MIYAKI TSUNAMI 2011: For my Japanese Brothers & Sisters : I share, I care

Salam

I am sure we are still recovering from the shock of witnessing the Miyaki Tsunami that hit northeast Japan on that Friday afternoon, 110311. I was driving home that afternoon from work when I heard the radio deejays mentioning about the quake and tusnami. Once I reached home, I quickly tuned in to CNN/BBC & Al-Jazeera - and I could not believe my eyes! Masya Allah, it was as if I was watching the movie 2012, only that this time, I kept telling to myself, `This is not a movie scene with coumputerized special-effects! This is for REAL!!

As for my brothers and sisters in Japan, especially those who are directly affected,the feeling of helplessness and distraught might be too overwhelming to bear. It will probably take years to build up your lives again. What you had built slowly over those years, was just swept away in a matter of minutes.Once again, do not be despair. I believe, whatever that is coming your way after this, is for the better, not otherwise. Historically, you all have proven your resilliency. And we really have to learn a lot from your courage, determination and hope.

Don't despair, for God is always there by your side. I share and I care, you all are in my prayers. My NGO Jamaah Islah Malaysia & IKRAM Malaysia, plus all the other institutions within - are conveying this big banner as our symbol of solidarity , and we're handing it over to the representative from Japanese Embassy in Kuala Lumpur today.

To my dear friend Dr. Hiroko Yoshida, who is currently in Medical School, American University of the Carribean, I hope everyone back home in Japan are safe and sound.

Love : Dr.Har

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Maulidur Rasul 1432H : Anugerah Saidatina Khadijah

Salam

Alhamdulillah, kesyukuran dipanjatkan kepada Allah SWT atas ketentuan-Nya mengizinkan Dr.Har terpilih sebagai salah seorang penerima anugerah Maulidur Rasul negeri Selangor bagi tahun 1432H/2011M. Anugerah diberi nama Anugerah Saidatina Khadijah, disampaikan oleh wakil Sultan Selangor, Tengku Panglima Tengku Sulaiman di Stadium Malawati pada pagi Selasa lepas, 15 Feb 2011.

Diperturunkan monolog : `Kerdilnya aku berbanding Khadijah ra.'

Pagi kelmarin,
semasa namaku dilantunkan di ruangan stadium,
di depan ribuan manusia,
dikaitkan dengan nama seorang manusia yang agung.....
aku terus merasa hiba
Penuh syukur aku menerima anugerah
Di sudut hati, terasa amat kerdil....

SAIDATINA KHADIJAH BT KHUWAILID ra..
Kerana nama yang begitu mulia,
adalah idola dan pujaanku selama ini...

Ummul mukminin yang pertama
Insan pilihan yang dianugerahkan kekuatan, kematangan dan kecerdasan
Buat mengiringi kehidupan seorang suami yang bakal menerima cahaya nubuwwah

Khadijah ra bukan wanita biasa...

Yang seperti wanita lain di zamannya
Mereka ditindas, diperlaku hina,
pada status yang jauh rendah melarat.

Khadijah ra....
adalah wanita istimewa
yang amat mampu membuat keputusan:
- memilih siapa yang harus diambil bekerja mengurus perniagaannya ke Sham
- menentukan siapa gerangan yang bakal menjadi suami untuk ditumpahkan penghormatan dan kasih sayang
- mencurahkan semua kekayaan untuk menyokong sebuah perjuangan aqidah
- mendidik anak-anak gadis menjadi wanita ulung melebih batasan zaman

Ku kutip semangatmu, Khadijah
dalam menyusun langkah dan jejak di dunia
Semoga Allah SWT mempertemukan kita di Jannah nanti,
Moga aku menemuimu,
semasa engkau beriringan dengan suamimu yang mulia, Muhammad bin Abdullah SAW...

Itulah kebahagiaan yang paling dinanti-nanti...........
Ya Allah, makbulkan hasratku, ubati kerinduanku......
Amin

Dr.Har
Maulidur Rasul 1432H

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A teacher's poem

A Teacher's Creed - adapted from Julie McClellan

I believe I have been called by God to teach.
I believe in children...young and old...black and white...
rich and poor....each in need of learning.
I believe in blackboards, chalk dust, textbooks, and computers for each has a part in imparting knowledge.
I believe the love I give to my students will someday be reflected in their lives.
I believe the gift of teaching is not measured simply by marks, enrollment, or the end of the school year.
It is in the witness I give and the fullness of the life lived by those I teach.
I believe I have the power to lead those in need of learning to the threshold of their own minds.
I believe in my giftedness to use each of the tools available no matter how new or old..for the light of knowledge in the eyes of another is my goal.
I believe teaching is more than tests, diplomas, paperwork, and fundraising.
It is the values I breathe daily into another...slowly.
It is in the faith I share in Allah SWT...ever changing and growing...never ending.
I believe my success today goes unnoticed...until those i teach and touch can stand alone and say "in my life I have learned..."
I believe if I have taught and touched one person...in God's name...
I have used my gift to me justly..and can humbly say...
I believe in teaching....
I AM A TEACHER!!

PS: I really love this poem!
Dr.Har

Thanks to

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Experiencing blizzard in Boston 120111

Salam
It's snowing so heavily outside - I am experiencing my first blizzard here in Boston. All sessions in Harvard Macy Educators Program are cancelled today due to the heavy snow, which started to fall since 2am this morning.

The snowfall is heavy - estimated 3 inches per hour, and the wind seems to pick up now. Visibility is hardly 0.3 meter ahead. Wearing my thermal clothing now, tucked in bed.

MasyaAllah, Allah is so Great. I revised my Quranic reading just now - esp An-Nuur verse 43, where Allah SWT beautifully describes the cycle of rain & snow :
Seest thou not that Allah makes the clouds move gently, then joins them together, then makes them into a heap? - then wilt thou see rain issue forth from their midst. And He sends down from the sky mountain masses (of clouds) wherein is hail: He strikes therewith whom He pleases and He turns it away from whom He pleases, the vivid flash of His lightning well-nigh blinds the sight.

I am missing everyone at home, and the warmth!

Dr.Har

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In Boston now for a short course at Harvard Medical School

Salam
First and foremost, am sorry for not updating the blog. Schedule has been very tight. I am now in Boston, starting my short course in medical education today in Harvard Macy Institute.
Alhamdulillah,reached here after 30 hours of travel - a very nice Indonesian family - Akh Aris Mulyono & his family met me at the airport. I love his family almost immediately - Dewi Rusdiana (wife), Aishah, Ehsan, Sarah, Maryam & Fatimah. It was snowing when I landed. We stopped at the grand new building of the Islamic Society of Boston at the Malcolm X boulevard for our Zuhr & Asr prayers, before sending me to my hotel - Courtyard Marriot Brookline at Webster St.
Will update you all again. Pray for me.
Dr.Har

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