I decided it is best, for the education of all (including me) to comprehend understand and contemplate the I coined:, “Paper Muslim”.
This is taken from Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung in South East Asia, a treatise I undertook to understand (but did not) ). I wrote in the margin of what you shall read: ‘Now I understand.’ (By the way, I am not sure I do, but here goes)
“Islam has been ethnicised, conflated with Malay ethnicity largely because the constitution of Malaysia in Article 160 (2) defines a Malay and Muslim and the two terms are used interchangeably.”
(Citing a footnote a book by Patricia Martinez published in 2001).
At the time I also made a note to myself “Look up the meaning of confabulate.” Upon doing so, on the face of it, both the definitions of the word did not seem appropriate. One was is to speak conversationally and the other a psychiatric term. But as I explored in greater depth the psychiatric term I came upon this sentence. “ Confabulation was originally defined as “the emergence of memories of events and experiences which never took place”
A government declaring that a Malaysian is Muslim does not make them so – it is an event, an experience that never took place. I find it unusual that none of the authors of this learned treatise ever questioned the wisdom of this constitutional provision that has such an enormous impact on this nation.
Decided to learn more about Article 160 (2) of the Malaysian Constitution by asking AI.
To summarize: Article 160 (2) was enacted in 1957 (Merdeka Constitution) No government law can truly make a person a Muslim. It is an inner belief and must be professed sincerely
160 (2) “Malay = Muslim + Malay Language + Malay customs. A Malay gets certain rights under Article 153. (Education, quotas, land reservations)
Legal identity The Constitution ties Malayness to Islam to “maintain historical-cultural definition. Spiritually no government can make a person a Muslim without their own belief and observance of the pillar.
Then I asked how a constitutional section can be changed and what was the procedure.
AI An excellent question! Step ! 2/3 majority in both houses. Step 2 Consent of the Conference of Rulers. Step 3 Royal Assent.
Botton Line: Very difficult, if not down right impossible.
So why am I concerned with this. I am a spiritual Muslim. One contemplating Malaysia My Second Home ( a complicated government program requiring $150.00 American dollars to apply and then I must purchase property.)
How does this affect me? In the words of a very rude Malaysian man
He: It is none of your business.
Me: Yes, it is!! As a Muslim I am to speak out against evil – fight it if I have the strength or speak out against it. And I am.
The evil, is not necessarily the Malaysia My Second Home program, but what is evil is to think a government can somehow pretend they can make a man, woman or child a Muslim.
The lazy, or uneducated, perhaps accept this ‘privilege’ because they are accorded certain rights and privileges in this lifetime. However, if they only realized what would be afforded them in this life and the afterlife – they would not be happy with their Legal Muslim designation
I know a Paper Muslim, know him very well as a matter of fact. It was in our conversations that the term Paper Muslim emerged in the lexicon. We laugh about it constantly. When he started to get more knowledge of the faith I called him a Cardboard Muslim and now he is a Bauxite Muslim. Decided to help him be the real thing, a spiritual Muslim, several months ago. I have him a book I was given. He said that is what he wanted for his birthday and he could not find it on the Internet. So I gave it to him (I have since been able to replace mine and returned it to him), I thought progress was being made. Entitled this note to myself. The Islamic Education of a Paper Muslim;
The process has been most considered. For a while it seemed to be working. I received an email from this possible convert, The subject line was: So Charity is not only be giving money.
He included a page from the book .
I responded: Can I write about this on my blog or is it too personal. The fact I gave you the book for your birthday and said that if you found something important to take a picture and send to me. I think that is what I said. If it is too personal I shall not. No problem at all.
He:Yes u did say that .no problem i don’t mind☺️👍🏼
Me: You are the very best!!! You are better than all the rest. It is a song. Alexis
He: I know that song🤣 Tina turner 💃
But that was the first, and the last time I got a page from the book. Decided the education had to go back further – to a child’s education by their mother. Spoke to him about this in all seriousness.
Me: So the mother is to teach her children about the faith. Read them stories, bedtime stories most probably. Or simple ones about the faith.
He: My mother did not do that. Because she has only been a Muslim for four years.
Me: REALL??? I thought your mother lived in London and had been a Muslim for years.
He: Hahaha I was talking about you.
Me: You are totally teasing me.
He: I gotcha. You believed me for awhile.
I went to KL in July and a wonderful Muslim Sister took me to a great Islamic bookstore. I bought books. Went first to the children’s section. Wrote about it on the blog but that was before I had Nesh so there is no blog breakdown. I am seeing him next week – maybe we can work on a game plan.
Game plan is figurative meaning a carefully thought out strategy for achieving an objective in war or politics or business or personal affairs. In case you are wondering (probably you are not) the origin is: The earliest known use of the noun game plan is in the 1930s. OED’s earliest evidence for game plan is from 1939, in the Los Angeles Times.
I shall now refer you to my YouTube, with showing you some of the scenes of me discussing the Islamic Faith, my Umrah and other matters. Most specifically the ones entitled.: Bedtime Stories, Kaaba, AmcB Mosque and Prophet’s Mosque. There are more under the Playlist:
Religion.
The photos attached are from my December 2022 deeply flawed Umrah. However, if a believer has the intention of performing a devout Umrah but is prevented from doing so by forces outside their control than it is accepted by our Creator. However, if one performs a devout Umrah without necessary worshipful Intention than it is not recognized in Allah’s eyes. .
