Tariq Nelson

The two stories below show that Malaysia seems to be dealing with some of the same problems that we are dealing with - albeit on a smaller level…

First, this story on how Malaysia to launch counseling programs to curb social ills

The “One Family, One Counsellor” programme, organised by Umno’s Social Development Bureau, aims to teach counselling skills to at least one member of each family.Also present were Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan and the Social Development Bureau head, Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil.Abdullah expressed disappointment that the majority of Malaysians involved in social ills, including drug abuse, theft and juvenile delinquency, were Malays.

“I am both disappointed and sad,” he said.

Under the programme, participants will, among other things, undergo a three-day course organised by Institut Sosial Malaysia and Biro Tata Negara.

So far, 678 participants have registered for the programme.

Abdullah, who is also Umno president, said the ills that plagued society were largely a result of unresolved and unattended family problems.

[...]

Abdullah said a family with strong ties and where parents played a pivotal role in shaping the future of their children would lead to a successful social structure.[...]

Abdullah hoped the counselling programme would provide a platform for support within the Malay family institution with the focus on problems solving and healing.“One of the targets of this programme is to address and perhaps eradicate the problem of drug abuse and juvenile delinquency among Umno families.“We want to see the Umno family as a clean and wholesome unit that will have a positive impact on the Malays and help them achieve success.”

Then there is this story about Chinese Malaysian converts not feeling at home in Malaysian mosques:

Mosques have been urged to appoint more non-Malay Muslims as committee members to make converts feel at home.

Malaysian Chinese Muslim Association Ipoh branch pro-tem chairman Datuk Dr Fadzli Cheah Abdullah said Chinese Muslim participation in mosque administration was lacking.“Such a move will go a long way towards making converts feel at home. This is a feeling which is currently lacking where the Chinese Muslim community is concerned.”Speaking here yesterday, Dr Fadzli said the community was not implying that it was being treated badly.

“There are some problems which are peculiar to converts and having a particular mosque identified as a Chinese Muslim institution would provide a base for assistance.

“Right now, we do not know where to go. It helps to have a place where we know there would be someone who understands the problem and knows what can be done,” he said.

Citing the hypothetical case of a divorcee, Dr Fadzli said in most cases, she would find herself without any support as her family may have disowned her for converting.

“Mosques are not meant to be solely places of worship. They are also centres for social interaction and similar activities. This other role needs to be expanded,” he said.

Dr Fadzli said the community understands that the problem of segregation might arise from such race-based labelling.

“But mosques are for all Muslims. Even if it’s built for Chinese Muslims, it will not be for the community exclusively. Everyone’s welcome. It’s just that it will make us feel more at home.”

Dr Fadzli, who is a committee member of the Muhibuddin Shah mosque here, said the community was encouraged by Menteri Besar Tajol Rosli Ghazali’s comments on the matter.

“We are happy that he is very forthcoming on the issue. Though we are not in a position to make such an application yet, we hope the association can be included in discussions should a new mosque be built for us.”

You have to give them credit for trying to take some steps to solve some problems.