| Dina Zaman writes to find answers. Sometimes she doesn't. If she's not spending too much money on books, it's household items. She would like everyone to be happy. |
The Christians are coming!
January 16, 2013JAN 16 ― Dr Chandra Muzaffar who spoke at the “Pathways Institute Seminar: Leadership Amidst Controversy” recently said, “It will be the Malaysian Christians who will make an impact at the upcoming general elections.”There is a political awakening among them, and many feel sidelined and discriminated against, he said. The Allah issue is just but one of … Read More
The halal cat food question
January 09, 2013JAN 9 ― So, my cat is now on a halal cat food diet.I went on a spree during the recent Christmas holidays, and bought myself an automatic pet feeder that can be programmed at certain times to feed my cat. I love him, but waking up at 3, 4 and 5am every morning for the past two years was driving me nuts.I treated myself to a Christmas present, and the pet … Read More
Some thoughts for the new year
January 02, 2013JAN 2 ― Writing a feature on faith and the Malaysian middle class reaffirms my belief that this country can never be secular, in spite of the many debates and attempts at separating the state and faith.Malaysia is a country of believers, and Malaysia is also very political. If it’s not the Muslim-Christian clash, it will be about the loss of animist … Read More
Looking for guidance?
December 12, 2012DEC 12 ― It is indeed an interesting time to be a Muslim, or even a non-Muslim, observing Muslim matters in Malaysia.And to revisit and discover the changes, the phenomenon of an “educated”, “enlightened” Islam that has been happening over the last five years, is eye-opening. Islam in Malaysia has become evangelical, inclusive and exclusive. To the … Read More
A question of faith
November 14, 2012NOV 14 — I have been mulling over the same question over the past two months: Is Islam the topic of discourse overdone, and do we need another conversation about it?Covering Islam and Muslims is not for the faint-hearted. Especially if you are a Muslim woman writing in a Muslim country, and have not been schooled in religious studies, and looks like … Read More
Javanese adventure
November 07, 2012NOV 7 ― To survive among Indonesians, you must understand the social structure of its people. All that talk about human rights, anti-corruption, women’s empowerment, democracy, itu semua wayang, sayang.Indonesia is not dissimilar to other Asian countries when it comes to power and status. But you must remember, they were once ruled by the Dutch, and say … Read More
Looking beyond the city
October 31, 2012OCT 31 ― Indonesia is very much a Pramoedya Ananta Toer novel come to life.Jakarta may be the rich capital, the more sophisticated sister, but to experience true Indonesian life, one has to live outside of Jakarta, and in the provinces. It is through living among her people that you learn that Indonesia is like a beautiful woman who knows the power of her … Read More
An Indonesian adventure
September 19, 2012SEPT 19 ― Indonesia can be a country of extremes. It hosts a huge Muslim population of varying levels of faith, and is also home to a few terrorists. Its local provinces can be silent at night, but Jakarta teems with life all 24 hours.Indonesian women ask me why Malay men practise polygamy; before one is awed by such an attitude, one is bemused by the … Read More
Do the rich and royal truly care about Malaysian politics?
July 12, 2012JULY 12 — It would seem that they are skittish, and prefer to either side with the current government or act as fence sitters. There are the “different” royals who have articulate and intelligent opinions — Tunku Abidin Muhriz of Negri Sembilan, Raja Nazrin Shah of Perak, the Sultan of Kelantan Sultan Muhammad V Tengku Muhammad Faris Petra, who is fast … Read More
The Bersih that wasn’t
May 02, 2012MAY 2 — I’ve been to rallies before, as a student and Malaysian citizen but Bersih 3.0 was my first Bersih event.Ten hours after Bersih 3.0, I am left grasping for ideas: how would I describe Bersih? Friends called, texted, was it dangerous? Weren’t you scared?I think people were expecting it to be like "Die Hard", with pyrotechnics blasting the city. Yes, … Read More