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Articles from izzitkam
30/12/2009
Concern over Straits Times article
By izzitkam @ 3:15 AM :: 381 Views :: 0 Comments :: General
Once again I was disappointed when I read the cover story featured under ST HOME section dated 29 Dec 09 titled 'Carrefour goes to the heartland'. It seems some reporters (n the editor for the matter of fact) of the paper are either negligence or simply ignorant when it comes to categorizing the race and religion.

Back in July 27, the reporter of the article on the late Yasmin Ahmad categorized the late Yasmin Ahmad as an observant Muslim because she is seen dressed in demure baju kurung. In my email to the reporter i highlighted 'baju kurung does not reflect one as a Muslim or let alone an observant one. One cannot define an observant Muslim through their dressing. It requires more than dressing. Moreover, baju kurung is a reflection of traditional clothing or dressing of the Malay community commonly in Singapore, Malaysia and Brunei.' Of which she replied she was merely describing the late director - whom i admire much. I am concern non Malay or Muslim who read the papers would misinterpret baju kurung = an observant muslim.

Back to my concern of the article dated on 29 Dec 09, the caption of the featured photograph written 'To meet rising demand from Malay shoppers, Carrefour had created dedicated halal sections in its outlets in Suntec and Plaza Singapura.' First of all, the need to ensure halal products is a requirement for practicing Muslims who believes in Islam. It is not a requirement for the Malay community per say. In Singapore and the rest of the world - especially now with Singapore ability to attract foreign talents - those who need halal products are not limited to only the Malays but the Muslim community.

I do hope reporters are aware that one race does not mean he or she is practicing the same religion of the majority in that racial group. In short, it is not Malay = Muslims same as not Chinese = Buddhist. Thus the need for them to be sensitive in such issues as media role is at the end of the day educating the public. We do not want our children teachers to teach them the wrong things don't we?

Read article at this link http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_471493.html
 
27/07/2009
Concern with misinterpretation of baju kurung stated in Life! The Straits Times
By izzitkam @ 11:45 PM :: 703 Views :: 0 Comments :: General

First of all i would like to thank Life! for giving the late Yasmin Ahmad a page coverage of her works and contribution in our society. I’m too a great fan of hers and was shocked and saddened by her sudden death.  My deepest condolences to Yasmin’s family.

As I read the article featured in Life! dated 27 July with a heavy heart, I was also rather concern  by a sentence written by Ong Sor Fern in the article ‘Natural-born storyteller who was true to her heart’. The said sentence is written as follow ‘But she was also an observant Muslim who was always dressed in the demure baju kurung’.

I would like to highlight,baju kurung does not reflect one as a Muslim or let alone an observant one. One cannot define an observant Muslim through their dressing.  It requires more than dressing.  Moreover, baju kurung is a reflection of traditional clothing or dressing of the Malay community commonly in Singapore, Malaysia and Brunei.

I hope Life! could take extra measures to provide correct culture information to educate the public.

 
      

      
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