Eid Mubarak, Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Lebaran

(picture from my own collection, taken during Panasonic Orientation for new scholars, April 2009)

Two days before Hari Raya Aidilfitri. Or known globally as Eid or some called it Lebaran. I am not coming back to Malaysia and celebrate Eid there this year because I just feel that it is better for me to stay here since I already know the feeling of celebrating Eid back home. And back home, I come to realize that I am no longer have 'kampung' like I used to back in childhood days, since my grandmother of my mom side passed away few years back. And my grandmonther from my dad side is no longer stay in Johor, she's in KL now.

It has been a while since I feel any joy celebrating Raya. For me, every year, Raya turned out to be a simple celebration, our small family just celebrate it in KL and everyone knows what KL should look like during Raya days, empty and spacey. And ever since I celebrate it, for me Raya always has this sad image, depressed and melancholic songs (although there are cheerful Raya songs out there, but my mind always associate the feel of Raya with sorrowful feel). And for that I take it that I didn't really appreciate Raya as I supposed to 25 years back.

But I do have beautiful memories during Raya. They said Raya is for the kids, and I can't hardly argue that is so true. My childhood Raya memories was always look beautiful in my mind, the joy of balik kampung (going back to hometown of dad and mum side), spending the time with cousins and relatives, glorious Raya foods, fireworks and awesome TV shows. And not forgotten the euphoria feel of getting duit Raya. But year by year, when I start to grow up, the feel is slowly fade away, left me with the feel of assuming that Raya just like other ordinary holiday in my life.

This year marks my first Raya celebration away from family, abroad. To think it will be the same feeling like previous years, I don't dare to make any pre-assumptions yet. But I do miss my family, friends and somehow the sensation of Raya back in Malaysia. Some said you will appreciate thing more when you lost it. Which I feel so true.

"Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri buat mak, abah and adik di Kuala Lumpur. Kupohon kemaafan zahir dan batin andai ada tersilap kata mahupun perbuatan. Tidak lupa juga buat saudara-mara, teman-teman akrab, sahabat handai yang mengenali diri ini. Semoga Hari Raya tahun ini lebih berkat dan menjadikan diri kita insan yang lebih baik dan berkualiti daripada sebelumnya"
-Fid Anuar, Tokyo, Japan September 2009

On Holy Scriptures

I didn't go to the lab today because I'm waiting for the postman to deliver my halal meat to my door. And suddenly my door bell chimes, and when I open my front door, two 40-ish Japanese lady stand in front of me and greet.

They are actually Christian missionaries. It is pretty normal sight in Japan especially during weekend that these missionaries come knocking your door and preaching about Bible and Christianity. Some people might be annoyed, and that including me because I don't like to be disturbed during my own personal quality time. But being me, I am not that rude to simply ignoring these people or reject them away.

So there I was. Listening to their words and voice out my thoughts here and there. And they look surprised because they said they rarely heard about Islam in Japan, let alone seen any Quran with Japanese translation. I quickly bring my Quran (but with Indonesian translation), and they totally amazed to see Quran for the first time. I said I will try to find Quran with Japanese translation and give them to read next time.

Later I found myself thinking, where have all the Islam missionaries been? I encounter few situations before regarding local people who really wants to know certain issues about Islam to solve their religion conundrum and since they know I am Muslim, they seek the answer from me. I admit I myself not a good resource but I'm trying my best to explain. Muslim is not a big community in Japan, but I think it would be much better if people who concern to know more about Islam can easily access Japanese website that can provide them with true and authentic information they looking for. And since many local here browse the Internet from their 携帯/keitai/mobile phone, a website accessible from mobile phone would be very informative indeed. Any website to recommend? Wikipedia excluded please.

And now where I can buy the Quran with Japanese translation in Tokyo?

The Sunao MInd

I had read 'The Art and Wisdom of Management: His Life and Management Philosophy' by Konosuke Matsushita, the founder of Panasonic and Matsushita Corporation. And it is not just my other normal reading, which I do just to fill my empty pastimes and to kill the time, this one is more like a homework. I need to submit a report, sort of a blurb and comment regarding the management style of Matsushita-san and a bit about the history of his life.

One of the Matsushita management style is 'Sunao' mind. Sunao, as described by Matsushita-san himself that there is no direct translation for the word in English, is actually the level of human mind where it becomes free, transparent and able to decide and think without any prejudice. The sunao mind, he said, is the main factor for Matsushita successful business and management style all this while. He claimed that by having sunao mind, it had give him the opportunity to decide the best decision for his company and business, no matter how hard the economic and political situation that affect the business.

I found Matsushita-san philosophy has many similarities with the Islamic philosophy of life. By having unbiased and no prejudice mentality and state of mind. By having the attitude that everyone has their own responsibilities to the society. And to know that everyone has their own limitation and thus, don't go overboard.

It saddened me to realize that some Muslim doesn't even practice this philosophy in their life, let alone in their business. It frightened me even more to realize that some Muslim do the total opposite things than one's should follow in Islamic way, but then claimed their wrong act to be Islamic. What a shame.

I was at first thought that this one will just end up as other normal assignments and normal report writings. Man, was I wrong. I finished the last page with new perspective of life, a fresh thoughts on my mission, and of course, seed of a sunao mind just started growing inside of me.

p/s-
1. On a more personal note, I'm still busy revising my math for the entrance exam this August. がんばれ，がんばれ，もっとがんばれ！
2. Done with Murakami Haruki's Kafka on The Shore. Awesome, my big applause. Really wanna read his latest 1Q84. Really.

War and Reconciliation

And finally Japan get his shares on H1N1 influenza strain. Two students and one teacher who returning back from a student exchange program in Canada complaining that they have flu-like symptoms and quickly quarantined once they arrived in Narita.

And coincidently, Canada reported their first death of the influenza strain.

World without borders. Globalization. That's the fact of world we live in today. If knowledge, cultures and sex tapes can spread all over the globe in split seconds, why can't a virus do the same thing?

More on the global note, Pope Benedict XVI had called for an interfaith reconciliation, on his second day tour of Middle East. Al Jazeera reported him quoting 'He said Muslims and Christians must strive to be seen as faithful worshippers of God "because of the burden of our common history" that has often been marked by misunderstanding'. I'm not his fan, let alone a Christian but I do agree with him about the fact that all of us need to love each other and reconcile. Hating each other and killing people is just beyond insanity. The fact that many Muslims, Christian and even Jews had been killed by the name of war is something that need to be stopped.

Spread the love and today's Mother's Day. To my mum...

'Happy Mother's Day, Mak!. Untuk Mak paling hebat di dunia (overrated I know, but who cares, she's my mum!), Daus sayang Mak dunia dan akhirat dan mengucapkan mak berada dalam kesihatan yang baik dan kekal muda selalu dengan SKII! :)'

My Malay now sounds a bit rusty. The effect of talking Japanese, English and slang-ish Malay for so long. Masa untuk memperkasa bahasa ibunda, mungkin?

'Hanya cinta yang 'kan selalu
menyembuhkan sgala luka
Hanya cinta yang 'kan selalu
bisa membuktikan semua
keindahan hidup'
-Marcell, Hidup 2008

A Prayer by Anggun

Thank you for blessing the road I walk on
That I’m walking on
I’m sorry for every mistake I fall on
Can’t help but fall

You’ve changed this heart in me
And I know, I can always count on You
To give me the signs

In the wind on my face
Each time I try to run
From the sight of Your grace
From the wrongs I have done

You shine down your light
each time I need a guide
I say to hearts in despair
There’s an answer to a prayer

Give me true love in my life, a peaceful mind
Save me from harm
Pull me back if I ever try to walk away
Don’t let me stray

You’ve changed this heart in me
And I know I can always count on You
To give me the signs

In the wind on my face
Each time I try to run
From the sight of Your grace
From the wrongs I have done

You shine down Your light
Each time I need a guide
I say to hearts in despair
There’s an answer to a prayer
Say to all hearts in despair, there’s an answer to a prayer

You’ve changed this heart in me
And I know I can always count on You
To hear my prayers

You shine down Your light
And I know there’s an answer to a prayer

You shine down Your light
Each time I need a guide
I say to hearts in despair
There’s an answer to a prayer

Still in the mood of holiday since it's long break called Golden Week in Japan. No, I'm not feeling anything near despair, but I feel this song by Anggun soothes my feeling and rejuvenate me. Whatever faith you hold and whatever religion you believe in, always remember that there's an answer to a prayer.

At least I believe in that.

Of The Importance of Being Sane and Live Healthy

I'm sorry for not writing for quite a while. It's not that I'm have nothing to write, I do have so much to tell about, but maybe I'm just lazy.

There are two major news that keep floating around the news in Japan recently, the pandemic swine flu and one of SMAP's member arrested by police for being heavily drunk and nude in public.

The swine flu pandemonium started in Mexico and soon after it spreads to United States and Canada. The outbreak happens fast and quick, and in a very short time, there are many cases already reported all over America and certain parts in Europe. The virus strain origin remains unknown but it is believed that the virus strain migrated from Asia or Europe through people and migratory birds, although many speculated that it comes from pig factory farms in Mexico. The virus developed to be infectious from human to human contact (and no longer through animals like it used to) and that starts the pandemic warning globally.

The WHO has give few recommendations to prevent the outbreak of swine flu (especially in affected country):
1. Avoid crowded places
2. Avoid close spaces
3. Avoid salutations with the hand and kisses
4. Wear tissues to cover mouth and nose
5. Go to the doctor at the minimal sign of flu
6. Enhance your immunologic system
7. Wash your hands with soap and water frequently
8. Sneeze in the arm, under the elbow, instead of doing it in the hand
9. Try to stay at home.
10. Never self-medicate
11. Eat fruit and do not drink alcohol nor smoke
12. Avoid sick people



And the next major news is the arrest of one of the SMAP member, Tsuyoshi Kusanagi. He was arrested for public indecency, appear naked in public (in Akasaka, Tokyo to be exact) after been heavily drunk (he was believed to consumed more than 10 mugs of beer and shochu, the Japanese traditional wine). It brings the shock to Japanese media (considering the massive popularity of SMAP in Japan and also because of the gentle and clean image of Kusanagi throughout his career in Japanese media industry.

Unlike the West part of the world, such behavior normally would increase the popularity of the artist (for example, Paris Hilton sex video) but it is almost impossible to see the same effect happen to celebrity in Asia. Especially Japan, which famous for the clean image of every public figure and the strictness of being a role model of the society (remember Shoichi Nakagawa case? Where he was drowsy and slurring his words during G7 meeting), such case as public indecency is a big no-no. The effect of Kusanagi bad move; all his commercials and feature in media has been taken back and he receives critiques from all over the country.

Some of my Japanese friends has asked me why Islam prohibits the Muslim to eat pork meat and consume alcohol. I let Kusanagi and swine flu to answer that.

The Speech Writer and The New Mufti

I admit I am starting to procrastinate in posting anything new in this blog, here goes my apology. I have so many thoughts to spill here, but to arrange the array of words to make it interesting is one important matter, and a difficult thing sometimes. I used to admire people who can write beautifully, be it prose or poetry (that even cooler), in any languages. Some people had told me that I can be a good writer when I was young, but day by day, I realize my skills in writing rusting with time. Talk about human's brain capability.

In previous post I had mentioned about the great Obama speech, and as I reckon many people had known, is not directly written by Mr. President (obviously he has so many other things to do rather than writing and proofreading his own speech), but by a team of speechwriter, leads by Jon Favreau. Born in 1981, he is the second youngest director of speechwriter in White House, after James Fallows (who had served during Jimmy Carter's time). Favreau is starting to indulge in the same popularity with his boss, when people realize the great composition of Obama's words when he gave the speech. He was formerly working with John Kerry and became dispirited in politics for a shortwhile when Kerry's campaign started to falter, but his view in politics changed when he met Obama.

(read an article in New York Times about Favreau here)

How words can change people's view. Obama must really be thankful for the great speechwriter he had during the campaign, because they're one of the winning factor. I remember that Tun Dr. Mahathir writes his own speech and letter when I read Mahathir's Selected Letters to World Leaders, and that even more impressive.

I need to write my own introductory speech in Japanese for Panasonic Scholarship Award Ceremony in Panasonic headquarter in Osaka this April. With my unconvincing skill in Japanese, I predict the speech writing process would be one hard moment. Just wish me luck then.

On another matter, Dr. Juanda Jaya has been nominated for the next Mufti Perlis replacing Dr. Mohd Asri Zainal Abidin. Dr. Mohd Asri has resigned from his post few months back and currently in sabbatical to UK to deepen his knowledge in hadith studies. What is so special about being Mufti Perlis, you must say. The post is somehow much special compared to the other muftis because the selection is done by Dr Mohd Asri itself (I read somewhere that he was instructed to name the person who qualified to replace him before he resigned). Dr. Mohd Asri has been a great Malaysian Muslim's attention during his tenure as Mufti Perlis in Malaysia, for his reforming views on Islam and direct comments on political and social matter. I wish every best to the new appointed mufti, and hope he will carry the same view and vision as Dr. Asri when he was in that position couple of months back.

I am hoping that the Muftis institution in Malaysia would be more proactive and functional. There are more social problems to solve rather than just pointing out the fiqh issue, you see.

p/s-I am so want a trench coat before coming to Japan. Any good design with cheaper price tag would be helpful. Sigh.

Of Many Things

There are so many things evolve in my head everyday, give me some sort of urgency to blog it out. But I am currently not in a mood to elaborate and lengthening the sentences for any kind of writings, my head is spinning around, and I just had a fever yesterday, and a mild one today. It has been so hot in Malaysia lately, albeit the usual rainy season. Blame it to the global warming I guess.

I think I just point out some of the things in my head recently. Some of them might get special attention for further elaboration but for the time being, let it be.

1-Che Det open letter to Barack Obama - funny and witty in Che Det way, I am totally going to give him a standing ovation if this speech is given right from his mouth in any occasion. The time has come for the States to change their foreign policy, respect the UN and sign the Kyoto Protocol.

2-Although I love to read some of the magazine like TIME, Newsweek, GQ and National Geographic, it doesn't change my opinion towards some of the global issues. Apart from these mags, I am a big fan of Monocle. Do check it out. It covers all topics that took my interest, politics, economy, environmental and also fashion. It costs about RM50 here for one latest issue of Monocle, so I prefer to buy the backdated issue which costs only RM10 in mamak news stand! They had listed 20 new heroes who deserve a bigger stage to 10 clever companies to watch in 2009 but since I am not a subscriber, I can only wait until next month to read it. And they just opened their merchandise shop in London! I am so excited to buy some of the their suitcase (join with Porter) and furniture, but they're so pricey and London is not my future stopover anytime soon. They also had named Munich to be the most livable city in the world (last year ranking), and that easily make Munich to be plotted in my travel map.

3-I just finished reading Laskar Pelangi by Andrea Hirata. Nope, they're not Japanese. Andrea Hirata is actually an Indonesian novelist from Billiton (Pulau Belitong, Indonesia), kilometres away from Borneo. The Billiton people is actually Malay, so they speak Malay just like I do. Laskar Pelangi is about 10 poor children in Billiton who strive to live the best in their life, including to get better education for better future. I must say it has been years since I read Malay novel, let alone a good one, but I'm glad that Laskar Pelangi is one of them.

4-With Gaza Carnage 2008 issue and some of personal issues, I started put my interest in Islam Reformist and try to find some info from the Internet and books. My findings stumbled upon Tariq Ramadan and Muhammad Yunus. I tried to buy their books in Kinokuniya KLCC, but there's no stock left and I need to wait until end of the month to get them. More about them soon.

5-With my resolution to start learning how to play oboe, I tried searching for the instrument from major music instrument shop in Kuala Lumpur, but unfortunately, they're not available. To make it worse, some of the staff even don't know what is oboe. I reckon classical music is not a mainstream genre among music fan in Malaysia, thus not many people actually know what is oboe, and its influence in modern mainstream music. Coy mentioned in her blog that there is one neighborhood area in Tokyo, called Ochanomizu, known for its various musical instrument stores. I hope oboe is available there since I know there are few famous Japanese oboist (is that the right terminology?) so they're more exposed I guess. My sister even had told me she wants a new violin and PSP when I go to Japan (unfortunately sis, your brother is not Bill Gates or Mittal whosoever!).

6-I have added one more new resolution in my previous list, which is to buy Panasonic LX-3 and shoot more awesome pictures. Materialistic I am, I know.

Okay that's all for today's ramblings. This topic will be explained more in later posts. Have a good day everyone!

MERCY Palestine Fund

For those who follows the Israel inhuman act in Gaza and would like to do something but can't afford to do it because of work and any other commitment, donate to MERCY Palestine Fund.

Datuk Dr. Jemilah Mahmood and one of the MERCY Executive Concil member, Norazam Ab Samah have flied to Cairo to go to the Gaza border to supply the medical aids through pipeline channel for affected Palestinians in Gaza crisis.

PALESTINE RELIEF FUND

Cheque payable to MERCY MALAYSIA
CIMB Account No : 1424-000-6561053

If you're so busy and almost impossible to reach the nearest bank, Maybank2u will do. If else fails, call MERCY and ask them for anything to help. There's always a way.

May Allah always bless Dr. Jemilah and her team in giving aids and helping hand to those in need in Gaza. Ameen.

The Memoirs of War

I just get back from my short journey to down south, Singapore for some Christmas celebration observation last 26th December. The trip went very well, although there is nothing much to elaborate about Singapore since the familiarity with Malaysia, in landscape and other thing. Back in my shore and my senses was awaken by two shocking news: the passing of Yamtuan Besar Negeri Sembilan and the onslaught of Palestinians by Israelis latest bombing on Gaza.

During the 5 hours bus journey from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore and on the way back, I managed to read almost the whole book (except the epilogue) of my latest reading food, Dispatches from The Edge: A Memoir of War, Disasters and Survivals by Anderson Cooper. While my emotion was touched, and my tears was flowing down my cheek, I just simply cannot tolerate war. Disasters is unpredictable (but some do) and you cannot do anything about it as it comes naturally, but war is clearly the definition of human craziness. I remember recalling the pictures of Pol Pot inhumanity in Cambodia during my primary school mission to Cambodia for some Muslim charity movement back in my school days. Being just nine years old kid, I was not ready for any barbaric torture to human being, ironically done by human. Reading Anderson Cooper's piece back on the bus, I realize I still not ready yet. And I believe everyone's out there as well.

Can you imagine the portrait of Palestinian kids and women in the midst of unstoppable bombings? Can you manage to live with that? The world has seen that terrorism is not the answer. People's dying out there. If the authority can trying their best to counter terrorism by preventing liquids on airplane, by doing nude check on airports and so many other ridiculous things, please stop the bombs on Palestinians. They deserve to live peacefully and happily like any other human race on Earth. The news reported that thousands have been killed, and more to come. What do you expect when you bombarded the city with tonnes of bombs and explosives, and people will stay safe?

Ironically, Israel starts to send medical supplies and the so-called helps to the people of Gaza with message sounds like 'Our bombs are not intended on public, but the terrorist'. Spare me some laugh. If the Hamas so-called terrorist is the main reason, then just point your focus to the suspected person. Why need the bombs and violence? If terrorism has any need to be countered by terrorism act, then I can see that this thing is going nowhere.

Dr.Mohd Asri has urge everyone around the world to stand your thoughts and reflect your ideas to stop the violence in Middle East. For God's sake, not just by being Muslim, but for everyone's right to live in this Mother Earth peacefully and happily, the bombing has to be stopped.

Islamic Yoga

I was reading Rantings By Marina Mahathir, and I am so excited to see that this thing is actually existed in this world. All this while, we have been so offensive towards our own Majlis Fatwa, shutting our ears and pointing fingers, but as what I always said, never say no just yet.

Yes, Egypt does have Islamic version of yoga. Well, I do not specifically know what does Islamic version of yoga all about, but I guess it might change the philosophical side of Hinduism to more Islamic thoughts. For me, I am just interested in doing the pose, not the philosophical side of any kind of exercise (my Islamic faith alone would do, no need additional attributes of philosophy).

Since the yoga banned issue by Majlis Fatwa, I have received quite a few emails which I found a bit offensive. Most of them are just joke and prank email about 'What would Majlis Fatwa ban after yoga'. I am somehow feel a bit offended by this kind of so-called joke, it is not a joke for me after all. Even for yoga practitioner like me, it is very important that I am not against the fatwa or Majlis Fatwa itself. I am just feel that the exercise I have been practicing all this while is just in a physical form of exercise and I never chants or meditate in a Hinduism way, so I just keep doing it physically and not philosophically. Thus, I need to stress out that please respect Majlis Fatwa on whatever they decide and try to guide you, whether you are Muslim or not (especially fellow Muslims, obviously).

So what did I do? I read them at an glance and delete the email right away. If any of my friend or acquiantance read this post, please be informed that I do not want entertain any kind of similar email with that.

I need to continue studying, my exam is this Sunday, 7th December. Wish me luck, fellas.

The Fatwa on Yoga Ban in Malaysia

I am going to post this entry bilingually, in Malay and English.

Fatwa Council says yoga with worshipping, chanting is prohibited (updated)
By MAZWIN NIK ANIS

Fatwa Council says yoga with worshipping, chanting is prohibited

PUTRAJAYA: The National Fatwa council has declared that the yoga practice which involves three elements of physical movements, worshipping and chanting as haram (prohibited) in Islam.

Its chairman Datuk Dr Abdul Shukor Husin said although merely doing the physical movements of yoga minus the worshipping and chanting might not be wrong in the eyes of the religion, it should be avoided as “doing one would lead to another”.

He said yoga has been practised by the Hindu community for thousands of years and incorporates physical and religious elements and chants and worshipping, with the aim at “being one with God”.

“Because of this, we believe that it is inappropriate for Muslims to do yoga and the council has declared that practising yoga when it comes all together with the three elements as haram.

“We discourage Muslims to do yoga as a form of exercise because it will ultimately lead to religious worshipping and chanting which is against Islam.

“In Islam, one must not do things which can erode one’s aqidah or faith. Doing yoga, even just the physical movements is a step towards an erosion of one’s faith in the religion, hence Muslims should avoid it,” he told a press conference.

He added that the council had come up with an edict on yoga as the matter was brought up to them following growing concerns whether it would be against the religion if Muslims do the exercise.

Recently, a lecturer Prof Zakaria Stapa of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia’s Islamic Studies Centre advised Muslims who had taken up yoga to stop practising it for fear that they could deviate from the teachings of Islam.

Shukor said the declaration of yoga as haram was done after serious and indepth discussions were made by the council members who met last month.

He added after studying the matter, including the history and purpose of yoga where the ultimate aim was to “be one with God”, the council decided that it was inappropriate for Muslims as it could affect one’s faith.

Asked if the decision would draw flak within the Malaysian community, including the non-Muslims, he said the ruling was only meant for Muslims and the rest were free to practise yoga.

“The fatwa (edict) is meant solely for the Muslims to follow. The non-Muslims need not question or debate about this because they are free to do whatever they wish. It is the Muslims who have to adhere to this,” he added.

Shukor said once the edict was gazetted, it would be up to the state governments on how they plan to implement and enforce the ruling as religious affairs come under its purview.

“Malaysia is not the only country which declare yoga as haram in Islam. Singapore and Egypt have come out with the same edict as well,” he said.

He said Muslims must be careful as to not do things which could erode their faith, adding the religion strongly advocates “prevention is better than cure”.

“There are many other forms of exercise that Muslims can partake especially when the religion promotes healthy living and lifestyle. Performing prayers for example is a good form of exercise,” he said.

I am one of yoga practitioner (well not an avid one, but I have the experience) and I started early of this year and I enjoy it very much. But unfortunately, I had to stop practicing yoga for a while, because of certain reason. Throughout my experience in practicing yoga, I never had any chants, mantras or Hinduism philosophy thought in any class I attended. All we did just stretching and breathing.

It is very clear and undeniable that yoga(Wiki:click) has its root from Hinduism. But to specifically say modern yoga practice is directly connecting to Hinduism, I am beg to differ. I am not here to object the decision of Majlis Fatwa Kebangsaan Malaysia (nanti aku dituduh murtad and melanggar hukum Allah plak, nauzubillah), but I believe every fatwas worth debates and intellectual, logical justification.

My concerns include:
1-Have the council check on modern yoga classes nowadays? In fitness centre or any modern yoga studio to be specific? I am pretty sure that there's no mantras, karmas or whatsoever or the so-called 'unification with God' is taught in class. Yoga class in Hindus temple is not considered as modern yoga classes, because I believe modern people who are not Hindus (especially Muslims) will not going to such classes (my basic assumption).

2-If yoga is prohibited, then what about taichi, qigong and other form of exercise which I believe has some roots of non-Islamic faith?

3-I have always look to Mufti Perlis, Dr. Asri Zainul Abidin for Islamic view and thoughts. He is one of the muftis (I believe he still is, although he has submitted the resignation letter), thus I believe he is part of Majlis Fatwa Kebangsaan and his opinion is matters. I am totally agree about his view of this yoga-banned fatwa.

4-They said Singapore and Egypt has banned yoga as well. I do not found this helping at all. Does that mean that Muslim can practice yoga when they are not in these countries (Egypt, Singapore and Malaysia)?

5-If faith and aqidah(Wiki:click) is the issue, why programs about mystical behavior like susuk(Wiki:click), bomohs etc. which definitely more faith and aqidah eroding in the mainstream media is not prohibited?

Just my two cents from my humble opinion.

Further reading about this issue, checkout:
Yoga Instructor Diaries
RantingsbyMM

Quickies

I'm trying to change the layout of this blog since yesterday, and so this is the result. I finished my report last week and submitted it, leaving me now with all the freedom in the world since my boss back to UK. I don't know whether I like this new blog layout or not, somehow i feel it rather too Apple like and boring, but it seems cleaner this way (and the cool date in every post title rocks!)

Besides doing the layout, I'm also has been busy on wiki and updating the software in my Mac. I am suddenly interested to know more about denomination in Islam (Sunnis, Shiites and Salafis) and might doing a mini research on that. Things just get clearer when you start to know something that you been heard relentlessly all this while but you just don't have a slight idea of what it is.

I have also downloaded the new Ne-Yo album, Year of the Gentlemen and like few tracks innit (including the catchy Closer, of course). Will review about it later.

Book wise, currently reading A Backpack and A Bit of Luck by Zhang Su Li, a bit slow paced but hope to get the story soon. Hoping to finish it sooner, and start buying new books (my head thinking of Murakami Haruki, some Freakonomics and chic lit haha), although there's still few books left in my desk, untouched.

I might change the layout again today, so just bear with this one for the time being.

The Blessed Month

Submitted my report this morning and now I feel liberated. Free like a bird. It's been a while since I use the internet facility in this office to the max (the real max I tell you :p), so then the time has come to do it now. I have a lot of things to share in this blog, but workloads resist my intention.

First of all, Happy Ramadhan to all Muslims in this world. Let us cherish this moment of blessed month. Personally, I really looking forward to Ramadhan, ever since I was a young kid. Surprisingly, not for Aidilfitri (The Hari Raya). I prefer the fasting month although it means to be hungry and restless all month long. I prefer this month just because the joy you feel in Ramadhan is beyond words. People buying foods in the evening for berbuka puasa, people go to the mosque for Tarawih and many more. Something you will not find in other period of time.

In Ramadhan every year, I used to perform my Tarawih prayer in Wilayah Persekutuan Mosque in Jalan Duta, Kuala Lumpur ever since I'm in secondary school (or college, which does not matter). Loads of people will flood the mosque every year, but ironically this year, it is not happen. Less people coming, only few cars parked, and of course smaller crowd. Looking smaller and smaller the crowd turned day by day saddening me, left my mind wondering why this happen? The current unstable political situation? Expensive fuel price?

This year would be my last year celebrating Ramadhan in Malaysia before I left for Japan next year. I strongly believe the Ramadhan would have different aura in Japan, certainly not as good in Malaysia, but I do hope the blessed month does have the magic anywhere else in this planet.

Forgive me God, for whom I am sinned.