Malaysian Islamic lender eyes Australia, Philippines

“It’s a lot easier to educate and approach those markets where they have not even heard of Islamic banking. The GCC market is a bit saturated.”  The Middle East has been a magnet for Islamic lenders looking to ride on the industry’s boom, due to its vast reserves of oil earnings and large Muslim population.  >>>>>

Perak MB Urged Not To Ignore Interest Of Malays And Islam

PENGKALAN HULU, Sept 2 (Bernama) — The Perak UMNO Liaison Committee has urged the Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ir Mohammad Nizar Jamaludin not to sideline interest of Malays and Islam although the state is under the opposition. >>>>>

Malaysia: Anwar backed by Islamist party after election win

Kuala Lumpur, 27 August (AKI) – Malaysia’s de facto opposition leader, Anwar Ibrahim, extended his political base on Wednesday when an Islamist party endorsed him as leader of a key anti-government alliance. >>>>>

Muslim youths ordered to protest Avril Lavigne Malaysia show

Muslim youths in Malaysia will be ordered by the conservative Islamic party to protest outside an Avril Lavigne concert scheduled for this Friday (August 29). >>>>>

Malaysian Islamic assets sector set for boom-Maybank

Islamic banking assets in Malaysia are expected to post double-digit growth rates annually, propelled by rising demand for sharia-compliant assets, the country’s top lender said on Monday.

Islamic banking accounts for about 13 percent of total banking assets in this mostly Muslim country, and is tipped to be one of the leading growth drivers for the Southeast Asian economy as services replace manufacturing as the economy’s backbone.  >>>>>

Without mentioning the terms Communism or Capitalism; other democracies around the world, from Asia to Africa (and back around) are using Islamic banking — and their not sinking economically.

AmInvestment second to start Islamic stockbroking

KUALA LUMPUR: AmInvestment Bank Group aims to achieve RM1mil net profit for its newly launched Islamic stockbroking (ISB) unit in the first year of operations.  >>>>>

Court: Passengers can challenge no-fly list, thanks to Muslim student

Critics of the government’s secret no-fly list scored a potentially important victory Monday when a federal appeals court ruled that would-be passengers can ask a judge and jury to decide whether their inclusion on the list violates their rights.

In a 2-1 ruling, the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco reinstated a suit by a former Stanford University student who was detained and handcuffed in 2005 as she was about to board a plane to her native Malaysia.  >>>>>

These are major victories. However, they only scratch at the surface in rebounding from the damage already done to the rights of Americans due to unjust laws — blamed on the other wrong — defaming Muslims on a grand scheme.

PAS supporters want new wing for non-Muslim members

IPOH: PAS Supporters Club is lobbying for the PAS party leadership to start a new wing allowing its over 10,000 non-Muslim members to have a greater voice in the party.  >>>>>

Nik Aziz: Swearing on Quran not Islamic practice

BUKIT MERTAJAM: PAS spiritual leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat said Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan’s move to swear on the Quran over his sodomy allegation was not in keeping with Islamic teachings.  He said there was no requirement in the Quran that called on Muslims to hold the holy book while making a solemn declaration.  >>>>>

‘Hadi more qualified to be PM’

IPOH: PAS Dewan Ulama wants party president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang to become the prime minister if Pakatan Rakyat succeeds in forming the new Federal Government by Sept 16.  >>>>> 

 

 

Students Create Electronic Muslim Prayer Guide

Sultan Bolkiah Vocational School students recently exhibited an Electronic Muslim Prayer Guide at the two-day Inforama Carnival 2008 held at Pengiran Anak Puteri Hajah Rashidah Sa’adatul Bolkiah Secondary School in Lumut, on August 11 and 12.  >>>>>

Mabruk! – Congratulations! 

Catholic paper challenges Malaysian authorities on using ‘Allah’ in print

 A Catholic newspaper in Malaysia, battling a government ban on its use of the word ‘Allah’, has been rapped for reporting on political issues including terrorism, its editor said on Tuesday.  The Herald newspaper, circulated among the country’s 850,000 Catholics, nearly lost its publishing licence for using the word ‘Allah’ as a translation for God, with authorities saying that it should be used by Muslims only.  >>>>>

Both sides have a great argument from their perspectives.

Malaysian court rejects woman’s bid to leave Islam

 KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia: A Malaysian court on Wednesday rejected a Muslim woman’s appeal to convert back to Christianity, the latest case to test the limits of religious freedom in the country.  >>>>>

From how it reads, it seems like title should read “If you change your name; don’t use your old name when you return to court.”  What is a technical issue has turned into an Islamic issue.