India our Guru

Wen Jiabao, a Chinese premier, describes the current climate of peace and development that Tibet is experiencing as testimony to the correct policies implemented by the Chinese government. Of course, this climate of peace is in context of the security lockdown of Tibet, and the restrictions on Internet access and lack of sms (text) availability among other things. Meanwhile, His Holiness the Dalai Lama has been described by Wen as mixing up with politics and that he is being 'exploited' by overseas nations. Chinese government was also upset over the meeting of the Dalai Lama with the French President in November and has since demanded a summit between China and France to make up for it. Read more

The Central Tibet Administration reports His Holiness the Dalai Lama feels honoured to call India his spiritual home for decades, "you are the guru [teacher], and we your chela [students]" he says. Furthermore, he would like to see India propagate values of religious harmony word-wide adding there is no scope for violence or force on any issue - Go to Central Tibet Administration website and click on the Support Tibet link on the sidebar under 'Actions'.
In a pre-election speech in March 2008, U.S., President Obama has requested that the Chinese government start to respect the rights [human rights] of the people of Tibet, read the notes here.

What is going to become of Tibet? I hope that Tibet peoples' rights will be respected, security lockdown will be relaxed and the Chinese government will start to work together with others to improve the situation there.

Sources, Chinese premier defends policies, article on Guardian Newspaper News Website accessed 14.3.09
Central Tibet Administration Website, India Should Promote Religious Harmony abroad: His Holiness the Dalai Lama accessed 14.3.09
Obama News & speeches website, Statement of Senator Barack Obama on the situation in Tibet, accessed 14.3.09

Allah Is My God! How about you?

Orang beragama selain dari Muslim tak boleh gunakan kata 'Allah'. 'Allah' translates to the word 'God' in English. In the Koran, we are taught, 'there is no god but God' translate to bahasa Malaysia & Indonesia '...selain dari Allah' means, there is no god but 'Allah'. This translation has caused confusion to the point that the Muslim counsil in Malaysia states that 'Allah' is God's name whereas in English, it simply means god and there is no god but God (all Muslim, Christian and Judaism religions believe this).

What does this mean if you are Catholic or Protestant, Sikh or Hindu in Malaysia? It means, that you cannot use the word 'Allah' to mean God.

To read more about the ban on the word 'Allah' for non-muslim in Malaysia, please follow the article, 'Allah is my God, Who Is Yours?' in the Jakarta Post

Source: 'Allah is my God, Who is Yours?' Jakarta Post News Website accessed 13.3.09

"Swat is a part of Pakistan but no governor, chief minister or the prime minister can venture to go there."

"Swat is a part of Pakistan but no governor, chief minister or the prime minister can venture to go there" are the words of Haji Adeel a Senior leader of Awami National Party that leads the coalition ruling the North-West Frontier province of Pakistan where Swat is located.

Maulana Fazalullah with an army of 10 000 has lead the reign of terror on the region, including hangings of headless bodies in bazaars, banning women from leaving their houses and girls over the age of 7 from going to school.

Photo: students at school

Source Aljazeera News Website, 'Swat, Pakistan's Lost Paradise' see reference below

Schools that did not comply with the order to shut down by 15 January 2009 were blown up, around 150 schools in total.

Such extremist decrees are broadcast to the local population by FM radio and with so much else happening in the world, the young Pakistan government was almost oblivious to what was happening in Swat. Now, if even the police want to go around for a couple of hours, they are escorted by the army.

With journalists being assassinated and the security forces afraid to parole the area, and political representatives unable to enter the region, for the people of Swat, it seems no one knows their plight and there is no one to help.

Sources, Aljazeera News Hour, Aljazeera News Website, 'Swat, Pakistan's Lost Paradise' updated and accessed 27/1/09
http://english.aljazeera.net/focus/2009/01/200912512351598892.html