'Kuasa' Mendeley

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim

Nama 'Mendeley' rasanya bukanlah nama asing lagi di samping End Note dan software lain yang digunakan untuk memudahkan kerja-kerja reference dan citation. Saya mengenali Mendeley melalui bengkel yang dianjurkan oleh Dr. Othman Talib, pensyarah UPM dan sifu Tulis Tesis Cepat, sebelum terbang ke Tanah Inggeris pada dua tahun lepas (rujuk SINI), dan baru-baru ini menghadiri lagi bengkelnya yang diadakan di Malaysian Hall, London.

18 September 2014

Alhamdulillah Mendeley benar-benar banyak membantu sejak melangkah ke dunia PhD. Di antara manfaatnya ialah:

1. Percuma

Boleh download secara percuma di SINI.

2. Mencari rujukan dan bahan bacaan dengan mudah

Gunakan formula berikut untuk tujuan pencarian:

Dipetik dari slide Dr. OT

3. Menyusun bahan kajian mengikut tema kajian masing-masing dengan teratur.

Bina satu folder baru dan masukkan dokumen yang berkaitan, dan letakkan nama tema yang sesuai. Ia mudah untuk tujuan literature review dan tajuk2 di dalam chapter.

Contoh:

4. Berhubung secara langsung dengan Microsoft Word untuk tujuan citation dan reference.

Sangat mudah untuk masukkan rujukan dengan hanya meng'klik' butang 'insert citation', citation mengikut sistem APA Style dan bukan footnote. Begitu juga dengan bibliograpi atau rujukan, hanya tekan 'insert bibliography', semua rujukan yang digunakan akan tersusun rapi dan disusun mengikut abjad. Walau apapun, install Mendeley yang terkini dan update selalu.

5. Friendly-User dan Multi-Purpose

Sangat mudah digunakan, boleh try dan error. Malah boleh rujuk pelbagai sumber jika ada masalah dengan Mendeley. Rujukan paling mudah ialah buku-buku tulisan Dr.OT dengan dua bahasa.

Mendeley digunakan bukan untuk PhD sahaja, tetapi juga sangat membantu untuk penyediaan artikel jurnal dan kertas conference, atau menulis buku peribadi.


Perkongsian ini adalah mengikut pandangan peribadi sebagai pengguna Mendeley.

Terima kasih Mendeley & Dr OT!

Viva Kecil

Dengan nama Allah yang Maha Pemurah lagi Maha Penyayang

Segala puji bagi Tuhan Pencipta Alam serta selawat ke atas baginda Nabi Muhammad sallallahu'alaihiwasallam, saya kembali lagi menulis setelah membiarkan sawang yang mula bersarang. Saya gagal memberi komitmen sekurang-kurangnya lima entri setiap bulan menulis di blog ini.

Saya gagal.

Tetapi kali ini saya tidak mahu berkongsi tentang kegagalan, tetapi mahu bercerita tentang kejayaan. Alhamdulillah saya telah berjaya melepasi sesi yang dipanggil 'panel review' atau mudah dikenali dengan 'defend thesis' atau ada sesetengah universiti yang mengenali sesi ini dengan 'qualifying day' atau 'small viva'. Semua istilah tersebut merujuk kepada sesi pembentangan tajuk tesis yang wajib dihadiri oleh calon-calon PhD yang telah melanjutkan pengajian di dalam lingkungan 10 - 12 bulan. Sesi tersebut akan diadili oleh beberapa panel untuk berbincang tentang penilaian terhadap kajian yang telah dicadangkan. Sebelum menghadiri sesi ini, pelajar wajib menghantar satu bab (6000-8000 patah perkataan) yang akan dihakimi oleh penilai. Kemudian, hasil daripada penilaian akan dibincangkan di dalam sesi tersebut.

Tarikh 13 Mei adalah tarikh bersejarah para penduduk Tanah Melayu, dan ia juga tarikh bersejarah saya menghadiri sesi panel ini. Pada awalnya, keputusan yang saya terima tidak memberansangkan tetapi saya cuba sedaya upaya meyakinkan para panel tentang kajian yang saya jalankan ini. Alhamdulillah sesi berakhir dengan baik dan kata sepakat diambil bahawa kajian ini layak digelar kajian PhD.

Tiada tempat lain saya tujukan kesyukuran melainkan kepada Tuhan. Malah, doa ibu bapa, saudara mara serta sahabat handai banyak menyumbang agar sesi tersebut berjalan dengan lancar. 

Ini adalah langkah pertama, dan masih banyak lagi langkah yang perlu saya tempuhi. Semoga saya diberi kekuatan agar tidak lalai, dan dikurniakan kesabaran agar saya dapat kecapi nikmat di akhir perjalanan kelak.

Perjalanan tahun kedua pun telah bermula....

Pemandangan dari Height of Abraham

Kali Keempat

Alhamdulillah

Belajar adalah suatu proses yang panjang dan tidak akan berhenti. Saya masih belajar dan akan terus belajar. Biarpun kertas cadangan saya sudah diterima saya akan tetap belajar. Setelah tiga kali ditolak oleh penyelia, saya akan tetap belajar. 

Kali ini, emel penyelia diterima dengan senyuman bukan tangisan.

Teruskan usaha Saadah!

Tulis

Dengan nama Tuhan yang Maha Pemurah lagi Maha Penyayang

Selawat dan salam kepada junjungan Rasulullah SAW serta ahli keluarga dan para sahabat.

Saya menulis bukan kerana nama, bukan juga untuk mendapatkan perhatian sesiapa. Saya menulis untuk mengharapkan keredhaan Tuhan kerana redha Dia itu pelengkap segalanya.

Saya tidak pandai menulis. Sejak dulu karangan Bahasa Melayu tidak pernah mendapat A, sama juga dengan Bahasa Inggeris mahupun Bahasa Arab. Tapi saya suka membaca. Tulisan penulis buat saya senang, hidup dalam dunia tanpa gangguan.

Saya cemburu dengan penulis. Meluahkan kata-kata indah dan bisa buat pembaca berfikir.

Saya cemburu kerana saya mahu menulis. Tetapi tulisan ini kerdil dan tidak dipandang.

Sejak kebelakangan ini, apa yang ditulis semuanya ditolak. Sedihnya. Terasa tidak layak sungguh menulis kertas cadangan phD. Huh Phd? Layakkah aku??

Tetapi saya tetap menulis.

Bukankah banyak penulis ternama mempunyai pengalaman buruk sebelum tulisan mereka diterima?

Bukankah penulis juga perlu belajar dari kesilapan dan tidak mengulanginya?

Secara akademik, menulis tidak boleh menurut kata hati. Ia berlu bersandarkan fakta dan dalil yang menyokongnya. Di mana perlu saya letakkan hati ketika menulis?

Tetapi saya tetap menulis.

Biarpun salah atau pun cacat, sudut kecil hati ini berkata: "Tulisan ku pasti akan dibaca dunia"

Sedang mahu membaca buku ini:

Gambar di ambil dari SINI

Selamat melakar kata!

Memilih Baju Tidak Sesukar Memilih Tajuk Tesis

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim

Apa khabar iman kita? Apa khabar Ramadan kita?

Saya merasakan Ramadan kali ini berlalu dengan sangat pantas di mana diri yang banyak kekurangan ini banyak membazirkan masa keemasan ini untuk mendekatkan diri kepada Yang Esa. Sepuluh Ramadan telah berlalu, kini masuk ke dalam fasa kedua Ramadan. Hati saya menangis...

Sebagaimana tajuk entri ini tertulis, saya masih memilih. Saya pasti kehidupan ini tidak pernah lari daripada membuat satu pilihan. Kita memilih, dan kadangkala terlalu memilih sehingga lupa  bahawa pilihan Tuhan itu lebih baik dari pilihan sesiapa pun.

Membuat pilihan sebenarnya bukanlah sesuatu perkara yang mudah. Masih ingat bagaimana anda memilih pasangan hidup anda? memilih universiti, makanan, pakaian, rumah dan sebagainya? Ia memerlukan dua prinsip penting:

Tekad

dan

Percaya

Tekad supaya kita berpegang erat dengan pilihan tersebut tanpa menyesali apa saja risiko yang bakal dihadapi kelak.

Percaya dengan diri sendiri agar dapat bertanggungjawab setelah membuat pilihan, dan yang paling penting percaya kepada Tuhan kerana Dia berkuasa menggerakkan hati kita untuk memilih apa yang telah dipilih.

Ayuh membuat pilihan bijak.

Memilih baju tetap tidak sesukar memilih tajuk tesis!

Selamat memilih.

Majlis Konvokesyen Sarjana

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim.

Kejayaan ini tidak bererti tanpa doa dan sokongan beberapa insan yang banyak membantu saya samada secara langsung ataupun tidak dalam mendapatkan segulung ijazah di peringkat sarjana. Nama-nama mereka telah tersenarai di dalam satu muka surat penuh di awal penulisan tesis (boleh baca di SINI).

Sekali lagi, terima kasih daun keladi, jasa kalian sangat dihargai. Jazakumullah khairal jaza'.

Jika mengimbas kembali perjalanan dua tahun setengah ini, ianya dipermudahkan dengan nikmat yang Allah yang tiada bandingannya. Saya mendaftar sejurus sahaja tamat pengajian di peringkat sarjana muda pada akhir 2008. Alhamdulillah diterima dan memulakan kelas pengajian walaupun belum berkonvo. Saat itu, baru saya merasakan bahawa kecilnya jumlah pelajar perempuan berbanding pelajar lelaki, terutama di kalangan warganegara Malaysia.

Allah permudahkan semuanya. Saya telah mendapat biasiswa (GMVB IIUM Ummatic Scholarship) sepanjang dua tahun pengajian. Biasiswa tersebut merangkumi duit pengajian, penginapan dan sara hidup, di mana ia meringankan beban kedua orang tua. Sejak itu, saya jarang sekali meminta wang saku dari ibu bapa, melainkan "duit minum" yang sering ayah beri sebelum menaiki bas pulang ke Gombak.

Sepuluh subjek wajib diselesaikan dengan baik pada tiga semester pertama, dan kertas proposal saya juga diterima sebelum memulakan penulisan tesis pada semester yang keempat. Alhamdulillah juga saya diberi seorang penyelia yang banyak memberi dorongan dan nasihat yang membina. Sokongan beliau memudahkan lagi penulisan tesis berjalanan dengan lancar. Kisah penyelia saya boleh dibaca di SINI.

Pada semester keempat, saya telah ditawarkan bekerja secara separuh masa dengan berkhidmat sebagai pensyarah di International Islamic College. Tanggungjawab kerja agak menguji fokus dan konsisten dalam penulisan tesis. Oleh sebab itu, saya terpaksa menambah satu lagi semester khas untuk menyiapkan tesis. Biaya pengajian juga harus dibayar sendiri kerana perjanjian biasiswa hanya merangkumi dua tahun pengajian sahaja. Alhamdulillah, gaji sebagai pensyarah separuh masa sangat membantu hidup untuk membayar wang sewa rumah, kereta, tesis dan lain-lain lagi.

Beberapa ujian terpaksa saya tempuhi walaupun tesis sudah sempurna sepenuhnya. Telah sedia maklum bahawa UIAM mempunyai prosedur yang sangat ketat, dan boleh saya katakan sebagai leceh. Ini adalah demi menjaga kualiti yang dihasilkan sebagai produk UIAM. Tesis yang telah sempurna perlu diperiksa oleh penyelia terlebih dahulu, dan kemudiannya diperiksa untuk kali kedua oleh pemeriksa khas. Markah akan diberi dan dirahsiakan. Komentar yang diberi oleh kedua-dua pemeriksa perlu dilaksanakan terlebih dahulu terutama jika terdapat beberapa pembetulan. Kemudian, aspek bahasa akan diperiksa oleh badan khas yang bertanggungjawab. Setelah mendapatkan surat pengikitrifan bahasa, barulah tesis akan dibincangkan di peringkat kuliyyah. Selain bahasa, tesis akan diperiksa dengan teliti di dalam aspek teknikal yang berkaitan dengan rujukan dan sebagainya. Terdapat AJK khas yang bertanggungjawab untuk memeriksa bahagian ini. Ketidak-sempurnaan proses-proses tersebut akan mengakibatkan tesis tidak akan dimasukkan ke dalam mesyuarat tertinggi senat, kerana mereka berkuasa dalam memberi pengesahan bahawa pelajar layak untuk mendapat ijazah bergantung kepada kualiti tesis tersebut. Surat yang saya perolehi pada Oktober 2011 ini adalah bukti bahawa saya telah selesai pengajian di peringkat SARJANA.

Alhamdulillah..

Sayangnya, UIAM hanya menjalankan Hari Konvokesyen setahun sekali. Nama saya sudah tertinggal untuk masuk pada Konvokesyen ke-27, jadi ia tersenarai pada 2012. Genap setahun. Oktober tahun lepas saya selesai, dan majlis konvo diadakan pada Oktober tahun ini.

Walau apapun, saya sangat besyukur. Nikmat dan ujian yang Allah berikan sepanjang pengajian telah memberi corak baharu di dalam hidup saya. Majlis Konvokesyen ke-28 yang baru berlangsung pada 6 Oktober 2012 lalu hambar kerana ketiadaan emak dan ayah sebagai pendorong terbesar sepanjang pengajian, Alhamdulillah bersinar semula kerana kehadiran suami tercinta yang terlibat secara tidak langsung ketika proses penulisan tesis sarjana. Kebahagiaan ini tidak akan berhasil tanpa mereka semua.

Emak dan Ayah ketika hadir untuk Majlis Konvokesyen Ijazah Sarjana Muda, 2010.

Lokasi: Masjid Wilayah KL

 Terima kasih sayang!

 Motivasi khas daripada Prof. Dr. Sidek Baba kepada suami.

 Rakan-rakan di dalam bidang yang sama. Berbaris sebelum masuk ke dewan.

Teman perjuangan

Sahabat dunia akhirat

Terima kasih Allah. Terima kasih semua..

Mahu menulis tesis dengan pantas?

Dengan nama Allah yang Maha Pemurah lagi Maha Penyayang

Saya meneliti satu blog dengan sangat khusyuk. Lupa pula saya ketahuinya di mana, tapi ramai yang sudah menyebut-nyebut nama Dr. OT. E-booknya saya terus dapatkan dan memeasang niat untuk mengikuti bengkel yang dianjurkan beliau.

Alhamdulillah, 4 September 2012 (semalam) saya berpeluang menghadiri Bengkel Sehari Penulisan Pantas Tesis di DKAP, UPM. Sudah mendaftar sejak bulan Ramadan lagi dan saya dengar bahawa banyak permohonan yang terpaksa ditolak kerana peserta sudah penuh.

Bak kata seorang peserta di belakang saya: "Tak sia-sia aku datang!"

Ya, itulah perasaan kami semua. 

Dr. OT banyak berkongsi rahsia dan pengalaman beliau sendiri. Satu tahun sepuluh bulan adalah satu keajaiban untuk menyiapkan ijazah kedoktoran, dan itu hanya boleh dilakukan oleh mereka yang genius seperti beliau. Kami dikongsikan dengan pelbagai tips dan langkah demi langkah. Di antaranya ialah tanggungjawab dan peranan sebagai seorang pelajar dan penyelia. Beberapa istilah juga diperkenalkan seperti 1File1Thesis, DIRDIO, CWYR, DMIRMIW, RFOT dan banyak lagi. Semua istilah ini telah diperkenalkan di dalam blog beliau di http://drotspss.blogspot.com

Saya paling suka apabila beliau mengajar tentang konsep Zero Draft. Semua langkah untuk menulis dengan pantas diajar dengan baik. Barulah kini saya mengerti bahawa tidak effisiennya saya ketika menulis tesis master dua tahun yang lepas.

Ok, mahu menulis tesis dengan pantas?

Seperti yang saya maklumkan di FB, saya sangat menggalakkan rakan taulan dan sahabat handai untuk turut mengikuti bengkel dan membeli e-book beliau. Ia sangat bermanfaat. Doa saya agar Allah melimpahkan rahmat ke atas Dr. OT sekeluarga dan memberkati segala ilmu yang telah dikongsikan bersama.

 Muka saya ada terselit di dalam dua gambar ini. Dipetik daripada blog Dr. OT.

Perkongsian Dr. OT tentang bengkel semalam boleh dibaca di SINI. Oh! beliau telah memetik kata-kata yang saya tulis di laman FB saya. Terima kasih Dr!

Gambar ini saya petik sendiri. Jazakallahukhayraljaza' Dr.!

Ok, jom praktiskan apa yang telah diajar!

Conclusion

Allahumakhtim lana bi husnilkhatimah wa la takhtim 'alaina bi su'ilkhatimah...

This is a frequent du'a that I ask to Allah these days.. Ya Allah, please give a good ending and not a bad ending.. And I'm sure, most of us like happy ending compare to sad ending in the story, but happiness is something that is subjective. Crying at the end does not mean it is a sad ending story, and laughing in the end does not mean it is happy story..

Currently, I am now in almost final stage. As said before in my facebook status: "Frankly, writing conclusion is much more difficult than introduction, and finalizing thesis is facing different challenge from the way to begin the writing." It is true, but some might said that conclusion is easier because the researcher knew everything he or she want, and just conclude it in a simple way..

Win or loose does matter, but the effort is much more matter..

You wanna know why I feel that conclusion is difficult? Because the conclusion will be the result of our research. Yes you may do anything, but you will never forget what makes you reach the end. All the efforts and hardship will be ended.. Of course, after this I will miss all the books doing for research, all the time spending in the library, all the papers scattered in my car, all the bad mood while finding the ideas, all the corrections made by my proofreader, all the meetings with my supervisor, and many more... And it will make me sadder to end all of these things...

As promised earlier with my supervisor, I will submit the first draft thesis at the end of January. InsyaAllah, this monday will be the day..

I'm nervous, but happy..
After this, wanna spending my holiday to Pekan Baru, Indonesia with my family, and a very special present to myself..

Saadah Khair

Plagiarism

Yesterday, 15 January 2011, I attended a workshop on Plagiarism at Al-Ghazali, INSTED IIUM. Alhamdulillah there were so many participants especially from Postgraduate Students. The speaker was Prof. Dr. Ratnahwati, her name similar to my mother's name, but my mom is a Home Professor only..hehe

What is Plagiarism?
Plagiarism is well known term to academic research. It can be defined as the act of presenting the words, ideas, images, sounds or the creative expression of others as your own. It also can be considered as cheating and deception. Read more HERE

Plagiarism can be done intentionally or unintentionally. Intentional plagiarism is when the researcher is stealing other's work, and it can be understood because it's only done with a specific intention. On the other hand, unintentional plagiarism is when the researcher is careless, quoting excessively or he doesn't have his own voice (expression, idea or point of view).

Types of Plagiarism?

• Uncited Sources: The ghost writer (unknown), The Photocopy (without acknowledgment), The Potluck Paper (combine from difference sources), The Poor disguise, Labor of Laziness, The self-stealer.
• Cited Sources: The forgotten footnote, Misinformed, Too-perfect paraphrase, Resourceful citer, Perfect crime.

When you not need to cite?

• If the researcher use his own experience, observation or reaction.
• If he compiling the results of original research.

Guideline to Cite and Quote without Plagiarism.

• Use your own words and ideas
• Give credit for copied, adapted, or paraphrased materials
• Avoid using other's work with 'cosmetic' changes
• Beware of 'common knowledge'

3 Strategies to avoid Plagiarism

• Quoting, in order to support or to disagree or to highlight or to compare & contrast.
  
• Paraphrasing, in order to express with own sentence but other's idea.
  
• Summarizing, in order to explain in a short discussion of important points.

Prof Ratnah suggests a website that explain more on example of Plagiarism. Click HERE.

NO ONE is able to plagiarize the work and creation of Allah..

Although writing is not an easy task, we should know our own voice and the most important thing is THINK~! Appreciate your own expression and be creative..

**Now finalizing all chapters. Allahumma yassir wa La Tu'assir wa Tammim bilKhair..

KIRK Postgraduate Semesterly Conference 2010

Alhamdulillah, All praise be to Allah, the Most Gracious, The Most Merciful.

Today is the second day of KIRK (Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge) Postgraduate Semesterly Conference 2010, but I would like to thank to Allah for everything and share the meaningful experience here. The conference begin yesterday from 27 and will end tomorrow, 29 December 2010.

Honestly speaking, I am so nervous in the beginning, luckily my turn was in the second day, so I can see my friends' way who presented in the first day. Alhamdulillah, now I relieved that the paper presentation was finished, and it happened smoothly. And this conference was my first time in presenting my own paper, and I was so happy to finish it by trying my best in the presentation.

The time given to all presenters are only 10 minutes, but I presented more than that after listening the bell ringing twice from the time controller. If I stop early, the judges and the audiences were unable to understood, because the most important topic to be delivered was at the end of the slide. Actually, I need comment/s from any judges who came to listen to my presentation, but there is no comment or evaluation, luckily there are some questions from one of the audiences, and Alhamdulillah I can answer all those questions.

In fact, I didn't finish yet in writing my thesis, but following the rules given by KIRK, the conference still accept the working paper even though it is not completed yet, in a condition that the presentation covers all the topics from the thesis, or just selected important topic from the thesis.

However, I do hope that I will finish it in the beginning of next year. All the best to all my friends too, and congratulation for those who together presented their paper in these three days.. Let's struggle our best to be the best.

** To all my students, I seek an apologize for being on leave yesterday and today for preparing and presenting paper in this seminar, hope all of you can understand that studying and working at the same time is not a simple task. Thank you for your understanding.

Books on Malaysian History

Phew.. History is the most difficult subject for me. I love to read Islamic History, but Malaysian History is too hard for me even though I am Malaysian. Maybe that's why, Malaysian government took a step to make the subject of History in SPM as the compulsory subject to be scored like BM. That was a very good idea for younger generation. Thanks God that it's not decided earlier for my generation..hehe..

As mentioned before, I'm in the progress of writing Chapter 4 of my thesis. It's all about Malaysia, especially in the context of the integration of society. So, I have to read a lots on Malaysian History. It really make me difficult to breath.......

Ok, let's see what should I read. This entry is my motivation to read again and again. Please never feel bored on Malaysian History..

The first book is The Struggle for Malaysian Independence by J.J. Raj. This book will help to understand all events which lead to the Day of Independence on 31st August 1957. There were many historical events to be focused on since I try to discover the history of Malaysian Society.

The second book is A History of Malaysia by Barbara Watson Andaya and Leonard Y. Andaya. This book is thick and contain a lots of information. But i really make me easily bored.. Argh! I'm trying my best to read and focus on the topic of British Colonialism from this book.

The third book is Speaking Out Loud for National Unity by Collin Abraham. It is the latest one compare to two books listed above. So, it discusses about Malaysia in our present days. The author also picks up the contemporary issues in his book. It make me easier to read. That's why I'm willingly to buy this book at MPH, while the rest of other books were borrowed from the library only.

Actually, three books were not enough. There are many books arranged besides me now, but I try my best to focus on these three books first. Please do suggest any books that you know to help me easily understand and use it for my thesis writing. Any suggestions and opinions are highly appreciated..

Thank You.

**Proud to be Muslim more than to be Malaysian..

Chapter 4

Alhamdulillah, I begin my progress to accomplish another chapter for my thesis. So this chapter is all about Malaysia. As a multi-ethnic society, Malaysia consists of various ethnics, religions, languages, customs, cultures, and Alhamdulillah we live in a peaceful country.

Why I choose Malaysia for my thesis?
The first reason is because I am Malaysian. I was born in JB (Johor Bahru), study in KL (Kuala Lumpur) and had visited around Malaysia except Sabah. InsyaAllah i'll visit there too. So, I can say that I'm proud to be a part of the Malaysian society.

At the same time, I have an intention to make this country as an Islamic State even though it is difficult to achieve. So, as an analytical study for my thesis, I choose Madinan Society at the time of the Prophet to be the best role model and example for us to follow the way and the Sunnah of the Prophet, on how he governed Madinah to be the best well-integrated society during that time.

What is the next plan for my thesis?
I have a lot of plans. But i will make sure the important plan to make this thesis as a book and guideline for Malaysian on how to follow the Prophet's way to live in a peaceful society during his time. That's why I tried so hard to make my thesis useful and can benefit others, as well to contribute something for this beloved country.

My Hope..
I hope that I can end my thesis writing by the end of this year. But if I'm not able to do that, as long as I try my best, I do my best to finish it early as soon as possible even next year. I do hope as well that people surrounding me can give me support especially moral support for me and pray for my success.

Thank You so much~!

References to be read for Chapter 4:

• The Malays, their Problems and Future, by Syed Husin Ali
• The Chinese Malaysian Contribution, by Tan Teong Jin et.al
• The Malaysian Indian Dilemma, by Janakey Raman Manickan
• Malaysian Studies: Present Knowledge and Research Trends, by John A. Lent
• Islamic Political Representation in Malaysia, by Lukman Thaib
• A History of Malaysia, by Barbara Watson Andaya and Leonard Andaya
• Challenges and Choices in Malaysian Politics and Society, by Chandra Muzaffar
• A Plea for Emphaty, by Chandra Muzaffar
• Konsep dan peranan Uli Amri di Malaysia, by Abdul Monir Yaacob

and many more....

**Please remind me if I read unnecessary books. TQ

September Ends, October Begins..

Silent..

No more words. No more explanations.

I woke up again and again at the end of September, and realize again and again that today is the first October. The understanding of the golden values of these two months and next two months only known by myself.

I don't want to show any regret for knowing that it was my own mistakes and careless of the importance of time. So, lets improve today to have better tomorrow..

September ends, October begins..

Start progression, Stop procrastination..

All the best~!

July ?

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim

Today is the first of July 2010. Sigh. Sigh again. My target is unachievable. Of course I'm sad, but I should admit that it's all my mistakes for not giving more concentration and playing too much. I set another target for July, and really hope that the plan will be achieved this time.. aminn~~


Last month, I read so many books. I did share in the previous entry about Quran and Cricket. And now I wanna share a little bit about The Quran and I, written by Anas Zubedy. Actually, this book is his personal story of life. It tells about family and friendship. It emphasizes on the plural society in Malaysia. The important thing is, it discovers the values in the Holy Quran and how to practice it in our daily life. The author is creative. He wrote his own story with humor description, and usually it will begin with big smile and laugh, then it will end with cry. I do appreciate the beautiful life that everyone of us had it even though in a very different situations.. Eventually, I knew why my supervisor ask me to find this book. The author not only promote the happy life in our multi-cultural society, but he experienced it and did well in his life. Now he organised a company called Zubedy Sdn. Bhd. and promotes the unity of Malaysian. Further info can be read HERE.


Another book is a popular novel written by Hamka: "Tenggelamnya Kapal Van der Wick". Yeah, I knew too late about this book, but I believe that 'Better late than Never'. My father said that he read this book on 1949 whereby this book is written by the author on the year of birth of my father, 1939. My mom also said that she read this book before she get married to my dad. Unfortunately, I read this book at 2010 when I'm still young and not married yet..hehe..

Hamka's book is beautiful. Everything is beauty especially the language of love. I really love it. I dont know how to describe it in English, but if in Malay, I could say that: Daku tenggelam di dalam lautan Cinta yang luas terbentang.. However, every story has its difficulties. The love story between Hayati and Zainuddin did not end with happy ending, but they happy to face the reality that they loved each other and will not easily forget their love story. As quoted from the book: "Cinta itu tidak melemahkan, tapi membangkitkan". Yeah, same goes to Love is not blind, but we are the one who get blind because of love. And the dangerous disease of love is EGO or simply selfish. Both of them (Hayati and Zainuddin) were selfish and afraid to face the fact that their love actually can do great without consider the talk of people, wealth, lineage, and any other aspects. I don't like the ending of their love story, but I like how they loved each other until death..


Last month also, I got two new books from Indonesia. Thanks a lot to Rini for bought me those books at Acheh. The price is cheaper than in Malaysia. The first book is Negeri 5 Menara which I read it two month ago, but i wanna buy it for my book collections. The second book is Di Bawah Langitmu, written by Opick and Taufiqurrahman. I like Opick as a singer, then i wanna know his writing by reading his book. I'm not started yet the reading of his book. Maybe end of July, because I have too many books to be read...

In this July, I have to change my reading materials. I have to be serious if I really want to complete my thesis by the end of this year. Now I'm reading these books, borrowed from IIUM Library:

1. Sunshine at Madinah, by Zakaria Bashier
2. Muhammad at Medina, by W. Montgomery Watt
3. Challenges and Choices in Malaysian Politics and Society, by Chandra Muzaffar

Three is enough, because it is not easy to finish them all. I hope Allah make all things easier because He is the one who create the easiness and difficulties at the same time. May Allah forgive all my sins..

**Batuk, Please go away......

Plan, Planner & Planning

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Alhamdulillah, another day to enjoy a long breath, a nice environment, a wonderful life, and an exciting journey as planned by Allah. Everything was written in the hand of God. It was Maktub.. Thus, i wanna share a lovely verses in surah ali-Imran (3:54), the translation from M. Shakir: "And they planned, and Allah also planned; and Allah is the Best of planners".

This verses carried a meaning that can be clearly understood by everyone. Yes, there was a story behind this verses at the time of Prophet when he deal with Quraish. But i just want to take the general meaning that can be used in our daily life on the importance of planning. I'm sure that all of us have our own plan of life. I made a plan. I am a planner. I'm planning my future. But my plan cannot defeat Allah's plan, and still hope that His plan for me is the best plan in my plan. We plan, Allah also plan, and of course His plan is greater than our plan..

Right now, the main plan in my life is to complete my master as soon as possible following a plan which was decided a year ago, in achieving the excellent result, insyaAllah.. Alhamdulillah, the process of thesis proposal ran smoothly, and now still waiting the result from Kulliyyah's meeting. Thanks a lot to my supervisor for supports and advices, I'm really appreciate that. And Thanks to my family and friends for uncountable love and kindness. May Allah bless all of you..!

I just bought a book written by Prof Rashid Moten yesterday. The title as shown on the picture above. Regretfully, i knew this book just after i finished writing and submitting my proposal, but i'm sure that 'better late than never', for it can be used during writing the next chapter. I tried to buy this book from himself, but since i went to his office more than twice, but he was not there. So i bought at Dar al-Kutub. Prof Rashid was my lecturer during my first year for the subject 'Intro. to Political Science'. He was and still and admired person. He was the one who changed my mind to change my minor degree from Psychology to Poltical Science, and i kept my secret with him (but i'm sure he forgot about that..hehe).. And i will never forget him and his advices, and pray to God that he will be given a good health and life to continue his good deeds and knowledge in IIUM. amin...

I recommend this book to everyone especially my friends who continue postgraduate study and for those who plan to do that. The price is RM35, a little bit expensive, but its a very good of an academic book. If you are not affordable, i can lend my book, i'm ok with that.. as long as you return the book safely.. :) The small book beside Prof Rashid's book is written by Syeikh Mawdudi which discusses on the unity of Muslim World. It is an interesting book, i will finish it today, insyaAllah..

Back to the story of planning.. I do hope that I can finish everything regarding to the thesis by the end of this year 2010. I have to repeat and say it again and again, so that it will be maqbul by God, insyaAllah.. Then, after that i will further my next plan...

Fail to plan is plan to fail..! and Surely Allah is the best planner...

Before i end this entry, just wanna share a poem that i read during having my breakfast today from a book 'Like the Flowing River' by Paulo Coelho. The poem was written by a Japanese poet, Mitsuo Aida (1920-1991) who reminds us the significance of innocence..

If tomatoes wanted to be melons,

they would look completely ridiculous,

I am always amazed

that so many people are concerned

with wanting to be what they are not;

what's the point of making yourself look ridiculous ?

You don't always have to pretend to be strong,

there's no need to prove all the time that everything is going well,

you shouldn't be concerned about what other people are thinking,

cry if you need to,

it's good to cry out all your tears

(because only then will you be able to smile again)

**The advantage of my lappy was warded in 'hospital' is I can read a lot and focus on my plan.. hehehe.. waiting for the new one next week, insyaAllah..

Saadah Khair

29 April 2010

ITD Lab, IIUM