MUSICAL INTERLUDE: Barefoot girl

This is a familiar tune from our childhood when spending Ramadhan with arwah grandfather in Kampong. There was no TV or electricity back then. Surau was a bit of a distance. So the radio was the official timer for breaking fast.

We would gather around the radio to wait for Maghrib azan. The moment the instrumental version of this song is played before azan we would alert everyone, "Dah nak bang, yahi". Yahi is grandfather in Javanese.

The song title is Al Bint El Chalabiya (or Barefoot Girl). It is usually heard being played by RTM in the evening.

So much for Pulitzer nomination

In the posting loaded with quotations, an anonymous commentator quoted the just resigned chief Editor of NST, Mustapha Kamil or Mus to his colleague. That attracted a response containing wild allegations from a commentator by the nic Jalan Tangsi.

It was too speculative. Nevertheless, Mus's resignation is strange. Many have spoken to us with similar suspicion. His action is giving the wrong ideas of himself.

Not that resigning from a Chief Editor post is strange. Really no big deal as it is common for people to quit when for whatever reason, cannot stand being in the job or moving on for greener pasture or stop doing the same job.

Some of those that parted ways unceremoniously do bitch about their former boss, former colleagues or former employer. No big deal too.

But seldom do they go to the point of writing an open letter for leaving a salaried job. At his position, it is customary to take instruction from someone above, decision making has to go through many layers and "you can't always get whatcha want" as the various interests including company's need to be measured and balanced.

The fourth estate is not perfect but why the open letter?

Ramadhan Kareem

Wishing all Muslim the most spiritual and fulfilling Ramadhan.

Of explaining, last words and last laugh, finally inner peace

A friend sent the above quote.

It made us think and ponder. It is not something new and we have said the exact words without realising that it was said earlier by Paule Coelbe. Most likely, we heard it from someone else.

There is a twist to the above quotation.

Slippery slope ahead: Diplomats only to speak

"Force is all conquering, but it's victories is short-lived." - Abraham Lincoln

This quote reminded us of 2013 in the height of the kalimah Allah issue [read Bigdog on Archbiship Murphy Pakiam Christmas remark here].

There was a case in court that reached to the Federal Court for a decision on whether the Roman Catholic Church could use Allah in their Malay language publication for God. For Sabah and Sarawak, Malay language is used for church service. Just like in Indonesia, Allah was the term used for God.

The Muslim in Semananjong were suspicious as they see it as an insidious intention to convert Muslim which is deemed as unconstitutional to preach to Muslims.

The first envoy from Vatican City, Apostolic Nuncio Marino had infuriated Muslim NGOs like Perkasa and Jati in July. [read back Bigdogdotcom here and here]

Wisma Putera issued a statement to express displeasure to foreign interference but diplomats do not straight away condemn or criticise the other party. Subsequently, the envoy was called to Wisma Putera and he apologised for his ignorance. [Read Bigdog here].

Not many realised, the acknowledgement of the Vatican City envoy on the danger for being confrontational in a sensitive multi-religous society open the way for a peaceful resolution. Suddenly everything quiet down.

Sometimes non-missionary is more tight and smooth

Still far from the non-conventional Donald Trump campaign

Dunno what made us use that as a title.

Perhaps, it was a video sent by a friend on a Mek Kelate talking openly of her sexuality. What was meant is less suicidal or brutal political campaign can be just as focused and effective.

Saw few pro-BN commentators so vehemently against the selection of Datin Mastura as BN candidate because she is in mourning or according to Islamic hukum Iddah, she could not go out of the house, attend any form of festivities and various other restriction. This Iddah restriction is strictly on the wives, but not on husband in the case for death of the wife.

The rather petty religious restriction became an issue since it is a non-conventional political practise in UMNO and conservative interpretation of Quran that has evolved into traditional practise of Islam and culture in Nusantara Melayu.

The issue attracted The Star to highlight the unorthodox campaign tactic by UMNO. Now, UMNO can say they are also giving PAS a walkover thus disputing Tun M claim that PAS giving UMNO a walkover:

Al Fatihah ... the passing of an era

Received several Whass App messages informing the passing away of Ghani Karim, the ex-guitarist for the 80s to early 90s band, Freedom. Berita Haria has this report here.

Ghani made his mark as guitarist for the JB originate rock band in the early 70s, Heavy Machine before joining Freedom:

NST Oct 23rd 1986