AN UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE

This is an old article I wrote back in 2009 and it got published in the company's newsletter that year. I found this article again by accident just now when I was doing some file clean-up in my laptop. And it brought back memories of my time in Scope International. I just thought I'd share this with you... 

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MY 1st EARTH QUAKE EXPERIENCE

I remember it was late Wednesday evening on 30^th September 2009. I am a Service Manager with Scope International and my office is located in LYL Tower in Petaling Jaya, just next to the Federal Highway.

I have just finished my shift that day. And as always, I decided to stay back a while to complete some pending items. I have to say that the day have not been kind on any of us, with calls pending more than we could cope. SLA dropped very quickly. Everyone was busy. Everyone was intense! And once in a while, I could hear the Duty Manager shouting, “remove wrap-up!!!”. A routine environment that I have gotten used to over the past couple of weeks due to our busy season.

I continued working on my pending items. 

Although I realize that I only have two hands, but I tried to complete a few items at once hoping to finish my work faster. Suddenly (I am not sure what time was it, but for a split second), I could swear that the room actually came to a complete silence. I didn't bother about it at first and continued with my work, when something unthinkable happened… 

My whole body started to sway uncontrollably! 

I was swaying in a soft circular motion. I quickly grabbed the side my desk and my immediate reaction was:

"Oh god!! This is it… I am having a heart attack!!"

And my thoughts quickly raced to those many years of smoking and it is finally taking its toll. My heart is now failing me. So, I started to pray.

"Ya Allah, please have mercy on my soul"

I put my right palm on my chest to check my heart beat, and to my relief, it was beating normally. Eh, wait a minute, NORMAL?? How could that be?

"Hmm.. if my heart is fine, then why is my body swaying uncontrollably?" I asked to myself.

Whatever it is, I told myself that I am not taking any chances. While I continue to think of possible reasons for my body to sway, I did a quick scan of the area around me to ensure there are no sharp objects as I prepare for a ‘safe’ fall (just in case). 

I closed my eyes and put my head back to rest. I begin to stretch both my arms forward and slowly moving it upwards while taking in a deep breath. I remember this tips from my rugby coach back in college, Mr Brown, who said that this would help better blood circulation. I wanted to repeat this for several more times, when I realized something else was happening around me.

I opened my eyes and I could see a few people standing up looking at each other. They looked more puzzled than panic. I could also see some of them rushing towards the door as if they were late for a very important meeting. What is goin on??

An announcement from my boss, Jason, confirmed that I was not the only one who felt ‘dizzy’.

"Everybody please remain calm!!" he announced.

Jason looked out the window and try to figure out what was going on. I am not sure what he saw from the window, but he ordered a full evacuation immediately after. 

Panic started to built!

Some, including me, responded immediately and rushed towards the door. But I noticed that many were still unaware of the danger. I could see them taking their time packing their things before evacuating. Perhaps it was almost at the end of their shift. So, they might be thinking that it would good for the take their things with them and they can just go home after that. 

I quickly announced: "Leave your things behind and safe your life first!!"

I continued to rush towards the door. But the crowd soon got stuck in a bottleneck at the door. For some reason, the crowd was moving very slowly. Within the crowd, I could hear people asking one another what is happening and what to do. It was not until another manager came and opened the door wide, that the crowd started to flow again.

"You don’t have to tag out, guys. JUST GO!!" he announced.

Thanks to that manager, the bottleneck soon eases down and I was on my way again towards the staircase. I later found out that people were still followed the ‘NO TAILGATING’ rule. This is actually a good practice - on normal circumstances that is. But in an emergency situation such as this, it causes bottleneck because only one person can exit at one time.

While on my way to the staircase, I came to another surprise. Some people are actually waiting for the lift!! I am aware of the real danger, so I made another announcement

"This is not a drill, people. Do not use the lift. Proceed to the staircase now!" I announced.

And I proceeded, once again, towards the staircase. When I finally got down, there were about a thousand people gathered just outside the building. Some were really shaken by the incident, some were engaged in a serious discussion, but there were also some laughing. I could not hear what they were talking about, but I am pretty sure that they were all talking about the quake. I quickly joined my friends, who were gathered just by the side of the guard house. Everybody was re-counting their experience.

Our former boss, Mr Goh, just could not stop laughing at himself. He told us that he was actually talking on the phone when he felt the quake. So, he quickly ended the call, put the phone down and rushed out. Only when he reached down that he realized that he was actually on a mobilephone!

"Mobile phones are meant to be mobile, right! So, why.. oh why did I left my mobilephone on the table. Aiyo.. I could have just brought it down with me lah" he told us and everyone laughed.

My Head of Department, Jason, also had a funny experience to tell us. He was having a discussion with thee Operation Manager, Alvin, when he started to feel dizzy. He immediately blamed the black coffee he just had that evening.

"Oh god! I shouldn't have taken that black coffee just now..........."

"Now my head is spinning!!" said Jason.

"Err.. Jason, I didn't have any coffee today, but why is my head spinning too?" Alvin responded.

They looked at each other and realized that they were not the only ones. It is not their heads that was spinning, but an actual earthquake was occurring. 

Another story was from a Service Banker, Nadhia, who told us that she got scolded by a friend during the quake.

"Stop shaking my cubicle, Nadhia!!" a friend scolded Nadhia.

The friend thought that Nadhia was playing around with her chair and making the cubicle shake.

"It wasn't me!!" she defended herself. 

“My cubicle is also shaking laa!!” and they looked at each other in confusion.

Everyone was unsure what was going on and what to do. Like me, this was the first earth quake experience for most of us. The building management finally declared the building to be safe at around 7:30pm and business was back as usual within hours of that experience. Nonetheless, it was an unforgettable experience, proving that we are really unprepared for the unexpected.

That night, the quake was all over the news. It originated from Padang, a district in Indonesia and was measured to be 7.9 at Richter scale. It was so strong that it that took the live of thousands, and wounded many more. It destroyed many buildings and houses in Padang and causes tsunami alerts to be triggered around the region. The alerts were later lifted within hours. 

I was made humbled by the reports. Although the alerts were lifted and business were back as usual for all of us here, but the lives of many in Padang remains shattered.

What I felt was just a soft sway and that was enough to cause panic in my office and the surrounding area. I could only imagine what it could have felt like for the people of Padang. They have just suffered a great lost. They lost their children, their parents, their brothers, their sisters, their uncles, their aunties. They lost their friends, their homes, their playground, their schools. 

But worse of all, they have just lost their hope and their future!! May Allah help them rebuild their lives.

CAMPAIGN TO SMEAR AND DISCREDIT ISLAM

Chain Email

I have always regarded chain emails as rubbish and I would always delete without even reading them. But this particular email got my attention and I started reading it. It was forwarded to by a friend, David. And the chain email originated from this person named John Harrison MBE. MIDSc.

Click image to enlarge: 

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A friend, Saleh, responded first to the email - To read Saleh's respond, click HERE.

I then added my own view to what Saleh have pointed out and here is what I wrote:

Hi David, 

The article you shared is really part of a campaign to smear and discredit Islam.

I am sure that John Harrison is an educated person based on the titles attached to his name - MBE. MIDSc. Yet his article severely lacks academic values. There are several obvious ambiguities that I would like to point out. 

May Allah give us guidance!

Firstly, what is the name of that Imam? Ask any academician - on an academic platform, the source of information is more important than the information itself. It does not matter how good or how convincing the information we may have, but if it comes from an unknown or unreliable source, we are NOT to accept it as facts. Being an MBE himself, John should already know this. But yet he chooses to tell a story without quoting the source clearly. 

Why is the name of that Imam important? Because as Saleh have pointed out correctly, the Imam's answer CONTRADICTS with the true teachings of Islam. If the Imam really said like what John mentioned, then I for one, would like to seek the Imam's clarification. Unlike John, Saleh backs his justifications with clear source of information - verses from the Quran. Now, I am not asking everyone to suddenly have faith in the versus of the Quran (I leave that with Allah - May Allah give us guidance), I am just pointing out the importance of having clear source of information to support whatever opinion we have. 

In other words - if we don't be believe Saleh, we can still verify his argument by referring to the Quran, the pure and unchanged words since its revelation more than 1400 years ago. 

But if we don't believe John, who or where can we verify his story with?

Secondly, John said that the Imam have confirmed that Muslims are going around killing all non-believers as they have been simply commanded by the religion. 

Let's think about this a little.... 

Based on John's own story, the Imam was sitting on the same stage with a Roman Catholic and a Protestant. I am assuming (again, John failed to mention the names of the speakers for us to verify who they are) that these must be well-respected preachers of the Christian faith to be invited as speakers. So logically, IF Muslims are indeed commanded to kill the non-believers simply on the fact that they are non-believers, don't you think that the Imam would have gained a much-much bigger reward if he kill the 2 Christian preachers who were sitting just a few feet away from him?  But yet, the three speakers can sit in harmony on the SAME STAGE and speak comfortably about their faith without fear. 

How is that possible? 

Thirdly, John asked the Imam, and I quote "would you rather have your Allah, who tells you to kill me in order for you to go to heaven, or my Jesus who tells me to love you because he will take me to heaven and he wants you to be there with me?". 

I feel that this is a very sinister question because he puts it as if Allah and Jesus are on opposing sides, which is ABSOLUTELY untrue for both faiths - for Muslims and Christian.

"YOUR Allah"?? Don't Christians believe in Allah too?

"MY Jesus"?? Don't Muslims believe in Jesus too? 

Muslims believe in Allah - the one and only god! And Jesus (Prophet Isa) is His messenger and not as a son of god. While Christians believe in Allah too and that Jesus as the son of god. 

My point is - In both faith, Allah and Jesus are on the same side and we should never portray this any other way.

And just to add - Does Muslims rejects or hates Jesus? Absolutely not! Jesus is one of the greatest messenger of Allah ever sent. Jesus' name is mentioned many times in the Quran glorifying him as a great messenger of Allah. There is even a specific chapter in the Quran dedicated to Jesus's mother, Mary - Surah Maryam. And there is another specific chapter in the Quran dedicated to Jesus's grandfather, Imran the holy man.

Islam is really a religion of peace and I really hope that John and others would stop smearing Islam like he did in this article. 

I am sure that he can quote a few names of Muslims leaders who have killed people in the name of Islam. And I in turn, can also quote names of Christians leaders who have slaughtered others in the name of the religion as well. 

But trust me, if we REALLY want to know about a religion - don't look at the people, but look (study) the scriptures of that religion because that is where the true teaching lies. For Islam, we have the Quran and the authenticated Hadith. 

Search for the truth and thank you for reading my respond.

LOVE STORY

FAREEN

My wife and I have been planning for our long-awaited back packing Europe Tour - VERY EXCITED! But still a long way to go. We are planning to go on that tour at the end of Feb 2014. Hope Allah will make it easy for us to make this tour a reality. If everything goes according to plan, we should be somewhere in Germany on 2nd March 2014, Insya-Allah!

What is so special about March 2nd?

On 2 Mar 2014, I will be celebrating my 12th Anniversary of marriage to this lovely lady, Fareen. Everyday, I thank Allah for awarding me this angel, who have been everything to me. May Allah also see us through together in Jannah for eternity - Amin!

This may be too early - but in celebration of our anniversary, allow me to go back in time a little and tell you our story from the beginning. This story actually begun almost 25 years ago. I remember it was 1988 and I have just finished my UPSR.............

Perghh.. jauhnya back in time..!! But seriously, that's where it really begin - So just bare with me!

After UPSR, I started applying for secondary school entries. My friends and I have been talking and very excited to apply for RMC - Royal Military College. Like many other children, I have high respect and admiration for our men in uniform. Well, it's not really about the uniform or the discipline. It was the guns and bombs and the missiles that excites us the most - yeah!! So, I applied to enter RMC.

Gambar Hiasan 

Believe it or not, I hand-written a formal letter (yes, we did not have computers or printers yet at that time), put the letter in an envelop, bought a stamp and posted the letter to the Education Ministry. THAT was actually my first official letter ever and I did all that all by myself! I felt so proud when I received a reply back with an application form.

To cut the story short - Allah actually have better plans for me and my application to RMC was rejected. So, you can see now why I have to start my story from 1988, right? Because that was a significant turning point in my life. Thinking back, had I been accepted, I am sure that I would be leading a very different life today and I would never have met the love of my life. 

Parents knows best!

My parents got me enrolled into another school instead. I was still excited because I know it is a very good school, but of course without the guns and the bombs and the missiles. The school I entered is a well known boarding school in Bukit Mertajam, Penang.

Sekolah Menengah Tun Syed Sheh Shahabudin, or SOKSEK as it is fondly known as. Although I did not know yet at that time - This school changed my life forever. A place I will call home for the next 5 years and I have loads and loads AND LOADS of memories there. Friends are more like families and we still keep in touch until today.

Fareen joined the school a bit later that year. And I still remember the first time I saw her walking into the class and being introduced as a new student. I fell in love almost immediately. But I was not ‘Mr Cool’ back then and I have very-very-very little courage when it comes to interaction with girls. So, I only dare to look at her from afar, concealing all my feelings as best as I could. In other words, CONTROL MACHO! Hehe. But really, at that time, we were still on a long journey for knowledge and we were simply very young.

Me - Standing 3rd from left
Fareen - Sitting 2nd from right

But I have to admit that every time I looked at Fareen, my heart would pound like a Chinese New Year’s drum. I also caught myself smiling every time I thought of her. I was happy, I was confused, I was jealous, I was shy, I was going insane!! And during that roller coaster of emotions, I always put up my hands and pray to Allah to give me guidance. I told Him that I love her very much.

Gambar Hiasan

“Ya Allah, I know that there is no hiding from You...", I would start.

"You know what is in my heart – hidden or expressed. So, I know that You know that I love Fareen so very much. But I am not very sure if this is true love or is it just the hormones of a teenager. Guide me ya Allah, please guide me. If Fareen is the one for me, make it easier for us to be together. Clear our path and give me the courage to approach her. And if we are meant for each other in this world, please make it so that we are also together in jannah, ya Rabbi.”

Years went by and we finished school without her ever knowing how I feel. Only after SPM and we were being 'freed' from the boarding school that I have spent most of my adolescent life in - that it finally hit me. I told myself that if I don't act now, I would lose her forever. One fine day, I borrowed my dad's mobile phone, gathered up my courage and dialed her home number; a number I have 'stolen' from the teacher's log book weeks earlier - A misuse privilege of being the Deputy Head Prefect. Huhu..!

Ring... Ring... Ring... (Seriously, that must have been the LONGEST ring I have ever had to wait!)

"Hello", a voice suddenly came on the phone.

Alamak, sekali mak dia yang jawab daaa!!!......... (Now my mother in-law)

"Err.. Assalamualaikum auntie. Fareen ada?"

"Waalaikumsalam. Ada.. Siapa ni?" asked the mom.

"Ni Azmil, ka-ka-kawan sekolah" I replied nervously.

"Azmil? Ok. Nanti sat naa.." said the mom with that Penang slang.

Phew! Lucky her mom did not interrogate me so much. (The interrogation came much later...... hehe)
Then Fareen came to the phone and we started talking.

For those who are excited to know what we talked about... FORGET IT!! I am not going to reveal that. Hehe.. But suffice to say that that phone call was the best thing I ever did and we starting dating after that.

Moving on.........

We dated for several years while pursuing our studies in our own fields in UKM. Wonderful memories.. Simply wonderful! And again, I am not going to get into details of our dating period... RAHSIA LAA!! Gila ke apa? Kalu mak aku baca, mau pitam dia nanti! hehehe......... :p

Fast forward - In 2001, I finally asked her to marry me. I have just finished my degree at that time, not much savings in my bank account, no property whatsoever under my name - Nothing! In a nutshell, I have nothing to offer except for my undying and unconditional love (ceewah!)

Lucky for me, she accepted my proposal, families meet families, we put plans into actions and the rest, like they say - is history! We got married a year after on 2nd March 2002.

Wedding of the year!!

Since then, we have been blessed with 12 wonderful years. We have done a lot of things together, face many challenges together, we have also traveled the world together. Yeah, we travel a lot and we love it!!!

Frankly, we are actually making the best of what we DON'T have... (For those who understood that statement.. good for you. For those who don't understand - don't worry about it. Nothing important...:)).

But I must say that I couldn't have asked for it any other way. Here are some of our vacation photos.

In Sydney, Australia

In Pucket, Thailand

Went on a 4x4 adventure in Ulu Kerling

With Buzz Lightyear in Disney World, Hong Kong

In Singapore with Aqeef

Canopy walk in Sabah

Para-sailing in Sabah

At Sky-bridge in Langkawi Island

On top of a volcanic mount in Jeju Island, Korea

Went diving in Tioman Island

In Bukit Tinggi

Performed Hajj in Mekah, Saudi Arabia

In Capadocia, Turkey

And many many more....................

If my calculations are correct, on the 2nd of March 2014, we should be in Berlin Germany. I'll upload photos of our Europe Tour after that, Insya-Allah.

Like any other marriages, of course over the years, we have had our share of arguments (which I always win!) and our disagreements (which I am  always right!).... hehe.

But I still love her no matter what!

To my dear Fareen, 

Thank you for all the adventures we have had over the years. Our life together has been FAR from perfect, I know. We have had our ups and downs. But as I look back at the journey that we have taken as lovers, and now as spouses, I am thankful to Allah for bringing you to me. I told myself that I must have done something good to be rewarded with this heavenly reward - YOU. You have stood by me through thick and thins. You love me even when I feel like I am not worth loving..........

So in advance,
HAPPY 12TH ANNIVERSARY, MY LOVE!
Let's go and create many more adventures, shall we?