My last semester at Macquarie Uni kicked off yesterday.
I'm quite psyched about it. My lovely winter vacation has certainly rejuvenated me - not just physically and mentally - but spiritually as well :)
On a more sombre note, yesterday, I've gotten to know that my brother Erwan's house was burgled. Burglaries are so common in Malaysia now that you hardly bat an eyelid.
But this burglary is slightly more chilling. The burglar leveled his knife to my 10-month old niece. He also left a message to my brother: "Tuan rumah jangan nak berlagak"
Huh?? berlagak?? Apa kes??
I've never been to my brother's house in Kuching but from the photos that I've seen, his rented house looks very modest. It doesn't look remotely luxurious.
I felt so angry and sad. What's happening to Malaysia?
Crimes are so widespread and common that you don't feel safe anymore... not even in your own house :(
Tetiba rasa takut nak balik Malaysia hujung tahun ni... huhu
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Monday, July 02, 2007
Stranded
13:45, July 2, 2007
I'm supposed to be on flight JQ1 right now.
And that plane is supposed to take off for Melbourne at right about now.
But I'm not on that flight. I've been transferred to another flight that does not leave for another 3 hours and 25 minutes.
Why the deferment??
Well, I happen to leave my PASSPORT at home.
Yes, my PASSPORT. Can you believe it?? Out of all things, I had to forget to bring my passport. So, for security reasons, I can't board my original plane as it departs from the international terminal. I had to catch a plane to Avalon that takes off from the domestic terminal.
Right now I feel like Tom Hanks' character in the movie 'The Terminal'. I've been stranded only for a while but I'm bored out of my mind. Travelling alone is so not fun :(
So, a little humble advice to all:
The next time you're travelling somewhere, and people start to ask you "Do you have your passport with you?", don't get all exasperated and irritated. Just check again and reassure them. Because though it might sound implausible, some people do forget to bring their passport - as I myself know only too well...
Jesteru kesulitan merupakan kesempatan emas untuk semakin mendekat kepadaNya, menjaga diri dari berkeluh kesah, bahkan jesteru menggesa diri untuk tetap membantu saudaranya yang lain yang lebih membuntuhkan...
I'm supposed to be on flight JQ1 right now.
And that plane is supposed to take off for Melbourne at right about now.
But I'm not on that flight. I've been transferred to another flight that does not leave for another 3 hours and 25 minutes.
Why the deferment??
Well, I happen to leave my PASSPORT at home.
Yes, my PASSPORT. Can you believe it?? Out of all things, I had to forget to bring my passport. So, for security reasons, I can't board my original plane as it departs from the international terminal. I had to catch a plane to Avalon that takes off from the domestic terminal.
Right now I feel like Tom Hanks' character in the movie 'The Terminal'. I've been stranded only for a while but I'm bored out of my mind. Travelling alone is so not fun :(
So, a little humble advice to all:
The next time you're travelling somewhere, and people start to ask you "Do you have your passport with you?", don't get all exasperated and irritated. Just check again and reassure them. Because though it might sound implausible, some people do forget to bring their passport - as I myself know only too well...
X X X
Jesteru kesulitan merupakan kesempatan emas untuk semakin mendekat kepadaNya, menjaga diri dari berkeluh kesah, bahkan jesteru menggesa diri untuk tetap membantu saudaranya yang lain yang lebih membuntuhkan...
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Napoleon
Nisa and I went to watch 'Temple of Dreams' on June 24. We both really like the film; it's funny, thought-provoking and moving. The director, Tom Zubrycki, was called to make a film about young Muslims because he was "incensed" about the way in which Muslims were treated nowadays.
The film basically revolves around a group of young Muslim Australians who spearhead an organisation called ICRA. ICRA, which stands for Independent Centre of Research Australia, aims to address the needs of the disadvantaged Australian Muslim youths.
ICRA's youth centre and gymnasium are located in Western Sydney and occupy the space formerly used as a Masonic Temple. Hence the title of the film.
The film, shot in 2006, features some of the organisation's activities. One that I find most interesting is the seminar series 'All Eyez on Youth' conducted by an ex-rapper, Napoleon. Napoleon, who hails from the US, is also a former gang member and a close friend of the late Tupac Shakur.
The film received very good feedback from the audience. SBS plans to screen a shortened version of the film later this year. So, hopefully, we all can watch it then :)
Until then, do watch the clip below. It's the talk by Napoleon in one of the seminars organised by ICRA. I really like the clip. After all, bukan selalu kita dengar ex-rapper bagi ceramah :)
The film basically revolves around a group of young Muslim Australians who spearhead an organisation called ICRA. ICRA, which stands for Independent Centre of Research Australia, aims to address the needs of the disadvantaged Australian Muslim youths.
ICRA's youth centre and gymnasium are located in Western Sydney and occupy the space formerly used as a Masonic Temple. Hence the title of the film.
The film, shot in 2006, features some of the organisation's activities. One that I find most interesting is the seminar series 'All Eyez on Youth' conducted by an ex-rapper, Napoleon. Napoleon, who hails from the US, is also a former gang member and a close friend of the late Tupac Shakur.
The film received very good feedback from the audience. SBS plans to screen a shortened version of the film later this year. So, hopefully, we all can watch it then :)
Until then, do watch the clip below. It's the talk by Napoleon in one of the seminars organised by ICRA. I really like the clip. After all, bukan selalu kita dengar ex-rapper bagi ceramah :)
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Jom
For those looking for something to do this winter break...
Here are some interesting events you might like to go to:
1) Temple of Dreams
A timely film which provides a very different take on the Islamic community in Australia. One of this year's Sydney Film Festival hits.
Date: Sunday, 24th June 2007
Time: 12.30pm
Place: State Theater (opposite Myer in Market Street)
Price: $11.50-$16.50
more info here
2) The Arts of Islam exhibition
Place: Art Gallery of NSW
Price: $15
more info here
3) Australian Muslims Public Symposium
As a framework for living with cultural diversity, the idea of multiculturalism has come under attack in recent years both in Australia and overseas. In the last two years, a subtle shift in policy and discourse has begun to take place involving greater emphasis on notions such as 'integration' and 'social cohesion'. This shift comes at a time of increased concern in some circles over the ability of certain ethnic communities, especially Muslims, to integrate into Australian society, despite Australia's reputation as a nation committed to the notion of a 'fair go'. This symposium will provide a platform for informed debate on these current trends in Australian multiculturalism.
Date: Friday, 29th June 2007
Time: 6.45pm for a 7.00pm start
Place: Mason Theater, Building E7B, Macquarie University
Price: $15
more info here
4) Sounds of Light concert
An Islamic concert organised by the Human Appeal International. Raihan is one of the 7 performers slated to perform.
Date: Saturday, 28th July 2007
Place: Acer Arena Olympic Park
Price: starts from $30
more info here
Wish that I could go to all of these events but... duit mcm tak cukup je...
We'll see how it'll go...
On another note, thanks for all the supportive comments given in the previous entry :)
I really appreciate them. I've just realised that I should have been bold & strong instead of feeling so vulnerable. But I'm all better now :)
Here are some interesting events you might like to go to:
1) Temple of Dreams
A timely film which provides a very different take on the Islamic community in Australia. One of this year's Sydney Film Festival hits.
Date: Sunday, 24th June 2007
Time: 12.30pm
Place: State Theater (opposite Myer in Market Street)
Price: $11.50-$16.50
more info here
2) The Arts of Islam exhibition
This significant exhibition presents the finest display of the arts of the Islamic world ever seen in Australia. Over 350 masterpieces reveal the far-reaching contact between the Islamic empires and their conquered lands from Spain and Morocco, across Northern Africa and Egypt, the Middle Eastern nations of Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Palestine and as far east as Mongolia, India and China. The Nasser D. Khalili Collection in London is recognised as the best private collection of Islamic art in the world.
Place: Art Gallery of NSW
Price: $15
more info here
3) Australian Muslims Public Symposium
As a framework for living with cultural diversity, the idea of multiculturalism has come under attack in recent years both in Australia and overseas. In the last two years, a subtle shift in policy and discourse has begun to take place involving greater emphasis on notions such as 'integration' and 'social cohesion'. This shift comes at a time of increased concern in some circles over the ability of certain ethnic communities, especially Muslims, to integrate into Australian society, despite Australia's reputation as a nation committed to the notion of a 'fair go'. This symposium will provide a platform for informed debate on these current trends in Australian multiculturalism.
Date: Friday, 29th June 2007
Time: 6.45pm for a 7.00pm start
Place: Mason Theater, Building E7B, Macquarie University
Price: $15
more info here
4) Sounds of Light concert
An Islamic concert organised by the Human Appeal International. Raihan is one of the 7 performers slated to perform.
Date: Saturday, 28th July 2007
Place: Acer Arena Olympic Park
Price: starts from $30
more info here
x x x
Wish that I could go to all of these events but... duit mcm tak cukup je...
We'll see how it'll go...
On another note, thanks for all the supportive comments given in the previous entry :)
I really appreciate them. I've just realised that I should have been bold & strong instead of feeling so vulnerable. But I'm all better now :)
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Suatu petang di Myer
Something very unpleasant happened to me yesterday. Fifa and I were accompanying Etty shopping. She was looking to buy watches for her mom and dad. While Fifa and Etty were busy choosing, a man approached me.
I noticed that he was giving us that "look" from afar. The "look" that Muslim women with headscarves get all the time.
He started to small talk with me: where I came from, where am I studying, etc... Then, he complimented my winter coat. Gesturing to my coat and Fifa's and Etty's windbreakers, he said: "You know, the infidels created them - infidels, not Muslims"
With that, he asked to shake my hand and left.
Fifa and Etty asked me what happened, and I related our conversation. We just shrugged it off. Apa2 je lah pak cik ...
BUT he had the audacity to come back.
"Remember me?" he said.
Dlm hati: How can I forget?
I was by myself again. Etty and Fifa were still dealing with the salesperson.
He questioned why Muslims hate the "infidels" so much. I tried to explain that that's not how the majority of Muslims feels. But he either didn't understand what I was trying to say or refused to.
He said that he came from a religious family background. There are 4 priests in his family but he himself is not religious.
"I want to be FREE. I don't believe in (making prostrating actions). And I want to sip a glass of wine sometimes. Is that wrong?"
He said a few other things but I couldn't make out what he was trying to say. His English was a bit difficult to understand.
When he left, I felt so overwhelmed. I was angry and sad all at once.
I was angry because he couldn't understand my explanation
I was angry that he attacked my faith and I FAILED to defend it
I was sad that people had such a distorted view of Islam
I cried in the midst of the Myer store for having the misfortune to meet such a hateful man.
To be personally attacked like that was a very unpleasant experience.
Throughout the bus ride home, I kept replaying the scenes in my mind. I kept thinking of the things I should have said and the ways I should have explained.
Moral of the story???
Saya pun tak tahu... :(
I noticed that he was giving us that "look" from afar. The "look" that Muslim women with headscarves get all the time.
He started to small talk with me: where I came from, where am I studying, etc... Then, he complimented my winter coat. Gesturing to my coat and Fifa's and Etty's windbreakers, he said: "You know, the infidels created them - infidels, not Muslims"
With that, he asked to shake my hand and left.
Fifa and Etty asked me what happened, and I related our conversation. We just shrugged it off. Apa2 je lah pak cik ...
BUT he had the audacity to come back.
"Remember me?" he said.
Dlm hati: How can I forget?
I was by myself again. Etty and Fifa were still dealing with the salesperson.
He questioned why Muslims hate the "infidels" so much. I tried to explain that that's not how the majority of Muslims feels. But he either didn't understand what I was trying to say or refused to.
He said that he came from a religious family background. There are 4 priests in his family but he himself is not religious.
"I want to be FREE. I don't believe in (making prostrating actions). And I want to sip a glass of wine sometimes. Is that wrong?"
He said a few other things but I couldn't make out what he was trying to say. His English was a bit difficult to understand.
When he left, I felt so overwhelmed. I was angry and sad all at once.
I was angry because he couldn't understand my explanation
I was angry that he attacked my faith and I FAILED to defend it
I was sad that people had such a distorted view of Islam
I cried in the midst of the Myer store for having the misfortune to meet such a hateful man.
To be personally attacked like that was a very unpleasant experience.
Throughout the bus ride home, I kept replaying the scenes in my mind. I kept thinking of the things I should have said and the ways I should have explained.
Moral of the story???
Saya pun tak tahu... :(
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Fajr
I just bought a new book to read now that I'm officially assignment-free :)
The book is entitled: "Islam, the West and the Challenges of Modernity". It's written by Tariq Ramadan and translated by Said Amghar.
In his introduction, Tariq talks about the memory of his father, Said Ramadan:
A few months before returning to God, he said to me, with the strength of his sad, drowned look: "Our problem is one of spirituality. If a man comes to speak to me about the reforms to be undertaken in the Muslim world, about political strategies and of great geo-strategic plans, my first question to him would be whether he performed the dawn prayer (fajr) in its time"
*Ouch!*
The book is entitled: "Islam, the West and the Challenges of Modernity". It's written by Tariq Ramadan and translated by Said Amghar.
In his introduction, Tariq talks about the memory of his father, Said Ramadan:
A few months before returning to God, he said to me, with the strength of his sad, drowned look: "Our problem is one of spirituality. If a man comes to speak to me about the reforms to be undertaken in the Muslim world, about political strategies and of great geo-strategic plans, my first question to him would be whether he performed the dawn prayer (fajr) in its time"
*Ouch!*
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Linguistics
I'm currently working on my LING312 major assignment.
Among the books I loaned from the library is: "Pidgins, Creoles and Lingua Francas - A sociolinguistic study" by Max K. Adler.
It is an inconspicuous-looking book; thin, colourless and outdated (1977)
but it has verses from the Old Testament, the New Testament, and the Quran in its preface.
All the verses had something to do with linguistics.
The verses from Quran are taken from Surah Ar-Rahman, Verse 1-4:
The verses in Arabic are very familiar to me but I never think deeply about their meaning and how related they are to the field I'm currently studying.
I always bemoan how much I hate linguistics but these four verses may have just changed my mind.
:)
Among the books I loaned from the library is: "Pidgins, Creoles and Lingua Francas - A sociolinguistic study" by Max K. Adler.
It is an inconspicuous-looking book; thin, colourless and outdated (1977)
but it has verses from the Old Testament, the New Testament, and the Quran in its preface.
All the verses had something to do with linguistics.
The verses from Quran are taken from Surah Ar-Rahman, Verse 1-4:
In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful
It is the Merciful who has taught the Quran. He created man and taught him articulate speech.
The verses in Arabic are very familiar to me but I never think deeply about their meaning and how related they are to the field I'm currently studying.
I always bemoan how much I hate linguistics but these four verses may have just changed my mind.
:)
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
Islam in Australia
I was very apprehensive when I first caught glimpse of Herald’s last Saturday front-page feature. ‘Islam in Australia’ was the title. After last week’s dodgy piece on the so-called “Super-Max Jihadists”, I was starting to think that Herald is as bad (and biased) as the Daily Telegraph when it comes to portraying Islam and Muslims.
Thus I was pleasantly surprised when I read the introduction:
“Six months ago, the Herald set out to discover the face of Muslim Australia. Where do Muslim hail from, where do they live, what are their hopes, fears and frustrations? Our reporters met Muslims, earned their trusts and sought to transcend stereotypes. Today we launch a series exploring the diversity of Islamic life and opinion in Australia and opening a dialogue about what it means to be both Muslim and Australian”
I must say that the report was very good. It shows Islam as a beautiful, peaceful religion. And it also sought to correct the mass public misconceptions about Islam. A very commendable effort indeed.
Though I’m not an Australian, I can certainly relate to a lot of the issues raised in the report. Such issues include:
- The ‘us’ versus ‘them’ attitude held by some Muslims and non-Muslims
- The feeling of alienation by society
- Being “forced” to apologise for the actions of other Muslims
- The challenges of finding a place to pray
- The conscious effort to be a better Muslim resulting from all these pressures
Back in Malaysia, you don’t face any of these issues. Islam is the religion of the majority of the population. So, finding a place to pray was never a problem. There’s bound to be a surau or a masjid anywhere you go. And you don’t get sideway glances or second looks just because you wear a hijab. And there’s no Daily-Telegraph-yang-jahat equivalent there.
When I first arrived in Australia, it took some time for me to get accustomed to being strongly identified as a Muslim. It was hard dealing with people’s curiosity, ignorance and sometimes even hostility. But it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. I’ve come to know more about my own faith. And consequently that made me strive to become a better Muslim.
I hope the report is able to mend a lot of people’s misconceptions about Islam. Islam did not blow the twin towers. Islam does not breed terrorists and “fundamentalists” (whatever that means). And Islam does not oppress women.
I think a lot of the tensions and mistrusts between Muslims and non-Muslims are caused by ignorance. And ignorance can be overcome. It’s not a permanent state.
There's a light at the end of the tunnel after all ...
P.S: For those who haven't read the articles, you could do so here: http://www.smh.com.au/specials/islam/
Friday, March 30, 2007
All in the name of “Research”
I never knew that there are so many movies about teachers around until last week. Our latest EDUC 390 lecture was on Effective Teaching and the lecturer recommended lots and lots of movies about inspiring teachers.
Some of them I have seen …
-Dead Poet Society
-To Sir, With Love
-Mona Lisa Smile
-Sister Act 2
-Mr Holland Opus
-Dangerous Minds
-Good Will Hunting
and some others I have heard about …
-Educating Rita
-Finding Forrester
-Remember the Titans
-Coach Carter
-The Emperor’s Club
There are quite a few others I have never heard of:
-Stand and Deliver
-Goodbye Mr Chip
-Teachers
-Lean on Me
-187
-The Substitute
-The Prime Miss Jean Brodie
I faithfully copied down every movie recommended, resolving to see each and every one of them. In fact, that’s about the only thing I wrote in the entire 2-hour lecture.
Apparently, I wasn’t the only one who felt that way. Afterwards, Ana bought “To Sir, With Love” DVD, Fariza bought “Dead Poet Society” and Tasha “Good Will Hunting”.
We watched “To Sir, With Love” together and all of us were moved by it. It’s such an inspiring story. To those who haven’t watched it, boleh la pinjam kat Ana .. hehe.
Anyway, that made us want to see all other movies even more.
Ana even came up with a brilliant idea to ease the guilt of splurging on DVDs: “We do this all in the name of RESEARCH” (Our 2nd assignment for EDUC 390 is a reflective writing task on Effective Teaching)
Who can argue with that???
Some of them I have seen …
-Dead Poet Society
-To Sir, With Love
-Mona Lisa Smile
-Sister Act 2
-Mr Holland Opus
-Dangerous Minds
-Good Will Hunting
and some others I have heard about …
-Educating Rita
-Finding Forrester
-Remember the Titans
-Coach Carter
-The Emperor’s Club
There are quite a few others I have never heard of:
-Stand and Deliver
-Goodbye Mr Chip
-Teachers
-Lean on Me
-187
-The Substitute
-The Prime Miss Jean Brodie
I faithfully copied down every movie recommended, resolving to see each and every one of them. In fact, that’s about the only thing I wrote in the entire 2-hour lecture.
Apparently, I wasn’t the only one who felt that way. Afterwards, Ana bought “To Sir, With Love” DVD, Fariza bought “Dead Poet Society” and Tasha “Good Will Hunting”.
We watched “To Sir, With Love” together and all of us were moved by it. It’s such an inspiring story. To those who haven’t watched it, boleh la pinjam kat Ana .. hehe.
Anyway, that made us want to see all other movies even more.
Ana even came up with a brilliant idea to ease the guilt of splurging on DVDs: “We do this all in the name of RESEARCH” (Our 2nd assignment for EDUC 390 is a reflective writing task on Effective Teaching)
Who can argue with that???
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
6 Weird Things About Me
1) I'm superorganized. I obsessively note everything in my little organizer:
-People's birthday
-assignments
-expenses
-Things I did
-Things to-do (I don't necessarily do them, I just need to list them)
-etc
2) I can stomach films with lots of violence (e.g. Kill Bill) but not horror/scary films. I would never watch Ju On, for example, even if I get paid for it!
3) I take my time washing the dishes. I compusively need to be sure that they are really, really clean. My mom always complains that I use too much soap + water.
Then, after washing, I have to neatly stack everything so that they can dry easily.
4) I don't sleep on my bed. I sleep on the floor inside my sleeping bag. This is a recent habit (1 month old). I only use my bed for short naps, when I'm too lazy to spread and later refold the sleeping bag.
5) I set two alarms to wake me up in the morning. 1 is with the radio clock, and 1 is with my hand phone. I distrust snooze buttons.
6) I have a low stamina for shopping. I get tired easily. I know, shocking isn't it?? :p
-People's birthday
-assignments
-expenses
-Things I did
-Things to-do (I don't necessarily do them, I just need to list them)
-etc
2) I can stomach films with lots of violence (e.g. Kill Bill) but not horror/scary films. I would never watch Ju On, for example, even if I get paid for it!
3) I take my time washing the dishes. I compusively need to be sure that they are really, really clean. My mom always complains that I use too much soap + water.
Then, after washing, I have to neatly stack everything so that they can dry easily.
4) I don't sleep on my bed. I sleep on the floor inside my sleeping bag. This is a recent habit (1 month old). I only use my bed for short naps, when I'm too lazy to spread and later refold the sleeping bag.
5) I set two alarms to wake me up in the morning. 1 is with the radio clock, and 1 is with my hand phone. I distrust snooze buttons.
6) I have a low stamina for shopping. I get tired easily. I know, shocking isn't it?? :p
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