the journey

Badminton would always be one of my favorite sports, other than soccer since I was in primary school. I missed the era of Misbun Sidek and his other colleagues, but it’s still fresh in my mind where his other brothers, namely Razif, Jailani and Rashid were playing for Malaysia back there. The most indelible moment was obviously during the Thomas Cup 1992 championships. Some of other prominent names were Foo Kok Keong, Cheah Soon Kit and Soo Beng Kiang. They were all the real fighters for Malaysia at that time. Since that, I was trying hardly not to miss the championships. However, Malaysia has never won any Thomas cup tittle after that year too.

Historically, Thomas Cup championships have been conducted every two years since the 1982 tournament (I was not yet born at that time). Before that, it has been conducted every three years since the first tournament held in 1948-1949. As known, Indonesia is the most successful team by winning the tittle for thirteen times, followed by China (7 times) and Malaysia (5 times - 1949, 1952, 1955, 1967, 1992). These are the only three countries which have won the championships even though some other countries, like Denmark, Thailand and the latest, Korea were able to went through to the final. Source: Wikipedia - Thomas Cup

Thomas and Uber Cup

And, the Thomas Cup 2008 championships has just ended yesterday, where the Chinese again retained the tittle, consecutively since 2004. China has beaten Korea 3-1. However, in the semi final, China beat Malaysia 3-2. It was a close match at all, and it seems that Malaysia was better perhaps. I, and I believe the Malaysian as well, was pretty sure if Malaysia able to defeat China in the semi final, then the Thomas Cup would have been stolen from them. I just don’t know what to say about our players, especially the first double. And Hafiz Hashim also seems not in his best performance yet. But when I watched Lee Chong Wei’s play, it was totally superb, and of course plus the bad performance by Lin Dan too. Congratulation also to the young double, Mohd Zakry Latif and Mohd Fairurizuan Tazari who have convincingly defeated the world number 9 double from China to make the match even, and saved Malaysia from early defeat.

Last night, I watched the match between China & Korea. I just don’t care who’s gonna win the tittle, but somehow I hoped that Korea would win it. It was really shocked when the first single of Korea, Park Sung-Hwan defeated the world number 1, Lin Dan in the first game 21-10. But as expected, there shouldn’t be a problem for Lin Dan to come back and turned down the Korean in the next two games. Then, the Korean was able to make the match even when their first double (world number 3) beat the Chinese double (world number 2). It was an amazing performance and defense shown by the Korean double I must admit. Well, I’ve never expected the match between the second single of Korean, Lee Hyun-Il against Chinese world number 3, Bao Chunlai would be that close and exciting. It was also the first time I watched a match where a winner won against his opponent by 28-26.

Ok, that’s enough, otherwise, I’ll be a nonprofessional sports commentator here..hehe. Lastly, I wish the Malaysia team will do better in the next two years Thomas Cup championships, which will be held in Kuala Lumpur. Until 2008, the nation has been waiting for 16 years to seize the most prestigious cup in badminton arena.

SEREMBAN: Mufti Perlis, Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin, menasihatkan masyarakat tidak mempercayai apa yang tercatat pada SMS amaran berhubung panggilan santau atau ‘tarik nyawa’ yang tersebar luas di negara ini sekarang.

Beliau berkata, walaupun perbuatan sihir boleh dilakukan dengan pelbagai cara, panggilan maut seperti didakwa itu agak sukar diterima akal.

Katanya, kepercayaan yang terlalu mendalam terhadap sihir menyebabkan ada anggota masyarakat terutama beragama Islam berada dalam ketakutan kerana bimbang terkena ilmu hitam itu.

“Ketakutan itu menyebabkan berlakunya tokok tambah sehingga mengganggu emosi dan pekerjaan harian,” katanya ketika dihubungi, semalam.

Sehubungan itu, Dr Mohd Asri berkata, penyebaran SMS itu perlu dihentikan segera kerana ia dikhuatiri akan menjejaskan usaha umat Islam mencapai kemajuan setanding masyarakat dunia lain.

Beliau mengulas pengiriman SMS peringatan yang dikatakan disebarkan pihak tertentu untuk mengingatkan orang ramai mengenai deringan santau atau panggilan syaitan yang kononnya akan mencabut nyawa penerima panggilan berkenaan.

Selain di negeri ini, SMS berkenaan dikatakan sedang berlegar di seluruh negara, terutama di Kuala Lumpur dan Melaka sehingga menyebabkan orang ramai mula risau dan tertanya-tanya sama ada aktiviti santau menggunakan kaedah baru itu benar-benar wujud.

Menerusi SMS berantai itu, orang ramai diingatkan tidak mengangkat telefon jika dihubungi satu nombor pelik yang kononnya boleh meragut nyawa mereka yang menjawab panggilan itu.

SMS yang tersebar luas sejak seminggu lalu mendakwa panggilan misteri itu mengandungi unsur sihir yang dikatakan sedang diuji sekumpulan penuntut ilmu hitam di Indonesia.

Source: Laman Mufti Perlis, Dr. Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin

News by Malaysiakini on 16th May 2008, also available at Global Media Channel and The Star: UM leads in ranking

————-

Universiti terbaik: UM, UIA, UTM

Oleh: Abdul Rahim Sabri

Tiga universiti awam mendapat pengiktirafan sebagai universiti terbaik dalam kelas masing-masing daripada 17 institusi pengajian tinggi (IPT) yang dikaji taraf kualitinya.

Universiti Malaya mendahului dalam kategori universiti penyelidikan, Universiti Islam Antarabangsa mendapat tempat teratas (universiti umum) dan Universiti Teknologi Malaysia tempat pertama (universiti khusus).

Berdasarkan markah keseluruhan enam bidang yang dikaji, Universiti Malaya memperolehi 5 mata atau “cemerlang”, Universiti Islam Antarabangsa mendapat 4 mata (sangat baik) dan Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (3 atau baik).

Keputusan ini, yang pertama kali diumumkan, hasil penilaian Sistem Penarafan Institusi Pengajian Tinggi Awam (Setara) selama dua tahun yang diselia oleh Agensi Kelayakan Malaysia (MQA).

Ketika mengumumkan keputusan tersebut hari ini di kementeriannya di Putrajaya, menteri pengajian tinggi Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin berkata penarafan ini bertujuan mengukur mutu, kebertanggungjawaban dan prestasi IPT.

Setara bermula dengan data yang dikutip dan dianalisis dalam projek rintis pada 2005 di 16 IPT dan penilaian tarafnya dijalankan setahun kemudian.

Kajian pertama sistem itu pula pada 2007 yang dibuat di 17 IPT awam dan melibatkan data-data tahun sebelumnya.

Satu pasukan tujuh anggota yang diketuai profesor Dr Che Husna Azhari dari Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia melaksanakan Setara dan urusetianya di MQA.

Sistem Setara ini berasaskan enam bidang utama yang mengandungi 87 pengukur hasil perundingan dengan semua universiti tempatan.

Mohamed Khaled berkata, sistem ini berbeza dengan kaedah yang diguna pakai oleh Times Higher Education Supplement (THES).

“Domain yang mereka pakai antaranya ialah peer review (semakan rakan sejawat) dan persepsi majikan yang kebanyakan berdasarkan kepada persepsi, berbanding sistem kita lebih komprehensif yang menggunakan enam domain yang mengandungi 87 indikator,” katanya.

Dalam kategori universiti penyelidikan, tempat kedua jatuh kepada Universiti Putra Malaysia dan ketiga Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (masing-masing 4 mata).

Bagi kategori umum, Universiti Teknologi Mara dan Universiti Malaysia Sabah masing-masing mendapat 4 dan 3 mata.

Universiti Teknologi Tun Hussein Onn dan Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris masing-masing berada di tempat kedua dan ketiga bagi kategori universiti khusus (kedua-duanya 2 mata atau memuaskan).

Mata 1 yang paling bawah dikategorikan sebagai lemah, diikuti memuaskan, baik, sangat baik, cemerlang dan terbilang (6 mata).

Mohamed Khaled berkata, keputusan lengkap kajian ini tidak didedahkan kepada media, sebaliknya diserahkan kepada IPT untuk tindakan.

“Saya fikir, sudah memadai masyarakat mengetahui setakat ini,” katanya.

Specially dedicated to all teachers in Malaysia.. Happy Teacher’s Day

                                          - GURU MALAYSIA -

From Crackle: Guru Malaysia

Tertarik dengan satu artikel dalam Utusan Malaysia bertajuk ‘Kesan buruk cerita hantu’, membuatkan saya terpanggil untuk menulis sesuatu. Lebih-lebih lagi ia diselit dengan sedikit penerangan drp SS Dr. Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin, Mufti Kerajaan Negeri Perlis.

Sememangnya cerita hantu dan seram adalah cerita yang tidak mungkin saya tonton. Kalau ada rakan yang mengajak untuk menonton, maka sudah pasti jawapannya, “Sorry, aku kurang berminat dengan cerita macam ni.”

Saya bersetuju sekali dengan pendapat yang mengatakan bahawa cerita hantu sebenarnya tidak membangunkan minda masyarakat & sekadar hiburan kosong semata. Selain tidak membantu pembentukan insan, ia juga adakalanya memperbodohkan masyarakat. Fikiran orang Melayu kita masih dijajah oleh ideologi hantu & khurafat (terutamanya filem Malaysia). Kita sepatutnya bergerak maju ke hadapan, tidak perlu lagi dimomok & disajikan dengan unsur hantu khurafat yang boleh merosakkan aqidah kita sebagai umat Islam. Malangya negara kita masih lagi menayangkan filem-filem sebegini, juga pameran-pameran hantu jembalang yang mendapat tentangan hebat daripada para ilmuan Islam.

Jika ada yang berpendapat bahawa cerita hantu hanyalah untuk hiburan semata, tidaklah salah asalkan ia tidak keterlaluan dan bebas daripada unsur khurafat. Mungkin ada antara cerita hantu tersebut yang mengandungi unsur humor & pengajaran yang betul. Namun sudah tiba masanya kita berfikir sedikit, gunakan akal fikiran yang waras dalam menilai hal ini.

Wassalam.

Untuk artikel asal, rujuk tulisan Dr. Mohd Asri, atau berita di Utusan Malaysia.

Excerpt from the 20 Most Common Questions asked by Non-Muslims (who have some knowledge of Islam), by Dr. Zakir Abdul Karim Naik.
——————————————–

DOES ISLAM PROMOTE VIOLENCE?

Question:

Doesn’t Islam promote violence, bloodshed and brutality since the Qur’an says that Muslims should kill the kuffar where ever they find them?

Answer:

A few selected verses from the Qur’an are often misquoted to perpetuate the myth that Islam promotes violence, and exhorts its followers to kill those outside the pale of Islam.

1. Verse from Surah Taubah

The following verse from Surah Taubah is very often quoted by critics of Islam, to show that Islam promotes violence, bloodshed and brutality:

“Kill the mushriqeen (pagans, polytheists, kuffar) where ever you find them.”
[Al-Qur’an 9:5]

2. Context of verse is during battlefield

Critics of Islam actually quote this verse out of context. In order to understand the context, we need to read from verse 1 of this surah. It says that there was a peace treaty between the Muslims and the Mushriqs (pagans) of Makkah. This treaty was violated by the Mushriqs of Makkah. A period of four months was given to the Mushriqs of Makkah to make amends. Otherwise war would be declared against them. Verse 5 of Surah Taubah says:

“But when the forbidden months are past, then fight and slay the Pagans wherever ye find them, and seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in every stratagem (of war); but if they repent, and establish regular prayers and practise regular charity, then open the way for them: for Allah is oft-forgiving, Most merciful.”
[Al-Qur’an 9:5]

This verse is quoted during a battle.

3. Example of war between America and Vietnam

We know that America was once at war with Vietnam. Suppose the President of America or the General of the American Army told the American soldiers during the war: “Wherever you find the Vietnamese, kill them”. Today if I say that the American President said, “Wherever you find Vietnamese, kill them” without giving the context, I will make him sound like a butcher. But if I quote him in context, that he said it during a war, it will sound very logical, as he was trying to boost the morale of the American soldiers during the war.

4. Verse 9:5 quoted to boost morale of Muslims during battle

Similarly in Surah Taubah chapter 9 verse 5 the Qur’an says, “Kill the Mushriqs where ever you find them”, during a battle to boost the morale of the Muslim soldiers. What the Qur’an is telling Muslim soldiers is, don’t be afraid during battle; wherever you find the enemies kill them.

5. Shourie jumps from verse 5 to verse 7

Arun Shourie is one of the staunchest (*most firm/steadfast) critics of Islam in India. He quotes the same verse, Surah Taubah chapter 9 verse 5 in his book ‘The World of Fatwahs’, on page 572. After quoting verse 5 he jumps to verse 7 of Surah Taubah. Any sensible person will realise that he has skipped verse 6.

6. Surah Taubah chapter 9 verse 6 gives the answer

Surah Taubah chapter 9 verse 6 gives the answer to the allegation that Islam promotes violence, brutality and bloodshed. It says:

“If one amongst the pagans asks thee for asylum (*refuge), grant it to him, so that he may hear the word of Allah; and then escort him to where he can be secure that is because they are men without knowledge.”
[Al-Qur’an 9:6]

The Qur’an not only says that a Mushriq seeking asylum during the battle should be granted refuge, but also that he should be escorted to a secure place. In the present international scenario, even a kind, peace-loving army General, during a battle, may let the enemy soldiers go free, if they want peace. But which army General will ever tell his soldiers, that if the enemy soldiers want peace during a battle, don’t just let them go free, but also escort them to a place of security?

This is exactly what Allah (swt) says in the Glorious Qur’an to promote peace in the world.

By: Dr. Zakir Abdul Karim Naik

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May this brief explanation help to improve the understanding of my fellow Muslim brothers and sisters, as well as the Non-Muslims in understanding the real Islam.

Saturday, 3rd May 2008, it has been a year for me as an assistant lecturer at IIUM since I reported duty on Thursday, 3rd May 2007. I am so glad that I am still here till today, being one of the IIUM family members. The journey that I have to go through is still long and full of challenges. I wish I would be able to face all the tribulations ahead, Insya Allah.

I was not alone on my first day at IIUM. I reported my duty together with another friend of mine, Noor Illiey, who is also an assistant lecturer at the same department, namely Department of Biotechnology Engineering.  She’s currently on study leave, doing her MPhil/PhD at the University of Manchester. Wish her all the best! And Insya Allah, I’ll be also on study leave start from July this year. I’ll be in USM, Penang for another year to complete my Masters study there.

I guess that’s only my remarks for this special date. Lot of things I still have to learn from all of the IIUM community. Let’s together create a knowledge sharing environment by using this weblog services offered by the university. Wish everyone the best in every steps taken leading to the success in both hereafter and in this temporary world.

———-

The woods are lovely, dark and deep, But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep!

As published by the NST, Friday 2nd May 2008

KANGAR: The state government will meet organisers of TV3’s Jom Heboh carnival today to discuss guidelines suggested by state mufti Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin.

Menteri Besar Datuk Dr Md Isa Sabu hoped the television station would consider some of the guidelines.

He said the event, scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, would continue regardless of the outcome of the meeting.

Among Mohd Asri’s concerns were the concert segment and choice of performers at the concert. He called on organisers to exclude aspects which promoted “values of stupidity that insult the people’s intelligence”.

He was also against TV3 programmes which promoted khurafat (practices which are against Islamic teachings), and called on the TV station to respect prayer times for Muslims.
Md Isa said the mufti’s suggestions were constructive, and should be considered.

The guidelines may be applied to all entertainment events in Perlis.

“The mufti was not saying that Jom Heboh was haram. He was not against the event. He did not want the event to lead to complaints and be a bad influence on people.

“We will meet with Jom Heboh organisers today to discuss the guidelines,” he said after opening Rukun Tetangga bases in Taman Hijrah phase 1 and 2 here yesterday.

On the mufti’s concern over Jom Heboh performers, particularly rocker and television host Faizal Tahir, Md Isa said that was not the main issue.

“I am not familiar with Faizal Tahir. I am more familiar with artistes from my generation, such as Datuk Sharifah Aini, Datuk S.M. Salim and the late Ahmad Jais.

“The mufti knows artistes such as Faizal and we will consider his opinion. If his involvement goes against the suggested guidelines, then we will discuss it with the Jom Heboh organisers,” he said.

Mohd Asri was unhappy with Faizal’s inclusion, describing the artiste as being confused about whether he “was a person or Superman”.

Faizal recently ended a three-month ban from live television concerts imposed by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission

Meanwhile, a TV3 corporate communications spokes- man said the network adhered to strict guidelines during its Jom Heboh concert.

“We always brief the audience before showtime to advise them to sit down during performances. We warn them against jumping about or throwing objects on the stage.”

The spokesman said all performances came to a halt during Muslim prayer times.

—— Source: NST Online; Friday, 2nd May 2008

Previous news here: Mufti benar Jom Heboh, syaratnya… , Mufti tak berkenan tingkah laku Faizal or view the statement by the Mufti on Jom Heboh here.