Muhibbah

My friend from Talk Only (Cakapaje) blog tagged me to give my views on `muhibbah'. Muhibbah is derived from an Arabic word habibba meaning 'love' In English, it means 'goodwill'. In the Malaysian concept muhibbah means respect and tolerance of each other's customs, tradition, way of life,religion and opinions. Sharing each other's joy and sorrow. Standing by each other during hard times and enjoying the good times together. This is what the new generation are being taught. My generation has been practicing this muhibbah thing long before the government forced it down on you young people. We called it friendship and sincereness. Now its just a government buzz-word, to make Malaysia look good in TV promos and tourism pamphlets. Watch any show on RTM or some other local TV station, there will be a 'token' Chinese or Indian actor or actress to make us believe that muhibbah is being practised. The goodwill of muhibbah is disappearing. Where is the goodwill when you bombard water cannons on innocent people trying to express their dissatisfaction and unhappiness in a peaceful manner. Where is the goodwill when you disrespect other religions. Where is the goodwill when you fail to keep your promises. Yes, go and fool those foreigners that we practice muhibbah in front of their million ringgit mugs, and then go home and curse them, for forcing you to pretend. Its all about being sincere and honest with each other.That's what muhibbah is about.