Here it goes again… the tudung controversy for International Islamic University of Malaysia (IIUM) female graduates.
It’s nothing new that IIUM female graduates have to wear tudung… I am not sure if the dress code is written in official regulations now, but the dress code has been practiced for years. I just can’t understand why those who are against the dress code have decided to get into IIUM at the first place. [IIUM graduates' dress code]
Don’t get me wrong… I don’t think that forcing non-Muslims to wear a tudung is proper.
You see, the rulers (Agung, Sultans etc) are the head of Islam, but I can’t recall anyone being forced to wear a tudung or songkok when getting into the Palace. [Istana Negara dress code] Shouldn’t IIUM take that as an example to follow instead?
Despite its term as an Islamic university, IIUM is still a public place. If they want to enforce their strict dress code, they shouldn’t be enrolling non-Muslims at all.
The only places that such strict dress code should be enforced is at holy places… unless it’s a mosque or something, nobody should be forced to wear a tudung.
Excerpts from TheStar (July 17, 2007)…
UMNO will continue to struggle and discuss the need to keep the New Economic Policy (NEP) to ensure the interests of the Malays are protected, Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohamed Khir Toyo said.
The Umno supreme council member said the party could only remain relevant in the future if this was among its priorities.
He said, without such a thrust, the Malays could switch their support to religion-based parties such as PAS or other opposition parties including Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR).
It is no hiding secret that NEP has become a weapon for UMNO’s political agenda… I am kinda surprise though, to see an UMNO leader stating the fact so blatantly.
I actually think that the concept of NEP is not all that bad… the problems however, lies within the implementation of the policy. It is pretty obvious that only a small number of Bumiputras are reaping the rewards of NEP while most of the poor are being neglected or manipulated.
Besides, it is worse enough to have a racial bias government policy, it is even worse when it is being used for the benefits of a specific political party… even the Malays themselves are being discriminated (UMNO vs not UMNO members).
