"Christian agility, when fully developed, enables a person to walk in two worlds- his heart in heaven and his feet in the dust of this earth." -Marvin Baarman
As Christians we are called to be in the world, but not of the world. We can understand how difficult it can be at times to maintain that balance, and sometimes those two worlds collide! In which case, something has to give. That is where the countries of Malaysia and Brunei are finding themselves right now, and many of the citizens are feeling that they are in danger of losing their south asian cultural heritage to the overwhelming pressure of conformity in Islam that is coming from Arab Muslims. If this is how the Islamic citizens are feeling, we can only imagine how intense the pressure is for the minority groups, like Christians. As we pray for these countries this month, lets ask God to bless the believers there with the ability to walk in two worlds, always following the perfect example of Jesus Christ. Who while his feet walked this earth, his heart was in heaven, following the will of his Heavenly Father.
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Malaysia
Basic Info: Malaysia is located in southeastern Asia and is slightly larger than New Mexico. It has a strategic location along the Strait of Malacca and the southern South China Sea. Of the 28,728,607 population, 72% is urban, and in East Malaysia there are several indigenous languages. Malaysia is a destination and a source and transit country for women and children trafficked for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation, and men, women, and children for forced labor. Malaysia is mainly a destination country for men, women, and children who migrate willingly from South and Southeast Asia to work, some of whom are subjected to conditions of involuntary servitude by Malaysian employers. There are credible allegations of involvement of Malaysian immigration officials in trafficking and extorting Burmese refugees.
Government: During the late 18th and 19th centuries, Great Britain established colonies and protectorates in the area. In 1948, the British-ruled territories on the Malay Peninsula formed the Federation of Malaya, which became independent in 1957. Malaysia was formed in 1963 when the former British colonies of Singapore and the East Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak joined the Federation. Early on the country's history was marred by a Communist insurgency, Indonesian confrontation with Malaysia, Philippine claims to Sabah, and Singapore's secession from the Federation in 1965. The country is a constitutional monarchy, headed by a paramount ruler, commonly referred to as the King, but the position is mostly ceremonial. All Peninsular Malaysian states except for two have hereditary rulers, commonly referred to as sultans. The king is elected by and from the sultans for five-year terms on a rotating basis. The next election will be in 2011. Civil courts judges are appointed by the king on the advice of the prime minister. Sharia courts include Sharia Appeal Court, Sharia High Court, and Sharia Subordinate Courts at state-level and deal with religious and family matters such as custody, divorce, and inheritance only for Muslims. Decisions of sharia courts cannot be appealed to civil courts.
Economy: Malaysia is a middle-income country, but during the 22-year term of Prime Minister Mahathir bin Mohamad, Malaysia was successful in diversifying its economy from dependence on exports of raw materials to expansion in manufacturing, services, and tourism. Current Prime Minister Mohamed Najib bin Abdul Razak has continued these pro-business policies and is attempting to achieve high-income status by 2020. The Najib administration also is continuing efforts to boost domestic demand and reduce the economy's dependence on exports, but it is still a significant part of the economy. As an oil and gas exporter, Malaysia has profited from higher world energy prices, although the rising cost of domestic gasoline and diesel fuel, combined with strained government finances, has forced Kuala Lumpur begin to reduce government subsidies. The government is also trying to lessen its dependence on state oil producer Petronas, which supplies more than 40% of government revenue. The central bank maintains healthy foreign exchange reserves and its well-developed regulatory regime has limited Malaysia's exposure to riskier financial instruments and the global financial crisis. Nevertheless, decreasing worldwide demand for consumer goods hurt Malaysia's exports and economic growth in 2009, although both showed signs of recovery in 2010.
Religion: Muslim 60.4%, Buddhist 19.2%, Christian 9.1%, Hindu 6.3%, Confucianism, Taoism, other traditional Chinese religions 2.6%, other or unknown 1.5%, none 0.8% (2000 census)
Although its constitution guarantees the freedom of expression, this right is not always upheld by the government. Religion in Malaysia is largely connected to ethnicity. Ethnic Malay and other indigenous people are generally Muslim, while ethnic Indian and Chinese people are typically Buddhist, Hindu, or Christian. The government considers Islam, the state religion, to be an essential part of the ethnic Malay identity. As such, all ethnic Malays are legally considered Muslims. Non-Malays are free to convert to Islam, but it is illegal in some states for a Muslim to convert to another religion. Muslims that do convert are sometimes fined or imprisoned. Non-Muslim worship sites and cemeteries can only be established with permission from the government. Sometimes religious minorities face long delays in obtaining approval for these sites. House churches are also strongly discouraged. Christian literature is restricted in Malaysia. As of 2005, Malay-language Bibles are required to have the words “Not for Muslims” on the cover and are not permitted to be used in Malay homes. Further, these Bibles are only allowed to be distributed in Christian churches or bookstores. In late January 2008, a customs officer confiscated two boxes containing 32 Bibles from a Christian woman in the Kuala Lumpur airport as she was returning from the Philippines, even though she had a letter from her parish priest stating that the Bibles were for use in her church. The Bibles were later returned to the woman.
Brunei
Basic Info: Brunei, a country slightly smaller than Delaware, is located in Southeastern Asia, bordering the South China Sea and Malaysia. It is close to vital sea lanes through the South China Sea linking the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Its two parts are physically separated by Malaysia. Of the 401,890 population, 76% is urban. Drug trafficking and illegally importing controlled substances are serious offenses in Brunei and carry a mandatory death penalty
Government: The same family has ruled Brunei for over six centuries. The sultan’s influence peaked between the 15th and 17th centuries when its control extended over coastal areas of northwest Borneo and the southern Philippines. Brunei subsequently entered a period of decline brought on by internal strife over royal succession, colonial expansion of European powers, and piracy. In 1888, Brunei became a British protectorate and gained its independence in 1984. The 1959 constitution called for a monarchy with five advisory councils but in 1962 the Sultan assumed emergency powers during a rebellion and has not relinquished them since. He installed relatives as advisors and declared Brunei an Islamic state. Courts are based on Indian penal code and on English common law, but for Muslims, Islamic sharia law supersedes civil law concerning Muslim marriages and inheritance. The Sultan appointed a Legislative Council with 29 members as of September 2005. The council has met in March of each year since then. It passed constitutional amendments calling for a 45-seat council with 15 elected members.
Economy: Brunei, one of the richest states in Asia, has a small well-to-do economy that encompasses a mixture of foreign and domestic entrepreneurship, government regulation, welfare measures, and village tradition. Crude oil and natural gas production account for just over half of GDP and more than 90% of exports. The government provides for all medical services and free education through the university level and subsidizes rice and housing.
Religion: Muslim (official) 67%, Buddhist 13%, Christian 10%, other (indigenous beliefs) 10%
The official religion is the Shafi’i sect of Islam. Although the constitution guarantees freedom of religious practice, the government restricts religious freedom for non-Muslims, even though more than ten percent of the population is Christian. These restrictions include prohibiting conversion, banning Christian literature and any import of Bibles, and routinely ignoring requests to build or expand religious buildings. As well, religious symbols are routinely censored in magazines arriving in the country.
Info compiled from CIA World Fact Book "Malaysia" "Brunei"; VOMC "Malaysia" "Brunei"
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Rules for Living
Judaism, Christianity, and Islam all have the same views when it comes to condemning adultery, lying, cheating, stealing, and hate. However, there are some tenants that are unique to Islam.
Disruption of Community- Allah’s Apostle said “If two Muslims take out their swords to fight each other, then both of them are from the people of the (Hell) Fire.” (9:153). Any disturbance, nationally or individually, in the community of Islam is said to be deplorable in the sight of Allah. However, the same does not apply to an unbeliever. “No Muslim should be killed in Qisas (equal in punishment) for killing a Kafir ?(disbeliever) (9:38).
Drunkenness: “A man who drank wine was brought to the Prophet. The Prophet said ‘Beat him!’” “During the last period of Umar’s caliphate, he used to give the drunk forty lashes; and when drunks become mischievous and disobedient he used to scourge them eighty lashes” (8:507). There is a strong social and theological bias against even social drinking.
Promiscuity: Tradition dictates that the punishment for men and women are different. In one precedent set by the Prophet, the woman was stoned to death and the man was lashed and put into exile for a year. The Hadith defines stoning as the preferred punishment of adultery.
Theft: “The Prophet said ‘Allah curses a man who steals a egg and gets his hand cut off or steals a rope and gets his hand cut off’ (8:509). In Saudi this practice is legalistically followed. In other Muslim countries, like Pakistan, there is still debate as to whether every thief should get this punishment.
Shame: Shame is an important societal constraint within Islam, and it is conditioned by the Quran and Hadith. “The Prophet said, ‘If you do not feel ashamed do whatever you like’.” (4:457; 55.46.690).
Right vs. Left: The right side of the body is preferred to the left. Left handed people are almost never found among Muslims and infants are trained and punished if necessary to use the right hand only for writing and giving and receiving items. A handshake must always be done with the right hand. Using the left hand would be offensive and the right hand must be kept clean and ritually pure.
Food: Muslims do not eat pork. Some contemporary Muslims do not like to accept invitations to non-Muslim homes. Eating in nonhalal (unclean) restaurants is avoided as much as possible.
Lying: One author writes that after observing Muslims for many years and discussing with Muslims friends, he believes that Muslims do not consider lying a serious sin. Lying only becomes a sin if the consequences is bad. If it does no harm then it is not wrong.
“Understanding Muslim Teachings and Traditions” by Phil Parshall
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Malaysia
At the Crossroads-Malaysia
Brunei
Brunei Documentary Part 1
Brunei Documentary Part 2
Brunei Documentary Part 3
Saturday, April 2, 2011
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