Fast for the Nation, Peace for Malaysia 2009 on NTV7's Breakfast Show from Catalyst on Vimeo.
Showing posts with label sahur. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sahur. Show all posts
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Malaysiakini (Chinese): 配合916大马日为国家祈福数百各族人民黎明开始斋戒
配合916大马日为国家祈福
数百各族人民黎明开始斋戒
王德齐
9月16日
上午 10点21分
配合今天9月16日大马日，数百名来自不同族群和宗教的马来西亚人，参与别开生面的“2009年为国家斋戒，要大马和平”一天斋戒活动，为国家祈福。
这批大马人已经遵循回教徒同胞的斋戒月习俗，从黎明时分开始斋戒，并且会一直坚持到傍晚日落后才会恢复进食。
约60人黎明共进斋戒前早餐 
他们都是社会运动活跃分子，或是通过电邮或社交网站知悉这项活动的网民，当中大多数人更是非穆斯林和年轻人，也有一些人士更是携带孩子一起来参与。
他们在用餐后一起高唱国歌来庆祝大马日，然后就正式开始一天的斋戒，以实际行动为国家祈求和平及祝福，并表明拒绝任何暴力和煽动仇恨行径。
郭晓鸣：反对暴力煽动仇恨 
“我想许多人看到最近的新闻都会感到很压力，包括近期的牛头示威以及去年在一些场合发生的种族主义煽动言论。”
“我们就想我们是不是能做一些事情，做一些全部人都能参与的东西，因此才会出现9月16日要求大家一起斋戒的念头。”
他指出，不仅穆斯林，其他宗教都有斋戒的习俗，况且一些人士也会因为本身的诉求而进行斋戒，因此这是一项全民都能参与的活动。
“因为斋戒，我们整天都会感到饥饿，而我们是为了和平、真相、权力和正义而饥饿。因此，我们希望最终能打开和平的空间。”
保守估计逾800人响应号召 
他指出，参与者将在今日傍晚7点25分结束一天的斋戒，而他们也在今晚10点30分於吉隆坡孟沙一间餐馆，举行正式的闭幕仪式。
其他参与者在受询时皆表示，他们想以不同的方式来庆祝大马日，并赞同这项活动将能有助于团结各族人民。
玛丽娜就称赞说，在大马日和斋戒月的精神下，这是一项很好的活动，因为他们可以通过斋戒的举动，轻易地团结所有人民，并驱逐所有的暴力和仇恨。
她笑称，“大马人一向来都是因为食物而团结，但我们今天是因为缺乏食物而团结。”
参与者批牛头示威煽动仇恨
现年30岁的凯文罗汉（Kevin Rohan Thomas）则指出，他并不是纯粹是为了斋戒而参与这项活动，相反的他想做一些不同的东西来庆祝大马日。
他感慨表示，各族人民目前因为一些分歧而出现裂痕，并指牛头示威这类刻意煽动种族仇恨的政治活动，无疑会扩大这个裂痕。
“我认为，我们不应该是摒弃彼此的差异，反而应该接受这些差异。我相信全体人民是团结的，尽管我们不是完全一样。”
现年26岁的网民亿佳也赞同说，她并不认为所有的穆斯林都与牛头示威者一样，并指这些人是旨在煽动种族情绪，幸亏各族人民都没有掉入他们的圈套。
曾经经历513种族冲突事件和马印冲突的慕斯达法王则表示，他赞同首相纳吉提出“一个大马”概念，并希望我国不会再发生任何流血事件。
831还是916应该成为国庆日？
此外，一些民众也对我国的民主现况感到不满，并认为国民应该趁着大马日之际作出表态。
现年42岁的黄国良就指出，随着国阵在霹雳州策动民联议员跳槽及夺取政权后，民主也已经倒下。
“我认为我们多数人应该穿上黑衣，以恢复我国的民主制度。”
来自吉隆坡的他也认为，我国应该庆祝在今天庆祝国庆日，而非8月31日，因为9月16日才是真正的大马成立的日子。
不过，玛丽娜则持有相反的意见，并认为这两天都一样重要。唯她也赞同，9月16日应该获得更大的重视，我国或许可以考虑在这两个日期之间一连庆祝16天。
The Star: Malaysians come together to fast for peace
Thursday September 17, 2009
Malaysians come together to fast for peace
By FAZLEENA AZIZ
SPIRITS were high as some 50 people from all walks of life gathered for sahur at the Lotus Restaurant, Petaling Jaya, before the Fast for the Nation, Peace for Malaysia event.
The event was held to commemorate the country’s formation on Sept 16 and to promote peace among all.
The event saw notable Malaysians like Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir, former Bar Council president Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan, TV personality and emcee Datuk Mahadzir Lokman and Ivy Josiah from Women’s Aid Organisation coming together in support of peace.
According to Rev Sivin Kit, a member of the core group, more than 800 people took part in the event.
He hoped that this would be the beginning of more acts of kindness that would promote a desire for peace among all.
“It is encouraging to see these people here together for a cause and there may be many more doing it that we are not aware of.
“The event will help people remember the hunger for peace and justice during the fasting period.
“We want people to show restraint, have self control and reject violence,” he said.
He added that everyone would be able to feel empowered by the wave of peace-loving Malaysians.
For Marina, the event marked a day to reclaim the true meaning of Malaysia, which was peaceful and harmonious.
She said that Malaysians should not let a few people define Malaysia in a negative way.
“This coming together is what our country is all about. I am encouraged by the response, especially from the non-Muslims, who also want to fast during Ramadan,” she said.
Freelancer Smita Sharma, 24, from Bangsar, said the event was a great way to push back dirty political movements.
She said that the significance of Sept 16 should be seen as a celebration of citizenship.
“I have fasted before and should have no problem fasting today for this cause. I think this is a powerful idea for people coming together,” Sharma said.
Digital media specialist Michelle Ding, 25, from PJ, came to know about the event via the Internet and said it was a really good start.
“It is not a big task to fast because a lot of people do it and it is great to come together for sahur with the rest of Malaysia.
“In the true spirit of Malaysia, I am having my nasi lemak and teh tarik and I am proud to be Malaysian, especially today,” she said.
The buka puasa event was held at Rumah Anak Bangsa Malaysia at 66, Lorong Setiabistari 1, Bukit Damansara, Kuala Lumpur, followed by a supper programme at Chawan in Bangsar.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
‘Fast for the Nation, Peace for Malaysia; even from Tasmania'
Thursday September 17, 2009
‘Fast for the Nation, Peace for Malaysia; even from Tasmania'
By Jason Lee
Hobart: Waking up at the wee hours of a cool Wednesday morning, a group of the University of Tasmania students from Malaysia got out their beds into the freezing Tasmanian morning and met in the residential college’s dining hall to meet to fast. Yes, to fast.
According to news portal TheStar Online, the event was held to commemorate the country’s formation on Sept 16 and to promote peace among all. The initiative was shaped by Sivin Kit and his core group with the theme, ‘Fast for the Nation. Peace for Malaysia’.
Law student Jason Lee stumbled across this movement when he was invited to this ‘event’ over Facebook and jumped on the idea, making calls, convincing his Malaysian friends to wake up at 430am and come for fellowship and food for the ‘Sahur’.
(Pre-fast meal together at John Fisher College)
The pre-fast meal started with bananas, toasted bread and dates along with a full glass of water and good fellowship. First year medical student Wan Danial quipped that it was the “most fun ‘Sahur’ he had” as he shared how Muslims fast throughout the day and we learned interesting facts like how dates were Prophet Muhammad’s favourite food.
During the fasting period, participants were encouraged to carry their daily duties and tasks as usual and smile and do an extra act of kindness to people around you or afar, amongst other things according to peace4msia.blogspot.com.
A pizza party was the ‘buka puasa’ (breaking of fast) of the day and with eye staring hungrily, the group feasted on the take away pizzas and shared about their experience during their fast.
Jeanne sharing about Malaysia's birthday during her international law presentation. (30% of assessment!)
Jeanne Loh, a born and bred Ipoh lass, in her international law class during the afternoon eloquently presented her thesis regarding women’s rights and its difference between Australia and Malaysia. Before ending her presentation, she mentioned that she felt she has a responsibility to address issues dealing with women’s rights in Malaysia alongside that today is Malaysia’s birthday and she is fasting for her nation.
“We all love Malaysia”, she added.
Of the two Singaporeans who joined in the fast, Valerie Tan mentioned that “Peace will be good in Malaysia”
Besides these Malaysians, there were more than 800 pledges from individuals and support groups to fast for the nation on Malaysia day. Various personalities supported the cause from former Bar Council president Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan, Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir to the beloved Chef Wan and Miss Malaysia 2007 Deborah Henry.
“Fasting from abroad was a way of showing our solidarity in supporting Malaysians who love Malaysia. We need not just celebrities to endorse events like these but every average Ahmad, Ah Kau and Arumugam like me and you to participate in a day like this! We are fasting all the way from Australia and glad to be part of a bigger picture!” said Jason Lee.
'(Semangat Muhibbah' - Racial Harmony)
“We even had a Malay, Chinese and Indian represented during our fast in the name of ‘Muhibbah’ (Racial Harmony)”, he said.
There are a sizeable number of Malaysians studying in Australia and despite the recent financial crisis and the rising exchange rate, the numbers have been nevertheless increasing. Many have since settled down or applied for their PR (permanent residency) in hope of ‘greener pastures’ leading to the contentious issue of brain drain in Malaysia.
During the 'Buka Puasa' at the University Apartments.
Organisers and supporters from Malaysia
Fast for the Nation, Peace for Malaysia: The "F.A.R.T. Productions" Remix
Fast for the nation: Peace for Malaysia on Malaysiakini.tv, Needed Clarification and a Big Terima Kasih
It’s nice to watch this all over again … it’s been a good day! I’m deeply grateful to all those who’ve been working behind the scenes of the “Fast for the Nation: Peace for Malaysia” Core Group.
It’s only appropriate to say a big thank you to ALL of them. The group of friends who were part of the initial evening supper and those who joined us with so much enthusiasm a little later. Especially appreciate those who helped with the translation of the original texts to Bahasa Malaysia (Erna and Ratna) and Mandarin (Wei Loon).
Apparently, there’s a person who merely spoke from his personal opinion was wrongly associated as well as articulated our intentions, purposes and specific goals. I’d like to now clearly acknowledge who are the faithful and real core group members behind the scenes.
One fact must be stated clearly, the support and participation of everyone and every group who signed on made all this possible. Terima Kasih!
Once again, thanks to the other core members for the trust and honor given to me to serve as the coordinator and spokesperson for the initiative. I want to emphasize once again this was a ground up people initiative which is not associated with the government or political party.
The Core Group members are
1. Sivin Kit (coordinator & spokesperson)
2. Masjaliza Hamzah
3. Ivy Josiah
4. Liau Kok Fah
5. Lim Zhen Hui
6. Marina Mahathir
7. Ngeow Chow Ying
8.Padma Zachariah
9. Tai Jien Seng
10. Wong Chin Huat
Pre-fast Meal at Lotus Restaurant PJ on Malaysia Day
Photos courtesy of Fast for the Nation participant Ee Chia.
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