OpenOffice.org announces "end-of-life" for version 2.x of its productivity suite

A few weeks before the upcoming release of OpenOffice.org 3.2, the OpenOffice.org Community is formally announcing "end-of-life" status for the legacy version 2.x series of its productivity suite.

With each new release, users are strongly encouraged to upgrade, to benefit from new features, bug fixes and security improvements. After a new major release, the community supports legacy releases for a period of time to help users with upgrading and migrating. With version 3.x being available for more than 15 months now, the Community has decided it is time to cease maintaining the 2.x software. As a consequence, OpenOffice.org 2.4.3 will be the last release of the legacy 2.x series and no subsequent bugfix or security releases will be made available.

This end-of-life policy only applies for the Community version of OpenOffice.org obtained via http://download.openoffice.org. Linux distributors and service companies often have their own product lifecycle policies and might support the productivity suite for a shorter or longer period of time. Sun Microsystems commercial support plans also continue to support OpenOffice.org version 2.x.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does end-of-life status mean? Is the software unusable now?

A: The end-of-life status means that support with patches, bugfixes and security updates is no longer available from the Community. Of course, the software is still usable, and you may still be able to obtain product support from Community members via email, mailing lists and forums.

Q: So, can I go on using the old version?

A: Technically, yes. However, due to important bugfixes and security improvements found in newer releases of the software, the community strongly encourages every user to upgrade to the latest release.

Q: I'm a Linux user, and my copy of OpenOffice.org comes from my distributor's repository. Am I affected?

A: Linux distributors often have their own product lifecycle policy and may support their versions of OpenOffice.org for a shorter or longer period of time by "backporting" updates and bugfixes. Please check with your distributor.

Q: Why can't the community support older releases for a longer period of time?

A: Releasing bugfixes, patches and security improvements for older releases takes a lot of resources. Releasing legacy versions is as much effort as releasing current versions, with localization and QA being involved. As most users upgrade to a new version in a short period of time, and as rollout cycles in companies usually last from 3 to 12 months, the Community needs to concentrate its resources where they are most effective, in new versions.

There is also a number of independent service companies providing long-term support, who may support "end of life" releases.

Raya Haji

Alhamdulillah, buat kesekian kalinya aku menyambut 'Iduladha dalam hidup ini. Ini ialah kali ketiga aku tidak berhari raya di rumahku... Aku berhari raya di Morak tahun ini. Kali pertama aku berhari raya haji di luar lamanku ialah sewaktu aku di KISAS...cumanya aku lupa sewaktu tingkatan 4 atau 5 aku berhari raya di baitul-jann...

Kali kedua ialah sewaktu belajar di UPM, pun tak ingat tahun berapa, pertama ('03-'04) atau kedua ('04-'05). Tak pun '05-'06. Aku berhari raya di Klang...mungkin 2005 kot sebab masa tu aku baru tukar no. kpd no. Celcom.

Cerita berhari raya di Klang... aku kali pertama beraya di bandar. Amat janggal aku rasakan. Kemeriahan yg penuh township & kebandaran... Kemeriahan yang agak pelik ini aku alami sewaktu menghadiri majlis korban pak cikku di Taman Bukit Jati, Klang. Acara korban dilaksanakan di perkarangan padang bersebelahan surau taman berkenaan.

Beberapa ekor lembu ditumbangkan pada pagi tu. Aku lihat ramai pakai lawa2, bawak camcorder, digital camera... Mereka beramai duk dekat lembu-lembu tu. Mengambil gambar dengan penuh enthusiastic. Yang bertumas dengan lembu & aktiviti korban tu, keadaan lagak & gayanya sama saja dengan di kampung aku kira. Cuma, audien yg datang melihat tu rasanya agak keterlaluan dalam beberapa perkara. Masakan tidak, terjadilah suatu ketika pagi itu, di mana, seekor lembu lari lintang pukang hingga merempuh jatuh pagar besi sebuah rumah, akibat takutkan kerumuman ramai penonton barangkali. Maka cuaklah sekalian yang melihat... Beberapa orang cuba menangkap lembu berkenaan yg menerobos masuk ke laman rumah yg tidak berpenghuni. Balik kampung kata jiran-jiran.

Akhirnya lembu berkenaan berjaya disembelih selepas beberapa orang bertungkus lumus mengelilingi & menangkapnya. Happy ending bagi penonton-penontonnya yang 'darat' barangkali. Lembu bukannya suka dikeliling reramai, tambah-tambah lagi di musim penumbangan mereka secara besar-besaran di Hari Raya Korban...Pakai baju lawa-lawa yang mendedahkan sesetengah bahagian tubuh, juga wewangian yg 'meransangkan' lembu utk naik minyak ditambah lagi dengan warna baju yang cerah-cerah & terang-terang...

Ape daa...

Tahun ini aku bersyukur sangat kerana dapat & berkemampuan setelah diizinkanNya utk melaksakan ibadah aqiqah utk putera sulungku Lutfil Hadi. Ini ialah kali pertama aku melaksanakan korban pada waktu petang. Ianya dilaksanakan selepas solat Jumaat. Kami mengorbankan seekor lembu di depan rumah di Morak. Ya, dalam kawasan compound rumah dekat dengan timbunan pasir & ada rumput sikit-sikit tu (utk yang biasa berziarah ke rumah ni). Laju diorang ni buat kerja. Adik-adik iparku dan kawan-kawannya, serta sanak pakcik isteriku serta tukang sembelih yang merupakan jiran kami di Morak. Tahun ni aku tak berpeluang pegang tali yang diikatkan kpd lembu. Mereka gagah perkasa semua & bilangan yang memegang tali sedang elok cukup korumnya. Akad jual beli, niat aqiqah sewaktu melihat aliran darah sembelihan...Amat mengesankan. Seekor lembu tu, kami buat aqiqah 4 bahagian (2 lutfi, 2 badri, anak cik da & abe ji) dan 3 bahagian lagi ialah bahagian korban. Masing-masing 1 bahagian utk kak ja, ayoh dgn mek.

Tahun ni di ketereh pun ada korban & aqiqahnya utk Aleesya anak Izam dgn Ihsan anak Din. DIn amik seekor kambing & Izam amik sebahagian lembu di rumah Cik Su. Abah pun ambil satu bahagian. Banyaklah daging lembu dan kambing di rumah tahun ini. Aku pulak, sakit gigi... Berlubang di geraham bongsu sebelah atas kiri...Hilang sedikit kenikmatan makan daging di musim raya haji ni...

Seronok berhari raya haji tahun ni yang merupakan sambutan raya haji pertama kami sebagai sepasang suami isteri. Kalau di ketereh tu, semua ada, anak-anak saudaraku yakni sepupu Lutfi. Sebab ada 2 baby, Aleesya seorang lagi, maka sepupu-sepupu mereka ni memang sibuk & suka mengambil kisah tentang mereka berdua. Sesama mereka berdua pula, tak menang tangan kami di rumah ni dibuatnya.

Suka-suka kita pun cubalah utk tidak mengatasi rasa syukur kita kpd Allah Ta'ala. Ingatlah perulangan pesanan Allah, "Maka, nikmat Tuhan kamu yang manakah yang kamu dustakan?" dalam surah ar-Rahman itu.

Hari ini

Hari ini 1 Disember, aku secara rasmi jadi Asst. Mgr. kat Core & Wireless Transmission Unit, Section Contract Mgmt, Procurement Operation TM.

Semalam aku cuti.

Aku naik kije hari ni, mcm2 berlaku semalam dalam Outlook aku. Emel-emel bersepah-sepah berantai-rantai cuba membakar dan cuba menjadi juara penyelesai masalah. Champion konon. Tak selesai-selesai gak. Apa barang? Bengang betul aku. Sikit-sikit report to the higher-ups. Sikit-sikit report. Bukannya kitorg tak buat pun.

Aku tengah risaukan PAS Kelantan ni. Masya ALLAH. Serangan2 kpd Mursyidul-Am dari segenap segi. Zaman fitnah. Tak tahu mana satu betul. Mula-mula UG, then seminar politik, then penarikan diri (yg merugikan PAS) Prof Abdul Aziz Bari dari menulis ttg PAS, Syed Azidi, Ariffahmi & PBMK, tajaan haji, percubaan membunuh karier TP II PAS Kelantan & PJ PAS Kelantan dlm Mingguan Malaysia, mahkamah rayuan terima rayuan SPR ttg pengosongan kerusi DUN Kota Siputeh dll...

Yg 'serang' UMNO cuma larangan BTN kepada student IPTS S'gor & k/tgn kerajaan S'gor oleh S'gor State Govt. Penang bercadang dgn seriusnya utk mengikut jejak langkah berkenaan. Sikit je 'serang-balas'nya.

Bila tengok emel Outlook tadi....Isshk!! Hek elleh! Entah apa2 betul laa....

Nur Kasih dah habis dah. Best sangat ke? Jangan Tegur Lagi sampai dapat 2 juta unique viewers... Berbaloi-baloi ke?

Yang kecik2 dibesar2kan, yang besar2 disepah2kan mcm habuk yg sangat kecik...

Tahniah Rooney!

Penyerang United kini bergelar bapa
LIVERPOOL: Wayne Rooney telah bergelar bapa untuk pertama kalinya pada Isnin lepas apabila isterinya Coleen telah selamat melahirkan seorang bayi lelaki, umum seorang jurucakap kepada penyerang Manchester United dan England berkenaan.

Bayi berkenaan, dilahirkan di Hospital Wanita Liverpool telah diberi nama Kai Wayne Rooney.
Ayahnya terlepas sesi latihan bersama kelabnya untuk menyambut kelahiran berkenaan.
Rooney, 24, telah berkahwin dengan teman wanitanya sejak kanak-kanak itu, Coleen, 23, di Italian Riviera tahun lepas.
Coleen, yang bekerja sebagai seorang model dan penyampai televisyen telah dipetik sebagai berkata dalam satu temuramah awal tahun ini, dia mahu “mungkin tiga atau empat orang anak lagi.”
“Saya sangat sukakan kerjaya saya namun saya lebih gembira untuk meneruskannya apabila kami mempunya anak-anak,” katanya. — AFP

Tauliah ceramah

Bila sekatan secara terpilih dilakukan kepada alim ulama, maka timbullah kekeliruan dan masalah di kalangan masyarakat. Api fitnah dan gosip mula membara. Apakah sebenarnya tauliah yang dimaksudkan oleh penguatkuasa agama Islam tempatan?

Setiap insan yang beragama Islam telah pun diamanahkan oleh ALLAH untuk menyeru kepada kebaikan dan mencegah kemungkaran. Firman Allah dalam Surah Ali-Imran, ayat 110 (1) maksudnya, "Kamu adalah umat yang terbaik yang dilahirkan untuk manusia, menyuruh kepada yang ma’ruf, dan mencegah dari yang mungkar, dan beriman kepada Allah. Sekiranya Ahli Kitab beriman, tentulah itu lebih baik bagi mereka; di antara mereka ada yang beriman, dan kebanyakan mereka adalah orang-orang yang fasik." Namun, pastinya orang yang ingin menyampaikan itu sedar keperluan melengkapkan dirinya terlebih dahulu. Kita juga amat yakin bukan semua orang bersedia untuk menyampaikan, memberi dakwah melalui penyampaian ucapan, ceramah, tazkirah dan sebagainya. Mereka perlu bersedia terlebih dahulu. Adakah persediaan yang diterjemahkan dengan pengurniaan ijazah-ijazah Sarjana Muda, Sarjana mahu pun Doktor Falsafah senang-senang dipandang enteng? Apakah kelulusan akademik itu bukannya tauliah untuk menyampaikan dakwah?

Penahanan bekas Mufti Perlis tidak pernah pun berlaku sebelum ini. Dia sering sahaja menyampaikannya pengisiannya di sekitar Lembah Klang ini, secara terbuka atau pun tertutup, sebelum dan selepas dia menjawat jawatan Mufti Perlis. Masyarakat sedar apa yang dibawanya. Namun, beliau masih diterima untuk menyampaikan pengisian-pengisiannya.

Pihak penguatkuasa haruslah bekerjasama dengan para ulama, untuk menetapkan kriteria, boleh atau tidak seseorang ahli agama atau ulama itu menyampaikan pengisiannya secara umum. Penggubal dasar di peringkat pusat mahu pun negeri boleh merujuk entiti seperti ahli-ahli Majlis Fatwa Kebangsaan atau pimpinan Persatuan Ulama Malaysia misalnya, untuk penetapan dasar pentauliahan berkenaan. Diharap, kecelaruan ini dapat dielakkan pada waktu mendatang.

Mimpi ke Makkah

Semalam aku bermimpi ke Makkah, menunaikan ibadah di sana. Cuma aku tidak pasti sama, ibadah yang kutunaikan berkenaan, adakah umrah atau pun haji. Keadaan dalam mimpi berkenaan agak caca merba kerana aku di sana tanpa pergi melalui Tabung Haji. Kelam kabutlah nak cari tempat penginapan.

Semoga ALLAH sampaikan hajat kami ke Makkah utk menunaikan rukun Islam ke-5 ini. Siapa-siapa yg ke Makkah, minta tolong doakan agar hasrat kami ini tercapai.

Ulang Tahun ke-19

Hari ini Nik Aziz 19 tahun mentadbir Kelantan

Wan Nik Wan Yussof

Wed | Oct 21, 09 | 2:34:55 pm MYT

ANALISA

Hari ini, Rabu, 21 Oktober 2009 adalah ulang tahun ke-19 pentadbiran kerajaan negeri Kelantan di bawah kepimpinan ulamak.

Sekaligus mengesahkan telah 19 tahun Tuan Guru Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat selaku Menteri Besar Kelantan. Ia juga adalah ulang tahun ke-19 bagi pelaksanaan slogan Membangun Bersama Islam yang dijadikan panduan perancangan pembangunan negeri.

Ia satu slogan yang mendahulukan nilai-nilai ad-din di dalam memenuhi harapan rakyat. Ini juga bermakna, selama 19 tahun prinsip pentadbiran berteraskan ubudiah, masuliah dan itqan telah dijadikan amalan oleh seluruh agensi kerajaan negeri Kelantan.

Maka, selayaknya telah berlaku kesan nyata daripada perancangan dan pelaksanaan ke atas tiga aspek perjalanan kerajaan negeri ‘falsafah kepimpinan, slogan dan prinsip pentadbiran’ sekaligus menobatkan Tuan Guru Nik Abdul Aziz sebagai menteri besar yang ulung menerajui eksekutif kerajaan negeri.

Justeru itu, sempena mengingati ulang tahun ke-19, Tuan Guru Haji Nik Abdul Aziz menerajui kepimpinan ulamak mentadbir negeri Kelantan, semua laluan sejarah lepas sewajarnya dijadikan pengalaman, demi menyongsong kejayaan untuk dinikmati oleh generasi akan datang.

Pengorbanan untuk generasi muda

Laluan kepimpinan Tuan Guru Nik Abdul Aziz sejak menjawat Ketua Ulamak PAS Pusat dan kini selaku Mursyidul Am PAS amatlah terukir indah di setiap wajah rakyat Kelantan.

Ilmunya adalah cahaya, perwatakannya adalah idola dan sentuhan pentadbirannya adalah keberkatan untuk seluruh rakyat.

Justeru itu, ilmu agama yang ada di dadanya sentiasa dicurahkan kepada rakyat Kelantan menerusi kuliah pagi Jumaat, khutbah Jumaat dan ceramah yang segar serta tulisan yang tercetak.

Atas kapasiti keilmuan yang dicurahkan dan ratusan ribu rakyat menelaah ilmunya, layaklah rakyat menobatkan menteri besar yang mengemudi kepimpinan ulamak itu adalah seorang ulamak sebenar bergelar 'Tuan Guru'.

Kerana di sebalik itu, cukup ramai individu ulamak yang kaya ilmu agamanya, tetapi loket di dalam mencurahkan ilmunya untuk diraih oleh rakyat. Justeru itu, tidak mungkin ditemui dalam dekad ini menteri besar seumpama menteri besar Kelantan.

Sesungguhnya, Tuan Guru Nik Abdul Aziz telah 19 tahun bergelar 'Yang Amat Berhormat Tuan Guru Menteri Besar' yang sentiasa mengorbankan ilmunya untuk rakyat.

Inilah wajah kepimpinan ulamak yang dipaparkan kepada generasi rakyat Kelantan hari ini. Mudah-mudahan ‘ilmu tuan guru’ bakal membina generasi muda masa kini untuk mencipta kejayaan masa depannya.

Berkat taburan ilmu itu, kini Kelantan bukanlah negeri yang terpinggir dengan isu-isu pembangunan. Daripada ilmu yang ditaburkan, Kelantan sudah menjadi negeri yang seiringan dengan negeri lain dari segi pembangunan fizikal dan rohani.

Meskipun, masih ada tohmahan dan cakap-cakap sinis kononnya Kelantan adalah negeri termundur dan ketinggalan dari segi pembangunan sosio-ekonomi, namun kualiti hidup rakyatnya sudah menjawab dengan tepat bahawa kesemua tohmahan itu adalah cakap politik yang berniat memburuk-buruk keupayaan kepimpinan ulamak sejak Tuan Guru Nik Abdul Aziz dilantik menteri besar.

Justeru itu, kepimpinan ulamak era Tuan Guru Nik Abdul Aziz sudah menobatkan (establishment) 20 nilai pembangunan negeri Kelantan seperti mana berikut:

1. Sifat cakna rakyat penuh berkebajikan,
2. Bangunan pejabat dan gudang bertambah dan tersergam,
3. Prasarana kesejahteraan awam tersirat kukuh,
4. Ladang getah dan kelapa sawit luas menghijau,
5. Sawah bendang menguning setiap musim,
6. Hutan dan lurah sedia ditereskan,
7. Kadar kemiskinan menjunam turun,
8. Kuasa beli rakyat mampu menyara survival pasaraya,
9. Pertambahan kenderaan bersimpang siur,
10. Taman perumahan melebar ke serata negeri,
11. Bandar lama dan baru makin berkembang,
12. Kehadiran pelancong terus melonjak,
13. Pesta, ekspo dan karnival terlaksana setiap tahun,
14. Gaji kakitangan awam tidak pernah dikurang,
15. Pendidikan Islam terbaik dan pelajar cemerlang terserlah setiap tahun
16. Kolej, universiti dan sekolah bestari makin bertambah bilangan,
17. Kilang dan produknya terus beroperasi melonjak peluang ekonomi,
18. Perancangan pembangunan sentiasa berlaku,
19. Punca hasil baru terus diterokai,
20. Baki hutang kerajaan dahulu sudah terlunas. Kesemua nilai pembangunan dinyatakan di atas adalah ukuran mutlak bagi mengiktiraf betapa pembangunan dan pertumbuhan ekonomi dan sosial sudah berlaku dan tidak terpinggir.

Oleh kerana itu, negeri Kelantan sepanjang 19 tahun di bawah kuasa politik PAS telah melakukan yang terbaik untuk rakyat Kelantan. Di atas 20 establishment itu, amatlah tidak adil untuk meletakkan status pembangunan negeri Kelantan sebagai negeri mundur.

Maka, sempena ulang tahun ke-19 kepimpinan ulamak mengurus-tadbir kerajaan negeri Kelantan ini, diharapkan bersama-samalah kita dapat membuka mata dan telinga untuk menerima realiti, betapa negeri Kelantan hari ini adalah sebuah negeri yang sudah jauh maju setanding dengan negeri-negeri lain di negara ini.

--------------

Penulis adalah Pengarah, Pusat Kajian Strategik Negeri Kelantan. _

Sumber Harakahdaily.

Five steps firms should make before Win 7 move

Original article can be located here.
Five steps firms should make before Win 7 move

By Liau Yun Qing, ZDNet Asia
Friday, October 16, 2009 06:54 PM

It is "nearly inevitable" that businesses will migrate to Microsoft's upcoming operating system Windows 7 and they must examine some key issues before making the move, according to Gartner.
In an advisory released Friday, the research firm outlined five key areas companies should evaluate to prepare their migration to the new OS when it is officially launched Oct. 22.
1. Plan to be off Windows XP before end-2012.
Enterprises that had skipped Vista should plan to be leave Win XP by the end of 2012. According to Gartner, while Microsoft will support Win XP with security fixes until April 2014, past experience has shown that independent software vendors (ISVs) will stop testing their apps much earlier. In fact, ISVs will start limiting their support for Win XP after 2011.
"New releases of critical business software will require Windows 7 long before Microsoft support for Win XP ends," Steve Kleynhans, research vice president at Gartner, said in the report. "Organizations that get all of their users off Win XP by the end of 2012 will avoid significant potential problems."
2. Start work on migration plans now.
A typical organization requires 12 to 18 months of waiting, testing and planning before it can start deploying a new client OS, Gartner explained.
There is also a lot of work to be done in preparation, and delays in getting started will only result in added costs later.
3. Don't wait for Windows 7 SP 1.
Gartner cautioned against waiting Windows 7 Service Pack 1 to begin testing and deploying the new platform, noting that many companies are likely planning to wait until SP1 ships before starting their tests. Instead, organizations should start work now, especially if companies have skipped Windows Vista.
4. Don't skip Windows 7.
In May 2009, Gartner advised companies to skip Vista and wait for Windows 7, because the latter has important features that Vista did not have. These new tweaks will help improve organizations' abilities to deploy the new platform.
The research house pointed out that Windows 7 is not a major architectural release, focusing mainly on "polishing" or fine-tuning the OS, and builds on the deeper "plumbing" changes Microsoft made in Windows Vista. However, Windows 7 carries improvements in memory management that will allow users to have a better experience than that on Vista, explained Michael Silver, vice president and analyst at Gartner.
5. Budget with care.
Companies should plan their budgets carefully as migration costs vary significantly, depending on the OS the organization has. Gartner estimated that it will cost US$339 to US$510 per user to move from Windows Vista to Windows 7, and US$1,035 to US$1,930 per user to move from Windows XP to Windows 7.

my baby

Alhamdulillah, wulida ibni fis-sa'ah ath-thaalithah illa sab'ata daqaiq, fil yaumil-ithnani, 12/10/2009 fi Pusat Perubatan an-Nisa' bi wiliyaati kalantan darun-na'im.

Mak dan anaknya sihat. Sekarang berpantang di kampung.

Ni gambar-gambar yg sempat diambil.

baby Izam

Alhamdulillah pada hari Selasa jam 6.27 pagi kalu tak silap, kak Syidah selamat melahirkan seorang baby perempuan seberat 2.88 kg di Pusat Rawatan Islam Az-Zahrah...

La ni diorang duk di Kajang, utk siapa2 yg nak datang melawat.

Cadangan nama hari tu ada 2, Nur Aleesya Fitriah dgn Nur Aleesya Fatihah...Aku ni tak sure la apa makna Aleesya & bagaimana nak ejanya kot Arab...Yg dpilih tak sure la..

Tapi takpelah.

Ni gambar baby:

Dana PR PAS N.31 Bagan Pinang

Dirayu kepada sahabat-sahabat yang nak infaq bolehlah infaqkan ke akaun CIMB berikut:

14490000017104
TABUNG DANA PILIHANRAYA

Atau pun kepada akaun Bank Islam berikut:

05030010000462
BADAN PERHUBUNGAN PAS NEGERI SEMBILAN

Semoga Allah menerima secebis usaha kita utk memenangkan Islam di Malaysia ini.

Terima kasih.

Hari Raya

Aku bosan. Dah lama nak update blog tapi tak sempat & tak larat.

'Idulfitri sampai lagi buat kesekian kalinya dalam hidup ini. Kira-kiranya dah 26/27 kali sambut - kan kalendar hijri lagi laju pada masehi...Tapi yang ingatnya, berapa kali je. Daripada yang ingat tu, yang betul2 happening berapa kali je...

Namun begitu memang berhak kegembiraan dizahirkan sungguh2 dalam Hari Raya ini. 'Id mubarak, kullu 'am wa antum bi khair. Taqabbalallah minna wa minkum.

Aku nak cerita semua, tapi tak ada daya, masa & upaya. Mana yang ingat, mana yang dirasakan penting aku sampaikanlah.

Tahun ni aku balik raya dengan zaujah aku, adik aku eja & abe & adik ipar aku, nonie. Penuh kereta. Balik kot T'ganu. Jalan ok hari Jumaat. Sepanjang jalan dah masuk T'ganu terperasan ada bunyi something dkt bahagian depan kiri kereta, cam ada sesuatu berkeriang-keriut...entah apa.

Sampai di Kg. Sura Dungun jam 11 pagi lbh kurang, singgah rumah abe Yoe, abe iparku, dalam setengah jam di sana. Kemudian sambung journey, subhanallah best lalu tepi pantai. Cantik & seronok mata memandang pasir pantai & kebiruan laut yg menjauh.

Aku kira, sempatlah kami suami isteri berpuasa sehari di rumah masing-masing. Alhamdulillah tercapai hasrat. Hari raya pertama zaujati (zaujah+saya=zaujati) pertama kali di rumah lain. Tapi bukan rumah orang lain.

Aku demam raya kedua, petang. Program MSK raya ke-3 memang tak dapat pergi. Perut tak sedap berpanjang-panjangan... Aku di rumah mentua (eh, mertua ke mentua??), petang tu, berselimut je dalam gebar, suhu badan naik sedikit demi sedikit, setelah paginya kelihatan semuanya OK tak ada masalah... Malam raya kedua, kami ke klinik, ada juga yang buka, zaujati yang setia menemankan aku ke klinik, dan dengan kepakaran dia, ubat yang aku perolehi sedikit berbeza dari biasa, hasil negotiation dia dengan doktor.

Alhamdulillah, semakin ok, walaupun aku hanya boleh makan nasi putih saja lepas hari raya kedua tu.

Pagi raya ketiga, masih di Morak walaupun bercadang nak balik ke Ketereh petang raya kedua lagi. Tak larat & tak mampu nak drive. Ada kenduri di Bintang, adik kak Ma isteri abe Yoe. Aku tak pergi. Biar zaujati dengan kakak dia Cikda & Abe Ji pergi ke sana, dengan yang lain. Aku perlahan-lahan balik dengan Persona tu ke Ketereh, bercadangnya utk sambung rehat di rumah di sana. Jangan main-main, memang ada tempat nama Bintang... (adakah Bintang lagi tinggi dari Puncak Alam? Wallahua'lam.)

Apa lagi yang berlaku?

Pagi raya ke-5 kami berdua ke Pusat Rawatan An-Nisa dekat-dekat dengan Pejabat Pos Besar Kota Bharu. Buka buku rekod di situ. Bercadangnya kami, hendak melahirkan putera sulung kami di situ. Segalanya berjalan lancar, cuma parking susah sikit sebab penuh. Ramai orang di sini.

Aku terbau hangit getah terbakar sewaktu memarkir Persona kami di pintu masuk pusat rawatan berkenaan. Musykil aku dibuatnya, risau aku disebabkannya. Barangkali sesak teruk atas retak Sultan Yahya Petra menyebabkan masalah ini. Biarlah kereta ni cool down dulu. Selesai, kami ke HRPZ II ambil sedikit ubat utk ... aku lupa la pulak. Then terus gerak ke satu majlis kenduri yang telah lama dirancang utk dihadiri.

Aku jumpa Hajar setelah beberapa tahun tidak menatap wajahnya, pada hari raya ke-5, di majlis kenduri walimah al-'urus Salmi Koh Muhammad Hashim Koh di Kampung Kor. Zaujati adalah kawan se-houseman Salmi di HRPZ II dulu. Asal aku tidak kenal Salmi. Tapi dia pernah datang rumah di Ketereh selepas kami berkahwin. So dari situ kenallah aku akan Salmi. Hajar kawan baikku (perasan atau pun kenyataan?) di sekolah rendah dulu. Berkebetulan Salmi dan Hajar mengaji menengah sekali di SMS TMFP. Hajar pulak sambung belajar peringkat tertier di UKM KL, sekampus dengan zaujati & selalu jumpa dengan zaujati...

(Ingin kukhabarkan kepada Afzan, Syed, Hadri, Wana, Fattah, Zaim & Pok Din akan liqa' itu tapi tak juga2 aku buat...)

Dunia ini kelihatannya besar namun tidaklah sebesar mana pada pandangan ALLAH, yang menakdirkan pertemuan semula berkenaan.

Fasa terakhir

'Itqun minan-naar.

Kejarlah sedaya upaya...

Handset rosak

Untuk makluman semua, handset saya sedang dibaiki di service center... Jika ada sebarang urusan, sila emel & atau hubungi nombor telefon pejabat. Katanya, status handset tu akan diketahui sama ada repairable atau rosak terus atau lain dalam 2, 3 hari ni.

Terima kasih.

Kepada pengundi Permatang Pasir, calon dah diumumkan secara rasmi pagi tadi. Jadi, pilihlah calon PAS. Jangan menggadaikan kemenangan Islam sebab janji-janji manis UMNO. Kepada semua pendokong & penyokong PAS, jadikan PRK Manik Urai sebagai pengajaran terbaik untuk menjana kemenangan di Permatang Pasir. Insya ALLAH.

Kemaskini Rabu, 19 Ogos 2009, 14.16 pm

Alhamdulillah dah siap pun dibaiki.

Kemaskini Selasa, 18 Ogos 2009

Kpd kawan2 sahabat2 semua yg dapat sms dari saya, sebenarnya handset masih rosak lagi. Dpt hantar sms ni sbb guna modem Celcom broadband zaujati yg ada capability to text sms. Tp, kelemahannya, tak tahu dari siapa mesej2 yg diterima sbb nama tak naik. Naik no. je.

Harap maklum ye...Perenggan pertama di atas masih terpakai setakat tulisan ini dikemaskini.

Dah pindah

Alhamdulillah 'ala kulli hal.

Hujung minggu lepas, dah pindah ke Indah Kondo kat Prima Damansara. Masih lagi menyewa.

Terima kasih kpd mahyuddin sbb tlg transport barang2 dengan lori dia. Kpd adik2ku abe & eja, terima kasih sbb menolong angkut barang2 yg banyak tu.

Al-Fatihah buat Ust Asri Ibrahim Rabbani

Al-Fatihah...
(Meninggal dunia di RTM jam 11.15 pagi tadi, setelah rebah akibat sakit jantung)

Edit 4.01 pm.

Jenazah akan disemadikan lepas asar petang ini di Bukit Lanchong, Seri Muda, Shah Alam.

Pindah rumah

I'll be shifting on this Saturday.

Anybody wanna gimme a hand to transport my belongings, furnitures etc on that day?

We're renting a new apartment. It's located at Prima Damansara. No lift there and we'll we stay at second floor. The apartment have 5 floors.

I've got a mover, 3 tons lorry, but I lack people to help me moving all the things & stuffs.

Adun PAS Permatang Pasir meninggal dunia

Sumber Harakahdaily.

Sabri Said dan Wan Nordin Wan Yaacob
Fri | Jul 31, 09 | 9:07:05 am MYT

KUALA LUMPUR, 31 Julai (Hrkh)- Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri (Adun) Permatang Pasir, Hamdan Abdul Rahman meninggal dunia awal pagi hari ini di Institut Jantung Negara, Kuala Lumpur.

Pesuruhjaya PAS Negeri, Ustaz Saleh Man ketika memberitahu, jenazahnya dalam urusan di bawa balik ke Pusat Khidmat Dun yang pernah menjadi tempat tinggal sewanya sewaktu memenangi Dun Permatang Pasir sejak pilihanraya umum ke 10 tahun 1999 lalu.

Menurutnya, Allahyarham telah seminggu berada di IJN untuk menjalani rawatan susulan akibat kesakitan di bahagian jantung kembali setelah menjalani pembedahan sebelum pilihanraya umum ke 11 tahun 2003 di Hospital Besar Pulau Pinang.

Pada Pilihan raya ke 12 lalu beliau sekali lagi menang dengan majoriti besar mengalahkan calon Barisan Nasional (BN) sekaligus mengekalkan kemenangan tiga penggal berturut-turut bersama Ahli Parlimen Permatang Pauh, Dato' Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

"Allahyarham menjadi Pesuruhjaya PAS Negeri selama 11 tahun setelah pemergian Allahyarham Tuan Guru Haji Zabidi Ali penghujung tahun 1980 an. Beliau seorang yang dedikasi dan merupakan pejuang yang sanggup berkorban apa sahaja termasuk harta benda kerana memartabatkan Islam, " jelasnya.

Baru-baru ini Allahyarham dianugerahkan Darjah Setia Pangkuan Negeri yang membawa gelaran Dato' sempena ulangtahun Tuan Yang Terutama Dato' Seri Utama Dr Abdul Rahman Abbas yang ke 71.

Harakhadaily dimaklumkan, jenazah Allahyarham bertolak dari IJN pukul 10 pagi ini dan dijangka sampai ke Permatang Pasir jam 2 petang ini.

Bagaimanapun tempat dan waktu pengkebumianya belum dipastikan cuma berkemungkinan petang ini.

Sementara itu, Naib Presiden PAS, Dato' Mahfuz Omar dalam smsnya kepada Harakahdaily memaklumkan sedang dalam perjalanan ke IJN bagi menziarahi Allahyarham, beberapa pimpinan dijangka akan menziarahi jenazah dalam masa terdekat.

AJK PAS Pusat, Dato' Kamarudin Jaffar menyifatkan pemergian Allahyarham merupakan kehilangan besar kepada PAS.

"Allahyarham adalah seorang pemimpin PAS yang amat kuat bekerja, rapat dengan rakyat sehingga mampu mempertahankan kerusi di Permatang Pasir walau dalam keadaan genting," ujarnya.

TERKINI!!!!!Sementara itu, pada jam 9.30 pagi tadi, jenazah Allahyarham telah dibawa dari IJN ke Permatang Pasir.Turut mengiringi jenazah ialah sanak saudara dan kaum keluarga yang sejak semalam menemani Allahyarham di IJN. Menurut salah seorang anak allahyarham, Dr Hamdan meninggal selepas dimasukkan ke IJN Isnin lalu, namun katanya Allahyarham meninggal dengan amat mudah pagi tadi.

"Tak nampak tanda-tanda beliau tenat semalam, saya sedang buat surat cuti untuk Allahyarham dari menghadiri Dun Pulau Pinang, namun belum sempat siap surat tersebut, pagi ini Allahyarham menghembuskan nafasnya, beliau seorang yang cukup tenang dan bapa yang sangat baik dan penyayang," ujar seorang menantunya kepada Harakahdaily.

Suasana sayu mengiringi perjalanan jenazah sebaik dikeluarkan dari Bilik Mayat IJN.Turut hadir ialah Naib Presiden PAS, Dato' Mahfuz Omar; Presiden KeADILan, Dato' Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail; AJK PAS Pusat, Dr Dzulkifly Ahmad; ahli Parlimen Titiwangsa, Dr Lo Lo Mohd Ghazali dan pimpinan PAS yang lain.

Mewakili pihak PAS, Mahfuz mengucapkan takziah kepada keluarga Allahyarham di atas pemergian Adun Permatang Pasir.

"Beliau seorang yang cukup baik, rapat dengan rakyat, komited dan wakil rakyat yang memahami kehidupan rakyat, beliau rakan saya yang banyak membantu saya terutamanya ketika saya ditahan ISA (operasi lalang).Beliaulah yang menjaga kebajikan anak isteri saya.

"Beliau juga adalah teman yang amat memahami, saya rasai kehilangan yang sangat besar kepada satu perjuangan," ujarnya.

Sementara itu, Presiden KeADILan turut mengucapkan takziah kepada keluarga Allahyarham.

Dr Wan Azizah menyifatkan, Pakatan Rakyat kehilangan 'permata' yang sangat komited dengan kerja, membantu Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim ketika Ketua Umum KeADILan itu menghadapi krisis politik tahun 1998.

"Beliau seorang yang mudah memahami, sangat penyayang dan bekerja keras untuk rakyatnya," ujar beliau./wann _

Majlis Fatwa Kebangsaan Kena Keluarkan Fatwa ISA

Disiarkan pada Jul 28, 2009 dalam kategori Kenyataan & Penjelasan |

Majlis Fatwa Kebangsaan perlu mengeluarkan fatwa mengenai ISA. Ini kerana isu ini telah berulang kali diminta oleh Umat Islam agar dilihat di sudut agama. Namun fatwa itu hendaklah adil, bebas dari keterikatan dengan mana-mana pihak, dibahaskan secara saksama dengan kehadiran pakar perundangan, pihak berkuasa dan mangsa. Juga ahli-ahli politik yang bersetuju dan yang membantah perlu dijemput memberikan pandangan.

Penilaian adil perlu untuk panduan kerajaan. Malanglah jika isu-isu pinggiran dibincangkan sedangkan isu-isu besar yang membabitkan kepentingan umat ditinggalkan. Majlis Fatwa Kebangsaan menggunakan wang awam, maka pastikan faedahnya balik kepada awam secara jelas. Mesyuarat yang biasanya berlangsung di hotel-hotel yang hebat itu perlu mengeluarkan pandangan-pandangan yang hebat untuk kemaslahatan umum.

Hari ini rakyat berbagai pendapat tentang ISA, berikan pandangan para mufti pula. Masakan mungkin mereka tidak peka, sedangkan semua rakyat berbicara. Saya secara peribadi semasa menjadi mufti telah mengeluarkan pandangan dalam Bulan Ramadhan lepas di Perlis, Kelantan, Kuala Lumpur dan berbagai tempat. Media tempatan telah berulang kali menyiarkannya. Kali ini kita menuntut pandangan rasmi agensi agama kerajaan pusat pula.

- Dr. Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin, Lampeter, UK.

--

Sumber asal di sini.

Artikel berikut tersiar dalam mStar Online September 2008 & diperolehi dari sini.

--

Mufti Perlis: ISA tidak diperlukan untuk bela ajaran Islam

Oleh: ZIEMAN

Mufti Perlis, Dr Asri Zainul Abidin hari ini menegur tindakan kerajaan menggunakan Akta Keselamatan Dalam Negeri (ISA) dalam isu agama dan mengheret pengendali laman web Malaysia Today, Raja Petra Kamarudin dan Ahli Parlimen DAP Seputeh, Teresa Kok yang masih ditahan di bawah peruntukan akta itu.

Ketika ditemui di Damansara Kim sebentar tadi, Dr Asri berkata, Islam dibina dari hujah dan dasar yang jelas, dan Islam juga tidak memerlukan ISA untuk membela ajarannya.

“Jadi tidak ada alasan untuk menahan orang dengan tidak memberi peluang membela diri. Ini adalah satu tindakan yang salah. Sekiranya orang itu mempunyai kesalahan dari segi hukum agama, buktikan dari segi dalil-dalil agama.

“Cara kita tangkap orang guna ISA atas kesalahan agama tidak akan menghilangkan salahfaham terhadap Islam. Seharusnya diperjelaskan dulu apa kesalahan itu. Kalau misalnya orang itu menghina Islam atau menyeleweng, buktikan dulu berdasarkan Quran dan hadis.

“Perlu diperdengarkan pertuduhan itu kepada orang yang dituduh itu. Mungkin juga, ia hanya satu salah faham. Yang penting perdengarkan dulu hujahnya,” kata Mufti yang terkenal dengan kelantangannya mengeluarkan idea yang berani dan telus itu.

Kata Dr Asri lagi, “Islam bukan agama yang bacul. Perbuatan ISA kerana kesalahan agama seolah-olah menggambarkan orang Islam tidak mampu berhujah, terus tangkap orang. Mereka akan kata mereka benar kerana kita takut berhujah dengan dia.”

Beliau juga turut mengingatkan betapa bahayanya tindakan ISA.

“Sekiranya ada aliran-aliran tertentu dalam kerajaan yang tidak setuju dengan pendapat satu aliran yang lain, adakah ruang ISA juga akan digunakan? Pernah berlaku dalam kerajaan Abbasiyah yang berpegang pada aliran Muktazilah ketika itu. Dia menghukum orang daripada aliran lain termasuk Imam-imam besar seperti Imam Ahmad juga turut dihukum.

“Kalau di zaman ini, mereka yang kendalikan agama itu dari aliran lain maka mereka yang dari aliran lain itu akan dihukum tanpa memberi peluang membela diri. Ini juga tidak sejajar dengan konsep keadilan dalam Islam,” kata Dr Asri lagi.

Dari segi politik Islam atau siasah, kata beliau, kerajaan berhak menahan orang dan beri tempoh siasatan (14 hingga 30 hari) bergantung pada keperluan. Tapi kita tidak boleh hukum 2 tahun tanpa diadili. Ini zalim.

“Tuhan yang Maha Adil pun buat mahkamah di akhirat untuk setiap orang dibicarakan. Keadilan ditegakkan di dunia dan di akhirat. Tuhan yang Maha Adilpun memberi peluang untuk kita jawab kesalahan sedangkan Tuhan berhak buat apa saja. Jadi macam mana kita boleh tangkap orang tanpa memberi peluang mereka membela diri?,” jelas beliau.

Kata Dr Asri, isu agama turut membabitkan sensitiviti agama lain. Tapi dari segi mempersoalkan identiti Islam seperti laungan azan, itu tidak boleh.

“Namun jika ada sungutan tentang bacaan-bacaan yang panjang sehingga menganggu orang awam, ulamak Islam juga tidak benarkan. Bacaan yang kuat tanpa keperluan atau kuliah agama dengan menggunakan pembesar suara sehingga menganggu ketenteraman awam, itu tidak perlu. Itu sudah diputuskan oleh ulamak-ulamak dari dulu lagi.

“Agama itu terhad. Azan itu azan. Begitu juga kuliah agama untuk diperdengarkan di pembesar suara, berpada untuk sidang yang mendengar sahaja,” jelasnya.

Dr Asri juga menyentuh tentang peranan Jakim.

“Jakim berperanan menjelaskan isu-isu agama dan juga yang menyeleweng dari agama. Bukan sekadar menyokong seseorang dihadapkan tanpa bicara. Badan itu juga hendaklah bebas dari percaturan politik. Perjelaskan ketentuan peruntukan orang yang menghina Islam seperti isu Raja Petra. Itu bersifat politik, biarlah diuruskan oleh orang politik.

“Kalau hendak diikutkan yang menghina Islam, ramai lagi yang patut dibuat aduan. Jelaskan dulu apa yang perlu dilakukan?,” soal Dr Asri.

Beliau juga meminta kerajaan memikirkan soal ISA ini sedalam-dalamnya.

“Seandainya satu hari nanti kerajaan bertukar rupa dan kalau berlaku pertukaran kuasa. Terlalu ramai nanti yang tidak boleh bersuara dan ISA mungkin diguna seluas-luasnya. Besok, bila kena pada kita, apa kita nak buat?,” kata Dr Asri yang akan menghadiri Tazkirah Tarawih di Stadium Kota Bharu pada hari ini.

Beliau yang juga akan memberi ceramah di Kompleks Islam Lundang esok, sempena pelancaran Tabung Serambi Mekah yang akan dirasmikan oleh Menteri Besar Kelantan, juga mempersoalkan bagaimana pemimpin yang gagal kendalikan parti yang kecil mampu kendalikan negara yang besar.

“Takkan nak tunggu ada rusuhan atau kekacauan. Ketika itu sudah tidak boleh dipulihkan lagi. Sekali kekacauan tercetus, susah untuk dipulihkan.

Menurut pengamatan beliau, keadaan ini berlaku kerana pemimpin politik menganggap kedudukan politik itu seperti harta rompakan.

“Mereka bermati-matian untuk mendapatkannya sekalipun terpaksa menggunakan belanja yang besar kerana pulangan atau keuntungannya juga besar,” kata beliau.

Jelas beliau, saluran politik digunakan untuk membina kekayaan diri. Inilah hasilnya bila kerakusan ini berlarutan. Tidak ada setiakawan dalam politik, musuh memusuhi, berpuak-puak kerana fikirkan survival politik masing-masing bukan survival rakyat yang dipertanggungjawabkan.

Yang paling ketara sekarang, pemimpin politik bukan sahaja gagal membawa rakyat keluar dari kemelut yang sedang dihadapi malah menjadikan keadaan lebih rumit.

“Bukan sahaja mereka gagal menyelesaikan masalah tapi mereka pula yang menimbulkan lebih banyak masalah lain,” kata Dr Asri.

sumber: Mstar Online

Himpunan MANSUH - coretan awal

Apa cerita oghe silat Lincah declare nok join himpunan pro-ISA Sabtu ni? Kenapa diikutkan sangat Pak Ibrahim Ali yang ultra Melayu tu? Tok berjuruh lagu tu. Agak tidak berkenan la dengan pendirian lagu tu... Tak payah laa politikkan ahli-ahli Silat Lincah tu.

Islam itu syumul. Dalam Islam, ada semua perkara termasuk berpolitik, mentadbir alam ini dengan baik, menegur pimpinan yang zalim dll... Tapi silat tidak boleh di'syumul'kan sedemikian rupa. Silat seharusnya ditulenkan dari anasir-anasir politik ultra Melayu ini.

Petang Jumaat lepas...

Jumaat minggu lepas, 17 Julai, sewaktu aku pulang dari pejabat, awan di langit langsung tidak kelihatan. Matahari bersinar dengan cahaya petangnya yang amat menyenangkan.Bersih sekali langit pada hari berkenaan. Alhamdulillah. Aku amat suka dengan keadaan sedemikian. Sambil menunggang motorku, aku mencuri-curi mendongak ke langit. Subhanallah...

Sampai je aku dekat Jalan Bukit Pantai, suasana redup sebentar perlahan-lahan berubah. Bumi disimbahi cahaya matahari sedikit demi sedikit. Aku terfikir, awan manakah tadi yang menyebabkan redupnya bumi ini? Aku mendongak ke atas sekali lagi. Aku berhentikan motorsikalku di tepi jalan, lalu mengambil gambar awan dengan kamera telefon bimbitku.Aku melihat langit bersih-sebersihnya melainkan apa yang aku sempat captured ini.

Mungkin tiada apa yang luar biasa pada gambar ini. Aku cuma teringatkan zaman para Nabi & Rasul dahulu. Kisah-kisah Nabi & Rasul serta sahabat-sahabat baginda a.s yang bertuah mendapat teduhan di kala terik matahari di padang pasir & di lain-lain tempat. Kurniaan teduhan itu adalah mukjizat Nabi & Rasul bagi umat berkenaan. Aku terfikir, siapakah yang tadinya berada di bawah teduhan rahmat Allah melalui 'sejemput' awan-Nya itu? Alangkah beruntungnya orang itu. Hanya alhamdulillah, subhanallah sajalah sempat aku tuturkan...

Malaysia XI lwn Man Utd

Selepas perlawanan persahabatan pertama yang menyaksikan Malaysia tewas 2-3 kepada Manchester United, skuad bola sepak negara amat bertuah kerana diberi penghormatan untuk bermain sekali lagi dengan juara kelab dunia ini.

Perlawanan malam ini pasti berbeza dengan perlawanan Sabtu lepas. Pemain kedua-dua belah pasukan pasti lebih bersedia dan lebih memahami kelebihan dan kelemahan lawan masing-maing. Bilangan penonton juga dijangkakan sedikit merosot, namun tidak ketara, berbanding dengan jumlah yang dicapai pada hari hujung minggu seperti hari Sabtu.

Kenyataan sinis Perdana Menteri Malaysia Dato's Seri Najib Razak yang menyangkakan Malaysia akan tewas dengan jumlah jaringan yang besar (0-6) seperti yang dilaporkan dalam The Star, amatlah pesimistik. Sepatutnya beliau lebih positif dalam membuat kenyataan. PAS turut tidak ketinggalan memberi respon terhadap perlawanan menarik ini. Menurut Harakahdaily, Naib Presiden PAS, Haji Mahfuz Omar mengingatkan supaya para pemimpin Umno tidak menyamakan skuad berjersi biru pasukan Malaysia tempoh hari dengan Barisan Nasional yang kalah tipis di PRK N-41 Manik Urai Selasa lepas. Beliau juga berkata, usah terlalu cepat menaikkan taraf bola sepak negara dengan kemenangan ini. Wallahua'lam, adakah wajar perbandingan sedemikian dilakukan.

Ulasan Peter Butler, jurulatih pasukan negeri Kelantan sewaktu menjadi hos siaran langsung perlawanan ini petang Sabtu lepas di saluran 811 Astro Super Sports wajar menjadi iktibar. Pasukan Malaysia mudah hilang bola dari kawalan. Dalam dua keadaan sama ada bola di kaki begitu mudah dicuri pemain lawan atau hantaran yang sangat tidak kemas, kawalan bola pemain muda negara amatlah mengecewakan.

Luahan Butler perlu diambil berat oleh jurulatih pasukan K. Rajagobal, memandangkan rata-rata pemain kebangsaan pernah bermain menentang pasukan Kelantan di bawah bimbingan Butler. Hatta, penyerang Indra Putra Mahyuddin adalah anak didik Butler sendiri. Malaysia mendapat pujian di barisan midfield yang berjaya membuat kesinambungan counter-attack dari umpanan pemain pertahanan yang sekali-sekala mencemaskan United.

Mengulas mengenai ejekan penonton apabila pemain negara hilang bola, Rajagobal, dipetik dari The Star menegaskan bahawa, skuad negara hanyalah skuad '10-hari' berbanding sebilangan besar pemain United yang telah bermain bersama-sama selama bertahun-tahun. Adalah tidak adil untuk menuntut persefahaman 100% dengan skuad yang dikumpulkan dalam masa yang begitu singkat.

Barisan United kelihatan sedikit keletihan, mungkin disebabkan jet-lag. Keserasian antara para pemain juga tampak sedikit terjejas lantaran penstrukturan semula posisi selepas ketiadaan Cristiano Ronaldo. Barisan tengah sedikit kucar-kacir jika dibandingkan dengan posisi sayap dan penyerang. Apakah yang akan kita saksikan pada perlawanan kedua malam ini? Mampukah Malaysia mengekang sekali lagi asakan United? Sama-samalah kita saksikan.

Keputusan Rasmi PRK DUN N-41 Manik Urai

Hari Mengundi PR Kecil N-41 Manik Urai : Perkembangan Terkini

Sila klik http://prkn41.pas.org.my/. Atau pun terus ke halamannya di sini. Selang 15 - 30 minit boleh tekan Refresh / F5.

Terima kasih.

Berat aku naik...

Alhamdulillah...

Setelah bertahun2 berusaha..., bila ditimbang Sabtu lps, nampak gaya cam naik je. 5-6 kilo gak la...I don't thing those who see me everyday will believe this. Even me myself didn't believe this at first. I tried to test the weighting scale with one unit of fire extinguisher, hoping that the scale shows me ridiculous reading. But I failed. It showed the correct weight exactly as printed on that extinguisher.

Tapi, kena maintain the fitness agar tidak 'maju ke dpn'. MESTI!!!

Well, I actually kinda dislike the idea that once married, your weight will be boosted... Obesity is one of the leading factor to many types of serious & severe diseases. We have to maintain our weight with our physical built proportionately. Well, it may be not as perfect as weight-perfectionist but, do not change badly & drastically. The BMI scale can be a good measurement of how ok you take care of your body after marriage. This index even didn't indicate the marriage in its scale as an influencing factor of body mass loss/gain.

Ok till now.

(This is English. Being taught prior to PPSMI. Not qualified to be examined as a prerequisite to further study abroad)

Penangguhan Pemansuhan PPSMI

Alhamdulillah semalam kerajaan membuat keputusan untuk tidak bercadang meneruskan dasar gila ini.

Namun ianya bukanlah total dissolution namun penangguhan pemansuhan berperingkat sehingga 2012.

Tun Dr. M dalam blog beliau amat tidak bersetuju dgn pemansuhan PPSMI. Itu dasar dia. Maka dia pun buat undian dalam blog dia, siapa yang setuju dengan pemansuhan, kata ya, siapa yang tidak setuju dengan pemansuhan, kata tidak. Walaupun setakat 10.00 malam lebih semalam, 10,000 ++ kata tak setuju & hundreds kata setuju, aku tidak mengira ianya mewakili suara majorit.

Sekurang-kurangnya, atasilah bilangan yang turun berdemo membantah PPSMI itu dulu.

Aku gembira. Cikgu-cikgu di sekolah pun dah mula dah mengajar dalam bahasa Melayu balik....

p/s terkenang expert group PERSIP pre-PRU ke-12.... mencari2 data & hujah pasal EST aka PPSMI nih...

Berani

Kita mesti berani.

Mcm Nabi di Gua Hira'.
Mcm al-Asadullah r.a.
Mcm as-Saifullah r.a.

Mcm KZ masa dia duk Takaful dulu.
Mcm Syed Ibrahim masa dia duk di TM la ni.
Mcm Yunus yg ngaja di Sibu la ni. Amik gambar pakai necktie hijau putih. Masukkan gmbar bermuktamar dlm blog.

Berani kerana benar. Wa qul ja al-haqqu wa zahaqol batil. Innal batila kaana zahuqan. Tgk ayat Allah ini dlm Surah al-Isra' ayat ke-81.

Kenapa mesti tolak UMNO di Manek Urai?

Kepada para pengundi di Manik Urai, calon-calon yang akan bertanding di sana pada PR kecil 14 Julai ini sudah pun dimuktamadkan semalam.

Kenapa UMNO mesti ditolak?

1. Mereka berpolitik atas dasar kebangsaan yang mengatasi dasar Islam iaitu al-Quran dan as-Sunnah
   
2. Mereka kata politik suku agama suku walaupun mereka mendakwa sebagai juara mempertahankan umat Islam di Malaysia.
3. Isteri sesetengah pemimpin UMNO & pemimpin-pemimpin wanita UMNO ada yang tidak bertudung. Tidak pula dilarang oleh pasangan mereka akan kemungkaran ini, bahkan dibiarkan berterusan.
4. UMNO menyemai budaya rasuah-merasuah di kalangan masyarakat dengan pelbagai cara seperti politik wang, projek-projek saat akhir sempena pilihan raya dan lain-lain.
5. Kepimpinan UMNO Pusat berdolak dalik lagi berkenaan royalti minyak, kali ini di Kelantan. Dlm Sidang DUN Kelantan minggu lepas, Ketua Pembangkang DUN Kelantan sudah bersetuju dengan effort kerajaan negeri Kelantan, through Dato' Husam Musa, untuk mengembalikan sejumlah royalti yang layak dituntut oleh kerajaan Kelantan
6. Tidak amanah bila berhasrat ingin mengambil Manek Urai sebagai anak angkat jika menang PR Kecil ini - UMNO tidak menganggap daerah Manik Urai sebagai taklukan/anak sendiri & hanya mahu mengambilnya jika menang
   
7. dan banyak lagi sebab yang kalian sedia maklum berkenaan UMNO ini.

Bertindaklah dengan memangkah calon PAS, Abe Uji, wahai penduduk Manek Urai!

Rumah kat kampung kena pecah masuk

Petang Isnin semalam, sepulangnya mak & abah aku dari KL, sampai di rumah mereka mendapati rumah kitorang dipecah masuk. Grill pintu depan, pintu depan & pintu side dikopak. Dalam rumah, habis semua baju di dalam almari digeledah dalam semua almari di setiap bilik. Namun, ada yang tidak diambil seperti TV, komputer & perkakasan dapur. Jumlah kerugian belum ditaksirkan...

Ya ALLAH, mudahkan urusan kami, berikan balasan setimpal kepada pemecah masuk berkenaan....

Tahniah

Alhamdulillah, dlm jam 12.30tgh 3 Jun yang lepas, my elder brother Izzuddin & Kak Nurul menimang cahaya matanya yg ke-4...baby laki2. Jadi dah 2 pempuan 2 laki dah .... Namanya Tengku Muhammad Ihsan. Dilahirkan di Hospital Putrajaya

Tahniah jugak kpd my wife's elder sister, Cik Da & Abe Ji yang mendapat cahaya mata lelaki Jumaat lepas, 26/6 dalam jam 9.30 mlm di Pusat Rawatan Islam An-Nur, Bangi.

Himpunan Mansuhkan ISA, 1 Ogos ini

GERAKAN MANSUHKAN ISA
KENYATAAN AKHBAR
HIMPUNAN MANSUH ISA AKAN DIADAKAN PADA 1 OGOS 2009
Isnin, 22 Jun 2009

1. Sekretariat Himpunan MANSUH sebagai penganjur Himpunan MANSUH ditubuhkan khas bagi menggerakkan rakyat menyatakan sikap terhadap akta zalim, Akta Keselamatan Dalam Negeri (ISA) melalui perhimpunan secara aman.

2. Sekretariat diwakili oleh wakil-wakil daripada anggota Gabungan Gerakan Mansuhkan ISA (GMI) terdiri daripada badan bukan kerajaan (NGO), parti-parti politik dan mahasiswa. Jawatankuasa Pepandu Himpunan MANSUH diwakili oleh pimpinan parti-parti politik dan NGO.

3. Hari ini Sekretariat Himpunan MANSUH ingin memaklumkan secara rasminya tarikh Himpunan Besar-besaran Mansuhkan ISA iaitu pada hari Sabtu, 1 Ogos 2009.

4. Tarikh 1 Ogos 2009 dipilih sempena 49 tahun ISA yang digubal pada 1 Ogos 1960. Selama 49 tahun negara dinaungi kezaliman ISA. Masa yang terlalu lama untuk negara dibiarkan diselubungi dengan akta yang empunya kuasa amat luas menahan tanpa bicara, menghukum tanpa bukti dan memenjarakan tanpa tempoh menentu. Sudah tiba masanya akta usang itu bukan sahaja dikajisemula tetapi dimansuhkan sama sekali.

5. Himpunan MANSUH dianjurkan dengan hasrat untuk rakyat menzahirkan sikapnya secara jelas dan lantang dengan membuat tiga tuntutan:
a. Bebaskan semua tahanan ISA
b. Mansuhkan ISA
c. Tutup Kem Kamunting - Kem 'Guantanamo' Malaysia

6. Pada 3 April 2009, sebaik menjadi Perdana Menteri ke-6, Dato' Seri Najib telah membebaskan 13 orang tahanan ISA (termasuk dua orang tahanan Hindraf) dan mengumumkan untuk mengkajisemula ISA. Satu tindakan yang dikatakan bukan populis. Empat hari kemudian pada 7 April, Pilihanraya Kecil 2 Bukit 1 Batang berlangsung.

7. Pada 8 Mei 2009, 13 orang lagi tahanan dibebaskan termasuk tiga orang lagi tahanan Hindraf. Sekali lagi ini dikatakan bukan tindakan populis sedangkan sehari sebelumnya berlaku titik hitam di Perak.

8. Dalam pada pembebasan diumumkan, secara senyap-senyap empat orang tahanan baru ditahan sekitar bulan April termasuk Mas Selamat Kastari yang dilaporkan lari daripada ISA Singapura. Bahkan sebenarnya di Kem Kamunting masih terdapat seramai 14 orang tahanan ISA seperti yang dilaporkan GMI. Tiga orang daripadanya telah ditahan lebih daripada 7 tahun.

9. Cadangan untuk kajisemula ISA pula dibuat sejak 3 April 2009, lebih dari 2 bulan yang lalu. Tetapi sehingga kini, tiada sesiapa tahu bila sebenarnya kajian tersebut akan siap. Suhakam sudah mengesyorkan ISA dimansuhkan sejak 2003 lagi. Pada masa yang sama, sudah ada peruntukan undang-undang sediada yang mencukupi untuk menangani keganasan.

10. ISA memusnahkan konsep asas undang-undang berperlembagaan. Ia mencemar asas pengasingan kuasa. Ia membenarkan kuasa eksekutif melangkaui kehakiman dengan menahan seseorang tanpa waran, tanpa bicara dan tanpa hak peguam. ISA telah menghapuskan apa juga semakan undang-undang yang disyorkan perlembagaan. ISA juga membenarkan kuasa yang luas, arbitrari dan tidak boleh dicabar mahkamah yang menyebabkan berlakunya penyeksaan fizikal dan mental.

11. Kemuncak asas-asas ISA ialah elemen mengancam, mengugut dan mewujudkan rasa takut dan gerun 'climate of fear' 'under siege mentality' sehingga merencatkan daya fikir dan teguran berani serta fitrah manusia yang bebas.

12. Atas sebab keadaan ini, atas sebab kezaliman berterusan dengan penahanan tanpa bicara, arbitrari, tanpa pembelaan dan tanpa diketahui bilakah dibebaskan, penganiayaan ke atas isteri, anak dan keluarga dan atas tuntut keadilan, maka rakyat perlu zahirkan kebenciannya terhadap ISA dan mendesak Kerajaan bertindak segera mansuhkan ISA. Tindakan populis dan berlengah-lengah oleh Kerajaan mesti dihentikan. Rakyat tidak harus terpedaya dan membenarkan amalan begini berterusan.

13. Himpunan MANSUH dianjurkan sebagai kesinambungan pelbagai usaha Gerakan Mansuhkan ISA (GMI) selama ini dalam membawa kesedaran tentang kezaliman ISA, membela nasib tahanan dan keluarga, membongkar kezaliman ISA dan mendesak Kerajaan untuk membebaskan tahanan, memansuhkan ISA dan menutup Kem Kamunting sehinggalah membawa kepada pembebasan ramai tahanan ISA dan janji kerajaan untuk mengkajisemula ISA.

14. Beberapa program akan dianjurkan menjelang Himpunan tersebut. Antaranya jelajah ceramah seluruh negara, pengedaran risalah, pertunjukan seni, forum, pengumpulan tandatangan, petisyen on-line dan sebagainya.

15. Himpunan MANSUH menganjurkan Himpunan besar-besaran bagi menyeru dan menggembleng seluruh warganegara Malaysia daripada pelbagai lapisan masyarakat, budaya, bangsa dan agama yang cintakan keadilan, kebenaran dan keamanan rakyat untuk turut serta berhimpun pada 1 Ogos 2009 bagi menyatakan sikap tegas kita terhadap ISA. Bersama memansuhkan ISA dan membebaskan bumi Malaysia daripada kezaliman!

Mansuhkan ISA!
Bebaskan Tahanan!
Tutup Kemta, Kem Guantanamo Malaysia!

Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh
Pengerusi Sekretariat Himpunan MANSUH
Pengerusi Gerakan Mansuhkan ISA (GMI)

Ucapan Presiden Barrack Obama di Universiti Kaherah, Mesir

Di bawah teks ucapan Presiden Barrack Obama di Universiti Kaherah, Mesir pada 4 Jun 2009, bertemakan Permulaan yang Baru. Ucapan diambil dari link ini. Jika link berkenaan sudah tidak boleh diakses, sila baca teks di bawah. Tidak pasti sama ada applause itu dibuat-buat sewaktu ucapan (planned applauses) atau pun memang berlaku di hari kejadian, namun teks berkenaan memang ada banyak applause stoppages.

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary
(Cairo,Egypt)

________________________________________________
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 4, 2009

REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT
ON A NEW BEGINNING

Cairo University
Cairo, Egypt

1:10 P.M. (Local)

PRESIDENT OBAMA: Thank you very much. Good afternoon. I am honored to be in the timeless city of Cairo, and to be hosted by two remarkable institutions. For over a thousand years, Al-Azhar has stood as a beacon of Islamic learning; and for over a century, Cairo University has been a source of Egypt's advancement. And together, you represent the harmony between tradition and progress. I'm grateful for your hospitality, and the hospitality of the people of Egypt. And I'm also proud to carry with me the goodwill of the American people, and a greeting of peace from Muslim communities in my country: Assalaamu alaykum. (Applause.)

We meet at a time of great tension between the United States and Muslims around the world -- tension rooted in historical forces that go beyond any current policy debate. The relationship between Islam and the West includes centuries of coexistence and cooperation, but also conflict and religious wars. More recently, tension has been fed by colonialism that denied rights and opportunities to many Muslims, and a Cold War in which Muslim-majority countries were too often treated as proxies without regard to their own aspirations. Moreover, the sweeping change brought by modernity and globalization led many Muslims to view the West as hostile to the traditions of Islam.

Violent extremists have exploited these tensions in a small but potent minority of Muslims. The attacks of September 11, 2001 and the continued efforts of these extremists to engage in violence against civilians has led some in my country to view Islam as inevitably hostile not only to America and Western countries, but also to human rights. All this has bred more fear and more mistrust.

So long as our relationship is defined by our differences, we will empower those who sow hatred rather than peace, those who promote conflict rather than the cooperation that can help all of our people achieve justice and prosperity. And this cycle of suspicion and discord must end.

I've come here to Cairo to seek a new beginning between the United States and Muslims around the world, one based on mutual interest and mutual respect, and one based upon the truth that America and Islam are not exclusive and need not be in competition. Instead, they overlap, and share common principles -- principles of justice and progress; tolerance and the dignity of all human beings.

I do so recognizing that change cannot happen overnight. I know there's been a lot of publicity about this speech, but no single speech can eradicate years of mistrust, nor can I answer in the time that I have this afternoon all the complex questions that brought us to this point. But I am convinced that in order to move forward, we must say openly to each other the things we hold in our hearts and that too often are said only behind closed doors. There must be a sustained effort to listen to each other; to learn from each other; to respect one another; and to seek common ground. As the Holy Koran tells us, "Be conscious of God and speak always the truth." (Applause.) That is what I will try to do today -- to speak the truth as best I can, humbled by the task before us, and firm in my belief that the interests we share as human beings are far more powerful than the forces that drive us apart.

Now part of this conviction is rooted in my own experience. I'm a Christian, but my father came from a Kenyan family that includes generations of Muslims. As a boy, I spent several years in Indonesia and heard the call of the azaan at the break of dawn and at the fall of dusk. As a young man, I worked in Chicago communities where many found dignity and peace in their Muslim faith.

As a student of history, I also know civilization's debt to Islam. It was Islam -- at places like Al-Azhar -- that carried the light of learning through so many centuries, paving the way for Europe's Renaissance and Enlightenment. It was innovation in Muslim communities -- (applause) -- it was innovation in Muslim communities that developed the order of algebra; our magnetic compass and tools of navigation; our mastery of pens and printing; our understanding of how disease spreads and how it can be healed. Islamic culture has given us majestic arches and soaring spires; timeless poetry and cherished music; elegant calligraphy and places of peaceful contemplation. And throughout history, Islam has demonstrated through words and deeds the possibilities of religious tolerance and racial equality. (Applause.)

I also know that Islam has always been a part of America's story. The first nation to recognize my country was Morocco. In signing the Treaty of Tripoli in 1796, our second President, John Adams, wrote, "The United States has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion or tranquility of Muslims." And since our founding, American Muslims have enriched the United States. They have fought in our wars, they have served in our government, they have stood for civil rights, they have started businesses, they have taught at our universities, they've excelled in our sports arenas, they've won Nobel Prizes, built our tallest building, and lit the Olympic Torch. And when the first Muslim American was recently elected to Congress, he took the oath to defend our Constitution using the same Holy Koran that one of our Founding Fathers -- Thomas Jefferson -- kept in his personal library. (Applause.)

So I have known Islam on three continents before coming to the region where it was first revealed. That experience guides my conviction that partnership between America and Islam must be based on what Islam is, not what it isn't. And I consider it part of my responsibility as President of the United States to fight against negative stereotypes of Islam wherever they appear. (Applause.)

But that same principle must apply to Muslim perceptions of America. (Applause.) Just as Muslims do not fit a crude stereotype, America is not the crude stereotype of a self-interested empire. The United States has been one of the greatest sources of progress that the world has ever known. We were born out of revolution against an empire. We were founded upon the ideal that all are created equal, and we have shed blood and struggled for centuries to give meaning to those words -- within our borders, and around the world. We are shaped by every culture, drawn from every end of the Earth, and dedicated to a simple concept: E pluribus unum -- "Out of many, one."

Now, much has been made of the fact that an African American with the name Barack Hussein Obama could be elected President. (Applause.) But my personal story is not so unique. The dream of opportunity for all people has not come true for everyone in America, but its promise exists for all who come to our shores -- and that includes nearly 7 million American Muslims in our country today who, by the way, enjoy incomes and educational levels that are higher than the American average. (Applause.)

Moreover, freedom in America is indivisible from the freedom to practice one's religion. That is why there is a mosque in every state in our union, and over 1,200 mosques within our borders. That's why the United States government has gone to court to protect the right of women and girls to wear the hijab and to punish those who would deny it. (Applause.)

So let there be no doubt: Islam is a part of America. And I believe that America holds within her the truth that regardless of race, religion, or station in life, all of us share common aspirations -- to live in peace and security; to get an education and to work with dignity; to love our families, our communities, and our God. These things we share. This is the hope of all humanity.

Of course, recognizing our common humanity is only the beginning of our task. Words alone cannot meet the needs of our people. These needs will be met only if we act boldly in the years ahead; and if we understand that the challenges we face are shared, and our failure to meet them will hurt us all.

For we have learned from recent experience that when a financial system weakens in one country, prosperity is hurt everywhere. When a new flu infects one human being, all are at risk. When one nation pursues a nuclear weapon, the risk of nuclear attack rises for all nations. When violent extremists operate in one stretch of mountains, people are endangered across an ocean. When innocents in Bosnia and Darfur are slaughtered, that is a stain on our collective conscience. (Applause.) That is what it means to share this world in the 21st century. That is the responsibility we have to one another as human beings.

And this is a difficult responsibility to embrace. For human history has often been a record of nations and tribes -- and, yes, religions -- subjugating one another in pursuit of their own interests. Yet in this new age, such attitudes are self-defeating. Given our interdependence, any world order that elevates one nation or group of people over another will inevitably fail. So whatever we think of the past, we must not be prisoners to it. Our problems must be dealt with through partnership; our progress must be shared. (Applause.)

Now, that does not mean we should ignore sources of tension. Indeed, it suggests the opposite: We must face these tensions squarely. And so in that spirit, let me speak as clearly and as plainly as I can about some specific issues that I believe we must finally confront together.

The first issue that we have to confront is violent extremism in all of its forms.

In Ankara, I made clear that America is not -- and never will be -- at war with Islam. (Applause.) We will, however, relentlessly confront violent extremists who pose a grave threat to our security -- because we reject the same thing that people of all faiths reject: the killing of innocent men, women, and children. And it is my first duty as President to protect the American people.

The situation in Afghanistan demonstrates America's goals, and our need to work together. Over seven years ago, the United States pursued al Qaeda and the Taliban with broad international support. We did not go by choice; we went because of necessity. I'm aware that there's still some who would question or even justify the events of 9/11. But let us be clear: Al Qaeda killed nearly 3,000 people on that day. The victims were innocent men, women and children from America and many other nations who had done nothing to harm anybody. And yet al Qaeda chose to ruthlessly murder these people, claimed credit for the attack, and even now states their determination to kill on a massive scale. They have affiliates in many countries and are trying to expand their reach. These are not opinions to be debated; these are facts to be dealt with.

Now, make no mistake: We do not want to keep our troops in Afghanistan. We see no military -- we seek no military bases there. It is agonizing for America to lose our young men and women. It is costly and politically difficult to continue this conflict. We would gladly bring every single one of our troops home if we could be confident that there were not violent extremists in Afghanistan and now Pakistan determined to kill as many Americans as they possibly can. But that is not yet the case.

And that's why we're partnering with a coalition of 46 countries. And despite the costs involved, America's commitment will not weaken. Indeed, none of us should tolerate these extremists. They have killed in many countries. They have killed people of different faiths -- but more than any other, they have killed Muslims. Their actions are irreconcilable with the rights of human beings, the progress of nations, and with Islam. The Holy Koran teaches that whoever kills an innocent is as -- it is as if he has killed all mankind. (Applause.) And the Holy Koran also says whoever saves a person, it is as if he has saved all mankind. (Applause.) The enduring faith of over a billion people is so much bigger than the narrow hatred of a few. Islam is not part of the problem in combating violent extremism -- it is an important part of promoting peace.

Now, we also know that military power alone is not going to solve the problems in Afghanistan and Pakistan. That's why we plan to invest $1.5 billion each year over the next five years to partner with Pakistanis to build schools and hospitals, roads and businesses, and hundreds of millions to help those who've been displaced. That's why we are providing more than $2.8 billion to help Afghans develop their economy and deliver services that people depend on.

Let me also address the issue of Iraq. Unlike Afghanistan, Iraq was a war of choice that provoked strong differences in my country and around the world. Although I believe that the Iraqi people are ultimately better off without the tyranny of Saddam Hussein, I also believe that events in Iraq have reminded America of the need to use diplomacy and build international consensus to resolve our problems whenever possible. (Applause.) Indeed, we can recall the words of Thomas Jefferson, who said: "I hope that our wisdom will grow with our power, and teach us that the less we use our power the greater it will be."

Today, America has a dual responsibility: to help Iraq forge a better future -- and to leave Iraq to Iraqis. And I have made it clear to the Iraqi people -- (applause) -- I have made it clear to the Iraqi people that we pursue no bases, and no claim on their territory or resources. Iraq's sovereignty is its own. And that's why I ordered the removal of our combat brigades by next August. That is why we will honor our agreement with Iraq's democratically elected government to remove combat troops from Iraqi cities by July, and to remove all of our troops from Iraq by 2012. (Applause.) We will help Iraq train its security forces and develop its economy. But we will support a secure and united Iraq as a partner, and never as a patron.

And finally, just as America can never tolerate violence by extremists, we must never alter or forget our principles. Nine-eleven was an enormous trauma to our country. The fear and anger that it provoked was understandable, but in some cases, it led us to act contrary to our traditions and our ideals. We are taking concrete actions to change course. I have unequivocally prohibited the use of torture by the United States, and I have ordered the prison at Guantanamo Bay closed by early next year. (Applause.)

So America will defend itself, respectful of the sovereignty of nations and the rule of law. And we will do so in partnership with Muslim communities which are also threatened. The sooner the extremists are isolated and unwelcome in Muslim communities, the sooner we will all be safer.

The second major source of tension that we need to discuss is the situation between Israelis, Palestinians and the Arab world.

America's strong bonds with Israel are well known. This bond is unbreakable. It is based upon cultural and historical ties, and the recognition that the aspiration for a Jewish homeland is rooted in a tragic history that cannot be denied.

Around the world, the Jewish people were persecuted for centuries, and anti-Semitism in Europe culminated in an unprecedented Holocaust. Tomorrow, I will visit Buchenwald, which was part of a network of camps where Jews were enslaved, tortured, shot and gassed to death by the Third Reich. Six million Jews were killed -- more than the entire Jewish population of Israel today. Denying that fact is baseless, it is ignorant, and it is hateful. Threatening Israel with destruction -- or repeating vile stereotypes about Jews -- is deeply wrong, and only serves to evoke in the minds of Israelis this most painful of memories while preventing the peace that the people of this region deserve.

On the other hand, it is also undeniable that the Palestinian people -- Muslims and Christians -- have suffered in pursuit of a homeland. For more than 60 years they've endured the pain of dislocation. Many wait in refugee camps in the West Bank, Gaza, and neighboring lands for a life of peace and security that they have never been able to lead. They endure the daily humiliations -- large and small -- that come with occupation. So let there be no doubt: The situation for the Palestinian people is intolerable. And America will not turn our backs on the legitimate Palestinian aspiration for dignity, opportunity, and a state of their own. (Applause.)

For decades then, there has been a stalemate: two peoples with legitimate aspirations, each with a painful history that makes compromise elusive. It's easy to point fingers -- for Palestinians to point to the displacement brought about by Israel's founding, and for Israelis to point to the constant hostility and attacks throughout its history from within its borders as well as beyond. But if we see this conflict only from one side or the other, then we will be blind to the truth: The only resolution is for the aspirations of both sides to be met through two states, where Israelis and Palestinians each live in peace and security. (Applause.)

That is in Israel's interest, Palestine's interest, America's interest, and the world's interest. And that is why I intend to personally pursue this outcome with all the patience and dedication that the task requires. (Applause.) The obligations -- the obligations that the parties have agreed to under the road map are clear. For peace to come, it is time for them -- and all of us -- to live up to our responsibilities.

Palestinians must abandon violence. Resistance through violence and killing is wrong and it does not succeed. For centuries, black people in America suffered the lash of the whip as slaves and the humiliation of segregation. But it was not violence that won full and equal rights. It was a peaceful and determined insistence upon the ideals at the center of America's founding. This same story can be told by people from South Africa to South Asia; from Eastern Europe to Indonesia. It's a story with a simple truth: that violence is a dead end. It is a sign neither of courage nor power to shoot rockets at sleeping children, or to blow up old women on a bus. That's not how moral authority is claimed; that's how it is surrendered.

Now is the time for Palestinians to focus on what they can build. The Palestinian Authority must develop its capacity to govern, with institutions that serve the needs of its people. Hamas does have support among some Palestinians, but they also have to recognize they have responsibilities. To play a role in fulfilling Palestinian aspirations, to unify the Palestinian people, Hamas must put an end to violence, recognize past agreements, recognize Israel's right to exist.

At the same time, Israelis must acknowledge that just as Israel's right to exist cannot be denied, neither can Palestine's. The United States does not accept the legitimacy of continued Israeli settlements. (Applause.) This construction violates previous agreements and undermines efforts to achieve peace. It is time for these settlements to stop. (Applause.)

And Israel must also live up to its obligation to ensure that Palestinians can live and work and develop their society. Just as it devastates Palestinian families, the continuing humanitarian crisis in Gaza does not serve Israel's security; neither does the continuing lack of opportunity in the West Bank. Progress in the daily lives of the Palestinian people must be a critical part of a road to peace, and Israel must take concrete steps to enable such progress.

And finally, the Arab states must recognize that the Arab Peace Initiative was an important beginning, but not the end of their responsibilities. The Arab-Israeli conflict should no longer be used to distract the people of Arab nations from other problems. Instead, it must be a cause for action to help the Palestinian people develop the institutions that will sustain their state, to recognize Israel's legitimacy, and to choose progress over a self-defeating focus on the past.

America will align our policies with those who pursue peace, and we will say in public what we say in private to Israelis and Palestinians and Arabs. (Applause.) We cannot impose peace. But privately, many Muslims recognize that Israel will not go away. Likewise, many Israelis recognize the need for a Palestinian state. It is time for us to act on what everyone knows to be true.

Too many tears have been shed. Too much blood has been shed. All of us have a responsibility to work for the day when the mothers of Israelis and Palestinians can see their children grow up without fear; when the Holy Land of the three great faiths is the place of peace that God intended it to be; when Jerusalem is a secure and lasting home for Jews and Christians and Muslims, and a place for all of the children of Abraham to mingle peacefully together as in the story of Isra -- (applause) -- as in the story of Isra, when Moses, Jesus, and Mohammed, peace be upon them, joined in prayer. (Applause.)

The third source of tension is our shared interest in the rights and responsibilities of nations on nuclear weapons.

This issue has been a source of tension between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran. For many years, Iran has defined itself in part by its opposition to my country, and there is in fact a tumultuous history between us. In the middle of the Cold War, the United States played a role in the overthrow of a democratically elected Iranian government. Since the Islamic Revolution, Iran has played a role in acts of hostage-taking and violence against U.S. troops and civilians. This history is well known. Rather than remain trapped in the past, I've made it clear to Iran's leaders and people that my country is prepared to move forward. The question now is not what Iran is against, but rather what future it wants to build.

I recognize it will be hard to overcome decades of mistrust, but we will proceed with courage, rectitude, and resolve. There will be many issues to discuss between our two countries, and we are willing to move forward without preconditions on the basis of mutual respect. But it is clear to all concerned that when it comes to nuclear weapons, we have reached a decisive point. This is not simply about America's interests. It's about preventing a nuclear arms race in the Middle East that could lead this region and the world down a hugely dangerous path.

I understand those who protest that some countries have weapons that others do not. No single nation should pick and choose which nation holds nuclear weapons. And that's why I strongly reaffirmed America's commitment to seek a world in which no nations hold nuclear weapons. (Applause.) And any nation -- including Iran -- should have the right to access peaceful nuclear power if it complies with its responsibilities under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. That commitment is at the core of the treaty, and it must be kept for all who fully abide by it. And I'm hopeful that all countries in the region can share in this goal.

The fourth issue that I will address is democracy. (Applause.)

I know -- I know there has been controversy about the promotion of democracy in recent years, and much of this controversy is connected to the war in Iraq. So let me be clear: No system of government can or should be imposed by one nation by any other.

That does not lessen my commitment, however, to governments that reflect the will of the people. Each nation gives life to this principle in its own way, grounded in the traditions of its own people. America does not presume to know what is best for everyone, just as we would not presume to pick the outcome of a peaceful election. But I do have an unyielding belief that all people yearn for certain things: the ability to speak your mind and have a say in how you are governed; confidence in the rule of law and the equal administration of justice; government that is transparent and doesn't steal from the people; the freedom to live as you choose. These are not just American ideas; they are human rights. And that is why we will support them everywhere. (Applause.)

Now, there is no straight line to realize this promise. But this much is clear: Governments that protect these rights are ultimately more stable, successful and secure. Suppressing ideas never succeeds in making them go away. America respects the right of all peaceful and law-abiding voices to be heard around the world, even if we disagree with them. And we will welcome all elected, peaceful governments -- provided they govern with respect for all their people.

This last point is important because there are some who advocate for democracy only when they're out of power; once in power, they are ruthless in suppressing the rights of others. (Applause.) So no matter where it takes hold, government of the people and by the people sets a single standard for all who would hold power: You must maintain your power through consent, not coercion; you must respect the rights of minorities, and participate with a spirit of tolerance and compromise; you must place the interests of your people and the legitimate workings of the political process above your party. Without these ingredients, elections alone do not make true democracy.

AUDIENCE MEMBER: Barack Obama, we love you!

PRESIDENT OBAMA: Thank you. (Applause.) The fifth issue that we must address together is religious freedom.

Islam has a proud tradition of tolerance. We see it in the history of Andalusia and Cordoba during the Inquisition. I saw it firsthand as a child in Indonesia, where devout Christians worshiped freely in an overwhelmingly Muslim country. That is the spirit we need today. People in every country should be free to choose and live their faith based upon the persuasion of the mind and the heart and the soul. This tolerance is essential for religion to thrive, but it's being challenged in many different ways.

Among some Muslims, there's a disturbing tendency to measure one's own faith by the rejection of somebody else's faith. The richness of religious diversity must be upheld -- whether it is for Maronites in Lebanon or the Copts in Egypt. (Applause.) And if we are being honest, fault lines must be closed among Muslims, as well, as the divisions between Sunni and Shia have led to tragic violence, particularly in Iraq.

Freedom of religion is central to the ability of peoples to live together. We must always examine the ways in which we protect it. For instance, in the United States, rules on charitable giving have made it harder for Muslims to fulfill their religious obligation. That's why I'm committed to working with American Muslims to ensure that they can fulfill zakat.

Likewise, it is important for Western countries to avoid impeding Muslim citizens from practicing religion as they see fit -- for instance, by dictating what clothes a Muslim woman should wear. We can't disguise hostility towards any religion behind the pretence of liberalism.

In fact, faith should bring us together. And that's why we're forging service projects in America to bring together Christians, Muslims, and Jews. That's why we welcome efforts like Saudi Arabian King Abdullah's interfaith dialogue and Turkey's leadership in the Alliance of Civilizations. Around the world, we can turn dialogue into interfaith service, so bridges between peoples lead to action -- whether it is combating malaria in Africa, or providing relief after a natural disaster.

The sixth issue -- the sixth issue that I want to address is women's rights. (Applause.) I know –- I know -- and you can tell from this audience, that there is a healthy debate about this issue. I reject the view of some in the West that a woman who chooses to cover her hair is somehow less equal, but I do believe that a woman who is denied an education is denied equality. (Applause.) And it is no coincidence that countries where women are well educated are far more likely to be prosperous.

Now, let me be clear: Issues of women's equality are by no means simply an issue for Islam. In Turkey, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, we've seen Muslim-majority countries elect a woman to lead. Meanwhile, the struggle for women's equality continues in many aspects of American life, and in countries around the world.

I am convinced that our daughters can contribute just as much to society as our sons. (Applause.) Our common prosperity will be advanced by allowing all humanity -- men and women -- to reach their full potential. I do not believe that women must make the same choices as men in order to be equal, and I respect those women who choose to live their lives in traditional roles. But it should be their choice. And that is why the United States will partner with any Muslim-majority country to support expanded literacy for girls, and to help young women pursue employment through micro-financing that helps people live their dreams. (Applause.)

Finally, I want to discuss economic development and opportunity.

I know that for many, the face of globalization is contradictory. The Internet and television can bring knowledge and information, but also offensive sexuality and mindless violence into the home. Trade can bring new wealth and opportunities, but also huge disruptions and change in communities. In all nations -- including America -- this change can bring fear. Fear that because of modernity we lose control over our economic choices, our politics, and most importantly our identities -- those things we most cherish about our communities, our families, our traditions, and our faith.

But I also know that human progress cannot be denied. There need not be contradictions between development and tradition. Countries like Japan and South Korea grew their economies enormously while maintaining distinct cultures. The same is true for the astonishing progress within Muslim-majority countries from Kuala Lumpur to Dubai. In ancient times and in our times, Muslim communities have been at the forefront of innovation and education.

And this is important because no development strategy can be based only upon what comes out of the ground, nor can it be sustained while young people are out of work. Many Gulf states have enjoyed great wealth as a consequence of oil, and some are beginning to focus it on broader development. But all of us must recognize that education and innovation will be the currency of the 21st century -- (applause) -- and in too many Muslim communities, there remains underinvestment in these areas. I'm emphasizing such investment within my own country. And while America in the past has focused on oil and gas when it comes to this part of the world, we now seek a broader engagement.

On education, we will expand exchange programs, and increase scholarships, like the one that brought my father to America. (Applause.) At the same time, we will encourage more Americans to study in Muslim communities. And we will match promising Muslim students with internships in America; invest in online learning for teachers and children around the world; and create a new online network, so a young person in Kansas can communicate instantly with a young person in Cairo.

On economic development, we will create a new corps of business volunteers to partner with counterparts in Muslim-majority countries. And I will host a Summit on Entrepreneurship this year to identify how we can deepen ties between business leaders, foundations and social entrepreneurs in the United States and Muslim communities around the world.

On science and technology, we will launch a new fund to support technological development in Muslim-majority countries, and to help transfer ideas to the marketplace so they can create more jobs. We'll open centers of scientific excellence in Africa, the Middle East and Southeast Asia, and appoint new science envoys to collaborate on programs that develop new sources of energy, create green jobs, digitize records, clean water, grow new crops. Today I'm announcing a new global effort with the Organization of the Islamic Conference to eradicate polio. And we will also expand partnerships with Muslim communities to promote child and maternal health.

All these things must be done in partnership. Americans are ready to join with citizens and governments; community organizations, religious leaders, and businesses in Muslim communities around the world to help our people pursue a better life.

The issues that I have described will not be easy to address. But we have a responsibility to join together on behalf of the world that we seek -- a world where extremists no longer threaten our people, and American troops have come home; a world where Israelis and Palestinians are each secure in a state of their own, and nuclear energy is used for peaceful purposes; a world where governments serve their citizens, and the rights of all God's children are respected. Those are mutual interests. That is the world we seek. But we can only achieve it together.

I know there are many -- Muslim and non-Muslim -- who question whether we can forge this new beginning. Some are eager to stoke the flames of division, and to stand in the way of progress. Some suggest that it isn't worth the effort -- that we are fated to disagree, and civilizations are doomed to clash. Many more are simply skeptical that real change can occur. There's so much fear, so much mistrust that has built up over the years. But if we choose to be bound by the past, we will never move forward. And I want to particularly say this to young people of every faith, in every country -- you, more than anyone, have the ability to reimagine the world, to remake this world.

All of us share this world for but a brief moment in time. The question is whether we spend that time focused on what pushes us apart, or whether we commit ourselves to an effort -- a sustained effort -- to find common ground, to focus on the future we seek for our children, and to respect the dignity of all human beings.

It's easier to start wars than to end them. It's easier to blame others than to look inward. It's easier to see what is different about someone than to find the things we share. But we should choose the right path, not just the easy path. There's one rule that lies at the heart of every religion -- that we do unto others as we would have them do unto us. (Applause.) This truth transcends nations and peoples -- a belief that isn't new; that isn't black or white or brown; that isn't Christian or Muslim or Jew. It's a belief that pulsed in the cradle of civilization, and that still beats in the hearts of billions around the world. It's a faith in other people, and it's what brought me here today.

We have the power to make the world we seek, but only if we have the courage to make a new beginning, keeping in mind what has been written.

The Holy Koran tells us: "O mankind! We have created you male and a female; and we have made you into nations and tribes so that you may know one another."

The Talmud tells us: "The whole of the Torah is for the purpose of promoting peace."

The Holy Bible tells us: "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." (Applause.)

The people of the world can live together in peace. We know that is God's vision. Now that must be our work here on Earth.

Thank you. And may God's peace be upon you. Thank you very much. Thank you. (Applause.)

END
2:05 P.M. (Local)