I actually love costume parties. They combine comedy and friendship. Costumes are ready-made natural ice-breakers, and people feel comfortable engaging with strangers because everyone is bound by enjoyment, laughter and silliness.

But real life tells another story, a rather less pleasant one. When we’re not in mufti, our costumes symbolise ethnicity, creed – and, of course, religion. These are all good things. When Raya comes round, and Malay men don the baju Melayu, I feel like I am beholding a kingdom of princes. And nothing, nothing, makes feel as good as when I am wearing a saree.

However, in the small, benign gaps that distinguish us, seep in sour, corrosive attitudes. Difference can become disliked, even more so when you dare telegraph it to the world with what you wear. I feel like we (Malaysians) have learnt to apply suspicion and hostility to the way people dress. That becomes a snap judgement, which eventually becomes a blanket attitude, which in turn creates a volatile space for violence.

And so in civilian life, costumes are rather less fun than they are in parties.

That’s exactly why I am blogging on a Sunday night while nursing a stubborn hangover. I just read on The Star online that no less than 60 volunteers from six Muslim NGOs have offered their services to protect churches.

What a high that gave me – that brave men and women would make themselves vulnerable to attack precisely because they can see beyond costumes: robes, loincloths, cassocks and otherwise. Because they can grasp both humanity and divinity, and not be fazed by the conflict this sometimes creates. Because they are good people.

The arson attacks have worried me, of course. I’ve played the worst-case scenarios over and over in my mind. Fire on a Sunday morning in old church structures which were not designed with the best escape routes. Children in Sunday school. Damaged antique stained glass, pipe organs and hymnals. It would take years to restore everything, including the courage to gather as a congregation.

Somehow though – and I can’t explain why – I knew we’d be ok, so reading that story made me ever so smug. Malaysians are standing shoulder-to-shoulder, declaring peace and offering palpable help. This is who we are. This is who we should – and will – continue to be.

Prime Minister Najib, oneness begins in plurality.

God, make our hearts think right.

Read the full Star article here.

The message below, on health reforms, is the latest.

It is addressed to me and it has been written in a heartfelt manner to tell me, the lone individual, that I have the power to fix big things.  If in the past I thought this was impossible, the message here says I can now make life better for millions of Americans without health insurance.  All I have to do is make that all-important call to my senator.

Too bad I am not an American — otherwise,  I would definitely be harranguing the senator to get off his/her behind to get things going.

Such personalised messaging is, to my mind, is smart and, as my daughter would say,  so today.  It  draws people closer to the leader in the Oval Office. It makes him appear human and accessible and that, we know, is what most democratically-elected leaders would want during their term in office.

I hear that the Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak is building his new media/social media team and campaign and I think this is the right way to go.  A leader cannot reach out and touch every citizen in his or her country.  By using the Internet, there is a much better chance of communicating with the people  but — and here I would add a big BUT  –  the promises must translate into action.

For Obama or any other leader, this is the ultimate challenge –  or the messaging will ring hollow.

Here is Mitch Stewart’s message to ME:

rose –

If we don’t pass health reform, millions of Americans will be trapped in a broken status quo, unable to pay their bills or see a doctor when they need one.

More and more employers will drop coverage for employees. And Medicare and Medicaid will blow a hole through our budget.

There’s too much at stake not to get this done. That’s why OFA supporters have made 849,856 calls to Congress in support of health reform since August.

And that’s why today, with the Senate locked in last-minute negotiations, our goal is to hit one million calls.

Can you help? Click here to call your senators now and help us “ring in reform.”

This holiday season, millions of Americans will go without desperately needed care simply because they can’t afford insurance.

But insurance lobbyists are desperate to pull apart the bill and derail reform, so your voice is needed now.

Call your senators, then tell the staffers who answer where you live — so that they know you are a constituent — and that you support reform.

Then click here to make sure you call is counted in the race to a million:

http://my.barackobama.com/RingInReform

Thanks for standing up,

Mitch

Mitch Stewart
Director
Organizing for America