Ahmad Fuad Rahmat (Harakahdaily)
Dec 20, 2011The guest in a grand ballroom of Kelab Shah Alam upon Dec 18, dined as they were serenaded by a compelling delivery of Il Divo's "I Believe in You" shortly to be followed by an Arabic/Islamic chronicle of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah". The six singers, accompanied by a full live band, were heartfelt in their performances. The multi-racial, multi-religious, audience were in good spirits.
CHILLING OUT Dzulkefly reacts to a performance
It was fun. There was laughter as well as applause. Men as well as women enjoyed a moment together. All were benefaction tonight to for a dinner-dialogue fundraiser for Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad. Such sum would of march be rsther than paltry if not for a elementary actuality which Dzulkefly is an Islamist as well as a PAS politician.
In a discursive space as intellectually narrow as well as shallow as a a single you have inherited in Malaysia, where most fuss as well as frenzy continue to be made about issues as menial as concerts as well as dress codes, a casual mood of a evening was received as a exhale of fresh air, or for those unknown with Dzulkefly's work as well as opinions, a most indispensable means as well as arise for relief. Dzulkefly represents a singular alternative, progressive voice out there, as well as they have been tenderly welcomed by his friendly company.
"Islam is a approach of life", he reminds us in his opening speech. The word has indeed turn an stale truis! m, thoug h if Muslims have been to indeed embody which expression afterwards you contingency show how Islam is hold up fulfilling, not hold up denying.
A fulfilled hold up is a single of happiness rsther than than fear, of consternation rsther than than anger, of village rsther than than segregation as well as animosity. It is a hold up to be lived meaningfully, not constantly scrutinized for each probable crack of sensitivity.
A BIT MORE SERIOUS Right, above: The throng in a celebration mood. Below: PKR's Nurul Izzah, law highbrow Abdul Aziz Bari, Dzulkefly as well as DAP's Tony Pua in a panel discussion
Dzulkefly also spoke of a importance of engaging with modernity, Islamically. Every two years he would gather his family members for an honest conversational examination of where they have been in their respective paths in life. The emphasis is upon individual flourishing as well as vigilant, critical self-reflection. But this contingency be pursued horizontally, in dialogue, not an imposed management as if from high upon above.
After dinner, an auction ensued. The proceeds would fund Dzulkefly's election campaign. Some of a items auctioned were donated by close friends. Most notably, a animation sketch of himself by Johnny Ong, sold for RM7000. A pick up of darling paintings by his grandchildren sold for RM1500. The effort became some-more critical towards a end, when a panel contention attended by Nurul Izzah as well as Tony Pua directed discussions to contemporary politics.
But which should not take away a most noted aspect of a evening, as well as which is a domestic solidarity built upon warmth as well as openness which was evident in a mood.
* The writer is Research Fellow, Islamic Renaissance Front, Kuala Lumpur
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