Friday, August 19, 2011

I am Grateful that I made it Home

Alhamdullillah, praise to Allah s.w.t that yesterday I was able to reach home safely.

I am grateful that yesterday I was finally able to celebrate Nadiya's 8th birthday.

Ergo, before this, I wasn't able to come to Aziem's or Udden's Birthday, so this time I made an effort to come to Nadiya's birthday, better put my face somewhere.

I am grateful that I had enough money to buy all 3 of them presents, although it reached more than the budget I had expected, it was still enough to get me back to my house, the taxi driver was asking where in the world my house was, it seemed it was at the middle of nowhere, in the middle of the forest.

I bought Nadiya a nice little pink rabbit, I wanted to remind her about me, so I thought to myself, a stuffed rabbit would do!

As a brother, I am grateful that I remembered how adorable and naughty my siblings can be, if you buy a present for one of them, you have to buy for the others. I bought Ben 10 action figures both for Aziem and Udden, both looked delighted at there new toys.

Only Nuaim wasn't home yet, being in the middle between the two factions of "seniors" and "juniors" in the family, he was best of both worlds. There was some problems regarding his ticket back to Malaysia, alas, I'm grateful that he is still alright, he didn't even whine about it, he just said that if worst case scenario, he would celebrate at Bandung. He is so cheerful.
 
Ergo, I hope to see everyone this Eidul Fitri, This year I'll be the one driving back to "Kampung", I'm already a pro in long distance driving, my mum even went on calling me a very "ethical" driver. Thanks Ummi.


I am grateful to be home.

Friday, August 12, 2011

The World is SENSITIVE

Butter is better than Jam!
It's funny to see a country that provides you with almost....... almost all the rights (including the absurd ones) can go up in agony and chaos. and to begin with, you might have thought that only countries like Libya or Saudi would go with a riot, but no, now we see the U.K going with their PMS period.

Let's get our facts right, if I'm not mistaken the reason why there was a riot in London was because some crappy police shot a some black dude. mistaking it as a form of discrimination some people took to the streets.
another would be because the high prices of items, or the undeveloped urban areas..... and the list goes on and on, from social stigmas to this whole idea that citizens want a time to off from work.

Don't be an animal
the point is, these people are sensitive.

and it isn't a good thing, I remembered when i was overly sensitive you loose all common sense and become emotionally entrench in something you forgot the real reason why you did it.

What are you looking at?
Like one of those times when you're fighting with your sibling you wanted to punish him for taking your toys without your permission, then he spits at you, and you become emotional about it, so instead in talking about the toys, you knuckle him for spitting at you, which would never solve the problem..... get it? nope

The world has been more fragile and sensitive in the past 10 years than in the past 100 years, simply because of the media and globalization. Nowadays you can't even go to the bathroom without telling 40 people!!!

very acute this world is, we like to make fuss of even the smallX2 things like who should sit first, is butter better than a jam, or do I look fatter in these slim clothes? My great grandparents would laugh at the problems of the 21st century.

What we need is a reconciliation, a moment to think as some people would say it. Some time to stay still and ask ourselves, "good gracious lords, what have I become?!!"

Monday, August 8, 2011

Long Time Ramadhan

Dah lama tak update bllog ni, entah apa nak cakap...................

But............ let's make it simple for now. It's Ramadhan, the nights are wonderful, everyone is less talking and more smiling, and the food never tasted any better.

One of the things that you will find important during ramadhan, other than to fast and pray, is to meet up with friends and family.

Every day you'll be delighted to break your fast with other hungry faces and gobble up what little food you all have left. You also have to go through the squishing during jumaah prayers, everyone is trying to get the front seat and shake hands with the mullah.

But that's Ramadhan, and there are a whole lot of other interesting things happening during this moment. Hopefully I could update it for another time.

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Why I hate Malaysian Exams

When you're too into exams your mind just goes all jumble
Today (or maybe more specific, 16/4/2011), Students in Malaysia have gone through the Malaysian University English Test or MUET for short. Just like any other exams you'll be sure to notice the faces of students and teachers alike, they just hate it. Not just because it's exams, but because it is in English.

MUET compromise of for papers. Speaking, Writing, Reading and finally Listening test.

The test by themselves are not hard, it seem to me like your average english exam. No, what's bugging me most is the fact that it's too objective orientated.

Objective Orientated

So what is Objective Orientated? well to put it simple, questions when asked only has one, and I only mean one answer right.

It seems kind of weird to have things like that in exams, especially when penetrating the global arena. The government is literally trying to control how we make our opinions or how we understand things. like for example this question, I got this question from my paper:

What do you think is the tone of the author in writing this article?
a) Condescending
b) Calm
c) Cabal

I certainly know that the majority of you don't know what A or C means. GOTCHA!!!

but here's the catch, there's only one correct answer...... but that's impossible!!!

why do I say so? because this is something subjective, how people perceive stuff is something subjective!!

other examples I could give is like the listening question, they asked what you listened, and ordered you to fill in some slots of answers, and if you understood wrong you wouldn't be able to answer it. Listening is something subjective too!!! don't they teach that in school?

Same people might listen to the same thing but perceive it differently. what comes into your mind when I say red light?

you see what I mean?

So what the examination system is doing is that it's turning us into some robots, it wants us to follow some weird system that neither you or me know why. It's like wanting us to answer a question from what it has given only, nothing else.

This is where the problem arise when you have things like sensitive issues and all of this sensitive discussions, it's because people are not able to open up, to tell out what is in there heads, there sooo closed up with the system they aren't able to respect or understand the views of others. That is Malaysia.

So next time you get exams, make sure that even though there's only one answer on the paper, there is still a lot more in your head.

WE SHALL NOT BE CHAINED FROM OUT THOUGHTS!!! =)

Monday, April 11, 2011

Is it time yet?










Walking on the pavement of my campus, I saw the starry sky and the smiling moon upon me, it was a scene anyone would cherish. Who wouldn't agree that the creation of the sky and the stars was something beautiful and magnificent, even to the eyes of us humans.


But watching the starry sky wasn't my intention. The beauty of walking outside under something my sister would call "aswadsky " is just among many of the gifts Allah bestowed upon me. Now it's time to see whether one of those gifts have reached it's expiry date.

One of my inquisitive yet disturbing hobby is my habit of walking around during the night, let it be jogging or just plain walking. Some people might see me as a freak doing this, others are just confused.

You'll appreciate the time spent alone in your own head, away from all of the nonsense in this world.

Thursday, March 31, 2011

Hand Sanitizers: Protection against "wholly hearted" Muslims

With the uprising of the usage of forks, knives and spoons, some eating places (restauranteurs, buffets, ceremonies etc) have not been providing places where Muslims can wash there hands to eat.

Eating with hands has been a norm in Muslim society since the ages of Adam and Eve. The eating of the forbidden fruit was with their hands (Duh). The Prophet if not eating soups or any watery substance will use his hands, if not all the time, from bread to chicken to burgers (ok, I made that up).

And so, many "good-obedient" Muslims have been following this "sunnah" for quite some time. One of my Ustaz once said to me:
"We believe that whatever the prophet does will be rewarded with heaven"

Besides that, eating with your hands is much more easier than eating with normal cutlery. Imagine the pain and hardship of trying to chop the lamb with a fork and knife when any other Muslims will easily just rip it apart with there bare hands. to our non-muslim friends watching us gruesomely ripping out the steak and chickens and eating it with tasty-mouth watering looks gives the impression that we are as barbaric as they think of us.

Are Sanitizers the Path to hell?
However recent(well not so recent) discoveries have shown that when eating with your hands, helps in the digestion of food more easily (one of the reason you don't see many Muslims entering "the biggest loser"). Our hands secretes enzymes that makes food easily decomposed (that's why your mom always gets angry to you when you touch the food on the plate with your bare hands!!), thus the reason why you might see a Muslim eating his/her food with mouth-watering looks.

Now the problem comes when there isn't any place to wash there hands. It comes as a dilemma for every "practicing" Muslim if he couldn't wash his/her hands as the next "sunnah" of the prophet is to cleanse thy hands after it. Not to mention that almost a majority of the "sunnah" requires the use of your hands (from shaking hands, giving alms, helping the old lady pick up her stuff etc). It will be quite the dilemma for we Muslims.

That's where our non-Muslim friends has helped us solved this dilemma by creating a fast and easy cleansing method: Hand sanitizers. Now, Muslims from all over the world can enjoy following the "sunnah" of the prophet thanks to companies like Dettol, Gold Bond Ultimate, MicroArmor, Hy5, Soapopular, SHBAN, and Handclens. Or can they?

Recent discoveries (And I mean very recent) have shown that hand sanitizers contains alcohol substance like isopropanol, ethanol and n-propanol. Ethanol is the alcohol in beer and other alcohol based drinks.

Now think about it, before Muslims eat, you put on hand sanitizers on your hand, wouldn't some of that alcohol be left on your hand? and then you put your hand into your food, eating it with all the alcohol left in there, thus committing one of the most hideous crimes a Muslim can do: consumption of alcohol. The prophet says that even a small quantity of alcohol will earn you 100 slashes, this shows the severity of this.

Muslim scholars from all over the world have been calling this "a way of Satan corrupting the hearts and minds of young innocent Muslims"

"This is an abomination to Muslim Belief!!! it is the way of the Kafir trying to make sure that we follow them into hell, we shall not accept this!!!"


"We shall burn all sanitizers to the ground the same way how our beloved Prophet S.A.W burned all the alcohol"

"I think that Reckitt Benckiser (the manufacturer of Dettol) is a member of the "Illuminati" and deserves his head being chopped"

Whether or not the International Fatwa will issue a law whether or not to ban the hand sanitizers is still for debate, but still you can't ignore the fact that this is the method the Kafirs are destroying the Muslims.

PS: Anything that is not base on religion is only fictional and is not intended to put a bad name on anyone except those whom are "really" against Islam. We apologize for any discomforts.

Why Muslims makes your life much more better

Finally, after going through so many blogs, with so many genres and writings I finally came to the conclusion that writing solely about my LIFE isn't going to spread the message any more. I've always believed  that life stories are life-changing when other people read it, but in the internet that might not be the case. Almost everyone has there own blog talking about there life, and besides................ I don't like telling people about my life, it creates gossips, judgement and some other bad things that would ruin my preaching career.

So I choose something else, some kind of writing that is different than others but hopefully has the same impact of making sure people are reading it, because you really need readers if you want people to read your blog (DUH!!!!)

Now I've literally changed the course of this blog, from my life stories to some gibberish story that would hopefully wake you up of the issues a Muslim should know.

I'll post in this blog how Kafir's have been taking control of your life without you realizing it, how Muslims could make white people even more whiter than before, and how becoming a "practicing" Muslim in your every day life means having more fun than every body else.

I thank Allah for this wonderful idea He gave me, although I got while going to the bathroom, but still as I always say "kena redha". Happy reading


As laughable this blog might be in the next articles I'm going to write, I say let them laugh now, but make sure you heed my reminding, because that might be the only thing stopping you from going to hell.

-KhaleeD-
 

Friday, March 18, 2011

Remembering mom

As old as we will be, we'll always be the young children of our mother. All smiles and laughter while gobbling up the cakes of happiness, it will definitely paint our faces that the frown and sadness that we have gone through will go away, because mum was there to show the way.

We would immense ourselves into avalanches of fun, at the same time learning what mom would teach us about the world, because mom told us, that fun and knowledge are both friends.

One day we would be able to read and write, create masterpieces of art, alchemist and technology. our knowledge from mother was so much, we didn't know where it would end nor when will it stop, all we know........ that as long mum is the one guiding us then it will be both fun and thoughtful.

The other day, we would be going on leave, staying away from mum. Mum will be reminding us, "don't leave your toothbrush", "don't forget to go to bed early","don't do things your not suppose to". now mum watches us as we embark living by ourselves. although home is a few minutes drive, mum is always worried about our well being.

The following day, some of us had to fly to other countries. mum send us to airports where they are holding "flying creatures" with ears so big you can't hear them! some of us will be heading to desserts and ruins, others will go to concrete jungles filled with poisonous gases and fumes with snow coming from the sky! mum couldn't follow us there, but she'll be with us in our hearts.

All seven of us knew it, that after all this fun and excitement of traveling around the world and discovering new things we will eventually come home, and we all know mum will be waiting us right at here garden, planting roses and maple trees, readying our return from our long perilous journey............. because we all know, a child that succeeds conquering continents, ruling oceans and taming the mountains....... will always remember mum.

PS: Happy day Ummu Aziem =)

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Ignorant Understanding

Whenever I teach my students....

I always tell them to learn things how stupid people would learn

Just one of those good movies to watch
See things how blind people would see

Listen things how deaf people would listen

Say things how people who couldn't speak

And understand things how ignorant you are in understanding

Because on the day you'll be blind, deaf and ignorant

You'll be glad...... that I thought you this =)

Monday, January 17, 2011

Chapter 2.2 - How to make a bottle of milk

Don't mess with the ziemer when he wants his milk
Aziem's head popped from his hiding place................ behind the huge-smooth-sofa-with-no-legs.
he heard footsteps from above. It seems Abang Tah (Fattah) is coming down from his very-high-sleeping-spot. Aziem scratched his head. why in the world do "grown ups" like Abang Tah puts there sleeping place soooooo high.

Like me, anywhere is my sleeping place, penat je, jatuh and asleep..........................

Abang Tah has come down already, finally some company to watch the "moving pictures" together. This one was reallly good, they literally dazzled my eyes, just watching at these things is somehow fun.

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmppph, my tummy just growled, time for some milk, good thing Abang Tah is here, hopefully he could make me some milk.

"Abang Tah.... Tah!", why in the world isn't he listening.

"Abang Tah!!!!"

"Ye!!!"

Finally, some attention, huh now for the milk.

"Su, Su"

"Ummi went to work lah Aziem"

No he got it all wrong.

"Su, Su" i pointed at the big cylinder on the table and the bottles in the sinky. Cant this guy understand I want some milk?!?

BAH!! grown ups, I'll teach him how to make milk. I saw ummi buat senang je.

I pointed my small, sausage-shaped  fingers at the big RED tin. Take it already abang Tah ni!!!

he took it obediently, I prompt him to put his hand into the the tin, and then............ and then WHAT!!!?!!


I pointed at the cylinder-shiny-thingy and ask Abang Tah to open it, holding his shirt at the same time. hurry up, I'm starving ni.

Obediently, Abang Tah, did how I ordered him to. What was it 3 or was it 4 scoops of "white dirt" Abang Si always put like what? till all the yummyness could be consumed maybe??$&#*@!

Huh, after that, pour in some water, make sure it's warm.

Yeay!!!! it's finished, with the lid on, I snatched the small bottle from Abang Tah's awesomely-gigantic-crushing-hands.

The warm-sweet-milk-that-makes-your head-all-peaceful was soooooooo delicious! Although I still would want to comment on Abang Tah's personal taste, it's sometimes feel wiggle inside out, if you get what I mean Abang Tah.


Abang Tah Thanks, LUV ye =)

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Mosque Sweet Home


I was born in the United States, the last place a really strong practicing muslim would be, and yet after 10 years not setting foot there, I still found homely stories how it would feel when I was back in the US. This story I found in Huffington Post (mind the "divorce" section and go straight to the religious section). It reminded me the days in US and how we struggled to be a Muslim there, I thank you Brother Brandon G.Withrow for writing this and reminding me how home should really feel like. May Allah give you grace.


Last night I made my usual trek from Findlay, Ohio, where I teach seminarians and undergrad religious studies majors, to Perrysburg, about 35 minutes north. I moved with my wife to Perrysburg just under a year ago, a picturesque Midwestern town with parades for just about every occasion, no shortage of American flags, and a proud history of being the only other city platted by the U.S. government (Washington D.C. being the other, of course).

I'll be honest. Small-town living has been a bit of a re-adjustment for us. While both my wife and I were raised in the area, we left for the city life of Chicago more than 17 years ago and later spent several years in Philadelphia. It came as a shock when, during one of the worst economies in U.S. history, the school with the most immediate faculty opening after my doctoral graduation was smack in the middle of Ohio. I had fond memories of my childhood here, but I'd lived in big cities all of my adult life. In Philadelphia, almost all of the 11 neighbors in our apartment building were from other countries or ethnicities. We grew accustomed to the potent cacophony of scents that filled our hallway at dinnertime. Not so in Perrysburg.

The differences between Northwest Ohio and Chicago or Philadelphia go beyond Philly's pronunciation of water as "wooter" or the Chicago rendition of pop as "soda." In Chicago, we lived close enough to the projects to hear frequent gunfire. In contrast, the streets of uptown Perrysburg are the quaint home of the Thursday night farmer's market. It is the kind of place where you open your mail one day and read a note from your home's former owner: "Ran into neighbor Barb at the post-office. Congrats on the bathroom remodel!"

But this is not to suggest that Perrysburg lacks diversity. One of the most stunning sights in the area is on my route home from work. As one approaches our small town, there are two options: Route 23 or Interstate 75. If you take 23, you take mega-church alley, where large, unimaginative buildings shout Bible verses on scrolling electronic signs. However, opt for I-75 and you'll soon be dazzled by a beautiful mosque known as the Islamic Center of Greater Toledo. On a bright day you cannot miss the glow of its gold dome, flanked by twin minarets. And at night, soft lights illuminate huge stained-glass windows. It is a work of art I get to enjoy with every trip home.

The Center, the fruits of the labor of Syrian and Lebanese immigrants to Toledo, was the third mosque to be founded in America. It serves not only as a place of worship for Muslims of two-dozen nationalities, but as a place of social action and interfaith discussions.

It also adds a bit of good, old-fashioned competition to the region.

Immediately after our Midwestern mosque is an exit decked with signage demanding that I spend my money at Burger King, MacDonald's, Bob Evans, Panera or Chili's. They all compete with one another and, hey, that's America. So what could be more American than this gorgeous mosque competing for religious space with the local mega-churches and even my little Episcopalian congregation just a mile and a half away?

But the mosque also has a personal association for me. When I'm teaching late, my wife asks me to let her know when I'm getting close to home. The mosque is almost exactly 10 minutes from our driveway and is therefore a convenient marker. In the car I pull out my Android phone and give it a voice command to text her just one word: "mosque."

After the first few times I did this, I realized that the sight of the mosque triggers an association with "home." Knowing I'm almost home is a great feeling: it's my place of refuge; it's where I spend time with the most important person in my life; it's where I enjoy good conversation, good wine and good books. So if someone were to remove the mosque, something of "almost home" would go with it.

Last Thanksgiving, this possibility was brought to light when the mosque in Corvallis, Ore., where Mohamed Osman Mohamud (the thwarted car bomber) attended, was fire-bombed. This act of terrorism against the mosque only highlights the continuing hate that some have for their American Muslim neighbors. During the height of the New York "mosque controversy," some of my conservative friends suggested all sorts of nefarious and conspiratorial connections that "our" mosque could have. One person even went so far as to say that the minarets were hiding missiles.

Fear will always find a way to perpetuate itself. Unfortunately, whether one is in New York, Tennessee, Oregon or Ohio, to hate-blinded people a mosque can mean only terrorism. I doubt this attitude will disappear anytime soon. But I am happy to say that, of all the things (good or bad) our local mosque may represent to my neighbors, for me it means I'm almost home.