‘Raceless’, could it be?

Looking forward due to the issue of racism and multiculturalism through the lense of Malaysia as a country of unique political landscape, abruptly, a question came into my head asking – can we live without race? Or even all Malaysian can be considered as ‘raceless’.

Weekend of Light

Within this weekend, there were few worthful programs and useful in enhancing our intellectualism focusing on Islamic world, especially to those who are the movers of Islamic movement; so called Ab’na Al Harakah.

The first program is ‘Seminar Sehari Pandangan Alam Islam’ and the lecture from Prof. Dr. Syed Muhammad Naquib Al-Attas entitled ‘Reviving the Worldview of Islam: Internal and External Challenges’ proudly will be organized by Himpunan Keilmuan Muda (HAKIM) and Persatuan Kebangsaan Pelajar Islam Malaysia (PKPIM) .

In fact, this is the first appearance of Dr. Syed Naquib Al-Attas to give the public lecture in front of the wide audiences within 6 years of hiatus and; the ‘exile‘ from the media, government, or the political party. I’m waiting for the wonderful quotes and remembrances from him as one of the great murobbi and scholar toward the Islamic World. The program will be started at 8.30 a.m 12 December. More detail here.

Next up, an event and educational exhibition on the life and works of Muhammad Asad, a Jew-turned-Muslim Islamic scholar who have done countless contribution to Muslim World from 12 until 13 December. The keynote lecture will be given by Dr. Tariq Ramadhan on “Islamic Renaissance: The Need for Reform and Renewal”, and he will officiate the launching of Islamic Renaissance Front. Next day on 13^th, Dr. Tariq one again will be given a public lecture focus on Muhammad Asad which is free entrance to the public. More details here.

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Rumah Omar 12:19p.m

Illuminatif pemikiran

Ke Kelantan

Baru saja menghirup udara Kelantan; menghadiri majlis perkahwinan mantan presiden Gabungan Mahasiswa Islam Se Malaysia (GAMIS), Dzulkhairi Noor dan Raihanah (gambar). Bertolak dari Kuala Lumpur pukul 2.00 pagi dan bergegas semula sampai di Kuala Lumpur jam 9.10 malam begitu. Selamat pengantin baru bagi pasangan ini dan semoga kekal ke anak cucu.

Sempat juga bersolat di Masjid Maahad Tahfiz Pulai Condong. Melihat beberapa sahabat yang tekun menghafal Al-Quran, teringat pula saya pada ungkapan Dr. Dzulkifli Ahmad tentang ‘Mandat Sosial’ yang saya lupa malah sukar benar mengingati perkataan Arabnya.

Light Achtung

[OP-ED] As the phenominal epic adventure movie of 2012 just blown up the cinema, I tend to choose not to watch that particular of ‘the-Last-Day-theme’ movie for this week. In fact, I’d never ever go to cinema watching any blockbuster movie before. How “primitive” I am.

Dramatic 2012 and the other perceptions behind the movie, its propaganda and the notorious role of Western media can be an exciting issue to be discussed. Maybe this* and this* can be a good brain-appetizer before strategically watching the movie; or reading the book of faith and religion – A History of God (Karen Armstrong) or etc.

Kick It Over! Campaign

More info from here

Malaysian; and the other side

When I was reading the online news last night, as I’m waiting for the few heavy file to be downloaded, I found this music video that make my ear suddenly catching up the sound and rhythm.

This is the link.

A mixed group of Malaysian included filmmakers, dancers, singers, producers, musicians, actors, entrepreneurs, designers, footballers, activists, celebrities, students and a ‘florist’ gathered and came out with an attractive music video and website, even a package of banner to promote their ideas; Malaysian, or in the other word, anti-racism, just live in harmony, love the country.

Of disaster and the helping hands

The earthquake that devastated Padang and its surrounding in western Sumatra make us becomes more phobias to the natural disaster. Besides, it has reminded us for the sins and mistakes that we have done.

Of Hari Raya and ‘Sembang-sembang’

Assalamualaikum.

I just came back to KL to further my study since our class start on Monday. Bundle of assignment and course work stagnant in my working desk. But I feel much better because just met lovable family members and friends in hometown.

We also had a massive gathering among Kedah students who were studying in Malaysia and abroad in 3^rd day of Hari Raya. Chit-chatting and discussing about our study and previous school of Alma mater makes us feel strong to face the challenges in the next period of life. Congratulation to Persatuan Mahasiswa Darul Aman (Persada) as the organizer. Thanks a lot to those friends for the touching and poetry Hari Raya wish via SMSes and emails.

This is my last Raya and Ramadhan in university, and hopefully not the last one in my life. InsyaALLAH. O ALLAH, give me a long and barakah life.

Kerja-kerja kita

Assalamualaikum.

Ramadhan tinggal beberapa hari saja lagi. Ramai kawan-kawan universiti Malaya memilih untuk bertahajud di Masjid Ar-Rahman dalam malam-malam terakhir ini.

Disamping beribadah dan sebagainya, tak lupa juga masyarakat marhaen Kuala Lumpur mula rancak keluar bershopping. Ke Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman ajaknya. Tak pun ke Mydin atau Chow Kit. Saya hanya senyum dan tidak berminat tajuk-tajuk biasa seperti itu. “Aku shopping last-last lah,” jawab saya selalunya kali ini.

Beberapa acara menarik sebelum cuti raya. Kami di Econs sempat menganjurkan program santai ‘Sembang-Sembang’ malam ini (16hb). Bercakap tentang ekonomi Malaysia – Tajuknya mungkin agak sinikal iaitu ‘Apa cerita Ekonomi Malaysia?’. Undangan pula bukan calang-calang. Terima kasih kepada Sdr. Saifullah yang sudi mengaturkan kehadirian YB Nik Nazmi. Tak lupa juga Wan Firdaus yang sudi datang berkongsi pandangan.

Op-ed: The debatable ‘dimension’.

FEW friends said to me that starting our speeches and talks with Basmallah are a demonstration of ‘one-dimensional’ society; seeing the world through the shortsighted lenses. But, from my point of view, sometimes I thought that was true. Yes, in one hand, there is an element of ’sufi’ and ‘takwa’. Remembering our God; Allah. But, please don’t underestimate and misunderstood that particular of ‘thought’, they also got the logic in seeing something.

Some people keep coining that mentioning Basmallah dan Assalamualaikum are still the basic behavioral characteristic of ‘one-dimensional man’, even sometimes people also see those terms are the implementation of social contract. But, the way they saw the case is contradicting to the important factor of one-dimensional minded phenomenon written by Germany philosopher, Herbert Marcuse in his book, One-dimensional man.