With barely 2 days to go before Aidilfitri, there is plenty of reason to explain the festive mood in the air. At the same time, the entire nation was also consumed with the excitement of the first Malaysian in space. And call him whatever you wish, astronaut, research cosmonaut, space flight participant, Dr Sheikh is still every bit a national hero by now. Young girls, and not so young ones like me have swooned over him for so many months now and when the official announcement was made it was no longer a surprise. After all, most people understood the deal from the beginning, that he was the primary candidate.
Having said that, from the documentaries aired on Ch 588 that featured both of them, I feel Capt Faiz is just as ready and exuded just as much confidence.
Last nite, like hundreds and thousands of Malaysians from all over, we watched the lift-off with much anticipation. I cannot even begin to imagine the thoughts that were running through his parents’ mind at the exact same moment. I am just one out of a million watching and It was nerve wrecking, to say the least. The Challenger disaster occurred when I was in my late teens and although I was not in front of the tv to watch it happen, like many others I remember it well. And as I watched the Soyuz last nite I could not help but feel anxious. Thankfully the space shuttle lifted off into orbit without a glitch as we all witnessed a great moment in history….and made me very proud to be Malaysian.
Our 6 yo was the one who was the most excited. He had been bringing newspaper clippings of the launch to school and was thoroughly excited when watching the space launch last nite. He was glued to the tv from the beginning of the KLCC event and stood up at the star for Negaraku (but of course…) and held his hands up during the doa. He pestered his dad to also perform the solat hajat and was very serious when he said his prayers, “Ya Allah, pls make sure Dr Sheikh Muzaphar is safe..” I could hardly believe my ears, my precious was so into it..! At countdown to liftoff he was really really excited!
We were not entirely surprised by his enthusiasm because after all he had always been fascinated with space and planets. Even a couple years ago, as a 4 plus year old he was able to name all 9 planets and could tell you which planet is the biggest, smallest, with rocks etc. Even I still can’t remember! You think I may have a budding astronaut? God knows. Frankly I would rather he have both feet firmly on the ground – literally..!
In the meantime, my hopes and wishes right now are for a safe mission for our good doctor. Deep inside I wonder what things will be like when my son looks back at this historic day decades from now. Maybe then NASA will no longer have any qualms on the term to be used for our Malaysian rep on space missions.
Friday, October 12, 2007
Monday, September 24, 2007
The Blame Game
Much has been said about the tragic death of innocent Nurin. Like many other Malaysians I too shed tears of anger and sadness over the incident and was overcome with emotion when watching the funeral last week.
Now there has been talk that Nurin’s parents may be charged with negligence over what has happened. Let me first admit that I was just as outraged when the news first broke over a month ago. It irked me that parents living not in some god forsaken town but rather right here in Kuala Lumpur could be as naïve as that – to allow a little girl venture out of the house alone, at night. I too had initially pointed my finger and frankly felt the parents were partly to be blamed.
Yes, our journey in life is fated but God tells us to use the intelligence he gave us. Religion teaches us that du’a alone is never going to cut it – no matter what the situation.
But after all that, the brutal truth is Nurin never made it home. Are her parents at fault? Perhaps. Should they have been less trusting of their world? Definitely. Should the authorities charge them for their lack of responsibility? Absolutely not.
No sane parent would want anything even remotely tragic to befall their children. Nurin’s parents were probably naïve, too trusting, and lived in a world that they felt were familiar and safe. Sure, the Child Protection Act may state that because Nurin’s parents contributed to her death, the authorities have every right to take action against them. But what purpose will that serve? Any parent of sound mind will never ever allow their kids to go out alone at nights anymore after the heart wrenching death of Nurin Jazlin. That fear is what will leave the impact on other parents. The gruesome image of little Nurin is what will stop parents from being too trusting or too naive after this. Not the possibility of being charged for negligence in the court of law.
If they are to be charged, what lies in store for their other daughters at home? Will the authorities make the effort to provide counseling or some form of psychological support for the children? I doubt it.
Nurin’s parents were guilty of only one thing – of believing that a habitual routine in a familiar environment was alright. It is terribly unfortunate that they had to learn what many of us have long believed. That the fact is it is not a safe world anymore out there, certainly not in KL. Not for anyone..and certainly not for a small child. Now who’s to be blamed for that sad reality?
Now there has been talk that Nurin’s parents may be charged with negligence over what has happened. Let me first admit that I was just as outraged when the news first broke over a month ago. It irked me that parents living not in some god forsaken town but rather right here in Kuala Lumpur could be as naïve as that – to allow a little girl venture out of the house alone, at night. I too had initially pointed my finger and frankly felt the parents were partly to be blamed.
Yes, our journey in life is fated but God tells us to use the intelligence he gave us. Religion teaches us that du’a alone is never going to cut it – no matter what the situation.
But after all that, the brutal truth is Nurin never made it home. Are her parents at fault? Perhaps. Should they have been less trusting of their world? Definitely. Should the authorities charge them for their lack of responsibility? Absolutely not.
No sane parent would want anything even remotely tragic to befall their children. Nurin’s parents were probably naïve, too trusting, and lived in a world that they felt were familiar and safe. Sure, the Child Protection Act may state that because Nurin’s parents contributed to her death, the authorities have every right to take action against them. But what purpose will that serve? Any parent of sound mind will never ever allow their kids to go out alone at nights anymore after the heart wrenching death of Nurin Jazlin. That fear is what will leave the impact on other parents. The gruesome image of little Nurin is what will stop parents from being too trusting or too naive after this. Not the possibility of being charged for negligence in the court of law.
If they are to be charged, what lies in store for their other daughters at home? Will the authorities make the effort to provide counseling or some form of psychological support for the children? I doubt it.
Nurin’s parents were guilty of only one thing – of believing that a habitual routine in a familiar environment was alright. It is terribly unfortunate that they had to learn what many of us have long believed. That the fact is it is not a safe world anymore out there, certainly not in KL. Not for anyone..and certainly not for a small child. Now who’s to be blamed for that sad reality?
Friday, September 21, 2007
The Return of CapeBoy
Remember CapeBoy – that lovely little brat whom I found to be terribly annoying and distracting at last year’s tarawikh prayers…? Well, guess what..he’s back..! I could hardly believe my eyes (ears, rather) when I noticed him 2 nights ago. And he’s got the same PJs with the same flowing red cape..! (actually he’s grown taller, so this must be a new pair…..) And he’s as wild as before..! No..actually he’s even wilder!!
He had a new friend that nite and together they were literally partying the night away behind the rows of muslimah in the dewan solat. I was late so I was in the last row and somewhere in between the prayers I couldn’t’ take it any longer so I tried to get their attention but of course they were totally oblivious.
Yes, where the heck is the mother..? Soon I spotted the same maid, the one whom I had noticed last year and was taken for a horsey. The one on whom CapeBoy had merrily climbed when she was in the middle of prayers. Well, she has progressed…! Progressed to praying further up, which means she was not in that last row so she could keep her eyes on her charge routine.
The boys were running around, playing catch (ok, lepas ni awak jadi ye, lepas tu saya jadi..) yes, I heard all of this ok – God help me..
There was also another boy who was not as noisy but was also running about. I noticed his mother was praying in the same row I was and so I glared and said aloud “bising nya” but she just gave a blank look and smiled at her son whenever he came near her. Can you believe the nerve of some people??
After terawikh was over I waited to try catch sight of CapeBoy’s mother but no such luck. I went out of the hall and as I was about to leave, I saw CapeBoy and his new sidekick near the food table fooling around. I turned, gave my best I-mean-business glare and told them, “adik – awak berdua bising sangat tau. Orang sembahyang, tak baik bising” The maid gave me a funy look – hmmph, like I care.
The following night, CapeBoy was dressed as black spidey. No change in behavior. This time one lady in the front row, probably ajk masjid kut, got up before tarawikh, clapped her hands to get attention and loudly asked, “ anak sapa ni, tolong control anak sikit, control sikit..” I swear I was trying hard to hide a gleeful smirk on my face.
Later that night as I was leaving I saw him climbing the banisters at the stairs of the main entrance. I realized his maid and elder sister were there…as mere spectators. So I couldn’t resist giving them a piece of my mind. Also quite a colorful character – the sister. She talks to the brother in such a condescending way, very kasar. Maid was just looking, doing absolutely nothing while this boy kept climbing the banister of tangga masjid. They later walked to the parking, still no mother in sight… I then wondered what kind of home they were going back to…Smallville….?? Or was it Gotham City…
He had a new friend that nite and together they were literally partying the night away behind the rows of muslimah in the dewan solat. I was late so I was in the last row and somewhere in between the prayers I couldn’t’ take it any longer so I tried to get their attention but of course they were totally oblivious.
Yes, where the heck is the mother..? Soon I spotted the same maid, the one whom I had noticed last year and was taken for a horsey. The one on whom CapeBoy had merrily climbed when she was in the middle of prayers. Well, she has progressed…! Progressed to praying further up, which means she was not in that last row so she could keep her eyes on her charge routine.
The boys were running around, playing catch (ok, lepas ni awak jadi ye, lepas tu saya jadi..) yes, I heard all of this ok – God help me..
There was also another boy who was not as noisy but was also running about. I noticed his mother was praying in the same row I was and so I glared and said aloud “bising nya” but she just gave a blank look and smiled at her son whenever he came near her. Can you believe the nerve of some people??
After terawikh was over I waited to try catch sight of CapeBoy’s mother but no such luck. I went out of the hall and as I was about to leave, I saw CapeBoy and his new sidekick near the food table fooling around. I turned, gave my best I-mean-business glare and told them, “adik – awak berdua bising sangat tau. Orang sembahyang, tak baik bising” The maid gave me a funy look – hmmph, like I care.
The following night, CapeBoy was dressed as black spidey. No change in behavior. This time one lady in the front row, probably ajk masjid kut, got up before tarawikh, clapped her hands to get attention and loudly asked, “ anak sapa ni, tolong control anak sikit, control sikit..” I swear I was trying hard to hide a gleeful smirk on my face.
Later that night as I was leaving I saw him climbing the banisters at the stairs of the main entrance. I realized his maid and elder sister were there…as mere spectators. So I couldn’t resist giving them a piece of my mind. Also quite a colorful character – the sister. She talks to the brother in such a condescending way, very kasar. Maid was just looking, doing absolutely nothing while this boy kept climbing the banister of tangga masjid. They later walked to the parking, still no mother in sight… I then wondered what kind of home they were going back to…Smallville….?? Or was it Gotham City…
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Here Comes Ramadhan again
Alhamdulillah we are all still here to enjoy yet another Ramadhan. And so began our regular drive to the neighborhood mosque for tarawikh last night. I have no problems with parents who wish to bring their children for tarawikh, nak menjinakkan anak-anak dengan masjid, yes, by all means.
But that only applies if the children can behave. And by that I think most jemaah are only just expecting the kids to be relatively quiet. Absolute silence is not what is expected, just no running around, no crying, no yelling. Fair enough right?
Last night, just after Isyak, a woman garbed in full jubah walked in with two boys aged around 4 and 5 years old respectively. The woman was also noticeably pregnant too. Her boys were in baju melayu complete with kopiah, and funnily enough I noticed the woolen skull caps bore the words Anak Soleh.
Ok, yes, it is the first day of Ramadhan and I really should not be too critical etc etc.. But these kids, they were far from little angles ok. There were quite a number of children there, my 6 year old included. There were a few who were younger but these boisterous boys should have just stayed home. They were playful. They were loud. They were screaming at one another, crying at times. They were driving me crazy! And I was sure I wasn’t the only one feeling that way.
In between “sets” I tried to turn my gaze at the mother to give a nice glare but I was not seated close enough. Those who were, moved farther away from them.
What puzzles me is where is the father…hello….??
I guess the mother finally came to her senses, and finally left before the 8 rakaat were over. I simply fail to understand why some parents can’t use their own good judgment. Should you not know your own kids, if they are the type of kids who can behave and who will listen when you tell them to ‘be quiet?
Frankly I feel lebih besar pahala if they stay away and tarawikh at home, rather than datang masjid and mengganggu jemaah lain. And all this just after the mukadimmah from the pengerusi masjid just minutes earlier about parents who bring their kids and end up causing a ruckus.
I wonder if I’ll see her and the kids again tonite. Honestly, I hope not.
But that only applies if the children can behave. And by that I think most jemaah are only just expecting the kids to be relatively quiet. Absolute silence is not what is expected, just no running around, no crying, no yelling. Fair enough right?
Last night, just after Isyak, a woman garbed in full jubah walked in with two boys aged around 4 and 5 years old respectively. The woman was also noticeably pregnant too. Her boys were in baju melayu complete with kopiah, and funnily enough I noticed the woolen skull caps bore the words Anak Soleh.
Ok, yes, it is the first day of Ramadhan and I really should not be too critical etc etc.. But these kids, they were far from little angles ok. There were quite a number of children there, my 6 year old included. There were a few who were younger but these boisterous boys should have just stayed home. They were playful. They were loud. They were screaming at one another, crying at times. They were driving me crazy! And I was sure I wasn’t the only one feeling that way.
In between “sets” I tried to turn my gaze at the mother to give a nice glare but I was not seated close enough. Those who were, moved farther away from them.
What puzzles me is where is the father…hello….??
I guess the mother finally came to her senses, and finally left before the 8 rakaat were over. I simply fail to understand why some parents can’t use their own good judgment. Should you not know your own kids, if they are the type of kids who can behave and who will listen when you tell them to ‘be quiet?
Frankly I feel lebih besar pahala if they stay away and tarawikh at home, rather than datang masjid and mengganggu jemaah lain. And all this just after the mukadimmah from the pengerusi masjid just minutes earlier about parents who bring their kids and end up causing a ruckus.
I wonder if I’ll see her and the kids again tonite. Honestly, I hope not.
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