Wednesday 30 August 2006

Multiply's BBQ Affair: September Babies Special!


Hi Everyone!

My fellow contacts (iqlima, prodigic, sitz & volig) and I are organisin a barbecue on the 16th of September (Saturday), as a networkin event as well as birthday celebrations for September babies (because there's a bunch of u!!). Hope that u can turn up, mingle & have fun with us! Below are the details:

Date: 16th September 2006 (Saturday)

Venue:
West Coast Park, Pit B9

Time: 1800h onwards (come early for the best selection of food )

Cost: $15 per person, $3 for children



NOTE TO ALL
: Pls confirm ur attendance via PERSONAL MESSAGE & I will give u my POSB acct no. to
fund transfer the money by 6th of September (Wednesday). Sorry for the short time notice but we need to account for the food et al ASAP.



SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT for MY September Babies contacts!
sitz
prodigic
leenie1009
legendsiew
ejadam
peanutgal
princessdyanne
cyclopsitz
shasya
icebitch
boneeta
ainain
indamalini
*u juz have to fork out $10 for the BBQ! hehe*


Come Out & Play people (literally cos there's a BIG Playground for young & old there!)









Friday 25 August 2006

Collective Videos of Dr Zakir Naik Clarifying Islamic/Religious Issues

Rating:★★★★
Category:Movies
Genre: Education
Topics discussed:

1. Why are Muslims not as advanced as the western world?
If the Quran speaks on so many things related to science then why are Muslims not as advanced as the western world?

2. The Trinity Explained.
Can the Trinity be explained scientifically?

3. Is Islam spread by Sword?
Dr. Zakir Naik responds to an accusation that Islam is spread by the sword.



Hope these vids give u a better understanding of Islam.

Thursday 24 August 2006

my precious wallet

Is back in MY Possession!!!! Collected it from the the Lost & Found Police Base yesterday and everythin's returned except for my $20 cash.


to that person who took my money: dammit but LUCKY YOU!


to that person who handed my wallet back to the police: THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!


errr i forgot to ask who returned it tho...*dush myself*. but bless u kind person, whoever u are...i am convinced that there are NICE KIND SOULS here!! i will pay the deed forward!! to those who comforted me n told me to keep faith, ahhhh it felt good! thank u for prayin & hopin it return back to me!!

SMILE Singapore!

I almost choked on air when i heard from the radio that the IMF-World Bank committee allowed Singaporeans to conduct an Outdoor Demonstration yesterday. I couldn't believe my ears!! Is tis for real?? Did the government just went cuckoo or somethin for allowin such?? TIS MUST BE A JOKE!

I wanted to leap in the air...to finally declare...Wow they finally let us have a voice!! Yeay!! But hurhurhur...check out what i found on ChannelNewsAsia:

'Alternative external venues' raised by World Bank not possible: Lim Hwee Hua

By Julia Ng | Posted: 23 August 2006 2324 hrs

SINGAPORE : The IMF-World Bank meetings organising committee
believes it has provided an excellent solution to outdoor
demonstrations - by setting aside the Suntec lobby for Civil Society
Organisations (CSOs) to air their opinions in full view of delegates.



In an exclusive interview with Channel NewsAsia, Mrs Lim Hwee Hua,
the minister overseeing the meetings, said the 'alternative external
venues' suggested by the World Bank are not possible in principle, as
Singapore law prohibits all outdoor demonstrations.




When the 16,000 IMF-World Bank delegates descend upon Singapore in September, some 300 to 400 CSOs are expected to follow.




Singapore Police have set aside the Suntec lobby for accredited CSOs to carry out any demonstrations in full view of delegates.



Lim Hwee Hua, Minister-in-Charge of Singapore 2006 said: "Under our
local rules, we do not allow any outdoor demonstrations or marches.
That's a strict no-no. We have to stand very firm. Because to us, the
threat is real.



“We have our own local rules on public order and we do not see any
compelling reason to change them simply because we're hosting the
Singapore 2006 or the IMF-World Bank meetings."



Apart from public order concerns, many Singaporeans and businesses
will need to make adjustments as roads close and companies work out of
the Suntec area during the week-long event.



"There's no denial that there'll be some form of inconvenience. But
we believe it'll be more than compensated for with both the short term
and long term benefits. The short term effects are obviously the amount
of business, tourism-related business, that will be generated by the
group of visitors," said Mrs Lim.



"The longer term effects will be tremendous. If we're thinking of the
tourism aspirations such as Singapore being a sought-after and fun
place, then this is the long-term brand-building benefit that will come
about," she added.



Mrs Lim said Singapore 2006 is also an excellent opportunity to
showcase Singapore's cultural diversity and its trademark efficiency
that's delivered with a human touch.


So my fellow Singapore citizens, don't forget to (feign a) SMILE for our guests. Thailand may be the land of a thousand smiles...but Singapore has 4 million!!!

Right.....Pffftt




SG Idols: Asian Pop The Teary Ouchy Episode




Wow Wow Wow!!

Honestly, tis dude didn't really impress me so much from the start of the competition cos yeah he can sing, yeah he's versatile but i think he lacks the X-factor cos he looks real "relek one corner" kinda guy but ever since 2 weeks ago, somehow...he partially convinced me that he can rock the house and smoothly win audiences votes with his RnB singin but today, Tonite....i have to admit...Hady Mirza is really gooood!!

His rendition of Sheila Majid's Lagenda was so beautiful! So soulful till his mum cried watchin him sing! Ok firstly, i was impressed he could deliver that song with so much honesty, and somehow he reminded me of Zainal Abidin's voice. the next thing is when Gurmit pointed to him his mummy was cryin, the moment he saw her...He Teared!! OMG!!! That was unprecedented, unrehearsed And i too involuntarily had tears dwelin in my eyes(wtf?!!)...awww such a Mummy's boy, so sensitive! He brought the Hip Hop vibes alive and connected with the crowd for the 2nd song...so u noe what to do, Singapore: HE DESERVES ALOT MORE VOTES after TONITE man!!! HE SHONE & OUTCLASSED everyone else!!

Tonite's show was one of the most interestin episode. Gurmit refused to introduce Joakim's song choice and got Daniel Ong to do it, the excuse bein he was the original of Joakim's song. Florence took the liberty to tell Joakim & his fans to grant him a Dignified Exit from the competition. WHOA! And Ken was literally insultin that dude. Poor guy that Joakim for havin to deal with these bitchyness but he really dun deserve to be among the last 6 standin, man. Will we see him exit tomorrow?? Again and again and again, judges and the host emphasised : REMEMBER YOU HAVE TO VOTE FOR TALENT *hint,hint*

it's a shame that Singapore audience has to be reminded like that!!! please lahh...vote for any number but 03, enuff is enuff!!

another shocker was.....Paul Twohill! Surely the New "Speak Mandarin" Poster boy!! Hahaha!! i think his ass will be saved for the next round....good strategy n attempt tonite, finally u show us that u r not juz "The Hair" idol, dude!











Tuesday 22 August 2006

Heal

its painful to see u helpless
vulnerable and quiet
bearing all that pain

be patient
breathe
don't u give up
keep faith
i hope u heal

*for my loved ones, undergoin difficult times now, may God gives u strength to make it through the rain*

Monday 21 August 2006

Prejudice!


a lil somethin to nourish & heal the soul.
may we be misguided not, from the right path.

Prejudice: Islamic
Perspective


Uzma Mazhar © 2000

Prejudice is a premature judgment -- a
negative attitude towards a person or group of people which is not based
on objective facts. These assumptions are usually based on stereotypes
which are oversimplified and over-generalized views of groups or types of
people. A prejudgment might also be based on an emotional experience we
had with a similar person.


Prejudice is what makes us justify
oppression. Prejudice is a hostile, resentful feeling, an unfounded
dislike for someone or an unfair blaming or degradation of others. It is a
degrading attitude that serves no purpose except to make us feel
superior
. It is You against Me. Everything of mine is better than yours--my
country, my religion, my kind of people, my family and my self.


(Think about this one... How good can I really
be if I have to insult or degrade someone so that I can feel good about
myself?)


People show prejudice when they form an opinion
without knowing all the facts. These opinions might be about someone
else's race, religion, or ethnic background. They might be based on a
person's gender, age, or disability, or even income or education level.
The root of all prejudice is fear and ignorance.


From the Islamic perspective, the division of human beings into nations,
races, groups and tribes is for the sake of distinction, so that people of
one race or tribe may meet and be acquainted with the people of another
race or tribe and cooperate with one another. To learn from each other, to
appreciate the differences and celebrate the similarities. It is not
any different than the variety in plants, flowers and animals... it is an
expression of Allah's creativity and artistry. It is meant to evoke
a feeling of awe and wonderment, and respect for His creation.


Sûrah al Hujurat 49:13

"O Mankind, We created you from a male and a
female and made you into nations and tribes, that
you may know each other.
Verily the most honored of you in the
sight of God is he who is the most righteous of you. Verily Allah is All-Knowing, All Aware"


Sûrah ar Rum 30:22

"And among His Signs is the creation of the
heavens and the earth, and the difference of your languages and colors.

Verily, in that are indeed signs for men of sound knowledge".


This division of the human race is neither
meant for one nation to take pride in its superiority over others nor is
it meant for one nation to treat another with contempt or disgrace, or
regard them as a degraded race and usurp their rights.


Assumptions and generalizations that everyone of
a certain color, race, religion or any such distinctive feature have the
same characteristics... usually
in
the form of negative put-downs, insults or jokes is prejudice. Rather
than building bridges between people, prejudice puts up walls. Prejudice then turns into hatred or unfair
treatment of persons belonging to that group.


Sûrah al Hujurât 49:11-12

"O You, who have attained to faith! No
men shall deride other men: it may well be that those whom they deride are
better than themselves; and no women shall deride other women, it may well
be that those whom they deride are better than themselves. And
neither shall you defame one another, nor insult one another by epithets

(name-calling); evil is all imputation of iniquity after faith; and they
who do not repent - it is they who are evil-doers.

O You who have attained to faith! Avoid much suspicions; indeed some suspicions are sins, and do not spy upon one
another, and neither allow yourselves to speak ill of one another behind
their backs..."



Consider some of these statements:

"All African-Americans/Chinese/Arabs are . . ."

"All Jews/Catholics/Muslims/Hindus/Atheists always . . ."

"All poor people are . . ."

"Women/Men are . . ."

"Old people are . . . ."


Complete these sentences with what you believe
about each group, and you will recognize your own prejudices.
Question yourself... does your belief hold true for every single person
of that group? Does your belief hold you back from interacting with
that group?


Prejudice
is learned, it is passed down through the family's beliefs and
attitudes. As
children we adopt prejudiced attitudes without thinking. Most families
utilize certain stereotypes, such as "only men go to the mosque,"
"women are too emotional and can't think for themselves," "men
who consult with their wives are wimps," "poor people are
lazy bums," etc. Rigid gender roles that are taught by example
in the family, (the women and girls always do the cooking and the
housecleaning and taking care of babies.. men don't), are a form of
prejudice.


Due
to its unpleasant and hostile nature, prejudice discourages intimate contact
with the "target" persons so that one doesn't discover what
individuals of 'that' type are really like. Ignorance and fear
perpetuates prejudice.


When we are prejudiced, we violate three
standards that are the hallmark of Islâm:


Reason

We are unreasonable if we judge others negatively without evidence or in
spite of positive evidence or use stereotypes without allowing for
individual differences. We are unreasonable when we do not see
beyond our own limited, preconceived ideas.


Justice

We are unjust when we give preferential treatment to one group over
another. We are unjust when we favor one nation over another. We are unjust if we discriminate and pay men more for the
same work as women or select more men than women for leadership
positions.


Tolerance.

We are intolerant if we reject or dislike people because they are
different, e.g. of a different religion, different socioeconomic status,
or have a different set of values.


People who respect others as individuals, (instead of labeling them according to the group they belong to), are the
people who show reason, justice and tolerance when dealing with others.
These are people who respect humanity as a whole, who honor life..
everyone's life.


Tolerance means accepting
other people just as they are, even if their beliefs differ
from your own. It means seeing that someone else is different from you -
and then saying that the difference is OK. It means treating
other people the way you would want to be treated.


Sûrah al An'am 6:108

"Revile not those unto whom they pray besides Allah lest they
wrongfully revile Allah through ignorance. Thus unto every nation have We
made their deeds seem fair. Then unto their Lord is their return, and He
will tell them what they used to do."



Sûrah al
An'am 6:68

"And when you (Muhammad pbuh) see those who meddle
with Our Revelations, withdraw from them until they meddle with another
topic....."


Sûrah ash Shura 42:15

"And be thou upright as thou art commanded, and follow not their
lusts, but say: I believe in whatever Scripture
Allah hath sent down, and I am commanded to be just among you. Allah is
our Lord and your Lord. Unto us our works and unto you your works; no
argument between us and you. Allah will bring us together, and to Him is the final return
."


In this manner Islâm teaches equality
for the entire human race and strikes at the very root of all distinction.
According to Islâm, God has given man this right of equality as a
birthright. Therefore no man should be discriminated against on the ground
of the color of his skin, his place of birth, the race or the nation in
which he was born.


The superiority of one man over another is
only on the basis of God-consciousness, purity of character and high
morals, and not on the basis of color, race, language or nationality,

and even this superiority based on piety and pure conduct does not justify
that such people should play lord or assume airs of superiority over other
human beings. Assuming airs of superiority is in itself a
reprehensible vice which no God-fearing and pious man can ever dream of
perpetrating. Nor does the righteous have more privileged rights over
others, because this runs counter to human equality. From the moral
point of view, goodness and virtue is in all cases better than vice and
evil.


'O people, Remember that your Lord is One. An
Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority
over an Arab; also a black has no superiority over white, nor a white has
any superiority over black, except by piety and good action (Taqwâh).
Indeed the best among you is the one with the best character (Taqwâh).

Listen to me. Did I convey this to you properly? People
responded, Yes. O messenger of Allah, The Prophet then said, then each one
of you who is here must convey this to everyone not present'. (Excerpt
from the Prophet’s Last Sermon)


Prejudicial treatment in any way shape or
form falls under the category of 'zulm' (abuse or cruelty) or 'ithm'
(harm). Zulm is forbidden in Islam.. no exceptions. Even such
supposedly 'harmless' practices as choosing a
family member for a job over another qualified person is discouraged. There
is no room for 'special favors' or partiality. The following verse
makes it very clear that Muslims are required to stand for justice even if
it against your own loved ones.


Sûrah an Nisa' 4:135

"O ye who believe! Stand out firmly for
justice, as witnesses to Allah, even as against yourselves, or your
parents, or your kin, and whether it be (against) rich or poor:
for
Allah can best protect both. Follow not the lusts (of your hearts), lest
ye swerve, and if ye distort (justice) or decline to do justice, verily
Allah is Ever Well-Acquainted with all that ye do."


Islam stands for peace and as long as there is
injustice against anyone, there can't be peace.


Article taken from: http://www.crescentlife.com/articles/islam/prejudice_islamic_perspective.htm

NOTE: If you find that there are some difference in the ayats found on the original site compared to the ones on mine, that is because I have rephrased some of the ayats above using my own Quran for easier understanding (meaning-wise still the same). u can cross-reference and correct me if u find any dicrepancies. Thank You.




Tuesday 15 August 2006

Fuel For Thought: Spinelli's Hot Chocolate

Rating:★★★★
Category:Other
Scenario: Rainy Day...Cold...Tummy Cramp...Lunch Time...Crowd

Solution: Spinelli's Hot Chocolate will send u into a Euphoria!

Price: $2.80 for Small Cup, $3.20 for Medium Cup

*LoL*

I bought one at NUS' Science Canteen...and it tasted wonderful!
The aroma, the texture...Oooo la la...Chocoliciously Invitin & Rich!
It doesn't taste like MILO nor is it bland. I think there's some melted chocolate/chocolate sauce innit, really!
Definitely recommended as a pick-me-up drink on a gloomy day!

Cheers~



Crampy to Happy!



Started the day early, made my way to assist for Street Dance. it's been a while since i assisted dance classes, but i'm back now and pickin up the pieces bit by bit. but tummy cramp just dampen my spirit, thank God class was rather short today.

Suppose to report to the Lab in the afternoon but i called in to be excused. after the dance session, went straight home, feelin a lil better. had the urge to catch up on BD. so danced danced danced but somehow, the damn cramp came back. felt shitty, i end up coilin in bed all noon tossin and turnin...can't get proper sleep! some secondary school boys were playin soccer at the court downstairs!! shoutin away, bein rowdy...my guess was right, lower sec students...clad in shorts! Raging hormones, act big...bleurghh i hate boys at that age..damn rowdy!! Effkers!

Contemplated whether to go to the lil gathering of MDIS girls, haven't met Liza & Hafi for a long while...so i decided, to go..then i got news that Liza had an urgent family matter to attend to, she cannot meet us. never mind, i'll juz meet Dee & Hafi then. Wanted to meet Dee to get to PS together but she "lied" to me, she left without me...only for me to find out that she had to, to get my belated birthday present. Alahhh tis girl...almost 2 months bein 25, i'm still gonna receive a present?! Aiyoooo

Had to wait for her and Hafi to turn up at PS before headin to our planned gathering spot, Fig & Olives. urgh makin me wait when i'm havin a cramp is a bad idea. hmmm....tis is not makin me feel better, i thought. luckily i didn't have to wait long, so i tagged them to get some toiletries then off we headed to Fig & Olives. well, well..what do u noe? i was told Rafeeqah was waitin for us there! and Jules was also comin...with her lil nit. Dee said my cuzzin was suppose to join in too, actually! aiyooo...is tis suppose to be an MDIS girl gang gatherin or a gatherin for Me?? Hahah! Dee..Dee...u r so sneaky!!

Dinner was pretty good, peppered with lil chats & giggles, was there gossip? i dun think so...hehe! oh and today, i met that brilliant lil girl...she was shy and stuck to Jules almost all the time...so cute lah ur lil girl Jules...siap dgn kasi bunga...alahhhh......so the "shy shy cat"! never mind, next time i will kacau her, today me crampy not so hyper to play with her.

Before we left, i was presented with my belated birthday gift, ahaha it was indeed a girly girly nite. first, i got a flower from Shahirah Kenit & Jules, then a charming necklace and a chunky ring from Aza, Dee, Jules, Hafi & Liza! hahah happy belated birthday to me!! as raf quoted iyuan, "better late than Never!" hahahah!

Thank u Thank u GURLS!!! me IS Happy!! Wheeeee.........







Monday 14 August 2006

Lights will guide you home...

*Sorry Coldplay fans, tis is not "Fix You" lyrics that i'm dishin out*

when i'm feelin meek, helpless, sometimes sorely useless and the troubles of the world cloud my mind....only Ur Words will guide me home...


"O you who believe! Seek help in patience and As-Solat (the prayer). Truly Allah is with As-Sabirin (the patient).

And say not of those who are killed in the Way of Allah "They are dead." Nay, they are living, but you perceive (it) not.

And certainly, We shall test you with something of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives and fruits, but give glad tidings to As-Sabirin (the patient).

Who when afflicted with calamity, say: "Truly! To Allah we belong and truly, to Him we shall return."

They are those on whom are the Salawat (who are blessed and forgiven) from their Lord, and (they are those who) receive His Mercy, and it is they who are the guided ones."


(Al-Baqarah, 2:153-157)






Saturday 12 August 2006

An Eye For An Eye

a kinder version.
tis news from ABC NEWS, made me smile. so beautiful is a human with a conscience.

By DAVID MUIR


Last week a deadly Hezbollah attack in northern Israel left two Israeli brothers dead.



They were both husbands with children, and in the immediate aftermath,
it was hard for those on the scene to think of anything beyond the
horror.



But their surviving brother did, and he asked surgeons if his brother's
eyes could be donated to help others in need of medical assistance.



There was a long list of patients in need, including an Arab, Nikola
Elias, who was blind in one eye and had lost nearly all his vision in
the other eye.


Dr. Uri Rehany, an eye surgeon, said he was told by Motti Tamam to
"go ahead" and use his brother's eyes to help the Arab man, as it would
be a mitzvah, meaning a good deed.

Gaining Vision and Some Hope



The surgery was performed in a Nahariyah hospital in northern Israel,
where the eye ward took a direct hit from a katyusha rocket.



Doctors worked in the basement, and the next morning Elias was able to see out of his new eye.


"He could read numbers," Rehany said.



When he was told a Jewish man was the donor, Elias was confused, the doctor said.



"There is a war between Israelis and Arabs on the one hand, and he is
getting the cornea of a Jewish man, who was killed by an Arab missile,"
Rehany said.



Now, one week later, Elias' right eye is recovering beautifully.



He'd been waiting to meet the Jewish man who allowed this to happen, and today we brought the two men together.



"I feel happy because something from [my] brother is here," Tamam said. "Look, now my brother can see."



They held hands, exchanged phone numbers, and gave each other hope after Elias received a precious gift, in a war zone.








MUIS' SPECIAL HUMANITARIAN FUND FOR LEBANON

https://www.muis.gov.sg/epayment/Donations.aspx
Hi! I just found out abt this when I visited MUIS's site today. Aside from donations for Lebanon, please also contribute to the other fund collections that MUIS is carrying out especially the Madrasah Fund, if u have the means. Thank you and May Allah bless u for ur kind deeds.

Regards,
Sophie

Article below is taken from: http://www.muis.gov.sg/cms/news/press.aspx?id=1640

Press Statement
2 Aug 2006
MUIS TO COLLECT SPECIAL HUMANITARIAN FUND FOR LEBANON

In view of the urgent need for humanitarian relief efforts to help the people of Lebanon, the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) is announcing its effort to raise a special fund in support of the people of Lebanon. The fund will be collected at all 69 mosques in Singapore beginning today and during the Friday prayers on 4 August 2006. All mosques will be displaying a special collection box dedicated for this purpose. Donations can also be made by cheque addressed to "Muis" with the word "Humanitarian Aid For Lebanon" written on the reverse side of the cheque and sent to Muis at 273 Braddell Road, Singapore 579702. Contributions could also be made on-line starting tomorrow after 12.00pm through the Muis website at www.muis.gov.sg.

Muis will also be calling all mosques to recite a special "Prayer for Peace" during the Friday congregational prayers and after the five daily obligatory prayers. The text of this Prayer of Peace is also available on the Muis website. We would like to call upon Muslims and all Singaporeans to pray for the restoration of peace in the lives of those who have been ravaged by the cruelty of the bombings and devastations regardless of their faiths.

The Muslim community of Singapore and Muis are deeply disturbed by the tragedy and the alarming casualties in the conflict. We wish to express our anguish and sorrow at the loss of innocent lives of infants, children and families and we deplore the destruction of homes and properties.

We wish to appeal all parties to this conflict to work at ending all hostilities and to seek a durable peace.


Islamic Religious Council of Singapore

Wednesday 9 August 2006

The "Preposterous" Interview: George Galloway on Israel-Lebanon Conflict@Sky News

http://news.sky.com/skynews/video/videoplayer/0,,31200-galloway_060806,00.html
A friend sent me this link in the morning.
Sure did make me chuckle abit.
Shut them up & Open their eyes!
Way to go, Mr Galloway!

There goes the Taxpayers' $$$!




Hey...but people on the streets were Happy!
At the Padang or Esplanade or Marina South, people come in herds to catch the fireworks display by Team Singapore, in conjuction of our 41st National Day!

(apparently the event is Sponsored, so heh not really taxpayers' $$ that get blown up in the sky...more like sponsors' employees bonus perhaps?? hehehe...let's not be so calculative lah uh, for the priceless joyful feeling people get and the smiles on the faces of spectators from watchin the fireworks to celebrate our Nation's Independence, why not ay?)

Nice display but somehow, instead of goin all goo-goo eyed and trippy happy, i kinda felt a lil sadness in the corner of my lil heart. Here we are, celebratin our independence, with the cracklings and brightness of the Fireworks, the thots of those at war came into my mind. Look at our extravagance, look at the happy faces...don't the victims of war deserve such too? Instead of rocket missiles or bombs, wouldn't it be lovely that they see and feel what we see & feel?

When i was on my way back, i smell the acrid burnt "hell-notes and sorts" filtered thru my nose. Yes...that familiar Chinese tradition practise durin "Hungry Ghost Festival". I sometimes have the urge to complain and whine abt how polluting all tis burnings and the ashes flyin around but I come to realise, come on...what's tis compared to acrid smell of bombs/missiles/machine gun powders and pungent smell of dead bodies around?? Are we so pampered to complain and whine at the slightest inconvenience or clashing interest? I shook my head and smiled as I climbed the stairs home.

Tolerance is Essential in our country. Despite our differences, here we are Singapore, standin together and sleepin at nite in PEACE. sometimes, we hate the government for being kinda one directional with its policies, or some people may say the government practices dictatorship instead of democracy, but most times I think, we should thank God & the government, for keeping things in order and bringing goodness that we all have here, in our lil sunny island set in the sea, but most of all, it is Kudos to Us for bein coorperative with the government and tolerable with each other (hurhur!).

So Cheers, Singapore!



Monday 7 August 2006

A Call for CEASE FIRE!




In past weeks we have seen the catastrophic events of the
conflict between Israel and Hizbullah unfold and magnify into a
devastating series of violent atrocities and war crimes. We hear of the
hundreds of lives lost, the homes destroyed, families torn apart and
livelihoods crushed.



This evening, Amnesty International members around the world, our
supporters, our friends and our fellow partner organizations all stand
together in solidarity with those who have suffered in this conflict.
We mourn deeply for the victims and our hearts reach out to their
families to wish them strength in this time of chaos. Our thoughts also
stay closely with those surviving the conflict in the face of extreme
danger, to whom we wish courage and immediate safety.



We call on Israel and Hizbullah to start respecting the lives and the
human rights of civilians, and we implore other governments around the
world to intervene - those who know they can help the people of Israel
and Lebanon - and join our call for an end to this senseless violence.






Today we stand together with a simple message: For all our sakes,
CEASEFIRE




















Of all time?!!

Gone are my cash, IC, student card, ATM/debit/credit cards & a buncha privilege/loyalty cards.
But what makes me ache so bad is the fact that mesye bought it for me when i quit my job last year, when i feel so uncertain abt my direction in life.
And our precious "kental" days photos, his photos...all GONE.

Is there still hope for it to return? Are there any nice kind soul with a conscience out there? I dun really care abt the $20+ cash innit...i juz want my precious wallet and the beautiful lil memories innit back.

I dunno how I'm gonna turn up for Exam on Thursday without an ID.

report here. report there. gotta make replacement IC, student card. waste of time, waste of money.
soo damn careless!

Sigh...






Saturday 5 August 2006

Ceasefire Vigil


Ok i dunno why i am this crazy but i have just emailed the Licence Officer of the SPF to check if i can get a permit by the 7th Aug to organise/carry out tis vigil. IF they respond to me promptly and the permission is granted, is there any one of u who will JOIN me in this (of course, open to my fellow Singapore contacts only...those outside Singapore, by all means please conduct one in ur area if possible)? U can PM me if keen ok, by today 6pm 5th august, if no response from police by tis time or if i fail to gather people...hmmm guess i'll juz Multiply it out.
*LoL*

Salam,
Sophie

How to organize a "Ceasefire" vigil (from Amnesty International)

When:

Monday 7th August 2006, around sunset



Where:

  • A neutral location of symbolic or cultural importance. Examples may include main squares or plazas, major parks, places of worship or main shopping malls.
  • It is very important that vigils should not take place outside of Israeli or Lebanese embassies, or the embassies of other nations.



The message:
  • We call for a ceasefire;
  • We demand that all governments stop the supply of arms to the conflict; and
  • We stand in solidarity with the victims and survivors on both sides of the Israel/Lebanon conflict.



Staging your vigil:
  • Vigils could display the word CEASEFIRE, as largely as
    possible. You may use a banner, a formation of people or candles,
    cardboard cut-outs, light projections - be creative!
  • Ask participants to bring a candle to light at the vigil and decorate your vigil with as much candlelight as possible
  • Wear black clothes and create display items that are black and white
  • You may wish to read a suggested recital at your vigil (see below)
  • You may also conduct a 2 minutes of silence to
    reflect on the victims of both parties, and to stand in solidarity with
    those survivors trapped in the conflict on both sides
  • Take photos - and send them to us by email at dscott [at] amnesty.org. Please write "Ceasefire vigil" in the subject line, and tell us in which country and city the vigil took place.





In past weeks we have seen the catastrophic events of the
conflict between Israel and Hizbullah unfold and magnify into a
devastating series of violent atrocities and war crimes. We hear of the
hundreds of lives lost, the homes destroyed, families torn apart and
livelihoods crushed.




This evening, Amnesty International members around the world, our
supporters, our friends and our fellow partner organizations all stand
together in solidarity with those who have suffered in this conflict.
We mourn deeply for the victims and our hearts reach out to their
families to wish them strength in this time of chaos. Our thoughts also
stay closely with those surviving the conflict in the face of extreme
danger, to whom we wish courage and immediate safety.




We call on Israel and Hizbullah to start respecting the lives and the
human rights of civilians, and we implore other governments around the
world to intervene - those who know they can help the people of Israel
and Lebanon - and join our call for an end to this senseless violence.




Today we stand together with a simple message: For all our sakes, ceasefire





Prayer for Peace


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


Oh Allah, the Compassionate, the
Merciful, grant us peace and Iman, safety and Islam, and guidance to perform
all that you please.





Oh Allah, the Generous, the Gracious, grant all goodness to
Muslims, and all blessings to the faithful, and all mercies to mankind.





Oh Allah, guide this Ummah to do the best, bless this Ummah
to be loving and compassionate, help this Ummah to spread good and peace to all
mankind.





Oh Allah, remove all conflicts and hatred that is happening.
Grant peace and restore human dignity in this world. Safe this earth from
destruction due to human ignorance, grant our country and the entire world with
safety, peace, calmness, tranquillity, progress and development.





Oh Allah, may this day of ours be better than yesterday. May
our tomorrow be better than today. Please grant us positive outcomes in all our
endeavours. Save us from disappointment both in this world and in the
hereafter.





Oh Allah, the Gentle, the
Sustainer, may peace and calmness prevail in this world. Guide mankind to
uphold justice and equality. Protect our young from misguidance. Give us the
strength to spread your true message. Strengthen us to be a blessing to all
mankind.

-Amin-
(prayer taken from MUIS' website)



*Calling Out to my Muslim friends, let us stand in solitude and prayer for what is happening in Lebanon, Iraq, Palestine & other parts of the world where human rights are violated and wars are taking place, recite Qunut Nazilah together and hope for the best to happen. Click here if u r uncertain how to perform it. Insya Allah we will be heard*














Israel SEVERS Lebanon road link to Syria


YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO DO ALL THESE, ISRAEL!!!!

GET LOST...Go back to Jerusalem or whatever sacred place of yours! LEAVE LEBANON's INFRASTRUCTUREs ALONE!!!!! SHOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!


PLEASE SPARE A THOUGHT FOR THE PEOPLE!!!!! URGHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!

WHAT THE HELL ARE THE LEADERS OF THE WORLD DOING??? OPEN UR GODDAMN EYES!!! TIS IS A FULL-SCALE ORGANISED TERRORISTS AT WORK...WITH CONCRETE AMOUNT OF WEAPONS OF DESTRUCTION!!!

STOP EXPRESSING & START ACTING AGAINST THEM lahhhh!!!!!!


Israel will never be content as long as Nasrallah lives and his followers are walkin on the face of this earth. but heyyyy he's fine n kickin while the civilians are bein bombed! Go find & finish him off usin some other methods, espionage or somethin lah...STop Showing Off already, we all know ur military prowess n shit like that, yeah yeah u r strong ok, go back and build a fortress or somethin, stop stampin on other people's land! fuckin hell!

poor Lebanese, tis is TOO MUCH!!! TOOO MUCHHHHH!!!!!!!


*bleurgh...despite all tis screaming, i noe...it's all futile. war tactics are Always Ruthless. let's all pray since situation is really helpless*

-SIGH-


From Yahoo News

BEIRUT, Lebanon -Israel expanded its assault on Lebanon Friday, launching its first major attack on the Christian heartland north of Beirut and severing the last significant road link to Syria.
Israel expanded its assault on Lebanon Friday, launching its first major
attack on the Christian heartland north of Beirut and severing the last
significant road link to Syria.Israel expanded its assault on Lebanon Friday, launching its first major attack on the Christian heartland north of Beirut and severing the last significant road link to Syria.


Hezbollah renewed attacks on northern Israel, killing two civilians in a barrage of 120 rockets.

An Israeli airstrike hit dozens of farm workers loading vegetables
near the Lebanon-Syria border, killing 28, the workers' foreman and a
Lebanese official said.


Five Lebanese civilians were killed and 19 wounded in the Israeli
airstrikes north of the capital in Christian areas where Hezbollah has
little support or presence, including the picturesque coastal resort of
Jounieh.


In separate air raids near Beirut's airport and southern suburbs, a
Lebanese soldier was killed and two soldiers and four civilians were
wounded, security officials and witnesses said. The predominantly
Shiite Muslim sector is largely controlled by Hezbollah guerrillas.
Israel said Hezbollah facilities and a Hamas office were targeted.


Two Israeli soldiers were killed by a Hezbollah anti-tank missile
during heavy fighting in a southern Lebanese village where the militant
group had been launching rockets, the army said.


The Israeli attacks on the four bridges on the main north-south
coastal highway linking Beirut to Syria severed the only remaining
major road link between Lebanon and Syria.
The 90-minute drive to the
Syrian border takes at least double the time on the small coastal road
that remains open.


Lebanese President Emile Lahoud, a staunch pro-Syrian and close ally
of Hezbollah, charged that Israel is trying to pressure Lebanon to
accept its conditions for a cease-fire , which include Hezbollah's
disarmament and ouster from a swath of south Lebanon.


"The Israeli enemy's bombing of bridges and roads is aimed at
tightening the blockade on the Lebanese, cutting communications between
them and starving them," Lahoud said.


He linked the new raids to Israel's failure to win quick victory in
the south, where Israeli soldiers have been mired in ground battles
with Hezbollah guerrillas for several days.


An Israeli army spokesman, Capt. Jacob Dallal, said Israel targeted the bridges to stop the flow of weapons from Syria.


International aid agencies said Friday said the road bombing would
slow down aid shipments to needy civilians
in central Lebanon and the
coastline around the capital, Beirut, where the bulk of the population
lives.


Border crossings in the east have been shut by airstrikes. Israel
has imposed a naval blockade and has hit the international airport to
seal off Lebanon's sea and airspace.


"This is Lebanon's umbilical cord," Christiane Berthiaume of the
World Food Program told The Associated Press. "This (road) has been the
only way for us to bring in aid. We really need to find other ways to
bring relief in."


In the farm attack near al-Qaa, a town about six miles from a
Hezbollah stronghold, Lebanese civil defense official Ali Yaghi said at
least 28 people were killed.


Yaghi said at least 12 workers were wounded and some were likely
buried under rubble. A bulldozer was brought to the site to try to
uncover survivors, he said. The Israeli army said it had attacked two
buildings where it suspected weapons were being stored, and it was
checking reports that it had hit a vegetable storehouse and civilians.


In Israel, police said 120 rockets had fallen, including one that
crashed into a house in the Israeli Arab town of Mughar, killing a
woman. An Israeli man was killed near the border town of Kiryat Shemona.


Police commander Dan Ronen said 45 rockets had fallen within one half-hour period.


More than three weeks into the fighting, six Israeli brigades — or
roughly 10,000 troops — were locked in battle with hundreds of
Hezbollah guerrillas in about 20 towns and villages in south Lebanon.

Israeli artillery intensified bombing there overnight, sending
as many as 15 shells per minute against suspected Hezbollah
strongholds.

Defense Minister Amir Peretz has told top army officers to
begin preparing for a push to the Litani River, about 20 miles north of
the border. That would require further approval by Israel's Security
Cabinet and could lead to far more casualties.

Hezbollah said in a statement broadcast by the group's Al-Manar
TV station that guerrillas had killed six Israeli soldiers near the
villages of Aita al-Shaab and Markaba.

The Israeli army said two soldiers were killed and two wounded
by a Hezbollah anti-tank missile during heavy fighting in a village
where the militant group had been launching rockets.

Despite Israel's efforts, Hezbollah launched at least 200
rockets into northern Israel on Thursday, in a new tactic of
simultaneously firing a large number of rockets.


Hezbollah's leader offered to stop attacking if Israel ends its airstrikes.

Israel's United Nations ambassador, Dan Gillerman, said that Sheik Hassan Nasrallah's offer of
a truce was "a sign of weakness ... and he may be looking for a way
out."


Gillerman warned against a threat by Nasrallah to launch rockets on Israel's commercial center, Tel Aviv.

"We are ready for it, and I am sure that he (Nasrallah), as well
as his sponsors, realize the consequences of doing something as
unimaginable and crazy as that," the Israeli ambassador told CNN.

On the second front of its offensive against Islamic militants,
Israel began pulling tanks out of southern Gaza after a two-day
incursion that killed eleven Palestinians, including an 8-year-old boy.

The fighting in Gaza, which began June 25 after Hamas-linked
militants captured an Israeli soldier in a cross-border raid, has
killed a total of 175 Palestinians, the U.N. reported, adding that it
was concerned that "with international attention focusing on Lebanon,
the tragedy in Gaza is being forgotten."


The offensive in Lebanon began after another cross-border raid by Hezbollah guerrillas who captured two Israeli soldiers.

According to an Associated Press count, at least 530 Lebanese
have been killed, including 454 civilians confirmed dead by the Health
Ministry; 26 Lebanese soldiers; and at least 50 Hezbollah guerrillas.

Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Saniora said that 1 million people
— or about a quarter of Lebanon's population — had fled the fighting.

Seventy-two Israelis have been killed — 43 soldiers and 29
civilians. More than 300,000 Israelis have fled their homes in the
north, Israeli officials said.

U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. John Bolton said the United States
and France have "come a long way" in negotiating a Security Council
resolution that calls for an immediate end to Middle East
hostilities,said.

In Washington, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice
expressed support Thursday for an immediate cease-fire in Lebanon as
the first phase in ending the conflict
. It was the most concrete signal
yet that the U.S. may be willing to compromise on the stalemate over
how to end the fighting.

Israel, backed by the United States, has rejected calls for an
immediate cease-fire, saying it wants an international force or the
Lebanese army to deploy in southern Lebanon to prevent future Hezbollah
attacks.