PDF - Jamiyah Singapore
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PDF - Jamiyah Singapore
JAMIYAH SINGAPORE ﺻﻮ ﺕ ﺍﻹﺳﻼﻡ of Islam Suara Islam MCI (P) • 093/05/2013 aug / sep Issue • 2013 Allahyarham Tuan Haji Abu Bakar Maidin 1927 - 2013 What’s Inside: Tuan Haji Abu Bakar Maidin The Man Behind Jamiyah Chronicles of Hajj Legal Clinic Anniversary The Great Manifestation of Unity and Tawhid The 37th Anniversary of Jamiyah Free Legal Clinic Issue 2 / 2013 Voice Contents aug / sep Issue • 2013 Contents Tribute 05 08 10 12 Abu Bakar Maidin: The Man Behind Jamiyah Milestones The Moments Remembering Abu Bakar Maidin Chronicles of Hajj Dakwah 47 49 50 52 58 Kasih Ibu Membawa Ke Syurga Ulasan Buku Rangkaian Pantun Dakwah Islam The Perennial Peace Mission நல்லிணக்கேம நம் வழி* ﺣﺴﻦ ﺍﻟﻈﻦ 14 Hajj and Modernity: The Evolving Spirit of Hajj 16 Different Degrees of Hajj 18 Hajj Memories: Iman Wong Features 20 37th Anniversary Jamiyah Free Legal Clinic 22 Jamiyah National Day Observance Ceremony 24 Raya Away From Home 14 Events 25 26 28 29 30 31 Halimah Yacob Hi-Tea Felicitation Remembering Nuzulul Quran Celebrations Under the Umbrella of Love The Blessings of Ramadhan A Helping Hand for the Needy Engaging the Young Leaders of Tomorrow Women 20 32 Regional Women Forum On Empowering Teenagers’ Self Identity 33 Heaven Lies Beneath Her Feet Education 34 36 38 46 ‘Eye’ Witness A Mathematics Genius Striving for Islamic Excellence The Quran Festival Lend-A-Hand Graduation Ceremony 25 Photo Diary 40 Photo Diary 05 Voice of Islam 3 aug / sep Issue • 2013 Editorial Editorial Board Advisor Prof (Adjunct) Dr Mohd Hasbi Abu Bakar Editor MOHD HOSNI ABDUL MALIK Editorial Board DR H. M. Saleem DR ISA HASSAN Mohd Noor Said AZEEMAH MUSTAFA Contributors DR H. M. Saleem AZEEMAH MUSTAFA Zainuddin Muhammad Ismail ANDI ABDUL KADIR ANDI KITTA MOHD ASHIK Iylia nurliyana Asnira hassan Farhana aziz Designers Azhar Kamar NOOR HIDAYAH SYAZWANI SYAFAWATI Published by: Jamiyah Singapore Printed by: Multiprint Services Licence no.: 125/01/2013 Like us on Facebook! facebook.com/jamiyah.org.sg Jamiyah Singapore 31 Lorong 12 Geylang Singapore 399006 Tel: +65 6743 1211 Fax: +65 6745 0610 Email: [email protected] Website: www.jamiyah.org.sg 4 Voice of Islam Editorial Note Assalamualaikum wr wb. In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Tuan Haji Abu Bakar Maidin, Special Advisor to Jamiyah Singapore, passed away on the 10th of September. He was an outstanding individual who shaped Jamiyah to where it is now. We pay tribute to Tuan Haji Abu Bakar Maidin and take a look back at the highlights of his legacy. The Chronicles of Hajj: A recollection of the past, present and future of Makkah is a compilation that highlights the changes of Hajj through time.Hajj is among the five pillars of Islam and is performed by millions of Muslims during the month of Zulhijjah. This unified act of worship takes place yearly in the holy place of Makkah where Muslim pilgrims from all over the world come together and bring themselves closer to God. An embodiment of humility, Hajj promotes brotherhood. A short write-up on evolution of Hajj will shed light on how the changes surrounding Makkah has impacted pilgrims through advancement of technology. We also take a look at a personal recount of Iman Wong, a Chinese-Muslim convert as she shares with us her Hajj experience. In this modern day, the community continuously faces challenges. As an organization, we collectively rally efforts to tackle these challenges head on. VOI glimpses at the many efforts that had taken place in Jamiyah such as the launching of I-Counsel in conjunction with Jamiyah Legal Clinic reaching its 37th anniversary, food ration distribution, seminars that are aimed at motivating the community in Singapore. Jamiyah continuously strives to serve and build the local and global community in the areas of Welfare Services or Education. We take note of achievements made by members of the community such as Nuzulul Quran, I Am a Genius Workshop, Haflah and Lend a Hand Graduation Ceremony. The Exemplary Mother Award (EMA) is a nationwide prestigious event that takes place every year. This year, EMA will be held at Ritz Carlton Millenia Singapore. We take a peek at the final round of judging with the top 10 finalists before a panel of judges. We bring this latest issue of Voice of Islam, to you in the convenience of your home and time online. We value the confidence that we have been given and Jamiyah Singapore will always work towards fulfilling our responsibility towards the community. Through our dedicated efforts, we shall continue to build and uplift the community, Insya Allah. MOHD HOSNI ABDUL MALIK Editor, Voice of Islam Tribute aug / sep Issue • 2013 Abu Bakar Maidin the man behind jamiyah IT is often glossed over that the human is essentially a being of values. The late Tuan Haji Abu Bakar Maidin was a man of such and centred his life around these values. He was a visionary who championed many causes for not only the local, but also the international community. He had big hopes for the community and shouldered a dream for a better tomorrow. He enforced the right values within his family and also led them by example. Voice of Islam 5 aug / sep Issue • 2013 Tribute Haji Abu Bakar had gone through difficult times in his life, from the relative poverty of his childhood, the ordeals of the Japanese occupation to the struggle of surviving in the business world and eventually, also faced the challenges of the society in the 20th century. He envisioned change for the community and strongly believed in ‘God will not change the condition of people until they change what is in themselves’ (Ar Ra’d 13:11). The experience from his struggles shaped his psyche; It surfaced the Islamic values infused by his role models and nurtured by the volunteer missionaries at the old Jamiyah Singapore which included founder, Maulana Abdul Aleem Siddique. Haji Abu Bakar was also inspired by the personal ethics of Prophet Muhammad PBUH: Fatanah, Sidq, Amanah and Tabligh which refer to Intelligence, Truthfulness, Sense of Responsibility and Ongoing Missionary Work. This was often verbalized by our iconic leader. Haji Abu Bakar often emphasized the need to “walk the talk” as he saw it as the most effective form of missionary work. He believed that whatever we do is “ibadah” (worship of Allah) because it is a service to humanity. The caveat is that it is done sincerely and with excellence because wherever we are, we are inescapably in the presence of Allah SWT. It was his striving for excellence that enabled Haji Abu Bakar to become an icon admired by Muslims and non –Muslims alike. “God will not change the condition of people until they change what is in themselves”. (Ar Ra’d 13:11) and challenged him to expand his knowledge of work for Islam. He was moved by the words Maulana Abdul Aleem Siddique - to pull all communities together for the love of God, the vision of Islamic unity. With such exposure, Haji Abu Bakar realised the global dimensions of Islam and the great potential of the Ummah. His involvement with Jamiyah began in his youth as part of the Youth Corp and eventually the Darah Muda (Young Blood). Darah Muda consisted of volunteers who tirelessly devoted their time to Jamiyah. When he was elected as President of Jamiyah in 1970, Haji Abu Bakar promised that the Society would work for the progress of Islam and the community. He also pledged that he would dedicate and devote his energies for the noble mission that Jamiyah was established. At a young age, Haji Abu Bakar had the influence of the kampong gotongroyong spirit that he was fond of and believed in the unity of the community in achieving a common goal. Through the years, it was with this kampong spirit that Jamiyah bloomed and expanded its services. It engaged the partnership of the Ministries to establish various welfare homes, a halfway house and education services for the community. Under his helm, Free Legal Clinics, Welfare Clinics and Food Ration distributions were set up and these services catered to those in need. Haji Abu Bakar had the vision for Jamiyah to play a part in the progress of the Ummah. With careful planning, Education centres such as the Jamiyah Education Centre, various Student Care and Service Centres and also Early Childhood Centres were set up to encourage academic excellence. Whatever was done, it was always done with the same intention - for the community. He was the engine that galvanized and motivated the community to unite and reach out to those in need. Haji Abu Bakar felt that it was inborn in a human to accept the other despite the differences in culture and religion. He was heavily influenced by the thoughts and actions myriad of personalities that he interacted with throughout his career as a Director (Finance) in Leo Burnett Pte Ltd, Muslim scholars and also the soldiers While growing up, Haji Abu Bakar was affected by the stories and news he heard from his father through attending weddings, religious and kampong events. He had always been very observant but more importantly, he remembered the important values that he had learned from the Muslim world and of their heroes. Haji Abu Bakar’s close relationship with the pioneers of Jamiyah inspired 6 Datuk Syed Ibrahim Omar Alsagoff presenting a donation cheque from the World Muslim League to Abu Bakar Maidin Voice of Islam Tribute aug / sep Issue • 2013 Khamis, was his strong supporter and always assisted in representing him social engagements that he was unable to personally attend. It helped that they were volunteers at Jamiyah Singapore because that allowed him to at least see his wife and children. A father of five, with nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, he had always ensured his full support and encouragement in all their educational endeavours. Mr Lee Hsien Loong, Former Deputy Prime Minister, visits Jamiyah Islamic Centre and prisoners during the Japanese Occupation. He had a cosmopolitan perspective and believed strongly in fostering inter-religious harmony. In a multi- racial and religious Singapore, harmony is key in ensuring stability and growth of the nation. As a member and eventually President of the Inter-Religious Organisation (IRO), Haji Abu Bakar promoted causes for harmony within a society by organizing programmes such as the Multifaith Studies. Working together with the various faith organisations in Singapore, the IRO convened representatives of 10 different religions to promote multi faith harmony, human fellowship and global peace. Haji Abu Bakar came from a family of strong religious and education values. With a huge family, he grew up assisting his father to sustain their livelihood. Though his formal education was interrupted due to the Japanese Occupation, his father strongly believed in the value of education and Haji Abu Bakar was often sent by his father to gain knowledge through practical means. His father realised Haji Abu Bakar’s penchant for accounts and arranged for his son to study the subject with a well known friend of his. He attained his knowledge in a tangential fashion, picking up skills, and at the same time complementing it with formal classes and qualifications relevant to the knowledge. He made full use of opportunities given to him by his early employers who recognized his potential. His exposure to his bosses and colleagues enriched his working life. This made him even more capable in carrying out his duties during his career. He carried with him the same outlook and stuck by it during the 40 years when he was President of Jamiyah. When Haji Abu Bakar took over the leadership at the helm of Jamiyah, he realised that the gargantuan task of empowering Jamiyah and realising the aspirations of its pioneers and the Muslim community needed his total sacrifice. He decided to allocate whatever free time he had after office hours to Jamiyah Singapore. This led him to make sacrifices when it came to time with the family. His busy schedule caused him to spend little time with the family. If his family members wanted to see him, they had to snatch time to do so at Jamiyah Singapore. All his sons: Abdul Malik, Abdul Latiff, Mohamed Hasbi, and Mohamed Helmi were active members of the Jamiyah Youth Corps. His wife, Madam Zainab He was firm in the belief that experience is as important as the paper qualifications. He was constantly encouraging his family and staff to maximize their potential. He pushed them to acquire knowledge and utilize their skills to the best of their ability. It was this balance which Haji Abu Bakar often spoke about and encouraged within the community. He promoted the thought of a balanced yet excellent education, with no demarcation of secular and spiritual knowledge. It was his selfless nature and compassion for the underprivileged that was an inspiration for others to give back to the community. He never allowed physical pain to stop him from working. His determination and passion never failed to baffle the people around him. He kept going, not allowing fatigue or even uncertain conditions to deter him from what he wanted to achieve. He took those challenges as cubaan or a test from God. Haji Abu Bakar held strong to the belief that the Almighty would not test you more that you could handle. In the 40 years that he held office, it was his sheer love and care for the community that propelled Jamiyah to continuously uplift the community. Voice of Islam 7 aug / sep Issue • 2013 Tribute Milestones Achievements and International Recognition 1968 – First Muslim Director in an MNC, Leo Burnett Pte Ltd Singapore 1970 – Elected as president of Jamiyah at 37th AGM 1982 – Certificate of High Appreciation for Service to Humanity from the Secretary-General Dr Hamed Al-Ghabed of the Organisation of Islamic Conference 1990 – Appointed to the board of Public Service Commission 1993 – 1st Exemplary Mother Award Ceremony, the Presidential shield endorsed by the late former President, Dr Wee Kim Wee 1968 2000 – Honoured with the Pingat Bakti Masyarakat (Public Service Medal Award) of the Government of Singapore 2001 – Appointed as member to the Malay Community Committee, Chairperson in 2006 & 2011 2002 – Began a series of seminars for the region, in collaboration with ISESCO 2003 – First Chairman of Education Trust Fund, raised 10 million dollars to provide financial subsidies to the poor and needy children of the lowincome Malay Muslim families for their pre-school education 1993 2004 – Berita Harian McDonald’s Achiever of the Year Award, in recognition for his outstanding contribution in community service – President, Indonesia-Singapore Friendship Association – President of the Inter-Religious Organisation and during his time initiated the Multifaith Studies Programme – HindRatan Award given by the Non-Resident Indian Welfare Society, given my Shri Shivraj Patil, Home Minister, Government of India – Initiated the experiential learning ‘Touch of Harmony’ with Eduardo Ramos Gomez, then Mexican Ambassador to Singapore to promote harmony and peace 8 Voice of Islam 2003 2004 Tribute 2006 aug / sep Issue • 2013 2008 2008 2005 – Honoured with the Bintang Bakti Masyarakat (Public Service Star Award) of the Government of Singapore – Meritorious Service Award, in recognition of Jamiyah’s role in the Fight Against Drug Abuse 2006 – ISESCO Award, First Class in recognition for his significant contribution towards promoting Islamic Cultural and Civilisational values – NYU established the Abu Bakar Maidin Annual Scholarship Award, to be awarded towards students who demonstrate outstanding contribution towards promoting peace and humanitarian services 2007 – ISESCO appointed Hj Abu Bakar as Regional Coodinator for the Asia Pacific Region – DMDI conferred the Hang Tuah Award 2008 – Anugerah Jasa Cemerlang presented by MUIS – President’s Social Service Award 2009 – Darjah Kerabat Yang Termulia Sultan Mindanao (The Sultan Mindanao Honorable Royal Status) from the Secretary General of Marawi City, Dato’ Dr Mohd Hassan Cana 2010 – IRO Award, in recognition for invaluable contribution towards Inter-faith Harmony – Stepped down as President of Jamiyah Singapore, became the Executive Consultant of Jamiyah Singapore – Distinguished Ambassador of Islam and Visionary Peace by Muslim Council of Ireland 2012 – The publication of his book Abu Bakar Maidin: Singapore’s Global Muslim Voice of Islam 9 2010 aug / sep Issue • 2013 Tribute The Moments of Abu Bakar Maidin ABM interviewed by TV Singapore upon appointment as MNC director ABM always treasured his time with the family PM Lee Kuan Yew visiting Jamiyah ABM with then President Wee Kim Wee ABM with then President S. R. Nathan and Dr Abdulaziz Othman Altwaijri at 4th ISESCO Seminar 10 Voice of Islam ABM with children from Global Child Development Centre Tribute aug / sep Issue • 2013 Group photo of Young Turks selling carnival coupons ABM received the Meritorious Service Award, presented to him by PM Lee Hsien Loong, in recognition of Jamiyah’s role in Singapore’s fight against drug abuse Serving the elderly at Jamiyah Home for the Aged (Darul Takrim) ABM and Jamiyah officials at Vatican City ABM with Interfaith Leaders Dr Tan Cheng Bock at the handing of keys for the Jamiyah Nursing Home (Darul Takrim) Voice of Islam 11 aug / sep Issue • 2013 Tribute Remembering Abu Bakar Maidin The visionary. The leader. The friend. President of Singapore, Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam Haji Abu Bakar devoted his life to public service and helping the less privileged. He served on various national organizations to help the needy and was a pioneer in the development of social services for the Malay-Muslim community. He was known for his humility and leadership and was a role model for all Singaporeans. Speaker Parliament, Mdm Halimah Yaacob Haji Abu Bakar was a prominent figure who devoted his life not only for social work but also a champion for inter-racial and inter-religious harmony in Singapore. I hope his dedication to his work will be an inspiration for the younger generation to understand the true meaning of Social Work. Prime Minister, Mr Lee Hsien Loong Haji Abu Bakar was a stalwart of the Malay Community and devoted his life to the less privileged in Singapore. He championed inter-religious harmony and forged a strong partnership between Jamiyah and the Singapore Buddhist Lodge foundation to help the needy. Haji Abu Bakar also made a significant contribution to racial harmony as President of the Inter-Religious Organisation. Deputy Prime Minister Dr Teo Chee Hean Haji Abu Bakar telah menyumbang banyak kepada Singapura menerusi kerja-kerja kemasyarakatan, bukan sahaja dengan masyarakat Muslim setempat. Malah, beliau berjaya menjalin hubungan yang kukuh bersama kumpulan beragama lain di sini. Beliau juga mempelopori pelbagai usaha bersama kumpulan-kumpulan tersebut demi memenuhi kerperluan warga. Minister in charge of Muslim Affairs, Dr Yaacob Ibrahim Allahyarham bertungkus lumus demi kebaikan masyarakat dan sekali gus membantu memperluaskan ruang bagi masyarakat kita. Saya rasa ini satu kehilangan bukan sahaja bagi masyarakat kita, bahkan juga negara. Saya berharap legasi Allahyarham akan diteruskan oleh generasi muda. Former President of Singapore, Mr S. R. Nathan Those of us who have worked with him would know the extent to which he was prepared to do what he was doing without regard to his personal safety or health… (It) is hard to put down on record the extent to which they were of help. Abdulaziz Othman Al-Twaijri, Islamic Educational, (ISESCO) With regard to this great loss, I convey, on behalf of myself and family of the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) the heartfelt condolences and deep sympathy, praying to Allah, may Allah Almighty shower the deceased with His mercy, forgiveness and blessings and may you and your loved ones have patience and fortitude. President, Singapore Buddhist Lodge, Lee Bock Guan Dia abang saya. Saya adiknya. Kami berdua bermula pada 1970. Kami sangat rapat. Acara amal saya dihadiri abang. Acara amal abang saya akan datang. Kami akan terus bekerjasama dengan Jamiyah. 12 Voice of Islam Chronicles of Hajj aug / sep Issue • 2013 Chronicles of Hajj The Past, Present, and Future of Makkah “ I had at last found that dimension where human existence ceases to be held by the gravitation of sensual and worldly desires, where the soul is freed in an atmosphere of obedience and peaceful submission to the Divine Presence.” - Yusuf Islam In welcoming the holy month of Zulhijjah, VOI has compiled a series of features that gives you a better insight of Hajj’s evolution over the years. From personal recollections of Hajj experiences to differences between Hajj of the past and present, we hope to shed light on one of the most meaningful rites in Islam. Voice of Islam 13 aug / sep Issue • 2013 Chronicles of Hajj Al-Masjid Al-Haram, Makkah Hajj And Modernity: The Evolving Spirit Of Hajj Every year, Muslim pilgrims from all over the world congregate in the holy city of Makkah to perform their Hajj. Being one of the five pillars of Islam, it is obligated upon any able-bodied Muslim to perform Hajj. During Zulhijjah, the holy cities of Makkah and Medina will be packed with pilgrims as they devote their time to performing Hajj. The rites constitute one of the pillars of Islam, one that is incumbent upon all Muslims at least once in their lifetime. Additionally, these rites commemorate the historic 14 Voice of Islam events that took place during the time of Prophet Ibrahim PBUH when he submissively carried out the commands of Allah SWT. In its essence, the rites performed during Hajj impart universal values of humility and unity - from the obligatory white garment worn by both men and women (ihram) to the focal point of direction (qiblah) when it comes to praying - Hajj bears the definitive goal of getting closer to the Creator of the Universe. by Asnira Hassan Pilgrims flock all 1,200 sq km of the city of Makkah, eager to partake in the activities that will bring them a step closer to God. Every step of the religious rites - from the Tawaf, Sa’i, at Al-Haram Mosque to the period of self reflection at Arafah - are stark reminders for pilgrims that they are mere servants of God. The sense of unity can be seen as pilgrims collectively perform each rite to the best of their ability while defying the scorching desert sun. This instils a sense of brotherhood - a bond Chronicles of Hajj that unites and identifies all of us as Muslims. Dressed in their ihram, one is not able to discern between the rich or poor. Status and material wealth do not matter because in the eyes of God, everyone is the same. Year in year out, the rising number of Muslims around the world explains the growing need for new infrastructures that can hold millions at one time. Today, better sanitation, transportation, communication and technological advancements, Makkah, has transformed into a city of modernization. These high-end facilities are constantly upgraded and more new developments are currently in progress, thanks to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the vision and great foresights to align once a desert to a whole new city in line with world’s popular city. Makkah as it has always been, a well known city mentioned in the revealed books and ancient histories. It is a place pagans, idol worshippers, people of faith and even free thinker goes to for a devoted prayers. Today, the advancement of the city, for some, have translated the once in a lifetime spiritual journey into a family holiday and a journey with fantasies beyond spiritual enlightenment, with conditions, the escalating cost of travelling and administrative compliance are met. While clinging on the one and only objective, for the pleasure of Allah SWT, the division of the haves and have nots are beginning to show clear lines. Skyscrapers tower over the congregation of people circumambulating the Ka’abah. For those who can afford - they have the option of staying in luxurious 7 star hotels that offer a breathtaking view of the city - while others settle for cramped or even communal accommodation. Pilgrims who are in need of a caffeine fix can always drop by Starbucks after performing the Sa’i or even to the nearby Topshop for an outfit change. Global brands are increasingly dominating the area, giving a whole new meaning to “paradise”. Entries to Makkah is a privilege granted while multiple entries are made possible for those with deep pockets or exceptional ties. These are the antithesis of what Hajj is supposed to be. The spirit of unity or attaining nearness to God is diminishing with the rise of commercialization within the city. With all the structural, material and technological advancements, it is undeniable that Hajj has been made safer - road expansions, newly constructed highways and the aug / sep Issue • 2013 revamping of holy sites - the city is able to accommodate to the increasing number of pilgrims year after year. Mishaps such as road pile-ups, structural collapse and human stampedes that were previously common during this annual congregation have been steadily on the decline. The last major disaster was reported in 2006 (Al Jazeera, Hajj: Major Incidents, 2009). While these improvements have paved the way for better convenience and personal safety, Muslim scholars cannot help but argue that some of them were unnecessary and at times, at the cost of the destruction of historical sites in the city. No matter how much the landscape has changed, what should remain untouched is our intentions for performing Hajj. While we applaud any developments in the cause of humanity which is a testimony of Arabian first-class hospitality, pilgrims should draw attention to improving their faith to the best of their ability. After all, it is meant to be a journey of enlightenment and a golden opportunity to take a step closer towards God, Insya Allah. Say, “Indeed, my prayer, my rites of sacrifice, my living and my dying are for Allah , Lord of the worlds.” - Quran [6:162] Voice of Islam 15 aug / sep Issue • 2013 Chronicles of Hajj chronicles of hajj Different Degrees by Iylia Nurliyana The spirit of Hajj Of all the rites in the religion of Islam, Hajj is the greatest in its manifestation of unity and tawhid. The beauty of Hajj is seen through the brotherhood bond between men from all walks of life. This concept of unity essentially involves the idea of universality with the coming together of men in one place to glorify and remember God. Like every other journey that has a point of destination in mind, Hajj is a physical and spiritual journey that one embarks on with the aim of achieving betterment. Hence, the performance of the various external acts are futile if devoid of presence of the heart. The purpose of these acts is to draw a devotee’s attention away from the worldly life he has left behind. This is done through the shedding of material attachments of the heart so that the illumination of God’s Light can enter. Before one physically steps foot in the holy land, the soul should 16 Voice of Islam arrive first because Hajj is seen as a journey of soul, not distance. The soul is expected to grow from this experience. When one enters Hajj, he divorces himself from this world by leaving behind his worldly affairs. community, encouraging Muslims to foster kinship with one another. Furthermore, Eidul Adha is a public holiday in Singapore, giving families the opportunity to spend time together. Hajj is an evolution of soul in which man removes the impurities from his heart that have clung onto it. In a place where all men are equal, he humbles himself before the Lord as he remains indifferent to the fortune and misfortune of this world. The external acts of worship should mirror the journey his soul partakes in getting closer to God. It is through these different stages of servitude that one comes back, anew. The celebrations in Singapore usually centre on of rite of Qurban, the sacrifice of a livestock animal. This is to commemorate Prophet Ibrahim’s PBUH sacrifice of his son Prophet Ismail PBUH. On the morning of Hajj, Muslims congregate at mosques islandwide to perform Hajj prayers. After prayers, the men gather and carry out the Qurban, sacrificing livestock such as cow, sheep or goat. Hajj in Singapore 100 or more livestock per mosque. These livestock usually come from Australia and each mosque is allocated 100 or more livestock for sacrifice. The meat is then distributed among the needy and less fortunate. Hajj is celebrated differently in Singapore. Despite not being able to perform Hajj in that year, Singaporeans Muslims still make it a point to commemorate this auspicious day. Through the various activities, the spirit of gotong-royong (teamwork) transcends layers of the Despite the differences, Eidul Adha is a rewarding celebration, no matter where you are. Chronicles of Hajj aug / sep Issue • 2013 chronicles of hajj of Hajj The daily prayer, Hajj, circumambulation, and the other rites are aimed at remembering Allah. But when there is no remembrance of Him in your heart, what value will your oral remembrance have? - Prophet Muhammad PBUH Voice of Islam 17 aug / sep Issue • 2013 Chronicles of Hajj Hajj M by Farhana Aziz Iman Wong, 55 years old Chinese-Muslim convert Hajj is a perennial dream for many Muslims, and Muslim converts are no different in wanting to pursue the pilgrimage. For these converts, visiting the place where Islam first began gives them an injected boost of faith, intertwined with their prior knowledge on Prophet Ibrahim’s PBUH Hajj rites origination that they were familiar with. The opportunity to perform Hajj as a convert was “God’s calling to me,” admitted Sister Iman Wong, further expressing that it was indeed an unforgettable experience. The Singaporean Chinese was first interested in learning about Islam after reading a book called The Meaning of the Glorious Qur’an by Muhammad Pickthall. “My whole life, I have been questioning God to show me the righteous path of life… But it was only after reading a translation excerpt from Surah Al-Fatihah that it spoke some sense into me,” she expressed, “I’ll never forget those words ‘Show us the straight path, The path of those whom Thou hast favoured’.” Sister Iman’s burning passion and curiosity constantly grew day by day. She had heaps of questions, but kept receiving vague answers. Naturally, she decided to seek professional help and was met by the late Mr Zaini, a volunteer teacher from Darul Arqam Muslim Converts’ Association Singapore. Under his tutelage, Sister 18 Voice of Islam Iman slowly grew a deep connection towards Islam. Alhamdulillah, at a tender age of 21, she embraced Islam. Getting closer to God did not end there. An opportunity came knocking when she was given the chance to perform Hajj in 1994. With the blessings of her family, she plucked the courage and accepted ‘God’s invitation to visit the Holy City’. “Back then, there were no Hajj preparatory classes. I had to seek information from those who had been to Hajj. Alhamdulillah, I was fortunate to have friends and colleagues who helped me, and walked me through the rites that I was supposed to do. I made sure that I had all the supplications for the rites. I compiled them into a book so that I could easily refer to it as I went along. That was the extent of the preparations I did before I left for Jeddah,” revealed Sister Iman. “When I first saw the majestic sight of the Ka’bah, I was overwhelmed with emotions. It was this huge black cube right in front of me. And all that I could say at that point of time was ‘Syukur Alhamdulillah’ repeatedly,” she explained, “After years of praying five times a day, I was finally praying directly in front of the Ka’bah. It was simply surreal.” Sister Iman completed her Hajj trip without any complications or health restrictions. Alhamdulillah, she has since shared her amazing experiences with her Muslim friends - both converts and born-Muslims. She prays that the Almighty will extend His invitation to every other converts out there. The least she felt she could do was to inspire people around her and Insya Allah, they too may want to go on this fascinating journey one day. On top of that, she believes that every Muslim should make it a point to see Makkah with their own eyes, even if its just once. Never let money be an issue because when there’s a will, there’s a way. Her advice for any converts planning to perform Hajj is: “Always prepare in advance, keep fit by exercising regularly, do thorough reviews of Hajj rites, know your purpose of going there and be spiritually motivated. Chronicles of Hajj aug / sep Issue • 2013 Memories Remember to seek the Almighty’s help for anything and everything. Lastly, of course, to be patient. You will be tested even in the smallest of ways, so remember your purpose when you’re there.” Being able to see these traces of evidences scattered all over Makkah and Medina further proves a clearer connection with the history of Islam. All the more, creating a clearer conviction while exploring a renewed sense of strength and determination. Of course, Sister Iman would love to perform Hajj again, Insya Allah. As for now, she can only flip through the crisp pages of her Hajj photo album and relive those memories. It’s a tough longing that she dreams of everyday, but always thankful for being one of the lucky ones to be invited to the Holy Land. Remember to seek the Almighty’s help for anything and everything. Lastly, of course, to be patient. You will be tested even in the smallest of ways, so remember your purpose when you’re there.” Voice of Islam 19 aug / sep Issue • 2013 Features Mr K Shanmugam flanked by Prof (Adjunct) Dr. Mohd Hasbi Abu Bakar, Mr Yahya Syed, Mr Noor Mohd Marican, Dr G. Raman 37 Anniversary of Jamiyah Free Legal Clinic th In celebration of the 37th Anniversary of the Free Legal Clinic, Jamiyah hosted a Hi-Tea on the 15th June 2013 at Ritz Carlton Millenia Singapore. This event marked another important milestone for Jamiyah Singapore as it was a testimony of tried and tested legal aid services provided by our professional volunteer lawyers for members of the public. 20 Voice of Islam Features aug / sep Issue • 2013 Guest of Honour Mr K Shanmugam with President of Jamiyah Prof (Adjunct) Dr. Mohd Hasbi Abu Bakar and Special Advisor Tuan Haji Abu Bakar Maidin with the award winning volunteer lawyers and officials of Jamiyah Singapore The event was commemorated by introducing I-Counsel, an online, computer-aided legal help. A new initiative to expand its legal services, I-Counsel is yet another effort to bring legal service closer to the community, said Dr Mohd Hasbi Abu Bakar, President of Jamiyah Singapore in his opening remarks. Guest of Honour, Mr K Shanmugam, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Law, commended Tuan Haji Abu Bakar Maidin, former president of Jamiyah Singapore, and Special Advisor of Jamiyah Singapore, for having the foresight to initiate the Free Legal Clinic where the poor and needy are able to seek legal advice on matters relating to law. This service also serves as a platform for lawyers to contribute back to the society by volunteering to the clinic. He also added that the Jamiyah Legal Clinic has adjusted well to the evolving laws and continues to deal with a varied range of cases form inheritance and insurance to defamation and legality of Islamic marriages. Pioneering this effort, Jamiyah is an example that prompted many organizations and firms to emulate. Since its inception in 1976, the Jamiyah Free Legal Clinic has served over 11,200 clients seeking legal advice from our volunteer lawyers. Mr K Shanmugam handed over certificates of appreciation and plaques to 18 volunteer lawyers who have volunteered for more than 10 years. Cautioning the complex problem of our fast-paced and inter-connected world, Mr K Shanmugam called upon more lawyers to assist charities, non-profit organizations and social enterprises to widen the scope of probono services. This spirit of giving back to the community is shared by the Chairman of the Organizing Committee Dr G Raman. In his words of gratitude at the occasion, he welcomed new faces to support the legal clinic to broaden its services online. The rousing applause of the 400 distinguished guests filled the majestic hall as they networked over excellent food and were entertained by stage performances of Darul Ma’wa residents and students at Jamiyah Early Childhood Education Centres. The volunteer lawyers at Jamiyah Singapore must have given countless of hours to help people from all walks of lives, cutting across races and religion. Their spirit of humanity, togetherness and desire to assist is truly tremendous. - Mr K. Shanmugam Voice of Islam 21 aug / sep Issue • 2013 Features Jamiyah th 48 National Day Observance Ceremony “Stories of the past build up our identity and add colors to the history of Singapore.” - Mr Edwin Tong 22 Voice of Islam Features aug / sep Issue • 2013 Guest of Honour Mr Edwin Tong with President and officials of Jamiyah Singapore This year, National Day was welcomed with waves of colors and diversity. Held at its headquarters, Jamiyah Singapore celebrated Singapore’s 48th National Day with its staff, family members, students and supporters. Joining the celebration was Mr Edwin Tong Chun Fai, MP for Kallang Moulmein GRC. As the audience rose to their feet to recite the national pledge and sing the national anthem, a wave of patriotism swept across the hall. This was followed by a performance which included dances and a skit. The skit featured young actors ‘Racheal’ and ‘Mr. Lim’ as they took the audience through the different cultures and values of a multiracial society. Speaking to the children at the event, Professor (Adjunct) Dr Mohd Hasbi, President of Jamiyah said, “To all children who are present here this morning, you may have heard stories about Singapore from your parents, grandparents and teachers. Stories about Singapore’s past and our aspirations for the future, and about our struggles. When you grow up, you will probably have your own stories to tell. I hope it will be one that is full of hope and promise.” According to Dr Hasbi, the annual National Day Observation is not just an event to celebrate Singapore National Day but more importantly, to commemorate the hardship our fathers and forefathers who went through nation building and ensured children were inculcated with the right values. In his brief speech, Mr Edwin Tong further added that stories of the past build up our identity and add colors to the history of Singapore. As one of the leading Malay/Muslim organizations in Singapore, he commended Jamiyah for being an integral part of nation building and for the good work over the last 40 years. In addition, Mr Edwin reminded everyone that the 48 years of building a nation strong and free is not a mere coincidence but rather, sheer determination, sense of sacrifice, spirit of resilience and strong determination that has made this little red dot prosper. Parents witnessed their children’s wittiness as they answered questions posted by the emcee and displayed their acting skills in a play. Guests were mesmerized by the various performances and proficient language skills demonstrated by the children. Indeed, Jamiyah Early Childhood Education centres namely: Jamiyah Kindergarten, Jamiyah Childcare Centre and Global Child Development Centre are quality educational institutions that provide a head start for young Singaporeans regardless of race and religion. Voice of Islam 23 aug / sep Issue • 2013 Features Raya Away From Home by Asnira Hassan Nurul, 11, Ruby, 8 (Not their real names) Residents at Jamiyah Children’s Home (Darul Ma’wa) For the past year, Nurul and her two younger siblings, Sham and Ruby, have been living at Darul Ma’wa. Due to issues at home, all three of them had to remain at Darul Ma’wa during the recent Eid celebrations. For the first time in their lives, they had to celebrate Eid apart from their parents and older siblings. Being the middle child of five siblings, Nurul has been the pillar of strength for her siblings as they adjusted to life away from the family. “It was difficult at first, ‘cos Ruby kept crying for Mak (mother) and Kakak (sister). I always had to comfort her when she cried at night. Sham does not cry so much but he gets sad sometimes,” Nurul recounted the first few months in Darul Ma’wa. “I felt sad some 24 Voice of Islam nights too, and sometimes I had nightmares”. Despite their ordeal, Nurul and Ruby were upbeat and matter of fact as they shared their feelings and experiences living at the Home of Bliss. When asked about how Ramadhan and Hari Raya was for her this year, she brightened, “During Ramadhan, we had visitors who came to buka (break fast) with us. It is always nice to have company, and there is always a variety of food for us to eat. I especially like it when we have kuihs (Malay pastries) for buka.” When asked about how Hari Raya was this year, “Raya this year was quite a celebration. We had visitors who came to spend Hari Raya with us. I was happy to be with my friends here. We also got to eat lots of kuihs. We had a spread of good food!”. Ruby chimed in from where she was sitting next to her sister, “But I still missed Mak”. For these siblings, no matter what hardships they had to endure before residing in Darul Ma’wa, they would have rather spent it with their family during Hari Raya. When talking about their hopes for the future, Nurul shared, “I want to be a nurse. I had a nurse who took care of me when I was in hospital and she was very nice. I want to be like her”. Not wanting to be left out, Ruby added, “I want to be a policewoman, so I can catch all the bad guys”. At Darul Ma’wa, Nurul also shared that she and her siblings do not have to worry about being clothed or fed, and while it has not been easy, they are doing well. However, she did admit that she hopes to be reunited with the rest of her family again. Events aug / sep Issue • 2013 Mdm Halimah Yacob Hi-tea Felicitation Mdm Halimah Yacob, Speaker of Parliament with President of Jamiyah and community & faith leaders On Saturday, 2nd February 2013, Jamiyah Singapore in co-operation with Singapore Buddhist Lodge, Hindu Endowments Board, Singapore Taoist Federation and Singapore Catholic Archdiocese held a Felicitation Hi-Tea to congratulate Mdm Halimah Yacob on her appointment as Speaker of Parliament. Dr Mohd Hasbi Abu Bakar in his welcome address highlighted that the appointment of Mdm Halimah Yacob as Speaker of Parliament, a very significant and crucial post, shows that the system of meritocracy in Singapore is respected. It also “shows that there is no barrier to achievement in life in Singapore.” Dr Mohd Hasbi mentioned how the news of the appointment was welcomed by all Singaporeans regardless of race or religion and that it has “shown to the world that we respect meritocracy and sincerity as the hallmark emplacing people in positions of importance”. The ceremony was attended by more than 150 guests including community leaders and leaders of non-Muslim organizations as well as diplomats from the various diplomatic missions in Singapore. Among the guests present was the Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Health & Ministry of Transport, Associate Professor Muhammad Faishal , Mufti Dr Mohd Fatris Bakaram, Archbishop Nicholas Chia and officials from the Singapore Buddhist Lodge, Taoist Federation Singapore and Hindu Endowments Board. During his speech, Dr Mohd Hasbi expressed how Mdm Halimah has done all Singaporeans proud and hoped that there will be “many more Halimahs for the benefit of the community and our Nation.” The event was graced by a Traditional Malay Dance Performance ‘Tarian Tualang Tiga’ and poetic Malay songs as well as a tribute video by Jamiyah Singapore to Mdm Halimah. Voice of Islam 25 aug / sep Issue • 2013 Events Remembering Nuzulul Quran Appreciating the beauty of the Quran Qurra at the blessed Nuzulul Quran event with President of Jamiyah It was a special day when more than 500 Muslims from as far as neighbouring countries visited Sultan Mosque on the 28th of July to commemorate the revelation of the Holy Quran which was believed to be revealed in the month of Ramadhan. Known as Nuzulul Quran or the revelation of the Quran, Jamiyah Singapore introduced new features to the annual programme by including 26 Voice of Islam Qasidah group performance by Sheikh Mustofa Alwi and Islamic lecture by Ustaz Nooh Gadut, Mufti of Johor on the significance of the holy Quran. Winners of the recent International Quranic Recitation Competition or Musabaqah Tilawatil Quran held in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia and prominent Quran scholars from Turkey were invited to recite melodious recitation of the holy Quran. Among those who were present included Syeikh Mostafa Sharqawy from Egypt, Ustaz Dasrizal Bin Marpint from Indonesia, Ustazah Hajjah Rahmas from Malaysia, Syeikh Huseyin Izqi from Turkey, Ustaz Amirahman Abas from Malaysia, Ustaz Nor Muhammad from Singapore, Ustaz Dr Hj Muslim from Indonesia, Sister Nur Adillah Bte Mohamed Rihat from Singapore and Ustaz Ismail Othman from Singapore. Events The event was aimed at motivating the Muslim community to learn the art of Quranic recitation, appreciate the beauty of the Quran and inspire them to learn further the messages inherent in the Quran. While acknowledging the growing interest in pursuit of Quranic knowledge through Islamic educational centres locally, Mr Khalid Hassan (Secretary General, Jamiyah Singapore) urged all present to continue learning as every step towards Allah is an act of ibadah in his welcome speech. “ aug / sep Issue • 2013 Syeikh Huseyin Izqi from Turkey One of the audience, Ms Faridah, 50 years old, commended Jamiyah for its initiative in inviting Quran experts to town every year. A strong proponent for lifelong learning, she shared her endeavours such as going to as far as Kelantan to learn the art of Quranic recitation from a scholar there. She was especially pleased to be able to meet scholars and listened to their melodious voice without having to travel the long distance. Ustaz Dasrizal Bin Marpint from Indonesia reciting the Quran to the audience Voice of Islam 27 aug / sep Issue • 2013 Events Mr Desmond Lee, MP Jurong GRC , Grassroots Leader and Vice-chairperson of Jamiyah Children’s Home (Darul Ma’wa) Mr Mohd Hosni Abdul Malik Celebrations Under The Umbrella of Love “I look at the children of Darul Ma’wa - they are disciplined, well-behaved and respectful towards others.” - Mr Desmond Lee It was a colourful day at Jamiyah’s Children Home (Darul Ma’wa) when children and youths from different walks of life came down for a visit to celebrate Hari Raya and National Day. The joint celebration with youths from the Jurong Youth Centre (JYC) and preschoolers from Little Wings which was held on 16th of August 2013, was warmly received by Children at Darul Ma’wa. Mr Desmond Lee, Member of Parliament, Jurong GRC, was the guest of Honour. Parents, teachers, officials and guests from Planet Ads and Design were also delighted to join the celebration. Aimed at fostering close ties with one another, the celebration included Hari Raya sing-alongs like Ewah Ewah Hari 28 Voice of Islam Raya and Suasana Di Hari Raya. There was also a Dikir Barat performance in collaboration with 15 preschoolers from Little Wings. In a heartwarming speech, Superintendent of Darul Ma’wa, Mr Sophian Kayat urged all present to count their countless blessings. He highlighted on how fortunate we are to have a home and family to spend Hari Raya with as compared to the children of Darul Ma’wa. The event wrapped up the day with the singing of National Day songs like We are Singapore and Count on me Singapore. Guest-of-Honour, Mr Desmond Lee was moved and touched at seeing how the children of Darul Ma’wa embraced difficulties with strength. “I look at the children of Darul Ma’wa - they are disciplined, well-behaved and respectful towards others. These are clearly the right values that Jamiyah has instilled in them. So you have a good environment here and Jamiyah is obviously taking good care of them,” he said. He was also pleased that the event was an opportunity for youths to take ownership of their community and to give back to the society. “The sadness of them not having their family support is where we hope to fill the gap through interaction with other young people.” Events aug / sep Issue • 2013 The Blessings of Ramadhan His Excellency Andre Hadi (in blue) Indonesian Ambassador to Singapore at the Interfaith Iftar with (left to right) Mr Selvaraja, Mr George Peh, Mr Seng Han Thong, MP Ang Mo Kio GRC, President of Jamiyah Prof (Adjunct) Dr Mohd Hasbi Abu Bakar and Ven. Gunaratnae In an effort to spread the blessings of the holy month of Ramadhan, Jamiyah Singapore held an interfaith fundraising iftar event on the 19th of July earlier this Ramadhan. Held at the Royal Palm Restaurant, the event was attended by people of different races and religion. Indonesian Ambassador to Singapore, His Excellency Andre Hadi, Mr. Seng Han Thong, Member of Parliament, Ang Mo Kio GRC and several donors, community leaders from different faiths and volunteers of Jamiyah graced the occasion with their presence. The event centred around Ramadhan, showing the nonMuslims how the holy month was an opportunity for the sharing of food and other necessities to foster kinship and community ties. Mr Andre Hadi was delighted and pleased to be in the company of 200 guests at the cozy hall of Royal Palm Restaurant. Speaking from his heart, he expressed his appreciation over Jamiyah’s energetic involvement in community service particularly in Singapore providing wide spectrum of services to meet the different needs of the community while touching the hearts of people. He further endorsed the prominent role played by Jamiyah in promoting racial and religious harmony in Singapore. He also thanked all the sponsors for their generosity in funding Jamiyah and its activities on this wonderful event. In his speech, Ambassador Andri Hadi also touched on the values and virtues behind fasting and called upon everyone to improve people to people contacts. The Iftar event also witnessed the launching of Maman’s new spiritual album entitled Dzikr Alam. Maman has so generously pledged a percentage of the proceeds to support Jamiyah’s Welfare and Educational services. Commending this wonderful effort, Professor Adjunct Dr Mohd Hasbi, President of Jamiyah Singapore reiterated the virtues of giving and enlivening the flame of peace exemplified by the late erudite scholar and roving ambassador of peace, Maulana Abdul Aleem Siddique from Meerut, India who was also the founder of the Inter Religious Organization of Singapore and Johor in 1949. Today Jamiyah has expanded with over 25 different projects geared towards addressing the need of the various sections of the community in the area of education, welfare, health and community outreach programmes. Among those present were supporters of Jamiyah like Ms Quek Soo Chin. For the 53 year old, this was not the first time celebrating Ramadhan with Muslims in Singapore. “I love the atmosphere of Ramadhan because it promotes togetherness. You have your pre-dawn meals and break your fast together so that brings about family time. This is not normally seen in Chinese customs since many are busy and have no time for family,” she said. This Iftar has turned out to be a memorable evening to remember and relish for a long time to come. Good food, good company on a good evening, Alhamdulillah! Voice of Islam 29 aug / sep Issue • 2013 Events A Helping Hand For The Needy “ A friend in need is a friend indeed. That was the goal in mind when donors from all walks of life came together for the Food Distribution organized by the Welfare Department of Jamiyah Singapore on the 6th of July 2013. The bi-monthly initiative was embraced by an estimated number of 400 recipients and warmly welcomed by Guest-of-Honour, Dr Intan Azura Mokhtar, Member of Parliament, Ang Mo Kio GRC. She was greeted by enthusiastic guests and beneficiaries who gathered at the Al Malik Faisal Hall of Jamiyah Singapore. In her speech, the soft-spoken Dr Intan Azura thanked all donors present for ‘sharing’ the food with the needy and poor families. She encouraged the community to work hand in hand to assist the less fortunate as they are part of our ‘big family’. She commended Jamiyah for the contentious effort over the past 40 years in uplifting the community and wished for the continuation of this noble work. She called upon everyone to support this project emphasizing its importance to move ahead as a nation. In his welcome speech, Mr. Airuddin Tapah, Chairman of Jamiyah Welfare Department, thanked the pillars behind this project - Tuan Haji Abu Bakar Maidin, founder of the project, esteemed donors such as the Lee Foundations, Singapore Buddhist Lodge, Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple, Lions Club, Lotus Light Charity Society (Singapore), Catholic Welfare Services, Loyang Tua Pek Kong Temple, Food Bank Singapore, Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS), various places of worship, business houses, volunteers, Jamiyah management and many others. “We recognize that in spite of our economic and social progress there are certainly people who are lagging behind and need the support of the community to deliver them off their difficulties. It is in this context that Jamiyah Welfare ration distribution to the poor and needy is a very significant part of our outreach services,” said Mr Airudin. Dr Intan Azura, MP Ang Mo Kio GRC at the Food Distribution event 30 Voice of Islam Events aug / sep Issue • 2013 (From left to right) Mr Naseer Ghani (SKML), Madam Moliah Hashim (Mendaki), Mr Mohd Hosni Abdul Malik (Jamiyah), Dr Isa Hassan (Jamiyah), Mr Raj Mohamad (SKML) Engaging the Young Leaders of Tomorrow Jointly organized by Jamiyah Singapore and Singapore Kadayanallur Muslim League, the Aspiring Young Muslim Leadership Seminar 2013 is a follow up series of Aspiring Young Entrepreneurs Seminar held in February. 200 Muslim youths from various organizations gathered at Tampines East CC to warmly discuss an important topic of youths and leadership. The seminar aims to inculcate leadership quality and positive attitude among young Muslims to play positive roles and effectively contribute for social, economic and intellectual development of our community and country in the two parts of this seminar. The first part witnessed lively sharing of experiences by aspiring Muslim youths from diverse background namely: 1. Mr Shabir Alam Tabre, Director of Ameali Music Production on Talent Highway, 2. Dr Mohammed Nawab Osman, Research Fellow, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies on Muslim Youth Leadership in Community Development, 3. Mr Raj Mohamed, Secretary, Gulf Asia Shariah Compliant Investments Association on Islamic Finance, the Opportunity to Excel and 4. Ms Azeemah Mustafa, Project Director, Community Development, Jamiyah Singapore on Spotting X Factor in Gen Y: Building Youth Leadership. Empowerment through Education 2. Mdm Moliah Hashim (CEO, Yayasan Mendaki) on Engaging Youth for Community Development 3. Hj Naseer Ghani JP (President, Singapore Kadayanallur Muslim League) on Muslim Youth: Challenges and Opportunities 4. Mr Raj Mohamad on Enterprising Muslim Youth An open discussion by participants and distinguished panel speakers commenced shortly in the second half of the seminar featuring: She commended the youths for their contributions towards the change and assured everyone that there are so much more that they can look forward to. Mdm Halimah also shared her confidence in faster advancement provided youths play their roles. 1. Dr Isa Hassan, (Vice President-III, Jamiyah Singapore) who spoke on The Guest of Honour, respected Speaker of Parliament, Mdm Halimah Yacob advised youths to take pride in tremendous progress made particularly in the area of education, housing and healthcare. Voice of Islam 31 aug / sep Issue • 2013 Women Regional Women Forum On Empowering Teenagers’ Self Identity Dr Hazmilah Bte Hasan (UITM), Ms Azeemah (Jamiyah), Ustazah Zauwiyah, Ibu Putu Ervina (Komnas) On March 7th 2013, Malacca State Government through Dunia Melayu Dunia Islam (DMDI) secretariat and Women Bureau of DMDI invited Jamiyah Singapore to participate in its forum for women entitled: “Peranan Wanita Dunia Melayu Dunia Islam Dalam Pemerkasaan Jati Diri Remaja” (Role of Women in the Malay and Islamic World in Empowering Teenagers’ Self Identity). The forum was held at Seri Negeri Auditorium, Malacca and was attended by more than 400 women from various ministries, non-governmental organizations in Malacca, international representatives, students and participants from Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia. The objective of the forum was to increase awareness among the community on the importance of women in nurturing, enhancing and empowering adolescent identity. 32 Voice of Islam Audiences witnessed heated discussion presented by three prominent speakers: Malaysian freelance Mursyidah (religious educator), Ustazah Zauwiyah Hassan, Project Director (Community Development) of Jamiyah Singapore, Ms Azeemah Mustafa, and Indonesian Head of Komnas Hak Wanita dan Anak-Anak (Head of National Commission of Women and Children Rights) Tanjung Pinang, Ibu Putu Ervina. Panelists were given one question per round of six followed by a Question and Answer session. Topics that were discussed at length ranged from the role of Muslim women in developing teenagers’ self-identity, the steps women can take to enhance their own self-identity on their children to women’s involvement in teenagers grooming years as an important phase in complex nation building process. The event was officially closed by Y.A.B Datuk Seri Hj Mohd Ali Mohd Rustam, President of DMDI. Other guests of honour, Dr Mohd Hasbi Abu Bakar and his team from Singapore as well as representatives from Indonesia were present at the forum. Prior to the certificate and souvenir presentation to all speakers, Y.A.B Datuk Seri Hj Mohd Ali Rustam expressed his thanks to the continuous support of Jamiyah Singapore and friends from both Singapore and Indonesia. He stated his desire to bring this partnership to another level, one that would benefit the regional community. The forum was indeed a significant networking platform for regional women leaders to gather, discuss and empower one another. Women aug / sep Issue • 2013 Heaven Lies Beneath Her Feet Exemplary Mother Award (Pre-event) In its 21st year, Jamiyah will once again be organising the Exemplary Mother Award. Since 1993, this prestigious award, with the shield first endorsed by the late former President, Dr Wee Kim Wee, was to acknowledge and celebrate the achievement of exemplary mothers, honouring their perseverance in enduring hardship and sacrifices in raising their children. These mothers toiled in the early years of their life, to provide a better future for their children, especially in terms of education and well - being. After successfully completing 12 rounds in 2004, the shield was honourably replaced by a shield from the former President Mr S. R Nathan. The annual Exemplary Mother Awards event is Jamiyah’s pursuit to identify and glorify such mothers who have done supreme sacrifices to bring up their children against trying personal circumstances whilst volunteering community service during their free time. This year, Exemplary Mother Award this year saw its final round of judging on the 20th August 2013. Held at Jamiyah Singapore, 10 finalists were selected and were shortlisted for an interview by the distinguished panel of judges. Some of the finalists were accompanied by family members to show their support. Finalists were interviewed intensively as they were called into the interview room one by one. 7. Mdm Saidah Mohamed, Director, Finance and Office Admin, Ministry of Law The panel of judges comprised of 10 women from esteemed backgrounds. 9. Mdm Zuraidah Ibrahim, Deputy Editor, The Straits Times They are: 1. Mrs Yu Foo Yee Shoon, Former Minister of State, MCYS 10. Mdm Jenny Yeo, Remiscier, OCBC Securities 2. Dr Della Lee, Founder of DS Lee Foundation 3. Mdm Claire Chiang, Senior Vice President, Banyan Tree Holdings and Co-Founder of Banyan Tree Foundation 4. Dr Bibi Jan Ayyub, Counselor Cedar Primary School 5. Mdm Mary Hoe Tan, Director, HoeTan Pte Ltd 6. Mdm Sarojini Padmanathan, Senior Director, Singapore Indian Development Association 8. Mdm Zakiah Halim, Senior Vice President, Malay, Indian and Expat Programming, Mediacorp Ltd One of the judges, Mdm Claire Chiang pointed out on how she would measure the success of a mother, “A woman who looks after the children by giving them enough space to explore the world on their own terms yet always there to pick them up unconditionally even if they fail or by her own exemplary lifestyle, demonstrates to the children what values they can carry on in life and living with competence to forever learn and change.” The winner of this prestigious award will be announced on the 29th of September at the Ritz Carlton Millenia. Panel of judges for EMA 2013 Voice of Islam 33 aug / sep Issue • 2013 Education Ms Aisah Osman, Head of Department (Mathematics) at Meridian Primary School Adiputra Abd Ghani, Mathematics Genius ‘Eye’ Witness A Mathematics Genius Women and Family Department of Jamiyah Singapore held its maiden programme for the year, I am A Genius: Head Start in Mathematics Workshop, on Sunday 31st of March 2013 at Sultan Mosque auditorium. The workshop is a two-pronged approach towards creating excitement for children to love Mathematics and for parents to enhance their skills in imparting the knowledge of numbers amongst their children. President of Jamiyah Prof (Adjunct) Dr Mohd Hasbi Abu Bakar in his welcoming speech, thanked the Guest of Honour, Mr Zainal Sapari, Member Parliament, Pasir Ris-Punggol 34 Voice of Islam GRC and the special speakers, Ms Aisah Osman, Head of Department (Mathematics) at Meridian Primary School and Mr Adiputra Abd Ghani, Malaysian Mathematics Genius, for sparing their time on the Sunday morning for a noble cause. He acknowledged the Trends International survey ranking Singaporean pupils as the best in the world in Mathematics and second best in Science. However, he added that there are significant number of Malay students who have difficulty in scoring high grades in Mathematics. “Attributing the importance of Mathematics and Science to excel academically, this workshop, therefore, is part of Jamiyah’s effort to enhance the capability of Singapore children in their handling of Mathematics as a subject of study,” added Dr Mohd Hasbi. This workshop is a prelude to more upcoming Mathematics series. Mr Zainal Sapari, the Guest of Honour, commended Jamiyah Singapore for the foresight in organizing this Mathematics workshop in Singapore. He concurred with Dr Mohd Hasbi on the importance of Mathematics to climb academic ladders for better social mobility. He encouraged Education “Attributing the importance of Mathematics and Science to excel academically, this workshop, therefore, is part of Jamiyah’s effort to enhance the capability of Singapore children in their handling of Mathematics as a subject of study.” - Prof (Adjunct) Dr Mohd Hasbi aug / sep Issue • 2013 parents and children to be proactive in their learning and diligent in the Math practices at home. Mathematical formulae and were taught to count from one to trillion in less than a minute by Adiputra. At the workshop, parents were introduced to the Concrete, Pictorial and Abstract (C-P-A) approach in developing strong mathematical concept to children. Tips were also shared with the parents to better understand methods such as model drawing so as to be able to better support their children in Mathematics. Strategies were shared in the teaching and understanding of word problems. Ms Aisah Osman, who is also the Vice Chairperson of Jamiyah Women and Family Department shared amongst others riddles, songs and pictures in her lively presentation. She stressed that parent’s attitude towards Mathematics will influence the mindset of children in learning Mathematics. Adiputra has formulated over 200 formulae by the age of 10 and published a book entitled: ‘Seni Matematik Islam’ (Islamic Mathematical Arts) at the age of 11. Charming both parents and children, Adiputra solved complex mathematical questions in less than half a minute and memorized 15 lines of numbers (15 randomly selected numbers per line) from one end to another in less than a minute. He concluded his presentation with reverse recitation of the same 15 lines of numbers without even looking at it! The second half of the workshop was presented by the Maths genius Adiputra Abd Ghani. Children in the audience were exposed to 10 new Five lucky children walked away with bundle of gifts for quickly and accurately answering questions posted. Judging from the amount of participation and enthusiastic hands up during the interactive session, indeed this workshop is one of its kind, one that triggers Mathematical excitement! The audience listened attentively as Mr Adiputra wows them with his mathematical skills Voice of Islam 35 aug / sep Issue • 2013 Education Mr Zaky Mohamad, MP Choa Chu Kang GRC with award winners Striving for Islamic Excellence On May 4th 2013, Jamiyah Education Centre celebrated the achievements of students in its weekend religious classes (Madrasah) who performed well in the year end examination 2012. The Guest of Honour for the inaugural ceremony was Mr Zaqy Mohamad, Member of Parliament for Choa Chu Kang GRC. Expressing his gratitude to Jamiyah Singapore for its excellent service to the community, Mr Zaqy acknowledged the greater support of the Muslim community for religious classes run by Jamiyah. He further went on to commend the management of Jamiyah Education Centre for cultivating the love of Islam amongst youngsters. He urged all parents to nurture their young with care, imbuing Islamic knowledge as well as practices so as to guide them 36 Voice of Islam in achieving excellence. Strong moral and religious values are important to cushion the challenges and hardship in life, he added. Mr Zaqy concluded his speech with a special mention of this year’s recipient for the Outstanding Student Award (Primary Level), Nur Sarah Ofina Bte Sofian. The 11-year-old was among the top 3 in her level for three consecutive years. The eldest of three was nominated for her lovely personality and displayed good akhlaq when interacting with others. Truly, Nur Sarah is an inspiration for other students to emulate. Jamiyah Education Centre provides religious classes relevant to the needs of the Muslim community. Each year, the centre strives to introduce fresh initiatives significant to meet the changing landscape of Islamic Education and the community profile. This year, Jamiyah Education Centre introduced the Outstanding Student Award for Primary Level to complement the Outstanding Student Award for Secondary Level that was announced last year. Jamiyah Education Centre also took the opportunity to announce the establishment of an Islamic college. In his speech, Mr Mohd Yunos Mohd Shariff, Vice President II of Jamiyah Singapore, described preparations made towards the establishment of Islamic College. The college will offer accredited Islamic higher learning programmes with various reputable Islamic educational institutions such as Kolej Universiti Islam Melaka and Quran Academy Canada. Education A Glimpse With Outstanding Student Of The Year aug / sep Issue • 2013 Outstanding student Nur Sarah Ofina with Mr Zaky Mohamad Jamiyah Education Centre Best Student of the year 2012, Nur Sarah Ofina Bt Sofian, shares with VOI team her secret towards becoming an outstanding student in the recent Haflah Graduation Ceremony held on the 4th of May 2013. VOI team: Tell us more about yourself? Nur Sarah: My name is Nur Sarah Ofina Bt Sofian. I am 12 years old, the eldest in a family of five. My siblings are Nur Meliany, 11 years old and Nur Marsyafiqa, 7 years old. My father works for SMRT, ferrying passengers every day. My mother is a housewife. I study at Griffiths Primary. VOI team: What bring about this success, was it your passion in religious study? Nur Sarah: I didn’t expect to be conferred with this prestigious award. I am simply doing my best in all that I do. I like Islamic history and Mathematics. I have been in Jamiyah Education Centre (JEC) since primary 1. The ustazs and ustazahs, especially Ustaz Saifuddin, are great and that keeps me coming to JEC. VOI team: What will you do with the gift, iPad Mini? Nur Sarah: Of course, I will put the iPad to good use. It’s my first electronic gadget. VOI team: Who helped you with your studies? Nur Sarah: My mother and father are my teachers. My mother ensures that I manage my time wisely and will accompany me till late to ensure I get to complete my homework. My father, on the other hand, will teach me the subject itself ensuring that I am ahead of the lessons before it is taught by my teachers. We have a daily timetable. My father will give my siblings and I two-hour lessons for three times a week. VOI team: What is your hobby and ambition? Nur Sarah: I like to read and play computer. My ambition is to be a Mathematics teacher. Mr Sheikh, my Mathematics teacher is my inspiration. He likes to make the class lively and that triggers my love for Mathematics. VOI team: Who is your role model? Nur Sarah: My mother is my role model. She spends most of her time with me. She fetches me to school, accompanies me at home, assists me in my homework and teaches me invaluable lessons of life. Although she can be fierce and strict at times, I truly appreciate it as it helps to discipline me and ensures that I get my daily schedule running accordingly. VOI team: What is your word of advice for other students out there? Nur Sarah: Study hard, make your parents proud of you. Voice of Islam 37 aug / sep Issue • 2013 Education The Quran Festival The Mahrajan Al- Quran, or the Quran Festival was held on 7 July 2013. Mr Hawazi Daipi, Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Education, and Ministry of Manpower, was the guest of honour for the event conducted at Al-Malik Faisal Hall at the Jamiyah Islamic Centre. This was a festival that had something to offer for everyone who were present. From the young storyteller to those who witnessed the official agreement of the Mass Khatamul Quran, the festivital was a good start to usher in the blessed month of Ramadhan. 38 Voice of Islam Signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between Jamiyah Singapore with International Islamic College and Institute Agama Islam Negeri (IAIN) Sumatera Utara Education aug / sep Issue • 2013 In his speech, Mr Hawazi Daipi, commended Jamiyah’s leadership for the various unique activities aimed to enhance the community’s spiritual. He cited the government’s foray into introducing character and citizenship building in the new curriculum next year, and recommended Jamiyah to continue to stay relevant in the community building through their multifarious programmes. Memorandum of Understanding Competitions for the Young & Old The main event of the Mahrajan Al-Quran was the formal tripartite signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between Jamiyah Singapore with International Islamic College and Institute Agama Islam Negeri (IAIN) Sumatera Utara. This was to commemorate the new record of Mass Khatamul Quran. Mass Khatamul Quran, or the congregation of the completion of the recitation of the Al-Quran, started the week before this event and was concluded on this occasion. The congregation saw 100 people gathering to complete reading the Quran together. It is with hopes that through the signing of the MOUs, JEC has expanded to establish and strengthen relations with neighbouring Islamic Institutions, all for the benefit of the local Muslim community. This event was also a platform for young Muslims to showcase their talents in Da’ie and Tahfiz and also storytelling. As young Muslims, the participants were eager to display their knowledge and talent. These participants are the testament of the achievement and objective of the Jamiyah Education Centre to impart religious knowledge in the young, cultivate their love towards the religion, God and His Prophet PBUH. Through the organization of such activities, the children are given the opportunity to widen their thinking horizon and be proactive and knowledgeable Muslims. And that these establishment of relations will bring about future collaborations for the benefit of the Muslim society in the region. Adik Haniff, champion of the AdikAdikku competition was also there, and shared a few words with the audience present. For the mature participants, there was also a Tilawati Competition, or the Quran Recitation Competition, for those who are passionate about the Al Quran. Launch of LQ48 App The finale of the festival was the launch of the LQ48 app. As part of Jamiyah’s plan to extend and expand its services towards the community, the LQ48 app was launched, targeting the community which is growing increasingly IT savvy. The objective of this app is for users with smart phones or portable devices, to be able to have the convenience of learning the Al-Quran with Tajwid, anywhere they may be. This initiative of incorporating technology and religion is in line with Jamiyah Education Centre’s vision and mission of building progressive Muslims, ready for the global world. Mr Hawazi also added that the use of technology such as apps application in learning the Quran should be emulated and is the way forward for all Malay Muslim organizations. Voice of Islam 39 aug / sep Issue • 2013 Photo Diary PHOTO DIARY I Love My Family: A Multi-faith Family Day Ev Aspiring Young Entrepreneurs Seminar Organized by Jamiyah Singapore Speaker of Parliament, the Honourable Mdm Halimah Yacob Visits Jamiyah’s Headquarters 40 Voice of Islam Photo Diary aug / sep Issue • 2013 1st / 2ND Quarter 2013 vent Some 1,500 visitors came down to East Coast Park in light of promoting values of family bonding, encouraging healthy lifestyles and creating friendships that goes beyond race, religion and nationality Maulidur Rasul 1434H The birthday celebration of our beloved Prophet Muhammad PBUH was largely welcomed by 5,000 Muslims at Bedok Stadium Jamiyah’s Global Child Development Centre Food Ration Distribution Voice of Islam 41 aug / sep Issue • 2013 Photo Diary PHOTO DIARY Award Presentation Ceremony at Singapor India Muslim leader Visit Prof K. M. Kadar Mohideen, former Member of Parliament, India and National General Secretary of Indian Union Muslim League with Tuan Haji Abu Bakar Maidin, Special Advisor of Jamiyah during his visit Ustaz Usama Canon Lecture at MAX Atria Hailing from the States, Ustaz Usama held a public lecture that covers an intimate yet intriguing topic titled ‘Love in the Light of Prophecy’ 42 Voice of Islam Shaykh Hisham Kabbani Visits jamiyah chil re Buddhist Lodge Photo Diary aug / sep Issue • 2013 1st / 2ND Quarter 2013 Dr H. M. Saleem together with MP Indranee Rajah awarding a recipient of the Bursary Award at Singapore Buddhist Lodge ldren’s home (Darul Ma’wa) Melaka Gallery Official Opening in Jakarta Melaka tourism acquires creativity boost with the newly launched Gallery in Jakarta, led by Datuk Seri Haji Mohd Ali Mohd Rustam Voice of Islam 43 aug / sep Issue • 2013 Photo Diary PHOTO DIARY Visit from People’s Association JAMIYAH OFFICIALS CELEBRATING Chinese Ne Visit from International Islamic College Malaysia Sport competition at Kolej Universiti islam melaka Team Jamiyah Singapore smiling proudly for the camera as they came in first place 44 Voice of Islam Photo Diary aug / sep Issue • 2013 1st / 2ND Quarter 2013 Mr Nah Juay Hng, Group Director from People’s Association, together with his other officials visit Jamiyah Headquarters ew Year at singapore buddhist lodge Visit from indonesian Students to Jamiyah Education Centre Voice of Islam 45 aug / sep Issue • 2013 Education Ms Sim Ann the then Senior Parliamentary Secretary with award recipient Mohamed Danish Amsyar and President and officials of Jamiyah Lend-A-Hand Graduation Ceremony It was certainly a proud and happy moment for Mohamed Danish Amsyar Bin Ali Amran at Jamiyah’s Lend-A Hand 2012 Certificate Presentation Ceremony held on Sunday, 3rd February 2013. He was amongst the 33 students who were in the three-month intensive tuition programme for students taking their Primary School Leaving Examinations (PSLE), managed by Jamiyah Singapore through JBS International College, and financially supported by Linklaters Singapore. He received a special mention by the Guest of Honour at the event, Ms Sim Ann, the then Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Communications and Information and Ministry of Education who commended him and other participants for having achieved significant improvement through the 46 Voice of Islam coaching in the programme and of course, through their hard work and diligence. After the intensive English and Science sessions, Mohamed Danish, who is now in Macpherson Secondary, raised his English grade from D to B. He expressed his gratefulness to the teachers, administrators and sponsors of Project Lend-A-Hand for their support. Mr Mohd Hosni Abdul Malik, Director, Project Lend-A-Hand in his speech, elaborated on how the programme which is in its 4th year, has helped about 150 needy students to graduate with better PSLE scores. With a small teacher-student ratio and its thrice weekly intensive sessions per subject, it has enabled students to achieve academic improvement, and also progress to secondary school with profound confidence that is – good grades are within reach, if they maximize the relevant resources and study hard. Students attend the classes free of charge, thanks to the kind donation of Linklaters Singapore who believes in the importance of education as a key to success, and are passionate about supporting students to achieve their maximum potential. Mr Mohd Hosni Abdul Malik also thanked Linklaters Singapore for their generous support as well as teachers, volunteers and staff who were involved in the programme. The event included a presentation of Certificate of Participation to students by Ms Sim Ann and Letter of Appreciation to the teachers by Dr Mohd Hasbi , President of Jamiyah Singapore. Dakwah aug / sep Issue • 2013 Kasih Ibu Membawa Ke Syurga oleh Mohd Ashik Bayangkanlah betapa susahnya ibu mengandung selama 9 bulan 9 hari, keperitan melahirkan anak-anak dan menyusukan serta membesarkan mereka. Sungguh besar jasa dan pengorbanan ibu, membesar, mendidik dan memelihara anaknya, dengan penuh rasa tanggungjawab, sehingga anaknya menjadi manusia yang berguna kepada masyarakat dan negara. Mereka dengan penuh rasa tanggungjawab membesar, mendidik dan memelihara anaknya hingga menjadi manusia yang berguna kepada masyarakat dan negara. Ibu sewajarnya diberikan kasih sayang dan dihormati, lebih-lebih lagi anak-anak yang telah diasuh dan dididik dengan nilai-nilai keagamaan. Tunjukkanlah rasa terima kasih dengan selalu berbuat baik dan tidak menentang segala suruhannya, jaga hatinya jangan sampai melukai serta peliharalah ibu ketika usianya mencapai senja. Allah SWT sangat memuliakan dan meninggikan darjat ibu, sehingga menjadi penentu bagi keredaan dan kemurkaanNya. Rasulullah s.a.w. pernah bersabda yang bermaksud: “Keredaan Allah terletak pada keredaan ibu bapa dan kemurkaan Allah pula terletak pada kemurkaan ibu bapanya.” (Hadis riwayat atTirmizi dan Hakim). Terdapat beberapa amalan yang boleh dilakukan oleh seorang anak untuk kedua ibu bapanya yang telah meninggal dunia iaitu: 1. Sembahyangkan untuk mereka. 2. Mohon keampunan untuk mereka. 3. Laksanakan wasiat yang mereka tinggalkan. 4. Eratkanlah silaturahim dengan orang-orang yang mereka lakukan 5. Muliakanlah teman-teman mereka. 6. Doakan kepada mereka. (Setiap selepas solat fardu berdoalah kepada Allah SWT untuk kedua ibu bapa supaya Allah SWT mengampunkan semua dosa-dosa mereka) Daripada Abdullah bin ‘Amru al-‘As katanya, “Seorang lelaki menghadap Rasulullah lalu berkata, “Aku mengikat janji dengan engkau untuk turut Voice of Islam 47 aug / sep Issue • 2013 Dakwah serta berhijrah dan berjuang (jihad) untuk menuntut ganjaran pahala daripada Allah Taala”. dan peliharaanmu, maka janganlah engkau berkata kepada mereka (sebarang perkataan kasar) sekalipun perkataan “Ah”, dan janganlah engkau menengking menyergah mereka, tetapi katakanlah kepada mereka perkataan yang mulia (yang bersopan santun). Rasulullah bertanya, “Adakah salah seorang orang tuamu masih hidup?” Jawabnya, “Ya, bahkan kedua-duanya masih hidup”. Rasulullah bertanya lagi, “Engkau mahukah menuntut pahala daripada Allah Taala?” Jawabnya, “Ya”. Kata Rasulullah, “Pulanglah kepada kedua-dua ibu bapamu dan berbuat baiklah (berbaktilah) kepada keduaduanya”. (Hadis Riwayat Bukhari dan Muslim) Jelaslah, menjaga dan berbakti kepada kedua-dua ibu bapa akan mendapat ganjaran pahala daripada Allah SWT. Islam menyeru umatnya supaya menjaga ibu bapa mereka dengan sebaik-baiknya. Bersempena Hari Ibu yang disambut masyarakat dunia sehari dalam tahun, perlukah kita sebagai orang Islam untuk menyambutnya? Di dalam Islam, setiap hari ialah hari ibu. Ibu orang yang paling banyak berjasa kepada kita dan insan yang sangat mulia di mata Allah SWT. kita dituntut untuk menghormati ibu bapa kita setiap masa dan ketika. Bukannya hanya terhad kepada harihari tertentu sahaja seperti pada hari ibu atau hari bapa. Firman Allah SWT di dalam surah al Isra ayat 23 - 24: “Tuhanmu telah perintahkan, supaya engkau tidak menyembah melainkan kepadaNya semata-mata, dan hendaklah engkau berbuat baik kepada ibu bapa.” Jika salah seorang dari keduanya, atau kedua-duanya sekali, sampai kepada umur tua dalam jagaan 48 Voice of Islam Wahai Tuhanku! Cucurilah rahmat kepada mereka berdua sebagaimana mereka telah mencurahkan kasih sayangnya memelihara dan mendidikku semasa kecil. (Al-Israa’, 24) Hendaklah engkau merendah diri kepada keduanya kerana belas kasihan dan kasih sayangmu, dan doakanlah (untuk mereka, dengan berkata): “Wahai Tuhanku! Cucurilah rahmat kepada mereka berdua sebagaimana mereka telah mencurahkan kasih sayangnya memelihara dan mendidikku semasa kecil.” Untuk menjadi anak yang soleh dan solehah, kita semestinya berbakti sebanyak terdaya kepada kedua ibu dan bapa. Janganlah menjadi anak yang derhaka, sesungguhnya anak yang derhaka tidak akan mencium bau Syurga. Firman Allah SWT yang bermaksud : “Kami wajibkan manusia berbuat baik kepada kedua ibu bapanya; ibunya telah mengandungnya dengan menanggung kelemahan demi kelemahan (dari awal mengandung hingga akhir menyusunya) dan tempoh menceraikan susunya ialah dalam masa dua tahun; (dengan yang demikian) bersyukurlah kepada-Ku dan kepada kedua ibu bapamu; dan (ingatlah), kepada Akulah jua tempat kembali (untuk menerima balasan).” (Surah al-Luqman ayat 14) Hargailah jasa dan pengorbanan ibu kita selagi mereka masih hidup. Jagalah hati mereka. Perbuatan baik kita kepada mereka akan menjadi pemangkin kepada kebahagiaan di dunia dan akhirat. Raihlah keredaan dan doa mereka kerana doa ibu bapa membawa ke syurga. Dakwah aug / sep Issue • 2013 Ulasan Buku Rangkaian Pantun Dakwah Penerbitan Terbaru Jamiyah Singapura: RANGKAIAN PANTUN DAKWAH (SIRI 1) Ramadhan Al-Mubarak: Rebutlah Kelebihannya (SIRI 2) Buat julung-julung kalinya, Jamiyah Singapura menerbitkan buku Rangkaian Pantun Dakwah khusus buat semua lapisan masyarakat Islam Singapura baik golongan remaja mahupun dewasa. Usaha melestarikan agama Islam dan budaya Melayu menerusi penerbitan koleksi Pantun Dakwah ini merupakan yang pertama di Singapura. Selama ini Jamiyah Singapura telah banyak menghasilkan bukubuku panduan berupa nasihat dan bimbingan agama. Kali ini Jamiyah menerbitkan buku yang berjudul Rangkaian Pantun Dakwah bertujuan menyampaikan mesej-mesej dakwah secara berpantun untuk mendekati masyarakat dengan berhemah, menerapkan nilai-nilai bahasa dan budaya serta menambah khazanah penerbitan Jamiyah. Buku pantun dakwah siri 1 setebal 85 mukasurat, memuatkan 130 pantun tentang keputeraan junjungan besar kita, Nabi Muhammad s.a.w., perkaraperkara sekitar ibadah haji, galakkan bersedekah, berzakat, pembentukan akhlak dan amalan-amalan yang baik sebagai orang Islam. Pantun-pantun ini terbahagi kepada 2 kategori iaitu Pantun Bimbingan dan Nasihat dan Pantun Umum. bulan yang amat dinanti-nantikan ini. Pantun-pantun ini melengkapi teksteks ringkas lagi padat yang disiapkan oleh sekumpulan asatizah Jamiyah. Buku pantun dakwah siri 2, bertajuk: Ramadhan Al Mubarak: Rebutlah Kelebihannya, setebal 82 mukasurat pula memuatkan 85 pantun berkenaan bulan mulia Ramadhan iaitu nama-namanya, kelebihan dan keistimewaannya, hikmahnya, kewajipan yang dituntut ke atas umat Islam bersama kehadiran bulan suci ini, cara menghormati Bulan Ramadhan, perkara-perkara sunnah dan makruh dilakukan pada bulan ini, cara menunaikan zakat fitrah, cara menyambut Eidul Fitri dan doadoa yang baik dibaca sepanjang Padat dengan pengisian agama, buku pantun ini boleh dijadikan bahan bacaan menarik sesuai buat pencinta bahasa, mereka yang ingin berjinakjinak dengan bahasa, mereka yang mencari kata-kata nasihat yang ringkas dan mereka yang ingin mendalami seni mengarang pantun yang bermutu lagi sistematik. Dapatkan senaskah Buku Rangkaian Pantun Dakwah ini dengan sumbangan seikhlas hati. Hubungi Puan Rosmini di talian 6743 1211 pada waktu pejabat. Voice of Islam 49 aug / sep Issue • 2013 Dakwah Islam The Perennial Peace Mission by Zainuddin Muhammad Ismail Islam is the name of the religion of more than one billion humans. Its potential to be revived again as a global peace mission can be seen from its historical legacy in saving large areas of the globe from the Dark Ages. As Bernard Lewis has repeatedly stated in different books, Islam has categorically made intellectual, social, moral and scientific contributions that made it a world civilization. The values that empowered Islam and enthused the early Muslims and their supporters are still extant. The cosmopolitanism of this multiracial, multireligious legacy of the Muslims could not have been achieved without the support and backing of the people of the Judaic-Christian world and other communities whose enlightened leaders accepted the concept of peace which Islam taught. Even Syed Qutb in his book “Islam and World Peace” had to acknowledge that each day, Muslims pray for world peace in the words “Allahumma antas salam wa minkas salam tabaraqta ya zal jalali wal ikram” This realisation of the core value of peace in Islam is further underlined by God’s attribute name, As-Salam or ‘The Author of Peace’ which forms part of the Asmaul-Husna rosary meditated upon by Muslims. As-Salam also means that God does not do any injustice to his creatures. 50 Voice of Islam I cannot fail to remind myself of the words of the Biblical Jesus a.s who said “blessed are the peacemakers”. Each day, Muslims all over the world greet each other with the most beautiful greeting, “Assalamu álaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh”. The Quran tells us clearly: “When anyone gives you a greeting, return it with a better greeting or at least the same (greeting). [Surah AnNisa, Verse 86] This universal value of peace is reflected in greetings from other faiths such as Shalom, Shanti, Ping An and Pax. Indeed, the reason for the stability and harmony of Islam was that it consolidated the universal values or global ethics of pre-Islamic civilizations. Peace is meaningless without striving for justice which is another theme of importance in Islam. This coupling of peace with justice is a reason for the rapid spread of Islam among people. Yet the striving for Justice has to be done in a proper civilised manner as the Prophet PBUH said that the best of jihad (all-out struggle) is a word of truth to an unjust ruler and certainly not with violence. The angels were agitated when Allah SWT announced to them that He was about to appoint a khalifa fi lard or trustee on earth. They had responded in the Quranic parable with a question whether Allah SWT was going to appoint one who would create tumult on earth and bloodshed? Allah SWT then answered, “I know what you do not know”. Even when a meta-historical event regarding the feud of Cain and Abel was mentioned, Abel tells a furious Cain “If you are going to raise your hands to kill me, I will not raise my hands to kill you, because I am in awe and heedful of Allah, the Lord and Cherisher of the Universe!” Such sentiments for harmony and peace are clearly and unambiguously delineated in the most important prayer in Islam known as Al-Fatihah (The Opening), which is also the first chapter of the Quran. It begins with Bismillahirrahmanirrahim: In the name of Allah, the Infinitely Gracious, Magnanimous which clearly has a dimension of love. The whole chapter of Al-Fatihah reminds us that we are part of a cosmic family with God as our Cherisher and Sustainer. God wants all of us to pursue the right path so that we can attain the felicity, the success of those that God has shown His ultimate blessings to: anámta álaihim. In the Manifesto of Islam the follow up of an earlier work the “Ideology of the Future” by Dr Rafiuddin which Indian philosopher Dr Radakrishnan refers to as an original contribution to knowledge. Dr Rafiuddin stated clearly that love is the basis of Al-Islam and that the religion thrives upon it. Indeed, Al Wadood the Infinitely Loving is yet another attributive name of Allah. Dakwah aug / sep Issue • 2013 Al Aadl or the Infinitely Just is yet another attributive name and as we said earlier, the striving for peace comes with the wholesome and proper striving for justice. As Allah SWT states that on the Day of Judgement, Allah SWT will not cause even an iota of injustice to be inflicted on anyone. This world however, is an imaginal one of tests and trials designed to bring out the gold of a human being. The Prophet PBUH, in innumerable instances such as the Treaty of Hudaibiya, the Constitution of Madina and the Charter of Protection for Christians showed how to be both gracious and noble. Every daily prayer in Islam should empower Muslims to be missionaries for peace, love and harmony. They should thus undo the harm of deviant deviationists who destroy the name of Islam. This was how Islam was spread in different parts of the world and even today, we have excellent examples in the work of Maulana Wahiduddin of India, the late Badiuzzaman Said Nursi of Turkey and others whose exemplification of the Sunnah in modern times earned the reverence of millions of Muslims who want to follow the path of moderation, love, peace and knowledge in the 21st Century. “When anyone gives you a greeting, return it with a better greeting or at least the same (greeting).” [Sura An-Nisa, Verse 86] Voice of Islam 51 aug / sep Issue • 2013 52 Voice of Islam Dakwah Dakwah aug / sep Issue • 2013 Voice of Islam 53 aug / sep Issue • 2013 54 Voice of Islam Dakwah Dakwah aug / sep Issue • 2013 Voice of Islam 55 aug / sep Issue • 2013 56 Voice of Islam Dakwah Dakwah aug / sep Issue • 2013 Voice of Islam 57 aug / sep Issue • 2013 Dakwah ﺣﺴﻦ ﺍﻟﻈﻦ 58 Voice of Islam