04 May 2005

Dr. M in the News

Tun Dr. Mahathir raised a very interesting question at the launching ceremony of the UK based, Islamic Relief Worldwide.

He asked, "Why is it all right to receive contributions from non-Muslims but wrong to contribute to non-Muslims?"

I remember one story, which my mother-in-law related to me sometime back. This lady (a family friend) came to her and enquired whether she knew of some organizations to which they could donate money (charity). So my mother-in-law told them about one school in Sunway who taught special children. The next question the lady friend asked was whether the school was run by Muslims because she wanted to donate money only to organizations run by Muslims.

It was sad when educated people start talking like that. It’s ironic because the school takes in children of all races and religion.

I have come across several people who want to help but only people of their own ethnic group or religion. Fortunately, there are many others who are not.

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11 comments:

Shin said...

Hehehe... Human beings are born with brains. They should use it to think more sometimes.

Vernon said...

Bigots are everywhere. It's sad, but through. All walks of life, educated, uneducated.

Whatever happened to unconditional giving?

Anonymous said...

SAD IT IS ADAM. BUT THATS THE WAY IT IS. WITHOUT OFFENCING OTHER RACES/RELIGIONS, THEY ARE CASES THAT THEY ALSO HESITATE TO HELP THE MUSLIMS; GIVING PRIORITY TO PPL WITH THE SAME RACE/RELIGION AS THEM. THEIR EXCUSE, IF I DONT HELP PPL OF MY OWN RACE/RELIGION, WHO ELSE WILL? ...WHICH KINDA MAKE SENSE, CONSIDERING SOME (NOT ALL) WOULD STILL THINK LIKE THAT KINDA THINKING...

lucia said...

"if i don't help ppl of my own race/religion, who else will?"

that is kind of a bigot thinking. when you help someone you usually don't care about his/her reac/religion. that thinking is as though that people will only help people of their own race/religion.
also shows that the mind thinks people are selfish, they will help people of their own race/religion only as the mind believe that she/he has a right to help her/his own kind... if she/he does not will the other kind help? it shows that the mind is not trusting of other people too.

not to talk about donating huge (or small) sum to charity organisation, sometimes giving money to beggars on the road, people are bigots too. a few times i heard e.g. a chinese passing by a malay beggar and said "malay ah! don't want to give lah. i only give to chinese" or the other way round, a malay saying "chinese ah! i don't want to give lah. i only give to malay."

sometimes we have to tread carefully when extending our help in this sensitive muslim nation. i'm talking about our church's society (http://myparish.net.svp) which helps the poor. we help all regardless of race/religion but we were caution when helping the malays as the govt. might look to it as we are trying to convert them, which we don't of course. more than 1/2 of those we help or non christians!

sorry for being cakap banyak. :)

AK said...

Adam

that is unfortunate, but at least they are helping someone, maybe they will realise their error and start helping everyone

Personally I just donate money and let the organisation decide who it will help most

Anonymous said...

To be a good donor, one must understand what organisation you are donating. Some charity use more money than giving out to the needy. Some worst helps some terrorist organisations. Do some background check on the charity organisation. With internet it would be easier. I found that Americans are comparitively more generous than Malaysians.

Kri said...

The good old doc is right. Indeed it is sad that such things still happen. Even when giving to their own kind, some of these guys I know ask a lot of demeaning questions before parting with their ringgit. One measly ringgit!

disco-very said...

how tragic! selfishness in selflessness... never heard of it, actually. thanks for sharing.

here's to a hopefully logically improved future.

MooPig said...

My parents are members of a charity org. Sometimes, I hear stories from my Mom. It's true that some ppl only want to donate to certain organisation/ people and ignore about others. That's when there are 'politics' within the group. Sad..

Some ppl can be open minded about other things but are so narrow minded when it comes to simple stuffs.

BabyPink said...

a very good question from dr. mahathir. it's really sad, though. as for me, race and religion doesn't matter, if you can help then help! God is good and i believe that in God's eyes, we are all equal.:)

Dilip Mutum said...

Judging from the feedback I can see that race or religion is not a factor while giving charity. All hope is not lost. ;-)
Thanks guys.

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