Good start to the week

Alhamdulillah, we're back from our week-long festivity break. I'm back at the office since yesterday, and feeling energised to focus on my work. The first 2 days of the week have been very good. I managed to get a few things done, and looking forward to settling more things by the week's end.

Things are also looking up at the office. Insya-Allah, the Yayasan will be able to shift into high gear by the year's end. I hope by then we will be able to take in a few staff to help around the office.

I have also submitted my PhD application at UM earlier today --- finally. If everything goes well, I shall start my PhD journey next academic semester which is also due to start at the end of the year.

I also hope to start writing my second novel. The plot has been hatched, it's just a matter of putting words to the story. If I can concentrate on this, I hope to submit it for a literary competition organised by Utusan Publications and Distributors. The deadline for this year's competition is 31st December. Wonder whether I can get it done. Hmmm...

After 5 years of waiting, the house that we bought in Hulu Langat is also near completion. According to the developer, we should get the keys to the house in early 2007. My wife is also in the process of purchasing an apartment near my office. Most probably we'll be staying at the apartment, while the quaint little bungalow in Hulu Langat will be our weekend and holiday home.

Oh, well, whatever it is, I have no complaints. After all, this week has been off to a good start, perhaps due to the barakah of Ramadhan and Syawal. I sincerely pray that everything from here onwards will be smooth sailing, insya-Allah.

Back in KL

I'm baaaccckkk!!!

After just over a week in my hometown for the festivity, I've returned to the bustling big city. I'll blog down my thoughts in future entries. Need to do a lot of catching up with the e-mails, instant messages and snail mails.

It feels like I never left.

Eid mubarak

I will be offline for almost 10 days because of the Eidul-Fitr celebration. It's not that I can't get online, but for a change, I don't want to. After all, Eid is a time for family, relatives and friends. I'll be going back to my hometown with my family on Saturday, insya-Allah and will be back the following Saturday.

In the meantime, may I take this opportunity to wish one and all a joyous and happy Eidul-Fitr. Let us celebrate this occassion in the true sense of the word, and not just indulge ourselves with food and drink and television. Go out, visit your relatives and friends, rekindle memories and restrengthen the bond of brotherhood.

For those who are going to drive, allow me to remind myself and everyone reading, drive safely. Let us celebrate this Eid with happiness and laughter, and not sadness and tears.

Eid Mubarak.

Tip of the tongue

Of all places for an ulcer...

I wasn't able to talk for 3 days as a result of the ulcer on the tip of my tongue. I still can't speak perfectly as yet. Perhaps it'll be better in a few days time, insya-Allah.

I'm used to having ulcers on my lips, but never on my tongue. Ulcers on lips are not too hard to manage, just avoid contact with the ulcer and you'll be able to get along quite well. But this is not the case if the ulcer is on your tongue. It was a very painful experience.

Alas, it was a test in Ramadhan. I learned the meaning of patience, perseverence and endurance. I also learnt the meaning of thankfulness. We rarely if ever remember that the tongue is a ni'mah or blessing from Allah SWT. When Allah SWT wills for an ulcer to form at the tip of my tongue, then only I remember how precious the tongue is - how it is an important organ in many things. Now, I will never take the tongue for granted.

Also, I believe that this is a form of kafarah that I have to undergo in this auspicious month of Ramadhan. Perhaps, it is a way to wash away some of my sins through this painful experience, wallahu'alam.

Whatever it was, an ulcer at the tip of the tongue is an experience not easily forgotten.

Unsheduled tasks

Apologies for the inability to update the blog more regularly. My laptop is still out of order. I hope to get it fixed after Ramadhan.

Indeed, this month is full of tests. While I have been able to finish a lot of my tasks, there are some challenges that crop up in this blessed month. First, it was my laptop that came crashing to the floor breaking its LCD. Tonight, my car wouldn't start. My guess is the battery is flat, but the weird thing is that the battery is new. I will know what's wrong tomorrow morning when I call the AAM.

Oh, well. These episodes eventually make you a better person in the long run. We'd gain the experience of facing "unscheduled" tasks along the way.

Echoes of the heart

Remember Fikri? He was the first heart patient to be fitted with a mechanical heart, or more specifically a device known as IVAD, as a temporary measure till he gets a new heart. Fortunately, he got a new heart last December. One of my earliest blog entries was on Fikri, which can be read here.

Izza Aripin and I had a discussion with Fikri's mother this morning at my office. Insya-Allah, if everything goes well, we'll have a memoir on Fikri's experience out by next year. I believe Fikri's story is one that needs to be told, and needs to be read by everyone. It is a story with a heart that will touch everyone's emotions.

The National Heart Institute (IJN) meanwhile continues to make headlines. A 13-year old girl, Tee Hui Yin, has been fitted with a mechanical heart on 29 September. Hui Yin is the second heart patient to be fitted with IVAD. Like Fikri before her, the IVAD is a temporary measure until she gets a new heart from a donor.

That is why I cannot stress enough on the need to increase the number of donors. We have a lot of patients with end-stage organ failure, but unfortunately we don't have enough organ donors. Be an organ pledger, and help safe lives.

Seeing is not necessary believing

Our eyes are indeed unique, as they allow us to have vision. But there are times when we cannot really trust our eyes or believe what we see. Sometimes we see only the things we want to see. When this happens, we are deceived by our own eyes. For instance, take a gander at the image below. Our eyes see this image, and our brain interprets it as moving, whereas in reality the image does not move.
When we read the news, whether from the mainstream media or the so-called "underground" ones in the Internet, it is crucial for us not to easily believe what we read. Be critical and analytical. Ask questions that matter. Do some cross-referencing. Check the facts and figures.

News can be spin-doctored. If we are not careful, we'd be deceived by the spin doctors. Remember the reminder in the Quran:

O ye who believe! If a wicked person comes to you with any news, ascertain the truth, lest ye harm people unwittingly, and afterwards become full of repentance for what ye have done.

[Al-Hujurat (49): 6]

Quiet Ramadhan... NOT!

Back when I was working with IKIM, Ramadhan was usually busy with invitation for talks (usually Kuliah Zuhur) at various agencies, departments and companies. Now that I've moved on, I am no longer doing those talks.

But lo and behold, I find myself doing a lot of writing, from the academic to the semi-academic to the literary. I have finalised my PhD proposal which would be submitted to Universiti Malaya next week. I have been invited to publish academic and semi-academic books for a publisher which shall remain nameless for the time being. I am also sketching plots for three novels, though I'm unsure when can I actually sit down to write them.

And here I thought I was going to have a quiet, uneventful and free Ramadhan this year. How naive of me to think that.

Ahlan wa sahlan ya Ramadhan

I had wanted to post this on the blog before Ramadhan began. But I didn't, partly because of what happened to my laptop. Still not fixed, in case anyone is asking. And I'm using my wife's laptop at the moment, again in case anyone is wondering.

In any case, I don't think it's too late to welcome the month of Ramadhan al-Mubarak. So far, I am enjoying Ramadhan, more so than previous years. I found that I have been very productive workwise compared to previous months. Spiritually, I am also enjoying the nightly rituals of Tahlil, Terawih and Witir - a feeling that is reminiscent to my days in Glasgow.

Back then, my fellow students and I used to commune at the Malaysian Students Centre at Albert Road in Glasgow, where I was a resident. I was one of those entrusted with leading the Terawih and Witir prayers. After the prayers, we would sit down for moreh. In retrospect, what we went through strengthened our friendship that lasts till this day.

Let us all pray that all of us would be able to reap the many rewards and bounties of Ramadhan of 1427 Hijriyyah. Amin!

Temporary disconnected

I had an unfortunate turn of events on Wednesday afternoon. My trusted laptop met with an accident. I was shifting some furniture at the office because of a small leakage in my room. Unfortunately, the table that I was moving accidentally knocked the laptop down to the floor. As a result, the laptop's LCD is now broken. I need to get it replaced, but the price is too expensive for me at this point in time.

At the moment, I'm sharing my wife's laptop, but I won't be bringing it to the office. I'll also be transferring the data from my laptop's hard drive so that I can work on my wife's laptop when need be.

But this also means that I won't be able to be online as frequent as I'd like. Which also means that I may not be able to update my blogs as often as before. *Sigh*

Another interview

I gave a talk at the Kolej Sains Kesihatan Bersekutu, Sungai Buloh last Monday. The talk was on organ donation.

There was a journalist from NST who was present, and she asked for an interview. The interview came out yesterday in the NST. Just in case anyone missed it, here is the link.

The object formerly known as Pluto

More of the Pluto downgrade. According to this report, Pluto is now relegated to just a number. So, the new designation for Pluto now is 134340.

Suddenly I see a lot of parallel between what happened to Pluto to our everyday lives. When something or someone is no longer important (usually because of relegation or downgrade or no longer holding any important post), then that thing or person will be given no prominence. A mere number would make Pluto less prominent. Not many people can remember the number, I guarantee you that.

Likewise, when a person is no longer in the seat of power, he will just be relegated to a footnote in the history books.

CUTE

On Saturday, I sat for my Computerised Unit Trust Examination (CUTE). I went there without ample preparation and was in fact preparing myself for failure. Lo and behold, I passed the exam! So, now with this accreditation, I am qualified to talk about and handle unit trust investments.

Don't ask me why I took the exam. Just felt like taking it.

Yeah, sounds like I'm bored.

Icing to the week

This has been a pretty good week. The icing to the cake is when I got to know that Utusan Publications and Distributors Sdn Bhd has verbally agreed to publish my very first novel. Insya-Allah the formalities will be finalised next week.

9-11

We are a few days away from September 11th - that fateful date that launched America into a terrorist-hunting frenzy. Nonetheless, while we condemn what happened in the US five years ago, we also need to have the right perspective on this issue. I wrote something last year on this entitled "Meletakkan 11 September pada perspektif yang tepat" which was published by Berita Harian.

You can read this article using this link.

The future is bright after all...

Lately there has been a lot of talk on race relations in Malaysia. Most, if not all, highlighted in the media are quite negative. I don't want to comment on what is highlighted, rather I'd like to share what I saw on Wednesday.

I took the LRT to attend a meeting at Medan MARA in the heart of the city. Why I didn't drive to the meeting is another story.

Anyway, as I was walking from Medan MARA to the Bandaraya LRT Station, I passed by a blind man walking on the pedestrian walkway. What is interesting is that, this blind man - a Malay - being escorted by a young Chinese guy. This Chinese guy looked a lot like one of those Taiwan singers, wearing a sleeveless shirt, dyed hair and sporting an ear-ring. Not someone you'd expect to hold the arm of a blind man.

But as in many instances, appearances can be deceiving and stereotypes are often far from the truth.

If what I saw, albeit probably one case in a thousand, is any indication, that I'd say the future for Malaysia is bright after all...

Insya-Allah.

Writer's block

I'm having a bad writer's block for the past 2 weeks. It's quite difficult to pen my thoughts down these past fortnight. Even blogging is somewhat hard to do.

Hoping that things will improve.

An impromptu Merdeka poem

I begin to notice more white hair on my head.
Perhaps, it's time for me to reflect instead.
Not to be nostalgic nor melancholic.
But reflect we must, to be pragmatic.

Yesterday, Malaysia celebrated its 49th year as a free nation.
Today is my 10th anniversary as a working person.
Many things I've gone through, many things I've experienced.
Yet, I know there's still much more to learn.

I wish we continue to prosper.
I wish we do not ever bicker.
Let us move forward together.
Never let our differences be a bother.

Differences of opinion is not a strange thing.
It is even considered by al-Ghazali as a blessing.
But the differences should be handled with wisdom.
So that it'll never be a source for tantrums.

Set aside our personal agenda and glory.
The nation and its people must take priority.
Put aside differences and emerge united.
Lest we want to remain divided.

Independence must never be taken for granted.
It is a priceless gift that must never be wasted.
Instead we have to ensure that it is safeguarded.
So that we will never ever again be subjugated.

Merdeka food for thought

The nation will celebrate its 49^th anniversary as an independent nation. Within a period of nearly half a century, Malaysia has gone through a lot of things – all of which contributed towards the maturity of the nation. Within this short period of time, the nation has successfully transformed itself from a sleepy backwater British colony known for its tin into a dynamic, vibrant and examplary developing nation.

It used to be that the National Day celebration was commemorated only on 31^st August. In the past few years however, the commemoration of the nation’s independence spans for a month, between 17^th August until 16^th September. Many activities are conducted during this period – all with the intention to instill national pride and to rekindle the past struggles of our forefathers.

The post-independence generation needs to be reminded of how things were during the colonial times, the Japanese occupancy as well as the Emergency. This generation today lives in a nation which is a far cry from what it was before independence. The country has changed and developed for the better. It is this generation that is reaping the rewards of the labours of the preceeding generation in fighting for the nation’s independence.

Therefore, it is indeed a pity if today’s generation do not truly comprehend or appreciate what independence stands for. The last day of August is more than just a public holiday.

This very special day is more than just a day to simply celebrate without really knowing what the celebration is actually for. Even the celebration should be conducted in a manner befitting that of independence – not pure hedonism and having fun for the sake of it. It is imperative, especially for the post-independence generation, to really understand, be aware and be thankful for the gift of independence as bestowed to the multiracial and multireligious society of Malaysia.

This gift of independence is from God as a result of the hard work and tireless efforts undertaken by countless of people that came before us. It would indeed be a waste if their painstaking endeavour – oft-times accompanied by tears and blood – goes unnoticed by today’s generation.

When we say “understanding independence”, it does not simply mean to utter the word “Merdeka”, rather understanding independence requires us to realise the worth and importance of independence to the people of Malaysia. In other words, independence is not just about exclaiming that we are independent, but also it is about the need to ensure that the independence that we achieve is protected.

When we say “be aware of independence”, it goes beyond simply knowing when and where the National Day parade is taking place. Instead one who is aware of independence would be equally aware of the need to ensure that the future generation of the nation would also be able to live in an independent nation. As such, we should realise that there is still much to be done, in particular in ensuring that the nation would not fall victim to neocolonialisation, which is far more dangerous than military subjugation.

When we say “be thankful for our independence”, it is essential that we realise that it is not sufficient for us to only express joy and delight on 31^st August. Indeed expressing happiness for our independence is justifiable as we are no longer subjugated to foreign powers, but far more important is the need to express our gratitude to Allah SWT for providing us with this gift of independence. As such, it is pertinent for us today to express our thanks to Allah SWT as this invaluable and precious gift is not given to all nations. Even nations which are already independent may not enjoy the bountied showered on us by Allah SWT.

Unfortunately, many forget the need to be thankful and grateful for the independence that we have achieved. As stated in the Quran, translated thus:

For God is full of bounty to mankind, but most of them are ungrateful.

[Al-Baqarah (2): 243]

How then do we show our gratitude for the independence that we now benefit from? Surely there are many ways for us – in particular the current young generation – could manifest our gratitude. For one, the post-independence generation must always ensure that the independence that has been achieved 49 years ago is safeguarded and preserved. As much as we enjoy being independent today, we must remember that it is our duty to guarantee that the future generations would also enjoy the same.

We do not want our children and grandchildren putting the blame on this generation for failing to uphold independence. This is particularly more so in view of neocolonialisation. In the past, colonialisation is mainly in the form of territorial expansion and military conquest. But today, colonialisation has taken a new form and meaning – hence the term neocolonialisation – that can take place in many forms.

We need to prepare ourselves to face these challenges. This preparation comes in many areas, such as building our economic strength, maintaining political stability, forging social integration, mastering all areas of knowledge and technology, enhancing our defense capabilities and many others. This is in fact in line with what is mentioned in the Quran, translated thus:

Against them make ready your strength to the utmost of your power, including steeds of war…

[Al-Anfal (8): 60]

While the Quran mentions on the need to muster military strength, the scope of mustering strength could further be widened in view of today’s context. Today military strength alone is not sufficient. The much needed strength in knowledge and technological mastery is equally, if not more, important.

Thus, the challenge to build all these needed strengths within our country lies with today’s young generation. There must be a sense of patriotism and nationalism in today’s generation. There must be a strong love and pride for this nation that we call home.

It is, therefore, the duty of all Malaysians – regardless of religion and race – to continue to preserve this priceless gift called independence. Our country had been under foreign powers for a total number of 446 years, from the day the Portuguese conquered Melaka until the day the Union Jack was brought down and replaced with our national flag.

Today we have been independent for just under half a century. This period of independence is, in actuality, miniscule compared to the period that we were under foreign powers.

Are we willing to throw away over four decades of independence, and barter it for four centuries of hardship as experienced by our preceeding generations? The answer lies within this generation – ourselves.

Merdeka spirit?

We put up two flags in front of the office last week in view of the coming Merdeka day. The next day, one of the Jalur Gemilang went missing. At first, I thought it was blown away because of the torrential rain and strong wind the evening before.

But apparently, I thought wrong.

According to the security guard, the flag must have been stolen. This is because the wooden pole holding the flag was purposely broken.

I know that everybody is in the celebratory mood of Merdeka. But stealing flags? I never thought anyone would do such a thing. Then again, I have been wrong before.