The Chantings of His Names

Assalaamu'alaikum wa rahmatullah

Wazifah to be chanted early morning and evening... Close eyes all things disappear and just go away. Only Allah and me. 

Sealed with prayers for mercy, peace and love, amin!

Telling What I Feel to the Lord

Assalaamu'alaikum wa rahmatullah

Just suddenly feel like trying to perform 'uzlah for You dear Lord. Early this morning I just wanted to lament on myself. Lord I am filthy. I am dirty. I am poor. I have no possession. I have no car. I have no motorcycle. I have no transportation. I only have my feet for me to walk everywhere and they are all Your belongings not mine. All the praise only for You, Glorious be You dear Lord.

I was a strayed sheep. Nobody really brings me to Your path but You are the One who helped me to return to You because You understands my inner side and listening to cries in my heart. All the praise only for You, Glorious be You.

Lord, please keep me on the right track. Lord, please make the "world" stays away from my heart and my soul. Don't let my heart and soul being attached to the "world". The world is evil to me. It is not fair to me, dear Lord. Only You are fair and just to me. Please judge the "world" with reasonable redemption for making me feeling down with myself. 

Lord, if my mouth is shut for my benefit, I am pleased with it. Thank You dear Lord. Indeed You know what is the best for Your creatures and the universe. I am waiting for the Resurrection and Redemption, dear Lord. Please let me free from the evil whispers of Your creatures. Let me free from slavery of the "world". Make me only Your "slave". I don't need any other Master than You.    

Ya Allah help me to wake up. I don't have any human roommate here. I have only brothers of different creations which are Your angels and genies around me. I am aware about their presence around me. I have to be strong to wake up early this morning. Please help me Ya Allah please don't leave me alone grant me strength.

I don't care about people anymore. Say anything people wanted to say to me regarding whatever da'awah or anything. My Lord is watching me and I don't have to show off by joining any movement just to be seen like a non-strayed sheep who will never be snatched by jackals (satans). When I was alone, not even my relatives, cousins, and etc who are Muslims helping me and I became an infidel because you people made me one. If not because His Mercy perhaps I would also be an unfortunate person in the hereafter and those who claim themselves as "Muslims" would never have any responsibility to help me. Because you are selfish and have no balls but you people look like men yet talking about Yahoodi or Nasrani like you are holier than them in your creed and faith. You use the Quran and Hadith through the authority of Muhammad s.a.w but you never mirror yourself (muhasabah). Because you never ponder and analyzing on the messages but just reciting them like parrots even if you speak in Arabic. Don't you people feel ashamed to Allah??!

Stop talking about da'awa to me as if you people had done a lot for nations and for Him. If you did it only for worldly benefits with statements like Muslim dominion or etc then go away from me! I don't need to listen to you. Your Lord more over doesn't need you! The One who has full Dominion over the universe is Him not you not anybody. The period when the regent rules is just a temporary period and it is the initial to the end. The end is His Kingdom (Malakut)! You people never helping your brothers but leaving your brothers alone when your brothers need you. When you're surrounded by people you forget others. When you're alone or maybe you need help or support, you come closer to a poor brother in 'uzlah and seeking help or simply to feel that you are not alone. Your poor brother lowering his dignity and inviting you like an idiot. Don't you think your brother is also a human like you and also feels like you? May Allah bless you people! The situation which I encountered is just the same whether at home or outside. Just pray Allah forgives others may Allah also forgives my sins.

Recite salawat and respect for prophet Muhammad s.a.w, his family members, and his companions. Recite salawat for prophet Ibrahim a.s and his family. Salawat and respect for prophet's Ibrahim a.s sons, dear patriarch Isma'el a.s and patriarch Ishaq a.s. Salawat for prophet Musa a.s and prophet Isa a.s and for their family. May Allah grants peace to our patriarchs and our prophets, messengers of the God, sages and holy men.    

Sealed with prayers for mercy, peace and love, amin! 

Set Up Altar for Fasting

Assalaamu'alaikum wa rahmatullah

Just returned from masjid. I bought from Ahmad, the Pakistani fella a box of chicken rice middle east style and a box of dates. Feel reluctant to buy food from downstairs after I had encountered the incident in the 7E though those stalls downstairs are guilty.

Need to set up an altar table/box for the stuffs and sacrifices for Allah because I may forget about these stuffs when doing preparation for iftaar. I live here alone. Need to be very alert and sleep as early as 22:00. Tomorrow I have a presentation for economy class with Mr. Narayan at 14:00 and need to see Dr. Noraida in her room at 16:00 for thesis suggestions. For breaking fast I guess I would survive with some plain bread and water then just pray Maghrib service till Ishaa' service. Just enough to live. I am not the same like other guys. I should embrace the difference in myself rather than trying to imitate others. Insha Allah, may He permits our sacrifices of sincerity to reach Him.    

So tired for the preparation and walked a lot under hot sun today. Wishing Allah wash away my sins under the sunlight and purify my heart with sincerity only for devotion to Him, amin! I need to have some siesta... Allah please help me wake up for 'Asr prayer services. Thank you...

Sealed with prayers for mercy, peace and love amin!

List of Haram Foods for Me

Assalaamu'alaikum wa rahmatullah

If we feel that only by taking food or items labelled with Halal "Malaysia" as safe without any knowledge about what is the sources of Shariah Islamiah then I think I should also strictly follow our Hadrami customs (non-Sayyids) regarding food. Even if I touched Muslims like Malays or Indians in this country who are seen as Mualaf as they were converted by our people, I should take bath as they are filthy and not fully clean! Sometimes when we see this kind of people, we kind of feeling irritating. They had stopped us from da'awah missions and seems like trying to monopolize the authority of the Path for them selves!

Haram - Illegal!

1. We should not mix meat with milk and juices of fruits without we see it with our own eyes.

2. We should make sure everything being produced should also been tithed.

3. Food that we don't see how it being prepared should be avoided.

4. No birds of prey.

5. Anything in water that has fin and scales, we can only eat them if we clearly see they have scales and fin.

6. No disgusting fishes like catfish and eel. These are all considered as haram by imams of al-Haramayn not only by Ahlul Bayts and Shi'a Muslims.

7. No camel.

8. No pig.

9. No rabbit.

10. No worm unless if it is inside the fruit and never touches ground.

11. Food with blood in it is haram. I saw fried chicken in mamak's restaurants and some Malay restaurants have blood and not properly cooked. It is haram!

12. No internal organs. Some Malays and Muslim South Indians eat internal organs of animals example hati (liver), limpa (spleen), otak (brain), perut (guts) of cows and sheep. These are all haram!

13. Eating mixed meats in a meal such as mutton or beef with fishes are haram!

14. Human meat is haram! Some Javanese traditional mystics practitioners in Indonesia actually consumed human meat. They had got this tradition from sub-Indian continent Tantra traditions of Vamamargah extreme left-wing.

15. We only eat what we slaughtered and not others even if the slaughterers are "Muslim" because we afraid they did not performed five times obligatory prayers. I used to see my grandfather slaughtered chicken by himself at our village but I never try to do that because I was afraid of looking at blood.

16. No stuffs from elephants, tiger, lion, bear, wild boar, and etc.

17. No prawn.

19. No squid no octopus.

20. No crab any kind of crab are haram!

21. No donation food as it taints the dignity of our ancestors only present food accepted. If friends do not mention them as presents but making it a donation or tithe to us we will have to dump them or giving them to others who need them. Sometimes I feel reluctant to eat at any banquet in masjid because I am afraid of this advice from elders but some of my family members already broken this and looking down at those who practice this. 

22. No alcohol, no tea, no coffee these are for "rich" people. Poor people should not forget their position before Allah.

Halal - Legal!

Only thing that I consumed when I was an undergraduate kid while I was here in Penang except when I was with friends whom were naughty kids as not to offend them. These are foods that I consumed mostly:

1. Pure honey

2. Dates

3. Veggies

4. Rice

5. Plain bread

6. Plain water

7. Spices

8. Milk 

I only bought rice from stalls when I have no alternatives and had finished my dates stock. I eat only dates, bread during Ramadan and drink plain water.  If I have to touch or having no choice but to consume all of those "haram" stuffs I will have to perform "ghusl" and wash everything including my clothes. We just eat to survive. Not eat to build up body or muscles to show to girls or exhibit it to people around as to tell people that we are strong, masculine, etc, hahahahahaha.

So if I start again with our customs do I need to check for Malaysian Halal label at any products and restaurants or seeing whether it is stamped at cooks and waiters forehead? I can't see any Malaysian Halal logo at Mamak's restaurants in Penang here because many of the restaurant which are considered as "halal" at the area of my hostel are Mamak's restaurants. I can't see their halal logogram! Who knows their cook are Hindus and the waiter who touched my food are Hindus. They didn't nail-clipping their nails and I feel disgusted looking at how they handle my rice. They didn't wear gloves. In other areas, the cooks are Indonesians. I checked at the meat they cooked and I found that they violates what I had stated in haram foods for us.      

Anyway, what about the fatawa of smoking as haram?! Anyone including "religious" one who are addicted to it feel guilty or feel sinful for harming others' health and environment with their smokes? Just feeling irritating looking around... Praying Allah 'Azza wa Jalla to give me patience and forgive me my sins and forgive my thoughts.

Sealed with prayers for mercy, peace and love, amin!

Optional Weekly Fasting

Assalaamu'alaikum wa rahmatullah

 Hadith on the weekly optional fasting for my own reminder:

1. Narrated from mother 'Aishah radhiallahu 'anha: "Muhammad s.a.w always fast in weekly Monday and Thursday". (Narration of Tirmidzie, hadith chain: hassan sahih).  

2. Abu Hurairah narrated that Muhammad s.a.w had mentioned: "The acts of worship will be presented to the Lord on Mondays and Thursdays. I would love my acts of worship being presented before Him while I am fasting". (Narration of Tirmidzie).

3. Abi Qatadah mentioned that Muhammad s.a.w had answered when being asked about fasting on Mondays. He answered: "That is the day where I was born. That is the day where I was appointed (with the seal of prophethood) and that is the day when Revelation descends upon me". (Narration of Muslim).

Starting this Monday I beg the Lord, please put me back on my nature. I am going to limit the consumption of the food even those prepared by Mutaslim (Islamisized) Malays or Indians especially in Penang Island. They indeed consumed filthy things but still looking at others as if they are holier. So, dear Lord please make me limit my consumption here and may it be my witness that protects me from Your torments in the hereafter. I need to also keep the lists of food which I was forbidden to take not only the food items but also how they are prepared and in what condition they were prepared. 

Emad, you made me a disobedient person!!! Because I listened to your comments on how tiny I was that I tried to keep a mass and tried to eat! I am a Mawladi Hadrami, not a Palestinian. Even if people tyrannize us, we don't show to people how we defend ourselves or trying to look strong or weak. We don't lament in front of people in media like Palestinians! We only depend on our Protector and King, Allah the Most Majestic.

Another two weeks to Rajab month, among the holiest months. I am aware about the status of the hadith. It is classified as weak sometimes due to the the narrators' status of the hadith. I would be fasting in the month according to the counting of Sunnah of Monday and Thursdays. It is not obligatory! Only applies on individuals and others may choose not to perform it or to perform it as Allah promised His servants that He will never let anything for Him goes in vain. We don't spread weak hadith to people. But we don't condemn people as if we are so knowledgeable. The Real Possessor of the Knowledge is our Lord, Allah 'Azza wa Jalla. That is the morality and manner when we know something. We don't self-claim as if we are full of authority on the wisdom.

Need to buy some dates and spices from Arab stall near the masjid. I am not going to buy anything from the 7E with Malay cashiers down here especially if I see the poyo Malay guy in charge and limiting my time downstairs. Feel bored looking at people face after something happened last night.

Sealed with prayers for mercy, peace and love amin!

Tribute to Kedah: State's Office Secretary 1900

Assalaamu'alaikum wa rahmatullah

The exact date of the term "State Secretary" being first used in Kedah is not so clear. Some administrator figure of Kedah such as Che Muhammad 'Ariffin bin Muhammad Arshad had already being given this title and assuming this position since the 3rd of Shawwal 1323 (3rd October 1905). It is also used in official letters for state office for example in State Secretary's official letter in 17 Dzulhijjah 1323 (12 February 1906) (Malay is still written in Classical Arabic writing and our state was using Hijrah calender, not like today):

"The letter to Che Muhammad 'Ariffin Secretary to Che Awang 'Othman in Penang regarding the matter of marble purchasing which will be used at the Sultan's residence". 

In the same time, Che Muhammad 'Ariffin also used to write his position as "Sultan's Secretary". This could be seen in the notes of State's Meeting Council which enlisted the attendance of the Council's members each time the meeting was conducted. He wrote his position such as: "Secretary of His Highness Sultan." In this matter, it could be seen that Mr. Muhammad 'Ariffin was the secretary of the state and the secretary of the Sultan.

In the Kedah administration hierarchy since before the World War II, the highest of the structure was our Sultan. The State's Secretary was the highest administration officer in this Malay country. Before 1921, the Kedah Civil Service was not yet in existence and the administration officers were known as Malay Civil Service. The head of the administrators were known as Kepala Pekerjaan or Ketuha Pekerjaan. Both of these terms mean Chief of the Job. Notice that they still used Proto-Malay word, which is ketuha (chief).

Referring to the Annual Report of 1937, there were about 61 servants in the Kedah Civil Service with 21 cadets. The office of the State's Secretary began in the Balai Besar or Grand Hall just like the office of State's Office Council. In 1911, it was shifted to one level building which was build with woods located in the Middle Fort Palace Complex beside today's State's Building.       

Besides Secretariat, other name for the State's Secretary Office usually known by the public as Opis Dalam. It means internal office in English, hahaha. It does not mean that the office is inside the palace complex or in the palace but it refers to the function and the role of the office in handling our state's internal affairs. 

In 1348 (1929), the office was again shifted to the two levels house made with bricks. It exists until now. This building is located close to the earlier office which was later being demolished. When Japanese Imperial Army invading our state/country around December 1941, the army regime administration was then introduced by Mayor General Sukigawa Seiji who assumed the position of Governor and K. Shiba as his adviser. They made the State's Secretary Office as their head quarter. So, Arabs in Kedah had also experienced being invaded by Japanese. I wonder what will happen if Japanese managed to invade Middle East jah? Maybe Middle Easterners could also learn some Bushido or Shindo or bowing to the East to Tenno Heika, LOL.       

In 18th October 1943, the official ceremony to return the power on Kedah, Perlis, Kelantan and Terengganu by Japanese to Thai empire happened in Alor Setar which is our capital until now. Thai General Governor who was responsible in the affairs of these four Malay states/countries was Khun Rongchart while the Governor of Kedah was Khun Pramod Chongchareum. Both of them used the same office used by the Japanese as their head quarter until the end of the Thai empire administration in September 1945. Haji Muhammad Shariff 'Othman was maintained as the Kedah State's Secretary while the Thai Governor for Kedah acted as the adviser for him.

We learned a subject known as Pengajian Am (General Knowledge) when we were in Form Six which was the highest academic level for high school and it took us two years for any subject that we choose. The subject deals with our country's judicial system, administration and decision-making. Basically, we think differently from people who consider a political party is the same as government because it is different, lol. For history, I think students before my time could choose to study history such as South East Asia, Islamic Civilization and etc. I found few books of my elder sisters and I saw that they also learned about Thailand and other South East Asian countries like the Philippines and Vietnam. Quite interesting. Not many people today understand regional history in Malaysia. We were not simply a country but previously nation-states. The model of political and in Malaysia is exactly the model of colonial British. We said British this and that. But I think we actually love them, hahaha. Thank you Great Britain : )    

Sealed with prayers for mercy, peace and love amin!

Diet Plan

Assalaamu'alaikum wa rahmatullah

I'm tired of being a little guy and listening to people asking me why you're so tiny. Or maybe some old pedophile homos coming to me and trying to grope me before I kick them like what happened in my first year room! Usually I don't care about my self or how do I look. I don't care about people so much but now I don't know maybe I begin to realize that we need to take care about ourselves. Nobody will take care about us if not ourselves. 

The truth is, I didn't live like a laymen though I was a laymen. I feel like I wanted to answer like this to people when they ask because not all people are the same according to their question. I lived like a monk since I was a child and we really were poor people. Many things we cannot eat and touch not only pork. When talking about skinny, I always avoid spending money that parents gave me for school and silently put them back into their closets. I just learned to be generous when I was an undergraduate student after I saw few kids didn't pay for their breaking fast dinner.

Now trying to change eating habit maybe after I go home. Can't do these here. I find that it's hard for me to gain weight. When I was 15 years old, a doctor who checked me when I was hit by fever had also identified me as a retard, lol. Last time I eat a lot but never gain weight. I eat things like chicken, mutton, and vegetables most of all. My diet keep changing. When I was a little kid, I just can eat burger and bread. I can't take rice and I fast a lot. 

Not being an ass but little kid at that time eat according to what they feel right for their tummy. Then I consumed vegetables when we were facing financial problems, when I turned to be a follower of lord Buddha. It does affect me, influencing my eating habit and I found that Mahatma Gandhi had also forced his son to be young vegetarian. I begin to fast again when I was an undergraduate too and Amir whom was my close friend did called me a "Zombie" when he texted other friends but mis-send it to my phone, ahahahahaa. I read Gandhi's book titled Swagraham while I was in Thailand. I sweat a lot too though I am just a skinny guy. 

Now growing old I am thinking about health always. It is my concern day by day because I am going to need it in the future and for worship. It is also the advise of Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal. I always remember what they say to people and trying to follow advises of teachers.

I checked few blogs including video blogs about diet. Some of them had set up the time for about 9 weeks to gain weight. In a guy's video blog, he briefly mentioned of taking 5 g creatine and three protein drinks. For nine weeks he had these diet which has been divided into breakfast, late morning, noon, mid noon, evening, bedtime. Seems boring and disgusting... He said we need to force it down in first week.

Breakfast

two scoops of whey protein, one banana, 100 g oats, tablespoon of peanut butter mixed with 400 ml water and blended.   

Late Morning

Four peanut butter sandwiches with brown granary bread, natural yoghurt and piece fruit.

Noon

200 g of chicken, brown rice, some vegetables, protein drink. I am not sure what kind of protein, maybe something which consist protein in it. Maybe I should contact the guy and ask him. 

Mid Noon

Bowl of pasta, tuna, peas, sweetcorn, cheese, and any chicken tonight sauce. 

Evening

Jacket potato with tuna or cottage cheese.

Bedtime Shake

Whey protein with milk and half tub of cottage cheese. It's good for slow digestion.

Got to close eyes at grocery bills, ahahahaa.... I ran few rounds at our hostel. Lazy to go out to the running track. Then I climb the stairs and some push up in room. Feeling like carrying a crane on my mass. I read some stuffs about exercising and methods to do some physical work up. I've heard that Yoga is not legal according to national fatwa council so I try not to perform it as not to contradict our belief and faith. I am finding other alternatives such as secular ones. I know few asannas (postures) as I was exposed to Hindus' philosophies. Also Hindu/Indian herbs for medication I am actually good in it as I read Hindu scriptures. Well, actually Buddhism as it is also mentioned in some Dhyana (Zen) or Yogachara school of Buddhism for chapters of Tapah (meditation). I usually have nothing to show to people. But sometimes I must remind myself that I should use whatever I have to bring benefit back for myself. If not I will forget it.

Sealed with prayers for mercy, piece and love, amin!

Unexpected Meeting with Classmate

Assalaamu'alaikum wa rahmatullah

I had bumped on Emad the Palestinian when I was about to cross Sungai Dua road after humble prayer services at masjid and some humble dinner. Oh noooooooooooo!!! I don't want to talk about my thesis with that guy nor I was interested in his thesis. I don't know whether he had sent his thesis to the coordinator of the course and I don't care. Last time I was insinuated by sister Siva as that guy's bff, lol. Actually I sympathized that guy for humanitarian reason and I don't do that because he is a Palestinian or blue eyed native Palestinian. I don't consider Jerusalem as the first sacred house because the first sacred house of the Lord is in Holy Mecca. My prophet Muhammad s.a.w always missing his village the Ummul Qura and he was always hoping in his heart that the direction of prayers to returned to our patriarch Abraham a.s house of Lord. So, whatever Palestinian-Israeli issue for me is just part of modern political issues. It is not religious as it is not mentioned in Glorious Quran. I don't like to give too much attention on something. It is not good for them. It will raise up evil characteristics in them selves. It is not good for them right?     

I thought that I was the only one who is not patient and can't wait to be graduated quickly. Of course everyone wanted to go home. I understood him though Penang is just an oversea from Malaysian mainland but this is also not my home. My home is in Kuala Lumpur. Long time I had been disconnected to Arabian culture. I didn't really practice Arabian culture nor speaking in Arabic but I speak and think mostly in other languages. Being an Arab does not mean that we speak in the language. Being an Arabic speaker also does not mean that a person is an Arab. We just takbeel-ed with each other and he is tall so he has to bend down to kiss my cheek, lolll. I feel shy as it is not a custom here and people might think otherwise when seeing two men kissing each other but that is just a custom. Actually has nothing to do with any sexual thing because we don't think like that and we just kiss cheeks like we kiss holy sites for veneration not french kissing. 

I think Emad is quite a stupid ass because I don't feel shy to criticize him in front of him as he is not an Eastern Asian but a rude Palestinian. He said that his supervisor is lazy and could not spend time to quickly check his thesis. His friend Yusuf is quite smart and quite nice to talked with. He just replied to the guy, your lecturer might have few other students to supervise. It's not you the only one to be supervised. I heard they murmured something and I can understand dialect Arabic especially Egyptian dialect. Just can't reply back because I haven't speak in it for long. I can speak in Arabic again if I stay in Arabic environment like when I was in Mecca. I didn't speak English in Mecca but in Arabic except when I was with fellow Muslim Chinese brother as I show my respect to them. I know they were looked down by Uyghur and Tibetan ethnics in the Western part of  their country so I am showing my support for them not to be isolated. I become a Chinese myself and I practice Confucianism just like normal Chinese. I understood their feeling as hybrid people or people who had lost original identity as they have local native mothers. They are like us especially we are just here for 300 years not like others who were fully assimilated since they arrived earlier. Some Arabs in the masjid, I do not recite Salaam to them because I know some of them had spilled hatred to others. I don't like their words even before Friday prayer service they still have the time to blackening other brothers such as Shi'a Muslims. I don't care whatever Shi'a Muslims falsehood or whoever is correct. Just stop the speculations when we are not an expert on anything. Learn about our own schools and paths. Be observant and be devoted only to Allah. That would be enough for me no need to prove anything to others. 

They bought many things to eat in their room in Bakti. They invited me to join them but I have other things to do. I am doing the reading for thesis while writing this diary of life in Penang Island as a student. I think I badly need Arabic conversation and writing class. I wanted to use it for my focus in rituals and translation of optional services to worship Allah. I also bought a brief kitaab titled "Kunnooz al-Jannah" which means the "Treasures of the Paradise". It is about remembrance and glorifying Allah but its entirely in Arabic with Hadiths narration from Abu Dawood and Tirmidzie. I have to translate them to Chinese first. But most important thing now is I need to finish up with this thesis. Thank you for prayers, dear brothers and sisters. I appreciate my brothers and sisters. I am grateful to Allah to have all of you as brothers and sisters. You people are the best things ever happen in my life  : ) 

Sealed with prayers for mercy, peace and love, amin!

Theory of Regional Economic Integration

Assalaamu'alaikum wa rahmatullah

Economic Theories of Regional Integration

We have four pages of readings here and it is written by Alexis Iche. The agreement in Treaties of Rome 1957 on the premise of economic integration could be channeled for a political aim as to keep people in the Union more closer. In theory, economic benefits from regional economic integration would convince the citizens of Europe that deeper political links between member states would receive similar benefits. In order to analyze the economic rationale behind EU programmes such as the Single Market Programme (SMP) or Economic and Monetary Union (EMU), one needs to understand fundamental concepts and theories used to justify regional economic integration and problems associated with theories.      

Types of Integration

This was outlined by Dutch economist, Jan Tinbergen (1954). He outlines two distinct types of economic integration:

1. Negative Integration

Elimination of obstacles to the free movement of goods and factors of production (FOP). Example is the removal of tariff barriers such as quotas or non-tariff barriers such as differing standards between member states.

2. Positive Integration

The replacement of various national rules with one set of EU rules. Adoption of common policies. Example such as Common Commercial Policy (CCP).

Stages of Economic Integration

Regional economic integration is a gradual process. It exists in several forms. Economist such as Bela Balassa (1950) defined it as the progresses through various stages as it moves towards more integration. Example is EU itself as it developed from from a Free Trade Area (FTA) toward a full economic and monetary union. Integration is an ongoing process. It has its own in-built momentum. Each further step creates problems that can be solved only by deeper regional integration. This phenomenon is also known as spillover.    

Stage One - Free Trade Area

It is exclusively focused on trade in goods while services, labor and capital remained restricted. Tariffs i.e import taxes imposed on foreign goods are abolished within the group. Each members of this area keeps its own external tariffs policy toward the rest of the world. Such example is North American Free Trade Area (NAFTA).  

Problem is that in an FTA, member country keeps its own external tariff on goods from outside the area. Once these goods are inside the area, they can move freely around without any tariff. Example, in an FTA between Sweden and Finland, if Sweden has lower tariff than Finland on product or good such as coffee, companies in Finland will import coffee through Sweden in order to pay lower tariffs.

Solution as to avoid this condition, the FTA needs to move into a customs union with a common external tariff (CET).    

Stage Two- Customs Union

It is exclusively focused on trade in goods while services, labor and capital still remained restricted. Tariffs are abolished within the group. A CET is established for the group. Example for this is European Economic Community (EEC) 1957-1958.

Problem is that CU eliminates tariffs and quota restrictions (tariff barriers) but still allows non-tariff barriers such as differences in technical standards, health and safety requirements which hinder free trade.

Solution for this would be, non-tariff barriers should be eliminated through mutual harmonization of product recognition. 

Stage Three - Common Market

It has all properties of the previous customs union. Free movement of FOP such as goods, capital, labor and services between all members of the group. Example is European Community or currently European Union (1987-1999). 

Problem with this is that, to achieve complete free movement, the last non-tariff barriers must be eliminated which is the differences in currencies of member states. This is due to that, exchange rate (ER) does not reflect the 'true' price of goods and it acts as non-tariff barriers. 

Solution, they have only one option which is to adopt a common economic policy. It includes some form of common or coordinated fiscal policy. This would permit fiscal transfers from regions experiencing positive growth to regions suffering from negative growth in order to maintain stability of the system.   

Stage Four - Monetary Union

It has all properties of the previous common market. It is just a prolongation of the previous stage. At this stage, the member states adopt common currency. Example is EU member states who adopt euro since 1999 until present. I guess Denmark and United Kingdom have opt out from monetary union and they still use their own currencies. 

Problem about this, in the past, strains between different economies caused by different growth rates. These floating exchange rates allowed national central banks to set individual interest rates. They are suited to the needs of their economies. In a monetary union, exchange rates irreversibly fixed, and the other adjustment mechanisms such as movement of capital and labor may be insufficient to counterbalance tensions in the system caused by different growth between countries.    

Stage Five - Economic Union

It is a continuation of previous stage. Common economic policies, coordination and harmonization on fiscal issues (single policy for the entire zone) are established. 

There is no good example available between equally sovereign nation-states. The relationship between individual US states may be the nearest example. 

Problem for this, the loss of control over economic and monetary policy is a serious loss of sovereignty for member states. 

Solution, there is a need to find new balance between nation-states' sovereignty and their economic powers or to integrate further into a small political union modeled on already existing federal states such as Germany.

The further regional integration progresses, the more its economic developments clash with individual political prerogatives of member states. This is true with regard to issues such as monetary policy, taxation and all forms of redistributive policy. They are issues connected with a state's raison d'etre. The result is, while further economic integration leads to a need for more political change, member states are reluctant to yield the sovereignty necessary to move to the next level of integration.  

Sealed with prayers for mercy, peace and love amin! 

Evil Eyes

Assalaamu'alaikum wa rahmatullah

I feel quite stressful as I have to submit many things to lecturers in a row for this week to the next week. Tomorrow I would have to sit for a mid-term test and it is Economic paper. I have no Economic studies background at all and have to read bulks of papers here. It would be fun to study because we are interested in it and not because of chasing anything. I hope nobody notice my stressful face. I don't want brothers in faith here think that I am suffering bipolar disorder because even if I am smiling and laughing I am actually crying in my heart. I am not crazy I am still sane, that is why I am praying and supplicates to Allah to help me, not leaving me alone and to protect me. 

Evil Eyes

Yesterday, I suddenly remembered about our cultural belief. I don't know if this is related to religion or customs but I just call it as cultural belief. People ranging from Indian sub-continent to Middle East have the same belief regarding this. I think that I had been affected by evil eyes. It does not necessarily come from others. It could also possibly come from myself because I realized that I hate to see my own face and my room has two large mirrors besides in the toilet there is also mirror. I feel disgusted if I see my own face. Maybe it also affects me as I suddenly feel very heavy at my head and I can't easily wake up from sleep though I sleep very early even after I rolled myself down from my bed to the floor to pray. I called my friend in Johor because he has access with our people masjids (South East Asian Hadramis') there and he told me that it would take long to recover so I must avoid looking around or looking directly to any thing because I may also harm other brothers, sisters or things. Brothers and sisters please take note, evil eyes are very dangerous! It could actually kill especially if a person is meditating alone in caves because the culture of meditating is also practiced in Ancient Arabia and there were cases people kill animals like camel by just gazing at it after a long period of meditation. I will try to remove all of my own pictures in files too since I had forgotten to do that. I need to recite the supplication of Gabriel a.s to remove physical diseases and spiritual illnesses. 

Protection Supplication

Supplication means: "I seek protection with the "Holy" appearance of the Lord and with His perfect words. Which nothing could exceed them whether good or evil. I seek protection from whatever thrusting into the earth and from whatever rising out from the earth. And from the evil of whatever comes down from the heavens and from whatever ascends to heavens. And from the evil of the 'test' of night and day. And from the evil of roads at night and day except the roads which are accessed with charity, dear the Most Merciful!" - al-Bukhari Narration 

Curing over Sickness

Gabriel a.s recites: "With the Name of Allah, I put this cure on you (may it heals you) from anything that hurts you. And from the evil of all selves and from the eyes envious to you. Allah is the One who cures you, with the Name of Allah I put this cure on you."

Brothers and sisters may recite it in your languages if not fluent in Arabic. It is tedious to type in Arabic and I don't know how to prevent them from being copied because holy words should be respected. I wish it is useful for everyone who are also facing problems in daily life. For curing over sickness, no need water, no need touching at the hurt body part, no need any talisman. Just recite the supplication with faith in our heart to Him. I tried to translate everything into Chinese and Japanese as services for Chinese and Japanese brothers in faith protection but it is quite difficult to find suitable terms especially in Classical Chinese as I have to avoid some Taoism and Buddhism influenced words as to be very careful.  

Time and Anxiety

Now I am just gobbling some chocolate that I bought from Mahasiswa shop. Hopefully sweet stuffs bring positive mind in me. Umm, I pray to the Lord to suppress the "time" and hinders it from chopping me down as elders said, the "time" is like sword. When you're not careful enough, it will cut and slaughter you down!

Says the Lord in His message to His slaves through His prophet (s.a.w):

In the Name of Allah, the Most Compassionate the Most Merciful

The Lord swears with the time 1 Indeed human is in the loss 2 Except the people who are faithful in his faith and performing charity and piety and reminding each other with the truth and advising each other with patience 3 - Surah al-'Asr, Indeed the Lord is the Most Trustworthy 

And we try to seek His Divine intervention and Mercy with wazifas and His Glorious Holy Names...

Sealed with prayers of mercy, peace and love, amin!

The Diary of Ma Yan

Assalaamu'alaikum wa rahmatullah

Just a sharing a bit related to journalism field and social work. Though media in the West and in our country had blackened useless Shariah students like us, well I am an ex-Shariah student who is now contaminated by the world affairs. But my father was once a journalist and worked for media organization. I am familiar with journalism as well though I am not a mass-comm student. Even when he serves government officials but he was not a recognized government servant. He was only a servant by contract serving to state's and federal ministers dealing with medias and protecting the image of government departments. Media world is not easy dear brothers and sisters in faith, it is a harsh and challenging world. Also when my maternal cousin brother in Perlis lower-estimating my father in front of me and made me sad and having low self confidence, but I would probably now say to him that my father is an unfortunate guy just like you where both of you had lost mothers. But at least he did achieved something in his life and revealed others' misfortune for public to be alert with while not being religious like you simply because you are an infallible member of Islamic Brotherhood Party who illegally smuggle rice and stuffs in and out of Thailand. For now, I am not any member of any political party but certainly if I am forced to choose, I will choose to join a Malaysian Chinese majority and secular political party though I am not a Chinese! My faith is only for me and for Lord to know. Not for others and I am not interested to show off my religion status to people.   

 Ma Yan and mother

Diary of Ma Yan

The sharing is about a girl from Ningxia province in China and her diary. She have to write in papers because she has no blog like us or internet connection to talk in forums. I am not sure this province is apart of Gansu province but I think it was once apart of Gansu province in Northwestern part of China. Around January 2010, al-Jazeera Witness reported the story of a Muslim girl from this province. Her area is a rural area and she lived in poverty. The report features the diary of this girl and it was published in many countries including China and the United States. It was a best seller in China itself.

The village where Ma Yan lived is described in Edgar Snow's Red Star Over China, but since that time, few outsiders have visited it. The United Nations (UN) says this is a region unfit for human habitation (China. org.cn). In contrary to popular opinion, the porr in China did not get this way because of the Communists. The hardship and poverty of Ningxia people and many others in China has been that way for centuries. It did not help when the Communists won China's civil war and the defeated Chinese Nationalists took the nation's treasury and most of the ancient Imperial treasures to Taiwan leaving China nothing but only people and the land.

In the segment of Witness, audience travel with Ma Yan as she breaks the cycle of poverty. By chance in 2001, a French journalist was visiting the remote Ningxia province in northwest China when a Muslim woman wearing a white headscarf of the Hui ethnic thrust her daughter's diaries into his hands. Ma Yan writes that the economy where she lives has not been developed. However, Ma Yan is not alone wanting to escape the hardship of poverty. She wrote that her life was like a death sentence. The French journalist read the diary given by Ma Yan's mother and he was so impressed. He arranged few excerpts to be published in one of the French daily newspapers. By 2007, Ma Yan passed a university exam and was one of the first girl from her village to be eligible for a university education. He next move was to Paris where she lives with a French family and attends a university there. - iLook China

Closing

We have many Hui students in our university too. But I think most of them especially undergraduates are rich people because I could tell it from their appearance though they just wear normal clothes like others. I don't normally mingle with rich people because we are only poor brothers as birds of the same feathers flock together. There are also Hui students in International Islamic University, Malaysia (IIUM) and I talked with few of them. They are mostly from Gansu and Shandong provinces and others were from Xinjiang where I meet them in the Masjidil Haram during pilgrimage season around 2005 in Holy Mecca. We only know how people feel when we are in their shoes. This one is an Asian version of autobiography of a girl's life and vision where in Europe they have Anne Frank's diary during the world war holocaust event of European Jews. I am actually very impressed with Miss Ma Yan's mother. She is a good mother if I see her I will serve her some tea as a respect.    

Sealed with prayers for mercy, peace and love, amin!