Letting the Little Brother Take The Wheel

In the 1920s, when cars were no longer slower than the average horses, allowing a teenager to drive was the last thing anyone would want.

It was a time where there was no rules or regulations to stop or teach them the ethics or safety of driving. Grown-ups were preoccupied with other things like politics, new inventions and disappointingly war.
World War 1 was reaching it's starting point, countries were racing to develop the better technology, the stronger tanks and the more destructive weapons. Chaos was left and right all because some grown - up hated the other guy. 

Amidst all of this, It only took a 10 year old to drive his dad's latest invention and head crash into a pond that mankind realized: We are going too fast for our children.

If you played Mass Effect, there's a race of humanoid frogs (or specifically toads if you consider the warts on their bodies) called Krogans. They were a traditional- peaceful- old- bunch if you considered their history, until the Salarians( a really highly advanced salamander- type race) came and brought with them all the cool gizmos and techies you would believe a toad might want. 

Flying aircrafts that traveled faster than light, guns and shotguns that would splatter the insides of a human, medical advancements that would make you live to see your great- grandchildren and still be fit to have more. The Krogans just hit the jackpot towards advance technological development.

To make it a story (a sad one), eventually the krogans didn't used the gifts they were given with the best of conduct and ended up being betrayed by the very beings that equipped them with the technology. The Krogans were, to put it bluntly, were too fast in advancing in technology for there own benefit and ended up abusing it. 

At the turning point of the 21st century, man, or more accurately man's children are advancing in science and technology to a point were we grown- ups can't keep up with our children. Incredibly, it has come to a point where we as adults don't and might never will know all the answers or solutions to the problems and questions we or our children ponder upon thanks to the exponential advancements in science and technology.

Fattah driving rexton

This brings me to the topic of my blog(finally). When my little brother, Fattah asked me whether he could drive my 4-wheel drive Rexton, from Shah Alam to KL, during the peak hours of high way jam, saying yes was not an option. Maybe next time I said.

When the time did came (which was just the following week) I was freaking out. There wasn't that much traffic thou, still, when a complete beginner starts driving a colossus vehicle 100 kph on the high way, who wouldn't be freaking out? I was holding onto my seat for dear life.

Remember the story about the 10-year- old who drove a car and crashed? The reason of the crash wasn't because the father was a bad parent or he forgot where he placed the keys, it was simply because the child had learned a set of skills not common during those times: hot wiring a car. The child as it seemed was moving faster than his father.

The turning of the 21st century has made us realize that as grown- ups (or to say people with responsibility) we are no longer the ones who knows all the answers. No longer are we the textbook- with- answers or the map- with- directions or the all- knowing- quest- givers when we ourselves are on a hard quest of or own.

While my little brother was driving, he asked me what happens when he presses certain buttons or changes a gear. To be honest, I don't have the slightest idea (maybe some crazy fantasy of the car changing into a robot), we tried pressing it anyway out of curiosity. Surprisingly nothing out of the ordinary happened (as I soon realized the button we pressed was suppose to cleanse all the bad odor in the car).

It's time to realize now that, our role has now shifted. We are now quest-seekers, helping out the next generation with finding the answers and at the same time teaching ourselves. We have to realize and to a certain extent,  trust  them in making those hard choices.

Don't get me wrong,  I'm not asking parents to allow their 10 year old to drive a car. Remember the story I told about the Krogan's? Their technology was faster than what they could comprehend.

In this 21st century we need to change our attitude towards development,  sit back and really think: where are we really heading? It was simpler in the past when our objectives were survival, population control, making our lives more productive and what not, but it has changed now since we are in a more relaxed state, food is easily purchased, medication easily obtained and fun literally happens everywhere.

We need to change our perception. Rather than looking at the end we should focus more on the journey. Rather than collecting Noble prizes for new inventions, what about finding better and ethical ways of using the invention we already have. Rather than finding ways to get better internet connection, why don't we think about what we useful things we could do with those limited internet connection. Rather than thinking on how to be an engineer or a doctor or any occupation for that matter, why don't we think about how to be a better person, a better me, because even we will never know, whether there will be engineers or doctors or it's just some brand new occupation all together.

In order to best move forward, we need to start living, really living in the present.

As my little brother drove in front of our house and parked the car snugly in the garage, I couldn't helped but smile at how "adult - like" my little brother handled everything. It was a job well done and I gave him assurance that next time he could drive me to the hospital if I ever got sicked. He told me that I was acting like a child while he was driving, goofing all over like the worlds going to end. I smiled at him and thought that if I have been any more "adult-like" I don't think any child would be able to keep up.

* * * * *

This post was intended for my little brother Fattah, whom turned 18, an official adult, on the 12th of December 2012. He always acted cool and "adult - like", so to make sure he was never too ahead of himself, I would always act as the naughty kid. I wish him the best of days ahead in this ever changing world as an adult. 

Finally: The Anti Muslim Spray!!!

Assalamualaikum all!!!

I've been sipping through the internet for interesting news about our cousins in other religions and here I found out something very interesting: An Anti - Muslim Spray and other ways to avoid muslims.

I thought to myself: Fascinating, this could be interesting. So I opened the video(it was on YouTube) and 'tada'. So the concept was this: they wanted some "equipment" to deter Muslims from getting close to them (bomb threat, curses or whatever).

Here we're some of the things proposed:

1. They wanted Muslims to wear an ID card always to show that they were muslims
2. They wanted to insert a special chip into us, it might even glow in the dark.
3. to some extreme they wanted our social security number tattooed on our shoulder (don't know how they are going to spot that, because we do usually wear jubahs. lol)
4. An Anti Muslim Spray (Although some of our cousins would just shot us in the head instead)

 One thing that came to my liking is this idea of an ID card. to know who or who isn't a muslim. Seriously, I wouldn't have minded at all. The most important thing to any muslim is the way he portrays himself to the world. Call bragging or pride or whatever, I believe that setting examples is the first key to making other people understand Islam. Don't you? Many peopl

1 Pooh

Are you ready too meet the monster?

These days abang "Fatty" has been at home for very long (1) He has not been out since "the-day-everyone-starves" (2) No it's only him and Aziem around (3) Everyone else is out to work and play (4) Abang "Uaim" is always so hardy with papers and pens (4) Never being at home nor playing the "glowing-screen-with-many-buttons" (5)

Now Aziem is going to be a MAN (6) Aziem will not wear the "white-tight-spenders-that-sometimes-gets-wet" any longer!!! (7) Baba said that Aziem is grown up now (8) And now Aziem must go into the "stinky-wet-room-where-abang-sings" if Aziem feels like his butt is hurting (9) What crazy creatures will we find there? (10)

There was this one time, Aziem came face-to-face with the "huge-white-mouthed-being-with-whirlpools-in-it's-mouth" (11) Aziem was so frighten the first time Aziem saw it (12) but Aziem now is a MAN (13)

Abang Fatty says to wet hands after pooh

Ummi said: that if Aziem wants to pooh, Aziem must find Abang "Fatty" and say: "Nak pooh" (14) The effects where astounding and incredible! (15) The moment Aziem says that Abang Fatty would go "What!!?!#!? Ye ke?" He would yell (16) the scene in abang "Fatty's" face when he picks me up and quickly goes to the "stinky-wet-room-where-abang-sings" and into the "huge-white-mouthed-being-with-whirlpools-in-it's-mouth" was the best (17) sometimes Aziem would do pranks too, so Abang Fatty would not just read book and write funny gibberish things (18)

Yes!!! Defeated the monster again!!

Aziem always imagines that the only way to defeat this "gruesome" and horrifying creature, Aziem must butt him (19) Everyday is a day Aziem must go and defeat the monster, and sooooo Aziem will be a MAN (20)

1 Walkers

Any Zombie killer must know how to swim

When Azeim grows up, he shall be a zombie killer!(1) Like no other, he shall behead thou ugly creatures(2) and aid thou that are victims against them(3) for he was destined for it(4)

Back home, Aziem holds up his zombie warfare guide and zombie handbook(5) two books that will be needed for the decapitating of zombies(6) Do you know how to kill a zombie?(7) there is only one sure way to do it(8) that is by shooting at the head or chopping the head off(8) this is the only sure way to kill(9) We've told you, for surely you are one that will die at the wrath of zombies if ye did not but knew(10)

When big brother is back from his long journeys(11) He will teach Aziem the ways of surviving zombies(12) he will bring back new arsenal for countering zombies(13) He will bring equipment for creating anti - zombies(14) and he will have brought new guides for surviving zombies(15) but most of all(16) he will bring back his black box(17) For in this black box will reveal all the secrets of zombie killing(18)

Aziem's big brother teaching how to fight zombies

And this Aziem wants(19) Aziem will want big brother to activate the black box(20) and finally kill all zombies(21) Aziem Must, he Must see big brother show the killing of zombies through the black box(22) For that is the only way Aziem will be contempt when it comes to killing zombies(23)

Did ye know that there are many types of zombies?(24)Big, Fat, green and red(25) they come in many different styles(26) they will try to take you down(27) separate you from your allies (28) some will spit acid and bring out the horde (29) they will attack from all directions (30) make sure that ye bring along a pipe bomb(31) for in this situation ye will really need it(32)


After this event surely it will be hard for ye to sleep(33) how in the world one is suppose to sleep?(34) knowing that that is what it takes to become a zombie killer(35)

A Brother Like No Other

There are 3 things I will pray for you:

"The Right way to obtain success,

The Achievement of becoming successful,

And the Strength to continue after you have succeeded " 

Calm - Calculating - Core 

My head was full with dandruff as I scratched . A thousand different things were swirling in my head. I have just walked out barely triumph  with the "Defending Finalist" title for the Rector's Cup the other day. I thought I was dead that day, maybe I was wrong. Now I have quizzes and exams to study for, assignments to be handed out and programs to attend to. 

But non of these things bothered me more with what is about to happen this 21st. It might not even concern me, but somehow I was worried about my little brother's SPM exam results. It seemed like a whole joke that I wasn't worry with my own problems to begin with, but unlike my brother, I was different, I had to console disappointment the hard way, and in that it made me stronger.

The first of my little brothers, 3rd among a long line of  seven siblings, considered to be the "cold-calculative" type with god-knows-what diabolical plans are in his head, the "middle-one" or "moderate", always doing things base on logical reasoning, his "reasoning" of course. He'll be the like the guy who shuts himself in his room. Serious, sometimes sensitive, with a great skill of getting what he wants either to talking and arguing

at Padang Indonesia, besides a dam

or some malicious plan of his.

You'll be surprised how different we are. I have straight hair, his is curly. I'm sometimes playful, he's always seems serious and mature. He knows what he wants and how to act for it, I hardly know sometimes what I want let alone what to do about it. It's like if we stood next to each other you'll say he is the elder one, like he's my brother and is instead the one taking care of me rather than the other way around. And that's what worries me.

Both of us we're raised in  very different environments. Part of my life was bent on taking care of the other smaller siblings while he looked from the sidelines sometimes. Much of the responsibility of becoming a brother in the family was on me while he might be stuck in his room reading. I stayed at a hostel during my high school years, he was able to stay at home. When I started high school I was with nothing except my sister to help, he started with everything because everyone knew him as the "Principal's son". He had a simple life, I had "a somewhat harder" one. It was this difference of experience that worried me.

The nights we spent, all bruised and tired

I remembered the time, when both of us went to a trip at Padang, Indonesia. I would always frantically run around worrying whether or not Fattah had everything he needed, if he had forgotten something, if he was not telling me something. He'll go like your usual absent no worry face. Another time was when we first teamed up together for the first time at the CFS Open Debate Tournament. He always looked at me first before thinking anything, even I was sometimes baffled with the topics we debated about. There was another time me and him, with some other siblings we're home while our parents left. He just had a surgery on his intestine and he wanted to eat Maggi!!! I had to take out my belt and threaten to scar him if he didn't stop acting like an idiot and go back to his room. Could you believe it?!!! it was like he never didn't learn the lesson of eating healthy food yet even after a surgery. I always thought: what was this guy thinking about? And it was these moments with my siblings that I had to have the will to lead forward like a brother should.

IIUM Open Debate our annual teaming up

Remembering these events made me laugh. I didn't know when the turning point was. The Debates and Programs we had together? The constant show of anger and disagreement we had for each other? Or the same views and objectives we wanted for our life? Or was it just him somehow being more mature than I thought. whatever it was, the difference before this made the bond of brotherhood between us stronger. 

I remembered the time when we went for a debate tournament. Every year we'll team up and recreate Team Fauzi. without even saying it, the judge guessed that we were brothers because it was like we were a perfect team. He would hear my views more, I would listen to him. We would know when to talk about something and when to keep silent about it. We could assume what each of us were thinking about without talking about it. And for some very funny reason we would sound like we knew each other even though the time spent was short. I remembered my pupils telling me this during a debate training and one of them envied the way I talked with Fattah, like our bond was strong,

To me, he was like a brother like no other, complimenting each other. In the family, he'll be Mr Ustaz and telling all of our siblings about religion and what is right or wrong, while I'll be the one to have fun and play with. He'll be talking about hard stances like anti - facebook and protest, while I'll be talking about soft stances like stay at home use the internet as long as you don't forget to pray and don't go to protest. He'll be talking about you should only take things from Sahih Bukhari, I'll say that Fadhilat Amal is not such a bad idea. 

A brother like no other

On a monthly basis, we would meet up and talk about the issues pertaining our family, our plans, and our future. Like we were plotting something and it was going to change the world, which it would. We would have different views on the world, different ways to obtain it, but what we can agree is the end goal. 

I remembered the moment he became the semi-finalist for the IIUM Debate, I cried for him as though it was my lost, because I worry he wouldn't be able to go through it.

That feeling is worrying me now. 

It was this moment where it's a make - or - break in which I'm not there to help him nor remind him what he has forgotten or if he's doing something wrong. And so I pray: I pray that he finds the right path to success, that he achieves success and if otherwise, have the strength to to move beyond that success.       

I am Grateful to Allah, that among all the people in the world He choose you to be my younger brother, Fattah. Whatever happens, I'll be sure to support you, the same way how you would support me. 

1 Feasta

*Waiting for food*

All praise due to the Lord, who gave us food and who bestowed us the ability to indulge in it (1:1) Hath ye just knew, that the best of places to indulge in this blessing is with your fellow companions (1:2) It is a place where the one that is wise have put up there luxury and build their share of treasures (1:3) To call upon people like ye and aye, so that we may come and taste the specialties they have prepared for us (1:4) Ye might come here as any normal man, but not aye, we shall come finding happiness and fun (1:5) For playing inside is better than staying out in the sun (1:6)

One more glass for me father!

Why you not let me win????

Lo! like that actually!

They shall ask you of what food ye shall like (1:7) If so, then ask them of what ye is able to give back (1:8) However, one may only get what one can give back in return in fortune and gold!(1:9) Lo! Unless Ye have a father like mine! Mine pays for all!(1:10) Sweets, treats, all are meant to be feasts (1:11) For no amount of problems will stop me from indulging in these delicacies (1:12) Thus spoke me Fauzul Aziem, boss of all ye (1:13) 

I found it!

After searching and browsing through some photos people been posting on FB (I strongly discourage though), Twitter and some from God-knows-where website. I found some pictures of Team SRI Ayesha Debating!!!

I would like to thank the comitee members of the Dato CQ Teo Debate for posting these, it makes me proud to see them reaching quarters even with little or sometimes no experience leading a team.

I remember it'll always be me, Fattah or some other unknown guy that has to do the thinking, but now there's proof these little caliph of ours can do things if they put there head in it, enjoy the day and always make sure our nawaitu(intentions) is always because of Allah.

"Now Ye shall be known as QuarterZ"

and this isn't your normal average tournament, the Dato CQ Teo Debate gives points for WSDC, so with a little more polish insyaallah I'm pretty sure Islam will be having some strong voices in the future.

You'll think she knows what she's talking about =>

But I'm pretty sure in there, there's still some blurriness =)

I don't know when this was. Adj Feedback or Coin Toss?

And you wouldn't believe me if I said that they had little experience in debate

There are only 3 things in life that when you do because of Allah you can be sure to be proud of it and say it in front of Him,

"When you waqaf (give something to society) and people benefit from it,

When you teach and your students learn from it,

When you raise children to be good and they pray for you,"