completemalaysia.com » Speeches

ABIM Working with Other Malaysian NGOs, Including COMPLETE

azrabanu — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 01:00:50 +0000

WELCOME Speech – SEMINAR ON “Protection and Assistance of Civilians Affected by complex Emergencies and Armed Conflicts”

by Azril Mohd Amin

Chairman Islamic Outreach ABIM

Mr Werner Kaspar, Head of Regional Delegation ICRC Kuala Lumpur, Distinguished speakers, Guests of honor, respected participants: I warmly welcome you to participate in this seminar on “Protection and Assistance of Civilians Affected by Complex Emergencies and Armed Conflicts” which is organized jointly by the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Islamic Outreach ABIM. I believe that today’s event will bring fresh understanding and greater awareness about this important theme, especially for those who are involved in civil society organizations that have a political and moral responsibility to act in such situations. The Islamic Outreach ABIM aligns itself with the ICRC in pursuing the following objectives of the seminar, which include; (i) enhancing dialogue on humanitarian issues between representatives of Islamic organizations and the ICRC, which has substantial activities in Muslim countries; (ii) discussing the challenges faced by humanitarian relief workers in situations of complex emergencies and armed conflict, as well as issues of coordination and inter-agency collaboration that may come up during those situations; also, strategies that can be developed to facilitate collective coordination of organizations in such situations; and (iii) bringing about awareness and recognition of the humanitarian needs of those affected by armed conflict and complex emergencies, and explain how international humanitarian law is one way to address those needs.

I am sure that the above objectives will underscore the ever increasing significance of our work in addressing humanitarian issues and from it the participants will be able to appreciate and enrich themselves with the different protection strategies, discuss best practices and take cognizance of past failures – and possibly formulate new ideas on how we can improve upon the existing strategies.

In recent years the international community has shown a remarkable commitment and increasing dedication to the protection of civilians in conflict. We know for a fact that the global framework for the protection of civilians is principally enshrined in international humanitarian law, human rights law and refugee law. For example, the establishment of the International Criminal Court is one concrete proof of the commitment to end impunity for the most serious crimes, and thereby protect the rights of civilian populations affected by conflict.

However, despite the expressed commitment to protect civilians, the impact of armed conflict has continued to disproportionately affect the civilian population – especially women and children. In his report on “protection of civilians in armed conflict” to the Security Council from 2005, the then Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr. Kofi Annan, highlighted the changing nature of conflict. Today, the impact on civilians has a profound consequence for the respect for civilian status and the safety and well-being of civilian populations. Targeted attacks, forced displacement, sexual violence, forced conscription, indiscriminate killings, mutilation, hunger, disease and loss of livelihoods are collectively used as means of war. This new emerging warfare paints a dreadfully grim picture of the human costs of armed conflict.

We are also facing increased challenges in providing assistance for civilians post natural disasters. I am sure that during this seminar we will be able to hear from the experts the realities and lessons from international relief operations, which have become increasingly important with more countries being hit by natural disasters, the most recent being the case of the typhoon-ravaged Manila and the earthquake that hit Padang, Sumatera in Indonesia.

Today’s seminar is an expression of commitment by the Islamic Outreach ABIM to work hand-in-hand with other organizations in promoting human rights and humanitarian law. Allow me to share briefly our work. We have been in existence for more than 25 years now, providing unconditional services and assistance for various groups, including those who are interested to learn about Islam and those who are in the underprivileged groups. We have six core programs that we offer to the Malaysian public; namely Converts Development Program, Guided Tour of the Mosque, Orang Asli Socio-Economic Development Program, Childrens Welfare and Sponsorship Program, Hospital Visit Task Force and Islamicare.

While these core programs are not directly related to natural disaster or conflict-related humanitarian initiatives and protection mandate, we have throughout our experience come across situations that require us to actively promote respect for human rights and international humanitarian law. We realize that we are not alone in this: armed conflicts are part of a world illness. We encourage our activists and volunteers to return to the fundamental concepts of our faith and the essential elements of sharing within our society. We must invite others, within our country and beyond, to see the societal role in every act of an individual, and the value that such an ethic holds for a society and for the world. We encourage our activists and volunteers to give of ourselves in these difficult times to others less fortunate. But we cannot do it alone, we must come together as Muslims and citizens of this World.

Islamic Outreach ABIM is one group which allows us to do these things, and to re-emphasize and re-dedicate ourselves to Islamic principles reflected in our vision: inviting, sharing and giving. It is not only money but also – even more so – our time and our caring and our values. And our work must go beyond racial, religious and background considerations. This is why IOA has decided to have its approach open in working with other non-faith based organizations. By being true Muslims, we can help in these times of crises and be a light of good values for the world.

It is in this light that I believe that faith-based organizations such as Islamic Outreach ABIM are relevant to work with in promoting respect for human rights and international humanitarian law.

Through our work, we have come across opportunities to develop strategic working relationship with a number of UN humanitarian agencies and international organizations with a protection mandate such as UNHCR, UNICEF, OCHA and ICRC being the most recent organization, as well as Malaysian NGOs working on protection, such as the Malaysian Relief Agency, COMPLETE, AMAN Malaysia and MERCY, to name a few. These organizations all make significant contributions to the security and safety of civilian populations affected by war by implementing various protection strategies at different stages of conflicts.

At this moment, we have also come across opportunities to assist in the protection and assistance needs of refugees. Personally I have been involved in assisting refugees with their temporary refugee protection card application to UNHCR, as well as providing legal assistance to refugees who have suffered from wrongful detention. Especially, the refugees have long been underserved by the international community. In Malaysia, the number of conflict-generated refugees remains exceptionally high. Therefore, we urge for more proactive actions to be made to strengthen the UN system’s response to refugees. And as a committed civil society organization we shall continue to work for the improvement of the international guidelines for the refugees as well as improved assistance for this group.

Ladies and gentlemen,

As I mentioned at the beginning of my speech; the success in implementing strategies to protect civilians has unfortunately been limited despite great international commitment. It is my fervent hope that this seminar will significantly contribute to identify where the problems lie, and what we can do to address it. We may not come up with many solutions – but today’s deliberations may help to narrow down the troubling concerns that are germinating in our minds. Through the exchange of practical experiences from the ground, we can share examples of effective implementation strategies.

Finally, by bringing together participants with different backgrounds and different approaches to protection – from the Department of Islamic Development, the military, the Bar Council, Islamic NGOs such as the Islamic Information Services, Malaysian Chinese Muslim Association, ISMA, PEWARIS, humanitarian organizations, local NGOs, research institutions and academics – we have a distinctive opportunity to forge new partnerships; and that if the partnerships come to fruition, they will help strengthen the existing initiatives by other organizations.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank; in particular Mr. Werner and our friends at the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) for inviting us to jointly organize this seminar. And thank you to the speakers for gracing us with your wisdom, to the organizing committee, and the participants for your presence, support and commitment. By these words I warmly welcome you all and wish for a fruitful and constructive discourse. Thank you.

14^th October 2009

Dr. Musa @ Charity Bazaar for Gaza, BSC, 7th and 8th Feb

admin — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 12:23:36 +0000

Dr. Musa delivering his powerful speech

People, Shoppers, Bangsarians, Malaysians

Join us in this little gig and shout after me :

Free, Free Palestine x2

Gaza, Gaza don’t you CRY, We shall never let you DIE

That is our prayer! A free Palestine.

Because in Silence there is Prayer, a silent vigil for Justice, Equality and World peace.

The late John Lennon in his musical masterpiece, Imagine, sang :

I hope some day you’ll join us. And the World will live as One.

In our short lifes, many of us have witnessed history being made :

Apartheid in SA was dismantled in 1994

Not long ago, the Black man was only considered 3/5 human. Today we are historical witness of the 1st Black president

One can only hope that Prez Obama would not betray the legacies of MLK, Malcolm X aka Hj. Malik al-Shabbaz and the thousands of Black Americans who walked the Long March.

MLK asked : “How long? Not Long because No lie can live Forever”

MLK asked : “How long? Not Long, because the arm of the moral universe is long but it bends towards Justice”

And short of World War 3, We have lived to witness a most brutal & inhumane Neo-Holocaust in Palestine

Friends! Let us together be a part of history. Let us help make & shape the history of Palestine.

Each and Everyone of us in our own special, little ways can make History and Not let history pass us by without a whimper!

Because Silence can also be the Most Deadly Weapon of Mass Destruction.

TQVM for you kind attention.

Let us now continue our gig and these cool guys and gals of COMPLETE, Coalition of Malaysian NGOs against Persecution of Palestinians, will rock the Bangsar Shopping Complex.

Free Free Palestine (repeat)

Gaza Gaza Don’t you Cry

We shall never let you die

1, 2, 3, 4

we don’t want your bloody war!

5, 6, 7, 8

stop the killing, stop the hate!

Israel Israel you will see

Palestine will be free

From the rivers to the sea

Palestine will be free

Stop the killing, stop the crime

Israel out of Palestine

Occupation is a crime

From Iraq to Palestine

Solidarity Speech on the 31st January

Husna Musa — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 13:30:53 +0000

A Solidarity Speech and Prayer offered at the closing of Karnival Keamanan Bersamamu: Palestin 2009 on the 31 January 2009 organized by Jemaah Islah Malaysia (JIM) Selangor, PACE (Palestine Centre of Excellence), KARISMA (Kelab Rakan Siswa Islah Malaysia) and supported by COMPLETE (Coalition of Malaysian NGOs against the Persecution of Palestinians) by Rev. Sivin Kit, Bangsar Lutheran Church

The Original Text in Bahasa Malaysia

Tetamu kehormat, pemimpin dan penganjur, JIM, PACE, Karisma, COMPLETE, wakil-wakil NGO, rakan-rakan sekalian.

Salam ikhlas saya ucapkan.

Saya berterimakasih kepada pengerusi majlis malam ini, kerana sudi memberi saya peluang untuk bercakap serta berkongsi sehati ke hati.

Berdirinya saya di sini malam ini, ulung sekali untuk solidariti bersama insan-insan yang terseksa di bumi Palestin, dan juga untuk semua mereka yang turut merasa bahana konflik yang berpanjangan ini.

Saya di sini sebagai seorang pengikut Yesus Krisus, yakni seorang Kristian, seorang yang ingin tunduk kepada kehendak dan tujuan Tuhan untuk dunia ini.

Saya di sini sebagai sebahagian umat Gereja sedunia, di mana ramai lagi diantara kita yang turut bersedih, turut berduka di atas keganasan sepanjang bulan yang lepas di Gaza.

Dan saya juga di sini sebagai seorang makhluk ciptaan Allah, seorang suami, seorang ayah kepada tiga orang anak.

Kami berduka bukan hanya kerana adanya mangsa yang seagama dengan kami, tetapi kerana kesemua insan di Palestin menderita akibat gejala peperangan dan kebencian.

Rakan-rakan yang dikasihi sekalian,

Untuk segolongan besar umat Kristian, perayaan Hari Natal kami dipendekkan oleh kerana tercetusnya krisis di Gaza. Dan dari segi peribadi, perayaan Tahun Baru Cina saya juga lebih suram, bukan hanya kerana masalah ekonomi yang mungkin melanda kita semua tetapi juga kerana saya amat tersayu untuk memulakan tahun baru dengan bayangan kematian, dari gambar yang terpapar setiap hari di akhbar.

Bertambah sedihnya apabila dilihat kebencian, kemarahan, keganasan menguasai segala; dan kita tidak tahu bila ianya akan berakhir, atau bermula sekali lagi.

Yang lebih memilukan lagi adalah hakikat bahawa walau sesiapa pun yang disytiharkan juara perang, akhirnya, melalui air-mata kanak-kanak yang tidak berdosa, kami tahu siapa sebenarnya yang kalah. Mereka yang tidak berupaya langsung untuk mempertahankan diri mereka sendiri.

Dan yang paling mendukakan ialah apabila tumpuan kita dikabui analisa politik dan analisis demi analisis sang politikus. Mereka yang berkuasa tetap mendapat perhatian manakala insan-insan biasa dan yang lemah, dengan impian damai mereka yang musnah, tetap deketepikan dan diaibkan. Dengan pengitaran masa, keadaan mereka yang pahit getir ini yang dilupakan.

Sahabat-sahabat sekalian,

Saya pasti tiada seorang daripada kita boleh berkata bahawa masalah di Asia Barat boleh diselesaikan dengan mudah.

Semestinya kita perlu maklum tentang akibat buruk hasil jaringan keputusan yang kompleks daripada mereka yang berkuasa.

Namun demikian, adakah tangisan air-mata mereka yang terhimpit di tengah-tengah medan keganasan gambaran terakhir yang ingin kita melihat di Palestin dan Asia Barat?

Tiadakah gambaran yang lain yang boleh kita melihat?

Saya percaya ada!

Saya ingin melihat anak-anak ini tersenyum semula; seperti anak-anak kita yang selamat dalam lingkungan keluarga mereka!

Saya berdoa …

semoga anak-anak ini boleh senyum semula – bila satu hari nanti, mereka boleh ke sekolah dan berborak tentang masa depan mereka. Satu hari dimana pemikiran mereka tidak dibelenggu dengan memikirkan rumah siapa yang bakal dirobohkan ataupun siapa diantara mereka yang menunggu kain kapan.

Saya berdoa …

semoga anak-anak ini boleh senyum semula – kerana cukup makan-minumnya, dan semua boleh duduk sekeluarga untuk makan bersama.

Saya berdoa …

semoga anak-anak ini boleh senyum semula – kerana boleh kemana-mana tanpa ketakutan ataupun syak wasangka, tanpa sekatan dan boleh bermain secara aman bersama sanak saudara.

Saya berdoa ..

semoga anak-anak ini boleh senyum semula – kerana mereka tahu yang pemimpin-pemimpin bertanggungjawab akan melahirkan dunia yang aman dan saksama, dan juga berkerja keras untuk masa depan mereka.

Seorang pendita Jerman yang saya amat sanjungi, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, yang menentang regim Nazi yang kejam pada tahun 30′an dan 40′an pernah berkata ..

“Ujian terbesar sesuatu masyarakat yang berhemah dan bermoral, adalah rupa bentuk dunia yang ditinggalkan mereka untuk anak-anak mereka”

“The ultimate test of a moral society is the kind of world that it leaves to its children.”[1]

Kita sekarang, yang berada diantara airmata anak-anak yang disaksikan hari ini, dan senyuman mereka yang ingin kita lihat pada hari esoknya .. marilah kita berdoa bersama-sama dan bersama juga berusaha untuk menjadikan impian ini satu hakikat. Demi masa depan anak-anak di Palestin, Iraq, Afghanistan, Darfur, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Congo, Somalia dan mana-mana lagi pelusuk dunia dimana dian harapan perlu dinyalakan.

Sebagai penutup, saya, dan ramai lagi umat Kristian yang lain yang turut bersusah hati kerana tragedi yang berlaku di Asia Barat, dan baru-baru ini di Gaza ..

kami didorong oleh apa yang tertulis di dalam Perjanjian Lama Alkitab dan kata-kata Yesus Kristus sendiri ..

Di dalam kitab Mikha, fasal 6, ayat 8, nabi Mikha telah memberitahu bani Israel ..

TUHAN telah memberitahu kita apa yang baik. Perkara yang dituntut oleh TUHAN daripada kita adalah supaya kita berlaku adil, selalu mengamalkan kasih, dan dengan rendah hati hidup bersatu dengan Allah kita.

dan di dalam Injil Matius, fasal 5, ayat 9, Yesus Kristus turut bertitah:

Berbahagialah orang yang membawa kedamaian antara manusia, Allah akan menyebut mereka anak-anak-Nya!

Berikut adalah doa yang diucapkan oleh ramai daripada kami dari seluruh pelusuk dunia. Saya ingin tujukan doa ini khas untuk anak-anak Palestin yang meratap dalam tangisan malam ini ..

Ya Tuhan yang Maha Mengasihani;

Allah yang memberikan rahmat kurnia dan perdamaian;

Limpahkanlah kuasaMu keatas kesemua anak-anakMu di Asia Barat;

Biarlah kebencian berubah menjadi kasih sayang,

ketakutan berubah menjadi kepercayaan;

Putus asa kepada harapan;

Penindasan menjadi kebebasan;

Pendudukan kepada pembebasan;

Semoga pertembungan yang ganas diganti dakapan kasih sayang,

dan keamanan serta keadilan dialami semua.

Amin.[2]

The Text in English

Dear distinguished guests, the leaders and organizers of JIM, PACE, Karisma, COMPLETE, representatives from NGOs, and all my friends here tonight.

Grace and peace be with you.

I would like to thank the chairman of tonight’s gathering, for giving me the chance to speak and share from my heart.

Tonight, I stand before you here tonight first and foremost to be in solidarity with all who are suffering in Palestine and all who are severely affected by this long standing conflict.

I stand here as a follower of Jesus Christ – a Christian, as one who seeks to submit to God’s will and purpose for our world.

I stand here as a member of the Church worldwide, where many Christians are saddened, and distressed by the last month of violence in Gaza .

And I stand before you tonight as a fellow human being created by God, a husband and a father of three children.

We are troubled not just because there are victims who have the same religion as ours, we are troubled because of the people in Palestine suffering the consequences of wa and hatred.

My dear beloved friends,

For many Christians , the celebration of Christmas was cut short, the moment the crisis occured in Gaza. And personally, for me this Chinese New Year was gloomier not just because of the economic crisis which might affect us all, but also my heart was crushed to begin thew new year with images of death, from the pictures showed everyday in the newspapers.

Sadness increases when hatred , anger and violence seems to have won the day; and we do not know when this cycle will end, or start all over again.

It’s even more worrying when the fact is whoever claims the victory of war, at the end it’s through the tears of the innocent children, we know who are the real losers. Those who have no ability at all to defend themselves.

And most heart wrenching is when our focus has often been clouded by more and more political analysis, and those in power get the attention but the ordinary people and those who are weak, whose dreams for peace are shattered, pushed aside and are ignored. As time goes by, their bitter circumstances is slowly forgotten.

My dear friends,

I am certain none of us can say what is happening in West Asia has easy and simple solutions.

We cannot ignore the painful consequences resulting from a complex web of decisions made by those in power.

Nevertheless, do we want tears of those caught in the midst of violence to be the final picture in Palestine and West Asia?

Is there another picture we want to see?

I believe there is!

I want to see the children smiling again; like many of our children smiling in the safety and security of their families!

I pray . . .

That the children can smile again – when one day, they can go to school and talk more about who they can be in the future. One day when their thoughts do not need to be bound by wondering whose house is in rubbles or whose amongst them will be waiting to be wrapped with a burial cloth.

I pray . . .

That the children can smile again – when there is enough food and water on the table, and families can sit around a meal to eat together.

I pray . . .

That the children can smile again - when they can move freely without fear or restrictions, and play safely with their friends and family members.

I pray . . .

That the children can smile again – when there they know there are responsible leaders who will give birth to a just and peaceful world, and are working hard for their future.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer , a pastor whom I admire deeply, who resisted the cruel Nazi regime during 30’s and 40’s, once said . . .

“The ultimate test of a moral society is the kind of world that it leaves to its children.”

Now, those of us who are in between the present tears of the children we see today, and the smile we want to see tomorrow. Let us pray for all this together, and we can work together to make this dream a reality. For the future of the children in Iraq, Afghanistan, Darfur, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Congo, Somalia and wherever in the corner of the world where the flicker of hope needs to be lit again.

In closing, I and many other Christians who are distressed by the tragedy happening in the West Asia and lately in Gaza . . . We are motivated by these words found in the Old testament and the words of Jesus himself.

In the book of Micah, chapter 6 verse 8, the prophet Micah has spoken to the people of Isreal…

He has shown all you people what is good.
And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.

And in the Gospel of Matthew chapter 5, verse 9, Jesus Christ proclaims:

Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God

And the following is a prayer many of us have been praying worldwide. And I would like to dedicate it especially to the children in Palestine who are lamenting in their tears tonight…

God of mercy and compassion,
Of grace and reconciliation,
Pour your power upon all your children in the Middle East.
Let hatred be turned into love, fear to trust,
Despair to hope, oppression to freedom,
Occupation to liberation,
That violent encounters may be replaced by loving embraces,
And peace and justice could be experienced by all. Amen.

Bi-Lingual Version