We'll Never Forget You...

 

Yesterday, I received the sad news from my cousin Bernie that my Auntie Doreen Regis née Castillo, passed away in her sleep. For nearly a year she had been having asthma medicine to help her breathing because her lungs were getting weak. She was also suffering from dementia and had been staying at a nursing home for 8 years in Sydney. 

Bernie said that for the last 5 years she was alive but not living because she was bedridden, unable to walk and talk. Auntie Doreen was my late mom's closest sister. She was the most generous and one of the kindest souls I've ever known. She always made others happy, and she'll always be part of many of my happiest childhood memories; school holidays at her home in Singapore, trips to Penang and the times she came over with my cousins Bernie and Vicky to stay at our place in JB. She even used to help us out financially. 

The last time I got to see her was some 9 years ago in Singapore and I smile when I think about how she still remembered my name despite her failing memory (far left in the pic here). You will always be loved, Auntie Doreen.

A New Beginning

 

Hari Pendaftaran dan Taklimat. Kursus Pengajian Al-Quran, Akademi Pengajian Islam, UM. Class begins next week. Insya Allah 😊👍

Note: Classes were postponed indefinitely in March when the pandemic hit. A few months later, the course recommenced, but classes were held on Zoom :(

Malcolm X

 

I first got to know about Malcom X thru my African American Ulum Al Quran lecturer who became a controversial figure herself later on. She lent me his biography and it was a crash course on Islam in America for me. 

This was a man who went from being a convicted felon to a fiery influencer for the Nation of Islam. But he was also misled by a false prophet. He found a different path, but was eventually murdered. 

The documentary is currently airing on Netflix. It's an absorbing watch, to say the least.

The Art Of Differing With Sheikh Hasib Noor

End of Part 1 of today's excellent seminar on Art of Differing: The Prophetic Approach In Managing Conflicts with Sheikh Hasib Noor. 

Some notes to share:

If He wanted to, Allah could have made of us all one ummah. 

Differing is normal and permissible vs division. We agree on objective but can differ on how to achieve it.

But Differing must go back to evidence. The effects of Differing must be mercy. 

Our Prophet teaches us the multiplicity of reward.

Unity In Diversity: Some Points To Ponder

 

Enlightening sessions at today's International Unity in Diversity Conference 2020 #uidckl. Some notes to share:

Sheikh Nuruddin Lemu (from Nigeria)

- religious extremists mimic mainstream Islam to appropriate legitimacy and recognition

- we need basic critical thinking tools which could be filters to folly

- invest time and effort to learn the basics of these 4 tools (refer pic). Not for us to become scholars ourselves, but detect extremism disguised as mainstream and for us to be alert always

- understand that the shariah is about justice, mercy, wisdom and good. We need to question when a fatwa or ruling is not guided and lead to this

Sheikh Omar Suleiman

- to focus less on merely responding to disasters and speak against policies that create the problems and taking control of the narrative

- revive our own Islamic ethos and live these concepts authentically

- the onus is on us to break out of the narrative of terrorism and Islamophobia and expand on the real meaning of Islam

- to do this, we need to invest in our own media and make sure we do it right by telling our stories in a compelling, honest and authentic manner

Sheikh Dr Yasir Qadhi 

1. In the face of overwhelming adversity, La Tahzan Innalaha Ma'ana

2. Let us aim to strive for unity. Come together and help one another. Diversity of our ummah is a strength! Take the best of every race and culture

3. Need to learn and appreciate both revealed knowledge and acquired knowledge. Both are from Allah

4. Protect the pillar of family. Educate our children in an environment of love and compassion

Wallahu a'lam