My eyes were transfixed to the rectangular shaped talking machine at the far corner of our lounge. TV9 station was airing a talk show with Dr. Danial Zainal Abidin and writer Muhammad Alexander (MA) as guests. The issue was on signs of Doomsday and the emergence of Yakjuj and Makjuj. Coincidentally, I had just finished reading the two books written by MA. His first book – I borrowed from someone, then bought a copy together with his second book – Alexander the Great was Zulqarnain at the Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair, the week before. I managed to meet up with the writer to have the two books autographed by MA. Happiness!
“Amongst the signs of Doomsday that is fast approaching is the fact that numerous numbers of babies are being born from unmarried mothers,” said Dr. Danial. His statement made my heart stop for a moment. It set me thinking.
Just last weekend, I fulfilled the request from Raudhatus Sakinah (RS)- The Shelter for unmarried mothers, to conduct a writing workshop for inhabitants of the shelter of the Penang branch.
The air was tense and still at the beginning of the workshop. The RS girls needed some coaxing and provoking before their words could pour out. After 2 games, their minds then started melting. By mid afternoon, their fingers holding tightly onto their pen, were moving fast across the sheets of papers. Their heads down and intense, brimming with ideas. That was my intention. And those were the purpose of the series of games, specifically formulated during the workshop.
Later in the afternoon, their eyes were pregnant with tears, glistening waters streaming over like little brooks down their cheeks, when I asked them to remember and ponder upon the faces of our parents, their never ending love and care, ever since we first started to learn how to breathe. They read aloud their pieces, written straight from their hearts, in between sobs of great regret. It was intended to be so, to build up the atmosphere for them to realize the consequences of their past deeds.
While the girls were deep in their writing, I decided to have a chat with the organizers.
“Newcomers?” said I to Madam I, the manager of the shelter. My eyes roamed across the seminar room, registering the fresh faces in my mind. It has been quite a while since my last visit. My busy schedule has interrupted the once regular visits earlier on.
“Yes! The previous batch has gone back to where they belong,” said she, a queer smile curving her lips.
Puzzled with the odd smile, I asked, “How are they doing?”
I held out my hand and taking a chair, I sat very close to her and the wardens of RS. N who is now a happily married wife and mother of a little baby boy was there too. She was the former warden and had travelled all the way from Tanjung Malim, with her little baby by train, departing at midnight the night before and reaching Nibong Tebal at 4 a.m. that very morning. Such sacrifice! May Allah bless her…
“Some of them who returned home have constantly called us back, expressing their desire to be back at RS,” said one of the wardens.
“Why?” I frowned.
“Because they felt so lost and are also very vulnerable to fall back to their old habits. They were afraid. The values that we have instilled in them while they were with us here at RS, will slowly dwindle away amid hostile surroundings, uncooperative family members," said another one of the wardens.
“Influence from their old friends. We have always tried very hard to remind them to stay away and of the pitfalls of going back to their old habits,” said Madam I.
“But still, there are others who have moved on, continuing with their studies, at school and also at colleges,” said N.
“You still remember M?” said Madam I.
“Of course I do,” I quipped.
“She is now in her first year, studying psychology at a college up north, sponsored by her mum,” said one of the wardens rather proudly.
“How wonderful! Praises be to Allah,” said I, so overjoyed.
That is the situation with the RS girls who had to return to where they once belonged. Some are trying their best to maintain their dignity while others have moved on. We should do more to guide these young girls who have gone astray and to pull their hands back onto the straight road again.
This is the second time around. A similar writing workshop was held sometime last year. We intend to publish the collection of the girls’ writings. Writings of their experiences, the underlying factors that made them end up in situations most unbecoming and which we wish and should avoid. We hope that when the book gets to be published, it will act as eye openers for others, especially for the young girls and boys of our society, and for parents too. Things that they need to be aware of. To be forewarned against.
“Be Smart! Avoid Zina!”
May Allah grant us mercy and accept all intentions and our deeds...Amin
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A quick look at some of the responses that I could gather from the feedback forms right after the workshop:-
“Alhamdulillah, I have the opportunity to improve my writing skills.”
“I have acquired new knowledge.”
“This has made me become aware of the importance of being a person of good, here now and in the hereafter.”
“I got some good advise.”
“I have got ideas what to write in the future.”
“I can make use of writing to get rid of my stress.”
To read more on past and previous related entries in this blog on RS - The Shelter, please click here and here .
