what had cause the riots?
In my opinion, I think that it's because the Muslim community felt somewhat betrayed as the British seemed to take side with the Dutch. The judge announced that the Dutch law did not recognised Maria's marriage as she was under-aged and her natural father's consent was not obtained. This upset the Musim community. They felt that the Muslim laws was not respected.
Meanwhile, the court put Maria in the care of a Catholic convent in Thomson Road. There was widespead coverage of the custody battle in the English, Malay and Tamil newspaper. Reporters and photographers entered the convent to take pictures of Maria. There was a photography taken of Maria Hertogh(a Muslim) kneeling in front of Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ. In Muslim eyes the wordship of images in any kind is not acceptable. That, more than any other story,inflamed Muslim feelings.
So what could have prevented the riots?
In my opinion, I think that the judge should have found out more about the Muslim religion, thus less problem would have been caused. If the British have paid more attention to the religion and the Muslim laws, the riot would no have happened.
Firstly, the courts should have made their decision more firmly and not kept on changing their decisions. They also shouldn't have allowed Maria to switch between her foster parents and her real parents during the trial, as this will cause much confusion to Maria.
Secondly, If the judge were to look into the Muslims Laws,they will have known that Muslim only worshipped one God, the courts would have offered to put Maria Hertogh in another place, and not in a Catholic convent. By placing Maria in a convent, the courts seems more bias as they clearly knew she was raised as a muslim. Placing Maria in a convent had already offended the Muslim beliefs, despite that, the court still allowed the reporters and photographers into the convent to take pictures of Maria. They should have stopped those photographers from entering the convent to take pictures of Maria and putting them in the newspapers. The Muslim supporters of her foster parents were outraged by this.
It is clear to all of us that newspapers and media had a very big impact on the people, so when the Muslim got to know that maria had being placed in a convent, they felt that the British were not respecting their religion. If those photographs had not being put into the newspapers, perhaps some of the anger from the Muslims could have been adverted.
Thirdly, The courts should also have put themselves in Che Aminah's shoe. They should have understand that Che Aminah had areadly developed feelings with Maria as Maria had been living with her for many years. Thus, it is not easy for Che Aminah to return Maria to her biological parents. The courts had neglected this point and thus it make the Muslim felt that the British had taken side with the Dutch.
Lastly, if the judge knew that, that a riot might outbreak on the day the verdict was made. The courts should have sealed off the Padang area to prevent crowds gathering outside the court. This could have prevented the Muslims from taking actions immediately.
To conclude, I will liked to say that if the courts have taken more considerations Muslims' feelings, the riot may not have happened.
lei yu jia (15)
faith 2-1
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)