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! 

How Policies are Made in EU II

Assalaamu'alaikum wa rahmatullah

Policy Making: Differences between Policy and Decision

Decision

Decision is choice or solution that ends some uncertainty or reduce contention (Peterson & Bonberg, 1999). Choice made is a decision. Decisions are building blocks of policies. Decision answers questions on what to do regarding something, when to do something, who are involved, and where it is applicable. 

Policy

Policy refers to action or inaction by public authorities who are facing choices between alternative courses of public action (Peterson & Bonberg, 1999; Colebatch, 1998). In some circumstance, official policy could also has overt and covert policies. Overt policies means policies which could be founded in papers while covert refers to policies of major implementation.

Pillars of European Union (EU)

1. First Pillar is of supranational in nature, European Commission (EC).

2. Second Pillar is intergovernmental in nature, Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP).

3. Third Pillar also intergovernmental, for example Justice and Home Affairs for policy such as immigration.

Each of them has specific decision making procedures and methods of cooperation between states and the EU. If we compare this to ASEAN, ASEAN is more haphazard but now it also has few pillars. We are ASEAN member countries' citizens but we know nothing about the organization right? The same goes to European citizens. 

First Pillar

It comprises of common policy areas governed by the EU as a supranational system of governance. Decisions and policies are made by acting through EU institutions which are the Commission, the Council and the European Parliament (EP). Policy areas affected are such as Europe Monetary Union, citizenship, movement of people, and single market. They tend to be legalistic and binding under EU law. Co-decision procedure is usually used for policies in first pillar.

Second Pillar

It deals with CFSP. EU wide defense policy and capability at dealing with conflicts within the EU and surrounding areas. It deals with disasters, peace keeping duties, humanitarian aids and relief operations. The cooperation between member states in the EU in this regard is intergovernmental in nature. Decisions are political than legalistic. The decisions are non-binding under the EU law. Decisions are made using consultation procedure.

Third Pillar

It is under the Justice and Home Affairs where it includes the asylum and immigration policies. There are cooperation between police forces and courts to prevent cross crimes. It apply common rules on common external problems. Although purely intergovernmental, but under the Treaty of Amsterdam (TEA) some areas have been transferred into the first pillar. Consultation procedure is commonly used for decision making while the member states drive the process.

Refer to part I

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

How Policies are Made in EU I

Assalaamu'alaikum wa rahmatullah

State House, Malacca

Try to compare everything with Shariah Islamiah which is our Way of Life. Compare with our own countries and look at how those politicians behave no matter at the coalition or alternative side. As an ex-religious studies student, I urge that the Qadis (Jurists), Muftis and fellow pure religious studies students to begin looking at these matters seriously! The end is very close but we are not certain when, only He knows. We are currently in Economy Crisis and check what happened in the Europe which also dragged the World into a series of world wars. His Mercy must be exercised dear beloved brothers and sisters! 

Don't just wait, act now and the initial step is to understand what are those Westerners think through their own framework! It does not mean that we abandon our Lord when we study them. It is a precaution to avoid from disasters from human faults. Establish the study for these in your institutions. I am actually begging brothers and sisters on my knees. I don't care if people are listening or not. I do this because I love my brethren, may everyone be blessed!

We also have decision-making process which is divinely and naturally revealed by the God while the ones that we are holding and practicing right now are from human being who have to think hard and boasting around (they are spiritually and morally empty). We had already learned that human could also receive inspiration from the God if not the Revelation like prophets or messengers of the God. But inspiration is not as equal as Revelation.

For Muslims, we have the Quran and Sunnah which should be the basis of our constitutions as they are natural but we refused them for man-made ideologies. We create terms which is not natural to explain certain theories and matters that happened. Choice is with us, not on others. I will be lying to say that I don't care. I am disappointed and sad with people who call themselves Muslim but they are skeptical with the Revelation which is the basis of our faith to Him. Changes does not come in a day, but it comes gradually. Its principles are the same with the principles of exercising the Guidance of the Lord which is His Mercy. I wish this benefit my beloved brothers and sisters, it's not easy to jot down all these notes from the source. I'm just performing a qurbana (sacrifice) for brethren of nations, may everyone receive His Love.

Introduction

Complexity in Policy-Making Process

Policy making process is the most complicated process in the European Union (EU). There are several reasons on why it is complicated: 

1. EU is both a supranational and intergovernmental body.

2. It has to use different ways in policy-making.

3. There are sets of factors involved in policy-making (Nugent, 2006)

    

a. those involved in EU institutions.

b. those involved in the policy-making are governments and EU member states.

c. those involved with Euro currency and national interests. 

4. Considerations on the levels of actors' motivations for participation:

    

a. circumstances and possession of legal or political power. 

b. different set of actors have different level of power.

c. these different actors at different level of power has overlapping influence and crosses between tiers.

d. level of priority given to particular issue and consequences of involvement.

e. level of power resources at disposal of actor.

5. Channels of participation also contribute to complexity in decision-making:

a. channels for decisions vary in the levels of their complexity and exhaustiveness.

b. some channels are easy and straightforward, others have multiple actors competing to determine outcomes.

c. multilevel governance - differences in relative importance of EU, member states, sub-national levels and between linkages between different levels, this could also be linked to immigration policy.

d. level of security involved, it depends on level of forums they've conducted e.g at ministerial level, heads of states, council, COREPER, committees, or working groups.

e. level of formality and structure involved whether the process takes place within the Council, European plenary sessions or joint European Parliament (EP) and European Council delegation meetings.   

Part I done... Try also read materials in Europa about Decision-Making Procedures.

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

New Year 1433 H Event in Masjid al-Malik Khalid

Assalaamu'alaikum wa rahmatullah

Souvenir from the event, a Hijriyyah calender so I could also check prayer services time and try to be as early as possible in prayer hall waiting to see Him : )

Before the Maghrib Prayer Service

I regret that I had missed congregational prayer service in masjid this morning. They had conducted a lecture there I can't remember delivered by which Habeeb. This evening, rain fallen quite heavy. I had made a mistake by going to Sungai Dua without bringing clothes and hygiene stuffs where I could just clean up myself at the shower at the side of the masjid. I had some meal at the Thai restaurant at the alley near the KFC of Sungai Dua. I had to walk back to perform ghusl, wudhu' and clean up everything because we must be clean both physical and spiritual to enter the holy boundary as a mean to respect Him. Then walk again to the masjid.

I just wanted to pray to the God for the better future which also includes my future in the hereafter. Also praying for other brothers and sisters either Muslims or non-Muslims for their life to be blessed. So, I don't care about the rain and I never try to get any help from others in term of borrowing their transportation. I am not really close with people here anyway because I always feel afraid to say goodbye to friends. I regard friends the same as blood brothers and sisters. When I was a first degree student, brother Mijie and brother Duwe had also offered me their motorcycle but I just politely refused their offer. I feel bad to burden them though they don't mind. I just want to make sure that my heart and intention is purely for Him. We can strive hard to get certificates for better job or better life improvement but to sacrifice ourselves for Him is hard? He never asks us to give Him money, kill ourselves for blood nor anything. Just surrender to Him, our heart because He is the Most Compassionate full of Love and Mercy : )

The masjid people had also recited Yaasin Surah and the supplication to end the year and beginning the new cycle of year 1433 H. At home, parents and second sister would also go for masjid and pray there. I did that to respect my parents though I am in the distance of 400-500 km from home. I am aware about acts mentioned in valid Sunnah. I keep hadith books as well as Quran with me where I had immediately get them while performing hajj and I memorize some parts of 40 hadiths. Still in the process and this annoying political administration studies had also delayed my memorization. 

I also try to translate some important books into other languages when I am free for example Chinese for Malaysian Muslim Chinese compatriots but it hasn't finish yet because I need to check terminologies used and record them as not to commit mistakes of Orientalists. Second problem is that I am just using pen and paper because I don't know how to install Chinese application in this lousy computer, hahaha. We must be fair to Oriental brothers and sisters. They're all equal brothers and sisters. I intend to send them to some non-Muslim Chinese friends and pay them to type. Then just print them out and distribute them for people's personal use without sending them to religious departments but first I need to neatly check it as to make sure it is a right translation. I had already tried to access federal religious department but so far nothing in response and I know they have few Muslim Chinese translators too. I just observed that, Sunnah Islamic books' translation into Eastern languages is so limited except in the languages where the people are in majority Muslim. If it is not legal, then I would silently send them out maybe to Taiwan, Hong Kong or to Japan pleading help from friends out there to send them to masjids and Muslim families. Doing everything alone is actually very exhaustive but what to do. We have no choice.

Basically it is a good way to recite any surah of the Glorious Quran together because we could listen to others' recitation and we could also recite aloud without feeling shy because nobody care about our voice when we recite together. Usually some fellows who listened to Muhammad Abdul Wahhab followers' lectures would be harsh to their parents but I choose not to be harsh because I don't like to be a blind followers. I read Muhammad Abdul Wahhab however I am not his devotee. I am a devotee of Allah 'Azza wa Jalla and I sincerely proclaim my testimony on Muhammad s.a.w prophethood. I respect all the Salaf as-Saaleeheen and all the guided teachers including the ahlul bayt.

After Maghrib Prayer Service

I didn't get the first unit of Maghrib prayer service because I had already been late. I regret myself so much for that. Then, people listened to a lecture delivered by the religious officer of Kedah state Islamic Guidance Department, Ustad Muhammad Isa Abdul Rahman. It revolves around Hijrah and it went on for about half an hour. I just sat at the pillar and trying to hide from people because I don't want to be spotted recording notes because it is shameful, hahaha. But I was busted by an old resident of my hostel now. He was a Geophysics student. His name is Sayful and is now working in Bayan Lepas. I don't know how he recognized me. Because I hardly talk with people nor noticing people because I hate to show my face to people. Already experienced many things and the recent one in my current hostel last semester. So, I don't feel any importance to be tied to people around or knowing so many people. My name is also not important.    

Lecture Notes

It mentions that Hijriyyah calender is very important thought it was designated by Umar al-Khattab r.a. It was marked by the event of migration by Muslims after the prophethood of Muhammad s.a.w into Medina al-Munawwara. It is based from lunar calculation unlike the Gregorian calender which uses solar calculation. When we record important events such as matrimonial, birth, death, and everything related to life and death, we use Hijriyyah calender. An example, a divorcee sister may count her 'iddah (period after divorce) with Hijriyyah calender before she get marry again with the man of her choice. 

We must take heed on the importance of the terms used in the Glorious Quran. Hijrah or hegira signifies the migration from evil to goodness. From hideous traits to good traits. We do not want to associate Quranic terms with filthy or non-related matters. The Islamic Guidance Department of Kedah for example had issued a ruling for the term used in Islamic rituals should not be used in others' rituals. For example the term Qubur had been differentiated to Jeerat. Qubur and Jeerat both means cemetery but Qubur is Muslim cemetery while Jeerat is the term for non-Muslim cemetery. I remember that my dad had once scolded me because using the term Qubur to refer to non-Muslim cemetery because they are very particular with terminologies and language used. The term tahallel for example is used for Muslim supplications and the Buddhist should use the term phra paritt for their specific ritual because they indeed chant phra paritt during the ritual and not tahallel. As to say, hijrah means the migration where we transfer from evil to goodness.

Other example is the term of ulama' which generally means scholar. But there lies a hidden meaning of it where a scholar is a scholar who fear the God so he never distort the teachings for himself nor practicing out of what he preaches. A person with a knowledge is different from 'ulama. A person who learn Islamic knowledge but has no fear to the God is not an 'ulama (scholar) but just a person who had accessed the information. They could do whatever they want with the information that they have but they are not scholars. A very nice explanation by the ustad : )  

The lecture emphasizes the importance of terminologies and meanings of the word. The ustad also brought the quotes from Ibnu Katsir exegesis. The prophet Muhammad s.a.w mentioned that there is no more physical migration after the re-opening of Mecca to the Light of Revelation. But a person who live with the discipline like in Ramadan though he or she is not fasting because it is not Ramadan could still get the merit as equal as the merit of Ramadan. He or she eats only physically and spiritually clean food but leaving doubted and illegal foods. So do the migration event. It never happen anymore but the concept of migration is still there.  

Regarding illegal things like the ketum or kratom leaves or biak leaves in Kedah, it is advised for public to stay away from it. Kratom (Mytragyna Speciosa) is a kind of leaf which is used as a drug to cure fever but could be harmful if used excessively. Ustad said that don't misuse the drug and turning it into a crack. It is illegal or haram especially they soak it with the cow dung. Cow dung is not a kind of food.

Migration to study, spreading, and sharing Mercy and Love to others is counted as a migration. The person who migrates for these courses will be classified as muhajir (immigrants). While those who receive them are the ansar (the helpers). The honorable Imam al-Ghazali mentions that a dangerous friend is an ignorant friend. Because an ignorant friend loves his friends but he is ignorant and does not know about what is legal and what is illegal. Ustad explains in Kedah people tradition to serve guests with raw salads, rice, and other food stuffs. Raw salads is very important in Kedah people cuisine where they would dip them with sauces such as sambal belachan (shrimp paste sauce). He explained that the ignorant friend might pluck leaves at trees on others' lands to prepare food for his friend and it is spiritually illegal.     

The right on Guidance is the right of the God. It is not the right of human-being. When He is Willing and Pleased to open up the heart of a person into His Light, then it is His Will. For example the person will strive to seek knowledge and he will be released and entered into the Abode of Peace. We take opportunity on the teachings. If we've got little, then little we benefit. If we've got a lot, then a lot we've got. Perhaps from the little thing that we've listened could help us in the future or giving us some understandings. The ustad mentioned about his experience where Muslims in Singapore had accepted the ruling by the Guidelines from the mufti of Singapore that they could perform rituals with the recycled water as Singapore has no fresh water supply. The mufti has to think on the consequences of the nations in his supervision. 

Says the member of wisdom, Luqman al-Hakeem, a knowledgeable person who fears the God will be blessed with extra knowledge. Luqman al-Hakeem lives in the time of prophet David a.s the ruler of Judah. He was granted with a vision and dream by the God where he was asked to choose to be a prophet of the God or a member of wisdom? Luqman al-Hakeem had chosen to be a member of wisdom and not a prophet of the God. Luqman al-Hakeem had passed 20 advices to virgin girls. 

There is a merit for an immigrant who migrates from the chaotic land to a peaceful land. There are few matters related to immigration which is accompanied by merits and they are: 

1. Migration to protect his or her faith when being tyrannized by rulers

2. Migration to seek knowledge

3. Migration for da'awa and spreading love, amity and mercy

4. Migration from evil to goodness, from vice to charity and chastity, leaving illegal for legal matters

5. Migration to the way of the prophet s.a.w in performing shariat (way of conducting life)

6. Migration to protect one's dignity

It is not easy for someone to leave his or her land when we had already feel accustomed with the environment around. However as Muslims, our life principles is always revolving around the God. The God is always with us. Even if everybody had left us alone, the God is still with us. It is also not easy to migrate from bad habit to good habit. This event of hijrah by the prophet Muhammad s.a.w and Muslims in Meccan era into Abyssinia and Medinah signifies both physical and spiritual matters. In the matter of protecting one's faith, faith is not something which can be bought nor could be sold. It is in the heart and only the God has the Power to turn it upside down. Protecting faith has the merit as the merit of migration from the tyranny of old days.

The condition of repentance had also has something to do with migration. A person have to migrate from a place which leads him or her to vices and illegal acts. For example a drug addict must migrate from his old place to the new one which will lead him or her to goodness. The ustad had mentioned that he had tried to write and distribute the sermon about the danger of smoking but many of imams in the masjid in Kedah had refused to read the sermon but reading other sermon because imams also have the habit of smoking. So, migration from bad habit really need perseverance and strong will. It is not an easy matter.    

The event of Isra' and Mi'raj of prophet Muhammad s.a.w was actually the event which tests the strength of the faith of those who would later perform migration to Medina al-Munawwara. It means that a person who wants to perform migration needs a strong-will, determination, and strong faith. When we try to please the God, even if it is only a common act of worship, that should be ok in order to migrate to a better situation.

When we preach da'awa, we try to find person who wants to listen to us. No matter who listens to us, the person who listens to us actually is a person who is honored by the God. The God had mentioned about honorable companion of prophet Muhammad s.a.w who is so determined to learn the teachings of the God though he was just a poor blind man, which is Abdullah bin Maktum. He was honored by the God in surah 'Abasa. Teach to people who are willing to listen and those who are not willing just leave them once we remind them. Medium of da'awa today could vary according to technology that we have. We could also use text message system to message friends.  

I did texting messages and calling some friends though some of them (my Kedah and Kelantan compatriots) had humiliated me but never mind. We should never take people seriously but forgive everyone as the God forgives us our sins. How did the ustad knows this??? Maybe lots of people are using the same way, recycling messages, hahaha. I just typed what I feel to friends and I love to wish people around well-being because I was unfortunate when I was a school kid and nobody really cares about me. Usually the wishings come right away from my heart though sometimes I feel shy to tell them but I just send it without thinking about my self anymore. Let people be happy and enjoy and I would also feel happy for them : ) I don't like recycled messages.

Abdul Malik Karim Amrullah had once stated that: "When a human was born, he is crying while people are laughing to receive him. But let people cry when the human is dead but he is smiling because of the goodness that he had left for everyone around to share." 

Ustad mentioned also about the figure of Libya, Umar Mukhtar who was illegally hanged to death in front of public by Italian imperial power in 1913 at the age of 70 years old. Umar Mukhtar was an 'ulama of Libya. Umar Mukhtar had said (with his faith) before he was hanged that let people hang him. People who hanged him will never be known after they hang him, but he (his soul) will smile because he had united his people and his resistance to Italians was that because the Italians had did wrong by plundering people lands. A righteous person never even pluck leaves from others people land which thrust into the fence of his house.

Now, Italy is a member state of European Union and death sentence is not according to human rights but what these countries in the Union would do regarding the people who were killed by the governments before the establishment of the Union or before their ascension into the Union? Where are apologies and confession from civilized nations? I lose respect to these countries and nation-states. I am so sorry.

Closing

They prepared some refreshments for congregations which are some breads and beef dhalcha mixed with eggplant and potatoes. Urmm, I don't really like beef but it has no smell in the dhalcha so I think it is ok and I'm not a Buddhist anymore so what beef has to do with me? There is also a guy who currently live in Aman hostel which was my previous hostel and despite of his eyesight problem, he still come to congregational prayers and attending the event in the masjid. I am so amazed with his spirit and wishing him a good future may he be blessed too. This is another dimension of migration despite of what is understood in the West. Western world had claimed Christianity as their tradition but they never implement the morality of the Christ where the Christ had once said blessed be the meek. But Western world are craving for comfort, materialism and tyrannizing others in the name of 'civilization.' I don't believe any Christ followers exist in Western world when they talked about it in their discussions for example the discussion of Geert Wilders. He's not a Christ followers but a stinky politician. My advise to fellow Muslims in Europe, respect locals and maintain your faith. No need to show off to people nor looking down on others.

Allahumma salli 'alaa Muhammad, wa 'alaa aali Muhammad. Sealed with prayers for mercy, peace, and love for nations, amin!      

First Chapter Need Changes

Assalaamu'alaikum wa rahmatullah

Hurrrm, this morning I had just met my supervisor, Dr. Noraida. She said that nothing much changed in the first part. I should repair the first part and put everything that they said in the introduction part. Actually, the more I look at the thesis the more I feel confused because everyday I just wandering in front of the computer looking at the thesis and checking what should I do. I had done the proposal for the thesis many times since last semesters and each time it should be amended according to different lecturers who advised us on research methodologies. I don't like to sit at the computer.  

How do I feel jah? Urmmm just feel like I wanted to cry. I would sincerely admit... I feel like I wanted to cry in the bus while returning to my room. If I am a woman I guess I would just cry in  front of people, hahahahahaha. So, being both man and woman actually is not easy. We have our own differences and problems in life. I feel my neck being tied with unnecessary ropes. I actually had made vow to study religious sciences and returning to my responsibility but this world is pushing me aside the way. I send text messages also to wrong people, so humiliating. It's because I feel so annoyed and my head think about many things. Sometimes I also feel like wanted to retreat, chap ye (tidy up things), return home, finding a job with my first degree certificate again and when I free just meditate in masjids or traveling around to perform da'awa on myself. If I saved enough money, I wanted to to go to some countries in Middle East or South Asia and stay there waiting for my "time" to come. Sometimes I'm quite pessimistic with future, lol. And sometimes I could only see darkness where I see myself in shroud cloth down the ground... 

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Guidelines and Comments Today

What did she advise me to do?

Background Part

On the background or introduction part it should be a brief one. It must be from general to specific introduction of the issue. I didn't change much in this part and it seems like the same with the previous one that I did. It's actually my fault, I didn't put the record in orderly manner. I have piles of paper here and it's all over the places. I told so at the supervisor but she thought that I tried to blame her, hahaha. For example, if I wanted to choose immigration policy, what is the relationship of UK in position of immigration and Muslim issue in UK? The program is about European Union so it must be related to the Union and not about a specific member state of the Union. If we talk about this Union everything must be about policy, politics, administration, legal system and guidelines from the treaties agreed by European Union member states.

Problem Statement Part

I should emphasize on issue chosen to be studied. Whether it is within the context of the policy, how to connect the problem of the immigration issue with the study of muslims in Europe with the UK as the case study? In problem statement, I should question myself, what is the reason to study? If it is about Muslim migrants, what are the reason behind this? What is the problem regarding Muslim migrants in the UK? The problem here is that whether the third and second generation of Muslim migrants are considered as migrants?

On the other hand, I had also put in the study about the notion of multiculturalism. I need to differentiate the study. Whether it is about the current population of Muslim in UK or about Muslim migrants? If I choose this type of social study, I need to make up my mind and choose because it makes my study obscure. When I change this, I must also change the objective as well as research questions.

Research Methodology

The term manipulation of data is not a suitable term to describe a method used in a research. It is more to a process. It is not an explanation of the method used. If I am going to do historical research for example, what are the methods? Try to read something about this in order to get some ideas.   

Sources

Where should I get my data sources? It means that what types of data that I am going to use for the research? In term of type of data sources, whether it is narrative types or people's opinion or academic theories? 

Are the data came from the reports, debates, or narratives of famous figures? Those things on where to access the data such as from internet searching could be described in brief.

Justify also why I need to use secondary data? How will it provides result to my objective and inquiry? 

Process in Analyzing Data

How about this process? How to sort them out? Qualitative process of analyzing the data? How to classify them into categories? How they are related and why they are related?

Significance of the Study

It must be totally changed according to what I choose in the background or introduction part. 

Another Comment

I took it too long and still came out with the same mistake. My sincere comment on this, I just feel lost when I look at this study. The more we dwell in it, the more it confuse us. That's why I love Quranic studies compared to these kind of things. Because I am familiar with it compared to these thesis mesis political science studies nih. Then the dateline for me to resend it to supervisor is at 23rd of December 2011. I need to check the calender as well to make sure that I am alert. She had earlier mentioned that I should see her by 9th December so I would take this as earlier alert for me.   

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I don't blame the supervisor at all on this matter and I think it is wrong to blame anyone! I guess it is better to comply within the guidelines and comments given. She had been generous enough in enlightening me with the guidelines and repeating them again. 

I had also talked with my colleague, Wenpei. She also has the same problem. We had also avoided our colleagues like Siva because we do not want them to know what happened to us. Further, what can they do to help us other than just discuss it and later we still have to deal it with ourselves? Yesterday, Wenpei also sent me messages saying that she's so disturbed with the study and classes. Frankly we think that we're not suitable to study European studies and I don't really like this studies on policies and administration either because it is so complicated and I think I should earlier change to research mode of Social Development, Asian Studies or doing MBA because MBA needs no research but it's too late to be sorry. We are reading on something which does not represent us but representing others and we have to follow their (Europeans) head and not our own head. I read many traditional administration system sources as well like Hindu-Buddhism system of administration (half-feudal system of traditional court) but it's not difficult like modern European ones because they work with values which we could understand here though I am a Muslim.  

I just said to miss Wenpei yesterday next week she better go for Guanyin temple and pray or chanting Heart Sutra if she feels so annoyed. I also tried to meditate and trying chanting dzikr remembering Allah but when we are nervous it is very difficult to regain tranquility. Ya Allah, guide me how should I encounter these? I feel like throwing out blood when I look at those stuffs for this research. We also have to encounter this repeating class : (

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

European Studies : Europeanization

Assalaamu'alaikum wa rahmatullah

I've got to leave behind first the maqasid shariah but I wish to continue it once I am done with few assignments. Man!!! I hate assignments but that is the requirement for the course. I am going to talk about Europeanization. 

Introduction

Europeanization refers to few phenomena related to Europe and patterns of change :

I. The process in which a notionally non-European subject (be it a culture, a language, a city or a nation) adopts a number of European features.

II. Outside of the social sciences, it refers to the growth of a European continental identity or polity over and above national identities and polities of the continent.

III. It refers to the process through which EU political and economic dynamics become part of the organizational logic of national politics and policy-making.

Definitions

Europeanization has been generally referred as "being more European like." Specifically than this, it has been defined in many ways. 

Earliest conceptualization of this term was made by Ladrech (1994, 69). He defines Europeanization simply as an incremental process of reorienting the shape and direction of politics to the extent that European Community (EC) political and economic dynamics become part of organizational logic of national politics and policy making. 

It emphasizes what is known as the 'top-down approach' to Europeanization with change emanating from the impact of the Union onto the national policy. The state is viewed as reactive towards changes in the Union.

Another definition that needs to be taken into acoount is of Radaelli. He describes that Europeanization is : "A process involving a) construction b) diffusion c) institutionalization of formal and informal rules, procedures, policy paradigms, styles, 'ways of doing things' and shared beliefs and norms which are first defined and consolidated in the EU policy process. Then, they are incorporated in the logic of domestic (national or sub-national) discourse, political structures and public choices."

From a "bottom-up" approach, Europeanization occurs when states begin to affect the policy of the EU in a given area.

A more nuanced analysis posts that the institutional interaction of policy actors at the various levels of European governance leads to the redefinition of national, regional and other identities within a European context where the multiple levels of governance in Europe are not seen as necessarily in opposition to one another. 

An elected representative can, for example, see his loyalties and responsibilities as lying with Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain and Europe or with Amsterdam, Netherlands and Europe, for unitary states. Some scholars for example Samuel Huntington argue that citizens of European states increasingly identify themselves as such, rather than Portuguese, British, German, French, Italian and etc. 

An obvious area of change is in the institutions of Europe; the enlargement of the EU and the gradual acquisition of authority over the national member governments in numerous areas is creating a centralized European polity. The Economic and Monetary Union of the EU would be an example for this. In this case, the nations using the Euro have passed control of their monetary policy to the European Central Bank.

Another perspective of Europeanization is the "horizontal approach." This approach takes into account the transfer of politics, policies and policy making between member states of the EU. The transfer is based on a form of a "soft law" therefore is not enforceable, but is based on "best practice" and mutual recognition.

Whether Europeanization is a continuing process that will eventually lead to a full European government or whether centralization will be unable to overcome persisting national identities or increasing interests in localism is a matter of debate. 

Reference

Michelle Cini, European Union Politics 2nd Edition (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2007) p. 407.

This one is from wikipedia the source for lazy people since I have no time to dig in stuffs in European books. I have other books to read for research too like racism and multiculturalism. Maybe we could try to check them together once I am done with the presentation and exam stuffs, yah...

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

Assignment I: Background of EU Language Issue

Assalaamu'alaikum wa rahmatullah

I had chosen a topic for the blurry assignment of mine. I think I am going to do about European Language issue under global category. I am tired of politics but the course sure has to do with it, nonetheless.  

Further, I and Azren who was my colleague and also my senior in this master degree, were both products of Translation and Interpretation course under the Humanities Department so I think it would be easier if I try to relate my first degree with this further degree assignment.  I had done mistake in my thesis, so I don't want to think about this so much. It's a waste of time.

Urmm, this is a Science University anyway... So, we are not so significant like those in Science Streams like Pharmacology, Computer Science, Engineering, Medical, Biology, Zoology, Physics, and etc. I am sure that our Humanities lecturers would also be frustrated because they are not appreciated but just melukut kat sebelah gantang, hahahahaha... I am sorry, ternakal sedikit ini malam jangan marah nooo.  

I am not sure whether European Union (EU) has a specific policy or rules regarding language usage in the institution but it is said that they have language policy. According to Azren, EU is trying to promote multilingualism and it is between institutions such as council, commission, and the parliament. It is to make them easier to communicate among each other. 

However, among member states, they are opposing each other. I was like curious on why not the EU only use a working language? For example maybe using English as working language as it is widely known and spoken not only in the EU but also around the world. Azren says that other member states do not want to accept English. They wanted their languages to be preserved and used in conferences too. All of member states in the EU wanted their national languages to be the main language.   

Then another question, how to conceptualize this? Can we use Europeanization theory? Maybe English is not enough Europe for other member states since it is also a language used in the global arena? Europeanization perhaps could be used as a theory to conceptualize this matter, but Europeanization seems more to the advantage for EU to expand their empire to other neighboring states who are not apart the Union.

From the article published in the Telegraph today, I noticed that France has set up a custodian to curb English intervention in French and to ban the usage of English within their territory. They are quite fierce regarding their national language as compared to British. Recently, they had just removed the restriction to learn new foreign language. Before this, migrants in France could also learn their mother tongue, but later France had cancelled the program. It is due to that, the program was not in accordance to the 5th Principle of the French Revolution in order to promote One French.  

So, we could see from this case of France, the language policy of EU seems quite misty. It seems like nationalism is still controlling member states and it is against One Common European proposed by Europeanization. Irritatingly, the rules of EU clearly shows that the policy for multilingualism is there but member states still could not tolerate each other within the bound of their territory. Is there any treaties clearly shows the reference to a common language policy or multilingualism? To answer this question, every member state would say that they are abiding to European Language Policy rules. However, when we ask member states' citizen regarding the policy on language, they do not even know about the European Language Policy. It looks like they never notice it.

In the case of France, it seems like they are opposing the UK. It is not only about language issue. I thought that when they are in the EU, everything would be in common including their past enmity regarding nationalism. Is that because France is afraid of the UK becoming superior over them, as the influence of the UK penetrating her citizen daily life, thinking and speech? And it also could do with immigrants would belittle their political model of assimilation when immigrants too would try to go on with their mother tongue if France permit other languages especially English penetrating her citizen? 

As for example in Malaysia, we have a clause in constitution article 152 regarding the position of Malay language as national language. Malay is strictly used in governmental documentation while for private sectors, private medias and for legislative usage, English and other languages could still be used. The difference between Malaysia and EU is that EU is an organization and it is not a country like Malaysia. Member States could still exercise their sovereignty regarding national language and nationalism? Then, where is the notion of unity if they could not even tolerate the language of each other? This issue does not only happened to France, but also to Germany, and Holland. However, not as strong sentiment as France where they still permit their citizen learn other languages.   

Azren had done a thesis about Sweden and France for a comparison in their language policy. It shows that Sweden is a bit more like Malaysia in term of tolerance toward other language such as English. They don't really care about language as it could also benefit their citizen and the country itself. When I read the issue, I think that France seems fierce with English. And I think that it is just silly to ignore English since it is a language globally used, so how could France survive, dodging English and being isolated? Even if they have problem with the UK but that is another issue. And further I think that English would be a nightmare for France if it becomes the main language in term of legislative purpose or other working session. If France permits English in EU official dealings, it will show that English had won over them. 

While outside the EU, the US is influencing the world with English. In unipolar world today, English sure has its place and a must as it is agreed to be a medium for international dealings. This is a bit International Relation, under Globalization. Language shows political influence too. There are some people who support English as many movies and TV series are also imported from the Hollywood. Those medias had already impose English as a global culture through Americanism. That is why most major member states in the EU trying to avoid the usage of English. Bear in mind that, it is not only France. 

Another angle to see, we should have discussion at institutions level which are the parliament, council and commission. There is also discussion at member states' level and discussion within national parliaments. Layers of bureaucracy? We have to differentiate discussions on all of these levels and their explanations. Language issue in EU has 3 levels. This is not my idea but Azren's as he did thesis about this, so for sure he understood this matter more. First level, between institutions. Second level between member states. Third level within the individual state. 

As for the argument, lecturer might say that it is not a problem since in other member states, there still are foreign language learning. But the case of France is a different case and unique by itself. Since it has relation with patriotism, nationalism, and their history which is the French Revolution. It is not a simple thing to be solved regarding French attitude and sentiment toward their language and culture even within EU framework. They even restricting the usage of native Brittany minority language and promoting French as the medium for unification among citizens. So, what is with the multilingualism in the EU Language Policy when it comes to France? Usually lecturers would see this as a one way level which is only between member states level, and not further, between individual member state with EU institutions. Each member states trying to influence the EU regarding language usage in institutions and official events. France for example trying to impose a ban on English even in the EU level and not only in her territory. 

In EU level of course there is no problem since they have translation body. However the question will come to the mind when the staffs of EU institutions come from all over EU and most of them are talking and working with their own languages and would it be a problem if staffs could not understand each other while communicating in different languages and no common working language? Language is a political issue too.

This is my experience while in train, two couple from French Mauritius have had problem with Thai Train attendant when they are ordering juice and breakfast. So, they tried to ask me to help them dealing with the Thai lady that they did not ordering extra sandwiches. Later I sat and talked with the couple. Luckily the wife is an Indian so she could speak in English. The husband speaks very little English and I do not know whether he understands English or not. I just consider him as faking that he does not understand English. He seems reluctant to speak in English and keep talking in French. I don't know what is actually their problem? Is it because of their past time bitterness? Weird people because they are now in a Union...

Member states still are using their own languages in parliament, council and commission. It also makes all member states do not want to lose up their languages even in EU parliament. They do not want to compromise with any languages chosen to be the only language for official events like English. In this argument, it crosses EU institutions' staffs, member states, and European Language Policy (ELP) implementation. 

In this case, why not use that hybrid language, Esperanto? Like Urdu is used by Muslims in India regardless ethnicity background and it has no geographical boundaries? There is also a journal talking about EU should choose only one working language. But the problem is no one could compromise it if it is a language with geographical boundary according to a state. And further ELP is about multilingualism. And then we have France with her sentiment over their patriotism and assimilation model of integration process for citizenship definition. If using English as the only working language, would France think that the language is dominating her? Her cultural and language sovereignty is now trampled by the UK?  

If we see language issue seriously, it could also be a factor for division. Pakistan was divided into Pakistan and Bangladesh due to national language issue. The Bengals wanted their language to be used widely in their territory and not Urdu to dominate them. Because of language issue, they had been separated from Pakistan. Could this issue be a factor for EU being divided too after this? Maybe the UK or France opting out to maintain their language, culture, nationalism and political sovereignty over it? This is in socio-political angle. 

However in term of economy, wouldn't they be together? The problem is non-affluent member states who receive assistant from founding fathers do not really think about language but they have to concentrate on their economic level and standard to maintain within after their ascension. So, now the point member states are together is because of 'money.' Personally, I don't think that this is a holistic union, hehehehe. Azren says that to criticize the EU, we have to really look into the matter as lecturers might say that the EU is 'generally' in peace and prosperity. But when we look at the scope discreetly, there still are loopholes. France, Germany, and the UK with language and nationalism problems. Rich member states with their problems. Poor member states like Greece and Italy with their problem dragging the EU into economic problem. Everything in lecturers' eyes are OK. If everything is OK, for what are we learning and being dizzy with the EU? This is what Azren says. He has his points and I agree with him. 

I believe in Divine view. Everything which we look as perfect in this world is not really perfect because only the God is perfect. This studies is a headache because "human proclaiming themselves better than others including they surpassing the God who is the Creator of everything which exists." It is very simple when I think this way as it is not a problem at all. Human are those who creates problems and now my head is also heavy. This is the difference between when we have faith with the God and those who believe that they are so Great. Takabbur, 'ujub, riyaa'... People who believe in the God must be humble and never claim they are Great... Only the God is the Great... This term Allahu Akbar which means the God is the Greatest is always being mocked by those who has diseases in their heart, show off, boasting, surprised of themselves as they think they are the Greatest in everything, and arrogant... Narcissism... The character of 'the fallen angel'... I'm actually sick of this world... Thanks to Azren for the discussion, really appreciate the explanations... Siap sepasai, we need to re-arrange this nicely and show this to lecturer with the omission of off-records tuttttttttt... His Will...      

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