Tag Archives: ASEAN

The Ultimate Confrontation

http://www.malaysiakini.com/letters/208463

On 12 September 2012 there will be a Regional Consultation on the Drafting of an ASEAN Human Rights Declaration. There will be attempts by LGBTs, NGOs, and various other activists to include LGBT rights and the right of absolute freedom of religion in the Declaration. Were ASEAN to endorse such rights in the final Declaration, Malaysia as a Muslim-majority country would have to reiterate her strong objections; as such a policy clearly contradicts the principles enshrined in the religion of Islam.Continue reading “The Ultimate Confrontation”

A Plea for the Rohingyas

http://www.malaysiakini.com/letters/200778

Running north to south along the border of Bangladesh, one of the truly forgotten ethnic minority groups of the modern world, the Rohingyas are dying by the thousands. According to witnesses, hundreds of Rohingyas have been turned away by authorities in neighboring Bangladesh after attempting to flee the fighting in boats. The Rohingyas never accepted any other religion than Islam and were never granted citizenship or any other rights along their border with the Buddhist Myanmarese, who don’t want them and have always tried to force them to join the Bangladeshis.Continue reading “A Plea for the Rohingyas”

Thoughts on Youth & Islamic Leadership

The following notes were initially prepared for the Regional Conference on Islamic Leadership entitled, Islamic Leadership in the Changing ASEAN: Fostering Peace and Development in Manila 26-29 April 2010 http://islamicleadership.aim.edu/programme.aspx. Unfortunately I was unable to travel due to unforeseen circumstances. My focus in this short presentation centers around three elements from among the conference objectives.Continue reading “Thoughts on Youth & Islamic Leadership”

Muslim South East Asia NGOs call for Asean to overhaul its security-related policies

Press Release: Bangkok (October 16, 2009): More than 30 Muslim NGO activists and representatives from Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines and Cambodia today gathered in the capital of Thailand to discuss the impact and implications of three conflict-torn regions in Southeast Asia and called for ASEAN and ASEAN member governments to undertake new and renewed efforts to tackle the conflicts.

Continue reading “Muslim South East Asia NGOs call for Asean to overhaul its security-related policies”

Stateless Rohingyas in Malaysia: A Call for Action

Presently in Malaysia there are an acknowledged 8,000 people from Myanmar who are stateless. A large number have applications pending with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to be classified as Refugees. Their applications are still pending action, even after waits in excess of one year. And the number is probably three times that of the known stateless people.

Continue reading “Stateless Rohingyas in Malaysia: A Call for Action”