FBSHApost@15 April 2016: My trip to Istanbul for the OIC Summit 2016

Today, 14 April 2016 was the final day and the closing of the OIC Summit in Istanbul, Turkey under the theme of Unity and Solidarity for peace and justice. Considering the state of the Muslim Ummah and nations the choice was well thought. In my case, I was invited to attend as a Special Envoy of the OIC for Myanmar. I sat with the Secretariat of the OIC at the second row...When I was asked by my Indonesian colleague innocently why I was not sitting with the Malaysian colleagues together with Pak Najib. In order to avoid any misunderstanding I told him I'm now working with the OIC. 

The first day I arrived in Istanbul I had to rush from the airport straight to the meeting room to give my report on the position of the Rohingya in the Rakhine state. Based on the report we had a very good interactive discussion on Myanmar Post 2015 GE, the impact of NLD landslide victory and ASSK. Whilst we welcome the transformation to democracy, the position of the Rohingya and other Muslims there still needed to be championed at the regional, international, UN and HRC as I don't see as yet any change in the stand of the new leadership or govt on their Muslim population. In fact ASSK's position is very perplexing as a Nobel laureate on Human Rights. We are still on the long journey. 

The speech by President Erdogan of Turkey as the new Chairman of the Summit was substantive and inspiring. He went into great detail on Islamophobia and the selective negative profiling and treatments of Islam and Muslims by the West...Thus the call for Unity and Solidarity. Generally the SG and other leaders brought up the same issue....of unity and solidarity to see peace and justice as a way forward. I think the OIC member states have a lot to do to address and resolve the problems of inter and intra state conflicts based on ideology and sectarian differences amongst themselves in order to bring back the honor and dignity of Islam and Muslims. I consider this Summit a great success and much needed to be done to implement the statements, pronouncements, Communique and the Istanbul Declaration. 

It was a tiring three days. But it gave a chance to see Istanbul pre and post President Erdogan. Istanbul is truly an interesting city where history, traditions and modernity intermingle with each other. I can now hear azan from the many mosques in the city. Today the Friday prayer was performed at the venue of the Summit. The hall was filled with young security personnel other than the foreign delegates of the OIC. After three days here I am ready and packed to fly home. Bon Voyage Istanbul.

FBSHApost@13 April 2016: Islamophobia at the Airport Security

Yesterday 12 April 2016 was the day that I ended my working visit to Paris. Much had been learned about PT, improvement of technology and training facilities available. With the weather quite cold I was happy to leave Paris to go to Istanbul to attend the OIC Summit and present my report on the current status of the Muslim minorities especially on the Rohingya of Arakan State. But my story is not about the OIC, but my experience at the Charles De Gaulle Airport as I checked in for my onward journey to Istanbul. 

As I approached the Security check as expected I took off my belt, coat, any metal items in all my pockets and placed my haversack under the security screen. Everything was clear and not a sound or bleep for further security check. However, I had a problem because I am fully bearded. The security considered I might be a threat or carrying something dangerous. By virtue of this the whole inside of the haversack was searched using all kinds of security tool. My specks, my purse and my books. Ultimately of course they could not find anything even after putting the items many times in the x'ray machine. I am all for security check and always cooperated even at KLIA but this was just ethnic and religious profiling. I was irritated but nothing could be done. The lesson is you must be clean shaven or be considered a possible terrorist or Muslim extremist. 

This is the fate of all Muslims, with Islamophobia. Maybe one day we could gain back our honor and dignity.

FBSHApost@13 April 2016

FBSHApost@13 April 2016: The Journey of My PhD...Continued

My examiners for the final PhD viva were Prof Ranjit Singh from UUM, Prof Jayum Jawan from UPM and Assoc. Prof Istihaq Hossein from IIUM. When all them gave me a pass I was thankful to Allah and felt relieved. Why did I go through my PhD? Is it for an ego trip. My quick answer is no... it was not to seek praises or be admired by others..or to impress other people. I could say though it was for self worth...to tell yourself that you can achieve your goals (...like the saying, "trying to find the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow".) I wanted to be a scholar so the academic studies was worth it, just for self satisfaction. I consider before you depart from this earth life is a continous pursue of goals and achievements. For me this makes life more exciting and meaningful. Finally I think there is no age limits to achieve your dreams....Learning should be from cradle to grave. Of course it takes patience, willpower and drive to reach your desired ambition....May Allah forgive me..

FBSHApost@13 April 2016

FBSHApost@11 April 2016: The Journey of My PhD..Continued

In my last FB posting I said I would continue to share my journey on how I got my PhD . I'd like to thank my FB friends who had given their views and comments whether for or otherwise. Some even suggested its useless for me to have the PhD but instead I should write my memoir. For my friends' information I had finished writing my Memoir in 2011. But I had deleted many aspects of my experience in the multi-layered fields of endeavor I was involved in. 

From a banker to a corporate lawyer, I finally made my way as a politician following the footsteps of my father. After contesting the GE in 1990, I was straightaway made a Cabinet Minister in a number of important and crucial Ministries at a turning point of our country's history. I served as an ordinary MP from 2009 until 2013... the election that I predicted BN would not do well, as I told Pak Lah about calling the election in 2008 so soon as we would only reduce much of our majority. But there were many things in the memoir that I generalized or simply deleted or didn't want to remember. Due to that, I decided to publish the memoir and thought of rewriting or revising it. It was for that reason that I decided to write the brief anecdotes from time to time in the FB to make sure my mind don't get blunted. I'd also in the next posting explained why I completed my PhD.

FBSHApost@11 April 2016

FBSHApost@9 April 2016: The Journey of My PhD

When I wanted to undertake my PhD, there was so much uncertainty on whether I had the discipline, time and stamina to stay the cause. I remember Prof Siow telling me that I might have a lot of information and knowledge about Foreign Policy and International Relations but this did not necessarily mean it could be turned into academic work. I agreed with him and thought I should not pursue my intention to do the PhD.

Prof Ansari kept on telling me I could do it. So was Meilina the Registrar. I saw Prof Siow a number of times before he somewhat became convinced that I could do it. That was how my journey began. Then I had to choose the exact subject of my research before I could begin writing my PhD proposal, which was quite an uphill battle. I consulted the AeU and spoke to a number of my friends who were familiar with the PhD proposal submission. Aziah, my wife who thought I was crazy at first to venture into this journey at the age of 67 however encouraged me, so were my children and children in-laws. They were tremendous help with their comments and editing. 

I took two research assistants namely Khairunisa and Philip Mathews to help me with the research. This was useful but the real work and research has to be done by you. I also did something unorthodox when I chose Prof Juhary to be my supervisor instead of well-known scholars of international relations and foreign policy. He was the Prof. of Business Management. My reason for choosing him was he would be more open than the specialist. Before submission, the AeU informed me that I could not submit for a PhD as I had not done my Masters degree. I nearly gave up but the AeU helped me to continue with the submission. Faithfully, I followed the procedure and appeared before the examining board in front of four Professors consisting of Prof Siow in the Chair together with another Prof in charge of quality control. The external examiners were Prof Mustafa Ishak, the Vice Chancellor of UUM and Prof Nathan from UKM. Both were excellent. In fact they were responsible for upgrading my proposal to PhD. (To be continued...)

FBSHApost@9 April 2016

FBSHApost@9 April 2016: POEM #2/2016

The meadows laid before our eyes
Soft and gentle as it stretches beyond the horizon
But it's just a portion of the thousands
That dwell within its space
Every single thing in its place
Humans and other beings share its beauty and tranquility
The sky above white and blue
Shelter all below to comfort you
The glowing sun brings smiles to another day
The moon and the stars take their turn
The earth brightens and lightens to feast the night
The constellation of the day and night are but signs of the Almighty
With its Qun fa Yakun and it shall be
The limitless power and authority
For all creations to appreciate and say
We are just a tiny part of the beautiful canvas
Painted perfectly at the command of the Azzawajalla
To soothe our hearts with humility
As we sift in the air of life
How wonderful the balance that is creation
Nothing in excess but moderation
For the human vicegerent to learn the lessons
Of all creations each has its notation
To perform its function
Without arrogance in the order of creation
I am just human seeking acceptance
In God's excellence without comparison

Al Shifaq
Began 6.55 am and completed at 7.37am.
9 April 2016

FBSHApost@9 April 2016

FBSHApost@8 April 2016: The Colourful Nature of Human beings and Colours of Nature

Actually life has its own twist and turn. The homo sapien is the only creation of God that accepted the responsibility of Leadership to manage Mother Earth. He is thus given the option to choose between good and evil. In doing so he is guided by the Prophets and the Holy Books. His life on this earth is for a fixed period, after which he would be judged in accordance with his deeds. Under the divine system there is rewards and punishments. There is heaven and hell where we would finally dwell in. Life with its complexities is multi-layered and multi-leveled with different shades and colors for us to ẹnjoy and appreciate. In the similar vein we would meet all kinds of human beings. Some have good character and behave well and bring happiness and joy to others but there are also those who bring hardships and problems. Albeit we should not complain too much as there are beautiful vegetation and greens that should please our eyes ...there are seas and rivers, hills and valleys with the towering mountains that further bring serenity and tranquility...our duties and responsibilities are to maintain and sustain them in an equilibrium and balance.. follow the divine laws and rules in a fair, just and balanced manner.

FBSHApost@8 April 2016