Followers

Tuesday, February 27, 2024

KELUARGA NABI: What does the Quran say?


I refer to the recent news about an individual claiming to be the descendant of the Prophet.
This subject matter is not new to Muslim history and society. The Quran at 16:64 says, “ We have revealed to you the Book only to clarify for them what they differed about, and as a guide and mercy for those who believe.”
So what does the Quran say?
“ Muhammad is not the father of any of your men,1 but is the Messenger of Allah and the seal of the prophets. And Allah has ˹perfect˺ knowledge of all things.” – Quran 33:40
“The Prophet has a stronger affinity to the believers than they do themselves. And his wives are their mothers…” Quran 33:6
“The believers are but one brotherhood, so make peace between your brothers. And be mindful of Allah so you may be shown mercy.” Quran 49:10
The wives of the Prophet are called “Mothers of the Faithful” or in Arabic "Umm al-Muminin". So who you think is KELUARGA NABI?
Peace, anas

Sunday, February 18, 2024

WEBINAR : MALAYSIAN HISTORY - WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE INCLUSIVE ?

MALAYSIAN HISTORY - WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE INCLUSIVE ?
Hey guys!!! Welcome back to our MPPI Talk Series. I will be moderating the above webinar this Wednesday.
Speakers:
1. DATUK DR. RAMZAH DAMBUL
CEO Institute For Development Studies (IDS) Sabah.
Member of National Unity Advisory Council (MPPN)
2. ENCIK AROF ISHAK
Researcher, Author, and Executive Committee of the Malaysian Historical Society.
Date: 21st February 2024 (Wednesday)
Time: 8:00 pm – 9:45 pm
Meeting ID: 961 5469 9445
Passcode: 117459
Peace, anas

 

Thursday, February 8, 2024

HAVE A MEANINGFUL CHINESE NEW YEAR 2024 - Why Gen Z must learn to be PRUDENT

HAVE A MEANINGFUL CHINESE NEW YEAR 2024
“To be rich is not how much you make, but how much you save”
- Ng Beng Heng (1917 – 1987)
Why Gen Z must learn to be PRUDENT
Being prudent involves knowing how to care and think for our future – a skill that needs to be practised early, from the time we are schooling. However, this skill becomes crucial when we start working. It determines our success or failure in career and life. Gen Z must pay attention to being prudent.
Nurtured early with prudent living, we create a savings culture and the ability to delay gratification. When we are just getting started, we make smart choices like making our own coffee instead of paying inflated prices at cafes. Buy a Bezza when we can afford a Myvi. We dress smart and simple instead of wearing designers’ brands. Choose practicality over the latest mobile phone models. Exercise at the park instead of paying gym fees. The extra money saved is used to further education and for self-development, as an emergency fund; and for investments to create wealth.
We are aware that to retire well we need to save 50% of our income starting from our first salary. So, when we are drawing a salary of RM4000, we live a lifestyle of one who earns RM2000. We are mature and have a long-term vision. This is only logical since income from our first 30 years of working is needed to sustain us during our 30 years of retirement.
We are also shrewd when using credit cards – we are transactors, not revolvers. We pay off the outstanding balance every month and so incur no interest charges. Revolvers tend to pay off only part of their monthly balance and incur heavy interest charges that snowballs. Many jump from one job to another in search of better salary just to pay off their credit card bills thus upsetting a well-thought-out career plan.
We who are prudent are concerned about investing in ourselves. We focus on life skills and professional development. We keep fit and healthy, sleep and eat right. We build confidence and steadiness. As a person who is self-assured, we do not need to spend to show off or buy expensive things to feel good.
However, it does not mean we live a miserly life. We nurture the skills to manage the wants of today while preparing for the needs of tomorrow. The wisdom to not hold on to our money till we are choked and not let it go until we are bare. It is no surprise that the common synonyms of the word ‘prudent’ are judicious, sage, sane, sapient, sensible, and wise. The ability to have or show sound judgement and exercise restraint guided by sound, practical wisdom, and discretion.
Let us be prudent.
Let us add value,
Have a Meaningful Chinese New Year.
Peace, anas.

 

Sunday, December 24, 2023

HAVE A MEANINGFUL CHRISTMAS 2023

Have a meaningful Christmas

What is and what is not multitasking?

Contrary to common belief, multitasking is not about doing many things at once. Multitasking is focusing on one task at a time while juggling multiple responsibilities.

The former is simply being busy skimming through tasks in the expense of quality – no depth, no real productivity. The latter get things done and make things happen. Tasks are completed with the quality required and depth expected – one task at a time.

Multitasking as the ability to do many things at once is a myth. It is simply a ‘syiok sendiri’ attitude, being a ‘Jack of all trades, master of none’ – the ability to cover a number of areas but are superficial at best in all of them. A recipe for failure.

Multitasking that focuses on one task at a time while able to juggle many, is a skill and talent that has to be seriously learnt. It takes a lot of hard work and discipline. One must be willing to compartmentalize and have the will to stay focused. Ensuring each task is accorded the attention and dedication it deserves. Achieving this level of focus involves training of both the mind and heart to resist distractions, ensuring full commitment to each task rather than being swayed by impulses.

Defining multitasking correctly is crucial, both for the individual and the organization. It makes sure our talents get it right and do not consider attending a meeting while driving is effective work. It not only dilutes work, but it is also dangerous. When they get it right, work gets done and the talents perform. The organization achieves corporate goals, and the talents develop into successful people.

Let us multitask the correct way. Get things done, one task a time while juggling many. This will help us meet the demands of the new environment and job requirements. We become excellent productive workers and citizens while at the same time build great organizations and the economy.

 HAVE A MEANINGFUL CHRISTMAS

 Peace, anas


    St. Benedict of Norcia (480-547)

St Benedict’s Rule emphasizes attentiveness, focus, and doing tasks well. It encourages the monks to dedicate themselves fully to each task, advocating doing one thing at a time and doing it with utmost attention.

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Saturday, November 11, 2023

Have a meaningful Deepavali 2023 - Why Work-life Integration as opposed to Work-life Balance?

 



Have a meaningful Deepavali
Why Work-life Integration as opposed to Work-life Balance?
Today, it is fashionable to talk about Work-life Balance. Many see Work-life Balance representing the interplay between the time we apportion to work and life as two separate activities in competition with each other. Life is good, work is a bane. This is a short-sighted and superficial approach to work and life.
Work is part of life, not its competition. It is through work that we keep pace with life. Work is the source of our sustenance, a place to make friends and meet like-minded souls, a platform to learn and sharpen our skills, a journey to discover our potential and the mecca for our vocation. Why and how then do we see work as a bane?
As such, it is no surprise that all our traditions look at work positively. Hinduism considers work as an act of worship and faith. Confucius stressed that work should be more than just a means of making a living; it should be a vocation, a calling. According to The Buddha, when a man works hard night and day without being sluggish or lazy, every day is called a lucky day. Christianity suggests that when we work, do it with all our heart as though we are working for God, not men. In Islam, work is an amal that earns pahala – and man will not get anything unless he works hard and nothing belongs to him except what he strives for.
If work is part of life, we need to integrate it and find a winning formula. As each individual is different, we also have diverse challenges. One size cannot fit all as the conventional “9-to-5” mantra suggests.
One may be new at a job or a fresh graduate and need the extra hours and weekends to catch up on the skills required. The other may be ambitious and talented with big plans to be top management someday. What if you are the eldest in the family entrusted to earn and care for your siblings or a single mother in need to earn more to care for your kids? What about the low performer who cannot complete the job within the working hours? There is a need to integrate work differently in each of these situations.
We need to stop pitting work against life with ideas like Work-life Balance. Perhaps unintentionally, we are leading the younger generation astray hindering them from achieving their potential and success. Today, many “go home on time” without getting the job done in the name of Work-life Balance at the expense of Work-life Integration, productivity and performance.
Let us add value
Have a meaningful Deepavali
Peace, anas
Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami's life exemplified that work, when performed with the right spirit, can be considered a form of worship to create a more integrated approach to life. - Sivaya Subramuniyaswami (1927 – 2001)

Friday, September 15, 2023

Have a Meaningful Hari Malaysia - STAY MEASURED TO MOVE FORWARD

 

Have a Meaningful Hari Malaysia 

STAY MEASURED TO MOVE FORWARD

“BERPADA-PADA” - Don’t overdo it. Don’t underdo it. Do it just right.

We are living in an era of extremes where sensationalism dominates. To get attention, many go overboard. Our young risk their lives to take selfies and videos at the edge of tall buildings and sadly, many have lost their lives.

Our political actors pick the worst examples from their opponents and promote them as mainstream – to paint the worst picture possible about the other. They also go to extremes to point out our differences; things that separate us. Not things that can bring us together – our similarities and shared values.

In the corporate world, we must be watchful too. We must be measured in dealing with our multigenerational challenges instead of falling into rigid stereotyping – comparing and being condescending.

It takes wisdom to be measured. Being measured is a choice and a respoinsibility. We must be measured in our thoughts and actions and when the foolish go extremes, we remain steadfast and not react in similar fashion but instead offer peace.

Being measured is a sign of a beautiful Malaysian.

In politics, we use the Rukun Negara and Perlembagaan Persekutuan as our compass – both are measured documents prepared by measured leaders, our forefathers. In dealing with multigenerational challenges we practice the 6Cs – communicate, compromise, complement, collaborate, compassion, and commitment. We are clear that ultimately our business and corporate goals are to serve customers, not our generational desires.

To be measured, our young must remember who they are as a person; their character and contributions speak louder than the photos and videos they post on social media.

Let us STAY MEASURED TO MOVE FORWARD - Don’t overdo it. Don’t underdo it. Do it just right.

Let us add value,

Have A Meaningful Hari Malaysia.


Friday, August 11, 2023

NIGER: A COUP AGAINST FRENCH CONTROL AND DOMINANCE - BY CHANDRA MUZAFFAR

 INTERESTING TO READ


The situation in Niger is still in flux. On 26 July 2023 a military coup took place in that West African state that led to the ouster of its elected President, Mohamed Bazoum, by Brigadier General Abdourahmane Tchiani. The Brigadier General has proclaimed that he is the new president of the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP).
The coup has been condemned by the 15 member Economic Community of West African States ( ECOWAS) of which Niger is a member, the African Union, the European Union and the United States of America. On the 30th of July, ECOWAS whose current head is Nigeria (not to be confused with Niger) issued an ultimatum to the coup leaders to restore Bazoum to power within one week, or face the consequences including possible military action. The deadline has expired. ECOWAS has not acted. It is alleged that the regional grouping would now prefer diplomacy.
One of the reasons why ECOWAS has changed its stance is because of strong opposition to any military intervention from some of its member states. Mali and Burkina Faso have made it explicitly clear that they would view military intervention as a “declaration of war” against the people of Niger and would defend the newly installed military junta. Besides, Niger is geographically one of the biggest countries in West Africa and possesses a well-trained army.
But an even more compelling reason why military intervention may not be an option for ECOWAS or anyone else for that matter is because the 26th July coup, it is obvious to most observers, has widespread support among the people. The people see the coup as an attempt to end continuous Western --- mainly French and now also American--- exploitation and dominance of Niger. Niger, once a French colony, is rich in natural resources, uranium, oil and gold. Its uranium industry for instance is owned and operated by a so-called joint venture, between Niger and France, the Societe des mines de l’Air ( Somair). 85% of Somair is owned by France’s Atomic Energy Commission and two French companies, while 15% is owned by Niger’s government. Niger is the world’s seventh largest producer of uranium, vital for nuclear energy while France relies heavily upon nuclear energy for 70% of its domestic power supply. As Vijay Prasad and Kambala Musavuli put it in a recent article, “One in three lightbulbs in France are powered by uranium from Niger, at the same time as 42% of the African country’s population live below the poverty line.”
France’s grip over Niger’s uranium is just one example of the former colonial power’s hold on Niger’s economy. This neo-colonial dominance expresses itself in many other ways. Niger, like other ex-French colonies in Africa, is tied to the French currency and the French financial system. It uses the Communaute Financiere Africaine (CFA) for its domestic and foreign financial transactions. 50% of the reserves of these African states are held in the French Treasury as part of an arrangement forged between the ex-colonies and France.
Consequently, when France devalued the CFA, the impact upon the African economies including Niger was disastrous. If we look at these economies as a whole, it is only in the fields of external trade and investments that some positive changes have occurred in recent years largely because of the emergence of China as an important partner.
Outside the Nigerien economy, the neo-colonial presence is most visible in the form of French and American soldiers and bases. French and American militaries were brought in by the government to fight Muslim insurgents. The rise of these insurgents is linked --- to some extent at least --- to the US-NATO overthrow of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011 which paved the way for the growth of so-called jihadist groups in parts of North and West Africa. Of course, the Jihadist phenomenon cannot be divorced from US and British intelligence operations in the post 911 period.
Resentment against French and American troops has reinforced the perception that leaders like Bazoum, though elected, were mere puppets of Western interests. This explains why in the huge demonstrations that have taken place in the Nigerien capital, Niamey, and elsewhere Bazoum was denounced for betraying the people. It is not just in Niger that anti-French and anti-Western sentiments have peaked. In three other states, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea such sentiments have also found expression. The presence of French and American troops in those states has also played a role in the mounting anger towards Western power. Economic difficulties faced by the people which are often attributed to Western dominance have exacerbated popular feelings. It is significant that in all 3 states military coups had taken place between August 2020 and September 2021.
As feelings against France in particular and the West in general have become more pronounced in West Africa, the mood towards Russia seems to have become more positive. An article in the Guardian ( 5 August 2023) notes that “ Russian flags were brandished by those demonstrating outside the French embassy in Niamey, with many calling for Vladimir Putin to replace Macron as their biggest global backer.” Putin himself has been critical of the coup and has expressed the hope that civilian rule would be restored.
And indeed, civilian rule should prevail in Niger and other states in the region. But civilian rule should reflect the people’s legitimate desire for liberation from neo-colonial dominance. Civilian rule should uphold the dignity of the human being and the sovereignty of the people. It should protect the independence of the people which must include their right to own and control their economy and define and defend their own security.
Dr Chandra Muzaffar is the president of the International Movement for a Just World (JUST)
Malaysia.
9 August 2023.