state government must continue with more intensive development efforts and administer the state with fairness, with the people accorded just treatment regardless of race, religion, gender and political ideology.

He said the interests of the state and people should override party politics.

"The political campaigns have ended. Now is the time to work. There is a vast difference between campaigning and working. All the promises must be fulfilled. All the pledges must be executed.

"All thoughts, energy and resources must be focused on developing the state, particularly in improving infrastructure, drawing investment, bridging the income gap, providing housing for the low-income group, eradicating poverty, developing human capital and creating jobs," he said.
Sultan Azlan Shah also said that the institution of the monarchy should exercise prudence in interpreting the essence of the concepts of constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy, and these should not be turned into instruments to legitimise the means if the matter advised is altogether contrary to the law and violates the principles of the constitution.

He said that though the Ruler acts on the advice of the head of government, the Ruler should not give his consent if the advice so given does not reflect justice.

In accordance with the spirit of the constitutional monarchy, a Ruler has the role to convey advice and opinion, offer encouragement and give reminders or make criticisms, he said.

"A Ruler must rightly use prudence and wisdom in giving his consent, particularly in matters related to the interests of the state and people," he said.

-- BERNAMA

Daulat Tuanku!
Salutations & Heartiest Congratulations DYMM Paduka Seri Sultan Azlan Muhibbuddin Shah Ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Yussuf Izzuddin Shah Ghafarullah, Sultan, YDP dan Raja Pemerintah Negeri Perak Darul Ridzuan dan Jajahan Takluknya, On the Occasion of His Royal Highness’ 80th Birthday on April 19, 2008, 12 Rabiul-akhir 1429 Hijrah.
Semoga Allah Memberkati Pemerintahan Berjiwa Rakyat DYMM Tuanku.
With Utmost Sincerity and Best Wishes from Banghuris, Ghutghut, & Co.

Malay mindset a crucial factor in nations stability, says Raja Dr Nazrin

BERNAMA
KUALA KANGSAR, Sat.:
Racial prejudice in the country can be erased if the Malay mindset is stable and comfortable towards forging harmony, the Raja Muda of Perak, Raja Dr Nazrin Shah, said today.
He said a stable mindset of the Malays was crucial as it was a pre-condition to the nation’s stability.

“Islam, Malay Rulers’ sovereignty, Malay language and the special status of the Malays are among matters that never slipped from the attention of the Malay Rulers.

“The Malay Rulers understand very well that the country’s political stability largely depends on the preparedness of the Malay mindset to face changes,” he said in his address in conjunction with the 80th birthday of the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Azlan Shah, at Istana Iskandariah.

Present were Sultan Azlan Shah, Raja Permaisuri Perak Tuanku Bainun, Raja Dihilir Perak Raja Jaffar Raja Muda Musa, Raja Puan Muda Raja Normahani Raja Shahar Shah, members of the Perak royal household, Menteri Besar Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin, state executive councillors, heads of government departments and agencies.
Raja Dr Nazrin said since the first “Durbar” (rulers’ conference) was held in Kuala Kangsar on July 13, 1897, the Malay Rulers had constantly given attention and raised Malays’ interests and Islam.

Hence, with the consent of the Sultan of Perak, Raja Dr Nazrin said he would make efforts to ensure the thinking and perception of the Malays would not lead them into being in a state of anxiety and unstable.

He said the Malay Rulers were the people’s resort to seek shelter and protection when they felt that their status as the indigenous race was undermined.

“This is an honour and confidence in the Rulers when the people are worried in the face of a crisis,” he said.

Raja Dr Nazrin wants the people to accept the reality that Malaysia had a plural society and efforts to forge unity and to erase any form of negative racial prejudice was an important agenda and a pre-requisite to the country’s political stability besides being a requirement to guarantee public peace.

“The Malaysian soil must practise fairness and equality that forbids discrimination and negative racist actions. The spirit of co-existence, loyalty and patriotism must be nurtured and practised to build a strong and united Malaysian race to jointly develop an independent and sovereign nation.

Raja Dr Nazrin also said he would ensure religious institutions under the purview of the Sultan of Perak such as mosques, suraus and religious education institutions functioned as tools of unity and would not allow them to be used as a “political platform” which could lead to disunity.

Raja Dr Nazrin said the Muslim community would lose out if they continued to bicker and squabble among themselves as Islam stressed on unity, peace, friendship and goodwill.

“Today’s Muslims are not a strong race, be they in the world or in this country. Muslims cannot be split into small factions because eventually they will become a weaker race.

“They should not be too obsessed with bickerings and squabbles. Muslims must be wise and have the wisdom to distinguish between precious stones and glass,” he said.

They can emerge into a strong race if they were forgiving, prepared to give and take, cooperate among themselves and be friendly which would lead to greater understanding and unity, he added.

He said a government given the powers to rule a state and the people was a big mandate from God.

“Fully aware of this mandate, the state government will discharge its duties and responsibilities in line with God’s wish, upholding the truth, refraining from sinful acts and being a caring state,” he said.

Nizar said the state government would improve the socio-economic status of the people, maintain political stability, sovereignty of the royal institution, customs and traditions and the religion.

“The state government under my leadership needs the guidance and wisdom from Paduka Seri Tuanku to ensure a progressive and trustworthy administration. God willing, the present government will not disappoint the aspirations of the Perak people who have made the changes,” he said.

“I will always support the institution of constitutional monarchy in this state which is part of history and system of governance in the Malay soil.

“I accept and is aware that the constitutional monarchy will remain relevant and play a major role at all times in line with the state constitution which states that the power of governance is the right of the sultan,” he added.

Nizar is among 773 recipients of state awards in conjunction with the sultan’s birthday. He has been conferred the Darjah Seri Paduka Mahkota Perak (SPMP) which carries the title of “Datuk Seri”.

Also receiving the award are Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Ong Ka Chuan, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Bernama chairman Datuk Seri Mohd Annuar Zaini.

source: Bernama via NST - http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Saturday/NewsBreak/20080419120216/Article/index_html

An amazing night when many miracles took place

An amazing night when many miracles took place

pix: Dr Wan Azizah greeting Abdullah Badawi at the Bar Council annual dinner Thursday night. — The Malaysian Insider picture by Choo Choy May
By Debra Chong
KUALA LUMPUR, April 18 — It was an amazing night at the Bar Council dinner at the JW Marriott Hotel in Jalan Bukit Bintang last night. Many miracles happened.
To start off, it was quite a sight to see members of the Barisan Nasional and the Pakatan Rakyat seated at the same tables without kicking up a fuss.
Namely, the VVIP table where Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi sat together with political arch-nemesis Wan Azizah Ismail and former Lord President Tun Salleh Abas.
One had grown too used to see one or the other lunging for the jugular in public (with the exclusion of Salleh), so much so that seeing them actually being amiable to each other and making small talk was disconcerting.
Then there was the Prime Minister's announcement that he was firmly pushing forward with setting up a Judicial Appointments Commission (JDA) despite the strong objections from his own BN fraternity. It was greeted with thunderous applause and hoots of approval from the 600-strong legal eagles.
And finally, his recognition and acknowledgement of the government's role that led to the tragic removal of Salleh, Datuk Seri George Seah and Tan Sri Wan Suleiman Pawanteh from office in 1988 and which plunged the judiciary into an age of darkness, so to speak.
Pak Lah's humble tone reached out to them and helped make a bitter pill a little easier to swallow. He said he wouldn't apologise, and didn't but the effort and courage it took him to get to where he was last night spoke volumes what he could not speak baldly in words.
As Zaid Ibrahim, the minister in the prime minister's office who had first mooted for a public apology from the government, put it: “(One) can say sorry in other ways.”
Better late than never?
The power of that love moved the minds and hearts of the people implicated directly or indirectly, those who suffered the brunt of injustice and those who were collateral damage — the families of the 3 judges rudely removed from office and the other 3 whose good names were besmirched, even though they were later reinstated. Full Story

Ex gratia payment not an apology, says DPM
CYBERJAYA, April 18 — The ex gratia payment announced by the government yesterday for six former judges involved in the 1988 judicial crisis is not a form of apology to them, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said today.
"The ex gratia payment is not tantamount to revisiting whatever that has been decided. It is not to be construed as any form of apology but this is our way of addressing some of their personal considerations and some of the personal experiences, hardship that they have gone through.
"That is all… so it is to be seen in that light. It should not be construed as anything beyond that," he told reporters after witnessing the signing of a joint-venture agreement between automakers Chery Automobile Co Ltd and Alado Corporation Sdn Bhd here.
The six former judges are Tun Salleh Abas, Tan Sri Azmi Kamaruddin, Tan Sri Wan Hamzah Mohamed, Datuk George Seah, and the late Tan Sri Eusoffe Abdoolcader and Tan Sri Wan Suleiman Pawanteh,
Yesterday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi announced that the government, apart from making the ex gratia payment to the six former judges, would set up a Judicial Appointments Commission to nominate, appoint and promote judges in a transparent and representative manner.
On the members of the commission, Najib said it would be discussed at a later stage.
"I think it (setting up of the commission) is a significant step forward because the reform or changes announced by the prime minister yesterday means that the government is aware that we do need to ensure that our judiciary has the highest reputation and that the judiciary system in the country can perform in terms of deciding on cases in an expeditious manner and that judges of the highest integrity and capability are appointed at the various levels.
"The formation of this commission, it must be emphasised, is only in an advisory capacity. The final authority still lies with the prime minister to make the formal recommendation to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the Conference of Rulers.
"It is a very significant step forward because it means that the prime minister will have the benefit of a group of very learned, eminent people to give their opinions on the suitability of appointing personalities into the various positions in the judiciary," said Najib. Full Story