Paul Long's Ramblings

27 OCTOBER 2011 Dr Patrick Sookhdeo responds to critical  Guardian  article On 9 September 2011,  The Guardian  newspaper in the UK published an  article  by Mehdi Hasan, senior political editor of the New Statesman, entitled “How fear of criminalisation forces Muslims into silence”. This contained a number of specific and personal criticisms of Barnabas Fund’s International Director, Dr Patrick Sookhdeo. This is not the first time in the recent past that this newspaper has published a biased piece highly critical of Dr Sookhdeo’s work (see also  this 2009 blog post  by Andrew Brown). But on this occasion he has requested and been given the right of reply, and a shorter and significantly edited version of the article below has been published by The Guardian  today. Some points we would have liked to make had to be excluded from that piece for reasons of space or editorial policy, so we are now releasing this fuller version to our s...

This video speaks heaps. An important lesson for individuals, corporations, governments, politicians and yes, pastors too:-)

Pastor's notes for the 23 Oct 2011 bulletin. To view click HERE

Been a while since I blogged so here goes ... But first, I popped by the Lions Club book sale this morning. And had a fun time (though it is getting harder and harder to scan books due to my bi-focals) quickly browsing through the many boxes of books. This is one more thing I like about life in NZ. Other people's junk is often recycled for a good cause. Very little waste. Anyway I picked up 6 books - all a dollar each (it's a "one book one dollar sale"). Here they are: Another cook book I know ... but if I can find one good usable recipe from the book it would be worth the money. Even if the recipe may have to be modified. So far all the other  $1 cook books I bought have given me at least one recipe that I actually do use and a one this size and with photos of every recipe ... should be a good one. And look closely at the sub title and you will see why I bought it ... "Quick and easy recipes ..." :-) This pocket dictionary was the main reas...

So sad but glad that NZQA is now taking this seriously. Hope this cheating culture does not infect NZ. Cheats force NZQA to toughen English tests By  Andrew Laxon 5:30 AM Saturday Oct 15, 2011 Share 6 Email Print EXPAND International students are likely to face an independently monitored test (posed by models). Photo / Getty Images Schools for international students will face tougher English language tests in response to widespread cheating. The New Zealand Qualifications Authority is examining several options, including forcing schools to use an independently supervised international exam instead of their own internal tests. Deputy chief executive Tim Fowler said in the last year he had noticed an increase in multiple problems at some schools, including poor English levels and pass marks given for substandard work. This had prompted NZQA to review its English language requirements to stop schools from taking students who were not up to scratch. Mr Fowler said the exact chan...

How glad I am that my children study in NZ. :-) Though I do not think they read enough here either with the influence and easy access to multi-media stuff :-( But they do know how to ask questions and debate issues. Sometimes too much? :-) Me? In my spare time I tend to read more comic books! (ahem - better known and politically correct as graphic novels) :-) http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/2011/10/13/the-sorry-state-of-our-education-system/ The sorry state of our education system K Kabilan  | October 13, 2011 Our students have forgotten how to ask questions, discuss topics and debate issues. Instead they want the easy way to gain paper qualifications. COMMENT Recently a friend, who is a senior professor in a local public university in the Klang Valley, related to me his experiences in conducting classes for his undergraduates. He said that as part of his educating process, he would ask his students – all from creative studies department – to identify countries from ...

Another excellent piece by my favourite Malaysian theologian JAIS-DUMC Controversy – Was the Sultan Not Properly Informed? **This article also appeared at Malaysiakini 12 Oct 2011  LINK The Christian community has waited with anticipation for DYMM Sultan of Selangor, to come out with a statement that will help resolve the inter-religious crisis sparked off by the JAIS raid on DUMC on 3 August, 2011. We welcome the Sultan’s wish that religious harmony should continue in the state and his decree that there be no prosecution against any of the parties involved. However, the Sultan’s statement does raise a few issues of serious concern for the non-Muslim community as there are views expressed therein that suggest that the Sultan may not have been properly informed by his advisers. To read the article, go HERE

If it seems I am posting a lot on this matter, it is simply because it bothers me! And I am so glad for people like Tawfik Hamid being willing to speak up in this way. Ending the Coptic Suffering  in Egypt By Tawfik Hamid www.tawfikhamid.com Recently,  attacks on Coptic Christians in Egypt  and destroying their churches have been on the rise. The problem has escalated and Massive  clashes raged Sunday in downtown Cairo  between Coptic Christian demonstrators and the Military.  At least 24 people have been killed and more than 300 [1] injured (most are Copts) in the worst sectarian violence since the uprising that ousted Hosni Mubarak in February. Initially, the demonstrations remained peaceful for hours and turned extremely violent after two military personnel were killed (as the Egyptian TV mentioned). It is unclear until now who started the attack on the military that sparked the violence. The possibility that anti-revolution groups have sparke...

What future for Christians in Egypt after brutal assault by security forces, Islamists and thugs? At least 25 dead and hundreds injured as Christian protestors attacked Thousands of Christians protesting against the torching of a church and other injustices came under brutal attack by security forces, Islamists and violent thugs in Egypt on Sunday. Video footage  shows military vehicles charging at Christians who were protesting near the state TV building in Maspero Square, Cairo. They were also shot at, beaten and dragged through the streets by soldiers, Muslim attackers and plain-clothed thugs in what has been described as the worst violence in Egypt since the fall of President Hosni Mubarak in February. One of the rally organisers said: The army and police were waiting for us about 200 metres away from the Maspero TV building. They started firing at us before two army armoured vehicles came at great speed and drove into the crowds, going backwards and forwards, mowing peopl...