It has come to my attention that though the population of muslim in the university is notable, the actual registered number of members of the society does not capture the true picture of the community. Or is the count the true picture of the community? For by way of the commitment meant for, as the constitution of the society states, the welfare of society, these are those that truly define the community. Welfare, again a term not defined clearly, to be held as the objective of the society now coming to an end. An end for the execs elected a year before for the transition period between them and the new officer-elects that shall be decided on the night of Friday, February the 12th, after much heated debate and controversial pressure from different supporters of parties. But, then again, why should they join the society, pay 3 pounds if anything gained by joining, could be enjoyed as mere supporters from without? Thus the society needs to revise its policy to again attract the people that will be its flag-bearers.

iSoc: The Presidential Manifesto

I am Khairul Anwar, a current second-year student of the Economics department, and I am running for the post of President.

I realize being an exec member means being a true ambassador of the faith Islam, and this is what I would want the execs to know.

There are three ideas that will be explained briefly.

First, I will continue to lead the ISoc in pursuit of a more professional conduct.

For the execs, I would strive for less meetings and more productivity, by depending on more critical, independent thinking of the execs and the subcommittees. To the outside, I want events to be more publicized, to have major events to be continually advertised in the SU website and find affiliations with other societies.

Secondly, I will continue the engagement of the ISoc with knowledge.

For the execs, I will have a short session of ‘tazkirah’ in every meeting, and to have a set of selected verses from the Quran memorized by the end of the session. For the others, I will help the Welfare Officer to get weekly circles going.

Thirdly, I want the ISoc to continue and reshape the da’wa system.

I want topics such as ethics and morality, be the grounds of discussion for interfaith forums/dialogues. By the end of the session, I want the community to realize that the Islamic prayer hall is open not only for muslims, but for all, and it is from this realization that the act da’wa can be seen as something friendly.

I want the ISoc to be a family, for with the new structure introduced, I cannot see why this cannot happen. I hope the new elected execs will continue the heavy responsibilities of excellence.

Presidential Candidate,

Khairul Anwar Mohamad Khairi

it’s definite: come run with me!

Thursday. And the job will be done…

Hast thou not seen how Allah wafteth the clouds, then gathereth them, then maketh them layers, and thou seest the rain come forth from between them; He sendeth down from the heaven mountains wherein is hail, and smiteth therewith whom He will, and averteth it from whom He will. The flashing of His lightning all but snatcheth away the sight.

[24: 43]

To FUIYO

Praises be to the Lord God. Fuiyo came to be and ended. Personally, it was a journey. Not because of the talks. Nor was it because of the ldk’s. But the experience as a whole. I can not remember when i started to preach this simple message, but now, time and again these words come out from me. See the whole truth first, then deconstruct it, to see the chain of events culminated in the whole experience. But, then again, this ’science’ must be put into practical context, for not all can be seen in that simple light (as the case of fuiyo when it was, for the limitation that the whole can not be seen as yet then).

The journey of fuiyo started with FHM, the mark Akmal’s Mercedes bore and the name it has been and still is called by. Akmal the driver, Alia, to outwit him in whatever it is to make the driving a non-sleepy ride, Hypo, Anuar Ibrahim and me. At approximately 11am i started the journey (for there are different points the passengers were stationed) and we were off to Sheffield first.

It was a good ride, and the second time i was to be in Sheffied (the first was last year, for the event NEXT). Eica aka Nurkhafizah picked us up to come pray dhur + asr at her place. A nice big place she has to herself n her mates. Really. We were hurried as we were in a rush to go to Manchester where the participants’ meeting point was and where the buses were going to be. And so, as i didn’t have the chance to say this, Eica, a very big thanks to you for having us.

We were off again, only without Anuar as he was appointed driver for those from Sheffield, which awarded him the Special MC Award later on, or so said Jo.

And we passed through mist and snowstorm, literally. As recorded by the camcorder and DSLR, it was a shock to us, or me, for contemplation is a personal act, if not voiced accordingly. Here and there, snow covered the land. And the snow came down. And our vision was all but limited to a few meters. And FHM made use of its traction control system. And so much more. Tears. I can not define what tears were they except in awe for the massiveness of the force of the system by which God shows His Glory. Nature as one of His signs.. truly.

Long story short, we arrived at ‘Istana YHA’ at approximately 7pm. Approximately 6 hours of driving of FHM. Thus the Fuiyo as a planned module, started for me.

Dreams

Weird have been my dreams of late. Yes, i dream. And maybe this is a sign, God-knows. I dream of friends. Friends that are around me. And those who were with me. I say it is weird, but not in a bad kind of way. I believe i read that most dreams could not be remembered after few moments of waking up. These dreams, i do recall. Recollections, or even glimpses of the mood and situations during slumber still linger in the mind.

If someone could tell me why i dream of people nowadays.. But mysteries are to be unfold. I believe these are all caused by my days that are now filled with the appreciation of history (this is non-scientific in explanation). Or the beginnings of it. Spain, the first country traveled since i first set foot last academic year here brought a sense of responsibility. Or was the catalyst for the resurfacing of the sense of ignorance, to go and engage with history.

And so this is the plague of extremity that i’m beginning to describe. As time and again masters of disciplines tried to relay the simple truth to the masses. What value there is in the present if the past is unheard of? And what hope for a future if never mistakes be learnt? The chain that connects the past, present and future, we must hold on to it. I remember a lecturer of the module The World Economy: History & Theory once said (in my own words), “There are two types of economists these days; those that are based on history, and those that rely on their theoretical intelligence. Neither will go further than the other. It is in the merging of the two types that great minds be bred.” And subtly is he relaying this message that the module’s name incorporates this idea (History & Theory).

This ends the post, an abrupt stop. String here with the ideas in mind.

This time

It has been a while. And i feel weird using the sentence since it’s really been a while. The last i wrote a post long enough to be read as a post rather than a reminder or random thought was ages ago. Not that i can write with style a long post. I remember long ones were my favourites, and still are. Time and again, when i see the opportune moment coming by to have something worth to write of, slothfulness seeps in. So the reason of busy days as i would often like to use would have no meaning for it is always a subjective matter, time.

Winter holidays it is now, with a decent burden to carry throughout the days. Academic-wise, there is one essay due for completion on January the 14th, as well as Econometrics-based work to be done using the programme called STATA 10. Plus the usual studying, or revising the syllabi covered during the autumn term just ended. Organizational planning will take precedence also as now there is time to rethink ideas. Time sought so painfully during term-time. And the books, which have been forsaken for far too long. I can not say i am not envious of those who plans successfully for reading times and order, because i am. I’ve started Orhan Pamuk’s Istanbul on the plane the other day, and i plan to finish it, along with a list of other literatures to fulfill a promised destiny.

In front of the computer now, life seems somewhat slow. As the weather shows her side of less than cheery sunny days, life comes knocking at the head, asking reflections by mind that has gone so far without checking its bases; honesty. 21 years of life, and on the day that marked it, i was touched that there were those who remembered. I wonder sometimes: what are celebration of birthdays if life itself is not celebrated truthfully? Life has been as it was, well, partly. As dynamic as one might want his life be, a containment of a  previous past and habit will make it as a lifeline, a string of foothold that ensures dynamics is based on realism. I am not suggesting that i know what realism means in its philosophical context, but reality must be based on history. A 21 year old man knows this now.

On top of the table is a collection of memories. Right there on the far-side corner is a vase. One with brown and blue, decorated with golden lines. It reminds of the beach. The brown sand fair to the body as it lies down to capture the sight of the kids playing around. The water with waves, and the young adults fooling around with friends. Oh. But now there is pollution. Come A. Samad Said and his well-known poem (which is part of the secondary-school english liteature syllabus).

He saw a dead crow
in a drain
near the post office.

He saw an old man
gasping for air
and a baby barely able to breathe
in a crowded clinic.

The land is so rich.
Why should we suffer like this?

I want clean air
for my children.

I want the damned fools
to leave the forest alone.
I want trees to grow,
the rivers run free,
and the earth covered with grass

Let the politicians plan
how we may live with dignity
now and always.

A. SAMAD SAID

It would be wrong to say that i liked the poem entirely, yet it was a simple one, with a clear strong message. And the vase there in the quartet captures it all with the will of another who gave it as a present to me, which makes it stronger as an item radiating colours of the past.

And what have i done for the past few minutes? Writing not with definite intention of target readers, nor with absolute messages. I believe sometimes the mind needs wandering, to encroach the limitations usually hold in place in times prevalent. Hence comes creativity, and power. Yet a pure base, an honest truth, these must be established. Read, and be at peace. Listen, and be part of. Speak, and be truthful. And reflect, and solve life.

Those who believe (in the Oneness of Allâh – Islâmic Monotheism), and whose hearts find rest in the remembrance of Allâh, Verily, in the remembrance of Allâh do hearts find rest.

[13: 28]