Interfaith Talk @ MMU Melaka

During the last decades of the 15th century the kingdom of Demak which lasted from 1475 to 1568 was founded. Its founder was the son of Haji Chen Xuanlong/Tan Swan Liong from Palembang in Southern Sumatra where at that time existed a large Chinese community consisting mainly of Muslims. His son’s name is Chen Jinwen alias Raden Patah/Panembahan Tan Jin Bun/Arya (Cu-Cu) Sumangsang/Prabu Anom. The Portuguese addressed him as Pate Rodin Sr. According to Tome Pires, a Portuguese explorer, he was a “persona de grande syso” (a great man of exceptional wisdom), a “cavaleiro” (noble knight). Indonesian professor Slamet Mulyana explained that Jinwen or Jin Bun means “strongman”.

The ruling elite of the kingdom of Demak consisted mainly of Chinese. Before the European colonial area, intermarriage between Chinese and the Javanese natives were commonplace. Dr. Pigeaud and Dr. de Graaf described the conditions in the 16th century as follows: in the port cities of the island of Java the ruling elites consisted mainly of Chinese families, some of whose male members took Javanese women as their wives. Various Javanese historical sources say that in the 16th century there were many Chinese living in the cities along the Northern coastline of Java. Apart from Demak, they were also numerous in Cirebon, Lasem. Tuban, Gresik (Shi Chun) and Surabaya (Shi Shui). Many of these Chinese Muslims had Continue Reading »

Dear all,
You can download the power point slides from links below.

Buddhism

Islam

Christianity

The Hindu speaker did not present any slide.

Recently, I had dinner at a vegetarian restaurant nearby. Two Indonesians (Muslims) dropped by to buy dinner at the vegetarian restaurant. They were asking if pork was served and if the food was halal. Obviously vegetarian food is HALAL!

I told them there were no meats served although some did look like chicken and pork meats (made of flour).

Here is a guide to my non-Muslim friends: Continue Reading »

PRESENT QUR’AN IS NOT THE ORIGINAL BUT THAT OF USMAN (r.a.)

Question:
There were many versions of the Qur’an all of which were burnt by Usman (r.a.) except for one. Therefore is it not true that the present Qur’an is the one compiled by Usman (r.a.) and not the original revelation of God?

Answer:
One of the most common myths about the Qur’an, is that Usman (r.a.), the third Caliph of Islam authenticated and compiled one Qur’an, from a large set of mutually contradicting copies. The Qur’an, revered as the Word of Allah (swt) by Muslims the world over, is the same Qur’an as the one revealed to Prophet Continue Reading »

Question: Why are non-Muslims not allowed in the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah?

Answer:
It is true that non-Muslims are not allowed in the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah, by law. The following points will serve to elucidate the possible reasoning behind such a restriction.

1. All citizens are not permitted in the cantonment area

I am a citizen of India. Yet, I am not permitted to enter certain restricted areas like the cantonment. In every country there are certain areas where a common citizen of that country cannot enter. Only a citizen who is enrolled in the military Continue Reading »

This is an old issue but this post is meant to enlighten those who doesn’t know about changing of names when one becomes a Muslim. Many friends have asked similar questions.

Frankly, I still have no idea why officials of Malaysia’s Islamic authorities like JAKIM (Jabatan Kemajuan Islam) and Jabatan Agama Islam of most states require a person who embraces Islam to change his or her name to a so call Arabic/Muslim/Malay sounding names. Continue Reading »

Dear all,

You may download the handouts from the following links.
Download All Handouts Continue Reading »

Question:

If Islam is the best religion, why are many of the Muslims dishonest, unreliable, and involved in activities such as cheating, bribing, dealing in drugs, etc.?

Answer: Continue Reading »

Question:

Why are most of the Muslims fundamentalists and terrorists?

Answer: Continue Reading »

The following are details of a talk by Mr Yee Loam Yan. Read on…. Continue Reading »