The ABCs of Life

Praise be to God, Bloggers Unite falls on the very day of Nakbah 60 Years - Commemorating the tragic history of Palestine (1948) where the rightful citizens of this holy land were displaced, killed and tortured by the invading Zionists army and now government of Israel. And that isn’t just history as this continue to be a present day event other than thousands of days that have been left behind. Friends, please do bear in mind, when we mention Palestinians, Palestinians aren’t just Muslims. The population of the old Palestine - the Palestinians - were formed by Muslims, Jews and also Christians whom shared the same belief that this land is holy and sacred.

Though there are many issues that we can talk about for this important event today; say the illegal detentions at Guantanamo Bay, imprisonment of journalists in China and the never-ending human rights abuse in Darfur, let us NOT FORGET about these 60 years that have yet find an end today.

60 years of suffering; Palestinians are killed and tortured each and everyday, being deprived of their very own right to their own homes, education, health and other living necessities under the Zionist regime government. Don’t forget that Israel is a country built on the expense of Palestinian blood and rights and the world have yet tried its best to put a stop to this. And let us not forget that leaders and governments of many developed countries endorsed such act; telling us they are fighting terrorism to save the world using terrorism itself! Don’t forget that in Palestine, human rights are being abused everyday and in every single way. Even loyal Palestinians whom are living outside the territories of their homeland are deprived from access to the Zionist colony.

You can find information about all human rights issues around the world from various websites like Amnesty International and others but for this important entry, I would like to highlight something which I strongly feel as one of the biggest reasons why these abuses take place everyday in our lives.

Politics. That’s one word many people do not understand or misunderstood. Many people in countries where humans right are being crushed and denied do not understand what politics are and maybe, do not even understand what human rights are! Some people think that politics are bad people trying to gain influence, forgetting that the good people are the ones to blame for letting them do so. Whether due to our double ignorance - we don’t understand our rights and the issue, we care less about change or doing anything to improve or because the world failed to unite and save us all.

Talking about politics doesn’t mean you need to be a politician. The important thing would be for you to understand and be aware of the politics of the world and especially your home town and where in the political scene do you stand? Many people whom are oppressed do not know they have the power to influence politics and change the oppressive power. And many people outside these conflict areas do not understand that they also have the influence on their country’s political stand in supporting or disapproving an abusive power.

Everyone by now should have realised how powerless the United Nation is when it is actually formed by great powers and highly respected countries. But these great powers themselves toy around with their political influences to make us live witnessing economic instability, war, murder and other sufferings day to day. Don’t forget that Israel didn’t rise alone and didn’t march to Palestine simply on their own. Don’t forget that the weapons used in conflicting 3rd world countries and Darfur aren’t made at home. Who sells and who buys them, and those who end up using have of course used them against humanity and rights.

Everybody in this world is a citizen of a country. And everybody have the right to be a part of its present and future with a role to play and abilities to share. Though a country’s law and provision for its citizens vary from one another, all of us human beings unite in our belief in justice, freedom and humanity. Know your rights and act upon them. Not tomorrow, not when you’re 21 but NOW! Time and tide waits for no man. In a precious second a soul might be killed and a right might be abused. So don’t wait till you can do what you want, start doing what you can. Learn and understand. Awareness is the key to a helping hand. Write up, speak up. Spend your penny and dollars for charity. Do your bit for the world’s community.

And to all bloggers, let us unite for Human Rights and keep on blogging for humanity.

If you’re anywhere near Dundee, this is where you should be this evening:

Malaysia’s 12th PRU/GE shocking results made it the most interesting election in Malaysian history. Malaysians woke up to a new day, a new week…some greatly shocked by BN’s huge lost and little victory while others are in high spirits; feeling rejuvenated by the victory of the Oppositions which are considered as the victory of the people. Now BN is the Opposition in 5 states; something that has never happened in Malaysian history. I’d just like to jot down some interesting observations from the recent political scene.

- The Prime Minister has just sworn in for his 2nd term leading the country. Interesting enough to note that the country’s biggest leader is now ‘an opposition’ to the new Penang government after winning his Kepala Batas seat.

- The election’s result looks as if the people chose to sack the previous cabinet members when 4 ministers and 10 deputy ministers are now out of the system failing to be re-elected by the people.

- BN’s two main components which are MIC and MCA faced the worst loss of all. Seems like Malaysians are now saying NO to race-based parties. Even the seats won by UMNO had significant reduce in majority. I hope the ‘real’ integration led by the Oppositions will remain and improve in the future InshaAllah. Other than an opposition’s coalition, it’s a refreshing scenario where people of all races in Malaysia unite, fighting for what they believe in though they slightly differ in colour, language, religion and ideologies. We have lived too long together yet so little have been achieved feeling and being together. This time around, Malaysians caused serious political change TOGETHER, as one! Note: None of the winning Opposition parties are race-based; not even PAS and DAP who have majority Malays and Chinese as members. This could be seen from interesting pictures and reports showing:

1) an Indian wearing a shirt saying, “I’m an Indian, I’m a Hindu. I support Ulama’s (referring to Muslim religious scholars) leadership” during a campaign by the Opposition
2) Indians and Chinese helping PAS workers, Malays and Indians showing support for DAP

- The Election Commission’s corrupt practices; doubted postal votes, odd/inaccurate voters list are no secret to Malaysians yet the wind of change was so strong not even phantom voters could stop it.

- It’s like a dream to see key states like Penang and Selangor fall to the Oppositions..erm oops, the new government! I remembered a remark from a friend saying that it was OK for PAS to have Kelantan, but Penang and Selangor are money-making states which means the new governments will be having great income.

- Many fresh young leaders are born. The youngest MP aged 25 is Nik Nazmi of PKR

Before the election, I was a bit sceptical of change since Malaysia have been under BN for a long long time and many people thinks that change will only be worse than all the bad things that they’ve been experiencing. Well, thanks to the national media, people are reluctant to fight for what’s best for them before but thank God, truth and justice will always prevail! It’s a new Malaysia now. It’s time for hard work and it’s time to stick together no matter what. To all Malaysians, congratulations and may God help us all to achieve success, unity and peace for all.

At last, I could say, I’m proud to be Malaysian!

I can hardly find time to write nowadays and with Malaysia’s 12th General Election is just less than weeks from now, I’d rather read and watch the news than write anything unrelated to this. But for these few minutes that I have…as a Malaysian, I feel the urge to humbly ask my fellow Malaysians to please use their intelligence in facing the coming elections.

Many people know and talk about things but there won’t be many whom put those knowledge and debate into action. Many people are proud of their intelligence but they lack courage to use it, even if it is for their own benefit.

It’s a fact that many Malaysians, still, are afraid of change when other developed countries change their ruling party every now and then…

I’m not sure what you think of the coming GE, and politics in Malaysia, but if you’re reading this it means that you’re smart enough to be tech-savvy and reading English. so please be wise in forming your opinion and casting your vote, for the latter decides how your life would be in another 4-5 years to come.

I bet Malaysians have seen enough. If you really SEE and LISTEN to what’s beyond the national TV and newspapers, physical development and technology, and the truth about democracy…you won’t be able to live the next 5 years the way we lived our current 50 years of independence from the British.

Think wisely, choose wisely. You are FREE to DECIDE if there’s this thing called democracy…

Narrated Anas: Allah’s Apostle said, “help your brother, whether he is an oppressor or he is an oppressed one. People asked, “O Allah’s Apostle! It is all right to help him if he is oppressed, but how should we help him if he is an oppressor?” The Prophet said, “By preventing him from oppressing others.” (al-Bukhari: Book #43, Hadith #624)

If anybody would remember what nurinmz.com once talked about, they would definitely remember amongst the issues raised and discussed were of politics and social needs. But after a while I felt like I’m just a mediocre in things and sincerely I have very little time to do research and write on such critical subject though they are some of my main interests.

I’m not about to write a controversial entry now, but since I’m a Malaysian, I do feel the urge to mention one of the most important event in the country’s history where thousands of ‘rakyat’ (people) walked down the streets with an appeal to the Majesty Yang Di-Pertuan Agong to support the demand for electoral reforms from the Malaysian government. The government declared that the BERSIH demonstration was illegal as having a different view about the country usually means being ‘anti-government’ and ‘anti-peace’ in Malaysia. Nevertheless, thousands of courageous Malaysians who love freedom and justice as much as they love unity and peace, gathered together to voice out their utmost concern in support of their common demand for a fair and just election. They painted Kuala Lumpur yellow that day and the talk about BERSIH was in the media everywhere around the globe.

Watching some of the videos and reading entries about it, I’ve found two pictures illustrating an interesting story. One of Irene Fernandez, participating in the rally on her wheelchair and the other of a guy named Amri, walking down the streets during the demonstration with crutches and a leg-less. I was touched seeing those two and also a number of video scenes showing old people - ‘pakcik makcik warga emas Malaysia’ - doing the same.

The moment I saw these pictures, I lamented on the fact that many people like me, myself and hundreds others whom are physically well and intellectually trained and educated - university students and graduates, professionals - had very little interest in such things. Too little interest in knowing, understanding…enough said about acting!

Some people felt that ignorance is bliss, therefore “let me not know for I won’t have to bear any responsibility by knowing”. Some people knew, but are too selfish and emotionally weak to contribute; and fighting for truth and justice would simply be too absurd to deal with. “Let others do it, I have other things to do…there are more important things for ME, MYSELF!”

Read the rest…