The oldest inhabitants in Malaysia.

Assalamulaikum & hai,

Do you know that the oldest inhabitants of Malaysia are its tribal peoples?

http://www.pahang-delights.com/citrawarna.html

Total population of them is 5 percent. In Sabah, they are categorized as their individual tribes. Furthermore, mot tribes fall under the term Kadazan . In Sarawak, the dominant tribal groups are Dayak, Iban and Bidayuh. While, in Peninsular Malaysia, they are called as "orang asli". 

As we know, their relationship with environment / rain forest is very tight and strong. 

Chinese Muslim food.

Assalamualaikum & hai,

According to plan, we supposedly make eating trip to restaurant Chinese Muslim. But, due some problems, we cannot make it. Maybe we will go there someday. Hence, i proudly want to show you some of famous tasty Chinese Muslim's  foods.

http://www.foodstreet.com.my/food-street/bpage.s?by=Chinese+Muslim+Food+Paradise&bid=158

Fuhh, feel tempting right? Just cant wait to go eating there. Lets go together :D

Challenges as Muslim Chinese.

Assalamualaikum &hai,

The first problem is that, the number of converts to Islam among the Chinese, although increasing, is hardly a satisfying number. Secondly, those who do convert are often subjugated to all sorts of prejudice among the majority Malay Muslims (not all of them of course), especially when they tend to remain hold to their chinese culture. Many Malays Muslim religious officers would not hesitate to push the Chinese to change their Chinese name and adopt a more Arab or Malay sounding name. In most cases, the Chinese gets a new extension name at the back of his new name, "bin Abdullah". For example, from Tan Lon Yeng, it becomes Musa Tan bin Abdullah.

Thirdly, the majority Malay population often sees (although more pertinent in the past than nowadays) the converted Chinese as somehow rather now a part of the Malay society, rather than a Muslim society. Chinese culture are deemed mostly un-Islamic and the new Muslim now should be more Malay to show that he's a good Muslim. This belief is so ingrained in some parts of the Malay world, that whenever a Chinese converts into Islam, he is said to have "converted into a Malay". This misconception, ultimately draws negative views from the non-Muslim Chinese regarding Islam, and many reject Islam, simply because they love their Chinese identity too much.

In reality, Islam does not rob someone of their cultural identity and replaces it totally with a foreign and new one. Islam as a complete way of life, allows and permits the cultural clothings, foods, dances etc. of any particular group of race as long as it does not contradict its teachings. Therefore, Islam does not erase the Malay cultural dress of Baju Melayu and Baju Kebaya, the various Malay dishes and other cultural activites. What should be observed is that these cultural identities does not contradict with the tenets of the religion.

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) respected the protocols of other groups of nations, as long as it does not contradict Islam itself. From a hadith as narated by Anas bin Malik (God be pleased with him), it is stated that:

"When the Prophet pbuh wanted to write a letter to Rom, and it was told to him that they (the Romans) do not read letters without a seal (stamp), he (the Prophet) made a seal from silver. (Anas said): I can still see the whiteness of the seal on the hands of the Prophet, written Muhammad Rasulullah (Muhammad Prophet of God) " (narrated from Bukhari and Muslim)

This hadith shows that the norms or practice of a particular group of people was celebrated by the Prophet, as was stated, as long as it does not contradict Islam.The Prophet did not reject it outright or detest the practice, whereas if the Prophet did not even follow the practice, he would have lost nothing, instead the Roman recipient would be the losers.

Islam and the general Chinese Culture #1

Assalamualaikum & hai,

Islam is a universal way of life and it is directed to all the nations on earth without exceptions. It does not belong to any particular group of people. It does not belong to you or me, but it belongs to God alone, the creator of the heavens and earth. At first glance, it should be easy to understand, for a particular religion to be propagated and spread throughout the masses that it should adopt in some way or another to the existing culture of the people it is intended to. And this is indeed the nature of Islam.

However, in the context of my country, Malaysia, there seems to be some flaws in that implementation and understanding of it. In Malaysia there are around 60% Muslims (16 million according to the 209 Pew Research Forum Report), with the overwhelming majority belonging to the Malay people. They are considered to be one of the indigenous group of people in the country and have converted to Islam approximately five to six hundred years ago. Most of the Malays nowadays are considered Muslims with the exception of very few.

The Chinese people in this country number around six million people, and from them, around 1% are Muslims, according to unofficial statistics. This would mean they number around 70,000 people altogether.

Architecture in Malaysia.

Assalamualaikum & hai,

Architecture in Malaysia is a combination of many styles, from Islamic and Chinese styles to those brought by European colonists. Malay architecture has changed due to these influences. Houses in the north are similar to those in Thailand, while those in the south are similar to those in Java. New materials, such as glass and nails, were brought in by Europeans, changing the architecture. Houses are built for tropical conditions, raised on stilts with high roofs and large windows, allowing air to flow through the house and cool it down. Wood has been the main building material for much of Malaysia's history; it is used for everything from the simple kampung to royal palaces. In Negeri Sembilan traditional houses are entirely free of nails. Besides wood, other common materials such as bamboo and leaves were used. The Istana Kenangan in Kuala Kangar was built in 1926, and it the only Malay palace with bamboo walls. The indigenous people of East Malaysia live in longhouses and water villages. Longhouses are elevated and on stilts, and can house 20 to 100 families. Water villages are also built on stilts, with houses connected with planks and most transport by boats.

Chinese architecture can be divided into two types, traditional and Baba Nyonya. Baba Nyonya households are made of colourful tiles and have large indoor courtyards. Indian architecture came with the Malaysian Indians, reflecting the architecture of southern India where most originated from. Some Sikh architecture was also imported. Malacca, which was a traditional centre of trade, has a large variety of building styles. Large wooden structures such as the Palace of Sultan Mansur Shah exist from early periods. Chinese influence can be seen in brightly decorated temples and terraced shop houses. The largest remaining Portuguese structure in Malacca is the A Famosa fort. Other colonial building include the Dutch Stadthuys, the Dutch Colonial town brick buildings, and buildings built by the British such as the Memorial Hall, which combines Baroque and Islamic architecture.

The shapes and sizes of houses differ from state to state. Common elements in Peninsular Malaysia include pitched roofs, verandahs, and high ceilings, raised on stilts for ventilation. The woodwork in the house is often intricately carved. The floors are at different levels depending on the function of the room. Mosques have traditionally been based on Javanese architecture. In modern times, the government has promoted different projects, from the tallest twin buildings in the world, the Petronas Twin Towers, to a whole garden city, Putrajaya. Malaysian firms are developing skyscraper designs that are specifically for tropical climates.

PART 2: CONCEPTUAL DIMENTIONS

Assalamualaikum & hai,

            Assalamualaikum…this entry is about Conceptual Dimensions. Everyone in class came a bit late today. Hehe…same goes to my friends and I. Today is soo hot so that’s why we planned to go quite late than usual. At the class, Sir mention about one scholar named Sue and Sue…for the 1^st time I heard that name..Sir continues his teaching although there are students who still came late. Based on the topic today, I can emphasize that there are Eurocentric standards and competence at the beginning of slides. So, I just took my book and pen to write down the important information while Dr. Siraje teaches.

           

I attracted to this quote that says “good counselling is simply good counselling”-regardless of who is practicing it or on whom it is applied. Furthermore, based on Multicultural view, it is said that “what is ‘good’ in one culture may not be so in another.” This quote is under competence’s slide and it is emphasize on the true meaning of counselling. Meanwhile, in Philosophical values and assumptions of mainstream counselling it is stated that people are unique and each individual is the psychosocial unit especially related to race and culture. There are also insignificant in counselling perspective. Thus, all client’s are the same such as in personality theory which people learn in the same way and also respond to stimuli at the same ways. 

Malaysian, Tanah Airku.

Assalamualaikum & hai,

Culture in Malaysia draws on the variation of cultures of on the different people of Malaysia. The first people to live in the area were indigenous tribes that still remain; they were followed by the Malays, who moved there from mainland Asia in ancient times. Chinese and Indian cultural influences made their mark when trade began with those countries, and increased with immigration to Malaysia. Other cultures that heavily influenced that of 

Malaysia include Persian, Arabic and British. The many different ethnicities that currently exist in Malaysia have their own unique and distinctive cultural identities, with some crossover.

Some cultural disputes exist between Malaysia and neighboring countries, notably Indonesia. The two countries have a similar cultural heritage, sharing many traditions and items. However, disputes have arisen over things ranging from culinary dishes to Malaysia's national anthem. Strong feelings exist in Indonesia about protecting their national heritage. 

The Malaysian and Indonesian government have met to defuse some of the tensions resulting from the overlaps in culture. Feelings are not as strong in Malaysia, where most recognize that many cultural values are shared.

Public support for the arts is meager. 

Malaysian society for the past century has been so heavily geared toward economic development that the arts have suffered, and many practitioners of Malaysia's aesthetic traditions mourn the lack of apprentices to carry them on. The possibility exists for a Malaysian arts renaissance amid the country's growing affluence. 

Who are Malaysian?

Assalamualaikum & hai,

As we know, Malaysian is one of country that have variety of races and cultures.As we know, Malaysian is one of country that has variety of races and cultures. There are three main races in Malaysia such as Malay as majority, Chinese and Indian. Besides that, there are several differences between those three races in terms of occupation, foods, traditional clothes and many more.

As for Malay, their main occupation for almost past years is farming. They are good in “bercucuk tanam”. The Malay are Malaysia's largest ethnic group, accounting for over half the population and the national language. With the oldest indigenous peoples they form a group calledbumiputera, which translates as "sons" or "princes of the soil." Almost all Malays are Muslims, though Islam here is less extreme than in the Middle East. Traditional Malay culture centers around the kampung, or village, though today one is just as likely to find Malays in the cities.  

While, the Chinese dominating the business part. They are talented in trading and also mathematics. The Chinese traded with Malaysia for centuries, then settled in number during the 19th century when word of riches in the Nanyang, or "South Seas," spread across China. Though perhaps a stereotype, the Chinese are regarded as Malaysia's businessmen, having succeeded in many industries. When they first arrived, however, Chinese often worked the most grueling jobs like tin mining and railway construction. Most Chinese are Tao Buddhist and retain strong ties to their ancestral homeland. They form about 35 percent of the population. 

Besides that, Indian is familiar works as rubber tappers. Indians had been visiting Malaysia for over 2,000 years, but did not settle en masse until the 19th century. Most came from South India, fleeing a poor economy. Arriving in Malaysia, many worked as rubber tappers, while others built the infrastructure or worked as administrators and small businessmen. Today ten percent of Malaysia is Indian. Their culture -- with its exquisite Hindu temples, cuisine, and colorful garments -- is visible throughout the land.

The colorful faces of Malaysia,

Taken from http://apanama2020.blogspot.com/2011/07/unite-speak-up-and-use-new-media.html

PART 1: CROSS CULTURAL COUNSELING IN SCHOOL

Assalamualaikum & hai,

Assalamualaikum… Hi, my name is Nor Syaheeda Bt Mohamad and this semestar is my 3^rd Year. Today, is sooo hot and I still go to Cross Cultural Counseling class. What I have learned today is about Multicultural experience. Actually, I don’t really focus in class because I feel tired and don’t get enough sleep last night because too busy finishing all my assignments. After a few slides, Dr. Siraje told some example then I slowly understand what Dr. Siraje teach. Umm…feel sorry to you sir..but what can I do???huhuhu…

            

Overall today, what I want to conclude based on my understanding is world view of culturally different among clients linked to historical and current experiences of perceived marganization, racism or oppression. Thus, counselor are supposed to help or to subscribe to professional values and standards into client during counselling session. Besides, counselling can be perceived as an instrument of oppression against the minorities.

           

Now, the class already end so I packed my things. Sorry and thanks to Sir because he can bear with his student’s behaviour in class…hehe…  :D