What makes a good Muslim?


Dina Zaman

WE were in a little village somewhere south of this country and it was night time. During the day, the village would be described as pretty; all the houses there had existed since the early 19th century. The gardens were neat and compact, and flowers and trees planted in them were lush. This is a Malaysia long gone.

The village we visited for our field work is renowned among the authorities, and has a rich history of Islamic movements. They, the community, had been demonised and terrorised by the authorities and the surrounding neighbourhoods for being Salafis for generations. The harassment by the surrounding neighbourhood and local authority figures has been non-stop as the village did not adhere to the Sunni Islam practised by others.


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Comments


  • "This is a Malaysia long gone."
    > Correction, "this is Malaya long gone". Really, I didn't know North Borneo and Sarawak shared with Malaya quaint Malay Salafi villages. I hope not.

    Well, am not surprised the authorities went snooping on them all the time. I don't think poverty what drove their kids to become "militants"(let's be honest here, it's islamic terrorists).
    Fighting in south Philippines, eh? Well more reason to be wary then. Why the parents not stopping them? Too pious? Just want to be left in peace? Finding lame excuses?
    Salafi or not, after what happened in Sabah, will not forgotten, ever.

    Interesting article. Why didn't they just emigrate to Brunei and enjoy the islamic paradise there?

    Posted 6 years ago by Kekus Vult