Tag: Islam

  • Eminent Islamic ScholarShaykh Abdallah Bin Bayyah Meets Key Singapore Leaders

    Eminent Islamic ScholarShaykh Abdallah Bin Bayyah Meets Key Singapore Leaders

    One of the world’s most influential Islamic scholars called on President Tony Tan Keng Yam and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong yesterday at the Istana.

    Shaykh Abdallah Bin Bayyah, president of the Forum for Promoting Peace in Muslim Societies which is based in the United Arab Emirates, called on Dr Tan in the morning.

    They spoke about the importance of social harmony and reaffirmed multiculturalism as a cornerstone of Singapore’s multi-religious, multiracial society.

    Shaykh Abdallah then met PM Lee in the afternoon, with Singapore’s Mufti Fatris Bakaram also present at the meeting.

    The Shaykh, who is from Mauritania and is a strong advocate for multiculturalism and inter-faith understanding, is in Singapore as the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) Distinguished Visitor.

    He will deliver the Muis Lecture today – the highlight of Muis’ Distinguished Visitor Programme. This is the fifth time the programme has been held since it started in 2006.

    PM Lee said in a Facebook post: “Inter-faith understanding is crucial to maintaining peace and harmony. We enjoy such peace and harmony but we have to keep learning from others, especially when we see so many countries experiencing religious tensions and conflicts.”

    The Shaykh arrived in Singapore on Monday for a five-day visit.

    On Tuesday, he met Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Yaacob Ibrahim, who is also Minister for Communications and Information.

    On Wednesday, at a seminar for Islamic religious leaders, he spoke about compassion and human dignity and how they were part of Islamic tradition and thought, Muis said.

     

    Source: www.straitstimes.com

  • Tribute To Slemat Rakisan – A Rare Breed Of Malay Sportsman, True Rugby Gentleman

    Tribute To Slemat Rakisan – A Rare Breed Of Malay Sportsman, True Rugby Gentleman

    RIP SLEMAT RAKISAN:

    I’m just lost for words Thursday night when I heard of the death of a role-model former Singapore rugby international and ex-Vice President of the Singapore Rugby Union (SRU).

    Slemat Rakisan, a 57-year-old father of three, was dreadfully killed when a runaway tire from a trailer truck hit him on his head in a freakiest accident along the Kranji Expressway.

    What a very sad day for Singapore sports!

    He was a rare breed of Malay sportsmen from Saint Andrew’s School, who went on to great heights as an international oval-ball stalwart.

    News of his dreadful death shocked the Singapore rugby fraternity as he was saluted as an international rugby role-model, who came from the rugby-fanatic Saint Andrew’s School, and excelled as a player, coach, referee, referee instructor and leading rugby administrator, internally and internationally.

    Slemat was the Past President of the Singapore Society of Rugby Union Referees (SSRUR) and was one of two Singaporeans who served as Citing Commissioner (CC) with the Asian Rugby Union (ARU). He also served as Vice President of the Singapore Rugby Union (SRU).

    Former Singapore Rugby Union (SRU) President Dr Chan Peng Mun wrote over Facebook: “A tragic and premature passing of a gentle rugby star. In the mid 90’s when rugby awoke from its slumber, he had put his shoulder to the wheel for rugby to gain momentum. Heaven welcomes a very able referee and rugby administrator.”

    LOVE FOR RUGBY

    SNOC (Singapore National Olympic Council) Vice President & current President of the SRU Low Teo Ping saluted Slemat’s outstanding contributions: “His love for rugby went beyond playing the sport. He went on to administer, referee, coach and promote. Slemat will be missed. RIP.”

    Ridzal Saat, the Rugby Services manager at World Rugby, the sport’s global governing body, described Slemat as an “extraordinary role model at rugby and football”.

    He added: “I’m lost for words. He was very special in many ways. Whatever Slemat touched, just turned wonders. He was outstanding as a player, referee, referee instructor, SRU senior official and was faithful in his sports-community work at Yuhua Community Club at football and he even actively served at Jamiyah Singapore, too, to help the Muslim community.”

    Funeral arrangements are being finalised by family, most likely Friday late afternoon.

    RIP Slemat Rakisan.

    My special tribute to a rugby gentleman:

    http://www.sports247.my/…/gentle-rugby-star-dies-in-tragic…/

     

    Source: Suresh Nair

  • Ambeng Cafe By Ummi Abdullah Dibuka Semula Dengan Tampilan Baru

    Ambeng Cafe By Ummi Abdullah Dibuka Semula Dengan Tampilan Baru

    Restoran Ambeng Cafe By Ummi Abdullah dibuka semula setelah ditutup selama sebulan. Ia memulakan operasi hari pertamanya semalam (15 Mac).

    Bulan lalu, restoran tersebut menerima notis dari Penguasa Sekitaran Kebangsaan (NEA) kerana gagal memastikan premisnya bebas lipas serta gagal mendaftarkan pembantu kedai. Lesennya digantung dari 13 hingga 26 Februari lalu.

    Semasa dihubungi BERITAMediacorp, pemiliknya, Cik Sa’adah atau lebih kenali ramai dengan panggilan Ummi Abdullah berkata, hari pembukaan semula restoran terpaksa ditangguh sehingga 14 Mac kerana beliau mengambil langkah menjalankan kerja-kerja ubah elok ke atas restoran tersebut.

    “Kami memang dari dulu ada ura-ura nak buat ubah elok. Masa Ummi dikenakan mata demerit, sebenarnya Ummi ada buat rayuan sebanyak dua kali. Ummi ingatkan diterima, tetapi tidak. Restoran mesti ditutup.

    “Jadi Ummi ambil peluang ini untuk mengubah elok restoran. Kalau tidak, bila lagi kan? Itu yang perlu ditutup sehingga sebulan” jelas Cik Sa’adah yang selesa membahasakan dirinya sebagai Ummi.

    Ummi Abdullah. (Gambar: Ummi Abdullah Saadah/Facebook)

    AMBENG CAFE LANTIK PEGAWAI KHAS BANTU PANTAU KEBERSIHAN

    Sempena pembukaan semula restoran Ambeng Cafe by Ummi Abdullah, beberapa langkah sudahpun diambil Ummi bagi memastikan insiden yang mencalarkan reputasinya itu tidak berulang lagi.

    Antara perubahan utama yang dibuat adalah dengan mewujudkan satu jawatan baru iaitu Pengurus Kemudahan (Facility Manager) yang akan membantu Ummi memantau dan menjalankan pemeriksaan di semua restoran-restoran beliau pada setiap minggu.

    “Setiap minggu Pengurus Kemudahan ini akan membuat pemeriksaan. Maka sekarang, kita kami sudah ada pegawai (pemeriksaan) kami sendiri. Beliau juga akan menjaga peralatan-peralatan di restoran dan memantau kebersihan dan kemudian melaporkannya kepada Ummi.

    “Bukan itu saja, mutu dan suhu makanan juga akan dijaganya. Cawangan restoran Ummi sudah banyak. Maka, Ummi rasa sudah tiba masanya Ummi menggajikan seorang pegawai yang boleh membantu menjaga mutu khidmat,” tambah Ummi yang kini memiliki lima perniagaan kesemuanya.

    Sambutan baik pada hari pertama restoran Ambeng Cafe dibuka, 15 Mac. (Gambar: Ummi Abdullah Saadah/Facebook)

    BUKA 2 CAWANGAN PERNIAGAAN BARU

    Di bawah syarikat pengurusan Dapur Ummi Abdullah Catering and Management Pte Ltd, beliau mengendalikan Ambeng Cafe by Ummi Abdullah, Noosh Noodle Bar & Grill, The Tiffin Club, dan Dapur Ummi Abdullah Catering.

    Perniagaan Ummi yang terkini ialah Anggerik Bakery. Dua cawangan kedai kek – di East Village dan di Woodlands – akan dibuka di bawah jenama tersebut. Menerusi catatan Ummi di laman Facebook beliau, cawangan di East Village juga dibuka semalam.

    Anggerik Bakery perniagaan terbaru Ummi Abdullah. (Gambar: Ummi Abdullah Saadah/Facebook)

    Yang pasti, insiden baru-baru ini membuatkan Ummi dan pasukannya menyusun semula perniagaan beliau.

    Ummi memberitahu BERITAMediacorp, beliau juga sudah menubuhkan sebuah jawatankuasa khas dalam syarikat supaya beliau dapat memberikan tumpuan dengan lebih baik.

    “Episod ini membuatkan Ummi duduk (berfikir) dan memutuskan untuk menyusun semula perniagaan. Kalau dulu agak berterabur, perlu ke sana dan ke sini. Sekarang, Ummi menugaskan kakitangan Ummi,” jelas Ummi.

    IKTIBAR DARIPADA PENGGANTUNGAN

    Ternyata, banyak perkara baru yang dapat dipelajari dan dimanfaatkan Ummi selepas insiden itu.

    Menurut Ummi, sebelum insiden lesen restorannya digantung, beliau tidak tahu-menahu tentang jawatan pengurus khas sedemikian.

    “Bila insiden ini terjadi, kita ibarat mencari huraian. Episod ini pula banyak mendekatkan pelbagai orang pada Ummi. Yang menariknya, para pemilik perniagaan, pemilik syarikat katering, tak kira bangsa, ramai yang tampil dan memberikan Ummi bantuan. Ada yang kata sudah tiba masanya Ummi gajikan seseorang yang boleh membantu menguruskan hal-hal berkaitan kebersihan dan sebagainya.

    “Rupa-rupanya, kebanyakan syarikat-syarikat besar, sudah ada. Ummi rasa ia sesuatu yang baik untuk diadakan di bawah syarikat Ummi,” kata ibu tiga orang anak itu.

    Ummi Abdullah. (Gambar: Ummi Abdullah Saadah/Facebook)

    Selain itu, prosedur operasi standard (SOP) di semua restoran beliau kini lebih ditegaskan ke atas setiap kakitangan.

    Kini, pemeriksaan harian juga dijalankan ke atas kakitangannya, termasuk apa yang sudah mereka lakukan, dan apa yang perlu mereka laporkan sebelum pulang.

    INSIDEN DIGANTUNG LESEN, ‘PALING PAHIT’

    Menurut Ummi sejak beliau mengembangkan perniagaannya, ujian demi ujian sering menimpa. Namun Ummi percaya beliau perlu terus kuat menghadapinya.

    Insiden baru-baru ini, walaupun disifatkan sebagai paling pahit, tidak mematahkan semangat Ummi untuk terus bangkit dan memperbaiki keadaan – bukan saja untuk dirinya sendiri, malah demi kakitangannya – sekaligus memajukan perniagaan beliau ke peringkat yang lebih tinggi.

    “Memang dugaan datang lepas satu satu, Ummi tidak tahu kenapa. Tapi Ummi menerimanya. Tanpa insiden ini, Ummi tak dapat perbetulkan keadaan. Ummi perlu faham bahawa maklum balas adalah sesuatu yang baik. Mungkin ada cara memberi maklum balas itu agak kasar sedikit. Itu yang kadang-kala Ummi tidak dapat terima,” luah wanita yang sudah menjadi tauke makanan sejak enam tahun dahulu.

    “Bohonglah kalau Ummi kata ia tidak menjejas Ummi. Saya ni orang biasa, tukang masak. Kalau zaman dulu, kita masak tak sedap, bos panggil masuk bilik dan bercakap. Sekarang tidak, orang cakap secara terang-terangan. Itu yang membuatkan Ummi terkesan.

    “Memandangkan pasukan Ummi sudah semakin besar, pekerja sudahpun melebihi 80 orang, Ummi kena kuat demi mereka. Mereka pun ada keluarga,” beliau memberitahu BERITAMediacorp.

    Nasi ambeng Ummi Abdullah yang menjadi kegemaran ramai. (Gambar: Ummi Abdullah Saadah/Facebook)

    “JANGANLAH PERKARA MEMERANJATKAN TERJADI LAGI”

    Memandang ke hadapan, tentunya Ummi mengharapkan yang terbaik buat perniagaan beliau. Beliau juga mengharapkan agar kakitangan serta pelanggan lebih memahami.

    “Ummi banyak berdoa supaya janganlah perkara-perkara yang memeranjatkan terjadi lagi,” luah beliau sempat berseloroh.

    “Ummi rasa, Ummi seorang yang kuat, tapi sekuat Ummi pun, tanpa disangka-sangka ia tetap menjejas kesihatan Ummi.

    “Ada saja perkara yang di luar kawalan Ummi. Kalau enam tahun dulu, awak tempah makanan dengan Ummi, saya yang masak, yang cuci yang hantar. Semuanya sempurna. Sekarang, ia (perniagaan) Ummi melibatkan kakitangan. Maka Ummi harap kakitangan Ummi akan lebih memahami jika Ummi lebih tegas dari sgei kebersihan. Para pelanggan juga Ummi berharap lebih berbelas kasihan,” pinta peniaga berusia 37 tahun itu.

    Source: http://berita.mediacorp.sg

  • Commentary: The Problem With ‘Hijab Fashion’

    Commentary: The Problem With ‘Hijab Fashion’

    I’d like to take a minute and speak about this prevalent trend of ‘Hijab fashion’ and ‘Hijabi Fashionistas’. Before anyone gets defensive and feels they’re being attacked, this is not about anyone’s *personal* journey, rather more about *public journeys* and how we are influencing our youth. So no one is judging anyone, nor being holier than thou, this is a bit of food for thought.

    Recently I’ve been seeing fashion shows/cat walks, Muslims women on the runways etc highlighting “modest fashion” where the idea is to cater for Muslim women.

    I completely understand Muslim women fall into many many categories when it comes to implementing the Hijab in its entirety, and by that I do not mean just the headscarf. I understand the difficulties in implementing the hijab (been there, done that). I understand all the thought processes before finally making the decision to implement the hijab outwardly and inwardly. I also understand wanting to look nice and presentable.

    What I do not accept nor understand is the category of women who outright reject the command. Our attire and what we have been commanded to wear is clear cut, stated in the Qur’an and ahadith. It’s fine for you to do business, also fine for you to cater for Muslim women as there is a huge market, but I feel somewhere in all this business and making a name, the true essence and identity of a Muslimah is getting lost behind make up, pouts and excessiveness.

    There are so many problems with the Hijab Fashionista era that we are living in. Here are three:

    1. Our attire is being commercialised and we are condoning it.

    Initially it was just within, now it is also external. We do not need Nike to promote our hijab, we do not need Debenhams to start endorsing our clothes. We do not need approval or validation from any mainstream companies. They are not doing us a favour, they are not “accepting us” they are thinking with their business hat on and how to make a profit. So firstly, it is important we do not fall into that trap of thinking finally the world is starting to accept us.

    2. Are catwalks modest?

    When Muslim women are walking up and down the runway, there are male photographers present, male audience present, men reading and seeing about the fashion show in the news, does this defeat the purpose of hijab? Whilst we flaunt the “modest clothing” on our body, we are being watched and ogled at. Beautified faces, beautified clothes, is this really modest, if we think about modesty in its entirety and not just a piece of cloth? Does this thought process make me extreme? O_o

    3. Is it really Hijab?

    We are seeing Muslim women bloggers who categorise themselves as Hijabis and whilst they may be struggling to wear the hijab in its correct form, showing your hair and neck is not hijab and should never ever be promoted as hijab. Whilst these bloggers influence our youth to wear turbans, show their awrah yet call it hijab, surely we should be challenging this and not encouraging when these bloggers “make it” and become “famous”.

    Honestly is it a great thing to see sisters excelling and making a name for themselves, but at the expense of a lost identity?

    Are Muslim women having an identity crisis, trying to fit in between the “modern world” and Islam? What are WE doing to lead our youth and what CAN we do to lead them? To ensure our youth do not feel like they need validation? To ensure our youth are looking up to the correct figures as their role models?

    May Allah allow us to excel in His beautiful Deen, and forgive us when we fall short.

     

     

  • 7 Remarkable Things About Khadija, Wife Of The Prophet Of Islam

    7 Remarkable Things About Khadija, Wife Of The Prophet Of Islam

    I often get into debates with people about women in Islam. How we dress. How we don’t dress. What we think or don’t think or should-be-thinking. I get into debates about feminism. What it is and what it isn’t. I think I’ve spawned permanent foes because I don’t care to apply the label, feminist, to describe myself. (I’m not one for labels, sorry. But if it’s even required of me, “Muslim woman” suits me just fine.) But if we could agree for a moment that there exists a pure definition of the word feminist to mean: awesomely fierce to the millionth degree, then I’d like to introduce you to Islam’s first feminist.

    Her name is Khadijah bint Khuwaylid. She was the wife of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him.) And she is one of the people that I think about when I face or debate issues surrounding women today. Khadija’s existence precedes mine by more than 1,400 years; and, if I can at the very least, continuously strive to emulate her character, I will consider myself a success in life.

    7 things you might not know about the awesomely fierce, Khadija (may God be pleased with her):

    1. She was a successful and esteemed business woman.

    I would give anything to do an on-the-job, ride-along with Khadija. Gladly swipe my car for a camel- my laptop for a government-issued glass weight to measure goods in trade. What could I learn in one day of shadowing this highly-respected business leader, trading furniture, pottery and silks? Khadija was born to a father who was a successful merchant in their Quraysh tribe of Mecca. She inherited her father’s skills in a time in history where society was male-dominated and dangerous. Upon her father’s death, she took over the business and traded goods through the primary commerce centers at that time, from Mecca to Syria and to Yemen, hiring the most trustworthy men of character to brave the dangerous trade routes. Her business was larger than all of the Quraysh trades combined and the most acclaimed with a reputation of fair-dealing and high-quality goods. She had a keen eye and was highly intuitive, earning the monikers, Ameerat-Quraysh (“Princess of Quraysh”) and al-Tahira (“The Pure One”) due to her stellar reputation. Khadija knew what she was doing business-wise, never compromising her modesty or integrity to succeed in the male-dominated trades- hiring only those that could meet these standards. Glass ceiling? Hah! 1,400 years ago, yes, Khadija shattered it.

    2. She turned down many marriage proposals.

    Being the most successful woman around, rich in worldly attainment as well as character, it seems Khadija faced a consistent campaign of men seeking her hand in marriage. She was married twice before her wedlock to the Prophet; both of these marriages produced children and both left her widowed. Her keen sense of character left her picky; and, she was less than eager to suffer another painful loss of a husband. She resigned herself to being a widowed woman taking care of herself and her family. Until …

    3. She asked the Prophet to marry her.

    Love comes when you aren’t looking, or so I have heard. (And experienced.) Khadija learned of the stellar character of Muhammad as well as his experience managing caravans on the trade routes accompanying his uncle, Abu Talib. She hired him into her conglomerate. Marriages at this time were typically necessary for survival and not always about love as we know it in today’s world. Khadija didn’t need a husband to take care of her financially. And Muhammad did not have the means to seek a wife. She fell in love with him, and through a friend, asked him to marry her. (He said yes.)

    4. She was 15 years older than Muhammad.

    If Khadija’s story hasn’t broken stereotypes about Islam yet, it might intrigue you to know that she was 40 years old when she married Muhammad. He was 25.

    5. She was an ideal wife; theirs was a true love story.

    “Your wives are a garment for you, and you are a garment for them.” (Qur’an 2:187)

    Taking multiple wives was a common practice, yet Khadija and Muhammad’s marriage was monogamous until her death 25 years later. Muhammad’s prophethood began during his marriage to Khadija, when he received the first of God’s revelations through the Angel Gabriel that left him frightened, strained and feeling alone when no one believed in him. Khadija comforted her husband and encouraged him during the most difficult days of his life. She bore him 6 children. He loved no one more than Khadija during his lifetime.

    6. She was the first Muslim.

    Khadija, the mother of Islam, was the first person on earth to accept Muhammad as the final prophet of God and accept the revelations that culminated into the Holy Qur’an. She was greeted with “Salam” (peace) by God himself as well as the Angel Gabriel. She bequeathed her worldly goods and put herself in the face of danger to stand by the Prophet Muhammad as Islam became established in the land.

    7. She spent her worldly riches on the poor.

    In Islam, whether rich or poor, one’s financial condition is a test. Khadija gave her earnings to the poor and to the orphans, to the widows and the sick. She helped poor girls get married and provided their dowry.

    Khadija was one of history’s most remarkable women. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) once said that the four greatest women of mankind were: Khadija bint Khuwaylid, Fatima bint Muhammad (his youngest daughter,) Mary bint Emran (the Virgin Mary) and Asiya bint Muzahim (the wife of Pharaoh.) Khadija continues to inspire people to this day who revere her for taking great care of the Prophet of Islam and for showing the world, through her behavior, what a pious, modest and courageous woman can accomplish. The example she left for mankind remains timeless.

    Source: Huffingtonpost

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