Singapore has a population of about 4.6 million to date and counting. The Muslims however make up only 15% of the population. But how do we think our Muslim community stand in the society in terms of their social economic success? Can we consider the majority of us to be successful on an excellent scale? What does it take for Muslims to stand better in terms of our social economic success? At least, can we make the gap between the low, medium and high income Muslims closer?
We probably wish we are as successful as one of the very successful Muslims, Dato’ Mohd Zain Abdullah of Prestige Marine Services Private Limited. Or even non Muslims like Oprah Winfrey or Bill Gates. But how do these individuals do it. What do they do in common to excel?
The famous phrase,”If we want the truth, we must be able to handle the truth.” Therefore, it make sense to state, if we want great wealth, we must be able to handle great wealth. But are we aware about how we handle our money, the trust(amanah) from Allah s.w.t? Can we nurture the Muslim community well to yield successful individuals, thus bringing about balance in the social economic perspective?
Firstly the awareness about the imbalance in the social economic perspective of the Muslim community must be initiated. Only then can we understand the issues. Moving forward, we should keep an open mind to be educated about wealth management, like wealth creation and distribution upon any unexpected occurrence.
These will enlighten the Muslims on new ideas and solutions to old problems pertaining to wealth management. Thus, good financial habits among Muslims will be encouraged and nurtured from whatever stage they are at. Ideally, this will create more successful Muslims. But this will happen only if the Muslims are ready to start practicing good wealth management.
Issues about the social economic success in the Muslim community, directly and indirectly, come from the lack of understanding of wealth planning, estate planning, faraid and the existence of other tools in Muslim estate planning. More often than not, the lack of education & knowledge is the one that is hindering us to move forward.
We are therefore held responsible not only for what we do but for what we do not do. While nothing changes until something moves, what does it take for a Muslim to change their mindset about wealth, estate and debt management? Only time will tell. And time is the only commodity that we can’t get more of. We can always work harder for more money, replace old things for new, but we can’t add a single minute to our lives when death approaches and we have not plan it right.
Therefore, let’s move forward, seek, learn, be successful but first, do seriously take Muslim wealth management consultation for a first step because it can help you discover options you never thought possible and save you a lot of trouble at a later stage!
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Written by: Muslim Wealth Management Consultant
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If you would like to join us as a writer or have enquiries on Thalatha Scoop, send your questions or articles to [email protected].
Salaam,
I think that if we want to speak of how the Malay/Muslim community is doing as compared to the other communities in Singapore, the issue is not about how we handle wealth, the issue is about equal opportunity. For instance, it is well known that women wearing tudung face difficulty getting a job. Why speak about how we handle wealth when it is difficult even to get a job due to discrimination?
Multatuli
There are many eg of Muslim women wearing tudung, who not only have acquired jobs, but are successful too! Going far back, let’s look at 2 of our Prophet’s (pbuh) wives, Khadijah & Aishah. One was a very successful business woman who succeeded in faring the family’s vast wealth and the other was respected to be the teacher of scholar & experts. Plus, Aishah’s life was proof that women can exert influence over men & women and provide them with inspiration & leadership… and at the same time be feminine!
Currently, look at Halimah Yaacob, she wears tudung, yet she is influential & well respected by many. And what about Rahimah Rahim, wearing tudung doesn’t stop her to be still active in the entertainment industry.
Looking nearer, I’ve seen many old ‘makciks’ who wear tudung, over 60 years old, some without any formal education, & yet they are still able to provide food on their tables. My mum is one of them. Despite her age & other shortcomings, she got job offers one after another & her ‘rezeki’or livelihood never fall short. In fact she can save more money on a monthly basis than me!
I believe these women mentioned above, from the powerful businesswomen to the homely ‘makciks’, fight for their rights & for that, got what they wanted. Sure there will be challenges, especially living in a multi-racial country like ours. But there are more opportunities that sometimes we think we don’t see.
I am not saying that there are no Muslim women who are successful. So, all your “wonderful” and feel-good examples are besides the point. I am saying that there is ongoing discrimination against Malay-Muslim women who wear tudung in the job market. There is also ongoing discrimination against Malay (not to mention Indian) Muslim men. This cannot be denied. Of course there are token, yes, token, exceptions like Halimah Yaacob wearing the tudung. This is token as the political statement is obvious and this also shows that she is an exception rather than the rule. To speak about the wives of RasululLah is really besides the point. And this is not to belittle the achievements of the Muslim women here in Singapore but it is clear that their success happens inspite of the discriminatory environment or system not because of the system. Anyway, my point also is that to speak of the need to manage wealth/income amongst Muslims which your entry suggests is moot compared to the fact that it is difficult to even get income/wealth when there is discrimination in the job market. While it is not unimportant for us to manage our wealth, such a concern is useless if we are not able to secure jobs due to us because of discriminatory practices in the first place. Such discriminatory practices are well known among Malay Muslims here.
Assalammualaikum wr wb,
Discrimination happens every where. If we keep harping on that problem, it will never be resolved. Even Muslim Employers don’t hire non Muslims because of certain reasons. Don’t you think we are discriminating the Non Muslim also?
So what’s your solution?
Hence this is my solution from my limited experience..
1) Seek more knowledge. Majority that I know who cannot get a job is because of the lack of skills. There’s a lot of FREE Courses by the CCs and Upgrading plans going on. So go and seek them. If you are not forth Coming, then that is your loss.
2) Do not Spoon Feed them but teach them to catch the FISH. If you know how to catch the FISH, do you think you need to depend your life entirely on an employer? The late Mansor Sukaimi advise me a few years ago, “if you cannot find a job, then learn to build your own business. Learn to sell, learn to create value and sooner or later you will be valuable to society. By then don’t need to find a job, because people will find you and want your skills.”
3) Wealth management is key in survival. If you have no clue of taking care of your assets, then you are also wasting your life away. Every single cent you earn you will end up spending more money than you earn. With proper wealth management, you will learn to plan and implement a long term strategy which will you keep afloat even when you are jobless.
There will be articles on Wealth Creation later on and strategies to grow your income in future Thalatha Scoop. So keep following our articles.
Wa’salam.
Salam,
have read the interesting takes here and I thot I’d share my view on this.
It’s clear there are 2 tracks here albeit the tracks are somewhat related. The 2 tracks :-
a. Wealth management skills, which is what
Melindah is advocating
b. Discimanatory issues which Multatuli said is
having an effect on overall wealth for
Muslims here.
No doubt, generally, learning new skills, eg, wealth management skills are important. And for those with the money but do not have the skills, then I guess this would be a good course to learn. He/She may chose to apply whatever that has been learnt.
On a separate but related track, discrimanation is definitely a problem here and it is having an effect on wealth creation of muslims here. Multatuli is right in this sense and my view is that we should not just accept it like that. If we do, if we don’t fight, then it will become the norm and what will happen to our future generation ? If the blacks of America just accepted their discrimanatory status which was ths status quo just a century ago, there would not be Obama now. And with Obama now, the skies the limit for the blacks in America. They have this believe they can do anything and good luck to them.
Over here, there seemed to be this norm and accepted notion that there are certain jobs/sectors that muslims cannot touch. Worse part is that we are told over and over again that our society here practiced meritocracy as its system of choice for the selection of human resource. Meritocracy ! Look around, it doesn’t add up!! I sometimes feel like the word ‘meritocracy’ is taunting us openly !
Like Mutatali said, the ones we see are just ‘token’ aje.
As a communuty, we can’t even get our daughters to wear the tudung to schools and to think, historically, our community are the ones that helped pushed the incumbent party to the govt ! And no one sees the twisted irony in that….
I’ve got nothing against the non muslims here. Some of my best frens are non muslims and I wish them well. They are just fighting very hard for themselves and their race. This is more than acceptable. It’s the right thing to do. The problem is we’re not. We just accept whatever that have been decided for us – whether we like it or not. There is a saying that whenever PM asks our Malay ministers/MPs about the problems/sentiment on the ground, our muslim MPs and Ministers will say everything is A ok ! So PM here everything ok, then ok lah ! We have no will to fight at all for what we want.
And Fadzuli, with all due respect, (my opinion) you’re right and wrong. Right that discrimation exists everywhere but wrong that if we continue to harp on it, it will never be solved. In fact, it’s the opposite. If we don’t harp on it, it will never be solved. If we harp on it, we are trying to solve the problem. Not to do it, in my opinion, is to let our future community down. And if you see the lessons round the world, slowly, bit by bit, generation after generation, they do get solved one way or another.
It’s not as simple as teaching our community how to fish. It’s a case of already knowing how to fish, certain part of the waters are off limits and these parts just happen to be the most important parts of the waters. At the moment, we just accept and happy not to question why these waters are off limits.
And so I conclude by saying that it’s great that such wealth management skills are on offer. I’m actually interested to learn of such skills but Melindah, if we’re taking the definition of success in our context here as wealth, then you must be joking if you say that muslim women (wearing tudung or otherwise) are considered successful here. Certainly, this is not meant as criticism to the many hardworking makciks and mothers out there, my late mother included, who slogged for us. Rather, it is to call a spade, a spade so we are aware and do something about them. By doing this, we honour our makciks and mothers.
Salam
Wan
Nobody is harping on the issue of discrimination but this issue is too often glossed over and totally ignored. I am not referring to jobs needing special skills and knowledge. If it is true that the job needs a Mandarin speaker because of postings in China, I will understand and if the job requires committment of halalness of food I think non-Muslim also will understand. However, the fact is there is real discrimination against Muslim workers especially women wearing tudung. I agree about seeking knowledge and learning how to fish but I disagree that wealth management is the key to survival. I already mentioned that it is close to useless to talk of handling wealth and income when people have difficulty getting jobs in the first place and on top of that they are not getting jobs due to racial/religious discrimination! And what is your response? Discrimination also happens elsewhere??? More wealth management articles??? Please, we must have a balance. Wan is right that we must also talk about the ongoing discrimination so that it can be resolved. Keeping quiet about it and glossing over it the way Melindah and Fadzuli is doing will not improve matters at all. It is like sweeping dirt under the carpet. I also agree with Wan that Melindah’s conception of success is a little skewed. Maybe she can clarify… In fact, this is what I am worried about… All these wealth management services and guidelines and articles on offer is breeding more and more “money-faced’ Muslims who think that success is only about wealth. Yes, I am with Wan, let’s can a spade a spade.
Salam
Thanks Sis Melinda for sharing the article and Bro Fadzuli for posting it up for a Great Discussion.
1. What we FOCUS on EXPANDS
Focus on discrimination, then you’ll get more of it
Focus on Opportunities, then you’ll get more of it
My wealth Mentor taught me the Biggest Lesson in Life
“Never BLAME, JUSTIFY or COMPLAIN”
2. If It’s to BE Its Up to, Guess Who?? ME!!
Take Responsibility = Ability to Respond POSITIVELY
It’s not what is happening, It’s what we do ABOUT what is happening, How we React, What we CHOOSE to do ABOUT it to Bring Forth POSITIVE Changes..
3. If You Can’t Have it CREATE it
It’s not about the Lack of Resources
Lack of Job, Lack of Money, Lack of Time..
It’s about the Lack of Resourcefulness
So we can sit an Play VICTIM or be a VICTOR
NOBODY Owes us a Living. Not the Government, our parents, our siblings, the welfare homes. We owe it to ourselves to Create Whatever we Want for our Life, Our Family and Our Community.
4. Quote from Benjamin Franklin “Well Done is Better than Well Said”
As Bro Fadzuli said, Go CREATE a Business, Initiate
We have in in Us as Allah’s Khalifahs tp Change the IMPOSSIBLE to “I M POSSIBLE ”
5. 101 Things that Can Be Done
1. Start a Business – Think BIG.
“Since we are going to think, might as well Think BIG” Donald Trump
Be the Source of employment if you think there is discrimination, then go Create the Jobs for those you have an Affinity for.
Be the next Donald Trump, Bill Gates, Oprah Winfrey, JK Rowling, Warren Buffet..
Be the Impetus of Change to Re Create the Glorious Golden Age of the Islamic Empire & Re-Ignite History again
Complain about all things Wrong being a Singaporean or we can Focus on the Benefits and Gratitude of being one.
I Love Singapore for one thing is that:
– Setting up a Business is Easy
– We get great Tax Exemptions in Biz
– There are many Grants avail to Support Small biz
( Many more benefits too many to mention here)
2. Don’t Know how to start a business? Don’t Have the Skills? No Ideas? No Talents? No Money? No Friends?
Answer: IQRA – Read in the Name of Thy Lord
Seek knowledge then with Intention of Serving the Community Better
Don’t Ask the HOW. Ask the WHAT & WHY, then the HOW will Appear ~ Faith is the name of this Game : >
Take up courses like Bro Fad pointed out. Free courses avail everywhere. Be Resourceful
In fact, Bro Fadzuli and I are creating a Work from Home Opportunity. Be an Virtual Internet Specialist for those who seems to be in the dead end
– Can’t Find Jobs
– Bitten by Discrimination Bugs or whatever Bugs out there
– Retrenchment Bug, Jobless Bug
– All the Bugs out there..
So? What’s next?
A) Go Complain in Forum “Oh I cant get a job, my boss fired me, How Unfair, That company did not hire me coz I cant speak Mandarin..”
OR
B) Attend a FREE Preview on “How to Earn $4000 from Home as a Virtual Internet Specialist”
3. MAKE MONEY Then Learn HOW to KEEP the $$
This is where individuals like sis Melinda comes in. I myself am in an Intensive Learning Mode in learning How to Manage Cashflow, Assets, Money and Grow the Wealth..
4. Attend WEALTH MANAGEMENT SEMINARS
– Read Books on it
– Support Wealth Consultants by Helping to Spread the Words/Share Blog Posts by Sis Melinda to create more Awareness
– Attend Seminars and Workshops on Biz, Wealth Creation & Wealth Management
As an Individual Muslim’s Wealth Grows, so will the Community’s Economic Strength, and a Glorious Islamic Empire Born again to Serve the Global Community Positively and Harmoniously. ; >
Believe & Prosper
Suria
PS: Sis Melinda, update me if you are conducting any Future Seminars on Wealth Management etc : )
Just like Suria mentions, if you let yourself fall victim of the situation then you will be in that situation.
Kak Suria and I are developing things and creating Virtual Specialist to work from homes. In this case we solve the issue of discrimination because you don’t even need to go to the office nor meet the people you work for face to face. So the question of Hijab is not an issue anymore.
So why the big fuss over it?
God is great, he will present to you solutions eventually. The question is. Is our Ummah patience enough?
Also we have to be grateful that Singapore is not like many other countries in the West where people look at you and treat much much worse just by wearing the Hijab or have a Beard.
I also agree that we have to stand for our rights and not just let it be. If we choose to fight how then do you fight?
If we really regard ourselves as agent of change, let’s come out with concrete solutions then. Instead of bickering over if this is a money making attempt or what.
Anyway Multatuli, why don’t you write an article on how to solve the community’s problem in your area of expertise. I believe its in Psychology right? Write in to [email protected]. Thanks.
[…] This post was Twitted by SuriaAnggun […]
Salam,
I diasgree with Suria that focussing on something “expands” it. Focussing on something i.e. a problem can also lead to its resolution. In fact, focus is important. This is also not about blaming or complaining but most certainly we need to justify our stand and thus far, I have done so. While I agree we must take responsibility, how can we do so when we refuse to even focus on the issue for fear that it will mysteriously “expand”? We must take up the responsibility of resolving the issue of discrimination not to gloss over it. In fact, to gloss over it is irresponsible! I agree that we can in some ways “create” what we need but this does not work all of the time. One person usually cannot do it alone. We need to come together. In the case of the ongoing unjustified dfiscrimination against Muslim women, for instance, we need to come together and to make the first step of admiting that there indeed is a problem. This is also not about being a victor or a victim it is about the right to work which is denied from many of us. The victor-victim dichotomy is simplistic and naive. But we must not lose sight of who is being treated unjustly! In this case the Muslimahs wearing tudung are treated unjustly. Do we ignore this and say that those who speak of this is caught up in victor-victim talk? Come on this is about justice in the labour market. Why cloud the issue?
Not to ask the How is to ignore a most inmportant line of questioning – we must ask the What, the Why, The Who, the When as well as the How. Islam teaches us the What, the When, the Why, the Who as well as the How. To leave out the How is clearly a mistake. I am sure in the course you are quite unashamedly plugging, you are also going to explain “HOW” people can make so much money, right?
I think this virtual specialist thing is a good attempt BUT to even hint that this is a way to go to render the “Hijab” as “not an issue anymore” is very simplistic and naive. Surely not all Muslimahs wearing tudung should go online to “sell” their expertise presuming they actually have the kind of expertise in demand on-line! This is not and can never be a solution to the ongoing discrimination!
Truthfully I am tired of all this “feel good” talk and quotes from business gurus which are grand statements which as I have illustrated, are full of holes like ignoring the “HOW” of doing things!. I think we need more substance! We need a reality check!
Please leave out the idea that Singapore is a great country. Yes we must syukur but I am sorry, if there is discrimination against our Muslimahs, I cannot be proud of this country that I love.
I thank brother Fadzuli for being open to my opinions but I have to say I am not an expert in psychology even though I am somewhat familiar with the subject. I am ill-prepared to write an article here but insyaAllah I will ready myself and when I do I will contribute.
Yes, be positive but please don’t gloss over the reality when it is painful…
Assalamu’alaikum wr.wb.
It great to see the sharings here. Indeed I understand the agony of Multatuli & the fact that discrimination takes places not allowing women in tudung in jobs. I have my personal experience when my first & most interesting job was taken away from me(by one of singapore’s biggest bank) when I first decided to wear tudung. I was pushed from frontline to back-end for my decision. I didn’t take up the offer because I’m a people person.
FYI, I was discriminated even though I was CHINESE-educated (in the early 80s) & speak ALL FOUR official languages. They wanted ONLY CHINESE. Doesn’t matter if you can speak the language. So at the age of 20, I realised discriminition is EVERYWHERE.
However, I went on to work(with tudung) in an American Firm, as a Holiday Consultant, & after 15years now, I’m doing my own business in People Development & Empowerment.
My humble thoughts to the above discussion.
My question is this – What are we doing about this discrimination? Or Are we sitting down lamenting & complaining Or Are we taking some actions to reduce/eliminate it.
No offence to you Mutatuli, I feel that even some muslims in singapore are discriminated by other muslims. How can we expect non-muslims to be non-discriminative.
This article is about muslims, why have you on your article mentioned malay-muslims/ indian-muslims. Why are we segregating & dividing ourselves based on race. ISLAM IS A WAY OF LIFE FOCUSING ON PEACE, POSITIVIY & ONENESS. Why are we not focusing on this? If muslims discriminate/divide muslims, why not non-muslims. You don’t have to answer this question, please ponder on this.
You’ve very valid points. We’ve to focus on the ISSUE of not being able to get jobs, & We have to ensure we have WEALTH FIRST, before we can talk about managing it. Its also true that financial wealth is ONLY one part of TRUE success. Living a life of ibadah& the Ultimate happiness & fulfillment to mankind. Ibadah to me is service to God, which is also, in my believe service to mankind, in our ‘small’ ways.
I believe, like what Fadzuli & Suria mentioned, taking responsibility of our life is the FIRST step to overcoming this issue – NO JOB/ CAN’T CREATE MONEY etc.. This means, in your words, taking the FIRST step to say to “NO” to discrimination / the financial problem. Then, we have to follow through with actions to NOT ALLOW it.
What I’ve done is to create awareness & empowerment in my small ways for women (with/without tudung), helping with creation self-acceptance of who we are. (This topic is really big & I can spend hours writing on this). Check out my article in the Futentristic Women Group.
As I too work from the mindset of “for things to change, first I MUST change”, I believe that when we change our out-look of the negative issues & take some ACTIONS to make them positive, Insha Allah, things will come around to the way we want – for the Highest Good of Mankind.
Allah Bless All with a Life of Clarity & Fulfillment.
Wassalam
Salam,
I thank Azeeza for her frank opinions. So what I have been saying about discrimination cannot be ignored as it is happening, it is a fact. In pointing out about race, I have no intention of segregating between Malay and Indian Muslims. I am merely being more specific as discrimination is not just about religion but also race – this means that Indian Muslims are even more discriminated against and I just wanted to highlight that… I am all too aware that Islam is not race-based at all. As I mentioned in an earlier post, I think that discrimination can be justified if such a justification is valid, as I mentioned, Re: jobs requiring posting to China, halal food compliance etc.). So I don’t see the point of Azeeza saying that Muslims discriminate against non-Muslims too. The point is that we muslims are discriminated against in the job market due to our race and religion and your case illustrates my stand! I think that we are all trying to create awareness of the issue of discrimination – you, Azeeza, is not alone in this, but as can be seen in some of the earlier post, attempts were made to gloss over it. And yes, we must do something but like I said before, first you must realise that there is a problem i.e. the job market discriminates against Muslims especially Muslim women! No amount of feel good talk is going to make that problem go away!
Helo peeps….here is the truth…singapore is “chingapore”…you dont speak chinese your out…..you dont blend your out…..you gotta be smart…you want equality …go to kelantan…live in arab countries….where woman feel second to man…be realistic…you wanna win…you gotta fight for it…
What ever religion, skin colour…people dont care….they want to see results…only results show and you will be accepted…anywhere!!! i have worked with the Britishclub before….the Ang mo boss was a 7 footer and he thinks i am lousy being small and local!..after 20 mins of tennis i got the job as a tennis director ( first malay in history to teach tennis there…was i good…you bet!!!! )
its 20 years already……i am the only Trilingual emcee in spore. I speak manadarin and host events in mandarin…no malays in spore has been and done where i have been…none….was i good? you bet ( hint hard work )
My company employs malay DJ’s to do chinese karaoke singing…the chinese find it strange that a malay company can hold the contract for 8 years!!!
My sister is lela zainal….she beat many “other races ” and is the only malay in spore who is unbeaten in thise days……we malays have talent….do not let religion be the reason of your underachievment…its not the religion…its in the lack of ACTION!!!!! sis…take action….drop your talk…start the walk…who in your office likes you? where have you been? where do you want to go!!! come on….NO EXCUSES…winners never quit…quiters never win….you gotta seriously get out of the hole your digging…..you telling me there is no way out!!!! you giotta be joking! be with the eagles….you are looking at the wrong direction…
sis….be so good that you are hard not to be noticed!!!!
revenge is massive success….do whatever it takes….muslims use to conquer 3/4 of the world…why? they took action….so stop your crap and start kicking!!!!
you want the truth!!! there aint free lunch in this world…you gotta work on yourself to be outstanding….dont follow the path…create your own path….dont like the rules …CREATE your own rules!!!!
Do you dare to run you own business!! if you do….YOU CAN WEAR TUDUNG EVERY OTHER DAY!!!!!!!! WHO GIVES A DAMN about being a muslim or not?…you create the future.be the boss AND then you can fire the one who says cannot wear tudung at work. Your the boss.This is not a muslim country….you gotta blend…go around it….play around it…be flexible and the world will be change…trust me…been there done that…wore the T shirt….life is goona put you down….but you gotta get ready for that..hard truth…you cant dig this….you cant dig reality…its your choice….play to win….i played and i win….many times and anyone can do it..good luck….you gotta smell the roast pork…its everywhere…just dont think about it and just focus on what you want….good luck…sorry had to be rude….this is reality…i teach streetsmart NLP…its a warzone…either you pray more ( to open your heart ) or you take More massive action…samson zee take care sis
All I can say is this:
‘You can be right or you can be rich’ ~ T. Harv Eker
I don’t know about you, but I’d rather be rich. I want to be the role model for others to say “Hey, if she can do it, I can too!”.
There are no rich ‘victims’ – have you noticed that? People who succeed focus on this: ‘There are *reasons* & there are *results*’. I choose results 🙂
I realised this the hard way – I can be right (about discrimination, unfair govt policies, etc etc), but it didn’t bring me the results that I want. Worse, I end up enrolling others into that ‘this is hopeless’ mindset. That didn’t work for me.
So enough already. I choose to be the change I want to see in society. & through my example, I want to inspire each person I come into contact with to move forward in their lives – regardless of the 20 million reasons that justify why they can’t.
cheers
harasha
Salam everyone!
To belief A: If thats what you want to think,then you are right.
To belief B: If thats what you want to think,then you are also right.
You reap what you sow.
If you’re lost on how to think and act properly,go back to the ways of our Prophet(saw).
Salam =)
Salam to all,
AlhamudlilLah this is a good discussion and I must thank everybody of your insights which I find most valuable…
I think that puting “an either or” on being rich and right and then choosing rich is really simplistic. Why can’t we be both rich AND right?
I think Muslim says it best… that we follow RasululLah s.a.w. and we know which did he choose given the choice between wealth and being right. The Quraysh offered him wealth and position and he rejected it! I am not saying abandon the world, RasululLah s.a.w. certainly did not teach us that but it is clear which one he would choose given the choice! I already said yes, be positive and yes, as Samson said, be hard-working but why can’t we also accept that there is a problem? And then we can try to resolve it together? This is not just for the individual but the community. Not all of us have the entrepreneural bent and some of us really need help in the face of discrimination. Where is the spirit of helping our Muslim brothers and sisters in need? This is far from a “hopeless mindset”! Actually, Harasha, there are more than 20 million reasons that says we can! You are a successful business lady and I applaud that. I applaud those who became entrepreneurs and become rich – hopefully without losing their souls along the way. I also understand that there are many entrepreneurs who have failed. Some feel discriminated against when they tried to take up loans even though things are changing. But please, we should not put our heads into the hole in the ground like ostriches to the reality of religious and racial discrimination right here in Singapore. Individual material success tends to put a person in a bubble of self-aggrandizement. He does not know what goes on “out there”… It is easy to be carried away with the worldly and the western self-help business guru advice seems appealing. A typical western Get Rich business guru book will say something like “associate yourself with the rich, be friendly with the wealthy and sit in the company of the powerful….”
…But there is a Hadith whereby a sahabah, Abu Dzar r.a. asked for advice, and Rasulullah s.a.w. said : “Associate yourself with the poor and the needy, be friendly with them and sit in their company”. May Allah s.w.t. guide us all!
Dear friends,
If we were to just take a minute away from religion and just seek to understand the following:
1) Wealth and money has no religion. It does not care who you are or what religion you practice. Wealth and money are just energy. The more you respect it, learn to manage it, the more will be attracted to you. Wealth and money are also governed via Laws of the Universe and has principles around it. e.g. You can’t see gravity but whether you believed it or not, gravity exists. It does not care whether you believed in it or not.
2) Knowledge has no religion. It does not care who you are. It is available to everyone who seeks it. The issue is, we did not create time to acquire it. e.g. We have time for TV, drama, soap operas, gossips, shopping, dilly-dally in life, work, make babies, catch-up with friends, but not many invest time to acquire knowledge in the 7 areas of life (Mental, Spiritual, Health, Career, Finances, Relationships and Social circle).
3) Love has no religion. It is what it is. People then put meanings and expectations to it and make it into what it is not.
4) Food has no religion. All food sources comes from the sun. All are God’s creation.
5) Names have no religion. There are no Muslim or non-Muslim names except the labels and meanings we attached to it.
6) Religion. All humans when we were born, we do not have a religion except what our parents automatically want us to be without our permission but we do have the right to seek what is the truth and decide for ourselves what path we want to seek with regards to our faiths or spirituality.
Now, after reading all the above, ponder for a moment about what I have just shared. Does it make sense? Does it feel more YES or more NO? Am I saying something that resonates with you? Do you feel there are some truth in it?
Now, within the context of this article, the author Melinda MJ shared what she knew about wealth creation and management and she reiterated that financial intelligence is a knowledge that the Muslim community MUST acquire.
What I then see is that, “balik-balik” some people who responded to her article keep on talking and debating about tudung lah, job discrimination lah, no equal opportunities lah.
Friends, all these are justifications and lay blames. These are attitudes and attributes of LOSERS! Instead of doing that, WHY are YOU not taking RESPONSIBILITIES for your problems?
Oeeeiiii bangsa Melayu, WAKE UP from your dream. WAKE UP from your Lalaland!
If you need a freaking job that allows you to wear the tudung, go and find one. If there is none in Singapore, migrate to Middle-east, Malaysia or Indonesia. If you insist in staying in Singapore, become your own boss. You can wear the tudung, enforce policies that all employees must wear the tudung and must be able to speak Malay and must be Muslims and be whatever you want them to be.
Instead of doing all that, WHY ARE YOU COMPLAINING? Who is stopping you from doing anything that you want to do? There is no one else stopping you except YOURSELF! Duh!
Yes, I am freaking frustrated with the Malay/Muslims level of consciousness. I am freaking frustrated with all the complains and justifications. I am super-frustrated at your way of thinking. I keep on hearing complains, lay blaming, blaming others, justifications but they never look at themselves or take actions at all!
Oeeeeiiii… for things to change, first I must change. If you don’t know what you need to change, go and reflect on your behaviour, thoughts and belief system. Tak guna lah hafal Al’Quran and wearing the tudung when you have a behaviour of justification and lay-blaming.
Wake up!!!!
Salam
Wow! This is an amazing discussion : )
@Harasha @Sam Love the “Results Vs Reasons”
@Harasha Congrats for stepping up in setting up your “Speak! Communication Consultancy” : ) Great Guts to Move Forward in Life and Claim your spot despite the challenges!
@Azeeza Great Sharing of Personal Choice & Power to Move Forward despite the Strong Barriers!
This woman is all about actions! Claiming her space to reach out to masses through Public Speaking.
Azeeza will be Speaking in a Women in Futentristic Leadovation™. at 2010 – The New Normal For Innovation, Technology & Leadership, on 16 & 17 November, 2009, at the S.P. Jain Center of Management. Organized by DW Associates Pte Ltd & Asia Speakers Bureau. Details: http://www.shineworldwide.com/TheNewNormal.html
@Multatuli Agreed, You’re right. Whatever about my post that created such Impression that I was ” Glossing Over Issues” I swallow my words back. Gulp Gulp :> Enough Said, Let’s make a stand to Move Forward in Solid Practical Actions to Create More Success for our Community : )
1. Set Intentions first – To Take Actions for the Higher Good of the Ummah
This is what is meant by not asking the How & set the What & Why 1st. As our great prophet said it all starts from the Intention.
2. Seek Solutions thru discussions ( one media is this forum)
– We’ve all Acknowledged there are issues, barriers challenges everywhere. Not just about discrimination, abt lots of other challenges too.
3. What’s Next? Actions
Starts from Self first, then moving on to what we can do for our family then our community.
Question: What are you Doing Today to Step Forward in Actions To Serve the Community Better?
Some sharing: This is what I personally have DONE to move ahead despite such existing barriers.
– I set Intentions 1st – I want to expand my biz to the mainstream market ( I did not ask the how Yet. Just set the intention 1st )
– Next I took actions & seek out partners in the mainstream market. Did they doubt me? Oh yes. Did they ask who is the owner? Suria? “Is she a Malay?” : > I can weep and wallow abt it, cry foul in the forums or I can step up even higher.
I worked at it even more, stepped up, showed up, delivered results. And yes, one said Yes to the JV. A Huge mogul company 10 yrs in the market, 15,000 students, and they handed me the contract, paid up and say let’s go, we’ll work with you.
But it aint over yet. Next, I have to conduct workshops for the mainstream. In fact I’m conducting one today. When I stepped up on stage, wow, you should look at the faces of these parents! Who is this Malay woman with her scarf on her head? What has she got to teach us?
Well it’s either them or maybe it was just my feelings. Anyway, the show must go on. Did my work in faith of doing my very best, and yes the show was a success : )
I would love to gloss over these issues, but guess what, I have to face them every day, now that we are moving in corporates & entering mainstream. It aint easy, but it aint over until its over : )
I just keep on sticking my neck out, keep on showing up, working at constant improvement, deliver the results, and these are the formulas that created miracles.
KUDOS
Kudos to these individuals who have stepped up for the Community’s Interest & Have Done their Part to Show Results inspite of all the 101 Reasons why it cant happen
These are Practical Actions Taken by the Movers & Shakers of our Community to Help Move Our Community 1 step closer back to the Golden Islamic Era, yet stronger this time:
@FADZULI WAHAB
For Creating this Portal as his Actions on a Personal Level to Spread the Words out through his IT Internet Skills & Leveraging the Internet to Bridge the Gaps & Serve the Community
ABANG ABU & His Relentless Efforts to Help the Community Rise Above the Economic Challenges
ABANG ABU’s LATEST MASSIVE ACTIONS:
ABANG ABU’s COMMUNITY CAMPAIGN – “SIMPAN CHALLENGE”
RT@Fadzuli Wahab: Practical Tips to save money in Singapore. Simpan challenge is to guide you to keep at least save $1000 per month. http://bit.ly/z87IQ
MOONSHI MOHSENRUDDIN
Started CommGate, Inc. to serve growing businesses by helping them to solve business problems by leveraging on systems and learning people.
7 SIMPLE & PRACTICAL WEALTH MANAGEMENT TIPS by
Bro @Moonshi Mohsenruddin (Facebook)
1. Remove Emotional Baggage with Money
2. Learn Basic Financial Literacy
3. Learn about Investments .
4) Don’t spend more than you earn.
5) If you can’t afford your lifestyle, SIMPLIFY.
6) Save 55% of all your monthly income and once it hits 12-months of your monthly needs, invest the excess….
7) Develop a habit to invest 10% of your income every month.
CONGRATULATIONS TO THESE WOMEN OF ACTIONS
SIS NUR HIDAYAH – BREAKING THE NORMS & SETTING NEW STANDARDS FOR MUSLIMAH
Congrats to Nur Hidayah Abu Bakar for being promoted to the Dean of La Salle Faculty of Design. 1st Malay Muslim woman heading the field : ) (BH Front Page 7th Aug)
SOM SAID – ACHIEVER of THE YEAR – ANUGERAH JAUHARI
Using her God’s Given Skills, Talents & Passion in the Area of Cultural Arts, showcased her works to the Global World. Another Muslim woman who has taken her stand and Took Actions despite the barriers around her.
End of the day “Well Done Better Than Well Said” : )
Moonshi,
You are dead wrong on so many counts. What you are saying is secularism through and through! Secularism is unacceptable in Islam!! You are saying that in so many things there is an absence of Religion – This is secularism!
Knowledge has no religion??? What do you mean??? Do you know that Knowledge comes from Allah s.w.t.??? And where does your rezki come from??? Do you know that in Islam Wealth must be purified with Zakat? Love has no religion??? Do you know what Al-Wadud means??? And Names have no religion??? What are Asma’ul Husnah??? And you say, we are born without religion? That our parents make us what we are??? That is only a part of the story… What about fitrah??? Subhanallah! Such pronouncements of yours are pronouncements of the deranged! What intelligence is this??? Tak guna hafal Al-Qur’an??? Do you know there is a Hadith whereby RasululLah s.a.w. says that the ganjaran of reading the Al-Qur’an is measured by each letter that you read??? Even if your character is imperfect you will still get the ganjaran when reading and hafal Al-Qur’an!!! Who are you to say tak guna??? Who is the loser here??? I think you are the one who needs to wake up!!!
Salam.
Moonshi, you got frustrated and shout out loud but I honestly don’t think you know what Multatuli is talking about.
You said: If you need a freaking job that allows you to wear the tudung, go and find one. If there is none in Singapore, migrate to Middle-east, Malaysia or Indonesia.
I say : Why should we ? Is this not our country ? Why should we have to move out, be away from our mothers, fathers, love ones, just because my country practice discrimination ? To move out is to have a defeatist attitude. Unless that is exactly what you’re telling us Malays to be – defeated.
You said : If you insist in staying in Singapore, become your own boss. You can wear the tudung, enforce policies that all employees must wear the tudung and must be able to speak Malay and must be Muslims and be whatever you want them to be.
I say: What do you mean INSIST on staying in Singapore ?
Don’t we have the right to stay here, our country ? Just becos there is discrimination, we have to go if we’re not happy. And if we INSIST on staying here, we must become our own boss ? Then we can stay here ? What kind of perverse logic is that ? And not everyone wants or like to be their own boss or have their own business. How about our brothers in the police force, the army, navy, prisons department, ICA, ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Finance, IDA, etc, etc. Are these people supposed to leave their great careers and leave Spore or open up business and be their own boss when they are hit with discrimination in their jobs ? There are malays out there who aspires to be in the top 3 of the polices, prisons, ICA, army, navy, etc. They totally have no liking to do business. What is your take for these people ? Leave Spore ? Open up their own business ? What about their dreams and aspirations ?
You said: Instead of doing all that, WHY ARE YOU COMPLAINING? Who is stopping you from doing anything that you want to do? There is no one else stopping you except YOURSELF! Duh!
I say: Oh wise one. Please enlighten me how the aspirants policemen, army officers, prisons officers, ICA officers can do to reach his goals of reaching the top 3 in their respective department ?
You said : Yes, I am freaking frustrated with the Malay/Muslims level of consciousness. I am freaking frustrated with all the complains and justifications. I am super-frustrated at your way of thinking. I keep on hearing complains, lay blaming, blaming others, justifications but they never look at themselves or take actions at all!
I say: You’re frustrated with the Malay/Muslims level of consciousness. As opposed to what ? Running away and pretending there is no such problem in the first place ? Isn’t such an attitude worse ? Isn’t that a pengecut attitude. Orang openly pijak kepala kita also, nevermind. Get out of the country. Start own business. Sure. But does the discrimination go away ?
You say: Oeeeeiiii… for things to change, first I must change.
I say: Sure. First you must change. Then ? What if I’ve changed already, i.e., I’ve gotten that paper qualification, I’ve changed and done everything needed to make the cut. Still, the environment doesn’t change. Then what ? Leave the country ? Accept it ? Quit and open business ?
My Muslim brothers and sisters. Discrimanation exists here. I know. I was someone with a senior position in MHA. Senior enough to be sitting in meetings with DPM Wong, etc. I’ve seen too many good malay/muslims officers/professionals career be put on the backbencher. There are just as good, if not better than their non-muslims counterpart but more often than not, during ranking and job postings, they are always mysteriously below their non-muslims counterpart. And they often don’t get the plum postings- nevermind if they are just as capable or even more capable.
I fully understand the paradigm of looking in the mirror, changing thyself before changing others, and I sincerely laud those that have done so, people like Azeeza here.
But know this also please. Our malay/muslims brothers and sisters have just as much rights to pursue their aspirations of holding public positions. As high as can be. It is very frustrating, morally sapping when your non muslims counterpart got that promotion or got posted into a certain position when you and that newly promoted non muslims colleague have been working together side by side for many years and you don’t see any difference in the quality of work. I’ve personally know of a case where a promising lady from a govt department in MHA. She was somewhat a high flier. The moment she got married, she wanted to wear the tudung, they transferred her to a ‘lesser department’. These things happen. And these people, they have done something about it. They slog in Universities. They sacrifice alot. They get good grades. What have they not done. What else can they do ? What is the difference between them and their non muslims counterpart ?
Leaving the country is a defeatist attitude. Sweeping the problem under the carpet and pretending there is no such problem is, in my opinion, irresponsible to our future generations, who will then face the same monster. Becoming business people is good but surely you can’t expect everyone to become business people. And like I mentioned before, our brothers and sisters have a right to aspire to be in the public service.
What am I going to do about it ? Well first, we must recognise the problem exists. Just like you all want Multatuli to ‘see’ that changes begin within oneself, you must also ‘see’ that there is such a problem – even if change begins with oneself.
Wan
Salam…
Moonshi is right, a bit off topic from my article already 🙂 But Thanks everyone for the comments. Wow… didn’t know my response can create a long debate…Omg! I think my response below can even draft another article! Ha ha! I especially love Suria’s response, Spot on! And Suria, in the meantime I do personal consultations but I’m moving into the direction of doing seminars soon. Insyallah!
Btw Wan wrote, “….if we don’t fight, then it will become the norm and what will happen to our future generation?” I sooo agree with you that we should ‘fight’ for our future generation. That is why we should ‘Bring about Success in Muslims’ now. And ‘fighting’ doesn’t mean physical or just verbal criticisms but actually doing something about ourselves & for others. Anyways the act of ‘berjemaah’ always has its ‘berkah’. Superficially, people often don’t see how the lack of Muslim wealth management can do to themselves. Don’t worry this is normal & it is therefore my job to create this awareness.
Wan also said, “… if we’re taking the definition of success in our context here as wealth, then you must be joking if you say that muslim women (wearing tudung or otherwise) are considered successful here.”
For the record, I’m not implying success is measured by just wealth. From the little that I know and mostly from others who have inspired me truly, success really is subjective. I also hear it takes a lot to be successful than just wealth, but character, respect from others, etc. Like I also learnt that we’ll gain more from raising others up than putting them down coz it increases their worth & ours.
Btw, I’m not conducting a course though, it is a service of present solutions that I’m offering about wealth management. And my Muslim Wealth Management service is not just for the ones with a lot of wealth but it is also for those who have the lack of it. It is one of the solutions to bridge the gap closer between the poor, middle income & the well to do.
As for Multatuli, I hear & understand you on your woes on the tudung issues. Well maybe what Lolo Jones said can perk you up, “I’m inspired by failure-The process of defeat. Picking yourself back up again is the hardest thing in the world!”
Actually you are right too, we must have a balance, to not just acknowledge & mull over the problem but also see the solutions already rolled before us. I don’t think anyone here is glossing over anything. In fact, if u read carefully, there are solutions shared already. Often when one analyzes adversity, one sees adversity. Well, you can’t make everyone believe and live as you do, and even if you could, wouldn’t that be boring. Diversity brings more ideas & experiences. Celebrate it!
Salam,
Kepada Encik Moonshi, saya rasa saudara nih sudah termakan dengan sekularisme yang menceraikan Agama dengan perkara-perkara seperti Politik dan Ilmu. Itu pasal saudara kata Knowledge has no religion. Saya rasa Islam secara terang menolak sekularisme. So I am sorry I think you are wrong. Jangan marah… Cubalah baca dan belajar tentang Sekularisme dan Islam nanti saudara tahu…
Sebenarnya encik Multatuli, awak yang betul dalam perkara nih. That is my opinionlah. So I don’t understand why banyak yang not happy with what you are saying… Anyway pasal success nih. Teringat saya tentang Akhi Abdul Halim at pergas class a few years ago. In his tasawwur class he spoke about success in Islam and he said actually in Islam, our idea of success is different. Then he pointed out the idea of al-falah. Dia kata ramai tak sedarpun bahawa dalam azaan yang kita dengar hari2, kita di suruh menuju kepada al-falah i.e. success in Islam. And so he said in Islam, real success is very much related to Solat. Of course dia explain lagi panjang-lebar… Wow it was very thought provoking! Kitaorang kat kelas tak pernah dengar explanation pasal success yang begitu tepat sekali and from the Islamic worldview (Tasawwur). [Saya ada cakap dengar banyak orang including some ustazs mereka semua kata Akhi Halim memang expert in Islamic Worldview]. Akhi Halim bimbang banyak Muslims too caught up pasal wealth management situ-sini sampai lupa the real meaning of success in Islam. Kita kenalah bertanya kepada orang yang arif tentang how to have a good muslim life. Sorrylah, rata-rata saya tak nak tanya financial advisor atau enterpernur macam nama nak dapatkan real success. Ada seorang Muslim financial advisor dan enterpernur kata pada saya dia nak beri saya success dengan menjual saya produk2 finance tapi bila saya tanya apa itu success dia cakap pasal financial independencelah, boleh retire in wealthlah dan macam-macam lagi. Bila saya terangkan seperti apa Akhi Halim cakap iaitu pasal al-falah, dia terpegun dan sekarang dia pulak pergi kelas kat Pergas. Gelak saya!
Abdullah
Good discussion goin on here.
Here’s from a moderate Muslim’s point of view. I believe the orig topic by Ms Melindah here is about generating wealth but some of us argued that, being Muslims, for us to be wealthy & successful is harder compared to other races and/or religions.
See, the key word here is HARDER but not IMPOSSIBLE. Discrimination exists. It existed even during Prophet Adam’s (a.s.) time. When he tried to marry off his children, there was already a form of discrimination against beauty. So discrimination is here to stay, as long as mankind exists. But that does not mean we are fated to accept this. Like was the Bujang Lapoks said, “Ni suma cobaan……”
This is where religion falls into place. When we are faced with “cobaan” or difficulties, we turn to ALLAH s.w.t for enlightenment, solution & direction. Let’s face it, we are mere mortals, & if blessed with the good life, we tend to go wayward & forget our primary responsibilities as Muslims. Somehow I noticed that when we are happy we pray, but when we are unhappy, we pray harder, & by doing this we are bringing ourselves closer to ALLAH s.w.t.
If what some of us pointed out that by being discriminated makes it harder to be wealthy, doesn’t that mean that we should only work harder. Don’t you think that victory tastes even sweeter if it’s harder to achieve.
In simple English: I work my back off to get rich, facing so many obstacles along the way. But this makes me realize that achieving wealth is not easy & makes me cherish what I’ve gained. & with all this wealth, insyallah I will use it wisely, by investing, giving out more Zakat & alms, thus helping other Muslims. If people are financially stable, I don’t think they would resort to sins such as stealing & cheating. Don’t u think that being wealthy also can turn us into better Muslims?
Salam,
Suria: Your acknowledgement of the “success” of others here is sweet but nobody is questioning their achievements however insignificant.
Melindah: You said that Moonshi is right. I re-read his post and I have to disagree. His pronouncements are thoroughly secular and in that sense against the spirit of Islam. Do you yourself accept secularism as a pihilosophy of life?
Abdullah: Thanks for your sharing. I know who is Akhi Abdul Halim and I think he is right. The guy is smart. It is enlightening to sit in his classes/seminars.
Wan: I thank you for hitting the nail on its head! This is our country and we have the right to stay here and get a job. This is a basic right which is denied us but when we state this fact, we are told to leave this country! I think telling the Muslim women to leave this country just because she wants to practise an Islamic injunction of covering her aurah is not only stupid and unjust but also shows how heartless one can be towards muslimahs. Instead of defending the rights of our women, Moonshi’s suggestion shows irresponsibility.
I think that we have to understand that secularism as a philosophy of life is resoundingly rejected by Islam. And it is clear that our pursuit of material wealth and worldly success is breeding the thinking that we should, in the words of Moonshine, “take a minute away from religion”. Well I am sorry, I cannot take Islam away from anything even for a second! That is why I think that people like Akhi Abdul Halim is the unsung hero. He and other asatizahs untiringly remind us not to forget that we are Muslims and must see things from the Islamic Tasawwur or worldview even though others don’t speak much about Tasawwur Islam, Akhi Abdul Halim does – by the way, the guy is not even an ustaz 🙂 . But to me Bro. Abdul Halim is more successful than the many so-called “successful” entrepreneurs when as Abdullah mentioned they can’t even really tell you what exactly is success in Islam. The idea of al-falah that Abdullah learnt from Akhi Abdul Halim is super cool! Again thanks for sharing Bro! I cannot but help thinking that in the yardstick of the typical entrepreneur, people like Akhi Abdul Halim would be seen as unsuccessful. I may be wrong but I don’t think he owns any business like people here who are so proud of theirs. But it is people like him whom we should listen to more, not the business guru types who only give “feel-good” but false pronouncements. I was recently sent an invite to a session to be conducted by him and another person on Critical Thinking in Islam. I think it is on Wednesday next week…. I’ll check my email again. Did any of you receive it? I am wondering why it is not listed on the islamicevents.sg home-page. May I also suggest the islamicevents people to invite Akhi Abdul Halim to write something here? What about it brother Fadzuli?
Salaam again,
I re-read my last posting and apparently I accidentally typed “Moonshine” for “Moonshi”. I apologise to brother Moonshi for the typo! On that light I would like to apologise to everybody if I have offended anybody.
FYI, the seminar I was talking about is on Critical Thinking & Education which is happening on Wednesday 12 August at 8pm at Al Fathhu Traditional Learning Centre, 19 Bali Lane, Bugis. It is organised by Young AMP which is really doing a good job in its Muslim intelligentsia series. I still think that it should be listed on the islamicevents home page. Heheh…We all need some critical thinking, don’t you think?
Multatuli
Salam All,
Ewa…ewa…makin rancak you all semua…
Orang Melayu/Islam kita ni kalau da berbahas, bertukar pendapat, etc memang bukan main lagi….tapi jangan pulak dok cakap & bahas je tapi habuk pun takde…mesti nak ACTION la…
Congratulations on your successful workshop Suria! This is the kind of action that we need. Thank you everyone again for all of your valuable comments.
I also want to thank Multatuli & Wan for highlighting the discrimination, problems, etc.
YES we already SEE & KNOW of the issues? Abeh…JOM kita DO SOMETHING about it OK?
***** Fadzuli, how about we organize a forum, dialogue of some sort to “BRING ABOUT SUCCESS IN MUSLIMS” on a positive note but at the same time an open one…but not the kind that just talk, debate here & there but no action. Gather all the people who can contribute & finally DO SOMETHING abt this discrimination, wealth issues, no job issues, blah, blah blah.
We can create one event with an Ommmph! & PROMOTE Action for the loooong awaited CHANGE!
This is what I suggest, we can create a seminar or if not a series of it….
******All the motivational speakers & successful people can SPEAK UP & motivate us but WE then must be open minded, participate and work at it A.S.A.P.
*****Then all those with OPPORTUNITIES & SOLUTIONS please COME OUT, DISPLAY & let know the HOWs.
***** To all of those, who will become skeptics, it will not help much if you don’t participate coz like Sis Suria said, “End of the day Well Done Better Than Well Said” .
Plus don’t expect immediate improvement, even if so it shall be a BONUS. But let’s WORK AT IT from NOW onwards.
For our Muslim Community, we shall take ACTION…&
I CHALLENGE ALL OF YOU to participate! Those who have ideas can email me [email protected]
I will be open if any collaborations.
Together we can bridge this GAP CLOSER between us & create a new breed of Muslims for the better…How about it PEOPLE???
Interesting suggestions.
Multatuli, Shireen just submitted the event. Its already up.
Melinda – Why don’t we gather at this event first.
Link => http://www.islamicevents.sg/eventDetails.php?ID=1172
Salam
BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE ~ Gandhi
I attended an Islamic Conference for Muslim Women in Business some years ago in KL. There were about 300+ Muslim women from all around the world who attended, sharing their challenges on
– Gender Discrimination & other Issues
– Policies on banking, finance etc.
It was thought provoking and enriching experience.
2 women were given a Honorary award at the event.
STRENGTH OF A PALESTINIAN WOMAN
The 1st was a Palestinian Muslim sister. She was limping when she went up the stage, and later I learnt she is actually crippled and walking on a wooden leg.
Her Business: Sewing Abayah/Muslimah Jubah type dresses.
She started with just one sewing machine, then slowly bought more machines and then trained more seamstress under her to sew. It grew into a modest 15 seamstress mini factory.
Her lowest point was when Her factory was bombed by the Israelis in one of the attacks. She lost her son too.
Talk about discrimination, I can imagine how she must have suffered by such unjust acts.
What did she do? Did she gather supporters to “Fight for her rights” Did she chant mantras of protest on the streets? Did she strap herself with wired bombs and run amok in the Israeli streets to avenge justice?
NO.
She re-started her sewing again from scratch, back to one single machine, then in the torn and battered space, slowly grew her business again one machine at a time.
One of her relatives then started to help her market her works abroad and it grew into a successful export business.
I cried when I listed to her speak though I could only understand the translations, I could see how she spoke from her heart, about the spirit of “fighting” for a cause but through the way of using one’s Gifts & Talents for a Better Cause & Never Giving up, by simply focusing on her Brilliance.
She Focused on her abilities on her strengths Vs the Injustices done to her. And she won the world support and respect.
A non muslim listening to her story would have given her a standing ovation.
They say a picture speaks a thousand words, I say, a Positive Action done with an Intention to Create Positive Empowerment speaks Volumes which, no picture can paint.
NIGERIA GENDER BIAS
The 2nd lady was from Nigeria
Another remarkable woman of actions.
Her challenge: Discrimination against women in the workforce in a Muslim land.
She had a degree in Civil Engineering yet could not find her space at all in the workforce. Everywhere she turned to, she was being “outcast” or treated as the “2nd class” worker just coz she’s a woman.
Tired of being treated such,she made a stand to quit her job and created her own engineering firm. What started out as engineering turned to a Petro Chemical firm, and grew to be the 3rd largest in the country, exporting crude oil etc.
And she employs both men & women and put actions into her mouth, by setting policies for equality in the workplace.
Even in the Western world such discrimination exists..
POSITIVE ACTIONS CREATES POSITIVE RESULTS
One such is Mary Kay who was again discriminated in the early post industrialization age. She could not even land herself a full time job in then a Man’s world.
She got tired of it all, then started her own Beauty company with the intentions to provide other women equal opportunities to earn a living.
Her business grew now to Billions and has provided jobs for women all around the world by the hundreds of thousands.
Acknowledging Success isn’t just sprinkling some Feel Good Sweetness….
Showcasing Success so as to Raise the Human Spirit to See Possibilities and Rise amidst Adversity.
More than awareness of success is what can we learn From these individuals?
What is their Formulas for triumph against adversity and which aspect can we emulate to move humanity one step forward.
To all these women I say “Well DONE!” Again, Better Than Well Said : )
===========
@Multatuli Great suggestion for the talk on “Critical Thinking & Education” to be up in Bro Fadzuli’s.. That’s more concrete, at least I walk away from reading your post knowing there is something concrete that can be done .. Superb!
@Wan My understanding from bro Moonshi’s piece is Bottom Line “Take Actions” What can I as a single human do about it 1st, then for my family, then for my community.
We can talk about issues in forums like these 365 days a year with No concrete action or we suggest practical steps forward
@Abdullah Thanks for suggesting brother Akhi Abdul Halim’s works. That’s a simple yet powerful action forward.
Wealth Management is crucial in our community with the rising amount of our own people deeply in credit card debts. No amount of lecturing about challenges and what is not working can help these people. The only way out is Education about Managing $$
Which is why we should support Abang Abu in this latest “SIMPAN CHALLENGE” a campaign to help our Community get out of Poverty state. Details at http://tinyurl.com/ks2ua3
@Melinda The idea of a LIVE FORUM on “CREATING SUCCESS IN MUSLIMS” is so PoW WoW! Yes I so 1000% support this idea! Let’s drum this up and make it happen : ) The intention is great, to Discuss these challenges in an open light with the objective of seeking concrete practical solutions towards building a Better Ummah. Got ya email, we’ll take it from there : )
Believe, Act & Prosper
Suria
Salam
By the way..
I am setting Intentions to seek out a Spiritual Mentor who Believes, Teaches & Practices Holistic Concept of Human Development in areas of Spiritual, Mental, Emotional, Physical, Financial Growth..
A teacher/mentor who has multi faceted background in Human Psychology, Quran Translations in Context, Latest Theories in Personal Development & Science of the Human Mind, Believes in a Healthy Lifestyle (aka is Healthy/Fit him/herself) & Supports Wealth Management, is an active philanthropist him/herself ..
Pls update me if u know such Living Breathing Mentor.. I’ll climb the highest mountain to Learn from this mentor… I believe there must be someone out there as such…
Thanks : ) : )
Salams Kak Suria,
Why don’t you start with Bro Akhi Abdul Halim. I believe his experience can give you the added ground.
Salam
Thanks Fadzuli. Will do : )
Does he have any Audio/CD/DVD recordings?
Not sure. I haven’t met him in person. Only via emails. Perhaps this Wednesday is a good time..
So these words really are true.. “When the Student is ready, the Master will appear.”
Dearest Suria,
You wrote – “@Wan My understanding from bro Moonshi’s piece is Bottom Line “Take Actions” What can I as a single human do about it 1st, then for my family, then for my community.
Wan -> you keep missing the point! And you keep bringing out examples about Palistinian lady, Nigerian lady, etc. I have more. Everyday, if you listen to BBC, you hear of such things, in Columbia, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, etc, of people, women and men overcoming adversities in their environment. I’ve heard of one girl who literally had to play possum while her entire family were shot dead and piled on top of her in some African genocide. She eventually got out from that pile of body, begged on the streets for a while and used her savings from the begging and got into University in South Africa. During her studies, she literally had to hide and lived in the school library until she got caught by the school. Which was a good thing becos the school than gave her a job and paid her a decent wage. She is now a prominent muslim lawyer and is prosecuting those responsible for the genocide.
Suria, we know all these ! Heard them before. Check out UN, IMF, World Bank websites and you hear many such stories. A couple of years back, I was set to go for a UN interview to be part of a larger team with a job scope which partly involved bringing development to Africa and believe me, I’ve heard these ‘overcoming great odds and adversities stories’ over and over again.
I say so what ! They are irrelevant ! To have 2, 3,4 or 10, 20 people coming out and making it despite the adversities is not what I am talking about. The adversities still exists. It’s still there. I’m talking about a systematic problem here. I’m talking about getting rid of the adversities in the first place, here in Spore. No need to go to Africa and Middle East.
Sure, we can strengthen our mind, take action and change oneself first and then what ? Quit the country so that we can pursue our goals ? Sure…and does the discrimatory problems away ? No, it’s still there right to meet the next person who wants to climb up ? (I’m talking mainly in the govt cos that’s where I came from).
YOu wrote – We can talk about issues in forums like these 365 days a year with No concrete action or we suggest practical steps forward”
Wan -> But you keep missing the point ! If you keep missing the point, any way forward will just be an excercise for self and social gratification but completely devoid of substance.
My take anyway.
Salam
Wan
Salam Bro Wan
I hear your frustrations & feel the burning spirit in you to want to eradicate these adversaries. You mentioned ” The adversities still exists. It’s still there. I’m talking about a systematic problem here”
I hear you bro Wan. Yes, there is a situation here, we’ve acknowledged it.
Yes, you’re right, for every 1 triumph story, there is still 10 of such emerging adversaries to be tackled as we speak.
I am not suggesting a meek submissive stand, neither do I suggest flight.
I’m beginning to see light in our discussions here as it evolves.
One side taking a strong stand to highlight issues and challenges we face and the other side taking a stand to do something about what can be done, while these issues are being handled.
Neither is right or wrong, in fact both group of thinkers are highly significant to bring about “Success in Muslims”
A simple scenario to explain what I see here is this:
SCENARIO – TEAM A & TEAM B
Imagine there is a Fire in an area of heavy inhabitants.
One group of action takers will be thinking of how to put off the fires (A. Fire Fighters ) and work on putting out the fires, the other group, (B.Rescue Workers ) will be gathering strength to handle all the medical, food and housing logistics to assist those affected.
You, my brother, is that group of thinker focused on putting out the fires, which is Very Important. While this other side, is focused on what can be done to these existing people alive so they can move ahead.
Without people like you, the fires will continue to rage, and all efforts to create homes etc will be futile.
MISS”ed” THE POINT
I can’t say there isn’t a fire when there is one. Saying what you’re highlighting is insignificant is ignorant. No wonder you kept mentioning I was missing the point. I clearly see that now.
So, I say, we do what we do best now.
Skills to put out a fire differ from skills to Create Homes, Offer Aide and Food.
I say, you gather a team with support, skills and expertise to handle the fire extinguishing while on this other side a rescue team stands to gather support, skills and expertise to go figure what to do with those who need to move forward.
RESCUE TEAM EXPERTISE
Standing on the “rescue” side, this is what is needed to help the community move forward, a need for a team of expertise in areas including but not limited to:
– Wealth Management
– Entrepreneurs to teach “How to Fish Skills”
– Basic Financial Literacy
– Health/ Nutrition/Fitness Experts for Disease Prevention
or Management
All of the above, in the capacity of an Individual, company or working in co-operation with existing Non Profit Organizations & relevant Government agencies.
What do these Experts do?
– Help Create more jobs
– Teach those with jobs and income how to manage their
wealth better
– Help those who cant find a job, create one for
themselves, through entrepreneurship as one model
– Help individuals, family and community manage health and
disease prevention and management strategies
– Create educational programs to value add skills of the
community so they can have Brain assets that can work for
them here or anywhere in the world
Wealth Management Paramount
Even if the issue you highlighted ( or your fires put out) There is still something yet to cripple our community more than any discriminatory issues will, and that is – Wealth & Financial Illiteracy.
This to me is the Most Dangerous conspiracy that will cripple the Community. Economic strength of any country, my brother, is the currency of Power.
A community Illiterate about money, not understanding how to manage wealth, who earns an income only to lose it through excess spending, whose unhealthy lifestyle habits create more woes in its health care budget, add burden to the family members & community, such a community, will dig its way to doom.
We are not only Illiterate about Money & Wealth Management, we’re also Illiterate about how we take care of our Health.
Both not handled well, creates more burden and injustice to our own selves, family and community more than any discrimination does.
$$$ MANAGEMENT – ECONOMIC PILLAR
A cleaner earning $1,200 a mth, who knows how to save and invest & purify his wealth through Zakat can turn such an meager income into Millions thus creating a stronger thread for the community’s Economic Fabric, than a 6 figure professional who is Illiterate about Wealth, spends more than he earns ( “Besar Periuk Besar Kerak” ) and end up adding burden of debts to self, family and community.
I see active Community Leaders emerging to make a stand for Pro-Moving forward activities
@Abang Abu & His latest “Simpan Challenge”
@Sis Melinda for her upcoming Wealth Management Workshops insya’allah
@Bro Fazuli for creating online portals, teaching Internet Marketing to Entrepreneurs to stay relevant, Creation of courses to give the jobless & retrenched an opportunity to work from home
@Bro Moonshi on helping entrepreneurs streamline their businesses with IT To remain competitive
@Bro Saiful Rizal on Motivation & Empowerment for Youths
@Sujimy on using Media to influence positive change in the community
And many more …
FIRE EXTINGUISHERS EXPERTISE
Those who have observed the “fires” aka “discriminatory issues”,would need to gather strength, expertise or support in/from which may include but not limited to:
– Legal Team
– Union Leaders
– Fund Raisers
– Writers, PR & Media Specialist
– Political Science Experts
– Grassroot Leaders
A) Fire Extinguishers Team & B) Rescuers , Both desperately needing attention, must work concurrently. Two separate departments working for one Vision : A Better Ummah.
Many, as we can see, has participated in Team (B),
The Question is who will Champion Team (A)?
To whom we say “Well Done”
Salam,
Suria: I think Monshi is saying much more than just “Take Action”. The actions he is asking us to take are unacceptable as citizens of Singapore and fellow human beings as well as fellow muslims and his stand is secular and thus also unacceptable in Islam. I think that Wan is right. Enough of talk about how people meet their challenges against terrible odds. As Wan says, we have heard it all before. The point is our beloved Muslimahs who love Allah s.w.t. and strive hard to obey Allah’s injunction to wear the tudung as well as to search for halal rezki (income) are unjustly deprived of jobs.
If we want to take action, then take action to ensure such discrimination not continue not take action to leave the country so that the discrimination can continue. If at first we do not meet with success and if we can’t do anything concrete, we should still try to create awareness of the problem and continue striving. BUT we can never do that if we gloss over it, ignore it or talk about things which are irrelevant as if the problem will go away all by itself. As Wan says we need substance. WE also need the courage to say NO MORE to discrimination!
halo…sudah lah tu….bila nak game????…melayu hantam melayu….macam mana melayu nak maju!!!!!! sudah lah…lebih baik kau orang join SIMPAN CHALLENGE…. KALAO KORANG TAK JOIN KAO ORAMG SEMUA BUKAN ORNAG MELAYU….AMACM….THREAT AKU REAL TAK!!!!!. PLEASE join simpan challenge so we teach you to save money….and ADA DOA DOA islam included….so learn to save and can have extra money to buy……..TUDUNG…( juist joking )…
Come lets get together and support the malay community…..UNITED we SAND…DIVIDED we FALL..
SIMPAN CHALLENGE is a community project by the malays for the Malays…go to nowasia.sg or fadzuli punya site or abangabu.com its out on the berita harian cyber cut and paste below to your browser:
http://cyberita.asia1.com.sg/mekoniaga/story/0,6879,146805,00.html?
Thank you all…may Malays maju…( and other races too )…MAJULAH SINGAPURA…..tak akan Mati Melayu di dunia….
eh sorry TOGETHER WE STAND….UNITED WE FALL…. SALAH SPELLING AH…SORRY EH
SAMSON ZEE
Ck Samson,
Ini bukan melayu hentam melayu. Inikan diskusi, memberi pendapat dan nasihat… Terimalah dengan hati yang terbuka. Saya masih berpendapat Encik Multatuli dan Encik Wan bercakap benar dan bernas. Saya rasa Encik Samson hati-hati supaya rambutnya tidak dipotong – nanti jadi lemah :-). But seriously, saya juga setuju kita kena stand united! Lagi-lagi melawan diskriminasi keatas Muslimah kita!
Multatuli: Wah u really read too deep la…ada je nak spot 🙂
I wrote “Moonshi is right, a bit off topic from my article already” Literally that’s what I meant, that at some points you guys are discussing a bit off the topic of my original article. Tudung la, secularism la…blah blah. All I wanted to convey is creating awareness about Muslim Wealth Management. But I didn’t say I accept secularism as a philosophy of life & neither do I have any comment on that. That’s way off my topic & I only will discuss my area of expertise.
Anyways, I had wanted to come today’s Critical Thinking Seminar but my appointment finish at 9pm today so cldn’t make it. If there’s another one I’ll make time for it. Do update us Multatuli.
Well everyone, I think Sis Suria gave a great anology about each of our roles. Let’s face it. As much as I’m sure you all are independent people, we also need each other to bring up our community. It is kinda like the human life cycle. We affect each other, whether it’s directly or indirectly. The more we share & help each other in a positive note, the better we evolve as Muslims. Let’s keep the positive energy around us!
Salam,
Sis Melindah, this is not about “nak spot” anthing. You said “Moonshi is right, a bit off topic from my article already”. This statement is in two parts. 1. Moonshi is right and 2. A bit off topic. And you only address the second part! Apa ini??? Why do you want to ignore the first part? Please, as I and Wan have said we need balance. There are others who’s mistakes were pointed out and they apologised and took back their words with a “gulp” and what do you do? You ignored it and accuse me of “reading too deep”! You say you think Moonshi is right and yet Moonshi’s position is thoroughly secular and that is why I asked you if you accept secularism – So this is not really off topic – it is to seek a clarification from you as you yourself stated that you agree with Moonshi.
As for your attempt at creating awareness of wealth management, as I said, I have nothing against it but I still think it is moot if we still have ongoing discrimination especially against Muslims donning tudung to even get a job for which they in fact qualify.
On the Critical Thinking seminar, yes, I went to the Seminar. Except for the bad venue (we were asked to sit on the floor and after 2 hours my legs were numb and it was super stuffy. I think there were more than 50 of us squeezed in a room for 20). But if it were’nt for Akhi Abdul Halim’s super interesting talk we would not have tolerated such a terrible venue. It as incredible how he could still capture our attention even though he was the second speaker and the stuffiness was already getting to us. However tolerating the venue was worth it. I really learnt alot from both speakers. Dr. Omar talked about Mizan which is interesting and Akhi Abdul Halim did a good job of giving us an overview of Critical Thinking in Islam and the subejct called Mantiq. Others reading this and who were there could also say something about what they learnt. I think the organiser should really make more effort to make us and the speaker more comfortable. The venue was simply not suitable.
Alhamdulillah….
Multatuli….Thanks for the intro….Glad you went for the seminar, and learnt a lot from both Dr Omar and Akhi Abdul Halim ….
Could you help write a review on the subject matter shared and send to Fadzuli to be published here for sharing with all our Muslim brothers and sisters?
Insya’allah…Amin ya rabbal’alamin…. 🙂
Salam,
Hi Helmi, Wow I thank you for your vote of confidence in me but I have to humbly decline as I am a bad review writer… There were definitely about 50-70 attendees so I am sure there is a better writer who can write a summary. There were also many sisters there who could do that. Were you there brother Helmi? If you were you would know that it would be difficult to summarise the talk. Dr. Omar’s explanation of Mizan is as he himself put it, “difficult to understand” and Akhi Halim’s presentation was very packed with information from Ruh to Akal to Fallacies to so much other things. Not easy to summarise man! Surely I am not the only one in this thread who attended. We know Melindah says she did not but what about the rest of you? Suria? Wan? Samson? Abdullah? and of course brother Fadzuli? – I thought I saw someone who looked like brother Fadzuli 🙂
Wasalam,
Yes I was there. Not an easy article to write. Its not a topic for the layman. Let me see if I have the time.. Chasing projects now.. Ramadhan coming…Been cut throat busy…
Multatuli:
Being concern as a fellow Muslim to another, abt the discrimination, etc,well there are openings of solutions shared above, I hope you didn’t miss it.
I feel sorry that you see still see the problems, but just to share, I feel blessed and luck eversince I started wearing my tudung recently this year, in fact,more & more everyday. And even if I will come across any adversities I will doa that Allah give me strength and show me the light to solutions. And so far He always do.
Everyone is entitled to their own beliefs/thoughts so I expect diversity & it makes life colourful coz like I mentioned before, ‘you cannot make everyone believe as you do’.There are many different opinions,ways,beliefs, etc…Just make sure we keep to the Quran & Hadith. Btw, I’m not ignoring anything,I’m just taking the best solutions for me which is the ones that will bring the Muslim forward, the rest doesn’t really matter really 🙂
Oh and PS: I believe I did not do any mistakes…just sharing my humble thoughts and the rest is really up to individual,so I don’t see why I should apologize to anyone or to you.
So it’s ok, No Worries… 🙂
Salam All
Wow sounds like a Power Topic Indeed! I had a seminar on that day itself, missed the session.
Just curious if Brother Akhi Abdul Halim has got any info CDs or DVDs recordings from his talks, seminars etc?
Kindly update if anyone knows of such resources. Thanks!
Salams,
Its better if you guys email each other your opinions cos your issues have already diverted from the article. Click on each others name, your email should be there. Some of you will be lead to the other person’s website.
Salam Fadzuli,
understand your comment about Thalatha Scoop not being the right platform for us to debate issues.
Nevertheless, I feel that such a platform is worth having for I feel many a great perspectives, thinking, etc, can be put forth for us online malay/muslim community to opin on important issues concerning the community.
I, for one, have learnt alot from our online exchanges of perspectives and I feel great to see our fellow sisters here taking the leap of faith to start their own business to take control of their own, family and community situations.
Would it be possible for you to create a forum feature within your portal ( I know many forum exist out there, I myself am semi active on some online asia1 forum) but it would be wonderful if we can have a forum to exchange ideas and perspectives on your portal.
We would then be able to enjoy the Thalatha Scoop articles and have a forum to debate,comment and exchange perpectives.
Do consider please. Thanks.
Selamat Berpuasa to EVERYONE.
This was an issue opened up to my partners before we even created this site. We decided not to open a forum due to many reasons – it cannot be controlled and people will put all sorts of comments without approval. This has its negative effects. As much it has its benefits to people, it has also caused negative stirring effects which we don’t want to see in here. Hence we agreed with this blogging system where we can control our contents and comments.
We can argue about free speech and all but this is not the place for that. Islamicevents.sg was created primarily to allow Islamic Organisations to promote events, showcasing how lively our Islamic culture and also to promote talents and ideas. This is a PROMOTION and MARKETING Platform not a place to argue about FATWA’s, SECULARISM and so on.
For debates and so on please log into http://www.nasibriyanilounge.com. They have a very good FORUM system and moderation system over there. We have signed an MOU with them to push discussions over there. So please use their platform. The moderators there is much more lenient. Anyone can start a topic there unlike here where we are the one pushing out the articles.
For those whom have been offended, we truly apologize for that.
So see you at http://www.nasibriyanilounge.com
Wa’salam and have a GREAT Ramadhan,
Fadzuli
Where can i find your rss? I cant find it
You can just do this >> http://www.islamicevents.sg/blog or http://www.islamicevents.sg/blog?feed=rss2