Too much emphasis on oblivious recitation, rather than understanding and following the book - Quran

Courtesy: Readquran

For us to believe and understand something, we must have proper knowledge of it. If you want to know about a scientific discovery, you will have to read articles and books written on the subject matter in such a way that you understand it. If you are a young mom, you may be familiar with the Contented Baby series parenting books of Gina Ford since they explain in detail how you should routine and make better choices of motherhood. When you buy a sophisticated gadget for the first time, I am sure you will thoroughly go through its manual to make sure that you handle it the way it is supposed to.

Likewise Muslim’s holy book - Quran is the ultimate source of the religion – Islam, containing the most authentic and accurate knowledge of the religion. Quran is a guidance for mankind containing the revealed criterions of good and bad (Al-Baqarah 2:185) from Almighty Allah. Muslims are required to believe, read, understand and act upon the teachings of the Quran. But what atop our list seems to be melodious recitation which shouldn’t precede over conceiving or understanding the book.

The last sermon of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) stressed on following the Quran and his example (Sunnah) so that we will not go astray. We were taught this in our secondary education which is also available in many hadith books. However, nationwide Quran reciting competitions aimed of increasing adherence to religion or melodious reciters are conducted among people who don’t have a clue of what they are reciting. It is very likely that such competitions where the winners are granted with huge prizes expose the reciters to the danger of show off and affectation which makes recitation useless in a religious point of view. I wonder if it is the right thing to engage people in such contests where a form of worship is the one we compete against each other. If it is the right thing, why don’t we have contests to choose the best prayer, or the most punctual prayer from each mosque or man of the Ramazan?

Many parents are seen to undergo a hard time in preparing their kids for such competitions, but not to make them understand the book or mold their life according to Quran which in my opinion is pure perversion. I am not going against those commands of Quran (Al-Kafh18:27, Al-Ankaboot 29:45) and Prophet Muhammad (SAW) where we are asked to recite Quran. But certainly it can’t be a guidance if we fail to comprehend the message of the book. It may be just dishonoring the book if we keep on reading Quran blindly when we have got the capacity to understand it which may finally take us to the extent where the punishment for ignoring the meaning and message of the Qur’an may exceed the reward for reciting its text.

So, let us not only make calculations and preparations to complete reciting the whole Quran once or twice during the month of Ramazan, but understand and ponder upon the message of it so that we may acquire the guidance mentioned in the Quran. We don’t have to be scholars to know this much.

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University Orientation……

IAP 2012, University of Sydney (Courtesy: Marlyn, FB group AusAID Students &  US)

“Do you think this is useful?” Referring to ASAS, a friend of mine asked me indifferently while we were waiting for the train at Redfern. Instead of giving her a direct answer, I shared a personal experience I had undergone in University of Tasmania (UTAS) in 2009.

After completing a diploma in a Malaysian University college, I transferred my credits to UTAS (an affiliated partner of the University College in the course I was doing) to complete the final 1.5 years of my Bachelor degree. Although I was advised to arrive late February for the University orientation I skipped it. The futility of the orientation I had in Malaysia which was my first such experience has given me a totally wrong impression of what orientation means or how Australians might conduct it. Moreover, my wife gave birth to our first kid around mid-February which also made me reluctant in leaving the country early.

By the time I arrived, study has already begun. Within no time, I got my assignments which included academic essays as well. Just before I submitted my first essay I presented it to the lecturer to ‘comment on it’ as we had such a system. Alas, I was bombarded with questions. “Where are the references and citations? How many peer reviewed academic articles did you read?” I was kind of blank. Words like ‘reference’, ‘citation’ and ‘peer reviewed’ were new to me in that context. I was not instructed to build such an academic foundation in my previous institution. Even though I was presumed to know academic writing as a precondition to University education, the lecturer was really nice in showing me the way to open the ‘academic door’ which I had not opened by then. Indeed, things would have been smooth if I had gone through the University orientation.

We, the AusAID students at University of Sydney went through a remarkable academic program named Advanced Skills for Academic Success (ASAS) which lasted for 3-4 weeks, as part of our compulsory Introductory Academic Program (IAP) which also includes University orientation. It enlightened, fortified and equipped us with the necessary armors for the battle ahead. Lecturers/teachers involved in delivering the ASAS were friendly and nice. I request the University to find a way to preserve the unique rhythmic laughing styles (sometimes resembles a rattling roof due to strong winds) and the husky, jolly, jelly (couldn’t get a suitable word to describe the spell in Stephen’s teaching) behavior of some of the teachers of ASAS so that the humor of this program can be maintained and carried to coming generations.

You might have studied in a world top ranking University, but orientation is University specific too. You have to be orientated the way your University, faculty and school want, for you to progress in your studies. Moreover, orientation week or period is the one and only time you get during the academic year to know and explore the university’s resources to its uttermost which is not only limited to academic stuffs. You will get to know and indulge in groups or societies run in the University that best fits to your interest, you can socialize and make new friends and on top of all, many events will end with free drinks or meals which arguably are a must to have since most students will be on a very limited budget. Orientation gives you a glimpse of what you are up to and how heavy is your study load going to be. Having undergone thorough orientation means you are nothing less than a fully loaded fighter jet.

I like the IAP (ASAS and the University orientation) at Sydney University. Never miss the orientation, especially if you are a freshman or a first year beginner or a new comer as they call it in different parts of the world.

(NOTE: Not for critical review)

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Political dilemma

Words and statements of some prominent figures of MDP gives the feeling and impression that they have broken the bond of trust that has to be maintained in religious matters whose consequences seems to be beyond emotional grasp. For some of us, we are being betrayed to our dedication made in the last presidential election which gave us the liberty and freedom of choice. But I don’t regret the choice I made for a change since it was the best i could do at that time. As said in the statement, “While we are free to choose our actions, we are not free to choose the consequences of our actions” (Stephen R. Covey), we don’t know how far things would have gone if we elected Maumoon instead of Nasheed. For me his era is not to be acknowledged every time Nasheed or his government officials goes out of bounds.

For some, the prevailing challenge has been the absence of a leader who can be trusted to take us to the heights we desire, not saying ‘NO’ to MDP. May be this is how the country was purposely shaped by the previous regime so that it will always be one man or one family holding the ultimate power.  This is evident from the speech given by the Vice President Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik on November 21, 2011 at the reception hosted by the Australian High commissioner to congratulate the 2012 AusAID recipients of the Maldives and to honour Maldivian AusAID alumni. It included statistics that evinced that the young generation of this country was devastated.

A part of the speech went as follows. “......These 1100 students are in multiple-year degree programmes including bachelors and masters level courses. Therefore, we estimate that about 300 students are entering degree courses in national institutions. Just imagine, you have 24000 student completing … secondary and only 300 students are entering national degree courses. It is like 1.25%. Although we are a middle income country our higher education enrollment ratio is about the same as that for countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. Compare this figure to other relevant social sector statistics. While 300 students start degree programmes, there are 3000 students waiting for drug rehabilitation. 300 students enter university and 300 teenagers got pregnant last year. About 600 I assume go to prison. I suppose the choice is very clear- we can build more schools or more prisons.......” Alas, this show how creamy is the cream of our nation at the end of the so called ‘golden age’. I can’t believe that a nation can be deteriorated this much within 3 years. How on earth are we going to trust them back?

I feel it is insane to believe that 30 years is not enough for a leader to rule/run a country. If a leader still seeks to gain power or remain in power after so much time, it definitely is not patriotism that pursues him.

Father of modern Singapore - Lee Kuan Yew retired after about 30 years of service as a prime minister which represents his admission that 30 years is enough for a leader to mould and develop a country.  He was contented and satisfied for his contribution to Singapore which most people accept and admire. Mahathir bin Mohamad was the prime minister of Malaysia for 22 years after which he retired. He brought tremendous developments to his country before he stepped down in 2003 such as the development of Putrajaya within 3-4 years. But Maumoon chose to end up like a …………….. (Fill up as you desire).

Despite the extravagance policies and unfavourable decisions on religious matters, I wonder if we can trust PPM or DRP over MDP. Although the situation is seen as a political dilemma, according to some, it is likely that MDP may lose the coming election if “SOME OF ITS PROMINENT FIGURES” are not brought down to their size soon.

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Facebooking...

“Thieves robbed homes based on Facebook(FB), Social media sites”, reads the headline of a news report published on WMUR website of the state of New Hampshire – USA on 9 September 2010. This article outlined several cases of robberies where goods worth of about $200,000 were stolen from different houses based on the FB status updates which conveyed the necessary information to break in a house.

Many of us seem to enjoy the weirdness of getting ‘naked’ on the FB wall. Posting and revealing personal stuffs or ‘to-do-list’ on Facebook wall ultimately convey the required information for someone to break in to your house or to plot something of his/her interest against you. Despite these facts many of us pretentiously spread out our daily menus and agendas on the wall of FB.

In our culture it is odd and awkward to express romance or deepest feelings to ‘lovers’, partners, husbands and wives publicly. Though culturally odd, good and creditable changes can still be introduced or practiced against culture. I am just trying to convince myself how exulting it is to display the deepest feelings to the loved ones, especially those between husband and wife on FB status bar which is in a way a public notice board. Wouldn’t it be true or touching if you say ‘love you baby’ or ‘ummmmahh’ or whatever it is through a private message. Shouldn’t there be a fair limitation to some of our words and statements although it’s our right to write on the status bar? Or is it that expressing romance publicly is a degree of love few people could attain? I do know that FB’s admin is active in ‘moderating’ the whole thing the way they want it.

The following conversation which I saw from the FB page ‘Purity Starts here’ hooked my attention and triggered me to ponder upon the weight of a publicly and secretly said ‘I love you’.

Husband to his wife: “ I want you to say: ‘I love you’, In front of the whole world”....wife  approached her beloved husband, and whispered in his ear ‘I love you’….husband, turned to her and said sadly : “Why did not you say it to the whole world?"
Wife replied: "Because you are the whole world to me"

I guess it is better to limit FB’s status updates to the extent and degree that we don’t mess up our safety and relationship with our show off attitude. Every problem is not to be facebooked, but to be faced and tackled by you.

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A bad experience in ADK

ADK HOSPITAL - MALDIVES

Obviously it is very common to have undergone frustration and discomfort in receiving services from the two major hospitals in Male’- ADK and IGMH. For years, I have chosen ADK over IGMH for the reasons that it is located in the proximity of my living area and it ‘seems’ that it provides a less ‘burdening’, smooth and a fast service than IGMH.

But having to wait in the queue for hours counting the monotonous beeps of token display systems and wastage of time due to the limited information available are still prevailing draw backs in ADK.

Anyways, as the heading says, my point is to share a bad day I have experienced in ADK recently.

Last week I went ADK for a medical examination. When my token was displayed, I went to the counter and said the type of medical examination I intend to do and the country to which it will be passed.  “To which Doctor do you want to consult?”, replied the girl. I told her the name – Dr Pandian upon which I was asked to pay MRF750.

I paid the money and went to doctor’s room when it was my turn. Dr Pandian instructed me what I should do – the tests I need to perform for the medical examination. He gave me an appointment for another day before which I had to have everything done.

Afterwards, I hurried to the Radiology room hoping to complete the required tests within one day. Things went smoothly other than taking few more minutes for completing the form by the Radiologist.

I went to the Laboratory for a urine test on the heels of radiography. “You have to pay for the test”, said the Lab tech after seeing my memo and the test sheet. Unbelievably I went back to the counter and talked to the same girl I met first, though I was pretty sure that the initial payment should cover all the expenses. To my surprise, she also took the side of lab tech and told me to go to another counter for the payment. But I insisted. Asking me to wait, she went in to the office, probably to talk a senior staff. She came back within few minutes and said that I have to pay for the urine test and she could check me the price for that. “Ok, check me the price, but I need to talk to a senior”, I replied. She said that the price for the urine test is MRF60 while heading to call for a senior. A lady in brown uniform appeared who told me that the urine test is not included in the medical examination. According to her it was a test prescribed by Dr Pandian since he felt that I should do a urine test apart from my medical examination. Superb! Isn’t it? It didn’t make sense to me. So I asked, “What tests are covered in this medical examination?” She paused for a while and giving me an embarrassing smile and showing me a sign from her palm which possibly meant ‘wait’, disappeared into office. Not much time elapsed before she came back and told me that if I have done a urine test recently I can use the result of that test instead of repeating it which was not a satisfactory answer to my mess. She also came up with a list of medical tests that ‘according to her’ are covered in the medical examination from which she excluded the urine test. Despite the questions harbouring in my mind I surrendered. I went to the counter where they were directing me to pay for the urine test.

Alas, the girl there started a totally different story. According to her I have to pay MRF160 whose breakdowns were MRF100 for the initial consultation which according to her is not charged from me and MRF60 for the urine test. Though low tempered, by then I have started to lose my mind. Trying to muffle my frustrations, I told the girl that I have paid for the medical examination and had the initial consultation. As usual, she disappeared into the office. Through the glass window I could see her talking to a lady in brown uniform which was not the same staff I have talked to. After a while, she whisked towards me pressing her forehead with one hand. She said that I don’t have to pay for the urine test, but initial consultation fee is not charged from me for which I have to pay MRF100”.

I was totally amused and confused for the awareness these pretty ladies have regarding the policies and procedures of their work place. Finally, thinking that it is over, I paid MRF100 and went back to lab.

“You have to pay for the urine test”, said the lab tech looking at me as if I didn’t know what I was up to. Although she was a different lab tech and her statement was pleasant, it ignited sparkles of fire in my mind. “From the counter they said I don’t have to pay for it”, I replied in a bit unpleased tone.

As if she understood the worries running through my mind, she went to the counter with all my documents while I directed her to the staff who serviced me last. I guess it was a lab test sheet named as medical examination which was missing. I am not sure. They solved the problem.

It took hours for me to complete something that could be completed within few minutes. About 6-7 staffs of different levels looked into the matter but no one seemed to thoroughly know what procedures should be followed  to solve the struggle I had went through.

No doubt, ADK needs better staff awareness programs.

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A disturbing service or a business

Riding motor-bikes, having fun in the park, walks and hikes are common outdoor activities we do with our kids to sooth them, though there are not enough outdoor parks in Male’. Like many others, I use to do them too. Obviously the most common outdoor parks or places suitable for kids in Male’ are Artificial beach and the children’s park in Henveyru.

But taking my kid to any of these places sometimes makes her fussy and I have to end up in an unnecessary spending. Because what greet you when you enter or by pass the gate of any of these places would be a big tree or fountain of fancy toys, balloons, balls and whatever is suitable to catch the sight of a kid is will be hanging on that mess. So, as a beginning, something, something that catches the attention of the kid has to be bought from there before the rest of the things.

Kids may fall to things though they have it. A kid may cry for a more colorful ball even if he/she has a ball. They may want something just because other kids have it. On top of all these, kids mostly have a short attention span. What I buy in the park may be useless when I come back. She might have lost interest on it. So, I end up in wastage.

On the other hand, if a kid fails to get what he/she wanted so much, she/he will somehow express her displeasure, anger or frustration. I will be at the edge of messing up the happy evening I thought about. But if I am lucky enough, I may be able to turn away her attention to something else which may stop the sulking and spouting.

Whatever the way it turns out, it is a simple headache to meet this fight every time I go to these places with my kid. Selling ‘fart’ shaped balloons and balls shouldn’t be welcomed at these places. I am sure there would be others who are on the same ship as mine.

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Maldives Land and Survey Authority

How do you define ‘land’ (Goathi)? What is the concept of a land owner? What rights and to what extent do you expect to enjoy these rights within the boundary of your land? Why does continuous rain of 6-8 hours create mini-pools on many major roads of Male’? Why do many Islanders express dissatisfaction on their Harbour depths and break water heights? Why can’t Travelers trust their GPS maps? This list can be continued for pages. Existence of numerous such matters represents the importance of a National Land Survey Authority to implement, regulate and maintain a proper Land law (cadastral system), surveying and mapping mechanism.

Construction of 16 storey hotel at H.Athireege during 2008 generated various problems/issues most of which were damages caused to private properties that were not protected by a legal frame of cadastre. Apart from this, we all know that in Maldives, especially in Male’ conflicts regarding ownership, common boundaries and easements of lands are numerous and it has lead to many of the prevailing social issues of the country.

According to the 2003 World Bank report on ‘Land Policies for Growth and Poverty Reduction’, “access to land and the ability to exchange it with others and to use it effectively are of great importance for poverty reduction, economic growth, and private sector investment as well as for empowering the poor and ensuring good governance”.

So, even according to the World Bank, we need sustainable land policies (a cadastral system) or a land administration system for proper determination and recording of ownership, value and the use of land to accelerate economic growth and to eradicate poverty. Although we do have a law named “Maldivian Land Act” (Dhivehirahjeyge Bimaabehey Gaanoonu), I find it legally incomplete to deliver those things mentioned above.

Let’s look at a different scenario showing the same necessity of a proper land law and Cadastral system. A recent headline at Haveeru daily read as follows, “A claim has been raised by MP Rozaina Adam against MP Ahmed Rasheed due to his squawking Cockatoo”, Most of those who commented on this story have taken it as a political propaganda or a ridiculous joke. But for me this is an interesting legal issue related to Land law which we ‘don’t have’ in our legal system. Legally, everyone should be entitled to enjoy his/her property/land without ‘interference’ from neighbours.

Under the Companion Animals Act 1998 of New South Wales – Australia, “…a council officer has the power to issue a nuisance order to the owner of the animal creating a persistent noise. The order can be issued to either the registered owner of the animal or to the person who normally keeps the animal. The animal can be declared a nuisance if they bark or make another noise that keeps occurring or continues to such a degree that it unreasonably disturbs neighbours. The order remains in force for six months. If the owner does not comply with the order, the owner may face a fine of $550 or more”.

Yes, formation of Maldives Land and Survey Authority would be an addition to the increasing number of various corporations, companies, and offices whose necessities are being questioned by many of us. And I am not a fan of this extravagance policy of the government. But, as it is done in the developed and developing countries, we urgently need a Land and Survey Authority.

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You may not drink it, but?!?!

“You don’t have to drink it although they sell it”, “The government is not going to make it mandatory for every Maldivians to drink it. So what is the problem?” This is how those who support the government to permit the sale of alcohol in Maldivian islands try to justify their policy.

The first statement sounds like saying that “You don’t have to smell it although I fart at your face” or “You don’t have to smoke although they sell cigarettes”. Those of us who don’t smoke are passive smokers for the reason that we live and mingle with active smokers. So although you don’t drink or the government doesn’t make it mandatory for us to drink, doesn’t mean that you will be free from the problems caused by the alcohol.

Alcohol is a depressant drug which in high quantities can cause unconsciousness and even death. Frequent and high level alcohol consumers face uncountable health problems including strokes, cancer, vascular and liver diseases. If you are not a drinker you may be free from these problems.

But a large proportion of alcohol related calamities contribute disability and death through accidents, violence, suicide and homicide. When drunk, you are more likely to indulge in sex, extreme verbal and physical abuse. Remember it’s not only alcohol drinkers who become the victims of these accidents and violence. Many innocent people have become the victims of the drinkers in Countries where they allow drinking.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics Alcohol is the second largest cause of drug-related deaths and hospitalisations in Australia after tobacco and it’s the main cause of deaths on Australian roads. The estimated economic cost of alcohol misuse to the Australian community in 1998 to 1999 was estimated to be about AUS $7.6 billion. This is the situation of a developed Country where they have proper law enforcement capabilities.

Now imagine our present situation. Although it’s illegal, even now many people manage to get alcohol beverages in our society. Illegal sexual activities, street fights and raping has become a part of this small community. Many youths are desperate to get some form of intoxication whether it’s Dunlop, Cologne, Kerosene etc. Government doesn’t have proper law enforcement capabilities. So where would we end up if the road for intoxication is made easier than now?

What trust is this man – Adhil Saleem talking about? He better first face the public with the truth regarding his sexual scandals and the recent guest house story. I know that he can’t be Tiger Wood, but at least let us know who you really are.

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Failed!?

James Cameron’s last film ‘Avatar’ is on its way to triumph over his best feature film and the king of the cinemas ‘Titanic’. The film named after the largest, most advanced and luxurious ship of its time, which failed to complete its first voyage under the captaincy of E.J. Smith. Why did the experienced captain who was about to retire failed? It’s not only your qualification and experience that take you to success.

Whatever the way you define the word ‘fail’, it would show lack of performance, motivation, preparation, effectiveness and sufficiency in doing a certain job. Being unable to complete a job within a given time is a more specific way to describe the word ‘fail’ and it has taken account of an important factor-time which has to be kept in mind when talk about ‘fail’. Completing a 2 hour exam within 3 hour doesn’t make you pass. Bringing 5-10 years progress within 30 years doesn’t make you a leader.

Every now and then we hear and see DRP and PA members defining the present government as failed and disabled making their statement an old chestnut. Maumoon and his cronies have had ultimate power for 30 whole years, but did nothing close to what they could have done within that much time, and now go on rebuking the present government who is just 1 year old. How truthful, loyal and logical would be these people who label the new government as a disabled dummy? Can you imagine the development that could be brought within 30 years to a small country like Maldives who has been having a high per capita GDP for years? Don’t you think 30 years is even enough for Maumoon to reclaim another island nation called Maldives from Indian Ocean and bring it to the present standard or even to a better standard?

Despite being a failure, he still manages to be on the horizon, not because he is credited like Lee Kuan Yew or Mahathir Mohamed. Didn’t Suharto and Augusto Pimochet have supporters during their days? Didn’t Robert Mugabe have supporters? Many aged people are caught in the spell of him thinking that he is a pious man. This is the best way I can define the two major groups of people who still support him.

Yes, in politics there will be oppositions and we really need them, but not old rotten eggs. Don’t you think Maumoon and his cronies have had enough chances to take us to the sky they promised? They have had their chips. When someone else is trying to do the 2 hour exam you failed to do within the time doesn’t mean he is the failure, you are the failure. When someone else is trying to bring the progress Maumoon failed to bring within 30 years doesn’t mean he is the failure, Maumoon is the failure. Maumoon and his cronies are the obvious failures. So don’t try to be a dog in the manger, sit aside with the bit of luck you guys already have got. Those who have cut down a 30 year old tree will know very well how to cut down a much younger one when the time comes.

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Be happy, let bygones be bygones

How often do you wish that you have never done it, something you have done in the past? How often do you wish if you could undo or edit your life, restarting back from a certain point in the past? No matter how strong is your wish, how deep is your anguish, the past can’t be changed.

Yet it is innate to have such wishes for the reason that neither can you have a past without mistakes nor can you get rid of mistakes in the future. Mistakes happen in spite of who you are. Who expected Jesse Jackson and Tiger Wood, who stand on their dignities to get caught in sex scandals? Successors are those who take mistakes as lessons of wisdom, obstacles as opportunities, not as consternations with regret.

How hardly a disaster strikes, how destructive it is, how desperate you are, remember, it too shall pass as 26th December 2004 had. At dreadful moments, it is normal for you to wonder if you will ever make it, if you will ever reach your goal, if your life will ever be the same or better than before, if it is really worth to go through all the pain and suffering while you are unaware about the final outcome. Yes, this is the life of this world. Happiness, worries, sadness are a part of human life. Solution is to get strengthened, encouraged and empowered in front of the unpredictable future ahead, not to harbor meaningless wishes for a life without trouble. If the door in front of you is closed, another opens, so don’t wait there looking at the closed one in despair.

You don’t necessarily need to have the best of everything for you to be happy, just move with the flow of your life, taking happiness as a journey, not as a destination. Remember, when your friend finishes a 3 hour exam within 1 hour doesn’t mean he or she would score better than you. When your friend is not being tested like you are doesn’t mean his or her life is precious or happier than yours. You need to wear his or her shoes for you to know what he or she is up to. Never expect to get mentally or physically matured by getting aged, maturity has more to do with the variety of things you have met and learned in your life.

Take lessons from the past and treasure every moment of your life as much as possible. Let bygones be bygones and happily begin the New Year 1431, 2010 with hopes and inspirations.

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