A Donut, A Keria

In a corner of the South-bound of an overhead rest area of the North-South Expressway, 3 friends crowd a table of one of the eateries there. While two of them seem to be heavily engaged in some deep and serious argument, the other was nonchalantly enjoying the food, turning his face from one to another, smiling at each, then continued to tuck in, even though some very loud words were spoken between the other 2, oblivious to the stares of other tables or passersby, or even the shop owner who wore a worried look on her otherwise attractive face.

Uncertain where the argument would lead to, she spoke to one of her workers only to received an equally blank look. And after several long minutes, she finally gathered her courage and approached the guy who was eating through the argument and tapped his shoulder gently. The guy, with a body size that could easily tip the scales of any weighing machines at home, looked at her and smiled. As if he already knew her intention, he put out his hand to each of his friends and said loudly "Look guys, I think you're scaring this lady as well as many others around us already!".

The 2 looked at him then glanced around to each face looking their directions who, in turn, averted their eyes or just looked away, perhaps with a slight fear of attracting needless commotion. Then, one of the 2 friends raised the fingers of his right hand and smiled towards the lady who was looking straight at the big guy she tapped on the shoulders earlier.

"Tell you what guys", said the big guy "let us call it quits. To me, the matter is simple. No matter what its called, no matter how its made or how different they each may taste, a donut or a keria are basically the same thing", and he scooped up the last remaining pastry on the plate.

Picture Credits: southbound.ph / Rozzan Blogspot.

I have no doubt many would not take the comparison kindly but deep down, each of us are human no matter where we are, or what race we belong to. Whether we are here in Malaysia, or far away in Gaza, everyone of us deserve to be treated equally and and justly. Kugan may have not been a Muslim, but could his tormentors admit being one with the amount of injuries inflicted upon him? Below is a text from Md Sha'ani of FOMCA:

"I am Kugan' Campaign" We have different faces, different faiths but we have one thing in common - we are all human beings and we have our rights. I am Kugan too".

If ever we did cry during the barbaric war against the people of Gaza, then we should feel equally sad at what Malaysians are capable of too! Incidentally, YB Doctor Lo'lo' together with a team of volunteers, are trying to find ways to enter Gaza. Below, is her text message from somewhere near the border:

"We just left Rafah border going back to Cairo. Since yesterday, no group was allowed to enter. In fact, Egypt Health Ministry ambulances has also been waiting for several hours. So we decided to move on and make other arrangements to give the contributions and to enter Gaza next time, insyAllah".

Please continue to spread the Petition to Investigate War Crimes in Gaza (click here). And please continue giving to the donation drive (click here). [Tabung Kemanusiaan Harakah di akaun BIMB: 14069010021298].

Correction: I have been made to understand that though the volunteers mentioned are there, YB Doctor Lo'lo' is in Gaza together with the leaders of PAS, led by Dato' Seri Tuan Guru Abdul Hadi as reported here.

Of Lionheads and Dungheads

The Lionhead bobs its head on the surface of the water. Its mouth, ever in motion of opening and closing like it is chewing on something. And its protruding eyes, looks at the man standing on the edge of its world with a look bordering on self-pity. The man looks back at those dark eyes, and feels the guilt of having one of Allah's creation confined in a space which, were the Lionhead a human, can be torturous and suffocating. Nonetheless, it still is.

The once small, white gleaming body which made it the adoration of many lookers, is now fat and round; its very growth, sadly, had led it to become a mass of undesirable sight to some. As it wobbles in the water, its silky white tail move in counter direction; the only part of the Lionhead which still retain its beauty. But looking beautiful is the least of the Lionhead's concern. It is hungry, and it needs food. And its very behaviour now resemble a dog standing on its hind feet and begging for food from its master. A pitiful sight. For any of God's creatures.

In the wide open world of a lake or river, the Lionhead, like many other creatures, would be free to roam its realm in search of food. It would be free to choose the direction to swim to, and the mate it wants. But here in the enclosed space which can be a mere fraction of the world mentioned, it has no choice but await the mercy of the man looking down on it. In more ways than one, the picture speaks of cruelty.

Man, the race, was chosen by Allah s.w.t. to be the Khalifah of this world. We are supposed to be the noblest of God's creation. Yet, many times than not, we renege on our promise to Allah, and behave in manner lower than that of an animal. In doing so, we call on others to join the thoughts "4 legs good, 2 legs bad", while slowly chanting the vile words "But some 4 legs are better than others!". Not surprisingly, there were many takers.

When their thoughts are challenged or revealed by persons or bodies, the 4l-legged human seek the comfort of a channel they have long manipulated for, and towards their cause; some 4 legs are better than others!. Definitely, this is not what Napoleon died for. Can we not stand upright in pride, and accept the humble truth that we are nothing but an overgrown blood clot, a product that came to be with the help of another whose ego was too big for himself? Or, must we live the glorious moments of freedom and justice as told by George Orwell?

Picture Credit: Mr Moh of flicker.

Pity the Lionhead, abolish the Internal Security Act. Better still, dismantle the BN sarkas and its goons. Or, better known as dungheads.