REVEREND Sivin Kit isn’t just any ordinary pastor. The leader of the Bangsar Lutheran Church believes it’s important to have “safe spaces for dangerous conversations”. Even – or maybe especially – in present-day Malaysia. Kit, 38, is one of the most committed religious leaders when it comes to interfaith dialogue. He was one of the […]
Palestine
Getting emotional about Palestine
Ventings by Marina Mahathir
ON whichever side we may be on, it seems almost impossible not to be emotional about the Palestinian issue. The sources of these emotions may vary, from identification either with the Palestinian or Israeli side, or simply from the sheer frustration at the unjustness of the situation. What’s clear is that amidst the emotion, there is a lot of fuzziness about the real issues, and much inconsistency on principles.
Representing Israelis and Palestinians
By Shanon ShahFEW believe that peace will break out in Gaza anytime soon, with Israel and Hamas adding demands to their hostage exchange negotiations. In the meantime, the dominant discourse on Israel in Malaysia is still that the Jews and the West are out to disempower and even destroy Islam and Muslims. But exactly what sorts of […]
The pastor for Palestine
By Shanon ShahTHE protests in Malaysia against Israel’s attacks on Gaza have taken on an overwhelmingly Islamic hue. From PAS‘s public demonstrations to the Muslim Consumers Association’s campaign to boycott all Jewish products, the crisis in Gaza has been painted as a proxy war between Muslims and Jews. Some prominent Malaysian Muslims have spoken up against this […]
Liberating Palestine
By Shanon ShahBook cover for Where the streets had a name (all pics courtesy of Pan MacMillan) THERE has been an outpouring of rage and sympathy from many Malaysians, from across the political divide, towards Israel’s recent bombardment of Gaza, Palestine. To gain a more nuanced perspective of the issue, The Nut Graph spoke exclusively with Australian […]
US-M’sia FTA talks to resume
By Cindy ThamUS ambadassor to Malaysia, James R Keith, at the Obama Inauguration Day Party, 21 Jan 2009 (all pics by Cindy Tham) KUALA LUMPUR, 21 Jan 2009: The US will prioritise continuing free trade agreement (FTA) talks with Malaysia now that President Barack Obama has taken office, said its ambassador to Malaysia James R Keith. He […]
Do boycotts work?
By Zedeck SiewAS the attacks on Palestine intensified before an uncertain ceasefire took place, one other clarion call, apart from the call to stop Israel, was to boycott American products and the US dollar. No less than former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has lent weight to this rally. Placard in a demonstration in Seattle, Washington (© […]
KT, Palestine, sex toys and language
Translation by Zedeck SiewBETWEEN 12 and 19 Jan 2009, alongside the Kuala Terengganu by-election and the conflict in Palestine, the Malay-language press was also preoccupied with the sale of sex toys and the teaching of science and maths in the English language. Jews in the news Israel’s invasion of Gaza continued to occupy headlines throughout the week. On […]
Why prioritise Palestine?
By Hafidz Baharom(© Peter Mulligan / Flickr) WHILE many are passionate in voicing their disgust at Israel’s treatment of the Palestinians, I’m feeling an equal amount of disgust for all the parties involved. I’m looking within our borders and noticing that these very parties so outraged at Israel are hardly outraged with other issues affecting Malaysians. How […]
M’sia unhappy with UN resolution: Rais (Updated)
Updated 11:55pm, 9 Jan 2009 KUALA LUMPUR, 9 Jan 2009: Malaysia is unhappy with the resolution of the Security Council of the United Nations (UN) which calls for an ‘immediate and continuous’ ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and a ‘total withdrawal’ of Israeli troops subsequently from the Palestine territory. Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais […]
