As a Muslim and living in a so-called Islamic State as declared by UMNO by the then President Mahathir, I expected that the country would officially respect Islam and the various connotations that come with it.When an emergency cropped up (my dearest grandmother was hospitalised due to major blood loss), I went to book at Muar's finest - a hotel in Muar, Johor (a predominantly UMNO state).
This is not the first and is not the last, but what happened for the last two days urged me to post this article. The Hotel pays scant regard for a Muslim person to cleanse him/herself. It would seem to be a small issue but not when your stomach is on the verge of collapsing and the only remedy you have is a cup (hygienically packed for drinking purposes) and a water tap that stretches your arm muscles to the limit.
It would be reasonable to expect that a water hose be installed, or at the least a pail (baldi) and a gayung (water scoop) be provided. I learnt later upon check out that I can request for this - but that is not going to stop me writing!
What I had to do was what I had to do in the hotels in Singapore and the majority of hotels in the world - by buying a large mineral water bottle from a local 7-11 outlet.
Although the rate of the hotel and the facilities were excellent, the unavailability of these essentials raise the question of what is the hotel management expecting? cost savings? it was rather odd for this particular hotel to be able to fork out money to place bibles in all the hotel rooms for the benefit of the Christians but for the Muslims some serious consideration should also be made.
This goes to the enforcement by the government, why won't the government gazette the requirement of installing a water hose by all hotels in Malaysia? is it too hard to do? There is also the case of Surau (Musolla) being too small, crowded and smelly in shopping facilities in Malaysia. Why are there no meaningful actions by the so-called 'Muslim' government in Malaysia? why are these issues being relegated and effectively made forgotten?
I have not also forgotten the rules stated in most water-theme parks where the 'aurat is made illegal and that tight and 'aurat defying swimwear are obligated before being able to join in. If these rules were made in a non-Muslim country then I wouldn't mind - but in Malaysia where Islam is the official religion - I want to be able to enjoy time with my family and keep my faith and trust to Allah SWT intact.
