Freedom XIV by Khalil Gibran

Freedom XIV

And an orator said, "Speak to us of Freedom."

And he answered:

At the city gate and by your fireside I have seen you prostrate yourself and worship your own freedom,

Even as slaves humble themselves before a tyrant and praise him though he slays them.

Ay, in the grove of the temple and in the shadow of the citadel I have seen the freest among you wear their freedom as a yoke and a handcuff.

And my heart bled within me; for you can only be free when even the desire of seeking freedom becomes a harness to you, and when you cease to speak of freedom as a goal and a fulfillment.

You shall be free indeed when your days are not without a care nor your nights without a want and a grief,

But rather when these things girdle your life and yet you rise above them naked and unbound.

And how shall you rise beyond your days and nights unless you break the chains which you at the dawn of your understanding have fastened around your noon hour?

In truth that which you call freedom is the strongest of these chains, though its links glitter in the sun and dazzle the eyes.

And what is it but fragments of your own self you would discard that you may become free?

If it is an unjust law you would abolish, that law was written with your own hand upon your own forehead.

You cannot erase it by burning your law books nor by washing the foreheads of your judges, though you pour the sea upon them.

And if it is a despot you would dethrone, see first that his throne erected within you is destroyed.

For how can a tyrant rule the free and the proud, but for a tyranny in their own freedom and a shame in their won pride?

And if it is a care you would cast off, that care has been chosen by you rather than imposed upon you.

And if it is a fear you would dispel, the seat of that fear is in your heart and not in the hand of the feared.

Verily all things move within your being in constant half embrace, the desired and the dreaded, the repugnant and the cherished, the pursued and that which you would escape.

These things move within you as lights and shadows in pairs that cling.

And when the shadow fades and is no more, the light that lingers becomes a shadow to another light.

And thus your freedom when it loses its fetters becomes itself the fetter of a greater freedom. 

Khalil Gibran

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A Visit From Wisdom-Khalil Gibran

A Visit From Wisdom

In the stillness of night Wisdom came and stood
By my bed. She gazed upon me like a tender mother
And wiped away my tears, and said : 'I have heard
The cry of your spirit and I am come to comfort it.
Open your heart to me and I shall fill it with light.
Ask of me and I shall show you the way of truth.'

And I said : 'Who am I, Wisdom, and how came
I to this frightening place? What manner of things
Are these mighty hopes and these many books and
Strange patterns ? What are these thoughts that pass
As doves in flight? And these words composed by
Desire and sung by delight, what are they? What are
These conclusions, grievous and joyous, that embrace
My spirit and envelop my heart? And those
Eyes which look at me seeing into my depths and
Fleeing from my sorrows ? And those voices mourning
My days and chanting my littleness, what are they ?

'What is this youth that plays with my desires
And mocks at my longings, forgetful of yesterday's
Deeds, rejoicing in paltry things of the moment,
Scornful of the morrow's coming?

'What is this world that leads me whither I know
Not, standing with me in despising? And this earth
That opens wide its mouth to swallow bodies and
Lets evil things to dwell on its breast? What is this
Creature that is satisfied with the love of fortune,
Whilst beyond its union is the pit? Who seeks Life's
Kiss whilst Death does smite him, and brings the
Pleasure of a minute with a year of repentance, and
Gives himself to slumber the while dreams call him?
What is he who flows with the rivers of folly to the
Sea of darkness? O Wisdom, what manner of things
Are these?'

And she answered, saying :
'You would see, human creature, this world
Through the eyes of a god. And you would seek to
Know the secrets of the hereafter with the thinking
Of men. Yet in truth is this the height of folly.
'Go you to the wild places and you shall find
There the bee above the flowers and behold the eagle
Swooping down on his prey. Go you into your neighbor's
House and see then the child blinking at the
Firelight and his mother busied at her household
Tasks. Be you like the bee and spend not the days of
Spring looking on the eagle's doing. Be as the child
And rejoice in the firelight and heed not your Mother's affairs. All that you see with your eyes was And is for your sake.

'The many books and the strange patterns and
Beautiful thoughts are the shades of those spirits
That came ere you were come. The words that you
Do weave are a bond between you and your brothers.
The conclusions, grievous and joyous, are the
Seeds that the past did scatter in the field of the
Spirit to be reaped by the future. That youth who
Plays with your desires is he who will open the door
Of your heart to let enter the light. This earth with
The ever open mouth is the savior of your spirit from
The body's slavery. This world which walks with
You is your heart; and your heart is all that you
Think that world. This creature whom you see as
Ignorant and small is the same who has come from
God's side to learn pity through sadness, and knowledge
By way of darkness.'

Then Wisdom put her hand on my burning brow
And said:
'Go then forward and do not tarry, for beforeWwalks Perfection. Go, and have not fear of thorns
On the path, for they deem naught lawful save Corrupted blood.' 

Khalil Gibran

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Sekilas "The Malay Dilemma" tulisan arwah Ahmad Boestamam,

Sedang melepak-lepak di perpustakaan sambil membuat sedikit ulang kaji,ternampak sebuah buku tulisan Ahmad Boestamam(AB);"Sorotan Sekilas:The Malay Dilemma".Aku tak pernah tahu AB ada menulis ulasan(dan kritikan) terhadap buku kontroversi Dr Mahathir(DR.M) sehinggalah terserempak dengan buku nipis yang memuatkan sebanyak 67 helai muka surat tersebut.

Beberapa perkara yang sangat menarik yang sempat aku temui usai membaca tulisan beliau.Pertamanya,pendekatan beliau lebih bersifat ulasan dan komentar kepada hujah-hujah Dr.M dalam bukunya "Malay Dilemma" atau,mengiku AB "Kemelut Melayu".Hanya dalam beberapa bab sahaja(bab 3,4,8,dan 9) AB mengemukakan pendapat yang berbeza dan memberi sedikit penambahan hujah bagi melengkapi rangka pandangan Dr.M.

Konteks dan tujuan buku ini ditulis juga seakan dapat diteka.AB menulis buku ini setelah 10 tahun buku "The Malay Dilemma" diterbitkan(1981).AB seakan menulis untuk memperingatkan Dr.M yang pada saat itu merupakan Perdana Menteri Malaysia ke-5 tentang ide-ide dan kritikan-kritikan tajam Dr.M sendiri terhadap pemerintahan Tunku pada era 70-an dan menasihatkan agar kritikan-kritikan tersebut tidak diulang pada pemerintahannya dan setiap cadangan beliau perlu dilaksanakan.Ini jelas apabila dalam hampir setiap bab AB menutupnya dengan persoalan;"Apakah Dr.mahathir,oleh kerana telah memegang teraju pemerintahan negara kini akan mengisi syornya yang tercatit"(ms18),"Yang boleh membuat pilihan dan bertindak melaksanakan pilihan tersebut tidak lain dar Dr.mahathir sebagai sifatnya Perdana Menteri sekarang."(ms25),dan banyak lagi.

Pendekaan beliau(AB) berbeza dengan Syed Hussein Al Attas yang mengkritik hebat secara akademik tulisan Dr.mahathir dalam bukunya "myth of the lazy native"(1977).AB tampak lebih santai dan menulis untuk menyatakan rasa setuju beliau pada pandangan Dr.M.Juga pada bahagian akhir buku tersebut AB meletakkan satu harapan kepada Dr.M agar melaksanakan ide-idenya dalam buku "The Malay Dilemma" pada zaman beliau menerajui kepimpinan negara.

Persoalan yang kemudiannya menerawang dalam fikiran aku,adakah Dr.M benar-benar mengotakan janjinya seperti yang diharapkan oleh AB?

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Dialog sang Pengemis

Artikel ini ditulis pada 15 November 2010,pernah tersiar di blog lama

Cuaca mendung.Matahari yang mula beransur mengatur langkah untuk beredar dari tatapan manusia sudah mula mengalih suluhan cahanya ke dinding-dinding langit.Awan juga sudah berarak perlahan,mengusung segala macam kenangan dan penyaksian.

Langit mula kesepian.

Namun,suasana pekan petang itu tetap riuh dengan ributan manusia.Cina,India,dan Melayu masing-masing sibuk menguruskan isi-isi dunia tanpa letih dan lesu.Kereta-kereta juga masih sesak memenuhi ruang-ruang jalan,lampu-lampu juga masih setia berkelip dan segala hidupan masih seakan belum sedar akan lambaian siang.

“Selamat tinggal siang”si pengemis tua itu melambai seorang diri.Mata kecilnya menatap langit yang makin kelam.Dalam renungannya itu tertulis makna yang dalam,kerna hanya dia yang lebih mengerti akan erti sebuah hari.

“Hari ini masih lagi dapat hidup,syukur.”

Tangannya erat menggengam bungkusan nasi kosong,hasil simpati dan ihsan manusia-manusia yang punya jiwa yang kaya.Dibelai-belai nasi itu dengan lembut.Jarang sekali si pengemis tua ini dapat makan malam berlaukkan nasi kosong,malah untuk mencari makanan sekalipun ibarat menjala mutiara di lautan luas.Namun,ini hari bertuahnya,hari yang mampu untuk dia menjawab kejian-kejian nafsu lapar yang selalu terabai.Segala puji bagi tuhan.

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Advice to Islamist Politicians on Palestine/Israel

Artikel ini merupakan respons balas Dr.Azzam Tamimi terhadap kenyataan Anwar ketika ditemu ramah oleh Wall Street Journal.

Source:Klik Sini

Advice to Islamist Politicians on Palestine/Israel

It is perfectly understandable that Islamists recently elected to rule in Tunisia, Morocco and Egypt or those that aspire to rule in other Arab and Muslim countries should focus on domestic problems and the immediate needs of their people. The Palestinian issue and the relations with Israel need not become obstacles to the efforts aimed at rebuilding state institutions that for many years rotted in corruption and despotism. Yet, if asked about Palestine or Israel, Islamists should not contradict what everyone knows to be their fundamental position on the issue. Anwar Ibrahim, a leading Malaysian Islamist, has recently been quoted by the Wall Street Journal as committing to support efforts aimed at securing Israel. This is utterly unworthy of an Islamic leader. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203363504577184631682335306.html

Having seen some of my other fellow Islamist leaders also fall into similar blackmail traps on the issue of Palestine/Israel, I would recommend to them all that when asked about the issue they should adhere to the following themes:

1. Palestine is an Arab Islamic territory that was invaded by the Western powers who established therein a Zionist state with the aim of serving their colonial ends and resolving Europe's chronic Jewish problem. The Zionist project in Palestine is an aggression that is abhorred by all justice-loving people. 
2. The problem in Palestine is not caused by a religious conflict between Muslims and Jews. For centuries the two religious communities lived in peace and harmony side by side. The conflict is with the Zionists who occupied Palestine, dispossessed its people and established a state that is hostile to the peoples of the region. 
3. The Zionist regime is a racist (Apartheid) entity that poses a threat to the entire humanity. We aspire to see a Middle East in which the inhabitants of the region (Muslims, Christians, Jews and followers of other faiths) coexist peacefully and securely under a system of good governance that is based on sanctifying justice and human dignity. 
4. As a matter of principle we are open to cooperation and communication with all nations including those of the Americas and Europe. However, we do not tolerate being blackmailed by certain parties here and there so as to bestow legitimacy on what is illegitimate in exchange for friendly relations.  
5. As for the peace treaties concluded by some Arab regimes, such as Egypt and Jordan, with the Zionist state in Palestine, we believe that these treaties are unfair and illegitimate. These treaties were concluded by corrupt and undemocratic regimes against the will of their people. Therefore, we deem it appropriate that these treaties should be put to the referendum in order for the people in each one of these countries to decide what to do with them (amending or revoking them).  
6. We do not accept the illegal siege imposed on the people of Palestine, both in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. We shall spare no effort to bring such a siege to an end. 

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Antara Dua Zaman

*Artikel ini ditulis pada hari rabu,8 Disember 2010 dan disiarkan di blog saya yang lalu.Konteksnya masih relevan dan dapat diambil sedikit iktibar.

Betapa kembara serta musafir saya di bumi kuala lumpur,bandar metropolitan ini membuatkan saya begitu sibuk dan asyik dengan pelbagai perkara.Sehinggakan aktiviti penulisan blog ini tergendala buat hampir seminggu lebih.Kekangan sebeginilah yang memenjara saya dari menukilkan sebarang tulisan sungguhpun pelbagai idea dan ragam ingin saya coretkan di blog “usang” ini.Dan Alhamdulillah,pada hari ini saya diberikan sedikit ruang semula untuk menulis.

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Sesungguhnya kembara saya di bumi “moden” ini bukanlah suatu perkara yang sia-sia.Pelbagai sitkom-sitkom manusia yang menarik dan pelbagai dapat saya kaji dan hayati.Sememangnya “geng” bandar ini banyak ragam dan “pe’el”nya(sikap dlm bahasa terengganu).Namun untuk post kali ini saya tertarik untuk berbicara perihal dunia kanak-kanak moden yang menghuni zaman IT hari ini.

“Fifi!!(bukan nama sebenar),meh turun makan,kang lauk sejuk kang...”

“jap mak!!japgi fifi pegi makan,ngah main game ni”

Jenuh kudrat seorang ibu memanggil anaknya untuk turun menikmati sarapan pagi(yang sebenarnya dah dekat tengahari).Namun si anak hanya terpaku di hadapan skrin komputer yang telah ditatap sejak matanya celik dari bangun tidur.Itulah “sarapan” dan mungkin “malan malam”nya.Malah inti harinya hanya diisi dengan “date” yang begitu panjang bersama game-game  fantasi dan khayalan-khayalan yang indah.

“kalau rumah ni terbakar,agaknya game tulah yang diselamatkan dahulu”hati saya merungut.Kepala hanya mampu menggeleng,pelik dengan trend adik-adik muda hari ini.

Mungkin ada yang menyimpulkan:

“Lepak ar bro,ni lah budak-budak zaman sekarang..mana layan dah benda-benda lain...skunk da moden,dah bandar”

“Nak men per gi,ni la best...baru real adventure”

Betulkah begitu?benarkah geng-geng “bandar” ini kesemuanya begitu?Saya tidak tahu,dan saya tidak mahu membuat sebarang kesimpulan negatif kerna istilah “tepuk dada tanya selera” itu mungkin suatu komen yang cukup untuk dijadikan justifikasi.Namun satu perkara yang saya pasti,saya dibesarkan dalam dunia desa serta zaman yang berbeza.Suatu zaman di mana hampir semua yang sebaya dengan saya sudi bersahabat dengan alam.Kerna alamlah teman sepermainan kami yang setia.

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Ucapan "State of Union" Obama,2012,satu retorik pilihan raya atau kebuntuan arah tuju?(bahagian 1)

Tanggal 24 Januari 2012 merupakan antara tanggal penting,terutama kepada rakyat dan pemerhati politik Amerika Syarikat  dalam gerak sejarah yang bakal terlakar pada tahun 2012 ini.Pada tarikh tersebut Presiden Obama telah membentangkan agendanya dalam ucapan “state of union” yang juga merupakan ucapan ketiganya sepanjang beliau memegang jawatan Presiden di hadapan ahli kongres di Capitol Hill,Washington.

Ucapan “State of the Union” adalah satu tradisi tahunan yang wajib disampaikan oleh setiap presiden Amerika syarikat dan kebiasaannya diadakan pada hujung bulan Januari setiap tahun.Asalnya perkara ini bermula sejak daripada presiden Amerika yang pertama,George Washington pada tanggal 8 Januari 1790 dan kemudiannya dihentikan ketika era Thomas Jefferson(1801).Wodrow Wilson kemudiannya menghidupkan semula tradisi ini  dan kemudiannya diteruskan oleh pemimpin-pemimpin selepasnya sebagai  satu aktiviti tahunan sehingga ke hari ini.

Majlis ini sunguhpun tidak mempunyai undang-undang bertulis untuk mewajibkan bagi setiap presiden yang masih lagi berkuasa  untuk turut serta namun kebiasan ini telah  sebati dengan rakyat Amerika yang menganggap ruang ini sebagai satu peluang untuk mereka mendengar sendiri perancangan pemimpin mereka dalam mengepalai jentera pentadbiran negara.Malahan perkara ini juga selari dengan kehendak perlembagan Amerika,pada artikel II,bahagian 3 yang menggariskan ruang kuasa dan tugas seorang Presiden:

“He shall from time to time give to Congress information of the State of the Union and recommend to their Consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient.”

Pada 24 januari baru-baru ini merupakan giliran Obama sebagai Presiden Amerika yang ke-44 untuk menyambut legasi ini.Penulis sempat menonton secara langsung siaran majlis ini di laman Youtube.Usai meneliti ucapan sepanjang hampir 60 minit lebih itu,beberapa kekurangan dan kelainan yang dapat dikenal pasti.Terdapat sesuatu kehilangan dan kelompongan dari intipati pengucapan Obama,sesuatu yang tidak lengkap.

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