Bersih 3.0 - Of understanding and promoter of good values

*I am not going to post my whole experience during BERSIH 3.0. As before. Just bits and bits of learning experience here and there and some points of view.


We often think that fight for ideals and virtues is simple and easy. It is not indeed. Along the way, there will be some tests. Some will be taken away by the restless agitation and blinded by the opium of anti-establishment, while some will be gripped by fear, some will be misguided by doubts - not the doubts of truth and skepticism, but rather doubt of action. Some will choose side of the oppressor, knowingly and unknowingly. Unknowingly by being neutral in times of injustice.

We've got a long way in Malaysia, for the citizens to grasp the maturity of support and disagreement. We always think, perhaps because the authorities have sit on the chair of power for a very long time, that government is equal to the winning component/party. And we are very good in generalizing. It doesn't mean when we agree to some policies of the authorities, we agree to the injustice they have induced. And it also doesn't mean when we fight the corruption and injustice in the government, we also in support to the invitation of the existing foreign powers meddling our affairs.

We must stop generalizing and being lazy. We must wake up, and be sensible. My reason for joining BERSIH is clear. I demand clean electoral reform at large. Those who are serious in knowing this issue, will surely know about the 'phantom voters'. There are so much corruption and injustice, and we just keep sucking up BN's deeds blindfolded. This issue is not an assumption, or a wild conspiracy theory made up by the opposition, it is real, and it is happening. Either Pro BN or anti BN, and those who aren't in both. If we are serious, we will find the truth.

When I was in a demonstration, be it BERSIH, or other demos for Syria/Palestine/Egypt, I will always pause from time to time, just to reassure myself why I was there. It is easy to lose yourself in the midst of irrational hatred and exciting confrontation. But, I was there, because I chose to be a promoter of good values, of godly values. And I am sure, there is a lot out there, like me. Who aren't interested in who's holding the power, but in the way the power holder benefits the power that is given to them, from us. The way the power is handled, defines the holder. I'm interested in John Dalberg Acton's saying about power.  He said "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely".

Complacent may be the suitable word, for us Malaysians. When we demand change, the other will always compare our condition with poorer countries. When we feel complacent, we are afraid to move on. To have a better life, with better condition. It is easy for us to speak, when we never experience money shortage - to the extend that our parents sold the jewelry, or even harta pusaka peninggalan nenek moyang just to support their family. We never experience poverty, when children just keep fasting to ease the burden of their parents. We never experience sufferings, when our rights are denied and declined just because we differ in financial status. We never feel any of them, so that's why we keep siding the ones with power. Because our gold pot is with them. Still, these people don't demand wealth, although they have the right to do so. They still pay the tax. They demand the system to be cleaned, it's fortunate that Malaysians still have faith for the system.

To take a closer look, the demands are to achieve clean election, along with the freedom of media. There will always be something wrong when you look at the demands with paranoid and fearful paradigm. Irrational assumptions will keep popping up. Try to look at it from a different angle.

These assemblies call for the reforms. Be it BN or PR on the top, in the next ten years, we will always call for reforms if the situation needs us. We should start taking side with values and principles. Our country's future is more than PR or BN. Malaysia is in need of its citizens, who calls for justice and equality, peace and transparency. Be it PR, be it BN, be it perhaps another large component in the future, let us make sure the ones in power stand with these values.

For people like me, it is not about the struggle to push PR to Putrajaya. Although I grew up knowing so many mischievous deeds performed by UMNOs, I learned that evil and corruption are with those who do not fear God. The one who wields power with God-fearing principles will do well, regardless of the parties and components. It is my utmost regret that I cannot share you the article I once read in a site about economics, I spend hours looking for it - where the article was written under the presumption that, corruption does take over in a place where people does not believe in God. It said that faith in God, is necessary to prevent corruption and misuse of power. Although the article in the end aimed to bash communism. My point is our country is in need of both religious and faithful people. 

I don't imagine a future where only one party or component rules the parliament, but rather a mixture of politicians of virtues and principles, who uphold values and honor. Let there be various parties and components. Differences are good. Conflicts are necessary to keep the dynamics flows and improvement flourishes. Let there be check and balance. And for this to come true, men of values and ideas are needed. Not men of dogmas and propaganda.

Malaysia is a blessed country. Alhamdulillah. Old-time warriors and 'ulama, leaders and its citizens made Malaysia as it is today. Let us be grateful - by striving for the best and sustain the values on which our ancestors have stood for. Tok Janggut, Mat Kilau and Rentap fought for their rights and justice, their people, and their identities. It is our responsibility then to sustain and maintain. We are calling the leaders to reform. We do not ask you to step down. We are asking you to take responsibilities for what you and your acquaintances have done - the list I am afraid is too long.

It is then my decision, to support good values and be an ardent promoter. I am a khalifah of Allah, and it is my responsibility. Peace.

Note 1 : I think young people have more resistance to the tear gas. I propose to young people, next time, if there is any demonstration, do stock up big bottles of water and salts - I got three big bottles and a pack of salt when I went to BERSIH 3 - so that we can help old folks and pakmakciks in the demonstration to keep up. Some knowledge of basic medics would be sufficient to help.

Note 2 : We must not think police as bad and evil. They have orders, and they must follow the orders. I know a senior ikhwah in TUDM, he supports Bersih, yet he is assigned in some kind of military unit to keep things in control if the police fails to do so.

Note 3 : During Bersih, I went with my naqib and two lawyers from IKRAM - who are specifically designated to protect the protesters legally. Although I read comprehensively about isu semasa, there are so many things I do not know. The lawyers shared so many things, issues like OccupyDataran and PTPTN, and new rule replacing ISA - another layer of information. Lepas ni ingat nak lepak dengan lawyer lah. Senang tahu cerita.

"A warning to the people
The good and the evil
This is war
To the soldier, the civillian
The martyr, the victim
This is war

It's the moment of truth and the moment to lie
The moment to live and the moment to die
The moment to fight, the moment to fight, to fight, to fight, to fight" - This is War, 30 Seconds to Mars

It is indeed, a war of values and principles.

Viva Syria!

Along the years, I've adopted and adapted a big range of tolerance and acceptance towards many things. From fiqh mu'amalah to interfaith affairs. But one thing remains stern in me, is I can't stand watching others get oppressed and tortured. And I can't stand watching others continuing to support the regime - while we can and have the power to at least slow them down. I cannot comprehend the fact how could someone buy something that directly contributes to the death of someone else? And in me, there's a strong reason for me to feel that way. I will never force others to feel what I feel, but this feeling - the reconciliation of understanding and acceptance for the action will never happen in me. To be good, it is a continuous process, a personal conviction. But to stand up in solidarity in the least to voice out our support and at the same time NOT TO SUPPORT the oppressor, it is a must be for a human being. One life counts.

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Malaysians have launched a peaceful protest last Friday. Along with some Syrian people, we marched from Masjid Tabung Haji to the embassy. Led by Ust Ridhuan, we shouted slogans and we put up banners as signs of protest towards the oppression of the Syrians. The protest started straight away after Jum'ah prayer. Crowds gathered quickly upon being called by Ust Ridhuan. After an opening speech - explaining to curious crowds who wanted to know what this was all about, we began marching slowly accompanied by takbir and Khaibar calling. I met a few figures on my way, one of them was Syed Ibrahim. The exact same person who handed me appreciation awards in Al Amin's takrim few years back. I engaged him, and then raced back to the front line.

We passed by US Embassy. A year ago, this was the same spot we held a protest. A protest which ended up badly due to police's tear gas and skunk water. We walked a long way to the Syrian Embassy. While a few ustazs were riding a jeep, the front lines were dominated by Syrian people. One of them rode the jeep, and shouted in Arabic words of protests and prayers.

We later arrived at the vicinity of the embassy. We could not make our way in, as police barricades were blocking our way. And again, this time, I remembered a police, the same police guarding US Embassy last year during the protest. As usual, officers were equipped with complete riot-combating accessories. It makes sense. You can see, Syrian people have a very large body framework. The jeep stopped in front of the police line. A few ustazs made their way in to send written protest to the Syrian Embassy.

While waiting, a few figures rose to deliver their speech. Akram Ikrami GAMIS's current president, Rahimi from ABIM and Ust Idris Ahmad from PAS, and few others more. 

After the written protest was delivered, Ust Ridhuan gave a closing speech and we prayed to Allah, praying for the safety of Syrian people and all of the fighters around the world. We were dismissed then. Peacefully.

Leading the way

Two Syrians and a Palestinian

Foreingn friends

Palestinian guy giving speech

March Forward!

Early protester

Al-Jazeera's and Local's

Stopping point - in front of the embassy

Ust Idris Ahmad

Rabitah prayer

Akram Ikrami and a PKR lawyer

One of the banners

Crowd praying together

Peaceful ending

Allahu Akbar. Allahu Akbar. Allahu Akbar. Moga Allah permudahkan perjuangan mereka di sana. Amin.

Dua sisi sehelai daun: HIMPUN dan DIALOG

Assalamu'alaikum.

HIMPUN
Aku seorang yang optimis. Mula-mula nak tulis opportunis, tapi tengok maksud dia kurang baik. Jadi, aku tukar jadi optimis. Yang aku maksudkan aku jarang untuk terus tak bersetuju dalam sesuatu perkara yang melibatkan perjuangan. Apa yang aku nampak, untuk setiap cabang dan jalan, ada orangnya. Aku ingat dulu aku usrah dengan ustaz Nazri yang jadi juri Akademi Quran masa di Darul Quran, walaupun dia ISMA, dia laksanakan tugas dia sebagai murabbi kami. Betul-betul dia tarbiyah kami, tanpa mengungkapkan sikit pun pasal jemaah-jemaah ini. Kami guna buku Maza Ya'ni. Sampai satu bahagian, dia tanya kami, bagaimana jalan nak sampai khilafah? Masing-masing kami memberikan pendapat. Macam-macam. Akhir sekali dia dengan muka selamba kata, kami semua ada betulnya. Bayangkan khilafah itu macam Darul Quran. Ada yang pergi DQ naik basikal, naik motor. Ada yang parents hantar. Ada yang naik KTM, nak kereta sendiri. Macam itulah umat Islam dalam perjuangan. Macam-macam method, macam-macam cara. Ada hikmah dia. Satu hari nanti, andai di KTM keretapi dia terbabas, andai jalan ada road block, andai si berbasikal di kejar anjing, akan ada juga yang sampai untuk memacakkan bendera tertegaknya khilafah. Boleh mengkritik - itulah asas pemacu untuk berjaya, tapi jangan menghalang laluan orang lain. Malam itu aku diajar untuk betul-betul berlapang dada. Dia memang murabbi yang sangat aku hormati.

Jadi, aku pun pergi ke HIMPUN dengan fikiran yang positif, dan mengharapkan sesuatu yang dapat beri impak yang signifikan kepada ummah. Aku pergi dengan kawan-kawan aku dari IIS. Kami pergi ke sana untuk melakukan survey - bertujuan untuk mendapat persepsi umum di samping menanam di dalam dada masyarakat sedikit sebanyak paradigma penyelesaian terbaik bermula dari diri sendiri. Sampai sahaja kami di sana, kami diperiksa oleh RELA untuk keselamatan. Aku dan Zul dari IMU solat dulu. Kami masuk ke stadium, disambut dengan banner-banner yang bersifat kemelayuan. Pendapat aku, kita patut berbangga dengan bangsa kita sendiri. Sebab itu 'trait' yang Allah bagi pada kita. Dan kita kena hargai. Jadi, aku tak ada masalah dengan banner-banner tertentu, bukan semua. Dan tugas kita bila wujud perbezaan - kita belajar. Ta'aarafu. Kemudian, bila aku tengok crowd, tak seramai yang dijangka. Aku pun fikir, biasalah benda macam ini. Kami mencari-cari Omar JAD untuk dapatkan borang survey. Lepas dapat - aku terus meluru(ceh macam semangat sangat je) untuk mencari mad'u-mad'u untuk disurvey dan di dakwah. Macam-macam orang yang aku jumpa, survey dan bawa dia berbual. Dari perokok ultra-Melayu berbibir hitam, orang muda berjubah putih berselendang hijau, wanita-wanita muda berseluar jeans berbaju ketat, kepada makcik dan pakcik yang hampir tidak larat untuk memanjat tangga stadium. Hampir semua lapisan ada - untuk berada di situ menunjukkan sokongan kepada pembelaan agama. Dalam sesi-sesi panjang temubual, sela-sela masa aku berhenti untuk mendengar ucapan-ucapan.

MUNSYID

Dalam temubual berborak punya style - aku membawa pendekatan yang diajar oleh Allah kepada umat Islam semasa perang Uhud. Pendekatan yang agak 'pahit'. Di mana terkorbannya Abdullah bin Jubair si ketua pemanah di puncak bukit Rummat ketika perang Uhud. Di saat sebelumnya, Abdullah terjerit-jerit menghalang sahabat-sahabat pemanah lain untuk turun ke medan perang bagi merebut ghanimah yang terbiar. Di saat orang kafir berpatah balik diketuai oleh Khalid al Walid untuk kembali mengalahkan Islam. Di kala Abdullah bin Jubair syahid dalam ketaatan, umat Islam kalah disebabkan segolongan mereka ingkar arahan. Lalu membantah sahabat nabi Abdullah bin Mas'ud; seorang sahabat yang utama dalam ilmu Al Qurannya - katanya masakan kita kalah disebabkan sahabat nabi sendiri ingkar arahan untuk mengejar ghanimah. Hal ini tidak mungkin terjadi kepada sahabat nabi. Ditegurnya oleh Allah -

| (Patutkah kamu melanggar perintah Rasulullah)? dan (kemudiannya) apabila kamu ditimpa kemalangan (dalam peperangan Uhud), yang kamu telahpun memenangi seperti itu sebanyak dua kali ganda (dengan menimpakan kemalangan kepada musuh dalam peperangan Badar), kamu berkata: "Dari mana datangnya (kemalangan) ini? "Katakanlah (wahai Muhammad): "Kemalangan itu ialah dari kesalahan diri kamu sendiri". Sesungguhnya Allah Maha Kuasa atas tiap-tiap sesuatu. [Ali 'Imran 165]

Pendekatan apa? Self-correct paradigm. Apabila ditanya soalan ini, "Apakah faktor gejala murtad di Malaysia? Disebabkan oleh aqidah umat Islam lemah, atau gerakan Kristian, kelemahan akta kerajaan atau ada faktor lain?" hampir 100 peratus menjawab 'Salah gerakan Kristian'. Dari soalan ini, aku cuba untuk membawa yang ditanya menelusuri sirah, dan cuba membentangkan idea dan paradigma yang ingin aku terapkan, aku membuat perbandingan dua tiga idea dan pendekatan - seandainya dia tertarik dan terbuka, aku terus bercerita. Seandainya dia masih berkeras, aku biarkan. Aku amat yakin, kita akan kuat sekiranya aqidah kita kuat. Kita akan kuat, apabila hubungan dengan Allah kita kukuh. Kita bukan umat tahyul, yang mengabaikan sunnatullah dan mempercayai hanya dengan berdoa semua selesai. Kita umat Muslim Malaysia, umat yang dinamik dan maju. Cuma, paradigma 'defensif dan paranoid' itu perlu diubah.

Iya. Islam itu antara cirinya yang istimewanya ialah inqilabiyah - tertegak atas keruntuhan jahiliyah. Tapi, ini bukan aspek aplikasinya. Kita harus menjadi kuat melalui aqidah kita, bukan kuat atas lemahnya orang lain. Aku setuju diadakan HIMPUN. Namun, isi HIMPUN ternyata jauh dari sangkaan aku. Yang aku jangkakan ucapan-ucapannya akan berbaur motivasi dan urgency untuk memantapkan aqidah umat Islam, pergi menjadi ucapan "Hidup Melayu! Hidup Raja-raja!" dan memberi amaran kepada umat bukan Islam agar jangan menggugat umat Islam. Islam tak sepatutnya di'potray' sebegitu. Dunia sudah berubah. Zaman sudah berubah. Cara sebegitu tak sesuai lagi. Dakwah itu adalah bagaimana untuk mengetuk pintu hati. Apabila ucapan-ucapan lebih kepada perkauman dan teknikal, yang hadir tidak merasakan tanggungjawab untuk membuat pemantapan aqidah untuk diri sendiri mahupun merasakan tanggungjawab untuk memantapkan aqidah orang lain. Malah hadirin lebih leka, kerana 'blame' itu sudah dishiftkan kepada kerajaan dan gerakan Kristian. Sedih. Umat Islam hari ini, perlu bangun dari tidur. Isu Aqidah bukan isu mudah.

Bila aku balik malam itu, dalam KTM - teringat kisah Khabbab bin Arat. Kita selalu makan kebab kan? Nama kebab asal dari nama sahabat ini lah. Ceritanya? Khabbab ini sahabat nabi, seorang tukang besi. Dia diseksa sangat teruk ketika zaman Mekah dulu. Badannya disikat dengan sikat besi yang merah membara, disikat-sikat sehingga terkoyak daging-dagingnya. Itu baru bahagian belakang badan. Di bahagian hadapan, ditabur bara-bara. Sehingga bara-bara itu terpadam sendiri oleh air dan darah dari badan beliau sendiri. Betapa kuatnya ujian sahabat ini. Khabbab kerana tak tertahan perit seksaannya berjumpa Nabi Muhammad, untuk memohon doa membalas orang kafir dan menyelamatkannya. Nabi menjawab - adakah kamu tidak malu? Orang terdahulu ada yang badannya ditanam dan dibelah dua hidup-hidup. Seksaan mereka lebih dahsyat. Khabbab memilih untuk terus bersabar dan mempertahankan imannya. Tapi umat pada masa hari ini, dengan mudahnya mengalihkan tanggungjawab aqidah kepada pihak lain. Sedangkan ianya tanggungjawab kita.

Bro Hariz explain pada gadis-gadis Melayu terakhir. 

Berkongsi pandangan dengan seorang dari Hizbut Tahrir. 

Akhir - alhamdulillah. Aku seronok dengan Hasan Ali. Ucapan dia memang power. Dia memang politician yang sangat aku respek. Cara dia memandang satu-satu perkara. Cara dia menguruskan kebajikan tempat dia. Macam dia jaga tempat aku - Gombak. Selalulah ada pemberian hadiah untuk pelajar, ada TAWAS, ada futsal, ada kelas memasak, ada meriahkan masjid. Memang tip-top. Dia akhiri HIMPUN dengan Zikir dan doa, dan meminta sama-sama memantapkan aqidah. Alhamdulillah, aku seronok.

Suasana ketika Hasan Ali berdoa. Masya Allah..spiritual.

* Berborak dengan seorang Pakistanese. Tiba-tiba dia duduk sebelah dalam KTM, senyum seorang-seorang - tanya "You are Pakistanese?". Cis..aku sentiasa disalah erti. Bapak orang lah,suami orang lah, ini Pakistanese pulak. Nak gelak den.. Aku orang Melayu lah. Kami berborak panjang. Nama dia Rana Fayyaz, surprisingly nama adik dia Asif. Haha.. Dia pun kata akhir-akhir masa dia nak turun KTM, "I have a sister, looking forward to coming Malaysia" sambil senyum-senyum. Sengal. Pikir nak kahwin je.. Sebab abang dia buka bisnes sini, dan kahwin dengan orang Kelantan. Jadi, dia minat orang Kelantan. Dan aku pun orang Kelantan. Bila tanya bisnes apa, dia jawab 'Tuding'. Punyalah pikir tuding tu bahasa apa. Tengok-tengok tudung. Haha.

Bersama Nidzam. Ceit..baju Sharing Islam aku basuh masa tu. 

Dialog Harmoni - Sehari selepas HIMPUN
Kami kena ada di Masjid Shah Alam pukul 6.45 pagi. Jadi aku keluar rumah pukul 5.00 pagi. Sejuk jugak. Solat subuh di masjid sebelah UIA PJ, kemudian terus memecut ke Shah Alam. Tepat-tepat sampai pukul 6.45 which is not bad since that was the first time I went there by myself with my bike.

Nidzam dan adik comel sebelah kami. Kecil-kecil dah datang dialog..ganasss

Dialog Harmoni tersebut berlangsung di Perak, Soka Gakkai Malaysia. Di antara Studio Muallaf dan Soka Gakkai. Seronok. Yang mana, mereka bercakap dalam Bahasa Melayu. Jadi, rasa sangat seronok. Sedangkan panelis semua Cina - Muslim punya panelis Xifu Naser dan Dr Yamin Cheng. Buddhist punya panelis Madam Fung dan Mr Tan. Mereka bercakap dalam Bahasa Melayu, untuk saling memahami budaya dan agama sendiri.

Madam Fung dan Moderator Roby Zaid

Mr Tan, Xifu Naser, dan Dr Yamin. Smart mereka

Yang menariknya, jika dibuat perbandingan - suasana di HIMPUN terasa sangat defensif dan hostile, namun di Dialog lain pula suasananya. Suasananya open dan berlapang dada. Masing-masing menghormati agama masing-masing. Contohnya semasa pengenalan agama masing-masing, nampak cara presenting Islam dengan berkesan kepada non-Muslims. I cant help, because I'm a Muslim, and I am confident that Islam is the best way of life in any aspect I could mention and think - jadi, tujuan ke sana adalah untuk berkongsi dan belajar. Poin menarik dari Xifu - Islam bukan datang untuk convert semua orang jadi Muslim, itu adalah perkara mustahil dalam bidang manusia, tapi Allah letakkan tugas Muslim, Islam sebagai Rahmat seluruh alam. Rahmatan lil 'Alamiin. Biar mereka semua sejahtera di bawah naungan Islam.

Mereka menghormati kita sebagai Muslim. Mereka memahami 'nature' Islam yang murtad tidak dibolehkan. Perbincangan pada hari itu berkisar sekitar pembudayaan dan keagamaan. Ramai Cina Muslim hadir di situ juga setidaknya membuang paradigma masuk Islam bermakna masuk Melayu. Paradigma yang mengakar 'masuk Islam masuk Melayu' ini sangat parah, seperti yang diungkapkan oleh Sis Yap dari MACMA. Yang seronok juga, mereka menyambut budaya kita dengan memainkan piano lagu 'Bubur Ayam' dengan Sepaku Gelang.

Ada kata-kata dari Dr Yamin Cheng, mengenai banyaknya persamaan nilai dalam Buddha dan Islam. Persamaan nilai dalam Confucius dengan Islam. Aku setuju sedikit sebanyak. Masya Allah, ada seorang auntie Muslim berbangsa Cina dengan tegas mengatakan, "Past is the past. We do not bring our past into our present..If we were a Buddhist, and now we are a Muslim, we don't embrace our Buddhist past". Terkejut. Masya Allah, betapa dia benci untuk kembali ke zaman jahiliyah dia. Aku maklum, sesalan masa dahulu semasa belum memeluk Islam tentunya kuat dan dalam. Yang mana perasaan itu takkan difahami oleh mereka yang lahir dalam Islam. Mereka menghargai aqidah mereka lebih dari kita. Itu yang aku nampak dalam diri mereka yang revert.

Masa makan - aku makan dengan auntie dari MACMA. Nampaknya Malaysians masa sesi Q & A mesti ada yang nak jadi panelis tambahan. Kita kena belajar tanya soalan. Sebab orang lain pun nak tanya.

Want to know about this dialog? Usha link Nidzam - kamceng Shah Alam. Dia ini dah jadi aktivis tegar dah.

Kenapa tajuk aku dua sisi syiling? Kerana dalam dua-dua event ini, ada dua sifat yang tak boleh dipisahkan. Sifat terbuka, dan sifat defensif. Dalam diri kita, aku rasa kita kena pandai olah dua sifat ini untuk maju ke depan. Dalam aspek aqidah punya ancaman, iya - defensif lah. Contohnya, macam mana Palestin kena bom, macam mana kita nak asingkan diri dari jahiliyah, macam mana kita nak buang sifat-sifat yang buruk. Tapi kita perlu bersifat terbuka dalam bersosial dengan masyarakat. Bukan terbuka sehingga menggadaikan prinsip ikhtilat tidak, itu kena defensif, tapi terbuka untuk kita belajar dan mengajar. Da'wah - kita perlu membuka hati orang.

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1. Aku sokong tujuan asal HIMPUN. Aku sokong. Cuma, bila dah lari tujuan asal - aku jadi tak setuju. Dan aku harap impak positif dia pada Islam akan jadi lebih banyak dari impak negatif pada Islam.