Haru biru di sini dan di tanah air

Ireland 'a fundamentalist haven'

Ireland has become "a haven for fundamentalism", one of the country's leading Muslim leaders has warned.

Sheikh Dr Shaheed Satardien said there was an "ocean of extremism" spreading among Muslims throughout Ireland.

"Irish Muslim leaders are failing our young people who are embracing fundamentalism," he told the Sunday Tribune newspaper.

Leading Northern Ireland Muslim Abdul Al Jibouri said terrorism went totally against the beliefs of Islam.

"It is very hurtful when people start talking about Islam and Muslim terrorists," he told BBC Radio Ulster's Sunday Sequence programme.

"I have lived in Northern Ireland for many years and we had so many terrorists, but nobody said 'Catholic terrorists' or 'Protestant terrorists'."

He added: "Islam does not encourage people to go and blow people up - this is based on fundamentalists and the way they interpret the Koran.

"Terrorism and active terrorism is totally against Islam and I would be the first person to condemn it."

Read the rest...

Heck, Supreme Muslim Council of Ireland? Never heard of that. I suppose it is just a joke or something.

FYI, I hope it will enlighten all of us a bit.

Assalamualaikum

I pray this finds you all in the best of health and eemaan insha'Allah

Satardien, as I am sure you all have been following, is becoming more dangerous. The media are giving him too much time to talk rubbish. He needs to be discredited immediately. I even got a call today from Newstalk 106 and just questioned his credentials as someone who knows what is going on in the Muslim community.

One of Satardien's main points is lack of leadership, umbrella groups, etc and he is pushing his Supreme Muslim Council as the main body. I have drafted a quick letter below which I think would be a good idea to get around that. If ICCI, IFI, FOSIS, MAI, Cork Islamic Society, Limerick and all the other mosques and ISOCs can put their name to this letter, we can try and shut him up because who does he represent then?

Please check letter, call me for any amendments and if everyoen is agreed, can we try and get this in Irish Times for Wednesday? Means, really getting all signatures by tomorrow 12pm. Names plus organisation and position. Please forward to other mosques, organisations.

Please keep me in your duas

Fahad Ansari
(local chap from Galway, now based in London working for Islamic Human Rights Commission)

---attached letter---

Dear Editor:

The views of Dr Shaheed Satardien that there is an "ocean of extremism" spreading among Muslims throughout Ireland must be deeply questioned.

The Muslim community in Ireland has always enjoyed a very cordial relationship with the wider Irish society. Mosques such as the Islamic Cultural Centre in Clonskeagh and the Islamic Foundation Ireland have always opened their doors and invited the public in to explain the true teachings of Islam. Muslim youth societies throughout Ireland, such as the Federation of Student Islamic Societies in Ireland, have contributed significantly in the efforts to build bridges with the wider society organising joint fundraising events for local, national and international charities. Only this year, the Muslim Youth Society in NUIG was nominated for a Metro Eireann MAMA award for its excellent work over the past few years.

That Muslim youth are becoming more politicised is something that should be welcomed, not feared. By engaging in the political process and understanding how the system works, they will use the system to further their beliefs. At a time when more and more Irish youth are becoming disillusioned with the political process, we should welcome that some young Irish men and women are becoming increasingly aware of the process.

Therefore, it comes as a shock to hear Dr Satardien scaremongering that young Irish Muslims are turning to extremism, particularly after visiting the countries of their parents. We ask upon what evidence does Dr Satardien base these allegations apart from mere speculation and conjecture.

Dr Satardien speaks on behalf of the Supreme Muslim Council of Ireland, a self-lauding body established recently by individuals with no grassroots support within the Muslim community. We question who has given Dr Satardien or the Supreme Muslim Council a mandate to speak on our behalf and we ask that the media investigate his qualifications before portraying him as a "one of Ireland's most senior Islamic clerics." Scaremongerers like him are not what Ireland needs.

Yours,
Print-your-name-here

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Tika melayari Utusan dan Berita Hairan, terdetik hati pula untuk mendalami FFM terkini yang hangat dengan isu menghina bahasa kebangsaan di khalayak penonton-penonton di studio, apatah lagi di seluruh yang duduk mengikuti FFM dari rumah - dahlah secara langsung... ishh ishh. Lagi haru, filem itu pula yang menang.... aisemen.

Setahu sayalah, tiada siapa yang pernah membuat gimik sarkas sedemikian rupa. Sungguhpun banyak lagi orang-orang kenamaan dan penting di tanah air yang taklah sefasih mana berbahasa melayu, tapi tidak pula sesuka hati berseloroh - 'Saya rasa seperti orang bodoh kalau saya bercakap dalam bahasa Melayu'.

Mungkin si dia cuba berjenaka riang, malangnya jenaka tidak menjadi. Bahkan, menikam gegendang telinga sesiapa saja yang mendengarnya termasuk pak menteri yang menjadi tetamu pada malam FFM tersebut. Alahai...

Ada laju saja menyelarnya sebagai kurang ajar dan biadap. Tak reti bahasa. Memang patut. Seeloknya orang yang tidak tahu beradab, duduk diam-diam saja. Bila bibir mula bergerak hendak berkata-kata, wajib berfikir dahulu apa-apa yang hendak diutarakan. Cakap lepas, bawa lebih banyak dari mudarat dari faedah, bukankah begitu?

Alahai... dia baru saja berusia 20 tahun. Masih banyak yang perlu dipelajari. Termasuklah cara-cara beradab.

Lagi satu, bila baca coretan-coretan orang tentang filem Gubra, ada yang kritik filem ikut ilmu filem. Tapi jika filem tersebut memang dah menyuburi benda-benda terlarang, relevankah ilmu filem? Kalau akar dah lari, usah berharap yang lainnya tulus mulus!

...

Steadicam memang menjulingkan mata... rasa nak beli / buat satu!

http://www.tiffen.com/userimages/steadicam_merlin_demo_med.mov

http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~johnny/steadycam

http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~johnny/steadycam/girl3.mov


...

Walaupun sudah ada gencatan senjata, saya fikir ia tidak akan bertahan lama. Bukannya saya sokong perang ke apa, cuma bila melihatkan rekod-rekod tentera Zionis yang sememang tidak bersih. Allah dan nabi kita dah sebut dulu-dulu lagi. Jadi, memang tak boleh percaya. Askar UN? Merely pawns. I bet the another puppet will be installed there. Same old same old.

Sekarang risau mengenangkan sahabat-sahabat di sana. Masih adakah mereka?

Saya doakan agar hospital yang pernah kami lawati dahulu di Tripoli - sampaikan ada 3-4 tingkat di bawah tanah untuk perlindungan, masih teguh walaupun bom-bom menghujani bumi Lubnan. Amin.

Saya doakan agar sahabat yang menumpangkan kami dari tapak FIMA Summer Camp ke kota Tripoli masih bernafas. Juga rakan-rakan di IMAL, yang barangkali sudah pun mula mengatur langkah untuk misi bantuan kecemasan. Amin.

Ya Allah selamatkanlah... Amin.

...

Copy dan paste dari sini.

Rules for reporting on the war

Rule #1. The “who started it?” rule. It is always the Arabs who attack first, and always Israel that retaliates in self defense. The current Israeli assault on Gaza is attributed to the capture (called a kidnapping) of corporal Gilad Shalit, by a group of Palestinians who tunnelled under the border and attacked an Israeli watchtower. But the day before Shalit’s capture, Israeli forces crossed into Gaza and captured (that’s captured, not kidnapped) a Palestinian doctor and his brother. Israel has kidnapped 64 Hamas members, including cabinet ministers, mayors and legislators. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

Rule #2. The terrorism rule. When Arabs kill Israelis, it’s called terrorism.

Rule #3. The self defense rule. When Israelis kill Arabs, it’s called self defense.

Rule # 4. The reaction of the international community rule. When Israel kills too many civilians all at once, the West calls for restraint. Israel pledges it will take care to limit civilian casualties, then goes about its merry way, blasting apart civilians, blaming the deaths on the militants. “We had to take out the civilians. They were in the way. But we didn’t mean to.”

Rule # 5. The kidnapping rule. Palestinians do not have the right to capture Israeli soldiers, not even a limited number, not even one or two.

Rule # 6. The war on terrorism rule. Israel has the right to capture as many Arabs as it wants. There is no limit. Israel doesn’t kidnap Arabs, it arrests them. This creates the impression of legality, and that Israel is simply carrying out a police action. Legitimate authority arrests “suspects” and “terrorists.” Criminals kidnap.

Rule # 7. The David vs. Goliath rule. When you say Israel, never say “supported by the US and Britain.”

Rule # 8. The destablizer rule. When you say Hezbollah, always add “supported by Iran and Syria.” Iran and Syria are a “destabilizing” force in the region, in the same manner Venezuela is a destabilizing force in Latin America. They resist the hegemony of the US and its subalterns. That’s why they’re destabilizing.

Rule # 9. Things we don’t mention rule. Don’t mention the occupied territories, ignored UN resolutions, or violations of the Geneva Conventions.

Rule # 10. Amplify the voice of the Israelis and minimize the voice of the Arabs. Let Israelis speak out as much as possible, so they can explain rules one through nine.

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Two freebies for today. Right click and save link/file as...

http://www.gundala.com/kopratasakekasih.mp3

http://www.gundala.com/gelombangkeadilan.mp3

Propaganda

http://www.aish.com/movies/haaretz/Lebanon.asp

I feel like punching my own flat panel screen.

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A Girl called Terrorism

Little girl covered in dust
pulled from the rubble,
as limp and lifeless
as the doll you played with yesterday,
now mangled and bleeding,
you do not know who killed you
or why you were killed.
And even though I know
that you died shahid
and that your spirit
is in the Garden,
where one day you will be reunited
with the ones you loved,
with the ones who loved you,
dwelling there in peace for ever,
in the mean time I pray:
may Allah curse the ones
who helped to kill you
– the ones
who financed the bomb,
who made the bomb,
who transported the bomb,
who loaded the bomb,
who fired the bomb,
that killed you
and especially the cowards
who say that they were only
making war on terrorism.
– and may Allah give victory to the mu'minun.

Hajj Ahmad Thomson

Post 7-7 Syndrome - God Save the Deen

A close friend of mine wrote this article. Lengthy. He has a point though. Hmmm... things have gone quite shaky here, and even more back home. You just need to keep your eyes wide open...

Post 7-7 Syndrome - God Save the Deen

Fahad Ansari

Just over ten years ago, British Muslims flooded into Bosnia to assist the local Muslim population fight for their survival against the Serbs who were carrying out a genocide sanctioned by the silence of a watching world. The jihad brought together Muslims from all walks of life who were simply not prepared to stand by and allow their fellow Muslims to be butchered out of existence. Those who could not travel to fight helped in other ways such as fund-raising, public awareness events and demonstrations. This collective effort by British Muslims was only part of the global Muslim effort to protect the Bosnian Muslims which was instrumental in ending the genocide. Western intervention came very late and only after it was apparent that that the Bosnian Muslims were gaining the upper hand. Former US President Bill Clinton himself writes in his autobiography that it was only the fear of the establishment of an Islamic state in the heart of Europe which prompted Western intervention.

Just over a decade on, the plight of Muslims has escalated on a monumental scale. On an international level, Muslims continue to be subjected to barbaric oppression in places like Chechnya and Kashmir. Palestine has entered her 59^th year of occupation. Afghanistan and Iraq have joined her. Tens of thousands of innocent Muslims continue to languish without charge in Guantanamo Bay, Bagram airbase, Abu Ghraib, Diego Garcia and ghost prisons throughout the world. Not much change then in terms of the nature of the threat we face.

What has changed however is the attitude of Muslims in the West.

Since the events of 9-11, there has been a relentless campaign launched to reform Islam to transform it into something more palatable to Western society. The vision is a secular and cultural Islam at peace with the world through her submission to her oppressors rather than to Allah; an Islam devoid of jihad, shari’ah and khilafah – the very things we are commanded by Allah to implement in order to establish Allah’s deen on this earth. Detailed studies such as that of the RAND Corporation in the US outline the means towards achieving this goal. A 2003 report by RAND entitled Civil Democratic Islam categorises Muslims into four categories: fundamentalists, traditionalists, modernists and secularists. Its recommendations include

- financially supporting and promoting the modernists and their viewpoints

- supporting the traditionalists against the fundamentalists

- promoting Sufism

- challenging the fundamentalists’ interpretation of Islam, revealing their links to jihad groups, demonstrating their inability to rule, portraying them as terrorists and encouraging journalists to dig up dirt on them

- encouraging division among the fundamentalists

- selectively supporting the secularists and discouraging the secularist alliance with anti-US forces on such grounds as nationalism and leftist ideology

A joint Home Office and Foreign Office document from 2004, Young Muslims and Extremism, indicated that a similar strategy was at play in Britain. Codenamed ‘Operation Contest’, the document speaks of measures through which government endorsements could be used to promote certain elements within the Muslim community such as supporting “moderate” Islamic media outlets, promoting Muslim organisations, individuals and forums that are seen as government friendly, and encouraging “moderate” Muslims to challenge the “extremists”.

One is not surprised by such intricate plots by our enemies. They have been taking place in vain for over 1400 years. The sheep should not look to the wolf for protection. What is more concerning is the change in attitude of the shephards of the Ummah, those entrusted with our guidance and protection, our own Muslim leaders and imams. It seems that the events of 9-11, and more recently 7-7, have paralysed these people and forced them to implement the RAND and Operation Contest recommendations in record time. The very groups and individuals named in the latter document are those we see today at the forefront of this attempt to reform Islam.

Individuals who for years rallied the masses to stand up for justice and support mujahideen groups around the world have suddenly not only become embarrassingly silent but have found themselves condemning armed jihad, portraying mujahideen as terrorists and extremists who follow a distorted version of Islam. Our greatest error has been our silence while the world and these individuals have equated martyrdom operations in Palestine and other occupied lands with acts of terrorism in London, operations which are completely different in nature; one is legitimate resistance against a brutal military occupation, the latter is blatant terrorism. Equating the two only betrays our brothers and sisters who have no other option but to fight or face extermination.

Post 7-7 syndrome has also infected imams who themselves took part in violent international jihad in places like Afghanistan against the Soviets and in Kashmir against Indian occupation, and who now call on Muslims to abandon this noble path and to focus instead on integration. The illness has also spread to popular speakers from Islamic Movements who today criticize Islamist parties and governance by shari’ah and instead promote a reformation within Islam. Even student and youth movements which consistently campaigned for Palestine and Iraq have suddenly lost their tongues in a bid to be seen as “moderate”.

Much of this has occurred in the context of the Radical Middle Way Project, a speakers tour funded by the Foreign Office through the Home Office with the objective of fighting extremism or in other words, pacifying Muslims. One example of how this Project is being used to turn people away from struggling for justice will suffice. A few months ago, a sister I know, who is very active in campaigning against injustices at home and abroad, was bought tickets by her friends to attend three lectures by a leading speaker of the Radical Middle Way Project. Her friend told her they believed she was becoming too “extreme”. I would describe this sister as many things – active, passionate, radical – but extreme, hardly. If it’s because of her belief in jihad, shari’ah and khilafah that she is extreme, then the vast majority of Muslims are extremists, and I will proudly add my name to that list.

Shockingly, while the government has repeatedly harped on about the need for British Imams, it is funding this roadshow of scholars flown in from places as diverse as US, Canada, Yemen and Mauritania. One should not question the intention of the scholars themselves but it does seem that they have allowed themselves to become pawns of the government, being manipulated by it to complete its agenda. The roadshow has served as a platform to bash so-called Wahhabi groups in the most cynical manner, as we begin to divide ourselves even more upon the lines our enemies have drawn for us. In doing so, these speakers ironically take on the very characteristics they so vehemently attack.

Running alongside all this has been the pop-nasheed culture, which sister Yvonne Ridley has already spoken volumes about so I will not delve too deeply. Suffice it to say that the culture is symbolic of the inferiority complex we suffer, wishing to be more Roman than the Romans themselves, entertaining ourselves for the sake of entertainment. The end result of all this has been a dilution of the deen of Allah, a weak and pacified Islam willing to accept the status quo in which Muslims are oppressed and subjugated; an Islam in which Muslims are content to sing and sway the night away to nasheeds, to concentrate on bettering their life in the West and to condemn the actions of their brothers and sisters who courageously resist occupation and oppression with whatever they have. Even making dua for them now has become a crime – how long before we are told by our imams not to even pray for the mujahideen?

One of the greatest military general the world has known, Salahudeen Ayubi, the liberator of al-Quds, was once asked why he didn’t smile. He answered back that how could he smile while he knowing that Masjid al-Aqsa, remained under Crusader occupation. How far removed are we from this attitude today. England’s performance in the World Cup and David Beckham’s resignation draw more tears from our eyes than the daily butchering of our brothers and sisters. Had this attitude been present 10 years ago, Bosnia and its people would have been completely exterminated.

In all this darkness, there is a bright light. For you see, one of the characteristics of Islam is that the more you push it down, the higher it rises. Muslims in Britain are now being stopped and searched, raided, arrested and humiliated and shot in a fraction of the manner their brothers and sisters around the world are treated. This has developed a real sense of empathy with the plight of the Ummah. A rapidly increasing number of Muslim youth are now realising that no matter how hard they compromise their deen to blend in with the wider society, when things go sour, they will be treated with suspicion. This is not scaremongering but realism. The more the government condemns concepts of shari’ah, khilafah and jihad, the more Muslims are willing to dedicate their lives to establishing these things. The more Muslims are arrested, the more Muslims align themselves with the terror suspects. A recent Times poll stated that the percentage equivalent of 400,000 Muslims in Britain supported violent jihad around the world. One can only attribute this surprisingly low percentage to a fear of being labeled “extremist”. It must be understood that this violent jihad is something noble, a just war against injustice and tyranny, of no threat whatsoever to British society and something not only justified but encouraged by international law. Violent jihad in Palestine, Iraq, Chechnya, Kashmir and elsewhere is not equivalent to the events of 7-7 which have been absolutely condemned by all.

As an antidote to post-7-7 syndrome, British Muslims themselves organized their own roadshow (Roles and Responsibilities of Muslims in Britain) earlier this year in which scholars, community leaders and activists who have grassroots support in their communities spoke. This wasn’t about foreign imams telling British Muslims how to behave in Britain; this was about British imams, born, raised and resident in this country, speaking to British Muslims. Despite the record turn-outs for the tour, no support or even sign of recognition was forthcoming from the government as in addition to condemning terrorism, Muslims were told not to forget about Palestine, to continue to be active and to stand up for justice, irrespective of the consequences. The masses heard the message and are sure to spread it.

Slowly but steadily, more and more Muslims are waking up with the realisation that it is not terrorism or extremism that is being targeted but Islam itself. Our enemies will continue to attempt to divide us and to reform Islam as they have done throughout the centuries. But we must always bear in mind our Lord’s words that “they plot, but Allah also plotteth; and Allah is the best of plotters” (Surah al-Anfal; 30)

God save the Deen.

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Akhir-akhir ini, bumi yang pernah kujejak dibantai... I reckon I have to open up that book (From Beirut to Jerusalem) to get the 'feel'.

SN Abdullah Hussain, dah pun siap karyanya yang terbaru - Dan Malam, Apabila Ia Berlalu. Imam, telah menghilang entah ke mana, biasalah karya elok sudah pasti direbut orang. Takpa, boleh beli lagi.... Jika tak dek embargo, mungkin akhir bulan ini dua-dua boleh tiba di sini. Have patience bro.

Hmmm... learnt a new sifir quite a while ago. If you love, then you must pray/du'a. Then let Allah decides. Of course it has to be rigged with utmost effort... Alhamdulillah, yup, it makes a perfect sense to me. Each and everytime it bounces in your mind, then you ought, to pray... for steadfastness, vigilance, victory, perserverance, etc etc and in the best of health and iman to our dear Rasulullah, the ulamas, ayah dan ibu and the list goes as it suits you. Errr... what I am talking about? I think I'm not getting enough sleep...

Robert Newman's History of Oil

Assalamualaykum warahmatullah to all.

Ever heard about Azhar Usman and Preacher Moss? Does it ring a bell in you?

Okay, both of them are stand up comedians. Err... what is stand up comedy anyway?

Now let me present to you this. It is very interesting and entertaining, and informative, if I might add (although at times rather vulgar).

It's Robert Newman History of Oil @ Google Video. You can save it to your computer and view it at your own convience...

I pray to Allah to give us all the patience to endure and the strength to be steadfast through all the tests that just keep looming over the horizon...

So watch this video, and keep the Deen on. Amin.

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The scums are intensifiying the attacks on Palestinians. Wargh! Ya Allah, hath ye wrath upon thee...

http://www.palestine-info.com

dan Allah knows best.

7/7

Today was the day. Just pray for my safe journey back to Dublin. Kinda feels eerie now.

And yes, my host - Fahad has a blog:
http://holdingontoacinder.blogspot.com

Pergi tak kembali

Dapat berita sedih, nenek sahabatku Hafyz kembali ke rahmatullah. Al-Fatihah. Teringat nenek belah ayah, yang meninggal dunia ketika saya berada di tingkatan 1. Masa itu tak faham pun stages of dying, jadi agak naif dan kebingungan.

Tahun ini, Wak Jasman pula pergi. He was featured in Mastika once years ago when I was still in high school, in which issue? I don't know. I feel so empty and guilt since I paid a visit to him only once throughout my summer holiday last year - his place is only 30 minutes away! I could vividly recall his gentle reminders to be kind to your parents at all times... huhu Subhanallah...

I pray nenek and Wak Jasman peace and blessing by Allah in the barzakh. I'll never know when I will the call.

Final word - Sometimes nak juga menziarah kubur di sini. Muslim punya la. Kalau ke lain, kena accused of paganism, sembah kubur ke apa pula. Perkuburan Islam pastinya ada... cuma tak tahu di mana. Any clue?

Escape to London and other stories, heh

Setelah beberapa ketika berfikir, saya pergi juga. Tak kisahlah seorang diri, naik bas pula.2 jam taklah lama mana, seperti KL ke Kota Bharu. Hoben ajo jang! Tak pun Johor Bahru ke Sungai Petani. Terisi juga sedikit masa dari cuti musim panas, tak gitu? Nak terbang pulang, keadaan tidak mengizinkan. Lagi pun saya dah masak dengan polisi ayah yang tidak menggalakkan saya balik. "Kalau tak balik okay saja kan?", "Pergilah ke summer school, buat attachment dengan hospice, masjid, berjalan kembara, tak pun cari ustaz...". Terngiang-ngiang jugalah. Kadang-kala agak cemburu juga dengan yang lain-lain, tapi I guess ada baiknya. Ayah, you're the best. I may have screwed up, tapi insha Allah I'm going to make it this time!

Bertolak dari Busaras jam 8.17 malam. Tiba di Victoria Coach Station 7.30 pagi esoknya, terus ke Russell Square (salah satu lokasi tragedi 7/7) dengan Tube. Bersarapan mudah dan murah di sana - 3-4 ketul roti keju, sepapan coklat, pisang dan air mineral. Jumlahnya GBP1.53. Alhamdulillah cukuplah untuk alas (or rather mengenyangkan?) perut. Lebih pun ada. Kemudian bergegas ke SOAS, manalah tahu jadi orang pertama.


//What I've been up to...

Rupanya memang sungguh jadi the first to be there. Sampai nak daftar pun tak boleh. Kesempatan ini saya bermundar-mandir, sambil menghabiskan pisang yang tak habis tadi. Hmmm ada gerai buku lama, antara yang menarik - nota-nota kursus Bahasa Arab. Agak janggal sebab pertama kali membelek nota kursus Bahasa Arab dalam English. Oh well.

Tepat 9.30 pagi, akhirnya penganjur mula membenarkan semua hadirin masuk ke dewan... Subhanallah, rupa-rupanya penghawa dingin rosak. I'm going to be roasted soon! Prof Rabin pun berjenaka - Mid East atmosphere... ie. macam di Palestin. Dalam keadaan yang amat panas, saya cuba keep myself awake most of the time. Takpe, kalau tertidur pun, audio recording pun masih ada. Jazakallahukhairan Nik for the iRiver!

Petang baru berlabuh bila segalanya tamat. Saya dan Fahad Ansari, a good old friend of mine and also my host di London, terus pulang ke bilik untuk bersiap-siap. Nak makan malam. Saya menurut saja, dah percuma... cayalah. Rupanya pak-pak Yahudi dengan kita akan bersantap makanan Melayu di Holiday Inn, Bayswater. Alih-alih merasa juga mi goreng mamak!

Alhamdulillah it was an eye-opener ke program IHRC ini. I just hope I could share it with others... jangan kene label sudah.

What to do seterusnya? Ke Malaysia Hall, ziarah sambil belajar, sama ada esok atau lusa.


//Rabbi Weiss, Alan Hart dan Pak Rabbi dari Manchester (tak ingat nama). Alan Hart baru saja terbitkan buku "Zionism - The Real Enemy Of The Jews". Dia macam Robert Fisk juga la.


//I'm bringing home loads of this... sempat juga jumpa bro yang behind www.inminds.co.uk.


//Salaam TV menemuramah...

Akhirul kalam, mereka boleh ban Zionis, apa lagi kita sebagai Muslim! Anti-Zionis bukannya anti-Semitik. Ah, senang cerita, jangan pening kepal sangat, kita bantu the Palestinians. Kita sokong HAMAS, aight?

...

I guess Multiply and I had called a truce. Boleh juga upload... lama betul penantian ini. Dengan ini audio recording DID 2 bolehlah dionlinekan.


//Ustaz Fauzi DID 2. Sewaktu break...

...

Kepada bookworms, ada beberapa Islamic bookstores di Central London setakat yang saya tahu, dan jadi tempat persinggahan jika saya hadir di kota yang sibuk ini...

1. London Central Mosque - get off di Baker Street Tube. keluar ikut north exit dan head north, masuk ke Park Road, dalam 10 minit berjalan kaki. Ada cybercafe untuk surf internet if need be.

2. Park Vision - 2 minit sebelum tiba di London Central Mosque dari Baker Street Tube. Di Park Road, keep eyeing sebelah kiri anda.

3. Darul Taqwa - seperti no 1, cuma lintas jalan sebaik saja keluar dari north exit. Akan berjumpa dengan BSM (British School of Motoring). Darul Taqwa selang 2-3 kedai sebelahnya.

4. Al-Ahram. Di Edgeware, tapi saya tak berapa ingat. Mungkin boleh rujuk Muslim Directory UK (http://www.muslimdirectory.co.uk), or click sini.

5. Whitechapel Mosque, Al-Furqan - get off di Whitechapel Tube Station (Hammersmiths & City line), turn right dan head straight. Kalau sesat tanyalah yang tahu. A favourite mosque untuk live telly broadcast (BBC ke, ITV ke).

Untuk full list, go to directory kedai buku di Citikey or click sini. Ada dekat 300++ semuanya. Harapnya dapatlah membantu, tak banyak sikit pun jadilah.

...

My naqib, Izzuan Ishak akan bernikah kelak. Lawannya kak Siti Salwani Ideris. Mabruk! Masha Allah memang meriah betul cuti musim panas kali ini. Pujangga Dublin Fahd Razy pun nak bernikah. Meriah meriah. Hmmm... itu belum masuk yang nak bertunang. Pastinya berderet-deret. Si Omar Hammadi bos Islamic Society saya pun bertunang! Phew, that was close!

I just pray for semua... kebahagian until akhirat... amin ya iLahi.

...

I just realised that Dr Azzam Tamimi had his nice piece up in Comment is free @ Guardian. He even mentioned Malaysia... wow!

Read - Prisoners in paradise

Lama dah tak rewang

Hmmm... dek cuti musim panas ini saya tak balik, maka saya copy dan pastekan artikel ini dari Berita Harian. Lagi pun ramai sahabat-sahabat yang akan berkahwin semasa cuti musim panas nanti. Ok jom kita baca Tarbiyatus Sibyan...

Budaya Rewang
Oleh Haswari Ali

Rewang dulu dan sekarang

SUDAH agak lama tidak mengikut orang pergi rewang. Paling terakhir beberapa tahun lalu, itupun kerana keluarga sendiri mengadakan majlis perkahwinan.

Ketika zaman sekolah dulu rajin juga bantu rewang bersama kawan-kawan ketika musim cuti persekolahan. Mungkin itu semua berkat menemani nenek rewang ke rumah jiran sebelah buat pertama kali.

Dari bahagian dapur, dalam rumah, bilik pengantin, pelamin, sehinggalah ke khemah tetamu, semua lokasi ini ada tugasnya tersendiri. Mana satu pilihan anda?

Kalau penat, tak ada ubat lain melainkan kuih bahulu yang direndam dengan air sirap atau kopi panas. Nikmatnya memang tidak terhingga.

Ingat lagi dulu, kerusi kayu panjang atau kerusi keluli lipat bagaikan sudah biasa digunakan dalam mana-mana acara rewang, terutama untuk acara mengopek bawang dan memotong daging.

Tapi sekarang ini, dua kerusi jenis itu tiada lagi kelihatan. Malah kerusi plastik putih yang selalu digunakan sekarang ini, akan hanya dibenar untuk diguna ketika hari berlangsungnya persandingan.

Malah, bagaikan sudah menjadi trend kala ini, khemah atau balai makan akan siap dikemas sepenuhnya hari yang sama dan diangkat keesokan harinya. Sama sekali berbeza seperti waktu dulu.

Ada benarnya juga kata seorang budayawan dari selatan tanah air, Md Ismail Zamzam yang menyifatkan budaya rewang kala ini sudah semakin dilupakan.

Katanya, rewang tidak lagi menjadi perkara penting dalam kehidupan bermasyarakat atau dianggap agak remeh, sebaliknya digantikan dengan amalan katering yang lebih memberi keuntungan kepada pihak tertentu.

“Bukan saja katering, malah pelamin juga sekarang perlu disewa. Berlainan sekali dulu, semuanya dibuat secara gotong-royong. Kerana orang dulu terlalu teliti dan ada alasan positif di sebaliknya,” katanya.

Tanpa disedari juga, pemilihan konsep moden seumpama ini nyata menjauhkan matlamat rewang sebenar iaitu menyatukan masyarakat dan keluarga selain melancarkan perjalanan majlis perkahwinan serba meriah.

Tanpa disedari juga, ada pula yang menggantikan rewang dengan budaya karaoke. Malah, ada beranggapan tidak akan lengkap sesebuah majlis perkahwinan itu jika tiada segmen ini. Siapa nak jawab?

Namun siapa sangka, di sebalik segala bentuk pemodenan, yang `memperjuangkan’ persiapan serba mudah (tetapi berbayar!), masih ada lagi kawasan tertentu yang mengamalkan kerja gotong-royong atau rewang dalam apa juga acara sekalipun. Tak kira perkahwinan atau kenduri- kendara.

Tak kisahlah, walaupun cara menghidangkan makanannya mengikut cara bufet, tapi paling penting ialah pengisian bermasyarakat pada dua tiga hari sebelum majlis. Itulah kecantikan dan keunikan sebenar rewang. Bukanlah hanya mementingkan kerja mudah...


Tradisi rewang tidak setanding dulu

FAKTOR kemodenan dan mobiliti sosial dikatakan punca mengapa amalan rewang semakin dilupakan dalam masyarakat hari ini.

Rewang yang berasal daripada perkataan basahan masyarakat Melayu- Jawa bermaksud konsep tolong-menolong, bekerjasama dan bantu membantu bagi menjayakan sesuatu majlis serta perayaan di sebuah kampung atau kawasan, dikatakan mula mengalami proses perubahan sejak lapan atau sepuluh tahun lalu.

Perubahan ini diperakui sendiri seorang budayawan yang juga Pengarah Yayasan Warisan Johor, Md Ismail Zamzam.

Dalam temubual bersama i-Kon, beliau yang juga Tokoh Guru Kebangsaan 2004 berkata, amalan rewang pada masa sekarang sudah dibayangi amalan bandar yang memilih gaya katering sebagai keutamaan.

Katanya, amalan rewang secara tradisinya bukan saja digunakan oleh orang kampung ketika penganjuran majlis perkahwinan malahan juga untuk mendirikan rumah, membina jambatan atau membersihkan masjid.

“Kalau dulunya, dari hari pertama persiapan sehinggalah ke peringkat cuci periuk, semuanya dilakukan secara rewang. Tak ada satu pun diswastakan (berbayar/menyewa) seperti masyarakat kita hari ini.

“Sehinggakan dalam soal memasang pelamin, membina khemah dan majlis berinai pun dibuat secara rewang. Kalau boleh bukan saja sekeluarga, malah satu kampung akan turut serta menjayakannya.

“Orang kampung masing-masing akan menghulurkan sumbangan bukan saja dalam bentuk tenaga, ada juga dalam bentuk kewangan atau barangan. Semuanya secara percuma ,” katanya.

Tambah Md Ismail, faktor mobiliti sosial iaitu penghijrahan anak muda ke kawasan bandar untuk mendapatkan kerja, menjadi punca perubahan keadaan ini.

Dia berkata, meskipun ada anak muda tadi akan menetap di kawasan kampung, tahap pemikiran mereka dalam mengamalkan rewang sebagai tradisi, tetap berubah walaupun tidak terlalu ketara.

“Kawasan bandar dan sekitar taman perumahan adalah antara lokasi yang sudah mengalami proses perubahan tradisi rewang kepada kenduri secara katering dan bufet.

“Alasan lain yang boleh diambil kira, termasuk sikap individualistik atau memikirkan diri sendiri. Kebanyakan masyarakat hari ini memandang kehidupan kemasyarakatan dan bantu membantu tidak penting bagi mereka lagi,” katanya.

Dia berkata, bukan saja amalan rewang pada majlis perkahwinan yang dimudahkan dengan adanya katering, malah paling menyedihkan katanya pengurusan jenazah turut mengalami nasib serupa.

Walhal katanya, jika diikutkan, amalan berkenaan perlu dibuat secara bermasyarakat, bukannya dilaksanakan oleh pihak tertentu yang sanggup menerima bayaran.

Malangnya, perkara itu tidak dapat dielak kerana tidak ramai orang muda yang sanggup melakukannya.


Mengikut ceritanya...

Johor

Amalan rewang sememangnya sudah sinonim untuk masyarakat Melayu negeri ini. Malah perkataan rewang itu sendiri, dikatakan berasal dan cukup popular di kalangan masyarakat Melayu-Jawa.

Bukan saja dipraktikkan ketika akan berlangsungnya majlis perkahwinan besar-besaran, rewang juga sering digunakan sebagai kata ganti untuk membantu tuan rumah sebagai persediaan majlis kenduri kecil-kecilan, misalnya kenduri kesyukuran.

Diketuai seorang ketua masakan dan ketua acara, rewang di negeri ini selalunya membabitkan persatuan rewang yang membantu menyediakan kelengkapan pinggan mangkuk serta pembahagian tugasan secara berkumpulan.

Amalan ini juga tidak akan lengkap, jika tiadanya kudap-kudapan tradisional seperti tempeyek, kuih layang-layang, bahulu atau lengkong (sejenis jeli sirap), sebagai makanan sampingan buat tetamu rewang.

Tapi bila bercakap pasal rewang, teringat pula satu lagi istilah, 'berkat' iaitu bungkusan nasi minyak yang diberikan kepada setiap tetamu untuk di bawa pulang.

Yang ini saya yang tambah:

Berkat juga dikenali sebagai 'bontrot' dalam bahasa Jawa. Selalunya kalau ada kenduri akan ada team naik motor dan mengagih-agihkan berkat satu kampung... jadi mat motor sat walaupun bakul penuh plastik nasi kenduri. Juga kebiasaannya ada nasi ambang, di mana tetamu bungkus sendiri (layan diri) dari dulang-dulang yang dihidang. Selalunya ini untuk kenduri kesyukuran.

Menjadi kebiasaan para tetamu kenduri akan menderma sekadar yang mampu semasa bersalaman dengan tuan rumah. Yalah, orang nak buat masjid, kita tolonglah eh? Kahwin beribu-beribu kosnya wooo... lainlah kalau buat walimah di Mesir (menurut Ustaz Fauzi). So rajin-rajinlah menderma... sebab itu silalah simpan envelope banyak2 dalam kereta kot2 kalau nak pergi kenduri, terlupa, at least dalam dompet bolehlah kita hulur apa yang ada...

Dari segi teknikalnya, selalunya budak-budak laki akan menjadi kumpulan membasuh pinggan... haha, tarbiyah anak-anak sungguh. Ada juga yang jadi tukang kutip pinggan dan gelas selepas orang makan atau jadi waiter. Manakala yang perempuan pula di dapur dalam rumah menjalani training ilmu kedapuran haha bersama makcik-makcik. Ada juga tukang beri bunga telur. Oh ya, lupa plak. Yang masak di bangsal luar rumah of course pakcik-pakcik, laki pun handal memasak... sambil menghirup kopi dan berborak-borak update tentang keluarga dan politik.

Hmmm... rindunya suasana muhibbah sesama saudara-mara.

Melaka

Berbeza sekali di Melaka, amalan rewang di negeri Hang Tuah ini lebih dikenali sebagai berolek kahwin, sebaliknya rewang lebih merujuk kepada kegiatan melepak di kalangan remaja.

Di daerah Alor Gajah misalnya, berolek perlu didahului dengan amalan berkampung iaitu pertemuan ketua kampung, ketua suku dan keluarga, sebelum tetamu dikehendaki datang berolek seawal tiga minggu sebelum berlangsungnya majlis.

Sudah menjadi tradisi di kawasan ini, tetamu selalunya akan membawa bersama beras ke rumah pengantin dan kemudiannya akan dihidangkan pula dengan pulut kuning yang dimasak secara gotong-royong sehari sebelum majlis, sebagai balasan.

Jika golongan lebih senior akan membantu dalam soal masak-memasak dan potong-memotong, tenaga golongan muda pula lebih dikehendaki ketika pemasangan pelamin dan acara berinai.

Negeri Sembilan

Di Paloh, amalan rewang menjadi kemestian masyarakat Melayu di sana kerana jarang sekali adanya keluarga yang memilih budaya katering.

Seperti juga amalan masyarakat terdahulu, sentuhan tradisional masih dikekalkan dengan pemberian saguhati seperti bunga telur istimewa dan pinggan mangkuk bagi menghargai jasa kaki rewang tetap.

Sebagai jamu jiran dan sanak saudara yang datang rewang, mereka disajikan daging masak lemak cili api dan rendang maman, selain pulut wajik yang dimasak secara gotong-royong.

Kuala Lumpur

Dewan serba guna dan hotel adalah antara lokasi yang sering menjadi pilihan masyarakat bandar bagi melangsungkan majlis perkahwinan.

Maklum sajalah, bila diadakan di lokasi seperti ini serba-serbi ditanggung beres. Cuma yang perlu dilakukan hanya datang pada hari berlangsung. Makan siap tersedia dengan cara bufet. Kalau adapun kerja bantu-membantu hanyalah sekadar di kalangan keluarga terdekat.

Bagaimanapun, ada beberapa kawasan seperti Selayang, Gombak dan Sungai Besi yang masih lagi mengamalkan budaya rewang.

Dengan bantuan ahli jawatankuasa surau, majlis penuh bermakna bagi pasangan mempelai menjadi lebih meriah dengan bantuan jiran tetangga sebelum dan selepas berlangsungnya majlis.

Selangor

Tidak seperti sepuluh tahun dulu, jarang ada masyarakat Melayu di Semenyih yang mengamalkan rewang sebagai satu amalan kemestian ketika mengadakan majlis perkahwinan.

Sebaliknya, amalan ini digantikan dengan menempah katering dan bufet yang dianggap lebih ringkas serta memudahkan tuan rumah.

Begitu juga di Banting. Meskipun majoriti masyarakatnya Melayu-Jawa, tradisi rewang secara berdikit-dikit hampir dilupakan. Malah jika ada yang mengamalkannya, mereka cenderung memilih gaya bufet sebagai santapan pengunjung.

Namun begitu, ketika berlangsungnya rewang, ahli rewang tetap kebiasaannya akan dihadiahkan dengan kain batik atau kain pelikat, sebaliknya juruhidang diberikan bunga hiasan dada yang terhias beberapa helaian wang kertas.

Pahang

Aktiviti gotong-royong dalam menyambut majlis perkahwinan di negeri ini selalunya bermula seawal dua minggu sebelum majlis.

Perlantikan ahli jawatankuasa majlis, membabitkan orang kampung, sanak saudara dan jiran tetangga amat penting dalam pemberian tugas bagi memastikan majlis berlangsung dengan lancar.

Kelantan

Dikenali sebagai `bekwoh’ oleh kebanyakan masyarakat Melayu Kelantan, amalan ini bagaimanapun disambut lebih ringkas iaitu dua hari atau sehari sebelum berlangsungnya majlis perkahwinan.

Amalan bekwoh selalunya memerlukan ahli bekwoh datang seawal pagi sehingga keesokan harinya bagi meringankan beban kerja tuan rumah menyambut tetamu.

Ahli bekwoh juga akan diberikan duit sumbangan atas kerjasama yang diberikan, selain dihidangkan dengan lauk-pauk dan kuih-muih istimewa, khusus sebagai santapan sebelum majlis perkahwinan.

Perlis

Atas alasan lebih ringkas dan cepat, kebanyakan masyarakat Perlis hari ini memilih tempahan katering atau lebih dikenali sebagai tender untuk menjayakan sesebuah majlis perkahwinan.

Bagaimanapun, bagi yang masih mengamalkan aktiviti gotong-royong, beberapa hari sebelum majlis setiap ahli rewang akan disajikan dengan pulut, ikan masin, kuih goyang, bahulu dan kopi sebagai sarapan pagi mereka.

Tidak banyak bezanya dengan negeri lain, tenaga golongan lelaki masih diperlukan bagi aktiviti berat, manakala wanita lebih kepada aktiviti dapur.

Malah, ada juga jiran tetangga yang datang menyumbangkan beras atau keperluan dapur dan duit bagi meringankan lagi beban tuan rumah. Semuanya ini dibuat secara berkampung.

Anything can happen in 10minutes

I just don't know the suitable title for this entry

Assalamualaikum,

Went to Mawlid this morning. Prior to that, Alhamdulillah a couple has been united - with Tun Azlan and I as the witnesses. Abid Abdul Aziz + Geiles Thomas Robinson. Mabruk! I never thought that the ijab and kabul could ever been simpler. After all, as what Sheikh Ismail joked (funny yet serious, oh well) about in our chatter months before - "I don't really why we are making things harder, do we not like ajar (reward) from Allah for helping them building their masjid?"

In the Mawlid (will write about this later) Bro Amin gave a short reminder - "only Allah can unite all the hearts...". With all the diversities and differences rooted in all of us, I believe Islam is the only way of forging the unconditional unity as we have seen how the Muhajirins and Ansars in the sirah.

A short while ago, I was totally like a fish out of water upon leaving the shell I was enclosed for quite a time. This whole idea of diversity slowly seeps thru, masya Allah, but then at times I feel a bit down when we ID'ed our friends with names/labels that I believe it weren't coined by them, particularly when some curious friends asked - "is that guy over there this and that? or them? or that or them?". Well that's pretty 'mild' sort of question. What about "is he NOT this-or-that?", of course when that enquiries infused with connotation of blasting (worse backbiting or ghibah) plus when one just speaks without ever thinking apa yang keluar dari lidah...

With that perspective, may I ask (myself) and others - are we getting along with our brethren, regardless of whatever subscription they're up to?

Perhaps this would enlighten much of the confusion, if all I've written merely a pure trash.
http://wmfirdaus.blogspot.com/2006/06/anniversary-and-shiites.html

And yes, we have to agree to disagree.

Semoga apa yang aku tulis memberi kesan kepada hati ini... Wallahu a'lam.

postscriptum: nasheed to accompany - Colors of Islam by Dawud Wharnsby Ali

...

Tengah naik basikal tadi, teringat Nasir Pong yang mungkin dah habis pengajian di UIA dalam Bahasa Arab. Maka bolehlah kot letak sini link buku-buku arab. Ada kaitan ke? Aku terkonfius...

http://almeshkat.com/books/index.php

Saksi?

Tengah hari tadi, dapat text dari Cikgu Anand, bapa kita semua di sini:

Askm. As ketua perhubngan ppi, i feel u r d best person to assist. One foreign lady is getting married sabtu 3/6, 9pg city centre. 2 muslim brothers required as saksi. Mis Giles 08XXXXXXX will contact u. i will be in belfast so sila bantu dirikan masjid. c.c. to haikal. TQ.

Hmmm... menepati syaratkah aku sebagai saksi? Sepanjang hidup ini, jadi saksi kemalangan adalah. 3 tahun lepas, 2 mat motor jatuh tergelungsur pabila cuba membuat kona leper. Alhamdulillah tiada apa-apa kecederaan. Mereka pun bangun, tepuk-tepuk habuk, dan bergegas mendapatkan kembali motor sebelum memecut jauh.

Saksi yang ini? Belum pernah lagi. Kena tanya ustaz nih.

postscriptum: tadi ada yang cadangkan supaya jangan angguk-angguk sah saja bila ijab dan kabul nanti. Mintak die ulang 2-3 kali haha. Berniat tak elok betul.... ishh ishh.

...

Yogjakarta punya angka makin meningkat. Ishh ishh. Sure budak-budak medic sana dah pakar Emergency Medicine eh? Bandage gauze entah apa lagi yang saya pun dah lupa. 3 tahun meninggalkan JPA3... aisemen.

Oh ya, IMAM Eire tadi ada buat kutipan di masjid-masjid selepas solat Jumaat. Kutipan Dublin Mosque saja sudah mencecah EUR1000++, belum campur yang di Barry & Sons, Clonskeagh Mosque dan di RCSI. Mabruk mabruk. Sekarang teringat pula White Ribbon Campaign dulu untuk bencana tsunami.

...

Dalam saat-saat menunggu waktu subuh ini, saya fikir eloklah saya sharekan link-link yang mungkin bermanfaat.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/islamic_events
elok untuk sahabat-sahabat di UK, yang menimbun-nimbun ramainya masyarakat Muslim di sana.

http://www.iol.ie/~afifi/Articles/articles.htm
Arkib Sidi Afifi, semasa beliau di Belfast, rasanyalah.

Google Irish Independent Hijab
Untuk catch up dengan berita tentang hijab di Ireland.


CounterPunch - http://www.counterpunch.org
Kalau ada masa, baca ini

Akram's Razor - Svend White's blog on Islam, Muslims & America
Observations on Islam, America and international affairs from an unapologetic liberal and a proud American Muslim

A gimmick Battlefield 2 video made with jihad in mind that fooled a few real journalists

Rakaman DID 2 dan perkara lain

Kawan-kawan boleh download dan dengar rakaman DID 2 di http://www.ppimi.org. Jom Tarbiyatus Sibyan :-) dan juga Mukhtar Al-Hadith...

Ustaz Fauzi sebut, kini ramai orang sembah Internet. Is that so? Fikir fikir fikir.

...

Found out that Google has this translation engine. Now I could decipher Arabic with much ease.

Google Language Tools

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Jogja oh jogja. Selamatkanlah mereka semua Ya Ilahi. Finally Yusuf speaks (again) after a long deafening silence. Rasa nak turun. Okay jom, kita buat apa yang kita boleh buat...

...

Dah lama tak turun kebun dengan ayah (duhh... dah kat sini... memang tak boleh turun), tebas dan tebang untuk jaga pokok ini dan ini. Heh bila di rumah sana, liat sangat nak pergi. Penatlah, ngantuklah, kawan nak jumpalah, ikan bakarlah, boringlah, ada programlah, sibuklah. Dah ada di sini, crave for it. Nasib baik takde withdrawal, kalau tak mahu terbeli shovel di sini. What's the story? Hmmm macam mana nak jadi pekebun atau peladang faham dengan benda ini..... pap pap pap pirah.

...

Why Fatah is still there for the NAM? Is it not blatantly double-standard? Apa maknanya HAMAS yang duly elected? Apa daa...

...

I am done with OSBE. Sekarang tiba masanya untuk From Utah To Eternity, dan jika ada masa bolehlah buat review. Hmmm... macam mana dengan benda lain? IPSC dan PRI dan macam-macam lagi? Adus kepala jadi pening dek naiknya ICP.


//From Utah To Eternity karya Sarah Louise Baker - ada serupa macam From Russia With Love ka? Mestilah tak! Nak beli, silalah cari di Central Books, Abebooks atau Astrolabe.

postscriptum - I have once thought, journalists would be my buddies - really?