How a Christian priest looked at Prophet Muhammad pbuh

Reverend Bosworth Smith in 'Muhammad and Muhammadanism,' London, 1874.

"Head of the State as well as the Church, he was Caesar and Pope in one; but he was Pope without the Pope's pretensions, and Caesar without the legions of Caesar, without a standing army, without a bodyguard, without a police force, without a fixed revenue. If ever a man ruled by a right divine, it was Muhammad, for he had all the powers without their supports. He cared not for the dressings of power. The simplicity of his private life was in keeping with his public life."

Dr Mansor Othman won Penanti Bye Election - will be appointed as DCM Penang

Dr Mansor Othman wins the seat by garnering 6,052 votes. His nearest rival is Nai Khan with 494, followed by Aminah with 392. Kamarul obtained 56 votes. Mansor's majority is 5,558 votes. All three independents lost their deposits. The win for Mansor - after a series of three previous electoral defeats - now opens the door for him to be appointed as the Penang deputy chief minister. A blog entry by DAP leader Lim Kit Siang, whose son Guan Eng is the chief minister, said that Mansor will be sworn in on Wednesday. Only 7,100 people cast their votes in what is clearly a historic low turnout - standing at only 46.15 percent. There were a total of 15,384 registered voters in the constituency. Nai Khan had done very well in two polling areas - Teluk Wang which has many Thai residents and Sungai Lembu, a Gerakan stronghold. Nai Khan is the first Thai descendant to contest in an election in Malaysia. He is also a former Penang Gerakan Youth leader. In Teluk Wang, Nai Khan obtained 154 votes as opposed to Mansor's 180, Aminah, 21, and Kamarul, 1. In Sungai Lembu, Nai Khan garnered 102 votes, coming behind Mansor's 258. Aminah and Kamarul gained two votes each. Aminah did well in the Malay areas of Mengkuang, Kuala Mengkuang and Guar Perahu. She also won the battle for the postal votes by getting 12, followed by Kamarul, 7, Mansor, 2, and Nai Khan, 0. Malaysiakini

Power struggle puts PAS at crossroads

A power struggle in Islamic party PAS will be put to the test in leadership polls this week which pit hardline clerics against young moderates who want to rebrand the party. MCPX PAS has enjoyed a surge in popularity thanks to deep public disillusionment with the Barisan Nasional coalition that has governed the multiracial country for half a century. PAS has formed an unlikely alliance with two other opposition parties which has stuck together despite wide differences in their ideologies, giving them a chance to unseat the coalition in the next elections due in several years. But the PAS general assembly on June 5-7 will lay bare the dilemma at the party's core - whether to swing back to its hardline roots or to put on a more moderate face to continue winning back support after some barren years. "The party is at a threshold - whether it can transcend its history of catering largely to Muslims and put in place a model that everyone in the country including non-Muslims can accept," said pollster Ibrahim Suffian. "They need to be able to articulate issues relating to the economy, security, international trade... to not only look after your hereafter, but look after your here and today," said Ibrahim, from Merdeka Centre research. Some 60 percent of Malaysians are Muslim Malays, but the population includes large ethnic Chinese and Indian communities, and if PAS wants to break out beyond its niche it needs to attract support from minorities. Curiously, despite pushing for the creation of an Islamic state and the introduction of "hudud" laws like chopping off thieves' hands, PAS has won the trust and support of many non-Muslims. Chinese and Indian voters have enthusiastically supported PAS candidates in seats where they stood for the Pakatan Rakyat opposition alliance, and thousands have joined PAS 'Supporters' Clubs' around the country. Rebranding exercise in jeopardy Much of the attraction stems from PAS' reputation as a clean party untainted by the corruption which is endemic in the ruling coalition. And in Kelantan, where it has long been in power, minorities have few complaints and are not obliged to observe local bylaws that discourage skimpy clothing and high heels. Reforms introduced before landmark 2008 elections, when the Pakatan Rakyat snatched a third of parliamentary seats in an unprecedented performance, reversed a decline that had seen PAS decimated in 2004 polls. "They stopped talking about wanting to impose stricter syariah laws and they had much more moderate faces in the party, people who were professionals and able to converse in English," said Ibrahim. But this rebranding exercise is now in jeopardy with a vote for top leadership posts, including the deputy presidency, which will see a clash between incumbent Nasharuddin Mat Isa and challenger Husam Musa (right). Husam is an economist who typifies the party's new generation of educated professionals, while Nasharuddin is closely identified with the party's conservative president Abdul Hadi Awang. Husam is an ally of PAS' iconic spiritual leader Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, a quirky figure who is a highly respected religious leader and also a big supporter of opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim. Nasharuddin meanwhile played a leading role in "secret" talks last year with the ruling party Umno - which leads the Barisan Nasional coalition - that were hugely controversial within the party. Observers say that if Nasharuddin retains his post, the fragile bonds between the opposition partners will begin to erode, jeopardising its ability to challenge the coalition. "PAS is at a crossroads now. This meeting will see whether PAS is inclined to have a good relationship with Umno or have a good relationship with its opposition partners," a party insider told AFP. He said that a rebuke to Husam would also send out a negative message to non-Muslims that it remains the "party of the ulamas", the elderly cohort of clerics who have historically dominated the party. "As a political party PAS has to go with the (reform) approach, that which is accepted by the Malaysian people. During the last general election PAS had a lot of support from non-Muslims and it has to maintain that," he said. - AFP as quoted by Malaysiakini

Itu cuma pilihanraya kecil

Harga diatas kepalanya ialah RM100 juta.Namun Menteri Luar, Datuk Anifah Aman tidak gundah dengan jumlah saman sebesar itu oleh Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim terhadapnya.

Beliau nampaknya tetap berpegang pada dakwaanya di Washington baru-baru ini bahawa Penasihat Parti Keadilan Rakyat menawarkan jawatan Timbalan Perdana Menteri untuk memancingnya melompat menyertai gerakan 16 September yang gagal.

Menjawab soalan wartawan mengenai saman berkenaan semasa sidang akhbar di Wisma Putra Jumaat, Anifah yang juga Ahli Parlimen Kimanis,Sabah memberi contoh dakwaan Aminah Abdullah iaitu calon Bebas Pilihan Raya Kecil Dewan Undangan Negeri Penanti bahawa beliau ditawarkan wang dan jawatan Timbalan Ketua Menteri 1 Pulau Pinang untuk tarik diri.

''Ini cuma pilihan raya kecil yang tidak melibatkan pembentukan kerajaan, calon Bebas ini telah ditawarkan wang dan kedudukan.

''Jadi fikir-fikirlah, jika calon Bebas dalam pilihan raya kecil ditawarkan jawatan, apatah lagi jika ia melibatkan pembentukan Kerajaan Persekutuan," katanya.

Mengenai saman RM 100 juta yang difail oleh peguam Anwar,Sankara Nair di Mahkamah Tinggi ,Kuala Lumpur Rabu ,Anifah kata,' kepentingan rakyat lebih penting daripada hal saman.”- Agendadaily 29/5/2009

Measures taken to address PKFZ issue in best interest of people: Ong

SHAH ALAM, May 29 -- Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat says that any measure taken to address problems relating to the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) will be done in the best interest of the people, even if it affects his own political career.

"I am going to unfold (all the strategies and queries relating to the audit report on the PKFZ) one after another. I have been cautiously optimistic about the matter because through my personal experience and some observational studies conducted by potential investors, I think by and large people believe that this (PKFZ) itself is a viable project.

"So, we have to make the project work in the best interest of the people.

"Don't forget that when we talk about a soft loan, the soft loan comes from the people, who are the tax payers of the country," said Ong to reporters after visiting Kumpulan Karangkraf Sdn Bhd, near here, Friday.

The audit report on PKFZ by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) was posted in its entirety on the Port Klang Authority (PKA) website Thursday.

The cost of the project had risen to RM7.453 billion, including interest, compared with its original price tag of RM1.957 billion.

The audit report entitled "Position Review of Port Klang Free Zone Project and Port Klang Free Zone Sdn Bhd" noted that the cost of the project, excluding interest, was at RM3.522 billion.

Investigation into the 405-hectare PKFZ trans-shipment hub was initiated after it was revealed that its development cost jumped from below RM2.5 billion to RM4.6 billion.

DAP veteran leader Lim Kit Siang in his statement Friday said that PKA had incurred losses and the government should do the necessary even if it meant liquidating it (PKA) since the PwC report indicated PKA would not be able to break even in the near future.

To this, Ong said: " Lim is entitled to his own opinion. As far as I am concerned, we have been going through months of brainstorming on the way forward and not just focusing on the report or investigations alone."

He also said that the time was ripe for PKA to engage financial and legal consultants to do the necessary 'cleaning-up' and restructuring of the financial obligations of PKA.

"I believe that by doing so, only then can we move forward with a clean slate," he added.

-- BERNAMA

1Malaysia not Najib's burden alone, says Michael Chen

KUALA LUMPUR, May 28 -- The 1Malaysia concept envisioned by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak can only be realised through teamwork and not by the premier alone.

Former Dewan Negara Speaker Tan Sri Michael Chen said it could only be achieved if both the government and people put in efforts and show determination in nation-building to achieve that common goal.

He likened the process to winning a football match where to win, a team would need the commitment and support from not only the coach, but the players and supporters as well.

"We must have a common goal and the wisdom needed to achieve it," he said at a forum on 1Malaysia organised by the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama)'s Centre of Excellence and Taima Journalism Academy, here, Thursday.

The forum was moderated by Bernama's deputy editor-in-chief Zulkefli Salleh.

Chen acknowledged that the road to achieving 1Malaysia was a lengthy one due to the many different races, religions and cultures.

He said the concept promoted by Najib was similar to that practised by the United States of America and Singapore, which was for every citizen to be treated fairly.

"Malaysians should understand that 1Malaysia is not only important to promote integration but also to take the nation to greater heights and to enable Malaysians to compete globally," he said.

Chen was confident that Najib could guide the nation into realising the 1Malaysia concept.

He said this was because Najib was like his father Tun Abdul Razak Hussein, who observed and learned from other developing and developed nations.

Chen said Najib also took over the country during a difficult time, as his father did, and now faced this Herculean task to turn the country around.

Abdul Razak took over from Tunku Abdul Rahman in 1969 after the May 13 incident, regarded as a dark period of Malaysian history where racial tensions were high.

When asked how Malaysians could contribute towards achieving 1Malaysia, Chen said they could start by cultivating a "saving mentality and culture" and spend frugally.

Besides that, a national school system could also be implemented to promote racial integration, he said.

-- BERNAMA

'Fighting cock' set to ruffle some feathers

By Joceline Tan

Independent candidate Aminah Abdullah is in the mood for revenge and her campaign logo is a set of keys which some say she will use to unlock PKR’s “dirty secrets” in the Penanti by-election.

PKR thought it would be an easy-peasy walkover in Penanti when the Barisan Nasional decided to sit out the by-election.

But it looks like PKR candidate Mansor Ismail cannot take things for granted. He will win hands down but he may find a portion of the Malay vote going one way and the Thai vote going the other.

The three independents are stirring up things, particularly the sole lady candidate Aminah Abdullah, who used to be the Wanita PKR leader for Penang.

This was what some in PKR had feared - that in the absence of a big showdown between two real and credible political parties, the voters would get distracted by the minor players and sideshows.

And Aminah seems to be warming up for the role. She is also in the mood for revenge. She accused PKR of trying to buy her out as a candidate and has threatened to expose the “dirty secrets” of PKR and its leaders.

The lady is a “fighting cock,” as the Penangites like to say of combative people.

Her tough stance surprised reporters who had thought she was just another makcik politician.

“I spoke to her a few days before the nominations. She came across excited and happy to be a candidate. When I urged her to reveal her plans, she giggled and said that if she told me everything now, there would be ‘no thrill left’. Those were her exact words. She surprised me when she started making those threats,” said one journalist.

Aminah opted to use the keys logo for her campaign. Some say that is because she intends to use them to unlock the secrets that she claims to know about PKR.

It is said love and hate are two opposing emotions on the same plane and Aminah now hates PKR as passionately as she used to love the party.

Basically, Aminah felt that her devotion to the party during its early days was not appreciated and that she was cast aside after Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was released.

She was an enthusiastic party member with an activist attitude towards politics which suited the party fine during the reformasi period.

At her height, she was the Wanita PKR chief for Penang as well as the Bukit Bendera division. Her government servant husband, Mohd Rofi Osman, was the Bukit Bendera deputy chief.

But as Anwar prepared to make Penang a frontline state for the 2008 general election, people like Aminah found themselves overshadowed by other more ambitious people and were forced out. By then, everyone wanted to be part of the game .

Finally, in 2007, she quit the party in what seemed like an organised spat of resignations among people aligned to former PKR Youth chief Ezam Mohd Noor.

But PKR people say that while she was hard-working, she was argumentative and did not work well with people.

“A good leader must also be focused. We don’t mind if we are talking about A and she is talking about B.

“But at meetings, we would be talking about A and she would be talking about Z; it was totally off tangent. We just didn’t know what to do with her,” said Batu Maung assemblyman and state exco member Malik Kassim.

Aminah’s current campaign team comprises mainly of her husband and four daughters and it seems to centre around her intense feelings against PKR.

When reporters asked about her schedule after she filed her nomination papers, she said rather candidly: “Kak Min penat, nak balik tidur” (I am tired. I want to go home to rest).

Aminah may not be a credible candidate but she is likely to be the beneficiary of votes from Penanti voters who are Umno members. Pro-Umno voters who might have otherwise stayed home on voting day, will probably cast an anti-PKR vote in her favour.

A chunk of the Thai vote will likely go to one of their own, namely the other independent Nai Khan Ari.

Nai has a track record for community work in his village and his humble body language is a contrast to the aggressive Aminah or unconventional style of the third independent Kamatrul Ramizu Idris.

By most accounts, none of the independents is a proxy of the Barisan Nasional but it is possible that certain local personalities from the Barisan are backing some of these candidates because they want to chip away PKR’s command of the votes.

Meanwhile, the hottest topic at PKR ceramah is not Penang issues or arch enemy Umno but the political impasse in Perak.

The political ripples in Perak have spread to Penang, former Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Nizar Jamaluddin is a big crowd drawer and people want hear about Perak politics.

Except maybe for PKR’s Malik, who said: “I am dying to know what dirty secrets Aminah has to tell.” The Star

Study confirms mothers-in-law are the chief cause of divorces

KUALA LUMPUR: Every married person knows it, but a local study has confirmed it – mothers-in-law are the chief cause of divorces, especially in the Indian community.

Data in the Malaysia Community and Family Study 2004 by the National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN) revealed that “meddlesome in-laws” is the number one reason why Indian couples get divorced.

It is also among the top three factors for divorce among the Malays and Chinese. The other two factors are incompatibility (42.3%) and infidelity (12%).

“Interference by in-laws is the main reason for Indians to divorce. It is the top-ranked reason at 30%,” said LPPKN director-general Datuk Aminah Abdul Rahman when presenting a paper on Malaysia’s family profile and its effects at Institut Kefahaman Islam Malaysia yesterday.

Infidelity is the marriage breaker among the Malays and Indians but it is tolerated among the Chinese.

“Among Malays, the second most common reason is infidelity and refusal to put up with polygamy,” she said.

“Among the Indians, infidelity is the second highest ranked reason for divorce at 25%,” she said.

However, the Chinese considered infidelity as the least crucial reason for a divorce.

Cheating was at the bottom along with health and gambling addiction at 4.2%.

Surprisingly, abuse is not a reason for divorce among the Malays and Chinese, but is a reason among Indians at 5%.

“Another overall reason which ranked high among the three races at 11.5% is ‘not being responsible’,” she said.

Although it is common perception that the family institution is quite fragile and divorces are rampant, data shows otherwise - only 0.7% of the population was divorced in 2000.

The data shows that divorce is more likely to happen to those under 25 and above 40.

Meanwhile, Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil said that more Malaysian women were choosing to marry later in life and it could cause a reduction in fertility rate and an ageing society.

“The National Family Policy and its action plan will address this issue of late marriages,” she said.

The policy would be presented to the Cabinet soon. The Star

Islam and Napoleon

• Religions are all founded on miracles â" on things we cannot understand, such as the Trinity. Jesus calls himself the Son of God, and yet is descended from David. I prefer the religion of Muhammad â" it is less ridiculous than ours.
  • Letter from St. Helena (28 August 1817); as quoted in The St. Helena Journal of General Baron Gourgaud, 1815-1818 : Being a Diary written at St. Helena during a part of Napoleon's Captivity (1932) as translated by Norman Edwards, a translation of Journal de Sainte-Hélène 1815-1818 by General Gaspard Gourgaud, t.2, p.226
  
  
• Muhammad was a great man, fearless soldier; with a handful of men he triumphed at the battle of Badr, great captain, eloquent, a great man of state, it regenerated his homeland, and created in the middle of the deserts of Arabia a new people and a new power.
  • Statement of 1817 quoted in Précis des guerres de César, écrit à Sainte-Hélène sous la dictée de l'empereur (1836) edited by Comte Marchand, p. 237

Islam The True Religion - Napoleon Bonaparte

• I hope the time is not far off when I shall be able to unite all the wise and educated men of all the countries and establish a uniform regime based on the principles of the Quran which alone are true and which alone can lead men to happiness.
  • Letter to Sheikh El-Messiri, (28 August 1798); published in Correspondance Napoleon edited by Henri Plon (1861), t.4, N° 3148, p. 420