Hues of dewdrops

Will be missing them very much...

2011-02-19T06:42:00.001-08:00

I will always treasure this little face. Cheeky smile, radiant eyes, beautiful dimples…

His name is ARS. His father – a Ph.D student whom I co-supervise. His father S, has just passed his viva with flying colours, Alhamdulillah…

What is so special about ARS, his father, his mother and 2 other siblings?

As a start, they are from Gaza, Palestine. Let me share the story. The beautiful moments, the opportunity that Allah gave my husband and I, to be able to get to know them, to interact with them, to share meals with…and many more…

And then, it is their hospitality, humbleness, steadfastness and piousness. I have been to their abode a couple of times. Each time, Samy’s sweet wife R, would prepare sumptuous food. So delicious that I have asked recipes from her. Delicious spreads on the table and healthy food too! No oil, no frying. Just baked, boiled or prepared fresh…

We were there for iftar during Ramadhan last year. I felt very humbled, the fact that S and R are able to maintain their wudhu’ (ablution for prayers) for hours on end. While my husband and I had to wash and take our wudhu’ for prayers, S and R were ready with the prayer mats all laid down. Deep down, I felt a little ashamed… While ARS and his elder brother M would follow behind S and my husband who led the prayers, R would be holding little baby N on her waist while we did our prayers together. N sort of understood that her mum was doing the solat, while ruku’ and sujud, clasping awkwardly on to her mum, quietly…no complaints…unlike other babies we normally see…crying their hearts out while mum is praying.

I did ask S how he would be able to cope when he gets back home. Here, all the facilities are well provided for. S just shrugs his shoulders and would say, “We will get by. We are used to it. The children will be trained in time. There, water supply is only a few hours per day. Electricity too, only 1 hour a day. But, never mind, no worries, we will be able to cope, Insha Allah.” I just cannot imagine. I realize that we are really spoilt and taking things for granted here in Malaysia.

S’s presence here at the School of Electrical & Electronic Engineering, USM Engineering Campus, has brought me much joy. After all, it is very seldom that you get to receive from students whom we supervise, right after any consultation sessions, messages such as “May Allah bless you, my kind Dr.,” or “Thank you very much for your doa. May Allah bless you and your family.” What more coming from God fearing and very highly motivated Palestinians. Whenever, I do receive such messages from S, I would respond with frantic “Amin, Amin”…May Allah grant all the good wishes he has sent…

S has finally wrapped up his thesis correction a few days ago. It was refreshing to note that the internal and external examiner’s comments were very good – “Reading the thesis was a pleasure, well written, no grammar mistakes, clearly explained.” Most Middle Eastern students’ theses are a headache. Mainly because of their poor background in English and another fact – most are quite stubborn to accept advice and criticisms. Especially when the supervisor is a woman lecturer. But not S, who was a fast learner and very receptive to comments.

When S was asked by the Viva Chairman right after his viva, “What will you be doing after this? Getting a job here in Malaysia?”

S answered with a beaming smile, “I will be going back. My country needs me.”

Straight answer and very succinct. He knows and is aware. His sense of purpose of coming here. And never forgetting his roots.

And so, it is with great pleasure and I share the happiness of his success. However, having to come to terms with the fact that I have to let S and his family go, a little sadness creeps in my heart. Will our family get to see each other again?

One thing is for sure….I will miss the company of this family, S’s humble inquiries, questions and his thirst for knowledge, R’s wonderful cooking and…ARS’s beautiful, sparkling eyes and glowing smile…

May Allah bless the whole family and protect them when they get back home to Palestine and its people too. Grant them their long awaited freedom..Amin Ya Rabbul Alamin…

A Breath of Fresh Air...

2011-01-20T22:53:00.000-08:00

It has been such a long time that I have not updated this blog of mine. So much paper work. The never-ending number of theses to be read as an external and internal examiner. As soon as I completed, then another arrived... Postgrads to supervise and to stand in during their vivas…

Pressures of living up to be an academic in a university chosen to spearhead the APEX programme is really taking its toll…And most recently, we thought that ever since USM has been upgraded to APEX status (for information on this, it is here and here) then the number of undergraduates would be reduced. That was what we thought..until last week. The new enrolment in September 2011/2012 session for our school (School Electrical & Electronic Engineering – NOT other schools) would be at least 200! Horror! That would be just like the small creeks Down Under bursting at their brims and river banks – hence the devastations and floodings…How could and should people like us in the department keep up? We would be stretched to the limits. God forbid, please…

Just recently, I had 1 more Ph.D student registering under my wings – I could not remember agreeing to this in the first place. While in a state of blurriness, another one showed up at my office doorstep, showing me his registration letter as yet another of my student….But of course, it is not always grey skies. Once in a while, it is so heartening when you supervise students from Palestine especially – with their good manners and sincere prayers (doa) for Allah's blessings bestowed upon their supervisors whenever we try to help as best we can…(will share some of these stories later…)

And so, when a group of young girls (from various colleges around Tg. Malim, Banting, Shah Alam and KL) decided to come over up north for a little bit of sharing and to spend the night filled with spiritual and motivational activities – one of the initiatives under IKRAM (formerly known as JIM), I was thrilled. They were more than welcomed to my humble abode in Ipoh. All 30 of them will be flying off to Germany, Ireland and Australia (doing Engineering, Medicine and Biotech) as early as July, as late as January 2012.

I was glad too that an ole' friend of mine, Yati could also spare some time with us over the weekend. We had such wonderful moments, sharing our past, more than 30 years’ of experiences in the UK (I was in Sheffield while Yati was in Cardiff). The good and not so good ones..The good ones – for them to emulate, the not so good ones – hopefully these new breed would be wary of…

The whole bunch of girls had some morning activities..some tazkirah (reminders presented in a chicken soup for the soul kind of way..using the multi media - these young folks of today are ever so creative, I learnt something new then and there...) and I shared my motivational talk which I usually do share with my own first year students once in a while. About focusing on their target and never to lose sight of their goals, about the true meaning of success and the roadmap towards it, about discovering their full potential and then harnessing their talents….Most important thing of all is that both Yati and I stressed the importance of remembering the sacrifices of our elderly parents and kins, about preserving our own identity as Muslims and our faith – to safeguard them as precious pearls – especially out there where ‘prying hands’ are always everywhere trying to take it away from our hearts…

I have uploaded these pictures here so that these young girls will always remember the good moments that we shared together…I pray that they will accomplish all their dreams..and may Allah bestow upon them success and make things easy for them in their pursuit for knowledge…Amin.

PS. I thank my other half for making all the necessary arrangements for the instant meals (tea break, dinner and breakfast) that he purchased from the eateries around our place. In so doing, our weekend programme went smoothly without a hitch…My gratefulness to Mumtaz of UTP and Ain Nasim for making this possible. Thank you for giving us this opportunity to sow some seeds of goodness…May Allah accept our good deeds..Amin…

Reminder...

2010-12-17T14:55:00.000-08:00

A good friend of my son has passed away in the early hours of last night. A very good dai' while in his prime - university days. A very good son, a very good soul.

My condolences to your mum and family members...May you rest in peace…May Allah accept your good deeds, forgive your misdoings and place you amongst those whom He is pleased with…Amin Ya Rabbul Alamin…

Al Fatihah...(Please click here...)

This is a good reminder to me too...Have I done enough when Allah says that it is time for me to flicker out? Still, the clock of life is ticking by...and the end is fast approaching.....

PS. I must apologize to all readers for not updating this virtual 'abode’ of mine for quite some time. Been running around….there are so many things to share however so little time to spare…

Aidil Adha Greetings...

2010-11-18T18:52:00.000-08:00

Eid Mubarak! Wishing blessings of Eidul Adha to all..

May we live to emulate the spirit of sacrifice exemplified by the noble family of our Prophet Ibrahim (a.s.) his son Prophet Ismail a.s. and his mother Hajar.

Besides the degree of sacrifice by the Prophet Ibrahim and his son Ismail, we should also ponder on how this noble and wonderful woman had been so steadfast, patient and true to Allah’s commandments. It was this brave woman who became the pioneer of a blessed Holy City, the destination of pilgrims from all over the globe during hajj and umrah.

Her acts of running in despair back and forth between the two hills, in search of precious water; while young Ismail lay crying on the hard and desolate desert sands, has been made one of the hajj and umrah rituals…

For an enlightening article on how we can reflect and act upon the examples shown by this great family, please click here

PS. Image was taken from here.

Ngah & Kayah's Drinking Well...

2010-10-30T10:11:00.000-07:00

All praises be to Allah....

Am so grateful that my dream and intention has been fruitful…

Last Ramadhan , I received an invitation from an activist, who also happens to be my husband’s junior during their school days (Sekolah Tuanku Abdul Rahman (STAR) old boy, Ipoh, Perak). This gentlemen has forwarded a chance to contribute towards a very noble effort.

In his flyer, it was stated:

Hadhrat Sa'd
(Radhiallaahu Anhu) said, 'Umm Sa'd (mother of Sa'd) passed away. What should I do?'

Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) said, 'Dig a well (in order to provide water).'

Hadhrat Sa'd dug a well and said, 'This (the water of the well) is for the reward of Umm Sa'd.' (Mishkaat - Chapter of Sadaqah).. (Hadith Riwayat Tirmidzi)

And something suddenly fluttered in my heart…Instantly, I remembered both my parents. They – who had toiled and faced such hardship bringing up my siblings and I. We would not have been like we are today if not for their hard work and sacrifices (my father passed away in 1997 and my mum in 2003).

And so, I immediately offered my hand in this gesture, so noble…

I wanted so much to ‘enshrine’ both my parent’s names in something that would give rewards for them in the hereafter until the end of time or as long as it is of service for the betterment of others…Alhamdulillah….Praises be to Allah for fulfilling my dreams and making this possible…(The proof is here).

For those of you out there who would also like to contribute towards this good deeds, please contact:

Dato' Haji Mustafa Kamal bin Zaini (hp: 019-2149345)
President, ACT Malaysia
www.actmalaysia.org.my ( Please click here)

May Allah accept all our righteousness…Amin, Ya Rabbul Alamin…

Caught by surpise!

2010-10-18T07:50:00.000-07:00

Little did I know that I would be one of the subjects of entry for Madam Ainon Mohd.’s (the President of PTS Publications Sdn. Bhd.) blog ...

For Malay Language readers, the entry in her blog Universiti Terbuka PTS (or literally translated as ‘ PTS Open University’) is here.

Don’t know why…

But I do appreciate her highlighting this…even though, I think I owe it to my other half – for his ever ready attitude and willingness to send me to the venue and then pick me up at the end of the never ending workshops….Mdm Ainon's entry motivates me to continue adopting her new ideas and exploring new ventures in writing more books…

There are at times though..deep down inside, when I feel like ‘life for me is fast approaching into its twilight years’ especially sitting there amongst those young and vibrant participants at the writing workshops. However, when I recall my late father’s voice saying, “You are never too old to learn..Remember that!” then I would dismiss these little voices and instead hold on to his words – real tight…

How about you? Care to join us writers? It is never too late to make a start…Sydney Sheldon started writing his first novel at the ripe age of 52. ;-)

Feeling really good inside…

2010-10-10T09:32:00.000-07:00

All Praises be to Allah (3X)...Alhamdulillah..Alhamdulillah…Alhamdulillah…

For the 4th consecutive week, I have made myself available and to be able to follow Mdm. Ainon Mohd’s free lectures (the big boss of PTS Publications - an aggressive publishing company, she was and still is my mentor in writing) at Taman Permata, Kuala Lumpur. Always updating us with new projects, forever inspiring us with new ideas too…maybe I will share all that I have gathered – the notes that I have made while attending all these lectures – in other entries…For this entry – I just want to share this happy feeling...

This morning, I was feeling really swell… when I heard these words come tumbling out of Mdm Ainon’s lips:

“Ladies and gentlemen..who have never been tired writing and giving us your book manuscripts…your efforts have made it possible for us to venture into this Watershed Project – the translation of Al Quran for new reverts – and also for ‘dummies’(in the context of the yellow series of Books for Dummies).

We have made studies on how to make the Quran more simplified in its translation in order that a person who obtained just a grade ‘C’ for his/her Bahasa Melayu would also be able to understand the meanings of the verses…For that too, we have embarked on translations of the Quran in multi languages, in the hope that these translated versions will assist as tools for our brothers and sisters who are involved in dakwah work and to speed up their efforts.

We have produced the Surah Yasin in Iban language. The Quran in the same language is in the process of editing . The Khmer version is under print at Kampuchea. Others in line are in Kadazan, Tagalog and a string of others. These translated versions will be given away for free.

To print these, we need special ‘Bible paper’ – very thin but tough enough to be flicked back and forth. If not, the editions will be too thick and that will defeat the purpose of it being easily carried here and there, everywhere. This type of paper is very expensive. And that is where your efforts have helped us. The profits from the sales of your books as writers all these while – a portion of it has gone into this. We have really helped each other.

I am very passionate about this project and I am working really hard to make it all become possible. Pray that Allah give me strength and good health to continue and complete them all in these efforts. I want this to be my part of my good deeds (sadaqah jariah) when I die…"

Imagine how happy I was to hear all of these…All the hours spent in writing the books – have paid off in a way – I have contributed a little, if not much (as my books are not bestsellers although quite a number have been reprinted, their numbers are not very many…) However, I still feel very good inside.

You as readers are also contributing . For, in buying and reading the books by us PTS writers, you also have made yourselves shareholders in this very noble effort. Let us pray to Allah Almighty that all these good deeds of ours…are accepted by Him The Almighty….Amin…

For Malay readers, to learn more about these projects, please feel free to click the following:

1.
2.
3.
4.

Eid…town…countryside…

2010-09-24T21:09:00.000-07:00

“Abah! I think that would be your present for me, right? You must! Promise, ok?” said little Nuha Insyirah, her eyes wild with excitement.

My son-in-law’s eyebrows suddenly cocked up to one side.

By then, the little girl was running all around the fields and around the house belonging to an aunt (her grandfather – my husband’s side). Her t-shirt was all soaked and her forehead trickled with sweat. The little chicks she was chasing went helter skelter and were desperate on their feet, their mother clucking and following right behind them.

“Insyirah! Be careful, the mother hen could give you a nasty peck if she gets very annoyed!” said I, trying to hold still her little brother Ameer Ihsan who was flapping gleefully everytime the rooster cried, “Cock-a-doodle-doo!”

“But I want to hold the little chick in my hand!” cried Insyirah, “they are so cute,” and off she was again.

“How would you like yourself to be away from ibu and abah?” said her dad, trying to cajole his little girl.

“I would not like that!” she said, thoughtfully.

“Likewise, the little chicks. So leave them be, okay?” said her father. His little girl now tired, held on to his hands. But her eyes were still eagerly watching the yellow and fluffy chicks pecking and sifting the sands behind the bushes with their mum.

I remembered the first time we brought our son-in-law to this remote part of Kedah. A place called Kampung Bukit, near Napoh to be exact.

“What is that?” my son-in-law asked, quickly moving to the paddock nearest to the roadside. He could not help from running his fingers along the golden stalks.

“Why? That is the padi plant, of course! You mean you have not seen one?” I asked in return.

“No! I have not!” he said, a look of wonder in his eyes.

A teacher in a well established environment in the city once told me that she had asked the little children under her tutelage to draw a picture of a chicken. And what she got was a drawing of the fried chicken drumstick!

Our Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was put in the care of Halimatus Saadiah at the countryside as was the norm and custom during those times. This was so that the child may learn the fine language of the outback and grow up in the unspoiled and clear environment, where the air is fresh and clean.

However, the same cannot be said about the present state of affairs in most of our own countryside. On my parent’s side, the kampung is infested with drug addicts and situation for old folks staying all alone is certainly not safe.

How about your experience in your own kampung? Do you encounter the same situation? It would be interesting to share…

Our Eid this year was really a meaningful one. Ameer Ihsan (I year 2 months) has just ‘found his feet’ and put them to real use. Our yearly photo session was hectic too! Which explains why most of the pictures had to be just candid…

To all readers, it is still not too late to wish you all “Eid Mubarak…let us seek forgiveness and start anew”.

May Allah bestow upon us the strength and commitment to fast the 6 days in the remaining days of Shawal and to be able to see Ramadhan and Shawal of next year, Insha Allah…Amin…

Discount and rebate at POPULAR bookstores nationwide..

2010-08-27T10:24:00.000-07:00

My latest book has been shortlisted in the POPULAR bookstore's choice and a 20% discount and rebate is given at all its branches nationwide.

This offer is valid beginning 6th August until 7th October 2010. Please click here for the link. Readers are welcomed to get the book at your nearest POPULAR bookstore branch.

Some more information about the book....

"Puteri Di Alam Fantasi" (translated as ‘Princess in Wonderland’) is a book intended to sow seeds of appreciation and to inculcate amongst our youngsters, the love and care for this earth we live in. Hence, the need to be involved with efforts in sustaining it. Also the importance of caring for another fellow human being as well as others. All for the sake of our Creater i.e. God, none as Exalted as He is.

For those Malay Language readers who have finished reading this book, I would appreciate very much if you could make some comments and evaluation of the book at the publisher's portal (PTS) here... As a writer, it feels great to be able to gather feedbacks from readers (be it good or bad).

Although this book is for children, adults too may contemplate and ponder over the message that the book was intended to deliver...the idea and concepts were based on “Alice in Wonderland” with trimmings and touches of good values, to nurture goodness in the minds of our young readers…

God says in the Quran:

وَ مَا أَرْسلْنَك إِلا رَحْمَةً لِّلْعَلَمِينَ‏
“We sent thee not, but as a mercy for all creatures..” (Al-Anbiya’/21: 107)

Wasn’t the coming of Islam and also our Rasul (peace be upon him) none other than as Rahmatan Lil-‘Alamin?

God knows best…

Plastic bags? No...

2010-08-22T06:07:00.000-07:00

“You want this?” said the Malay lady, the owner of the Herbal Rice (Nasi Kerabu) stall, her fingers deftly weaving in and out of the delicacies laid out on the table. Her customer flashed an eager smile, her head nodding away, looking pleased.

“This?” said the owner of the stall again, this time her fingers were holding the spoon to something which looks like budu (fermented anchovy sauce).

“Oh no! No, thank you!” she broke out into a laugh.

The nasi kerabu seller went on to stack the tiffin carrier and was about to put it into a plastic bag when the owner said, “Please, no thank you! No plastic bag, please!”

And off she went, full of energy. I watched her happily walking away, her blonde head bobbing amongst the crowd. Everybody else around were smiling. I looked down at the bundles of plastic bags filled with the things we bought, wrapped around the fingers of my other half. And mine too! We exchanged meaningful looks. Guilty to the core…

We were feasting our eyes, buying dinner, at the Saturday night market in Kuah, Langkawi – only, it was still daylight then. The sun slowly moving towards the horizon.

The next morning, we met the blonde again, at the elevator. We exchanged smiles. Little did we know that we were staying in the same condominium block, overlooking the sea, just off the yatch training centre. The place belongs to my brother. A very popular piece of property with numerous expatriate owners.

I salute the spirit of some of these expatriates – their conviction on greening, no plastic bags and all. Hiring bikes, or walking to town. More sensitive towards issues concerning sustaining the earth. Of which we Muslims should be at the forefront. We - who are supposed to be Allah’s vicegerent on this earth…

So touched I was, that when I returned to my working home at Parit Buntar, I tried to emulate the same spirit. And so, the next time I was buying my grocery, I brought my carrier bag along. At the checkout counter, the girl was filling in my things in plastic bags, oblivious to the carrier bag which I held out to her. So, smiling and full of spirits, I said, “No plastic bags, please! In this bag here, thank you!”

What did I get? Pouting lips, frowns and glaring stares, also from the adjacent check-out counter… So much for trying to go green, eh?

BeeeeZeeeee.....

2010-08-09T18:49:00.000-07:00

It has been an eventful looooong month. More than a month actually…

The OCEANS 2010 conference in Sydney, ‘holiday’ in Shanghai. ‘Holiday’ means accompanying my husband who was on a business trip. New intake of students and ‘new’ subject to teach this session and in this new semester. Speaking of ‘new’ means handling a subject which I thought that I would not be teaching anymore. The last time I laid my eyes on the subject was about 6 years ago and so I was frantically trying to find my notes (maybe in my old laptop which has since been ‘condemned’).

As a consequence, I have been living on a day to day basis – lectures tomorrow and preparations? Today and till late at nights….

But in between, there was little Ameer Ihsan’s one year birthday. Yes! Already a year since the little darling – new addition to the family, was born. Our first little jewel i.e. his sister - Nuha Insyirah, is already 5 now...

Amongst other things which I was extremely happy about was the success of my good ole student in undergoing her Masters (M.Sc.) viva session just recently. Very tough, but she pulled through with gusto... Some corrections and she will be on her way..convocation in March next year, God Willing (Congrats L!)

I owe a lot to her – for without her assistance in collecting all the data, I would not have progressed in my own Doctorate studies years ago…As soon as I hired her, she had to spend at least 2 months each time at HUSM, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan. Never been there, problems in understanding the language – adjusting to the food – sometimes unpalatable to her taste but she put up with all these willingly, faithfully, diligently..…anyway, those were the days.

The recent convocation (early August 2010) brought me back to this little gift, presented by 4 students who have graduated on the occasion. I was their supervisor for their final year projects (here, we call it FYP). Reading their messages inscribed in the accompanying card, makes me happy inside. A sense of satisfaction and you feel good about a job done well with full sincerity….

Very beeeezeeee indeed...

Talking about being busy. I saw this line written on one of the walls of the hangar at Kepala Batas, Alor Setar, while on our way back to Jitra – my husband’s kampung, so many, many years ago..

“It is ok to be busy but please do not be busy bodies….”

My children were bent with laughter in the rear seat of the car when they read it. I totally agree with the phrase. Do you?

PS. To all friends and readers – May the blessings of Allah be with you throughout Ramadhan and forever…Amin…

My up and coming book...

2010-06-24T01:42:00.000-07:00

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….

2010-06-13T10:43:00.000-07:00

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

2010-06-06T01:14:00.000-07:00

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...

Israel reveals its true face

2010-05-31T23:42:00.000-07:00

By Ahdaf Soueif

This will count. A flotilla of relief boats attacked in international waters. Armed commandos boarding a vessel carrying supplies for a besieged civilian population. More than 10 peace activists reported killed. This has to be made to count.

The dead have joined Rachel Corrie, Tom Hurndall, James Miller and Brian Avery in giving up their lives for the Palestinians. None of these young men and women went out to die or wanted to die or was accepting of death. Each and every one of them ultimately believed that they were safe; that there was a boundary – call it a boundary of legality, a boundary of civilisation – that Israel would not cross. They were wrong. And in proving them wrong, Israel has revealed, once again, its true face to the world.

This face, of course, the Palestinians know well. They see it every day in the teenage soldiers of the occupation chewing gum as they dish out humiliations, in the settlers shooting young Palestinians with impunity, in the soldiers firing gas canisters at the heads of demonstrators. The world saw that face in January last year when Israel unleashed the might of its air force on Gaza – the only time in modern warfare that a civilian population was sealed in as it was being bombed and shelled. Now Israel is out on the high seas killing internationals.

So never mind the multimillion- dollar public relations campaign – actions speak louder than words, and the murder of these peace activists is Israel's message to the world. It does not matter what Mark Regev or any other Israel spokesperson says. It does not matter what spin the Israeli government tries to put on this; the only link between Israeli words and Israeli deeds is this: Israel uses words as a decoy and an obfuscation and a cover for its deeds. It has done so for 62 years. These internationals, dead now, murdered, have ensured that anyone who does not see this is wilfully blind.

Western governments are fond of holding up Israel as the "only democracy in the Middle East". So should we assume that the Israeli people are behind their government? That they approve these killings? Last month I was at al-Quds University in Abu Dis. Israel's wall shaved the edge off the campus. On it, in tall blue letters, a Palestinian student had written: "My Israeli sisters: this is not the answer."

A few days ago, young Jewish Israeli activists told me they saw that the only hope for their country lies with the international community. Israel is on a path to self-destruction, they said, and it will take the region with it. It will not stop, they said, until the price it pays for its actions becomes too heavy. This price has to be a moral and economic price imposed by the world.

My anger and my sadness are so great that I have to deliberately draw a deep breath from time to time to ease the bands I feel around my chest. It doesn't matter. What does matter is that millions of people in the world are feeling the same. People everywhere see and understand what is happening. Many of us feel that Palestine is nearing its South Africa moment. This latest outrage must push it closer. And it will.

Donations will, I'm sure, flood in to the other relief boats waiting in harbour. More and more people will take the boycott to heart. More civil bodies will insist on divestment from companies that do business with Israel. The time has come for the governments that represent us to stop engaging with Israeli lies and excuses. The price of Israel's action today has to be to put the issue of sanctions squarely on the table.

This article appeared in the UK Newspaper - The Guardian dated 31st May 2010 (here)

PS. Please make doa and do solat hajat for our friends captured on board the ship Mavi Marmara, 12 of whom are Malaysians, 2 of whom are our dear old friends – Dr. Selamat Aliman (JIM) and Ustaz Hasanuddin Mohd. Yunus (Aqsa Syarif). The fate of all those on board the ship involved in the Life Line 4 Gaza (LL4G) mission, up to the point of this entry, is still not known. A few has fallen shahid. Subhanallah! Allahu Akbar!

Nothing surpasses Allah…

2010-05-20T06:33:00.000-07:00

My tight schedule has driven me up the wall. This blog has not been updated for weeks. However, it all seem worthwhile. The time spent, the energy driven, the efforts put into seem meaningful when success awaits you at the end of the tunnel. Even though we only managed to garner a Silver Medal at ITEX 2010 for our invention, it has cast enough happiness in our hearts as a research team.

The most important thing was that we were able to showcase our work to the public, a system that may be of use in a vast number of applications. Numerous parties have expressed their interest in developing and enhancing the basic platform. For example the Department of Irrigation and Drainage in managing the illegal sand digging at their rivers.

Today, in the STAR, there is news coverage for the press conference which was held yesterday at the main campus lake in Minden, Penang. (Read here)

Our invention is named Drosobot (Drosophila Robot). They may be deployed as a group (or swarms - in technical terms) to enable contour mapping of lakebeds, rivers and dams. The cost incurred is substantially reduced, extra manpower is not necessary while the results of the mappings may be looked at there and then (in real time). Compare this to the available equipment system in the market, (originating from where else but the West?) which is so exorbitant (costs RM 200,000 to buy, if rented then the charges would be RM8,000 per kilometer; it also needs to have at least 4 people to man the equipment)and most importantly, the results of the mappings are not instant - only made available 2 weeks later.

The most interesting fact that we discover is that, lake contour mappings are not available as yet. (We did not know this when we first embarked on the project). Only land and the sea (for seafarers). Considering the vast number of lakes available in Malaysia, we are glad that we are able to contribute in making contour mappings of lakes to be easily done. Amongst our interested visitors (in charge of maintenance of one of the dams) during ITEX 2010 expressed his gratitude and appreciation because he knew and understood the problems. He has been doing the job manually.

We were inspired by the foraging and searching movements of the fruit fly (scientific name being Drosophila Melanogaster) to be adopted as the intelligent algorithm integrated in the school of autonomous water surface vehicles. Adopting the algorithm means that the movements of the group of robots become faster and optimized in the contour mappings as they glide across the surface of waters.

Did not Allah give us mankind the power to think? Nature and its happenings may be used as a source of inspiration for creative inventions. Creatures - be them large or as small as the ants, bees, all have their specialties. If only we take the time to contemplate and use our minds to focus. Thinking has been advocated by our Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) in a Hadith:

“Purposive thinking (tafakkur) for an hour is better than a year’s worship.”

The humble fly which we would not even look with one eye has a lot to offer – only if we stop, think and observe. The tiny creatures go about their ways according to the ordained paths set by its Creator. However, that is all they can do. It is only us – mankind who has the ability to explore, formulate and venture further than the other creatures. For we are bestowed with powerful brains by our Creator to think and relate. However, there is only one thing that we as mankind should do and never forget i.e. we must remember that no matter how great and high we soar, we can never surpass His powers.

".. of knowledge it is only a little that is communicated to you, (O men!)" Al Isra’: 85

Unto Allah belongeth All Praises…

Reader Review - Seungu Lavendar

2010-04-12T17:38:00.000-07:00

Nothing pleases a writer more than having his or her book reviewed by readers. Whether the review is good or bad – it does not matter.

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of bumping into a piece of review at www.goodreads.com written by one named Aina Dayana Hilmi from Melaka. Not only has she bought my book and then read it. She also graciously went an extra mile to produce some feedback after feasting her eyes on it. (For Malay Language readers, the review can be found here).

The book Seungu Lavendar is a true story based on my childhood days, written straight from my heart; growing up in an ordinary family (father being a police constable), coping with everyday dealings in the era of 1960’s and the 1970’s. The little girl Ummu Hanis (or Hanis) is my character in the book, her experiences and her innocent outlook towards life written from the eyes of a child of her age. I wrote this book under the direct guidance and constant online correspondence with Madam Ainon Mohd (Sifu PTS) and it was completed in a span of 3 months. Writers for her publishing company at that time were encouraged to write their own life experiences or Jibunsyi (‘lifes of ordinary people’ in Japanese). In tandem with her request, all the names of characters needed to be changed (but in this book, I had to maintain my father’s name, for reasons stated in the book storyline).

I would like to reproduce some points from my book "Jadi, Anda Mahu Menulis?"

According to Mdm Ainon, "Actually every person's life is a unique tale that may be made into a book; it is a storyline."

The reason why jibunshis are written is because so that ordinary people may relate to the stories and then be inspired and motivated. It may be that reader is facing some form of situations, similar to the writer. Then, he or she will say, "I am facing the same difficult situation. And I am not alone. So, this is how I can weave my way out of the same predicament. And the attitudes that I should churn in myself."

One of the Jibunsyi' that was successfully adapted into an effective film was Oshin (a well loved TV series by women all over the world)- the story of the iron willed lady who did not give up hope even though the tides turned against her.

Thanks a million, Ms. Aina Dayana Hilmi! Appreciate your efforts. Really do!

Apr 01, 2010
Aina Dayana Hilmi rated it: 3/5

bookshelves: family, read-2010

Read in April, 2010

(Malay readers may read the review here.)

Tears of regret…

2010-03-31T08:14:00.000-07:00

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 .

Brunei..captivating..sustaining...

2010-03-10T23:35:00.000-08:00

“Have you tried this?” said Haji Z, the representative from Brunei Government, sitting across our dinner table. In his hand, was a small piece of bamboo pried open but not quite till the end; his fingers deftly and skillfully twisting the bamboo stick; at the end of which was a gooish, whitish substance, resembling our home made glue.

“No, we haven’t,” said Dr. Y my colleague from Universiti Utara Malaysia.

‘But we will surely try,” said I, laughing, poking my fork at the varieties of kerabu (vegetable and seafood delicacy) in my plate.

“Yes, I hope you will. This used to be the staple food for our older generations, when food was scarce. It is called Ambuyat, to be eaten with the sauce," pointing to the small bowl of sidedish near his plate.

“It is very filling. And the sauce is the most important. Because the ambuyat itself is tasteless as it is made from sago flour and hot water. You have to be really skilled to be able to make it to the right consistency,” said J smilingly, the officer from AITI Brunei.

Haji Z went on, “Our country has started to implement self-sustaining projects. For a start, to produce our own rice. And the tender, roasted lamb that is in your plate is our own born and bred. And also the beef. But of course, the original herd were imported from New Zealand.” His eyes were twinkling as he looked at the difficulty I was having in twisting my own ambuyat. I had to use both my hands.

“Laila – that is the name of the rice genus. Harvested three times a year. We just had the first harvest not long ago,” added J, grinning with pride.

“Very impressive,” said Dr. Y, “unlike our country. My state which is Kedah, is supposedly to be known as the Rice Bowl of Malaysia. Most of the plots of padi fields no longer exist as they are slowly turning into housing estates.”

My trip to Brunei was a very fulfilling one. I was representing Universiti Sains Malaysia - USM (alone), while the other proponent was Universiti Utara Malaysia - UUM (Dr. Y and her research officer). We were the only two other proponents from Malaysia, besides a big telco company, which did not send any representative as their proposal has always been accepted for the third year running. For UUM, it was their second time (still needing some modifications to their proposal) while for USM, this is our first time and I have a lot of things to pick and gather.

Apart from learning the basic techniques on how to prepare appropriate proposals in order to secure research grants from outside Malaysia (i.e. for this meeting at ASEAN level), I also learnt a lot of other things. Mainly, I have never set foot on this captivating country.

As a start, I was already impressed with the doa at the beginning of the journey on Brunei Royal Airlines. It was a heartrending doa (before a Muslim undertakes a journey, he or she is recommended to make doa or prayers for safe journey) recited on the screen of the aircraft before take-off. I said Amin..Amin..and Amin with all my heart.

The moment my feet touched the airport, I was again mesmerized by the Jawi letterings on the welcoming guide posts greeting me. Then at the hotel in the middle of the city of Bandar Seri Begawan, I noticed the same letterings on every store, even on the one and only McD, KFC as well as others. How this country has been able to elevate the standard of Jawi as it is now. (I sigh, when I think of this lost opportunity back home).

Then, at night, tired from the meeting the whole day, we, the delegates, were brought to an exclusive restaurant owned by a dignitary of Brunei, just across the Kampung Air (The Water Village).

Spectacular views – the lights coming from the heritage houses were playing in the shadows, on the surface of the undulating waves of the sea under the moonlight. As though dancing to the harmonious traditional music from young lads, clad in their traditional attire. We were really entertained. It was so beautiful…

On the way back to the hotel, I was taken in by the beauty of the quietness and serenity of the surroundings. I did not see youths philandering, (lepak-lepak). No improper dressing. Funky clad and punks; there was none. I guess most of the youngsters are at home, safe with their family.

And the drivers? We Malaysians could and should learn from them about road ethics. Here, if you are a pedestrian, you are the king of the road, the cars will stop in their tracks to let you cross the road, no matter how busy. (It reminds me of Canada.) Try doing that back home? (You risk being called, “You crazy? Lived long enough?” or the worst – you get yourself killed!)

Another plus point - the TV programmes, very Islamically inclined and knowledge enriching. Not so much of the worship of hedonistic culture that is rampant with ours back home…

How can we learn and implement these things to our beloved country? Please share with me….

Slowly drying…

2010-02-18T23:17:00.000-08:00

I was chairing a postgraduate viva session at one of the departments in the campus. Everyone was diligently paying attention when suddenly there was a knock on the door.

Dr. B, one of the panel members of the meeting and a programme chairman of the department, rose to answer and he then disappeared behind the door.

I continued the session which was nearly at the finishing line.

Dr. B returned to his seat, his face suddenly looking very drawn. There were traces of sadness in his eyes. All of a sudden, he said, “Excuse me. I am very sorry, I just cannot concentrate anymore.”

I cast him an annoyed look. So did the others.

“There has been a terrible accident. One of our department’s postgraduate students. At the main gate to our campus here. And she is dead. I have to be excused. I need to attend to her matters. Please go ahead with the meeting,” said he, as he rose up to go.

We listened and watched, electrified.

I came to my senses and summoned myself to say, “It is all right. We are nearing the end anyway, aren’t we?” I looked around at the other faces. Nods everywhere.

By the time I was back at my own department, the news had spread. Apparently, the hardworking student who was on her motorbike, was a victim of a reckless driver of a car, which sped across the red light right in front of the campus. It was such disheartening news…

I wonder what were in the minds of her housemates. Most probably she was with them, all day long the day before, talking, eating, laughing and the next day, she was gone…

I wonder too how her mum would cope with this news. So sudden…

I remembered something my son told me. A friend of his had been called back home. He was doing his housemanship training at a hospital back in the UK. During his undergraduate studies as a medical student at the University of Sheffield (both my husband and I studied there more than 30 years ago), he was diagnosed with lymphoma, a kind of blood cancer. He had undergone chemotherapy many times before and the cancer had come back. The doctors had done all that they could do. His parents has asked him to come back. Watching his message (here), I could not help holding back my tears….

That afternoon, as I was driving back home, I stopped the car momentarily at the junction of the campus main gate, waiting for the green light. As I turned my face towards the left, I could see the remnants of what used to be a helmet, the pieces scattered all over the side walk. I was in tears again…

As a Muslim, we are constantly reminded to ponder over a Hadith. In this hadith, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said to a man while he was advising him:

"Take advantage of five matters before five other matters: your youth, before you become old; and your health, before you fall sick; and your richness, before you become poor; and your free time before you become busy; and your life, before your death." ~Al Hakim and Al Baihaqi~

I am reminding myself. I do hope you are reminded too….

KPI...

2010-02-04T15:23:00.000-08:00

It has been raining KPI’s for the past few months. Seems like the three letter item has become the buzz word. On the TV, in the papers, from our country’s VIP lips. At my department…

Ever since last year and being called in to be one of the the department’s KPI committee, I have been running around, bogged down with paper work (which explains why this space of mine has not been updated). Plus the fact that I have to put up with some members of staff who are lackadaisical in their attitudes and worst still – those who spit out unbecoming words, not befitting the academic titles that they have in front of their names. Am already up to my nose…the mere mention of the three letter word, gave me the jitters...

Last weekend, while attending a get together with other writers of a publishing company, the editors explained their new and upcoming projects. Then, it came…”Each of us as an editor, we need to fulfill our KPIs..” I felt like throwing up…

Too much emphasis, too much paper work, efforts. So much time and energy…

This weekend (Yes! On Sunday, while others are happily relaxing with their families) all the four of us will have to brace ourselves in preparation to face the highest authority of the university. For, the task of defending our school KPI lies upon the shoulders of the four of us (Prof. L, Dr. W, Mr. M and I). I do hope some of my dear colleagues will help too in offering some doas…

These set me thinking..how about the other KPI? The one we need to look seriously into? Our KPI with our own Creator? I shudder…

How about you?

That white house beside the beach…

2009-12-26T08:28:00.000-08:00

The sea breeze was blowing, the waves lapping along the shores. But my eyes were more intent on finding a particular junction.

“Just make sure that you follow the coastal road and keep to it. You will come to a junction leading to Pantai Batu Rakit. Go along it, and just about 4 to 5 km. you will see the house - a white, 2 storey building, just beside the beach,” his voice sounding very kind, on the other side of the phone.

About a few months before that, he had dropped by my blog, leaving a few lines of comments. I hopped over to his and found it fascinating. My tears were streaming down my cheeks as I read the messages left by the children under his tutelage.

“I must find some time to visit this man and actually see how he has been doing all that he has been doing,” I said.

“If you say so, my dear,” said my other half, “just mark one of the days in the calendar. I badly need to take a break anyway,” his dreary eyes showing the weariness and tiresome bureaucracy that he has to put up with day by day at his office.

That was how we found ourselves on the east coast, spending the first night at KT. The next day we made our way a little to the north, towards Batu Rakit. Sure enough, as soon as our vehicle purred on, we could see the house; its façade very simple yet its ambience, ‘very English’.

“Come on right in, for it has started to rain,” said the real man, his actual personality exuding kindness all the more.

We were greeted by his wife, who took the trouble to lay the table for lunch. We talked as if we have known each other for years. The talking went on till teatime, which was Makcik’s special apple pie complete with custard sauce. So delicious!

Uncle Hassan and his wife Aunt Salma names that they want to be known – two gracious senior citizens who also insisted that we spent the night at their place. Such bliss…listening to the sound of the waves breaking onto the glistening sands…in one of the chalet like rooms which belong to one of his beloved sons.

There was so much that we learnt from these two kind souls; caring for others, doing the utmost to help the needy, giving hope and encouragement for the poor children whose fathers, grandfathers (and their forefathers) were fisherman, who believed that the only thing in life was the open sea. Clearly, these children needed some kind of input, to change their life and their future.

So many stories, so many touching moments, from someone who has been there and done that. For Uncle was selected to further his studies in the U.K. at a time when Malaysia has not been born. Who would have thought that a young boy from Arabic school could master the English Language within a short span of time? Also to learn Additional Mathematics all on his own. Who would have heard of Add Maths during that era? But Uncle did it all with his strong will and determination.

A sudden twist of fate. That was it. A chance that he thought he would miss. Then, one of the chosen candidates had to decline the offer of a place of study because of some reasons, he was taken in to replace the vacancy. To be away from home, to a faraway land, a foreign one that is. No sophisticated form of communications as we are privileged to have as of now. From being on his own at Loughborough Institute of Technology (as it was known then, now called Loughborough University), working very hard for his Mechanical Engineering degree under the sponsorship of an international oil and gas company, amidst the loneliness of the late 1950's. When Malaya obtained its so called independence, he was right there in London, writing feverishly in his diary, now all yellowed and tattered but still intact….

That night, we went to the house across the road (Al Manar – Arabic for ‘The Beacon’) that he has specially built for the underprivileged children as their sanctuary. A place that they may find extra care and coaching, guide and motivation to do better and excel. For it is there (Al Manar) that many of these unfortunate children who have at long last been exposed to techniques of teaching that made them spur on to improve their lives. His place was NOT a tuition centre – more so like a kind of learning centre. The children spend their nights here, as a getaway from their impoverished homes (ill equipped, unfavourable conditions and unconducive for study). Reading his blog, one may find testimonies from these children, so grateful to the efforts of these two caring souls, the unsung heroes of a beach house off the coast of a fishing village in Kuala Terengganu.

Uncle Hassan has strengthened my conviction in something which I believed in all along. Life is not all about accumulating wealth or providing comfort for you and your loved ones. It includes thinking about others especially the unfortunate ones and how to best to help them.

As a sequel to his “7 Habits of Highly Effective People”, Stephen Covey published “The 8th Habit: From Effectiveness to Greatness” which essentially urges: "Find your voice and inspire others to find theirs..." Uncle Hassan has exemplified this…he has inspired me…

“Whosoever doeth right, whether male or female, and is a believer, him verily we shall quicken with good life, and We shall pay them a recompense in proportion to the best of what they used to do.” ~Al Quran: Chapter An Nahl: Verse 97.

And he is a living proof of:

“You make a living by earning,
You make a life by giving…”

Narrated 'Abdullah bin Umar: Allah's Apostle said, "A Muslim is a brother of another Muslim, so he should not oppress him, nor should he hand him over to an oppressor. Whoever fulfilled the needs of his brother, Allah will fulfill his needs; whoever brought his (Muslim) brother out of a discomfort, Allah will bring him out of the discomforts of the Day of Resurrection, and whoever screened a Muslim, Allah will screen him on the Day of Resurrection. " Al Bukhari

Muharram greeting...

2009-12-17T15:26:00.000-08:00

A new year for Muslims again..

Blessed Muharram greetings 1431 to all. May the new year furnish you with deeper faith, increase commitment for amal ibadah (good deeds) and taqwa (steadfastness) towards Allah..

May Allah continue to bless you and your family in all your efforts and perseverence in the right paths towards Allah...Amin...

PS. Picture was taken from Rexsy here..

Reminiscing Terengganu…

2009-12-15T05:29:00.000-08:00

“There it is!” said I, pointing my fingers to a prominent structure, jutting out from the green avenue of firs and casuarinas along its sides. Dusk has fallen. The waves were beating on the shores, the glimmering sands hardly seen any more in the deteriorating light.

It was just the two of us this time. My other half and I. We were there once before. More than 20 years ago. Only at that time, we were there as a family. I still keep the photos and would glance through it every now and then. Just to reminisce…..

Back then, our daughter was about 7 years of age. Beside her, was her little brother, and he was nearly 2. I wanted to take a photo of the two of them on the beach, in the breeze, under the shadows of the casuarinas. Our daughter was ready to pose. As usual, our little boy could not stay still for more than a minute. Something in the sand intrigued him and he put his face down, poking here and there in the sand with the stick at the last second, just as my finger pressed on the button. And the camera went click…

Those were such wonderful moments. We had traveled to the east coast using our old and battered second hand car (a Nissan 120Y, with a plate number beginning with PAE something…), grateful that we finally reached the coastal shores. At that time, there was no highway like now. We stopped at Pantai Batu Buruk, spending the night at about one of the more decent hotels amongst the handfuls that were around at K.T. We walked along the beach; sometimes running, sometimes walking; at times playing hide and seek. The children were laughing gleefully.

Then, we were off to Dungun, stopping to put up the night at a very modest place. No TV, no air-conditioning and no hot water. Only the bare necessities and the most important thing was that the place was spotlessly clean. In the early hour of the morning, we were already up, enjoying the view of the sun rising slowly above the horizon, the rolling white waves amidst the waters so blue.

Suddenly, there was a lot of noise and commotion in the air. Our little son whom we believe could not understand a thing, was somehow feeling the change in the air. Both our children's faces were beaming as they ran towards the shore.

Yonder, we could see a group of men, the waters up to their waistline, flanking both sides of what made up to be a boat. Slowly, they were closing into the shore, the semi-circular shape that they made becoming narrower and smaller. Just then, we could see something else. Right at the centre from where they stood, there were fish! Yes! Fish! Fresh and gleaming like rainbow in the sun's rays. Here and there, jumping up towards the sky and landing back onto the shallow waves. The net beneath them was beginning to show as the group of men slowly pulled it up onto the sands. A typical scene back then, of fishermen pulling in their catch of the day. But not to us, city dwellers. We were mesmerized!

By then, our children were nearly hysterical with excitement. And so were the little groups of children and women of the village, who had gathered around. They too were jumping up and down along the shores. Smiling faces, everywhere….

This little piece of experience was a very valuable one. The closest thing that our children got to real life fish were the occasional visits to the aquarium. We also took them to the wet market at the Central Market of Ipoh once in a while to let them watch how the fish that they finally see at the dinner table were being handled.

I cannot imagine how life would be like for our children’s children…They get to buy clean fish at the local hypermarket; there is no doubt about that. But then, they will be deprived of the real joy in getting a first hand experience such as like the one we had…. (Research has found that all fish are diminishing and there will not be any more fish for us to eat in 40 years).

Who then should be blamed?

Eidul Adha greetings..

2009-11-26T09:01:00.001-08:00

Wishing Eid Mubarak to everyone!

May we continue to rekindle the spirit of sacrifice as it was exemplified by our Prophet Ibrahim a.s. and his son Ismail a.s. simply for the sake of seeking the pleasure of Allah and Him alone...Amin.

Bring down that wall!

2009-11-09T19:05:00.000-08:00

My other half was watching the BBC news early this morning while I was summoning my might to start examining a postgraduate thesis from a certain university down south. All of sudden, my eyes were transfixed on a certain message scribbled on an ugly wall, flashed on the tube.

“WHY IS THIS WALL HERE?”

A commentator was presenting all the hype about the final fall of the Berlin Wall on the 9th of November twenty years ago (1989) and how the event has turned into a sort of worldwide celebration nowadays.

My eyes turned misty as I suddenly remembered about the plight of our brethren – the Palestinians holed up within the walls of the heartless Zionists.

Just then, an email forwarded from Dr. Hafidzi jolted me. And so, I am doing my part to educate others about the Apartheid Wall.

These are facts:

1. Israel's apartheid wall is three times the length of the Berlin Wall.

2. Israel's wall was ruled illegal by the International Court of Justice,sections of the wall have also been ruled illegal by Israel's high court.

3. Israel's wall mostly separates Palestinians from other Palestinians, not Palestinians from Israelis

4. Israel's wall confiscates Palestinian farmland and water resources in contravention of international law.

5. Israel's wall cuts off access of Palestinians from their other family members, deprive them of their rights of a decent livelihood, rights for proper education and even treatment in hospitals.

And so likewise, I am asking Israel and its counterparts - the same thing as what was flashed by the BBC news:

“WHY IS THE WALL THERE AT PALESTINE?”

I demand an answer!

PS. Remember the story of the little bird who tried to carry water back and forth from a nearby river in its tiny beak to save the Prophet Ibrahim when he was put on the stakes to be burnt by the cruel Emperor? The little bird was ridiculed by its friends (the eagle) because after all how much water can he carry to smother the flames? The bird’s heart may be tiny but it was a great one, for he replied, “This is the least that I can do. I have an answer that I have done my part when I will be questioned by Allah on the day of judgement, what have I done to help?”

So, why not do your part?

For resources on what little that you can do to spread this message, please visit:
http://www.endtheoccupation.org/article.php?list=type&type=317

Tell the Caterpillar Company (which directly profits from
CAT equipment being used to demolish Palestinian homes and orchards in
the path of the wall and in the actual construction of the wall) that what they are doing is WRONG. Click here

More resources:

http://tinyurl.com/stopthewall

http://www.endtheoccupation.org/downloads/09wall.pdf

<http://www.endtheoccupation.org/article. php?id=2380>

<http://www.endtheoccupation.org/calendar.php>.

'Beautiful Daffodils'...amongst other books...

2009-10-29T10:57:00.000-07:00

Thank you, Allah...Most Gracious, Most Merciful for allowing my fourth book "Beautiful Daffodils" (Seindah Dafodil) to be chosen amongst the list of books purchased by the Ministry of Education for the year 2009.

I chanced upon this surprising and happy news here...
Thank you to all readers for the support. Parents may present this book to their teenagers as a way of indirectly giving advise to their teenagers; especially the importance of inculcating the importance of adhering to our faith and iman. More so, for those young adults who find themselves away from home in a far away land, and foreign environment...

To all youngsters, feel proud of our faith and iman i.e. Islam for only this can ward us from the impending dangers of undesirable influences that may destroy our identity as Muslims.

Of quakes and devastations…

2009-10-13T11:03:00.000-07:00

I love to watch the History Channel 555 on Astro. The series are eyeopeners, knowledge enriched as well as being therapeutic when times are taxing and academic commitments become so stressful and too demanding.

Was watching a slot on the Lost City of Atlantis which existed thousands of years ago, whereby it seems more recent studies suggests that it may be situated more towards the east; near the island of Crete. It is believed that the technology advancements during that civilization then were very advanced. The existence of sophisticated high rise buildings with indoor plumbing, extensive irrigation facilities, architecture, code of laws where men and women are of equal standing plus other richness of information. However, within a blink of an eye, the whole civilization vanished in a huge earthquake.

The devastation produced by the event was far worse than the one which afflicted the island of Krakatoa in 1883. Even then, the Krakaota produced a Tsunami reaching 120 feet high killing about 36,000 people. Skies were blackened for three days. The sound of the explosion was heard as far away as 3,000 miles. The one at Atlantis was 4 times that of Krakatoa. Just imagine? Good readups are available here and here.

And then, news came of the quake which hit the Samoas followed by Padang, Indonesia. Questions started to arise. Are those two earthquakes connected? (Read here).

Whatever, such news brought sorrow deep down in my heart. How fragile this precious earth is. How little there is beholding our lives. Only God knows how long more we can withstand watching our lives unfold before our eyes.

How true are the words of Socrates:
"Man's life is like a drop of dew on a leaf."

While our are hearts are still pounding, why not contribute some of the good things that God has mercifully bestowed upon us.

"And every one has a direction to which he should turn, therefore hasten to (do) good works; wherever you are, Allah will bring you all together; surely Allah has power over all things.” (Al Baqarah: 148)

Jamaah Islah Malaysia (JIM) has taken up a mission called Misi Kasih Padang (freely translated as The Mission - Love Padang) to help those in need there. (Click here for more information).

Being in Malaysia, we have been spared of this catastrophe and for that, we are truly blessed by God. But then, who knows about the future?

Let the following words of the Quran below remind us of the fragility of our existence (Surah The Romans: 41-43):

“Disasters have spread throughout the land and sea, because of what the people have committed. He thus lets them taste the consequences of some of their works, that they may return (to the right works).”

“Say, "Roam the earth and note the consequences for those before you." Most of them were idol worshipers.”

“Therefore, you shall devote yourself completely to this perfect religion, before a day comes which is made inevitable by GOD. On that day, they will be shocked.”

Are we fully aware too that studies have shown that these catastrophes may strike again, anytime in the near future? (Read here and here).

Till then, we can only pray to God, to ward ourselves of these perils. Also to hasten in doing and promoting good deeds while we still can. I will continue to watch the History Channel 555, to remind me constantly of my existence and fuel my soul of the urgency to enjoin good.

Would you like to watch the channel too? Tell me if you have other enlightening information. Do share them with me. I would only be too happy and grateful…

Puteri Salsabila....2nd. Reprint..

2009-10-04T08:10:00.001-07:00

All Praises be to God (Alhamdulillah...) for making it possible for my book, Puteri Salsabila to be in its 2nd. reprint (September - just last month). I received the news when it was listed here (but for non-Malay readerss, maybe the source would not be understood). Anyway, just sharing my happiness...

I have also found a review of the book Puteri Salsabila. A very hilarious one indeed! For Malay Language readers, please click here... (Thank you to blogger Adi Jeff).

As it is, 2 more of my other books have also been reprinted last year i.e. Sentuhan Muttaqeen and Seungu Lavendar.

For this, I just want to say:

Thank you to readers for buying my books and most important of all - for reading them. I do hope my Malay Language readers will continue to enjoy reading my books...

Eid Mubarak!

2009-09-20T15:23:00.000-07:00

Wishing everyone Eid Mubarak 1430H!

Please forgive... for any misunderstood words or wrong doings on my part.

May Allah accept all our good deeds and may we get to see Ramadhan again next year, Insha Allah (God willing….)

PS. The nest is quiet now, no more whimpers or sweet baby talk from little baby Ameer Ihsan nor chatters from his talkative elder sister Nuha Insyirah. They have left for down south, to be with their father’s side of the family, having spent the last few days of Ramadhan with us. And so, my other half and I decided to start the six days of fasting in Shawal. If we don’t make a start, probably we will not make it at all. Good deeds shouldn’t wait, right?

Still so happy together…

2009-09-10T09:28:00.000-07:00

September. Brings back all the memories at the back of my mind. Happy days and sad moments. 30 years….is a long time. That is how long we have been together. My other half and I.

The day before our anniversary, we sat next to each other, shoulder to shoulder, in a train. Enjoying each other’s company, watching the scenery. All the way from KL Sentral to Parit Buntar.

Along the way, there were so many things to see, to laugh at, to reminisce. At Ipoh, I recalled the train would be full of white clad boys (from STAR - where else?). The residential school where my husband hailed from. Some of the experiences on the train rides during school holidays decades ago, I have shared in my book Seungu Lavendar.

We passed by Bukit Berapit where the station is in ruins now. All dilipidated and in a sad state. But I could recollect the time when back then, the station was still intact and functioning; N, a hostel mate of mine (when all of us Tunku Kurshiah College, Seremban girls were on our way home up north, sleeping in chartered coaches in the year 1974), winked from her deep sleep in the middle of the night. Thinking that it was nearing her stop, N threw her luggage out the door of the train which was slowing down momentarily. Before we could stop her, she had hopped down from the train. If not for the shouts from the KTM man on duty, asking her what was she thinking, which of course startled her and caused her to wake up from her state of delirium and scrambled frantically back up the coach, I think she would have been stranded all alone in the pitch darkness and jungle, in the middle of nowhere. From then on, we took the liberty to take on the incident as a subject for N to be teased about. Naughty us!

At a certain stop called Pondok Tanjung, what a sight to behold! It was as if time stood still. As though we were caught in a time tunnel of the 1950’s. Especially the rustic quarters, children waving, smiles from wrinkled faces holding onto their motorbikes, patiently waiting for the train carrying us to go by, at the tiny railway crossing. Must remember to get hold of a few pictures, next time…

And then, another delightful sight - Tasek Merah. Looking out through the window, one has the impression that one is flying across the lake, as the track cuts right across the serene waters….my heart involuntarily sang to the melodious tune of the 1967 song, “So Happy Together”.

It was just wonderful! All praises be to God. What a great way to spend one’s 30th wedding anniversary….Thank you, Allah. I pray that God would allow us to grow old gracefully, the same like as this kindly soul, a friendly visitor of my blog who happened to hop by (admire his sincere efforts, good work and having spent a fruitful life) just celebrated…(for theirs is 45 years…Subhanallah….)

Interesting site about Malaysian trains and its history, click here..

True sense of independence…

2009-08-30T09:39:00.000-07:00

Independence does not merely connote physical freedom from colonization but also surpasses that of mental and spiritual influence. From the Islamic point of view, does it mean that a person, race or nation is independent if it still upholds principles be it from the east or the west other than the Divine Revelations of the Quran and and sayings of the Prophet i.e. Al Hadith? Anything that is from the west is the best or anything that is from the east such as local practice and culture or that the supremacy of a particular race is considered pure and sacred and therefore must be adhered to at all costs? Even to the extent of having the right to do anything as one likes at the expense of injustice to fellow man or to discard the truth?

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) has successfully built an exemplary Islamic nation capable of governing a just society for everyone commanding respect, inclusive of non-muslims around the city of Madinah in every aspects of life. So why is it that Muslims i.e. us in this later generations cannot emulate the same model to be implemented today?

Islam came to rejuvenate mankind and to free them from colonization of their minds and soul. Listen to what Ruba’ei bin Umair has to say when confronted by Rustam, the Roman general most feared by friends and foes. Rustam had asked Ruba’ei, “Why did you come to us?”

Ruba’ei answered, “We have come to free mankind from the subserviency of one to another and instead instill one’s obedience to One God only, to bring the light of faith from the darkness of disbelief and to enlighted mankind’s narrowness of this world to the vastness of avenues of the hereafter.”

When mankind is able to obey solely the words of his own Creator, then only is he empowered with the spirit of independence in the real sense…

Only God knows best…

Happy 52nd Independence Day!

Points have been modified from the malay version of this and this.

'Rayuan Ramadhan' 1430H Promotion..YouTube

2009-08-29T19:09:00.000-07:00

Wished there was an English version of this...but for Malay speaking audience, please view here...

Thank you!

Ramadhan...'Tis the time for sowing..

2009-08-27T08:44:00.000-07:00

Please download Brochure1 and Brochure2

Our Reference : Q-10-3-10-27-04(30) 2009
Date : 06 Ogos 2009 / 13 Syaaban 1430H

Dear All:

RE: SPONSORS FOR BREAKING OF FAST & DONATIONS FOR THOSE REALLY IN NEED

May you be in the care of Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala and may He bestow upon you good health and serenity.

Ramadhan is here again knocking on our doors. Its presence has always been looked forward to. ’Tis the time for sowing seeds of good deeds. No more whispers from the evil beings and the shaitan, only our own heart’s desires to be curbed. We only need to stop ourselves from all misdeeds as this is the only month in which Satan is jailed and we only have to control ourselves from the habit of sins.

God has stated in the Quran (Al Baqarah: 185):

“In the month of Ramadan the Koran was revealed, a book of guidance for mankind with proofs of guidance distinguishing right from wrong.”

Giving unto others (especially food to the hungry and those who are fasting) forms the basis for most of the other good deeds. It instills mercy, love and kindliness towards other human beings.

In the verse of the Quran (Al Insan: 8-12), God has said,

“..and who give food - however great be their own want of it - unto the needy, and the orphan, and the captive, (saying, in their hearts,) "We feed you for the sake of God alone: we desire no recompense from you, nor thanks: behold, we stand in awe of our Sustainer's judgment on a distressful, fateful Day!" And so, God will preserve them from the woes of that Day, and will bestow on them brightness and joy, and will reward them for all their patience in adversity with a garden (of bliss) and with (garments of) silk.”

The Islamic Organization Pertubuhan Jamaah Islah Malaysia (JIM) is currently organizing its 11th year in running project entitled Rayuan Ramadhan (Ramadhan Plea) and call for donations. This is to assist the Muslims in need, who have been denied their rights in their own homeland, victims of natural disasters, those who have been forgotten and who are fighting for the cause of Allah. Amongst the countries involved are Sudan, Palestin, Mindanao, Southern Thailand, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Cambodia, our new brethren at Hidayah Centre and the like. We very much welcome our brothers and sisters in faith throughout Malaysia to join together with us in this venture. Your generous donations will be duly distributed to those stated as above.

The Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him) said,

“It is the month of patience, and the reward of patience is Heaven. It is the month of charity, and a month in which a believer's sustenance is increased. Whoever gives food to a fasting person to break his fast, shall have his sins forgiven, and he will be saved from the Fire of Hell, and he shall have the same reward as the fasting person, without his reward being diminished at all." [Narrated by Ibn Khuzaymah]

Therefore, let us make full use of this opportunity which only comes once in a year. Please lend your hands to ours which are outstretched, with the intention of none other than to seek His pleasure and rewards through this sincere effort.

Together with this are brochures that you may download and distribute to your friends, colleagues and family members. The brochures are also available here http://rayuan-ramadhan.jim.org.my/

May Allah bless us and accept all our deeds in this blessed month of Ramadhan...Amin

Wasalam (Unto you be peace),

HAJI IBRAHIM BIN MOHAMAD
Programme Director
Rayuan Ramadhan / Sedekah JIM 1430H
+60341053159 @ +6041089669

COUNTDOWN: 12 DAYS LEFT
DEADLINE: 19 RAMADHAN 1430H / 09 SEPTEMBER 2009
(All donations after the deadline will be categorized as sadaqah

Thank you all!

LET US INFAQ...

All donations may be made via PO/MO/Cheque/Cash, deposited into:

1. Bank Muamalat Malaysia Berhad 1403-0000391- 713
2. Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad 1211-3010005-797

All payments to be made under "Pertubuhan Jamaah Islah Malaysia".

Payments may also be made online through JIM e-bazaar

Please send your scanned slips by email or fax them to:

SEKRETARIAT RAYUAN RAMADHAN 1430H
PERTUBUHAN JAMAAH ISLAH MALAYSIA
LOT 300.2, LORONG SELANGOR,
PUSAT BANDAR MELAWATI
53100 KUALA LUMPUR
Faks: +60341071754 @ +60341086319

" TOGETHER, WE SAVOUR THE REAL MEANING OF RAMADHAN"

Sekretariat Rayuan Ramadhan 1430H
Pertubuhan Jamaah Islah Malaysia (JIM)
Lot 300.2, Lorong Selangor,
Pusat Bandar Melawati,
53100 Kuala Lumpur.
Website: http://rayuan-ramadhan.jim.org.my/blog/
email: ramadhan-qurban@jim.org.my

Hectic but fulfilling…

2009-08-23T17:16:00.000-07:00

Have had so many things in my mind. And had my hands full lately.

Since last year, have been chairing the ever demanding job of organizing our school’s biannual international conference RoViSP’09 (Robotics, Vision, Signal Processing and Power Applications), this time around to be held at the Awana Porto Malai, Langkawi, 19 dan 20th of December. Now is the crucial moment. Registration and payments are coming in. Sponsorship has been very poor mainly because of the economic downturn. Nevertheless, judging from the good number of participants from within Malaysia and international countries, I am thankful to You, Allah for having had the opportunity to lead a very disciplined and hardworking committee members. We hope this conference would prove to be a success as always…Insha Allah (God willing).

My two precious grandchildren and their mum (and very helpful maid) were with us at our hometown for a week. So, I had to juggle the balls very well. The fours hours of driving daily (back and forth) from Ipoh to Parit Buntar was something I had not done for quite a while as my other half was away for most of the days of the week at Putrajaya and up north in Perlis. But then, I learnt to appreciate the Greatness of Allah through His creations. The magnificent mist amid the greeneries (in the wee hours of the mornings just before and after the Menora Tunnel) and scenic mountain views of Kinta Valley at dusk, just before reaching the Jelapang toll. Plus the beautiful faces of the little ones – Ameer Ihsan and his sweet chatterbox sister Insyirah, when I arrive at my doorstep. Thank you Allah, Alhamdulillah…

It is not too late to wish a very blessed Ramadhan to all. Now is the time for sowing…to do good to ourselves as well as unto others… May Allah accept our good deeds, Amin…

Chip off the old block…

2009-08-12T06:44:00.001-07:00

“What happened?” I asked, gushing out of my friend’s house upon hearing a loud screech and bangs. It was already nearly 11 o’clock at night.

“That car driven by that couple of teenages, rammed into A’s. Over there!” my husband pointed his fingers to our friend’s vehicle, parked neatly over the ample kerb.

I saw two teenagers, one a girl and another a boy, standing at the far corner of the spot, their faces very sour.

“How did this thing happen?” asked our friend A’s eldest daughter Z, who was already outside the house before me. With her, her young daughter, her younger brother-in-law and her own younger brother, snapping away with his digital camera at their father’s ruined car.

Z’s father was in Kuala Lumpur (KL) while her mum, my old friend, was recuperating at home after undergoing a major operation just a few days before.

The back of A’s continental car was hugely dented, its tail lights broken, the splinters spilling onto the ground while the front part was crushed into a lamp post. The other car was a total wreck with about a third of its front portion all tangled up.

“I think your car is only worthy to be sent to the scrap yard. Its chassis too may be badly affected. You two have driving licenses?” said my husband to the teenagers.

The two shook their stone-faced heads.

“What were you thinking?” asked my husband.

“I lost control while trying to avoid another incoming car,” the girl said.

“Another car? There wasn’t any. I saw what happened,” my husband muttered, looking at me. I could sense that the girl was trying to tell a lie.

“And what were you two doing?” I asked, with a frown on my forehead.

“We were trying to learn how to drive,” said the girl, again trying to tell a lie.

“Listen here, young lady! People take driving lessons at a valid driving school during day time to learn driving, not at this time of night!” I said.

Then, out of concern, my husband asked again, “Have you called your parents?” His right hand was pointing to a car sticker, with a symbol of the police department on the front shield of the vehicle.

Only then did the girl start to play her fingers on her cell phone.

“Both of you still studying?” I asked.

“Fifth form this year,” said the boy, standing with his legs fidgeting.

“Which school?” I continued asking.

“That school nearby,” he said, his fingers pointing to an area at the back portion of the housing estate.

“Whose car is this?” asked my husband.

“My father’s,” said the boy.

“How come the girl was driving it?” asked my husband.

Again, the stone faced looks from the two teens.

“The girl was driving too fast, right at that junction over there while she should have slowed down and stopped before moving on. She hit this stationary car belonging to A and the momentum caused it to veer forward, hitting the lamp post. Costs incurred, easily aaround RM 10 K for A’s car while the boy’s car might go up to between 30 till 40 K!” said my husband out loud.

“I hope you have learnt your lesson? And you learnt the hard way. Next time, no license, no getting behind the wheels. Please remember that!” I started.

A little while later, a car arrived. The driver who was a lady, parked quite a distance from where we were standing.

“Oh! My God!” said she, trying to calm herself down by rubbing her right hand on her chest, “I told her she can’t drive when she wanted to use our car to go out. And now, this thing has happened. I will pay for all the expenses incurred,” said the lady. I held out my hand to hers, trying to sooth her.

Just then, another car stopped at the nearby roadside.

A man with bits of sweat clearly seen on his forehead got out. He said, “Oh my god! I am not well and my head is throbbing so bad,” as he walked up and down the two wrecks.

“This must be your car?” said my husband.

“Yes!” said the man.

“I am sorry to tell you this. But it wasn’t your son driving it!” said my husband, trying to sound candid.

“Tell you what I will do! I will report that I was the one who drove the car when the accident happened. Easier to claim for insurance,” said the man, wiping the sweat on his forehead.

“I do not want to know whatever you want to do or how you do it. I am more concerned with my friend’s car. He is away. Somebody has to pay for the damages,” my husband said.

“And you two! This is not the time to be galavanting around. You should be glad that you were not hurt. Taking an important exam at the end of this year, right?” said my husband.

“Actually, I don’t like the idea of my son driving especially when he doesn’t own a license. But you know these youngsters,” said the man, trying to make a point.

“Oh no! We have to make it clear to our children. No license, no getting behind the wheels. And we have to be very firm about it,” said I.

“My daughter said she was only out to get a book. She had wanted to use our car but I said no. When she said that a friend would be driving, I relented. And now, she’s the one driving a car that is not hers,” said the mum who was silent all these while.

“Sis, I am sorry to say this, but next time, please do not believe everything that our youngsters say. Sometimes we have to be strict to be kind. And another thing, a boy and a girl, at this time of night,” I said lowering my voice, holding her shoulders.

The lady nodded her head.

“Okay now! We have to get going. We’re on our way to Kuala Lumpur actually. Remember my words, drive only when you get hold of a valid license,” said my husband to the two teenagers.

“If, we are able to secure it,” said the girl, defiantly.

In an instant, I was so irritated that I wanted to get away as soon as possible.

There was no sign of remorse nor regret, judging from the attitudes of the teenagers. A boy and a girl, alone in a car at that time of night? A girl who is so used to telling a lie (she lied to her mum) and so assumed that she could also cook up some story (about avoiding another car and learning how to drive at that time of night) in order to get away with something which she did. A father who was prepared to tell a lie in order to cover up.

What concerned me most was that, he uttered those words in front of the children. His own son. As parents, what kind of messages and values are we sending to our young ones? That, it is perfectly OK to tell a lie? Two wrongs does not make a right. As a father, surely you would want to instill honesty to someone of your own blood and kin. How about sense of respect? Dignity? Integrity? I shudder at the thought. Both my husband and I were very disturbed……

'Sweet' mishap...

2009-08-03T09:51:00.000-07:00

“We have to get out! Out! Right now!” cried my husband, turning his head to our children seated at the back of the car, amid the smoke puffing out of the car engines.

“My neck hurts,” said our daughter, scrambling out of the seat.

“What’s this? What's happening?” cried our young son, waking up from his sleep.

I was too numbed to say anything.

Just then, I heard a friendly voice, “911 paramedics. Are you all right?” Hands were everywhere, soothing, calming. Asking where it hurts.

“Everything seems to be okay! We would suggest you to get to the nearest hospital, just in case,” said one of the paramedics, gathering up all his things.

“I think we will be all right,” said my husband, still dazed.

The paramedic lifted his hat, as a sign of respect and was gone.

“Someone must have called them in the nick of time,” said someone in the little crowd that had began to gather around us.

“Are you hurt?” said a young girl, her face veiled with the look of concern, “Here bro! Call mum and dad!”

“Yeah! I just did! They’re on their way,” said a young boy, apparently the girl’s brother. They must have been traveling together with the elder sister behind the wheel of the van.

“Let me take a look at your driving license. Yeah! You and you!” said a police officer, looking at my husband’s face and then to the young girl. Both handed in their licenses.

“Good thing you had the insurance with that rented car. Cannot imagine the mess you will be in without it! Here is your report. Get to the nearest agent and you will get another car as replacement,” the police officer quipped and was then on his way. But not without making sure that all is well and everything was cleared. All these were settled in a jiffy.

(I was attached to the University of Calgary doing research at the Engineering Department for 3 months, sponsored by Asian Development Bank , back then in 1993. My family joined me during the last 2 weeks of my stay. We had traveled up north from Calgary to Edmonton, enjoying the tranquiities of landscapes, through the rolling wheat fields of the Canadian Prairies across the Saskatchewan River , then to Jasper, putting up the night in a log cabin at Pocahontas ; then passed by the spectacular Columbia Icefields stopping to take a ride on the Snowmobile, taken pictures of scenic turquoise waters of Lake Moraine (the most photographed lake in the world), spending nights at Lake Louise and Banff. We continued south west to Kelowna, further on to Vancouver, brought the rented car we were in onto the British Columbia (BC) Ferries across to Vancouver Island. From there, we ventured to Penticton enjoying the enchanted fruit farms of Lake Okanagan along the way. (The settings of this journey of which I shared in my novel “Beautiful Daffodils”) To save up on accommodation, most of the nights throughout the journey, were spent at International Youth Hostels of which we became members for a year.)

On that unfortunate day of the accident, at a small city called Vernon, we were on our way from Penticton back to Calgary i.e. our last leg of our journey which was a 7 hours drive. All the traveling must have taken its toll. My husband, after driving for more than 3,109 km, overall 38 hours day by day, spanning the 8 days of journey across the Canadian Rockies through the two states of Canada (Alberta and British Columbia) within a few days must have been overwhelmed with fatigue. My housemates said that we were crazy because they had been in Canada for two years and the furthest to the west they drove to at that time was as far as Waterton Lake Park . While my husband had just arrived a few days before. But we were adamant with the trip, to go through the adventure awaiting us...

Back to the story, the young girl was mothering my two children, constantly asking how they were, offering drinks and snacks.

I was looking at our rented car. Its hood, a total wreck! The van which we hit right in front of us was hardly dented.

“There they are!” said the girls brother, pointing to another car that was veering to the side of the road.

“Hi! I am so sorry that this happened!” said the father, getting out of the car, his hands held out to my husband's.

“No. It was entirely my fault. I must have been distracted for a second," said my husband, his hands grasping the fingers of the pleasant and nice man.

“You must be on holiday. I know how bad you must feel!” said the mum, as she too held out her hand to mine.

“Here! Let us send you to the nearest agent so you may be on your way!” said the dad.

And the next instant, we were at the counter of the nearest car rental agent, holding the keys to another rented car to replace the battered one.

“We have been to Malaysia before. Beautiful country. Hope you will enjoy the rest of your holidays here in Canada!” said the kind, old gentlemen, after asking us where we were from. The rest of his family were smiling their hearts out.

“Tell you what! Let us have our photos taken!” said he.

And so, I took one using our camera, while they had one taken too using theirs.

What a stark contrast to, about the same situation which my other half and I encountered barely three weeks ago, near our friend’s residence. That will be my next entry. After reading it and this present entry, please tell me what you think, okay?

A touching email..

2009-07-23T20:09:00.000-07:00

I was skimming through the tons of emails that poured in. All of a sudden, my eyes rested on this email. Really touched my heart. Never have I felt so elated. As a writer, one feels very happy if what one has written can create an impact on somebody else’s lives or change reader’s mind set. All praises be to Allah.....

Thank you for making my day. (I am giving the English version, freely translated from the Bahasa Melayu version).

"I was walking past a shop when suddenly, my eyes caught sight of these words ”Jadi, anda mahu menulis?” (So, You Want to Write?). My mind could not stop thinking about those words. On impulse, I retraced my steps back to the bookshop. My hands were eagerly flicking the pages a few second later. It was as though a voice was whispering at my ears, “Buy the book!” Without hesitation, I took out an RM10 note and quickly walked over to the counter. As soon as I paid for the book, my heart was at peace. As though, I had acquired something precious and priceless.

As soon as I reached home, I feasted my eyes on the book, page by page, until right until the last sentence. So, that is how it is….My heart was saying. Is this what I have been trying to find? Is this what I have been craving to do all this while? From then on, the reality of the moment struck me and so I prayed to God that if this is the thing that would satisfy my hunger for a sense of purpose in my life, then please help me. Make it easy for me. All this while, all I had were only dead ends. I was sceptical of my own capabilities. But now, I am so happy. Even though I may not have started on something really great and to be proud of, everything has always been abandoned halfway through. But this time around…I am determined to begin on my first step."

(Sender's actual name undisclosed)

I have replied to this sincere sender that in whatever you do, do it really well and do it wholeheartedly. Write from your heart and your writings will touch the hearts of others..I do hope you will find whatever that you have been searching for all this while and I wish you well...

In the top 30 list....

2009-07-16T04:59:00.000-07:00

Incoming short message, “Congrats! Read in the internet that your name is amongst top 30 writers, recipients of highest royalty from PTS Publications for the year 2008!”

Jolted, my fingers promptly replied, “Really? Wasn’t aware. Thank you for the info.”

“Of course I know! I am one of your number one fans,” was the subsequent reponse.

“Thank you again for your support and words,” said I.

I received another text message of the same nature from TM Lim, Chief Editor of Malaysia Harmoni.

Congratulatory messages also came from old hostel mates of mine while at Tunku Kurshiah College, Seremban decades ago. One of them is now a diplomat in Tokyo, Japan. Also from writer friend, Mr. Hamdy and another fellow organization, Mr. Khairul Fadly.The same greetings were received as responses in my blog entry from Nurazzah8 and also Madam Siti Rafidah Hassan Basri, both I have never met face to face but we have become blogger friends. Thank you all, for your kind words.

Dr. Danial Zainal Abidin (former Head of JIM in the state of Penang during the initial years of the formation of JIM) is the topmost recipient in the list of 30 top writers. It was his efforts in writing which inspired and motivated me to make a start on this venture. 2 of my first writings were then published in the book, “Bagaimana Akhirnya Saya Bertudung” (How I First Put On The Hijab) in the year 2003.

How about my placement in the ranking? Frankly speaking, something that is not really very big to rave about…Yes! Right at the bottom-most. Actually, I have never dreamt of this and it has never crossed my mind that I could get in any rankings at all for that matter. I write simply for pleasure and for the fun of it. Mostly because, I thought that I could do something in the dissipation of the message of Islam through writings. That is all.

Alhamdulillah, praises be to the Almighty. May this motivate me to continue in these efforts.

What is interesting is that, 2 religious figures are also in the rankings.

May there be more who would be inspired to come in and join hands in this venture….Amin.

Another precious gift...

2009-07-08T08:53:00.000-07:00

Tuesday, 7th. July.

8.00 a.m.

My son-in-law called, “Mum! Nusaybah is wheeled into the labour room.”

“Okay! My prayers with you both,” said I, getting ready for my 9.00 a.m. lectures. My heart skipped a bit.

9.50 a.m.

My eyes kept creeping over to the elongated square face on my wrist. Then I bellowed, “All right class! I will be leaving you a softcopy of today’s materials and a few more. Let us call it a day. I need to be somewhere else. We will see each other again, Thursday afternoon.”

Puzzled looks.

“All right!” I snapped my fingers, putting my hands on the table, “My daughter is already in the labour room, her second one. I need to rush to Kuala Lumpur. I do hope you people will understand.”

Faces lit up. Smiles everywhere.

“OK! All the best!” bags flying, rumbling of chairs.

“Congrats Prof!” from faces, beaming.

“Thank you!” I returned their greetings.

11.00 a.m.

My other half and I hit the highway down south, while my lips were constantly praying to God, to make everything smooth and easy. The past few nights were filled with fervent devotion to Him. For them - my daughter and her other half.

1.37 p.m. Tapah R & R Area.

A call again, “Mum! You have a grandson! Exactly an hour ago..”

“Alhamdulillah! Praise be to God!” Mist covering my eyes as I turned to my other half and smiled.

Puzzled look, then a smiles all over as my other half patted my shoulders and squeezed my hand. We were back on the road. But not before my beloved called my son-in-law, congratulating him. Our hearts raced as fast as the car could take us down the highway.

3.00 p.m.

However, we could not see or hold our beloved new addition to the family.

“He needs to be put under observation for tonight. Nothing to worry, just a precaution,” said Dato’ Dr. Musa Mohd. Nordin, the child specialist (who happened to be our dear old friend, decades ago while in the U.K.)

“He was silent for a few minutes. But he opened his eyes just seconds after coming out into this world,” said the father, my son-in-law, proudly showing us the picture which he managed to capture on his phone.

I have never felt so blessed! Another precious gift from Allah, The Creator, The Bestower...

Welcome, Ameer Ihsan! May Allah bless you and may you turn out to be a fine young man, steadfast in His path and savior of faith, Amin…

For the sake of brotherhood in faith...

2009-06-26T10:13:00.000-07:00

“How are you, mum?” said a very familiar voice at the other end.

“Fine! How ARE you?” said I, sensing something amiss in the tone of my son’s voice.

“Just feeling like wanting to share something,” he said.

“Aha..”

“Yesterday, I was at the masjid for maghrib prayers. Was doing my solat when suddenly a little boy stepped on my glasses which I put neatly positioned just beneath my face during prostrating. He was running here and there just before it happened,” said he with a sigh.

Silence.

“I am listening,” said I, encouraging him to go on.

“After the jamaah prayers, I turned to see a man, maybe from one of the countries in Africa. He apologized and said that he will pay for the damage. I just nodded my head. Then, he asked me how much I paid for my glasses. I said more than a thousand ringgit.”

“What happened then? You don’t sound too happy.”

“Yeah! Because right after hearing my words, the man suddenly became offensive and lectured to me about Qada’ and Qadar.”

“Hmm..” I knew that something was not quite right, as I know my son’s attitudes and temperaments very well. Never, the one who likes to be lectured at and easily provoked.

“I lashed out. Telling him not to insult my intelligence. I know what Qada’ and Qadar is. As soon as I turned my heels towards the door of the masjid, I noticed all eyes in the masjid were on both of us. People from all over the world.”

The place where my son resides (where my other half and I hop over to spend weekend escapades or to attend to some other activities at the capital), is full of expatriates from the Middle East and Korea. So, the masjid would be full of Muslims from many nations across the globe.

I was quiet, allowing time and some space so my son could gather his words.

“Mum, I could not sleep throughout the night. I lay in bed thinking. We were all one, standing and then stooping in our prayers, devoted to God, the only One. Then, right after giving salams, I was there exchanging harsh words with another, my own brother in faith.”

Still, I did not say anything, wanting to let him pour his words.

“This morning, I had my glasses repaired. It cost me RM300. Then, just now, after the noon congregation prayers, the same man came over to me and apologized again, asking me how much I spent to fix my specs. I told him. Then he reached out to his wallet and handed me the amount. But I said to him, “Please take back your RM 100,” When he asked me why, I answered, “Because I lost my temper over such a small thing.”

My lips involuntarily curved into a slight smile.

“Then, we hugged one another, patted each other’s shoulders while the others in the masjid smiled a wide smile,” continued my son.

“Good to hear that,” I said in a low voice.

“Yes! And I am so overcomed with relief,” said he.

I did not say anything anymore. We talked about other things for a little while longer.

Deep inside me I was so grateful to Allah and was absolutely glad that my son had learnt an important lesson. The value of brotherhood and love amongst mankind (especially Muslims) far surpasses the petty things that we say we own in this short life.

A shining gem is gone forever...

2009-06-15T08:14:00.001-07:00

“Mum, Shaykh Fathi Yakan has passed away,” said my son as I was busy jotting in the details of my visit to the industries where my students were attached for the past two weeks.

For a while, my fingers were numb and I put aside my pen, uttering a prayer for his soul.

Dr. Fathi Yakan, an electrical & electronic engineer by profession and holder of degrees in Arab and Islamic studies cum politician, writer, has passed away on Sunday the 14th of June, 2009.

He, whose books changed my perception and perspective of the Islamic faith – To Be A Muslim, amongst more than 35 other titles. A book which unveiled the obligatory duties of being a Muslim, responsibility towards oneself and towards others, which also continuously became my reference during my student days, and an everyday guide while being actively involved in the society through an NGO (JIM), even until now.

Fathi Yakan was born in the northern port city of Tripoli in 1933. He became involved in Islamic work in Lebanon in the mid 1950's and was a pioneer in the establishment of the Islamic Movement there. Yakan was elected a member of parliament in 1992.

His passing casts deep sorrow…A jewel may have just diminished..but for sure, its lustre and sparkle is still freshly ingrained in our minds…

May his soul be blessed, his good deeds, steadfastness and dedication for Islam be abundantly rewarded with jannah and rahmah by Allah…Amin.

May there be more ‘Fathi Yakans’ amongst us and in forthcoming generations…Amin.

PS. His time was due…how about us? The dewdrops in us…the seconds before we ‘dry out’ are ticking away…Are we ready for that moment?

Sowing seeds for the hereafter…

2009-06-11T22:39:00.000-07:00

“Nurturing Quranic Generations” - that is the school motto. Recently turned 20 years of age, Institusi Pendidikan Al Hidayah is an educational institution set amidst bluish green limestone hills of Gunung Rapat, Ipoh, Perak.

The institution has produced students with strong foundation based upon a solid and integrated form of education, in tune with the concept of Islamic education which is wholesome (shumul) and balanced. A balanced and wholesome system of education connotes a system that encourages and inculcates a sound education in terms of spiritual, physical, developing the creative mind, guidance in the independence of thought and soul, nurturing social finesse and acquiring special skills, amongst others.

From its humble beginnings (its early years being in the 1980’s, was initially comprised of 3 rented residential premises around Rapat Setia, Ipoh), Al Hidayah now houses its primary and secondary school within 2 blocks of buildings within its grounds.

Al Hidayah has become the pride of Muslim based institution of learning in Ipoh, in this state of Perak because of its achievements especially in producing achievers of high merits in both academic and religious standings.

I am proud to say that my own son, Anas bin Mohamad Sofian who is now an engineer, with the drilling department of Carigali Petronas, off the coast of Bintulu, in the middle of South China Sea, was the product of this institution. Having been with the school since year 1 at primary until year 3 at secondary level, the day to day stories at the school with his friends, became the episodes (the storyline being totally fictional) that I shared in my second book, Sentuhan Muttaqeen. The setting for the novel was based on the school. Only the name of the school has been changed i.e. Institusi Pendidikan Al Muttaqeen.

The increase in the number of students intake from year to year in the learning centre has taken its toll. There is a dire need for physical expansion. I am greatly indebted to the Al Hidayah Institution for it had impacted generously in embodying values and virtues to our youngsters (especially my own son). Therefore, it is with this realization and sense of responsibility that I am extending my assistance for the institution in dissipating this call for kind hearts amongst readers out here. For, I believe that many of us are very concerned about upbringing and providing the best in developing our future and potential leaders. In particular, the musalla (prayer place) of the school need to be upgraded (with project costs amounting to RM 800,000). So too, are the other facilities.

Work in the expansion of the facility has begun. Progress has been very slow, impeded and stalled every now and then because of shortage of funds. If there are any kind souls who are willing to lend their hands in this noble venture, you may do so through the following:

1. Maybank – Pusat Pendidikan Al Hidayah Perak Bhd. Account number 558172005969
2. Muamalat Bank – Tabung Pembangunan Al Hidayah. Account number – 08040000803716

The following are contact numbers:
Mrs. Kamariah (school clerk) 012-5858861. School office: Miss Shahida 05-3129373

Allah has said, ““Help one another in righteousness and piety - and do not help one another in sin and injustice..” ~Al Maidah: verse 2~

And in another, “The likeness of those who spend their wealth in Allah's way is as the likeness of a grain which groweth seven ears, in every ear a hundred grains. Allah giveth increase manifold to whom He will. Allah is All-Embracing, All-Knowing.” ~Al Baqarah: 261~

May Allah reward your generous souls…. Amin Ya Rabbul Alamin…

Remembering Teachers....

2009-06-03T09:45:00.000-07:00

“Can you spare some time? Present a talk in a programme for teachers that we will be organizing in a few month’s time?” said Hajjah Norhayati Sidek on the other line.

“Programme for teachers? Are you sure that the audience will be comfortable with me? Because I am not really qualified. They are more experienced teaching in schools, for which I am at a disadvantage,” said I.

“Well! Just share whatever you have,” said the dear, old friend of mine.

I remembered the following verse from the Quran:

“Help one another in righteousness and piety - and do not help one another in sin and injustice..” (Al Maidah: Verse 2)

I knew I had to oblige to my friend’s request.

For weeks on end, I stole some time here and there, preparing for my talk i.e. a Powerpoint presentation entitled “Utilizing the Utmost from Teachers Based on Human Capital Values”. A mouthful title. I had to take a breather in between writing the full title.

For the particular purpose too, I had to study some materials. Amongst them, “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” and “The 8th Habit: From Effectiveness to Greatness”, both books by Stephen Covey. Also, “The Empty Raincoat: Making Sense of the Future” by Charles Handy and another “Talent is Never Enough: Discover the Choices That Will Take You Beyond Your Talent” by John C. Maxwell.

Other references were also garnered to make the presentation due on the 24th May, to be as interesting as possible. I wanted to stress more on the practical aspects of harnessing the potent talents each and everyone of us possess. How to manage those talents and channel them towards doing good for the society at large and to be able to maintain a strong conviction and motivation throughout the journey of our life. There are some practical aspects that we may be able to follow and they were effective for me. So, I hoped to share with the audience based upon my own experiences.

The programme called Bicara Perdana at national level organized by Majlis Guru Islah (MGI or Islah Teachers Council if translated into English) was convened at the Hill City Hotel, Ipoh, Perak. And it was rightfully so that the Honorary Secretary of JIM, Haji Nahar Md. Nor officiated the function. MGI was his brainchild years ago.

Tears welled up my eyes as I listened to the poem ‘Kau Adi Guru’ penned and recited by Ibni Khalid Jurait, the representative of Selangor. I was sure that the hearts of many others were also moved, judging from the muffled sounds and tissue grabbings amongst those present. (The poem was written in the Malay Language, the meanings of which might not be as effective if translated in English, if not, I would have loved to share it here…)

I was also happy for Mrs. Siti Aishah Mahamad’s, receiving the Teachers Award 2009 (9 candidates from various states were nominated). Siti Aishah is an Excellent Headmistress, a post she held in three schools while at the same time, never foresaking her duties as an activist under JIM and holds the post of Head of Women’s Wing of Pahang.

Sadness prevailed amid video clips, when the award for “You Will Forever Be Remembered” was given to the late Dr. Ahmad Basri bin Md. Yussoff for his tireless efforts and deeds in guiding, teaching and enjoining good deeds through JIM. He, who was fondly known as Cikgu Basri was represented by 3 of his children, Naufal, Ariej and Daniel, who came in place of their mum, Puan Noraini.

My presentation was delivered in 45 minutes in all while another, also in the same time frame was given by Mr. Haji Mat Noh Supaat, District Education Officer who was also an experienced Headmaster for Cluster Schools. His talk was entitled, “Effective Leadership in the Teaching Profession”.

I was touched that my presentation was well received, the positive responses (as was told by the secretariat of the programmes), from the evaluation sheets filled in by the audience. Alhamdulillah, All praises be to Allah. By His Grace, may all our good deeds be rewarded in the hereafter...Amin.

Kudos to my old friend, Cik Hajjah Norhayati as the Director of the programme and her team members who had put in tremendous efforts in the preparations months before and in making sure the event for the day, a smooth sailing one...

Malaysia Harmoni

2009-05-27T11:16:00.000-07:00

15th. May 2009 was the launching date for Malaysia Harmoni, the news portal by JIM providing news and quality reading materials for the public. Malaysia Harmoni is in Bahasa Melayu, the malay language.

Malay language readers are invited to feast their eyes at Malaysia Harmoni.

When Politicians Wag their Double Tongues…

2009-05-13T08:17:00.000-07:00

This entry was first put up more than a year ago. However, I am posting it again today, as a reminder to myself as well as for others…Please ponder and put in some thoughts (This was an actual event, however names and places mentioned have been changed)....
Happy reading!
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“Have you been in this trade for very long?” my beloved asked.

“Yes! Since the seventies,” said he, the logo of his company emblazoned on the chest of his proudly worn uniform. His hands were pulling the cables and wirings, putting them into a hole in the wall.

“So many people, so many stories,“ J as he is known continued, “in fact, the previous member of constituent here has been calling me for assistance.”

“Is that so?” my husband said, nodding his head.

How deftly J's fingers moved, making adjustments here and there to the compact residence around Kuala Lumpur that my beloved and I had just acquired a few months prior to that day.

“Talking about your constituent’s representative, I have a story to tell,“ said J continuing the conversation.

I leaned closer to the wall while my beloved made himself comfortable near our storyteller.

“The member of constituency for this area was an old friend of mine. We came from the same kampung. Then worked in the same company. His position was somewhat lower than mine because of his mediocre education background. But then, after a few years, he got promoted to the post of assistant manager because of his connections and involvements in a once dominant and influential political party. I regarded that as his lucky streak and a gift from God.”

“One day, this old friend of mine whom I call Mat came to see me. He said that he was going to contest for a seat in the elections. If he won, he much desired to remain staying in the slums. He also promised to keep on using his old banger and to keep to his words serving the people in his constituency. Finally elections result were out and sure enough he won! Happily too, I shared his days of triumph."

Both my beloved and I were raptly listening to his words.

“Not long after that, I received a phone call from Mat, requesting me to upgrade and repair the wiring systems in a bungalow which he has just moved into only a few days after winning the elections. I was taken aback. He was eating his own words. But because he was my friend, I gave him the benefits of the doubt and lent my hand. I was surprised too when I glimpsed a brand new Mercedes at the porch of his ‘mansion’. I was actually thinking about what he said earlier on before the elections. About his promises.”

"One day, I went to settle my bills and then to my dismay I found out that my car had been clamped and taken away by the council. My attempts to appeal for a reduction was unsuccessful unless I could get hold of a letter of assistance from the Head of the Municipal Council or the local representative. I suddenly remembered my old friend and so, off I went to his office. I was told by his assistant that Yang Berhormat (YB) Mat had just left for a meeting at a place not very far from the location. I said very well! As I was confident I could easily get hold of my old friend Mat through the phone!”

“What happened then?” my husband said almost spontaneously.

“That is what I was about to tell. I was disturbed and angry!”

“For whatever reason?”

“Don't you feel that your friend might be lying when he says that he is on an overseas trip at that moment and is therefore not around?”

“Was that true?”

“Of course not! And this is what I wish to tell! God is Great and He was showing us signs. On that same night, I was walking back from prayers at the community masjid when suddenly we met! Yes! My old friend was walking in my direction. Little did he expect to see me there. Nonchalantly, I asked, “Just arrived from your overseas trip?”"

“I could sense his uneasiness in the face-to-face encounter like that. It was clearly written right across his face as he said, his voice stuttering, “Yes! Only just now!”“

"He walked on and I slowly followed in his footsteps. I was curious to know where he was going. At that time of night? I climbed onto a flight of stairs behind him and at the reception counter, asked the lady behind it, “The honourable member of constituency (YB), what is he doing here?”"

The lady receptionist said, “What honourable YB?”

“The one who came in just now, wearing the batik shirt and carrying a bag!”

“Really? Never knew that was one! He enrolled here just recently to learn English!”

“It was my turn to say “Really?” ““I was still dissatisfied and my hurt turned to anger. I would not have become hurt half as bad if he had just apologized and say that he could not help me. But he lied! He chose to lie. That was what hurt me most! I searched for his car and as soon as I found it, I punctured one tyre and then another. I was thinking if I let loose only one, he could simply replace it with the spare one. That was why I did for both. I felt much better and left for home.”

"Later in the night, I received a call. From Mat! Who else? He said, “Please come! Help needed! I have two flat tyres!”

"I calmly replied! “I am awfully sorry for I am in Singapore right now! Remember when we met just now? I was on my way to the airport!”

My husband and I pursed our lips in a twisted smile.

“That was it! For a long time, I have always abhorred the way certain people manage things. They tend to forget who they are and where they come from! Not respecting the peoples’ wishes. This is especially so for some who rose in their ranks not because of their capabilities and sound knowledge but because of other things…lobbying is one..I was simply too frustrated. It was largely because I knew Mat very well. I knew his family, his children, his ex-wife! Yes! Ex! Not only did he lie and broke his promises. Moved house, changed his car…worst of all, dumped his old wife for someone new! If he could lie to me, his old friend then what more to others?” said J letting go his floodgates of anger and hurt.

My husband and I were too dumbstruck to speak. We could only exchange glances to each other.

PS. The present situation at my homestate makes me want to puke!

Third book project by Wanita JIM

2009-05-04T22:28:00.000-07:00

This is the front page cover of JIM Women’s section’s newest writing project, “Mum – My First School” written in the malay language. The first project was “How I Finally Wore the Hijab” in the year 2003 while the second book, “Why I Work” was produced last year.

24 writers (men and women JIM members, nationwide) contributed to this collection of articles about their respective mothers. How these mothers raised us, through thick and thin and eventually made us become what we are today, despite their individual imperfections. It is hoped that these reading materials would be useful as guidelines for would-be and young mothers, reminders for those who are already mothers themselves and a ‘chicken soup’ style of reading material for general members of society.

I contributed one article in this endeavour about my late mum. She was married at the tender age of 14. How, despite being illiterate (even us siblings were not aware of this fact until we could ourselves, read at school), as she did not have the priviledge to go to school, being orphaned at the age of 2, she was able to face the world and accomplish many things. Memorising great recipes and preparing the delicious meals, becoming a renowned seamstress in her community and sewing our own clothes, involving in a small scale business to sustain the family expenditure and many more. In a way, her perseverance and her strength to prevail in times of hardship, to be ready to face challenges, and especially her passion in trying new things, is embodied in me.

There is something special in each and every one of our mothers. Therefore, take great care of them, your parents and appreciate their presence while they are still around. When they are gone, never forget to pray and make doa for them.

May their good deeds be rewarded by Him and may they be placed with those who do good…Amin, Ya Rabbul Alamin.

PS. Today marks a special occasion for us. My lifetime partner, Ir. Haji Mohd. Sofian Ahmad who has always been a beacon of light in my life, always been so supportive in whatever I do, is 52 today…Over the weekend, Little Nuha Insyirah has presented him with a huge hug, two kisses i.e. on each cheek and a cute card written “Happy Birthday, Tok Wan!” (Tok Wan is Grandad in the malay language).

With Writer Friends…Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair 2009

2009-04-26T23:55:00.000-07:00

“I am Hamdy!” said someone as soon as I arrived at the stall.

“So, you are Hamdy! We have been emailing and motivating each other through mailing lists and text messages,” said I, looking at Pak Utih, another writer friend and a qualified trainer, sitting in front of a pile of his book, "Suami Memimpin, Isteri Mengurus" (The Husband Leads, the Wife Manages). He was seated at the other end of the table.

“Yes! He may sound very gruff and brutal in his emails but actually he has a very kind heart!” said Pak Utih, casting a broad smile. Hamdy roared with laughter.

We were at the JIMedia stall, or to be more exact, Readnetworks. A publishing company owned by Bro. Wan Mohd. Zukri or better known as Abu Syamil, who is also in charge of publishing quality reading materials for JIMedia.

“Where is Roha?” I asked.

Roha is our Sis who was given the responsibility to compile our latest book project – the third one, entitled, “Ibu Madrasah Pertamaku” (Mother – My First Lesson Provider) under Women’s Wing for JIM. I have contributed one chapter in this third endeavour. The first project which was entitled, “Bagaimana Akhirnya Saya Bertudung” (How I Finally Wore the Hijab), 2 chapters of my writings were included there and while I have given one chapter for the second effort, “Mengapa Saya Bekerja” (Why I Work), both of which were compiled by Madam Ir. Hajjah Endok Sempo M. Tahir.

“I think, she cannot make it today,” said Hamdy or his real name is Haron Mohd.Yusof, writer of Rancang Hidup Rancang Wang (Plan your Life and Your Money) and many more.

Just then, there was the sound of greetings from another writer friend of ours, Dr. Harlina Haliza Siraj, leader of Women’s Wing, JIM Central Committee, whose face has graced Malaysian TV and newspapers.

We had our pictures taken with our editor, Mr. Wan Muhammad Wan Ibrahim, a youthful father of three, who works full time with JIM and another with Dr. Har.

“I want to stay low in profile,” said Hamdy with a chuckle, disappearing behind a pillar.

I shook my head.

And there we were that Saturday, the 25th. of April 2009. Sitting and promoting each and every one of our books at the stall. Our books i.e. mine "Jadi, Anda Mahu Menulis"(So, You Want to Write?), Dr. Har "Citra Wanita Kontemporari"(Aspirations of Contemporary Women), Pak Utih "Suami Memimpin Isteri Mengurus"(Husband Leads Wife Manages), Hamdy "Rancang Hidup Rancang Wang Remaja"(Plan Your Life, Plan Your Money for Young Adults) was published just the night before. Very fresh from the oven! We sat, signing our books with readers and getting know them for about a few hours.

It certainly was fun!

My newest book....

2009-04-19T10:32:00.000-07:00

Snippets from the book...

What Inspired This Book to be Written?

In February 2009, I attended a workshop – "Effective Writing for Mass Media", organized by the Media Committee, JIM HQ in Kuala Lumpur. While we were there, a group of trainers, including myself, sat and discussed about the possibility of having the materials in our workshops to be made into modules.

On my way back home up north, my mind was stirred up by one fact which surfaced during one of the workshops which I conducted at Kota Bharu, Kelantan. The chairperson, Madam Alawiyah Abdullah who headed the organizing committee of the workshop on behalf of JIM (Women’s Section) Kelantan put forward a question to all of us.

“Are we aware that the second Surah (after the first Surah Iqra’ – meaning ‘Read’) that was sent down by God was entitled The Pen (Al Qalam)?” and then she began reciting the verse:

“NuN*, the pen, and what they (the people) write, you have attained a great blessing from your Lord; you are not crazy.” (Al Qalam: Verse 1)

Madam Alawiyah then went on to say, “This verse is the 68th surah in the al Quran and has 52 verses altogether. Look at how great the emphasis is on writing, in the life of a Muslim,” said she, reminding us all who were present during the workshop.

I was jolted too! I suddenly remembered that I had come across this fact years ago but I had forgotten about it entirely.

And so, I was very motivated and keen to start on this book project. I began compiling the materials which I had emphasized again and again to participants of my writing workshops. And all the little but valuable experiences which I had jotted down throughout the course of my own journey as a writer….

.............................................................

The initial intention in writing this book was that I wanted it to be of everyday use, to be always referred to, as a fountain of ideas for those who aspire to be writers and wish to live as one.

This book is about writing. Therefore, as a reader and an aspiring writer, do not confine yourself to just reading the pages. Instead, use it often. Flick through it, roll your eyes over the words, move your fingers across the pages, fold over its edges so you may remember where you suddenly pick up some important points. Make full use of the book. Let the pages be limp with use. Then, don’t forget to write!

Dr. Umi Kalthum Ngah

PS. This book is a 90 page book, written in Bahasa Melayu, the Malay Language. Price is RM 10.00. Published in conjunction with the Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair 2009. Will be available from Wednesday 22nd. April 2009 onwards, at the JIMedia Booth KLIBF'09, L2 & L3 (booth beside ReadNetwork Booth) directly in front of the main entrance KLIBF'09 (http://klbookfair.com/index.php/)

Sustaining the environment’s natural beauty (2)…

2009-04-14T09:02:00.000-07:00

“Have you heard of Beatrix Potter, the author?” said the English lady, full of enthusiasm.

“Yes! I love her books! Books written for children. And her drawings! Simply enchanting!” I said.

“Indeed! She is the lady I am telling you about! Imagine the path that led her to eventually make a turning point in her life. It took on a new beginning and a new meaning from then on.”

“A new beginning?” said I, a bit puzzled.

“Yes! Something happened which made her decide to start a new life at the Lake District. The beautiful place preserved as it is, till now!”

“What did she do?” I said, turning in my seat, so I could look straight at the english lady’s face.

“She followed her heart and moved to the Lake District. Settled down at a quiet place called Hill Top Farm. Then, because the region was threatened to be taken over by industrialists keen to develop the surroundings, she involved herself actively in the meetings held in the midst of the community. When she realized that the farmers were in grave danger of being wiped out of their livelihood, because of their poverty, she began purchasing the plots of land. She even paid the farmers to work on the pieces of land she acquired so they may continue with their farming.”

“She has a good heart,” I said.

“Indeed! She bought more than 4,000 acres of land through the royalty which she received from her published books. When she died, she bequeathed all her takings to the National Trust, an indepedent body entrusted to preserve the beauty of the area. Up to this present moment in time,” said the english lady sitting beside me in the coach.

“No wonder, the Lake District is as beautiful as it was in her times and remains a popular tourist spot to this day.”

“Exactly! Why don’t you watch the movie Miss Potter. A film based upon her life!”

I was quiet for a while. It has never crossed my mind that through writing, a woman can single handedly sustain a portion of our beautiful earth. Beatrix Potter has left a legacy. To be enjoyed by future generations, for years to come.

I got hold of the DVD during my sabbatical leave that year. These words by Miss Potter continue to haunt me. I would like to share them with you here:

“There's something delicious about writing the first words of a story. You can never quite tell where they'll take you. Mine took me here, where I belong.”

~Beatrix Potter~ (1866-1943)
(quote from the film ‘Miss Potter‘)

(PS. The first image was taken from here.)

The battle of greens and blues…

2009-04-05T09:29:00.000-07:00

“Let us have our dinner out? Too lazy to cook!” said I to hubby Sunday evening, just now.

“All right! But where to?” said he.

“How about the ikan bakar (grilled fish) stall, towards the Changkat Jering toll?”

“Okay then. Get yourself ready!”

We were off on our way, the old road towards Simpang Empat, Taiping from Parit Buntar. Serenity. Peace. Then slowly, the atmosphere shifts its gear. Suddenly, the air was electrifying!

Colours everwhere. Vibrant flags. Green and white encircling. Occasionally, light turquoise blue. Then, dark blues with patches of red and symbols of the keris (malay weaponry). Dancing in the breeze. Hoards of people everywhere. Vehicles. Of various shapes and sizes.

Police personel were everywhere too. Left right, back and in front of us. Seemed like they already set camp months before. Blue trucks, red trucks. High end motorbikes and patrol cars. Like they have all swamped to the small town from elsewhere around the peninsula. I smiled to myself when my eyes chanced upon a police van with the words “Mobile Police Station” written on its side. I grew up at police stations in areas of the north, when my father worked as a police constable in the 60’s right to the 80’s. And all along, I have never seen a mobile police station unit as the like.

“It would have been fun if we had the opportunity to live in one like that!” I was saying to myself.

I was very much amused at the posters on display.

From the dark blue team, “Oppositions make use of children!” appeared on one, with pictures of children holding up placards saying, “Say NO! To I.S.A”.

From their opponents, “U.*.*.O…Ever since before, now and forever…always the same! BRIBERY!!” a dollar sign in place of the letter ‘S” for the equivalent word in the malay language.

“There it is! The stall,” I pointed my thumb, watching my hubby driving the car so patiently.

We parked at the side of the road, beside a police patrol car, written with the words ‘Crime Investigation Team, Kuala Krai’. Kuala Krai, Kelantan, the east coast state?

“Why come all the way from Kuala Krai?” I said, puzzled.

“Beats me!” said my hubby, his steps already reaching a glass container filled with fish placed under mounds of ice.

“You have jenahak?” hubby asked.

“No, bro! Only sea bass,” said a young man manning the stall.

“Grilled?”

“Afraid not, for today! Too busy. How about ‘tiga rasa’?”

Hubby lifted his eyebrows to me.

“Seems we are out of luck this time. But, never mind! It is okay with me,” I said, moving to the serving tables.

At the other table, next to where we were sitting, a group of young men were waiting for their menu.

We could not help overhearing.

“It is quite a challenge this time,” said one of the young men.

“Why do you say so?” said another, his jacket emblazoned in green and a white circle at the centre.

“Too much money has been thrown around. That does not include bicycles gven away for free, big packets of rice, batik sarongs and what nots!” said the first young man.

“Don’t you worry! The people right now are a whole lot smarter than of the yesteryears. They take whatever that is given. But when it comes to voting for their rights, they know what they want!” said another one of them sitting beside the first one.

“Never mind. It means we have to work even harder. Whatever, let us eat first. Refuel ourselves. Before we set out to intensify our efforts, out there!” the young man with the symbol on his jacket said, just as soon as their platters arrived.

My hubby and I could not help smiling to each other as we listened to these bravehearts, amongst the future leaders of our nation.

Talking about colours, green has always been my favourite, even since I was little. Very soothing, very refreshing…

Green. Always and forever…How about you?

Sustaining the environment’s natural beauty (1)…

2009-04-01T07:10:00.000-07:00

“Beautiful, isn’t it?” said the English lady sitting beside me.

Jolted from my daydreaming, these words gushed from my lips, “Yes! Captivating! The Peak District has hardly changed at all!” My eyes roved to the lady, who may have been in her late thirties.

“You have been here before?” said the lady sounding very interested.

“Yes! I used to study here about 30 years ago. It is only now that I am able to come back.”

“You are very lucky!” she said.

We were on our way from Manchester to Sheffield. The train tracks between the two cities were under repair. Passengers going down south from Manchester needed to board a coach from there. Then change onto trains midway i.e. upon reaching Sheffield. Along the journey, the coach meanders along the mountainous beauty of the Peak District. I was mesmerized by the exquisite scenery. The undulating fields, foliage and living things.

“You, a tourist?” asked the lady again.

“Not actually. I am on leave but still engaged in some work,” said I. Noting the frowns on her forehead, I let out a laugh and then said, “I am on leave from my normal work back home but am presently doing some research here in this country of yours. How about you?”

“Is that so? I am on my way back home. Actually, I was attending a Christian convention until I received a phone call saying that my mum has suddenly taken ill. So, I decided to cut short on my stay and head straight home,” said the lady.

“Where to?”

“To Scarborough.”

“Oh! That reminds me of a song which I used to listen to when I was little,” said I jokingly.

“Yes! Scarborough Fair!” said the lady, laughingly tossing her hair around.

“Parsely sage, rosemary and thyme. By Simon and Garfunkel, right?” I said gleaming a broad smile.

“You should come to the place!” said she.

“If I have the time, then certainly I would try to.”

“There is one more place that you should pay a visit,” said the woman. This time, in earnest.

“Where would that be?”

“Lake District. A real beauty! Well preserved. Just like it was, a hundred years ago.”

“Yes! I was there once. But not this time though.”

“You want to know who played the most important part of sustaining and preserving the place?” said the English lady, turning her body around in her seat, as though wanting to tell me, face to face.

“Not really sure, but I certainly would love to!” said I, showing my interest.

“A woman. An author of children’s books. Here is the story…”

(To be continued...)

Bahulu, anyone?

2009-03-23T21:04:00.000-07:00

The presentation was about to begin. Displayed onto the white screen, from the LCD projector.

“Bahulu? What has this got to do with engineering?” hissed a male student, who walked past from behind me.

I turned my head and gave him an icy stare. He shot his way and disappeared through the door of the prresentation lab.

“Right! Let us get started,” I said.

My two students i.e. one named Ng was fumbling with the keyboard of the PC while the other by the name of Nor, was straightening her clothes. Both were were standing a few feet from the wall.

And the presentation began with Nor saying:

“Bahulu is a traditional delicacy amongst the Malays in Malaysia. It has now been a favourite amongst the other races too i.e. the Chinese and the Indians. Especially during festivities. Apparently, the sweet cake originated from a place called Bangkahulu, Southern Sumatera, Indonesia and was brought into Malaya by the Javanese. Originally, it was pan-shaped, just like the pizza because the dough was baked using the pan-cover. Another version as to why the dish got its name was, it created by the people who stayed high up where the rivers began (‘hulu sungai’). The delicacy was often brought by them whenever they came visiting their kins at the various other places. The people then would often say, gifts from up the river (‘buah tangan dari hulu’). Hence, its name.”

Ng elaborated further saying that although the sweet cakes used to be prepared the traditional way, it is now much more convenient using the modern methods. Using machines and ovens. And there are much more flavours available. Even strawberries and cappuccinos!

“We could not find any resources where the bahulu was prepared traditionally. So we had to settle with a small scale industry in a remote kampung up north. We have videos of how the bahulu is prepared the modern way. Here it is!” said Nor.

Our eyes were transfixed on the wall, enjoying the video.

I asked, “You want to know how it was prepared the traditional way? My late mum used to sell this bahulu and also other traditional kuih nearly every day, to earn some extra income.”

Ng and Nor nodded their heads.

So I began, “I used to help my mum prepare bahulu when we were little. We took turns beating the eggs and sugar in a huge ceramic jar using a big egg beater until our hands were sore. Because, as time passed, the dough became heavier and heavier. But when she started baking, all the sores were gone. That was when the real fun began. Her oven was special. She used a clay pail with fire from charcoal and husks at the bottom. Then an uncovered pot with sand underneath it was put in the pail. Meanwhile, iron casts with different shapes were oiled and the mixture of dough was mixed with fried flour. Yes! Fried beforehand on a big wok for a few hours a few days earlier. That was why mum’s bahulu was so mouth watering, fragrant and long lasting! The dough was then dropped onto the holes. Then in it goes into the pot. The whole thing was then covered using a cut-out side portion of a large, clean biscuit tin. More burning coal and husks were put on top. The fragrance which emanates indicates that the bahulu is cooked. The first few rounds of bahulu would disappear into our tummies i.e. the ‘workers’!”

Nor’s brows were raised. Ng was mesmerized too.

“Well then! What have you learnt while you were doing this project?” I asked.

“A lot!” said Ng.

“Tell me! I want to know” said I.

“First of all, how to get into the kampung to talk to people while trying to find information,” said Nor.

“I learnt the name of the kuih. Before, I only knew how to eat them, without even knowing its name and its origins,” said Ng.

“Good! You two speak from your hearts!”

Ng said, “We made a survey. Most of the participants prefer the modern bahulu. Because of the variety of flavours available.”

“Whom did you ask?” I said, frowing.

“Just us, amongst students from first years to final years,” said Nor.

“You should have included the staff. Like me for example, in the survey. Then you would have came up with a different conclusion. Nothing beats bahulu prepared the traditional way. If only you had the chance to taste them!”

They grinned and then they delivered a surprise! A box of bahulu from them as a gesture of thanks to me as their supervisor for the subject SHE 101.

Last night, after dinner, I brought out the box of bahulu. My other half seemed to enjoy them very much because this morning, when I peeked through at the container, there were only six left!

PS. SHE 101 is a 2 unit course entitled Ethnic Relations. Students would have to complete their projects within 3 weeks.

On Science and Technology Fiction Novel Workshop..

2009-03-16T19:09:00.000-07:00

Little did I know that my presence at the Science and Technology Fiction Writing Workshop up north in Alor Setar for the whole of last Saturday, would leave me all worked up and full of excitement.

I had wanted to attend it purely because I thought I could use some pointers and ideas for future writings. Then I realized that the organizers (Kumpulan Utusan and University Teknologi Malaysia) had something else up their sleeves. The workshop was a sort of preparation for writers who would want to be contesters for their Writing Competition, i.e. Science and Technology Fiction Novel Competition. The prizes are really tantalizing!

First prize winner will be awarded RM 15,000 plus equally interesting amounts for others down the line. All that I knew was that the whole idea of the workshop was to bring about the awareness of the importance of Science and Technology in the society – which was why I was motivated to sign up my name about a month earlier.

I learnt many things though…from the various speakers. These are things that I would like to share…

Dr. Amida@Hamidah bt. Abdul Hamid or more affectionately known as Anis (a retired professor in the field of Philosophy, Rhetoric and Thinking Skills from Universiti Malaya, who is still actively giving lectures and evaluating manuscripts) in her presentation entitled “You Want to Write Science and Technology Fiction Novels?”

Ethos, Pathos, Logos are the basic axis for any form of writing, originating from Greek philosophy.

Ethos means our capability as writers. Therefore, our empowerment in the particular language that we will be writing. It should be very powerful then!

Pathos is our target. Who the written material is intended for. Teens? Adults? Or people in the specialized fields that the article is written for.

Logos – is our material i.e. manuscript or articles. In this case, our manuscript would have the approprioate plots, with elements of science and technology.

Only thing is, we should open up the three basic elements to include Our Creator as the origin of the whole written material i.e. a manuscript which would awaken a sense of greatness of God amongst readers.

Prof. Dr. Ahmad Zaki Abu Bakar (senior professor from UTM, Skudai, winner of various awards for his creations Dendam Siber and Wira Persona Avatari) shared his experiences in his slot “How to Fictionalize Science and Technology”

Your creation should be based on knowledge, imagination and manipulations of those two. Scientific knowledge is systematic, originating from research, which is tested and proven.

Hard Si-Fi –physical and biological sciences. Soft Si-Fi – social sciences. It is suggested that manuscripts produced should be based upon Hybrid Si-Fi – a combination of both thoughts/ emotions and scientific facts.

Various explorations may be done by writers i.e. self- explore, explore the different worlds (space travel, virtual world), culture and cross culture, time zones, dimensions. In fact, creative writers may coin some new terms and words!

Mohamed Saleeh Rahaad (Vice President, Society of National Writers, Malaysia or PENA, who is also a senior lecturer of Arts, Universiti Malaya) has this to say in his talk “Values, Ideology and Literary Structures in Science Fiction”.

Contents – materials and good plot. Form – approach and Ideology.

Must be in balanced in all aspects. A scientific and technological based novel should not be merely entertaining. It has to possess some form of ideological values as an alternative to combat the advent of western based values which are psychologically imposed on passive minds unabatedly and silently.

We have enough of onslaughts from these western culture, silently colonizing our minds. The Killing Fields, Tarzan, Robinson Crusoe, Tom and Jerry, Raiders of the Lost Ark, King Soloman’s Mines, Rambo, Black Hawke Down to name a few. Our youngsters hearts especially (as passive readers and viewers fo films), are made to accept indirectly that “West is Best!” i.e. ruled by consent.

The Killing Fields, Black Hawke Down, shows the heroic deeds of the American soldiers in Asia, whereas the fact is that, the Americans lost their grip in Vietnam. Malaysian military forces had more rigour in their operational handlings of Somalia. Tom and Jerry cartoon has cleverly entwined the concept of Zionism. Black cat (anything coloured and black) are bad, whereas the tiny mouse, even though small in size (like Israel), is smart. Anything bright coloured are good.

The message of white supremacy i.e. white skinned heroes are civilized and great, if compared to natives. Tarzan embodies this concept, a white skinned man, having the capability to conquer beasts of the forest, including the black skinned natives. Even his wife Jane is white. Why not just marry a native woman of the forest? Was it because of the fear of tainting his white skinned blood?

Citizens of the third world are liabilities (white man’s burden). Colonial writers of Malaya Anthony Burgess in his book ‘Somerset Mom’, has local characters sidelined, ‘made dumb’, voices unheard. Even if they spoke, their voices are those without any significance. White man play tennis, while the locals just watch from the sides of the courts, only having the capability to pick up the balls once in a while.

On the other hand, folk tales having elements of confining the minds of locals to stupidity (Lebai Malang, Pak Pandir) were republished and made available in all the libraries throughout Malaya in the 1920’s. Stories of local warriors with their fighting spirits were subjugated and hidden away. It was said that thousands of such manuscripts were sunkened in a ship? However, such manuscripts are available today at the University Leiden (Netherlands) where thousands of manuscripts describing the greatness of local warriors struggles against the colonials.

Therefore, to fight we need similar weapons, cultural weapons. Weapons that are not confined to creativity but must also be intellectually sound. And this is where scientific and technology fiction novels may play their roles.

A creative scientific novel should not only be entertaining but also be able to excite and enrich the minds of local readers with up-to -ate and futuristic scientific knowledge interleaved with psychological and ideological principles in the narration.

Madam Nor Azah Abdul Aziz, Senior Editor Utusan Publications & Distributors Sdn. Bhd. in her presentation “Whoosing on in the Competition Track”:

The competition is analogous to a high speed track. There are regulations that need to be observed. Whatever, focus on winning!

In order to win, you need to –accelerate, accelerate, accelerate!

Hence, you need a good vehicle – your high speed car. Must be in really good shape and your endurance as the driver (in this case, you as a writer). Need to make preparations. Brainstorming and research!

Winners, besides acquiring tropies, monetary gains, will have their work packaged i.e. published, royalty every year, promotions in magazines, newspapers, electronic media, book session on TV, book stores nationwide etc.

Isn’t this the ultimate dream of an aspiring writer? To have this mileage in his/her career as a writer? More coverage means more publicity and more opportunites to get across the messages in their writings. Therefore, more readers!

The aspects that a manuscript would be judged i.e. manuscripts will be scrutinized upon the elements in earlier talks i.e. language, theme, characters, strengths, ideologies, infrastructures (even though manuscripts should embody all these integrated as a whole package).

“Remember! All manuscripts should reach us before the 31st of Ogos 2009!” said Madam Norazah.

“My mind is about to explode!” said S suddenly, who was sitting beside me.

A lawyer by profession, S had attended a writing workshop which I conducted at Seberang Perai Selatan 2 months ago. She was the one who informed me of this workshop and together we went. She drove while I sat beside her all the way to Alor Setar.

“Really? So, something in your mind has been stirred up?” said I, in jest.

”Yes! I have got ideas. So many ideas! Can’t wait to start working on them!” she said gleefully, rubbing the palms of her hands.

While I too, could not help brushing away the visions, flooding up my own mind.

(For more details of the competition:http://www.penerbit.utm.my/www.mybooks.com.my )

The Writing Group....

2009-03-09T04:33:00.001-07:00

Today marks my first attempt to form a writing group. As today is a public holiday, in conjunction with the auspicious occasion of our beloved Prophet Muhammad’s (peace be upon him) birthday, what a day to start this group too!

As was planned a week ago, Kr and Nm came over at mid afternoon. I did not have the time to prepare anything. But then, plain Earl Grey Tea and Hershey’s Kisses will do!

We sat in the elevated area of my weekend home in Ipoh, the dining section, overlooking the lush greenery. This used to be my favourite spot some time ago, i.e. before we had to move further up north to Parit Buntar, where my working home is.

It was still drizzling outside and the air was cool and beautiful when I began to teach the two of them the basics of writing. Theirs will be a short write-up each as contributions to our up and coming project entitled Semurni Kasih Ayah (Father's Love - Endless and Tender), a project of JIM Perak Branch.

Points were thrashed out and put down onto paper. The framework was laid down. Next, would be the draft, followed by editing and subsequently, the refinement process.

The first few minutes was quite baffling. But as the minutes ticked by, my two mentees were writing away. Their fingers hooked on a pen, moving deftly across the white sheets, with every flow of events awakening in their minds. The warm tea and delicious chocolate kisses may have something to do with it? Maybe!

If only I could gather more aspiring writers to join in! Then the project would be a lot more faster than now. As it is, very slow progress. But still, this is better than nothing. And I am certainly not complaining.

Writing groups are good in the sense that you may learn from each other. To get the ideas going strong. Also to motivate and nudge each other along as the process of writing is very lonesome and you may become weary along the road not often taken.

You can form your own writing group too! Wherever you may be. Or maybe you would care to join me? Next time, perhaps!

Happy days...Kelantanese words (2)

2009-02-28T21:25:00.001-08:00

“Why are those people staring at us?” said Lin, frowning away.

“Never mind them, Lin. We are not doing anything wrong,” said I, putting a bottle under the spout of the water filter machine.

“But I am feeling kind of queasy,” said Lin, grabbing another bottle to replace the one that I was holding which was already nearly full.

“Surely you would understand why they are giving us those kind of looks! Have you realized that ever since our first day here, we are the only people making use of this water machine,” said I to the Masters student of mine teasingly, with the intention of easing away her uneasiness.

We were on our way back after another long day at the Radiology Department of USM Hospital, Health Campus, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan. I needed to get some daily supplies, so we diverted to the town centre (Kota Bahru). Mydin Supermarket was one of our favourite haunts.

“Do you have another one of these? In a bigger size?” I asked.

“I will check whether there is any in stock,” said the girl at the counter.

A few minuters later, she came back and said, “I am afraid we have run out of stock but we can always check with another one of our branches, especially the one nearby. Would you like me to hello to them first?” said the girl.

“Hello?’ said I, confused.

“Yes! I will hello to them if you really want me to!”

I nodded my head while my eyes gazed at Lin’s crooked face. She was listening all the while.

“Ma’am! There is stock at the other branch, I have asked them to bring them over. If you would like to come again tomorrow, I will keep them aside for you, “ said the girl, smiling ever so sweetly.

“I certainly will! Thank you for all the trouble,” said I.

We left the place but not without Lin asking me, “Why are you smiling endlessly?”

“Oh! Nothing!” I said, igniting the car engine.

The next day, as always, we were back at the campus. I realized I needed something. And very urgently too. So, off I went to my colleague’s office.

“Could you please get them for me. I would be so grateful!” I said.

“Sure! I will hello right away to that friend of mine who borrowed them from me some time ago. Why don’t you have a seat while I do just that?” said my colleague, a lecturer at the Medical School, Health Campus.

“Hello?” I said, frowning.

“Yes! Hello!” said she, nonchalantly.

This time around, I could not withhold my wide smile from breaking into a laugh. I thought that the term ‘hello’ was just a layman’s way of saying ‘making a call’. Little did I expect that the same term is rampant amongst intellects at the medical campus.

Happy days…Kelantanese words.

2009-02-22T09:03:00.000-08:00

“How much altogether, please?” I asked.

Lin (my Masters student) and I had just finished with our dinner at a Tom Yam restaurant at a corner. The small eatery was situated at the crossroads leading to my lodging i.e. Rose Palace, Kota Bahru, Kelantan.
“Twelve ghiya samah!” said the cheerful owner.

“What is that again?” I asked turning my head to Lin, my eyebrows raised. She too seemed a bit muddled up.

“Sorry! I mean, twelve ghiya and fifty cents,” he said, nodding his head.

“Is that so? We are so sorry! We are not from here, that is why we have problem understanding what you have said,” said I.

“It is alright!” he said, returning our smiles.

“We have learnt a new word tonight!” I said to Lin, turning on the engines. I drove Lin back to the trainee students’ hostel at the Health Campus of USM, Kubang Kerian, before retiring to my humble temporary abode at the Rose Palace.

Early next morning, we were back at the campus, in particular, the Radiology Department. That was our routine for weeks on end, holed up at the Medical Campus, trying our best to finish our research work. The corridor leading to the small space given to us for putting our things and doing our work was dimly lit, its atmosphere was a little ghostly. Every day, while walking past the corridors, we could hear noises.

The first few days when we were there,I would often ask, “What is that sound? Like a small kitten whining for its mother.”

Finally, the matter was resolved when one day, I asked the security officer stationed at the entrance to the corridor.

“That is the sound of the MRI machine. That machine cannot be switched off, even for a second,” said the officer, beaming a friendly smile.

Everyday, while on our way back from lunch at the cafeteria, we would stop to pamper ourselves with the sweet taste of freshly cut fruits.

“They are simply marvellous and so sweet, aren’t they?” said Lin, a pair of tongs in between her fingers, picking up the slices of pineapples, papayas and mangoes.

“You want the awaih-awaih?” said the young man manning the stall.

“The what?” said I, trying to make sense of his words.

“This!” he said, holding up a clear container, filled with a certain brown and white powder with a spoon in it.

“Oh! That! We call that asam boi!” I said, bursting into a laugh.

“Really? Do you want it?” laughed the young man too.

I nodded my head, my lips curving into a little smile while my eyes were looking at Lin’s face, as if smiling and telling her, “Another new word to be added into our collection, indeed!”

Small Kindness (3)…

2009-02-15T16:23:00.001-08:00

“Seems that you are early this morning,” said the old man, his words in thick Kelantanese accent. His hands were busy folding the layers of thick cardbox made from used boxes from the screen of my car, parked in the grounds.

“Yes! Early appointment at the campus!” said I, thanking him with a wide smile.

“It is alright. I thought that you would be more comfortable in the car each morning when the sun gets too bright,” he said, grinning back.

Each day, he would be doing the same thing tirelessly. Covering up the screen of my car the night before and uncovering it, just before I got into the car. He, who was (and I believe still is) the owner of a small lodging in a kampung environment, behind a school (Sekolah Kebangsaan Langgar), right across the Hotel Renaissance, Kota Bharu, Kelantan.

Whenever I needed to be at the USM Medical Campus to gather data or was in the phase of testing the system which was developed for my Ph.D studies project, I would choose to stay at his place. Not a night or two, but for weeks on end. Surely, I could burn a hole in my pocket if I were to stay at a 5 star hotel! Even then, my lodging was covered by a research grant which I managed to acquire, Alhamdulillah.

Three years have passed. I was invited to conduct a creative writing workshop at KB. The small cakoi pandan (a delicious delicacy) stall right at the corner of the small lane leading to the main road was still there. And the eatery where I used to have my dinner was as it was. I passed by the small lodging place, my heart remembering the kind old man, just wanting to inquire how he was doing. But he was not there. And there was something new. A free wi-fi service!

I pray and doa that his small business will continue to prosper …Amin.

In the midst of fog…

2009-02-05T23:33:00.000-08:00

There is fog everwhere….My younger brother who resides in Brighton, England informed me of the impending weather…the bitter cold…..and the failing economy.

Further down the globe, in the land of Palestine, its people are being oppressed and subjected to unimaginable cruelty and carnage.

Back here too, sometimes, some of us are subjected to unfairness in treatment…at the workplace, office politics can be very mean; the backstabbings, the backbitings, stepping on other people’s head. Being victimized by ‘the beings’ and opportunists hovering over higher authorities, who frequently never understand or never even make an effort to understand what justice means…

In our daily efforts to uphold truth and combat evil and wrongdoings, there will surely be certain quarters who will be subjected to the same kind of treatment i.e. being oppressed and victimized. The same applies to the current political turmoil in the state of Perak, my late parents' birthplace, whose hometown was Kampung Gajah, which incidentally is nearby Pasir Salak, a landmark in history as the place where with the brave spirit of a real warrior, Dato’ Maharaja Lela delivered his blow in his fight against the British colonists.

What are these sufferings that we must endure when compared to the calamities besieging our brethrens in Palestine? Theirs are much, much more….no more bounties of the world, the face of death lurks in every nook and corner. But their spirits never die, their iman (faith) soaring high up in the sky. So, let their spirits be like beacons for us. Let us fight…rekindle the spirit shown by our forefathers Haji Abu Bakar Bakir (Gunung Semanggol), Dato’ Maharaja Lela and their likes. And let us keep on fighting!

In Him we seek refuge and unto Him we pledge ourselves.

"Do people think that they will be allowed to say, 'We believe', and will not be tested? We have tested those before them, and indeed, Allah knows those who said so, and indeed, He knows who are liars." (Al Ankabut: 2-3).

“And indeed, We will test you until We know those among you who struggle and are patient.” (Muhammad: 31).

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “Three groups whose doa will be accepted by Allah: the traveler, parents and those who are oppressed.” (HR Abu Hurairah)

Courtesy and finesse….

2009-01-29T04:33:00.000-08:00

Have you ever felt intimidated and angry when you are persistently asked to do something? Especially by someone whom you have never met face to face and hardly know? Being excessively pressured to say yes and then pushed to the limit?

One thing is for sure. My heart rebels from inside of me and cries out, ”Please! Who do you think you are in the first place?”

For years, I have worked, I have never been subjected to this kind of behaviour. All my heads of departments, even the present one have never asked for help without saying please and being disrespectful. And when they do, we would always love to do the task with utmost drive and with pleasure, not out of fear nor out of spite.

Have been disturbed of late. And so, I have decided to just lie low and say nothing. Let the thing pass. I do not gain anything anyway.

What disturbs me most is the fact that someone of high standing and knowledgeable can act this way. Why is it so difficult for people to be nice to each other? What is the use of being highly educated if one is rude and cannot even be courteous amongst fellow human beings? The truth of the matter is, asking for help in wanting to gain benefit from others is an art. We need to practice; the mannerisms, the tone of language, the request….Why is it so difficult to say “Please?” Why can’t people say, “It would be very good if..”. Why use, “I want you to....” when “I would be very much obliged if you could..” or “I would be very pleased if you would…” sounds much more pleasing to the ears? I just cannot comprehend….

Common sense. But it is not a common practice anymore… This disturbs me. A lot! Finesse and courtesy is gone. To God, I turn and unto him I put my words of prayers, “Oh Allah! Please show and open the hearts of men who are heartless enough not to realize the importance of courtesy and gentleness, especially when asking for help from others…Amin”

I shudder at the thought of having to work under these type of human beings (as your boss, that is..). Possibly under duress for the rest of one’s lives.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said ... “manifest taqwa wherever you, replace wrong deeds with good, it would expiate for your sins. Deal with people with your best behaviour.”

In another saying, the Prophet (peace upon him) has also stated, “God is gentle, and He loves the adoption of a gentle attitude in all matters.” (related by Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

I have not replied nor have I retaliated. One solution is, to do nothing at all…

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “A person who believes in God and the Hereafter should speak about good things or else should keep quiet.”

The only humility that is really ours is not that which we try to show before God in prayer, but that which we carry with us in our daily conduct.. –Andrew Murray

From Him, we seek forgiveness...

Of the same flesh and blood...

2009-01-21T06:49:00.000-08:00

“You!” said I after greeting the class, raising my brows to a face; a face which was not in my lecture last week.

My class on the subject of Intelligent Systems at Masters level was already in its third week in the second semester.

“Who? Me!” said he, looking around, his index finger pointing to his chest.

“Yes! You!” I said again, folding my hands across my chest.

He smiled sheepishly.

“You were not here for the past two weeks! Where were you? And what is your name?” I perked my head.

“I have only just registered for this course. And my name is A*******.”

“Okay! Good! You have a lot to catch up though! You know that, don’t you?” said I, pursing my lips.

He nodded.

“Tell the class where you are from. Maybe the others would like to know?” I said, flicking through my lecture notes.

“Palestine,” he said, his voice could barely be heard.

There was a sudden quietness. All the other heads turned to his direction.

“I thought so,” said I.

“Any news from home?” I said, suddenly realizing and then regretting asking the question.

For he heaved a great sigh and shrugged his shoulders. His eyes were glistening as he dropped his face down towards the floor.

“Bro! We are with you. All of us. Our prayers and in our hearts. For Allah is with those who fight for His cause.”

“Insha Allah (God Willing)…” he muttered.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hadith narrated by Imam Ahmad:

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “There shall always be a group of people within my ummat, the truth they uphold, the enemies they resist, they would resist, they will surely resist and crush the enemies. Those who wish to stop them can never do so except for some ordeal tested by Allah until the final fate from Him. So they will persist in the struggle.

Then the Prophet’s companions asked him, “Where are these people?”

He said, “They’re in Baitul Maqdis and its surroundings.”

Listen to Mu’adz Zulkefly's Nashid and video clip on this subject. Clik here or here.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Allah shall be at His servants’ aid provided that the servants be at his brother’s aid – (Hadith Qudsi)

GAZA Relief 6

2009-01-17T09:28:00.000-08:00

16th Jan 2009

Day 21 Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza - Summary of major medical relief efforts

. Gaza has been under merciless unabated bombardment via aerial, sea and land attacks since 27 December 2008.

. Currently, there are more than 1,000 deaths, 5,000 injured and 50, 000 displaced from their homes.

. Social structures namely homes, schools, mosques, hospitals, communication lines, fuel supplies have not been spared.

. The constant blockade of all borders have prevented essential supplies from crossing into Gaza resulting in a grave humanitarian crisis

. Hospitals are totally dysfunctional as a result of the following disruptions:

• No electricity: operating on generators but no fuel available
• No medical support (equipment, drugs, consumables)
• Staff overwhelmed, medical services targeted with many deaths reported
• Severe injuries often fatal due to inadequate care increasing the death toll

1. COMMUNICATIONS:

• Dr Azhar Aziz, Qatar (presently in Gaza)
• Dr M Ikram, IMA Malaysia & MERCY Malaysia (presently in Gaza)
• Dr Malik Mahmoud, Partners International Medical Aid (in Gaza)
• Dr Jemilah Mahmood, MERCY Malaysia (recently returned from 1st successful mission to Gaza)
• Dr Khaled Hanafy, AMU Egypt (Arab Medical Union)
• Dr Muneer Bursh and Dr Madhat Abbas, Ministry of Health, Gaza
• Dr Ashraf Jedaar, FIMA (South Africa); Dr Aly Misha'Al, FIMA (Jordan), Dr Musa Mohd. Nordin, FIMA (Malaysia)

2. FIRST RESPONSE:

• Doctors World Wide (IMA Turkey) - 2 trucks (43 tons) procured in Cairo, transported to Rafah border (USD 300,000) when border crossing first opened.
• MERCY Malaysia - $100,000 medical equipment, consumables and drugs (5 trucks, 50 tons) delivered to MOH Gaza upon border opening. Another $100,000 consignment procured in Cairo for delivery.
• MER-C Indonesia – sent a medical team along with medical supplies since the start of conflict
• When borders opened to medical professionals, 21 doctors entered and 40 the following day.
• AMU delivered 200 units of blood, 1,000 units the following day

3. COLLECTIONS:

• Jamaah Islah Malaysia (JIM) - USD 42, 400
• IMA South Africa - USD 60,000
• IMA Pakistan - USD 17 500
• IMA North America - pending

4. PENDING:

• Sudan relief agencies & IMA Sudan - 1 jumbo jet to Arish ( 40 tons, ambulances to be purchased in Egypt, team of surgeons and anaesthesiologists)
• Gift of the Givers & IMA South Africa - 1 jumbo jet of medical goods (74 tons) to Jordan (but we have advised against this due to border closure) + 20 doctors, nurses & paramedics
• DWW Turkey & relief agencies - 13 ambulances & surgical relief team due next week for Gaza. Total so far deployed USD 500,000.
• IMA North America - surgical team on standby
5. IMA PALESTINE:
Operations shut down by the Palestinian Authority in West Bank
6. IMA EGYPT:
IMA Egypt has a wide network of private hospitals and with AMU, are helping with purchases of medicines, equipments and consumables since they are familiar with the warehousing & other logistics

Our hearts and prayers are with the innocent men, women and children massacred or maimed by this vicious invasion of Gaza. All monies collected will be deposited directly with the Ministry of Health in Gaza for the procurement of the much needed medical supplies in Cairo.

“so much to do but very little time”

Jazakumullahu Khair.

Dr. Ashraf Jedaar, FIMA Relief Coordinator+27836754103ajedaar@iafrica.com
Dr. Musa Mohd. Nordin, President FIMA+60123200564musamn@gmail.com
FIMA WEBPAGE : http://www.fimaweb.net

FIMA Banking details:

JORDAN ISLAMIC BANK
Shmeisani Branch - AmmanAccount # 46327
Beneficiary: Jordan Society for Islamic Medical Sciences.

Contact: Prof Aly Mishal: 00962795990054
E-mail: info@islamic-hospital.org
Swift Code: JIBAJOAM
Full No: (235860 - 235821) (001) 001 0046327

We Will Not Go Down in Gaza Tonight...

2009-01-17T08:52:00.000-08:00

WE WILL NOT GO DOWN
(Song for Gaza)
(Composed by Michael Heart)
Copyright 2009

A blinding flash of white light
Lit up the sky over Gaza tonight
People running for cover
Not knowing whether they’re dead or alive

They came with their tanks and their planes
With ravaging fiery flames
And nothing remains
Just a voice rising up in the smoky haze

We will not go down
In the night, without a fight
You can burn up our mosques and our homes and our schools
But our spirit will never die
We will not go down
In Gaza tonight

Women and children alike
Murdered and massacred night after night
While the so-called leaders of countries afar
Debated on who’s wrong or right

But their powerless words were in vain
And the bombs fell down like acid rain
But through the tears and the blood and the pain
You can still hear that voice through the smoky haze

We will not go down
In the night, without a fight
You can burn up our mosques and our homes and our schools
But our spirit will never die
We will not go down
In Gaza tonight

Music downloadable from (with permission from Michael Heart) for C.O.M.P.L.E.T.E
http://www.savefile .com/files/ 1966723

and

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXlA1ydTGsc&feature=related

C.O.M.P.L.E.T.E. Secretary Puan Azra obtained permission from Michael Heart,
author & singer of the song for Gaza "WE WILL NOT GO DOWN",

for use by C.O.M.P.L.E.T.E.

Trust our young ones to create this youtube overnight :)

World Peace

~A message from Dr. Musa Mohd. Nordin~

C.O.M.P.L.E.T.E for Palestine

2009-01-16T15:31:00.000-08:00

C.O.M.P.L.E.T.E

COALITION OF NGOs AGAINST PERSECUTION OF PALESTINIANS.

SAVE THE PALESTINIANS

SUNDAY 18th JAN ‘09
10 AM – 5 PM

BANGSAR SPORTS COMPLEX, JALAN TERASEK 3, BANGSAR
http://completemalaysia.blogspot.com/2009/01/18th-january-2009.html

The simple pleasures of life...

2009-01-11T05:58:00.000-08:00

“Where are we going, Tok Wan?” asked our little Insyirah.

“You want to take a ride?” asked her grandpa, my other half that is.

The little girl's eyes lit up as she smiled and nodded her head.

We were babysitting again that weekend. My daughter and son-in-law had to study as their ACCA exams were just round the corner. So we decided to take the little girl out for some amusement.

At the play centre, Berjaya Times Square, we watched the roller coaster as it rumbled past above our heads.

“What is that noise?” said little Insyirah, her arms grabbing her grandpa’s neck and then laid her head upon his shoulder. The roller coaster turned raound a pillar and exited through another hanging track.

“That was a roller coaster. Do you want to take a ride on the bumble bee?” I asked, pointing my thumb to a certain section of the play centre.

The 3 year old little girl looked at me and said nothing. There was a frown on her forehead.

Just then, her grandpa said, “This place is a little bit too noisy for me.”

“I don’t like it too, Tok Wan!” she said, her words pouring fast out of her tiny lips..

“Would you like some ice cream instead?” I asked.

The little girl smiled a broad smile and so the three of us walked hand in hand. We sat on one of the steps in a secluded corner, leant against the wall, licking our ice creams. And we laughed a lot. All three of us.

Children. Very innocent. Very pure. Sometimes entertaining them doesn’t need one to bore a hole in one’s pockets.

Tears well up my eyes whenever I think of the more than 30% of Palestinians who perished were children, killed and maimed in the heartless Israeli attacks. No ice creams, no laughters. Just masks of death staring straight into their faces….

Media Statement by Pertubuhan Jamaah Islah Malaysia (JIM)

2009-01-03T23:52:00.000-08:00

JIM MEDIA STATEMENT CONDEMNING THE ISRAELI ATTACKS ON GAZA, PALESTINE

Pertubuhan Jamaah Islah Malaysia (JIM) strongly condemns the onslaught of barbaric atrocities, rendered by the Zionist regime, towards the people of Palestine. This, yet another brutal wave of attacks are uncalled for and unsurpassed ever since the regime began to besiege the people of Palestine from their rightful homeland in the year 1948 and then occupied Baitul Maqdis in the year 1967. The people of Gaza had underwent undescribable pain and suffering since 18 months ago as a result of the closure of its boundaries by Israel, resulting in depletion of food and medical supplies, and as if that is not enough, the ongoing onslaught of Israel forces, equipped with their F-16 jet fighters and Apachee helicopter on innocent civilians are indeed inhumane!

The number of civilians killed in Gaza has surmounted to 300 people while 700 have been injured as casualties. This number will continue to rise as more people are trapped under the houses ruined under mortar attacks. Up until this moment in time, there are no signs indicating that these attacks from Israel will cease, as stipulated by their spokesman to the President of France yesterday. In fact, the military forces of Israel have been gearing their efforts at the frontiers of Gaza, ready to pounce their biggest attack ever at any time now. More destruction and death can be expected amongst the people of Gaza.

JIM rejects Israel’s claim that its most recent attack is an act of security measure and to protect itself. This is yet another lie concurred by Israel. For the past 6 months, Israel has been planning the attack, in fact, as soon as the period for ceasefire expired on the recent 19th of December. The missile attacks by the people of Palestine was used as an excuse to justify the attack by Israel. The excuse by this illegal nation of Israel is blatantly inhumane. The Palestinian missile attack were acts of retaliation to the endless provocations dangled by the Israeli armed forces including the occupation of the provinces in the Gaza district during the commencement of ceasefire agreement.

JIM wants to call upon the attention of people of global ranks and international standings to the fact that, the attacks were executed towards the last few days of the school holidays in Gaza, glaringly indicate that the zionist regime has treacherous motives to actually maximize their target victims amongst civilians, especially women and children who are residing within their homes. These attacks have also been seen to focus upon police stations, vicinities of which were nearby the bigger cities. This also clearly shows their intentions to hurt and kill as many civilians as possible in the exercise.

JIM urges the people of Malaysia to be wary of the western media which are controlled by the zionists, and also the statements by the leaders of the US, Israel, Egypt and powers that be of Palestine who are reeling away from discussing the real issues and hiding facts about the struggles of the people of Gaza and Palestine. These statements from them do not paint the true picture and are always one sided. JIM wants to invite Malaysians to look and learn about the basic facts and view this issue from more holistic perspectives, from factual and historical factors, basic human rights, freedom of speech, rights of women, children and the elderly or on whatever humanistic grounds that exist today. While we remember the historic 31st August as our day of independence for Malaysia; in actual fact, the date 31st August 1879 B.C. was the date of the Basel Conference in Switzerland, the date whereby the movement for the establishment of the country state for the Jews was signed. This was followed by the Balfor Declaration for the realization of this. In the year 1948, the illegal state of Israel was declared altogether by the U.S.

From that moment on, Israel became the proxy state of the U.S. supremacy. In the war of 1967 between the Arabs and Israel, the military forces of Israel have overpowered Baitul Maqdis (Jerusalem) and which has resulted in the cruel seizure of lands of Palestine from its people. The onslaught of ”Jewing” Palestine lands was officially launched.

The land of Palestine has since been incarcerated by 6 million Jews as a result of this Zionist act, while the people of Palestine has been reduced to mere refugees in a land that was rightfully their own. For 60 years, the people of Palestine have been put on stakes and then drenched in warfare. They are being subjected to numerous torture and cruelty by the ruling Israelis, denied any sympathy nor compassion in their plight.

Their elderly have been shoven away from their own home and land, their men beaten, left to die or killed brutally, their women raped and mutilated, their young blasted alive, their homes wrecked, burnt down and destroyed. The Jews have adultered Masjidil Aqsa, open firing the Islamic fighters and their leaders even when they are engaged and in the middle of their prayers and are unarmed.

The people of Palestine who dream of living their lives in freedom are caught and caged, for tens of years, confined to their small, impoverished, dark holes which they call home. They are subjected to treatment akin to animals in capture, only that animals may be more humane than the Jews (May the wrath of God be upon them!).

JIM calls upon the people of Malaysia to ponder upon these facts. At present, less than a third of the children of Palestine could get to finish their basic education while less than 9% could get through until their secondary level. 73% of the people of Palestine are unemployed. More heartrending is the fact that, the number of people of Palestine who are able to eat a meal a day is only 46%. A medical officer could only treat 1,700 patients. 3 million Palestinians became convicts in the biggest bastille in the world when they surrounded by the Israeli military forces against their will by a wall, measuring 720 km by 8-12 meters high. More than 11,000 Palestinians are being imprisoned by Israel. Some, for more than 30 years.

The numerous checkpoints put up by Israel armed forces at various locations have added salt to injury to the people of Palestine. This include Palestinian women, would-be mothers at their last trimester, who when subjected to severe trauma, to the point that they deliver their babies at the checkpoints. Reports have also been received about patients left to die in ambulances while on emergency trips to the hospitals, because of unnecessary interrogations.

The people of Palestine are in utter despair. Some are refugees at camps, without clean water supply, medical aids, food and proper sanitation. Their lives are much in distraught and their sufferings never ending. For tens of years, they have been denied of their rights to be at their homeland Palestine, which is rightfully theirs. Until today, 8,250 Palestinian houses have been destroyed and they have been driven away from their own homeland. 18,031 homes have been entirely destroyed on the Western Bank and Gaza. What kind of government, humans and civilized principle have been upheld by this so-called nation of Israel?

The reality today is, Israel has barricaded the borders of Gaza and refused to open the doors for supply of food, medical aids, fuel, clean water and any form of humane intervention. As a matter of fact, the conditions faced by the people of Palestine have forced them to resort to consuming the grass growing at the roadsides as food, in order to survive. Hence, in line with the Geneva Convention, the people of Palestine have every right to defend themselves from illegal occupation of foreign forces and supremacies.

As a matter of deep concern for the people of Gaza and on solidarity grounds, JIM calls upon the Muslim ummah to conduct special prayers on a grand scale with the main intention being to awaken the important realization amongst Muslims to gear up our efforts to assist our brethren who have suffered enough and are drowned in misery in Gaza and the land of Palestine. Muslims should earnestly feel the cry for empathy and utmost concern as this issue is associated with the Holy Land of Baitul Maqdis, on whose grounds stands the blessed Masjid Al Aqsa.

JIM will continue to step up its activities and upgrade its efforts to bring about fundings and donations via Tabung Bersamamu Palestin through relentless methods, campaigns, pleas, websites, talks and sessions at schools, offices, public venues, suraus, masjids and the like.

JIM hopes to gain the support of the whole of Malaysian society whom we believe will give generously towards this cause through this stated account: Maybank 562209608847 under the name Pertubuhan Jamaah Islah Malaysia.

Moving forward, JIM urges Malaysian citizens to join hands in:

1. Conducting mass prayers (Solat Hajat) on a grand scale with the main intention to awaken the realization amongst Muslims to gear up efforts to assist our brethren who have suffered enough. What is more, the Holy Land of Batul Maqdis, on whose grounds stands the blessed Masjidi Al Aqsa, is something that is very close to our hearts as Muslims.

2.Launching and stirring up more efforts in fundings for the Palestinians through various efforts, campaigns, pleas, websites, talks and special sharing sessions at schools, offices, public venues, suraus and others.

3.Distributing leaflets and circulars in and around public places, dissipating the real and factual issues regarding Palestine.

4.Having sermons specially addressing the issues of people of Palestine and the call for their emancipation.

5.Calling upon the younger generation to equally assist us, opening their eyes about the fate and state of the Palestinians, and garnering their support through creative efforts, including sports and competitions such as footsal, Parkour demonstrations, walkathons, cyclathons and similar acitivities.

6.Voicing out our views (personal and groups) through blogs, maling-lists, alternative news media and mainstream media, international news media and newspapers, emails to the governments of the USA, the illegal nation of Israel, and the countries of the EU.

7.Capitalizing the package available in JIM on Palestinian issues whenever and wherever the need be.

8.Putting on the attire emblazoned with this issue of Palestinian, as a mark of solidarity and support for them.

9. Coming, attending and to lend support to the programme "Training of Palestinian Speakers" (TOPS) which will be held in the near future.

10. Attending mass gatherings, demonstrations, press statements events, etc. and putting on the ’Support Palestinian’ attire that may be purchased through Mr. Md. Nasir bin Tampoi, Executive Officer, JIM Central Committee Member, 014-3110628).

11. Offering oneself as a volunteer or relief aid with JIM or other NGOs to the Middle East.

Last, but not least, JIM wants to express their solemnest and most bitter sadness on the calamities and sufferings that have beseiged the people of Palestine at Gaza, at a time when the whole of the Muslim world are heralding the coming of the month of Muharram, the first month of the new year in the Muslim calendar (1430 Hijriah) and at a time when the curtains are about to fall for the year 2008, with the advent of 2009. Has this event symbolized that this new year means a never ending hardship for the people of Palestine? For these reasons, JIM urges everyone, from all strata, irrespective of race, colour, creed and kin throughout the whole of Malaysia to come forward, to speak up, and voice out, against all the atrocities and carnage that have been pummelled by the Zionist Regime, fueled with the consent given by the U.S., to be put to a stop; immediately.

Ir. Hj. Zairulshahfuddin Zainal Abidin

Vice President (International Relations)

Pertubuhan Jamaah Islah Malaysia (JIM)

02 Januari 2009 / 5 Muharam 1430H

Warm Muharram Greetings...

2008-12-29T08:39:00.000-08:00

Warm Muharram Greetings 1430 everyone! May our hearts be furnished with deeper faith, spurring us to persevere in the right path towards Allah…Amin… Dear brothers and sisters, please pray with me…

"Oh Allah! Please protect our sisters and brothers in the never ending siege and cruelty imposed upon them, all over the world, especially the plight of our brethren in Palestine….Amin Ya Rabbul Alamin…."

Let us do something to help and lessen their burdens. Trim the bits of luxury that we may be indulging in, and channel them generously towards relief efforts.

Federation of Islamic Medical Associations:

Asraf Jedaar (Jordan)

ajedar@iafrica.com

FIMA Relief Coordinator

Musa Mohd. Nordin (Dr.) (Malaysia)

musamn@gmail.com

FIMA President

Banking details:

JORDAN ISLAMIC BANK
Shmeisani Branch - AmmanAccount
#46327
Beneficiary: Jordan Society for Islamic Medical Sciences.
Contact: Prof Aly Mishal: 00962795990054
E-mail: info@islamic- hospital.org
Swift Code: JIBAJOAM
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Amidst the dunes….

2008-12-22T08:29:00.000-08:00

“So! You’ll be doing the sand dune bashing?” said the young man sitting beside the Pakistani driver behind the wheel.

The four wheel drive we were in, was purring momentarily at the campsite, the wheels of which were let loose of the air several kilometers at the entrance to the desert. The coldness (18 degrees Celsius) was pinching my skin.

“The what bashing?” I asked, taken by surprised.

“You know! Riding in this, across the dunes,” said he, glancing to my other half, sitting directly behind him.

“Whatever!” I said, still quite confused and throwing a frown to my hubbie too, who was busy setting his camcorder.

“My wife and the two boys are not! That’s why they’re getting off here. But I think you should give it a try,” he continued.

“Okay!” said I, tilting my head, looking out of the window. Yonder, small shrubs thrived on the undulating sands, the colours of which reminded me of demerara sugar.

The driver of the four wheel was blowing his hands, smiling gleefully.

And then…it all started. The 4 x 4 vehicle, cranked its way through the wobbly dunes. My tummy felt a bit quizzy as the machine headed towards the main road. A few kilometers, then it careened to a stop, beside a fenced up area, overlooking the desert.

From afar, we could see the horizon and the beautiful, rolling sand dunes…

“There are plastic bags just at your sides. Seat belts on? All set and ready? Here we go!” said the driver.

Just then, the engines roared. And, immediately, I remembered! The look! The cheeky grin and the bright shine in the eyes of our host (Lil, my junior at TKC– sweet wifey of PP, my hubby’s schoolmate, we spent some time last week at their superbly serene abode, at their invitation) when she sent us off, outside her abode.

“Enjoy yourself!” said Lil, her eyes twinkling a naughty smile.

When I lifted myself into the Toyoto Landcruiser that came to pick us up, little did I know then, what was in store for us!

The desert safari… The journey had only just begun…

We were all smiles and giggles at the start. After a few minutes, everyone was absolutely quiet. My eyes were rolling. My stomach in tune with the twists and turns. My head getting giddier than ever as my fingers held on tight to the seat belt. The tough 4x4 continued to spur on, up the slopes and then speeding down, careering here and there, sometimes slipping sideways, bringing bursts of sands, splashing onto the glass windows. My heart was beating as fast as the wheels of the ‘beast’ we were in.

“Are you all right? Your fingers are so cold!” said my beloved, his fingers clasping mine.

I nodded, my eyes narrowing. The ride seemed like forever. My heart was screaming, “Oh! When will all this end?”

At the final moments of the half hour ride, I was already burping and trying hard to hold down whatever that was slowly creeping up my throat. My hands were already clutching the little piece of blue plastic bag, at the seat pocket just in front of me.

Just then, “Right! We stop here for a while. Watch the sunset. And you may take some pictures,” said the driver.

I heaved a sigh of relief. But my head was really heavy and I was trying to hold myself steady when we got down.

“Boy! That was some ride! I was beginning to feel dreadful!” said the other passenger.

“So do I!” said I, trying to keep my balance on the soft, fine sand.

The sun was setting. The most magnificent orange…Glory be to God! We had our pictures taken, my beloved and I. With the help of the other passenger. How lovely!

Then, we proceeded back to the camp. I was wincing again when the ride started to get rough…At last! We reached the camp. Certainly felt better after sipping some herbal tea.

My husband came running, saying, “Here! Rub this! On your forehead and nose.”

“Where did you get this?” I asked, puzzled, looking at the small familiar bottle of 'minyak cap kapak' (ointment made from eucalyptus oil).

“At the stall over there. 5 dirhams!” he smiled. I smiled in return.

Dinner was fabulous, dimly lit lights, under a clear, starry sky …How romantic! A moment to be cherished…..

Thank you PP and Lil! Thank you for having us there. Your hospitality and kindness will always remain in our hearts….May Allah always bless you and the entire family…Amin.

On track....

2008-12-12T09:37:00.000-08:00

There is something about trains. Full of nostalgia. Reminds me of moments of my childhood. Days when we get to travel as a family during the school holidays.

Back then, my father could not even afford to buy a motorbike, so public transport was the only option. The night before, I would lay in bed, trying hard to fall asleep. Then, I would be up very early, heart pumping with excitement. Happy and looking forward to the whole idea that I will be on the ferry, across from Penang to the mainland (even though we had to brave through and squeeze our way in between the crowds to get on the bus from home to the ferry terminal) then to be on the train! I can still remember vividly, the familiar mamak selling his curry puffs, wailing “Karipap! Pap! Pap!” (the sizes of which were bigger than ordinary) and carrying his rattan weaved basket all along the carriages. Yum! Yum!

Mum would also be lugging around her own extraordinarily sized rattan basket, full of things. Mum and dad had always inculcated in us the habit of being frugal in our ways. I remembered, there were 2 flasks, one containing piping hot coffee; the other, plain warm water. Plastic cups, plates, teaspoons, hard-boiled eggs, complete with a bottle of soya sauce to go with the eggs, a tiffin carrier containing rice and home cooked meals, usually of the dry kind, for fear of spilling when the journey gets a little bit too rough. Plus a lot of other knick-knacks. We would take the train down to Kuala Lumpur once a year, during the school holidays and would stay at our cousin’s place, which used to be one of the squarter houses at Kampung Kerinci, taking bath using water from the well, washing cloths, pots and utensils using rain water which was collected on a daily basis among other things. I wonder now, why it was, we did not complain and took life as it was. I wonder too whether the children of this era would be able to go through the same, without frets and frowns? While I was at boarding school in Seremban, we used the train to get home and back to school for the holidays. The sweet encounters I have shared in my book, “Seungu Lavendar” (Malay language readers, please click here and here for reviews). Those were happy days…simple days…Ah! For the simple pleasures of life…

So, one morning, while on my way to campus, I found myself at the railway crossing. Red lights blinking and the sound of the bell never-ending…A train! It was coming! So, I could not resist taking these pictures… Passengers in the train smiling, waving….Motorists, and the people waiting patiently by the crossing, grinning back too! Watching the train go by….What a sight!

Sadly too, this crossing would soon be gone forever. For, a flyover has been planned and work has started. These moments captured, would remain in my album. And….in my heart…

Trains remind me of another thing… The journey of our life. Trains always move. And to move, they need to be on a track, without which, they would be stranded or even worse, perish! Likewise, in charting our journey through life, we need to always be on a certain track, so we may not go astray…For Muslims, our track is the syariah….No compromise...No questions asked...

We must strive to always be on the correct track. May God’s guidance be there always, in our journey in life…towards our ultimate destination….Amin…

PS. Dr. Ez’s beloved wife has passed away in the evening of Eidul Adha. May Allah reward her good deeds, wash away all her wrongdoings and place her in line with those whom He loves…Amin. My condolences too to the souls who perished in the recent upheavals at Bukit Antarabangsa. Al Fatihah…

Small kindness (2)...

2008-12-04T21:17:00.000-08:00

“Late again!” I scowled at myself in the mirror, my fingers deftly pulling my hijab.

“Why is there only 1 bathroom for a 5 bedroom house? Beats me!” I said half screaming.

Mornings are such a pain. If you have stayed in this part of the world before, you would agree with me. I have never understood the fact that you need to share 1 bathroom with so many other occupants. Especially if you have housemates who take all the time in the world when they are using it!

I was sprinting again that morning. Made a dash across the busy road. At the bus stop, the 111 bus was still waiting.

“Alhamdulillah!” I said, and then began to understand why.

“Come on now!” wailed a silver haired English man who was holding on to the bus; one leg on the bus, while the other on the ground, his hands waving frantically towards me.

The other passengers had taken their seats. And so, I bolted my last few strides.

“Thank you!” I said, panting in between my breaths, to the old man and the driver of the bus, as soon as my feet touched the floor of the bus.

“Welcomed! You have helped me before! Now, it’s my turn!” said the elderly man, walking past me to his seat at the back of the bus.

I sat there, confused, trying to remember his face, but to no avail. I raised my feet as soon as we approached the traffic light at Withington Hospital. Just then, the old man was behind me, waiting to get off too.

“Thank you!” said he to the driver and then turning his head towards me, he said, “See you later!”

Just then, I remembered. A few months back…

I was busy at work at the Nightingale Centre, making copies of documents at the photocopying room. Suddenly, there was pounding on the glass door across the corridor.

“Please anyone! Please open this door for me? I forgot my security pass!” was the voice of a man, garbed in blue.

And so, I rushed to answer his cries, turning the bolt that could only be opened from the inside.

“Sorry to interrupt your work. Thank you very much! It’s so cold out there!” he said, rubbing both his hands. His knuckles had turned white.

“It is alright! You’re welcomed!” I said, getting back to my work.

The elderly man, the janitor. Without his blue uniform, I could not recognize him…

“Is reward of the goodness (of deeds) anything but the goodness (as a result)? Then which of the powers of your Lord you would deny?” ~ (Al Quran, Ar Rahman:60-61)

To all readers...

Eid Mubarak! May Allah guide us all to live and to uphold the true spirit of sacrifice...Amin

A friend in need...

2008-11-26T05:24:00.000-08:00

My dear friends and fellow readers...

I would like to extend here, Dr. Ez's blog, giving the day to day account of his beloved wife's condition. (Please click here...)

I am sure that Dr. Ez will appreciate your good wishes and your prayers...

Thank you very much...

Small Kindness...

2008-11-24T16:34:00.000-08:00

The square numbered face on my wrist stared back at me in silence.

“Must hurry!” I muttered, pulling my socks and fastening the laces of my shoes in turn. With the thick winter jacket flung over me, I stepped outside the door of my rented abode at 29, Banff Road.

The early morning cold air, suddenly slapped my cheeks. My teeth chattered under my breath just as soon as I sped across the busy Wilmslow Road, towards Worldwide, the huge Muslim grocery store, just across. I was practically in gear 4, sprinting to the bus stop.

“Must not miss the bus!” I told myself. Just then, my eyes caught sight of the back of the number 111 bus, just leaving off. My heart suddenly sank.

“Good morning!” I said, trying to sound cheerful to a lady sitting on one side of a seat, slowly bringing myself down onto the seat still vacant on the other side.

”Hi!” said she, flashing her superbly white teeth from between thick pouting lips.

Just across the road, heavy machinery was at work, tugging and sawing off trunks of old trees at Wilmslow Park while I sat intrigued, beside the lady.

“Why do they have to do that?” I asked spontaneously, my eyes still transfixed at the site full of activities.

“Well! Winter can be cruel around here with strong gusts of wind. Branches might fall, hurt people and destroy things, you see!”

“I see!” said I.

“May I ask you something?” said the lady, her eyes looking directly at my face.

“Sure!” I said.

“Why do you have to wear that?” she asked.

“What thing?” I said, in a voice laced with an element of surprise.

“That! Covering your head!” she said, pointing her fingers up her head, and twisting them around in a circle.

“Oh! We call this hijab! It is what practicing Muslim women should be wearing.”

That was the beginning of our conversation. We talked and smiled, interspersed with occasional laughter. About our countries of origin, sunshine that we craved, right down to the different kinds, shapes and tastes of bananas which we missed so much! For she was from Jamaica, a country with a climate not much different from that of Malaysia. Just like any other places in the UK, seeing, eating and tasting the same sized bananas in Manchester can be very boring.

Just then, a number 111 bus turned round the corner at the traffic lights. Behind it, there was another one! I could not believe my eyes!

“Two at one time?” I said, my eyes were rolling.

“Yes! Sometimes they come aplenty, while at times when you most need them, they just don’t come!” said she, with a sigh.

“Nice talking to you!” I said, getting up and held my hand out, signaling for the bus to stop.

“Thank you too!” said she.

“Thank you? But why?” I said, puzzled. My head tilted to one side.

“For keeping me company with your pleasant stories! And your recipe for banana fritters just now!” said she, her face lightened up in a broad smile. Her hands were waving gently towards me.

“And you, me!” I half shouted, my face beaming; my feet already touching the steps of the bus.

My heart felt elated. Suddenly, the cold morning air did not seem so stiff anymore……

"We will set up the Just Balance on the Day of Rising and no self will be wronged in any way. Even if it is no more than the weight of a grain of mustard-seed, We will produce it. We are sufficient as a Reckoner." (The Quran, Surat al-Anbiya': verse 47)

Sheikh Yusuf Estes here in Malaysia….

2008-11-19T04:27:00.000-08:00

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity you should never miss.

Come! Meet and listen to the real American Ambassador of Islam – Sheikh Yusuf Estes, formerly a very active Protestant priest, who has now reverted to Islam.

Click here for the schedules and venues of his talk around Kuala Lumpur....

Click here for venues of his talks, entitled "Why Scientists and Doctors are Turning to Islam for Answers?" and another "Do Dakwah Now!" around Johor Bahru.

Prayers...

2008-11-14T07:21:00.000-08:00

Was so tied down with work. It is the end of semester and examinations are on. Piles of manuscripts to be marked, tests, quizzes, assignments to be corrected, then scanned for OBE. Also a couple of theses (Masters and Ph.D.) which I need to examine.

My phone quivered from beneath the loads of papers. Message in:

“Just want to inform you. Dr. Ez’s wife is critically ill,” message from Dr. Mz, a very dedicated doctor and specialist radiologist who is now stationed at Sg. Petani Hospital.

My thoughts immediately flew back to the trying times, 3 years ago, while I was struggling at the Radiology Dept, HUSM, Kubang Kerian. Dr. Ez, my field supervisor during my Ph.D, who was and still is the Head of Radiology Department. Without his intervention and relentless efforts in modifying the normal procedures for the management of patients, it would have been very difficult for me, collating the data capture. It was truly through his kindness that made all that seemed impossible at first, became a reality in the end. Dr. Mz was also a Masters Student of Dr. Ez.

It was during those stressful times that Dr. Ez broke the news to us i.e. my research officer and Masters student and I. His wife (also a medical doctor by profession at the USM Medical Campus) was diagnosed with leukemia, stage 4. It was so sudden. He sounded devastated and that was understandable. For his wife had just delivered another baby a few months before that. His wife could not understand why she was drained all out each time she returned home from work. And being a caring husband, Dr. Ez attributed her lethargy due to stress at work, then caring for the new baby and the other little children of theirs. Little did both of them expected that a predicament was at work.

My heart goes out to Dr.Ez, whom I am deeply indebted, whose selfless efforts made it possible for me to complete my studies. Please do join me, to pray for him and his family. Oh Allah, please give Dr. Ez, his wife and family the strength to face this calamity. May she be cured…for truly You are the Greatest Curer of all diseases, Most Beneficient, Most Merciful…Amin, Ya Rabbul Alamin.

Sense of decency (2)...

2008-11-05T07:49:00.000-08:00

(...continued)

My fingers reached out for the ticket from inside my purse and handed it out to the man in blue who stood waiting.

All of a sudden, the sultry woman with the nail polish stood up, her fingers in the air.

She said, “I am sorry! But my ticket is right here! In the pocket behind my back!” and then she stooped, extending her posterior wrapped in the tight pants, right in the direction of the man in blue.

The crossword puzzle man lifted his head, his lips ajar. The woman reading the book beside him, turned up her face, her eyebrows raised with a frown on her forehead.

The man in blue started to laugh, breaking the silence in the carriage.

“Well! This is one of the perks that come with this job, you know! So, I am not complaining!” said he.

There was laughter. From all over the carriage.

I stood up and offered, “Here! Let me take the ticket out for you!” and without waiting for anything else, took the little card, decked out in orange, from the woman’s behind.

“Here you are, love!” said the man in blue again, after punching a hole in the little card.

I quickly took the card from him and slipped it back to its former place. The owner, still had her fingers in the air.

“Thank you!” said she, as though nothing strange had happened. Instead, she started to blow her breath all over the tips of her fingers.

“You’re welcomed!” said I, trying to refrain from shaking my head, then the inside of me was saying, “God! Don’t these people have the slightest sense of decency left in them?”

“Are you a teacher?” said the other woman, who previously was reading her book to the nail polished woman.

My ears were still perked up.

“Oh yes!”

“Whereabouts?”

“Manchester! I have just returned from home at Notts. Going back to work at school. How about you? What do you do?” she said, still blowing her breath profusely away.

“Oh! I am a teacher too! At Greater Manchester!” said the woman, adjusting her bookmark and closing her book.

“Where are you from then?” said the other, scrutinizing her own fingers.

“Oh! I have been around to see my life partner up at Nottingham for the weekend. We have been together for quite a while. Most of the time, she travels up to my place at Manchester. But this time around, I thought I will do the traveling and spend our weekend together at Notts for a change!” she said beaming a wide smile.

Hearing that, my right hand flew to my heart automatically. The crossword puzzle man cleared his throat and shot me a glance, then rolled his eyes in the direction of the ceiling.

Once again, my inner self whispered, “She? May God forgive us!”

“Why does suddenly, this journey seem like forever? I would have to shut my ears from now on!” I told myself, my eyes looking at the square numbered face staring at me around my left wrist.

Suddenly too, I remembered the words from the Hadith (sayings of the Prophet, peace be upon him):

“When you are immodest (unashamed) then do whatever you desire.” ~Al-Bukhari~

Sense of decency...

2008-10-29T07:52:00.000-07:00

There was a certain kind of stillness. The only sound that could be heard was the drumming of the engine. The train ride was smooth, piercing the air, like wings in the wind.

Outside, everything was exquisite. My eyes were roaming across the undulating landscape, just like the folds of the ocean. Only, the colours were shades of green and the waves, static. Fields spread yonder, lined with shrubs fencing the paddocks. On the gentle slopes, small spots of whiteness, meandering here and there, looking soft and cuddly.

“Sheep? How sweet and beautiful! The Peak District. Exactly like it was 30 years ago!” said I, half smilingly.

My viva for Ph.D was just over and I was back on my sabatical leave in the UK. The train was on its way to Manchester and I was in it, after spending some time visiting a colleague of mine Nz, who was still struggling with his Ph.D at Leicester. I reached Leicester station early in the day and he was kind enough to pick me up at the station, accompanied by his eldest son. I was caught by surprise! His hair was nearly white all over! Back to his home, I was treated to a delightful lunch prepared by his beloved wife, Azam who was also my old friend.

After spending a whole day with Nz’s family, I was now back on the train. In the seat right across me, an English woman was engrossed in her book while a man sitting beside her was deep in thought, trying to solve a crossword puzzle in the day’s newspaper..

The train came to a halt after slowing down a little. A signboard written with the words “Sheffield” passed slowly by. And then all was still.

The door connecting the carriage suddenly opened and a stylishly dressed young english lady in a pair of tight white pants made her way towards the empty seat beside me.

“Anybody sitting beside you here? If there’s none, then may I?” she asked.

I quickly smiled and shaking my head, I offered, ”No! Not at all! I mean go ahead. Have that seat! You need some help with the bag?”

“Thank you, but I think I can manage! It is just up here!” said the young lady, pushing her bag to the compartment high up above her seat.

The train has started to move again, gaining momentum in a split second. The young lady rummaged something out of her small sling bag. All of a sudden, there was the smell of something strong, poking my nose and making me hold my breadth.

“Sorry! I couldn’t find the time to do this in the morning! I do hope you people don’t mind!” the lady said. Her fingers were deftly applying softly coloured strokes on to her tilted nails from a small bottle.

“My nails are ever so fragile and they break so easily. That is why I have to do this often!” said she, holding her fingers apart in the air.

“Well! I have no such problems! Tell you what? I suggest you go and have your nails manicured professionally. Look at mine!” said the other lady who was engrossed in her book just now, right across me, putting her hands on the edge of the table in front of her.

“Wow! Cool! They’re nice! Maybe I should do just that!” said the stylish lady beside me, wide-eyed.

The male passenger who was seated diagonally across me suddenly lifted his head from being deeply engaged in his paper, just a few seconds ago. His eyebows slightly raised, he gave me a shot of glance and a slight smile. Then, he dropped his face, once again immersed in the pages of the daily news, his fingers dancing up, down and across the boxes of black and white.

“Wonder why the crooked smile on his face? Uncomfortable, hearing this woman to woman talk? Must be!” I said to myself. A slight smile curved on my lips too!

The carriage door suddenly opened.

“Tickets please!” said a man, smartly dressed in a blue uniform from the carriage beyond. His face was expressionless..

(to be continued....)

Perseverence....

2008-10-20T06:33:00.000-07:00

“Assalamualaikum and welcome!” greeted the youngish-looking hotel owner in bahasa melayu, who apparently was already in his fifties, just as soon as we stepped onto the pavement next to the main entrance. His hands were grabbing our loads of luggage, pulling them into the lobby.

“You speak malay very well indeed!” said my other half.

“Sure do! How can we forget? We went to a school in Kuala Lumpur for quite a few years. My brother and I!” said he, motioning his hands to the comfortable seats.

“Oh! How interesting!” I said, lowering myself to the intricately decorated seats.

“Yes! We came from Burma. And during that time, we went to Malaysia to seek greener pastures. Times were getting difficult back home. However, after a few years, renewing visas was quite a hassle, so our father decided to find another country where we could settle in. Now, we are Norwegians and my children study here in the UK. My youngest, still in Cambridge while my eldest just graduated from St. Andrews, Scotland,” he related his past history.

He handed us the keys and ushered us to our rooms; small but very clean. That night, we took a walk in the summer night and had our dinner at one of the numerous halal eateries nearby. We were on our way home to Malaysia, after spending some time in Manchester, while attending our son’s convocation.

“Come in and enjoy your breakfast!” said the elder brother to the one who greeted us yesterday, early the next morning; his voice, cheerful and friendly.

“Thank you!” said my other half as we made our way to the breakfast table, in a cosy sitting area down at the basement.

At the other end, a couple was speaking in a language we could not understand. Once in a while there was laughter when our host joined in their conversation also in the same language.

“What would you like? Coffee, tea?” said the cheery voice again.

“Coffee please! And which country are they from, may I ask?” said my hubby.

“Norway! That is my country now, after we had to move from our country of origin.”

“We just got to know from your younger brother that your family once stayed in Kuala Lumpur. And the two of you went to school there too! Is that true?”

“Yes! It is true!” said he. In his hands were two pots of hot coffee.

“Why didn’t you just stay put?” said my hubby.

“Well! Our visa needed to be renewed every now and then and father had to go through the trouble to get it done. We were offered a permanent place to stay somewhere in East Malaysia. You see, we were city boys; grew up in Rangoon. At that time, Rangoon was not anywhere near what it is now. Beautiful, modern and a city full of heritage and life. Of course, we would not be able to adjust if we move to a remote place like East Malaysia. Father understood and that was why we landed in Norway.”

“But why Norway?” asked my son-in-law.

“Did you know that by owing a Norwegian passport, one does not need a visa to enter whichever country? Father did his homework very well and he was a well-read man. His decision was a wise one. Two of our siblings are doing business in Oslo and take charge of our family home there. While my younger brother and I man this hotel and another restaurant situated at Edgware Road nearby. Once a year, we would fly to Oslo and gather as a big family,” he said, handing us trays of toasts with butter and jam.

“Is your father still around?” said I, curious, helping myself to scrambled eggs, tempting looking mixed beans and corn, with red peppers thrown in spicy tasting sauce. How delicious!

“Oh! Yes! He is already in his eighties but still up and about. He was the one who started our family restaurant while our mum helps us here in this hotel. In the mornings, I will be here and at night, I will be helping out at the restaurant. My brother will take over this place at night.”

“You are a hard working man and full of perseverance!” quipped my other half, sipping his cup of coffee while our daughter fed little Nuha some toasts, lined with butter and jam.

“My father always said that you should enjoy doing what you want to do. Then you may reap the harvest of success. He is already well into his eighties and my mother is in her seventies. Both are still healthy and active. Father loves reading and follows whatever that is going on in the world. We are practicing Muslims, do our prayers, fast. Likewise the other pillars of Islam. And one thing I want to share with you. Not a single day went that our hotel is unoccupied. There will always be someone asking to stay. In fact, our place is very popular amongst Muslims because we serve only halal food.”

We sat mesmerized while enoying the scrumptious and filling breakfast that our friendly host had prepared with his own hands.

“I would like to share something too! Our granduncle was the first premier of Burma at that time. Dr. Ba Maw, a muslim lawyer, famous for his struggles to free Burma from the British. In fact, he decided to take up his doctorate in Bordeaux, France just to spite the British and to send them a strong message of his dislike for them. If you were to go to Myanmar now, you would see lots of schools, colleges, hospitals and public places named after him.”

“Those years in Burma, the muslims, even though are a minority, are highly regarded in the society. Because they are highly educated and profound in their knowledge. Furthermore, the economy of the country was mainly held in the muslim’s hands,” said the zealous hotel owner.

“We will definitely come here if we happen to be in London again!” said my son-in-law.

“Yes! Please do! Insha Allah! This strategic location, near to the shopping area of Edgware Road. Plus the fact that it is only within walking distance to the Paddington underground and main train station, conveniently connected to the Heathrow Airport. We are proud to own this place since 4 years ago and are always grateful to God for bestowing us his bounties,“ said our host, his face lighting up in a broad smile.

We acquired lots more life experiences from our two hosts during our two nights’ stay. The hotel which is situated at the tree lined Sussex Gardens, full of greenery and colourful blossoms, in the middle of a 200 year old Victorian terrace. It is not surprising that their family is thriving very well, being listed as one of the top ten budget hotels in London. Their restaurant too!

We now know where we would stay if we happen to be in London again, God willing. Why don’t you?

If that isn’t love… what is?

2008-10-06T19:18:00.000-07:00

“How many days will it take?” said a man standing, his hand on the surface of the glass.

“I am not sure, mister! One day? Maybe two? We’ ll see! Is it alright?” said another, obviously the owner of the store, behind the counter.

My documents were being made into copies by the shop’s assistant while I stood, waiting beside the glass wall near to the exit. My eyes swept across, in the direction of the sound of the voices.

“Are you sure?” said the man again, his gaze somewhat intense, from behind the glasses perched on his nose. On the crown of his head, a white kopiah (skull cap), his silver hair jutting out here and there from under the headgear, framing his face, which was full of earnest.

“Yes! For sure! Don’t worry! Tell you what? I will call you, when it is ready. Why don’t you write your number here?” said the smiling young man behind the counter again, handing a piece of paper with a ball point pen and a receipt.

“Alright then!” said the silvery haired man, this time, the seriousness on his face, subsiding a little. He held out his right hand, which was previously holding onto the glass counter, from the big pockets of his apple green teluk belanga (traditional malay dress), his quivering fingers desperately scribbling.

More smiles and nods. The man in the baju melayu turned towards the exit.

Then suddenly, it dawned on me. My heart flipped. The man was struggling on his feet. No! On his one foot! Hopping! In his kain pelikat (sarong), towards the glass exit. And then, my heart flipped again. One of his sleeves was swaying too! And there was nothing there as well. He then held the one arm he had left, to open the door. Holding the door ajar with the shoulder with no arm, he hobbled onto the corridor, the armless sleeve, swaying even more in the wind. Deftly, his foot jumped over the drain onto the road in front of the store.

Beyond the tarmac, a lady in a helmet sat, patiently waiting on a motorbike, the engines running. Just then, her face broke into a smile, aggravating the deep lines on her face, as she saw the man. She held out her hand to his outstretched arm, putting it on one of her shoulders. Her other hand caught on another helmet in a basket, across the bike, gingerly putting it on the man’s already stooped head. Her fingers played lovingly around her man’s chin, fastening the straps. Just like a wife who is faithfully toying her man’s necktie on his way out to the office. The look on her face like a mother softly gazing on her baby, deep in slumber. While her man, no longer having the intense and fierce veil on his face, as in the shop earlier on. Instead, contentment and tranquilness. His gaze on her, like a small child being fussed over and his collar tinkered with his mum’s fingers, while at the school gate.

He heaved on her shoulder and then, they were off, the man holding onto her tight, with the one he had left. My eyes followed them as far as I could see. My neck straining like a giraffe holding them in my sight.

“Maam! Here you are!” said a pretty voice, startling me. Her eyes were smiling.

“Oh really? Thank you!” said I, not quite over yet with what I had just seen.

Payments were made and as I traced my steps to the car, I could not help thinking.

“Glorious is Allah! A true gift from Him. Symbol of undying faithfulness and companionship. If that is not love, then what is?”

Silently, I uttered a prayer, “May God continue to shower His love and nurture the beautiful feeling that we share with our other halves; the trust, care and lovingness that we have for each other …amongst us all…Amin”

As the sun begins to yawn…

2008-09-29T02:39:00.000-07:00

As the sun begins to yawn..

Bowing its head,

Yonder, over the horizon...
And Ramadhan is fast slipping away..
Everwhere …smiling faces,
Saying graces…

For those who are steadfast
In their good deeds and in their fasts,
‘Newborns’ will we be…
From past sins we will be set free,
With new hope we will be looking,
As our new life is unfolding…..

But then again,
In some hearts…a certain sadness,
A certain coyness…
May we still be able to see?
Oh! Ramadhan! We miss you already…
May God lengthen our span
Till next year, we get to meet again..
Amin….

~NeenaUmi~
29th Ramadhan 1429

------------

To dear readers…
Your forgiveness ….I do seek….
And wishing you…

Eid Mubarak!

(Images were taken atop the Gunung Matcincang, a mountain on the island of Langkawi, 700 meters above sea level, overlooking the horizon at the Thai border…seconds before the sun began to utter its silent ‘good night’….dated May the 2nd 2008).