Thursday, December 02, 2010

Islam in Malaysia

Islam in Malaysia by Dr. Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin (Matahari books, 2010) RM40.00

While still in his 30s, Dr. Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin, former Mufti of Perlis, earned a reputation as a popular, and sometimes controversial, public intellectual on the subject of Islam in Malaysia.

This collection of his articles seeks to identify and celebrate the true Islamic essence of simplicity, rationality and justice; and to separate it from superstition, prejudice and taklid (blind adherence) to self- serving 'religious' leaders.

Told in a forthright style, but spiced with wit and contemporary allusions, it takes many examples from the Quran and Sunnah to show that it is up to Muslims to rescue their faith from being dominated merely by reactionary and conservative forces.

Among the subjects in this book:
* Are music and entertainment allowed in Islam?
* Why must long-distance bus drivers be discouraged from fasting?
* Are non-Muslims allowed to enter mosques?
* Did the Prophet Nuh pass to us a recipe for porridge?
* Why are some P. Ramlee lyrics more Islamic than contemporary nasyid songs?


New Malaysian books (there are too many to list all), here is a sample:

1. My  Mothers Garden  by Emila Yusuf (dRam pRojects, Book Haven) RM33.90
2. Buster makes a friend by Peter Worthington (Oyez Books) RM28.00
3.Elephabet  by Yusof Gajah  (Gajah) RM48.00
4. Mother and Child by Yusof Gajah (Gajah) RM48.00
5. The  Real Elephant by Yusof Gajah (Gajah) RM33.90
6.Payah by Margaret HL Lim (Fairy Bird) RM24.00
7. Overcoming Corruption by Betrand de Speville (RAFSA) RM30.00
8. 
Freedom Film Fest 2010 (DVD) RM15.00
9. The Malaysian Indian Dilemma by Janaky Raman, 2nd Edition. (Revised prices) . HB39.90, PB29.90
10. 
Borneo Tom by  Tom McLaughlin (Borneo Tom) RM 50.00
11.Nyaman Sipudding Roti by Cikha Sidinaali (Sang Freud Press)
12. Second Coming by E Manu Eel (CD) RM25.00