Of all places...

I was in Taiping last week. As I was driving along the Bukit Drummond's road (Kelian Pauh), I noticed that the bushes were all cut and cleared while hills were flattened to make way for another housing project.

Of all places, why there?

Humility

Wee, I couldn't agree more. We got to learn to understand with humility instead of superiority. Hate, afterall, is a confession of fear and lack of confidence. Therefore, why dont we avoid those who spread propaganda of hate, regardless of what position they hold or even what religion they profess.

Have a nice day!

I may be small, but I am big at heart

It was extremely difficult to show to Zuhair that we have two options when it comes to thinking: its whether 'You want to think'; or 'You have to think', as De Bono has suggested some time ago. Zuhair was not amused at all when he was asked to talk less and listen more. The reason being? It is not right to be right at all time!

Faith

Faith is, simply, belief.

Here, in a restaurant at one of the North-South Hiway's R&Rs, Im sitting - and posting this entry - observing anything that I can see and visualize, as I make my way to my hometown. I have so many things in my mind; tiny, small and major things. Tried to get hold of Di the whole day and night yesterday, but to no avail. I told Di we must not have a poor opinion of ourself although we should recognize that we are not perfect. The imperfections, no matter how little or big they are, though, are sight. They are trivial and we need only give them passing notice. Thus, instead of dwelling on the minor things we feel are imperfections, count up the major things in our favor. By doing that, we dont underestimate the things we have taken for granted in the passing years of our life.

I strongly believe that faith is a gift that we have always owned. Im not sure about Di.

I got to make a move. And it rains heavily at the moment. The coffee tastes so good! Why? Because I belief in anything, that is faith in anything.

Have a nice day. Salam aidiladha.

Certainty

This is for Heidi:

"If a man will begin with certainties, he shall end in doubts. But if he will be content to begin with doubts, he shall end in certainties".

I rest my case.

Emotional & Intellectual Growth

Mas, your view is highly commendable. Emotions & intellectual growth are both broad concepts. Whichever ways we venture, there must be a certain risk that we have to anticipate. How do we take it? Broadly, I think it is depending on your ability to stay open to feelings, both those that are pleasant and those that are unpleasant.

Have a nice day.

Kuala Lumpur International Batik Convention

Interested in contributing/participating actively as a volunteer in the Kuala Lumpur International Batik Convention next week? The convention – held/hosted by the Yayasan Budi Penyayang/KEKWA – will be held from November 28th – December 2nd at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.

Accomodation/meals are provided, plus a small amount of day allowance (this is not at all about money; it is the experience/ambience that count, an opportunity that we do not get everyday).

Write to me by 5pm TODAY! I have 5 more seats available.

See you there.

Congrats, Nabilah!

Nabilah, congratulations! Well done.

Miracle

Timi asked me about ‘miracle’ (he was refering to the current state of Malaysian socio-political & economic issues, the recent demonstration by Bersih, in particular).

To that, I think the remarks made by the former PM, Tun Dr. Mahathir, is perhaps appropriate and timely.

He says, “There is no (Asian) miracle. It is just the realization of an idea, an idea of how to manage an economic system. It is making the right choices, the right mixture of political and economic methods.”

Is there truly such a thing as “miracle”?

Substance

Gan, I agree. We must all pay attention to substance as well as form, to principles as well as details. We shouldn't be 'syok sendiri' (lol).

Leave them unanswered

Dear all (esp. Tuju Sukma; Nakahiro; Rani-Rani; Mumtazmahal; Rhandi; Al-Ghazali Jr), apparently, I am at no place to answer all the questions that you have posted to me. Too many questions were asked unexpectedly while my thoughts were divided. As Al-Ghazali iterates, "to all questioners, let them ask God to forgive wherever my pen has transgressed and my foot has slipped, because delving into the flood of the divine mysteries is dangerous, and seeking to penetrate the divine lights from behind is arduous, not easy."

Or as Coolidge (Islamica) puts it, "I can only hope that this preliminary attempt is timely and acceptable in the eyes of Allah. If Imams al-Nawawi and al-Bukhari thought it appropriate to begin with the hadith of sincerity, then who am I to begin from a different angle? This is a struggle we all must face in the core of our souls, and it cannot be avoided. It is immensely hard, but it must be done. Whether one is a graduate student, a professor, a murid (disciple), a talib al-'ilm (student of knowledge), a shaykh, a transnational Muslim intellectual, or whatever, we must face this challenge. If we ignore it and assume we are fine, then we are lost. Of that I am certain, and God knows best."

Modesty & Humility

This one goes to Midi (& the few others).

I hope I can really understand the actual situation.

I admit that some of them appear to have their heads in cloud nine with the word “tuan”, “boss” or whatever, written and stamped all over them. Many do not respect the wisdom, age and seniority but only the artificial barriers between them and the others. They do not hesitate to show off their superiority and ‘greatness’. Too often, they are quick to anger but are too slow to appreciate. Then, after a while, once settled down, do they realise their limitations; and they come down, back to earth again.

Be wise, where have all these wise sayings gone?

1
Kaduk naik junjung
The wild kaduk plant is so thrilled at being treated like a cherished plant that it does not know how to conduct itself with humility and grace.

2
Ikut resmi padi, bukan resmi lalang
Emulate the padi (rice) plant which bows low when richly laden with ripe and golden grain; and not the lalang (wild grass) that stands erect and arrogant (sombong & riak) and has nothing to show off except its trueself.

3
Lembut bukan untuk dipulas, rendah bukan untuk dipijak
Neither is gentleness meant for bullying nor humility for being stepped on.

Note:

Do not worry, we will all come back down to earth, yet once again.

...A true friend he is

This time Hari Raya's holiday meant a lot. Apart from celebrating with families, friends - true friends - add value to this memorable time. Nan & his family were there, back to the kampung since we last met 20 odd years ago. Then we had this old friends - man keling, rawa, shah, bond, arbok, bosham, mail benggali, mi kurus, mi gemok, and a few others, oopss! sorry, don't remember all at the moment - all were there recalling their precious moments which were shared by all. I guess nan was the central of attraction because he has two beautiful daughters and perhaps many are considering to put nan in their 'future-besan's list!

Then on the second raya, I had this group of students celebrating raya with their very own style. But Im not going to reveal how they were celebrating, no, not now. Later, maybe.

Few days later were really something. The best raya indeed, I suppose. Full stop.

How should I sum it all up?

There is scarcely anything more beautiful in the world than the opportunity to be surrounded with genuine friends whose devotion is not measured by one's wealth, nor affected by the lack of it. A true friend is a gem in any setting.

"I can better trust those who helped to relieve the gloom of my dark hours than those who are so ready to enjoy with me the sunshine of my prosperity", so says Midi, one late afternoon.

To conclude, "fair-weather friends" are cheap acquaintances...

Out of Office

I will be on leave starting from this afternoon, October 8th 2007 till end of next week. [Do not come to my office...]

Happy fasting & Eid Mubaraq.

Sorry seems to be the hardest word

Sorry seems to be the hardest word
when the forgiven is unknown

seems to be the hardest word
when the forgiver hides

seems to be the hardest word
when both of them fear of each other

seems to be the hardest word
when
not even a thing
deserves a sorry

sorry seems to be the hardest word
when there is no one certains
who is actually
right
right absolutely .


(October 4th, 2007
sacc mall - damansara - shah alam)

A frustrating day, it was

This morning was not like the usual ones. I thought the same few students will somehow change, but they do not. What a shame. Just do whatever you wish to. Im not amused.

Boredom

Boredom has crept in...

ad infinitum

The fourth level of human spirit is reflective. It never ceases increasing in this manner ad infinitum.

Need a laugh sometimes

I got this from a friend recently. Have fun reading.

I recently read that love is entirely a matter of chemistry. That must be why my wife treats me like toxic waste.
David Bissonette

After marriage, husband and wife become two sides of a coin; they just can't face each other, but still they stay together.
Hemant Joshi

By all means marry. If you get a good wife, you'll be happy. If you get a bad one, you'll become a philosopher.
Socrates

Woman inspires us to great things, and prevents us from achieving them.
Dumas

I had some words with my wife, and she had some paragraphs with me.
Anonymous

Some people ask the secret of our long marriage. We take time to go to a restaurant two times a week. A little candlelight, dinner, soft music and dancing. She goes Tuesdays, I go Fridays.
Henny Youngman

I don't worry about terrorism. I was married for two years.
Sam Kinison

There's a way of transferring funds that is even faster than electronic banking. It's called marriage. James Holt McGavran

I've had bad luck with both my wives. The first one left me, and the second one didn't.
Patrick Murray

Two secrets to keep your marriage brimming1. Whenever you're wrong, admit it;2. Whenever you're right, shut up.
Nash

The most effective way to remember your wife's birthday is to forget it once...
Dom
My wife and I were happy for twenty years. Then we met.
Rodney Dangerfield

A good wife always forgives her husband when she's wrong.
Milton Berle

Marriage is the only war where one sleeps with the enemy.
Anonymous

A man inserted an 'ad' in the classifieds: "Wife wanted". Next day he received a hundred letters. They all said the same thing: "You can have mine."
Anonymous

First Guy (proudly): "My wife's an angel!"Second Guy: "You're lucky, mine's still alive."

It has been long since

I was at the E9 block, Putrajaya, with Prof Hazman. Had a fairly short discussion with Prof Hasan Said (Ketua Pengarah IPT, KPT). Soon after, a group of academics from the University of Malaya came in. The team was headed by Prof Raduan Ariff, the Dean (Arts Faculty). It has been a very long time since I last met him days after the 1986's convocation.

Wish u best of health, Prof Raduan!

Intellectual

For your reading pleasure... it is published in the latest issue of Islamica

The Sincere Muslim Intellectual

By R. DAVID COOLIDGE"

Actions are only judged by the intentions which accompany them." This phrase is repeated in mosques and classrooms across the world, and is found in books too numerable to document. At first thought, we might assume that its meaning is obvious and that it is essential to how people think of Islam. However, concepts understood intellectually do not always translate into states of being, which in turn give life to those very concepts. Such is the case in many of the intellectual discussions on Islam that pervade our lives.

Perhaps if you grew up in a country or house devoid of intellectualism, you might protest out of fear that I am decrying intellectualism. This would be a fair response. But for those of us, many in North America and Europe, who are stimulated by discussion after discussion and book after book, the situation is often radically different. Rachid al-Ghannouchi reportedly said that Tunisians in Tunis need human rights, while Tunisians in France need mosques. Different points of emphasis for different folks.

What I have felt in the core of my being is the fact that I can never know with absolute certainty when I am speaking or writing or teaching or reading for the sake of Allah alone. I can distinguish tasks, such as when I am reading Qur'an for my own benefit or when I am writing an academic paper for the acceptance of my teacher, but I can never truly know what Allah thinks of how I spend my time and energy. I seek the assistance and advice of those who I feel are pious and intelligent and learned, attempting to shade my moral responsibility under the nasihah (advice) of others, but I know that there is no shade except the shade of Allah. I make istikharah (supplication for guidance) in search of Allah's decision, but I can never be totally sure of the outcome.

Yet around me, I see people rushing to be heard, rushing to speak, and rushing to lead. Am I better for taking it slow? Are they better for having the drive to act? I can never know. I do know that Allah will debase the scholar who speaks for his own vainglory, and will honor the one who writes and teaches and learns for His sake alone. Also, I know that the complexity of our lives demands sophisticated intellectual discourse. The mind constructs or deconstructs, and the heart becomes darkened or enlightened. Allah is the One in control.Perhaps you might object to the insinuation that I might be able to know the intentions of others.

This too would be fair. I speak from my experience, and all I can say in my defense is that if I have felt it, and struggled with it, then it must be a reality for others. But even more than that, this struggle has been documented in the works of some of the greatest Muslims who have ever lived. If they felt it too, then at least I know that I am in good company.The pragmatist says, "I need a job," or "You have to get ahead," or "You have to have your voice heard," or "Things are pressing and there is no time for reflection," but that always rings hollow to me. Perhaps I am wrong or spoiled or out of touch. Perhaps not. At the end of the day, which is death, perhaps our works will be accepted. Perhaps not. I fear standing before the Lord of the Worlds and being told, "You wrote this article to be praised by the people," and I hope to be told, "Peace for you now, no more need to worry. You did fine."Even in writing this article, I may be betraying that which the article intends to promote.

But the fear of punishment cannot override the urge to act when one can reasonably justify the action as righteous, and when one has also sincerely attempted to be sincere. For almost a decade, I have contemplated publishing something: Islamic theories on religion, critiques of secular historiography, personal conversion narratives, theoretical perspectives on the nature of subjectivity in intellectual traditions that strive for objectivity, and so on. But something has always held me back.

I can only hope that this preliminary attempt is timely and acceptable in the eyes of Allah. If Imams al-Nawawi and al-Bukhari thought it appropriate to begin with the hadith of sincerity, then who am I to begin from a different angle?This is a struggle we all must face in the core of our souls, and it cannot be avoided. It is immensely hard, but it must be done. Whether one is a graduate student, a professor, a murid (disciple), a talib al-'ilm (student of knowledge), a shaykh, a transnational Muslim intellectual, or whatever, we must face this challenge. If we ignore it and assume we are fine, then we are lost. Of that I am certain, and God knows best.

Mind Your Language

Dean,

Prior to our conversation last night, I think it is understandable that there are some type of backbiting which are permissible. If I may quote one of the stories when Urwa Az-Zubair reported that Aishah (r.a) informed him of the following: A man asked permission to see the Prophet (saw) and he said: "Give him authorisation to enter. What an evil brother or a son of his people!" When he entered upon him, he talked to him in a moderate manner.

I (Urwa) said: Messenger of Allah! You have said what you want to have said about him, then you talked to him moderately.

He replied: "Aishah! The worst people in the sight of Allah is he whom people leaves and deserts for fear of his obscene language or speech."

Leaders

Having read The Edge (1st week of September issue), I can safely conclude that leadership is all about what people choose to do or not to do!

When September comes...

I'm a bit uncomfortable with two issues, today:

1
The Sg Buloh Leprosy site - again, UiTM is mentioned in a rather negative manner.

2
Something is certainly not right with the Bush's administration pertaining to Iran's firm standing on it's nuclear enrichment project right.

>>> Need some time to reflect on these two issues.

Class of BC3C

I hope I didn't act too harsh (or perhaps too firm) on some of your class members last week. As I said, I wasn't hurt at all, and it was not at all a punishment for not carrying out what they were supposed to do (delivering the task satisfactorily). If it was, however, perceived as a punishment, then consider it as a part and parcel of teaching & learning processes. I really hope the incident will somehow enlightens us on the importance of 'researching' and 'checking'. Never assume anything before we carry out some cross-referencing.

Smile again, please.

Mahathir, LKY & the states

Came acrossed this while flipping the pages of The Commanding Heights - The battle between government and the marketplace that is remaking the modern world.

On Singapore,
"If Singapore was to find a future, there were only two obvious resources - the people and the leadership", says Daniel, and he sums it all up by quoting what LKY once said, that, "To build a country, you need passion. And if you just do your sums - pluses, minuses, credit, debit - you are washout!"

Have we got a bit (if not the same) of the passion, as yet?

On Malaysia,
"Mahathir did not particularly like the word miracle. It seemed to dismiss hard work and sacrifice and to gloss over enormous differences of market size and structure, culture and - what was important to Mahathir - nationalism."

Age

Nani, age doesn't depend upon years, but upon temperament and health. Some are born old and some, never grow old!

Prohibition of taking back one's gift

Lean,

Why it is prohibited to take back one's gift? Apart from shameful? Haha! Abu Huraira (r.a) once reported: The Messenger of Allah (saw) said: Someone who takes back his gift is like a dog which eats until it is satisfied and then vomits what it has eaten and then swallows the vomit again.

Sounds terrible and disgusting, right? It is.

Cheers.

Todays & Tomorrows

"Our todays are what our yesterdays made them, our tomorrows will become the products of today. At the moment, we have but one life to live for many worlds!"

ADM501 & ADS509

Dear all,
the blogs are now published. Please refer to the blogs for latest informations on your courseworks etc.

Have a nice day. Cheers.

Technical difficulty

Dear all,

Blogs ADS509 and ADM501 are not accessible at the moment due to some technical difficulty. Please give them some time to rectify and get the blogs published very soon.

Cheers.

Islamic Impact on Western Civilization

De' Bok,
Yes, there is a fairly good article on the topic. The article, written by Kohsul (1995) describes briefly Islamic impact on Western Civilization and how it is revisited and reconsidered according to the author's personal view.

The article was published in The American Journal of Islamic Social Sciences (Vol 12, (1), Spring 1995), pp.36-65.

Happy reading!

Cheers.

Quote of the day

"Success requires pains more than brains."

OB

Had my first meeting with the BC3C group this morning. Quite an interesting group. Looking forward for next meeting with them next week. Have a pleasant tutorial guys.

Amazingly, they managed to do it

Gebang (hurm... nice name!)

Yes, indeed, the Arab countries had done it before. Back in 1973, on October, Egypt and Syria launched a massive attack on Israel (the Yom Kippur War?). In fact, the Arab oil exporters had used the 'oil weapon' - an embargo - to punish the US and other Western nations for their support of Israel.

Have a nice day.

Exhibition

Kelab Penyayang UiTM is holding its exhibition at the UiTM's Pusat Sukan today and tomorrow from 9am to 5pm. See you there!

Lemon Grass

Roza, thank you for that lemon grass tips. Appreciate it!

A drink with as little as one gram of lemon grass contains enough citral to prompt cancer cells to commit suicide in the test tube. Israeli researchers find way to make cancer cells self-destruct - Ben Gurion University. At first, Benny Zabidov, an Israeli agriculturalist who grows greenhouses full of lush spices on a pastoral farm in Kfar Yedidya in the Sharon region, couldn't understand why so many cancer patients from around the country were showing up on his doorstep asking for fresh lemon grass. It turned out that their doctors had sent them.
"They had been told to drink eight glasses of hot water with fresh lemon grass steeped in it on the days that they went for their radiation and chemotherapy treatments," Zabidov told ISRAEL21c. "And this is the place you go to in Israel for fresh lemon grass." It all began when researchers at Ben Gurion University of the Negev discovered last year that the lemon aroma in herbs like lemon grass kills cancer cells in-vitro, while leaving healthy cells unharmed. The research team was led by Dr. Rivka Ofir and Prof. Yakov Weinstein, incumbent of the Albert Katz Chair in Cell-Differentiation and Malignant Diseases, from the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at BGU. Citral is the key component that gives the lemony aroma and taste in several herbal plants such as lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus), melissa
(Melissa officinalis) and verbena (Verbena officinalis.) According to Ofir, the study found that citral causes cancer cells to "commit suicide: using apoptosis, a mechanism called programmed cell death."

A drink with as little as one gram of lemon grass contains enough citral to prompt the cancer cells to commit suicide in the test tube. The BGU investigators checked the influence of the citral on cancerous cells by adding them to both cancerous cells and normal cells that were grown in a petri dish. The quantity added in the concentrate was equivalent to the amount contained in a cup of regular tea using one gram of lemon herbs in hot water. While the citral killed the cancerous cells, the normal cells remained unharmed.

The findings were published in the scientific journal *Planta Medica*, which highlights research on alternative and herbal remedies. Afterwards, the discovery was featured in the popular Israeli press. Why does it work? Nobody knows for certain, but the BGU scientists have a theory. "In each cell in our body, there is a genetic program which causes programmed cell death. When something goes wrong, the cells divide with no control and become cancer cells. In normal cells, when
the cell discovers that the control system is not operating correctly - for example, when it recognises that a cell contains faulty genetic material following cell division - it triggers cell death," explains Weinstein. "This research may explain the medical benefit of these herbs."

Not much to say though!

Ronaldo & Shalin (of all names? Hahah!)

I dont have that much to say about myself other than what is seen here, in this blog. Primarily, I would like think myself as a novice philospher. I used to have a poetic side to me. I love the idea of loneliness. I also like the idea of the wildness of the world and i want to be there with as small a number about myself as possible.

Seems a bit complex, isn't it?

English

Hizar, I couldn't agree more! Please read my other blog (Malay). Have a nice day.

A Matter of Time!

I asked Zahier, "Why you are not as chubby as when you were five or six years old?" to which he replied, "Because I opted not to!"

OK. Understood.

I wish him well

I received a message the other day that Ronny was ill in hospital in Melaka. I called on him a number of times and was sad to see him looking so frail and unhappy. Get well soon Ron.

Confused!

"Aequam memento rebus in arduis / servare mentem."

Remember, when life's path is steep, to keep an even mind.

Choral speaking

Had the opportunity to watch Nasiha participating in a choral speaking competition last weekend. I am not used to this form of learning anyway. But I was quite eager to watch them perform.
What is choral speaking? This is what I got from the internet. When groups of students recite passages they've committed to memory, they are involved in choral speaking. (In choral reading and reader's theatre, students are not required to memorize the text, as the names imply). Students interpret text (poems, stories and other sources) by exploring the elements of choral speaking and movement. Together, they experiment with language and explore their voices in a "safe" environment. Since choral speaking is such a highly flexible strategy, individual student needs can easily be addressed within the context of whole group activities. For example, students who are less comfortable "performing" can be placed in large or small groups; others, more excited by the opportunity to experiment, can be given greater challenges such as solo lines.

A place called driving range

Why a driving range is considered one of the best places to be during your free time:

1. You can hit as many balls as possible
2. You can pick as many targets as possible, if they are within the boundaries
3. You can think as freely as you wish without disturbances
4. You can watch how people (not necessarily golfers) react to their own actions
5. You can blow your own trumpet, and say something that can make yourself happy
6. You can say your swing is exactly like Tiger Woods, no one will laugh at you
7. You can take five, enjoy your drink and currypuff, but please, do not smoke!
8. You can make/receive phone calls
9. You can always think that your handicap will be lowered soon
10.You can wear collarless t-shirt! And jeans!

Am currently buzy with Pesta Perpaduan / HEP. Will be back very soon.

Dreams & Wishes

"If you can dream and not make dreams your master. If you can think and not make thoughts your aims." (Rudyard Kipling)

EMAS 716

Welcome home!

Yes!

I am the happiest man on earth!

Wishing u well

Something came up. I didnt have enough time to join them for the retreat. In my heart I wished them well. However, as I have reiterated before, I accepted that the spirit of togetherness burnt as strongly today as it had ever done.

I'll see you again, somehow, some day.

Congratulations! Azila & Ezar!

Azila called yesterday. I thought it was another social call - to say hi and what not - since we have known each other for quite some time because she was actively involved in Kelab Penyayang UiTM. She is currently working in PJ. She was then a Mass Communication (?) student and had just graduated about a semester ago? (sorry Azila!) She invited me to her reception(July 7th, 2007) at Mambau, Seremban, Negeri Sembilan.

Ezar is one of the key staff in Yayasan Budi Penyayang which I have known since 2005. And if you remember Roda Impian (hosted by the late Hani Mokhsin), Ezar was one of the participants who were 'that close' in winning the huge prize money had he answered 'hangit' correctly, instead of 'hangus'!

Never mind. They are going to tie the knot eventually... congratulations Azila, Ezar! (I couldnt get their photo uploaded. I will try again later!)

P.S I think, next on the list is...Lyn!!! (Am i right, Lyn? Haha! Im on my way to Melaka!)

Unity in Music - Program Gegar U!

UiTM is calling those who are interested in music to take part in our search for Malaysia's finest youth band. The event is on the July 11th 2007. The venue is UiTM Shah Alam. The definition of 'band' is not confined only to 'band' per se (with full instruments etc). It can be in the forms of singing group (e.g acapella, choir!), tradtional music group and the likes and performed either live or using minus one.

The band/group will have to perform only ONE song (4 minutes)(self-composed/cover version). Minimum group members is 3; and as many as a proper choir group!

Members must be registered UiTM students. Those who are interested can register for the contest by filing in a form which is available at HEP. Alternatively, the forms can be collected on the day itself at the committee table at Dewan Seri Budiman.

Have fun!

Cancelled!

Ram; Jack, So sorry about the cancellation. Something came up today. I will try to arrange another one not too distance a time; maybe next week. Sorry again.

Be back tomorrow (Wednesday)

Datt (and maybe a few others too), the outlet (Sri Murni Ikan Bakar) is located at Batu 19, Kampung Jawa, Hulu Langat. Happy hunting!

I will be away from office tomorrow. Should be back into office on Wednesday. See you then.

Law of Nature!

John Locke once said that no one shall violate any person's inalienable rights to life, liberty, and property.

I opted for a rather different menu last nite! Not bad!

Point to ponder

Read a lot about Hamas & Fatah recently. Very uncomfortable! Then I started to think about what the minister, Datuk syed Hamid Albar was saying last night (in a tv news) on the need for Muslims to look at this issue thoroughly and critically. He says, this has got nothing to do with "external Dalang" or whatsoever. Blame ourselves! said him.

I remember quite clearly how Syeikh Imran convincingly says this, "Israel is going to replace the US of America as the ruling state, with new currency, new world order."

He also cited Surah Al-Maidah (49:50), which goes something like "Do not take **** and ********** as friends."

What a contrasting view!

Democracy versus Kleptocracy?

I had a good laugh last night! (Had a meeting last night). Thank you to Ameena. She was refering to the current issue in Thailand politics (Thaksin is urged by the authority to come back 'home' or face the consequences!).

She then posed this question: "How about here? In Malaysia?", to which I responded, "I dont know!"

There is this terminology, known as "kleptocracy" which means "Rule by thieves, a label sometimes applied to authoritarian regimes in which corruption (there are many forms of corruption, mind you!) reaches extraordinary levels and enormous amounts in public funds are siphoned off by top officials for their own enrichment."

The scenario can be seen anywhere, not necessarily in terms of government regimes. Hence, a non-political organisation - including a public university - can be as mean as a corrupt government! Look who's who in the cabinet line up!

Flight Tee Box 11: with Capt Zaid (UTM); Zam (UiTM) & Chad (UiTM)







With Kamal (Dean, Faculty of Applied Sciences), former Provost of Melaka Campus.















With PM Rashidah Mohamad, The UiTM TNC's (Academic) wife. During lunch at the Ballroom.

Participated in the PALAPES Golf Invitational, Kota Permai, yesterday. The YDP Agong was also playing. I have not played there for more than a year. The greens were so fast while the fairways were so good! I will be posting some of the shots taken during the event later this afternoon.

Seminar on Tun Razak's Legacy

Updated: June 17th, 2007.







I will be attending the seminar from tomorrow till Saturday. Should be home by saturday night. I'll look if there is wifi available there. Otherwise i will post new entries later in the evening. Or perhaps we can meet up there, at the Sime Darby Convention ... Kiara?

Shamsul & Mas, congrats. Well done!

Individualistic?

Had late supper (11.00pm - 12.00pm) with Posiah, Sally and Ziana last nite at one mamak's outlet in section 3. Talked about a few issues:

1. 3G (Gebu, Gemuk & Gempal's women) and perhaps, soon 3B (Boroi, Botak & Buaya's men);
2. ISO thing (the department is currently having its ISO certification reviewed);
3. Life-style and the current trend of urban community (clubbing, eat-out; etc.;
4. Someone's attitude in the faculty which has created much confusion and displeasure among members.

Yes indeed. It is uncomfortable to talk about individual or human rights when there is a clear sign that individual is considered or accepted as the core value of the present system. It is the belief that the individual should be at the center of any conception of society or politics. In other words, it is the idea that people should be be able to go their own way, and as scholars put it, "do their own things".

It is one of the core values of democracy that takes the individual as one of its main component, in opposed to Islamic conception, which gives equal importance to both the individual and the group.

So, one cannot simply says that she or he has the right to do this and that by basing his claim only on so-called 'we live in a democracy country'. Think collectivism! Think about the entire community.

Life is not all about worldly gain (or is it?)

Zaemah forwarded me this nice speech two or three days ago. I wish to share this with fellow friends. Thank you Zai.

The speech was written and delivered by Pulitzer Prize-winning author, Anna Quindlen at the graduation ceremony of at American university where she was awarded an Honorary PhD.

"I'm a novelist. My work is human nature. Real life is all I know. Don't ever confuse the two, your life and your work. You will walk out of here this afternoon with only one thing that no one else has. There will be hundreds of people out there with your same degree: there will be thousands of people doing what you want to do for a living. But you will be the only person alive who has sole custody of your life. Your particular life. Your entire life. Not just your life at a desk or your life on a bus or in a car or at the computer. Not just the life of your mind, but the life of your heart. Not just your bank accounts but also your soul.

People don't talk about the soul very much anymore. It's so much easier to write a resume than to craft a spirit. But a resume is cold comfort on a winter's night, or when you're sad, or broke, or lonely, or when you've received your test results and they're not so good.

Here is my resume: I am a good mother to three children. I have tried never to let my work stand in the way of being a good parent. I no longer consider myself the centre of the universe. I show up. I listen. I try to laugh. I am a good friend to my husband. I have tried to make marriage vows mean what they say. I am a good friend to my friends and them to me. Without them, there would be nothing to say to you today, because I would be a cardboard cut out. But I call them on the phone and I meet them for lunch. I would be rotten, at best mediocre, at my job if those other things were not true.

You cannot be really first rate at your work if your work is all you are. So here's what I wanted to tell you today: Get a life. A real life, not a manic pursuit of the next promotion, the bigger pay cheque, the larger house. Do you think you'd care so very much about those things if you blew an aneurysm one afternoon or found a lump in your breast?

Get a life in which you notice the smell of salt water pushing itself on a breeze at the seaside, a life in which you stop and watch how a red-tailed hawk circles over the water, or the way a baby scowls with concentration when she tries to pick up a sweet with her thumb and first finger.

Get a life in which you are not alone. Find people you love, and who love you. And remember that love is not leisure, it is work. Pick up the phone. Send an email. Write a letter. Get a life in which you are generous. And realize that life is the best thing ever, and that you have no business taking it for granted. Care so deeply about its goodness that you want to spread it around. Take money you would have spent on beer and give it to charity. Work in a soup kitchen. Be a big brother or sister. All of you want to do well. But if you do not do good too, then doing well will never be enough.

It is so easy to waste our lives, our days, our hours, and our minutes. It is so easy to take for granted the colour of our kids' eyes, the way the melody in a symphony rises and falls and disappears and rises again. It is so easy to exist instead of to live.

I learned to live many years ago. I learned to love the journey, not the destination. I learned that it is not a dress rehearsal, and that today is the only guarantee you get. I learned to look at all the good in the world and try to give some of it back because I believed in it, completely and utterly. And I tried to do that, in part, by telling others what I had learned. By telling them this: Consider the lilies of the field. Look at the fuzz on a baby's ear. Read in the back yard with the sun on your face.

Learn to be happy. And think of life as a terminal illness, because if you do, you will live it with joy and passion as it ought to be lived".

Muay Thai

Muay Thai is all about preseverance, energy, total fitness, determination, will & tenacity... give it a try and regret it for the rest of your life!

Provoked!

Somewhat in a fury, I sent two emails to the authorities. My tone was, I felt, very reasonable and was based on the rather unquestionable assumption that the particular person would repeat her stupid and arrogant actions. It was hard work before the emails were actually written and sent. But then it became apparent that I was moving a little more easily as I began to receive, perhaps hidayah(?) gradually.

In so many occassions, I actually wanted to ask this question, "Why am I doing this, alone?"

I hope to get answers wihout having to wait for so long.

Sleep

Sleep is a natural periodic suspension of consciousness...

But a sleeper is someone or something unpromising or unnoticed that suddenly attains prominence or value...
















Awaking - is to bring back to consciousness after sleep. Has your soul back home?

UiTM's New DVC - Academic & Internationalisation

Congratulating PM Dr. Mustafa Zain for being appointed Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic & Internationalisation. Wishing him all the best in is endeavour in helping UiTM realising its national mission.

Fruitful morning gathering

Had breakfast with Suzi and Sally. Talked much about current political situation. What a fruitful morning!

Monday Morning Discourse

Had breakfast at the Kedai Kopi, Shah Alam Lake Garden, with Dr. Nooraini (Dean, FSPPP), Dr. Posiah (Director, i-Learn), Ziana (Coordinator) & Sally (Assistant Registrar).

As usual, DR. N talked about Palestinians sufferings; Dr. Posiah talked about Vietnam (she was in Vietnam two days ago) while Sally and Ziana didn't say much!

Wasn't at all negative

Got a message from *--------* and it was the same negative story. I was unaware that on that particular date she had sent quite a constructive message to Ba'in saying that it was up to Renie and me to decide if we should carry proceed with the plan.

I, in fact, never received this message, and although Renie never gave approval for for a 'go', she didn't try to stop everyone else either until it was too late!

I certainly cannot blame her for what had happened!

have a nice day!

Life's like that

Met Dato' Sahol today in a bookshop in Shah Alam. We had a fairly long conversation and ended with a rather casual gesture, "I'll see you around."

He looked great, healthy as usual. I know he is happy there, the new place where he is entrusted in taking care of some important issues such as ICT, Quality, and giving ideas pertaining to the development of higher education. I wish him well.

Drift Away!

Im currently away from home...will be back soon!

Karut-Marut (Harut & Marut)

Dinie,

I should have laughed in the first place. But anyway, lets forget about the joke ok? And back to business. 'Karut-marut' is often used in Malay world. Its kind of 'irrelevant & unscientific' accusations or suggestions. Its baseless.

OK. Harut (the Malays refer Harut as 'karut', simply means 'ridiculous') was one of two angels (the other one is Marut) sent to the city of Babylon. They were supposed to teach sorcery to the wicked, as a temptation and trial from Allah SWT, who commanded the two to warn people not to learn it from them.

One of the positions that need to be understood is that the two angels were sent down to teach men sorcery so that the difference between sorcery and inimitable prophetic miracles (like, mu'jizat) might be recognised, and people not be misled by sorcerers, of whom many existed long time ago and some claimed to be prophets. Allahu a'lam.

Tasks

Prior to our short discussion yesterday, Marhaini suggested that I take over premiership studies lecture (Off Campus Program)series starting from next semester. Earlier, Hajjah Guy has also suggested that I take care of the same course for the E-DEP, also starting from next semester.

I have never considered handling any courses in the programs, partly because the program requires lectures to be held at night. But now i guess its time to re-consider. Over the years methods and technology have changed, and it became important to perhaps think about the possibility of changing ones attitude or stand.

The Long & Lonely Moments

I didn't sleep much that night. All I wanted to do was to be online and I didn't devote any attention to SMSes or any unfamiliar numbers. Thoughts kept creeping in - will everything be ok? What would happen if it is not? By morning,I had made my decision - it will be all right. Im pretty sure it will be ok.

My pleasure!

Renie,
to my great pleasure we (accompanied by Amar, Ain & Muzlifah) were to be joined in the final stages of the selection by the board.

The next major project - yet to be endorsed by the Board - will be announced no later than July this year.

Till then, feel free to contact me. Cheers.

Note: Make room for everyone, plz!

Good morning!

Masitah, Im not so sure about that issue. Sorry. Perhaps you can furnish me more..

Rozy,perhaps the biggest task during the break (last sem) was preparing our materials for the event. Well we did a great deal of work on the processes & the whole system. Suzy, Rahimi & Sally completely overhauled the whole system! Thanks also to Zera for her great job in dealing with unanticipated circumstances!

And I am still waiting for Zul to come up with the proposed plan...

Thank you!

Class Schedule II

The schedule is as follows:

June 30th; July 14th & 15th; August 4th, 5th, 25th & 26th; September 15th, 22nd & 23rd.

EMA716 Class Schedule

Dear EMAS 02.

Let me first welcome you to the course (EMA716).The class schedule for June-October 2007 is now ready. Please refer to the bulletine provided by the faculty.

Away

I will be away on vacation. Will be online whenever possible, and will attend to your messages soonest possible. Have a nice weekend.

Regrets?

Minie & Faizol. Thank you for the constructive remarks. I would not be human if I did not have regrets in my life. I sometimes wonder what lies ahead for me. Well, I can look back may be on the 20 odd years of challenge and adventure (during my journey in this institution). I must admit that I have experienced much joy and at the same time share sadness, too, and there have been many times when I have been close to cruelty and yet survived. I am glad that I am still fit and energetic enough to venture into the jungle of this misunderstood institution.

Once again, thank you.

Cosiderations

A very good morning! (Fang; Ray; Maya; Renie; Azie; Mad, et.al.).

The most important considerations in the present situation, I think, are that:

(1) Rahimah has carried out her primary obligations with notable success (she is currently struggling with her exam, leave her alone, please!);
(2) If Fisol were to wait for Renie at the spot he might have to wait many days doing nothing, pity him!;
(3) Azie is confident - and no one in this university can question her judgement - that she can reach the top spot with her present performance.

It appears, therefore, that there are no good nor there are magical grounds for instructing the small group to return to their basic - nor would such an instruction be easily explained to the whole band or group.

Consider this as my simplified conclusion. Thanks.

Gullick

Akhbar New Straits Times hari ini memaparkan artikel tulisan Gullick mengenai kepemimpinan awal negara ini pada era kemerdekaan. Gullick telah menghasilkan catatan dan rekod yang sangat bermanfaat kepada para pembaca dan penggemar bahan-bahan sejarah negara ini. Satu daripada buku beliau yang dianggap terbaik berjudul British Malaya..., maaf, saya lupa judul lengkapnya!

selamat membaca artikel berkenaan.

I will keep that for future reference

Dear Ba'in,

Im so sorry for not being able to comment further on the issue. To be honest, it is perhaps unbecoming of me to suggest anything that I am not 100% certain with. However, I will keep it for my future reference.

Thank you so much.

Modernization Theory?

Modernization means the appearance of ‘modes of social life or organization which emerged in Europe from about the seventeenth century onwards and which subsequently became more or less worldwide in their influence’(Giddens, 1991). It explains the changing ways of communication and media use in traditional and (post)modern societies.

Modernization theory has evolved in three waves. The first wave appeared in the 1950s and 1960s. One made the attempt to explain the diffusion of Western styles of living, technological innovations and individualist types of communication (highly selective, addressing only particular persons) as the superiority of secular, materialist, Western, individualist culture and of individual motivation and achievement (Lerner, 1958; Schramm, 1964).

Economic development:
Mass media promote the global diffusion of many technical and social innovations that are essential to modernization (Rogers, 1962). See Diffusion of Innovations theory.(The Malaysia Development Plan, or the Rancangan Malaysia Kedua in particular is a classic example of this theory).

Literacy and cultural development:
Mass media can teach literacy and other essential skills and techniques. They encourage a ‘state of mind’ favorable to modernity, e.g. the imagination of an alternative way of life beyond the traditional way.

National identity development:
Mass media could support national identities in new nations (colonies) and support attention to democratic policies (elections).

(Most of these theories have been discredited because of their pro-Western bias.)

The second wave of modernization theory is a part of the critical theory that was popular in the 1970s and 1980s. It does not support but criticize the influence of Western modernization. This is held to be a case of Western cultural and economic imperialism or dominance (Schiller, 1976).

One of the theories concerned is media dependency theory. Peripheral (developing) countries are assumed to be dependant on mass media in the core (the Western world). It also stresses on the historical ties between developed countries (First World) and the underdeveloped countries (Third world). Andre Gunder Frank's dependency theory is very much in perspective at this juncture.

The third wave of modernization theory rising in the 1990s is the theory of late-, high- or post modernity. It tries to be more neutral, being not in favor or against Western modernization. Rather it attempts to unearth the contradictions in the modernization process and to explain the consequences of modernity for individuals in contemporary society (Giddens, 1991a, 1991b). Giddens showed that modern society is characterized by time-space distantiation and disembedding mechanisms. Traditional society is based on direct interaction between people living close to each other. Modern societies stretch further and further across space and time using mass media and interactive media. Disembedding mechanisms such as money, symbolic means, English as the lingua franca and the Internet help to lift out and activities in an abstract or online form that were once embedded in particular material goods and in places.

This theme of the combination of unification and fragmentation in society and in media use also is present in the work of Meyrowitz (1993) – See Medium Theory- and van Dijk (1993, 1991/1999). Van Dijk tries to explain the rise of the new media such as computer networks and mobile telephony as important tools for modern life. They enable scale reduction and scale extension, a unitary and a fragmented world and, finally, a world that is both social and individualized (network individualism).

Source, with modification & additional comments: www.tcw.utwente.nl/theorieenoverzicht/Theory%20clusters/Media,%20Culture%20and%20Society/Modernization%20Theory.doc/

No magical formulas

Bee, Masitah & Joanna.

There is no magical formula to flourish in any endeavour! There are, of course, a number of factors or elements need to come together - planning (short & long term); acting on our dreams; persistence; faith; smart & hard work; managing success & failure in life; intensity; will; visioning etc - are but a few factors that must be administered.

One thing is sure: that there is an element of subjectivity about what amounts to successful life. So what is yours? I dont have the answer.

Have a nice holiday.

Yes, Loud & Clear!

Renie, Ive got your message. Thank you.

Here are some informations regarding the concept of krengchai (Confucian)in Thailand. It shares similar roots in Buddhism, with five basic relationships: (1) ruler & subject; (2) father & son; (3) husband & wife; (4) elder brother & younger brother; and (5) older friend and younger friend.

Wishing you all the best.

Be Thankful

Someone who cannot benefit from a little will not benefit from a lot.

Wishing U the Best

EMAS, BAS & BCA, Leonidas's side-kick, Eddy, Daia, AK, Aini, Ku, Mimi, Aji (to name a few - sorry!),

Wishing you all the best for your upcoming examination, InsyaAllah.

Iran & Israel

Salam.

This morning, Imran will be delivering his lecture on 'will Israel attack Iran?' at the Dewan Muktamar, Pusat Islam, 9 am.

Everyone is invited. See you there.

Busy morning

EMAS, Renie, Ezar & Eka,

will get in touch with you guys this afternoon. Im occupied with post-graduate interviews this morning. See you then.

Have a pleasant morning.

Overcoming democratic deficit

Democracy does not always work well!

Deqman & Ku Shima, hi to both of you!

Have a nice day!

Switched off

Dear all,

Its viva voce time. I will be away from office for the whole working day of Thursday, April 12th, 2007. However, I will try take a peep at the mailbox during lunch break. Should there be any urgency, please get in touch with me via my cell-phone.

Thank you.

Have a nice day.

EMAS

Dear all,

the scores will only be posted later this week, NOT TODAY. Please make sure you have submitted all assignments/group work.

Note: Rohaizan, we need to discuss. Thank you.

Blogging - Controlled Democracy?

At least two ministers in Malaysia were recently reported to have been subscribed to the idea that imposing some degree of controlling & monitoring over blogging activities should be made a public policy. The closest model - as iterated by them - is Singapore, where bloggers are constantly monitored by the Republic State.

Singapore - then under Lee Kuan Yew - had chosen a particular brand of democracy, called controlled democracy. It is an austere system which continues to be the subject of much debate. At all time, Singapore means business. The island recognized that in order to compete with its large and resource-rich neighbours, it had to create an environment that boosted confidence, within and without. One of the approaches or measures taken was to attract talent from abroad. This was realised in 1997 when - following the launching of "Operation Contact Singapore" Singaporeans and foreign talents were persuaded to stay and live in Singapore.

Now, back to Malaysia. Soon after this, we will probably see a new climate of blogging. Whatever it is, bloggers will nevertheless be more selective in detailing out highly-sensitive issues. In other words, let all sensitive issues handled by the authority (read: handled by non-opposition politicians, in or outside the Parliament). Anyways, bloggers still have the freedom to write and express feelings; but only in the fields of non-political, non-partisan issues such as entertainment and other social activities. (Political maturity, therefore, is not very much in perspective here). What about this: "Man by nature is political animals"? Are bloggers not "man"?

Announcement - EMAS III

Dear all - EMAS,

Please be informed that - prior to my telephone conversation with Dr. Posiah at 1120 today, April 5, 2007 - Leadership for Change seminar is now shifted from 8.30-1130 to 2.30-5.30pm (Sunday April 8).

Thank you.

Its only a gentle reminder!

Dear EMAS (Shamsul in particular),

The entry ('All the best') was meant as a straight-forward gentle reminder, no more no less. I hope you will do your very best - over & above the par, of course - for your upcoming endeavour.

Please take note of the necessary things that you need to do or submit before too long. Otherwise, you will probably end up looking for yet another solutions a day before your exam starts.

Noriah, your proposal is ok. Its fine. Please proceed.

All the best

Dear all (EMAS - Executive MAsters in Administrative Science)

We are approaching the final week of a series of critical stages in your academic (& social) endeavour. I know its not easy. Azlina comes all the way from the North while many others are having problems with so many domestic & national issues daily. But yet you are still here, marching (or perhaps, toddling?) enthusiastically, manouvering your way through this thick jungle of uncertainty in your very own world. So please observe the law! Dont get yourself caught in between uncertainties. If so, take a step back, pause for a while, reflect, and come back and have a fresh discourse once again.

All the best to you!

Note: Just a gentle reminder - have you submitted all the assignments in due time?

Dream

I slept and dreamed that life was beauty; i woke, and found that life was an enemy; and i summed it all up as a tragedy - in all matters, must one consider the end? Am i already there?

Could it be that...

The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man...

I lock myself back in my miserable dungeon, reflecting things that passed by. Why am I thinking about tragedies? There are only two tragedies in life, as far as I am concerned: One is to lose my heart's desire. The other is to gain it. Am I getting back mine..?

Faith

Faith is to see the unseen, to believe in the impossible.

Life is tough enough; we have to be tougher, and stronger. Im sure God never gives us more responsibilites than we can handle. Though its hurt to be left alone, Im sure nothing is more painful than the feeling of being neglected. Life and success, after all, require pains more than brains, or emotions.

Hurt

I entrusted myself to Him and determined to travel alone...

Its hurt, especially when you have this feeling that you are being neglected, or simply unappreciated, or perhaps unwelcomed. I took to the heart the saying "The misfortune hardest to bear are those which never come" and recalled that "The greatest thing in the world is to know how to be self-sufficient"..

Yes, Im fine. But no doubt, its hurt.

Lesson

I learnt my lesson today.

"Poverty of goods is easily cured; poverty of soul, impossible.

<de Montaigne>

Thus, it therefore, equates this pretty well:

"A man who fears suffering is already suffering from what he fears."

Not counting on luck

I would like to believe my dream is workable. Or is it?

Faith

If you ask me about the secrets of success, I wouldn't like to recommend anything for there is no magical method nor formula to achieve your or our goals in life. Yes, there are indeed many factors that should come together before you can turn 'defeat' into 'victory'.

If there is one single word that can explain it all, I would say that word is faith. Faith in yourself - that everything is indeed fated: you see the unseen; you believe in the impossible; and you concretise the intangible. Do well in whatever you do. Take pride. With God's will, you can succeed in all your endeavours. I bet you remember well "on no soul does Allah place a burden greater than it can bear" (2:286).

A friend of mine (SSF) once reminded me, "True friends help you with your work; 'good-time companions' tempt you to shirk your responsibilities and to waste your life's precious hours."

Till then, good luck, and I pray for your 'success'.

To leave the world a bit better than we found it...

"To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to endure the betrayal of false friends; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know that even one life has breathed easier because you live, this is to have succeeded." <Emerson>

This is perhaps the concept of worldly success for some people. Can we have that as well, as she had always wished for?

Work

As pretty as the flowers

I am now in the airport lounge, having early breaksfast - prawn kue tiaw and what not. I was with them last night, until 12am or so; and this morning, at about 5am, they were still at the work station in the faculty finishing their project. Wow!I can't imagine how they could do it, and yet they survived despite all the difficulties that they have gone through all these years. Bye.

Food & Poison

Had a fairly long discussion with _______ this morning. What shall I say? What is food to one man is bitter poison to others. Why dont you simply pick the food and let the other party enjoy the poison?

Public Affairs - While having breakfast

Dear Mr. MP, this is what Michel de Montaigne has got to say about public affairs:

"There is, in public affairs, no state so bad, provided it has age and stability on its side, that it is not preferable to change and disturbance."

What is so difficult, then? Can you please furnish us with adequate informations, please?

Four Factors of Transformative Initiative

- Still on change management. Sirkin, Keenan & Jackson (HBR, Oct 2005, 83 (10), pp 96-106) mentioned about the combination of four key factors that create a continuum - from projects that are set up to succeed to those that are set up to fail. These factors ('dice') determine the outcome of any transformation initiative:

d - the duration of time until the change program is completed;

i - integrity; i.e its ability to complete the initiative on time;

c - commitment to change that top management (c1) and employees (c2); and

e - effort over & above the usual work that change initiative demands of employees.

Dear EMAS 716 members,

The analysis section of the case study project will consist of asking and answering fundamental questions/issues as has been discussed during our last session. Provide your written analysis mostly in narrative form instead of relying heavily on bulleted items and brief lists. Your discussion should be related to your topic. For example, if your topic is leadership style, at least two of the related theories should deal directly with the organisation or department under observation.

Demonstrate also that you have acquired new knowledge in the course instead of answering based solely on experience and common sense. This assignment should be about 6-7 pages (double space, 10 pt Times Roman).

Communicate with me in-person, by telephone, or via e-mail about any question you have in regard to this assignment. You will also receive ample instruction in class.

Note: Please send in your proposal by end of this week. By the way, I have received Ezu, Redzuan and Noriah's proposal last week. And I am still waiting for others. Thank you. Have a nice day.

A very good morning to you

Salam, Prof Shad.

Have a pleasant morning! Thank you for the materials. Appreciate it.

Da Vinci

Dihar wanted to know more about The Da Vinci Code, the mystery novel by Dan Brown (2003: published by Doubleday). I dont have much to say about this. But there are a lot of information that we can retrieve from books and the internet.

Basically the novel is based on the controversial premise that there is a conspiracy within the Roman Catolic Church to cover up the true story of Jesus (apostle).

The story (as the author summarises it) goes like this: A renowned Harvard symbologist is summoned to the Louvre Museum to examine a series of cryptic symbols relating to Da Vinci's artwork. In decrypting the code, he uncovers the key to one of the greatest mysteries of all time . . . and he becomes a hunted man.

The novel has helped generate popular interest in speculation concerning the Holy Grail legend and the role of Mary Magdalene in the history of Christianity. According to the premise of the novel, the Vatican knows it is living a lie, but continues to do so to keep itself in power.

It is a thriller story involving secret societies, conspiracies, the Catholic Church, and the fictional "truth" about Jesus Christ.

During the course of the novel it is alleged that the Catholic Church is perpetuating a major, centuries-long conspiracy to hide the "truth" about Jesus Christ from the public, and it or its agents are willing to stop at nothing, including murder, to do so. (http://www.catholic.com/library/cracking_da_vinci_code.asp)

The "fact" page of the book asserts factuality for certain claims regarding the Priory of Sion, Opus Dei (a major focus of the book), and the descriptions found in the book of art, architecture, and rituals.

Although the "fact" page presents the book's most overt claims to accuracy, the novel itself implies that much more is factual than what is stated on this page. The book is written in a way that suggests that its claims regarding the Priory of Sion, the Catholic Church, and Christ are to be taken seriously. The author's own remarks outside of the book suggest the same. On his personal web page, he speaks of the historical "secret" he reveals in The Da Vinci Code and states: The secret I reveal is one that has been whispered for centuries. It is not my own. Admittedly, this may be the first time the secret has been unveiled within the format of a popular thriller, but the information is anything but new.

According to the "fact" page (of the Da Vinci book), the Priory of Sion-a European secret society founded in 1099-is a real organization. In 1975, Paris's Bibliothèque Nationale discovered parchments known as Les Dossiers Secretes, identifying numerous members of the Priory of Sion, including Sir Isaac Newton, Botticelli, Victor Hugo, and Leonardo da Vinci.

The novel goes on to depict the Priory of Sion as a secret society defending the bloodline of Jesus Christ and Mary Magdalene. Because it allegedly holds the secret of this bloodline, it is persecuted by the Catholic Church. The organization also is devoted to worshiping "the sacred feminine" and holds orgies as a form of ritual worship.

Note: Apostles?
Literally meaning "sent ones." In the Gospel of Luke, the inner circle of Jesus’ 12 helpers were called apostles before his crucifixion. After his resurrection, the criteria to be an apostle is that you had to have been following Jesus before his death, and be an eye-witness after he rose again. The claim to apostleship by Paul of Tarsus was in dispute because his first contact was a vision of Jesus long after his ascension into Heaven.

How Carter is saving Israel

Firas Ahmad, Senior Editor of Islamica Magazine writes about Carter's best-selling book, Palestine, Peace not Apartheid. The issues raised by Carter are looked at different perspectives by Firas.

Read the article.

The Gift

I got this nice piece of anecdote from Kak Ros while writing this morning. Thanks to her.

"Everyday is a gift, and as long as I can open my eyes, I will focus on the new day, and all the happy memories that I have built up during my life."

Political power

Jamil, thank you for your comment. As it has always been said & reiterated by many, political power is indeed a relationship. But some authors/scholars (e.g Ball, Bottomore, Ladski) believe that the relationship is not always clear. Thus it is necessary to discover exactly who or what has power (in relation to whom or what).

Can we safely say that the American President is more powerful than the British PM? Why?

Have a nice day!

Time to Think

Come to think about eating, how much is actually enough? We simply can't resist, can we?

Away from office

Dear all (esp Rahimi & Goona),

Im sorry for not being able to stay around this weekend. Im in the Northern region until Monday. I will respond to your enquiries the moment I reach Shah Alam early next week. Have a pleasant weekend. Happy Chinese New Year.

Of fatigue, depression & despair

I politely refused Sean's friendly invitation for another jaunt on the lecture series. I just needed a peaceful time at office & Shah Alam. In my heart I wished them well though I accepted that the flame of joining back burnt as strongly and fiery as it had ever done.

Thank you, anyway. Appreciate it.

Success & failure

To a certain extend, I must agree that there is an element of subjectivity about what amounts to succesful life. Having re-read Sir Edmund Hillary's The view from the summit, it is fairly clear that success favors dreamers, as Hillary says,

"As a youngster I was a great dreamer, reading many books of adventure and walking lonely miles with my head in the clouds." (p.11)

Likewise, this very good friend of mine, Prof. Shad Faruqi (feb 1, 2004) says that,

"Ultimately success is faith, courage and persistent that count."

In giving our best, if despite the positive attitude we stumble, we have to get up and get going, as the saying goes, "Failure is not to fall down but to stay down."

He's here!

Ya. Right before me!

Of Istihsan & Istiqamah

How personal is a 'sincere' opinion can be? And how beautiful - good & rightful - a thing that is always preferable? Elsewhere, hedonism has been refered to as things/actions/decisions people choose to do or not to do due to their inner fear of so many things. Can we say something personal then? Is this all about ihtisan, a method of exercising personal opinion in order to avoid unfairness (in terms of law & enforcement)? If so, then, this leads us to another preferable method of deciding; the istiqamah, i.e. how people look for ways to avoid deviations and extremes. This, of course involves sincerity, uprightness, integrity and honesty.

Would not it be possible to have such a wonderful way of complying with the spirit of going along the mainstream?

Until, and only when sincerity, honesty and integrity are indeed reflected as clear as crystal, can we talk freely about the beauty of not going against the mainstream.