Harus kuakui, aku hanya bisa tersenyum pahit, menatapi tulisan yang nongol online di kedua harian terkenal dari Indonesia beberapa minggu yang lalu.

Pikiran Rakyat menerbitkan sebuah tulisan Zaky Yamani tentang nikmatnya "jamur ajaib" seharga Rp 100.000,- yang konon kabarnya ampuh membuat penyantapnya mabuk kepayang.  Sedangkan Surya Live di Surabaya memamerkan buah tangan Pramudito tentang menenggak racikan alkohol bernama "api asmara" seharga Rp 200.000,- segelas yang katanya bisa bikin "horny", dari Hugo's Cafe.

Wah, jan, dahsyat tenan tulisan bermutu macam gini - desahku kepada diri sendiri - ketika seluruh dunia tercekam keadaan kekurangan pangan.  Wah, jan, edhan tenan hilangnya rasa simpati, ketika jutaan rakyat Haiti harus rela mengganjal perut mereka dengan mengunyah "kue tanah" seharga Rp 500,- per kepingnya, kok yo kita malah dibuat melongo baca tulisan sampah macam gini.

Hey, di mana kesadaran diri kita, ketika kaum papa tak bisa lagi makan nasi, kita malah asik bermasturbasi, bermewah-mewah diri, melampiaskan nafsu pribadi, tertawa-tiwi sembari mengumbar kata horny?

Hey, tega nian dikau, di saat kaum fakir miskin bunuh diri, karena tak sanggup menanggung utang lagi, tanyai dirimu apa yang ada dalam sanubari, apakah sekedar gaya hidup hedonis ajaran iblis tersisa di sana?

Hey, tega nian dikau, sedemikian sadisnyakah jiwamu, hingga tak lagi ada rasa peka, terhadap sesama manusia, yang kian hari kian sengsara?

Hey, sadarkah engkau, akan identitas nyata sang pendusta agama?

Pernahkah engkau lihat (wahai Muhammad) orang yang mendustakan agama? Itulah orang-orang yang menghardik anak yatim dan tidak berjuang untuk memberi makan orang miskin. Maka celakalah orang-orang yang shalat, yaitu orang-orang yang lalai dari shalatnya, yaitu mereka yang suka pamrih pada sesama dan enggan memberi pertolongan. (QS Al Ma'un).

 

 

Asiknya tinggal di Florida ini adalah adanya cem-macem camilan yang sama dengan jamanku tumbuh di Jakarta.  Hari ini di pasar swalayan, aku lihat ada buah pepaya, mangga, pisang, jambu, seperti di Pasar Minggu.

 

Yang lebih mengejutkan lagi buatku, ternyata kacang tanah banyak dijual.  Harga sekilo kacang rebus siap saji di pasar swalayan adalah $3.99 alias Rp 36.309,-. 

 

Ya, ini dia tulisanku hari ini di Multiply.  Tentang kacang rebus.  Salah satu camilan favorit keluargaku semasa aku kecil.   Ada satu cerita unik yang tak kan pernah terlupakan buatku tentang kacang rebus. 

 

Suatu sore hari, adikku yang ketiga yang berusia 7 tahun, berkata kepada ayah kami, “Pak, aku nggak mau pergi sekolah lagi besok.”  Entah apa yang ada dibenaknya saat itu, sebab waktu Bapak bertanya mengapa dia nggak mau lagi pergi sekolah, adikku hanya menggelengkan kepalanya tanpa bersuara, alias diam. 

 

Dengan tenang, Bapak kemudian mengumpulkan aku, dan kedua adikku.  Beliau menyisir rapi rambut kami bertiga, dan memberitahu Ibu bahwa kami berempat akan pergi membeli beberapa bungkus kacang rebus.  Letak kios penjual kacang rebus langganan kami tak jauh dari rumah, jadi berjalanlah kami berempat sepanjang 200 meter. 

 

Sesampainya kami di sana, Bapak memesan beberapa bungkus kacang rebus.  Kemudian beliau mengangkat adikku yang ketiga untuk menggendongnya.  “Lihat nak, sibuknya pak penjual kacang rebus ini,” katanya seraya menunjuk ke arah tumpukkan kacang rebus dan uap hangat khasnya di hadapan kami.  Lalu, Bapak memulai suatu percakapan dengan pak penjual kacang rebus itu.

 

“Pak, asal bapak’e dari mana?” 

 

Sang penjual menjawab singkat, “Jawa, pak.” 

 

Bapak:  “Ooo.  Bapak dulu sekolah di mana, pak?”

 

Sang penjual kacang rebus:  “Wah, saya mek lulus Sekolah Rakyat, pak’e.  Orangtua ndak punya uang untuk ngirim saya sekolah tinggi seperti sampeyan.  Padahal kalo ada kesempatan, ya saya mau jadi orang pinter dan besar, pak.”

 

Bapak:  “Ooo.  Mesakne sampeyan, pak.  Berapa pak untuk kacang rebusnya?” 

 

Pak penjual kacang rebus menyebut harga, dan kemudian Bapak mengulurkan sejumlah uang seraya berkata, “Gak usah kembali, pak’e, sampeyan simpen saja.  Suwun nggih.”

 

Sekian meter dari kios itu dengan beberapa bungkus kacang rebus di tangan kami, secara perlahan Bapak bicara, “Coba lihat nak, sulitnya hidup dengan ijasah Sekolah Rakyat.  Sekolah Rakyat itu sama dengan Sekolah Dasar.  Bapak penjual kacang rebus itu saja bilang, kalau saja orangtuanya mampu membiayai dia sekolah tinggi, tentunya dia mau jadi orang besar yang punya pekerjaan yang lebih baik dari pada sekedar menjual kacang rebus.  Tentunya, harta bukanlah satu-satunya tujuan hidup kita, tapi tanpa pergi ke sekolah, yah kita bisa susah nantinya.  Jadi janganlah kalian menyia-nyiakan kesempatan yang ada untuk sekolah.”

 

Sejak perbincangan itu, tak satu pun di antara kami, anak-anak Bapak dan Ibu, yang berani bicara tentang bolos sekolah.   Barangkali selalu tertancap di benak kami wanti-wanti Bapak, kalau tidak mau jadi penjual kacang rebus, ya kami harus rajin pergi sekolah. 

 

Tapi yah tetep aja kacang rebus adalah salah satu panganan kegemaranku.  Walau pun terakhir kalinya aku makan camilan yang satu ini sekitar 30 tahun yang lalu.  Entah mengapa, wejangan Bapak saat di sore hari kami beli kacang rebus itu terekam dengan sempurnanya dalam ingatanku.  Seolah-olah baru kemarin saja Bapak mengingatkan kami untuk senantiasa menuntut ilmu, setiap hari, sepanjang masa.  Bapak dan kata-kata bijaknya yang diwariskannya kepada kami sebagai salah satu harta yang paling berharga. 

 

Mungkin masa kecilku yang penuh kenangan dengan sosok yang mengagumkan itulah yang mendorongku untuk membeli sekilo kacang tanah mentah berharga murah ($2.39 alias Rp21.749,-) kemarin. 

 

Sesampainya di rumah, Kangmas membantuku meracik bumbu sederhana, sedikit garam, bubuk bawang putih, dan bubuk cabe merah.  Walau sedikit berbeda dengan rasa kacang rebus yang Bapak beli untuk kami sekeluarga dulu, ternyata resep “Southern Boiled Peanuts” ini pas juga untuk lidah Jawaku. 

 

Ahh, Bapak, kalau saja engkau di sini bersamaku, menikmati kacang rebus ala Amerika.  Kami semua rindu kepadamu, Bapak.  Ibu, aku, suamiku, adik-adikku, dan semua anak-anak kami.   

 

 

 

Sekitar dua minggu yang lalu salah satu sobat dekat Kristianiku bertanya tentang pendapatku tentang Geert Wilders dan filem rancangannya, "Fitna".

"Ah, lagi-lagi fitnah," kataku seraya menggeleng-gelengkan kepala dengan senyum lelah.  Yah, lagi-lagi fitnah.  Fitnah serupa tentang agama yang juga pernah aku dengar dari kaumku sendiri, kaum Muslim, yang doyan menjelek-jelekkan agama Kristiani dengan mengutip ayat-ayat dari Kitab Injil.  Fitnah serupa tentang agama yang juga pernah dikumandangkan oleh beberapa kenalan Kristianiku yang memaksaku untuk mempercayai bahwa sesungguhnya agama lain selain dari agama mereka, adalah agama yang sesat, dengan dasar ayat-ayat Kitab Injil yang sama.

Dengan mata menerawang menatapi langit yang kosong, aku bergumam sendiri, "Ya Tuhan, perjuangan menyebar damai di bumi ini masih panjang, rasanya capeeeek deh, mendamaikan nih orang-orang!"

Tak bisa disangkal sudah berulang kali aku baca ayat-ayat tentang perang dalam Al Qur'an, juga kekerasan di Perjanjian Lama dalam Injil, atas desakan mereka yang punya agenda.  Tapi patutkah kita memfitnah suatu agama, dan kaum penganutnya atas dasar diskriminasi, rasa benci, dan niat jahat untuk menindas dan menguasai?  Demikian rendahkah harga jiwa mereka yang rela menjual rasa malu dan takut akan hukum Tuhan demi ketenaran di dunia?  Ah betapa murahnya mereka jual harga jiwa mereka di dunia, sementara itu demikian mahalnya harga yang harus mereka tebus di hadapan Sang Pencipta. 

"Fitna" bukanlah fitnah pertama yang datang dari kaum yang berniat meluluhlantakkan perdamaian dunia dengan alasan kebebasan.  Kebebasan untuk bicara, kata mereka.  Yang sebenarnya adalah kebebasan untuk merenggut kebebasan kita semua, umat dunia yang cinta damai, dari menyebarkan ajaran Tuhan yang hakiki, untuk menebarkan cinta di muka bumi.  Kebebasan yang kebablasan.  Kebebasan yang hanya melayani kepuasan batin mereka pribadi yang selalu haus akan kebanggaan nan fana di dunia.  Kebebasan yang tak peduli akan penderitaan sesama umat manusia.  Kebebasan tanpa batas, yang kalau perlu dipertahankan tanpa kenal rasa malu.  Kebebasan yang masa bodoh tanpa rasa prihatin, tanpa rasa perikemanusiaan, dan yang utama, kebebasan yang tak mengindahkan perintah-perintah Tuhan, dan wanti-wanti mereka yang telah mendahului kita yang berpesan agar kita senantiasa siaga menjaga perdamaian dunia.

Barangkali ada tanya di hatimu, sobatku, wanti-wanti yang mana?

Wanti-wanti mendiang Romo Paus John Paulus II yang tercinta: "Untuk melakukan kejahatan, mempromosikan kekerasan, dan menyebabkan pertengkaran atas nama agama, adalah suatu keterbalikan yang mengerikan, dan suatu pelanggaran yang hebat terhadap Tuhan." (Pidato saat tiba di Mesir, tahun 2000).

Beliau juga mengingatkan kita untuk tak pernah lupa, "Ibrahim, kakek moyang kita semua, mengajari kita semua, kaum Kristiani, Yahudi, dan Muslim, untuk mengikuti jalan yang penuh ampunan dan cinta ini."  (Pidato di Lisbon, Portugal, tahun 1982). 

Demikian pula sobat-sobatku, dalam Al Qur'an Surah 6 ayat 108, Allah SWT melarang kita untuk menghina agama lain.  Dan dalam Al Qur'an Surah 49 ayat 10-13 Allah SWT memerintahkan kita untuk saling mencintai sesama umat manusia, tanpa pandang bulu.  Allah juga melarang kita untuk saling mengejek, dan saling menghina satu sama lain.  Karena pada dasarnya kita semua bersaudara, sesama saudara yang datang dari satu pasang ayah dan bunda, Adam dan Hawa.

Di senja sendu menjelang malam ini, aku hanya bisa berdoa, "Ya Allah, ya Tuhan kami, lindungilah kami, umat manusia sedunia, dari fitnah dan kebebasan yang kebablasan ini.  Dari kebebasan jahat yang sesungguhnya hanya sekedar alasan untuk menindas kebebasan kami melaksanakan perintahMu untuk menebar cinta di jagat raya milikMu jua.  Dan perkenankanlah kami meneruskan misi kedamaian yang telah dirintis oleh nabi-nabi kami, Nabi Muhammad salallahu alayhi wa salam, Nabi Isa alayhi salam, dan pemimpin-pemimpin yang telah mendahului kami, Romo Paus John Paulus II, dan Bunda Teresa.  Perkenankan pula doa kami agar mereka terjaga dengan penuh cinta dalam surgaMu, yaitu surga hamba-hamba sejatiMu yang senantiasa melaksanakan perintahMu dan menjauhi laranganMu.  Amin."

 

 

Ketika aku masih kecil, adalah tradisi di rumahku untuk meyakini bahwa Tuhan Yang Maha Pengasih lagi Maha Penyayang selalu siap sedia menuntun setiap langkah kita.  Karenanya, kata bapak ibuku, "Berhati-hatilah dalam menempuh jalan hidup."  Sebab, sebagaimana pinta yang kita ucapkan kepada Gusti Allah dalam surah Al Fatiha: "Hanya kepada Engkaulah kami menyembah dan hanya kepada Engkaulah kami mohon pertolongan.  Tunjukilah kami jalan yang lurus, (yaitu) jalan orang-orang yang telah Engkau anugerahkan nikmat kepada mereka; bukan (jalan) mereka yang dimurkai dan bukan (pula jalan) mereka yang sesat."

"Gusti Allah iku ora sare, ndhuk," begitu ajaran ibuku, seraya menyenandungkan Ayat Kursi (Al Baqarah, 255).  Demikian agungnya cinta kasih Tuhan kepada kita mahluk ciptaanNya, sehingga layaklah bagi kita untuk senantiasa mengumandangkan puji syukur atas karuniaNya.

Dan adalah tradisi bagiku ketika aku mulai bicara, untuk menghafalkan satu doa ajaran bapakku, "Rabbighfirlii wali walidayya warham huma kama rabbayani soghiroo.  Ya Allah ya Tuhanku, kasihilah kedua orangtuaku, sebagaimana mereka mengasihiku semenjak aku masih kecil." 

Dan adalah tradisi bagiku setiap kali eyang kakung, kakekku, berkunjung semasa aku kecil, untuk mendengar kisah keberanian dan keteguhan keluargaku mengusir penjajah Belanda dan Jepang walau kemerdekaan negeriku harus ditebus dengan nyawa.  Nyawa sekian banyak anggota keluargaku yang tak rela dijadikan budak dan dirampok para penjajah yang kejam. 

"Jangan jadikan pengorbanan kami sia-sia, ndhuk," demikian wasiat bapakku.  "Jadilah orang yang berguna bagi agamamu, negara dan bangsamu, serta keluargamu.  Jagalah Indonesia agar tetap merdeka dan berjaya, jagalah martabat dan harga diri bangsa kita."

Ketika aku masuk Sekolah Dasar, adalah tradisi bagiku untuk mendengar wanti-wanti yang sama.  Tentang meyakini Bhinneka Tunggal Ika dan Pancasila.  Sesungguhnya walau berbeda, kita semua, bangsa Indonesia, tetap satu jua.  Sesungguhnya negeriku adalah Negara Kesatuan Republik Indonesia yang berdiri atas dasar nilai-nilai kemanusiaan yang luhur.

Aku bangga bahwa hingga hari ini, sekian puluh tahun kemudian setelah kepergian pahlawan-pahlawan dari tanah airku Indonesia, adalah masih juga tradisi buatku untuk menghayati kata demi kata Sumpah Pemuda.

• PERTAMA. Kami Poetera dan Poeteri Indonesia, Mengakoe Bertoempah Darah Jang Satoe, Tanah Indonesia.
• KEDOEA. Kami Poetera dan Poeteri Indonesia, Mengakoe Berbangsa Jang Satoe, Bangsa Indonesia.
• KETIGA. Kami Poetera dan Poeteri Indonesia, Mendjoendjoeng Bahasa Persatoean, Bahasa Indonesia.

Dan adalah tradisi buatku untuk meneruskan ajaran-ajaran luhur itu kepada anak-anakku, generasi penerus yang nantinya mengusung tugas menjadi orang-orang yang berguna bagi agama, negara dan bangsa dan keluarga mereka. 

Dan kala tiba waktuku untuk bicara, aku katakan kepada mereka, "Anak-anakku, adalah tradisi buatmu untuk mendengar tentang kisahku yang bangga menjadi bagian dari suatu bangsa yang berbekal ajaran agama yang kukuh, dan walau beda namun selalu teguh bersatu, dalam menjaga kemerdekaan negaranya.  Jadikan kami, orangtua dan nenek moyangmu teladan, agar engkau tumbuh dewasa menjadi orang-orang yang berguna bagi agamamu, negara dan bangsamu, serta keluargamu."

Aku berjanji, akan kuteruskan tradisi itu. 

 

Perhaps because of my personal experience in which my Mother and Father always demanded the best of me when it came to academic achievement, or maybe out of our parental fear of the future for our children, my Kangmas and I always strongly encouraged our three daughters to set goals of academic excellence. 

 

I remember both of us teaching them the alphabet and numbers as early as they reached the age of 2.  By the time they were four, each one of them was able to read us a short story, and learning became fun games for our whole family.  Our girls still love to play “Scrabble” and “Mancala”, games that teach vocabulary improvement and numerical strategies. 

 

Thus, it was understandable once we left Highland for Tampa, Iris’ dream of entering the International Academy High School Program was crushed.  However, it was a joyous day for her when she found out that there is a similar one here in Tampa, called the International Baccalaureate Program.

 

The IB Program is a pre-university course of study designed to meet the needs of highly motivated students and to promote international understanding.  It not only requires the students to consistently have high grades, but also instills in them a desire to serve their community through various programs.  Students who succeed in getting an IB Diploma will earn the status of Florida Academic Scholars, which will allow them to get plenty of college scholarships across the U.S.  This certainly makes the competition more fierce.  Maintaining just “good enough” grades is not good enough to graduate from the IB Program.  On average only 70% students enrolled in the IB Program earn the high level diploma.

 

So you can understand why when Iris applied to get to the IB Program High School instead of the traditional one, I was a bit worried that she would be very disappointed if she was not accepted.  I tried to play it calm and cool, by reassuring her that “there are many ways to Rome”.  I know my daughter is a go-getter, and I have no doubt that she possesses the academic excellence and strong motivation needed to succeed in the IB Program.

 

Since we moved in October of last year, my Kangmas and I have been sharing the pressure of Iris’ burden on her shoulders for months.  However, as parents you must show strength at times so that your child’s emotions don’t crumble.  Fortunately for my Kangmas and I, Iris is self-sufficient when it comes to her studies, i.e. we don’t have to keep pushing her to get great grades.  AlhamduliLlah, she has done that on her own, since Kindergarten!

 

This past Saturday, my Kangmas and I saw our first teen run to the mailbox and fish out a big yellow envelope.  We could tell that she was really nervous.  She stood in front of us, and said, “Here we go…, oh God, oh God!” and she opened the envelope.  She read the first word “Congratulations!” on the letter, and then she hugged her Father and cried tears of joy; “I made it into the IB Program, Mom, Dad!” she announced and all three of us breathed a huge sigh of relief.

 

As I watched Iris inform her two younger sisters of her achievement, I reminded her to thank them for their support for her.  Both Rose and Jasmine loyally prayed everyday for “God to help Iris get into the IB Program”; therefore, Iris agreed that they deserved some thank-you hugs and kisses.  We believe we should all be happy when one of us succeeds.  Recently Rose made the Honor Roll at her school and Jasmine received special recognition for her character in a ceremony last week.

 

We both know Iris’ work for a good future does not stop here; she must continue to move on to new achievements.  There’s the IB Diploma to get, college years to complete, and careers to choose.  However, I must say, Iris, I’m so very proud of you.  You’ve done a great job in your studies, and I hope you continue to excel everywhere you go.  May Allah SWT bless you and your sisters always.  Mom and Dad love you all for eternity.

 

 

P.S.: To learn more about the IB Program, visit: http://www.ibo.org/.

 

 

Have you heard about Geert Wilders, a right-wing member of the Dutch parliament, who is going to release his anti-Qur’an film to the world here soon in February?   Geert Wilders is also the mastermind behind the idea of banning burqa in Netherlands and it is his opinion that Muslims should not be allowed to live in Netherlands unless they stop practicing Islam.   According to Wilders, the Holy Qur’an is a fascist book; as a matter of fact so fascist that he wants to have it banned.

 

Obviously Geert Wilders confuses a religion of peace, Islam, with terrorism; just as he confuses the peaceful teachings of Jesus Christ with oppression, in the name of freedom of expressions, nonetheless.  How ironic!

 

As we all know, terrorists have twisted Islam to validate their perversions, not Muslims in general.  Terrorism is un-Islamic and categorically denied by Muslim scholars around the world.   It should be noted that when it comes to terrorism, Muslims are not the only ones there are in the world.  When Muhammad Ali visited Ground Zero a reporter asked him, “How do you feel about the suspected hijackers sharing your faith?”  Ali answered, “How do you feel about Adolf Hitler sharing yours?”

 

But at least here in America, we need to keep in mind, that the number of Muslims in the U.S. military is more than 12,000.  Muslim men and women are no different from anyone else in the military.  These troops are focused on getting ready to execute the commander in-chief’s orders.  The first Muslim chaplain in the U.S. military, Army Chaplain Abdul-Rasheed Muhammad, on Oct. 11, 2001 participated in memorial services at the Pentagon, reading from the Qur’an.  He wanted Muslims in other countries to see American Muslim chaplains praying at the Pentagon to show that Muslims are not being oppressed in America.

 

Thus, I call upon people of all faiths to stand up and speak out against Geert Wilders, the extreme Christian right-wing member of the Dutch parliament.  Western nations (which are predominantly Catholics and Christians) often use the term “Islamists” to label extreme radical Muslims for those followers or sympathizers of Usama Bin Ladin.  The recent actions of Islamophobic Geert Wilders have led to a new term created by many in the Muslim world.  Wilders, and those who follow him and endorse his ideas, are called “Christianists” and “extreme radical Christians”.

 

So how does that make you feel?  I’d bet it doesn’t sit well and might even make you indignant.  But hateful Christians are just as dangerous as terrorists who do despicable acts and use Islam as justification.   

 

The word “Christian” to describe oneself should only be used by those who truly live according to the teachings of Jesus Christ: with love and forgiveness.   WWJD, the acronym for “What Would Jesus Do” is used by Christians to remind themselves every day to live their life according to Jesus’ teachings.  So if you believe yourself to be a good Christian, you must ask yourself WWJD before jumping onto Wilders’ hateful bandwagon to condemn and insult Islam, the Holy Al Qur’an and 1.5 billion Muslims worldwide.  Many Muslims believe in religious freedom and tolerance and despise the way the religion has been hijacked by terrorists.  I believe that Jesus would chastise Wilders not only for calling himself a Christian, but also for twisting His teachings in such a disgusting way.

 

At this time I would like to dedicate this particular blog to my late Catholic mother in-law, both my Catholic sisters in-law, Mary and Paula, and all of my beloved Catholic and Christian relatives and friends.  As a Muslimah who has lived quite a big part of my life here in the United States of America, mostly surrounded by Catholics and Christians, I can vouch that indeed the majority of American Catholics and Christians that I know have proven that Jesus’ teachings are loving, peaceful and forgiving.  And I thank God every day for the chance that He gave me to see Jesus’ teachings are as peaceful as the teachings of my beloved Prophet Muhammad salallahu alayhi wassalam.

 

Yes, that’s right, Islam teaches and guarantees religious freedom and tolerance, as mentioned in QS 2:256 and QS 49:13.  And above all, according to the Holy Qur'an, Islam prohibits Muslims from insulting the objects of worship of other religions, as seen in its command to the early Muslims not to insult the idols that the people of Arabia used to worship:  “And do not insult those whom they call upon beside Allah, lest they would insult Allah out of ignorance. Thus We have made the deeds of every people look fair to them; then to their Lord shall be their return, so He will inform them of what they did.”  (QS 6:108).

 

Furthermore, in the Holy Qur’an, Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala forbids us from insulting one another, and even being suspicious of one another, as He likens this behavior “as vile as eating your own brother’s dead body” in QS 49:11-13.

 

Here are the other verses that further describe this belief:

 

Surah Al-Hujurat (The Dwellings) (QS 49) verses 11-13:

 

49:11 O ye who believe! Let not some men among you laugh at others: It may be that the (latter) are better than the (former): Nor let some women laugh at others: It may be that the (latter are better than the (former): Nor defame nor be sarcastic to each other, nor call each other by (offensive) nicknames: Ill-seeming is a name connoting wickedness, (to be used of one) after he has believed: And those who do not desist are (indeed) doing wrong.

 

49:12 O ye who believe! Avoid suspicion as much (as possible): for suspicion in some cases is a sin: And spy not on each other behind their backs. Would any of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? Nay, ye would abhor it...But fear Allah. For Allah is Oft-Returning, Most Merciful.

 

49:13 O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise (each other). Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And Allah has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things).

 

In addition to the many peaceful teachings of Islam in the Al Qur’an, the Prophet Muhammad salallahu alayhi wassalam also advised us to greet one another with the word “Assalamu alaykum” which means “May peace be with you” in an authentic hadith by Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj, also known as Imam Muslim.  This is so that love will grow among us, and thus help us to reach our destination in the afterlife, the garden of Paradise.

 

On the other hand, Jesus, another figure believed to be one of Allah’s prophets or God’s messenger in Islam, also commanded us to love one another in the Bible.  Here’s what Jesus said, as written in the Bible, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." ( John 13:34-35)

 

As a matter of fact, so loving and forgiving was Jesus, that even during the last minutes on the cross, he asked that God forgive the people who had crucified him, as he said, “for they  know not what they do.”

 

Furthermore, Jesus saved the life of a woman accused of lewdness  by defending her from being stoned to death with his famous wise words, “He who has no sin shall cast the first stone.”  Clearly, if Jesus were here today he would not want us, Muslims, Catholics, Christians, and even all human beings in general to throw stones at each other, unlike what Wilders has done.  Based on this fact alone it is right to conclude that Geert Wilders is no true Christian.  As a matter of fact, it is a disservice to all Catholics and Christians for him to claim that he is a defender of Christianity.  Geert Wilders is just a bigot, that’s all.

 

Lets look at examples of true Christian behavior.

 

Mother Teresa treated the sick in her convent in Calcutta, India, and many of those dying people were not Catholics.  The death of Pope John Paul II saddened many Muslims, because we know that the late Pope was truly a man of tolerance, who constantly pushed for interfaith dialogues, so that the entire human race would live together in peace.  Personally, as a Muslimah, I still mourn the death of Mother Teresa and remember her saying, “If you judge people, you have no time to love them.”  That convinced me that we lost one of Jesus’ best true followers with her passing. 

 

For those who defend Wilders claim of his right for freedom of expression, you must remember that freedom of expression comes with responsibility.  What Wilders does surely ignites anger, oppression, terrorism, and ultimately violence.  He is certainly not a responsible global citizen.  What role does he play in the big picture of world peace?  Is he an agent of peace or destruction?  Then ask yourself, what role do you want to play? 

 

Just as after 9/11, Catholics and Christians worldwide called for Muslims to stand up and denounce extreme terrorists and the violent teachings of Usama Bin Ladin.  Well right now the Muslim world is calling for Catholics, Christians, Hindus, Buddhists and all who believe in the right of freedom to worship to stand up and denounce the extreme hateful, violent rantings of Wilders as he calls for a ban on Islam, the Holy Al Qur’an and eventually, prosecution for all Muslims. 

 

Just as we, Muslims, must show that our beloved Prophet Muhammad salallahu alayhi wassalam taught us to live in peace through Islam, it falls on the shoulders of Catholics and Christians now, to prove that Jesus Christ’ teachings are about compassion, love and understanding, and that he brought down to Earth a religion of peace.

 

To read articles on fascist Geert Wilders in English visit:

http://www.radionetherlands.nl/

 

Kalau ingin baca artikel tentang Geert Wilders yang fasis dalam Bahasa Indonesia, lihat:

http://www.ranesi.nl/

 

Kemarin malam, sewaktu aku dan Kangmas nonton pidato pak Presiden Bush di TV, terus terang, kami berdua nggak sanggup menahan tawa di antara canda gurau.

 

Masalahnya?  Coba lihat, di barisan bangku yang sama, Senator Hillary Clinton dan Senator Barack Obama duduk terpisah dengan raut wajah yang jauh berbeda. 

 

Bu Hillary Clinton nampak tegang dan menebar senyum palsu yang kadang sinis mendengar pidato pak Presiden Bush; sementara itu Senator Obama dan Senator (Ted) Kennedy sibuk berbisik-bisik sambil tersenyum ngetawain bu Hillary barangkali.  Nggak ding, cuma becanda doang, deh...  hihihihi... 

 

Selama aku monitor TV, nggak ada tuh tampilan Senator Clinton dan Obama berjabatan tangan, walau pun cuma sekedar untuk basa-basi.  Malah kayaknya bu Clinton ini sebbel banget harus duduk di satu ruang yang sama dengan musuhnya, pak Obama, dan tentu saja orang nomor satu yang sering dia kritik sejak awal kampanyenya di akhir 2007, pak Bush. 

 

Kenapa sampai sebenci itu sih sikap kedua Senator AS ini terhadap satu sama lainnya?  Mau tahu, rekan-rekanita?  Inilah salah satu sebabnya, di dalam kampanye mereka, sudah biasa untuk saling menghina satu sama lain dengan sengitnya, di depan umum lagi!  Gile nggak tuh?  Bahkan mereka ini demen banget saling tuduh bahwa lawannya suka bohong.  Nggak percaya?  Lihat aja nih buktinya...

 

(Kutipan dari Miami Examiner online, nih.)

 

Democratic presidential rivals Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama accused each other of repeatedly and deliberately distorting the truth for political gain Monday night in a highly personal, finger-wagging debate that ranged from the war in Iraq to Bill Clinton's role in the campaign.

 

Obama told the former first lady he was helping unemployed workers on the streets of Chicago when "you were a corporate lawyer sitting on the board at Wal-Mart."

 

Moments later, Clinton said that she was fighting against misguided Republican policies "when you were practicing law and representing your contributor ... in his slum landlord business in inner city Chicago."

 

Obama seemed particularly irritated at the former president, whom he accused in absentia of uttering a series of distortions to aid his wife's presidential effort.

"I'm here. He's not," she snapped.

 

"Well, I can't tell who I'm running against sometimes," Obama countered.

 

Obama suggested the Clintons were both practicing the kind of political tactics that had alienated voters.

 

"There's a set of assertions made by Senator Clinton as well as her husband that are not factually accurate," Obama said. "I think that part of what the people are looking for right now is somebody who's going to solve problems and not resort to the same typical politics that we've seen in Washington."

 

Clinton countered: "I do think that your record and what you say does matter."

 

Senator Ted Kennedy yang memberi restunya kepada pak Obama, dan sebagai salah satu senator demokrat yang dituakan di Amerika, pagi ini menyatakan, bahwa dia masih "berteman" dengan keluarga Clinton, walau pun dia pilih menunjang kampanye pak Obama.  Tapi, di atas segala-galanya, kalau perlu, katanya, dia akan menunjang bu Clinton, pak Obama atau pak Edwards, agar Partai Demokrat AS menang.  Dengan kata lain, pak Kennedy mengingatkan para anggota Partai Demokrat, bahwa kesatuan partai mereka adalah jauh lebih penting dari pada mereka sibuk adu tonjok mengagung-agungkan satu capres dari pada yang lainnya.  Artinya, buat pak Kennedy, asal Partai Demokrat menang dalam PilPres AS 2008, gak peduli deh, capres mana yang bakal jadi Presiden AS nantinya. 

 

Kalo dipikir-pikir, men-temen, bener juga lho prinsip pak Kennedy ini.  Tapi gimana para capres Partai Demokrat ini bisa kerjasama demi memenangkan PilPres AS 2008, lha wong konon kabarnya dua capres utama mereka, yaitu bu Clinton dan pak Obama bermusuhan, kok? 

 

 Lha piye terus?  Mbuhlah, jarene Kangmasku.  

 

Moral of the story:  Itulah jadinya kalau kita gak bisa jaga mulut, suka bikin rusuh, jadi tambah musuh deh tuh, xixixixixi...

Kurangi Penggunaan Bahan Bakar ... Lebih Seringlah Bersenang-senang Di Luar Sana.

Demikianlah anjuran Chrysler kepada para fans Jeep, saat salah satu dari perusahaan Tiga Besar mobil dari Detroit ini meluncurkan mobil konsep mereka di North American International Auto Show, 2008 Jeep (R) Renegade Concept.

2008 Jeep Renegade (R) Concept adalah sebuah kendaraan dua penumpang yang diperlengkapi untuk menavigasi  medan buas di luar jalan aspal sekaligus untuk membuat Anda memutar kepala dengan kagum di sirkuit pameran mobil.  Saksikan saja ketertarikan para wartawan yang menghadiri North American International Auto Show 2008 di Detroit saat meliput kendaraan tangguh yang maskulin ini!

Dengan kaca depan tunggal pendek dan pintu yang bagian bawahnya terbuka, mobil yang satu ini adalah sebuah bentuk pendekatan yang minimalistik dan ramah kepada alam demi kesenangan maksimum untuk pengendaranya.   

Dibuat dengan kombinasi perangkat baterai lithium-ion dan sebuah mesin pengganti diesel BLUETEC kecil, menurut Chrysler, 2008 Jeep (R) Renegade Concept ini dapat mencapai penggunaan bahan bakar yang ekonomis lebih dari 110 mil per galon.  Sudah jelas, tampang futuristik 2008 Jeep (R) Renegade Concept digabungkan dengan mesin hemat bahan bakarnya akan merebut hati banyak pecinta mobil.

Dengan tampilnya mobil yang satu ini, Chrysler boleh dibilang termasuk dalam jajaran terdepan dalam menyuguhkan tren terbaru di bidang industri mobil.  Tiga hal yang perlu diperhatikan Chrysler sebelum mobil ini diproduksi adalah desain yang lebih aman dengan kap penutup mobil, pintu tertutup, dan tempat duduk minimal untuk 5 penumpang.  Ruang bagasi berukuran sedang boleh jadi bonus, walau pun mesin 2008 Jeep (R) Renegade Concept ini nantinya hanya akan bisa mencapai 50 mil per galon dengan keempat tambahan desain ini. 

New Year's Eve has always been painful and full of anxiety for me since my father passed away.  At times I still can never understand why such a strong man died and left us alone in this world.  Especially my mother, who is growing more and more frail each day, in his absence. As long as I can remember, my Dad said that he would always be here for me, for my mother, and my sisters.  And he was always there for us with his big, bright cheerful smiles.  The number of times we found him with worries and pains were few and far between.  To me, "Bapak" was an example of strength in enduring a life of turbulence.  Then, two months before his death, when he told me that he was "ready if God calls" him home, I sensed a note of resignation, as if he was tired of being defeated as he tried to live up to the expectations of his purpose in life.  And since then, I have often questioned my own purpose in life.  My father told me it is simple: only for love.  We live to love, for love, and in the name of the grandest Love of all.  Perhaps, he was right.  After all, it is because of the love of my "Ibu" (mother) and "Bapak" (father), I went on to be what I am today.  And it is because of the love of my Kangmas (husband) that every day I find the strength to live life with joy.  And it is because of the love of my children, that I have the strength to believe and trust God to guide us through life.  Of course, I firmly believe, that it is due to God's love I am here to live life with love, no matter how cruel life seems to be at times. In the end, in my search for an answer worthy to ponder at the end of every year, I found this unique quote that reminds me that we live to love, for love and in the name of the grandest Love of all.  And frankly, it means so much more than lists of "resolutions" that seems to easily come and go after a couple of weeks ringing the bells for the new year.  “There are four questions of value in life... What is sacred? Of what is the spirit made? What is worth living for, and what is worth dying for? The answer to each is the same. Only love.”   Johnny Depp in "Don Juan deMarco" (1995).

So happy new year, my friends, may God shower your life with kindness and love. 

 

This morning I took my three flowers to attend the Eid prayer at a nearby mosque to celebrate Eid-l Adha.  My daughters love the ritual of saying "bismiLlah" and thanking Allah before putting some money into the mosque's donation box.  This donation is going to be used to help enlarge the mosque, since we already sent our zakat to a homeless shelter about two weeks ago.  As soon as we sat down to wait for the Eid shalat to start, I explained to them the benefits of helping build a mosque by telling them some verses from the Holy Qur'an. 

AlhamduliLlah, thank God, all of them love to listen to the short dakwah I gave them before we performed the prayer. 

Unfortunately the mosque's sound system did not work very well today.  I was straining to listen to the kutbah the Imam gave after the prayer, but it was hard to understand what he was saying.  But at least, the good thing is I did hear one neat message today:  "Ask not Allah what He has done for you, but ask yourself what you have done in the name of Allah."

Well, there it is, one valuable note I can keep for myself on this blessed Eid-l Adha day.  AlhamduliLlah!   :)

Selamat jalan Aqsa Parvez sayang, selamat jalan anakku tercinta.

   Walau aku bukan ibu kandungmu, tak usai jua airmataku berurai menangisi kepergianmu.  Namun aku yakin Gusti Allah akan menyambut dan melindungimu dengan segenap cinta kasihNya di surga.  Aku yakin di sana tak akan ada paksaan untuk berhijab, keinginan untuk melarikan diri, rasa takut akan ancaman, atau rasa tersiksa lahir dan batin.  

   Duh Gusti, ampuni kami yang tiada mampu mencegah kekejaman atas nama agama kami.  Ampuni kami yang sibuk menghakimi orang lain, sementara itu memalingkan muka dari kenistaan yang mengucurkan darah deras di tangan kami.  Ampuni kami yang suka berdusta, yang berjalan angkuh di bumiMu dengan bangga mengumbar kata damai, tapi tak pernah henti menyakiti.  Tabahkan pula kami yang tak sanggup menanggung rasa malu yang tak terlukiskan.  Sabarkan kami, dan teguhkan iman kami, ya Allah.  Amin.

   Laa ilaha illaLlah.  La hawla wa la quwwata illa biLlah.

   My God is Love, and I am a believer, amin.

 ==================

   Aqsa "Axa" Parvez (1991–December 10, 2007) was the victim of a homicide in
Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. Muhammad Parvez, her father, is accused of having
killed his daughter.

   Parvez was a student of Applewood Heights Secondary School in Mississauga,
Ontario, Canada. Her father, Muhammad Parvez, was a taxicab driver.

   Growing up in a Muslim family of Pakistani origin, Parvez was required to wear
a hijab while out of the house. However, Parvez's friends claimed that she
refused to wear the veil and would often change her clothing once she got to
school and then would change back before going home. Due to tension with her
family, she had been staying at a friend's house. One student reported that her
father was threatening her, causing her to fear for her life. Parvez's friends
also said she wanted to run away from her family to escape the conflicts with
them.

   On December 10, 2007, her father is accused of strangling her, causing her to
die from "neck compression."  He immediately called police to say he had killed
her.

   Parvez's father was charged with second-degree murder and denied bail.  Her
brother, 26-year-old Waqas Parvez, is facing a charge of obstructing police and
is in custody, who was ordered by his father to not communicate with police.

The best thing about Tampa is having HARTLine bus service, for us who loathe the thought of maneuvering our nice cars during rush-hour traffic every day.  When I found out about HARTLine and other buses in Florida, a week ago, I became a fanatic about leaving my car at home and just enjoying my bus ride for such an affordable fare. 

No doubt, with soaring gas prices everywhere in the US, including here in Tampa, I save a lot of money by commuting by bus.  I usually spent about $25 a week for gasoline for going to work and home alone, not counting running errands and our family outings.  Instead, now by going to work and home by bus, I spent only $51 for 31 days unlimited ride from Monday to Friday.  Believe me, so far it has cut down our gasoline cost drastically!

And in addition to saving our gas cost, I don't get stressed out by the traffic every day.  And of course, I arrive at work with a happy smile to start a new day.  Plus, commuting by bus helps lessen the level of air polution, and ensures that the service is available to those who needs it the most.  AlhamduliLlah, thank God and the City of Tampa for HARTLine!    :)

P.S.:  This picture from Yahoo Image Search shows how clean and nice HARTLine buses are.  Enjoy!   :)

Gak perlu dielak lagi, salah satu hobiku sebagai cewek alias kaum hawa di jaman yang serba fashionable ini adalah... shopping!  Alias belanja, bok!  Maksudku nih bukan belanja buat ngisi kulkas biar dapur ngebul lohhh, tapi belanja melengkapi koleksi baju, perhiasan, sepatu dan tasku, apa lagi yang designer items, ce'ilehhh... nggaya rek!

Pikir-pikir sih, sebenernya generasi ibuku yang lahur di tahoen '45 juga hobi belanjalah dulu.  Apa lagi belanja emas, aihh... mana tahan deh.  :)

Anyway, udah bukan rahasia lagi, di awal musim dingin gini di Amrik baik para konsumen mau pun produsen ngarep-ngarep datangnya akhir pekan yang barusan lewat ini:  the famous Thanksgiving weekend.  Akhir pekan di mana semua toko-toko besar mau pun kecil nawarin diskon gede-gedean buat barang-barang baru untuk dibeli konsumen sebagai hadiah hari Natal. 

Yah, walau pun aku Muslim, aku kan juga punya sanak saudara dan keluarga yang beragama Kristen dan Katholik loh.  Lagian buatku mah sah aja belanja kapan aja aku bisa dapet barang bagus (alias designer items) dengan harga yang menarik (translation: murah dong!). 

AlhamduliLlah, berhub Kangmasku gak punya rencana ngajak kami sekeluarga lan-jalan, aku manfaatin minggu lalu buat belanja beli hadiah Natal buat sanak saudara dan keluarga, dan pastinya oleh-oleh buat di bawa mudik taon depan.  :)

Setelah ter-muter ke toko-toko favoritku:  JC Penney, Macy's dan Sears, akhirnya puas juga deh nemu banyak barang bagus buat semua kerabat tercintaku, seperti ibuku, adik-adikku, suadara-saudara iparku, dst., dan tentunya: buatku sendiri, hihihihi...  :D

Segitu aja deh ceritaku yang alhamduliLlah, thank God, berakhir dengan happy ending.  Kalau kalian gimana?  Beli apa aja nih, setelah hari Thanksgiving?  Atau liburan kemana aja minggu lalu?  Buat sobat-sobat di Eropa yang nggak ngerayain Thanksgiving, gimana, apa udah ada yang mulai belanja hadiah Natal seperti mbak Meilly di Belanda? 

Kemarin aku tengok MP-nya mbak Meilly, aih seru banget deh kayaknya pengalaman belanjanya yang lengkap dengan mengunjungi toko-toko berdekorasi Natal yang keren-keren!  Yang juga mengharukan buatku adalah pengalaman pertama si Emmanuela Timman, putri mbak Lynda dan Rob yang belum sampai 1 tahun usianya bertemu dengan Sinter Klaas  (eh bener gak nih mbak Lynda, ejaannya, maklum aku kan buta Bahasa Belanda lho, tulung dikoreksi yah?).

OK, aku mau lanjut ronda dulu ya di MP, salam persahabatan!

 

 

I thought it was cute that MSN.com published an article about the relationship between the Halloween costumes we wear and our personality.  The not-to-be-taken-so-seriously interpretations were provided by three Halloween fashion experts, I guess. 

I wore a pirate outfit to attend a Halloween night party at work back in 2003, after Johnny Depp won the hearts of so many people in the world as Captain Jack Sparrow in "Pirates of the Caribbean, Curse of The Black Pearl".  It was a fun party, but by the end of the night, my voice was so hoarse from saying "Arrrgghhh" so much. 

Read on, and enjoy!  

 

Pirate Wench

 

Procopio: All I can think about with this one is Keira Knightly, and that’s not a bad thing. This is a one-up on the naughty nurse, because it gives off that same openness but also reveals strength, confidence, and a sense of adventure. This is the kind of woman we like to hang out and drink with, but we just might end up falling in love with her, too.

 

Salem: This tells you she’s a woman in charge. The party is on her terms. Loud and fun, she will be the one still standing at the end of the night, swinging her sword and drinking the last of the rum.

 

Spencer: The message is clear as the Caribbean: Wenches are all about lots of wild, raunchy, uninhibited fun. Swearin’, rum-swillin’, rollickin’ good times. But don’t let that fool you. This woman is absolutely in control of whatever situation she finds herself in.

 

 

Waiting for you at sunset,

while two bodies are locked in passion as my eyes became wet,

and the green blades of grass sway'd,

pain's no longer felt.

You know baby, all there is left to dread,

is the cold dark night,

quietly stabbing my heart,

with all its might,

as I lay down without a fight.

 

"Allah said: And the most beloved things with which My slave comes nearer to Me, is what I have enjoined upon him; and My slave keeps on coming closer to Me through performing prayers and good deeds till I love him, so I become his sense of hearing with which he hears, and his sense of sight with which he sees, and his hand with which he grips, and his leg with which he walks; and if he asks Me, I will give him, and if he asks My protection (Refuge), I will protect him." ~ Prophet Muhammad SAW, founder of Islam.

"When you do things from your soul you feel a river moving in you, a joy.  When actions come from another section, the feeling disappears."  ~ Mawlana Jalal-ad-Din Muhammad Rumi, famous Persian Muslim Sufi Poet.

"Hear and understand: not what goes into the mouth defiles a man, but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man.... Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the stomach, and so passes on? But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a man. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, fornication, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a man".  ~ Jesus Christ, founder of Christianity.

"Say not, 'I have found the truth,' but rather, ' I have found a truth.'  Say not, 'I have found the path of the soul.'  Say rather, 'I have met the soul walking upon my path.'  For the soul walks upon all paths.  The soul walks not upon a line, neither does it grow like a reed.  The soul unfolds itself, like a lotus of countless petals."  ~ Kahlil Gibran, famous Lebanese American Christian Poet.

 “True religion is real living; living with all one's soul, with all one's goodness and righteousness.”  -Albert Einstein, German born American Physicist, Nobel Prize winner for Physics in 1921.

“Prayer is not asking. It is a longing of the soul. It is daily admission of one's weakness. It is better in prayer to have a heart without words than words without a heart.”  - Mahatma Gandhi, Indian Philosopher, internationally esteemed for his doctrine of nonviolent protest.

"Though he recites many a scriptural text, but does not act accordingly,that heedless man is like a cowherd who counts others' cattle. He has no share in the fruits of the religious life. Though he can recite few scriptural texts, but acts in accordance with the teaching, forsaking lust, hatred, and ignorance, with right awareness and mind well emancipated, not clinging to anything here or in the next life, he shares the fruits of the religious life."  - Buddha Sakyamuni, founder of Buddhism.

“Love is composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies. Friendship is a single soul dwelling in two bodies.” Aristotle, Ancient Greek Philosopher, Scientist and Physician.