Winter Blues...& Injustice to a fallen hero..

Being away for the new year has enabled me to skip the compulsory post reflecting on the new year and talking about resolutions etc...

So, here I am. I'm spending my 1st winter in the UK. I've been warned it gets depressing. The first few weeks weren't too bad. But now.. It's getting to me. Maybe it's the lack of social interaction with the outside world. Maybe it's the tons of revision I should be plowing thru right now before the exams. Maybe it's coz I've got 2 essays to complete and losing my research and papers in a bag which I left behind in a train while on the way to London to catch our plane to Italy. Maybe it's just the cold, cloudy weather. *sigh*

On the other hand, I've got family to lean on. Parents are down here till the 4th. I'll be staying with my bro till the 8th before i move back into halls.

Expect fewer updates in the coming weeks as I've got datelines to beat.

Back to the homefront, Malaysia... there's an issue about the Islamic Burial of a national hero, Moorthy Maniam who conquered mount Everest in 1995. The issue is this: He was given an Islamic burial as it was claimed that he had converted to Islam. However, this was not to the knowledge of his close friends and relatives. His wife tried to contest this claim (to claim the body and give proper Hindu Burial Rites to her husband) but the Islamic courts (Syariah Courts) are "untouchable". Apparently, the Civic and the High Court are unable to meddle as non-muslims are not allowed to appear in Syariah courts. The Syariah's court ruling in favour of the Islamic Religious Affairs Council goes unchallenged. Basically, non-muslims have no legal remedy against the Syariah Courts. Not even our high courts have the power to challenge their decision! This isn't an issue about religion but about justice. At the very least, her case deserves to be heard.(FYI, Moorthy was interviewed by TV3 on the 31st of October on how he was spending Deepavali and in the affidavit submitted by the wife, it states he has been seen eating pork, drinking wine and has not participated in any Islamic religious course) Doesn't any religion teach that our God is a just, loving one? Doesn't this go against our very constitution? I can see how cynical one can get at the sight of such things going on in our beloved country.

I'm looking forward to the Malaysian Parliament's action/inaction about this issue. Apparently, this has happened frequently but has only been brought to light because of Moorthy's fame.

Hm.