I have been reading on the western
outcry over Brunei’s decision on implementing hudud. It is not surprising how easy for them to
jump to conclusions and brand hudud as "“barbaric, inhumane, unjust, uncivilised
law that has no place in this modern society”, without fully understanding what the whole system, conditions,
implementation truly entails. Honestly I
myself am yet to understand the intricateness of hudud law. But I know this
much is true….Hudud is more than just capturing the first person who cry robbery
and adultery and chopping off hands, stoning and canning.
Mind
you, Brunei is merely a newcomer on the scene. While the LBGT group, lead and supported by
some Hollywood stars rally in front of Beverly Hills hotel condemning Brunei
for its law against homosexuality, there are 81 other countries where
homosexuality is illegal, and yes including SINGAPORE! It is also
hardly the only place in the world where adultery is punishable by death. I do not want to insult anyone by quoting testaments
of other religions where it says adulteress must be put to death…but seek it
for yourself and you will find it.
In
United Arab Emirates, a favorite destination and filming location for wealthy
Hollywood celebrities. homosexuals has been arrested and deported, and adulterers
are sentenced to stoning. But nobody make a fuss. Why? Because the Emirates
have invested hundreds of millions in American film companies through their
wholly owned Abu Dhabi Media. Well as
usual politics, money and power rules the western sentiment in this capitalist
world we live in.
In our beloved country, Hudud
has been a highly debated subject for as long as I can remember. It wasn’t just
the non-muslims, but the muslims themselves are opposing it. You can hear “silent” protest being exchanged
among colleagues “…errr you mean we all have to wear tudung, cannot drink and
clubbing anymore?” Some of the protest dialogues even go like this “errr you
mean our hands will be chopped off, or we will be stoned to death?” Oh dear it is like listening to some hidden
confession that you don’t want to know.
Don’t get me wrong, I am not
in the position to judge anyone. To be honest, I have my own apprehension too.
However, I found this reply
from Brunei's Mufti Awang Abdul Aziz,
the country's top Islamic scholar amusing and enlightening;
Awang said there should be no concerns that foreign travellers
might end up avoiding Brunei after the law is implemented.
"Please listen
to our answer. Sir, do all potential tourists to Brunei plan to steal? If they
do not, then what do they need to fear," he said.
As the French philosopher,
Voltaire said “Fear follows crime, and is its punishment”.
I have yet so much to learn about Hudud, what with so little
public information and education from the experts and all you learn supposedly on hudud was
fed by people who condemn it but know little about the law itself. But I believe that the
essence of all religions is love, compassion and tolerance. And for as long as
we can practice that, be it heterosexual or homosexual, you and I have nothing
to fear!
Peace & Good Night Lovelies.
