My up and coming book...

My newest book will be around soon...Actually, it was supposed to be out during the recent school holidays. I was too busy with my work at the university hence the delay in the proofreading process. Took longer than it should have...sorry, editor!

Madam Ainon Mohd. (PTS Publications) had generously introduced it at her blog here...

I do hope my Malay readers would enjoy the book....(back cover blurb in Bahasa Melayu is here).

World Cup, Then and Now….

It was the summer of 1978. I was so up to my nose with the preparations for my A-Levels that was in a few days time then. I was sent to study at the Chesterfield College of Technology (now known as Chesterfield College), Chesterfield - a tiny market town in the county of Derbyshire. If one happens to travel by rail to Sheffield from down south, one might be able to catch a glimpse of the signature landmark of the place – the crooked spire of the town’s church, if one looks out of the left window of the carriage.

My other two housemates were cooped up in their respective rooms upstairs at the topmost floor, in the three floored semi detached house, silent and subdued. I had actually done most of the preparations. It was just a matter of going through the notes again and again as revisions. However, seeing others studying so hard sometimes make you ask yourself, “Why aren’t you studying too?” – if you understand what I mean…

After a time, I could not contain myself any longer. So, there I was, at the lounge area of the house (No. 10, Queen Street) rooted at the sofa, right in front of the TV, watching the games of the World Cup. The few hours in a day of occasional screamings and whatnots were actually food for my soul. The tension in me quickly ebbed away. My mind would be refreshed to take in the formulae, equations and theoretical facts to face the exams that was right around the corner. Argentina won 3-1 over Netherlands (2 goals made by Mario Kempes. A remarkable game it was indeed! And I had a great time, watching it all alone interspersed with intermittent activities - nail bitings, hair pullings, wrist wringing, hands in the air, at times punching the cushions or anything that I could lay my hands onto….it was a good thing that my housemates were so high up in the house…what with all the ruckus that I made…

And so, it is that time again this year. The place - South Africa. Today’s game was marred by a freak mistake made by the goalkeeper of England during the game facing USA. I am sure that he would not have wanted the incident to happen.

A quick reading of my one of my favourite websites Idris Tawfiq (an earlier entry about him on this blog can be found here – updates of which I obtained from time to time through email after registering at his website) made me ponder (read here)…

Idris Tafiq has said it well… Everything that happens is with His will.

However, my heart is constantly nagging - the biggest question still remains….the issue of Palestine and the fate of its people…would their cries of sufferings be drowned by the squeals and howls of spectators amid the goals scored during the World Cup?

Pirates of the Mediterranean

The recent Israeli raid ala Pirates of the Caribbeans (or more aptly stated as Pirates of the Mediterranean) has bared it all. Israel has nowhere to hide. Or is it still adamant on sheepishly hiding behind the hems of the trousers (or more accurately called ‘hems of skirts’ of the U.S. government? A non gentlemanly move indeed!

Even the Mayor of the city of Richmond, California; Gayle McLaughlin (a lady mind you!) has lashed out her points – even though she may be wearing a skirt herself – kudos for the spirited statements. (Read her statement here)

Take a look at the autopsy results which were released by the Turkish authorities. What do they tell you? (Read full report here)

The nine victims (shahid - Subhanallah!):
1.Cengiz Alquyz, 42: Four gunshot wounds: back of head, right side of face, back, left leg
2.Ibrahim Bilgen, 60: Four gunshot wounds: right chest, back, right hip, right temple
3.Cegdet Kiliclar, 38: One gunshot wound: middle of forehead
4.Furkan Dogan, 19: Five gunshot wounds: nose, back, back of head, left leg, left ankle
5.Sahri Yaldiz: Four gunshot wounds: left chest, left leg, right leg twice
6.Aliheyder Bengi, 39: Six gunshot wounds: left chest, belly, right arm, right leg, left hand twice
7.Cetin Topcuoglu, 54: Three gunshot wounds: back of head, left side, right belly
8.Cengiz Songur, 47: One gunshot wound: front of neck
9.Necdet Yildirim, 32: Two gunshot wounds: right shoulder, left back

What do these signify about the atrocities done by the Israeli commandos on board the Mavi Marmara. Please bear in mind that these are unarmed civilians. It does not come as a surprise as “When it is time to kill, the Israelis know how to kill well.” Am quoting the Honourable Mr. Tayyip Edrogan, the Turkish Prime Minister’s speech as he walked off the centre stage of Davos, February 2009, chiding the moderator (Ignatius) in allowing the then Israeli P.M. Shimon Peres 25 minutes to speak while he, only 12 minutes and then vowing never to return!

This also proved ironic and against their own (Israelite) teachings. Erdogan also reminded them a few days ago that it is written in their Jewish Holy Book - that their 6th Commandment is that they should not kill. But of course, they choose to turn a deaf ear.

Israel's blockade of Gaza is illegal and should be lifted. This has been reiterated by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay. He had also called for an investigation into Israel's raid on aid supply ships.

I would say – the leaders of the so-called American leadership who consider themselves the Police of the World are merely waiting for the next dictated action from their real master (who else but the Zionists?), more like a tight lipped ‘gentleman’- tail between their legs, ‘covered up in skirts’ in the first place.

I do hope that the eyes of the world are now wide open…and that Palestine and its people will be free once again…Amin

PS. All Praises be to Allah for the safe return of our friends on board Mavi Marmara to their respective countries...