Things always happen for a reason

Only yesterday, I wrote how my PersonPlanet Leadership commitment has been in hibernation since May this year. This morning I attended a session with Zeal (Ahmad Zilhaimi Dato’ Zainuddin) principle trainer of MZ Empowerment Centre and married to Murshidah Said.

Murshidah had put out a mail in the M&Y yahoogroups inviting to an “OPPORTUNITIES IN EDUCATION & TRAINING WITH THE ACCELERATED LEARNING CENTRE ASIA”. Those interested were to confirm attendance with her at her mobile number. I thought about it, but that was it. No action taken.

This morning, I just decided to try my luck and pay them a visit. Funny thing is, the only participants were myself and a Jimmy Yeoh, and Jimmy is a friend of Zeal – so he is not really a ‘participant’.

Jimmy, a retired teacher, is in the ‘making education fun’ business.

Know what my commitment was? To develop, promote and conduct Youth Development programmes. And this meeting will probably enable me to collaborate with these gentlemen to fulfill my commitment.

By the way, both Zeal and Murshidah are M&Y graduates.

About Big Picture Small World

BigPictureSmallWorld Inc was founded by Medard Gabel. Mr. Gabel has worked with Buckminster Fuller, from whom he has learned about whole systems thinking and global perspectives, among others.

I met him in May 2008 when I attended the PersonPlanet Leadership program conducted by him. The program was organized by Terrance Tan and his Money & You Team. It was a week-end well spent and worth every sen. While my proposed project from the program has gone into hibernation, it has not been forgotten.

I hope you have watched ‘Leadership 101’. Please also click on the Big Picture Small World link to learn more about the programs and games available, and to watch some other wonderful presentations or movies.

Youth Leadership

Leadership 101

Youth

That means YOU!

(Click the above link to view presentation)

Brought to you by Big Picture Small World

Hudud

Hudud or its implementation is once again making the rounds, thanks to the announcements by some PAS leaders. Sometimes I wonder if those who make all sorts of declarations have considered the possibility that the results of the March 2008 elections were not the result of the Rakyat’s new found love for their party, but brought about by the public outrage against perceived corruption, abuse of power and other what-not’s of the ruling establishment.

As a Muslim, I welcome Syariah to be the supreme law of the land. If I did not wish it I would probably cease being Muslim.

Before we begin, we must first understand the assumptions of Islam and the basic tenets of the religion. The meaning of the word 'Islam' is "submission or surrender to Allah's will." Therefore, Muslims must first and foremost obey and submit to Allah's will. The Holy Prophet Mohammad (peace and blessings be upon him) was given the Quran to guide mankind to follow and implement His (Allah’s) will. In Islam, law and religion are one, i.e. there is no separation between ‘Church’ and ‘State’.

The Quran gives specific rules only on a limited number of cases. In most instances the guidelines are very general. We do have access to authentic sayings and traditions of the prophet (pbuh) (sahih hadith and sunnah) to fill in many gaps, but even so there is a large area where we are free to make our own choices.

The problem is not in Syariah or Hudud itself, but in the interpretation and implementation of these laws. Even where the dictates of the Quran are specific, people have given differing opinions as to its meaning – Arabic being such a language, words can have multiple meanings. What more with all the rest.

Therefore if and when we implement Syariah and Hudud in Malaysia, whose interpretation will we be implementing?


Click here for an interesting article “Islamic Law – Myths & Realities”

Christmas Decorations

Christmas is around the corner. Every shopping complex is competing to out-do each other. Sungei Wang Plaza is no execption. Just some photos I shot while I was there last week.

Sg Wang Plaza entrance

Patrons waiting for the show to begin

Children performing Christmas Carols

Reflexology

One evening last week, I received a call from a friend. She asked me what I was doing. When I said that I was in Bukit Bintang getting a foot massage, she remarked, "Urut kaki saja tau." It may have been a joke, but it actually is reflective of most of us, we assume many things based on our past experience - actual or hear-say.

Pants leg rolled up waiting for my reflexologist

Hassan preparing himself
My torture begins

Hassan posing in-front of his shop

It's actually in Sg Wang Plaza

Price tag for Reflexology services


Contact Hassan at 019-329 0548 for an appointment

Laughter, they say, is the best medicine

A nerd was walking on campus one day when his friend, another nerd, rode up on an incredible shiny new bicycle.
The first nerd was stunned and asked... "Where did you get such a nice bike?"

The second nerd replied.... "Well, yesterday I was walking along minding my own business when a beautiful woman rode up to me on this bike.

She threw the bike to the ground, took off all her clothes and said, "Take what you want!'"

The second nerd nodded approvingly.... "Good choice, the clothes probably wouldn't have fit."