M'Lop Tapang Centre for Street Children

Founded by 4 young Khmers, M'Lop Tapang was conceived under the shade of a tree on the beach, hence its name. The organisation has been offering care and support to young people at risk in Sihanoukville since 2003. It provides access to education, medical care, counselling, vocational training and recreational activities while protecting the children from all forms of abuse.

We were greeted by Wanti, the education officer of M'Lop Tapang as he stood by a yellow coloured truck -- our transport from the guest house to the centre for the coming days. The ride was fun. We stood on the truck and enjoyed every bump as the driver negotiated the potholed roads and narrow lanes. But the fun was shortlived when we arrived at the centre. The sight of young children, many without footwears and shirts or tops sank our hearts. Later we saw babies in the baby room lying down on the floor without shorts and diapers. We were guided to the meeting room (on the upper floor of the building) for the welcoming remarks by the Director of the centre.

Despite the humongous challenge confronting them -- to provide non-formal education to the street children with the hope that they eventually be admitted to state schools, against the wishes of their parents who rather have them on the streets and beaches to beg or sell knick-knacks for an income to the family -- both Wanti and his Director appeared calm and collected sourced almost by an inherent inner peace, I reckoned.

The children crowded around us, everytime we arrived at the main centre, or at the slump schools. Many clinged to us, as though they found their long lost parents. Their deep eyes, troubled looks and erratic (and aggressive) behaviours were expressions of untold stories and psychological conditions. We came to offer help, but instead discovered our own human frailties as we wrestled our emotions, and the fear of giving these children the false hope and expectations of love.

Can we detach ourselves from the emotions and get the job which we came for, done? Should we not smile, hold their hands when they grabbed ours and play games with them to show that we care? Perhaps, this is what matters to them, and will make them happy.

We came to conduct art and basic numeracy classes at the centre, and build an eco-garden on the grounds of the slump school. Most of us were not prepared for the emotional roller-coaster but we took it in our stride. By the end of each day, many in the team "adopted" a child or children, and bonded with them.

It was selfless giving and receiving all day, everyday. We came to give, but I felt we were the beneficiaries instead.

A truly awesome life-changing experience for me.

Cambodia: First Impressions

First impressions have a powerful place in memory, and so it is that I remember with startling clarity stepping out of Pochentong Airport on 15 June 2010. I was an "unofficial" member of the POLARIS expedition and we had to spend a night in Phnom Penh before travelling to Kampong Som (Sihanoukville) where M'Lop Tapang is based.

Pitou, our contact in Cambodia greeted us on arrival. Slim-built, unassuming yet competent, gracious and extremely helpful. A student of tourism at the local university, Pitou organised our programme, accommodation, transport and acted as our translator.

Pochentong Airport is about 2.5 miles away from the centre of Phnom Penh, and given that there were 23 of us, and a heap of boxes (of rations, stationeries, and cooking utensils) as well as our luggages, I eagerly expected a coach to ferry us to our guest house. Instead, Pitou had us, our luggages and boxes on a motorcade of tuk-tuks, a six seater rickshaw powered by a motorcycle from the airport to Paragon Hotel. We were thrilled by the ride, as we sampled the architectural and demographic character of the city, its potpourri of scent and strong smell of barbecued meat.

We arrived at Paragon Hotel at sunset. The hotel overlooks the Tonle Sap river. Sandwiched by pubs, cafes and massage parlours, the hotel is attractive to budget travellers such as the middle-aged American (with a Macintosh in his hand) who was curious to know where I came from and the purpose of our visit. After a quick view of our room and dropping off our luggages, we marched along a dimly-lit road of shophouses and curious onlookers. Who could blame them. We stood out like black ninjas. With our black attire, and sisters in hijab, everyone on the street looked at us as we passed through the road, looking for the Halal restaurant. We found one, although not the restaurant in mind. The place was full, with Malaysians who had just arrived from KL. To make way for us, the Malaysians were nudged by the restaurant owners to leave the moment they finished their meals. The lady who acted like the manager-cum-waiter of the restaurant, suggested that we have the same menu as the Malaysians: tom-yam, omelette, fish, mixed vegetables with white rice. Too tired to think, and too hungry to argue, we agreed with her "instructions". We ate dinner for the stomach. For taste, I thought the tom-yam was too sweet for my liking and therefore complemented it with small cut chilli padi(s). After dinner we walked straight back to the hotel for our first briefing (and introductions).

We assembled at the hotel reception and walkway with our bags and boxes early next morning to wait for our chartered coach that will take us on the 4 hour ride to Sihanoukville. There was hustle and bustle on the corniche, and the road next to it. Foreigners and locals, joggers and peddlers, motorcyclists, and an elephant (with its keeper) were sharing the road, making it an eventful (and delightful) morning.

My first impression of Phnom Penh resonated with Yaya's (one of our team member). She described the city as broken and beautiful.

To me, the city may be broken, but the people are definitely beautiful.

We Will Not Go Down

Mentors

They are extraordinary. Taking on several roles all at the same time - trusted advisor, teacher, counselor, friend and/or parent - they are there when you need them.

Kunich and Lester in their article "Leadership and the Art of Mentoring: Tool Kit for the Time Machine" cited several mentors and illustrated their mentoring process as if it were an acronym:

Model
Emphatize
Nurture
Teach
Organize
Respond
Inspire
Network
Goal-Set


One of the most remarkable mentors in history is Anne Sullivan, the teacher of Helen Keller. Immortalized in the play and film The Miracle Worker, Sullivan exemplified all facets of an ideal mentor as she worked with her young deaf and blind protégé.

The mentor nurtures the protégé as a farmer tends the wheat, providing seeds, nourishment, protection and the room to grow, each in its turn, in the proper amount, and in its own due time.

It is not a title we can arrogate to ourselves or bestowed upon us through a simple administrative act.

It is an honour that must be earned as we diligently strive to make a positive change in the life, attitudes and behaviour of our young protégés, and through them, in ourselves, no less.

APEX (especially @MWTI), MGN, TMSN, IM4U, YKI and many others out there -- know that the ride is uphill and bumpy, but it is most satisfying (and humbling) to witness our former protégés in turn become mentors.

And what could possibly be a better amal jariah than that?

With admiration, as always.

Tribute to SIM's MCMS and APEX

Almost 6 years ago, I walked through the courtyard of SIM's HQ at Clementi Road to deliver lectures/tutorials and summer school on Management, Systems and Change for UK Open Uni's programme. Today, I was back at SIM on the invitation of the Malay Cultural and Muslim Society for a brown bag session with the newly admitted students. This would be my third meeting following the first meeting with Sis Nadiah at An-Naeem Mosque and subsequently with her EXCO members at Starbucks@FullertonOne.

My session was prefaced by a presentation by APEX or Ace PSLE Exams. Led by a group of NUS and other tertiary students, these 30+ mentors provided small group clinics/tutorials to prepare madrasah students for the PSLE. They did not limit their contributions to academic enrichment, but extend it to include motivation camps and goal setting. Their video clip and powerpoint slides moved many to embrace their cause - to empower individuals by becoming role models and providing academic help. The Pri 6 Madrasah Irsyad students featured in their video truly had benefited from APEX's programme, judging from their playful antics yet decisive on their career aspirations. How could we not respond to APEX's invitation to contribute as tutors or role models, I asked MCMS members to break ice before the talk proper.

APEX is a student-led initiative that in my view, have proved critics wrong - that apathy or indifference, and our educated young are synonymous. I applaud their effort and contributions. Initiatives such as APEX offered optimism and hope for the future. I sincerely hope that more students will come forward to give back to society even while they are still in campus.

I tried to expound the notion of success and attempted to answer the question given, as the title of the talk: Am I a successful Muslim?

Success is simply defined as an achievement of a given target or goal, and is the opposite of failure. But success today is no guarantee for success tomorrow. And as Muslims our definition of success is a subset of a wider definition of the Quranic term "Falah". Our ethics for success include actions that do not compromise prohibitions, such as at the expense of others; ends justify means and other Machiavellian tactics. As Muslims, we have responsibilities and its fulfillment is a measure of our conviction. We must be proud of our Muslim identity, but it must not led us to shy away from others or worse, create enclaves to "protect ourselves" and not contributing together with, and for the wider society.

A successful Muslim student, must meet the stringent criteria of the President's Scholarship, I argued. Perhaps a Muslim students' category to make it appropriate in this case. Through an interactive round, participants offered the following attributes and qualities: a) attain excellent results consistently, b) possess leadership qualities, c) made significant contributions to society, d) optimistic and passionate with a cause, e) manifest a pioneering spirit, and last but not least, f) have a good knowledge of Islam. That was our answer to the extended question - Am I a successful Muslim student?

We prayed Zuhr and Asr together, before and after the talk - a significant and important aspect of any programme, to connect and bind our souls as we stood in rows, shoulder to shoulder before Him. The physical, emotional and spiritual significance of praying together in a jamaah may not be obvious and understood by many. It is the building block for collective action and cements everyone together particularly in difficult times.

From the side talks and positive vibes, I gathered that we have managed to energise and motivate the students who stayed on. They need to keep their flame alive, and hopefully maintain the fire in their belly.

Self motivation is the best motivation.
They have what it takes.
I saw several first class honours and first class iman in the making.

May Allah assist them in their endeavours and grant them success in this world and the hereafter.

Ameen.

Faith In Action

One of the institutions I visited on my IVP Program on Community and Religion was a community clinic in Los Angeles. Established by a group of young medical graduates to serve the community and the neighbourhood, the UMMA Community Clinic is the first free standing Muslim Free Clinic in America. The mission is to promote the well-being of the underserved by providing access to high quality healthcare for all regardless of ability to pay.

The University Muslim Medical Association (UMMA) was started in 1990 by UCLA graduate and medical students in collaboration with Charles R. Drew University. From the start, the goal of the organization was to establish a free clinic in medically underserved South Central Los Angeles. With the administrative and logistical support of UCLA, Drew School of Medicine and L.A. City Councilperson, the UMMA secured $1,383,000 in grants to make its vision into a reality.

When my team and I entered the clinic (then), we were welcomed by the many patients waiting to see the doctors. The basic fittings and fixtures in the clinic complemented the hopeful and dignified smiles of the patients, doctors and staff alike. I was deeply impressed by the effort and salute the founders and volunteers for their remarkable achievement. Since then, I have shared the UMMA Community Clinic story with students and youth, whenever I am invited to be in their company.

Today, Ust Hannan e-mailed me a videoclip to go "beyond ourselves". I thought it was a brilliant clip to demonstrate the selfless efforts of young professionals who articulated Islam by deeds.



Actions speak louder than words.
They give without asking anything back.
Truly inspirational!

Anything we can do, together?

Poetry

"Mus'ab wrote a poem on Saidatinah Khadijah (ra)" was the breaking news after the salam when I stepped into the house. I was pleasantly surprised since I never knew he is into poetry and is the one with the few words among his siblings. Perhaps his reflective self is expressing itself and poetry may just be the right medium. My wife retrieved a sheet of paper from his schoolbag and here it goes:

The mother of believer

Saidatinah Khadijah,
the mother of believer,

she trusted Muhammad when he was spreading Islam,
she treated her slaves kindly,
she donated money to the charity,
she was generous,
and even offered money to Muhammad,
she fed her children well,
I think that she won't go to hell,
she did not say bad words,
she would even feed birds,
she was not stingy,
she acted kindly that you could say she was shiny,

Saidatinah Khadijah,
the mother of believer.

By Mus'ab Albakri

Not bad for a start. I read it again and was tickled by the innocence of the child and the attempt to rhyme the lines. But deep down my heart, I was pleased with it. Particularly over the effort and the expression to describe Saidatinah Khadijah, the beloved wife of our Prophet (saw) without inhibition and fear of (making) mistakes.

I have always admired poets for their ability to express thoughts and emotions through the limited yet elegant stanzas. And more so for those who are able to create poems from just a single word offered by a passer-by or a flash in the mind.

Back in 2004 when we were first introduced to the M3YP (Muis 3-Year Plan) I offered a poem to my OE colleagues in response to their call to create stories using words inherent in the M3YP. The poem was later read during the Staff Contact Day.

THE M3YP

I like to see it deepen our souls
And practice what we preach
As we set our minds to higher goals
Our agenda must be within everyone’s reach

Religious conviction is a must manifold
To forge and connect with the Divine
Through our actions our identity will unfold
Credible yet humble, prosperous yet generous, we are define

Are we effective one may ask
Can it be gauged by the blessings endowed upon us?
Without integrity these are but an illusive instance
The M3YP stands before us to renew our existence

Albakri Ahmad
2 Mar 04

Well done Mus'ab.
Enjoy poetry!

JK Rowling's Commencement Speech

Dr Siti Maryam Salasal forwarded an e-mail with the text of JK Rowling's Harvard Commencement Speech today. It was the best e-mail or rather the best read for the day, for me.

Not only because it's by the famous and renowned author of the best-selling Harry Potter books, but also the honest-to-goodness reflection of her past failure in life and how it benefited her. It was quite a long and substantive speech, and it must be - for such a significant and important moment for the graduates.

I strongly recommend a read and (re)read to enjoy the beautiful and elegant use of language as well as the profound meaning of her calling. The full text is found at the following link:

http://harvardmagazine.com/web/breaking-news/jk-rowling-commencement-2008

At the risk of copyright infringement, I append (in quote) one of the segment of the speech aimed at the graduating students.

"Your intelligence, your capacity for hard work, the education you have earned and received, give you unique status, and unique responsibilities. Even your nationality sets you apart. The great majority of you belong to the world’s only remaining superpower. The way you vote, the way you live, the way you protest, the pressure you bring to bear on your government, has an impact way beyond your borders. That is your privilege, and your burden. If you choose to use your status and influence to raise your voice on behalf of those who have no voice; if you choose to identify not only with the powerful, but with the powerless; if you retain the ability to imagine yourself into the lives of those who do not have your advantages, then it will not only be your proud families who celebrate your existence, but thousands and millions of people whose reality you have helped transform for the better. We do not need magic to change the world, we carry all the power we need inside ourselves already: we have the power to imagine better."

JK Rowling had fired the imagination of millions here and the world over. The Harry Potter books (and movies) transcended country, ethnic, culture and language. In fact it unified millions of fans and readers as a global Potter family. The power of JK Rowling's work and Harry Potter specifically is beyond measure, not to mention its commercial value.

The above extract (as quoted) is not only useful and relevant to the Harvard graduating class but also to anyone who is endowed to serve and has the power to transform reality for the better.

Are there Rowlings in the making, in our midst?

Many thanks to Dr Siti Maryam for making my day.

The Story of My Life

After celebrating the success of some 30 families who participated in Muis Empowerment Programme Scheme (EPS) and performing the Zuhr prayer, I left Sultan Mosque for One Fullerton to meet a group of students from SIM who are also EXCO members of the SIM Malay Cultural and Muslim Society. These students wanted to meet me for sometime now, but delayed due to my travels and their exam periods.

My mind was occupied with possible talking points for the meeting, to ensure that it will be worthwhile for the students, during the ride on the MRT train from Bugis to Raffles Place. I was prepared to talk about my observations on what would be necessary and useful issues for Learning the Future - which I mentally summarised as the 3-world reality: a) A Sustainable World, with its attendant issues of climate change, and its impact on energy policy, tourism planning, food security and water resource, b) A Multipolar World, with the rise of China and India, a new Europe, the turbulent Africa and the opening of Central Asia as well as the emergence of ideologies and its nexus with geopolitics and, c) A Hyperlinked World, through globalisation and issues of national identity and human migration.

It all began when Sis Nadiah, the President of the newly formed society, attended the TMSN camp at An-Naeem Mosque in March during which she invited me to meet her EXCO members for a sharing. Last Wednesday, my family and I happened to meet her and her peers at Downtown East, and to my surprise, she happens to be Muslihah's Chemistry teacher at Al-Maarif. She has taken up a part-time teaching post at the madrasah while studying for the University of London degree at SIM. Certainly her time are well spent and her commitments, exemplary!

Soon after all five students had their seats at Starbucks-One Fullerton, I was asked to share what I have done in the past, the motivations and my aspirations for the future.

On reflection after the meeting, I thought I had shared the story of my life and signposted major decisions that may have led to where and who I am today. I had never entertained this thought or attempted this task, partly because I do not believe one can be absolutely objective and accurate with autobiography. But since there may be learning points for them, I obliged and tried to be as comprehensive as possible, but aware that a 40-plus years of life history cannot be summarised in an hour without losing many of the episodes which are also significant to make the account complete and accurate.

I began with experiences of being the eldest in the family, the upbringing I had, the influences that shaped and developed my worldview, the challenging days of working-in-the-day and studying-at-night after dropping out of secondary school, right through overseas education in the UK and fulfilled my ambition to be a University lecturer.

The students listened attentively while I consistently tried to be succint and factual. It reminded me of the days I sat at the feet of (late) Prof Stafford Beer, who supervised my doctoral work when I visited him at his cottage in the valley in Mid Wales. A world renowned cybernetician, Stafford was multi-talented and a true polymath. He was conversant in English (of course), French, Latin, Spanish, Sanskrit and Hindi (which he picked up during his stint in India when he led the Gurkha contingent). He was a poet, painter, philosopher, a carpenter and taught veda and vedic yoga to his students.

But unlike Stafford who was a Guru and almost a sage to his students, I shared the story of my life with the hope that it may inspire them to discover their talents, realise their potentials, chase their dreams and break new frontiers.

I hope they too will inspire others to greater heights (and heavens)!

The Child On The Disused Track

On the train from Oxford to London Paddington, I asked Prof Tariq Ramadan whether he had met the Grand Mufti of Bosnia, Sheikh Dr Mustafa Ceric recently. He affirmed and laughed, while mentioning that the Grand Mufti is a humorous man. At an event cited by Prof Ramadan, Sheikh Mustafa Ceric made everyone laughed by his humour through simple and innocent statements.

I told Prof Ramadan that we have invited the Grand Mufti to deliver the lecture on Prophet Muhammad's Enduring Message to Humanity, which was eventually delivered by his goodself last April, and that we have an open invitation for the Grand Mufti to visit Singapore.

I met the Grand Mufti last year at the Conference on Islam and Muslims in the World Today, organised by University of Cambridge. His presentation on Muslims in the West: Engagement and Representation was rich and profound, to say the least.

He asserted we are at the threshold of a new age in which morality must prevail; in which understanding for our neighbours, justice in our dealings, and willingness to help each other must be our command. "Neither intelligence nor atomic weapons nor nuclear threats nor institutions can serve as substitutes for moral values and human decency", he argued. "You may win the war, but that does not mean that you have won the peace. The world was promised freedom from fear, but in fact fear has increased in recent years. The world was promised freedom from want, but large parts of the world are faced with starvation while others are living in abundance. Territorial questions and arguments of power still prevail over the essential demands of common welfare and justice". Such was the profundity of his analysis.

I found his choice of the story of the great critic Leo Velski Julian to be very appropriate for this general situation. In it he tells us about a group of children playing near two railway tracks, one still in use while the other is disused. Only one child played on the disused track, the rest on the operational track.

The train is coming, and you are just beside the track interchange. You can make the train change its course to the disused track and save most of the children. However, that would also mean the lone child playing by the disused track would be sacrificed. Or would you rather let the train go its way?

Most people might choose to divert the course of the train, and sacrifice only one child. You might think the same way. To save most of the children at the expense of only one child is a rational decision most people would make, morally and emotionally. But, have you ever thought that the child choosing to play on the disused track had in fact made the right decision to play at a safe place?

Nevertheless, he had to be sacrificed because of his ignorant friends who chose to play where the danger was. This kind of dilemma happens around us everyday. In the office, community, in politics and especially in a democratic society, the minority is often sacrificed for the interest of the majority, no matter how foolish or ignorant the majority are, and how farsighted and knowledgeable the minority are. The child who chose not to play with the rest on the operational track was sidelined. And in case he was sacrificed, no one would shed a tear for him.

The great critic Leo Velski Julian who told the story said he would not try to change the course of the train because he believed that the kids playing on the operational track should have known very well that track was still in use, and that they should have run away if they heard the train's sirens. If the train was diverted, that lone child would definitely die because he never thought the train could come over to that track! Moreover, that track was not in use probably because it was not safe. If the train was diverted to the track, we could put the lives of all passengers on board at stake! And in your attempt to save a few kids by sacrificing one child, you might end up sacrificing hundreds of people to save these few kids.

While we are all aware that life is full of tough decisions that need to be made, we may not realize that hasty decisions may not always be the right one.

"Remember that what's right isn't always popular... and what's popular isn't always right."

Father's Day

Selfridges, The House of Fraser, Debenhams and all other stores on Oxford Street were dressed for Father's Day. Even Waterstone's was no exception. It had shelves labelled Books for Fathers to help children decide a gift for their book-loving fathers. There were other gifts too - like mugs with Super Dad printed on it. I particularly liked some of the gift items, but thought it would not be appropriate to buy it for myself.

Neither did I present my (late) father gifts every Father's Day, except on occasions when I travelled and saw something which I believed he would appreciate. But somehow being in London, compounded by the posters and window dressing of these big stores, I suddenly missed my father immensely.

When I was in Amsterdam, I mentioned to a colleague the gift I presented to my father, when he asked me what would make a good gift. I told him I gave my father a box of cigars! The wooden box was beautiful and the cigars in it, were like art pieces and together it was impeccable. My father was delighted but my wife was not very pleased since it meant I encouraged him to smoke.

One of the things I carried with me to London was a shopping list - my family has a craving for many cakes and chocolates from Tesco. And it usually includes two items for my father - cheese and scones, a liking he developed during his visits to the UK. This time round, when I ran through the list, my father's delightful expression the last time I delivered him the cheese and scones appeared in my mind. It would be a perfect Father's Day gift for him, I thought. I felt sad and tearful - I missed him very much.

It is said that we will only cherish and value our parents (and everybody and anything else) when they are no longer around. I now understood the truth of this statement. And indeed, there were instances when we disagreed as well as the reprimand on Hari Raya Eid Fitr when I expressed my views from Liverpool over the Ramadan Bazaar at Geylang Serai.

But as days passed into the third month of his passing, I missed him even more.

There were not many occasions when my father and I had a walk together. Perhaps being the eldest child, I was meant to do my "own things", and indeed I did. I worked, served National Service, traveled to Paris and London after NS, worked again and eventually moved to the UK. It was during his second visit that we brought him to London to spend time with my family and I, together.

I retraced the walk we did along The Serpentine in Hyde Park, Constitution Hill, Buckingham Palace for the Changing of the Guards, and the Birdcage Walk along St James Park. The squirrels, the swans and the birds in St James Park were there, just like when my father, Muslim and Muslihah tried to feed and photographed them - and each of these actions were visually replayed in my mind.

It was moments like these that I wished I had spent more time with him.

My wife told me not to repeat it and asked me to spend more time with my mother. I also intend to spend what ever little time I have, with my children. And now that they have grown up, we hardly walked together.

When I reached home, Murshidah gave me a present. I unwrapped it with excitement - it was an exercise book, autographed with good wishes. Mus'ab gave me a crumpled piece of paper with his drawing of SpongeBob SquarePants cartoon on it, for Father's Day.

Allah, please forgive me for the things I did, and for the things I did not do, for my father when he was alive.

Please grant him Your mercy, Allah.
And Your garden for his abode.

Clarity of Mind

One of my fascination is how the mind works to organise a huge variety of information into meaningful summaries. There are many instances where the skill to summarise and report the salient points of the discussion are required - as a chairperson for a meeting, a moderator for a panel of speakers in a seminar, and even for breakout sessions or group work. Often this task is to be completed within a very short period of time, not to mention the added pressure to reflect accurately yet concisely the entire discussion and presentation made during the sessions.

The same is true for making speeches, be it opening or welcoming remarks, closing speech or way forward remarks and valecdiction - tasks that are usually assigned to me, perhaps because I am usually the most elderly at the occasion. Let me attempt to share my observations and experiences on speech-organising before we move to the more complex task of summarising discussions or conversations into meaningful and coherent statements.

There are several styles to adopt for the opening or welcoming speech. I particularly like the "many firsts" opening - particularly if we have several first to announce as the opening line, for the welcoming remarks. The "the first first, ..., the second first etc" style however, cannot be repeated for the same audience. For closing, I usually adopt a crisp, the "one-two-three" approach - 1 mission for the participants to accomplish, 2 "must-haves" to accomplish it, and 3 observations in my view that will make or break the mission. This "one-two-three" approach makes the closing pointed and mission-directed, and is also suitable when pressed for time at the end of the session.

For valecdiction, the best example I have seen thus far was the one delivered at the graduation dinner of the MPM course at LKYSPP early this year. The (overseas) student who represented the class did an excellent job by landscaping his valecdictory speech with how the group (of students) came, bonded and struggled together, and how they have benefited from the course. The speech was peppered with citations made by lecturers during their lessons to demonstrate that they remembered and internalised the points and messages taught. One of the highlights of the speech for me is how the student have managed to reflect their attitude and aptitude pre-course, the main takeaways from the course and their intention to apply what they learnt in their own operating environment, when they return to their own countries.

But my admiration goes to Father Justo Balda, a Jesuit priest who rapporteured our workgroup presentation and discussion through an interesting strategy. He captured all the keywords from the presentations and discussions as it happened and grouped them into three broad categories. The categories formed the idea while the words formed the sentences that reflected the intent, spirit and desired meaning of the discussion.

There are other interesting ways we have used (often subconciously) to organise the discussion or notes - from Buzan's mindmaps, highlighting and clustering techniques. While the tools are readily available and commonly known, they do not replace the cognitive capacity of the mind needed to organise thoughts before it is mapped on paper.

Clarity of mind is a gift.
But a greater gift is the purity of the heart.

With Admiration ..

I was in two minds whether to attend the NTUMS' 21st Anniversary Dinner tonight, for several reasons, including the much needed preparation for the Amsterdam trip tomorrow. And somehow I felt awkward to attend as a distinguished guest and to be seated at the VIP table. But at the same time, I do not wish to disappoint the President and EXCO members of NTUMS who had invited me, to join the celebration and the launch of NTUMS Gang.

Alhamdulillah, I am glad I attended the dinner. It was an opportunity to reunite with old friends and meet new ones too. Above all, it taught me an important lesson on the value of friendship and a reflection on da'wah fardhiyah.

After the formal segment of the dinner (and after the GOH has left) there were only 4 of us left at the VIP table. And the "informal" segment sparked interesting conversations between us. A fine gentleman, Mr ASCT (his initials) moved over to the vacant seat next to me and started small-talk, which later became global, insightful and fun. He holds a very senior position at NTU (at the President's office, no less), a graduate of Cambridge and Harvard, and is an active member (ps: I am not surprise if he is the Chairman) of the Singapore Harvard Club.

He started our conversation by sharing his meeting with our Mufti and then went on to ask me where did I obtain my PhD and my specialisation. After I told him that my PhD is in cybernetics from Liverpool, he asked me what is a PhD in cybernetics doing in Muis?

I told him its a long story, but primarily because our universities operate in compartmentalised faculties - and I am a victim because of my transdisciplinary field of research: information theory, neuroscience, management, mathematics, human dynamics within a metadiscipline called cybernetics. The School of Computer Science said that I am not a computer scientist, the Faculty of Engineering did not consider me an engineer, and the Business School did not recognise me as a management theorist.

He laughed aloud and shared his observation and experience at Harvard on the Mars Project, as as well as NASA's transdisciplinary project to put man on the moon. He clearly understood my predicament, and told me that it may be a blessing in disguise for I may develop a pigeon-hole mindset if I had joined the university, to fit into the compartmentalised faculty and be moulded by it.

Our conversation went around the world - from US, to Essex, Aberystwyth (in Wales), Liverpool, Cambridge, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Korea and back to Singapore. It was truly delightful. We ended this joyful conversation almost abruptly when the dinner came to an end, with the recitation of the Quran followed by the do'a. Interestingly, he ran his hands over his face, just like we did, when Br Nu'man ended his do'a rabitah, perhaps as a gesture of respect. We continued, as we stood for handshakes and bid goodbye, to finish off with our admiration for Liverpool's Ian Rush.

When I arrived home, I saw an e-mail from him, sent through his Blackberry, timed 11:14 pm. It read:

Dear Dr Albakri,

It was my good fortune to break bread with you at NTUMS' 21st Anniversary.

As all noble callings are, they have unique circumstances lie cybernatiques!

We must get together and also celebrate to Goal Rush during Ian's golden years!

With admiration,
Anthony.

I was moved when I saw and read the mail. This gentleman, many years my senior, very accomplished, highly-connected with the Who's Who in Singapore, wrote an e-mail almost immediately after the dinner to me, to express such delight. He signed-off his short, but most elegant note, with admiration. Indeed, he is the one to be admired.

This very act of e-mailing or sms-ing, a note of thanks or an expression of gratitude soon after a meeting or an interaction, is very significant and effective for relationship and goodwill building.
It creates a positive impact and a lasting impression on the receiver - definitely a best practice for da'wah fardhiyah.

As I replied to his mail, I wondered how many of us, at this present time, value relationship, friendship and goodwill for a harmonious existence and a joyful life !

The Orion Express had brought me to places I have never been to ... but more importantly introduced me to Mr ASCT who have reminded me what li ta'arafu and being human mean.

With much admiration,
B

Fountains of Wisdom

Subhanallah. To say that I was honoured to be able to meet not one but several religious luminaries, scholars and leaders of Syria (and Sham) would not be doing justice to the experience, given my (low) standing and worth. Alhamdulillah.

Sheikh Dr Hussam-Eddin Farfour received us on arrival and insisted that we have tea at the airport café before we proceeded to Le Meridien. Sheikh Farfour, who is the Rector of Al-Fath Al-Islami Institute, was our Visiting Scholar for the Asatizah Seminar in 2007. He had the opportunity to meet the Most Revd Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams when the latter was in Singapore for the Diocese of Singapore and Muis Lecture. Sheikh Farfour is an active participant and co-organiser for interfaith dialogues and study visits in Damascus. The institute that was founded by his father, Sheikh Mohamed Saleh Al Farfour had co-organised interfaith meetings with Hartford Seminary and other institutions in the West. Sheikh Hussam Farfour had delivered lectures and seminars in Princeton, Boston and other Ivy-league universities. During tea at the café, Sheikh Farfour welcomed us to Syria – and to consider it as our home, too.

Both Sheikh Farfour and the Mufti of Damascus Sheikh Dr Abdul Fatah Basm were consistently warm and generous. They never failed to insist that we do a “pit-stop” at their houses for a meal on our way to the airport. They are also very generous with their wisdom, time and humour. When asked about relations between Muslims and others, they explained the significance of “wa laqad karamna bani adam” (in Surah Al-Isra’: 70) – that Allah gives dignity and honour to each and every human being and all of us are in one human family. Kindness, compassion, mercy and all good deeds are not only for Muslims but also to all human beings. This resonates with our understanding of “wa ma arsalna ka illa rahmatan lil alamin”.

They helped us to confirm our meetings with the Grand Mufti of Syria, Sheikh Dr Baduruddin Hassoun, and the Minister of Awqaf, who is a religious scholar himself, Sheikh Dr Muhammad Abdul Sattar As-Syed. The Grand Mufti shared his recent invitation by the European Parliament to deliver a speech to them, after they gave him the highest vote among the rest of astute religious scholars. The Grand Mufti asserted Islam is founded on the basis of benevolence and does not restrict the rights of other faiths to exist. He further elaborated that the most honoured person would be someone who is God-conscious, pious, beneficial to mankind and ready to serve all humanity.

Later during the meeting when the Grand Mufti took a phone call in the adjacent room, Sheikh Farfour informed us that the Grand Mufti would be leaving to Aleppo immediately after our meeting to attend to his elder brother’s funeral. When the Grand Mufti returned to our meeting, we expressed our condolences to him, extended our do’a to his late brother and our appreciation for receiving us, despite the circumstance. There was a deep sense of calmness and acceptance of the Divine will from his look and expression. Words cannot really describe the profundity of his presence, wisdom and emotion.

The Minister of Awqaf, Sheikh Dr Muhammad Abdul Sattar As-Syed, himself a religious scholar, is from the lineage of the Prophet (saw). I was told that his religious scholar peers nominated him for the Minister’s job to the President of Syria. And this also applies to other high offices, including the appointment of the Mufti. It can be inferred that there is a highly connected and cohesive group of ulama’ or religious scholars to lead the Syrian society. It however does not imply that they always agree with each other. They differ views and intellectual opinions but that did not, and will not affect their relationship and respect for each other.

Sheikh Salahuddin Kuftaro remarked that if there are those who said that we should die for Islam, it is time for us to say that we should live for Islam. His message to seek knowledge, exude best akhlaq (character) and contribute to humanity and its attendant ethos form the basis of the Foundation that was founded by his late father, Sheikh Ahmad Kuftaro. The Sheikh Ahmad Kuftaro Islamic Foundation was established 70 years ago as a small mosque at the foot of the Kaasyoun Mountain. Today it is an educational complex (and the Abou-Noor mosque within it) that house three colleges, schools, student hostels, and an orphanage.

Sheikh Salahudin also shared the normal practice of allowing other religious leaders to deliver a talk before the Friday khutbah at the Abou-Noor Mosque (similar to our Pre-Khutbah talk in Singapore). The Friday congregation is used to listening to Bishops from the Orthodox Church before the azan to commence the Friday prayer proper. When this was mentioned, I cannot help but imagine the furor this may cause in our mosque in Singapore.

I was impressed with the consistent messaging of interfaith dialogue and co-existence from the religious scholars and other non-government officials and wondered at the plausible reasons for such views to have taken root in Syria. Sheik Kuftaro said that the historical land of Sham that stretched from Syria, Jordan and Lebanon and Palestine has a long history and was the cradle of civilization for Muslims, Christians and Jews. The people therefore had been used to the idea of co-existence and mutual respect. He recalled that when the pioneer of the foundation, Sheik Ahmad Kuftaro passed away, there was sadness even from prominent Christian leaders in Syria who declared through the local newspaper that the Mufti for the Muslims and Christians had passed away.

Sheikh Ahmad Kuftaro, during his visit to Pakistan, was asked by the (then) President of Pakistan to offer his observations of the development of the country. He replied with immense wisdom through the following words – If the building of madrasah are not complemented by the building of factories, and the minarets are not accompanied by warehouses to store food, then development will not be realized.

These scholars including Sheikh Dr Wahbah Zuhaily and Sheikh Dr Taufiq Al-Buti are a class of their own – mutamassikun bil asal wal munfatihun. Indeed they are fountains of knowledge and wisdom: deep in tradition, inclusive and embrace new knowledge and modern sciences.

And from these fountains, streams flow to water far away lands and enrich life.

Find Your Strength

Mus'ab and I had a wonderful experience, this morning.

Together with other colleagues, we spent some two hours at Cikgu Iskandar Jalil's pottery workshop at Taman Warisan. After an introduction to clay and the overview of the "project". Cikgu Iskandar showed us how he did it, on a tile of clay - for us to get a look and feel of what was to come. It really looked simple. He stressed repeatedly that there was no need to think when we worked on the clay tile, but to let our hands do the job.

Using all sorts of tools, some looked like (hair) comb, pointed screw drivers, scrappers, etc, Mus'ab and I tried to create our masterpiece. We raked, poked, drew to create textures and design of sorts - and to be honest we did not have a clear goal of what we intend to create. We worked on our instincts, and it did produce a tile of diverse subdesigns and objects - blobs on surface, waves of lines, etches and small holes interspersed with a myriad of objects of different shapes. We even penned our name in Arabic at the two end of the tile.

Cikgu Iskandar Jalil was generous with his wisdom and philosophy of life. He is an extraordinary person -- a winner of the Anugerah Jauhari, a Guru at pottery and with clay, lectures at several universities in Japan, Helsinki, Copenhagen, among others, ran several marathons, travelled widely, had several books on him and his works. And as he demonstrated how to work on the tile and later on a vase, he shared some of his views of life and told us to "find your strength".

When I first met Cikgu Iskandar at his house at Kembangan, I was both afraid and awed of him. Afraid because of his high standard and strict discipline to life, and awed because he appeared casual and personal. He showed us pages of the books written on his works, pottery art pieces that he brought back from an exhibition held in Korea. We were served tea in mugs made of clay and moulded by his hands. I was also attracted to his koi (fish) pond as we entered into his house. Cikgu said that the state of the koi is indicative of what is to come - when the koi is not its usual self, Cikgu will expect and be prepared for a not-so-good-news. The pond is clean and well-taken care of, unlike many ponds I came across. It showed that Cikgu had spent time, patience and discipline to maintain it, and to keep the koi alive and healthy.

During that meeting, I was not sure whether he would consider our request for his work to be mounted at our new Singapore Islamic Hub reception lobby. After explaining to him why we wanted Iskandar Jalil's work at the SIH, he proposed that we involved everyone - staff and stakeholders to do a tile of clay - and he will put it all together on the wall. It was a brilliant idea and consistent with our intent that the SIH represents contribution and achievement of the Muslim community. But he had yet to give his commitment then.

Cikgu also brought us to the kiln area where the pieces were burnt to specified heat. Interestingly he reminded us an important lesson in life - of pace and stages. He showed the broken pieces of clay tile when it was heated before it was adequately dried. To rush a tile to the kiln before it is ready is futile - almost similar to many things we do in life, including human development. He also said that through clay and pottery work, he was able to detect health deficiencies and conditions. The speed of the spinning machine, the functioning of fingers on the clay and the trembling of hands whilst working on the pieces are all indicators or signs of hypertension and related conditions. But pottery work is also therapeutic for many.

While on the spinning machine to mould a vase, at the end of our session, Cikgu encouraged us to consider pottery making for leisure and to prepare for our old-age. He commented that it only requires an hour a day of discipline to produce vases and other objects. But he also asked us to find our strengths to choose and decide whether it is plates, mugs, or vases that we should focus on, and create. Only then the quality will be superior and we will be known for our art pieces.

Cikgu's sharing this morning, reminded me of a Buddhist saying which goes - when the student is ready the teacher appears. Cikgu Iskandar Jalil is a Master-teacher who is ever ready for students who are willing to appear.

Thank you, Cikgu.

A Glimpse into Nursi's Life and Thought

Bediuzzaman Said Nursi (1876-1960) was one of the most brilliant Islamic thinkers in the modern era, a man who consistently fought for his ideals by keeping Islam a dynamic religion in the modern world.

Nursi’s magnum opus Risale-i Nur (widely known as the Risale) written over six decades, exemplifies the scope of his intellectual and religious dynamism (Vahide, 2005). Nursi’s life and the Risale elucidate concepts of Islamic identity in the modern era, shed light on questions of power and authority, and modernity and tradition, and relate it to this life and the hereafter.

Enlisted in the army as a religious functionary when the Ottoman Empire joined the Central Powers in 1914, Nursi formed a militia force and commanded this force. Subsequently he was arrested, poisoned and held in Kastamanou police station for some two to three weeks.

He spent twenty months in Afyon Prison when he was over seventy years of age – wrote numerous letters to his students in the prison to urge them to look on their imprisonment in positive terms in the light of divine wisdom, as a trial and test, which presented new possibilities for service to the Quran through the Risale.

Nursi led a life devoted to the advancement and prosperity of all of humanity. His subject of the study was the Quran and his tool for the exposition of his understanding was the Risale. His message was meant for all, and not just Muslims. He was a keen observer of the environment around him and was critical of the social morass engulfing societies due to, in his conception, the rise of atheist and materialist philosophies in society. He dedicated his life to revitalize faith in his society for he held the view that it is through faith that humanity would solve its problems.

Nursi empowered Muslims by updating Islamic terminology and language. He provided them with a new vocabulary to enable them participate in discussions and debates on issues such as constitutionalism, science, freedom and democracy. In this sense, he empowered Muslims with a new cognitive map. With a new cognitive map, a contextualized Muslim identity was unfolded and the assertion that religion and science are not in conflict or tension, that science and religion are not mutually exclusive. Yavuz asserts that in a way Nursi tried to vernacularise science and modern discourses in an Islamic idiom, to facilitate the dissemination of scientific knowledge in Muslim countries (Yavuz, 2005).

Tarhan (2004) asserts that Nursi stands out as a thinker and a man of action who proved in theory and practice, his thesis that “people can modernize while preserving their own religions and cultures”.

Whilst Risale is said to be a commentary of the Quran, it is also offers deep insights into Nursi’s feelings and how evil and suffering are confronted through revelation and belief in Divine Unity (Tawhid). Nursi’s solutions to evil and suffering are outcome of his life experience. In this sense it more that simply a “theodicy” but an experience that the reader can find himself and his most hidden feelings.

Through the insight of Divine Unity, Nursi realized that nothing occurs on its own haphazardly. Everything is directly under the control of his Merciful Lord. Nursi saw the reality of the seemingly harsh and hostile conditions in which he found himself, and through it he was made to realize his boundless weakness and his absolute need to seek refuge with his Omnipotent and Merciful Sustainer.

As Prophet Yunus (peace be upon him) transformed the belly of the whale into a submarine through the mystery of Divine Unity. Nursi was able to transform the prison into a “School of Yusuf” (Medrese-i Yusufiye).

Nursi was aware that illness and suffering, the dislike for it, the love for well-being and good, and the recourse to treatment and worldly causes in seeking health, as well as health itself, are all meaningful pointers toward Divine mercy and wisdom and witnesses to Divine mercy. Such awareness is patience; it is worship. Instead of putting God on trial for allowing evil, sufferings and pain, such awareness direct a mental attitude, a worldview and a behavior that affirm the Divine Names, attributes and qualities.

Belief in the Hereafter is one of the most important lessons taught by the Quran. The Prophets (may God be pleased with all of them) have reported and taught their people that the Hereafter exists and that all beings will be taken there, just as the Creator has promised.

The Tenth Word first written when Nursi arrived in Barla circa 1926 is a treatise on resurrection and the hereafter. It was reported that the following verse came to Nursi’s mind as he was walking through the orchards on the slopes to the east of Barla down toward Lake Egirdir.

“So think on the signs of God’s mercy, how He gives life to the earth after its death; indeed, He it is who will give life to the dead, and He is powerful over all things.” (Quran, 30:50)

Nursi's theological reflections still inspire an entire generation of Muslims throughout the world.

Festschrift for Syed Haroon Aljunied

A Muis Icon

Syed Haroon Aljunied, our longest serving secretary is, by all measure, an icon. He served Muis for 20 years, 3 Ministers, 5 Presidents and 7 Councils. Not many in Muis, and certainly not the post-65ers have gone through the thick and thin of Muis’ managing of Muslim affairs – but Syed Haroon had been instrumental for many of the what (we) Muis officers, and the Muslim community take for granted now.

From kampong mosque demolition to mosque development at HDB estates, exhumation of graves, different days of Eid Fitr in Singapore, amendments to AMLA, charter of planes for Haj pilgrims, non-arrival of kambing, Madrasah and the CE issue, SARS, JI and the list goes on – he had been there, and done it.

He is an icon – simply because for many of us, Syed Haroon is a walking encyclopedia of AMLA, Muis, and to a large extent, the historiography of Muslim organisations and the community.

Best Kept Secret

How many of us are aware that it was Syed Haroon who spearheaded the computerization of Muis administration to transform Muis from an electric typewriter outfit with a typing pool and stenos into what is now a fully computerized “every person with a PC on their desktop” organisation. How many in the community know that it was his idea to engage architects from the private sector to make our mosques architecturally superior.

What is that best kept secret that makes and moves the man? Allow me to offer my take – first, his soul partner and wife, Kak Saleha, and second, his missionary zeal that can be traced back to his WAMY-HBI Islamic work training during his younger days.

Syed Haroon has taught us that our spouse and children are a significant source of energy for our work in Muis – and their support and sacrifices are key and crucial to our well-being and organizational performance. For this, we can never adequately thank Kak Saleha and his children for their sacrifices and support and for sharing Syed Haroon’s 20 years of his working life with Muis.

Secondly, beyond the meetings, papers, functions, salaries and bonuses, Syed Haroon has always reminded us, that there is greater and higher purpose for working in Muis – to serve Allah as His vicegerent. And that we must never lose sight of this purpose or diminish it through bigger pay packets.

For this, we ask Allah to reward him with the best of rewards.

The Raging Flesh and Spirit

Physically, Syed Haroon is no Arnold Schwarzenegger. But this has not prevented him from long-distance air travel and trekking difficult terrains and climate – snow and sleet in Chicago to negotiate with IQRA Foundation and hot and dry weather in Saudi Arabia to serve as Head of Delegation for Haj in 2003. When I fetched him at the airport on his return from Saudi, I felt humbled by his strength – both his physical and spiritual strength, both in the flesh and spirit.

Syed Haroon never fails to amaze me with his delightful sharing of his overseas travel and holidays. His last sharing was about his trip to Geneva, Paris and Istanbul, although his last overseas trip was to Myanmar. Most of us do not know that he is almost a modern-day Ibn Battuta – he had traveled from one city to another across countries and continents, from New Zealand in the South, to Canada in the North, from Hawaii in the East, to Scotland in the West.

Syed Haroon has defied the age-old adage – the flesh is weak but the spirit is willing. Giving it a new twist – to him, I say, your flesh and spirit not only are willing, but also raging, my friend.

And A Big Heart

Syed Haroon despite his small frame has a big heart – if measurable, it may exceed the XXL size mark! Let me ask a question and cite an example: Whom do we see for approval when Muslim organisations appeal to us to buy a table for their charity dinner? More recently, Syed Haroon took upon himself to gather funds amongst friends to help a first year medical student when she wrote to Muis for a loan and donation to pay for her fees.

If I am limited to one trait to attribute Syed Haroon, it will have to be his generosity. He pays special attention to humanitarian efforts, the orphans and the poor and needy. For humanitarian effort, Syed Haroon traveled to Medan and Aceh on a Mercy Relief mission to deliver aids to Tsunami victims. For orphans, he sits on the MTFA board and through his generosity I got to travel on a sampan over choppy waters with the late Hj Sidek (Ust Mahmoud Matlub’s father) and Nazirin to deliver fidyah funds to feed poor students at a pesantren in Riau.

Minister in-charge of Indian Muslim Community

One of the many Syed Haroon’s achievement was undoubtedly his ability to lead and motivate leaders of the Indian Muslim community to produce the IMC plan with the intent to help the community. For this assignment, he earned the honorific title of Muis’ Minister in-charge of Indian Muslim Community.

One would expect that he deserved unqualified support from the leaders of the community, but the relationship is at best one of love-hate. Let me cite an incident – once I was on the MRT train on my way home from a dialogue session for community leaders chaired by PM Goh at Kallang Theatre, I bumped into a former chairman of an Indian mosque. It appeared that he too was at the session but instead of reflecting on the messages and issues discussed during the dialogue, I had a non-stop late night Syed Haroon bashing session from Kallang to Tampines MRT station for the redevelopment project of the mosque which he chaired.

But Syed Haroon never gave up on the IMC. He represented them and sought every opportunity to advance their interest, be it making our full-time madrasah Indian Muslim children friendly, aLIVE classes delivered in Tamil, ROSS for Indian Muslim students at Gontor and asatizah development and networking with imam and religious teachers of Indian Muslim mosques.

Like the icing on the cake, he demonstrated mastery when he answered a query from a participant during the recent Workplan Seminar. Syed Haroon’s convincing reply had a turnaround effect on the participant when he thanked Muis for all the efforts to help the Indian Muslim community. And for that, Syed Haroon deserved the man-of-the-match title for our Workplan Seminar 2007.

Syed Haroon will always be remembered as our “Minister in-charge” of Indian Muslim Community for his contribution and dedication to align and mainstream IMC.

Passion for Arabic

When I joined Muis some seven years ago, Syed Haroon was studying Arabic, every Wednesday evening after the Muis usrah, on the 7th floor – and out of ignorance, I asked a colleague who was working very closely with Syed Haroon, then – isn’t he an Arab? This colleague replied jokingly but affectionately – I quote, “Syed Haroon can only swear in Arabic!”

His unrelenting pursuit to master the Arabic Language is exemplary – he is still attending classes till today. But language, particularly Arabic is not for any Nazirin, Samad and Bakri (the Malay equivalent for the proverbial Tom, Dick and Harry, and by the way – they are also the dropouts from Ust Syed Mustafa’s Arabic class at Al-Falah Mosque sometime ago) and Syed Haroon gives us hope that someday we too will be able to converse and read in Arabic, if we persevere and emulate his passion for learning and for the language.

I thank him for giving us confidence that as dropouts, we can one day eventually speak Arabic, and for me, it reaffirmed my belief that I not stupid!

Festschrift

One of Syed Haroon’s many creative sparks in Muis is in the area of asset development and revenue generation. After corporatisation of Warees, Syed Haroon’s current interest is in social entrepreneurship. His concern over mosque financial sustainability drives him to think of ways to pool surplus mosque funds to create sustainable revenue streams in addition to public donations.

Social entrepreneurship indeed is one of the potential breakthroughs for financial sustainability but it requires creative capabilities including a kind of synthetic creativity. To quote Landry and Bianchini (1995), “…we need a completely different type of creativity, as increasingly we know more facts but understand less. In particular, we need the creativity of being able to synthesise, to connect, to gauge impacts across different spheres of life, to see holistically, to understand how material changes affect our perceptions, to grasp the subtle ecologies of our systems of life and how to make them sustainable”.

Many ideas are floating about – including pooling all available and unused mosque ancillary spaces particularly classrooms for rent to training providers. This idea is now realized when I saw Al-Nitak (Faizal’s company for learning astronomy and Islam) now based in one of the rooms at An-Nadhah mosque.

Syed Haroon has repeatedly asked us to create VWO-type outfits for our kindergartens and part-time Islamic education classes so that we may benefit from national funding and insisted that all programmes should be self-funded.

Muis has benefited significantly from Syed Haroon’s synthetic creativity and his self-funding mantra.

Syed Haroon is a social entrepreneur before social entrepreneurship.


Albakri Ahmad
11 May 07

Rejoinder to Project Zip! @ Daman's Blog

It is human instinct to feel with the time, but also move with the time, but there are some extraordinary individuals who remained steadfast on the cause ...


The Tsunami of Dec 04 taught us many important lessons on and about ourselves as well the nature of human instincts.

It brought with it sufferings and the lost of human lives. But it also created opportunities for love and friendship to bloom among strangers.

Many individuals came together to help humanitarian efforts, and to demonstrate the human spirit of sharing and caring.

While many humanitarian agencies collected hundred of millions of dollars for aid for various affected places, groups of individuals took upon themselves to contribute in their own creative ways.

The human instinct works in unexpected ways – in response to human tragedy such as the Tsunami.

When I was in Banda Aceh with Br Damanhuri, Br Helmy and Ustaz Jakfar, two weeks after the Tsunami to deliver several containers of supplies from Project Zip, we met an Indonesian lady at a school-turned-medical base to provide medical services to survivors.

She had traveled alone from Germany where lives with her husband with a container full of medical supplies to set-up a medical base to assist the survivors.

When she heard the news of the Tsunami and its impact, she raised funds to purchase medical supplies in Germany and airfreight it to Jakarta.

But it was not to be an easy journey.

When she arrived at Jakarta, the immigration and customs formalities were overwhelming. She had no necessary papers and therefore had to convince all government officers she had to deal with, of her intentions and her cargo, and to allow her passage to Banda Aceh by land.

Single-handedly, she braved her way from Germany to Aceh with a container load of medical supplies and eventually set-up a medical base.

What is more intriguing is that she is not even a medical doctor or a person of any form of medical training – what she had was pure human instinct. Her story is but one of many more moving and enriching human stories on the Tsunami.

We also have a story of a group of concerned individuals who work together to find sponsors in Singapore for Aceh orphans for their education and daily expenses.

This group expands and contracts as time passes and indeed it is extremely difficult to keep the momentum and the passion going year after year.

Whilst many will come forward to volunteer at the point of time when tragedy strikes and when pictures of human suffering comes to live, very few will continue to work on the cause.

It is human instinct to feel with the time, but also move with the time.

Three years on, very few special individuals remain attached to the Tsunami survivors and are working to improve their human condition.

One of these special individuals is Kamariah Ahmad. To say that Kamariah is a volunteer-extraordinaire is even an understatement.

She has traveled numerous times to Medan and Banda Aceh to help orphans and needy families to recover and resume life.

And from her travels she brought back with her interesting and exciting ideas to uplift the human spirit.

Her book titled Ombak Samudera is a testimony of her passion to document the orphans’ inner thoughts and encounters with the Tsunami and to present Aceh’s religious historiography.

This book contains chapters and pages of the works of orphans and affected children. It is a book of art, a book of poetry and a book of spirituality combined.

But apart from history and the past, Kamariah attempts to ensure that the orphans and the affected children have a future.

Ombak Samudera is Kamariah’s contribution to uplifting the human spirit and the condition of the orphans, affected children and parents in Medan and Aceh.

She has done, and is still doing her part, selflessly and with utmost generosity.

What about us?

Tazkirah Yang Tidak Ternilai

Ikhwah/Akhawat yang ana kasihi
Assalamu 'alaikum wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh

Ana bagi pihak ibu dan adik-adik serta zaujah sekeluarga ingin merakamkan ribuan terima kasih atas semua do'a, ucapan takziah serta kehadiran antum sehingga jenazah ayahanda kami selamat dikebumikan.

Kami sekeluarga bersyukur kepada Allah (swt) kerana digolongkan bersama antum di dalam saff jamaah dan dakwah, dan dengan do'a antum, kami yakin Allah (swt) akan memberi rahmatNya keatas arwah ayahanda kami.

Antum bukan saja telah memberi kami kekuatan untuk tabah menghadapi pemergian ayahanda kami, malah bermurah hati memberi kami tazkirah untuk terus beriltizam menjadi anak anak yang soleh untuk ayahanda mendapat tempat bersama para syuhada' dan syodiqqin.

Jazakumullahu khairan kathiran jiddan jazak.

Salam ukhuwwah,

By Your Love, Care and Concern ..

Dear brothers/sisters
Assalamu 'alaikum wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh

Everytime I attended a funeral of the loved ones of friends and families, I shivered at the thought when I have to face the loss of my own parents. Many "what ifs" were rehearsed and each permutation of the decision tree were played out to mentally prepare myself for the eventual day.

Yes, such preparation did help, but the single most important factor that gave my mum, my siblings, my family and I, the much needed strength to overcome our grief and accept the will of Allah, was you - your do'a, comforting words, presence and contributions can never be reciprocated by my mum and her children.

Our thanks are beyond words. In fact, we are deeply indebted to you.

May Allah strengthen our resolve to become anak anak yang soleh so that our parents are granted Allah's mercy by our iman and good deeds.

Jazakamullahu khairan kathiran jiddan jazak.

Salam ukhuwwah,