Some News

It would be easy to forget Gaza and the sufferings of the people there since the illegal regime along with Egypt closed the borders just to punish the Palestinians for voting Hamas into office (sounds familiar, does it not?). But to push Gaza out of our life and forget the injustice there, especially now - I cannot say for the rest - would make me a much lesser human, and putting myself down on the same level as those minions of the illegal regime.

The other night when I was driving to a petrol kiosk and had to pass a McD, 2 young people were walking towards it. As I do not drive with the air conditioner on when weather permits, I heard one of the guys mentioning 'but people are beginning to boycott now...', the rest of the statement was lost as I drove passt them. Passing by the front of building, I saw a lesser number of people than usual. Sadly though, many of them there were young Muslims, obviously oblivious to the sufferings of their fellow humans in Gaza - for every ringgit one spend there, at least 5 to 10% adds to the Palestinians' tragedy. This, I was informed by Ustaz Maszlee some years back, who interestingly has an entry entitled "Not All Jews Are Zionist" (click here), and I would recommend all to read it.

Also, kindly listen to this video of George Galloway which was made available by Information Clearing House (click here).

Sad, but I think its rather absurd that while we have people like Mr Galloway and even Jews speaking out against the attrocity in Gaza, we still have Muslims partonising outlets which contribute towards it. Please, help spread the boycott news.

Also, please read and watch the links from WIP which I've logged into NYMHM for wider reach. Just click on the titles.

1. Israel Admit "No Hamas Rockets Were Fired During Ceasefire!"

2. Are We Not Human?

3. Gaza: A Scene of Destruction

4. A Message from a Gazan to the World


Last but not least, do enjoy the song below sent to me by bro Zul.

Best Actor, Actress, Supporting, Extras etc etc Award

Many of the news I received of late, are email-subscription from Window Into Palestine. Though they are not the only blog/site available, they are, one of the most active, such as the the news below.

Israeli's - Have they no blood ???

As you can imaging on days like this I
watch the TV news on several multinational
channels especially due to the fact that I
speak 5 languages and politics runs in my blood....

Taking of blood , I noticed
(and not for the first time) that all
the Israeli-victims shown on all channels,
never do have blood running..... Which leaves me with two possibilities
(or two explanations) :

1- The Israelis have no blood
2- Israeli-victims are no victims , but rather actors .

So please , if anyone in the near future sees any
Israeli-victim of the Hamas rockets , wounded with blood.....
then please let us have a copy of that picture .

Thank you !! Sherlock Hommos sceptic-photo-analyst

****.****

Monday, January 12

What will you do if you were born a Palestinian?

Salah Mansour

After doing lots of research on the internet, I was shocked to find that the most candid answer to this question comes from Israelis; most importantly from Israeli leaders who gained political notoriety as a result of crushing Palestinians. This question started to interest me several years ago when I read a eulogy written by Moshe Dayan (a former Israeli Defense Minister) to his Israeli friend who was killed by a Palestinian from the Gaza Strip in 1955:

". . . Let us not today fling accusation at the murderers. What cause have we to complain about their fierce hatred to us? For eight years now, they sit in their refugee camps in Gaza, and before their eyes we turn into our homestead the land and villages in which they and their forefathers have lived.

We should demand his blood not from the [Palestinian] Arabs of Gaza but from ourselves. . . . Let us make our reckoning today. We are a generation of settlers, and without the steel helmet and gun barrel, we shall not be able to plant a tree or build a house. . . . Let us not be afraid to see the hatred that accompanies and consumes the lives of hundreds of thousands of [Palestinian] Arabs who sit all around us and wait for the moment when their hands will be able to reach our blood." (Iron Wall, p. 101)

Similarly, Ehud Barak (the current Israeli Defense Minister) was asked this question, and his reply was:

"If I were a Palestinian of the right age, I'd eventually join one of the terrorist organizations." (interviewed by Ha'aretz's Gideon Levy in March 1998)

Here in America, we're a brought up to believe in our sacred right to bare arms because the right of self-defense is enshrined in our American constitution. As an American, I have the right to defend my home and family here in Chicago by all possible means, even if my defense results in the death or injury of the assailant. However, as a Palestinian defending my home and family in Palestine, that makes me automatically the "terrorist" in the eyes of many in the Western world. It should be noted that when Palestinians rocket Israeli towns, they are rocketing their own homes and farms which have been usurped by Jews who recently escaped European anti-Semitism and pogroms, here are the names of a few of the usurped Palestinian towns which are located in what is now southern Israel: al-Majdal Asqalan, Faluja, Yibna, Huj & Najd.

The more I research Israeli history, the more I discover that Israelis have a hidden empathy to what Palestinians have experienced for the past 60 years. In my opinion, this is a proof that this conflict isn't only a colonial conflict over lands, but most importantly it's a conflict about the national identity which is connected to the land. Deep at heart, every Israeli Jew suspects that the Zionist narrative to be farce. However, because Israel was created by usurping Palestinian rights, Israelis and most Jews find it necessary to deny Palestinians of their national rights and identity. This Israeli insecurity (or paranoia) increases whenever Palestinians assert their national identity (i.e. resistance to colonialism, demanding the right of return, ..etc) because it reaffirms that this is a conflict that will transcend generations.

Our DATE is 60 years LATE, God willing sooner or later we shall return.

* Salah Mansour is the founder and editor of PalestineRemembered.com, the largest Palestinian online community.

News Bits

Due to time constrain, this is a hasty entry and some parts may jumbled up.

The Lajnah Kebajikan dan Kemasyarakatan PAS Pusat held their monthly meeting last night which your truly was able to attend. One of the meeting agendas was the landslide in Bukit Antarabangsa which certain quarters are trying to hijack the media attention and portray themselves as heroes. The truth is however, uglier than the scene of the tragedy.

When I first heard then read about the tragedy, my heart cried for the victims. Then, when the media began displaying charitable acts (of courage?) by namely the Sarkas, I turn my back and refuse to read anymore. However, an account by Athirah Aliman, one of the leaders of PAS Muslimat in Harakahdaily made me think twice. Then in the meeting last we were presented with first hand report of the situation there which I think is best for me to put in point form.

* One of the first person to come to the rescue is a certain Nik, a well-off youngster who seem to dedicate his time to welfare works. It was he who went up the hill and began assisting the victims there. Doctor Lo'Lo' gave this account as she is close to Nik.

* The so called 'Pesta Makanan' may have been exaggerated slightly. True, many people have come forward with all sorts of food and what not, but they remain at the bottom of the hill and seem for the rescue parties, volunteers and 'volunteers'. Precious little of the food prepared from this place made it to the victims.

* Many PAS volunteers were there from the early stages of post tragedy. But since many of them do not wear identification such as vests, hats or badges, the media either did not know or were told not to report. PKR volunteers were also at hand to assist the victims.

* YB Azmin Ali is there daily in his bid to provide assistance but have to 'fight' his way in as Sarkas and certain people in uniform tries to hamper his every move. YB Zuraidah is currently in Mekah performing her Haj. Many PR YBs are also giving what assistance they can from behind the scene. YB Khalid Samad of Shah Alam is in the midst of preparing further assistance and volunteers from PAS Shah Alam.

* Unit AMAL and many other organisations from PAS are there daily to provide food and assistance to the victims directly instead of through parties there. Some 'Volunteers' from Sarkas do try to prepare food for the victims, but get their materials from Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat, which is then packed in Sarkas bags - how so very kind of them.

* Without electricity, one 8month pregnant lady walked down from her 11storey apartment and was met halfway by Doc Lo'lo'. The Doc helped her down and took her to a helicopter nearby. The crew initially refused but the backed down due to the Doc's persistence.

* YB Iskandar suffered a mild stroke due to media's lie - it was reported that the relief centers were packed to the hilt! When he went to the center, there were actually only 2 families seeking shelter there.

* Hj Zainal of LKKPP cooks and pack about 300 rations twice a day which is sent directly to the victims. Several other organisations under PAS are doing likewise as there are still a sizeable number trapped. This is in contrast to Sarkas food which a media report was thrown away - food meant for the victims with raw materials from Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat.

* Soon after the either the pontoon or bailey bridge and temporary road was built by the army, a long queue of vehicles was formed in a bid to move out. At one point of time, a vehicle veered off the bridge and into the small ravine. It was very soon after that a Sarkas Aman vehicle tried to jump the queue but was forced back AMAL volunteers under the orders of Doc Lo'lo'. The Doc mentioned that the PGA (auxilary unit) had only 3 personnel there to mainain order.


InsyAllah, I will try to write more as and when I receive the news. Wak Kasiran and I will try to give coverage through webtv8 so that Malaysians can get a truer picture instead of the distorted news from mainstream media which is mainly for the benefit of the Sarkas and not the victims.

On behalf of Doc Lo'Lo and Lajnah Kebajikan dan Kemasyarakatan PAS Pusat, I invite Malaysians to give their small contribution to the victims; it may not be in monetary form as many times has proven your time and energy may prove to be more valuable. Should one wish to give monetary assistance, the account number for LKKPP is as below:

Bank Islam 12113010026150

If you do, please do inform the Treasurer, Puan Raja Rozita at 019 357 5857

Hostel Ravaged By Fire

The Metro tabloid on October 24, 2008, reported a hostel ravaged by fire causing 2 fatalities, children of the age of 4 and 6. The hostel, apart from housing 51 orphans, was also the shelter for 9 low-income families, including a single mother with 9 children.

Late Monday afternoon, several representatives of Kelab Kami Prihatin, accompanied YB Doctor Lo'lo' who, as the Chairman of the Lajnah Kebajikan dan Kemasyarakatan PAS Pusat, visited the scene in hope of meeting the orphans and the families involved. The group was met by an Ustaz Riduan, the manager of another hostel nearby, and was informed that while the orphans are temporarily placed in a home in Rawang, the families mentioned above are given shelter in his hostel for the time being. The YB Doctor and the group were then brought into the ruins of the hostel building and were told of the horrible incident of the night.

In the confusion that surely must have taken place that night, the 2 children are believed to be on one of the upper floors of the 4storey wooden building. The fire (causes of which are still unknown), swept through the building where the upper floors soon collapsed. Along with the thick smoke which was asphyxiating, the residents fled the building. It was only then when the father realised that his son was trapped in the building. Though he tried to rush back into the building in a bid to save his son, the fire and smoke stopped him. We were then told of the heart-wrenching part where the father could not do anything but watched his son engulfed by the flames.

The YB Doctor was then taken to a site a few lots away where stood several metal cabins and perhaps, an unused public hall but one which had no walls, only cemented floor and a roof. These, would most probably be the stay for the families as well as the orphans for a long duration, until a permanent housing can be found. Even then, there is a just need to provide air-condition for the metal cabins which otherwise without, would be like living in an oven with the hot sun above. The YB Doctor will try to seek the assistance of the local authorities, DBKL, to provide financial aid towards this, and at the same time, several units of the PPR which all local authorities normally reserve for emergency use.


Kelab Kami Prihatin, would like to make an appeal to kind-hearted Malaysians to provide financial and in-kind aid to the families and orphans above. The contact persons telephone number for KKP as well as the account number is as below. Whether monetary aid or in-kind, please do inform the ladies. May Allah s.w.t. bless and reward you for your generousity.

Kami Prihatin, Bank Islam: 12113010026150 (see top left panel).
Raja Rozita (Treasurer) 019 357 5057
Siti Aishah: 019 343 6804

Tidbits (Updated!)

Had to call an old friend yesterday, one I had not called for close to a year. Off course, when I called him, I had to be diplomatic seeing the length of period we have not gotten in touch or meet (he lives some 10kms away only), especially so when the matter needed to be spoken was on the accounts of another person related to him. But since this person was more afraid of my friend - the guy is his distant grand uncle! - I was chosen to be sort of the messenger, and I really do hate being one!

Now, my friend goes by the name of 'Kid' amongst the circle of people he mix around. He is one of those unknown heroes in Malaysian political arena and has grown to be a bit of a legend to those who know him. Having known him for quite some time, I have learnt that there are taboo words not to be mentioned, and one of the words is 'ameno'; Kid, is a staunch anti-sarkas guy from day 1 I know him. The problem was, or is, his grand-nephew is a member of Sarkas. (This, is one of the reasons I hate being a messenger.)

Anyway, soon as he came to know that the guy is a sarkas, the words that came out from him could translate to "Ask him to go jump into the deepest, foulest lake!". End of that story.

As it was, Kid was present during the nomination day at Permatang Pauh, and recounted several events which the media could not have mentioned. One of the 'happenings' there, involved a fistfight between 2 top sarkas goons in the area. It seems the 2 were really slinging out their best shots when one of the sarkas supporters shouted "Najis! Najis' datang!". Almost immediately, quite like 2 small school kids who put a stop to their fight on the mere presence of a teacher, the 2 goons put up a charade of being good buddies instead. Guess, it really show how childish the sarkas goons are. Oops! A small error: Najis is no teacher! To even refer him as one is an insult to the people in the teaching profession. My apologies to all teachers, especially Cikgu Nazir and Alina.

As for the media news that the opposition beat up some newspeople and made some trouble during and after nomination day, it seem this piece of news is so very true! This, is a true reflection of these opposition parties there and one that cannot be denied by anyone! Even in Parliament yesterday, one deputy minister admitted that the fracas was the works of the opposition. How truly disgusting to have people such as them moving around freely and frightening people, especially the residents of Permatang Pauh. But I guess, when one's mentality is reduced in size to smaller than a pea, this is the outcome of the same said people who have lost political control in Penang. After all, the opposition parties comprised of the Sarkas and their goons.

Anyway, Doc TA sent a text this morning "IMAM yang terima sumpah Sifool bernama Ramlang Porigi, ahli Sarkas cawanganSri Machang, Bukit Mertajam, dalam parlimen Permatang Pauh. Nombor keahlian 03405843".

Then, he sent another "Aku dah kata dah. Sifool pun nanti ceramah juga. Big screen pulak tu. Polis tak nampak. AG pun tak tau. Court dah lupa. Kes dah masuk. No contempt of court. News in the star n31 by joceline tan."

On the homefront though, there is a piece of good news! The Sultana cookies which Emak has not baked for too many long years until last week, well, she now has found her touch again and the new batches she's baking are truly marvelous! They, make the perfect tidbits for snacks between meals. Er...not that I usually do that but, one always has to make exceptions now and then.

UPDATE1: Got this from a comment at Alin's Biarkan Roti Kacang Merah, who got it from No2Umno and Tranungkite - check out the picture of the imam and his sarkas membership number. Go Malaysiabiz-Aloha.

UPDATE2: Read how Alin's cartoonist husband, Zunar, went through a surgery to remove his stones without anaesthestics; go here.

A Head-banging Session

Now, before anyone gets the wrong idea already, no, the title does not suggest that the session I am referring to has anything to do with Ecstacy or any designer drugs. Though, if I ever do get to know any of the pushers, I would get them to peddle their business in PWTC come this December. I know it does seem a cruel idea for me to ask the pushers to do so, most especially when you take into account that during that month, PWTC will be filled with people who will be nodding their heads endlessly and perhaps more vigorously than Ecstacy takers themselves. But then, who knows, perhaps we might get the pushers to realise their wrongdoing and 'taubat', upon looking at those 'sarkas' people in PWTC.

Anyway, insyAllah this Monday, I will be attending a Brainstorming session with some news-people in KL. I do not know whether I should mention this, but since no one said I can't, I thought it would be a good idea to put it to my friends and bring the feedback to the session. After all, the whole idea of the session is to attract more readers.

I should feel fortunate to be invited to this Brainstorming session by Harakah. Though I have been active with them for the past 4 years, I was always looked upon as an outsider. It was only till quite recently that several of the people there come to recognise the little contribution I have made, and allowing me to voice out my opinion.

In view of the PRU12 results and the huge gain made by Pakatan Rakyat, Harakah is now looking at ways to improve and gain more readers in order to get the message of PR, particularly PAS, to the public. In other words, Harakah is looking to expand beyond the public's conception of it being merely a PAS news organ; it wants to step out of that mould and make itself more accessible to the public.

One would be surprised, as I was, that much prior to PRU12, there were people, Malays at that, who were afraid even to touch what else read, Harakah! To these people, Harakah was like something totally alien and to be avoided at all cost! This mindset was, undoubtedly, ingrained in them by those 'sarkas' people via RadioTV Sarkas and Media Sarkas Network, as well as Berita Sarkas and Utusan Sarkas. It is this mindset which Harakah harbour hopes to break and I, on their behalf, would be grateful if my friends here can give their thoughts to.

Before putting in your thoughts though, please take into accounts that though Harakah does provide free news through Harakahdaily.net, it still need to generate income in order to give better news coverage. Currently, its main source of income is through the sale of Harakah tabloid which is published twice a month as forced onto it by those same Sarkas people.

On Harakah's behalf, I thank you in advance. But please, in whatever you do in wanting to give out your thoughts and ideas, do not go banging your head at any solid object :)

Beware of Unconfirmed News!

Of late since the results of the PRU12 were announced - and even during the day - there were many news flying around about one thing or another. Some of the news, were rather explosive and quite controversial in nature, and several have caused quite a stir. However, many a times the news were unfortunately found to be untrue. I would like to take this opportunity to advise all my friends and visitors, to be careful of any news each receive, and if possible get confirmation of the news before spreading it.

The reason for this entry is due to the latest news which supposedly said that Tok Guru Nik Aziz will be gracing the Maulidur Rasul celebration at the Shah Alam Stadium on the 27&28 of March, 2008. This news was spread several days back via sms and email by certain quarters who may have been enthusiastic upon receiving the news from unknown sources. Upon receiving an email in response to that, I checked with Roslan SMS and confirmed the email below to be true, negating the earlier news mentioned above:

Re: Selangor menanti kedatangan TGNA untuk bermunajat di stadium Shah Alam.

"Kadet Pencen" kadetpencen@yahoo.com

Assalamu'alaikum warahmatullah hi wabarakatuh,

Semnjak akhir ini, terdapat banyak berita yang disebarkan samada secara peribadi, sms, dan juga emel, sehingga menyebabkan ramai yang tertanya mengenai kesahihan berita berita itu. Di sini, ingin saya meminta orangramai supaya mendapatkan kesahihan sesatu berita yang diterima sebelum menyebarkannya.

Antara satu dari berita yang diterima baru baru ini, adalah kedatangan YAB TG Nik Aziz ke Stadium Shah Alam pada hari Khamis 27/28 Mac ini. Setelah mendapat kesahihan dari 2 sumber:

1. Saudara Sayuti, Ketua Lajnah Penerangan DPP Shah Alam, dan
2. Saudara Roslan Shahir, Setiausaha Akhbar Presiden PAS,

izinkan saya menyatakan bahawa berita ini TIDAK BENAR; tidak ada atau belum ada lagi rancangan sedemikian buat masa ini! Saya juga telah difahamkan bahawa berkemungkinan besar kerajaan baru Negeri Selangor akan mengeluarkan kenyataan mereka tidak lama lagi.

Terima kasih.


Wassalamu'alaikum warahmatullah hi wabarakatuh,
kadetpencen@ yahoo.com

Something Serious...A Petition

Through one of the many egroups I am in, I received the following email with regards to wikipedia putting up an illustration of our beloved Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. When I went to wikipedia last, the illustration was still there and thus I have put my name as one of the petitioners. If you think this merit your time and small effort, kindly follow suit.

* A note about the illustration: I believe it was taken from a Times/Life publication of a book series which was published sometime in 1974. I had the entire series which include civilisations and religions of the world then, but was just a mere child to either take any form of action, or was just too small to understand matters then.

From: "Shahz'd" ych.com
Subject: Petition

Dear All

Wiki have illustrations of our loving prophet Muhammad (PBUH). For removal of those illustration follow this link. http://www.thepetit ionsite.com/ 2/removal- of-the-pics- of-muhammad- from-wikipedia

Thanks and forward this so that we can prevent this kind wrong things

SHAHZ'd

ych I I I

A Legend in the Making.

From the circle of friends I have within the political arena, his name has been lauded time and time again, and is said to be legend in the making, if not one already. Prior to this morning, I have never met him and know very little except from what I have read or heard of. Yet this morning, there he was in the room, sending shivers down to few, creating or increasing awe amongst others present.

At around 7.15 this morning, I received 2 unexpected text messages from 2 sources; the first was sort of a morning call by a very beautiful lady which, needless to say, brightened my day even though it was an overcast morning. The other message though, was a personal invitation by Ahmad Lutfi, the Managing Editor for Harakah, for me to attend a meeting in Harakah's office in KL. Now, had I not received the first message, I might have just shrugged off the invitation citing personal commitment elsewhere. But as it was, I was already doing a one-legged version of the Scottish Kilt Dance with my sarung, and thus happily rescheduled my other appointments (macam le busy sangat ye). Make no mistake though, even had the lady not texted me, I might have still gone for I do have a great deal of respect for AL. But the idea of making my way through KL streets on a Friday morning just did not, well, excite me. Still, there I was...

When I stepped into the meeting room, I felt very awkward indeed. Here I was, a nobody here nor there, and the room was filled with news staff of Harakah and Siasah. I mean, ok, so I am a part-time reporter with webtv8, reporting for duty at my whims and fancy, or theirs(webtv8), and there I was in a room full of real reporters and journalist! I mean, I felt...real small, really really small. So I decided to keep my mouth shut, breaking a small smile or courtesy nod every once so often, just to allay any wondering thoughts I may be a mannequin mistakenly brought in, while every one else was enjoying the company of the other.

At precisely 10.30, the Guest-of-Honour walked in accompanied by Zulkipli Sulong. "Man" I said softly to myself "this man is taller than I thought!" And soon after the preliminaries, the man began imparting his wisdom and visions he has of news reporting that would be beneficial to all parties involved. His voice was soft but firm. With his stern looks, he would make a passing joke or two, catching many, yours truly included, by surprise. Yet whenever our eyes meet, he would bring his down, perhaps as a sign of humbleness. And I do believe him to be a humble man, despite his growing popularity, and the influence he wields. The minutes rolled past too quickly and soon the scheduled 2hours meeting ended. With AL's permission, I took the opportunity to approach him personally and am pleased to say that am given an appointment scheduled for the afternoon of 18th January. Heck! What am I doing?

Later while everyone proceeded to a short lunch before the Jumaat Prayers, I made my way out. Off course I would certainly have loved to join them, but my daily routine include fetching and sending lunch to my emak, which is a priority higher than most. But I was satisfied, in fact, honoured, to have met a man said to be a legend in the making. Come this 18th, insyAllah I will have the opportunity to present a small paper to Yang Berhomat Datuk Husam Musa, one of the Vice President of PAS. Nothing on the personal side, just a strategy AL and I agree upon and something which needs some official backing.


ps. There's another new blog under 'Personal' which I just put up some days back. Nothing much, its entitled Islamic and Interesting Reads which everyone is welcome to read and comment. Think I've mentioned it before - like the romantic fool I am, I find some emails are a waste to throw away, and what better place to keep it but a blog.


Update 6:40pm
I was reading Harakahdaily when I noticed an article on Datuk Husam. Upon reading it, found my mug was included. Ok, its kind of small - 3rd guy on the left, seated between LanH and Saadon Akasah.

A Blog Shelved, A Blog Born.

I had initially wanted to make a picture blog dedicated to November 10. Though I received several more pictures and links, executing the idea could not take place. This, is either I'm not too bright or the mechanism does not allow it.

What I had I mind was to dedicate a page each from the various sources. Then I i discovered that though that is possible, the titles would disappear with time, leaving only the months of each entry visible instead. It would be better than to just put the links and let anyone have a peek when they want to. Thus I decided to shelve the idea.

Now, I'm quite sure an inquisitive mind or two wonder why on earth would I want to create this said blog in the very first place. Good question!

As a moderator for several political e-groups, I have many times received requests from subscribers to have certain pictures delivered as attachment to their email addresses. The pictures they received embedded within emails, are of different system and thus, does not appear.

Next question you may be tempted to ask: why don't these people just surf the net and go to the links?

Well, you would be surprised to learn that the net is still a whole new world for many Malaysians - the inter-net penetration is still at a less than the desired figure in Malaysia! Many Malaysians still rely on their office connection. Further, many offices restrict the connection to receiving emails only and perhaps one or 2 other uses. Worse, the government-related-corporations, uses key-words to block out news which are deemed 'unhealthy'. I say this from th 3 years of experience as a moderator and many times feel compelled to oblige such request mentioned earlier. And this gave birth to the idea of a dedicated 10 November blog which sadly, has to be shelved for the moment. In lieu, another was born...

Many times I have noticed certain emails by individuals are exceptionally good but does not receive much response. Sometimes, the news are a combination of 2 sources such as 'Banding: 2 Contoh Kehidupan Rakyat Malaysia'. Another would be like the missing file for Kampung Berembang court case, which unfortunately happened during the heat of November 10. Then, there's the individual's email as I mentioned earlier. Call me a romantic fool or even by any other names, but I find them worth the effort to put in safekeeping less I forget later.

Strangely, no sooner had I put up the blog - News You May Have Missed - it received some 183 hits! Hello! How the hell did these people know about this new blog? Never mind...

By the way, whilst constructing the blog, I decided to experiment with some free widgets. Thus, if it is somewhat unsightly now, do not give it much heed. InsyAllah, in time, it will be better (I pray).