Friday, December 30, 2011

Ariffin Mamat, Poet.

Ariffin Mamat (a.k.a. Pak Pin) grew up poor; his widowed mother tapped rubber to raise her orphaned brood, of which he was the youngest and only son.

Torchlight clasped to his forehead, the little boy would keep her company on those dark, silent misty mornings as she laboured from tree to tree.

Straitened as his family was, Ariffin was rich in dreams. He wanted to be educated and to succeed in life so he could help break the family's vicious circle of grinding poverty. 

Born and raised in Kemubu, Kelantan, Ariffin was barely 10 when his already depressed world crumbled with the death of his father.

All his young life, what little Ariffin had wanted the most was a pair of shoes, a luxury his mother could ill-afford.

Four decades and 40-odd countries later, Ariffin is a hotshot human resource professional honing his skills and plying his trade in the international corporate arena.

This Jeddah-based Malaysian expatriate could buy ten closetfuls of shoes, not to mention surrounding himself with material wealth, if he so wished.

Instead, the applied physics graduate-turned-HR expert wrote poetry and self-financed its publication.

His words, in particular the requiem for his late mother, reduced me to tears, thankfully in the privacy of my study. And if you have marshmallow heart like I do, you would too.

Without a doubt, Ariffin writes beautifully. His language is lucid, his words cut painfully deep. He wrote about love, about loneliness, about human foibles, about God.

'Mat Jiwang' to the core, Ariffin unashamedly wears his heart on his sleeve that Pak Abu and I feel compelled to keep Echo of Silence - Masih Di Sini by our respective bedside until the new year rolls in...



Echo of Silence - Masih Di Sini. This anthology of poems is currently marketed online. For details, please click on the link given at the foot of this article.


Team effort. The family setting up booth at the entrance of launch arena, The Oswego, Impiana KLCC. The bespectacled lady in yellow tudung is Aishah Talib, the love of Pak Pin's life.


A copy of the book encased in ice, to be chipped free during the launch. The ceremony was officiated by YBhg Datuk Johan Jaffar, Chairman of Media Prima Group, who also recited a poem of his choice to mark the occasion.


The freshly-minted author recounting his bittersweet journey into the world of prose. 


Kama back in the fold as emcee, but only this once, and only for Pak Pin (did this for a living back in the '90s). These days, the only microphone she cares for is the one in the karaoke lounge. 


Supporters and such, 70 strong, cramming the bar space. Thank you folks for your support. 


The Press Conference...


Featured on primetime news, no less. Way to go, Pak Pin!

A sampling of Pak Pin's poetic prowess:


You Don't Know Him

Like a speck of dust
his soul floats in the air
blown by a sudden gush
his reasons turn into despair
lost in the hour's rush.

He retreats into a loner's lair
no one knows him
and no one cares
no one misses him
and no one's here nor there
all alone tonight
he tussles with the angels
a glimpse of light
flames from melting candles
dreams he weaves, of love he has none!


Sunday, December 25, 2011

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year


Here's Kama & Co wishing Kata Kama's Christian readers Selamat Hari Natal. May the New Year bring joy and good tidings, may we continue to live in peace and harmony, and may the Good Lord bless us all. Amen.

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Waxing Lyrical on Wednesday




Away From You

away from you
i feel a great emptiness
a gnawing loneliness

with you
i get that reassuring feeling
of wanting to escape

(Roger McGough)

Monday, December 19, 2011

Meremang...

Hingga semalam, sudah lama "dia" tidak menonjolkan diri. Saya berkata demikian sebab saya sudah lupa bilakah episod terdahulu.

Termenung saya sejenak untuk mengingatinya. Kalau tidak kerana catatan blog, tak mungkin saya dapat recall 'lawatannya' yang terakhir sebelum ini.

Sebenarnya, sejak kepulangan kami daripada Tanah Suci, "dia" hampir lenyap dari hidup saya. Mungkin sebab saya tidak lagi terbawa-bawa dengan arus hidup penuh kepura-puraan seperti dulu. 

Saya amat arif dengan kehadirannya, walaupun saya tidak begitu pasti "dia" siapa. Setiap kehadirannya akan menderaukan darah saya; cuak ada, seriau pun ada. Yang tiada hanya perasaan takut.

Saya tahu tiada apa yang perlu saya takutkan. Saya terima kehadirannya sebagai makhluk Allah Subhanahu Wata'ala, dengan hati yang terbuka.

Semalam saya sengaja melengahkan solat Zohor walaupun azan sudah lama berkumandang. Kuat betul dorongan syaitan supaya kekal mengadap laptop.

Jam sudah hampir 2.30 petang. Pak Abu sudah lama ke padang golf. Tee-offnya selepas Zohor; sepertimana biasa, beliau solat di surau kelab bersama rakan-rakan yang lain. 

Saya pulak (malu nak admit sebenarnya) masih leka melayan Facebook dan YouTube (sudah tentunya lagu-lagu Mandarin yang amat saya minati).

Mata sudah mulai kuyu, kepala pun dah mula terhangguk-hangguk. Sungguhpun begitu saya sedar solat belum disempurnakan. Tapi amatlah malas nak beransur ke bilik air untuk berwudhuk.

"Isyy, ngantuknya! Tidur dululah sekejap. Dapat satu jam cukuplah. Bangun 3.30, ambik wudhuk, solat, dan tunggu sampai masuk Asar. Amacam? Tak payah wudhuk banyak kali!"

Waah, meriah betul fikiran saya waktu tu. With the benefit of hindsight, saya sedar itulah bisikan syaitan, mungkin untuk mengulit saya ke alam mimpi hingga terlepas Zohor.

Tanpa lengah, saya masuk ke bilik tidur dan melabuhkan badan ke atas tilam empuk sambil mencapai bantal buat dakapan.

Dalam keadaan separa hanyut itu tiba-tiba... ADOI! jerit saya sambil bingkas bangun menggerak-gerakkan kaki. Ada sesuatu telah 'menoreh' tapak kaki kiri saya, seolah-olah dengan kuku yang amat tajam. Perit sekali hingga terhencut-hencut saya dibuatnya.

Saya pandang sekeliling..... sudah tentu tiada apa dan siapa di dalam bilik tidur. Meremang roma saya, perasaan mengantuk terbang entah ke mana. Meluru saya ke bilik air untuk berwudhuk dan mengerjakan solat.

"Ya Allah Ya Tuhan ku, ampunkanlah daku yang sangat lemah ini.."  

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Dalil Wajib Memakai Jilbab - Sekadar Berkongsi


(gambar hanya sebagai hiasan)

Someone dear sent me an e-mail on the following - found it in my inbox this morning - and I would like to share it with you. 

Read it with an open mind. The last thing I want my Muslim lady friends to think is that I'm ramming issues down their throat. I'm not; just sharing, for mutual benefit.

Personally, I find it intriguing enough to reconsider my current way of dressing...

@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

 Dalil wajib memakai jilbab (in English jilbab means 'overcoat') berdasarkan firman Allah:

“Wahai Nabi! katakanlah kepada isteri-isterimu, anak-anak perempuanmu dan isteri-isteri orang Mukmin, ‘Hendaklah mereka mengulurkan jilbabnya.” [Al-Ahzab (33):59]

Apakah makna jilbab itu?

Dalam kitab Al-Mu’jam Al-Wasith karya Dr Ibrahim Anis [Kaherah: Darul Maarif ms 128], jilbab diertikan sebagai ats-tsaubul musytamil ala al-jasadi kullihi (pakaian yang menutupi seluruh tubuh), atau ma fauqa ats-tsiyab kal milhafah (pakaian luar yang dikenakan di atas pakaian rumah, seperti milhafah (seperti jubah), atau al-mula’ah asy-tamilu biha al-mar’ah (pakaian luar yang digunakan untuk menutupi seluruh tubuh wanita).

Berdasarkan pengertian ini, jelaslah bahawa yang diwajibkan ke atas wanita adalah mengenakan pakaian yang satu (sekeping) yang lurus dari atas hinggalah ke bawah, yakni hingga ke mata kaki.

Maksud milhafah/mula’ah (Arab) adalah pakaian yang dikenakan sebagai pakaian luar [di dalamnya masih ada pakaian dalam i.e pakaian rumah atau pakaian sehari-hari tetapi bukan hanya coli dan seluar dalam] lalu diulurkan ke bawah hingga menutupi kedua mata kakinya.

Untuk pakaian atas, wanita disyariatkan (diwajibkan) memakai khimar iaitu tudung atau apa sahaja bahan/kain yang serupa dengannya yang berfungsi menutupi seluruh kepala, leher, dan lubang leher baju di dada.

Wajib memakai tsaub (pakaian), di samping jilbab

Tsaub ialah ‘pakaian di rumah’ iaitu pakaian yang dipakai oleh wanita di hadapan mahramnya semasa berada dalam hayatul khassah (kehidupan khusus) tatkala tiada lelaki ajnabi (lelaki asing) di dalamnya.

Dalil mengapa wajib mengenakan tsaub di dalam jilbab ialah berdasarkan firman Allah:

“Dan perempuan-perempuan tua yang telah terhenti (dari haidh dan mengandung) yang tiada ingin berkahwin (lagi), tiadalah atas mereka dosa menanggalkan pakaian (tsiyab) mereka, dengan tidak bertujuan mendedahkan perhiasan mereka.” [TMQ An-Nur (24):60].

Ayat ini membenarkan wanita yang telah putus haid dan tiada keinginan berkahwin menanggalkan atau melepaskan pakaian (tsaub).

Ini bermakna, jika tiada ‘pakaian’ di dalam jilbab, bermakna wanita yang telah putus haid berkenaan akan berbogel, walhal berbogel tidak dibolehkan.

Justeru, tsaub adalah ‘pakaian dalam’ (pakaian rumah) yang wajib dipakai oleh Muslimah di samping jilbab (pakaian luar) di dalam hayatul am atau di dalam hayatul khas tatkala ada lelaki ajnabi.

Adapun sifat-sifat jilbab/pakaian wanita adalah sebagai berikut:

1. Menutup seluruh badan, kecuali bahagian yang boleh dibuka.
Allah berfirman:

وَلاَ يُبْدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلاَّ مَا ظَهَرَ مِنْهَا وَلْيَضْرِبْنَ بِخُمُرِهِنَّ عَلَى جُيُوبِهِنَّ

"Dan janganlah mereka (wanita-wanita beriman) menampakkan perhiasan mereka kecuali yang (biasa) nampak dari mereka. Dan hendaklah mereka menutupkan kain kudung ke dada mereka." [QS. 24:31]

Allah melarang wanita menampakkan perhiasannya, kecuali yang biasa nampak. Tentang perhiasan yang biasa nampak, maka ada dua penafsiran ulama:

a) Pakaian yang dikenakan. Ini pendapat Ibnu Mas’ud.

b) Wajah dan dua telapak tangan. Ini merupakan pendapat sahabat: Aisyah, Ibnu Umar, dan Ibnu Abbas. Juga merupakan pendapat Ibnu Jarir, Al-Baihaqi, Adz-Dzahabi, Al-Qurthubi, Ibnul Qoththon, Al-Albani.

Dan ini pendapat yang lebih kuat, kerana merupakan amal yang berlaku pada banyak wanita di zaman Nabi dan setelahnya. (Jilbab Mar’atil Muslimah, hal: 41, 51, 52, 59).

Dengan demikian wanita muslimah wajib menutupi seluruh tubuhnya, kecuali wajah dan telapak tangan.

Menutup wajah wanita tidaklah wajib, namun bukanlah perbuatan yang berlebihan, bahkan hal itu merupakan keutamaan, kerana dilakukan oleh isteri-isteri Nabi dan sebahagian sahabat wanita di zaman itu dan setelahnya.

Sheikh Nasaruddin al-bani berkata: "Lebih utama dan lebih mulia bagi wanita untuk menutup wajah."

2. Bukan merupakan perhiasan.

Tujuan perintah berjilbab adalah untuk menutupi perhiasan. Kalau jilbab/pakaian itu sendiri dihiasi, dengan renda dan pelbagai aksesori, warna-warni yang menarik pandangan orang, maka ini termasuk “tabarruj” yang terlarang. Allah berfirman:

وَلاَ يُبْدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ

"Dan janganlah para wanita mukminat itu menampakkan perhiasan mereka." [QS. 24:31]

Allah juga berfirman:

وَقَرْنَ فِي بُيُوتِكُنَّ وَلاَ تَبَرَّجْنَ تَبَرُّجَ الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ اْلأُوْلَى

"Dan hendaklah kamu tetap di rumahmu dan janganlah kamu tabarruj." [QS. 33:33]

Tabarruj artinya perbuatan wanita yang menampakkan perhiasannya, keindahan-keindahannya, dan segala yang wajib ditutupi, yang berupa perkara-perkara yang mendorong syahwat laki-laki”. (Jilbab Mar’atil Muslimah, hal:120)

Oleh kerana itulah jika keluar rumah, hendaklah wanita memakai pakaian yang berwarna gelap, tidak menyala dan berwarna-warni sehingga akan menarik pandangan orang.

Wallahu'alam.

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Trailer Tale

Remember the "Undilah" trailer recently aired over Astro? (see trailer, one of many, here)

The video footage had a gaggle of personalities, from politican Tengku Razaleigh to thespian Adflin Shauki, author Dina Zaman, MP Khalid Samad, Air Asia head honcho Tony Fernandez and many many more (even that unpalatable rabblerouser Namewee was included),  exhorting the likes of you and I (especially the liat, "can't be bothered" ones, of course) to register as voters.

Fine and well, I say. After all the trailer is about persuading those among us who have yet to register as voters, to do so.

Frankly, I loathe those who have a lot to say about the state of governance in this country, but have never exercised their civic duty to help determine the future of our nation.

It's like a confirmed bachelor or lifelong spinster dishing out advice on how to raise children to exasperated parents of boisterous kids.
  
[For the record, I have been exercising my right as a voter without fail since the late '70s, right from the time I reached the age of consent to vote. But I digress...]

Among the many people featured holding aloft a placard/board proclaiming "Undilah" in the trailer is an old Malay woman (you can't really miss her; she's the only elderly Makcik in there).

I recognised her as a neighbour, a retired teacher, unmarried, who speaks with a thick Kedah slang and lives above us here at the condo.

I had been meaning to rib the pleasant, soft-spoken, diminutive former cikgu about it, but opportunity only presented itself this morning when we shared a lift ride.

Said she: "Ya, I have been told I appeared holding a card of some sort in the video. But you know, I never did although it was me alright."

Eh?

"I was in a shop somewhere, Bangsar rasanya, when someone approached me suruh angkat tangan gitu, so I did lah. I didn't know they were going to edit a placard into it; not that it matters.."

So I said to her: "Waah, so trusting lah you, Auntie. What if they edit the video and put a board that says "Lesbian, and Loving It!" in your hand? Tak ker haru!" ...

She gave me a throaty scream.. what a sweet, sweet old lady... :-D

Thursday, December 8, 2011

The Conspirators

Awang Jules: "Go away with your camera, Ma! I wanna take a nap and you're startling me!"

Lillie: "Enough of FBing and your endless Mandarin song practice, Ma. Humour me!"

Awang: "Let's give the old woman our muka kesian. Who knows, she may just fall for it and feed us again. In the mean time, let's lanyak her bed nice and proper, shall we, Lil?"

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Undersea Angels @ One Utama

For this year's Yuletide centrepiece One Utama goes undersea, with plump, pretty angels nestled among bright and shining multi-coloured corals and pristine white shells.

Whimsical and charming, it's a pleasant departure from the usual humongous fake pine laden with baubles, streamers, lights and other sparklies.



Friday, December 2, 2011

Buku Time

"The most delicious, depraved, inventive, macabre and hilarious literary debut I can think of... More , I want more!" Stephen Fry

"Redolent of soft leather chairs in fine gentlemen's establishments, and the cracking of whips in the basements beneath them. Perniciously addictive." Guardian

"It is easy to imagine Oscar Wilde, on a chaise longue smoking an absurdly expensive cigarette, reading The Vesuvius Club and laughing out loud at its playful decadence and wit. There can surely be no higher praise." Times Literary Supplement 

Now, with blurbs like these, who wouldn't be tempted to rush a purchase and speed home to savour it?  I did, but it look me two long years before I could actually finish it.



I plunged into the book almost immediately upon buying it in December 2009. For some reasons, I just couldn't get past the first chapter. Something felt missing between the pages.

After a few tries, I gave up and abandoned the book altogether, consigning it to the upper shelf, where it languished until I spied upon it once again a fortnight ago. 

Determined to give it another try, I took it down, dusted it and began again. Strangely enough, there was renewed zest as I settled into the storyline. 

It was such a refreshing departure from my usual true-life crime & mystery, murder & mayhem staple. I'm glad I did what I did. A great read The Vesuvius Club turned out to be. ..  


Went to Borders at The Curve last week to check out new offerings from Stephen King and Jonathan Kellerman, and found these two.

I'm long done with "Mystery". Loved the many twists and turns. Pak Abu, who reads only at bedtime, is still plodding along with "Full Dark, No Stars"..


A month ago, found this one nestled amongst my Haruki Murakamis. Don't know whose book it is and how it got there; I know for sure it's not mine. if I were to hazard a guess, it could be son Naj's (have yet to ask him), for that's his kind of read.

Not one to pass up a chance of reading a feebie, I settled into the book, which recounted the motorbike travels of two good friends, actor Ewan McGregor (Obi-Wan Kenobi of Star Wars fame) and fellow actor Charley Boorman. 

It's a fascinating and entertaining travel book about two bikers chasing their shadows through Europe, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Russia, across the Pacific to Alaska, then down through Canada and America.  

Two middle-class Brits roughing it out on the Steppes and in Siberia, being offered boiled sheep head in a Mongolian yurt (as honoured guests they had to dig out the eyes and eat them, a delicacy as it were)... Commendable read..
  


Books waiting to be read... hope it's not going to be a two-year wait like The Vesuvius Club.... :-)