THE CICAK.com

Tough being a Muslim convert

Art by CHUAN ZUI
Learn more about the image by clicking on it.
By MUAMMAR KRIS KHAIRA
A sense of belonging is important in order to survive in this world. We all want to belong somewhere. We all want to be accepted by others who share the same goals, ideals, interests or beliefs. It’s human nature to want […]

Lina Joy Verdict: Federal, or Petty Court?

By JOHN LEE
There is no reason to celebrate the verdict, even if you are a Muslim fundamentalist, and no reason to make grand proclamations of doom, even if you are a staunch secularist.
I think Lina Joy (or Azlina Jailani, whatever you want to call her) is right in principle. Why should she not have the […]

Terengganu relaxing its polygamy laws, what’s a woman to do

By POH SI TENG
Should a Muslim man be allowed to take on a second, third and fourth spouse, without the consent of his first wife?
If you agree and would like to do so, pack your bags, sell your house and drive your family SUV along with your first wife and five kids to Terengganu. Woopeedoo!
The […]

Malaysian space odyssey, where’s the kiblat and our female astronaut?

By POH SI TENG
If you’re Muslim…
- you can choose to fast in space, or make up for it when you return to earth.
- you can consume non-halal food “only to the extent of restraining hunger.”
- and a male astronaut, you need to cover “the portion between the navel and the knees.”
The bullet points above are […]

theCICAK on American public radio!

Kathy Corcoran, former San Jose Mercury News staff writer, produced a story about theCICAK for KQED, a San Francisco public radio station. It was aired on World Press Day, May 3 on Pacific Time, a weekly magazine that focuses on Asian issues in the United States and abroad. Corcoran spoke to Poh Si Teng, the […]

The constitution and apostasy: Freedom of religion should include Malays and Muslims

By JONATHAN LIM
Who determines your religious identity? You or the government?
Revathi Masoosai, who was named Siti Fatimah by her Muslim parents, say she was brought up a Hindu. Religious authorities say she is a Muslim.
It is a frightening situation. Revathi and Malaysians who no longer embrace Islam as their religion […]

Repent in rehab, embrace Islam: Malaysian woman charged for being an apostate

Al Jazeera’s weekly magazine Everywoman recently produced this story on apostasy in Malaysia.
It’s about a woman who was born Muslim but decides to marry a Hindu man. This video shows the controversy and debate regarding freedom of religion in Malaysia and the Syariah court’s reign on civil liberties.
What do you think about this […]

Dare to document: Calling for submissions

By MARC VAGHT

The Freedom Film Fest was inspired by a Malaysian named Justin Louis. He was the first co-ordinator of Pusat Komunikasi Malaysia (KOMAS), an organisation that promotes human rights issues through creative and interactive storytelling.
In December 1994, a group of young activists went to Ulu Baram, Sarawak, to investigate possible rape incidents of Penan […]

« Latest Entries Previous Entries »