Picto Diary - 12, 13 April 2017 - Malaysia.
Above: TIMDT observes, respectively, Blue Mosque, Thean Hou Buddhist temple, and Sri Mahamariamman Hindu temple. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 12 April 2017.
Malaysia. At some level, is a multicultural success story. To be sure, there is evidence of sectarian friction. Chinese hold disproportionate wealth and are resented by the majority Malays. Though the country's constitution proclaims religious freedom, Christians are forbidden from using the term "God," and Islam is the national religion.
This situation reminds of the benign caliphates of the past, in southern Europe and northern India (Mughals) where Muslim majority leaders tolerated non Muslims...but, made them pay an extra tax (protection?).
Notwithstanding, seemingly like India, interfaith cooperation in Malaysia is good. Malaysia has 14 national holidays, including Christmas, Chinese New Year and everything in between. Like India, all faiths and races happily celebrate each holiday. Resentment of religious holidays by non adherents, particularly secularists, such as is commonly found in America, is non existent here. In Malaysia, we can all get along!
Apropos putative resentment of Chinese by Malays, Malaysia has relaxed hurdles preventing foreign ownership of residential property. The action is directed mainly to attract mainland Chinese and Singaporean investment. Property values in Penang, as a consequence of Chinese individual investment in second homes, are skyrocketing.
Malaysia reminds me of Turkey. 6% plus growth. Dominantly Muslim. Accommodating modernism.
It's hard to reconcile Arab country failure "caused by Muslim culture" with the seeming success of Islamic countries like Malaysia or Turkey.
Note: This short cruise, whistle stop, tour, over two days, of KL and Penang represent our first visit to Malaysia. We lived in this region (Australia, PI, and Japan) for 11 years. During that period, excepting Thailand, we missed most of Indo China. Over the ensuring years we've come back to fill in the blanks. I still have Laos and Brunei to visit. TIMDT was in Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia last month.
Above: TIMDT observes world's tallest flagpole (claimed) at Independence Square and erstwhile world's tallest buildings, Petronas Towers. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 12 April 2017.
Above: TIMDT observes national memorial. Note inscription. Freedom of religion is written into the Malaysian constitution. But, Islam is the national religion. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 12 April 2017.
Guide Suzy: "Malays represent 65% of the Malaysian population. The rest are Chinese and Indians. All Malays are 'moderate' Sunni Muslims. Muslim extremists exist in Malaysia, But they are well contained by the government."
Above: Ancestor offering in restored home of prominent Penang Chinese family.at Pinang Peranakan Mansion. Penang, Malaysia. 13 April 2017
Honoring ancestors central to Chinese culture. Ancestor worship is likely central to culture cohesion and strength, generally. Honoring the past secures the future, so to speak. Mormons do a facsimile with their genealogical research and ordinances for their ancestors.
Cultures which forget heritage and ancestral obligation become self absorbed. They atrophy. Voire: Europe today.
Civilizations rise. Civilizations fall. It was ever thus. For us in the west, those of us in twilight years today, can legitimately say, "it was good living at the apex."
Above: TIMDT at Kek Lok Si, Temple. Penang, Malaysia. 13 April 2017.
Curious that two ship's Malaysia tours (KL and Penang) focii has been oriented to Chinese culture and modern Malaysia. Little focus on Islamic dominance of the country.
Kek Lok Si, Penang, Malaysia, billed here as largest Chinese temple outside of China.
Above: Betel nut and nutmeg. Penang, Malaysia. 13 April 2017
Above: Police motorcycles at Kek Lok Si temple. Penang, Malaysia. 13 April 2017.
Addendum:
My mom in Law is/was Burmese, but we are yet to visit. She was not allowed
as her brother was an Army Officer, while husband and she had deserted during WWII.
Inshalla, someday soon.
Scout,
Mumbai, India