Did You Know..?/Tahukah Anda..?

Did you know..?

Facts about the Israeli aggression

PART 1 of 3



PART 2 of 3



PART 3 of 3





Did you know since the creation of the United Nations in 1945, no country has violated as many UN Security Council Resolutions as the state of Israel. In spite of this fact, Israel, a country slightly smaller than the state of New Jersey, receives nearly 1/3 of the entire annual US Foreign Aid budget?

Did you know Israel has a nuclear arsenal and is refuses to allow international inspection of their facility and has refused to sign the nuclear non-proliferation treaty?

Did you know Countless Israelis have been arrested for spying on the United States even though they claim to be an ally? Spies have been caught at the highest levels of the US government.

Did you know that anyone of Jewish faith can move to Israel, but Palestinians born there and with home and land there are not allowed to return?

Did you know Palestinians are not allowed to move from one city to another without first getting a 'visa' from Israel?

Did you know that Israel allots 85% of the water resources for Jews and the remaining 15% is divided among all Palestinians in the territories? For example in Hebron, 85% of the water is given to about 400 Jewish settlers, while 15% must be divided among Hebron's 120,000 Palestinians?

Did you know that Israel routinely confiscates Palestinian bank accounts, businesses and land and refuses to pay compensation to those who suffer confiscation?

Did you know that Israel stands in defiance of over 80 United Nations Security Council Resolutions?

Did you know that it was not until 1988 that Israelis were barred from running 'Jews Only' job ads?

Did you know that former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon was held responsible for the massacre of more than 2750 Palestinians in the refugee camps of Sabra and Chatila? The UN qualified the massacre by Sharon as GENOCIDE.

Did you know that Israel's settlement-building on Palestinian land increased considerably since the signing of the Oslo agreement?

Did you know that Palestinian refugees make up the largest portion of the refugee population in the world?

Did you know that between 1967 and early 2002 Israel expropriated some 79% of the West Bank and Gaza Strip? Estimated figures published by Amnesty International in 1999 show the following:

Year Land Confiscated in the West Bank
1984 1991 1998
42% 60% 74%

Did you know that the Ha'aertz Israeli paper estimated in 1998 (31 July) that a population of 5800 Jewish settlers in Hebron consumed 547 liters of water a day each? By contrast, a population of 119,230 Palestinians in the same area consumed or had access to no more than 58 litres per day each.

Did you know that Israel uses torture routinely in jails (only against non-Jews of course) despite the Israeli High Court outlawing it?

Did you Know Israel receives over $3 billion in grants from the US while our government has no money for the homeless, health care, education, etc.?

************************************
Tahukah Anda..?

Beberapa Fakta Mengenai Keganasan Israel

Tahukah and sejak penubuhan Bangsa-Bangsa Bersatu (UN) pada tahun 1945, Israel ialah negara yang terbanyak melanggar Resolusi-Resolusi Majlis Keselamatan Bangsa-Bangsa Bersatu? Walaupun begitu, Israel , sebuah negara yang kecil sedikit dari negeri New Jersey di Amerika Syarikat, telah menerima hampir 1/3 dari Bajet Tahunan Bantuan Luar Amerika Syarikat.

Tahukah anda bahawa Israel mempunyai simpanan senjata nuklear dan Israel tidak membenarkan sebarang pemeriksaan antarabangsa terhadap fasiliti nuklearnya? Israel juga tidak menandatangani Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty; satu perjanjian di mana sebuah negara itu tidak akan membina senjata nuklear.

Tahukah anda bahawa ramai rakyat Israel telah ditahan kerana mengintip Amerika Syarikat walaupun Israel mengaku sebagai sekutu Amerika? Pengintip Israel yang telah ditangkap berada di peringkat tertinggi kerajaan Amerika.

Tahukah anda bahawa sesiapa yang beragama Yahudi dibenarkan berpindah ke Israel , tetapi bangsa Palestin yang mempunyai rumah dan tanah di sana tidak dibenarkan pulang?
Tahukah anda bahawa bangsa Palestin tidak dibenarkan berpindah dari satu kota ke kota yang lain kecuali selepas mendapat ‘visa’ dari Israel ?

Tahukah anda bahawa Israel memperuntukkan 85% dari sumber airnya kepada Bangsa Yahudi dan baki 15% kepada semua Bangsa Palestin di merata daerah yang lain? Umpamanya di Hebron, 85% dari sejumlah air diberi kepada 400 penempat Yahudi, dan hanya 15% baki air diberi kepada 120,000 penduduk Palestin di Hebron?

Tahukah anda bahawa Israel secara rutin merampas akaun-akaun bank bangsa Palestin, juga perniagaan dan hartanah, tanpa memberi apa-apa gantirugi kepada mangsa perampasan itu?

Tahukah anda bahawa Israel telah mengingkari lebih dari 80 Resolusi Majlis Keselamatan Bangsa-bangsa Bersatu?


Tahukah anda bahawa segala pengiklanan pekerjaan ‘Untuk Yahudi Sahaja’ hanya dihapuskan pada tahun 1988 di Israel ?

Tahukah anda bahawa bekas Perdana Menteri Israel, Ariel Sharon, telah didapati bersalah kerana pembunuhan beramai-ramai secara kejam keatas lebih dari 2750 bangsa Palestin di khemah-khemah pelarian Sabra dan Shatila. Pertubuhan Bangsa-bangsa Bersatu telah mengklasifikasikan pembunuhan secara kejam ini sebagai GENOCIDE; iaitu PEMBUNUHAN SELURUH KAUM ATAU BANGSA?

Tahukah anda bahawa pembinaan penempatan oleh Israel diatas tanah Palestin bertambah dengan banyaknya sejak Perjanjian Oslo ditandatangani?

Tahukah anda bahawa pelarian Palestin adalah bahagian terbesar dari jumlah keseluruhan pelarian dunia?

Tahukah anda bahawa di antara 1967 dan awal 2002, Israel telah merampas 79% tanah Tebing Barat dan Genting Gaza? Pada tahun 1999, Amnesty International telah menganggarkan perampasan tanah ini seperti berikut:
Tahun dan Tanah yang dirampas di Tebing Barat
1984 1991 1998
42% 60% 74%


Tahukah anda bahawa akhbar Israel, Ha’aretz telah menganggarkan pada tahun 1998, penduduk Yahudi sebanyak 5800 di Hebron telah menggunakan 547 liter air seorang sehari? Sebaliknya, penduduk Palestin yang berjumlah 119,230 di tempat yang sama hanya menggunakan 58 liter air seorang sehari.

Tahukah anda bahawa Israel secara rutin, menggunakan penyeksaan di pusat tahanannya (tentunya terhadap bangsa bukan Yahudi sahaja), walaupun Mahkamah Tinggi Israel telah menolak kaedah ini?

Tahukah anda bahawa Israel menerima wang sebanyak $3 Billion melalui geran atau anugerah dari Amerika Syarikat walhal kerajaan AS tiada peruntukan wang secukupnya untuk rakyatnya sendiri, rakyat tanpa rumah, khidmat kesihatan, pelajaran, dan sebagainya?

Cara menderma kepada Gaza melalui saluran betul

Apabila kesedaran mengenai Palestin dan Gaza mula menjalar, ramailah orang orang Malaysia ingin berderma dan memberikan infaq.Namun sayang tidak ramai yang tahu hanya sumbangan yang melalui saluran yang tertentu sahaja yang sampai ke tangan penduduk Gazadan rakyat Palestine.

NASIHAT Ustaz Mazlee DALAM PALESTINKINI.INFO

OLEH ITU Kita perlu pertubuhan yang mempunyai fokus yang spesifik seperti Mercy,Bulan sabit merah,FIMA, PACE(Palestinian Centre Of Excellent-JIM dan Aman Palestin. Badan -badan ini yang mempunyai hubungan terus dengan pertubuhan bertaraf dunia di Mesir ataupun di dalam Palestin sendiri.

JANGAN! berikan duit bantuan kepada kedutaan Palestin di Malaysia mahupun negara-negara lain, mereka ini merupakan konco-konco Mahmoud Abbas yang mempunyai rekod korupsi yang amat dahsyat. Terus salurkan kepada mereka yang berada di dalam Palestin.

Mama cuba paparkan satu video temubual Ustaz Maszlee Malik dengan George Galloway, Ahli Parlimen British dari Respect Party. Walau bagaimanapun, oleh kerana terdapat sedikit masalah teknikal, suaranya tidak kedengaran. Hari ini mama forwradkan apa yang Encik Ainol Lutfi telah usahakan untuk tingkatkan kualitinya dan tuliskan transkrip temubual ringkas tersebut seperti di bawah. Semoga ada manfaatnya.

Maszlee: Are you still optimistic about the struggle of the Palestinian people?

Galloway: Aaa... I'm optimistic that the struggle will continue ... I'm not optimistic that the struggle will end at any time soon... because the balance of forces in the world is very much against the Palestinian people. The Arab League, instead of meeting to discuss the 60 years of disaster in Palestine, is about to meet to discuss a few hundred gunmen on the streets of West Beirut while there is a million gunmen occupying Palestine for 60 years.

The Western governments are completely behind the Israeli crime and this is gfreatest injustice, that the victims of terrorism are called terrorists, and the terrorists are called the victim of terrorism. And this rubs salt in the wound, it adds insults to injury, it is the unkindest cut of all...

Maszlee: Do you have anything to say to the Malaysians.. . what can we do?

Galloway: Well, all the Muslim people in the world have a special responsibility. .. al-Aqsa is in Jerusalem, in Occupied Palestine, occupied by foreigners.. . From the roof of al-Aqsa, the Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him ascended to Heaven, and it's in the hands of foreigners and Muslims cannot pray there except with the permission of the Israeli occupiers... What kind of Muslim can be content with this situation? And yet so many Muslim governments are doing either nothing to come to the rescue of the Palestinians or are actively collaborating with the criminals who are occupying Jerusalem.

So any Muslim watching this must know that they have a special ‘wajib’, a religious duty, to raise their hands... if not their hands, their lips... if not their lips at least their hearts and their chequebooks to come to the aid of the Palestinian people.

Maszlee: Thank you very much, George Galloway, Respect Party UK...

Saya asalnya tertarik dengan kenyataan Galloway kerana beliau bercakap menurut perspektif yang sepatutnya difahami oleh seorang Islam, iaitu menyebut tentang al-Aqsa yang berkait dengan Isra dan Mi’raj, suatu tanggapan aqidah, dan membetulkan sesuatu deangan tangan, lidah atau setidak-tidaknya dengan hati. Wahai, Mu’minin... apa lagi yang ditunggu!(Dari Ainullotfi)

Rapat umum Palestin Di Shah ALam

10 Januari 2009 , jam 10 pagi bertempat di Stadium Shah Alam, Program Perhimpunan Rapat Umum Palestin anjuran Aman Palestin berlansung dengan jayanya. Agenda dan penceramah berjaya menimbulkan kesedaran orang ramai mengenai isu Palestine. Rakyat harus /wajib menyokong perjuangan rakyat Palestine yang mengidamkan dan bercita cirata untuk merdeka dari cengkaman Yahudi yang zalim. Alhamdulilah ramai wanita JIM berserta keluarga dan anak anak hadir. Menurut pemerhatian saya ada Lebih kurang 10,000 orang memenuhi stadium yang datang ke rapat umum itu.
Nashid-nashid

dan persembahan nashid oleh MUADZ




Atau taip sahaja search dalam Youtube..” Rapat Umum Palestin”….

Dapat semua InsyaAllah. Sempat tengok Al-Jazeera PETANG SEMALAM buat coverage yg agak baik….

Semasa masuk dipintu masuk kami dihamparkan dengan kain putih berlambangkan bendera Israel bintang enam...

Penceramah-penceramah jemputan yang berucap berapi api nampaknya berjaya meniup semangat berkobar kobar kepada rakyat yang hadir. Pemuda pemudi merupakan majority yang hadir. Program bertema ‘Rise for Palestine” menyentuh ramai juga orang orang muda yang datang dari kalangan yang belum disentuh dengan ‘harakah islam’. (Mungkin promosi nya meluas appealing to masses and Advertising mengenai program ini menyeluruh dan dibuat perancangan dibuat dalam jangkawaktu yang agak lama jadi reaching out kepada lebih ramai orang ramai).

Sempat berbual dengan sekumpulan anak anak muda yang berambut panjang namun kepalanya diikat dengan muffler Palestine (corak kotak kotak hitam putih). Saya tertarik mendekati mereka bila mereka bukan main lagi, penuh ber semangat bersorak sorak sambil menjerit jerit ….“ KHAIBAR KHAIBAR YA YAHUDDD, JAISHU MUHAMMAD SAUFA YAAUUUD…” “ KHAIBAR KHAIBAR YA YAHUDDD, JAISHU MUHAMMAD SAUFA YAAUUUD…”

“Bagus tu kata kata yang awak seme laungkan tapi kalau tahu maknanya lagi baik??”

“Kami teruja, seronok dan naik semangat, kami mula sedar dan faham laa sikit sikit mengenai perang Palestine kami ikut sahaja tapi saya rasa maksudnya mesti nak kutuk yahudi” jawab anak muda itu bangga…

Saya cuba menerangkan serba sedikit kepad anak muda itu…

“Khaibar adalah salah satu prang sabilillah zaman rasulullah dimana orang yahudi kalah teruk, jadi seruan itu menempelak (doakan) agar yahudi sekarang akan kalah seteruk zaman perang khaibar itu dan perenggan kedua maknanya tentera Muhammad akan datang kembali .Tunggulah kemenanganyannya.”

“Ohhh ya ke …..saya tak pernah dengar apa khaibar tu?”

“Jadi kamu tahu mengenai program ini dari mana?”

“Dari ukhuwah.com”

“Ooo….saya rasa saya tahu ukhuwah .com tu!, kalau tak silap ownernya ialah Hannan Alam Faizli..

Ya betul sahut seorang pemudi yang bertudung mencelah! Saya kawan nya yang sama belajar di UM…

Penceramah jemputan rapat umum ini datang dari pelbagai pergerakan umat Islam seperti, Akhi Naji dari Gaza, Ustaz Mujahid dari PAS, Yusri dari ABIM, Ustaz Abdullah Zaik dari ISMA, Zambri Kadir dari UMNO, dengan Ustaz Shahruzaman sebagai penterjemah terhadap ucapan Akh Naji dari Gaza. Manakala yang hadir terdiri dari pertubuhan NGO Islam seperti ISMA, HALUAN, JIM, UMNO, internet NGO dan lainlain. Manakala dan IPTS, IPTA menghantar student dalam bas bas, tak silap lebih 10 bas

Ucapan yang paling menarik bagi saya ialah ucapan akhi Naji yang berbahasa arab, berapi-api dan penuh semangat. Kalau dalam temubual TV9 macam tak semangat sebab mungkin dia tidak fasih berbahasa Inggeris tetapi apabila dia bercakap dalam bahasa arab ceramah lancar dan berapi api, apabila diterjemahkan dapatlah di fahami dan dihayati oleh pendengar .

Akhi Naji bercakap dengan yakin;

" Kami akanMENANG! SEHINGGA KINI KAMI MASIH BERTAHAN DAN TIDAK AKAN UNDUR KERANA:

1. Kami yakin (thiqah) kepada Allah dan percaya bahwa JANJI ALLAH DAN RASULNYA adalah Benar!

2. Kami adalah golongan yang cintakan syahid, kami cintakan mati sebagaimana kami cintakan kehidupan

3. Kami thiqah kepada orang orang Islam. Kami yakin orang orang Islam akan bersama-sama kami akan menolong kami dan akan memberikan bantuan yang terbaik kepada kami, satu satu agama satu pegangan".

# Baru dapat berita dari sumber yang dipercayai, mujahid hamas yang syahid seramai 9 orang dan tentara Yahudi tewas (mati) seramai 45 orang….5 kali ganda!) Yang ramainya sehingga mencecah ke angka 800 adalah orang awam…..)

Presiden ABIM, akhi Yusri bercakap juga menarik:

“Kita disini berkumpul bukan untuk marah, bukan untuk melepas geram, tetapi kita berkumpul kerana kita mengharapkan rahmat dari Allah, kita memohon dan berdoa agar Allah memberikan kemenangan kepada HAMAS dan rakyat Palestine” …….

Wakil PAS, Akh Mujahid Yusof RAWA tak kurang juga hebatnya…

“Kita berkumpul untuk Palestine, lupakan perbezaaan ideology dan perbezaaan pendapat dan pemiliran, isu kita disini adalah isu Palestine, kita wajib menyokong setiap perjuanagan Palestine..”…..

…

Stadium bergegar dengan sahutan Allah Akbar, Hancur Yahudi! Hancur Israel!, seram gak bulu roma, Bila melihat ramainya orang yang datang bersemangat , lengkap dengan uniform, ada yang seragam, ada yang memakai vest dari oragnisasi masing masing, banner, posters dan lain. Bendera palestin berkibar kibar megah,terasa seolah olah berada dalam program di rapat umum PKS (Indonesia) pulak!

Berpuloh ribu dapat dikutip dari para hadirin yang hadir

Semasa melangkah keluar ada acara menarik, acara melontar kasut ke gambar bush dan acara memijak gambar bush....

Semoga Allah mengampuni kita dan rahmati kita semua.

HIDUP PALESTINE, HANCUR ZIONIST ISRAEL LAKNATULLAH



Acara baling kasut kepada Bush

Demo for Gaza@ US EMBASSY

Demo anjuran complete(COALITION OF MALAYSIAN NGOs AGAINST THE PERSECUTION OF PALESTINIANS (COMPLETE):http://completemalaysia.blogspot.com









Demo for Gaza
from 2.00pm-3.30pm

HIDUP PALESTIN, HANCUR ZIONIST!
UP UP GAZA, DOWN DOWN ISRAIL





Demonstration for Gaza In support for the women and innocent children in Gaza.















Say - ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!
Please go this link
http://www.flickr.com/photos/24649224@N04/

Dari Sijangkang ke US Embassy-Untukmu Gaza

Alhamdulillah pada pagi 7.30am Jumaat menemani/bersama hubby (Akh Mohd Esa) memberikan ceramah Palestine sempena Sambutan Maal Hijrah di Sek Men Sijangkang Jaya.Telok Panglima Garang Kuala Langat. Selangor . Ini merupakan 'assignment' pertama kepada beliau sebagai penceramah sukarelawan PACE.

Kami bertolak dari rumah di Taman Keramat pada jam 5.35 pagi, singgah sekejap di R & R Awan besar untuk solat subuh dan sampai di pekarangan sekolah jam 7.15 pagi. Akhi Yusri (PPD Kuala Langat) dan ukhti Dina (cikgu SM Sijangkang Jaya) merupakan PIC yang menghubungi PACE untuk program ini.

Ceramah bermula 7.30pagi dan tamat pada 8.30pagi di hadapan lebih 1000 orang murid sekolah tingkatan 4-5. Di akhir ceramah, Puan Hajah Noor Hayati binti Hj Bakri , Pengetua Sek mewakili pihak sekolah (guru dan pelajar) telah menyerahkan hasil kutipan untuk Palestin sebanyak RM1,000.00.

Selepas penyampaian wang sumbangan , Puan pengetua telah menandatangani ‘petition’ dalam Banner yang disediakan oleh WANITA JIM, “Enough is enough”, support for women and children of Palestin. Petition itu ditandantangani di hadapan murid muridnya sebagai lambang solidarity sekolah (guru kakitangan dan murid2) terhadap perjuangan Palestin. Kini itu Banner itu telah penuh dan sarat dengan pelbagai bentuk dan corak tandatangan.Banner itu juga lah yang di arak ke demo pada tengahari nya.

Semasa perbualan sarapan pagi selepas sesi ceramah Palestin kami sedikit terkejut apabila mendapat tahu bahwa Puan Hajjah Noorhayati adalah kakak kepada kawan baik suami semasa di Brighton, UK, Akhi Abdul Aziz Bakri . Akhi kita ini pernah menerajui Langhorst Bhd (Syarikat besar yang banyak menyumbang untuk dakwah di era 80-90an). Sebuah syarikat kontraktor wibawa, lambang kejayaan 100% usahawan bumiputera. Namun selepas reformasi Syarikat tersebut di’ black listed’, teraniaya , kemudian diambil alih oleh orang tertentu).

Semasa perbualan dimeja makan sambil sarapan pagi nasi lemak, Puan Guru besar dan penolong kanan yang sarapan bersama amat berminat mendengar taklimat ringkas mengenai beberapa Institusi JIM selain PACE seperti Raudatus Sakinah dan KBM, kerana ia amat rapat dengan isu isu remaja dan anak sekolah. Dia bertanya sudikah RS atau KBM datang ke tempat kami yang jauh ni!. InsyaAllah pihak JIM bersedia dan tidak ada masalah untuk bekerjasama. (gambar gambar menunjukkan suasana semasa ceramah,penyampaian sumbangan dan tandatanagan petition)

Sumbangan tersebut telah di serahkan kepada akhi Nasir@ sekretariat PACE pada tengahari nya sebelum pergi ke ‘demo for gaza ‘(alias shopping for Gaza) di Depan US Embassy.

Hari ini kami bercuti untuk Palestine dari Sijangkang ke US Embassy. Semoga Allah mengampuni kita semua dan merahmati kita sekalian.

STOP Killing the women and innocent children in Gaza. Allah Akbar

Apabila Zina Lebih Mudah Daripada Kahwin

Apabila Zina Lebih Mudah Daripada Kahwin

Artikel yang ditulis of Dr Mohd Asri Zainal Abidin

Minggu depan adalah minggu terakhir saya sebagai Mufti Negeri Perlis. Tulisan hari ini adalah yang kedua sebelum yang terakhir pada minggu hadapan. Banyak perkara yang ingin saya kongsikan sepanjang tempoh dua tahun menjadi mufti.

Namun, nampaknya saya terpaksa tangguhkan terlebih dahulu hasrat itu kerana buat penghabisan kali di atas jawatan ini saya ingin menyentuh kerenah perkahwinan dalam negara ini. Hal ini penting terutama menjelang musim cuti sekolah kerana ramai yang akan berkahwin.

Antara peruntuh nilai-nilai baik dalam kehidupan manusia hari ini adalah apabila dimudahkan yang haram dan disukarkan yang halal. Sedangkan Islam menyuruh kita membentuk suasana atau iklim kehidupan yang menyukarkan yang haram dan memudah yang halal. Itulah tanggungjawab pemerintah dan umat iaitu menegak yang makruf dan mencegah yang munkar.

Menegak yang makruf itu adalah dengan cara menyuruh, memudah dan membantu ke arah tersebut. Sementara mencegah yang munkar adalah dengan cara menghalang, melarang dan menyukarkan jalan untuk sampai kepadanya. Namun, jika masyarakat hari ini menyusahkan yang halal dan menyenangkan yang haram, tanda kita begitu menjauhi ruh syariat islam yang hakiki yang diturunkan oleh Allah s.w.t.

Antara perkara yang selalu disusahkan adalah urusan perkahwinan. Kesusahan membina rumahtangga itu kadang-kala bermula dari keluarga sehingga ‘ketidak fahaman’ tok kadi dan seterusnya pengurusan pejabat agama dan mahkamah syariah. Kerenah-keranah yang berbagai telah memangsakan hasrat pasangan untuk mendapat ‘nikmat seks’ secara halal. Lebih menyedihkan apabila kerenah-keranah itu wujud disebabkan kepentingan-kepentingan luar yang bukan kepentingan pasangan secara langsung.

Umpamanya, urusan kenduri kahwin atau walimah telah dijadikan jambatan kesombongan ibubapa atau keluarga sehingga ditangguh perkahwinan bagi memboleh kenduri besar-besaran dibuat demi menjaga taraf ‘jenama keluarga’. Sehingga ada pasangan yang terpaksa menunggu bertahun kerananya.

Apatah jika keluarga membebankan semua belanja kepada bakal pengantin. Maka bakal pengantin terpaksa mengikat ‘nafsu seks’ hanya kerana hendak menjaga nafsu menunjuk-nunjuk keluarga. Walaupun kenduri kahwin itu disuruh, namun memadailah dengan kadar yang termampu. Tidak semestinya ‘ditumbangkan’ seekor lembu, atau dipanggil orang sekampung atau sebandar, atau dijemput semua rakan taulan.

Seseorang mengadakannya dengan kadar kemampuannya, seperti sabda Nabi s.a.w:

“Buatlah walimah walaupun sekadar seekor kambing” (Riwayat al-Bukhari dan Muslim).

Dalam ertikata lain, jika hanya mampu kenduri laksa, atau bihun atau mee pun tidak mengapa, asalkan diadakan walimah. Apa yang penting perkahwinan yang halal telah dilunaskan. Janganlah macam orang dulu apabila anaknya sebut ingin berkahwin, bapanya akan bertanya; “kau dah ada lembu ke nak buat kenduri?”. Maka bertangguhlah hasrat si anak. Padahal bukan anaknya ingin berkahwin dengan lembu, dia ingin berkahwin dengan kekasihnya.

Sepatutnya si bapa bertanya: “kau dah ada pasangan ke?”. Itulah soalan yang betul. Lembu tidak termasuk dalam rukun nikah. Apa yang lebih buruk apabila ada pihak yang menjadikan medan walimah sebagai pentas menunjuk-nunjuk kekayaan harta lalu hanya dijemput orang yang ‘berjenama’ dan ditinggalkan saudara-mara, kawan-rakan, jiran-tetangga yang tidak setaraf.

Nabi s.a.w. bersabda:

“Seburuk makanan adalah makanan walimah yang dijemput orang kaya dan ditinggalkan orang miskin..” (Riwayat al-Bukhari dan Muslim).

Maka, menderitakan bakal suami-isteri disebabkan keangkuhan keluarga.

Saya bukan anti kursus kahwin. Amat baik kursus tersebut jika diuruskan dengan mantap dan betul. Dalam kursus tersebut boleh disampaikan maklumat hukum-hakam nikah yang disyariatkan Allah sehingga generasi muda dapat melihat betapa cantik dan indahnya Islam. Syariat Islam yang mudah dan penuh hikmat dapat diserap dalam pemikiran bakal pasangan, kursusnya mereka yang masih muda. Agar mereka dapat menyelami kehebatan ajaran Islam ini. Maka kursus itu menjadi saluran dakwah penuh professional, mantap, berkesan dalam jiwa dan penghayatan.

Malangnya, kursus kahwin hari ini seakan projek lumayan untuk mengaut yuran peserta. Bukan sedikit saya terima laporan seluruh negara penceramah kursus kahwin yang berunsur lucah, lawak bodoh serta menggambarkan Islam begitu menakut dan susah untuk difahami dan dihayati. Hukum-hakam diterangkan secara berbelit-belit dan menyerabutkan peserta. Maka, kita lihat walaupun yuran kursus nampaknya makin tinggi dan peserta semuanya diwajibkan berkursus, masalah keretakan rumah tangga bagi generasi baru makin meningkat.

Saya juga amat tidak selesa melihat tok kadi yang selalu mendera pengantin agar mengulang-ulang lafaz terima (ijab) ketika akad nikah kononnya belum sah. Akad itu digambarkan begitu sulit dan susah sehingga seseorang menjadi terketar-ketar untuk menyebutnya. Diatur ayat lafaz akad itu dengan begitu skima sehingga pengantin kesejukan untuk menghafalnya.

Padahal akad nikah hanyalah bagi menggambar persetujuan kedua belah pihak menjadi suami isteri yang sah. Apa-apa sahaja lafaz yang membawa maksud kepada tujuan tersebut maka ia sah. Jika bapa bakal isteri menyebut “saya nikahkan saudara dengan anak saya Fatimah”, lalu bakal suami menjawab: “saya terima, atau saya bersetuju” atau mungkin ditambah “saya terima nikahnya” atau “saya bersetuju bernikah dengannya” seperti yang diminta oleh sesetengah sarjana dalam Mazhab al-Syafi’i, maka sahlah ijab dan qabul tersebut. Tidak disyaratkan mesti satu nafas atau dua nafas atau berjabat tangan atau menyusun ayat dalam bahasa sanskrit lama atau ayat tok kadi yang digunakan sebelum merdeka.

Sehinggakan sarjana fekah semasa Dr Abd al-Karim Zaidan dalam karya al-Mufassal fi Ahkam al-Marah wa al-Bait al-Muslim menyebut:

“Jika seseorang lelaki berkata kepada lelaki yang lain: “Nikahkan saya dengan anak perempuan awak”, lalu si bapa itu menjawab: “Aku nikahkan engkau”. Atau si bapa berkata kepada bakal suami: “bernikahlah dengan anak perempuanku”. Lalu bakal suami menjawab: “aku nikahinya”. Kedua contoh di atas adalah sah nikah berdasarkan apa yang disebutkan dalam Sahih al-Bukhari dan Sahih Muslim: Sesungguhnya seorang arab badawi telah meminang wanita yang telah mempelawa dirinya untuk Nabi s.a.w (ingin berkahwin dengan Nabi s.a.w), arab badawi itu berkata:”Nikahilah dia denganku”. Jawab Nabi s.a.w.: “Aku nikahkan engkau dengannya bermaharkan al-Quran yang ada bersamamu”. (al-Mufassal, 6/87, Beirut: Muassasah al-Risalah).

Bahkan dalam Sahih al-Bukhari ada bab yang al-Imam al-Bukhari letakkan ia berbunyi: Bab Iza Qala al-Khatib li al-Wali Zawwijni Fulanah, faqala qad Zauwajtuka bi Kaza wa Kaza, Jaza al-Nikah Wa In Lam Yaqul li al-Zauj Aradita au Qabilta, maksudnya: Bab Apabila Lelaki Yang Meminang Berkata Kepada Wali Perempuan: “Kahwinilah aku dengan wanita berkenaan”, lalu dia menjawab: “Aku nikahkan engkau dengannya bermaharkan sekian dan sekian, maka sah nikahnya walaupun tidak ditanya si suami apakah engkau setuju, atau terima”.

Inilah kesimpulan yang dibuat oleh al-Imam al-Bukhari berdasarkan hadis-hadis dalam bab nikah yang diteliti olehnya. Apa yang penting proses ijab dan qabul amatlah mudah. Ia adalah lafaz yang difahami oleh kedua belah pihak serta dua saksi yang menjelaskan kehendak dan persetujuan untuk berkahwin atau menjadi suami dan isteri. Apabila proses itu berlaku maka ia sah.

Tidak pernah ada dalil yang menyatakan mestilah satu nafas, atau tidak terputus nafas seperti diada-adakan oleh sesetengah pihak. Paling tinggi yang boleh kita kata adalah tidak boleh ada ruang yang menyebabkan salah satu pihak mengelirukan atau dikelirukan dalam menyatakan persetujuan nikah. Justeru itu Syeikhul Islam Ibn Taimiyyah r.h (meninggal 728H) menyebut:

“Nikah itu terlaksana (sah) dengan apa sahaja yang dihitung oleh orang ramai sebagai nikah; dalam apa bahasa, atau lafaz atau perbuatan”. (petikan Sayyid Sabiq, Fiqh al-Sunnah, 2/355).

Apa yang ingin saya jelaskan betapa proses ijab qabul itu begitu mudah dan senang. Memadai jika bakal suami menjawab: “aku terima nikahnya”. Tidak timbul terpaksa berulang kali seperti yang dibuat oleh sesetengah pihak membuli pengantin. Jika jawapan yang diperlukan begitu ringkas dan jelas, dan pengantin pun telah melakukannya, mengapa pula ada tok kadi yang sengaja bertanya hadirin: perlu ulang ke? Lalu mereka pun dengan sukanya menyebut beramai-ramai ‘sekali lagi!, sekali lagi! Ini adalah permainan buli yang cuba dicampur aduk dengan hukum syarak.

Setelah berkahwin, rumahtangga yang dibina seperti yang diajar oleh Islam hendaklah menjadi syurga, bukan neraka. Jika perkahwinan tidak dapat membawa kebahgiaan, insan tidak disuruh memperjudikan hidup keseluruhan kerana isteri atau suaminya. Walaupun talak itu bukan perbuatan yang baik, namun ia dibenarkan jika terpaksa.

Insan mempunyai matlamat hidup, bukan sekadar untuk bertungkus lumus kerana masalah seorang lelaki atau wanita. Maka Islam mengajar cara-cara yang berbagai demi menyelamatkan rumah tangga dari talak. Jika gagal, Islam juga mengajar talak untuk mengelakkan kezaliman berlaku antara salah satu pihak; suami atau isteri. Firman Allah: (maksudnya)

“Dan apabila kamu menceraikan isteri-isteri (kamu) kemudian mereka (hampir) habis tempoh idahnya maka bolehlah kamu pegang mereka (rujuk) dengan cara yang baik atau lepaskan mereka dengan cara yang baik. dan janganlah kamu pegang mereka (rujuk semula) dengan tujuan memberi mudarat, kerana kamu hendak melakukan kezaliman (terhadap mereka); dan sesiapa yang melakukan demikian maka sesungguhnya dia menzalimi dirinya sendiri. dan janganlah kamu menjadikan ayat-ayat hukum Allah itu sebagai ejek-ejekan (dan permainan). dan kenanglah nikmat Allah yang diberikan kepada kamu, (dan kenanglah) apa yang diturunkan kepada kamu Iaitu Kitab (Al-Quran) dan hikmat, untuk memberi pengajaran kepada kamu dengannya. dan bertaqwalah kepada Allah serta ketahuilah: sesungguhnya Allah Maha mengetahui akan tiap-tiap sesuatu” (Surah al-Baqarah, ayat 231).

Jika penerusan perkahwinan hanya memberi mudarat kepada pasangan, maka talak itu disuruh oleh al-Quran. Malanglah kaum wanita yang sepatutnya telah dikeluarkan oleh al-Quran dari kezaliman atau kemudaratan si suami, tiba-tiba terjatuh dalam kezaliman batin akibat proses birokrasi mahkamah yang bernama syariah.

Maka, wanita hari ini ada yang terseksa batinnya kerana menunggu proses mahkamah yang kadang-kala memakan masa bertahun-tahun. Bagaimana mungkin isteri yang sudah tujuh lapan tahun suaminya tidak mengambil tahu soal nafkah zahir dan batin tetap disahkan oleh mahkamah bahawa dia masih suami sekalipun isteri berulang meminta dipisahkan. Kata Dr Karim ‘Abd al-Karim Zaidan menyebut:

“Jika suami gagal menunaikan nafkah untuk isteri, kadi memisah antara mereka jika isteri memilih untuk berpisah…Hal ini diriwayatkan dari sejumlah para sahabat dan tabi’in” (al-Mufassal, 7/217).

Beliau juga memetik apa yang disebut oleh al-Dardir dalam al-Syarh al-Kabir: “Bagi isteri boleh menuntut dipisahkan dari suami disebabkan mudarat yang dilakukannya; iaitu apa yang tidak diizinkan oleh syarak untuk dia buat seperti meninggalkan isteri atau memukulnya tanpa sebab dibenarkan syarak. Atau memaki dia atau bapanya seperti menyebut: Wahai anak anjing, atau wahai anak kafir! Atau wahai anak orang yang dilaknat”.

Dr Zaidan seterusnya memetik apa yang disebut oleh al-Imam Ibn Taimiyyah:

“Maka dianggap memberi mudarat kepada isteri yang boleh dipisah (dipasakh) apabila suami meninggalkan persetubuhan dalam apa keadaan sekalipun. Samada suami sengaja atau tidak sengaja”. (ibid 8/439).

Semua perbahasan yang begitu banyak boleh didapati dalam khazanah Islam itu menggambarkan rumahtangga untuk kebahagiaan hidup insan bukan untuk kedukaan mereka. Jika rumahtangga itu mengundang kedukaan, insan diberi peluang keluar oleh syarak untuk keluar dari daerah itu dengan segera. Malanglah, jika pintu keluar itu dihalang oleh kerenah biorokrasi mahkamah. Hakim barang kali ringan lidahnya menyebut: “kita tangguhkan perbicaraan kerana suami tidak hadir” sedangkan kesan jiwa begitu besar dan berat ditanggung oleh isteri.

Sebenarnya dalam Islam, jalan kepada halal dan kebahagian dibuka dengan begitu luas dan mudah. Dukacita, jika atas nama agama kita menyusahkan jalan yang halal dan dalam masa yang sama ada pula pihak-pihak lain yang memudahkan jalan yang haram. Perlaksanaan agama hendaklah bukan sahaja mendakwa adil, tetapi hendaklah juga kelihatan adil.

Belated Tribute to my daughter’s graduation day, 15th Aug 2008

Its about Naieemah's (aka Imang) historic moment aka graduation day during the 38th Convocation of USM on 15th August 2008. ( Surely imang kecik hati sebab mama tidak masukkan the story of her convocation day in my blog kan?) …it is not that I forget or never care about her, no, no no, never , its just a matter of time to write... So, dear Imang this is a belated tribute on your convocation aka graduation, 4 months ago. I know its quite late, but ‘late is better than never’. Hmmmm…..”Sorry”… ya Imang. That sorry reminds me of the caption from a love story,” Love means never having to say you are sorry”…. so to speak.

Anyway just to remind myself that I have to live each day with hope and courage sometimes blended with fear and anxious for what tomorrow brings. I love all my children unconditionally, despite all those hurdles and hecticness of life.... I hope my children will remember this and find that one of my great achievement in life is to ‘Love’ THEM unconditionally. On that momentious 15th August 2008, you my precious girl, Naieemah was conferred B.Sc in Aerospace Engineering by her Vice Chanselor. She is an Aerospace Engineer then.

I can't begin to tell you how proud I am of you. I've been given the opportunity to watch you grow form an incredibly cute small child into a beautiful young woman. You have achieved so much in such a short time that it’s hard for me to keep track of it all. Only that day I realised you were just a short chubby-cheeked little girl and today you are graduating from USM with a prestigious aerospace opportunity.


Though it may seem to you that it’s taken forever to reach this point, it had happened all too quickly for me. I’ll admit here that it saddens me to see you start the rest of your life from now on, however it cannot compare to how happy and proud that I know that you are so well prepared and dedicated to your dreams. Never loose sight of those dreams and never compromise anything to reach them.

No matter what has happened in the past or what will happen in the future, always know that we (mama and papa) love you and will always be here for you. You have made us so proud and I know that you will continue to do so during your time in the future.

You have graduated from that prestigious university, and the major part of your life thus far will be over. Up until now, your father and I have guided you and protected you. We have held your hand while you learned to walk and walked beside you when you learned to run and run. We have watched while you tested your wings with the used WLR car of your (hmm….) own and a job.

As you step out into the world, and now you have a job and a career, Alhamdulillah.

There are things that I would like to tell you:

1. I would tell you to always pray and make doa for your success in the world and hereafter. Never forget Allah. Be reminded what I used to remember about the famous Mary Kay, the founder of one of the most successful direct selling corporate owvner (women ‘s clothing and accesories) in Amerika . More or less it goes like this: “My first commitment is to God, my family is the second and finally is my career”. If an American women can have that kind of attitude and thinking, what more of us the muslim women.

2. Always pay for yourself. Put as much money into savings as you can and leave it there until you have enough to live on for 6 months or so. You will never be sorry. Start your retirement fund early and don’t touch it. If you go to work for a company that matches your contributions, take advantage of it.

3. Be wary of credit cards. They are too easy to get and too hard to pay off. If you have to buy it on credit, you probably can’t afford it anyway and most likely don’t need it. If you use credit cards regularly, you will pay many times for the same item. Save buying on credit for two major purchases, a car and a house. If you have to use the credit card, use the Islamic one!

4. Invest your money in things that you understand. If you don’t understand it, then either educate yourself or find something you do understand. This understanding will help you decide when to invest, when to hold and when to sell.

5. Find and secure a job, doing something that you love to do. You spend most of your life at work, it helps to enjoy what you are doing. This may be a strange forum to say that while making a lot of money is great, doing something that you enjoy and are good at will bring you more satisfaction in the long run. So try to find a balance between being a starving artist and overstressed CEO.

6. Keep an emergency savings account or may be start putting some allocation in your Tabung Haji Account. Your Tabung Haji account have been there since you were a small girl for you many many years ago. It just need to be activated. Talking about emergency saving, this would be enough to support you for 6 months but it can be as little as RM500. The emergency funds purpose is to pay for emergencies. I know you are saying “duh, Mama” but you have to understand that an emergency is not for those cute shoes that you just have to have to go with your new dress. It is for things like the car broke down and you can’t get to work without it.

7. This CRUCIAL…When you find that special person, make sure that they are someone who will support and respect you. Hopefully, you will find someone with similar goals to yours, both financial and life goals. I have found that while love is grand if the support, respect and common goals aren’t there, love loses out at worst and at best your life will be a struggle. Always remember what TOK YEK used to ‘warn’ her daughters and the rest of the women, me and all your aunties in his ceramah,:” INGAT! SEMUA LELAKI ITU PENIPU DAN PEREMPUAN ITU BODOH” ……and the rest is history…..

You are smart enough to do anything you want to do, you just have to make up your mind that you are going to do it. Don’t let anyone beat you down. Don’t settle for second best, you deserve the best of the best. Be yourself.Never settle for the path of least resistance.Don't be afraid to be better than those around you.

I give you no words of wisdom, no clever andectodes from my own life.

Ohhhhh….hang on, there it is……. I will give you something that I found somewhere in my notebook and what gives me at least a little encouragement and I hope that it will help you as well on this most precious of days.To laugh often and much;
To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children;
To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends;
To appreciate beauty,
To find the best in others;
To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition;
To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived.
This is to have succeeded -Ralph Waldo Emerson

Last but not least, whatever you do, do it with all your heart. Ikhlaskan niat
And remember always that I love you and that you always have a place to come home to.
Love, Mama & Papa

Most of the pictures can be viewed in mama's flicr pages http://www.flickr.com/photos/24649224@N04

Graduation Day

Congratulations to ABANG UDA on Graduation Day!

Today is a proud day, indeed. My beloved son, Taqiuddeen aka Abang Uda graduated with Bachelor in Management from Athabasca University, Canada. It’s an American Transfer Degree Program, twinning with Stamford College Kuala Lumpur. The graduation ceremony was held at the Putra world Trade Center and officiated by YB Dr Huo Ch. Huang, Timbalan Menteri Pengajian Tinggi. He later conferred the degree to all the graduants....

I am so proud of the fine young man Bang Uda has become. He's worked incredibly hard on his studies and, far more importantly, has grown into a compassionate, honest, and responsible gentleman.

...." I love you, Bang Uda . It is my honor, privilege, and the greatest blessing to be your mama".....

I know you took quite a long way, more time spent to come to this stage, but you know, as many wise people said:” Its not how long do you take time to finish, but the question is did you ‘FINISH IT?...You finally have done it ! Alhamdulillah wa masyaAllah.........

.......And tossing his mortar as a sign of relief and accomplishment, at the same time letting go the tensions and pressures beyond…

And this poem I picked from a friend somewhere. I dedicated for you My son on your Graduation Day

This is for you my precious son,
through the years and all the tears, we are very proud of you.
You achieved a lot of success and all your goals for elementary & secondary school, matrics of Univ and finally you now go.
You did well and showed them all you could with high hopes and plans anew.
The future has lots to offer that's true. Be wise, be glad, be happy, show others by your example..
The time for you to become a man is nearing, where did that little boy go.
That's ok because I know we gave you roots to grow.
We now give you wings to soar.Go on, be well, do great things and more success will follow all of your heart's desire for sure.

Barack Hussein Obama Speech on the election night

If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time; who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.

It's the answer told by lines that stretched around schools and churches in numbers this nation has never seen; by people who waited three hours and four hours, many for the very first time in their lives, because they believed that this time must be different; that their voice could be that difference.

It's the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Latino, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled – Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been a collection of Red States and Blue States: we are, and always will be, the United States of America.

It's the answer that led those who have been told for so long by so many to be cynical, and fearful, and doubtful of what we can achieve to put their hands on the arc of history and bend it once more toward the hope of a better day.

It's been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this day, in this election, at this defining moment, change has come to America.

I just received a very gracious call from Senator McCain. He fought long and hard in this campaign, and he's fought even longer and harder for the country he loves. He has endured sacrifices for America that most of us cannot begin to imagine, and we are better off for the service rendered by this brave and selfless leader. I congratulate him and Governor Palin for all they have achieved, and I look forward to working with them to renew this nation's promise in the months ahead.

I want to thank my partner in this journey, a man who campaigned from his heart and spoke for the men and women he grew up with on the streets of Scranton and rode with on that train home to Delaware, the Vice President-elect of the United States, Joe Biden.

I would not be standing here tonight without the unyielding support of my best friend for the last sixteen years, the rock of our family and the love of my life, our nation's next First Lady, Michelle Obama. Sasha and Malia, I love you both so much, and you have earned the new puppy that's coming with us to the White House. And while she's no longer with us, I know my grandmother is watching, along with the family that made me who I am. I miss them tonight, and know that my debt to them is beyond measure.

To my campaign manager David Plouffe, my chief strategist David Axelrod, and the best campaign team ever assembled in the history of politics – you made this happen, and I am forever grateful for what you've sacrificed to get it done.

But above all, I will never forget who this victory truly belongs to – it belongs to you.

I was never the likeliest candidate for this office. We didn't start with much money or many endorsements. Our campaign was not hatched in the halls of Washington – it began in the backyards of Des Moines and the living rooms of Concord and the front porches of Charleston.

It was built by working men and women who dug into what little savings they had to give five dollars and ten dollars and twenty dollars to this cause. It grew strength from the young people who rejected the myth of their generation's apathy; who left their homes and their families for jobs that offered little pay and less sleep; from the not-so-young people who braved the bitter cold and scorching heat to knock on the doors of perfect strangers; from the millions of Americans who volunteered, and organized, and proved that more than two centuries later, a government of the people, by the people and for the people has not perished from this Earth. This is your victory.

I know you didn't do this just to win an election and I know you didn't do it for me. You did it because you understand the enormity of the task that lies ahead. For even as we celebrate tonight, we know the challenges that tomorrow will bring are the greatest of our lifetime – two wars, a planet in peril, the worst financial crisis in a century. Even as we stand here tonight, we know there are brave Americans waking up in the deserts of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan to risk their lives for us. There are mothers and fathers who will lie awake after their children fall asleep and wonder how they'll make the mortgage, or pay their doctor's bills, or save enough for college. There is new energy to harness and new jobs to be created; new schools to build and threats to meet and alliances to repair.

The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even one term, but America – I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you – we as a people will get there.

There will be setbacks and false starts. There are many who won't agree with every decision or policy I make as President, and we know that government can't solve every problem. But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face. I will listen to you, especially when we disagree. And above all, I will ask you join in the work of remaking this nation the only way it's been done in America for two-hundred and twenty-one years – block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand.

What began twenty-one months ago in the depths of winter must not end on this autumn night. This victory alone is not the change we seek – it is only the chance for us to make that change. And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were. It cannot happen without you.

So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism; of service and responsibility where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves, but each other. Let us remember that if this financial crisis taught us anything, it's that we cannot have a thriving Wall Street while Main Street suffers – in this country, we rise or fall as one nation; as one people.

Let us resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long. Let us remember that it was a man from this state who first carried the banner of the Republican Party to the White House – a party founded on the values of self-reliance, individual liberty, and national unity. Those are values we all share, and while the Democratic Party has won a great victory tonight, we do so with a measure of humility and determination to heal the divides that have held back our progress. As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours, "We are not enemies, but friends…though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection." And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn – I may not have won your vote, but I hear your voices, I need your help, and I will be your President too.

And to all those watching tonight from beyond our shores, from parliaments and palaces to those who are huddled around radios in the forgotten corners of our world – our stories are singular, but our destiny is shared, and a new dawn of American leadership is at hand. To those who would tear this world down – we will defeat you. To those who seek peace and security – we support you. And to all those who have wondered if America's beacon still burns as bright – tonight we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from our the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity, and unyielding hope.

For that is the true genius of America – that America can change. Our union can be perfected. And what we have already achieved gives us hope for what we can and must achieve tomorrow.

This election had many firsts and many stories that will be told for generations. But one that's on my mind tonight is about a woman who cast her ballot in Atlanta. She's a lot like the millions of others who stood in line to make their voice heard in this election except for one thing – Ann Nixon Cooper is 106 years old.

She was born just a generation past slavery; a time when there were no cars on the road or planes in the sky; when someone like her couldn't vote for two reasons – because she was a woman and because of the color of her skin.

And tonight, I think about all that she's seen throughout her century in America – the heartache and the hope; the struggle and the progress; the times we were told that we can't, and the people who pressed on with that American creed: Yes we can.

At a time when women's voices were silenced and their hopes dismissed, she lived to see them stand up and speak out and reach for the ballot. Yes we can.

When there was despair in the dust bowl and depression across the land, she saw a nation conquer fear itself with a New Deal, new jobs and a new sense of common purpose. Yes we can.

When the bombs fell on our harbor and tyranny threatened the world, she was there to witness a generation rise to greatness and a democracy was saved. Yes we can.

She was there for the buses in Montgomery, the hoses in Birmingham, a bridge in Selma, and a preacher from Atlanta who told a people that "We Shall Overcome." Yes we can.

A man touched down on the moon, a wall came down in Berlin, a world was connected by our own science and imagination. And this year, in this election, she touched her finger to a screen, and cast her vote, because after 106 years in America, through the best of times and the darkest of hours, she knows how America can change. Yes we can.

America, we have come so far. We have seen so much. But there is so much more to do. So tonight, let us ask ourselves – if our children should live to see the next century; if my daughters should be so lucky to live as long as Ann Nixon Cooper, what change will they see? What progress will we have made?

This is our chance to answer that call. This is our moment. This is our time – to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American Dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth – that out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope, and where we are met with cynicism, and doubt, and those who tell us that we can't, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people:

Yes We Can. Thank you, God bless you, and may God Bless the United States of America