Presentation made to CU meeting on November 14, 2002
Fun fact: What are the favorite sports played by children in Malaysia? (See answer at end.)
Nora Hamzah Pendleton described the make-up of her homeland of Malaysia. The Arab merchants originally brought Islam to Malaysia. Then the Portuguese took over, followed by the British. Malaysia achieved its independence from the British in 1963. Malay is the first language, with English as the second language.
Malaysia is approximately 50% Muslim (mostly people who were Malays from Indonesia); approximately 30% Buddhist (Chinese who were brought by the British to work in the tin mines); and approximately 20% Hindu (Indians brought by the British to work in the rubber industry.) There is not much intermarriage between the groups, but they do work and visit together. Also the Malaysia government is made up of representatives from the different religions and races. The government also enforces the religious laws. For example, Malays (Muslims) are not allowed in liquor stores or casinos; nor are they allowed to eat in public during the Muslim fast of Ramadan. Firearms and drugs are also strictly punished, and there is little crime. Sex before marriage and homosexuality are taboo. Two states in Malaysia are ruled by Muslim fundamentalists. Their aim is "to instill Islamic traditions because Western culture has failed." Students in school study their own religion. Nora's mother wore a scarf as a tradition. Nora never wore the purdah, though her sister and more and more people seem to be wearing it.
As a young girl in her village in Malaysia, Nora had dreamt of getting an education and going abroad. Her personal history in the US began in 1984 as a student at IU, following another Malaysian student she knew. She then went on to Cincinnati to get her Master's degree in business. In the meantime she married and had a baby, but had to return to Malaysia to fulfill her scholarship obligations. Because unemployment was high at the time in Malaysia, her obligation was happily shortened and she was able to return to her husband and Indiana after two years.
Nora was asked if she experienced any prejudice at IU and whether Indiana high school students are really prepared for the international diversity of IU. She answered that when she came to IU, she spent most of her time with her Malay friends. She could remember experiencing some negative comments from IU students about why she and her friends spoke their own language and cooked their own "stinky" food! CU members commented then that, given the prejudice at IU against people from different parts of Indiana, think of how people from a totally different culture must feel! Nora said she had experienced no prejudice since 9/11 because of being Muslim, but she thought part of that might be because she looks more Chinese than Arab. She did say that many Muslims in the US are very fearful that the US might intern Muslims (as they did Japanese during WWII) as part of the war against terrorism or Iraq. She said that the closest mosques are in Louisville and many countries are represented, though some nationalities predominate in some mosques.
Nora spoke about the negative effect media coverage has had both in the US and in Malaysia. She compared the media's connection between Islam and suicide bombers here with the biased view against the US back in Malaysia. She said that Malaysians are particularly upset about US aid to Israel. She decried the violence-against-violence history between Christians and Muslims, going back to the Crusades. "It's just like raising kids. It's easier to use violence to discipline, even though it's not as effective," she said.
Fun fact about Malaysia answer: Nora answered that badminton, soccer and takraw are popular.
Fun fact: What are the favorite sports played by children in Malaysia? (See answer at end.)
Nora Hamzah Pendleton described the make-up of her homeland of Malaysia. The Arab merchants originally brought Islam to Malaysia. Then the Portuguese took over, followed by the British. Malaysia achieved its independence from the British in 1963. Malay is the first language, with English as the second language.
Malaysia is approximately 50% Muslim (mostly people who were Malays from Indonesia); approximately 30% Buddhist (Chinese who were brought by the British to work in the tin mines); and approximately 20% Hindu (Indians brought by the British to work in the rubber industry.) There is not much intermarriage between the groups, but they do work and visit together. Also the Malaysia government is made up of representatives from the different religions and races. The government also enforces the religious laws. For example, Malays (Muslims) are not allowed in liquor stores or casinos; nor are they allowed to eat in public during the Muslim fast of Ramadan. Firearms and drugs are also strictly punished, and there is little crime. Sex before marriage and homosexuality are taboo. Two states in Malaysia are ruled by Muslim fundamentalists. Their aim is "to instill Islamic traditions because Western culture has failed." Students in school study their own religion. Nora's mother wore a scarf as a tradition. Nora never wore the purdah, though her sister and more and more people seem to be wearing it.
As a young girl in her village in Malaysia, Nora had dreamt of getting an education and going abroad. Her personal history in the US began in 1984 as a student at IU, following another Malaysian student she knew. She then went on to Cincinnati to get her Master's degree in business. In the meantime she married and had a baby, but had to return to Malaysia to fulfill her scholarship obligations. Because unemployment was high at the time in Malaysia, her obligation was happily shortened and she was able to return to her husband and Indiana after two years.
Nora was asked if she experienced any prejudice at IU and whether Indiana high school students are really prepared for the international diversity of IU. She answered that when she came to IU, she spent most of her time with her Malay friends. She could remember experiencing some negative comments from IU students about why she and her friends spoke their own language and cooked their own "stinky" food! CU members commented then that, given the prejudice at IU against people from different parts of Indiana, think of how people from a totally different culture must feel! Nora said she had experienced no prejudice since 9/11 because of being Muslim, but she thought part of that might be because she looks more Chinese than Arab. She did say that many Muslims in the US are very fearful that the US might intern Muslims (as they did Japanese during WWII) as part of the war against terrorism or Iraq. She said that the closest mosques are in Louisville and many countries are represented, though some nationalities predominate in some mosques.
Nora spoke about the negative effect media coverage has had both in the US and in Malaysia. She compared the media's connection between Islam and suicide bombers here with the biased view against the US back in Malaysia. She said that Malaysians are particularly upset about US aid to Israel. She decried the violence-against-violence history between Christians and Muslims, going back to the Crusades. "It's just like raising kids. It's easier to use violence to discipline, even though it's not as effective," she said.
Fun fact about Malaysia answer: Nora answered that badminton, soccer and takraw are popular.