Muslims since the dawn of Islam have faced numerous challenges in holding onto Islam. The early Muslims faced persecution and death if they refused to accept the pagan beliefs of the Quraish. The death of Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم resulted in a number of people turning their backs on Islam and stirring doubt in the minds of other Muslims.
As Islam spread and Muslims came into contact with other cultures and customs Muslims faced the challenge of ensuring the purity of Islam and reconciling Islam with the foreign beliefs of other people.
Today a similar battle continues, that of wining the hearts and minds of Muslims around the world and integrating Muslims living in the West into Western societies. Successive governments have outlined policies on integrating Muslims in the West and a number of areas have been highlighted in order to achieve this, in summary these include:
- Promoting the superiority of Capitalism, its institutions, systems, freedoms and civilisation
- Abandoning policies which concentrate on cultural differences (such as multiculturalism) and concentrating on shared values (capitalist values)
- Promoting people and organisations who view Islam in line with liberal values
- Subverting all those who call for political Islam by branding them as extremists
- Corrupting those ideas of Islam which are political and anti-liberal such as one Ummah, Islamic state, Shari'ah, Islam is a system and Islam's applicability in the 21st century
- Branding those who hold onto Islam as backward and traditionalists
For Muslims, holding onto the Islamic personality in the 21st century has become even more important as there is a campaign to corrupt the Islamic personality and to secularise it which means Muslims will view the world from the lens of capitalism rather then Islam. So the question needs to be asked, what is the Islamic personality? How do we build it? How to we maintain and develop it? And how do we ensure it does not become corrupted?
The personality
Various thinkers throughout history have attempted to define the personality similar to the attempts to define the mind and the soul. In Ancient Greece, Socrates his student Plato, and his student Aristotle, attempted to answer the question of what is the personality. Their conclusions were very vague and included elements which were not part of the human makeup and also for them included a combination of one's clothing, speech, tastes etc.
The Muslim philosophers of the 10th century attempted to define the personality, as well as scholars such as Imam Ghazali, and they all mentioned in their respective books the different traits which can constitute the personality.
The Christians defined the personality as the struggle that occurs internally between matter and spirit. With the development of science in the 18th century experiments were carried out on human beings that lead to the study of human nature turning eventually into psychology which became the study of human behaviour. Today psychologists continue to add to the body of research on what constitutes the personality which includes one's traits, genetics and actions.
Communists also had a view on the personality and for them it was nothing more then the reflection of the reality on the mind.
Because the personality is the study of the human then its definition should be perceived from reality and should be applicable on all humans. This is because humans in all times and generations do not change in nature, the human make up, aside from some people born with deformities, humans generally are the same.
So we see all people have physical characteristics that usually distinguish them from others. Although the colour of one's eyes, earrings, hair style, clothing, the type of books they read and how much skin they may expose are what we see of other people, these are in reality the result of one's personality. This is because such characteristics would be decided by the beliefs and ideas one carries.
Hence the first part that defines a person is the ideas they carry, in this way matters are judged as good and bad, right and wrong. The second aspect of the personality is one's behaviour. Although all humans have the same instincts we see that people satisfy them differently. We see although all humans have the procreational instinct, some marry, others do not, whilst some marry the same gender. One's behaviour is the manner in which one satisfies their different instincts and this is what distinguishes one person from another.
The way one thinks and behaves defines the type of personality one has. One's behaviour is determined by the ideas one carries hence the one who views drinking alcohol as good would act upon this compared to the one who views it as wrong. So one's ideas would determine one's behaviour and this is why one's beliefs are central to defining the personality.
The Islamic personality
Islam has provided a comprehensive solution for Muslims to create for themselves a particular personality distinct from all others. With the Islamic ‘Aqeedah (creed) Islam treated thoughts of all Muslims by making for humans an intellectual basis upon which all thoughts can be built. So a Muslim's mentality is built upon the Islamic ‘Aqeedah which provides one with a distinct mentality.
At the same time, Islam treats human actions which stem from there instincts and organic needs with Shari'ah rules that emanate from the ‘Aqeedah itself. The Shari'ah rules regulate but do not suppress the human instincts. They harmonise the different instincts together but do not leave them free to be satisfied in any manner. The Shari'ah rules do permit Muslims to satisfy their needs in a way that will lead the human being to tranquillity and stability.
Allah سبحانه وتعالى in the Qur'an mentioned in a number of ayaat the traits Muslims should be characterised with, amongst the many ayaat the following outlines this very clearly:
وَعِبَادُ الرَّحْمَنِ الَّذِينَ يَمْشُونَ عَلَى الْأَرْضِ هَوْنًا وَإِذَا خَاطَبَهُمُ الْجَاهِلُونَ قَالُوا سَلَامًا
وَالَّذِينَ يَبِيتُونَ لِرَبِّهِمْ سُجَّدًا وَقِيَامًا
وَالَّذِينَ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا اصْرِفْ عَنَّا عَذَابَ جَهَنَّمَ إِنَّ عَذَابَهَا كَانَ غَرَامًا
إِنَّهَا سَاءتْ مُسْتَقَرًّا وَمُقَامًا
وَالَّذِينَ إِذَا أَنفَقُوا لَمْ يُسْرِفُوا وَلَمْ يَقْتُرُوا وَكَانَ بَيْنَ ذَلِكَ قَوَامًا
وَالَّذِينَ لَا يَدْعُونَ مَعَ اللَّهِ إِلَهًا آخَرَ وَلَا يَقْتُلُونَ النَّفْسَ الَّتِي حَرَّمَ اللَّهُ إِلَّا بِالْحَقِّ وَلَا يَزْنُونَ وَمَن يَفْعَلْ ذَلِكَ يَلْقَ أَثَامًا
يُضَاعَفْ لَهُ الْعَذَابُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ وَيَخْلُدْ فِيهِ مُهَانًا
إِلَّا مَن تَابَ وَآمَنَ وَعَمِلَ عَمَلًا صَالِحًا فَأُوْلَئِكَ يُبَدِّلُ اللَّهُ سَيِّئَاتِهِمْ حَسَنَاتٍ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ غَفُورًا رَّحِيمًا
وَمَن تَابَ وَعَمِلَ صَالِحًا فَإِنَّهُ يَتُوبُ إِلَى اللَّهِ مَتَابًا
وَالَّذِينَ لَا يَشْهَدُونَ الزُّورَ وَإِذَا مَرُّوا بِاللَّغْوِ مَرُّوا كِرَامًا
وَالَّذِينَ إِذَا ذُكِّرُوا بِآيَاتِ رَبِّهِمْ لَمْ يَخِرُّوا عَلَيْهَا صُمًّا وَعُمْيَانًا
وَالَّذِينَ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا هَبْ لَنَا مِنْ أَزْوَاجِنَا وَذُرِّيَّاتِنَا قُرَّةَ أَعْيُنٍ وَاجْعَلْنَا لِلْمُتَّقِينَ إِمَامًا
أُوْلَئِكَ يُجْزَوْنَ الْغُرْفَةَ بِمَا صَبَرُوا وَيُلَقَّوْنَ فِيهَا تَحِيَّةً وَسَلَامًا
خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا حَسُنَتْ مُسْتَقَرًّا وَمُقَامًا
"And the servants of (Allah) most Gracious are those who walk on the earth in humility, and when the ignorant (people) address them, they say, Peace! Those who spend the night in adoration of their Lord prostrating and standing. Those who say, Our Lord! Avert from us the Wrath of Hell, for its Wrath is indeed an affliction grievous; Evil indeed is it as an abode, and as a place to rest in; Those who, when they spend, are not extravagant and not niggardly, but hold just (balance) between those (extremes); Those who invoke not, with Allah, any other god, nor slay such life as Allah has made sacred, except for just cause, nor commit fornication, and any that does this (not only) meets punishment; (But) the Penalty on the Day of Judgment will be doubled to him, and he will dwell therein in disgrace; Unless he repents, believes, and works righteous deeds, for Allah is oft-forgiving, most merciful; And whoever repents and does good has truly turned to Allah with an (acceptable) conversion; Those who witness no falsehood, and, if they pass by futility, they pass by it with honourable (avoidance); Those who, when they are admonished with the Signs of their Lord, droop not down at them as if they were deaf or blind; And those who pray; Our Lord! Grant unto us wives and offspring who will be the comfort of our eyes, and give us (the grace) to lead the righteous; Those are the ones who will be rewarded with the highest place in heaven, because of their patient constancy; therein shall they be met with salutation and peace; Dwelling therein, how beautiful an abode and place of rest!"
[Al-Furqan: 63-76]
This verse represents a complete whole that elucidates the different virtues, the Muslim character and demonstrates the Islamic personality.
Common misconceptions
There are a number of misconceptions that exist amongst Muslims in regards to the Islamic personality. Some believe the individual with a beard and who wears the Islamic dress with the Islamic hat is an Islamic personality. Some believe it's impossible to be completely Islamic as we can never be like angels.
Such misconceptions only exist because what constitutes the Islamic personality has become blurred in the minds of the Muslims. So those who envisage that only an angel can have an Islamic personality are making a serious misjudgement. The resultant damage they cause to society is enormous, because they look for angelic figures from amongst the people and never find them because they cannot find such a person even amongst themselves.
Thus they despair and give up all hope in Muslims. Such thinking helps promote the idea that Islam is utopian, impossible to implement, and is composed of supreme ideals and standards that humans cannot implement or maintain. Many people as a result turn away from Islam or accept their weakness and turn away from implementing Islam completely in their lives because they are rendered too paralysed to act.
Islam was not revealed to the angels, rather to the imperfect humans. Hence Islam recognises that from time to time a Muslim may fall short of his or her adherence to Islam. However this in no way justifies not using Islam as a basis. Islam is realistic and it deals with the realities humans face.
When Islam mentions the pious mumin, it mentions this in the context of the level of the ideal Islamic personality. Those who fall below this are not rendered un-Islamic. Thus the common Muslims who are below this level and who act in accordance with Islam, or those who confine themselves to performing the Fard (compulsory) actions and abstain from performing the Haram (prohibited) are Islamic personalities.
An individual who has a beard, wears the jilbiyah and comes across as pious is not necessarily an Islamic personality. This is because the traits of a Muslim are not the determining factor in deciding one's personality. What decides one's personality in being Islamic is if they have adopted the Islamic Aqeedah as a basis for their views and inclinations. Hence an individual could actually have very little knowledge on Islam but because he always refers to Islam to find the ruling for his actions this would make him an Islamic personality. The type of clothing one wears, their piety and smile indicate that this person does actions which Islam promotes but they in no way prove that the person holds the Islamic Aqeedah as a basis for such actions.
Strengthening the personality
Islam demanded the performing of actions beyond the Fard actions and demanded the avoiding of actions beyond the Haram (forbidden actions) to strengthen one's behaviour. This ensures ones inclinations are capable of deterring any inclination incompatible with Islam. All this is intended to enhance the Islamic personality and set it on the path towards a sublime pinnacle.
However the types of personalities among the people will vary in their degree and strength. What matters in judging whether someone holds an Islamic personality or not is whether he or she takes Islam as the standard for their thinking and inclinations. It is on this basis that the Islamic personality, mentality and behaviour are defined and characterized.
Constant observation of building one's thoughts and inclinations on the basis of the Islamic ‘Aqeedah must be maintained at every moment in life for the individual to remain an Islamic personality. After the initial formation of the personality, work is focused on maintaining it by developing the mentality and the inclinations.
The inclinations are developed through worshipping the Creator and drawing closer to Him by doing acts of obedience, and by constantly building every desire for anything on the Islamic ‘Aqeedah. Development of one's thinking is achieved by understanding the Islamic Aqeedah and then by understanding and comprehending all its results i.e. the ahadith, tafseer, fiqh and all the other disciplines.
Those who Commit sins
Many Muslims perform actions incompatible with Islam and many Islamic personalities sometimes display behaviour contradicting Islam. One may think such actions and behaviour are clearly incompatible with Islam and ostracise the person in question from Islam, and would therefore render him or her non-Islamic or even Kafir on some occasions.
A person is not ostracised from Islam unless they abandon the Islamic ‘Aqeedah either by speech or action. One is not divested of their personality unless they no longer take it as the basis for thoughts and inclinations. This is because humans are liable to have discrepancies in their actions - they are not infallible.
However if one consistently contradicts Islam then this would bring into question what he takes as a basis. In the situation where one consistently contradicts Islam this is evidence that the person does not take Islam as a basis, however a lapse, which usually takes the form of individual discrepancies, this proves ones weakness but does not mean someone is no longer an Islamic personality.
What needs to be kept in mind is that the associating of thoughts with actions is not a mechanical process where concepts always function in line with ones ‘Aqeedah. It is a social process that can be separated from the ‘Aqeedah or re-associated with it. Hence Muslims will from time to time be disobedient and violate the commands and prohibitions of Allah سبحانه وتعالى in one of their actions. This can be for a number of reasons:
- A person might imagine that it was in his interest to do what he did but then repents and comprehends the error of what he has done.
- A person may occasionally fail to link his concepts to his ‘Aqeedah, because he was reactionary or emotional
- A person may be ignorant of the contradiction between any concepts alien to Islam and his ‘Aqeedah
- Ones heart may be influenced by Satan, causing him to distance himself from his ‘Aqeedah in one of his actions.
A violation of Allah سبحانه وتعالى's commands and prohibitions does not on its own take someone outside the fold of Islam. A disobedient person or a Faasiq (sinner) is not considered Murtad (apostate), but disobedient in the act in which he was disobedient. A person remains a Muslim as long as they embrace the Islamic ‘Aqeedah of Islam. In the instance that the Muslim commits the action of disobedience it should not be said he is a non-Islamic personality, as long as his adoption of the Islamic ‘Aqeedah as a basis for his thoughts and inclinations is intact and free of doubt.
The Sahabah (companions of the Prophet) were involved in various incidents during the time of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم when a companion would violate a command or prohibition. Such violations did not remove the Sahabah from the fold of Islam, nor did they compromise his Islamic personality. This is because they were humans not angels. They are just like all other people and they are not infallible because they are not Prophets.
For example, Hatib ibn Abi Balta'ah رضي الله عنه conveyed to the Quraish of Makkah news of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم's intention to invade them, although the Prophet was careful to maintain the secrecy of the invasion.
The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم twisted the head of Al-Fdl Ibn Al-‘Abbas when he saw him staring with lust and desire at a woman talking to the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم.
In the year of the Conquest of Makkah, the Ansar spoke about the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم and claimed he had abandoned them and returned to his kinsfolk despite his vow not to do so.
The senior Sahabah fled the war at Hunain and left the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم alone with few companions.
These are just a few incidents which the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم never considered as undermining the Islam of the instigators or as a stain upon the personality of the Sahabah concerned. The criterion for judging whether a Muslim holds an Islamic personality is the soundness of his Islamic ‘Aqeedah and the building of his thoughts and inclinations upon it. As long as this occurs the occasional gaps in conduct will not compromise his Islamic personality.
Today's Struggle
It is of utmost importance to build the Islamic aqeedah soundly and correctly as the rest of Islam is built upon this. Any shortcomings in understanding the Islamic aqeedah will result in one compromising Islam and leave one open to adopting from other then Islam. Embracing the Islamic ‘Aqeedah means belief in the entirety of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم's message, and those detailed matters whose evidence is beyond doubt; and the acceptance of all this must be matched with contentment and submission.
Mere knowledge is insufficient and refusal to accept even the most minor of matters definitely proven to be part of Islam ostracises the person and detaches him from the ‘Aqeedah. Islam is an indivisible whole as far as belief and acceptance is concerned and relinquishing even a fraction of it is Kufr (disbelief). Hence belief in the separation of the Islamic Deen from life's affairs (secularism) is indisputably Kufr.
Muslims in the West are on the receiving end of a barrage of propaganda against Islam and their non-adherence to Islam effectively places the victory in the hands of the West before the struggle and debate begins. Similar to this are all those who view the Islamic personality as spiritual only, abandoning the worldly life due to its corruption and remaining silent in the face of the propaganda directed at Islam.
Adherence to Islam apart from being compulsory has a number of profound effects.
Adherence to Islam shows to the wider Muslims that Islam can be easily followed and does provide solutions to the various problems humans face.
Adherence also shows to non-Muslims that Muslims have values which are eroding in the West such as looking after elders, treatment of women, respectable youth and the fact Islam represents a value system which people in the West should aspire to.
Holding onto Islam after building the Islamic aqeedah correctly, soundly and rationally will ensure the purity of one's personality and in today's climate is even more critical due to the propaganda directed at it.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Temuramah Obama bersama Al Arabia
Presiden Obama cuba untuk memenangi hati semua pihak,tanpa memejamkan mata betapa pengaruh zionis sudah begitu meluas di Amerika,dalam masa yang sama beliau cuba untuk mengendurkan jurang antara beberapa pihak khususnya Islam dan Barat.Apapun sikap sebenar Obama belum benar benar teruji.Anda tentu mempunyai penilaian yang tersendiri...
The following is a full transcript of Hisham Melhem's interview with President Obama on Al Arabiya TV:
Q: Mr. President, thank you for this opportunity, we really appreciate it.
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you so much.
Q: Sir, you just met with your personal envoy to the Middle East, Senator Mitchell. Obviously, his first task is to consolidate the cease-fire. But beyond that you've been saying that you want to pursue actively and aggressively peacemaking between the Palestinians and the Israelis. Tell us a little bit about how do you see your personal role, because, you know, if the President of the United States is not involved, nothing happens - as the history of peace making shows. Will you be proposing ideas, pitching proposals, parameters, as one of your predecessors did? Or just urging the parties to come up with their own resolutions, as your immediate predecessor did?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, I think the most important thing is for the United States to get engaged right away. And George Mitchell is somebody of enormous stature. He is one of the few people who have international experience brokering peace deals.And so what I told him is start by listening, because all too often theUnited States starts by dictating -- in the past on some of these issues --and we don't always know all the factors that are involved. So let's listen. He's going to be speaking to all the major parties involved. And he will then report back to me. From there we will formulate a specific response.Ultimately, we cannot tell either the Israelis or the Palestinians what's best for them. They're going to have to make some decisions. But I do believe that the moment is ripe for both sides to realize that the path that they are on is one that is not going to result in prosperity and security for their people. And that instead, it's time to return to the negotiating table.And it's going to be difficult, it's going to take time. I don't want to prejudge many of these issues, and I want to make sure that expectations are not raised so that we think that this is going to be resolved in a few months. But if we start the steady progress on these issues, I'm absolutely confident that the United States -- working in tandem with the European Union, with Russia, with all the Arab states in the region -- I'm absolutely certain that we can make significant progress.
Q: You've been saying essentially that we should not look at these issues -- like the Palestinian-Israeli track and separation from the border region -- you've been talking about a kind of holistic approach to the region. Are we expecting a different paradigm in the sense that in the past one of the critiques -- at least from the Arab side, the Muslim side -- is that everything the Americans always tested with the Israelis, if it works. Now there is an Arab peace plan, there is a regional aspect to it. And you've indicated that. Would there be any shift, a paradigm shift?THE
PRESIDENT: Well, here's what I think is important. Look at the proposal that was put forth by King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia --
Q: Right.
THE PRESIDENT: I might not agree with every aspect of the proposal, but it took great courage --
Q: Absolutely.
THE PRESIDENT: -- to put forward something that is as significant as that.I think that there are ideas across the region of how we might pursue peace.I do think that it is impossible for us to think only in terms of thePalestinian-Israeli conflict and not think in terms of what's happening with Syria or Iran or Lebanon or Afghanistan and Pakistan. These things are interrelated. And what I've said, and I think Hillary Clinton has expressed this in her confirmation, is that if we are looking at the region as a whole and communicating a message to the Arab world and the Muslim world, that we are ready to initiate a new partnership based on mutual respect and mutual interest, then I think that we can make significant progress.
Now, Israel is a strong ally of the United States. They will not stop being a strong ally of the United States. And I will continue to believe that Israel's security is paramount. But I also believe that there are Israelis who recognize that it is important to achieve peace. They will be willing to make sacrifices if the time is appropriate and if there is serious partnership on the other side.And so what we want to do is to listen, set aside some of the preconceptions that have existed and have built up over the last several years. And I think if we do that, then there's a possibility at least of achieving some breakthroughs.
Q: I want to ask you about the broader Muslim world, but let me - one final thing about the Palestinian-Israeli theater. There are many Palestinians and Israelis who are very frustrated now with the current conditions and they are losing hope, they are disillusioned, and they believe that time is running out on the two-state solution because - mainly because of the settlement activities in Palestinian-occupied territories.Will it still be possible to see a Palestinian state -- and you know the contours of it -- within the first Obama administration?
THE PRESIDENT: I think it is possible for us to see a Palestinian state -- I'm not going to put a time frame on it -- that is contiguous, that allows freedom of movement for its people, that allows for trade with other countries, that allows the creation of businesses and commerce so that people have a better life.And, look, I think anybody who has studied the region recognizes that the situation for the ordinary Palestinian in many cases has not improved. And the bottom line in all these talks and all these conversations is, is a child in the Palestinian Territories going to be better off? Do they have a future for themselves? And is the child in Israel going to feel confident about his or her safety and security? And if we can keep our focus on making their lives better and look forward, and not simply think about all the conflicts and tragedies of the past, then I think that we have an opportunity to make real progress.
But it is not going to be easy, and that's why we've got George Mitchell going there. This is somebody with extraordinary patience as well as extraordinary skill, and that's what's going to be necessary.
Q: Absolutely. Let me take a broader look at the whole region. You are planning to address the Muslim world in your first 100 days from a Muslim capital. And everybody is speculating about the capital. (Laughter) If you have anything further, that would be great. How concerned are you -- because, let me tell you, honestly, when I see certain things about America -- in some parts, I don't want to exaggerate -- there is a demonization of America.
THE PRESIDENT: Absolutely.
Q: It's become like a new religion, and like a new religion it has new converts -- like a new religion has its own high priests.
THE PRESIDENT: Right.
Q: It's only a religious text.
THE PRESIDENT: Right.
Q: And in the last -- since 9/11 and because of Iraq, that alienation is wider between the Americans and -- and in generations past, the United States was held high. It was the only Western power with no colonial legacy.
THE PRESIDENT: Right.
Q: How concerned are you and -- because people sense that you have a different political discourse. And I think, judging by (inaudible) andZawahiri and Osama bin Laden and all these, you know -- a chorus --
THE PRESIDENT: Yes, I noticed this. They seem nervous.
Q: They seem very nervous, exactly. Now, tell me why they should be more nervous?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, I think that when you look at the rhetoric that they've been using against me before I even took office --
Q: I know, I know.
THE PRESIDENT: -- what that tells me is that their ideas are bankrupt. There's no actions that they've taken that say a child in the Muslim world is getting a better education because of them, or has better health care because of them.In my inauguration speech, I spoke about: You will be judged on what you've built, not what you've destroyed. And what they've been doing is destroying things. And over time, I think the Muslim world has recognized that that path is leading no place, except more death and destruction. Now, my job is to communicate the fact that the United States has a stake in the well-being of the Muslim world that the language we use has to be a language of respect. I have Muslim members of my family. I have lived in Muslim countries.
Q: The largest one.
THE PRESIDENT: The largest one, Indonesia. And so what I want tocommunicate is the fact that in all my travels throughout the Muslim world, what I've come to understand is that regardless of your faith -- and America is a country of Muslims, Jews, Christians, non-believers -- regardless of your faith, people all have certain common hopes and common dreams.
And my job is to communicate to the American people that the Muslim world is filled with extraordinary people who simply want to live their lives and see their children live better lives. My job to the Muslim world is to communicate that the Americans are not your enemy. We sometimes make mistakes. We have not been perfect. But if you look at the track record, as you say, America was not born as a colonial power, and that the same respect and partnership that America had with the Muslim world as recently as 20 or 30 years ago, there's no reason why we can't restore that. Andthat I think is going to be an important task.But ultimately, people are going to judge me not by my words but by my actions and my administration's actions. And I think that what you will see over the next several years is that I'm not going to agree with everything that some Muslim leader may say, or what's on a television station in the Arab world -- but I think that what you'll see is somebody who is listening, who is respectful, and who is trying to promote the interests not just of the United States, but also ordinary people who right now are suffering from poverty and a lack of opportunity. I want to make sure that I'm speaking to them, as well.
Q: Tell me, time is running out, any decision on from where you will be visiting the Muslim world?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, I'm not going to break the news right here.
Q: Afghanistan?
THE PRESIDENT: But maybe next time. But it is something that is going to be important. I want people to recognize, though, that we are going to be making a series of initiatives. Sending George Mitchell to the Middle East is fulfilling my campaign promise that we're not going to wait until the end of my administration to deal with Palestinian and Israeli peace, we're going to start now. It may take a long time to do, but we're going to do it now.
We're going to follow through on our commitment for me to address the Muslim world from a Muslim capital. We are going to follow through on many of my commitments to do a more effective job of reaching out, listening, as well as speaking to the Muslim world.And you're going to see me following through with dealing with a drawdown of troops in Iraq, so that Iraqis can start taking more responsibility. And finally, I think you've already seen a commitment, in terms of closing Guantanamo, and making clear that even as we are decisive in going after terrorist organizations that would kill innocent civilians, that we're going to do so on our terms, and we're going to do so respecting the rule of law that I think makes America great.
Q: President Bush framed the war on terror conceptually in a way that was very broad, "war on terror," and used sometimes certain terminology that the many people -- Islamic fascism. You've always framed it in a different way, specifically against one group called al Qaeda and their collaborators. And is this one way of --
THE PRESIDENT: I think that you're making a very important point. And that is that the language we use matters. And what we need to understand is, is that there are extremist organizations -- whether Muslim or any other faith in the past -- that will use faith as a justification for violence. We cannot paint with a broad brush a faith as a consequence of the violence that is done in that faith's name.And so you will I think see our administration be very clear indistinguishing between organizations like al Qaeda -- that espouse violence, espouse terror and act on it -- and people who may disagree with my administration and certain actions, or may have a particular viewpoint in terms of how their countries should develop. We can have legitimate disagreements but still be respectful. I cannot respect terrorist organizations that would kill innocent civilians and we will hunt them down. But to the broader Muslim world what we are going to be offering is a hand of friendship.
Q: Can I end with a question on Iran and Iraq then quickly?
THE PRESIDENT: It's up to the team --MR. GIBBS: You have 30 seconds. (Laughter)
Q: Will the United States ever live with a nuclear Iran? And if not, how far are you going in the direction of preventing it?
THE PRESIDENT: You know, I said during the campaign that it is very important for us to make sure that we are using all the tools of U.S. power, including diplomacy, in our relationship with Iran.Now, the Iranian people are a great people, and Persian civilization is a great civilization. Iran has acted in ways that's not conducive to peace and prosperity in the region: their threats against Israel; their pursuit of a nuclear weapon which could potentially set off an arms race in the region that would make everybody less safe; their support of terrorist organizations in the past -- none of these things have been helpful.But I do think that it is important for us to be willing to talk to Iran, to express very clearly where our differences are, but where there are potential avenues for progress. And we will over the next several months be laying out our general framework and approach. And as I said during my inauguration speech, if countries like Iran are willing to unclench their fist, they will find an extended hand from us.
Q: Shall we leave Iraq next interview, or just -
MR. GIBBS: Yes, let's -- we're past, and I got to get him back to dinner with his wife.
Q: Sir, I really appreciate it.
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you so much.
Q: Thanks a lot.
THE PRESIDENT: I appreciate it.
Q: Thank you.
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you
The following is a full transcript of Hisham Melhem's interview with President Obama on Al Arabiya TV:
Q: Mr. President, thank you for this opportunity, we really appreciate it.
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you so much.
Q: Sir, you just met with your personal envoy to the Middle East, Senator Mitchell. Obviously, his first task is to consolidate the cease-fire. But beyond that you've been saying that you want to pursue actively and aggressively peacemaking between the Palestinians and the Israelis. Tell us a little bit about how do you see your personal role, because, you know, if the President of the United States is not involved, nothing happens - as the history of peace making shows. Will you be proposing ideas, pitching proposals, parameters, as one of your predecessors did? Or just urging the parties to come up with their own resolutions, as your immediate predecessor did?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, I think the most important thing is for the United States to get engaged right away. And George Mitchell is somebody of enormous stature. He is one of the few people who have international experience brokering peace deals.And so what I told him is start by listening, because all too often theUnited States starts by dictating -- in the past on some of these issues --and we don't always know all the factors that are involved. So let's listen. He's going to be speaking to all the major parties involved. And he will then report back to me. From there we will formulate a specific response.Ultimately, we cannot tell either the Israelis or the Palestinians what's best for them. They're going to have to make some decisions. But I do believe that the moment is ripe for both sides to realize that the path that they are on is one that is not going to result in prosperity and security for their people. And that instead, it's time to return to the negotiating table.And it's going to be difficult, it's going to take time. I don't want to prejudge many of these issues, and I want to make sure that expectations are not raised so that we think that this is going to be resolved in a few months. But if we start the steady progress on these issues, I'm absolutely confident that the United States -- working in tandem with the European Union, with Russia, with all the Arab states in the region -- I'm absolutely certain that we can make significant progress.
Q: You've been saying essentially that we should not look at these issues -- like the Palestinian-Israeli track and separation from the border region -- you've been talking about a kind of holistic approach to the region. Are we expecting a different paradigm in the sense that in the past one of the critiques -- at least from the Arab side, the Muslim side -- is that everything the Americans always tested with the Israelis, if it works. Now there is an Arab peace plan, there is a regional aspect to it. And you've indicated that. Would there be any shift, a paradigm shift?THE
PRESIDENT: Well, here's what I think is important. Look at the proposal that was put forth by King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia --
Q: Right.
THE PRESIDENT: I might not agree with every aspect of the proposal, but it took great courage --
Q: Absolutely.
THE PRESIDENT: -- to put forward something that is as significant as that.I think that there are ideas across the region of how we might pursue peace.I do think that it is impossible for us to think only in terms of thePalestinian-Israeli conflict and not think in terms of what's happening with Syria or Iran or Lebanon or Afghanistan and Pakistan. These things are interrelated. And what I've said, and I think Hillary Clinton has expressed this in her confirmation, is that if we are looking at the region as a whole and communicating a message to the Arab world and the Muslim world, that we are ready to initiate a new partnership based on mutual respect and mutual interest, then I think that we can make significant progress.
Now, Israel is a strong ally of the United States. They will not stop being a strong ally of the United States. And I will continue to believe that Israel's security is paramount. But I also believe that there are Israelis who recognize that it is important to achieve peace. They will be willing to make sacrifices if the time is appropriate and if there is serious partnership on the other side.And so what we want to do is to listen, set aside some of the preconceptions that have existed and have built up over the last several years. And I think if we do that, then there's a possibility at least of achieving some breakthroughs.
Q: I want to ask you about the broader Muslim world, but let me - one final thing about the Palestinian-Israeli theater. There are many Palestinians and Israelis who are very frustrated now with the current conditions and they are losing hope, they are disillusioned, and they believe that time is running out on the two-state solution because - mainly because of the settlement activities in Palestinian-occupied territories.Will it still be possible to see a Palestinian state -- and you know the contours of it -- within the first Obama administration?
THE PRESIDENT: I think it is possible for us to see a Palestinian state -- I'm not going to put a time frame on it -- that is contiguous, that allows freedom of movement for its people, that allows for trade with other countries, that allows the creation of businesses and commerce so that people have a better life.And, look, I think anybody who has studied the region recognizes that the situation for the ordinary Palestinian in many cases has not improved. And the bottom line in all these talks and all these conversations is, is a child in the Palestinian Territories going to be better off? Do they have a future for themselves? And is the child in Israel going to feel confident about his or her safety and security? And if we can keep our focus on making their lives better and look forward, and not simply think about all the conflicts and tragedies of the past, then I think that we have an opportunity to make real progress.
But it is not going to be easy, and that's why we've got George Mitchell going there. This is somebody with extraordinary patience as well as extraordinary skill, and that's what's going to be necessary.
Q: Absolutely. Let me take a broader look at the whole region. You are planning to address the Muslim world in your first 100 days from a Muslim capital. And everybody is speculating about the capital. (Laughter) If you have anything further, that would be great. How concerned are you -- because, let me tell you, honestly, when I see certain things about America -- in some parts, I don't want to exaggerate -- there is a demonization of America.
THE PRESIDENT: Absolutely.
Q: It's become like a new religion, and like a new religion it has new converts -- like a new religion has its own high priests.
THE PRESIDENT: Right.
Q: It's only a religious text.
THE PRESIDENT: Right.
Q: And in the last -- since 9/11 and because of Iraq, that alienation is wider between the Americans and -- and in generations past, the United States was held high. It was the only Western power with no colonial legacy.
THE PRESIDENT: Right.
Q: How concerned are you and -- because people sense that you have a different political discourse. And I think, judging by (inaudible) andZawahiri and Osama bin Laden and all these, you know -- a chorus --
THE PRESIDENT: Yes, I noticed this. They seem nervous.
Q: They seem very nervous, exactly. Now, tell me why they should be more nervous?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, I think that when you look at the rhetoric that they've been using against me before I even took office --
Q: I know, I know.
THE PRESIDENT: -- what that tells me is that their ideas are bankrupt. There's no actions that they've taken that say a child in the Muslim world is getting a better education because of them, or has better health care because of them.In my inauguration speech, I spoke about: You will be judged on what you've built, not what you've destroyed. And what they've been doing is destroying things. And over time, I think the Muslim world has recognized that that path is leading no place, except more death and destruction. Now, my job is to communicate the fact that the United States has a stake in the well-being of the Muslim world that the language we use has to be a language of respect. I have Muslim members of my family. I have lived in Muslim countries.
Q: The largest one.
THE PRESIDENT: The largest one, Indonesia. And so what I want tocommunicate is the fact that in all my travels throughout the Muslim world, what I've come to understand is that regardless of your faith -- and America is a country of Muslims, Jews, Christians, non-believers -- regardless of your faith, people all have certain common hopes and common dreams.
And my job is to communicate to the American people that the Muslim world is filled with extraordinary people who simply want to live their lives and see their children live better lives. My job to the Muslim world is to communicate that the Americans are not your enemy. We sometimes make mistakes. We have not been perfect. But if you look at the track record, as you say, America was not born as a colonial power, and that the same respect and partnership that America had with the Muslim world as recently as 20 or 30 years ago, there's no reason why we can't restore that. Andthat I think is going to be an important task.But ultimately, people are going to judge me not by my words but by my actions and my administration's actions. And I think that what you will see over the next several years is that I'm not going to agree with everything that some Muslim leader may say, or what's on a television station in the Arab world -- but I think that what you'll see is somebody who is listening, who is respectful, and who is trying to promote the interests not just of the United States, but also ordinary people who right now are suffering from poverty and a lack of opportunity. I want to make sure that I'm speaking to them, as well.
Q: Tell me, time is running out, any decision on from where you will be visiting the Muslim world?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, I'm not going to break the news right here.
Q: Afghanistan?
THE PRESIDENT: But maybe next time. But it is something that is going to be important. I want people to recognize, though, that we are going to be making a series of initiatives. Sending George Mitchell to the Middle East is fulfilling my campaign promise that we're not going to wait until the end of my administration to deal with Palestinian and Israeli peace, we're going to start now. It may take a long time to do, but we're going to do it now.
We're going to follow through on our commitment for me to address the Muslim world from a Muslim capital. We are going to follow through on many of my commitments to do a more effective job of reaching out, listening, as well as speaking to the Muslim world.And you're going to see me following through with dealing with a drawdown of troops in Iraq, so that Iraqis can start taking more responsibility. And finally, I think you've already seen a commitment, in terms of closing Guantanamo, and making clear that even as we are decisive in going after terrorist organizations that would kill innocent civilians, that we're going to do so on our terms, and we're going to do so respecting the rule of law that I think makes America great.
Q: President Bush framed the war on terror conceptually in a way that was very broad, "war on terror," and used sometimes certain terminology that the many people -- Islamic fascism. You've always framed it in a different way, specifically against one group called al Qaeda and their collaborators. And is this one way of --
THE PRESIDENT: I think that you're making a very important point. And that is that the language we use matters. And what we need to understand is, is that there are extremist organizations -- whether Muslim or any other faith in the past -- that will use faith as a justification for violence. We cannot paint with a broad brush a faith as a consequence of the violence that is done in that faith's name.And so you will I think see our administration be very clear indistinguishing between organizations like al Qaeda -- that espouse violence, espouse terror and act on it -- and people who may disagree with my administration and certain actions, or may have a particular viewpoint in terms of how their countries should develop. We can have legitimate disagreements but still be respectful. I cannot respect terrorist organizations that would kill innocent civilians and we will hunt them down. But to the broader Muslim world what we are going to be offering is a hand of friendship.
Q: Can I end with a question on Iran and Iraq then quickly?
THE PRESIDENT: It's up to the team --MR. GIBBS: You have 30 seconds. (Laughter)
Q: Will the United States ever live with a nuclear Iran? And if not, how far are you going in the direction of preventing it?
THE PRESIDENT: You know, I said during the campaign that it is very important for us to make sure that we are using all the tools of U.S. power, including diplomacy, in our relationship with Iran.Now, the Iranian people are a great people, and Persian civilization is a great civilization. Iran has acted in ways that's not conducive to peace and prosperity in the region: their threats against Israel; their pursuit of a nuclear weapon which could potentially set off an arms race in the region that would make everybody less safe; their support of terrorist organizations in the past -- none of these things have been helpful.But I do think that it is important for us to be willing to talk to Iran, to express very clearly where our differences are, but where there are potential avenues for progress. And we will over the next several months be laying out our general framework and approach. And as I said during my inauguration speech, if countries like Iran are willing to unclench their fist, they will find an extended hand from us.
Q: Shall we leave Iraq next interview, or just -
MR. GIBBS: Yes, let's -- we're past, and I got to get him back to dinner with his wife.
Q: Sir, I really appreciate it.
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you so much.
Q: Thanks a lot.
THE PRESIDENT: I appreciate it.
Q: Thank you.
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you
Antara mendidik pelajar dan masyarakat
Pertengahan bulan kedua sebagai warga pendidik telahpun berlalu.Belum kelihatan mempunyai peluang untuk membawa gerakan dan semangat seperti tiga tahun yang lalu di Ampang.Barangkali proses menyesuaikan diri kali ini agak perlahan berbanding dulu.Malah sikap 'berhati hati' yang kurang baik pada diri saya itu amat mudah dikesan seperti biasa.Harapan sentiasa mekar untuk 'benih' yang sentiasa segar dalam jiwa yang masih bernyawa ini.
Saya sering memujuk hati agar mengakui betapa pelajar pelajar yang sedang membesar di sekolah bukanlah satu jaminan kepada berjayanya usaha usaha mendidik kearah pembentukan jatidiri seorang muslim sejati.Sudah sedia maklum mereka juga telah punya budaya hidup membesar dalam persekitaran keluarga sendiri yang agak sukar untuk disentuh oleh warga pendidik seperti saya.Namun jurang itu bukanlah satu alasan yang akan membantutkan usaha usaha ke arah mendidik dan membentuk jatidiri mereka sepertimana yang telah dicitakan semua.
Warga As -Syakirin yang masih muda remaja itu apabila dilihat sekali imbas memanglah menampilkan berbagai watak dan latar belakang keluarga yang berlainan.Andai tiada 'arus' yang betul nescaya mereka pasti akan tercicir juga seperti yang lain.Dikalangan mereka ada yang sudah biasa merokok,cenderung kepada gaya hidup liar,jiwa kosong dan pencarian jatidiri yang salah itu biasa kelihatan dari bahasa badan mereka sehari hari.
Saya cuma sasarkan bilangan mereka kepada 300 orang sahaja rendah dan menengah.Malah apabila disenarai pendekkan kepada pelajar menengah, ia barangkali cuma mencapai bilangan 100 orang pelajar sahaja.Bilangan 300 itu terlalu sedikit berbanding ramai lagi yang berada di luar sana dalam masyarakat.Barangkali 300,000 orang untuk Shah Alam sahaja atau satu juta orang untuk rakyat Selangor secara keseluruhannya.
Selangor sebagaimana sedia maklum adalah sebuah negeri di bawah pemerintahan kerajaan Pakatan Rakyat yang mana PAS sebagai sebuah gerakan Islam adalah salah satu anggota parti yang bergabung untuk mentadbir.Bermakna keterlibatan PAS adalah secara langsung dalam urusan pentadbiran, sekaligus bertanggungjawab mendidik dan mencorakkan gaya fikir dan budaya hidup mereka selepas ini.Bagaimana PAS mengurus semua itu..?
Sebagaimana saya merasa tanggungan yang agak berat mengurus pelajar seramai 300 orang itu,barang sudah tentu PAS akan merasa lebih berat dan mencabar lagi dalam mengurus dan mendidik rakyat yang mempunyai rencah hidup yang lebih rumit dan berbagai.Apa khabar wakil rakyat di setiap kawasan adun dan parlimen..?Sudah tentu anda akan terpanggil untuk bersama kami juga sebagai warga pendidik malah dengan tugas yang lebih besar dan mencabar.Atau anda bagaimana..?
Saya sering memujuk hati agar mengakui betapa pelajar pelajar yang sedang membesar di sekolah bukanlah satu jaminan kepada berjayanya usaha usaha mendidik kearah pembentukan jatidiri seorang muslim sejati.Sudah sedia maklum mereka juga telah punya budaya hidup membesar dalam persekitaran keluarga sendiri yang agak sukar untuk disentuh oleh warga pendidik seperti saya.Namun jurang itu bukanlah satu alasan yang akan membantutkan usaha usaha ke arah mendidik dan membentuk jatidiri mereka sepertimana yang telah dicitakan semua.
Warga As -Syakirin yang masih muda remaja itu apabila dilihat sekali imbas memanglah menampilkan berbagai watak dan latar belakang keluarga yang berlainan.Andai tiada 'arus' yang betul nescaya mereka pasti akan tercicir juga seperti yang lain.Dikalangan mereka ada yang sudah biasa merokok,cenderung kepada gaya hidup liar,jiwa kosong dan pencarian jatidiri yang salah itu biasa kelihatan dari bahasa badan mereka sehari hari.
Saya cuma sasarkan bilangan mereka kepada 300 orang sahaja rendah dan menengah.Malah apabila disenarai pendekkan kepada pelajar menengah, ia barangkali cuma mencapai bilangan 100 orang pelajar sahaja.Bilangan 300 itu terlalu sedikit berbanding ramai lagi yang berada di luar sana dalam masyarakat.Barangkali 300,000 orang untuk Shah Alam sahaja atau satu juta orang untuk rakyat Selangor secara keseluruhannya.
Selangor sebagaimana sedia maklum adalah sebuah negeri di bawah pemerintahan kerajaan Pakatan Rakyat yang mana PAS sebagai sebuah gerakan Islam adalah salah satu anggota parti yang bergabung untuk mentadbir.Bermakna keterlibatan PAS adalah secara langsung dalam urusan pentadbiran, sekaligus bertanggungjawab mendidik dan mencorakkan gaya fikir dan budaya hidup mereka selepas ini.Bagaimana PAS mengurus semua itu..?
Sebagaimana saya merasa tanggungan yang agak berat mengurus pelajar seramai 300 orang itu,barang sudah tentu PAS akan merasa lebih berat dan mencabar lagi dalam mengurus dan mendidik rakyat yang mempunyai rencah hidup yang lebih rumit dan berbagai.Apa khabar wakil rakyat di setiap kawasan adun dan parlimen..?Sudah tentu anda akan terpanggil untuk bersama kami juga sebagai warga pendidik malah dengan tugas yang lebih besar dan mencabar.Atau anda bagaimana..?
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Perjuangan di tanah jerlus
Sekali lagi demokrasi menjadi isu yang saya pilih dalam menggambarkan suasana politik semasa dewasa ini.Demokrasi yang telah kita pilih untuk menjadi wadah dalam meneruskan cita cita perjuangan kita sebagai seorang hamba yang muslim.
Melalui demokrasi kita memilih untuk mempercayai SPR.Demokrasi juga memaksa kita untuk merujuk kepada budi bicara Sultan yang entah bagaimana jiwa dan raganya.Hasilnya, kita juga yang akan menanggung beban dari sistem yang telah kita junjung bersama itu.Usahlah ditangiskan pemergian mereka yang telah mengkhianati kerana kita telah 'beristikharah' untuk memilih mereka sebagai panglima yang menjaga benteng perjuangan di persempadanan musuh.
Saya pasti akan terus melontarkan persoalan,adakah kita telah memilih 'hikmah' dalam menentukan rentak dan strategi perjalanan..?
Melalui demokrasi kita memilih untuk mempercayai SPR.Demokrasi juga memaksa kita untuk merujuk kepada budi bicara Sultan yang entah bagaimana jiwa dan raganya.Hasilnya, kita juga yang akan menanggung beban dari sistem yang telah kita junjung bersama itu.Usahlah ditangiskan pemergian mereka yang telah mengkhianati kerana kita telah 'beristikharah' untuk memilih mereka sebagai panglima yang menjaga benteng perjuangan di persempadanan musuh.
Saya pasti akan terus melontarkan persoalan,adakah kita telah memilih 'hikmah' dalam menentukan rentak dan strategi perjalanan..?
Muslim akan sentiasa diuji
Suasana hangat di Perak belum lagi reda,walaupun ianya belum dianggap kalah tetapi seakan menjurus kearah itu,pembelotan tiga adun sebelah Pakatan Rakyat sudah mengambarkan kekalahan pertama perjuangan Islam.Ataupun kita boleh juga melupakan isu kalah atau menang kerana apa yang lebih penting dalam perjuangan kita bukanlah diukur dari kalah dan menang malah keredhaan ALLAH swt itu adalah segalanya.Persoalan kalah dan menang hanya akan ditentukan pada hari pembalasan nanti.
Sejarah Islam lebih memaparkan kepada kita tentang musibah dan ujian yang menimpa keatas perjuangan hidup mukmin.Ujian dan musibah itu boleh saje berupa kehilangan harta benda,kuasa dan anggota keluarga yang pasti akan membuatkan seseorang mukmin itu bersedih dan bermuram duka.Dengan itu bolehlah juga kita sifatkan apa yang perlaku di Perak itu sebahagian dari ujian dari ALLAH swt.
Tanpa mempertikaikan tindakan dari pihak Umno itu memang tidak bertamadun,kita sepatutnya tidak merintih kerana itu kerana kita tahu sifat dan kehidupan mereka memang begitu,malah itu adalah sebahagian dari tugas kita untuk menanganinya sebagai sebuah gerakan Islam yang sentiasa komited untuk berjuang.
Untuk memujuk hati serta muhasabah diri,sayugianya kita merenung kembali apa yang menimpa kepada tentera islam yang kalah dalam peperangan menghadapi musuh.Mereka kalah hanya kerana meninggalkan solat malam dan sunnah bersugi yang menjadi sebahagian dari sunnah yang biasa dilakukan oleh Rasulullah saw tetapi telah ditinggalkan oleh para sahabat semasa perang yang mendatangkan akibat ALLAH swt terlepas pandang terhadap mereka dengan tidak menurunkan bantuan yang selalunya akan membantu kemenangan mereka terhadap musuh.
Untuk isu di Perak,apakah yang telah TERTINGGAL..?
Sejarah Islam lebih memaparkan kepada kita tentang musibah dan ujian yang menimpa keatas perjuangan hidup mukmin.Ujian dan musibah itu boleh saje berupa kehilangan harta benda,kuasa dan anggota keluarga yang pasti akan membuatkan seseorang mukmin itu bersedih dan bermuram duka.Dengan itu bolehlah juga kita sifatkan apa yang perlaku di Perak itu sebahagian dari ujian dari ALLAH swt.
Tanpa mempertikaikan tindakan dari pihak Umno itu memang tidak bertamadun,kita sepatutnya tidak merintih kerana itu kerana kita tahu sifat dan kehidupan mereka memang begitu,malah itu adalah sebahagian dari tugas kita untuk menanganinya sebagai sebuah gerakan Islam yang sentiasa komited untuk berjuang.
Untuk memujuk hati serta muhasabah diri,sayugianya kita merenung kembali apa yang menimpa kepada tentera islam yang kalah dalam peperangan menghadapi musuh.Mereka kalah hanya kerana meninggalkan solat malam dan sunnah bersugi yang menjadi sebahagian dari sunnah yang biasa dilakukan oleh Rasulullah saw tetapi telah ditinggalkan oleh para sahabat semasa perang yang mendatangkan akibat ALLAH swt terlepas pandang terhadap mereka dengan tidak menurunkan bantuan yang selalunya akan membantu kemenangan mereka terhadap musuh.
Untuk isu di Perak,apakah yang telah TERTINGGAL..?
Tuesday, February 03, 2009
Politik UMNO seperti bolasepak Eropah
Malah lebih kepada unsur keganasan.Kita sedia maklum pemain bolasepak di Eropah mendapat hasil yang lumayan dari kontrak permainan mereka dengan sesebuah kelab bolasepak.Ini boleh dilihat dari berita yang agak panas sebelum ini tentang tawaran perpindahan yang sangat lumayan pemain bolasepak Brazil Kaka,beliau telah ditawarkan harga berbilion ringgit oleh Mancester City untuk berpindah dari Milan,malangnya tawaran yang boleh dikatakan 'melampau' itu telah ditolak oleh beliau untuk kekal bersama Milan.
Nampaknya suasana itu kini boleh kita lihat di Malaysia,bezanya di sana melibatkan bolasepak tetapi di sini ia melibatkan politik yang dijadikan sumber perniagaan yang tidak bermoral oleh segelintir pihak khususnya UMNO.
Dua adun PKR yang 'menghilangkan diri' dikatakan telah ditawarkan Rm10 juta setiap seorang untuk berpindah pasukan.Tidak dipastikan kehilangan mereka itu adalah melalui proses culikan atau kerelaan sendiri.Adalah menjadi perkara yang telah tersebar di sini bahawa kes penculikan ahli politik memang pernah berlaku terhadap adun dari PAS Kelantan sebelum ini.
Terbaru muncul lagi dakwaan yang melibatkan harga yang lebih tinggi Rm50 juta untuk kerja kerja melobi sahaja tidak termasuk 'yuran perpindahan'.Dakwaan tersebut telah keluar dari surat akuan sumpah ketua bahagian Ipoh Barat PKR Fauzi Muda yang mendakwa telah ditawarkan wang sebegitu rupa oleh pemimpin atasan UMNO untuk melobi adun PKR untuk berpindah ke pasukan BN.
Tidak cukup dengan itu,tawaran perpindahan juga turut 'dibrutalkan' lagi dengan bentuk ugutan dan perangkap yang serba melemaskan mereka yang menjadi mangsa.Berita ugutan ini memang sering kita dengar dari kes jenayah tetapi kini telah menular ke dalam sistem politik samseng ala Malaysia.
Semalam saya secara kebetulan berpeluang menonton movie di astro,kisahnya tentang kumpulan adik beradik yang melakukan jenayah di Dallas,mereka cuba untuk menguasai kawasan dengan kekerasan polis dan mafia,mereka cuba untuk membeli perniagaan warga tempatan dengan cara paksaan dan jenayah.Cerita itu mengingatkan saya betapa dalam percaturan politik setempat,pasti kedapatan unsur unsur jenayah yang melibatkan kumpulan samseng malah pihak polis itu sendiri.
Persolaannya negara kita Malaysia ini BAGAIMANA..?
Nampaknya suasana itu kini boleh kita lihat di Malaysia,bezanya di sana melibatkan bolasepak tetapi di sini ia melibatkan politik yang dijadikan sumber perniagaan yang tidak bermoral oleh segelintir pihak khususnya UMNO.
Dua adun PKR yang 'menghilangkan diri' dikatakan telah ditawarkan Rm10 juta setiap seorang untuk berpindah pasukan.Tidak dipastikan kehilangan mereka itu adalah melalui proses culikan atau kerelaan sendiri.Adalah menjadi perkara yang telah tersebar di sini bahawa kes penculikan ahli politik memang pernah berlaku terhadap adun dari PAS Kelantan sebelum ini.
Terbaru muncul lagi dakwaan yang melibatkan harga yang lebih tinggi Rm50 juta untuk kerja kerja melobi sahaja tidak termasuk 'yuran perpindahan'.Dakwaan tersebut telah keluar dari surat akuan sumpah ketua bahagian Ipoh Barat PKR Fauzi Muda yang mendakwa telah ditawarkan wang sebegitu rupa oleh pemimpin atasan UMNO untuk melobi adun PKR untuk berpindah ke pasukan BN.
Tidak cukup dengan itu,tawaran perpindahan juga turut 'dibrutalkan' lagi dengan bentuk ugutan dan perangkap yang serba melemaskan mereka yang menjadi mangsa.Berita ugutan ini memang sering kita dengar dari kes jenayah tetapi kini telah menular ke dalam sistem politik samseng ala Malaysia.
Semalam saya secara kebetulan berpeluang menonton movie di astro,kisahnya tentang kumpulan adik beradik yang melakukan jenayah di Dallas,mereka cuba untuk menguasai kawasan dengan kekerasan polis dan mafia,mereka cuba untuk membeli perniagaan warga tempatan dengan cara paksaan dan jenayah.Cerita itu mengingatkan saya betapa dalam percaturan politik setempat,pasti kedapatan unsur unsur jenayah yang melibatkan kumpulan samseng malah pihak polis itu sendiri.
Persolaannya negara kita Malaysia ini BAGAIMANA..?
Monday, February 02, 2009
Pertarungan politik Najib Razak
Yes, in Malaysia, you do not work against those who walk in the corridors of power. If you oppose the powers-that-be you end up dead, disappeared, or in jail. That is if they can’t buy you.
NO HOLDS BARREDRaja Petra Kamarudin
Seremban Umno makes historyThe Seremban Umno division yesterday made history as the only division in the party to hold three meetings after the first two attempts failed. The first meeting on Nov 9 was postponed after a fight broke out. The second meeting on Dec 27 was postponed. Yesterday, Seremban Umno division chief Datuk Ishak Ismail retained his position, which he had held since 1988, when his opponent, Mohd Nor Awang, did not qualify to contest after facing bribery allegations. -- The New Straits Times, 1 February 2009
***************************************
Live by the sword, die by the swordMeanwhile, as they try their best to get back Perak through foul means, in other places they run the risk of losing power. In Negeri Sembilan, all Pakatan Rakyat needs are three state seats to oust Barisan Nasional from the state. Umno is watching that state closely lest three Barisan Nasional State Assemblymen cross over to Pakatan Rakyat to help them form the new Negeri Sembilan state government. And Negeri Sembilan is Khairy Jamaluddin’s state, the state he hopes he will one day become Menteri Besar of before he journeys to Putrajaya to take the seat as Prime Minister of Malaysia some time after 2020.But Khairy no longer has time to worry about Negeri Sembilan. Negeri Sembilan is something in the future. Negeri Sembilan can wait. Khairy has more immediate problems to worry about. -- The Corridors of Power (https://mt.m2day.org/2008/content/view/17434/84/)
***************************************
Umno’s disciplinary problemsWhat makes it so difficult for the tribunal (the Umno Disciplinary Board) to effectively carry out its functions is the selective prosecution it must practice in the discharge of its duties. Actions can only be taken if required or useful to certain top leaders. The tribunal lacks clear mandate from the party management in dealing with money politics, Umno's euphemism for corrupt practice. -- Datuk Zaid Ibrahim
***************************************
Either you are with me or you are against me, said President Bush Junior. Either you are with me or you die, says Umno. Hey, what the fork, can’t we agree to disagree? (Ha! I bet you thought I was going to use the ‘other’ four-letter ‘F’ word. Gotcha!).The objective of the Umno exercise is very simple, so simple that many within Umno do not see it. That’s because they try to look for the ‘udang sebalik batu’ (the prawn behind the stone; meaning, the hidden agenda). There is no udang sebalik batu or hidden agenda.
The agenda is very clear and ‘transparent’. Bring down Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s key people so that, come March 2009, the Prime Minister will be all alone and isolated, and would therefore have to step down and hand over to Najib Tun Razak as planned.Negeri Sembilan is Khairy Jamaluddin’s, the Prime Minister’s son-in-law’s home base. And that is where he is building his political fortunes so that in the next election (say in 2012-2013) he can contest a state seat and become the next Menteri Besar of Negeri Sembilan.
Then, say around 2017-2018 or so, he will contest a parliament seat and will be on the way to become the Prime Minister by the age of 40 as he aspires.Make no bones about it. Khairy can make it and I will place my money on that happening (unless Pakatan Rakyat kicks out Barisan Nasional and takes over the federal government first). But he can make it only if Najib does not take over as Prime Minister in March 2009 and if Pak Lah continues as Prime Minister until the next general election.Khairy knows this. Najib knows this. And probably nearly every Malaysian, Pak Lah included, knows this as well.
So, do you think Najib is going to allow this to happen? There is room for only one at the top. And Najib wants this to be him, not Khairy.Even the CEO of Air Asia knows that Khairy’s days are numbered, or so he thinks, and he is quickly distancing himself from Khairy as his Malaysiakini interview has revealed. “The biggest mistake of my life, and to be fair to this guy, is (when) Khairy Jamaluddin’s team came to propose sponsoring the MyTeam (football project). Honestly, it was the biggest mistake of my life,” said Tony Fernandez.
When the rats begin to desert the ship then you certainly know that the ship is about to sink. And there is another rat that has deserted what he believes to be the sinking ship. And this rat is the Honorary Consul of Mongolia to Malaysia, Syed Rahman Alhabshi.When I first met Syed Rahman it was during a meeting I was having with Zahid Md Arip and Datuk Kamal Amir at The Dome in the Bangsar Shopping Centre. I had known Zahid, the grandson of Tun Ghafar Baba, since 1998. I know his uncle, Tamrin, even longer, probably since the 1980s. But that was the first time I met Datuk Kamal.
As we were talking, Syed Rahman passed by and Datuk Kamal invited him to join us, which he did. It was then that I realised who he was. Okay, he is not a dashing-looking sort of fellow and it is not quite like his face stands out in the crowd. So I did not recognise him at first until I was told who he is.What Syed Rahman told us was no different from what Bala said is his Statutory Declaration. The long and short of it all, what Syed Rahman revealed was that Najib and Rosmah are involved in Altantuya’s murder and that Najib was in fact having an affair with the now dead Mongolian beauty.
I met Syed Rahman once or twice after that at the Mahbol Mamak restaurant in Taman Tun Dr Ismail, this time with a larger crowd that included Jadawi Datuk Ghazali and his wife, Salleh Yassin, a military intelligence chap called Major Salleh, Aspan Alias (an Umno stalwart), Naqib, and about a dozen or so others. It was one huge party of people.Syed Rahman has the habit of shooting his mouth off. He would tell all and sundry and every man and his dog the story of Najib and Altantuya, if they cared to give him their ears. He was Malaysia’s one and only tukang karut (storyteller).
In fact, he even gave press conferences and related in great detail and with much gusto his disgust with how the Malaysian police and the judiciary are handling the Altantuya murder investigation and trial. It appeared like he was going to single-handedly bring down Najib.Altantuya’s father, Dr Steve Shaariibuu, was so impressed with Syed Rahman’s performance that he gave him an entire dossier that would be able to implicate Najib in Altantuya’s murder, or at least implicate him in an affair with her. “I trusted him so much,” explained Dr Shaariibuu, “and did not suspect he would betray me.”According to Syed Rahman, who never denied that Dr Shaariibuu had given him this thick dossier, he had handed it to the police to help them in their investigation.
He said he never thought of making any copies. And this is the same thing Dr Shariibuu said when asked if he had made any copies of the dossier.How convenient. Only one copy of the very damaging dossier exists and it has been handed to the police. Neither Syed Rahman nor Dr Shaariibuu made any copies. Guess what has now happened to that only one copy of damaging evidence? No, no prize for the right guess.Syed Rahman said the IGP spoke to him and advised him to ‘leave the country’ if Najib ever becomes Prime Minister.
Would the IGP do such a thing? Was Syed Rahman telling the truth or was he preparing the ground to eventually jump ship and he needed the ‘justification’ to do so?Whatever it may be, Syed Rahman did jump to the other side, whether under threat or inducement. And in late August 2008, a few days before the Permatang Pauh by-election, he went before national television to deny all the ‘lies’ and to endorse Najib and to proclaim Najib's innocence in the Altantuya murder.
Why this about-turn? Was he threatened like private investigator Bala and the two missing PKR State Assemblymen -- who are all still missing even as you read this? Or was he offered a large amount of money, too large to say no to? Remember, when they tried to convince the Umno State Assemblyman who had crossed over to PKR earlier this week to return to Umno, they reminded him about what happened to Altantuya and Bala. In short, if he refused to return to Umno then expect the same fate.
Yes, in Malaysia, you do not work against those who walk in the corridors of power. If you oppose the powers-that-be you end up dead, disappeared, or in jail. That is if they can’t buy you. Those in Umno face sacking from the party as many have discovered. You just do not oppose those who imagine themselves as God.Take the money or die. Take the money or get sacked. Take the money or go to jail. That is the Umno way of doing things. And many have fallen victim to this ‘gentle persuasion’. And those who do not heed this ‘advice’ will suffer. And if you have a low tolerance for pain you succumb to the cohesion. And if you are stubborn you face the consequences.It may already be a foregone conclusion that the two PKR State Assemblymen from Perak would rather not go to jail.
Never mind if they face fabricated charges and were set up. You still go to jail. Would you rather go to jail or accept power and plenty of money? Many would rather choose power and money over jail, unfortunately.Anyway, in case anyone would like to know, Barisan Nasional still needs one more Perak State Assemblyman or woman to form the state government even if the two PKR State Assemblymen cross over to Umno. And the going price for the last State Assemblyman or woman they need to complete the takeover of Perak is RM15 million.
Yes, that’s right, the price has gone up from RM10 million to RM15 million. And they need just one more State Assemblyman or woman. Any takers?And while you mull on that, also mull on the following. Was Kugan killed while in police custody because he was a car thief or because he was a witness to the car-stealing ring that involved senior police officers? This is what the family is asking. And the first autopsy showed he died because of water in the lungs. Hmm, in some countries you die of water in the lungs while under police custody because they submerge your head in the toilet bowl and flush the toilet.
Most interesting indeed would you not agree?Okay, back to Syed Rahman. What was Syed Rahman’s motivation for the U-turn? Did they threaten him or was he paid a lot of money? Maybe this photograph of him with Najib can shed some light on the matter. Does he look frightened? Does it appear like he is an unwilling participant? Or is this a photo of a very happy man who has just made millions by endorsing Najib and proclaiming to the world that Najib is innocent and is not involved in the Altantuya murder?
You be the judge.
NO HOLDS BARREDRaja Petra Kamarudin
Seremban Umno makes historyThe Seremban Umno division yesterday made history as the only division in the party to hold three meetings after the first two attempts failed. The first meeting on Nov 9 was postponed after a fight broke out. The second meeting on Dec 27 was postponed. Yesterday, Seremban Umno division chief Datuk Ishak Ismail retained his position, which he had held since 1988, when his opponent, Mohd Nor Awang, did not qualify to contest after facing bribery allegations. -- The New Straits Times, 1 February 2009
***************************************
Live by the sword, die by the swordMeanwhile, as they try their best to get back Perak through foul means, in other places they run the risk of losing power. In Negeri Sembilan, all Pakatan Rakyat needs are three state seats to oust Barisan Nasional from the state. Umno is watching that state closely lest three Barisan Nasional State Assemblymen cross over to Pakatan Rakyat to help them form the new Negeri Sembilan state government. And Negeri Sembilan is Khairy Jamaluddin’s state, the state he hopes he will one day become Menteri Besar of before he journeys to Putrajaya to take the seat as Prime Minister of Malaysia some time after 2020.But Khairy no longer has time to worry about Negeri Sembilan. Negeri Sembilan is something in the future. Negeri Sembilan can wait. Khairy has more immediate problems to worry about. -- The Corridors of Power (https://mt.m2day.org/2008/content/view/17434/84/)
***************************************
Umno’s disciplinary problemsWhat makes it so difficult for the tribunal (the Umno Disciplinary Board) to effectively carry out its functions is the selective prosecution it must practice in the discharge of its duties. Actions can only be taken if required or useful to certain top leaders. The tribunal lacks clear mandate from the party management in dealing with money politics, Umno's euphemism for corrupt practice. -- Datuk Zaid Ibrahim
***************************************
Either you are with me or you are against me, said President Bush Junior. Either you are with me or you die, says Umno. Hey, what the fork, can’t we agree to disagree? (Ha! I bet you thought I was going to use the ‘other’ four-letter ‘F’ word. Gotcha!).The objective of the Umno exercise is very simple, so simple that many within Umno do not see it. That’s because they try to look for the ‘udang sebalik batu’ (the prawn behind the stone; meaning, the hidden agenda). There is no udang sebalik batu or hidden agenda.
The agenda is very clear and ‘transparent’. Bring down Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s key people so that, come March 2009, the Prime Minister will be all alone and isolated, and would therefore have to step down and hand over to Najib Tun Razak as planned.Negeri Sembilan is Khairy Jamaluddin’s, the Prime Minister’s son-in-law’s home base. And that is where he is building his political fortunes so that in the next election (say in 2012-2013) he can contest a state seat and become the next Menteri Besar of Negeri Sembilan.
Then, say around 2017-2018 or so, he will contest a parliament seat and will be on the way to become the Prime Minister by the age of 40 as he aspires.Make no bones about it. Khairy can make it and I will place my money on that happening (unless Pakatan Rakyat kicks out Barisan Nasional and takes over the federal government first). But he can make it only if Najib does not take over as Prime Minister in March 2009 and if Pak Lah continues as Prime Minister until the next general election.Khairy knows this. Najib knows this. And probably nearly every Malaysian, Pak Lah included, knows this as well.
So, do you think Najib is going to allow this to happen? There is room for only one at the top. And Najib wants this to be him, not Khairy.Even the CEO of Air Asia knows that Khairy’s days are numbered, or so he thinks, and he is quickly distancing himself from Khairy as his Malaysiakini interview has revealed. “The biggest mistake of my life, and to be fair to this guy, is (when) Khairy Jamaluddin’s team came to propose sponsoring the MyTeam (football project). Honestly, it was the biggest mistake of my life,” said Tony Fernandez.
When the rats begin to desert the ship then you certainly know that the ship is about to sink. And there is another rat that has deserted what he believes to be the sinking ship. And this rat is the Honorary Consul of Mongolia to Malaysia, Syed Rahman Alhabshi.When I first met Syed Rahman it was during a meeting I was having with Zahid Md Arip and Datuk Kamal Amir at The Dome in the Bangsar Shopping Centre. I had known Zahid, the grandson of Tun Ghafar Baba, since 1998. I know his uncle, Tamrin, even longer, probably since the 1980s. But that was the first time I met Datuk Kamal.
As we were talking, Syed Rahman passed by and Datuk Kamal invited him to join us, which he did. It was then that I realised who he was. Okay, he is not a dashing-looking sort of fellow and it is not quite like his face stands out in the crowd. So I did not recognise him at first until I was told who he is.What Syed Rahman told us was no different from what Bala said is his Statutory Declaration. The long and short of it all, what Syed Rahman revealed was that Najib and Rosmah are involved in Altantuya’s murder and that Najib was in fact having an affair with the now dead Mongolian beauty.
I met Syed Rahman once or twice after that at the Mahbol Mamak restaurant in Taman Tun Dr Ismail, this time with a larger crowd that included Jadawi Datuk Ghazali and his wife, Salleh Yassin, a military intelligence chap called Major Salleh, Aspan Alias (an Umno stalwart), Naqib, and about a dozen or so others. It was one huge party of people.Syed Rahman has the habit of shooting his mouth off. He would tell all and sundry and every man and his dog the story of Najib and Altantuya, if they cared to give him their ears. He was Malaysia’s one and only tukang karut (storyteller).
In fact, he even gave press conferences and related in great detail and with much gusto his disgust with how the Malaysian police and the judiciary are handling the Altantuya murder investigation and trial. It appeared like he was going to single-handedly bring down Najib.Altantuya’s father, Dr Steve Shaariibuu, was so impressed with Syed Rahman’s performance that he gave him an entire dossier that would be able to implicate Najib in Altantuya’s murder, or at least implicate him in an affair with her. “I trusted him so much,” explained Dr Shaariibuu, “and did not suspect he would betray me.”According to Syed Rahman, who never denied that Dr Shaariibuu had given him this thick dossier, he had handed it to the police to help them in their investigation.
He said he never thought of making any copies. And this is the same thing Dr Shariibuu said when asked if he had made any copies of the dossier.How convenient. Only one copy of the very damaging dossier exists and it has been handed to the police. Neither Syed Rahman nor Dr Shaariibuu made any copies. Guess what has now happened to that only one copy of damaging evidence? No, no prize for the right guess.Syed Rahman said the IGP spoke to him and advised him to ‘leave the country’ if Najib ever becomes Prime Minister.
Would the IGP do such a thing? Was Syed Rahman telling the truth or was he preparing the ground to eventually jump ship and he needed the ‘justification’ to do so?Whatever it may be, Syed Rahman did jump to the other side, whether under threat or inducement. And in late August 2008, a few days before the Permatang Pauh by-election, he went before national television to deny all the ‘lies’ and to endorse Najib and to proclaim Najib's innocence in the Altantuya murder.
Why this about-turn? Was he threatened like private investigator Bala and the two missing PKR State Assemblymen -- who are all still missing even as you read this? Or was he offered a large amount of money, too large to say no to? Remember, when they tried to convince the Umno State Assemblyman who had crossed over to PKR earlier this week to return to Umno, they reminded him about what happened to Altantuya and Bala. In short, if he refused to return to Umno then expect the same fate.
Yes, in Malaysia, you do not work against those who walk in the corridors of power. If you oppose the powers-that-be you end up dead, disappeared, or in jail. That is if they can’t buy you. Those in Umno face sacking from the party as many have discovered. You just do not oppose those who imagine themselves as God.Take the money or die. Take the money or get sacked. Take the money or go to jail. That is the Umno way of doing things. And many have fallen victim to this ‘gentle persuasion’. And those who do not heed this ‘advice’ will suffer. And if you have a low tolerance for pain you succumb to the cohesion. And if you are stubborn you face the consequences.It may already be a foregone conclusion that the two PKR State Assemblymen from Perak would rather not go to jail.
Never mind if they face fabricated charges and were set up. You still go to jail. Would you rather go to jail or accept power and plenty of money? Many would rather choose power and money over jail, unfortunately.Anyway, in case anyone would like to know, Barisan Nasional still needs one more Perak State Assemblyman or woman to form the state government even if the two PKR State Assemblymen cross over to Umno. And the going price for the last State Assemblyman or woman they need to complete the takeover of Perak is RM15 million.
Yes, that’s right, the price has gone up from RM10 million to RM15 million. And they need just one more State Assemblyman or woman. Any takers?And while you mull on that, also mull on the following. Was Kugan killed while in police custody because he was a car thief or because he was a witness to the car-stealing ring that involved senior police officers? This is what the family is asking. And the first autopsy showed he died because of water in the lungs. Hmm, in some countries you die of water in the lungs while under police custody because they submerge your head in the toilet bowl and flush the toilet.
Most interesting indeed would you not agree?Okay, back to Syed Rahman. What was Syed Rahman’s motivation for the U-turn? Did they threaten him or was he paid a lot of money? Maybe this photograph of him with Najib can shed some light on the matter. Does he look frightened? Does it appear like he is an unwilling participant? Or is this a photo of a very happy man who has just made millions by endorsing Najib and proclaiming to the world that Najib is innocent and is not involved in the Altantuya murder?
You be the judge.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)