I am a wife! I am NOT a prostitute!

First and foremost, I am not a feminist neither a women liberation advocate.

As a wife for almost 23 years, I am trying to be fair in giving out my opinion. When it comes to the roles and responsibilities of a wife and a woman in a family, I always try to be unbiased as it evolves around myself. I am full-time working wife, what is more now... I am struggling with another huge responsibility as a student. A trust not from a husband but from a nation which belongs to an ummah back home.

However, I was actually startled with the sub-headline in one of the mainstreams (online) last night. I thought... it must have been due to desperation! Didn't we have any other way of raising the issue!

In the first place... I don't have much time to dig further on the issue... my academic work is waiting there... but the burst of the news compelled me to drop few words here.

Why is it always a wife or a women becoming an issue in a marriage relationship?

How do we see a marriage?

What is the foundation of our marriage?

A wife is a complementary in a woman-man relationship that solemnised in the name of Allah. The beauty of this relationship is stipulated in the Quranic verse which says: "they are your garments and you are their garments" (Surah Al Baqarah 2:187). 


So, she is complementing the man's life - roles and responsibilities and vice versa! Both a wife and a husband has her/his responsibilities towards each other... a wife towards her husband and a husband towards his wife! A wife has rights towards her husband and vice versa! 


Allow me to quote a description of a husband-wife relationship by Dr Sherif Muhammad:


'Indeed, spouses are like garments to each other because they provide one another with the protection, the comfort, the cover, the support, and the adornment that garments provide to humans. Just imagine a journey in the winter of Alaska without garments! Our spouses provide us with the same level of comfort, protection, cover, and support in the journey of our lives on this earth as garments would do in the Alaskan journey.'


Having a clear understanding of what a marriage is.... problems in the institutions would have always be contributed by both parties, the wife and the husband... be it emotional issues or even sexual issues! In my perspective 'Sekiranya suami sanggup menyediakan segalanya....sudah tentu isteri boleh menyediakan segalanya untuk suami!' If this is not the case, be realistic and practical in handling a marriage dear husband. 


So, Kelab Taat Suami may be welcome by most husbands but not all thoughtful wives...  because a true husband-wife relationship is not a one-sided one but a reflection of both parties. In the case of the sexual demand anyway, the use of the word 'pelacur' or 'prostitute'... I would say it was overly-exaggerating and very inappropriate. Why should we degrade ourselves to that extent? 


A wife is always a WIFE and NEVER be a prostitute! 


In any extent you serve your husband, you are always dignified as a WIFE. A prostitute is anyone beyond the world of a marriage that is owned by a husband and a wife. 


If you are male chauvinist, you must have not agreed with my perspectives... as you would always perceive that a wife should be in the position of submitting towards a husband unconditionally! To what extent? 

Beating the rise in prices?

The weather today over here is very nice...cool but sunny! This is the beauty of spring season... in fact we are now approaching towards summer. Masha Allah... the four seasons in a year somehow make me to have certain expectation for the future. The cool flowery spring  is always being fond of by the people here... come after is summer time... the heaty and prickly temperature, it's a time for tan-skinned lover. But I'm always indifference... naturally tan! I love autumn anyway... though its going to be windy most of the time, the colour is really breathtaking and more importantly it tells you that life would never be 'green' throughout...after such a nice, cool and sunny time... there's always time where you have to face in life...the 'fall' of leaves.... preparing for a bitter season of winter!

Spring in Cardiff 2011

Autumn 2011

Huh! so much introduction! But it's just to reflect the perfect creation of Allah...the four seasons come into picture naturally in our life or structurally into the man-made systems. Everybody is aware that  we are experiencing the impact of economic downturn, almost in every single corner of the world. Neither an economist nor a theorist, but a two-year stint doing A Levels economics make me understand a bit of the cycle in the economy... the downturn will be there! And to a certain extent is predictable!

Fuel price triggers the economy! Even my mother who had never gone to any economics school could comment on the effect of the rise in fuel price... 'kalau naik harga minyak...nanti barang lain pun naikla tu...'. Now with almost £1.40 per litre of unleaded, what could you expect?

Would we enjoy pumping at this price again?

Indeed waking up in the morning with news of more increases in prices of goods is really an awful experience. As a person...  a consumer... and a mother of 5 kids, the impact of the economic downturn this time round is really pinching us. Being in the foreign country, indeed, we are struggling to survive... insya Allah for a better future as the sweet and flowery spring comes after the bitter and cold winter!

What choice do we have to beat this economic downturn?

Be positive, this is the period for us to learn managing the economic affairs of our family effectively. Usually the wife or mom leads the way like me! It's good to get the kids involve in the economic management of the family as well ... be the economist and money-keeper for the family... by the way it does not involve the live and death situation!.

Try these out and the lists are actually endless:

• Grocery shopping
• shop at bargain stores like Home Bargains, Lidl, Asda or Tesco...but do compare prices (usually moms are more alert with price differences!) through the internet FOC. For marketing sake, these stores have the tricks in charging prices. Anyway, take advantage of the price war over here.
• buy the supermarket brand confidently. These products are ridiculously cheaper than the established brand but the quality is still superb. Most of the time brand kills your pocket! Normally supermarkets have the high and low range of products. The high end is still very much cheap than the establish brand. Have a thought about it if you are brand mania person.
• Take advantage of   loyalty cards membership. We could enjoy some discounts through vouchers sent to us from time to time and the reward point system. However, I reckon Sainsbury is only good for its fuel and not for the groceries
• 'Reduced price' really keeps our purse but we have to strategise our visit to supermarkets.  Evenings on weekdays and late afternoon on weekends give you good bargains. Don't worry with the quality... still edible! You could have 2 kg of carrot for just 20p and I had once bought 2 sticks of lemon grass for 1p!

• Travelling
• Plan your travel well in advance as you could save a lot on the accommodation bills. Travelodge is good for this. Grab the £9 per room offer and it is not a gimmick. I had this ridiculous price for our London trip and North wales break recently. After all it's just for us to have a tight sleep after wandering around the places.
• Bring our own pre-cooked food as much as we can. For a big family like mine, it does safe a lot on the food bills. Anyway, our time is saved from looking for halal takeaways...confident and comfortable! Unless if go to Bradford, Manchester or Leeds where you could have loads of choices and the prices are appealing.
• online shopping
• beat the fuel price and time! Go for the free delivery and don't forget the review for the sellers!
• in making decision to shop online, please also take into account non-monetary costs...driving time, queuing time, looking for goods in ever changing aisles...another marketing trick by supermarkets!
• Carbooting
• enjoy carbooting... the unbelievable prices! But don't just buy things for the price sake! Think about re-selling! Anyway it is part of saving the earth...recycling.
• Bargain the price if possible.
• Look for non-traders and non-regular carbooters if you are a regular shopper.
• cheapest bargain or FOC
• always look for bargain sales...charity shop is a good place. If you want a good and quality charity, go to British Heart Foundation...though a little bit expensive than others, the stuff are of good quality and clean. But don't forget Islamic Relief also does have its charity shop and proces are very affordable, OR
• bid at ebay...am not good at bidding but friends do recommend this. Atleast the 'Buy it now' prices are sometimes better than the superstore/high street prices.
• join the local/community yahoo group... members will be posting stuff to be given away FOC...sometimes almost new! Again a good practice of recycle... save the planet and save your money!
• Keep abreast FOC
• take advantage of the online newspapers...unless there's free local newspaper
• go for METRO...definitely FREE

• cook and serve fresh food
• Eat out really tax your money over here...avoid eating out or even takeaway...special occasion is fine, anyway.
• if you are super duper busy...wife...mom...student...employee...it's like 4 in 1, plan your routine of cooking... practice makes perfect!
• always stock up with blended onions/shallots+garlic+ginger for one week ration as well as blended chillies. That's really save your time! 
• if you are asking help from your other half, make sure the above is ready and do not forget to label all your spice containers...it does help, otherwise he gonna call you just asking about the kurma powder while you are convincing your supervisor on your research!
• and never any waste food...be creative in cooking. Anyway, cooking is actually an art...the basic is there...the taste is depending on how we manouvre the measurements...if you don't believe, try it yourself! The common example is never throw away bread crust...kids do not like it...so could easily have a big container of crust...prepare for versatile bread pudding...simply soak with fresh milk and mix with butter, sugar...simply add in anything sensible to make it tasty...dusted cereals, raisins or mixed fruits are all welcome...

Owh...too long, but hopefully they are useful for us.... but the list would never end!!!!

Dedicated to all husbands...

Just to share a piece of wise thoughts of a Muslim brother who I believe he himself must be a husband and is practising them himself... otherwise it would not be just so natural....

Don't worry! All of you are great guys ...

Alsalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu.

It is very important for every husband to understand his wife. Remember, A woman is like melted wax, and her husband can mold her into any shape he likes, with his love, tenderness and trust.
Prophet Mohammad (SalAllahu alaihi wassalam) said, "the best amongst you are the ones who are best to their wives." So dear muslim brother! Your obligations towards your wife are not limited to earn money and support her financially. A wife needs love from her husband, and emotional support to.


10 Tips on How to Be a Successful Husband


1. Dress up for your wife, look clean and smell good. When was the last time us men went shopping for designer pajamas? Just like the husband wants his wife to look nice for him, she also wants her husband to dress up for her too. Remember that Rasul Allah - sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam - would always start with Miswak when returning home and always loved the sweetest smells.

(Dress up for your wife when you are at home also. Some brothers only dress up when they go out and that is not a good practice. A husband should dress up for his wife when they are at home. it makes a wife feel special)

2. Use the cutest names for your wife. Rasul Allah - sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam - had nicknames for his wives, ones that they loved. Call your wife by the most beloved names to her, and avoid using names that hurt their feelings.

(Remember, you are your wife's only boyfriend, and her only best friend. She does not go out seeking boyfriends and she shares a halal relationship with you. Love her unconditionally for the sake of Allah. And express your love to her. A woman likes to be told that she is loved. Call her from your work to make sure she is doing fine. I have seen my dad calling my mother several times a day, just to make sure she has been eating well. And my husband calls me at least twice from work to make sure I am doing well. These things are very important in a relationship.)

3. Don't treat her like a fly. We never think about a fly in our daily lives until it 'bugs' us. Similarly, a wife will do well all day - which brings no attention from the husband - until she does something to 'bug' him. Don't treat her like this; recognize all the good that she does and focus on that.

(Whenever there is a fight or argument, just remember all the things she does for you. she cooks for you, she takes care of your home, she takes care of your children and the most important thing is that she guards her modesty. So do not upset her if she is upset with you. hold her and tell her that you love her. Only your love can repel her anger. Communicate with her and discuss with her if there is any misunderstanding.)

4. If you see wrong from your wife, try being silent and do not comment! This is one of the ways Rasul Allah - sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam - used when he would see something inappropriate from his wives - radi Allahu 'anhunn. It's a technique that few Muslim men have mastered.

(Do not criticize her all the time. Trust her and trust her decisions. If she is doing something that you don't like, or that goes against the teachings of Islam, then do advice her gently.)

"A companion asked Prophet saw: what is the right of a wife over her husband?’ He said, «That you feed her when you eat and clothe her when you clothe yourself and do not strike her face. Do not malign her and do not keep apart from her, except in the house." -Abu Daud.

5. Smile at your wife whenever you see her and embrace her often. Smiling is Sadaqah and your wife is not exempt from the Muslim Ummah. Imagine life with her constantly seeing you smiling. Remember also those Ahadith when Rasul Allah - sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam - would kiss his wife before leaving for Salah, even if he was fasting.

(Do let your wife know that you are very happy and blessed to have her. A wife always wonder how her husband feels about her. She may have some insecurity about you, so make her feel secure. Always give her a hug whenever you come back from work. appreciate her and thank her for taking care of everything whole day. If you are not too tired, go out for star gazing for an hour or so.)

6. Thank her for all that she does for you. Then thank her again! Take for example a dinner at your house. She makes the food, cleans the home, and a dozen other tasks to prepare. And sometimes the only acknowledgement she receives is that there needed to be more salt in the soup. Don't let that be; thank her!

(Write thank you notes for her and place those notes in her books, her purse, her socks, and anything else that belongs to her. You can use your own creativity to thank her. You can thank her by writing something on a mirror with her lipstick, so that she can read it when she wakes up in the morning. You can also thank her by arranging a candlelight dinner AT HOME, you be the cook and let her rest. So far I have learnt that a nice romantic dinner at home is much better than going out for dinner. This way a couple saves themselves from many fitnahs. You can thank her by writing her letters and emails. Remember, in Islam, everyday is special. So celebrate wife's day with her, and do it very often without having a particular date. She will always wonder when the wife's day is going to be. You can also give her a certificate of appreciation, or a best wife award on wife's day. Do everything by yourself that day and let her rest, this way you will also know how difficult it could be to do household chores. Thank her by building a webpage for her, write a note there and a poem and then ask her to visit your webpage. Thank her by recording a voice message on a cd for your wife. She will love it! Thank her by giving her a gift, and a gift does not have to be expensive. Be creative! You do not have to give her Roses, you can give her a leaf too! (My husband gave me a leaf once, instead of roses, and I was very happy and surprised, and I appreciated his creativity). So remember, thoughtful and creative gifts makes a wife feel secure and happy. Thank her by ordering a halal pizza for her, ask the restaurant to cut it in a heart shape and have it delivered with a personalized note. Thank her by thanking her in a family gathering. A woman likes it when her husband gives her attention. If you visit her parents or your parents, hold her hands and tell your parents how happy you are after marriage. Give your wife an Islamic book as a gift after praying Tahajjud. Use your imagination and think about unique gifts. Remember, she does not need a diamond, she needs your sincerity and your heart, so always give her the gifts that are thoughtful. Whenever you do something to make her happy, observe her facial expressions and ask yourself about how you feel when you become her happiness.)

7. Ask her to write down the last ten things you did for her that made her happy. Then go and do them again. It may be hard to recognize what gives your wife pleasure. You don't have to play a guessing game, ask her and work on repeating those times in your life.

(Also ask her to write down the things you did that she did not like, or the things you did that made her unhappy. Try to not do those things in future. If she falls ill, let her lay down, and read different surahs from Qura'an while placing your hand on her forehead. When I got sick, my husband recited Qura'an for me, it really helped a lot mashaAllah. Remember, a wife needs her husband the most when she is not feeling well. Take good care of her because a healthy wife makes a healthy family. Do not expect too much from her when she is sick.)

8. Don't belittle her desires. Comfort her. Sometimes the men may look down upon the requests of their wives. Rasul Allah - sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam set the example for us in an incident when Safiyyah - radi Allahu 'anha - was crying because, as she said, he had put her on a slow camel. He wiped her tears, comforted her, and brought her the camel.

(If there is a time of sadness, give her your shoulder to cry on. Hold her and tell her that everything will be fine. Alhamdulillah, my husband and my dad are amongst those muslim husbands who would even have tears in their eyes if their wives are sad. Remember, a woman does not like to cry alone in a corner. She needs someone to hold her when she is sad, so never let her feel lonely. Remind her the verses from Qura'an that talks about Patience and Piety.)

9. Be humorous and Play games with your wife. Look at how Rasul Allah - sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam - would race his wife Aisha - radi Allahu 'anha - in the desert. When was the last time we did something like that?

(Sense of humor plays a very important role in a marital relationship. Most women wish to have a husband who has a good sense of humor. Tell her decent and modest jokes that make her happy. Wife appreciates it very much if her husband makes her smile. You can play various games at home. Play with crayons, or have a pillow fight. Or hide different notes in your bedroom and ask her to find it. Think of different games you can both play. Do let her win sometimes! Do adopt interesting hobbies, such as reading, cooking together and gardening (grow a surprise rose plant in your garden, when you have the first rose blooming, take her to the garden and show it to her).
Newspaper and Sports Issue!
Men like to watch sports, or read newspaper. Most wives consider newspaper as their co-wives. So be very careful. If you are watching sports, turn the TV off if your wife comes around. Give her attention. Do not spend too much time reading newspaper, and do not read newspaper on the breakfast table, rather have an Islamic discussion. If you want to get her to like newspaper, then try to find something that interests her. Such as, try to find a news about Hijab. Or try to find a news about Muslim women for her.)

10. Always remember the words of Allah's Messenger - sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam: "The best of you are those who treat their families the best. And I am the best amongst you to my family." Try to be the best!
In conclusion: Never forget to make Dua to Allah - azza wa jall - to make your marriage successful. And Allah ta'ala knows best !!

(And once again! Your wife is your best friend, and your girlfriend. Share everything with her. Remember she is your garment and you are her garment, so hide her faults and mistakes. Learn to forgive her. Also communicate a lot with her family. It really makes a difference if husband communicates with his in laws. It helps both husband's and wife's family to share a beautiful relationship. Respect her parents and show your love to her family. This will inspire her to love and respect your family. If her family is not muslim, do dawah to them in a beautiful way.)
Spend lots of time praying to Allah swt. Do fast often even if it is not Ramadan. Fasting brings patience and taqwah. Lead her in the prayer. There is nothing better than praying together. Remember Allah, so that Allah remembers you.
May Allah bless us and guide us all, Aameen.
Ma'a-salama -UY

by: Daily Qur'anic Verses by Toufique H. Sumon

Simple event for a huge goal

I have to admit that with the loads of study work to be done, attending my kids' needs sometimes become the second in priority. But at times, the guilt is just can't be tolerated... I have missed quite a number of events in which my kids participated.

On last thursday morning, I personally excused myself to give my fullest support to my boy, Hafiz who participated in a simple sporting event conducted by the Welsh Atheletic at UWIC Cyncoed Campus. His school. Adamsdown Primary School was one of the three schools in the Adamsdown area participated in the programme.

Hafiz competed for the 400 metres race

The programme have a great objective of raising awareness of higher education among the children. The kids were aspired by being shown off the facilities and environment of higher education through sport events. It was really fun for them... and the way it was conducted amazed me. Unlike back home, kids are normally pressured with lectures and so-called 'motivation' talks for this sort of 'noble' purpose... pressured with unnecessary expectations!

Talking about the sport event on the day itself was totally different with the way sport events are conducted back home. It was full of sporting spirit and fun. Participants (pupils) were not pressured for any trophies or medals...they were there to take part... fun and exercise!. The accompanying teachers repeatedly say the events were for educational purposes... Hafiz himself is not a sporty kid, I suppose. He joins the football club out of the interest to have fun in the after-class sessions with friends. He never switched on sport programmes at home... I reiterate never! He is more into 'nerd' TV programmes! Ask him about programmes on aircrafts, dinos, space, documentaries... name them, either he'd  done with it or he gonna stick himself to watch them! But he enjoys the sport activities at school.

So... when we arrived at the indoor arena, Hafiz was about to start with his 400 metres race! What??? He never run that far... I said to myself. I was a bit worried about him...but he did it and managed to be the fourth out of 8 pupils... and on top he was competing with the year 5 and 6 kids. He's just 8... so well done as he survived! He was very happy indeed with the performance ...so did other kids, I gathered. Interestingly in other events like long jump, high jump...javelin.... the coaches demonstrated the games right before the events took place...it was more like having routine exercises!  It sounded ridiculous but it did work here, at least for the event I attended. And... nothing seemed to be wrong! Hafiz surprised us in the high jump anyway!

Hafiz and friends were being coached for the high jump event

Despite what I have described above, kids were enjoying the events and trips to UWIC. At the end of the event, they were ranked not so much by the individual performance but overall performance of the school. It was so cool and no pressure... they were cheering up each other... there you go, medals for each participant. Every kid went back to their schools showing off to other pupils their medals of fun and exercise!!! And Hafiz wants to go to UWIC for his university time!!!

Medals for having the fun and exercise! 

Some people may have different opinion altogether about what I have written but I am always a believer of no pressure in learning if not necessary. Stressful approaches and rigidity in learning tend to hold back the learning interest of a kid. However, appropriate guide and support are very crucial for them. I know it is easy say than doing it... but we have to do it, otherwise who gonna change it. 

GROWING OLD WITH YOU!

11 February....

How do I begin to tell you how honoured I am to have you in my life?

Was it a dream came true? Oh! no! no! It's a fate! And I humbly thank Him for sending you to be 'my best friend in the good times and my rock in times of sorrow' and 'you're the reason for sweet yesterday and my promise for tomorrow' if Allah permits.

Another year has passed for you dear, and I'm not a poet to shower you with sweet and pleasing words...I'm not a good cook to bake a cake for you to cut and celebrate... and I'm not bulged with wealth to indulge you with presents and bouquets...but one thing I'd like to present you...

       GROWING OLD WITH YOU!

It means so much to have you in my life, spending my precious seconds of life, sharing the love and friendship...as we passed each year of our life, our bond just seems to grow and grow...it's just your warm and giving nature, helps create the special times together that I treasure everyday!

No chocolates! No roses! No presents! only a Du'a:

 "Ya Allah, Put affection amongst our hearts, set right our matters between ourselves, guide us to the ways of peace, save us from the darkness towards the light, save us from all kind of indecency, the apparent as well as hidden, and give us barakah in our hearing, our seeing, our hearts, our spouses, our children, and turn in mercy upon us. Indeed, You are the One who Greatly accepts repentance, One who is repeatedly Merciful' (Al Hakim)

May Allah Bless The Rest of Your Life Here and Hereafter...Happy Birthday!

Politics - a HAZY word yet ubiquitously used and craved for

Why I suddenly feel that politics is everywhere around us?

Back home in Malaysia, a small kampung in Johor, DUN Tenang is now suddenly overwhelmed with unexpexted guests and events. The people there will be casting their vote this weekend in a so-called by-election due to the death of its state assembly man in early January this year. Hope this by-election will be as serene as the name of its constituency, Tenang!

Malaysians, generally, are no longer foreign with by-elections as since the latest GE, there have been several by-elections in Malaysia. Although it is seen as reaping off the public funds as each by-election could cost as much as half a million (RM), both the politicians and the affected electorates would be 'looking forward' to have it. Just imagine... 'out of nowhere' constituent is talked about nationally, 'unexpected' top-guns flock in... every now and then, the constituency flashes in the media! Unjustified promises is everywhere!Quite happening, isn't it?

I would say, it is more like a political festival with happening events... and to a certain extent the relevant parties tend to forget their main objectives of having the by-election... simply to ELECT a right person to REPRESENT the constituency. The person must be ABLE to convey the messages of the electorates. It is just that... but why must by-elections be tainted with all the nonsense promises, corruptions and personal back fightings.

Generally, politicians from either parties would regard by-elections as an indicator for the on-going support for the parties and at the same time strengthen their existence within the constituency concerned, at least. This should be a bargaining platform for both the competing political parties and the electorates. The electorates should be at the very advantageous side as the focus of all parties are currently on them. But, does this happen in actual by-elections so far?

No doubt, politics is a hazy word. An obscure word. But literally it has a nobel meaning as the Wikipedia says:

 ...is a process by which groups of people make collective decisions.

But why is that some people just crave to be in politics... crazy to be politicians?

Ops! Wikipedia further says, politics consist of 'social relations involving authority or power' and normally describes 'the bahaviour of civil servant'.

Indeed, the authority and power afforded to politicians nowadays motivate some people to get involve in politics, be they understand or not the basic and naive meaning of politics. They are supposed to represent us, discuss our welfare... safeguard us... thus making decisions that are of agreeable and beneficial to all of us, the public and electorates. You are NAIVE if you have that thinking! You are out of mind if you have that in your mind. It's far from their mind...

No doubt, politicians are dubbed as human beings who crave for authority and power. Believe it or not, they are around you and they have power over your life!!! Are they shrewd? Is it too harsh? No! They are designed to be powerful and authoritarian and we voted them to be in that system.

I used to have quite a significant interest in this area... I mean politics. It developed naturally, perhaps because of my upbringing. Power and authority... the struggle of my family because of the absence of power and authority still vivid... but I now rest the interest to my inspiring daughter who is pursuing political science. May she discern the nobel meaning of politics and pursue the meaning in the real life. Best wishes my dear!

Selamat mengundi DUN Tenang!

Two more coming... Pelabuhan Kelang and Merlimau!

Subjek Tawarikh...Sejarah...History

Saya cukup allergy dengan subjek Sejarah masa sekolah dulu sebab seolah-seolah saya perlu menjadi mesin menghafal tarikh sahaja. Saya memang tak suka sebab saya tak suka menghafal!

Seingat saya, subjek Sejarah ini dikenali sebagai Ilmu Tawarikh masa saya di sekolah rendah dalam tahun 1970an. Rupanya perkataan Tawarikh berasal dari bahasa Arab yang bermakna Sejarah. Jadi Ilmu Tawarikh bermakna ilmu Sejarah yang bagi saya mempunyi maksud yang lebih luas dan mendalam! Nama subjek ni macam diperingkat universiti... sebab itulah rasanya kemudian ditukar kepada Sejarah! Seingat... saya mula belajar Ilmu Tawarikh semasa di Darjah Lima dan Enam. Walaubagaimanapun saya tidak ingat apa sebenarnya yang saya belajar ketika itu. Yang pasti ia banyak berkait dengan tarikh dan saya kena menghafal!


Kemudian saya diwajibkan sekali lagi belajar subjek Sejarah ini semasa di Tingkatan 1-3 untuk tujuan peperiksaan Sijil Rendah Pelajaran (SRP). Saya melalui mimpi ngeri bila saya gagal untuk subjek ini masa ujian bulanan pertama di sebuah sekolah berasrama penuh! Aduh! sebab saya tak hafal banyak tarikh! phew!!!

Selepas tu saya memang berazam menghafal tarikh-tarikh 'keramat' dan hasilnya saya dapat markah penuh untuk peperiksaan semester 1 dan maintained dalam top ten untuk subjek Sejarah untuk keseluruhan sekolah hampir dalam setiap kali peperiksaan. Okay jugak! Tapi memang saya tak berminat dengan subjek ini sebab saya tidak rasa ia memotivasi diri saya! Saya selalu ngantuk dalam kelas dan saya banyak belajar sendiri...rasanya sebab tu tidak dapat menghayati subjek ini. It was so dull and boring!

Tapi bila Kementerian Pendidikan mewajibkan supaya subjek Sejarah ini menjadi salah satu subjek wajib lulus, saya fikir itu satu keputusan yang tepat. Walaubagaimanapun dengan syarat subjek Sejarah ini melalui prose 'overhauling' supaya ia menjadi satu subjek yang boleh membentuk generasi masa depan yang yakin diri.... ada jatidiri!

Subjek ini bukan hanya dipenuhi dengan tarikh-tarikh keramat tetapi yang lebig penting adalah iktibar-iktibar yang tidak memihak sehingga boleh membakar semangat dan daya juang anak-anak muda. Umpamanya biarlah subjek Sejarah ini memberi maklumat sebenar tentang kelahiran Malaysia supaya masyarakat Malaysia pada masa depan tidak menjadi masyarakat yang hipokrit.

Juga...biar kita semua tahu kenapa adanya 3 kaum utama di tanahair. Kenapa perlu adanya hak-hak istimewa Melayu. Kenapa dan bagaimana Islam menjadi agama perlembagaan. Apa peranan kesultanan Melayu di Malaysia dan seterusnya dan seterusnya....sepertimana apa yang dikatakan oleh Tan Sri Muhyidin "Sejarah adalah sejarah. Mengapa kita harus takut dengan sejarah kita sendiri".

Biarlah ia direalisasikan sebagai subjek yang menyumbang kepada keutuhan dan perpaduan negara. Penyampaian subjek ini perlu diolah agar ia menjadi subjek yang hidup dihati pelajar-pelajar serta apa yang penting guru-guru. Jangan sekadar hanya melepaskan batuk di tangga... sekadar mengejar sillibus yang perlu diselesaikan! Subjek ini seharusnya dihidupkan dengan mengaitkan sejarah dengan kehidupan dan keadaan masa kini negara.


Wajib lulus subjek Sejarah bukan keputusan politik, kata Muhyiddin

Oleh Lee Wei Lian

November 02, 2010

KUALA LUMPUR, 2 Nov  — Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin mempertahankan keputusan mewajibkan Sejarah sebagai subjek wajib lulus di peringkat Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) sambil menegaskan, langkah itu tidak bermotifkan politik.
Timbalan Perdana Menteri berkata demikian menjawab kritikan-kritikan DAP yang mendakwa “minat secara tiba-tiba” terhadap subjek Sejarah dilihat membawa penekanan selektif terhadap hak-hak dan peruntukan berkaitan orang Melayu dan kebimbangan di kalangan ramai bukan Melayu bahawa kandungan mata pelajaran itu akan  berakhir dengan elemen bias terhadap mereka.
Jangan terpengaruh dengan pihak-pihak yang mengatakan langkah ini sebagai inisiatif buruk, kata beliau pada sidang media selepas merasmikan Forum Ekonomi Kedua, mewakili Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Najib Razak, di sini hari ini.
“Jangan bersikap prejudis. Kita mesti ada minda positif memandangkan yang (keputusan) ini dilakukan dengan tujuan baik demi anak-anak kita,” kata beliau.
Justeru, kata beliau, pakar-pakar sejarah termasuk kemungkinan wakil kaum Cina dan India akan dilantik, yang bakal menilai sukatan dan akan memperkenalkan kandungan yang lebih baik.
Muhyiddin yang juga Menteri Pelajaran berkata, sukatan subjek ini akan dikaji supaya ia membawa fokus tambahan berkaitan perlembagaan dan pembentukan Malaysia.

Britain juga mengambil langkah yang hampir sama dengan negara kita. di sebut bahawa kurang kefahaman sejarah negara boleh memberi impak yang kurang sihat keatas perkembangan negara. Gagasan Better History Britain telah membuat kajian tentang kelemahan sillibus Sejarah ini dan kesannya kepada pelajar.Pada hemat gagasan ini:

"Ultimately, we have a subject which is devalued in society. History is part of people's identity and if they discover parts of it that haven't been taught, they become angry. We have seen this with Black history."

Sejarah...adalah kenyataan hidup yang perlu di teladani untuk kebaikan masa hadapan!

Tahun Baru

Rasanya belum terlambat kalau saya berbicara mengenai sambutan tahun baru. Bagi umat Islam, kita juga baru di ambang tahun baru dan masyarakat lainnya masih mabuk dengan tahun baru 2011.

Setiap tahun baru bermula, banyaklah ucapan-ucapan yang diberi. Bukan sekadar ucapan dari orang awam tetapi tidak ketinggalan ketua-ketua kerajaan. kalau di Britain, Ratu Elizabeth sebagai ketua negara memang dalam agenda tahunannya akan membuat ucapan tahun baru (New Year Message) selang beberapa hari selepas ucapan selamat hari Natal (Krismas). maka akan di gariskan aspirasi-aspirasi serta harapan-harapan beliau sebagai ketua negara yang non-partisan. Berapa ramai agaknya rakyat yang benar-benar menyelami harapan beliau?

Sedari dulu saya memang tidak teruja dengan memberi ucapan-ucapan sebegini kepada teman-teman, baik rapat atau tidak. Mungkin saya di lihat tidak seiring dengan pembangunan moden yang dipenuhi dengan 'wishes' dalam apa jua upacara. Saya tidak nampak apa relevannya memberi ucapan yang sekadar manis di mulut sahaja tetapi tidak mendalami aspirasi disebalik permulaan sesuatu tahun baru. Sekadar ucapan dan gembira dengan kedatangan tahun baru! Justeru, melalui pengamatan yang sedikit, generasi yang tidak memahami ini akan hanya menyambutnya dengan ucapan dan disusuli denga pesta-pesta sosial dan maksiat.

Ini bukan sahaja berlaku dibarat yang dikatakan telah bobrok budaya kemanusiaannya. Negara-negara Islam turut menyanjung kedatangan tahun baru sepertimana negara-negara yang tidak berpaksikan kepada Iman dan gagasan Islam. Kedatangan sesuatu tahun baru hanya di penuhi dengan perhimpunan-perhimpunan sosial yang kebanyakkannya di sulami dengan aktiviti maksiat dan tidak bermoral.

Pemberian cuti umum oleh sesebuah negera atas kehadiran tahun baru tidak memberi apa-apa makna langsung secara makro... apa rasional pemberian cuti umum kalau hanya dipenuhi dengan aktiviti tidak bermoral. Kalau di tanahair, sudah menjadi budaya, maksiat akan berleluasa seolah-olah itulah resolusi hidup mereka untuk tahun baru! Seolah-olah itulah titik tolak hidup mereka!

Kalau dulu anak-anak muda yang terkinja-kinja di perhimpunan-perhimpunan ini, tapi sekarang generasi 'mak-bapak' turut serta! Yelah yang dulu anak muda sekarang dah jadi mak/bapak!  Maka agensi agama pun menjadi sibuk membuat penangkapan keatas kesalahan yang sungguh menjelekan. Apakah ini budaya yang di harapkan dari permulaan tahun baru?

Bahkan pemberian cuti umum untuk tahun baru Muharram juga tidak nampak rasionalnya... Kalau sekadar satu dua upacara kebangsaan boleh sahaja dilangsaikan tanpa cuti umum. Bahkan saya fikir, tanpa cuti mungkin semangat kedatangan tahun baru baik awal muharram atau tahun baru gregorian akan lebih bermakna...dipenuhi dengan acara-acara yang memberi semangat, motivasi serta muhasabah di dalam organisasi ataupun masyarakat umum. Seumpama sambutan Hari Guru yang dipenuhi dengan aktiviti-aktiviti santai disekolah yang mengakrabkan hubungan antara murid dan guru-guru mereka. Bukankah itu lebih bermakna?

Kedatangan tahun baru memberi makna bahawa usia segalanya makin pendek tetapi tugas dan tanggungjawag makin banyak dan berat untuk dilangsaikan. Muhasabah atas apa yang sudah dilewati untuk tahun yang sudah berlalu. Mencorak resolusi bagi melalui tahun yang bermula dengan semangat dan motivasi yang tinggi. Manis ucapan tidak memberi makna apa-apa... biar esok akan lebih baik dari semalam