MALAYSIA REPORT
BY OUR CORRESPONDENT

  IKIM CITY ACCUSES SIGNS

 
The last issue of Signs Magazine (No.8) has again irked the ire of some ulema in Malaysia. Dr Ismail Ibrahim, the Director General of the Institute of Islamic Thought and Understanding (IKIM) has exhibited a pronounced lack of thought and understanding regarding Signs magazine

Looking neat in his western suit and tie, the Director General said that Signs is part of an "international (read western) conspiracy" that is jealous of the success of "Islam" in Malaysia. He said that these "conspirators" are worried that the success of "Islam" in Malaysia will "threaten their position". He did not elaborate what he meant exactly.

Signs had reproduced comments by the Malaysian media, particularly the Utusan Malaysia newspaper and MASSA magazines, which were highly critical of the Malaysian ulema. The Malaysian media had highlighted weaknesses in the Islamic Centre - Malaysia's failed version of Vatican City - which had prompted the Malaysian government to set up IKIK instead. Sources in the government say the Director General's outburst at Signs is possibly a smokescreen to defuse the embarrassment felt by his fellow ulema in the Islamic Centre.

As stated clearly by Signs, Malaysia is a highly successful nation. But the ulema have not contributed anything to this success. In f act the ulema are retarding the Malay Muslims from achieving a higher level of success.

Recently the Malaysian ulema have created another controversy by ruling that smoking is haram or forbidden. Other ulema say it is not forbidden. In another ploy "to " make Malaysia successful the ulema insist that all couples pass a religious examination before they can even get married. And now they want couples to pass HIV Tests before they can get married. With ulema like these who needs "international conspirators"?

 What is clear is that an ulema is always an ulema. Despite the copycat Western suit and tie, even the Director General of IKIM cannot help making irrational statements. The Director General is not to blame. Sources close to him say he is a pleasant man. It is the so-called "Islam" of the ulema that has the capacity to change good people into monsters.

This "Islam" is not the Islam that was preached by the good Prophet Mohammed. The "Islam" of the ulema is derived from ulema like imam Malik and imam Bukhari and is not based the Islamic truth. It is very far from the Islamic truth. Signs magazine is devoted to reversing this situation. Signs magazine will promote Islam according to the Quran and the Quran alone - the one and true teaching of the beloved Prophet Mohammed. The ulema are welcome to be part of the Prophet's true teachings.