Dear MCG Members, September was a stellar month with five fantastic events, including our Newcomers coffee morning. It was fabulous to see so many new faces amidst the crowd. I would now like to welcome our new members that have joined MCG this past month. I am sure you will find this a friendly, interesting group and we look forward to welcoming you at our October events. If you have any queries, please call me or the relevant committee member. October marks the commencement of Hari Raya and to all our Muslim members, Selamat Hari. We start with a fun "Morning in India" on the 5th of October. This is an early Deepavali celebration. This will include everything that is vibrant about India - a talk on Hinduism, Indian culinary delights and music and dance and lastly, clothes and decorations. This event promises to be a jewel in our calendar. On the 11th of October we are privileged to have a personal guided tour of the highlights of the collection at the Islamic Arts Museum. This is a place one could easily spend many happy hours looking at the magnificent collection, for a preview of the best please join us for this event. Our travel talk this month on the 17th October is being given by Jin Leng. Jin Leng is a world renowned artist and we are privileged to be invited to his home to learn about his amazing trip through Southern India. Having just returned from this region myself I know this talk will be vibrant and enchanting. On the 25th we are also very fortunate to have Nizam Ambia, another much respected artist, give a talk and display of his art & batik fashion designs. Nizam was the most recent award winner of the Grand Prize for Piala Seri Endon in Batik design . As you know, MCG is brought to you every month by a group of volunteers. As is the nature of groups like ours, members at times move away, and this month we are seeking the replacement of two people who perform important work for us - our newsletter editor and webmaster. Please read the ads later in the newsletter about the duties of these functions. Whether you have the skills or the enthusiasm to learn we would love to hear from you. Please note the Library's new opening hours mentioned later in this Newsletter. I am looking forward, as usual, to seeing you at our events.
- Sunita Varlamos PROGRAMME OF EVENTS
MCG ANNOUNCEMENTS
EXPLORERS
Come pick up your rucksack and explore the streets of KL and environs with us! Every second Monday of the month brave and adventurous explorers try out a new and exciting venue. They do not follow the beaten path, no they search for hidden places, exciting back roads and intriguing citizens living maybe even close to your backyard! Explorers are not afraid to go look for something more exciting, something unusual, inspirational or sensational! The group was founded by MCG members, whose sole aim was to get to know their environs more intimately by visiting new places, giving a different aspect to an already known area or meeting some of the interesting people who live in this fascinating country called Malaysia. Each member of the Explorers Group takes a turn to plan, research and lead the team on a unique excursion. This can be done singularly or in pairs . For new members organizing the trip with a partner could be the better option rather than organizing an event on their own. It is not as difficult as it seems. We have reports on all our tours and plenty of experienced members who can help out! This year some of the places a have visited include, a Palm Oil Plantation, the Institute Kraf Negara, the SMART Tunnel projects, studio of artist Ilse Noor, Twin Towers (view from 83rd floor) , Chinese Temple of the Nine Emperors of Heaven, Federal Territory Mosque, Jamu Spa. I must say, many of these outings were refreshingly different and unexpected. So, come along, do not hesitate, join in and explore with us! If you are interested in joining us or would like some additional information please contact Ardy Timmer at mcgevents@yahoo.com attention Ardy
MCG BOARD POSITIONS VACANT
Newsletter Editor
Webmaster
As these two positions are Executive Committee positions, you will also be required to attend the monthly Board meetings (approximately 2 hrs per month), scheduled on a day convenient to all board members. If you are interested in taking over either of the above positions or would just like to find out more information please contact either of the people mentioned or contact the President, Sunita Varlamos on 012 217 6474.
STUDY GROUP: An Introduction to Asian Textiles
Unfortunately due the small number of participants registered for this group the Textile Study Group will not be proceeding at the present time. If you were interested in joining this group but were unable to attend during the time frame or were unable to commit to once a week but perhaps could manage once fortnight please contact Michelle Pease via mcgevents@yahoo.com attention Michelle or call her on 2095 2530. This group may proceed at a later date. REPORTS FROM PREVIOUS EVENTS
LECTURE: Sisters in Islam. Talk by Masjaliza Hamzah, Programme Manager
- 17th August
The high Summer turnout of 35 attendees had a very interesting introduction to the work of Sisters in Islam, along with a very wide ranging question and answer session. We were lucky to have Masjaliza Hamzah with us as she leaves for the UK on a British Council scholarship to study for her MA in Gender, Culture and Modernity very soon. SIS was formed in 1988 by a group of women initially to help women who faced difficulties in the Syariah courts. Its 31 members, including 2 male associate members, at the last count in 2005, have a high level of dedication and fully support the principles of SIS. SIS is not a grassroots organization, although its legal services and various activities such as training, talks and study sessions are open to the public. To quote the SIS leaflet: ' our mission is to promote an awareness of the true principles of Islam, principles that enshrine the concept of equality between women and men, and to strive towards creating a society that upholds the Islamic principles of equality, justice, freedom, mutual kindness and dignity within a democratic state.' One of SIS founding members Zainah Anwar has just been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize along with 999 other women working for women's equality around the world. Mas summarised their current work as;
Whilst Islamic laws today are often unjust to women, Mas pointed out that when the Qur'an was revealed 1400 years ago, it actually advanced women's rights. For example, men in the tribal Arab society then were allowed to marry and divorce at will with as many wives as they wanted at any one time. The Qur'an limited this to 4 at any one time with a caveat that all wives must be treated equally. (Interestingly, one of the conditions for polygamy in Malaysia has been amended from "just AND necessary" to "just OR necessary' in 2003, requiring men to prove that the polygamous marriage meets ONE criterion and not both as was the requirement before the law was amended.) Women previously received no inheritance upon death of a husband or father so the one-half of a male heir's share for a female heir prescribed in the Qur'an was an advancement for women then. SIS believes that the core principles of the Qur'an - equality, justice, freedom, mutual kindness and dignity - need to be upheld given today's circumstances; solutions to contemporary problems must be seen in that light and not within a 7th century Arabian context. On the current state of equality in Malaysia for Muslims, Mas had some concerns about progress. Civil courts now defer judgement to the Syariah courts even on matters involving civil liberties and rights under the Constitution. There are some gradual, negative amendments to Islamic laws and the use of Islam by political parties in Malaysia is the norm. The Ayah Pin case highlighted the work of SIS to support its principles as well as the difficulties that it must overcome to achieve its mission. However, on a positive note, Mas explained that the public debate about such issues is freer now than before and women's groups, the Bar Council and Human Rights groups often speak on a common platform on these issues. In addition, SIS public education and grassroots training programmes on Islam, equality and the law for women are reaching a far wider audience. And there is hope that the new Prime Minister is trying to temper the narrow interpretation of Islam popular among many Malay Muslims. The SIS website (www.sistersinislam.org.my) has a lot more information on some of the topics that we briefly touched on in our talk, that was unfortunately all too short for many of us.
Talk and tour of the late Tunku Abdul Rahman Memorial Museum
- 25th August
The Tunku was an extraordinary man with a unique set of characteristics that were good for leading Malaya to Independence in a peaceful and successful way, despite a variety of religious and racial groups. He was born the son of Sultan Hamid of Kedah and Che Manjelara of Siam but he had the quality of personality to put people at their ease regardless of race or social class. As a boy he was often caught sneaking out of the palace grounds to play football with local boys as well as socialising with Thai and British students during his education. His love of sports brought him into contact and gave him an informal forum for discussions. He made visits to local people as District Officer of Padang Terap and Sungai Patani. The genuine warmth that the people felt for him is shown by the 95% support he received for his parliamentary election in the Sungai Mudu seat. The friendships he made throughout life were international and helped him to win over hearts and minds to his tolerant point of view. His old London student friend and co founder of the Malay society of Great Britain was Tuanku Abdul Rahman of Negri Sembilan, first King of Malaya, who became a key ally in persuading the Malay rulers to accept Tunku`s plans and an assurance of the protection of their rights. The British had made it clear that without the agreement of the Malay rulers they would not accept Tunku`s proposals. Lord Ogmore became friends with Tunku when they revised and sat their bar exams together in London, and it was he who made it possible for the Tunku to have discussions with Lyttelton in 1954 and build up support within the House of Commons in Britain for Malayan Independence. He was a man of courage, as shown when he drove from Alor Star to Singapore with Syed Omar in 1942 after the Japanese invasion in an attempt to locate his sister`s missing husband. It nearly cost him his life and that of Syed Omar who at one point was prepared to lay down his life for Tunku during an altercation with the Japanese. They also gave a lift to an afflicted leper and it left such a lasting impression that he and Tun Sharifah Rodziah adopted two infants from leper parents and every year sent gifts to lepers. Tunku was a man of great compassion and set up a camp, Rumah Miskin when the first escapees of the Burma death railway staggered back to Kedah in 1943. This camp provided medical aid and food for these people which was prepared in his own house. His sense of wit and humour helped in tense situations and was used in difficult independence negotiations. He was a strong Muslim and Malay and gained support from the Malays as a Sultan`s son. He was religious and paused for prayer in meetings and founded the first mosque in London. But fundamentally was a peaceful and moderate man. Tunku was very independent and stood up to his bosses. When the Japanese invaded Kedah, the Regent, Tunku Badlishah and the British Advisor instructed that his father, the sick Sultan be moved to Penang. But Tunku knew from his British friends at the Butterworth airbase that Penang was expecting severe bombing raids. With the assistance of Syed Omar, he intercepted the convoy to Penang and moved his father to a safe place. When Tunku was threatened with arrest by the Regent he replied for them to come and take him over his dead body. These words were remniscent of his mother, Che Manjelara, when the Regent wanted to remove the Sultan to a mental hospital outside Kedah after a stroke in 1912. His mother fought to care for the Sultan herself. Tunku was the 20th of 45 children of the Sultan Hamid. Che Manjelara was the 6th wife and they bore 13 children together. There were 92 grand and great grandchildren. But interestingly, the only pictures of the Sultan and Che Manjelara with their grandchildren are of Tunku Nerang and Tunku Khadijah, who were his favourites. This may be due to Che Manjelara`s compassion for the two children whose mother died of malaria when they were under a year old. Che Manjalara became Sultan Hamis and was widely acknowledged as a favourite wife. Her grandchildren remember her as a strict forceful woman not easy going as the Tunku. Tunku inherited his fathers sense of ceremony and enjoyed weddings and sophistication of events, which raised his spirits and created respect. He prepared the country for Independence, created an anthem and instigated the building of the National Stadium. He inspired the location of the Residency and the National Mosque, these were symbols of unity, pride and respect for the country. One of the lasting legacies was the excellent relationship with former colonial power which was unique at the time. When Kedah signed the agreement with the British in 1909 Che Manjelara realised that Alor Star would develop greatly so she purchased and developed land around Jalan Bahru. She was said to be the shrewdest woman in Kedah and her financial success allowed the Tunku to study at Cambridge. Tunku`s foresight and clarity of vision allowed him to see the need for evacuation of long houses in 1941 in Kedah and for an immediate force of order to prevent the communists from taking over after the surrender of the Japanese in Kedah in 1945. he even prepared his daughter, Tunku Khadijah, should his independence activities in the early 50`s send him to jail or deportation. There is a wonderful story about the Tunku`s arrival in the world. He said he was born under a lie. Whilst the Sultan was sick, the Keeper of the Ruler`s Seal had abused his office to amass personal wealth. The Sultan ordered the keeper to be executed and the right thumbs of the Keeper`s wife and children be chopped off. The sobbing wife pleaded with Che Manjelara to help. She told the Sultan that she was pregnant and according to Malay custom, a husband should do no evil whilst his wife is pregnant for fear of a dark spirit entering the womb and child. For fear of his unborn child he committed the Keeper to imprisonment. Luckily Che Manjelara became pregnant soon after and the child Tunku Abdul Rahman was born. His mother believed the compassion and mercy associated with his birth allowed for an auspicious start in life. Compassion and fair justice were the skills portrayed by the Tunku in the skills associated with Independence, creating a new nation, Malaysia. The Tunku became a nation builder of great stature with a remarkable set of personal qualities that allowed him to negotiate a peaceful transition to independence from Britain. He helped steer the nation towards prosperity and strong nationhood. Cindy was involved in not only a cultural exchange but, having commented on Dato HJH. Tunko Mukinah Jiwa`s soft black briefcase type bag and it`s contents, agreed to swap her tan leather handbag for the Dato`s claimed black 'bag of secrets'. No doubt Cindy will enlighten us on the content at a future date!! A wonderful, warm welcome was received at the memorial and all the attendees came away with a greater sense of history in the building of the country of Malaysia. Many thanks to Emma Davidson for her eloquent lecture and for releasing her notes to me to write this article.
MCG NEWS BOOK GROUP REPORT The MCG Book Clubs are stimulating venues for discussion of Asian Literature, both fiction and non-fiction. Each of the two clubs meet one morning a month (either Wednesday or Friday) to discuss a book selected by the group prior to the new season. Each group is able to accept up to 15 members, so currently there are a few places available in each of the clubs. If you are a keen reader and like to discuss what you read, we would love to have you join us. The books to be read this season are as follows: Book Group 1 ---meets the last Friday of the month--- Book Group 2 ---meets the last Wednesday of the month--- Please contact Joanne Mahendran if interested and/or for further information: 03 4256 6150 or email: joannem@streamyx.com
LIBRARY REPORT The library has not had many visitors of late, but I hope to see many more of you now that the summer break is over. To encourage more of you to visit, the library will be open from 2.30 to 4.30 pm on the first and third Thursdays of every month if you just want to pop in for a browse (best to call me first on 102 930 4471, or 2142 0152, just in case). You can also call me at any time to fix another time. Don't forget, the library has books on Malaysian and regional history, natural history, and various aspects of local culture: religion, drama, traditional crafts…a great starting point for learning more about this fascinating place.
NEWSLETTER REPORT As mentioned elsewhere in this Newsletter after only one month as Newsletter Editor I am moving on to other things in the MCG. If you can spare just a few hours of your time once a month to help out with the Newsletter please give either myself, Lorna or Sunita a call. You can submit articles, artwork and photographs to the editor at mcgevents@yahoo.com with "newsletter" in the subject line. Please submit all articles for the October newsletter by October 8. Stories are edited for reasons of clarity, space or accuracy of expression. The opinions expressed in the MCG newsletter are those of the writers concerned and not necessarily those of the MCG.
BOOKING POLICY FOR EVENTS Reservations Wait List Payments Cancellations Refunds Eligibility Event Participation
Eligibility Your co-operation with the Booking Policy would be much appreciated by the Events Planning Team.
PLEASE NOTE that the information in this website has been gathered informally within the group and reproduced privately for members' enjoyment only. There may be inaccuracies and these publications are not designed for commercial use. Anyone intending to make formal or outside use of MCG material is requested to contact the President
| Events
| Newsletter
| Book Club
| Library
| Explorers Group
| ©Malaysian Culture Group, 2005.
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
