Gripevine

Early this month, Jais delivered a highly controversial sermon titled: " Aurat: Antara Kebebasan dan Maruah Diri ” (Aurat: Between freedom and self dignity). The gist of the sermon is this: Muslim women should cover up their "aurat" to prevent “being harassed physically or mentally... so as to prevent false accusations (fitnah),  evil gazes (pandangan yang jahat) and bad incidents from taking place (perkara yang buruk berlaku)... Negative incidents such as rape, illicit sex, and incest (rogol, zina, sumbang mahram) can be avoided. [ Excerpt from Malaysiakini ] More of the sermon at this link: http://e-masjid.jais.gov.my/uploads/uploads/KhutbahJumaat%28Rumi%2906022015.pdf The sermon was deemed insensitive by many, and the tide of anger only worsened when DAP's Penang Exco member Chong Eng was questioned by police over her statement  which was deemed critical of the sermon. Chong however pointed out that she was not stirring the relig...

The Star came under a lot of heat for the picture of Erykah Badu sporting body art offensive to Muslims in Star2 - the entertainment section of the paper. Three senior editors were summoned to the Home Ministry and the story did not end there. Heads were destined to roll and they did. Star2 senior editor Lim Cheng Hoe and deputy editor for features Daryl Goh were suspended indefinitely. And to make sure the paper does not risk offending Islam again, associate editors Rozaid Rahman and Shah Dadameah were appointed to advise the daily on issues sensitive to Muslims. I'm guessing that this was done to appease those who were baying for blood. But it appears that this decision has far from satisfied certain parties. Pas Youth are still not content, they want a dialogue with the paper to discuss the Badu issue and the coverage of Valentine's Day - because it also apparently rubs some Muslims up the wrong way. In true Malaysian fashion this will all die down eventually. M...