Foo Yueh Jiin vs Fong Po Kuan in IIU (Part Two)
When I was in the campus, I found myself the odd one. None of my non muslim seniors were with a long transparent scarf covering their head. They were either having a colorful small scarf tied to the back or a triangular scarf (tudung segi tiga).
Then, I found out that I was the only non muslim chinese girl admitted to the university for law course in that particular year with the STPM result. In short, I was known as a direct intake student. Others, were police officers. There were three others non muslims male direct intake students, an Indian and two chinese admitted for law course too.
There was another direct intake chinese girl from Kuantan. She was alone doing a course in the Kulliyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge & Human Sciences.
I must admit, the campus surrounding gave me some pressure to further “properly covered up” myself. I bought a few tudung segi tiga, (one in black and another white) and tailored a few larger pieces of clothes to make them into tudung.
Not only non muslim students faced such self-covered up. There were some muslims student too were under pressure when they attend some classes. We would hear words of certain lecturers who were very particular about the dressing of the students in their classes. As such, some of us went to the extent of putting on stockings to cover our feet. I bought a packet of male stockings and put them on whenever I attend these classes.
I could still remember that my total covered up had caused some students mistaken me as a chinese muslim from China. Also, partly because of my fair skin.
My most shocking discovery later was the canteen and the unwritten rule of sitting in the classroom.
We could buy the food together at the main canteen but enter to different hall for our food. I could still remember clearly, the left hall was for the sisters and right for the brothers.
In the classrooms, either the brothers are seated in front while the sisters behind or the brothers on the left and sisters on the right.
The sitting in the library was also separated.
In the beginning, my family were worried of my life in the university, to be precise the Islamic environment.
I was only 20 years old and my family was worried I would be converted to Islam. As I mentioned earlier, technically we are buddhist, however, we do not really practice the religion. Neither do I know much about Buddhism. In fact, there was once, a foreign student from Algeria approached me and asked, “Are you a Buddhist? I replied, “Yes.” He further asked, “What do you celebrate on Wesak Day?” I could not reply.
I must admit, till now, I understand the religion of Islam more than Buddhism.
You would not believe it, the worries of my dad when I was in IIU. He went to get some cassettes on Christianity for me. My mum told me that my dad was of the opinion that it would be better if the daughter is a Christian than a Muslim. He was under the impression that if I am a Christian, no conversion could take place.
My dad gave me extra allowances so that I would stay out of the campus. In IIU, all students are expected to stay in the hostel except with written permission to stay off campus.
I was always been reminded by these sentences, “if you are a Muslim or married a muslim, your husband can marry 4 wives. You cannot hold the joss- stick to pray if any of our family members passed away, if you are converted to Muslim.”
During my four years in IIU, 3 years in Petaling Jaya campus and the final year in Gombak campus, I told myself that I am there for a degree to pursue my ambition. That was my goal and I need to concentrate on it.
My dad provided me a motorcycle to travel to the campus. I would need to put on the tudung before I put on my helmet. In the beginning, the landlord was surprised. Then, my house mates.
Most of the non muslims at times, would gather at a chinese stall, in Section 17, PJ for some mixed rice. When both of us, ( I am referring to the chinese girl from Kuantan), reached the stall on the motorcycle, we would remove the helmet and the tudung. The eyes of the customers would stare at us. I bet they must be wondering whether we were muslims. If yes, why were we taking non halal food?
Looking back, I think, I had created some not so good impression for public about Islam. I was confused.
Most of the IIU students who wanted to go to KL city, we would wait for bus in front of the campus. The mini bus number 12.
When I walked out of the campus to catch a bus, I would only remove the tudung when I was in the mini bus. I would put it on, before I get down from the bus. I think, the people in the bus must be thinking I am a “bad” muslim.
Every Tuesday, there would be pasar malam at Section 17, PJ, just right outside the campus.
I was told by another non muslim friend that it would be advisable for me to keep the tudung on my head, just in case I bumped into my lecturer. Not that I have done anything wrong, but, the fear that lecturer would see me not in a proper attire and this would affect the marks in my papers.
Participation in Activities
The composition of foreign students from different parts of the world had given the advantage to the students the opportunities to learn different skills and languages.
During the long vacation, the foreign students would hold various classes and activities at minimum fees.
I improved computer knowledge from a Bangladeshi student. He conducted computer classes for students who were back to the university for subjects offered during the holidays.
I did enroll for French language lesson. However, I did not have the discipline to attend lessons at night and after two classes, I abandoned it.
I am most grateful to the lecturers who had provided me the skills in mooting. I took part in the moot court training. Later, I participated in a selection to represent the university to Tasmania, Australia for a competition.
I felt so happy when I was selected to represent the university.
I still remembered that I approached the lecturer in charge of the team and asked if I was required to put on a tudung during the competition. His advice was to put it on during official ceremonies or functions.
I had the tudung during the competition and closing ceremony. I removed it after the closing ceremony when the lights were off for dancing and drinking. My “on and off”, with and without tudung, am I sending a wrong message about the religion of Islam? Again, I was confused.
Liking someone in university days
Like any twenty plus young girl, I used to like two foreign male friends in the campus.
However, I kept reminding myself that “nothing could be allowed to develop”. The reason was clear. He is a Muslim and I am a Buddhist. (to be continued)
It is important to understand the differences in culture as well as the teachings in religion. Respect in both for others is paramount but in Malaysia as in many Islamic countries, Muslims are forbidden to read other religious teachings. Needless to say, laws in Islamic countries forbid any activities that could convert a Muslim to other religion. Apostasy for Muslim is death in some Islamic countries.
Many non-Muslims have better understanding of Islam but sadly we cannot say the same of Muslims understanding other religion. Therefore it is difficult for them to understand the feelings of non-Muslims despite the fact that there is a clause on freedom of religion in the constitution. The Malays do not have any freedom of religion in Malaysia. They are born as Muslim and will remain as Muslim regardless if they are practising the teaching of the Quran or not. Whether it make sense or not does not depend on logical reasoning. Faith is blind to logical reasoning.
To get a balanced view of Islam it would be better to read both ends of the extreme views.
Generally in support of Islam :-
http://www.bismikaallahuma.org/
http://www.faithfreedom.com/
http://www.understanding-islam.org/
Generally against proponent of Islam :-
http://www.faithfreedom.org/
http://www.answering-islam.org/
http://www.domini.org/lam/
The above list is not exhaustive but will give some interesting understanding and insights to Islam.
Comment by Thinkingloud — November 6, 2005 @ 11:42 pm
Now i understand the hand gestures and the voice intonation when you present a point in the Dewan… mooting!!! hmmm! Interesting.
Comment by Denise Wahlenberg — November 7, 2005 @ 7:24 am
little wonder everywhere is green
Comment by roach — November 7, 2005 @ 4:40 pm
all chinese parents’ first instincts and concerns are the same. never never lose your own identity, culture, language, dignity and pride.
Anything else, you will stand to regret and regret it your entire life.
Comment by don'tregret — November 7, 2005 @ 6:13 pm
you got to follow your surround no matter how, if you can’t defeat, join them ! take the positive part only
Comment by Azlan — November 9, 2005 @ 11:51 pm
Congratulations. The Cabinet has decided that non-Muslims must not be forced to wear tudung in govt. offices and education institutions.
Comment by Ah Kong Chai — November 10, 2005 @ 12:26 am
I am a muslim girl from Ipoh, hahah. I do the now u see now u don’t with the tudung during my student years. Will be wearing tudung permenantly once I fully follows the rukun Islam without failing, insyallah.
Comment by Ipoh mali — November 10, 2005 @ 9:01 am
Incidentally, in primary school I had a science teacher who did the exact same thing with the tudung. Whenever she was in school, she scrupulously wore the tudung, but outside, she rarely (if ever) wore it. A bit strange, don’t you think?
Comment by johnleemk — November 10, 2005 @ 11:27 am
Tudung @ IIUM (Part II)
I am reading this: 1. IIU and the hijjab 2. The IPTA and IIU’s hijjab rule 3. A non-Muslim MP from IIU 4. Foo Yueh Jiin vs Fong Po Kuan in IIU (Part One) 5. Foo Yueh Jiin vs Fong…
Trackback by Esprit De Corps — November 11, 2005 @ 3:20 pm
This was what I comment athttp://blog.limkitsiang.com under article titled
” IIUM must abide by Cabinet decision on non-Muslim option on tudung”
Instead of earning a respect towards our official religion they are chasing way the respect. How on the earth people will respect other people’s religion if you demand something without considering that person’s belief and sensitiveness?
Yes, Shafie and IIUM cannot hide behind the “official attire for convocation” statement. Instead IIUM should make it an optional and live to respective student to choose. This scenario is more to forcing something to someone.
In fact, it violated Article 8 and Article 11 of Federal Constitution. I hope Fong will persume this matter aggressively so that there will be no more Fongs and Foos in coming years and in the future. She have to protect woman’s right to dress in IIUM. It is a double Fs for IIUM. How come IIUM failed twice in not respecting the right of the people.
Comment by DoingTheRightThing — November 11, 2005 @ 9:04 pm
Better to be Christian than to be Muslim? To each his own then.
Comment by Omega Lee — November 11, 2005 @ 9:59 pm
YB Fong:
During the time when I attended training in Police Depot with Police Di-Raja Malaysia where I, as a Buddhist, was subjected to the same kind Islamic treatment in the “Barisan Kawat” when “doa” was read. We, all the non-Muslim recruits, were told imitate the same gesture our counterparts did.
I am sure NO non-Malay police recruits would expose this because they would be subjected to disciplinary actions.
Yours truly,
Ah Kian
PS: If the government is serious about unity, it is timely for someone to call for a Royal Inquiry to hear/deal with all these systemic abuses under the name of Islam in all government departments.
Comment by Ah Kian — November 12, 2005 @ 12:02 pm
Look the way BN did to orang asli. Is that the way of being no compulsion in religion? Man has betray God.
Comment by omo — November 12, 2005 @ 5:35 pm
Well, your dad surely need to know that christianity and islam comes from the same source, so they say.
BTw, marrying four rule is being abused here because some smarty pants interpreted the text in his own way (Must be Frank’s influence here). But that doesn’t stop at muslims though they can do it legally (although most of the time illegally - I’ve seen many that cannot be fair to both his wives), non-muslims, africans or what not does it too. These can be found in the bible as well and they do incest before christ. After I wouldn’t know because when I was reading the bible, I was lost when they started to have too many children and wives.
Oh I’m a malaysian yeah. Not a chinese, malay or an indian. So don’t shoot me.
Comment by Tk.aun — November 13, 2005 @ 1:53 am
i think time has come for the Govt to really practicing Islam as a way of life. Not to scare DAP but we Muslims demand respect from non-Muslims. The tudung isu shows lack of respect from non-Muslims towards Islam. actually it comes from lack of Islam practising in the Govt. Perhaps DSAI can correct this but we should support him and BA in the next election.
Comment by ABg_IMaM — November 13, 2005 @ 11:48 am
ABg_IMaM, Respect cannot be demanded. It has to be earned. Is it not Islam uphold values common to all other mainstream religions with the exception of divine homage?
If you impose your religious dress code on others who do not share your conviction, the consequence is a backlash. Isn’t this contradicting your scripture that there is no compulsion in Islam?
Comment by humanly — November 13, 2005 @ 3:48 pm
From this article, I learn that you had more good things than bad things in IIU. Nobody says anything bad about you or hate you there for any reasons. People give you chance to explore things. There are no prejudices. You should be grateful. The tudung issue was merely cosmetic and insignificant.
Comment by Nurulwahida — November 13, 2005 @ 5:38 pm
Dear Nurulwahida:
Quoting your name is nothing personal. Read on with open mind.
Take away all the things (i.e. places in universities) and forced students (i.e. YB Fong etc) to wear “kain tudung” if they want to be accepted as students in IIU. That is against human rights and dignity! Very simple.
The name “Nurulwahida” tells me that you are about 18 to 25 years old — so called the New Generation of Malaysian. My point is that if you - the New Generation — think along the line of “people give you…” – the analogy of “you against us”; Malaysia has failed in teaching its new generations to respect each other.
I shall conclude that Barisan Nasional had achieved its “Divide and Rule” agenda. I would expect Malaysia to fail in its UNITY program. When the program failed, no one, include personalities such as “Nurulwahida” will benefit.
Comment by Ah Kian — November 14, 2005 @ 2:39 am
Why they accept tudung at first place by enter the university then after got what they want then they said this and that ,human right ?
Masuk kandang kerbau menguak, masuk kandang kambing mengembek .. Anybody want me to translate to mandarin or English ??
Comment by Azlan — November 14, 2005 @ 9:02 am
Adik Azlan:
They accepted the offer to study in IIU because under years of NEP - Dasar Ekonomi Baru — rakan-rakan kamu yang bukan Islam susah nak dapat offer dari universiti-universiti tempatan.
Semua orang bukan Islam yang hidup didalam Malaysia sudah lama di cekik olih Dasar tersebut - kira-kira dah 30 tahun.
Bukan susah nak paham cara saya sebut - kalau tak faham lagi - Kalau berani la tu - Tanya-lah dekat bekas-bekas Menteri Pelajaran:
Contohnya:
1) Mahathir
Tel: +603-8885 8900
Fax: +603-8889 1166
Emel: perdana@perdana.org.my
2) Ahmad Abdullah Badawi
Correspondence and Mailing Address:
Ketua Setiausaha Sulit Kepada Perdana Menteri,
Pejabat Perdana Menteri,
Blok Utama, Bangunan Perdana Putra,
Pusat Pentadbiran Kerajaan Persekutuan,
62502 PUTRAJAYA
No.Fax: 03-88884333
Emel: ppm@pmo.gov.my
3) Anwar Ibrahim
Tanya Editor www.Malaysia-Today.net
4) Najib Razak
Tanya dekat MinDef
5) Hisammuddin - masih lagi Menteri
Tanya dekat Kementerian Pendidikan/Pelajaran
Kalau tak faham lagi sila tulis emel pada reaching.ah.kian#gmail.com, saya bolih cerita panjang-lebar sampai kau paham (percuma) - harapan saya semua anak-anak Malaysia hidup gembira. Buat apa bermusuh-musuhan.
Orang kuat-kuat kat PMO/UMNO memang tak-akan tolong budak-budak miskin dalam Malaysia.
Tak payahlah translate - apa yang kamu tulis itu — senang di-paham. Yang penting - jangan di kamu tipu orang - propaganda RTM/TV3/Penerangan/Bernama dll.
Sekian,
Ah Kian - Tanya Zulklifi H. siapa Ah Kian kat Kampong halaman - semua budak-budak tahau nama Ah Kian.
Comment by Ah Kian — November 14, 2005 @ 1:24 pm
Po Kuan said: Liking someone in university days
Dua perkara saya nak bincang berkenaan perkara di-atas:
1) Semasa saya bekerja sebagai College Counsellor dekat PRIME College, Jalan Genting Klang, pada tahun 1995, ada seorang pelajar Arab IIU datang untuk Counselling. Saya dima’lumkan pelajar tersebut bahawa dia hendak keluar dari IIU atas sebab-sebab peribadi.
Sebelum beliau meninggal pejabat saya, pelajar Arab IIU itu memberitahu saya bahwa cara orang Islam Malaysia meng-interpret Kitab itu lain daripada orang keturunan Arab - bahasa ibuanda-nya. Saya nak tahu dengan lebih mendalam, tetapi pelajar Arab IIU itu kata kalau dia menyuarakan perbezaan itu — cara interpretasi Islam Arab dia dengan Islam kita — Malaysia. Kedua-dua, saya dan dia mungkin akan disabit hukuman berat di Malaysia — dia beritahu saya — baik dia tak cakap apa perbezaan Islam Kita dengan Islam Arab.
Untuk ini, saya biar pakar-pakar buat carikan/research dan membuat penerangan apa perbezaan-perbezaan itu.
2) Kahwin anak gadis/lelaki Islam
Po Kuan, orang Islam bukan tak bolih jadi jodoh kahwin. Tapi, cuma “institusi Islam Malaysia” itu kita tidak bolih kita kahwin.
Kalau bukan halangan systemic yang tak wajar dari “institusi Islam” dalam Malaysia - dah lama saya kahwin si-Jazrita anak gadis manis dari Jalan Kelawei, Pulau Pinang. (anak perumpuan comei Gerai Makanan Melayu dekat round-about Jalan Kelawei).
Comment by Ah Kian — November 14, 2005 @ 1:58 pm
Dear Ah Kian,
Saya dapat apa yg anda cuba sampaikan tetapi isu disini ialah seseorang cuba menghalang apa yg sesebuah Universiti cuba lakukan sebagai identiti sejak penubuhannya hendak di cabuli.
Tidak semua Islam mahu memakai tudung tetapi atas desakan universiti dan telah bersetuju dgn syarat kemasukan , mereka patuh.
Ramai pelajar islam , diluar cabut tudung dan boleh dilakukan oleh sesiapa pun.Kenapa dibesarkan perkara pakai tudung ,anda cuma di wajibkan didalam kampus bukan keseluruhan hidup anda.
Cuma hormati apa yg ditetapkan oleh universiti bukan sesuatu yg membebankan.
Adakah tidak menghadiri konvokesyen memusnahkan hidup anda ? Bukankah Degree sudah ada di tangan anda ?
Adakah dunia yg bebas seperi Barat adalah yg terbaik ?
Comment by Azlan — November 14, 2005 @ 2:31 pm
Dear Ah Kian,
Firstly, let me tell you that I’m not a Barisan Nasional supporter nor Barisan Alternatif as well. Your accusation was not right and I don’t know where did you get the idea. Please don’t make anything out of assumptions.
Let me tell you my stand. I myself do not agree with some of the Malaysian policies. I believe of “getting what you work for”. I pity the non-Bumis for the non-merictocracy system.
However, i think you are wrong of saying that the Muslim get privileges in this country. Bumiputera, yes. Muslim, no. I have a Muslim Indian friend who had problems just like you.
However, in my previous post, I’m stating the good side of IIU. Out of all good things that are good in IIU, why do we have to argue about insignificant thing like tudung? IIU have never make tudung as an obligation to the non-Muslim, but only during convocation. I saw many non-Muslims in IIU wear only a tiny cloth to cover their head, revealing most of their long hair. Most of the students in IIU don’t care much because they do respect the non-Muslim of who they are. This unwritten law was only a fear within oneself that actually nobody really care about. Try to break this unwritten law first before assuming anything bad will come out.
Comment by Nurulwahida — November 15, 2005 @ 4:47 pm
If the tudung issue does not contain any religion elements, this would not have been an issue. Just like baju kurung and men sarong are well accepted by the Chinese and the Indian community. However, the very disturbing fact is that there are people in this country who takes thing into their own hands and force others to comply. If not, these people will punish the non-compliance, just like FPK’s Section 17 pasar malam experience. We heard many cases that peer pressure, co-workers pressure, pressure from teacher have forced some girls into donning the tudung. Cases like this should not be allowed.
My friends, my colleagues, and myself show very good respect to our Muslim friends. We are very sensitive and understandable on many issues that we should or should not do in the presence of our fellow Muslim friends. However, in this tudung case, it seems some authorities are overlooking the non-Muslim feeling. But, thanks to the government wise decision, this case has been well taken care. In the Sunday Star last week (13 Nov), there are 2 good articles relating to tudung issues.
Comment by Hans — November 15, 2005 @ 5:33 pm
Adik Azlan, Nurulwahida:
Points noted and thank you ALL for voicing your opinions. There are many constructive views expressed here and these views carry the fundamental principle needed in a democratic nation.
Many of you also expressed true sign of deep respect for human rights of non-Muslims.
I am sure Po Kuan and Yueh Jiin would truly appreciate that there are good personalities out-in-the-open-in-Malaysian-Society who understand their feeling/struggle in this young nationhood.
Thank you.
Yours sincerely,
Ah Kian
Comment by Ah Kian — November 16, 2005 @ 1:37 am
Nurulwahida, if tudung is a symbol of Muslim women piety, then it should be worn with respect. I think Po Kuan was doing a favour to the true practice of Islam by highlighting the tudung can be made into a mockery when imposed and peer pressure is as good as compulsion. It should be voluntary.
However, going by the tudung fad, do you think it is a piece of modesty? The tudung trend was started by none other than Anwar Ibrahim. I think the designer tudung is sexier than trendy hairstyle.
During the days of our grandmother, tudung was non-existent. Does it mean that generation of Muslims less pious than today?
Comment by humanly — November 16, 2005 @ 11:14 am
BTW to make the IIU a tertiary centre of excellence, it must be truly diverse in culture and creed. University is not merely receiving knowledge. It must be an exchange of knowledge and wisdom to the point of contrarian. We must always step outside our routine life to learn from others. We have as much to learn from each other.
Having said that, IIU needs non-Muslims to flourish as a centre of learning.
Comment by humanly — November 16, 2005 @ 11:21 am
humanly,
Yes, I agree with you. And I would like to highlight that tudung had not been made compulsory for non-Muslim in IIUM either (according to IIUM rules and regulation).
Anyway, I would like to congratulate Po Kuan for giving a fair and non-bias review about IIUM.
Comment by Nurulwahida — November 22, 2005 @ 8:32 pm
I wish to comment on your last paragraph. If indeed you fell for one of the foreigners, you did not need to convert if you live overseas. But Batu Gajah would have been under MCA, I think.
A friend warned his only daughter that if she were to marry a local Muslim, his property will be given to his nephews instead.
Another parent told his son who was going out with a girl of another race that he need to come back on festival days only.
These are some of the realities in Malaysia.
We as non-Muslims are not supposed to comment on muslim laws. Therefore most of us just keep to ourselves and “mind our own business”.
I would not have commented on this, if not because I know you personally.
Comment by K S Ong — February 16, 2006 @ 7:06 pm
http://www.rasarasa.net/articlePrint.cfm?id=626
Kelawei Fish Head
Jalan Kelawei, Penang
Comment by Ah Kian — November 6, 2007 @ 6:00 pm