Posts Tagged ‘Religion’

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religious structures in Selangor limited to 10000 square feet

October 25th, 2008
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I’m wondering if NST wrote this wrongly. It says that Dr Xavier said the state government had approved a policy whereby religious structures of any religion other than Islam must not exceed 10,000 sq ft in size .

This seems to be a ridiculous rule indeed. Why would there be a limit? Logically, the community that wants to build a place of worship will know its own financial strength and the viability of such places. Secondly, religious buildings/structures can double up as tourist attractions. So, limiting the size is inappropriate.

Secondly, those owners of illegally built places of worship will be fined continuously until government recognition is received. This is also illogical. If the owners are in the dark about existence of such places on their lands, or if such places are in process of getting recognition, the fines should be waived.

The Selangor government in July instructed all local authorities in the state to fine owners of houses of worship built illegally, said State Health, Plantation Workers, Poverty and Caring Government Committee chairman, Dr Xavier Jayakumar.
The fines needed to be settled continuously until the owners received government recognition for the houses of worship, he said when answering a question from Sulaiman Abdul Razak (BN-Permatang) in the State Assembly here today.

By the way, I’m still waiting for Jayakumar et. al.’s reply to my email on temple demolition report.

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Posted in BornInMalaysia, Religion

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Tamil Language and Hinduism Classes at PJ

October 22nd, 2008
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From Shantan Menon:

A simple question to all,how many of us Indians (Tamils) and or Hindus know how to speak,read and write our own mother tongue?How many of us stand proud telling that we are Indians or Hindus?How many of us when we meet our fellow Indian friends,say Vanakam,or even converse in tamil or any other Indian languages?IF your answer is
a ‘YES’,then you should be proud of yourself that you have not lost your identity.Look at our fellow Malay and Chinese friends,they are so fluent with their respective mother tougues,and they are proud speaking their languages.On the other hand,we Indian are lacking on this.

Why am I saying this?Well,the reason is simply because I would like to contribute towards improving awareness amongst our Indian community.I have volunteered to conduct Tamil Language and Hinduism classes.Knowledge gained,adds value whilst knowledge shared multiplies value.Gone are the days whereby the non Brahmins are prohibited to learn the Vedas,in this modern world,we are all equal,we all have equal opportunities.

The Tamil language class(to speak, read and write) would be for about 3 months.Upon completion of the Tamil Langauge class,I would start with the Hinduism classes which comprise lessons on Saiva Sidthantham, the Thirumurai(Tamil devotional songs,such as Thevaram,Thiruvasagam, etc) and Thirumarai(the interpretation of the
4 Vedas,the stories behind them and the Baghvad Gita).These classes are continuous.All classes would be conducted in Tamil(mostly) and English.

Some points to be highlighted to our members. On a few occasions,I have been invited to houses to recite devotional songs(mostly funerals and anthiyesthi ceremonies). It is quite dissapointing to know that many of the deceased family members can’t even recite a simple song of the thirumurai.It is the greatest bliss for the deceased when his/her family members recite these songs for they souls rather than a third party reciting it on behalf of the family members.It is time that we all Indians realise this point and lets start learning a bit about our beautiful language and religion.Lets
all together prove to the world that our language and religion is not fading off.Lets prove that it’s ever glowing in our hearts and souls.

Classes are conducted at the Malaysian Hindu Sangam Building, PJS 1.
Time: Every Sunday-6.00pm to 8.00pm (Initially)
Fees: RM40.00 per month.

Those who are interested kindly email me at shanthan.penta@gmail.com or contact me @ 0123016607. Any persons(adults and children)are most welcomed to join these classes.
Be proud to be an Indian,be proud of our language and religion.

‘Loga Samastha Suginoo Bavandhu’
‘Sarve Jenaha Sugino Bavandhu’

NOTE: MHS’s address is:
67, Jalan PJS1/48,
Taman Petaling Utama 7,
46150 Petaling Jaya
Tel: 03-7784-4668 / 7784-4669

Map to the MHS building is HERE.

According to Shantan, classes will begin on 2nd November (after Deepavali).  Please contact him for more details.

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Posted in Indian, Religion

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Vinayagar placed with non vegetarian food in The Star photo

October 10th, 2008
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The Star Metro shows picture of Vinayagar amidst non vegetarian food in Holiday Villa

(click on image to view full size)

The above was highlighted by a reader in a internet forum. Statue of Lord Vinayagar was placed near non vegetarian food. Not sure who took the picture, but surely the newspaper should have vetted such insensitive photos. So, is this a big deal for the Hindus? Or is it a small matter?

The article and image is at:
http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2008/10/8/central/2178265&sec=central

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Posted in BornInMalaysia, Religion

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Limit for gopurams removed in Selangor

October 7th, 2008
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Common sense dictates that there should have been a valid reason for the previous Selangor government to impose a height limit for gopurams in the state (Gopuram is the tower that is on top of the temple. It is usually adorned with intricate designs, images and statues of Gods and so on). So, perhaps Khir Toyo or MIC fellas can explain to us the reason. Was it due to safety, aviation ruling, town planning acts, building acts, political decision, or based on whims and fancies?

Even the current government did not provide any reason for lifting of the limit.

The Selangor government had decided to lift the earlier 7.3m limit for the construction of gopurams (entrance towers) for temples set by the previous government, Makkal Osai reported.

State Executive councillor Dr Xavier Jayakumar said that the current government had recently given approval for the construction of a temple gopuram for more than 12.8m.

He added that the previous state government had approved 929 sq metres of land, next to a sewerage reclamation pond, for the building of a temple and did not allow any extension or renovation.

One thing for sure is that more money will be spent to build elaborate and grand gopurams!!!

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Posted in Indian, Religion

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Religion and ABSENCE of plans for Tamil schools

September 29th, 2008
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I’m not privy to the full proposal by the MIC as mentioned by its Information Chief, Saravanan. But I wonder, how do those non-Hindu students be accommodated while Hinduism is thought in the classes, in the name of Tamil language? We complain when our young children are “taught” to “baca doa” or youths forced listen to Islam-glorifying speeches either in school or universities, so obviously its unfair to force others to listen to Hinduism.

One option is to provide religious classes during the Agama Islam period. Only those parents who do not want to the children to be taught religion should send their kids for Moral Classes (perhaps the parents are atheist, or have no faith in the teachers, or are unsure of their religion…whatever). This is a potential logistic nightmare as thousands of religious teachers will be needed to teach Hinduism, Christianity, Buddhism, Taoism, Bahaism, Sikhism and so on. Coupled with lack of classroom, it will be a doomed effort.

Political wise, this will be deemed as undermining Islam as religious classes are taught in school just like Islam. So, those folks at UMNO and its frontmen will start to protest. Another headache.

So, I’m not sure how MIC came up with this proposal:

The MIC yesterday urged the Education Ministry to consider the party’s proposal to incorporate religious aspects into the Tamil language curriculum at the primary school level.

In making the proposal, MIC information chief Datuk M. Saravanan expressed disappointment over the current Tamil language curriculum.

“Learning the Tamil language is unlike studying the other languages as religion should be a main component of the curriculum.

“Therefore, I urge the Education Ministry to make the necessary changes to the Tamil language curriculum so that young Indians can be taught religious values from an early age,” he said after opening the annual general meeting of the Tamil Teachers Union of Malaya.

Saravanan, who is Federal Territories Deputy Minister, said that one of the reasons why Tamil schools were being politicised was the absence of short- and long-term plans for the schools.

The second thing which alarms me is the statement that “one of the reasons why Tamil schools were being politicised was the absence of short- and long-term plans for the schools”. Now, is this like throwing mud into one’s own face? The champion of the community, the guardian of Tamil schools, is telling us that THERE IS ABSENCE of plans??? What the $%^$&*@$%@^$&%&#%@%%. Yeah, I’m pissed off. 62 years and this is the nonsense we get. Another great job. Why don’t these people do us all a favor and go to the top most floor of a highrise and jump off?

I hope to God that Saravanan was misinformed, misquoted, misled, or mis-whatever.

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Posted in Religion, Tamil-Schools

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