Flying Shoes: Lesson Learned

I could hardly believe my eyes when I saw the President of the United States dodging flying shoe over his head. It’s not an act in one of Monthy Python’s films. It’s the real time President who’s ducking that lowly missile. Not just once, but twice. Though he got a little help when the second missile flew his way, for the second pair of shoe was handily deflected by his counter part, namely, the Prime Minister of Iraq.

My mind was frozen for a few seconds it was completely empty of any thoughts - rather similar with my first reaction when I saw the twin tower hit by those planes right when I was mulling over my boring breakfast in our boarding house in Brussels.
But this time I was in the middle of a rather important task of grooming myself before setting off to work when my TV set showed that reality show.

Unlike 9/11 which left me in utter daze for quite sometimes, this time I got my faculty in relatively short time. Unfortunately, the one and foremost emotion that I felt was not to my liking at all. I was inundated with embarrassment.

I’m not an Iraqi, I’m not an American, and I don’t even like George W. Bush! I shouldn't I feel so embarrass by what happened to him. He’s the one who should be thinking about digging hole and hide for the rest of his Presidency.

Nonetheless, I do feel embarrass. Regardless of the fact that he’s probably one of the most hated person in the world right now for what he did to the Iraqi people – so perhaps deserved those shoes as a small payment for his deed – and I did my fair share of praying for his eternal damnation, I strongly feel that being a President he should not be brought so low in public.

However, the incident served as another proof of one of my beliefs that one shall pay or be rewarded for whatever one did. Sooner or latter. Other people may not know that those powerful people who abuse their power had already got punishment from the Almighty in their private lives (sooner) before getting their dues in the hereafter (latter).

But when those punishments made public, the whole world could see it. Personally, I think it was one of the worst punishments one could get. George W. Bush pays no respect to human rights, he humiliated his enemies in the most inhumane ways one could imagine (e.g. Abu Ghraib case) now he got his fair share of embarrassment.

Having said that, I must say that no matter how much we hate someone, we should never forget what is right and what is wrong. The fact that the one we hate do wrong bad things doesn’t give us a free pass to do and act like them. Nothing justified wrong bad things not even when it’s done by the victims. Once we lost this understanding than we have crossed the border and lost our humanity and become exactly like those we hate.

What Other Presidential Hopefuls Should Learn from Obama – Mc.Cain Debates

If the world could vote in the US 2008 Election it will vote for Obama.

Here are the whys to be considered by other presidential hopefuls who are heading towards their own debates:

He looked calm and sincere.

He showed respect to his opponent.

He didn’t seem to be overly offended by aggressive and offensive words delivered by his opponent.

He didn’t lower himself to the same level as his opponent even when he got the chance and valid reason to do that and therefore showed the excellence of his character (e.g. his restraint not to trash Palin)

He tried to elaborate and be straight on difficult questions and defending his records in calm, organised and reasonable manner.


PS.

The excellence of one character is not judged by how he deals and treats those who are close and dear to him but by how he treats those he despises and hates.

Results of the US Presidential Debates

At first, like most of other world citizens, I’m very pleased when I heard that a black man is running for a President in the US. Not just because he’s black but because he’s young and seemed to be honest enough, with good and pleasant manner. Not to mention down to Earth. In short, a complete opposite of how Americans are perceived.

I sincerely hope that he could become the next President of the US to end many conflicts around the world specifically between the Israeli and Palestinians. However I lost my hope when I heard his policy regarding America’s best Ally.

He turned out to be no different than any other guy running for office. He also sung the same mandatory love song for their beloved Ally. With that kind of song he would never be fair when it comes to Israel and Palestine's issues. I stopped paying attention to the US Presidential Election news.

However it’s impossible to be deaf and blind on a topic which is considered as the hottest news this day. I ended up watching the 1st and 2nd Presidential debates. And here are the results:

I dislike how Mc.Cain behaved during the 1st debate. He didn’t look nor talk directly to Obama. He brilliantly managed not to even mention Obama by his name. It showed unbelievable amount of arrogance and condescension. Who wants a President who couldn’t even show a common courtesy to his opponent?

On the second debate I didn’t hear a new thing on the substance. But on the character side, I learnt quite a lot e.g. Mc.Cain finally managed to address Obama directly by calling him THAT ONE, he also once again showed his brilliance by turning his back on Obama, when Obama was shaking hands with his wife to avoid him. And he sounded really cheap with his many ‘my friends’ (the first time I actually had someone addressing me as my friend was in a presentation in a teahouse in China).

Both candidates attacked each other quite often, however, Mc. Cain looked angry, disgruntled and mean spirited, exactly like his campaigns which are more negative than Obama’s.

PS.
I wonder whether the US Presidential Campaign will be this tight if Obama is white. And it scares me to imagine McCain as US President. I think the world has enough of War President. The world needs someone who thinks and sees others as their equal.

Someone who doesn’t comfortably invent massive lies to justify what their want. Does Mc.Cain have that qualities? From what I learnt through their debates the answer is a big NO.

If My Father were God

There is a very good reason why no mortal man is a God. You don’t have to see Bruce Almighty to understand it. I for one only need to interact with my father and profusely thanks God – on behalf of the mankind - for the fact that he is only my father.

I love the old man dearly, but loving someone doesn’t mean that you don’t see their mistakes and agreeing with them in everything. Loving someone means that you love that person just the way they are complete with all their imperfections. And love doesn’t make you blind or stupid unless you’re already blind and stupid in the first place.

Back to why the human kind should be grateful that the old darling is nothing more than just my father…

Muslims are ordered to pay annual Zakat (taking out 2.5% out of their wealth for the have not). I choose to pay mine during Ramadan. When my father learnt of one of the names of those who are on my list he protested: “Why are you giving it to him? He doesn’t even pray. By giving your Zakat to him he would think that not praying is a good thing for he still could get a livelihood doing what he does.”

I’d like to think that I’m a rather patient person but the old man could easily vex me by delivering unintentionally inflammatory statement like that. Come to think of it, most of our arguments are indeed related to either political issues or religious matters.

I knew that I should be patient but he had raised a red flag, and the temptation was too big for me to forfeit. I took a deep breath and raised my voice an octave ready to launch my sermon.

I started by stressing the merit of giving Zakat indiscriminately. And to drive my point home, I specifically mentioned the fact of how Muslims have a tendency to work themselves up whenever some Missionaries feed the poor and then converted them to Christianity.

I pushed my argument by pointing out that Qur’an never says to assist, help or feed only the pious e.g. Muslims orphans, Muslims poor, Muslims widows etc. On the contrary Qur’an is very specific in stressing the help is supposed to be given to the orphans, and the poor regardless of their religions, races, characters, and deeds.

The Prophet even reminded us to be ware of poverty as it brings us a step closer from turning away from God. If we are to do as my father wishes than probably no poor will get help from the Muslims. And as the Prophet had warned, being poor they don’t have time to learn about religion let alone to practice it, so it is understandable that when they find a helping hand they would gladly grab it and turn their back on their own religion.

God gives his love to man kind indiscriminately. The sun shines for everyone, the rain pour down for whoever needs it. The air is free for all. God is not sparing or stingy when it comes to worldly bounty and pleasures.

But man surely is. We tend to give only to those we love, approved of or agree with. And if only we could, we tend to make life difficult for those we disapproved of, hate or disagree with.

My mother quipped that if my father were God, his chess opponent might find numerous problems on his way home after he beats him two times in a row.

Thanks God, there is God.

Quote: The Most Merciful

Narrated by Abu Hurairah, I heard Allah’s Messenger said:

“Verily, Allah created mercy. The day He created it, He made it into one hundred parts. He withheld with Him ninety-nine parts, and sent its one part to all His creatures. Had a disbeliever known of all the mercy which is in the hands of Allah, he would not have lost hope of entering Paradise, and had a believer known of all the punishment which is present with Allah, he would not have considered himself safe from the Hell-fire.”

Review: Damo

Damo is not a typical Korean movie where the loves between characters are clearly lined. The lead characters in Damo – Chae Ok, Commander Hwangbo and Jang Sung Baek – struggle in defining and fighting for what they consider as right, what they believe in.

As the differences in their position and status make it impossible for her and Commander Hwangbo to be anything more than what they are, Chae Ok tries to kill her unbounded love for the man she has loved since fate brought them together.

On the other hand since the day he saw the little girl with blistered feet and carried her on his back, Commander Hwangbo has felt responsible for her. With his complicated background he understands her pains and loneliness. Since then on they have become inseparable.

It took him sometimes to realise that his feelings for her are more than what a master normally felt toward his beloved servant – not that he ever thinks of her as his servant.

As the best King’s Commander, it is no wonder that Commander Hwangbo ends up with the task to catch an illusive insurgent’s leader, Jang Sung Baek who has made himself a Royal headache.

And naturally Chae Ok considers it her duty to do her best in catching Jang Sung Baek as well.

However, when she meets him she is inexplicably drawn to him. She doesn’t understand why she couldn’t bring her self to hurt him or why she falls in love with him loving Commander Hwangbo as she does.

Chae Ok has to strugle with only her unquestionable loyalty to carry out her duty.

But her loyalty towards Commander Hwangbo means death for the man who she denies to love. But not catching Jang Sung Baek also means death for the man whom she loves with her whole heart although she would never admit her feelings no matter what.

Not even when she finally knows that Commander Hwangbo also loves her.

I must tell you that I decided not to watch this drama when I started it and saw a final fighting scene between Chae Ok and Jang Sung Baek which they put as the first scene.Thinking that it was nothing more than a regular love turns to hate drama. Thinking that it was just another star crossed love story. However, I decided to give it another five minutes. And as the movie continued I fell in love with Commander Hwangbo.

I like the fact that despite his rather sad background he could rise and stand tall and become such an admirable man. But what I love most about him is his love for Chae Ok.

Although he also tried to kill his love for her, not because of their differences in position and status, for he cared nothing about that, but because that’s what Chae Ok wanted, in the end his true feelings win.

He could no longer deny that he truly and  sincerely loves her. That he loves her more than anything else. Even more than his own honor. And that says a lot being such an honorable man that he is.

I cried an ocean when Hwangbo finally realised who Jang Sung Baek really was. I cried an ocean because by then I knew what it meant. Loving Chae Ok as much as he does, Hwangbo would never have a chance when he fights Jang Sung Baek.

When my fears came true I cried another ocean and lashed out at the script writers for making the movie ended so tragically.

Yes, I hate the ending. I really really hate it.

Having said that, I have to be fair and say that Damo is a very good series. One of its kind. Way much better than Jumong. It’s worth your time and your tears.

ps:
I don’t recommend you to see Jumong. I bought it and have no plan to finish it. I’m not even willing to swallow my disappointment when I saw how the story went. I feel cheated by those who recommended Jumong as the biggest romance of the centuries. What romance!

Those people really need to watch Damo to learn what true love really means. Potato Boy (Sodongyo/Song of the Prince) is even better than Jumong when one wants to talk about the biggest love stories between ancient characters.

What are Indonesians Good At?

We’re good at creating strange, silly, and incomprehensible rules with no apparent reasonable reasoning let alone huge benefits nor effectiveness at solving problems. So don’t even bother asking about in depth study of the pros and cons of that rules.

Just yesterday when I was about to leave Foreign Affairs Department I was stopped by a security guard about five meters from the gate and was told that I couldn’t go that way. I was genuinely bewildered for I could see no reason why I couldn’t go that way, so reasonably I asked ‘Why not?’

Instead of answering my question he pointed out a picture of a mother and her kid that was forward slash, perhaps it means that no women and children are allowed to use that gate. For your information I was coming through that gate when I came in – sitting inside a cab.

However, as I was in a relatively charitable mood since I was fasting, I offered him an answer myself, ‘Ah, perhaps it’s difficult to stop a taxi from here,’ said I understandably. And then obediently walked away towards the second gate which was about 100 meters in the middle of the hot afternoon sun.

As I walked my charitable mood started to evaporate under the hot sun and my brain power which was rather limited started to stir especially after I arrived at the second gate and saw an enter sign instead of out sign as I expected. And to top it off it was just as difficult to stop a taxi in front of that gate.

I know that thinking is not my forte for trying as hard as I was, I couldn’t find a reasonable answer as to why pedestrians are not allowed to pass through that gate.

That’s the example of how good we are at creating incomprehensible rule. Or perhaps a good example of how stupid I was?

Anyway, we’re also good at not taking apparent step/initiative to solve problems.

If you’re a Jakartan you probably know Casablanca Street particularly the section in front of the Ambassador Mall and are one of the frustrating and helpless victims of its traffic.

I for one is definitely frustrated when I happened to have to use that street, however, with limited brain power I could see no solution for it, and therefore just gritted my teeth and bear it. That’s another thing that we Indonesians are good at. We’re very good at accepting uncomfortable situations and conditions.

Back to Casablanca Street, a taxi driver told me not long ago that unlike other traffics that plague Jakarta’s streets, the traffic in the Casablanca Street is actually very easy to solve. Just build a bridge and a fence, so that no body could cross that street hence there’s no reason for the securities of that Mall to stop passing cars and creating that terrible traffic.

Simple isn’t it? The question is why is it not implemented? Is it possible that everybody else has also had a limited brain power like me?

Or is it really like what I argue that we’re only good at creating useless rules and not good at all at solving problems?

Quote: Too Little Too Late

Narrated by Anas bin Malik, the Prophet said:

"A disbeliever will be asked: 'Suppose you had as much gold as to fill the earth, would you offer it to ransom yourself from the Hell-fire?' He will reply: 'Yes.' Then it will be said to him, 'You were asked for something easier than that (to join none in worship) with Allah, but you refused'"

Quote: Religion is Easy Not Hard

Narrated by Abu Hurairah, the Prophet said:

"Religion is very easy and whoever overburdens himself in his religion, will not be able to continue in that way. So you should not be extremists, but try to be near to perfection and receive the good tidings that you will be rewarded; and gain strength by offering the Salat in the mornings, afternoons and during the last hours of the nights"

Prophet Muhammad's Last Sermon

[This sermon was delivered on the Ninth Day of Dhul-Hijjah 10 A.H. in the 'Uranah valley of Mount Arafat' in Mecca.]

After praising and thanking Allah the Prophet (saws) said:

"O People, lend me an attentive ear, for I know not whether after this year I shall ever be amongst you again. Therefore listen to what I am saying very carefully and take these words to those who could not be present here today.

O People, just as you regard this month, this day, this city as Sacred, so regard the life and property of every Muslim as a sacred trust. Return the goods entrusted to you to their rightful owners. Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you. Remember that you will indeed meet your Lord, and that he will indeed reckon your deeds. Allah has forbidden you to take usury (interest), therefore all interest obligations shall henceforth be waived. Your capital is yours to keep. You will neither inflict nor suffer any inequity. Allah has judged that there shall be no interest and that all the interest due to Abbas ibn 'Abd'al Muttalib [the Prophet's uncle] be waived.

Every right arising out of homicide in pre-islamic days is henceforth waived and the first such right that I waive is that arising from the murder of Rabiah ibn al Harithibn.

O People, the unbelievers indulge in tampering with the calender in order to make permissible that which Allah forbade, and to forbid that which Allah has made permissible. With Allah the months are twelve in number. Four of them are holy, three of these are successive and one occurs singly between the months of Jumada and Shaban.

Beware of Satan, for the safety of your religion. He has lost all hope of that he will be able to lead you astray in big things, so beware of following him in small things.

O People, it is true that you have certain rights with regard to your women but they also have rights over you. Remember that you have taken them as your wives only under Allah's trust and with His permission. If they abide by your right, then to them belongs the right to be fed and clothed in kindness. Do treat your women well and be kind to them for they are your partners and committed helpers. And it is your right that they do not make friends with anyone of whom you do not approve, as well as never to be unchaste. O People, listen to me in earnest, worship Allah, say your five daily prayers, fast during the month of Ramadhan, and give your wealth in Zakat. Perform Hajj if you can afford to.

All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over a black nor a black has any superiority over a white - except by piety and good action. Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that the Muslims constitute one brotherhood. Nothing shall be legitimate to a Muslim which belongs to a fellow Muslim unless it was given freely and willingly. Do not therefore do injustice to yourselves. Remember one day you will meet Allah and answer your deeds. So beware: do not stray from the path of righteousness after I am gone.

O People, no prophet or apostle will come after me, and no new faith will be born. Reason well, therefore, O People, and understand my words which I convey to you. I leave behind me two things, the Qur'an and my Sunnah and if you follow these you will never go astray.

All those who listen to me shall pass on my words to others and those to others again; and may the last ones understand my words better than those who listen to me directly. Be my witness, O Allah, that I have conveyed Your message to Your people."

ps:
This post was posted in relation to my previous posting regarding Ahmadiyah as a warning and reminder to those who have been led astray into the wrong path

This post was posted for those who love him as much as I do

This post was posted for those who don't know him as an effort to give a better understanding about his personality and characters and the teaching of Islam (to know more about him you could go to: http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/fundamentals/prophet/

It’s President Wanted! Not the Wannabes!

Looking at the exciting presidential campaign in the US I feel a little bit dishearten when I look at our own up coming general election. Regardless of the outcome of their presidential election – considering the Americans track records of choosing Bush twice and having Mc.Cain to run for the third term... – at least the Americans have had a chance to vote for an alternative and potential candidate who could bring about change. Indonesians are not that lucky.

Sure we have plenty who are passionately determined to be the next President. Some of them had even been given a chance and lucky enough to become RI 1. The fact that they had been ousted or voted out by the people doesn’t seem to diminish their desires to make another attempt to come back. The problem is we don’t want them to come back! Well, okay perhaps it’s only me and few others with good memories and critical thinking. I want someone new.

Someone who isn’t tainted with the dirty intrigues in our bureaucracies. Someone who doesn’t have a prospect of becoming a “witness” in any corruption cases under prosecution by KPK (Corruption Eradication Commission). Someone who is passionate enough about change and could inspire and convince us that change is possible after all. Someone who believes that the systematic corruption in our governments could be eliminated through drastic and major changes. Someone who realises that the key to poverty alleviation is good governance and not abundant natural resources as it has been painfully proven to us all!

Sadly, no such person is visible in the horizon. All that I could see is wannabes who make it clear that their priority is to win the general election. Wannabes who try to sell their wares with their same old boring jingle “Experience”. I don’t careless if they’ve a life time career as bureaucrat. I don’t careless if they’ve a term or two as President of the Republic of Indonesia in their brief.

It only tells me that they’ve learn all there is to learn in the Political Guidance for Successful Politicians textbook. Which have special chapters dedicated to extensively discuss the ways to deceive public through elaborate schemes, the how to make initiatives and policies which are easy to implement without in depth studies, the how to hand out key positions to allies and cronies without being obvious, and the how to accumulate as much wealth as possible during one’s term. That’s what the experience is all about!

What we should care about our Presidential hopeful is his character, sincerity, honesty and integrity. What we should care about is that we choose someone who really cares for his people, us. Not his position. What we need is someone who is extremely passionate and determined to better our lot. Not someone who’s ambition is to become a President!

Camden, an Honest Revelation of Bigotry, Racism and Fear of Change

I was quite shocked when I watched the interviews on the news during one of the town’s meetings against the proposed Islamic school in the area. There were no politically correct words nor sentences worded carefully to avoid undesirable effects. Just blunt words and plain speeches made by ordinary rural people for their fellow citizens. It revealed the depth of the feelings felt by the community towards the Muslim immigrants in Australia.

One interviewee strongly and passionately stated that she didn’t want to have the terrorists in their community. She didn’t even bother to make differentiation between Muslims for in her views they’re all terrorists.

She then continued by stressing that their community wasn’t against immigration as they had Italians, Greeks, and others from Europe, all were welcomed excepts the Muslims.

What really shocked me wasn’t the opposition itself. I understand how difficult it is for a community to accept foreigners among them, let alone letting them build something which would out last everyone of them and might become new legacies in their community. The shocker was the fact that such strong sentiments are felt by Australians. Our close neighbour.

Regardless of the rather volatile relationship between Indonesia and Australia and the ups and downs in our foreign relations, I've always have a feeling that Australians are one of those who really know and understand Indonesians. That means understand the Muslims and Islam. I somehow thought Australia as one of the most tolerance countries when it comes to the practice of different religions. Seeing that news was a revelation. It shows the world a reality. Ugly, unpleasant, and shocking, but reality nonetheless.

People are inherently suspicious of others different from them, particularly if those different people are the ones constantly pictured as terrorists by the media. They also have a healthy dose of fear of change, enough patriotism, nationalism, and faith in their bones to defend their country, community, culture and religion against the invaders and interlopers. Conveniently forgetting their very existence in their beloved land was the results of what they are opposing at the moment. Change brought by the unwelcome foreigners.

It shows that we are still a long way from achieving an ideal world where one’s colours, nations, and beliefs will no longer be an issue. When people could see other people without prejudice. When they could see others who come into their community not as a threat but as a welcome resources. As a fellow citizen of this planet, who has the same rights as everybody else in it.

Most of the fear of change has economic reasons behinds it. Most of the time it is because the community doesn't want to share its wealth with others. They don't want their comfort to be diminished. Very selfish indeed. But that's the reality in its ugly but honest form.

Until people have an understanding that they need to share what they have with others, tensions will always be there. Until people learn to accept that people are different and will always be, there will always be bigotry, racism, and conflicts.

Apparently, the world still has much to do to educate its citizens.

Fuel Hike

In just a few months I’ve experiencing more than a couple of increases of gas price. For your information I’m using gas with higher level of octane which of course way more pricey than the ones with lower octane level.

The reasons for using a higher octane level gas are because I assume it would be better for my car and because the gas with a cheaper price is heavily subsidized by the government and is designated for those who couldn’t afford it without subsidy.

So, I was feeling quite noble and virtuous for being a model citizen and didn’t really mind those increases.

However, when I stopped in a gas station a couple of days ago, I was pissed of by the new price I saw. It’s Rp 8,750 per liter! Yes, that’s the price I have to pay for being such a model citizen.

Instead of rewarding me for my noble action which now I started to see as a stupid mistake and waste of precious money, the government decided to charge me more! Don’t they know that I am equal to those rare and endangered species needed to be protected? The government needs to preserve people like me. People who did stupid thing when people around them are being smart instead. People who support government stupid initiative at their own costs.

If you’re not using gas with higher level of octane or never pay attention to the going on in a gas station, I’ll tell you what happens when I’m giving my car its expensive drink. I never have to queue. Never! At least not with another car. My only competition is motorbikes.

The common scenes which I saw with mistaken feelings of superiority and righteousness were of luxurious cars using lower level of octane. It didn’t even cross my mind to question why I was the only one using higher octane – a lesson learned: if you’re the only one doing something, it’s probably because you’re doing the wrong thing!

Another thing that I learned is that what the government has achieved with their latest brilliant initiative is opening my eyes that I was being stupid. And it reaffirms my belief that the government is also very stupid.

If the purpose of increasing the price of higher level octane gas is to reducing government burden on subsidy, it fails miserably. This decision has a contrary effect, it pushes me to be like everybody else, to start to be smart and using the cheaper gas, which is heavily subsidized by the government! And don’t they know that no body is buying this expensive gas anyway?!

The government really needs to start to get smarter than that! And brings forth effective initiative like increasing the price of those subsidized gas to close the gap with the price of higher octane gas and therefore forcing those rich people to use what they should be using in the first place while on the other hand maintaining subsidized fuel price for those really needed e.g. public transportation and the have not.

The President said he was thinking of withdrawing Indonesia’s membership of OPEC for a time being as we’ve become an importing country, not that I disagree, but the question is why did we’ve become an oil importing country? What’s wrong? There got to be something wrong. Or am I being stupid again?

With the skyrocketing of fuel price we're supposed to rejoicing the fact and not lamenting it, but of course that's only happen if we are exporting oil. What happens? Have we depleted our resources? Or have the management of our resources to be blamed?

Everybody (translated as foreigners) complement Indonesia for being a rich country with a lot of resources, but if they bother to ask Indonesians, those common people, I'm sure they would be informed that the ordinary people never feel that they are rich, what they feel is that life has become more hard and difficult by day.

Yeah, I'm pissed of alright. So should every other not so stupid Indonesian!