Gaza itu Memanggilmu!

Setelah sekian lama zaman persekolahan di tanahair dilupakan, timbul sebak di dada mengingatkan rindu keindahan bahasa kebanggaan bangsa. Bertambah hiba membaca puisi karangan saudara di perantauan, menyedarkan akan kelalaian kita..

Gaza itu Memanggilmu!

-Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin

Tangisan itu memanggilmu,

Ratapan itu merayumu,

Suara wanita yang tidak bermaya

Jeritan si kecil yang tidak berdosa

Ratapan si tua yang tidak terdaya

Darah pemuda yang ditumpah

Nyawa perwira yang dimamah

Kau biarkan mereka dilapah

Suara sayu memanggilmu

Bumi Gaza yang diserbu

Dek bangsat yang penuh muslihat

Tentera khianat yang dilaknat

Tergamaknya kau bersahaja

Cuma menjadi penonton setia

Sedangkan tanah Gaza dibunuh percuma

Tanpa kau rasa duka airmata dosa

Membiarkan mereka dihina derita

Manakah janji bahwa kita bersaudara

Darah Gaza akan menuntutmu di hari muka

Kerna kau tinggalkannya dikorban tanpa bantuan

Bangkitlah dengan keinsafan,

Hulurkan tangan pertolongan

Demi Tuhan!

Buat Palestin yang ditawan!

Support the boycott!!

It has been quite a while since I've heard anything encouraging from back home. Today, when I read the papers, my spirits were once again lifted by hope of a strong Malaysia.

The government is pushing for a discussion of the atrocities commited by Israel against Palestinians. It might not be of much help, but at least it's something.

The government suggested the formation of a peacekeeping force under the banner of OIC. Again, something I can't see happening, but it's a nice thought. It's only the beginning, who knows, it might be a reality in the future, insyaAllah.

But the most encouraging piece of news - the boycott of American products spearheded by the Malaysian Muslim Consumers Association. It's true that a boycott won't be effective so long as the country as a whole still imports, but a large scale boycott as this by consumers could put enough pressure on our government to impost a national boycott against American products, which would in turn pressure America to stop the atrocities of Israel.

I realize that a lot of people are hooked to Coca Cola, McDonalds, Starbucks, and all those American brands, but think about it. What is our suffering compared to those suffered by our brothers and sisters in Palestine? We can't have a big Mac, they can't have freedom. We lose a Coke, they lose a father. We crave for an expresso, they crave for a country!

The Palestinians have been fighting on their own for decades, it's time we joined in their fight. Not only Muslims, but everyone who has a conscience. Be you a Muslim, a Buddhist, a Christian, a Hindu, or whatever religion, let us join hands in solidity against the crimes committed by a nation against a nation. We, the people of the world, have power to stop cruelty. If we can shave our heads or go screaming on the streets for a tiger that hasn't been fed in a zoo, why can't we do this little thing for human beings being treated worse?

We are the ones who can make a difference. Support the boycott!!

Jihad is not only on the battlefield..

Muslims stick together to uphold justice..

When the land of a Muslim brother is under siege, Muslim brothers are supposed to come and fend off the enemy..

When the land of a Muslim brother is invaded, Muslim brothers are supposed to converge and fight side by side to drive them out..

When a holy land of Muslims is invaded, it is the responsibility of every single Muslim fight, be it with a gun, a sword, a word, a thought..

Now, it is not a case of "when", because it is happening..

Our brothers and sisters are being killed, their land plundered, their rights trampled. It is not an offense against the people of Palestine, it is an offense against the people of Allah!

O Brothers and Sisters! Rally under the banner of God! Let us pray for those who are defending the land under fire.. May they send the invaders straight to their fiery grave!!! We may not be able to pick up a gun and join our brothers, but we are more than able to lift our hands to the sky and pray to God.. That is our deadliest weapon.. Jihad is not only on the battlefield..
Allah hu Akbar!!!

2009

2009, a new year, a new beginning, a new story to tell.. But at the same time, a lot of the old stories drag on into this new chapter.

Malaysian politics is still a whirl of who-knows-what..

Muslims brothers and sisters in Gaza are still under fire, and, last I heard, suffering from an invasion.. something new? you tell me..

It is sad to see all this going on, and it gives me some doubts in celebrating and ushering the new year. What exactly am I ushering? Is 2009 going to be a year full of success and happiness? Or more suffering and oppression?

People wonder why there is suffering in this world. "If God is real, why is He letting people suffer?" Thats not something uncommon to hear..

But have we actually given it a thought? Look at this world.. More than 6billion people, and trillions upon trillions of other creatures, all under the watchful guidance of God.

He is all Powerful, that is true, but does that compel Him to make sure that every single person is happy, unconditionally?

Have you heard of the story of the barber? This man went to a barber, and the barber was telling him how he thinks God doesn't exist. Why? Because there are so many people suffering in the world. If God exists, those people wouldnt be suffering. So the man left the barber, wondering. Just as he walked out of the shop, he saw a man with long, unkept hair and beard. He went back inside and told the barber, "I don't believe in barbers, they don't exist."
"What?! I'm right here, I am a barber."
"But there are so many people who don't have their hair cut."
"Well, that's not my problem. They don't come to me, how am I supposed to help them?"
"That is exactly the case with God. People don't go to Him, how can he, why should he, help them?"

Yes this world is full of suffereing, but this world is also full of people who deny the existence of God. I will not attempt to justify His existence, because that will take ages, and if you don't already believe in God, look deep in your heart, look around you, and you will hear Him.

I realize now, it IS a new year I am ushering in, but I am also ushering in new hope. When people start returning to God, He will come back, insyaAllah..

Ya Allah, bestow Your help onto our brothers and sisters in the Land of Palestine, protect them, and grant them guidance, wisdom and strength. A new year has arrived, may Your Wisdom guide us through this year to overcome all challenges and obstacles, may our brothers and sisters unite under Your banner, to uphold the name of Islam, to keep our Iman strong, our Faith uncompromisable, and our Honour intact. With You, Allah, in our hearts, minds, and all around, we are strong and one. Amin.