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An Indonesian Muslim woman prays for peace
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By
Kazi Mahmood, IOL Southeast Asia Correspondent
KUALA
LUMPUR, March 13 (IslamOnline) - In an incredible show of Islamic
brotherhood, Muslims in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei as
well as Thailand has stepped up their efforts in praying for a
peaceful solution in the Iraq crisis on the blessed day of Ashura.
Many
citizens of those countries with high concentration of Muslims are
celebrating the tenth day of
the first month (Moharam) of the Arabic lunar year on which
Allah saved Prophet Musa and the Jews from their enemy (in Egypt), so
Prophet Musa fasted on this day giving thanks to Allah.
Besides
preparing special food for their families and relatives, Malay-Muslims
in the region make it a special day to prepare a specific pudding
called the “pudding Ashura”, which is said to be part of the Malay
custom.
Special
prayers in Mosques and at make shift praying halls in Indonesia and
Malaysia is also to be held on the night of Thursday, March 13.
Most
of the people have one important thing in mind though, to pray for the
safety of the innocents in Iraq and to pray for an end to the American
persistence in its plans to attack the embattled Middle East nation.
During
schools sessions on Wednesday and Thursday, teachers has given special
instructions to students not to forget to say a few words about Iraq,
a country that has captured the attention of Muslims around the world
because of the looming American aggression on it.
The
Malaysian opposition has in principle urged its members to pray for
peace and for an end to the American pressure against the Muslim
country.
The
Party Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS) said last week it was prepared to send
medics to Iraq to assist those already there in the event of war. It
has also condemned the U.S. for its aggressive attitude towards the
sanction hit country, adding that there was not a single reason for a
war against Baghdad.
“Besides
the Islamic touch to the day of Ashura, the Muslims in South East Asia
(SEA) have not forgotten the fact that America is attempting to lead a
war of destruction against Muslim countries,” said a teacher at one
private school in Kuala Lumpur.
Arrogance
Of The U.S. And Its Allies
Mohamad
Adib, who is also a peace activist and is campaigning on the internet
to gather thousands of signatures for the 15th March global
anti-Iraq war protests added that Muslims felt threatened by the
“arrogance of the U.S. and its allies.”
In
Indonesia and Singapore, Muslims are also praying that there is no war
in Iraq and that the U.S. realizes it does not have to use force to
bring ‘democracy’ in the Middle East.
Singaporean
Muslim activists are however constrained not to show their anti-war
feelings openly and are preparing to do more prayers either in the
confinement of their homes or in mosques during the night of Thursday.
Singapore
is a strict country and the recent attacks on Muslims, accused of
being segregationist and of wanting to live separately from other
communities in the capitalist nation, is not helping the half a
million members of the community to feel part and parcel of the
country.
However,
this will not prevent them from showing their support for anti-war
movements around the world, a young Singaporean said in an interview
through the internet.
“Nothing
will stop Muslims from praying for the good fortune of other Muslims,
like the end of the war threat against Iraq,” said Nor Syuzana who
is a student in a local polytechnic along the famous shopping centers
in Orchard Road.
The
temperament among Muslims in Indonesia however is more towards a
formal condemnation of the Americans and the news in local television
stations showing the daisy cutters and other heavy bombs the U.S.
intend to use against Iraq has further raised the anger of the
Indonesians.
During
informal interviews on the streets of Jakarta, Bandung and Solo, many
young Indonesians said there were no reasons for Washington to be so
upset over Iraq.
The
day of Ashura they said, is an important reminder for all mankind that
Allah punishes and also forgives, “hence America must know that
being a super power will not make it immune to Allah’s wrath,”
said Masi Narsita another polytechnic student from Solo.
Although
Both Sunni and Shiite Muslims celebrate Ashura because of Prophet
Musa’s safety, Shiites commemorate Ashura for the anniversary of the death of Imam Hussain, the
grandson of Prophet Mohammad, killed along with his 72 companions more
than 13 centuries ago in a battle in Iraq.
