'I HAVE GONE THROUGH THE UNIMAGINABLE' - JOHOR'S QUEEN TELLS MALAYS NOT TO JUDGE ALL JEWS AS 'EVIL', BLAMES POOR ENGLISH FOR THEIR IGNORANCE

For so long now most Malaysian Muslims see all Jews as wicked and evil. That is like believing that all Muslims are good when we know some have acted against the very teachings of Islam. Listen to what Rabbi Michael Learner has to say about Muslims, about Israel, about Palestine, about peace, and you will understand that it is wrong to pass judgement on anyone.

And, yes, I do have a few Jewish friends : they have shown me kindness and compassion, especially during my darker days. I am also honoured to have Palestinian friends who have remained brave and are still filled with hope that one day there will be peace in their homeland.

I have lived through the unimaginable as a mother and it has changed me. I now do not care if what I believe in makes me unpopular. What I would like to achieve is to be a good Muslim and a decent human being.

Sadly, what I have written here will not be read by some because it's in English and our wonderful education system has made it difficult for many to read, write or speak English. That is another thing which may make me unpopular : that I believe it is for our own good to be fluent in English.

Why do I think that English is an important language? Because being able to read books, magazine articles, online news, and websites, or listen to lectures by eminent scholars, or watch fascinating and fact-filled documentaries - all in English - opens up such a vast world of knowledge.

There may be some people who do not agree with my views or opinions, and may say or write nasty things to me or about me, but after going through the hellish moment of seeing my son take his last breath, there isn't much else which can be worse or more painful so I think I can live with that.

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