Friday, May 23, 2008

United we stand!

I don’t really like politics, since the 1999 general election (at that time I did got interested in politics because of the Anwar factor), the 2004 election was quite boring..then there was the 2008 election which was very interesting, haha. I know its quite late to talk about politics..but I don’t really want to talk about the elections, it’s the consequences that matters to me.

We already knew what happened with the main party losing a few states to the alternative parties. And you know the drama, this party saying bad things about that party. This person saying that the other person is not good and they are the only one that is good. What is going on? Come on..nobody’s perfect.

It is frustrating to see them squabbling, quarrelling, bickering over just everything. It is a shame to see that these are the one that represent us (wakil rakyat rite?) Just look at the Parliament that day, with this person calling the other person big foot and the other one calling him monyet..what is this?

So, I came to a conclusion that everyone that involved in politics has their own agenda, their own mission, they joined politics for their own good. Because if they are sincere to help the Malays..the Muslims, I think that this wouldn’t happen. Let’s look at their so called party missions :

Adapun Perlembagaan awal Parti A yang digariskan itu mempunyai empat tujuan, iaitu:
PERTAMA: Mewujudkan satu perikatan persaudaraan Islam untuk membentuk satu tenaga bersama bagi menyelenggarakan segala tuntutan Islam dan siasah yang berdasarkan demokrasi.
KEDUA: Menumpukan segala ikhtiar dan tenaga untuk menyatukan Perlembagaan pentadbiran agama di seluruh negara.

KETIGA: Memelihara dan mempertahankan hak-hak kepentingan dan kehormatan agama dan umat Islam.
KEEMPAT: Bekerjasama dengan pertubuhan-pertubuhan siasah yang lain di dalam negara ini, yang dasar dan tujuannya tidak berlawanan dengan ajaran Islam dalam mencapai demokrasi, keadilan masyarakat dan kemanusiaan.

Lahirnya Parti B untuk menjadi wadah perjuangan orang Melayu bagi memperkasa kemajuan bangsa.

So, can’t you see that it is just the same thing? Their mission I mean. Unless if you want to say that there are Malays that are not Muslim rite? But as far as I know, all Malays, have an IC stating that they are Muslim. So why do you have to have Party A or Party B or C if your mission is to help Malays, most importantly Muslim? Instead of looking at the differences, can’t they find the similarities? Their busy with the parties and all and the Malays, the Muslims are still like this…

Can't they just see the importance of unity?

Orang-orang beriman itu sesungguhnya bersaudara. Sebab itu damaikanlah (perbaikilah hubungan) antara kedua saudaramu itu dan takutlah terhadap Allah, supaya kamu mendapat rahmat. (Al-Hujaraat, 10)

Dan berpeganglah kamu semuanya kepada tali (agama) Allah, dan janganlah kamu bercerai berai, dan ingatlah akan nikmat Allah kepadamu ketika kamu dahulu (masa Jahiliyah) bermusuh-musuhan, maka Allah mempersatukan hatimu, lalu menjadilah kamu karena nikmat Allah, orang-orang yang bersaudara; dan kamu telah berada di tepi jurang neraka, lalu Allah menyelamatkan kamu dari padanya. Demikianlah Allah menerangkan ayat-ayat-Nya kepadamu, agar kamu mendapat petunjuk. (Al-Imran, 103)

And to think that we want all Muslim to stand united, yet it is not even achievable in our very own country…:(

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

The Process of Searching…

I’ve been reading about Muslim converts and I felt touched. I mean the journey that they have gone through, the thinking process, the doubts and questions that they have, brought them to know and understand Islam deeper and deeper. And according to their stories, all of them stated that they submitted to Islam after reading, researching and understanding the Quran. And these converts, most of them are more “Muslim” than those who are born “Muslim”. Why?

So I thought for a while, about myself. I am born a Muslim, grew up in a Muslim family. And Alhamdulillah…my parents taught and brought me up well.

But when I think back, I took the Muslim title for granted, meaning that compared to these people who converted or as they say reverted (reverted back to the true religion-Islam), they went through this searching process. As I read, some of them were born in a very religious Christian and even Jewish family. So they perform their religious routine and somehow realize that there is something wrong. Too many errors and blunders that don’t make any sense and not logical.

Let’s take Prophet Ibrahim’s searching process as an example. I think most of you already knew the story about Prophet Ibrahim and his father and people that worshipped idols. He was asked by his father to worship idols. But then he questioned back, why must he worship the idols that were made by their own hands?

When he asked his father and his people: What is that which you worship?
They answered: We worship idols, and (out of veneration for them) we remain fervently ever devoted to them
Prophet Ibrahim asked: Do these idols hear you when you call on them?
Do they benefit you or do you harm?
They replied: No, (they could not do any!) But we found our fathers doing that.?
Prophet Ibrahim said: Have you ever considered of what use it is that you have been worshipping?
(I ask you this) because these idols are enemies to me; (I do not worship) other than Allah, Lord of all the Worlds;

(Asy-Syua’raa’ 70-77)


Actually it is just as simple as something logical to our mind. It is not logical to worship idols that doesn't hear, speak, do not bring them benefit. And as they said, they only worshipped idols because they see their fathers doing the same thing.

That is why when Prophet Ibrahim searched for God, he observed , thought and used his mind.

And when the night overshadowed him with its darkness, he saw a (shining) star, and said: Is this my Lord? But when it set, he said: I do not love things that set.

And when he saw the rising moon (shining), he said: ?Is this my Lord? But when it set, he said: If my Lord does not guide me, I will most certainly become one of the people who go astray.?

And when he saw the sun rising (in shining splendour), he said: Is this my Lord? It is larger.But when it set, he said: O my people, far be it from me to ascribe divinity, as you do, to anything other than God.

Truly, I have set my face and my person to Allah Who has created the heavens and the earth, upright as a true believer, holding firmly on the principle of Oneness of God, and I am not one of those who ascribe divinity to anything besides God.

(Al An’aam, 76-79)


So from questioning, thinking and searching, he found the answer. He found God and believe in God…

As a conclusion, I think this process of searching is very important, to become closer to Allah, strengthen our belief and know what is our reason and role as a Muslim in this world...

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Disaster - What can we do?

Wow, the latest news that I heard was about the earthquake in China that killed (until now) about 12000 people. Ya Allah…another disastrous tragedy. It seems like we were just stunned by the Nargis tropical cyclone that hit Myanmar a few days ago that killed about 30000 people, destroying the Irrawady delta (very densely populated and the rice bowl of Myanmar). That just reminds me back to the Tsunami that hit Banda Acheh at 2004 and killed thousands of people. These tragedies are catastrophic, just imagine the aftermath and all.

Those tragedies, natural disaster happened in other countries. Our neighboring countries. What about our country? Are we safe? What about our condition?

To think about it, anything can happen. As we can see, although in our country, Alhamdulillah, these big disasters does not or does not yet happen. But there are small disasters happening and starting to increase steadily…

Let’s not go too far. Why not just start from this year, 2008. The latest election…as we can see Malays, most importantly Muslims are not united and this is such a shame. I mean they all claim to improve the condition and life of Malays, of Muslims but as all of us can see, there’s not much of improvement. In fact, I think the political condition is getting worse.

And then about the economic status that is definitely decreasing. The increased price of oil, food, toll…everything is expensive nowadays. And to think that these problems happen in just a matter of a few months. Just think, even if we have money or we are rich but there is no food..what can you do? It seems like all the money that you have is invaluable rite?

This doesn’t include other problems including safety problems, social problems. I don’t feel safe in my own country. I mean with all the rape cases, robbery, murder happening everyday. Where is the value of a human life? Just a few ringgit…
And about social problems? Need I say more? Just read the newspaper. I’m sure there are news about it everyday.

So what can we do? Do you still want to live like this? I know that I don’t….
We have to do something rite to change our condition.

Just look at this ayat that I think a lot of people like to quote :

Bagi manusia ada malaikat-malaikat yang selalu mengikutinya bergiliran, di muka dan di belakangnya, mereka menjaganya atas perintah Allah[767]. Sesungguhnya Allah tidak merobah keadaan sesuatu kaum sehingga mereka merobah keadaan[768] yang ada pada diri mereka sendiri. Dan apabila Allah menghendaki keburukan terhadap sesuatu kaum, maka tak ada yang dapat menolaknya; dan sekali-kali tak ada pelindung bagi mereka selain Dia. ((Ar-Ra’d, 13:11)

So we cannot just pray to Allah and hope that everything will be Ok, everything will be alrite? Where’s the will? Let’s think about this together…

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Passion

Some ppl find it easy, I mean come on, is it so hard to find something that you really like that you’re passionate about? But apparently, I don’t find it easy. For the last couple of weeks I’ve been thinking about what I like to do, what I love what I’m passionate about and till now I still don’t have the answer.

Maybe because I do something for the sake of just doing it not because I like it . I study IT because that is what I’ve been offered by UPU at that time, so I just went ahead and to think back, I didn’t even gave the offer a second thought. I just accepted it huhu. And that is for the sake of just continuing my studies.

And then I got a job offer from my company and also without much thought, I accepted it. Maybe because that was my first job offer and all and I was like overexcited to start working and being that so called adult haha for the sake of having a job, earning my own money and literally for the sake of living.

And it didn’t hit me back then, but now, I mean for like a year back, I’ve been thinking about all this. What have I been doing for the past few years? Is this the road, the route that I want in life, is this what I like, what I love doing?

I always have been told, heard and read about what you like is different from what you are supposed to do to live. What I want to say here is that what you like is maybe just a hobby or what you do on your leisure time for instance if you like music, singing or playing some kind of sports, although you like to do those activities, it will just remain as a hobby because you can’t make money for living out of it.

Yes, it is true that some ppl do make money out of doing such thing, like being a singer, actor or a professional footballer but just how many? So for the rest of us, we are stuck with a job that we have to do to earn money and that is just about it. I haven’t done a survey or what so ever but from what I read and heard, most ppl are not satisfied and don’t like their job. And it is because of the lack of passion. So maybe we should some how find that passion in the things that you do…how? I’m still searching how…maybe if you know how, you can tell me :D

Friday, May 2, 2008

From KL to P.Perhentian 08

Huhu…just can’t wait to share my experience at Pulau Perhentian.
Actually I’ve been to P.Perhentian before in 2004 (thanks to my practical company huhu). This time around, my company arranged a team bulding / happy happy trip to Pulau Perhentian for 4 days. So let’s start with the 1st day ok.

DAY 1 (24th April 08)

Orait. On day 1 we gathered at Wisma Bernama and got on the allocated bus and apparently we were late. Waaaaaa everybody was waiting for us (so sorry guys..maap..maap). So we finally departed around 7.30am. It was a long journey. And it rained all the way. I was quite worried about the weather.

After a few naps and stops along the way, we arrived at Kota Bharu around 6.30pm. We stayed at this home stay house for the nite. That nite we went to KB town for dinner and ironically we went to KFC to have our dinner hahaha. What the…(tuuuut)..?? KFC? Aiyyoo..came so far from KL and we just ate KFC hehe. Just didn’t have any idea where else to go and our supposedly tour guide, went to his house so we took the matter in our own hands and end up eating at KFC.

After that we went to the nearby pasar. It was still raining. The bus picked us up and we went back to the house and had a good nite sleep.

DAY 2 (25th April 08)

Got up really early . Don’t want to be late again rite? Hehe. Had nasi berlauk for breakfast and after that, we got on the bus for our ride to the jetty. Arrived at the jetty around 10am and got on the boat to P.Perhentian. The boat ride was quite challenging as it kept on jumping because of the waves. But the breeze on your face…ahhh..refreshing. :D

After 45 minutes, we arrived at Perhentian. Blue sky..blue sea…wow! Picteresque..so beautiful that no word could describe it. :DDD. After that, lunch was served. Mmmm mmmm…the food was tasty and in a large quantity too.

That evening we went snorkeling. Don’t know why coz the previous time I went to Perhentian I wasn’t sea sick, but this time around I felt quite dizzy. At the first snorkeling stop, I went down and snorkel, hoping to see the same clear water, fishes, colourful live corals but alas, it was quite frustrating. The water is still clear, but it wasn’t as clear as before. Lots of corals are already dead. Felt quite sad. After that, we went to the 2nd stop.
This was where we can see turtles. But at that point I just didn’t feel like snorkeling. So I didn’t went off the boat. The next stop was where we can see sharks and this time I did went down to the sea and did saw not 1, but a few sharks hoho.

The last stop was where we washed ourselves with cold refreshing spring water. To think how amazing it is, fresh water just nearby the salty sea water…Subhanallah.

After the snorkeling trip, we head back to our chalets. Everybody was feeling really tired. So I just lay down on the wooden seats nearby the chalets and relax…watching the sunset.

Then of course it was dinner time.huhu eat, eat. Later that nite, there was a telematch where we played bursting the balloons, collect sea water using holey coconut shells, straw transfer huhu. We did won a few prizes :D. Then we just relaxed by the beach..singing while my friend played the guitar (although it was quite hard to find the perfect song and we didn’t memorise most of the lyrics ahaha). Midnite already..time for zzZZzzZZzzZ..sweet dreams.


DAY 3 (26th April 08)

As usual, woke up quite early, had breakfast and went to another snorkeling trip huhu. This time they brought us to Pulau Susu Besar and Kecil. At the first stop (at the Pulaus) , it was more beautiful compared to yesterday’s stop. More fishes can be seen. We followed the trainer and he showed us napoleon fish, ray fish and nemo hehe (couldn’t find dory though ahaha). Then we went to this last stop where there are live corals. We followed the instructor and held on to the rope but the rope slipped from my hands and I got carried away by the strong current. Tried to swim back to the rope but the current was so strong. Luckily the trainer pulled me back to the rope. At that time I was so tired. When I got to the chalet, ate lunch and of course took a nap.huhu.

Later on, the team building session began. We were divided into several groups and unlike Team Building 07, this team building was more laid back, played simple games and had fun. Then we bathed and I tried the kayak (ho quite tough actually).

That nite before the karaoke/lucky draw, we were served BBQ while enjoying the Chelsea – MU match (haha MU lost ;P)


DAY 4 (27th April 08)

Waaaa…time to go home already? Why do all good things have to come to an end L waa so sad to leave this place. Hopefully I will come back here or perhaps other places in the future hehehe