Penolakan halus UMNO terhadap Jemputan Mursyidul Am PAS, Nik Abdul Aziz untuk berdebat dengan PM Malaysia sebetulnya boleh dilihat dari berbagai sudut. Apa yang saya hendak kemukakan di sini, bukanlah satu kecaman atau memihak mana-mana parti. Sekadar menyampaikan apa yang bermain-main di minda rakyat seperti saya.
Ramai yang menganggap penolakan UMNO menandakan ketidakmampuan UMNO untuk menjawab isu utama yang akan dilontarkan oleh pihak PAS. Ramai pula yang beranggapan UMNO terlalu angkuh untuk duduk semeja dengan PAS kerana ideologi nasionalism-nya. Ramai pula yang beranggapan bahwa penolakan itu bererti UMNO hakikatnya tidak sehaluan sesama sendiri, dalam pengertian ada perpecahan internal yang masih belum boleh diselesaikan. Ramai pula yang beranggapan UMNO sampai bila-bila pun sememangnya nak jadi yang "pertama dan Utama", tanpa campur tangan mana-mana parti lain.
Tapi kan sebetulnya, rakyat dah muak dah dengan perangai UMNO dan juga PAS. Rakyat tak boleh mengerti apa benda sebetulnya yang membuat UMNO dan PAS asyik berbalah. Nak dikata ada benda yang tak sehaluan, apa benda yang tak sehaluan tu sebetulnya? Susah sangat kah UMNO nak terima PAS kerana ada Islam didalamnya dan susah sangat kah PAS nak terima UMNO kerana nasionalism yang melampau.
Kalau dipikir lagi, saya lebih suka UMNO tetap UMNO, PAS tetap PAS. Tak payah bersatu. Biar salah satu jadi pembangkang. Walau mungkin agak susah nak difahami, pembangkang perlu ada dalam mana-mana negara pun. Sebab pembangkang adalah pihak yang mampu berpikir di luar kotak. Kalau dah semua pikir satu jenis macam mana negara boleh maju.Tak begitu?
Dari pada pening-pening membahas bila dan macam mana nak menyatukan UMNO dan PAS rasanya elok masing-masing tumpu pada tugas masing-masing. Tugas apa, sendiri tahulah. Yang penting mari kita semarakkan "beradab dalam politik dan politik yang beradab". Sudah bukan masanya untuk menggunakan taktik kotor,walaupun niatnya konon untuk kebaikan. Takutlah pada Tuhan. Walaupun mungkin anda bukan Muslim, tentu anda pun ada Tuhan juga kan?
Kepada UMNO, kalau boleh rakyat nak UMNO menjadi sebuah parti yang "bersih". Sebab rasanya bukan setakat noda dan calitan kotor kecil sahaja yang melekat pada UMNO sekarang, tapi juga darah dan nanah politik yang busuk dan menjijikkan. Sudah masanya UMNO lebih fokus untuk "membersihkan diri" agar kepercayaan rakyat kembali kepadanya seperti ketika awal kemerdekaan dulu.
Kepada PAS, rasanya sekarang nampak PAS lebih suka main politik sehingga tarbiyah ummat agak berkurang timbangannya. Jangan begitu. Kalau bukan PAS yang nak memulihkan aqidah dan memperbaiki akhlak ummat, siapa lagi boleh diharap. Ada lagi banyak isu moral dan sosial yang boleh PAS ubati. Politik, politik juga. Tapi jangan sampai mengabaikan tugas hakiki untuk menegakkan Islam dan meluruskan shaf umat Islam yang sudah mulai kucar-kacir.
Akhirnya, tiap insan punya tugas sendiri. Tiap parti juga punya agenda sendiri. Apa yang penting seboleh-bolehnya bekerja samalah dengan cara yang ma'ruf. Ada tersasul sikit tu maafkan. Ada terkasar sikit tu redha kan. Tanamkan niat dalam hati , tak kira anda berada dalam UMNO atau pun PAS, anda berjuang untuk rakyat dan negara. Semoga Allah meredhai kita. Wallahu'alam.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Menjemput "Maut"
Secara pribadi saya tak berapa setuju dengan pelawaan PM Malaysia kepada Obama untuk melawat Malaysia. Rasanya macam menjemput "maut". Kalaulah saya boleh memberi gelaran yang agak keras, Obama itu "Hitam-hitam Amerika juga". Dulu yang dinamakan orang Amerika identik dengan orang-orang berkulit putih seperti penjenayah perang George W Bush. Sekarang ni, tak kiralah warna kulitnya dah jadi hitam pun, kalau namanya Amerika, mentalitinya juga ala Amerika juga.
Pada awal kemenangannya, ramai yang menumpukan sepenuh harapan yang Obama akan jadi "mahluk Amerika" yang berbeza, dalam pengertian......mampu mengubah sistem dajjal yang digunapakai Amerika untuk membinasakan mana-mana negara atau ideologi yang tak sehaluan dengannya. Tapi rasanya sekarang ni, punahlah sudah harapan. Sikap keras yang ditunjukkannya pada beberapa Negara Islam, walaupun mulutnya kata nak "berbaik-baik" dengan Islam, membuktikan takkan pernah ada wind of change sebagaimana yang diharapkan.
Amerika akan tetap menjadi Amerika, dengan segala ego dan keangkuhannya. Terus terang, saya tak nak terima apapun pujian yang Obama dan Amerika berikan pada Malaysia. Pujilah setinggi langit, saya yakin ramai orang yang tak percaya kerana mesti ada udang di sebalik batu, ibarat film di pawagam, tunggu saja bila nak ditayangkan.
Saya cuma berharap, pelawaan PM hanya sekedar basa-basi, manis mulut sahaja. Kerana kalau tidak, tunggulah pula masanya Malaysia pula akan dijadikan object untuk diporak-porandakan, apalagi dengan bilangan muslim yang cukup banyak di negara ini. Itu pun sudah cukup untuk menjadi alasan kukuh untuk membuat negara ini jadi lebih huru-hara. Wallahu'alam.
Pada awal kemenangannya, ramai yang menumpukan sepenuh harapan yang Obama akan jadi "mahluk Amerika" yang berbeza, dalam pengertian......mampu mengubah sistem dajjal yang digunapakai Amerika untuk membinasakan mana-mana negara atau ideologi yang tak sehaluan dengannya. Tapi rasanya sekarang ni, punahlah sudah harapan. Sikap keras yang ditunjukkannya pada beberapa Negara Islam, walaupun mulutnya kata nak "berbaik-baik" dengan Islam, membuktikan takkan pernah ada wind of change sebagaimana yang diharapkan.
Amerika akan tetap menjadi Amerika, dengan segala ego dan keangkuhannya. Terus terang, saya tak nak terima apapun pujian yang Obama dan Amerika berikan pada Malaysia. Pujilah setinggi langit, saya yakin ramai orang yang tak percaya kerana mesti ada udang di sebalik batu, ibarat film di pawagam, tunggu saja bila nak ditayangkan.
Saya cuma berharap, pelawaan PM hanya sekedar basa-basi, manis mulut sahaja. Kerana kalau tidak, tunggulah pula masanya Malaysia pula akan dijadikan object untuk diporak-porandakan, apalagi dengan bilangan muslim yang cukup banyak di negara ini. Itu pun sudah cukup untuk menjadi alasan kukuh untuk membuat negara ini jadi lebih huru-hara. Wallahu'alam.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Islamic story 1:Bohlool
Bohlool and the Khalifa's Food
It is said that Haroun Rashid sent some food to Bohlool. His servant brought the food to Bohlool, put it in front of him, and said, "This is the Khalifa's special food, he has sent it to you to eat." Bohlool placed the food in front of the dog that was sitting in the ruins of the place. The servant screamed, "Why did you give the Khalifa's food to the dog!"Bohlool said, "Be quiet! If the dog hears that the Khalifa sent this food, it won't eat it either."
Bohlool Sits on Haroun Rashid's Throne
One day Bohlool arrived at Haroun's palace and saw that the throne was empty. There was no one to stop him, so he unhesitatingly and fearlessly went and sat in Haroun's place. When the court slaves saw this, they immediately started whipping him and took him off the throne. Bohlool started crying. Haroun came and saw this; he asked those nearby why Bohlool was crying. A slave told him the whole story. Haroun scolded them and tried to cheer Bohlool up.Bohlool said he wasn't crying at his condition, but at Haroun's condition. "I sat on the seat of Khalifate wrongfully for a few seconds and received such a beating and endured such misfortune; but you have been sitting on this throne all your life! What troubles you must receive, yet you still don't fear the consequence."
Bohlool With His Friend
One day a friend of Bohlool's took some grains to grind at the mill. After grinding them, he loaded them on his donkey and started home. Near Bohlool's house, his donkey began limping and fell. He called Bohlool and said, "Give me your donkey so I can take my bundle home." Bohlool had taken an oath that he would not give his donkey to anyone, so he said, "I don't have a donkey." But then a donkey's bray was heard.The man said to Bohlool, "You have a donkey but you said you didn't."Bohlool replied, "You are a strange and stupid friend. Even though we have been friends for fifty years, you don't listen to me, but you listen to a donkey".
Bohlool and a Businessman
One day a Baghdadi businessman met Bohlool and said, "Sir Shaykh Bohlool! Give me advice as to what I should buy that would benefit me most."Bohlool replied, "Iron and cotton."The man went away and bought a lot of iron and cotton and stocked them. After a few months, he sold them and gained a lot of profit. Again he met Bohlool and said, "O Crazy Bohlool! What should I buy that would profit me?"This time Bohlool told him to buy onions and watermelons. The businessman went and bought his entire savings worth of onions and watermelons. Just a few days later, they all rotted and caused a lot of harm. He immediately sought out Bohlool and said, " When I first asked you for advice, you said buy iron and cotton. I profited a lot from this, but the second time what kind of advice did you give me! All my wealth was destroyed!"Bohlool said, "The first day you addressed me as Shaykh Bohlool, and since you addressed me as an intelligent person, I advised you according to my wisdom. The second time you called me Crazy Bohlool, so I advised you like a crazy person."The businessman was ashamed of his behavior and understood Bohlool well.
It is said that Haroun Rashid sent some food to Bohlool. His servant brought the food to Bohlool, put it in front of him, and said, "This is the Khalifa's special food, he has sent it to you to eat." Bohlool placed the food in front of the dog that was sitting in the ruins of the place. The servant screamed, "Why did you give the Khalifa's food to the dog!"Bohlool said, "Be quiet! If the dog hears that the Khalifa sent this food, it won't eat it either."
Bohlool Sits on Haroun Rashid's Throne
One day Bohlool arrived at Haroun's palace and saw that the throne was empty. There was no one to stop him, so he unhesitatingly and fearlessly went and sat in Haroun's place. When the court slaves saw this, they immediately started whipping him and took him off the throne. Bohlool started crying. Haroun came and saw this; he asked those nearby why Bohlool was crying. A slave told him the whole story. Haroun scolded them and tried to cheer Bohlool up.Bohlool said he wasn't crying at his condition, but at Haroun's condition. "I sat on the seat of Khalifate wrongfully for a few seconds and received such a beating and endured such misfortune; but you have been sitting on this throne all your life! What troubles you must receive, yet you still don't fear the consequence."
Bohlool With His Friend
One day a friend of Bohlool's took some grains to grind at the mill. After grinding them, he loaded them on his donkey and started home. Near Bohlool's house, his donkey began limping and fell. He called Bohlool and said, "Give me your donkey so I can take my bundle home." Bohlool had taken an oath that he would not give his donkey to anyone, so he said, "I don't have a donkey." But then a donkey's bray was heard.The man said to Bohlool, "You have a donkey but you said you didn't."Bohlool replied, "You are a strange and stupid friend. Even though we have been friends for fifty years, you don't listen to me, but you listen to a donkey".
Bohlool and a Businessman
One day a Baghdadi businessman met Bohlool and said, "Sir Shaykh Bohlool! Give me advice as to what I should buy that would benefit me most."Bohlool replied, "Iron and cotton."The man went away and bought a lot of iron and cotton and stocked them. After a few months, he sold them and gained a lot of profit. Again he met Bohlool and said, "O Crazy Bohlool! What should I buy that would profit me?"This time Bohlool told him to buy onions and watermelons. The businessman went and bought his entire savings worth of onions and watermelons. Just a few days later, they all rotted and caused a lot of harm. He immediately sought out Bohlool and said, " When I first asked you for advice, you said buy iron and cotton. I profited a lot from this, but the second time what kind of advice did you give me! All my wealth was destroyed!"Bohlool said, "The first day you addressed me as Shaykh Bohlool, and since you addressed me as an intelligent person, I advised you according to my wisdom. The second time you called me Crazy Bohlool, so I advised you like a crazy person."The businessman was ashamed of his behavior and understood Bohlool well.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Antivenom
Antivenom (or antivenin or antivenene) is a biological product used in the treatment of venomous bites or stings. Antivenom is created by injecting a small amount of the targeted venom into an animal such as a horse, sheep, goat, or rabbit; the subject animal will suffer an immune response to the venom, producing antibodies against the venom's active molecule which can then be harvested from the animal's blood and used to treat envenomation in others. Internationally, antivenoms must carefully meet the standards of Pharmacopoeia and WHO.
The name antivenin, comes from the French word venin meaning venom, and historically the word antivenin was predominant around the world; however, this usage is archaic in English. For the English language, the WHO decided in 1981 that the preferred terminology in the English language would be "venom" and "antivenom" rather than "venin/antivenin" or "venen/antivenene".
The principle of antivenom is based on that of vaccines, developed by Louis Pasteur; however, instead of inducing immunity in the patient directly, it is induced in a host animal and the hyperimmunized serum is transfused into the patient.
Antivenoms can be classified into monovalent (when they are effective against a given species' venom) or polyvalent (when they are effective against a range of species, or several different species at the same time). The first antivenom for snakes (called an anti-ophidic serum) was developed by Albert Calmette, a French scientist of the Pasteur Institute working at its Indochine branch in 1895, against the Indian Cobra (Naja naja).
Vital Brazil, a Brazilian scientist, developed in 1901 the first monovalent and polyvalent antivenoms for Central and South American Crotalus, Bothrops and Elaps genera, as well as for certain species of venomous spiders, scorpions, and frogs. They were all developed in a Brazilian institution, the Instituto Butantan, located in Sao Paulo,Brazil.
Antivenoms for therapeutic use are often preserved as freeze-dried ampoules, but some are available only in liquid form and must be kept refrigerated. (They are not immediately inactivated by heat, so a minor gap in the cold chain is not disastrous.) The majority of antivenoms (including all snake antivenoms) are administered intravenously; however, stonefish and redback spider antivenoms are given intramuscularly. The intramuscular route has been questioned in some situations as not uniformly effective.
Antivenoms bind to and neutralize the venom, halting further damage, but do not reverse damage already done. Thus, they should be administered as soon as possible after the venom has been injected, but are of some benefit as long as venom is present in the body. Since the advent of antivenoms, some bites which were previously inevitably fatal have become only rarely fatal provided that the antivenom is administered soon enough.
Antivenoms are purified by several processes but will still contain other serum proteins that can act as antigens. Some individuals may react to the antivenom with an immediate hypersensitivity reaction (anaphylaxis) or a delayed hypersensitivity (serum sickness) reaction and antivenom should, therefore, be used with caution. Despite this caution, antivenom is typically the sole effective treatment for a life-threatening condition, and once the precautions for managing these reactions are in place, an anaphylactoid reaction is not grounds to refuse to give antivenom if otherwise indicated. Although it is a popular myth that a person allergic to horses "cannot" be given antivenom, the side effects are manageable, and antivenom should be given as rapidly as the side effects can be managed.
Sheep are generally used in preference over horses now, however, as the potential for adverse immunological responses in humans from sheep-derived antibodies is generally somewhat less than that from horse-derived antibodies. The use of horses to raise antibodies - in Australia at least, where much antivenom research has been undertaken (by Sutherland and others for example) - has been attributed to the research base originally having been a large number of veterinary officers. These vets had, in many cases, returned from taking part in the Boer and First World Wars and were generally experienced with horses due to working with cavalry. The large animal vets were similarly oriented given the use of horses as a prime source of motive power and transport, especially in the rural setting. The overall experience with horses naturally made them the preferred subject in which to raise antibodies. It was not until later that the immuno-reactivity of certain horse serum proteins was assessed to be sufficiently problematic that alternatives in which to raise antibodies were investigated.
In the U.S. the only approved antivenom for pit viper (rattlesnake, copperhead and water moccasin) snakebite is based on a purified product made in sheep known as Cro-Fab. It was approved by the FDA in October, 2000. U.S. Coral snake antivenom is no longer manufactured and remaining stocks of in-date antivenom for coral snakebite will expire in the Fall of 2009 leaving the U.S. without a Coral snake antivenom at this time (January, 2009).
Efforts are being made to obtain approval for a Coral snake antivenom produced in Mexico which would work against U.S. coral snakebite but such approval remains speculative. In the absence of antivenom, all coral snakebite should be treated in a hospital by elective endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation until the effects of coral snake neurotoxins abate. It is important to remember that respiratory paralysis in coral snakebite can occur suddenly, often up to 12 or more hours after the bite, so intubation and ventilation should be employed in anticipation of respiratory failure and not after it occurs when it may be too late.
The name antivenin, comes from the French word venin meaning venom, and historically the word antivenin was predominant around the world; however, this usage is archaic in English. For the English language, the WHO decided in 1981 that the preferred terminology in the English language would be "venom" and "antivenom" rather than "venin/antivenin" or "venen/antivenene".
The principle of antivenom is based on that of vaccines, developed by Louis Pasteur; however, instead of inducing immunity in the patient directly, it is induced in a host animal and the hyperimmunized serum is transfused into the patient.
Antivenoms can be classified into monovalent (when they are effective against a given species' venom) or polyvalent (when they are effective against a range of species, or several different species at the same time). The first antivenom for snakes (called an anti-ophidic serum) was developed by Albert Calmette, a French scientist of the Pasteur Institute working at its Indochine branch in 1895, against the Indian Cobra (Naja naja).
Vital Brazil, a Brazilian scientist, developed in 1901 the first monovalent and polyvalent antivenoms for Central and South American Crotalus, Bothrops and Elaps genera, as well as for certain species of venomous spiders, scorpions, and frogs. They were all developed in a Brazilian institution, the Instituto Butantan, located in Sao Paulo,Brazil.
Antivenoms for therapeutic use are often preserved as freeze-dried ampoules, but some are available only in liquid form and must be kept refrigerated. (They are not immediately inactivated by heat, so a minor gap in the cold chain is not disastrous.) The majority of antivenoms (including all snake antivenoms) are administered intravenously; however, stonefish and redback spider antivenoms are given intramuscularly. The intramuscular route has been questioned in some situations as not uniformly effective.
Antivenoms bind to and neutralize the venom, halting further damage, but do not reverse damage already done. Thus, they should be administered as soon as possible after the venom has been injected, but are of some benefit as long as venom is present in the body. Since the advent of antivenoms, some bites which were previously inevitably fatal have become only rarely fatal provided that the antivenom is administered soon enough.
Antivenoms are purified by several processes but will still contain other serum proteins that can act as antigens. Some individuals may react to the antivenom with an immediate hypersensitivity reaction (anaphylaxis) or a delayed hypersensitivity (serum sickness) reaction and antivenom should, therefore, be used with caution. Despite this caution, antivenom is typically the sole effective treatment for a life-threatening condition, and once the precautions for managing these reactions are in place, an anaphylactoid reaction is not grounds to refuse to give antivenom if otherwise indicated. Although it is a popular myth that a person allergic to horses "cannot" be given antivenom, the side effects are manageable, and antivenom should be given as rapidly as the side effects can be managed.
Sheep are generally used in preference over horses now, however, as the potential for adverse immunological responses in humans from sheep-derived antibodies is generally somewhat less than that from horse-derived antibodies. The use of horses to raise antibodies - in Australia at least, where much antivenom research has been undertaken (by Sutherland and others for example) - has been attributed to the research base originally having been a large number of veterinary officers. These vets had, in many cases, returned from taking part in the Boer and First World Wars and were generally experienced with horses due to working with cavalry. The large animal vets were similarly oriented given the use of horses as a prime source of motive power and transport, especially in the rural setting. The overall experience with horses naturally made them the preferred subject in which to raise antibodies. It was not until later that the immuno-reactivity of certain horse serum proteins was assessed to be sufficiently problematic that alternatives in which to raise antibodies were investigated.
In the U.S. the only approved antivenom for pit viper (rattlesnake, copperhead and water moccasin) snakebite is based on a purified product made in sheep known as Cro-Fab. It was approved by the FDA in October, 2000. U.S. Coral snake antivenom is no longer manufactured and remaining stocks of in-date antivenom for coral snakebite will expire in the Fall of 2009 leaving the U.S. without a Coral snake antivenom at this time (January, 2009).
Efforts are being made to obtain approval for a Coral snake antivenom produced in Mexico which would work against U.S. coral snakebite but such approval remains speculative. In the absence of antivenom, all coral snakebite should be treated in a hospital by elective endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation until the effects of coral snake neurotoxins abate. It is important to remember that respiratory paralysis in coral snakebite can occur suddenly, often up to 12 or more hours after the bite, so intubation and ventilation should be employed in anticipation of respiratory failure and not after it occurs when it may be too late.
Maxwell-16 : An Introduction
The Maxwell® 16 automated sample purification system brings Personal Automation™ to low- to moderate-throughput DNA and RNA extraction. Using this tool, clinical laboratories can improve efficiency while ensuring consistent results.
The Maxwell® 16 System:
Extracts samples in 30-45 minutes allowing technicians to walk away to perform other tasks
Provides optimized automated DNA and RNA extraction for 1 to 16 samples
Removes technician to technician variability by eliminating manual methods.
The Maxwell® 16 automated sample purification system brings Personal Automation™ to low- to moderate-throughput DNA, RNA and recombinant protein purification. Using this tool, laboratories can perform analysis of even the most difficult samples while increasing productivity of lab personnel.
The Maxwell® 16 Instrument can be configured in either Standard Elution Volume (SEV) or Low Elution Volume (LEV) formats. In the SEV format, purified samples are eluted in a volume of 300µl, maximizing yield. In the LEV format, samples are eluted in 20–100µl, maximizing concentration.
DNA Purification Systems: SEV Configuration.
Maxwell® 16 Blood DNA Purification Kit (Cat.# AS1010)
Maxwell® 16 Cell DNA Purification Kit (Cat.# AS1020)
Maxwell® 16 Tissue DNA Purification Kit (Cat.# AS1030)
DNA IQ™ Reference Sample Kit for Maxwell® 16 (Cat.# AS1040)
DNA Purification Systems: LEV Configuration:
DNA IQ™ Casework Sample Kit for Maxwell® 16 (Cat.# AS1210)
RNA Purification Systems: SEV Configuration:
Maxwell® 16 Total RNA Purification Kit (Cat.# AS1050)
RNA Purification Systems: LEV Configuration:
Maxwell® 16 Tissue LEV Total RNA Purification Kit (Cat.# AS1220)
Maxwell® 16 Cell LEV Total RNA Purification Kit (Cat.# AS1225)
The Maxwell® 16 System:
Extracts samples in 30-45 minutes allowing technicians to walk away to perform other tasks
Provides optimized automated DNA and RNA extraction for 1 to 16 samples
Removes technician to technician variability by eliminating manual methods.
The Maxwell® 16 automated sample purification system brings Personal Automation™ to low- to moderate-throughput DNA, RNA and recombinant protein purification. Using this tool, laboratories can perform analysis of even the most difficult samples while increasing productivity of lab personnel.
The Maxwell® 16 Instrument can be configured in either Standard Elution Volume (SEV) or Low Elution Volume (LEV) formats. In the SEV format, purified samples are eluted in a volume of 300µl, maximizing yield. In the LEV format, samples are eluted in 20–100µl, maximizing concentration.
DNA Purification Systems: SEV Configuration.
Maxwell® 16 Blood DNA Purification Kit (Cat.# AS1010)
Maxwell® 16 Cell DNA Purification Kit (Cat.# AS1020)
Maxwell® 16 Tissue DNA Purification Kit (Cat.# AS1030)
DNA IQ™ Reference Sample Kit for Maxwell® 16 (Cat.# AS1040)
DNA Purification Systems: LEV Configuration:
DNA IQ™ Casework Sample Kit for Maxwell® 16 (Cat.# AS1210)
RNA Purification Systems: SEV Configuration:
Maxwell® 16 Total RNA Purification Kit (Cat.# AS1050)
RNA Purification Systems: LEV Configuration:
Maxwell® 16 Tissue LEV Total RNA Purification Kit (Cat.# AS1220)
Maxwell® 16 Cell LEV Total RNA Purification Kit (Cat.# AS1225)
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Steroid Hormones
Steroid hormones are steroids that act as hormones. Steroid hormones can be grouped into five groups by the receptors to which they bind: glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids, androgens, estrogens, and progestagens. Vitamin D derivatives are a sixth closely-related hormone system with homologous receptors, though technically sterols rather than steroids.
The natural steroid hormones are generally synthesized from cholesterol in the gonads and adrenal glands. These forms of hormones are lipids. They can pass through the cell membrane as they are fat-soluble, and then quite easily combine with a protein receptor which may be nuclear of cytosolic depending on the steroid hormone, to bring about changes within the cell. Steroid hormones are generally carried in the blood bound to specific carrier proteins such as sex hormone-binding globulin or corticosteroid-binding globulin. Further conversions and catabolism occurs in the liver, in other "peripheral" tissues, and in the target tissues.
A variety of synthetic steroids and sterols have also been contrived. Most are steroids, but some non-steroidal molecules can interact with the steroid receptors because of a similarity of shape. Some synthetic steroids are weaker, and some much stronger, than the natural steroids whose receptors they activate.
Some examples of synthetic steroid hormones:
Glucocorticoids: prednisone, dexamethasone, triamcinolone
Mineralocorticoid: fludrocortisone
Vitamin D: dihydrotachysterol
Androgens: oxandrolone, nandrolone (also known as anabolic steroids)
Estrogens: diethylstilbestrol (DES)
Progestins: norethindrone, medroxyprogesterone acetate
Steroids are primarily used by bodybuilders, athletes, and fitness buffs who claim steroids give them a competitive advantage and/or improve their physical performance. Also, individuals in occupations requiring enhanced physical strength (body guards, construction workers, and law enforcement officers) are known to take these drugs. However, steroid misuse or abuse has been associated with health problems and undesirable outcomes.
Side effects of steroid use can include hair loss, liver problems, insomnia, acne, headaches, jaundice, hypertension and high cholesterol. Men who use steroids can experience shrinking testes, gynaecomastia (enlarged breasts) and prostate and fertility problems. Females may experience a deepened voice, increases in body and facial hair, menstrual irregularities, and an enlarged clitoris. Males may experience testicle shrinkage, infertility, and breast development. In addition several psychological effects, such as increased aggression and hostility, irritability, anxiety, paranoia, mood swings, depression, and suicidal thoughts may also occur. Steroids can permanently stunt the growth of adolescents.
Steroid abuse can have profound effects on the mind, causing temporary personality changes in some. Psychological side effects of steroids include irritability, agitation, euphoria or depression. Insomnia can also be a side effect. These changes in appearance and mood are often more apparent with high doses of steroids.
Steroids may also cause a redistribution of fat, leading to a swollen face and abdomen, but thin arms and legs. An increase in susceptibility to infections may occur with high doses of steroids. Steroids reduce calcium absorption through the gastrointestinal tract which may result in osteoporosis, or thinning of the bones. Prolonged heavy use of steroids can permanently damage the liver, causing cancer, jaundice, bleeding, and hepatitis.
The natural steroid hormones are generally synthesized from cholesterol in the gonads and adrenal glands. These forms of hormones are lipids. They can pass through the cell membrane as they are fat-soluble, and then quite easily combine with a protein receptor which may be nuclear of cytosolic depending on the steroid hormone, to bring about changes within the cell. Steroid hormones are generally carried in the blood bound to specific carrier proteins such as sex hormone-binding globulin or corticosteroid-binding globulin. Further conversions and catabolism occurs in the liver, in other "peripheral" tissues, and in the target tissues.
A variety of synthetic steroids and sterols have also been contrived. Most are steroids, but some non-steroidal molecules can interact with the steroid receptors because of a similarity of shape. Some synthetic steroids are weaker, and some much stronger, than the natural steroids whose receptors they activate.
Some examples of synthetic steroid hormones:
Glucocorticoids: prednisone, dexamethasone, triamcinolone
Mineralocorticoid: fludrocortisone
Vitamin D: dihydrotachysterol
Androgens: oxandrolone, nandrolone (also known as anabolic steroids)
Estrogens: diethylstilbestrol (DES)
Progestins: norethindrone, medroxyprogesterone acetate
Steroids are primarily used by bodybuilders, athletes, and fitness buffs who claim steroids give them a competitive advantage and/or improve their physical performance. Also, individuals in occupations requiring enhanced physical strength (body guards, construction workers, and law enforcement officers) are known to take these drugs. However, steroid misuse or abuse has been associated with health problems and undesirable outcomes.
Side effects of steroid use can include hair loss, liver problems, insomnia, acne, headaches, jaundice, hypertension and high cholesterol. Men who use steroids can experience shrinking testes, gynaecomastia (enlarged breasts) and prostate and fertility problems. Females may experience a deepened voice, increases in body and facial hair, menstrual irregularities, and an enlarged clitoris. Males may experience testicle shrinkage, infertility, and breast development. In addition several psychological effects, such as increased aggression and hostility, irritability, anxiety, paranoia, mood swings, depression, and suicidal thoughts may also occur. Steroids can permanently stunt the growth of adolescents.
Steroid abuse can have profound effects on the mind, causing temporary personality changes in some. Psychological side effects of steroids include irritability, agitation, euphoria or depression. Insomnia can also be a side effect. These changes in appearance and mood are often more apparent with high doses of steroids.
Steroids may also cause a redistribution of fat, leading to a swollen face and abdomen, but thin arms and legs. An increase in susceptibility to infections may occur with high doses of steroids. Steroids reduce calcium absorption through the gastrointestinal tract which may result in osteoporosis, or thinning of the bones. Prolonged heavy use of steroids can permanently damage the liver, causing cancer, jaundice, bleeding, and hepatitis.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Bid'ah Modern
Petang tadi 2 orang rakan datang bertandang. Belum pun sempat memulakan perbualan panjang, salah sorang dari mereka menerima SMS, dari seorang rakannya. Isi SMS itu adalah seuntai doa tanpa terjemahan, tapi yang menakutkan adalah ayat seterusnya. Tertulis di situ "ancaman" bagi orang yang delete SMS itu , apalagi tanpa mem-forwad SMS itu, akan mendapat bala' bencana serta merta, dalam tempoh beberapa jam sahaja. Alahai, takutnya!
Sebetulnya saya pun pernah beberapa kali menerima SMS serupa tapi dengan untaian doa yang berbeza dan ayat ancaman yang agak berlainan tapi maksudnya lebih kurang sama. Pada saya, benda begini tak patut dilayan. Siapa anda, sehingga boleh menjatuhkan hukuman kepada orang yang tak forwad SMS itu. Hatta ulama pun tak pernah pulak keluar fatwa yang mewajibkan memforwad SMS sedemikan.
Apa yang akan berlaku sekiranya setelah memforwad SMS itu, sampai 10 kali pula tu, tiba-tiba bala' bencana menimpa anda. Anda nak marahkan Tuhan kah? Kononnya Tuhan ingkar janji.
Saya tak pasti apa muslihat di sebalik SMS yang sekilas nampak bertujuan baik tapi sebenarnya boleh memesongkan aqidah kita, kerana mempercayai sesuatu yang tidak ada dalilnya dalam Al Quran dan Al Hadist. Lainlah kalau ada berlaku kematian rakan handai atau ulama, lalu orang hantar SMS untuk memberikan kabar kematian itu dan minta kita memforward SMS itu kepada orang lain dengan tujuan supaya orang tahu dan datang ke tempat orang yang mendapat musibah kematian itu, atau paling tidak pun SMS itu menyeru kita untuk menghadiahkan Al Fatihah kepada si mati, itu lain cerita.
Apapun, dalam zaman yang serba canggih ini, ada banyak perkara yang perlu kita pikir dulu berulang-ulang sebelum kita buat. Apalagi kalau benda tu berkaitan dengan ibadah dan aqidah. Bimbanglah yang mungkin tanpa sedar,dek kerana kecanggihan teknologi, kita pula terjerumus dalam perkara-perkara yang membatalkan IMAN. Na'udzubillah.
Sebetulnya saya pun pernah beberapa kali menerima SMS serupa tapi dengan untaian doa yang berbeza dan ayat ancaman yang agak berlainan tapi maksudnya lebih kurang sama. Pada saya, benda begini tak patut dilayan. Siapa anda, sehingga boleh menjatuhkan hukuman kepada orang yang tak forwad SMS itu. Hatta ulama pun tak pernah pulak keluar fatwa yang mewajibkan memforwad SMS sedemikan.
Apa yang akan berlaku sekiranya setelah memforwad SMS itu, sampai 10 kali pula tu, tiba-tiba bala' bencana menimpa anda. Anda nak marahkan Tuhan kah? Kononnya Tuhan ingkar janji.
Saya tak pasti apa muslihat di sebalik SMS yang sekilas nampak bertujuan baik tapi sebenarnya boleh memesongkan aqidah kita, kerana mempercayai sesuatu yang tidak ada dalilnya dalam Al Quran dan Al Hadist. Lainlah kalau ada berlaku kematian rakan handai atau ulama, lalu orang hantar SMS untuk memberikan kabar kematian itu dan minta kita memforward SMS itu kepada orang lain dengan tujuan supaya orang tahu dan datang ke tempat orang yang mendapat musibah kematian itu, atau paling tidak pun SMS itu menyeru kita untuk menghadiahkan Al Fatihah kepada si mati, itu lain cerita.
Apapun, dalam zaman yang serba canggih ini, ada banyak perkara yang perlu kita pikir dulu berulang-ulang sebelum kita buat. Apalagi kalau benda tu berkaitan dengan ibadah dan aqidah. Bimbanglah yang mungkin tanpa sedar,dek kerana kecanggihan teknologi, kita pula terjerumus dalam perkara-perkara yang membatalkan IMAN. Na'udzubillah.
Mini Telekung VS Tudung
Ada satu cerita yang kalau nak dikata kelakar pun tak juga, tapi mungkin.......ridiculous. 3 hari sebelum pergi umrah hari tu, husband ada tanya sama ada beg pakaian dan keperluan lain sudah siap. Lalu dia sendiri buka dan check isi di di dalamnya. "Takkan pi umrah, pakai baju merah, tudung merah kot? Soal my husband. Terkedu saya dibuatnya. Ya tak ya juga. Selalunya kan orang pi sana kalau tak pakai baju putih, baju hitam. Mulalah saya kelam kabut, cari apa saja yang berwarna hitam. Tinggal satu benda yang tak da. Tudung hitam. Walaupun terpaksa juga telinga ni mendengar leteran husband yang bising tak suka last minute shopping, akhirnya petang itu pergi juga kami ke kangar, cari tudung hitam. Untuk anak-anak, Alhamdulillah tak da masalah. Semuanya sesuai dengan size mereka. Untuk saya pula.................
Masuklah kami ke sebuah kedai. Pakcik tu tanya, nak beli apa? Saya tanya balik,"Tudung hitam ada?". "Ada, jawabnya pendek sambil menyuruh pembantunya mengambil tudung yang dimaksud. Tengok dari jauh pun, walaupun hitam, mata saya masih clear lagi, aik.....awat sizenya sama macam tudung budak 2 orang ni? Tapi soalan itu saya simpan dalam hati. Sekilas pandang saya ternampak sesuatu yang berwarna hitam juga. "Saya minat yang itu lah....."kata saya pada pakcik itu sambil menunjuk benda yang dmaksud. Pakcik tu pun kata,"itu mini telekung, bukan tudung", sambil menggapai benda tu dengan muka menyampah.
Aik, sejak bila pula tudung labuh turun derajat jadi mini telekung dan tudung mini naik pangkat jadi tudung? Patutlah selama ini sebut saja tudung labuh, maka yang terbayang adalah mini telekung yang dipakai oleh makcik-makcik kampung, ustadzah PAS (maaf!), budak pondok atau budak yang nak pi sekolah. Tudung pula adalah penutup kepala yang depannya lebih menyerupai topi, keluasannya umpama tarik ke bawah naik ke atas juga sebab size terlalu minim sehingga menampakkan jinjangnya leher si pemakai dan menampakkan dada juga plus loket besar yang tak pasti emas kah zhulian, tapi di pakai oleh golongan berkelas, golongan yang hari-hari pi pejabat dan mensyuarat.
Semasa di Mekah, saya sempat belajar teknik mengikat tudung ala Iran, Pakistan,Arab dan Syiria. Walaupun kesemua teknik lebih kurang sama tapi ada juga letak keunikan hasilnya. Seperkara lagi, ada beberapa teknik mengikat tudung yang diadaptasi oleh orang kita, orang Malaysia, tapi tak kena pada jenis kain dan keluasan kain yang perlu digunakan. Natijahnya, tudung bawal yang dah tak berapa besar tu jadi makin kecil, dah lah nipis pulak tu. Atau tudung jenis cap yang ramai orang pakai sekarang, kononnya macam bienda atau waheeda, dah lah memang kecil, kalau dipakai jadi mengecut pula pada bagian leher dan dada. Agaknya memang orang kita ni kreatif tak bertempat. Tapi kalau kita kata macam tu, mereka marah kita pulak. Kononnya, tak reti seni dan nilai estetik. Bahkan mereka akan kata pulak, kat Arab sana panas, pasal tu depa pakai yang labuh-labuh. Malaysia kan iklim tropik, jadi tak payah lah nak borong kain untuk dijadikan tudung. Alahai, inilah yang dinamakan tak reti ugama. Dah jelas panduan macam mana hijab dalam Islam, masih nak pertikai juga? Na'udzubillah.
Kapada anda di luar sana yang belum bertudung, marilah bertudung dengan sempurna. Takkan nak tunggu rambut dah beruban baru nak pakai tudung kot? Kalau Tuhan lanjutkan usia ke masa itu tak pa jugak, kalau tiba-tiba Tuhan tarik nyawa sebelum sempat bertudung, nak kata apa pun tak upaya.
Kepada anda yang dah bertudung, marilah bertudung dengan sempurna. Nak pakai colour apapun pakailah, janji cukup labuh untuk menutup aurat dari ujung rambut hingga dada. Nak pakai kerongsang emas intan berlian pun pakai lah, janji tudung tu tak nipis sehingga menampakkan rambut dan leher di dalamnya. Nak pakai style artist manapun pakailah, janji anda istiqomah memakainya, bukan setakat bertudung time nak pi kerja atau ke pejabat saja, tapi juga di saat-saat anda berdepan atau berada di sekitar orang yang bukan mahram anda. Wallahu'alam.
Masuklah kami ke sebuah kedai. Pakcik tu tanya, nak beli apa? Saya tanya balik,"Tudung hitam ada?". "Ada, jawabnya pendek sambil menyuruh pembantunya mengambil tudung yang dimaksud. Tengok dari jauh pun, walaupun hitam, mata saya masih clear lagi, aik.....awat sizenya sama macam tudung budak 2 orang ni? Tapi soalan itu saya simpan dalam hati. Sekilas pandang saya ternampak sesuatu yang berwarna hitam juga. "Saya minat yang itu lah....."kata saya pada pakcik itu sambil menunjuk benda yang dmaksud. Pakcik tu pun kata,"itu mini telekung, bukan tudung", sambil menggapai benda tu dengan muka menyampah.
Aik, sejak bila pula tudung labuh turun derajat jadi mini telekung dan tudung mini naik pangkat jadi tudung? Patutlah selama ini sebut saja tudung labuh, maka yang terbayang adalah mini telekung yang dipakai oleh makcik-makcik kampung, ustadzah PAS (maaf!), budak pondok atau budak yang nak pi sekolah. Tudung pula adalah penutup kepala yang depannya lebih menyerupai topi, keluasannya umpama tarik ke bawah naik ke atas juga sebab size terlalu minim sehingga menampakkan jinjangnya leher si pemakai dan menampakkan dada juga plus loket besar yang tak pasti emas kah zhulian, tapi di pakai oleh golongan berkelas, golongan yang hari-hari pi pejabat dan mensyuarat.
Semasa di Mekah, saya sempat belajar teknik mengikat tudung ala Iran, Pakistan,Arab dan Syiria. Walaupun kesemua teknik lebih kurang sama tapi ada juga letak keunikan hasilnya. Seperkara lagi, ada beberapa teknik mengikat tudung yang diadaptasi oleh orang kita, orang Malaysia, tapi tak kena pada jenis kain dan keluasan kain yang perlu digunakan. Natijahnya, tudung bawal yang dah tak berapa besar tu jadi makin kecil, dah lah nipis pulak tu. Atau tudung jenis cap yang ramai orang pakai sekarang, kononnya macam bienda atau waheeda, dah lah memang kecil, kalau dipakai jadi mengecut pula pada bagian leher dan dada. Agaknya memang orang kita ni kreatif tak bertempat. Tapi kalau kita kata macam tu, mereka marah kita pulak. Kononnya, tak reti seni dan nilai estetik. Bahkan mereka akan kata pulak, kat Arab sana panas, pasal tu depa pakai yang labuh-labuh. Malaysia kan iklim tropik, jadi tak payah lah nak borong kain untuk dijadikan tudung. Alahai, inilah yang dinamakan tak reti ugama. Dah jelas panduan macam mana hijab dalam Islam, masih nak pertikai juga? Na'udzubillah.
Kapada anda di luar sana yang belum bertudung, marilah bertudung dengan sempurna. Takkan nak tunggu rambut dah beruban baru nak pakai tudung kot? Kalau Tuhan lanjutkan usia ke masa itu tak pa jugak, kalau tiba-tiba Tuhan tarik nyawa sebelum sempat bertudung, nak kata apa pun tak upaya.
Kepada anda yang dah bertudung, marilah bertudung dengan sempurna. Nak pakai colour apapun pakailah, janji cukup labuh untuk menutup aurat dari ujung rambut hingga dada. Nak pakai kerongsang emas intan berlian pun pakai lah, janji tudung tu tak nipis sehingga menampakkan rambut dan leher di dalamnya. Nak pakai style artist manapun pakailah, janji anda istiqomah memakainya, bukan setakat bertudung time nak pi kerja atau ke pejabat saja, tapi juga di saat-saat anda berdepan atau berada di sekitar orang yang bukan mahram anda. Wallahu'alam.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Umrah:Sebuah catatan pendek
Alhamdulillah syukur kami panjatkan ke hadirat Allah SWT yang telah memberikan kemudahan kepada kami sekeluarga untuk menunaikan umrah (27 mei-7 jun) beserta rombongan syarikat. Terlalu banyak cerita di dalamnya, walaupun bukan semua perkara boleh saya kongsikan dengan anda, para pembaca. Sesetengah benda biarlah ianya menjadi rahsia hati saya dengan Allah Azza wajalla.
Sedih dan gembira bercampur baur bermula dari pertama kali saya mendapat kabar mengenai rancangan umrah hinggalah akhirnya melangkah pergi meninggalkan Baitullah. Seronok betul beribadah di sana walaupun panasnya cuaca rasa macam duduk dalam oven, habis kering air dalam badan dibuatnya. Berkenalan dan mengenal beragam jenis manusia dari belahan dunia lain, "masam, manis, pahit dan pedasnya" perangai mereka.
Hati tersentuh ketika tawaf, bagaimana tidak, ingatkan kami sahaja yang tawaf sambil dukung 2 budak, ternyata........ramai lagi yang tawaf sambil dukung baby yang baru"lepas pantang". Makin tersentuh ketika sa'i, dalam hati terbayang, duhai kesiannya Siti Hajar ketika berulang alik dari safa ke marwa dan seterusnya. Sekarang senang, langit tak nampak lagi kerana ada bumbung, kaki tak sakit lagi kerana lantai marmar yang sejuk, plus aircond dan kipas pulak di sana-sini, bila letih boleh terus ke tepi minum air zam-zam. Memanglah kalau nak dibandingkan yang dulu dan sekarang, terlalu banyak bezanya, tapi sayangnya jarang diantara kita mampu mengambil iktibar di sebalik kesusahan pendahulu kita di masa lampau. Tengok sahaja, dalam keramaian orang yang bersa'i, ramai pula pasangan muda yang tergelak, haha hihi ketika sa'i, seolah tengah berjogging kat taman. Yang paling sedih lagi.................Melayu kita. Astaghfirullah. Tak boleh nak buat apa, masa tu yang terpikir.....jaga tepi kain sendiri lah, istilahnya, dah dok depan Tuhan, sendiri tahulah macam mana nak beradab dengan Tuhan. Bukan begitu?
Tentu anda ingat salah satu lirik dalam nasyid Raihan: Pergi haji bukan untuk membeli belah.........
Rasanya tak payah nak tunggu musim haji, dalam umrah pun boleh tengok budaya shopping masyarakat dunia. Orang Melayu kita (Malaysia, Indonesia dan Singapore) lebih suka shopping kat kedai-kedai kecil tepi jalan, lorong-lorong kecil kota Mekah dan tepi jalan di sekitar Masjidil Haram. kalau nak di kata murah meriah pun tak juga. Harganya sepadan dengan kualiti. Tapi Tok arab and the gang, lebih suka shopping kat shopping mall, hypermarket yang harganya berkali-kali ganda lebih mahal walhal kalau nak tengok kualiti, sebetulnya tak jauh beza sangat dengan kualiti barang kat kedai-kedai kecil,malah kadang-kadang produk tu sebetulnya bukan produk tempatan tapi import dari Cina,contohnya. Hanya sahaja, yang mereka cari adalah nilai prestige-nya. Gah betul mereka kalau jalan sambil bawa barang yang dibungkus dengan plastik bertuliskan jenama produk yang dibeli. Menunjuk-nunjuk sikapnya, yang paling ketara kalau lepas shopping terus masuk masjid. Bukan nak ibadah, tapi kongsi cerita bab barang yang baru mereka beli. Beza dengan orang kita yang boleh buat tak kisah walaupun hanya diberi plastik hitam atau putih tanpa sedikit pun tulisan jenama atau sejenisnya. Janji ada buah tangan yang berbaloi buat keluarga, rakan handai di tanah air, dah kira Alhamdulillah.
Bab ibadah pula, kalau nak pandang kiri pandang kanan, rasa malu betul, ibadah tuan punya badan ni belum boleh dibandingkan dengan mana-mana ibadah Hamba Allah yang lain. Why? Sebab masih terlalu sedikit. Masih banyak lagi yang perlu dibaiki, perlu dimuhasabah.
Apapun inilah yang dinamakan asam garam kehidupan. Ertinya, kalau kita tak mampu menjadi "matang" ketika berada di negara sendiri( mungkin kerana terlalu selesa hidup di bumi bertuah) kita akan menjadi lebih "matang" ketika berada di negara orang. Pertembungan bahasa, budaya dan berbagai faktor lain, boleh membuat kita melihat dunia ini bukan hanya dari "mata" sendiri tetapi juga dari "mata orang lain". Wallahu'alam.
Sedih dan gembira bercampur baur bermula dari pertama kali saya mendapat kabar mengenai rancangan umrah hinggalah akhirnya melangkah pergi meninggalkan Baitullah. Seronok betul beribadah di sana walaupun panasnya cuaca rasa macam duduk dalam oven, habis kering air dalam badan dibuatnya. Berkenalan dan mengenal beragam jenis manusia dari belahan dunia lain, "masam, manis, pahit dan pedasnya" perangai mereka.
Hati tersentuh ketika tawaf, bagaimana tidak, ingatkan kami sahaja yang tawaf sambil dukung 2 budak, ternyata........ramai lagi yang tawaf sambil dukung baby yang baru"lepas pantang". Makin tersentuh ketika sa'i, dalam hati terbayang, duhai kesiannya Siti Hajar ketika berulang alik dari safa ke marwa dan seterusnya. Sekarang senang, langit tak nampak lagi kerana ada bumbung, kaki tak sakit lagi kerana lantai marmar yang sejuk, plus aircond dan kipas pulak di sana-sini, bila letih boleh terus ke tepi minum air zam-zam. Memanglah kalau nak dibandingkan yang dulu dan sekarang, terlalu banyak bezanya, tapi sayangnya jarang diantara kita mampu mengambil iktibar di sebalik kesusahan pendahulu kita di masa lampau. Tengok sahaja, dalam keramaian orang yang bersa'i, ramai pula pasangan muda yang tergelak, haha hihi ketika sa'i, seolah tengah berjogging kat taman. Yang paling sedih lagi.................Melayu kita. Astaghfirullah. Tak boleh nak buat apa, masa tu yang terpikir.....jaga tepi kain sendiri lah, istilahnya, dah dok depan Tuhan, sendiri tahulah macam mana nak beradab dengan Tuhan. Bukan begitu?
Tentu anda ingat salah satu lirik dalam nasyid Raihan: Pergi haji bukan untuk membeli belah.........
Rasanya tak payah nak tunggu musim haji, dalam umrah pun boleh tengok budaya shopping masyarakat dunia. Orang Melayu kita (Malaysia, Indonesia dan Singapore) lebih suka shopping kat kedai-kedai kecil tepi jalan, lorong-lorong kecil kota Mekah dan tepi jalan di sekitar Masjidil Haram. kalau nak di kata murah meriah pun tak juga. Harganya sepadan dengan kualiti. Tapi Tok arab and the gang, lebih suka shopping kat shopping mall, hypermarket yang harganya berkali-kali ganda lebih mahal walhal kalau nak tengok kualiti, sebetulnya tak jauh beza sangat dengan kualiti barang kat kedai-kedai kecil,malah kadang-kadang produk tu sebetulnya bukan produk tempatan tapi import dari Cina,contohnya. Hanya sahaja, yang mereka cari adalah nilai prestige-nya. Gah betul mereka kalau jalan sambil bawa barang yang dibungkus dengan plastik bertuliskan jenama produk yang dibeli. Menunjuk-nunjuk sikapnya, yang paling ketara kalau lepas shopping terus masuk masjid. Bukan nak ibadah, tapi kongsi cerita bab barang yang baru mereka beli. Beza dengan orang kita yang boleh buat tak kisah walaupun hanya diberi plastik hitam atau putih tanpa sedikit pun tulisan jenama atau sejenisnya. Janji ada buah tangan yang berbaloi buat keluarga, rakan handai di tanah air, dah kira Alhamdulillah.
Bab ibadah pula, kalau nak pandang kiri pandang kanan, rasa malu betul, ibadah tuan punya badan ni belum boleh dibandingkan dengan mana-mana ibadah Hamba Allah yang lain. Why? Sebab masih terlalu sedikit. Masih banyak lagi yang perlu dibaiki, perlu dimuhasabah.
Apapun inilah yang dinamakan asam garam kehidupan. Ertinya, kalau kita tak mampu menjadi "matang" ketika berada di negara sendiri( mungkin kerana terlalu selesa hidup di bumi bertuah) kita akan menjadi lebih "matang" ketika berada di negara orang. Pertembungan bahasa, budaya dan berbagai faktor lain, boleh membuat kita melihat dunia ini bukan hanya dari "mata" sendiri tetapi juga dari "mata orang lain". Wallahu'alam.
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