Did You See Something (Weird)....

I am guilty of not being Malay-centric.

I prefer to be Muslim-centric (even though I have a long way to go to be referred to as a good, let alone devout, Muslim).

You see, I feel that if one is not fixated with one's race, it will leave us with very little racial friction within the society; and since all true religion preaches to 'love thy neigbours as thy would thyself', regardless of those neighbours' religious beliefs, then the whole world would be a much better place. (And contrary to what most western media say, we Muslim are not hell bent on destroying the world!).

Coming back to the racial issue - in the wake of this current trend of 'baby throwing' in the country (whereby babies, alive and dead, were left abandoned in dire places like the rubbish dumpster and by the lake etc - due to unwanted pregnancies), it shamed me to admit that a huge percentage of those cases was of the courtesy of the Malay race.

While a Malay would not even think twice of doing such a dreadful deed, a (true) Muslim (or Christian, Buddhist and Hindu, for that matter) would quake to his/her very core before even thinking of it - in the simple fear of God. And most of those babies are such beautiful, perfect little beings. How can a mother, have carried the creature in her womb for the 9 months, have the heart to do such a thing?

You can blame it on TV or other media's influence but it all boiled down to good sex and moral education (which I am sorry to add - that Malays still find it taboo to discuss with their children) & as children are now more exposed to their surroundings, these sex education must be taught at a very much earlier age (by their parents themselves - whether we feel comfortable about it, or not) and not leave it to the teachers or education system. Elst your children would seek the information from Ms Jolie and Mr Pitt.

How does Adam's case relate to this racial issue, you might ask?

Well, by then, the cat was out of the bag - Eina's baby was unwell and looked 'different'.

While most family members and close friends were loving and supportive, there were one or two who let their tongues get the better of them. They too mean well, but the 'strong' Malay beliefs just govern their thinking pattern. For instance, one very popular line of questioning began like this - 'Did you happen to see anything (weird) during your pregnancy?'

Okay, let me be truthful. I was in Bali during my 6 month term. And as we all know Bali is famous for its temple statues, and those statues do have bulging eyes. So, could that be the reason Adam was born that way? But then again, I was in Bali too when I was pregnant with my firstborn. So, how come Amirul was not affected?

I am a firm a believer of God's will; with science as the testament of that will. For instance, the Islamic Prayers like everything else in this world, can be explained scientifically (ref : Article 1 - Psychological Wisdom of Prayers in Islam & Article 2 - The 'Yoga' in Islamic Prayer) - if only one choose to seek the answer. In other words, we do not just pray 5 times a day beacause a prophet told us to, you know.

So, whatever colloqial beliefs my race might have, as an individual, I believe Adam is the way he is because God chose for him to be. And science explained it as a mutation in his genetic make up.

(Even as I am writing this, the Malay in me somehow questioned whether it is wise of me to put this down in writing, elst be thought of as - ketulahan bah itu / padan muka, tak percaya lagi / there you go, you Malay non believer, see what happens when you doubt - but, ladies and gentlemen, I'll take refuge in God and take my chances, nauzubillah.)

And is it not 'syirik' to believe that one's condition is due to something else (like 'seeing' something during one's pregnancy) other than the will of God? Although I have to admit, that I am guilty of not reading enough of the Quran during my term - so, I'd prefer to accept that explanantion, then, thank you (smile).

Crouzon Syndrome is believed to be caused by a mutation of the FGFR2 (fibroblast growth factor receptor 2) gene (whatever that means :0 ) and Adam happens to be one of the lucky ones in every 25,000 people of the world. It is funny when most of us strive to be different in order to make an impact in the world, when God really chose you to be different, you pray for normalcy (well, in this case, Adam's mommy at least (smile)).

Because, let us face it, society can be cruel. While his family may love him to bits and accept him as he is, the general public may not help but to be curious or even repelled by his condition.

A more mature society like those in Europe and the United States (who has numerous support group for those with Craniofacial ailments like the US' Children Craniofacial Association and FACES:National Craniofacial Association), may not not even bat an eyelid at a craniofacial sufferer; but a less matured one like in Malaysia, definitely will.

So, how do we council him if he is faced with those situation one day? Hmmm, I really do not have an answer to that yet. I guess, we will just have cross that bridge when we come to it, I suppose....

p/s I am truly sorry if I offend any staunch Malays out there, and please don't stake me in the heart with an ancient keris. I am proud to be a Malay. It's just that I believe that some Malay beliefs remain as such - mere beliefs.....I have always been a rash brat, and for that I am truly sorry.

~ No animals or Bali statues were hurt during the writing of this blog ~