Bosscat told me about these some racist Ramadan adverts over drinks. She commented the same comment as many other forums and bloggers; “TV8′s Ramadan advertisement is RACIST.” After watching the video, I do deem that it is racist and utterly inappropriate. The idea and production of the video was definitely borne of a Malay mind or the very least of a radical Muslim mind. I am not trying to condemn any Malays or Muslims in this post. Do bear in mind that every article, publication and video has a signature. This underlying signature is able give an insight to the mind of the creator or author. It’s like how one is able to know whether a house or car has a Chinese or Malay owner. There are visible signs.
I was told by senior Malay Muslims that Ramadan is actually not only a cleansing month but a month that actually tests one’s will and faith. These men told me that there would be temptations along the days of fast but it is up to the person himself to not sin in his mind and heart. Moreover, it was always reinforced in my mind that life is suppose to continue as normal during Ramadan except you have your meals between dusk and dawn instead of dawn to dusk.
Call me inconsiderate if you will but these videos connote that most of our fellow Malay Msians are need to be shielded in a bubble in order for them not to sin. The adverts also connote that non-Muslims, mainly the food greedy Chinese are the ones who behave inappropriately and cause others to sin. In fact, if I were a undergoing a strict diet, lent or a fast, I’d like someone to eat in front of me and see if I’d be tempted or envious.
The depiction of the Chinese girls behaviour in the advert is way off by a mile. Yes, the Lalas might behave as typical airheads but I do think that they wouldn’t behave like that. Bosscat also mentioned that whenever she goes to a Pasar Ramadan or Ramadan Market, she doesn’t eat the food instantly after purchasing it. That’s true in my part too as I’d always buy it and bring it home to share it with my family in the privacy of my own home.
There’s also the part of dressing in revealing clothing; let me first say that I’ve seen Malays and Muslims themselves dressed in these such attires like spaghetti strap tops, tight outfits, etc when they shop at a Pasar Ramadan. Tell me, is it inappropriate for non-Muslims to dress like that when Muslims themselves dress as such? Are they going to ban an Indian lady dressed in her traditional Sari from going into the Pasar Ramadan? Isn’t Ramadan supposed to be a month of abstinence and a test to see if you as a Muslim will lust sexually and are able to block it out of your mind and heart? Ramadan is a month of abstinence so its a good test.
A tried and tested person stands the test of pressure far better than ones who’ve been shielded from adversity. I am not sure who’ll agree with me in this but that is my stand. That is my stand even if you pelt rotten fruit at me and hurl insults at my face. Let’s think about it, we (the non-Muslim community) have been told to be considerate of our Muslim countrymen but when will we see Muslims in Msia be more considerate towards us?
p/s – why is it that only Malaysia sets such a ridiculous strict rule about Ramadan when all the other Muslim countries do not have such laws. In fact, it is in this country that the Muslims handle haram things and the hotels serve pork bacon (instead of beef bacon) next to the other food.
Note: The advert has been removed from youtube and other sites. Probably not a copyright issue as they claim but more than that. But let me give a little snippet of what the advert is about.
Part 1 – A Chinese girl goes to the Ramadan market, she sees some food and starts talking obnoxiously about how delicious the food is in front of the Malay aunty who sells it.
Part 2 – The same Chinese girl goes to the same place and stops at a watermelon stall. After acting and talking obnoxiously, she reaches out to hug the Malay uncle who mans the stall.
Part 3 – She goes to the market in a sort of revealing sleeveless top and bares her armpits.
In all 3 parts, the crowd stares at her like she is a circus animal and the TV8 announcers speak of how inappropriate it is to act that way and how we should act.
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