By your side

So many things happening in the world. So many issues being discussed in blogs and forums. So many thoughts running through my head on some of these issues.

Tolerance. Unity. Objectivity. I believe these 3 things are essential in the world we’re living in today.

I stumbled upon this issue of a forum being asked to remove a sensitive topic discussing the cartoon debacle merely because a few people who posted stuff in the forum were offensive. So what’s the usual “Malaysian” way of dealing with sensitive topics? Sweep it under the carpet and forbid people from talking about it. After all, ignorance is bliss, right? To a certain extent, yes, ignorance is bliss. But in today’s world, you can’t afford to be ignorant. You can’t keep living under the coconut shell and ignore everything else that’s happening outside. We also can’t give the excuse that we’re not ready to deal with these things. Well, if we never deal with these things, then we’re never going to be ready. Sweeping things under the rug doesn’t help things. Suppressing what we think and feel isn’t going to make us progress. Not talking about sensitive things doesn’t mean they will magically disappear. It doesn’t mean that we’re ‘tolerant’. We just have to buck up and face the issue head on. Just like everyone else.

Why must discussing the issue of a certain religion be sensitive? And mind you, I’m talking about proper discussions and not derogatory comments that say you will go to hell if you don’t follow a certain way. And why must we be extra sensitive when it comes to a particular religion? After all, we’re not dissing Islam or Muslims in any way. If it’s just a discussion about world issues that is centred on the above topics, do we not have that right to talk about these things?

Frankly speaking, it’s really just our country that seems to want to prove themselves to be more Muslim than others. Trying to hard, I would have to say. Why do we equate race to religion? Why do you HAVE to be Muslim if you’re Malay? I think this is something that has been meshed together for so long that we think being Muslim and being Malay is one and the same. Well, they’re not. Why is it that only our country has this law that dictates what religion you believe in because you’re of this race? Why is it that only our country has a law that says a non-Muslim who marries a Muslim HAS to convert? Shouldn’t conversion to any religion be because of faith and belief? Not forced? Why is it that only our country says that once we’re into Islam, we can’t change our faith? There are plenty of Arab-Christians other Muslims countries. Their laws don’t say that if you’re born an Arab, you HAVE to believe in Islam. I just feel that our country is trying too hard to prove that they’re more Muslim than others.

I had a lot more things to say but I went for a meeting and I’ve forgotten what I originally wanted to type. Damn. Short-term memory loss.

Anyway, with everything that’s happening, this small country I’m in feels much safer and more tolerant than home.

On a totally separate note, have been listening to Sade’s ‘By Your Side’. Beautiful song. Makes me appreciate the people who love me and support me unconditionally. Thank you. And shouldn't everyone just appreciate the things around them instead of fighting?

SADE - By Your Side
You think i'd leave your side baby
You know me better than that
You think i'd leave you down when you're down on your knees
I wouldn't do that
I'll tell you you're right when you want
And if only you could see into me
Ha ah ah ah ah ah

Oh when you're cold
I'll be there
Hold you tight to me
When you're on the outside baby and you can`t get in
I will show you you're so much better than you know
When you're lost and you're alone and you cant get back again
I will find you darling and i will bring you home
And if you want to cry
I am here to dry your eyes
And in no time
You'll be fine

You think i'd leave your side baby
You know me better than that
You think id leave you down when you're down on your knees
I wouldn't do that
I'll tell you you're right when you want
And if only you could see into me
Ha ah ah ah ah ah

Oh when you're cold
I'll be there
Hold you tight to me
When you're low
I'll be there
By your side baby

Oh when you're cold
I'll be there
Hold you tight to me
Oh when you're low
I'll be there by your side baby