Ole ole ole ole..ole..ole..my God..I finally got to relive the good old days of Singapore soccer. The Lions beat Malaysia, The Toothless Tigers. The crowd yesterday was fantastic. 55,000 patriots packed the National Stadium. The atmosphere was even better. The last time i soaked myself in such atmosphere was when my dad brought me to my first Malaysia Cup match and that match was between Singapore and Kedah. It was fantastic i tell you. The two teams got out of the dug out to sing their respective countries' national anthem. When the Negaraku was played, the crowd erupted into jeers as expected. Alas, Majulah Singapura. We sang with gusto and patriotism. I sang my lungs out without bothering whether others will call me childish or crap. Just before the kick-off, we sang Ole Ole Ole and the echo was magnificient. The chant was followed by three rounds of Kallang Wave. You could even feel the whole terrace vibrating. Singapore played well surprisingly and they dominated the match. However, the Tigers silenced the whole crowd by going ahead in the 55th minute courtesy of Lionel Lewis' blooper. By not looking back at the mishap, the Lions managed to pick themselves up and showcased a nice performance. Then came 75th minute when Ridhuan equalised. This time, the crowd cheered even louder. My friends and I were jumping like monkeys. The match dragged on until extra time but still, the score was nil-nil after extra time. The match had to be decided by penalty kicks. It was a heart-thumping experience i tell you because i do not fancy spot kicks as it is a cruel way of winning and losing. You need luck in penalties. I have missed many penalties in my life and i do not wish to share my experience. It takes courage to walk all the way to the penalty spot, pick up the ball, put it down on the penalty spot and finally kick it. Kicking the ball is easy but putting the ball behind the net is the difficult part. The 5 penalty takers from Singapore managed to convert their kicks into goals and victory for Singapore depended on Lionel and the last penalty taker for Malaysia. The crowd jeered at the poor last penalty taker from Malaysia and i bet he felt like as if a group of rapists was breathing down his neck. Haha. He picked his spot, gave a low shot and the rest was history. Lionel saved the penalty and the stadium erupted into wild cheers. I was jumping like a monkey and my friends and I were speechless to say anything. We just let our actions did the talking. Confetties were strewn haphazardly and we managed to hurl insults to both the Malaysian fans as well as the Malaysian players. I do not mind Singapore losing to some 3rd world country or some communist state but what i hate is to lose to Malaysia. Oh please! Even the Malaysian media taunted us, stating that we would never win but who gives a fuck about a country of Malays? Haha. They think they can threaten us by increasing the price of their water? No way! We have NeWater. Fuck them. They are just jealous of us. Pedra Branca? Oh please, we can surrender that island to you anytime. We have enough reserves to buys a dozen more islands in Indonesia. It is just that that island is way too important for us to give it away to Malaysia. Alah, nak benda free jer! Tak tahu malu! Haha. After the soccer match, Harun, his friends and I went to Bedok Food Center to have our supper and the food there was fantastic. I ate Roti John. Harun and I chatted with his friends who were from TPJC and they live in the eastern side of Singapore, Chai Chee to be exact. Eastern side girls are really different from the Northern and Western side girls. They are more independent and i just love the way the bring themselves up. So confident and my gosh, they are open minded too. Haha. Now I can say,'Siapa bilang gadis Melayu tak menawan?' Ehh, siapa bilang ah? I didn't say that Malay girls aren't pretty. Did i ever say that? Did i? Haha. Oops. My bad. Yes yes..gadis melayu pun menawan. ;)Below are some pictures i took as well as a video..enjoy!
Islamphobia. Racism. Fascism. Bias. What are all these non-sense? Why are they happening in this world? How can we say that we are civilised when we are still racists and we prejudise others? Simply put, some of us are ignorant. I have been reading more and more articles about Muslims being marginalised and ridiculed and even being treated in a bad manner, especially in Australia. First and foremost, white Aussies aren't actually the original people there. They are sons and daughters of crooks, rapists, killers, butchers and scums. Worst still, they have English roots. The migrant Muslims have been in Australia for 200 years and they earned their tickets to Australia just like the Chinese, the Vietnamese and the Indians. Unlike the Australian Muslims and other Asian minorities in Australia, the whites are being dumped in Australia. So what is so special about white Aussies? Hell, they think they are superior than others. When you wed a crook with a crook, you will get crooks for sons and daughters. I am not talking about all the whites in Australia but most Aussies are racists. Besides that, the Australian national rugby team sucks too! Haha. Basically, they are ignorant. If you want to criticise or marginalise someone, be in their shoes first. Learn about them. Understand them. By the way, who are you to judge others? Only God can judge. What i am trying to say is this, we should just live peacefully with others. Be humble. There is of no use to be too proud and arrogant of your race or the colour of your skin because we are all humans. Would not it be nice if there is peace? Anyway, not all Muslims are terrorists. There's a saying in Malay, 'because of the ink, the milk turns bad.' Islam is a religion of peace. It is the irresponsible acts of a minority that tarnish the image of Islam. I am speaking on behalf of all religions. No religion is bad. If a religion is bad, then it is called 'a cult'. Damn, i feel like slapping the faces of those ignorant bastards! And oh, don't you Singaporeans think that there are no racists here. It is just that most racists in Singapore are passive. Open your eyes and take a look around and then you will know what i am talking about. Blame this on The System. A device that they build to eradicate Racism is a myth. It is just a political tool. We are dumb to not see the failure in our society. Take a look around. NKF saga. Sueing oppositions. No freedom of speech and etc. By the way, can you name me a country which has a Minister Mentor? Hahaha...Not even the comical Malaysia has a minister mentor. Youchh!
I just want to share this article with you guys. It really opened my eyes after i read it. I hope this gives hope to those of you guys out there who have yet to find their true love. All the best. Do i then believe in true love? Time will tell...
The road to forbidden love is an easy one, but the path to real love requires strength that is enduring. Carmelita and Uthmaan epitomize this true love. Born in Argentina, they live in Egypt where they have made their home for the past six years. Carmelita is a gentle, timid woman while Uthmaan is overflowing with energy. With his long, shoulder-length curly locks and big beard, he is a striking image. Carmelita's sweet smile and demeanor complement Uthmaan. Many people spend their lives searching for that "perfect" partner, their soul mate. They drift from relationship to relationship, always searching but not quite finding.
Uthmaan
"There is no such thing as a perfect relationship," says Uthmaan. "All there is, is a lot of effort and faith." With Argentina's Muslim population being less than 1 percent, Uthmaan knew from the time he was small that it was going to be a mean feat finding a good Muslim wife. Most of Argentina's Muslims have their roots in Syria, Palestine, or Jordan. Both Uthmaan and Carmelita have Syrian blood from one grandparent.Unfortunately, many of these immigrants married non-Muslim women, had church marriages, and raised their children without Islam. Uthmaan's uncle was one of these men, and he faced many problems in his marriage. Thus, from when Uthmaan was a chico, little boy, his grandmother instilled in him that he should only marry a Muslim girl. But when he was 8,he fell in love. The girl he loved was Jewish. His love was unrequited, but from it he learned the most important lesson in love. "I loved her for one year, but she kept refusing me. Then she chose a boy who looked just like me. In fact, we were alike in every way, and people often mistook us for the other. The difference was that he was fully Argentine. I realized that one's heart is like crystal. One must care for it properly, because if one gives it away and it breaks, it cannot ever be mended," he explained.So when his friends and family tumbled into relationships, he kept away from this way of life, wanting only to give his heart to the woman he would marry. It was difficult to hold on to these values in a predominantly non-Muslim society, but when he was 13 Uthmaan came into contact with the Jamaate-Tablighi, which has its origins in the Indian subcontinent. He joined them, and their thinking inspired him to strengthen himself as a Muslim. At the age of 21 he had never been involved in any relationship and left for Saudi Arabia where he was to study. He returned to Argentina when 24, looking for a wife.
Carmelita
Carmelita had two unmarried aunts who lived with her family. Unlike many other Argentines with part Arab blood, she was not taught that Arab traditions were Islam. Her aunts had been taught true Islam by their father and imparted this knowledge to Carmelita. She grew up with the rituals of praying and fasting being norms in her life. Her father sent her to a girls' Catholic school where he thought she would be spared moral corruption. However, Carmelita was unhappy there. "I was Muslim and the other girls made it difficult for me," she sighs. She moved to a public secondary school where her friends respected her beliefs. "When I visited them at their homes, they would not serve pork or alcohol," comments Carmelita. She, too, did not get involved in relationships before marriage. At 24 she got engaged, but it lasted for only 15 days. In a country where Muslims are scarce, her fiancé was non-Muslim.
Early Meetings
When Uthmaan returned to Argentina, he searched in vain for a practicing Muslim woman for a wife. He started teaching at a school where a non-Muslim female colleague understood Islam better than most Muslims he had come across. He spoke to a sheikh, who said it was permissible for him to marry this woman, as her beliefs were upright. But Uthmaan could not forget his grandmother's words. Nevertheless, "I proposed to her," said Uthmaan. But she wanted to have a long relationship first. They compromised and got engaged, during which it was established that she would convert to Islam. Two years passed, and although she loved him dearly, she could not bring herself to convert. They parted.The sheikh then introduced him to Carmelita. They had only four meetings until Uthmaan proposed. However, Carmelita declined, for she was still pining for her exfiancé . "I explained to Carmelita, 'The way to marriage in Islam is quite cold, and devoid of passion, which comes after marriage,'" commented Uthmaan.But she was firm in her decision. He then left for Egypt to pursue his studies. Every year, he would return home during the summer holidays and his search for a wife would continue. "I didn't want to marry a non-Argentine woman because of the translation I had read of the Qur'anic injunction which says [Marry the believing women from amongst yourselves](An-Nur 24:32). I had understood this to mean that I shouldn't marry outside my culture. It wasn't until later that I discovered the correct meaning was 'Marry those among you who are single.' At that time I wondered 'How could I marry a woman from another country knowing that Argentine Muslim women would have to marry non-Muslim men if Muslim Argentine men married out?'" Uthmaan said.Then he met somebody. They met once and got engaged. During one phone conversation, she mentioned she was going to the beach to sunbathe so she could look beautiful and tanned. Uthmaan asked her how it was possible for her to tan her body when she was covered. She replied she'd wear a bikini. This shocked him, and he realized the girl and her family did not possess the moral fiber he had thought they did. Thus the engagement was broken off.
Second Thoughts
During this time, Carmelita's feelings for Uthmaan changed. "My cousin went to visit his (Uthmaan's) grandmother, who said she prays continuously for Uthmaan and I to marry. Then I could not get him out of my mind!" exclaimed Carmelita. So she sent word to say she was interested. But Uthmaan was once bitten, twice shy. "I was not going to propose to her again," laughed Uthmaan. "Yes, he wanted me to approach him, which I was not going to do," said the shy Carmelita. During his next visit home, she invited him to her family home. But Uthmaan had manly pride and asked instead that she come to the Islamic lessons he was giving. She didn't go.His search continued. An Egyptian businessman then went to Argentina and met Uthmaan's family. He told them he had an Egyptian woman for Uthmaan who wanted to marry him without even having seen him. Uthmaan said he would agree to marry this woman on condition that he first undertake one last search for an Argentine Muslim wife. His brother proposed on his behalf to a young woman in the community. The family said they would give an answer after a week, but they didn't. Uthmaan prepared to marry the Egyptian woman.Then the sheikh passed away. Uthmaan and Carmelita's families met at the funeral. Her family invited his family home, where his brother fell for Carmelita! Uthmaan's mother then approached Carmelita, but she said she wanted to marry Uthmaan. His brother acquiesced, and finally, four years after their initial meeting, Carmelita and Uthmaan married.
Life Commitment
One week later, she left with him to start a new life in Egypt. "I felt as though we were connected like family," said Carmelita, smiling. Uthmaan echoed her thoughts. Their union is a strong one based on strong Islamic values. Each respects the other, and treats them the way our Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) recommended. The deep love they share is evident in their tender expressions when they look at each other. This is also evident when Uthmaan pours drinks and serves Carmelita before he serves himself.Their first fight was difficult, they admit. They had no escape route — they were committed for life. But it was Islam that they turned to for help, and which they continue to turn to whenever there are problems in their life. "There is no such thing as a perfect marriage or a perfect partner," reiterated Uthmaan. Carmelita added, "If we have an argument, all one of us has to do is quote from Hadith or Qur'an, and the argument ends."Uthmaan finds it ironic that in Egypt, more young people are adopting Western-type relationships when searching for a partner. But in Argentina, people are turning to the Islamic method. They are adamant that if a person remains true to their principles, makes their intention of marriage for the pleasure of Allah, and asks Allah for a good partner, then surely they will be rewarded. "Each day I thank Allah for giving me the wife I asked for," says Uthmaan.Uthmaan mentions too that poverty should not be feared. When he married, he was a student and was worried how he would pay for the walimah and plane ticket to Egypt for Carmelita. But Allah provided.Six years on, their marriage gains in strength. They have three beautiful daughters and urge people to stick to the path of Allah to experience the bliss of a happy marriage.
I happened to read an article in The Newpaper regarding education. It is quite interesting. Qulification Education vs Real Education. I shall not touch on this topic because i have already written some of them in my past entries. Another thing that i discussed today with my colleague is about Old School Teachers & Students vs New Age Teachers & Students. Students, including the youth, in this modern epoch is not robust at all. I was told that schooling era between the 60s and late 80s is much different from now. Teachers are 'Gods'. If you were to go for a meet-the-parents session at that time, all you will get will be pinches and scolding (excluding after-the-meet-the-parents session beatings). Parents at that time agreed totally with their children's teachers. They advocated their children's teachers. Look at the present moment and you will see a major difference. Parents nowadays are too protective, so much so that they pampered their children too much. Too much of a good thing is bad for your children. Obviously teachers have a better picture of what the students need and thus going against teachers' view on your children is not a healthy habit. Good disciples are made from fierce masters. Always adhere to this advice. In another area, the modern youth is not robust. Robust in this term means self-motivated, independence and tough physically and mentally. The youth in 60s and 80s did not have cool gadgets and games to play with and thus they spent most of their time playing physical sports. Fights too amongst youth were rampant in those days. They too did nasty and notorious activities. Their activities might be deemed sinful, unacceptable and immoral in today's context but it was those activities that made the youth then more robust than the youth today. Anyway, they are just kids. Their parents thus should teach them between what is wrong and right. In retrospect, the youth then tend not to break down easily when they face challenges and failure as compared to the current youth. They are better at picking themselves up when they fail. Sigh. That's that. Anyway, i watched WWE just now and they were did this tribute to the US troops in Iraq. They actually wrestled in Baghdad just for the troops. Gosh. Something new. Refreshing. Pfffft. They executed Saddam Hussein recently. Sad day for us. I admit Saddam is evil but you simply can not fight evil with evil. Damn wrong. Futhermore, Saddam's justice trial was flawed. There is some foreign powers intervention and influence. Bush is a crap. Too bad USA has a twirp for a president. One good thing i like about the US is it's national anthem. Quite meaningful. If you happen to understand it's lyric and sing it with gusto, the words from the anthem will move you to tears. I am damn serious. No wonder the Americans are so patriotic. Anyway, Bush is still a crap. I call it Bush Shit. Aight, i'm supposed to tuck in early today. My left eye is swollen because of insufficient sleep these recent days. Here's something to ponder and look upon... Your Courage I Envy. Your Bravery For All To See. Your Bad I Ignore. Your Legacy Forever More. Thank You For The Memories Saddam.
