Tuesday, May 17, 2011

My prayer.... (only for the eyes of Ibrahim Ali)

Dear God of the Atheists( I know it’s contradictory in terms, but humour me for the sake of an attemptedly comedic, but in all seriousness, quite a significant point)

I will preface this prayer with the declaration of my own personal stance on ‘religion’. I’m a bhuddist by faith, an atheist by practice, a polytheist by interest, and a secularist by socio-political preference. Some would say I’m confused, others would say I’m undecided. I say I'm just like most people I know. Only difference is, I admit to it.

I will have no regrets, put me in ISA or not, in saying that Religion has NO place in government. Not denying religions’ place in politics and politicking at large, but when talking about policy making for a multicultural, multireligious society, Objective Secularism is the only way forward to maintain harmony amongst said society’s many religions, cultures and races.

For all intents and purposes, my words and thoughts will represent a large number of people of my generation, Malaysians or otherwise, and no doubt will ring true on one hand in the minds of the non-Muslims in Malaysia under the current policies; and on the other the new generation of people who feels that the need to start exploring a ‘different, more inclusive and equal Union amongst Malaysians’

So here it goes.

I pray for a Malaysia that is officially Muslim in ceremony, but secular in administration, policy and any and every other way.

I pray for a Non-Islamic, Non-Christian, Non Bhuddist, and all together non- religious individual to hold the office of Prime Minister, who may or may not be a Muslim. Who gives a toss? And those who do, You’re wrong! As long as you’e a good person, command and deserve the support invested in you by the democratic system, I don’t give a damn.

I pray for equality amongst Muslims, Bhuddists, Christians, Atheists, Sikhs, Jews…. and any other races and practisers of any and all religion. I pray for equality amongst male, female transgender, homosexual, heterosexual or asexual!

I pray for those who advocate the superiority of any race of religion to be granted the intelligence and wisdom to realise the errors in their way; and forgiveness be granted to them for the pains and suffering caused by their ignorance and stupidity.

I pray for the acceptance of a less divisive, more united Malaysia. I pray for the extinguishing of the need to divide, label and identify each other by our race and religion, and a renaissance of the real comspolitan and plural society that built the foundations of this truly unique nation, in the days of the Straits settlement, and the years preceding Merdeka.

Last but not least, I pray for us all to take the next mental step forward and change both the man in the mirror and people around us to accept those who are different from ourselves; and embrace the change necessary to make our nation and the world a better place.

Our existence as we know it, affords us the human race freedom of thought.

The union of different creeds of a united heart and spirit, earned us freedom from our oppressors.

Our nation was built on principles and ideologies that grants us the right to freedom of association and freedom of expression.

There are broken souls and angry minds out there who are threathening to undermine these fundamental freedoms, and deny us rights that what we are born with.

I pray that these souls be spared the punishement they deserve.

I pray that we all take the next step, and let that next steo be the right step to restore the rights, and freedom that we so deserve.

PS.. I also pray that if I get arrested under the ISA, you all cepat cepat come and tolong!!! :-)