A close friend commented to me today how unpredictable people are. Specifically, malay (muslim) girls. I blinked, my mind racing where the conversation was heading. But before my mind jumped to its own conclusion and defended my own race though, I was surprised by the set forth lines typed, bombarding the chat window.

One of the questions she asked me was about the existence of malay sex videos. My first reaction was "huh?" - and before my mind even fully grasped the idea of malays (muslims) taping, making, publicizing, selling their homemade porn, she asked me further why do women who cover themselves from head to toe, proudly wearing their hijabs in public, would dare to reveal their bodies, topless, smiling in front of cameras cheekily.

Again, I was stumped.

Seeing how I was rendered utterless, void of any clever (or even any) explanations, she concluded her tirade with a blatant remark "you know.. I have always thought that the malays (muslims) are the most ayu kind, so conservative and pure. But I guess I am wrong."

I read, and re-read the lines she typed. Mentally inquiring for a comeback, for some sort of ... words, reassurance, explanation that what she thinks is not right. Is definitely wrong. But I found myself at a loss of words.

Because she is right.
So why would I try to tell her that it is not true?

Just because I hate to think that muslims dont do this and that doesnt mean a minority dont. Just because Bruneians have been brainwashed with the concepts of MIB since adolescence doesnt mean that everybody abide by its principles. Just because I close my eyes and cupped my ears with my hands doesnt mean that things dont happen behind close doors. Things didnt stop occurring just because I refused to acknowledge them.
Pretending - does not equate to reality. Thats just being ignorant.

So, that I was tonight - an ignorant, mouth gaping like a goldfish, startled by the honest remarks made by a friend. A part of me wanted to say something in defend, something that could abolish the tainted image of malays in her eyes - but if anything, one thing stopped me.

Last night, I stumbled upon a blog. (Click here). A blogsite made in memory of Nurin Jazlin - a primary 2 student who was kidnapped, raped and killed recently. My tears fell reading the news clips, outraged that such thing happened to this little girl. Scanned through the news clips, browsed through some of the pictures uploaded. The little girl smiling innocently, smiling big round eyes, smiling red lips, very cute.. - but now, a face bearing a tragedy. Saw a picture of her crying parents - heartbroken, people could only imagined. Heck, even I (a stranger) was deeply touched by this incident, but nothing could compare with the remorse felt by the family..
[Al-fatihah buat Nurin, Allah SWT blessed her - may the wrongdoers be caught soon.. ]

If everyone is kind and wonderful, things like that wont happen. Yes, the killers arent yet caught, and there is no reason to believe that they are malays or NOT malays either..

You know, thats just the point my friend.
Malays are just like any other races, I'd like to think. They have desires, just like every other people. Unfortunately, for some, they give in to some irresistible urges that rule their heads, over-riding their logical thinking. Maybe there are some factors besmearing their thoughts at that time, compounding their actions - but at the end of the day, it is mostly one's decision (and less about race or cultural expectations. for some anyway.)