Kitab Atok: tuturan alambina

sepi

mmm... it has been nearly 2 weeks since I wrote here; busy, busy.
I shall update tonite...

posted by Atok @ 12:03:00 pm (0) comments

Blog power

Much has been said about the resignation of CNN chief news executive on Friday. The off-the-record remark that brought him down was not at all reported by any mainstream media, but by a non-journalist blogger in his personal blog who happened to be there.

Earlier this morning, in BBC Radio 4 programme, one of the discussion panels said that the public shouldn’t report on news as they pleased, and journalists should be the gatekeeper of news. Mmm… I guess, from now on I have to submit my blog posting to my award-winning fellow countryman(g) Beta-Blogger who belongs to this upper echelon fraternity, for approval. Ke guane?

This means that I can’t write on the visit of a Doctor person to my kampong for a lunch and a walk through the construction site of a very prominent building he helped funding. Or perhaps some other things…. probably a ‘kirim salam’ would be followed by ‘bersalam’, who knows. Opps, better not go there. Sorry, gatekeepers.

On another matter.

This morning, Kakak’s chaperone called mummy; Kakak was sick and threw up a couple of times. So, mummy dashed off to Eastbourne where they play is currently performing, which is about 100 miles down to the south coast from our place. Though she was fine by the time mummy got there, as a matter of policy, she couldn’t stay, in case it was an infection, which would jeopardise other kids in the tour. Hence, another 100 miles trip back with Kakak and her suitcase and the next two shows will be missing the youngest princess on stage. She'll be back with them next week.

posted by Atok @ 10:28:00 pm (0) comments

Maal Hijrah

Today is Maal Hijrah, the beginning of the year 1426 in the Muslim moon-based calender. It starts with the month of Muharram.

Earlier this evening, Muslims of Oxford gathered for a majlis at our teacher's abode. A majlis of many dua, Quran recitation including Yassin, marhaban, and followed by tasbih prayer.

As always, whenever the erudite young Malaysian scholar Sheikh Muhd Afifi al-Akiti organise a majlis, Muslims from various background, races, countries, and colours would eagerly gather. In fact, since the arrival of the Sheikh a few years ago, Muslims in Oxford, regardless of which sub-community they're from, have somehow come together in many occassions; indeed a rare in this country, sadly. Alhamdulillah.

The 'other sheikh' was rumoured to attend the majlis as well, but that somehow didn't happen. Well, his schedule is pretty full as he told me last week. Next time, insyaAllah.

posted by Atok @ 11:55:00 pm (0) comments

Rooster comes again and lent starts

Happy Chinese New Year
I was born in the year of rooster. So, this might be a good year for me... hopefully.

For Catholics, lent starts today. A 40 day 'fasting' period preceeding Easter. A workmate sitting next to me is observing this and refraining himself from the usual black coffee, normal tea, biscuits, crisps, sweets, etc. Alcohol is okay though.

posted by Atok @ 8:53:00 am (0) comments

At about 10:30pm last night, we watched the live coverage of Ellen MacArthur breaking the world record for sailing solo across the globe.

Too bad she can't sing 'Negaraku'. Otherwise, she certainly been Dato' Ellen after her previous feat, and most definately Tan Sri Ellen or even Tun Ellen at about noon today.

Well done!

posted by Atok @ 9:41:00 am (0) comments

london event

earlier today, i took this pic as the man was speaking to an audience at SOAS in an event organised by Amnesty International UCL.

[i was invited via an unsolicited email to this event. where did they get my email and why i'm in their list? simply don't know and still puzzling].

the first session was on a topic 'Will Britain Betray Human Rights', and after 10 minutes of intermission, a special Bahasa-Melayu Q&A session took place in a much more relaxed and sometimes humorous manner.

there was nothing new in his talk; all have been heard of at many occassions elsewhere... about good governance, transparency, corruption, etc. as we all know, reform agenda is right at the very top of this man's list, who is extremely busy with so many invitations and will be flying to places like South Africa, France, Hong Kong, etc. from his current abode in my kampung, the City of Dreaming Spires.

another public figure among the audience, right on the front row, was the gedebe son of a more gedebe gmuloh tok ggawo from Pasir Mas and his two comrades..."what is he doing here?", i said to myself.....mmmm.

"If a man can write a better book, preach a better sermon, or make a better mousetrap, than his neighbor, though he build his house in the woods, the world will make a beaten path to his door".
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

nb: atok is a free man with free spirit and free from any alliances.

posted by Atok @ 10:33:00 pm (0) comments