Screenshots

I would like to see a picture of the label. Do they eat the pork in the same table with muslims over there?

JEFF OOI says: The guests chose their respective seating, which is randomly free. I did not notice how are the plates gathered, though. I will look out tomorrow morning. But an please come to Abu Dhabi to see with own eyes. It has been eye-opener for me... a rude culture shock in fact.

Jeff.

Malaysian/South East Asian Muslims are generally from the Syafie school, which says that dogs and pigs are unclean and one has to do ritual cleaning in order to cleanse oneself after being in wet contact to those animals and its derivatives. It is fairly strict and quite similar to Orthodox Jews in its observance of the Kosher law.

Gulf Countries Muslim states tend to be either
1) Hambalis
2) Wahhabis which is a variant of Hambalis
3) Shiites
4) Syafies

1-3 above, plus Hanafis from Turkey, Asia Minor, Caucasian states, are very lenient with dogs and pigs. You will find, devout, I mean very devout Muslims in Turkey or North Africa rearing dogs as pets (slooghis are thoroughbred found only in Northen Africa).

I believe you will be quite forgiving, or understanding, on the plights, or social upbringing, of Malaysian Malay Muslims. They fear dogs, pigs, more than they fear alcohol or gambling or corruption or prostitution or extramarrital sex!

So it is funny to the point of &**(*&(%^% stupid that Malaysian Malay Muslims have such fear.

I have been thinking of rearing dogs myself because I love the animal and also for house security but I have not gotten past my hate for dogs faeces, ewww.

I no longer though fear drinking from the same cup or plate in my non-Muslim house as their guests nor ask be given a special cutlery that was never touched by pork. I fear other contamination like virus/germs more.

I am a Muslim Malay.

I saw Malays selling pork in Indonesia. It too was a culture shock for me. Of course they were Christians and look every bit Malay.

Jeff,

Hop over to Turkey for more eye-opening encounters of a Muslim nation.

They even allow non-Muslims to enter their mosque, the famous Blue Mosque....[ DELETED ]

Guess what. I can get bak kut teh right in the middle of Kota Baru (circa 2004) together with beer. KL is way different, perhaps no thanks to the [ DELETED ].

The same is happening in Indonesia, the country with the largest Muslim population in the world. When I was having buffett in Shangrila and Marriott @ Jakarta, they have a pork section with label and sign. I totally agreed we are being brain-washed.

If only the myopic UMNO would spend a little of its ill gotten wealth to send its Islamic inclined members overseas to see the real religion of Islam.

But then again why would UMNO want to educate those who blindly follow their narrow understanding of Islam?

Islam the religion is not the problem that besets this country.

The selfish, shallow understanding of UMNO politics is, using religion without shame.

Selfish people who can't stand up to a debate will be the downfall of the Malay race (and with it all of us) by hiding behind religion knowing full well that non-Muslims will never challenge the beliefs of others and especially the majority Malays.

But unless the majority Malays are prepared to discard color and be prepared to ignore the BN propaganda and fight for what is truly ours, then it is a lost cause.

What I said above is nothing more than words and hopeful ignorance if the Malay intellectuals will not stand up and be counted.

I pass the ball back to my Malay brothers and sisters.

First of all, i'm leaving my comment here as a 100% Chinese.

I think we should respect what our Muslim friends believe in, rather than what we THINK they should believe in.

Also, we shouldn't call their belief a "political Islam". It is what they believe in and we should respect this. None of us should have any right to comment on them.

In my humble opinion, all religion teaches us to be good so it really doesn't matter who our neighbours are and what they are comfortable with.

If they are comfortable with having a pure halal environment, why can't we respect that? I have many Muslim friends who accompanies me to lunch during the puasa month (i do try to avoid this).

They do respect our culture differences so i believe we should do the same.

After all, we are all united as the Rakyat vs the bloody government!

Oh, just because many countries in the Middle East are more flexible towards the halal environment, we shouldn't generalize that all Muslim countries (except for Malaysia) allows & accepts the flexi-halal environment. I do have few friends from Morocco who DO require a purely halal environment, just like in Malaysia - and they are very strict on this as well

Sorry for nitpicking, but Abu Dhabi is not an Islamic country. It is an Islamic capital city, and also an Islamic emirate that belongs to the UAE.

The Maliki School, which is a majority in Northern Africa, have a radically different diet than other Syafie.

You see, their method of determining what is halal is "as long as it is not specifically mentioned as haram in the Quran".

That is why Malikis will eat animals like frogs, whereas you will not find Syafies in Malaysia do the same.

The Syafie, has this: "Everything is haram unless specifically mentioned as halal in the Quran."

Therefore, you have two extreme spectrums converging to a point.

This part of Islam is called "fiqh" or "fekah". Islam allows variations of this part as it is not considered as core faith, or not even considered as faith even.

Jeff, labelling the norms back home as 'political Islam' is just insensitive and wrong. It's got much to do with our culture and how we were brought up. You are confusing the two.

JEFF OOI says: Hence a rude culture shock for me.

Great realization! Wonder how our minister going to comment on this.

To the uninitiated, things will look unnatural and strange
But many countries bearing the same 'label'
May not all carry out exactly the same practices
Since everything depends on the actual managers of the range

(C) Samuel Goh Kim Eng - 061008
http://MotivationInMotion.blogspot.com
Mon. 6th Oct. 2008.

Greater Good,

Your view is like a breath of fresh air. Too many blog politicise how a muslim in Malaysia should behave in comparison too other countries. this include RPK's blog. What is the point of highlighting such points in your post, jeff ? most muslims have been to other islamic countries and aware of such practices. you want to tell us how our religion should be practiced?

JEFF OOI says: Hence a rude culture shock for me.

Jeff，其实我很赞同Romerz的看法。每个地方都会有当地独特的风俗习惯，其实也不能够一概而论，也没有什么对或错。整天这样比来比去，其实也没有什么意义。

其实本地华族的生活方式或多或少也为其他友族带来诸多的不便。别说他们，身为华族的我有时候都会有这样的感觉。

就比如拜神吧，本地华族习惯初一十五烧香烧金银纸拜神。结果搞到烟灰满天飞，受影响的，不此是华族而已，其他的友族也深受影响。

（其实还有很多的，我不可能全都一一列出）

我本身在中国生活过，中国人不烧香拜神，生活也是一样可以过。有时候我也会问我自己，同样都是龙的传人，为什么本地华人必要把烧香拜神当成一个传统，而生在中国的华人却不这么认为呢？

试问如果有位友族同胞也在其部落格批评本地华人和中国人文化的差异，你可以接受吗？其他的华人也可以接受吗？

其实我也有不少的友族朋友，每天都会有喝茶聊天的机会。都有谈论关于族群的生活习惯以及信仰，都不成问题，主要是我们彼此尊敬对方的生活方式。

其实，族群之间的摩擦很多时候是由一些政客所挑起的。。因为个人的利益，他们可以不择手段。你也会这样认为吗？

GreaterGood says it all what I wanted to say.

In addition to that, Malay of Malaysia (not Indonesia) is well known for their strict adherence to consuming halal food. Even Arab cannot match us the Malays.

I myself have no positive thinking about Arab nowadays except for the fact they are the guardian of the two holy places (Medina & Mecca). Their 'performance' leaves a lot to desire.

JEFF OOI says: Hence a rude culture shock for me.

ermmm repeating this sentence "JEFF OOI says: Hence a rude culture shock for me." does not clean your veil motive when at the same time you posted "Suddenly, just like the zen experience of catharsis ( Κάθαρσις ) and satori ( 悟 ), I realised how much I had been brain-washed all along by political Islam back home"

Im sorry, but this time your post is bordering on insulting at least to strict muslims

JEFF OOI says: You sounded like an authoritarian chieftain in the history books. But this place is THINKING ALLOWED, THINKING ALOUD. You have come to he wrong place, my friend. I am still saying I had a rude culture shock and I don't give a damn whether you agreed with me. That's the cathartic experience that hadn't dawned on you. I hope you travel out of your cocoon. If you had and find yourself still comfortable with yourself that's fine by me as we are all free in the mind.

But, frankly by the same token, what you said can be seen as equally insulting to the leaders and people of UAE and Abu Dhabi on how they want to govern their belief system

No matter what religion one holds, often "form triumphs over function". Majoring on the minor and so forth.

I also had what you called the zen experience when Muslim Pakistanis also reared and hugged their dogs. Didn't seem to do their faith any damage.

But, hey, what do I know? I'm just a bloody dhimmi (sounds like dummy, doesn't it?).

Jeff , please do not publish this. u may reply to me on my mail

Thinking Aloud , Thinking allowed? and without thinking of our LOCAL MUSLIM feeling here? please read the above comments that disagree with ya. remember , this kind of posting could be spun by some ppl and hence lost of support to the PR gov slowly. You see jeff, although maybe your motive is different, it may be interpreted differently and turn out to be an effective weapon against you. Im saying this as a Malay Muslim here in Malaysia and i believe my understanding of my ppl is much better than you. Consider this as a token of advice

Why they always demand us to respect them more, sacrifice more on us for their sake?

Why???

To all those who feel insulted by Jeff's article, if you read it again, he's just sharing his experience of what he SAW, and how he had a revelation, when throughout his whole life, he thought it was insensitive if pork was presented in a buffet, if there was a Muslim crowd.

However, seeing something different in Dubai, caused him to question whether he had just accepted things presented to him as they are, or whether it was just because he was never given the room to question or ponder over it.

Obviously, he came to the conclusion that he was never given the opportunity to think about it or question it, because the issue is deemed "sensitive" in Malaysia, as evidenced by some of the comments here. And that happened, because most ppl are not allowed to think, but merely follow, when it comes to religion.

In Malaysia, "sensitive" issues are usually a smokescreen for "I don't want any questions asked, because then, the status quo will have to be overturned."

Is the act of questioning authority, curiosity and thinking not allowed, even in his own blog?

Let me pose this question then, "Is it insensitive to vegetarians, to have meat clearly labelled and separated in a hotel buffet, when there are vegetarians as hotel guest?"

Another question, "Is is insensitive to Hindus, to have beef clearly labelled and separated in a hotel buffet, when there are Hindu guests in the hotel?"

If the answer to both the question is no, then why is it any different with Muslims? Unless, of course, you don't believe everyone is equal.

When religion is governed by the state, then it becomes the state who determines how the religion should be practised. Some are more liberal than others. Some are also more stringent than others.

I was in Turkey recently. Although 99% of the population are Muslims, Turkey is a secular state based on its constitution. In fact, if anyone were to assume that it is an Islamic state based on its population, one would be reminded firmly that Turkey is secular as far as statehood in concerned.

As for the cathedrals in Europe, anyone can enter the blue mosque so long as that person is appropriately attired, which mean covering one's shoulders and the knees. Outside the AyaSofia (which was a church, then a mosque and now a museum), you can find peddlers selling both Christian as well as Islamic souvenirs. You can find art pieces of Mary and Jesus alongside Islamic calligraphy. And the peddler will tell you that both have to be treated with respect.

The more you travel, the more you will experience how others live their faith. Then you will have less fear and uncertainty when faced with unchartered situations.

Cheers

There is no need for anyone to be apologetic to Jeff. I believe his choice of words are deliberate with the intention to provoke... regardless of "Thinking Allowed, Thinking Aloud"

The words that he uses:

" The most liberally progressive and the most modern of Kuala Lumpur hotels"

> Note: The implication that having PORK on display is a measure of a liberal society.

"Open and non-discriminatory"

> Note: As per-above, doing this means they are open and non-discriminatory

"brain-washed all along by political Islam"

> Note: That he feels that because Malaysian Muslims have a cultural preference to NOT have PORK in public places, that this amounts to brainwashing.

> Note: That he feels Islam in Malaysia amounts more to politics than a way of life to Muslims.. yet at the same time wish muslims the best...

"rude culture shock"

> Note: The word rude.. to connote that Malaysian cultural preferences do not meet his standards of culture...

This is how I personally read his statements....

I turn back his comments on living in a cocoon... I believe jeff, that the more you travel the more you see differences in culture and the more you appreciate unique cultural practices in each country etc... Thus being more tolerant to cultural differences be it right or wrong in your opinion....

You are free to comment on what you think... At least write it in a way that does not border on insulting or telling Muslims in Malaysia how to act or live... "respect is both ways"...

JEFF OOI says: By my personal observation -- and this is what a blog like mine is all about -- Muslims in the UAE practise the form and substance of their religion so starkly different from Malaysia's. By the same token, let not Malaysians of all creeds "insult" Muslims outside Malaysia -- and those geographically nearer to the Holyland -- who live to practise their faith differently from Political Islam in Malaysia.

The people there told me there is ONE Islam that is primarily based on the Quran and the Hadith. They don't see how the existence of political Islam ala Malaysia may sway their faith. That's the statement they had made, as can been seen (cross-checked) through their governance model over non-Muslims and global investors and travellers, and the syariah system in all trades of their business/official and private lives.

I leave it to you if you decided to cocoon yourself and deny a living world of Islam in the UAE but I have just decided to stop shutting my mind to the rude culture shock that I was dealt with while visiting UAE in the last few days. I will certainly go back there again to learn more, particularly about how a "liberally progressive" Malaysia can emerge as the old race-based regime goes down in this country's history.

"Suddenly, just like the zen experience of catharsis ( Κάθαρσις ) and satori ( 悟 ), I realised how much I had been brain-washed all along by political Islam back home."

Bro Jeff, you may find Muslims here divided in their political stance but I belief all Muslims in Malaysia are offended by the remark you gave.

In travelling to Abu Dhabi and getting a culture shock just because pork is served between other food and finding to be a fault of Muslim practice in your home country, you have just shown the side of you that is "jakun" (for lack of more suitable word).

Your egoistic, repetitive answer to the polite comments by offended Muslims is of no help either.

You are now an MP, Jeff, chosen from people of all races in your constituency. You are no longer a no holds barred blogger anymore as with the power you obtained, comes the responsibility.

You have somehow shown your true colours in this posting and will definitely create regrets for Muslims that had vouched for you.

In short, in your article, you look down on the way Muslims in Malaysia carry out their practises. Thats what me and 36 of my other friends (28 Muslims/ 8 non Muslims) discussing this blog came to conclusion to.

You are the one trapped in your own cocoon of ego.

If even Pak Lah can admit to his mistakes, why can't you?

JEFF OOI says: Never your level of mental constrict, I must agree to disagree with you, "jakun", "egoistic", "true colours" and whatever attributes you made of me. I don't flip-flop like Abdullah and hence l stand firm on my realisation of having been brainwashed by the BN-controlled machinery for decades. Seeing is believing, I still had this lingering catharsis of being hit a rude culture shock of what I had observed in the UAE, specifically in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. I can't be a hypocrite -- or a naivette like yourself of discarding facts when facts stare at you -- because I had personally experienced a total paradigm shift, thanks to this "rude culture shock" dealt on me. I have highest admiration and respect for the Muslims there as much as I do have for Muslims here. You just need to separate religion from politics and hold faith to the strongest level of conviction to the religious compass, that esoteric level of taqwa, which the UAE people do, and do so remarkably.

Hi Jeff,

The UAE is wonderful, isn't it? From a Malaysian here since 1988, do return often.

Hi Jeff,

The UAE is wonderful, isn't it? From a Malaysian here since 1988, do return often.

It is not often laid out as such but Malaysian Muslims would rather die of hunger than eat daging babi. Some even put it right up there with eating human flesh.

JEFF OOI says: This is your deviationist's tactic to clutter perspective? As mentioned in my blog entry, I observed all foods being served in the hotel where Muslims and non-Muslims mingle, in non-discriminative manner with proper and prominent labelling. I don't think Muslims in the UAE eat pork, which you made a veiled attempt to imply in a manipulated sense. You are very snaky in twisting facts.

I have lived in London for many years since my days as a student and now working here. Thus I've come across various colours of Malaysian Muslims during my time here.

From the lot, I personally know the strictest of strict who refuse to even eat out. I also know those Malaysian Muslims who consume alcohol, makan "daging langgar" etc.

But the one thing they avoid is pork. And this is simply because it puts them off. Some even goes as much to say that "Kalau nabi turun balik and declare babi halal pun aku tak makan".

Thus the exclusion of pork from Malaysian hotel menus has also much to do with business sense as it has to do with religion.

I'm all for putting race based politics behind us. But reading postings like this which has a blatantly insensitive undertone - especially from an MP - do make me wonder whether the nation is ready.

And if I may add, having followed Mr Ooi's writing for sometime, he has a certain propensity to provoke Malay Muslims to open up, to become more liberal with their views in religion and when there is a dissenting view, he will go all out to character assassinate.

JEFF OOI says: Again, you tried to imply something which I didn't say, and twisted my words. You are a big snake even in London, aren't you?

There is also I find, a severe lack of willingness to reflect and apologise. Y.B. Jeff Ooi MP is after all, always right.

JEFF OOI says: What is there to apologise for chronicling what I actually say with my own eyes in the UAE? I only see the "holier-than-thou" mentality in you but I have the highest respect for the UAE rulers for being so liberally progressive.

Very interesting article.

I, too, am amazed at the latitude given towards the handling of non-halal food and beverage. Perhaps, as the author had mentioned, maybe I had suffered from the same rhetoric that some politicians have placed upon things that we eat and drink.

As to those who seemed offended by this article, I would like to remind you that the author is merely surprised by the *handling* of *FOOD and BEVERAGE*. Such discussion points are hardly controversial by any stretch of the imagination.

Perhaps his choice of words like "liberal" and "progressive" was irksome; however, what is there to be ashamed for being "conservative"?

And, perhaps the better way of discussing this is not by asking him to "shut up or there will be trouble" - that is merely changing the topic. Let everyone know why there exists such discrepancies - explain it.

That is why I'm giving props to Hansac (/bow). I believe Hansac's response threw much light over this disparity (between UAE and MY). I get to learn something new from him today.

More importantly, my understanding of my fellow Muslim Malaysian just got a little bit better.

Hi Jeff,

Here's my take on the UAE in addition to your comments on Abu Dhabi:

A) Freedom to do and say what you want until you break the law.

B) The most polite traffic police force I have known

C) The most intelligent police force I have known

D) My wife can go to the supermarket at 1am without being harrassed

E) My two grown up daughters have never said they have been harrassed

F) My own experience of UAE law has been exceptionally impartial

G) UAE citizens are generally more courteous than the expats though expats outnumber them substantially

H) The rulers of the UAE are benevolent (really!)

I) I have enjoyed every moment I have lived here since 1988; even with the high rents and inflation of recent times

Funny, what I listed above is more or less the Malaysia I remember from 1958 to 1986.

It is in character for Mr Ooi to imply in his comments that, I suggested UAE muslims normally eat pork. This agrees with his tendency to character assasinate.

UAE muslims like the majority of Muslims don't. I would in fact be digging my own grave spreading such a lie, as it would enrage my Muslim mates. Mr Ooi however, seems keen to dig one for me - though coming
from him, it isn't entirely unexpected.

Perhaps Mr Ooi's shovel is sharper than ever. Labelling Malaysian Muslims as brain-washed and also implying that they are a regressive lot - relative to UAE rulers - who he incidentally, reveres for being "so liberally progressive", is yet another blithely insensitive comment.

Personally I'm not a big fan of labels as they are subject to a varying degree of interpretations.

For example, when The Economist in a recent article labelled Malaysia as "more liberal than pious Saudi Arabia", what exactly do they mean? In what sense and in whose eyes?

Certainly not Mr Ooi's I'd wager. He has done his homework and found that Le Meridien Riyadh serves pork in the same fashion as hotels in Abu Dhabi.

On the same subject of labels, a Pakistani colleague recently remarked that he hopes Malaysia will stop the political bickering since "Malaysia is the model of a moderate Muslim nation". I had to stop him dead in his tracks.

Having been brought up to be respectful of fellow Malaysians, regardless of creed, I explained to him that there is a large population of Malaysians who believe that "religion has to be separated from politics".

The same people (includes possibly a certain Mr Ooi), might find the labelling of Malaysia a "Muslim Nation" as insensitive.

On Mr Ooi's labelling of me as a big London snake, I shall just leave it at that.

JEFF OOI says: Thank you Big London Snake (readers please read his previous comments if ignorant of why he earned himself my paraphrasing him as such, "jakun" or otherwise). But I humbly published your views of me verbatim, as (quote Voltaire) I may disagree with you but I will defend to my death your right to say what your said. But you had lost the plot. So I suggest you just vacation at Abu Dhabi to look up, look out and look around. Tell me if you can't paradigm shift even when the parachute of your mindset is open. Verily, you are not at odds with me as much as with yourself.

Hi All,

It's good to have an active discussion on the topic.. but why the need for the insults... everyone should be free to say what they think... but we should maintain respect for each other... we should choose our words carefully... Akin to shouting "FIRE" in a cinema.

Fundamentally, all of the readers of this blog should be aware that there is a significant difference between cultural practices and the practice of religion.... When the two are mixed, hence such complication arises.

Many Malaysians assume (both Muslims and non-Muslims) that whatever is practiced in Malaysia by Muslims amount to the practice of Islam which is NOT true.

As I mentioned in my previous post, in Malaysia it is a cultural preference to NOT have non-halal food displayed openly. While the Islamic teaching is to abstain from eating PORK. Hence the illustration between culture and religion.

Jeff, you are right in mentioning "form and substance" of religion is different. I have been to the middle east, although I am uncomfortable with this practice, I respect their right to do so...

I also respect the right of the Chinese in Malaysia to burn joss sticks or Hell Money etc... although I do find them quite strange and sometimes makes me cough as I am not used to the smell... but that is how we live... mutual respect and tolerance.

Cultural change comes slowly and it may be we could be more open i.e. having open displays of non-halal food etc... - to a certain extent we already do... Many Muslims eat in Cafe's that serve Liquour (Chili's, Fridays, etc.)...

The question that we should ask is that can we be more comfortable around non-halal food ? You decide.... It's each of us to think and analyse if we can be more "open"..

On your comments:

It is true there is ONE Islam that is primarily based on the Quran and the Hadith.

It is NOT a fair generalisation that Malaysians have a higher emphasis on political Islam. Most Muslims lead ordinary lives and do their best to conform to the religious teachings...

There are elements which smacks of political intervention... these are the things that we need to address together...

The issue here is not much about displaying PORK in public, but more on educating ourselves on elements of religious practices vs. cultural preferences and respecting both... If the cultural practice leads to detriment or discomfort then we should address the issues related to this cultural practice... if not why can't we just accept this difference..

It is NOT true that I am implying that you need to stop shutting your mind... but do understand that in both countries (UAE and Malaysia) there will always be cultural norms and we would need to understand which is cultural and which are religious practices and also the readiness of the society that we live in to accept and embrace change...

My issue with the post is the words used and the connotation that it brings with it... why provoke when you can educate....

JEFF OOI says: You said "why provoke when you can educate...." and in itself is akin to why "persecute when you can engage" thinking minds. But you made sensible observation and good thoughts in an engaging conversation.

Boss, if i may...

your commenter are actually trying inform and teach you a bit on how Islam was practiced in Malaysia ... but pity them, you have a thick skull so their good intention are wasted ....

if you truly understand what some of your commenter trying to say, you should not provoke by repeating your statement ... clearly showing that you are 'bodoh sombong' (please do not separate this word as it will be interpreted differently)

why? because you could not accept other views that have first hand experience in the subject. on what ground you categorized Malaysian Islam as political Islam. Are you a Muslim?

How about if somebody else categorized the same to your religion? won't you be defensive?

you want other people to be open minded, but you yourself are closed minded. if not you should take note of your commenter effort to inform you the truth ...

you said, quote "I have highest admiration and respect for the Muslims there as much as I do have for Muslims here" unquote

but still quote" Muslims in the UAE practise the form and substance of their religion so starkly different from Malaysia's. By the same token, let not Malaysians of all creed "insult" Muslims outside Malaysia -- and those geographically nearer to the Holyland -- who live to practise their faith differently from Political Islam in Malaysia." unquote

you brand us Muslim in Malaysia to practice Political Islam. Why? do you have studied on Islam? to what extend, Phd or just with observance.

Please tell me so if you are not offended when somebody says without any basis that your religion in their eyes also Political.

I am offended not because of your article on pork ... but because of you categorization of Islam in Malaysia without basis or comprehend understanding

bleached_4ever

JEFF OOI says: Thanks for your comments. My paradigm has shifted in Abu Dhabi and it's a personal experience that forever stays with me. I see less discrimination and more liberalism there, two hours nearer to Makkah.

Bravo Big Tree,

wish i can elaborate like you do...

I guess the free room, free flight and hospitality treatment you received from Dubai made you forget the Muslims who voted for you back home.

JEFF OOI says: You have tried to hijack the context of my blog entry to suit your agenda... kesian. And more kesian when you still think there's tongkat and free lunches in Abu Dhabi as in Malaysia? What a joke!

Sometimes I was wondering, that our muslim in Malaysia was so sceptical to consume other non-muslim's food even though it was a vegeterian. The preception must change if we ever want to go forward. Hope that everybody can be more open , even the Arabs who so real muslim can be so liberal. I was indeed very surprised. Muslim in Malaysia is strongly influence by their leaders to dislike other races and other belief of non-muslim. For goodness sake, don't incorporated religion into public society or politics. Let the religion itself be independent. Here in Malaysia, food is a concern of halal or not but unfortunately when they commit corruption, taking bribes-the halal is is not taken into consideration. Please don't be a hypocrite.

From Mr Ooi's reactions to the comments, he appears to think and make other people believe that he is the first person from Malaysia who has ever visited Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

JEFF OOI says: Quote... "that he is the first person from Malaysia who has ever visited Abu Dhabi and Dubai." Unquote. A typical premise-setting, but a lame one indeed as fact-twisting attacks on me person are built thereafter. Read on...

Hence his discovery (or as he calls it "rude culture shock") that pork and halal food is served side by side in the hotel restaurant becomes a clarifying revelation to him that the malaysian muslims are non-liberal and brainwashed by the government.

He has somehow made a conclusion that the closer your country is to Mecca and Medinah, the more righteous you will be in terms of religion. In believing so, Mr Ooi has consulted the more righteous Muslims in UAE (because they are closer to Mecca and Medinah) on their opinion of the Islamic belief and practice in Malaysia. Because the Malaysians Muslims are so far away from Mecca and Medinah, the comments given by them are met by Mr Ooi's adamantly insensitive response repeatedly (I can imagine him covering his ears with his hands and repeating the words "hence a rude culture shock for me").

If this is the case, then all the Muslims should move to the Arabian Peninsula in order to be better Muslims. This is the result is you let the combination of ignorance and ego drive your conclusions. Of course a conclusion of this nature is only as strong (or weak) as the basis or foundation being used to arrive to such a conclusion. Therefore, attempts to defend it would result in a rather embarassing situation for the deducer.

As pre-empted by BigTree, one of Mr. Ooi's defense mechanisms (other than cupping his ears and repeating "hence a rude culture shock") is the famous character assasination.

Not unlike you, Mr Ooi, my points above are based on my observations. For the sake of pity, I will also let you believe that you are the first Malaysian to have visited UAE and witness pork being served alongside halal food.

JEFF OOI says: Quote... "tI will also let you believe that you are the first Malaysian to have visited UAE" Unquote. A typical justification on a lame premise-setting. End of story, but what a pity because you can't convince hence you try to confuse. You even hijack the context of this blog entry. The world out there is smarter than you and yet you tekan the denial button so hastily.

Hayasi sen,

Who are you to make conclusion that Muslims in Malaysia sceptical and do not take vegetarian food prepared by non-Muslims? You know it is outright not true.

And your saying Muslims in Malaysia dislike other races and other belief of non-muslim are purely another generalization and ignorant of your own conduct.

ermmm, u still let ur ego stopping your brain from functioning. I hope the next GE will tech you something. after all the comments ur still ......

I dont see why everyone is jumping over Jeff when revealing his experiance on what he has seen! Like JAKESDXB, i'm a humble citizen of Dubai and was amazed when my first trip to Abu dhabi back in 2006, at Sheraton Corniche, we had a pork section (i dont eat pork)!

The Arab muslims have very differing views compared to compatriots back home!

For example, a customer of mine, wearing traditional white Jubah with his head scraf, joins me freely for a drink at a hotel, and it was beer!

I asked him, "isnt it haram", his answer was... " if it is, let me answer God on judgement day, thats between me and God, no one else has a say! " and no one barges into the hotel to catch these Arabs for drinking (except in Sharjah, thanks to Saudi)!

But they are not all liberal either...they are also conservative in some areas and adhere to religion where possible!

The way of life in UAE is as mentioned by JAKESDXB dont go overboard, respect each others wish and follow the rule of law!

Untill i visted UAE, i never knew that an Arab country would serve pork in hotels and you have a non-halal section in most gorcery shops!

While they are liberal, they also have strict laws, such as......except for clubs, bars, airport duty free & hotels, you can only buy bottled liquer if you have an "alchoholic" license and from designated MMV(alchohol chain store) around the UAE(except sharjah). From airport, you are allowed 4littres of alchohol per entry, per non muslim person.

This alchoholic license can only be obtained by non-muslims!

So you do get a balance ....and many many emiraties have dogs as pets! Which shocked me further!

Comparatively when i was in north africa, the maghribi countries, morocoo, tunisia, algeria who are all conservative societies also observe almost similar rule set! Some of these people i know have eaten pork, giving their cultural mix of french influence and yet, they still faste durign Ramadhan.

So, compare all these to Malaysia, where you have this taboo around Pork and Dogs, i am buffled if its difference in religious intepretation or just plain cultural!

Mind you, religion is always influenced partly by the books and partly by culture! This is limited not only to Islam but to all other religions.

Perhaps what we have in Malaysia is a blend of religion and culture.

What do you think?

So much for Dubai liberalism...

Britons jailed in Dubai for beach sex

ninemsn (16th Oct 2008)
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=648227

A Dubai court sentenced two Britons to three months in prison and ordered their subsequent deportation for having sex on a beach in the booming Muslim Gulf emirate.

Michelle Palmer, 37, and Vince Acors, 34, were found guilty of having sex in a public place in the early hours of July 5 after drinking heavily.

Both are still free on bail and were not in court to hear the verdict in the highly publicised case.

The defence said it would appeal, although the relatively moderate ruling showed that they only committed an indecent act in public and did not actually have sex.

But the prosecution said there was evidence they did have sexual intercourse and that it might appeal the "light" sentence.

"The sentence is rather light. I expect the prosecution to appeal," a prosecution official told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Under the laws of the United Arab Emirates, of which Dubai is part, the maximum sentence for sex outside of marriage is one year imprisonment and the minimum is three months, the official said. The same applies for committing an indecent act in public.

"The least they should have got is six months for the first charge (sex) and three months for the second (indecent act in public)," the official said.

Judge Hamdi Abul Khair also fined Palmer and Acors 1,000 dirhams (272 dollars) each for drinking alcohol.

Both Palmer, a publishing executive who has been sacked from her job following the case, and Acors, who was on holiday in Dubai, have been barred from leaving the UAE.

The prosecution official dismissed a suggestion that the judge might have shown leniency because of the defendants' nationality or to avoid the negative publicity that a harsher sentence could have provoked in Britain - a country that enjoys strong ties with the UAE.

"No way" can there be a link between the sentence and their nationality, he said.

The couple have 15 days to appeal, and defence lawyer Hassan Matar told AFP they would do so "as soon as possible."

"The verdict shows that the judge was convinced that they did not have sexual intercourse but he punished them for the indecent act of kissing (in public)," Matar said.

When the trial opened on August 12, Palmer denied having sex with Acors, saying they were simply "kissing and hugging." She has since been undergoing treatment for "depression and anxiety," according to a medical report handed to the judge last month.

Acors pleaded not guilty to having sex, but a prosecution official was quoted as saying he initially admitted the offence before changing his story.

Matar has insisted that the results of a medical test on Palmer just hours after they were arrested showed "she had not engaged in recent sexual intercourse," while the medical report for Acors was inconclusive.

The case has received extensive coverage in the British press and turned the spotlight on the lifestyle of British residents of the UAE, around 100,000 of whom live in Dubai.

The booming tourist hub is hugely popular with Britons, and is home to more than 120,000 Britons. It hosts hundreds of thousands of Western residents and tourists, but the city state still adheres to certain strict Islamic rules, and bans sex outside of marriage.