BRUNEI & HUDUD

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.