http://zainhd.com/2011/02/public-intellectuals-discourse-in-south-se-asia-farish-noor/
You are currently browsing the monthly archive for February 2011.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lf2z38u2djA
For some reason, I took to great liking Ory Okolloh’s talk from TED Africa. Probably because it had a lot to do with perception, an issue I’ve always taken to discussion, debate and argument, more so since I started working in communications. But I just saw a video (above), that relates to another point Ory made, which is scalability. (See her talk here)
This hit me a little bit stronger because I’ve been recently asked to be a guest judge on national television for a show where people propose their own ideas (in view of something indirectly bigger) and then money is granted to the winners. And along with the cliche word sustainability, scalability is one of the first few requisites that popped in my head when the invitation was extended to me should the show go through.
Scalability is often something that is tangible and measurable, in respect to what is being done. Relation to it, is often required to be direct, and somewhat immediate. However, somethings require a great more foresight for you to visualize how far can it actually go and I believe this is a view that many not neglect, but fail.
With President Ali Abdullah Saleh in Aden, Yemen Dec '01
A lot of Asians, get annoyed with foreigners categorize us as one, when the region is both too vast and too diverse. Similarly with South East Asians, and then Malaysians – who are very aware that by the regions within the country alone, we can be quite diverse, let alone on other aspects. But the same has been the case for us towards the other parts of the world. A case in point is the Arab world (a chunk of which is in Asia).
I’ve been to the Middle East now maybe 8 times and still trying to understand the cultural demographics and political dynamics. But even with something closer to the surface than that, there are stark differences. So even if you have come across a sufficient number of them either in or out of their land, it’s not a representation of the mass, and perhaps an inaccurate generalization, albeit sometimes necessary.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqJDuZIcQ34
Besides being in frequent contact with people there, online and offline, my last visit to that side of the world was to Yemen in last December. And it further highlighted the point in my view, that overall things there need a shakeup, and one that I had no hope for until Tunisia. The above video (lyrics here) is a lighter note of things, and below is an email I received recently from a man I had dinner with in KL last year. I vividly remember after him looking at me carefully and asking where I’m from, he replied, ana min Tunis (I am from Tunisia).
I’m not at liberty to share his name nor the nature of how I met him, but he is one that is very familiar with the political climate (public and underground), among other things, of that spot on the globe we call the Arab world. I share this email here to put out to you that what happened was very real, and it started along time ago. More importantly, it involves our brother and sister human beings.
‘Everything is ok for my family in Tunisia and I’m really proud of being Tunisian, one of the sons of a great people. Our martyrs, including my eldest brother killed in the 1961 war against France, were not dead for nothing and the honour of our dear country belongs to them. The struggle against despotism, in all its forms, will guarantee to the Arab peoples the dignity they deserve and the bell is tolling for the dictators and their lackeys.’
http://zainhd.com/2011/02/funny-video-passionate-email/
The following, is just what I posted on Twitter moments ago:
Im abt 2 rant.&no, dnt excuse me.Its a point Ive 2 make,that may only b relevant 2 Muslims as that is the target audience this time. I’m not asking or suggesting you to be for or against Valentine’s Day, neither to keep dwelling about how good or not JAKIM is. While I understand, that Valentine’s is more in your face, and probably tangible, but as with the same line the discussion has been quite involved with Islam lately. Conveniently it’s a public holiday for all tomorrow. And more so, it’s Maulidur Rasul if the basic premise of being Muslim is subscribing that the Prophet (Rasul) is your Messenger, then surely it would be within your interest to note that tonight, at dusk where the beginning of day is in Islamic calendar, is a significant one. We can go on ends debating either Valentines, Maulidur Rasul or Zain’s self righteous surprise to speak on religion, or we can do that, AND be part of a maulid/maulud. There’s one tonight at Al-Falah mosque, USJ Taipan. I’ll be there most prob.
*On Tuesday night, another function at Wilayah Mosque.
Above is a picture of my hall on my first night, where I’ve been sleeping for the past week and continue to until my bed arrives. Today marks, 7 days after moving into my new home. I shall spend tomorrow, doing the final leg of unpacking and tidying up. And the coming week, cleaning it and touching up. Thank you to all those who have been visiting, settling the atmosphere to the desired climate.
- http://zainhd.com/2011/02/home-mansion/