Comments on: Visit the Gulf http://www.bingregory.com/archives/2005/05/15-visit-the-gulf/ Official Organ of an American Muslim in Malaysia Thu, 04 Dec 2008 21:52:38 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.3 by: Bin Gregory Productions » Sarawak Newspaper Suspended over Cartoons http://www.bingregory.com/archives/2005/05/15-visit-the-gulf/#comment-1042 Fri, 10 Feb 2006 06:48:13 +0000 http://www.bingregory.com/archives/2005/05/15-visit-the-gulf/#comment-1042 [...] The European papers that reprinted the cartoons have done so out of journalistic solidarity, to demonstrate their rights or what have you. Was the Sarawak Tribune challenging the government, testing the boundaries of free speech? It doesn’t seem likely. As I’ve mentioned before, the media in Malaysia is extremely docile. More so here in Sarawak, where leading government officials get glamour shots on the front page every other day, and reporting of any significant event is reduced to paraphrase of the relevant politician’s press release. If the Sarawak Tribune did want to push the limits of editorial freedom, why not publish on corruption, cronyism, bribery, abuse of power? Those things should be matters of immediate concern to every Sarawakian and reporting on them a far more vital service by the paper to its readership. Muslims and non-muslims alike may have supported bravery in journalism of that kind. As it is, this incident simply allows the government to flex its censorial muscles and enjoy popular support while doing so. So if this was an attempt to make a statement about or to push the bounds of free speech, as some commenters over at Screenshots seem to be arguing, it was a singularly misplaced one. [...] […] The European papers that reprinted the cartoons have done so out of journalistic solidarity, to demonstrate their rights or what have you. Was the Sarawak Tribune challenging the government, testing the boundaries of free speech? It doesn’t seem likely. As I’ve mentioned before, the media in Malaysia is extremely docile. More so here in Sarawak, where leading government officials get glamour shots on the front page every other day, and reporting of any significant event is reduced to paraphrase of the relevant politician’s press release. If the Sarawak Tribune did want to push the limits of editorial freedom, why not publish on corruption, cronyism, bribery, abuse of power? Those things should be matters of immediate concern to every Sarawakian and reporting on them a far more vital service by the paper to its readership. Muslims and non-muslims alike may have supported bravery in journalism of that kind. As it is, this incident simply allows the government to flex its censorial muscles and enjoy popular support while doing so. So if this was an attempt to make a statement about or to push the bounds of free speech, as some commenters over at Screenshots seem to be arguing, it was a singularly misplaced one. […]

]]> by: Nzingha http://www.bingregory.com/archives/2005/05/15-visit-the-gulf/#comment-675 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 +0000 http://www.bingregory.com/archives/2005/05/15-visit-the-gulf/#comment-675 As Salaam alaikum Saudi is at a loss of how to preserve their historical past all the way around. I don't find it unusual that they would knock down homes in Mekkah, or disturb grave sites out of a total lack of what to do when it comes to Mekkahs needed growth and their feelings of preservation over all. But do make Hajj as soon as you can, your not far away at all. Hajj season is in the cooler weather now. But do heed the advice to be careful, pick pocketers and other thieves are a very HUGE problem during hajj season as well as Umrah in ramadhan. I also didn't realize I sounded so negative about Saudi. There are good things and bad things, perhaps its because most Muslims expect more coming from within Saudi than other countries. Maybe I'll have to share more good things to balance out my negative rants :) As Salaam alaikum

Saudi is at a loss of how to preserve their historical past all the way around. I don’t find it unusual that they would knock down homes in Mekkah, or disturb grave sites out of a total lack of what to do when it comes to Mekkahs needed growth and their feelings of preservation over all.

But do make Hajj as soon as you can, your not far away at all. Hajj season is in the cooler weather now. But do heed the advice to be careful, pick pocketers and other thieves are a very HUGE problem during hajj season as well as Umrah in ramadhan.

I also didn’t realize I sounded so negative about Saudi. There are good things and bad things, perhaps its because most Muslims expect more coming from within Saudi than other countries. Maybe I’ll have to share more good things to balance out my negative rants :)

]]> by: Mahdi Bin Daoud Thistle http://www.bingregory.com/archives/2005/05/15-visit-the-gulf/#comment-676 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 +0000 http://www.bingregory.com/archives/2005/05/15-visit-the-gulf/#comment-676 Salams Brother Bin Gregory nice to to see brother out there communicating, May God Bless yOU & Your Family in All Your Endeavours "I've been holding to a general "speak no evil" policy for the same reasons here on this site." you & brother Qatari Dervish are rightfully interpreting according to your opinion , state & station however I must disagree, from where I'm perceiving the world, here in the KSA brother, for as you say 'evil', is also often meaning 'injustice' and by that word we are commanded to speak out against injustice if you can't change it by your hand & if you can' t speak, hate in in your heart" the hadith is sound and I am surrounded & drowning in injustices left right & centre, to do nothing is cowardly in my book, so I plug away truying to minimize danger to oneself certainly life is different for you in liberal Malaysiai if you decided to say/communicate nothing that is unsavoury, it's your choice indeed, and correct but the beauty of Islam is that I fell perfectly islamiccaly justified in speaking out/acting against injustice, publically and privately & prefering to be more pro active about things by heeding the advice of our Prophet( May God's Peace Be Upon him)as I understand it...after all it's also common sense God Bless & Salams Mahdi Salams Brother Bin Gregory

nice to to see brother out there communicating, May God Bless yOU & Your Family in All Your Endeavours

“I’ve been holding to a general “speak no evil” policy for the same reasons here on this site.”

you & brother Qatari Dervish are rightfully interpreting according to your opinion , state & station

however I must disagree, from where I’m perceiving the world, here in the KSA brother, for as you say ‘evil’, is also often meaning ‘injustice’ and by that word we are commanded to speak out against injustice if you can’t change it by your hand & if you can’
t speak, hate in in your heart”

the hadith is sound

and I am surrounded & drowning in injustices left right & centre, to do nothing is cowardly in my book, so I plug away truying to minimize danger to oneself

certainly life is different for you in liberal Malaysiai if you decided to say/communicate nothing that is unsavoury, it’s your choice indeed, and correct but the beauty of Islam is that I fell perfectly islamiccaly justified in speaking out/acting against injustice, publically and privately & prefering to be more pro active about things by heeding the advice of our Prophet( May God’s Peace Be Upon him)as I understand it…after all it’s also common sense

God Bless & Salams

Mahdi

]]> by: Mureed http://www.bingregory.com/archives/2005/05/15-visit-the-gulf/#comment-677 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 +0000 http://www.bingregory.com/archives/2005/05/15-visit-the-gulf/#comment-677 Salaam I have to agree with brother Mahdi. I'm a western ex-pat Muslim in KSA and not only do I see injustice left, right and centre, I experience it, too. And far too many people turn a blind eye to it all. And Allah knows best Salaam

I have to agree with brother Mahdi. I’m a western ex-pat Muslim in KSA and not only do I see injustice left, right and centre, I experience it, too. And far too many people turn a blind eye to it all.

And Allah knows best

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