My Journey in Ramadhan; A challenge to the ummah.

A day with the less fortunate...

Ramadhan had always been a fantastic journey for me. I would love to do many things that I dont normally do at other times. It allows me to focus on my Ibadah and at the same time, teach me to be grateful. It teaches me patience as well as serve me as a guidance to the road of spirituality. It teaches me to be less greedy and less selfish and at the same time, allows me to be a better Muslim.

One of my journey in Ramadhan this year is to feed the homeless and the less fortunate (OKU). It was an eye opening event for me. I felt grateful and at the same time, I felt very sad. Reason being? We the ummah had forgotten them, had left them and let them live in grace. Then, missionaries of other religions had taken advantage of this situation while we are careless.When I went to the House of the Unfortunate, they were taken care of by a group of Non-Muslim people. I do not mind with this. Is it a problem? Why should we stop somebody from doing good deeds? It is not a problem, at FIRST. Yet, when the children had abandon Islam, then there is a problem. The childrens were not raise in an Islamic way. They were never thought anything about Islam. They were abandoned by their parents and families, they are also abandoned by the Ummah. We could not blame them for not teaching the children any Islamic values. Why should they? What benefit will the get? Yet, we should blame ourselves. Why were there not any Muslims tried to help? Isnt this fardhu kifayah.

Another event that gave me a sorrow feeling is a night with the homeless. This is my second time joining such program. Unlike before, the nights in Ramadhan are very different whereby there were many volunteers who actually distributed foods to them. Alhamdulillah, that is something nice. Yet, when our team met with one of the homeless, I felt terrible.

WHY?

The person had told me, that she is sad with the ummah today. She is a homeless, but she has a work. She works at the recycle place helping them in recycling. Before, she worked at a Non-Muslim Worship place. She was given shelter and money of rm500 monthly for her work. Yet, every week she was asked to convert. yes, convert! She did not but she told me that there are many Malays that had converted. Those are the people that she knew, what about the others?Lets see. maybe we should blame these people. Yeah, lets blame them! They were the one who actually did not ask for help.. Well they actually did. The person that I talked to tried to ask for Zakat many times, but was refused in several occasions. A friend of mine know another homeless a Muallaf. He actually tried to ask for Zakat and everytime he went there, the response were always negative such as "Laaa, muka kau lagi?" What kind of attitude is that?Im not going to blame the Zakat authotiry for their procedures and whatsoever. They have their reasons why such procedures were created and as a person with a law and legal background, I know such rules and regulations are necessary. Yet, I think it is time for us to take a change.

We are lucky enought that for the homeless, we have a group of family and friends that are doing this consistently. They do it once in every 2weeks. yet, they alone would not be sufficient. We must be ummah that is knowledgeable in both issues internationally, and locally. There are things that we can debate on, but sometimes, there are things that we must stop debating, stop pointing fingers and take actions. Waiting for the government will never be the solution.

Lets do this!

RECOMMENDATIONS:
1. Zakat authority could have come down and see the situations of the people. They could help in giving mattress, pillows, and blanket. Further, try to give them job for example cleaning the mosque and etc. For the unfortunate, I believe Zakat authority with the collaboration of JKM (Jabatan Kebajikan Malaysia) set up a home for them at each state. One for each state at the very least.

2. Government could at the very least try to set up lights under the bridges. Not the bright ones, the dimp lights would be fine. Try to give them jobs as well. Tukang sapu ke, tukang kutip sampah ke, pak guard ke.

3. The Muslim community must stand up. Lets try and help this people consistently. Lets try and lend us hand. We could also be more creative and try to think outside the box. Give them cloths and foods and new blankets. It does not need to be expensive, but clean and comfortable would be fine. for the kids, lets try to spend more time with them. It does not necessarily to be with NGOs. A bunch of friends qould be nice too.

I am not writing this to brag about my deeds. I am sharing my experience. Yet, I cannot do this alone. Need your help. if anyone of you are interested to help, give me a call or drop me a message :) Your help are most welcome.

The ummah are strong in numbers, but we are weak. Time to wake up! 

Ramadhan Returns.

Alhamdulillah, as a Muslim, I am very grateful that I managed to be given the chance to meet Ramadhan again. I live in Malaysia a multicultural, social and religious country, whereby 55% are Muslims while the other 45% are non-Muslims. Some might wonder, what is so special about Ramadhan? Why are the Muslims so happy about not eating and drinking for the whole month.

Well, basically, Ramadhan its not just about fasting, To Muslims its a month of barakah. There are many incidents that actually happened during Ramadhan. For instance, Ramadhan is the month whereby the Quran was first sent down upon the prophet Muhammad S.A.W on the 17th Ramadhan.

Another incident is Lailatul Qadar or the Night of 1000Nights. Its the night whereby your good deeds will be multiplied as if you have been doing it for 1000 nights. Yet, it is not certain which night is it. It is however to be one of the night of the last 10days of Ramadhan. Its the one night not to be missed. Its the one night where to Muslims, a very special night. Who knows, this Ramadhan might just be the last Ramadhan for us and to miss the night, would be a waste that will forever be regretted.

Further, according to the Quran, Ramadhan is the night where the doors of heavens will be wide open, and the doors of the hell fire will be closed. It can be said that it is the months of blessing. Even the devil are chained for one month during Ramadhan. It is the only month where we will be given the oppurtunity to purify our soul, strengthen our ties with ALLAH SWT.

Fasting is not just the main core of Ramadhan. Its to restrain ourself from eating, drinking and other things that might disturb our fast from sunrise until sun set. It is about controlling our nafs or desire. Its about appreciating on what we have and understanding the poor around us. Its the time that we stop being selfish and think about others.

So Ramadhan in short is a fresh start for all Muslims to be better. The month to rest and get a fresh start. Its the one month we purify our self and re correct all the mistakes that we had done before. To all the Muslims, may this Ramadhan be better then before. keep improving guys :)

Hospitality Canada!

        From the 17th of October until 29th of October 2012, I was given the once in a life time opportunity to visit a country that I had only dream of going, The Great White North of Canada. It was a student exchange program organized by my university.

        To be honest, I did not know what to expect when I went there. I know very little about Canada. Yet my journey was amazing. From the very first day we departed, i felt as if I had landed in heaven. I had learned new things, I discovered new discovery, and I gained new experiences. Canada was far better from what I had imagined.

     
         Yet, the best thing about Canada to me was the hospitality. When the day to fly finally came,  my hearts were pumping, my feeling was full of nervousness and my mind was full of curiosity yet at the same time, the feeling of joy and excitement fills me. After 22hours of flight and a transit at Abu Dhabi, we finally reached Toronto and was greeted by Mr Ferhad, the president of Islamic Institute of Toronto. they will be our host and we were later be divided into our family.

       They had been an amazing host. I had never imagine such hospitality. They treated us as if we are a King of a country. No, maybe even better. they treated us as if we are family to them. Every single day in Canada, i felt as if I am at home. I felt as if I had never left Malaysia and Canada had forever been my home. I felt in debt with their kindness. It is not easy treating a guess who you had never known before and accepted them as your own child. I to take them as my family. All of them were like my mother and father, my brothers and sisters. for the first time in my life, I can really imagine what "Islamic Brotherhood" is all about. I can imagine how the brotherhood was like during the time of the prophet. I never thought I would actually discovered the true Islamic Hospitality in Canada. 

       Today, I might be half across the world. Yet, never I felt Canada was far from me. As from that day, Canada is very close to my heart and soul. If I were given another chance to visit Canada for just ONE DAY and to go through the 2days traveling, I would definitely do it. This is because "my family" is there and forever, they will be a part of my life.

With my Canadian Family

      

Kita semua adalah daie. Ya, DAIE!

Khabarkanlah kepadaku wahai rajawali
adakah gerhana akan berlalu pergi?
untung nasib barangkali ada gerimis

menyejukkan hati bagai direnjis

embun-embun pagi yang menitis

langit sudah berubah senja

si kecil sudah bergelar raja

pondok miskin berganti istana

lembah muram berubah suasana

laut yang tenang menjadi gelora

awan yang mendung berarak sudah

pipit yang bingit bercicit segala

bumi yang kering berganti sawah

ulama’ yang teguh terkubur sudah,

tapi buih-buih putih yang berjuta-juta

sekadar berkemutih menyejukkan mata

hakikatnya tetap lemah sengketa.

Oh… jiwa-jiwa yang kesakitan.

Sudahkah kematian menemui kalian?

Ataukah hidup seperti bangkai?

terbuka sahaja mata, karung diisi sekenyang-kenyangnya

seusai mengisi perut, diisi pula kantung pusaka

bagaikan hidup seribu tahun lamanya

padahal siapa tahu sebentar lagi ajalnya

bisakah kita menentukan hujungnya?

Oh… jiwa-jiwa yang buta!

Celiklah!

Adakah tenang dengan mengulit harta dan wang?

Adakah menang dengan menghancurkan kasih sayang?

Adakah pasti akan terang dengan mengutip bintang-bintang?

Siapakah yang bisa menyelamatkan kamu

dari Hutamah yang memburu?

Siapakah yang bisa melindungimu

dari Jahannam yang menderu?

Siapakah yang akan memayungimu

pada hari lidah-lidah terkunci kelu?

Ayuh, jawab soalan ini…

Oh… jiwa-jiwa yang lemah…

Kalau tidak kerana manisnya iman

aku tidak menyeru kalian

Kalau tidak kerana aku ketakutan

aku tidak memanggil kalian

Kalau tidak kerana bakal dipersoalkan

aku tidak peduli sebarang urusan

Umat ini sedang karam ditenggelamkan

Akankah kita tenang mengulit mimpi

disaat bayi-bayi yang dilahirkan

dibenam dalam-dalam

sampai bernafaslah mereka dalam najis-najis musuh Adam a.s

Tenangkah kita?

Menangkah kita?

Gemilangkah kita?

Ketawalah kerana kebodohan pemimpin-pemimpin

tetapi takutlah juga kerana kau juga pemimpin

khalifah yang dilantik Rabbul ‘alamiin

bukan cabutan undi ‘demokrasi terpimpin’

Kalau aku menjadi kalian.

Akanku kobar api kesedaran

Akanku bakar tiap-tiap binaan jahiliyah

biar hancur menyembah tanah

Sampai masa, aku bina istana Islah

biar subur menghasilkan buah

pemuda-pemuda al Fateh dengan semangat Rasulullah.

-- Laskar Pelangi

Report : Closed Discussion with Prof Thariq Ramadhan

Professor Dr Tariq Ramadan (Professor of Contemporary Islamic Studies, Oxford University, UK)
visited IAIS Malaysia and engaged in dialogue with the members/fellows of IAIS
including the invited participants.

representing IDFR in a round table discussion with regard to
the Islamic Contemporary Issue Around The World with Prof Thariq Ramadhan.

Recently, the prominent scholar Prof Thariq Ramadhan had visited Malaysia to give talks and speeches to the Malaysians. One of his schedule during this short yet meaningful visit was to have a round table discussion at Institute of Advance Islamic Studies (IAIS) in Petaling Jaya. The discussion was held on Monday, 16^th July 2012.

Several guest attended the event which include former Prime Minister, Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, for Chief Judge of Malaysia Tun Abdul Hamid and former minister Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar. Others were representative from academic institution form IIUM, Ngo’s as well as amembers from the public at large. There approximately around 30 people in the discussion exclusive Prof Thariq Ramadhan.

The discussion began with an opening speech by Prof Dr Hashim Kamali who was the moderator of the discussion. He introduced a bit about Prof Thariq Ramadhan before passing the microphone to him to begin the discussion. There is no specific topic with regard to this discussion and it is an open discussion whereby the people are allowed any questions as long as it is appropriate.

Most of the issues discussed are quite general and it is with regard to the Islamic Contemporary Issues. Many issues were discussed such as the role of Islam in Education, knowledge and economics. There is also issue with regard to the understanding of Islam by others as well as how Muslim understands others. However, the most controversial issue is regard to the issue of interfaith marriage between a Muslim and a non-Muslim without converting to Islam. The issue was later settled well by Prof Thariq Ramadhan and the Prof himself does not agree too such matter.

The discussion that began at 10.15am ended 2hours later at 12.15pm. The  discussion was later concluded by Prof Thariq Ramadhan that Muslim today should focus more on improving Islamic Ethics. IDFR hope that such discussion will be continually held in order to benefit the society at large especially the Muslims.

The Game that Unite a Nation

August 5th 2012, will be always be remembered in the hearts of all the Malaysians. Those who love badminton will remember the date till they die and those who never liked nor watched badminton must surely fall in love to the game. It is the day that Dato' Lee Chong Wei had fought with all his life knowing the burden of the whole country is upon.

Dato' Lee Chong Wei knows that he is the carrying the hope of the nation to see Malaysia win their first ever gold medal. Not once since this Olympic was established nearly a century ago have Malaysia won a gold medal. Never had the proud song of the nation "NEGARAKU" being heard and played in the Olympics. The closest Malaysia had ever come  in reaching gold is in Beijing 4 years ago and by the same person Dato' Lee Chong Wei as well as in 1992 also in badminton.

With the burden that he has to carry, he played the game beautifully. He is just back from a nasty injury that kept him out for about 3months and only have 2 weeks to train. Yet, he utilized those 2weeks and train his best. The word "tired and exhaustion" never come to his mind. He is focus in his mission,  to get the GOLD. Dato' Lee Chong Wei fought hard with all he can. His rival? Non other than the great Lin Dan or Super Dan they called them, the same man that beat him at the same stage in Beijing, 4 years ago. The rivalry of these 2 champions is not a stranger to the badminton fans around the world. Thousands of badminton players certified as professional by the Badminton World Federation (BWF), but none can beat this two champions as they are at a class of their own.

It is the Tiger vs the Dragon. Both played with perfection and cautiously. The first set goes to Dato' Lee Chong Wei, 21-15. The second goes to Super Dan 21-11. Then the third stage is set up. The game was full with emotion, anxiety and excitement. Finally the game was tied at 19-19. Yet at the end of the day, Super Dan managed to win it 21-19. It broke the heart of all Malaysian. Tears can be seen all around the country and the face and emotion shown by Dato' Lee Chong Wei says it all. He knows, he might had just lost his one last opportunity in grabbing the gold. All hopes are lost.

He might have lost the gold but he had won a bigger prize, the heart of the nation. Dato' Lee Chong Wei had managed to bring back the spirit of Malaysia putting aside religion, belief and race differences aside, all eyes were on Dato' Lee Chong Wei cheering for him until the very end. The country that had in recent times fall into chaos with "fools" fighting for money and power, the country is once again united. In a country where time move so fast, he stopped it. A country that is losing hope, he gave them light. A country that is falling behind, he pushed it forward.

 By my observation, even until today people are giving strength and encouragement to Datuk Lee Chong Wei. I believe that Datuk Lee Chong Wei had managed to unite the country better than what '1 MALAYSIA' could ever do. Congratulations Datuk. You may not win the gold, but you have managed to win our heart, a true Malaysian Hero.

CONGRATULATIONS!