BOOKS! BOOKS!
Today, at 3.oo a.m, I finally finished the last book that I bought from Pak Chong `s year end book sale. Just in case you never heard of him, Pak Chong is a nice fella who runs a small independent printing company and book shop in PJ. He got some good books especially ones that are printed back in the 80s by publisher like INSAN etc. The only drawback of going to his book shop is his over-friendly dog. So, like a geek couple who are turned on by the mere mention of books, me and my other half went on our book-hunting on the 28th, hoping to buy some new books for our personal read and collection. As a special note, that was also the day that Said Zahari `s wife had a heart attack and passed away on the 29th. May God blessed her soul!
So now , since I `ve finished reading those books, I would like to share my thoughts on them and perhaps an excerpt or two. Here goes..
The Cross And Crescent: The Rise of American Evangelicalism and the Future of Muslims by Muhammad Arif Zakaullah.
Muhammad Arif is a lecturer in the Department of Economics, IIU and has being doing some extensive research on American Political Economy ( *yawn*). But, interestingly, his book deals more with the theological factor that influenced the public opinion in America since 2000 Election and not so much on the economics aspect. He describes in length, how the Christian fundamentalist `s interpretation of the Bible shapes their political beliefs and support. The Republican leadership sees the trend as an advantage and formed movement-cum organization to mobilize the evangelicals in support of the Republican `s new radical agenda. One such organization is the Moral Majority. Sadly, though, Muslims either in America or other parts of the world are at risk with the emergence of America as a unilateral super power especially post-911. In the context of this particular book, the clash to me, looks like a modern-day crusade. The motivation behind the clash is religion and similarly to the Crusades, the pretext to the war was also about advancing one `s religion and defending it from downfall. That` s how I see it lah, you guys can see differently lah,
Zakaullah offers this for us to ponder at page 229; he calls it the art of dealing with American public opinion
1. We should understand how America liberal democracy works
2.We ourselves should also love and live democracy as it is an essential ingredient for creative evolution. Unless we live a system, we will never know how it works. Due to the absence of democracy in most of our societies, we cannot learn how it works, and will never be able to deal with a superpower which is democratic.
Haiya, correct or not? post your comments!
Putera Gunung Tahan: A Memoir by Ishak Haji Muhammad
Remember when we study History in form four? Our text book introduces prominent figures like Pak Sako, Ahmad Boestaman, Shamsiah Fakeh etc rather briefly and half-heartedly. Like a slide show of a boring vacation, the teacher crammed our brains with info like " Hah, ini pula Ishak Haji Muhammad, Dia telah menulis Putera Gunung Tahan..." No in-depth outlook, no sense of appreciation, just static lifeless mundane info that put us to sleep. It is no wonder that me and my geng ( we are the self-acclaimed "11 Jahanam" in our school ) enjoyed Christopher Pike `s novels more. So, when I came across the book at Pak Chong `s, I decided to give it a try and bought the book. I was expecting a complicated read with dozens of political arguments thrown in, but I was wrong. In fact, it was one of my most enjoyable read of 2004. There is nothing fancy about his writing. Really, but like the saying, less is more- Pak Sako `s simplicity in telling his story makes his memoir interesting and accessible. Considered as one of Malay `s sharpest and wittiest writer, his incisive writings under the pseudonym "Hantu Raya" had both attracted friends and enemies. You want thrill and excitement, you can get it from this memoir. You want melodrama and tragedy, its all in the memoir, from his two time arrests for standing up to what he believes in when he is with KMM up to his spontaneous road trips to the East Coast and South, Pak Sako revealed to me both his strength and weaknesses honestly like a humble soul who never once, rejoice in his own glory and national recognition. However, at times I could not agree with his opinion on modernism and ultra-malay insights ( my opinion, personally), I guess it is a typical generation gap phenomenon . Regardless of that, one has to understand his situation within the context of his era/time. My colleague gave me a funny look when she saw me reading the memoir in my office " Now what? Pak Sako? What happen to Terry Pratchett? You crazy girl!"
Perhaps, for 2005, I should reconsider my advanced budget for Terry Pratchett `s paperbacks.
The "Red" Biographies
UKM Publishing really created a controversy with the release of their "pejuang kiri series". Some quarter of the society who are victims of our government `s successful social conditioning are raising (not only their eyebrows ) but also questions and writing protest letters to www.malaysiakini.com on this issues.Is it that controversial?
After reading Shamsiah Fakeh `s biography, I pondered outloud " apa kontroversi nyer?". Except for the red color of the cover which is always associated to Communism, I don't see anything wrong with these biographies. Except for, of course, the fact that these people ARE D-prominent PKM and Labor movement figures is very much self-explanatory.
Being one of the Generation M, ( you go figure what "M" stands for), the distance between my present life and my country `s past is growing really fast. As the winners are the ones who write history, A huge chunk of of the truth is normally taken out to protect the interest and status quo of the winners. what `s left is no longer a history that broadens our minds but merely serves as a propaganda which further breeds the seeds of prejudice and hatred and narrowing our understanding of the past .Sure, some of my friends said "Takkan nak cerita benda buruk dalam sejarah, benda yang violent, benda yang ngeri, tak "sheshuai" untuk bebudak", this mild excuse (sorry lah kawan) is to me a matter of presentation. What I am arguing now is more of the substance of our history. "Can understand or not?"
Anyway, to me, these memoirs serve as a countercheck, a counterbalance to the mainstream depiction of history. For so long, those who are marginalized in history ( PKM, PAS, Labor Party etc..) are painted as brutal good-for-nothing racists. Not demanding for these marginalized parties to be glorified like kings, it is enough for a start that history starts acknowledging their contribution for independence to the country. I laughed outloud when I flipped through Ibrahim Majid `s memoir and found an image of him in full ihram clothing. That will get the public talking, I guess. Considering that we are programmed to believe that people who profess socialism or communism will never believe in god or religion, such picture will invite further controversies!
I will talk about the next book; Art Under Pressure in my next "catitan. so, bye for now because my boss just passed my room.
So now , since I `ve finished reading those books, I would like to share my thoughts on them and perhaps an excerpt or two. Here goes..
The Cross And Crescent: The Rise of American Evangelicalism and the Future of Muslims by Muhammad Arif Zakaullah.
Muhammad Arif is a lecturer in the Department of Economics, IIU and has being doing some extensive research on American Political Economy ( *yawn*). But, interestingly, his book deals more with the theological factor that influenced the public opinion in America since 2000 Election and not so much on the economics aspect. He describes in length, how the Christian fundamentalist `s interpretation of the Bible shapes their political beliefs and support. The Republican leadership sees the trend as an advantage and formed movement-cum organization to mobilize the evangelicals in support of the Republican `s new radical agenda. One such organization is the Moral Majority. Sadly, though, Muslims either in America or other parts of the world are at risk with the emergence of America as a unilateral super power especially post-911. In the context of this particular book, the clash to me, looks like a modern-day crusade. The motivation behind the clash is religion and similarly to the Crusades, the pretext to the war was also about advancing one `s religion and defending it from downfall. That` s how I see it lah, you guys can see differently lah,
Zakaullah offers this for us to ponder at page 229; he calls it the art of dealing with American public opinion
1. We should understand how America liberal democracy works
2.We ourselves should also love and live democracy as it is an essential ingredient for creative evolution. Unless we live a system, we will never know how it works. Due to the absence of democracy in most of our societies, we cannot learn how it works, and will never be able to deal with a superpower which is democratic.
Haiya, correct or not? post your comments!
Putera Gunung Tahan: A Memoir by Ishak Haji Muhammad
Remember when we study History in form four? Our text book introduces prominent figures like Pak Sako, Ahmad Boestaman, Shamsiah Fakeh etc rather briefly and half-heartedly. Like a slide show of a boring vacation, the teacher crammed our brains with info like " Hah, ini pula Ishak Haji Muhammad, Dia telah menulis Putera Gunung Tahan..." No in-depth outlook, no sense of appreciation, just static lifeless mundane info that put us to sleep. It is no wonder that me and my geng ( we are the self-acclaimed "11 Jahanam" in our school ) enjoyed Christopher Pike `s novels more. So, when I came across the book at Pak Chong `s, I decided to give it a try and bought the book. I was expecting a complicated read with dozens of political arguments thrown in, but I was wrong. In fact, it was one of my most enjoyable read of 2004. There is nothing fancy about his writing. Really, but like the saying, less is more- Pak Sako `s simplicity in telling his story makes his memoir interesting and accessible. Considered as one of Malay `s sharpest and wittiest writer, his incisive writings under the pseudonym "Hantu Raya" had both attracted friends and enemies. You want thrill and excitement, you can get it from this memoir. You want melodrama and tragedy, its all in the memoir, from his two time arrests for standing up to what he believes in when he is with KMM up to his spontaneous road trips to the East Coast and South, Pak Sako revealed to me both his strength and weaknesses honestly like a humble soul who never once, rejoice in his own glory and national recognition. However, at times I could not agree with his opinion on modernism and ultra-malay insights ( my opinion, personally), I guess it is a typical generation gap phenomenon . Regardless of that, one has to understand his situation within the context of his era/time. My colleague gave me a funny look when she saw me reading the memoir in my office " Now what? Pak Sako? What happen to Terry Pratchett? You crazy girl!"
Perhaps, for 2005, I should reconsider my advanced budget for Terry Pratchett `s paperbacks.
The "Red" Biographies
UKM Publishing really created a controversy with the release of their "pejuang kiri series". Some quarter of the society who are victims of our government `s successful social conditioning are raising (not only their eyebrows ) but also questions and writing protest letters to www.malaysiakini.com on this issues.Is it that controversial?
After reading Shamsiah Fakeh `s biography, I pondered outloud " apa kontroversi nyer?". Except for the red color of the cover which is always associated to Communism, I don't see anything wrong with these biographies. Except for, of course, the fact that these people ARE D-prominent PKM and Labor movement figures is very much self-explanatory.
Being one of the Generation M, ( you go figure what "M" stands for), the distance between my present life and my country `s past is growing really fast. As the winners are the ones who write history, A huge chunk of of the truth is normally taken out to protect the interest and status quo of the winners. what `s left is no longer a history that broadens our minds but merely serves as a propaganda which further breeds the seeds of prejudice and hatred and narrowing our understanding of the past .Sure, some of my friends said "Takkan nak cerita benda buruk dalam sejarah, benda yang violent, benda yang ngeri, tak "sheshuai" untuk bebudak", this mild excuse (sorry lah kawan) is to me a matter of presentation. What I am arguing now is more of the substance of our history. "Can understand or not?"
Anyway, to me, these memoirs serve as a countercheck, a counterbalance to the mainstream depiction of history. For so long, those who are marginalized in history ( PKM, PAS, Labor Party etc..) are painted as brutal good-for-nothing racists. Not demanding for these marginalized parties to be glorified like kings, it is enough for a start that history starts acknowledging their contribution for independence to the country. I laughed outloud when I flipped through Ibrahim Majid `s memoir and found an image of him in full ihram clothing. That will get the public talking, I guess. Considering that we are programmed to believe that people who profess socialism or communism will never believe in god or religion, such picture will invite further controversies!
I will talk about the next book; Art Under Pressure in my next "catitan. so, bye for now because my boss just passed my room.
posted by GEE at 9:35 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home