On Wednesday evening, September 30 2009, a 7.8 Richter scale earthquake stroke Padang, Sumatra, a western part of Indonesian Archipelago. More than 1.300 victims were found dead while the other 2.300 wounded. Such a huge natural disaster streaks the heart of every Indonesians everywhere. Many cried in response of such unexpected disaster, many also participated to help the government in providing response and recovery after the quake.

As Indonesians who love our country so much, we, the Indonesian exchange students in Daejeon University, Daejeon, South Korea, were also trying to contribute in raising some donations to help the recovery process of the disaster. We, with the help of our Korean friends, organized a fundraising to help the Padang earthquake victims in Indonesia.

After having some short meeting in arranging our fundraising, we decided to use 3 methods. First, we sent e-mails to every friends and professors that we know. We believed that this would be the best way in starting since closest friends and professors know and trust us. Moreover, since they know us, they would provide some more helps and ideas. We could share our awareness of such issue to them, and then to their friends. After few days, we had some professors and organizations transferred their money to our account.

Secondly, we created a booth inside Jisan Library of Daejeon University where we put the banner and donation box there. With the help of International Office, organized by Mr. Pyo Chang-Sun and Ms. Choi Hwa-Yeon, we were able to get the permission from president of Daejeon University and to create the banner. In addition, we had a lot of help and supports from our Korean friends. They voluntarily helped us advocating Korean students to set aside some of their pocket money and contributed to Indonesian earthquake relief.

We printed out flyers, describing how the disaster in Indonesia took place and thousands are dead and wounded. Everyone passed by, we told him/her what was happening and ask their donations. Many of them were so kind-heartedly donated to our ‘black-box’ donation box, symbolizing the sad moments happening in Indonesia. We started our fund-raising in Jisan Library from Wednesday until Tuesday.

Thirdly, we had a dance performance during “Food Festival” in our school. It was such a coincidence that International Relation Office held an International Food Festival in the range of our fundraising period, and therefore, we could optimally use this moment. The International Relation Office provided a donation box for every visitor who wanted to contribute in the fundraising. Moreover, we had a dance performance to thank every donator participating in our fundraising, especially the president of Daejeon University who fully support our program. After the dance, Mr. Lim Yong-Cheol officially donated as representative of Daejeon University.

It was such an amazing moment for us. Despite the distance putting us away from our homeland, we could stand up and do real actions to help our people in Indonesia. 2.900.000 Won might be not much enough, but it shows how we really love our country and we could do real contribution toward our nations.

(This article was published in “Get Together” Magazine by Daejeon International Community Center [DICC], written by Ahmad Nasikun)

Bronze Medal

As exchange student, I really love to learn Korean culture. One big moment of it was when Korea Times held a writing competition about one of Korea’s greatest patriots, Ahn Jung-Geun. Spending two months researching on him, I wrote an essay to join this essay competition as part of my effort for personal-competence proof and as a mean to learn more about Korea.

Among 553 foreigners, my essay was picked up as the bronze winner. Among 6 winners, I was the only non-native English speaker winners since the other 3 are from United Kingdom, 1 from Canada, and 1 from United States. This also means I’m the only ASEAN and Asian winners among foreigners.

Ahn Jung-Geun's Essay Winners

I was so glad accepting the reward. Held in Seoul Plaza Hotel, one of the best hotels in Seoul, the awarding ceremony was really nice, with definitely delicious lunch provided afterward. Present during the award ceremony were the head of North East Asia History Foundation and The Korea Times’ head of publication.

안중근 3

Besides taught me more of Korean history, this competition also gave me more chance for broadening my human networks. I managed to make friends with a Canadian teacher who is working in UNESCO and is going to go to Harvard next year. I also still keep in touch with a brilliant student from Ewha Women University, the best Women University in Korea

Firstly proposed during the Summer workshop by International Relation Office, the ASEAN-ROK Workshop would be a great experience for ASEAN Students. After two months of tiring preparation, the show time came. On December 3, 2009, the 6th floor of Jisan Library was full of respected guests from MOFAT, AUN, ASEAN Secretariat, Daejeon University, ASEAN-Korea Center, UN-APCICT, KINS, and KONICOF as well as the crowd of Daejeon University Students. The more-than-200 seats were all fully occupied.

Having spent the previous two days for meeting and practices, ASEAN exchange students came to Jisan Library at 9.00 in the morning to re-check everything just before the workshop started. Everybody was so wonderful in their traditional costumes, another way of promoting our ASEAN culture.

At 10.30, the guests started coming into the seminar room in 6th floor of Jisan Library. They were very pleased for the warm welcoming greet by beautiful ASEAN female students in their traditional costumes, including Indonesian Alifia Fithritama, Cambodian Pak Voleak, Thai Jutharath Leelarkunvej, Laotian Chanmala Homesana, and Filipina Princess Joy Martinez Carabeo. The Korean students were curious about this ASEAN-ROK Workshop since they wanted to know how their ASEAN friends would perform during the workshop. It shows that Kitti Meelukchai’s Publication Group had been successful in promoting our workshop. Our Vietnamese friend, Vu Thi Thu Trang greeted the guests on the receptionist table, giving them the souvenirs and seminar kits.

The distinguished guests were also coming from 10.30, then preceding to VIP room in 5th floor where all guests from various organizations were greeting each other and getting to know others while having coffee and some cookies. This meeting would be very beneficial for further cooperation and networking for the future.

SPEECHES BY DISTINGUISHED GUESTS

Indonesian exchange student, Hendro, and Korean buddy student, Kang BoHwa, opened the workshop with warm welcome to the honorable guests, and thanked them for sparing their very valuable time attending this ASEAN-Students-held workshop.

Dr. Yong-Chul Lim, president of Daejeon University, opened the workshop by welcoming all the distinguished guests from AUN, ASEAN Secretariat, Korea-ASEAN Center, MOFAT, UN-APCICT, KONICOF, and KINS. Mr. Lim stated that through this exchange program, ASEAN students will enhance their knowledge on ICT field for their brighter career. By organizing this workshop, Daejeon University is not only proud of having exchange program but also wishes to extend the partnership among strategic organizations toward a better cooperation.

ASEAN University Network (AUN), represented by its Executive Director, Ms. Nantana Gajaseni occupied the stage afterward, giving salute to every strategic partners for their support AUN through ASEAN-ROK Exchange Program. Ms. Nantana mentioned that this exchange program will share Korea’s ICT development to ASEAN countries since its 118 alumni will be the next leaders of respecting countries, who now are young ambassadors for their nations that have learnt new knowledge by participating on this exchange program.

Mr. Byeong-Hoo Jung from Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MOFAT) then was standing on the stage, offering profound gratitude to Daejeon University for holding this workshop. After thanking the guests, Mr. Jung shared the 20 years of Korean-ASEAN partnership, in which many development programs have been implemented. This International College Students Exchange Programme between ASEAN and Republic of Korea is one of such program, aiming on youth tolerance, open mindedness, and knowledge for future contribution. Representing MOFAT, Mr. Jung believes that the global problems such as energy crisis and poverty, could not be tackled alone by any countries, and therefore via this program future partnership will create more chance solving those issues.

The representative of ASEAN Secretariat, Mr. Budidarmo Pramudji Kuntjoro-Jakti,emphasized the importance of education for youth in order to narrow the development gaps between countries since the youth will be the successors of current leaders. Since our world is interconnected, Mr. Budi stressed the advantage of exchange program for the youth which will share the best practices of education and will strengthen the link among ASEAN youth so that when they return home, they can share their knowledge to others in order to build ASEAN. Mr. Budi concluded his remarks by thanking Republic of Korea, especially MOFAT, for generous support to this program.

JOY IN THE MIDDLE OF SERIOUSNESS

We cannot miss the chance we had during this conference in which many distinguished guests were present from various organizations, and therefore we perpetuated this moment by havingphoto session in which all guests were invited to the stage, together with ASEAN students having their pictures taken.

To give more energy to everybody present on the workshop, lunch was offered at 11.40 at restaurant of Hyehwa Culture Center. All guests and participants headed there after the photo session ended. The guests were having good engagement of conversation during their meal time while the students were eating on the other room.

COOPERATION BETWEEN KOREA and ASEAN

After the lunch time was over, all guests came back to the conference hall, getting ready for the next session. Hendro and Bohwa welcomed them back, then continued the workshop presentation.

Mr. Dae-Jong Yoo, from ASEAN-Korea Center, delivered his presentation on the Cooperation between Korea and ASEAN, its current status, and prospect. He stated that Korea is ASEAN’s 5th largest partner and ASEAN is Korea’s 3rd biggest partner, even the trend on trade and tourism are still increasing. Therefore, the establishment of ASEAN-Korean center is precise way in increasing interaction, improving comprehensive partnership, and growing independence within the region. ASEAN-Korea Center has mandate to increase trade volume, accelerate investment flow, and invigorate tourism between Korea and ASEAN countries.

Then Mr. Tae-Il Jeon advanced to the stage, introducing and reporting the progress of this exchange program. He opened his presentation by introducing 10 ASEAN member states, then preceding to the structure of this exchange program. Mr. Jeon then explained the reason of changing the focus from Social Science to ICT, as the current trend shows that ICT is more important than Social Science. Having explained the further demands for this program, thehead of International Relation Office of DJU mentioned the criteria of applicants, before he named the outputs of this exchange program that has had 118 students alumni.

Ms. Nantana, as Executive Manager, then continued the session with the evaluation in which she began with the objectives of this programs: to promote cooperation, to develop academic process, to promote information dissemination, and to enhance ASEAN awareness. Having 22 prominent university members, AUN has produced 118 alumni on ASEAN-RoK exchange program. Among alumni, half still maintain the participation in Korea-related activities such as working in Korean companies, studying further degree in Korea, or working as interpreter, translator, instructor, or writer in Korean-related occupations. Having surveyed the alumni, AUN believes that this program should continue. At the end of her session, Ms. Nantana opened a Q&A session, in which our Korean friends, Sam and Jung-Ah, took the chance to speak up and proposed their questions.

Succeeding Ms. Nantana, Mr. Anshuman Varma from UN-APCICT stepped up to the stage, presenting the Future Leaders Training Program. After giving description of UN-APCICT, Mr. Varma explained the importance and the mission of ICT Future Leaders. As UN-APCICT also hosted 7 ASEAN interns this year and 5 last years, it hopes the internship will nurture the cadre of ICT young leaders and give them real life practices. Mr. Varma concluded his presentation by playing a video of some UN-APCICT’s ASEAN interns this semester, showing Punyapat Saksupapchon, Chanmala Homesana, and Alex Wong Kek Liang on the slide.

The first session the ended, giving the participants and guests the chance to enjoy coffee break.

ASEAN STUDENTS’ SHOW TIME!

The show time for ASEAN students finally came. After listening 8 speeches and presentations and experts, ASEAN Students would like to show their skills. Waiting everybody to present on the conference room, they played a video of Jutharath Leelarkunvej from Thailand playing piano. The audience was stunned by her fluent touch on the keys of piano.

Lex Tan Yih Liang from Malaysia and Punyapat Saksupapchon from Thailand then hosted the workshop, replacing Hendro and Bohwo. They opened the second session of the workshop by giving general outline of presentations.

Education group had the first chance to present. Having a role play of a student who wants to apply for this program (played by Laotian Chanmala Homesana) visiting DJU and AUN’s education exhibition booth (by Ahmad Nasikun) and a Malaysian Alumni, Alex Wong Kek Liang, this group successfully deliver their content as well as entertained the audience. They explained the education system of this exchange program, including the classes they took, trips they had, field studies on Fridays, and facilities of Daejeon University.

Then Cultural group had a very entertaining show of ASEAN Severn Wonder Girl, in which “So” Punyapat Saksupapchon hosted a girls’ talkshow with 7 guests from ASEAN countries. By having interactive discussion of Korean cultural experience, the 8 girls successfully shared their thought of cultural change during this program. During the talk, they also showed the boys’ thought toward other country’s friends before and after this program. As the host, So also invite one of buddy student, Sam, Duy’s buddy, to go to stage to share his experience. The wonderful show was getting even more entertaining when they had puzzle show in which 12 ASEAN students, each holding a piece of drawing, connected their pieces to produce meaningful words and pictures, as Ni Nyoman Yudhiarti commanded the changing of each drawing via hitting the Korean traditional drum. The audience couldn’t stop clapping their hands during this session. This wonderful presentation continues with a wonderful singing of 2009’s batch theme song, composed by our Philippine friend, Princess Joy M. Carabeo. The singing was led by Princess herself and Pak Voleak from Cambodia, backed up by “invisible” Thai Kitti Meelukchai on the back stage.

Then another coffee break was provided for the guests.

As the presentation continued, our friendly friend from Thailand, Pap Ekachai Boonsathienwong, presented our 8-week experience of internship in 6 organizations. Combining presentation slides and testimonial videos, Pap has successfully delivered his point. He introduced the 6 internship organizations one by one, followed by introduction of students having internship there, and the introduction videos of the internship organization. The senior in Mahidol University then played the videos of students experience during the internship and the testimony from supervisors of the students during the internship period. The hand claps of the audience followed his presentation, showing how satisfied the audience getting presentation from Pap.

Then our Malaysian MC, Mr. Lex Tan Yih Liang advanced to the stage represented future contribution group presenting “The Future of Asia” with first session MC, Mr. Hendro from Indonesia. As both of them are MC, they successfully delivered their presentation. Lex opened the presentation by stating that this exchange program will for sure prepare our future and will make us a step closer to our dream. Not only that, this exchange program allows us to share and motivate the younger generation. By having this exchange program there will be a stronger relation between ASEAN and ROK cooperation. As Lex ended his part, he invited Hendro to advance to the stage and to deliver his presentation. Hendro emphasized his slides in future tourism and future leader development as the positive impact of this program. As many alumni came back to visit Korea after their returning and also many Korean visited ASEAN countries after getting to know ASEAN friends, he believed that tourism cooperation will be strengthened via this program. He also signified the MDGs and End Poverty 2015 to raise up awareness of such issue.

That was the end of presentation for that day. The hands were clapping all over the room. All efforts were paid off. As Sereyboth Van, Kang Bohwa, Park Sang-Ha and Chanmala Homesana guided the guests for campus tour, Jan Clyde Espeno, Ni Nyoman Yudhiarti, and Vu Khuong Duy could get out of their “private room” for the whole day, and Jacklyn Lim Chin Huey could stop standing for the whole day, to help the other students were cleaning up the hall, easing up Kevin Tanadi and Tick Phengsombath’s job in logistic part.

Photo session was the next part, symboling the “unofficial session.” Everybody was happy. Hundreds of pictures were taken during that short period of time.

As the first day of workshop ended, we shouted up showing our happiness. Everybody has been working hard for this, and the joy at the end of the day belongs to everybody. There might be some small mistakes during the event, however, the overall result was amazing. Everybody was happy and proud of the success of the event.

Thank you MY FRIENDS!!
(Sorry for not being able to jot down every of your contribution here, it’s been too long.. ^_^)

Best regards,
Administrative group

Vu Thi Trang and Ahmad Nasikun

Harus Bisa! Seni Memimpin a la SBY

Buku karangan Dino Patti Djalal ini secara umum menggambarkan segi – segi positif dari kepemimpinan SBY selama beliau menjadi presiden. Dino berusaha memaparkan kehidupan sehari – hari dan situasi di kala SBY mengatasi masalah selama masa kepresidennnya. Terlepas dari isu yang menyindir buku ini sebagai bagian dari kampanye SBY menjelang pilpres, atau sebagai upaya untuk meningkatkan pamor SBY di kalangan masyarakat terdidik, saya menganggap buku ini bisa menjadi sarana pembelajaran bagi para generasi muda sekarang yang ingin menjadi pemimpin bangsa pada masa yang akan datang.

Dino menjelaskan karakteristik – karakteristik positif SBY selama memimpin dengan memberikan contoh nyata perbuatan SBY di lapangan dari setiap nilai yang coba dia uraikan. Contoh nyata bisa merupakan bukti terkuat untuk mendukung pernyataannya.

Penulis berusaha memaparkan bagaimana pola hidup SBY dan pelajaran – pelajaran yang bisa dipetik dari sikap kepemimpinan beliau. Untuk mempermudah analisa, penulis membagi buku ini menjadi enam kategori.
Kategori pertama berjudul “Memimpin dalam Krisis” yang sesuai dengan judulnya menjelaskan bagaimana sikap SBY dalam menghadapi krisis – krisis yang melanda negeri ini. Buku ini diawali dengan ulasan tentang bencana terbesar yang melanda bangsa ini di era modern, tsunami di Aceh satu hari setelah Natal 2004.

Dino berusaha menunjukkan bahwa SBY merupakan seorang pemimpin yang selalu berada di garda terdepan dalam keadaan krisis. Berikutnya SBY, di tengah – tengah kesibukannya mengatur Negara, mampu secara real-time menyelesaikan kasus penculikan 2 wartawan Metro TV di Irak, Meutya Hafid dan Budianto. Sebagai seorang pemimpin, SBY dinilai mampu mengubah krisis menjadi peluang. Bencana tsunami di Aceh tahun 2004 mampu beliau gunakan untuk meredam GAM dan akhirnya tercapai kesepakatan damai. Di tengah krisis pangan tahun 2008, SBY justru mampu memantapkan ketahanan pangan nasional.

Pemimpin juga dituntut untuk mampu berfikir “out of the box” atau kreatif dalam kata yang lebih singkat. SBY juga menunjukkan bahwa seorang pemimpin harus berani menanggung resiko. Keputusannya untuk membuka kembali diskusi dengan GAM pada tahun 2005 serta keputusannya untuk menaikkan BBM selama dua kali dalam masa pemerintahannya merupakan keputusan yang sangat penuh resiko. Keikutsertaan SBY secara pribadi dalam menangani kasus penculikan Raisya 2 hari sebelum HUT RI tahun 2007 digambarkan sebagai langkah tepat SBY yang sudah semestinya ‘do the right thing’.

Bagian kedua dari buku ini mengulas kemampuan SBY dalam memimpin selama proses perubahan. SBY telah mampu secara signifikan menginisiasi percepatan birokrasi di tanah air. Berbagai indikator positif pun menjadi bukti. Sukses dalam melakakukan transformasi diri dalam memegang peran selama sebelm dan menjabat sebagai presiden menjadi point berikutnya dari kisah teladan SBY. Penolakan MPR untuk memberkan kesempatan SBY untuk berpidato di hari pelantkannya, menunjukkan bahwa SBY mampu melakukan improvisasi dengan menaati peraturan, tidak menyampaikan pidato di gedung MPR, namun langsung seketika beliau tiba di istana Negara. Sebagai presiden, SBY pantang menghina pendahulu – pendahulunya.

SBY mengakui bahwa setiap orang memiliki karakter unik dan mempunyai kelebihan dan kekurangan masing – masing. SBY selalu mengakui kebaikan pendahulunya namun pantang baginya menjelek – jelekkan salah satu dari mereka. Presiden pun harus peduli dengan bawahannya. Ini SBY buktikan dengan menaikkan gaji berbagai kalangan pegawai level bawah. Meskipun terus diiringi berbagai rasa pesimis dalam pemerintahannya, SBY tetap memancarkan rasa optimis beliau.Dalam hal penanggulangan pemanasan global, SBY tetap optimis menggalakkan usahanya untuk mengatasi masalah bumi walaupun lawan politiknya terus mencaci belaiu. Sebagai seorang pemimpin, SBY pun mampu menunjukkan kemampuan untuk berfikir rasional, taat pada sistem dan aturan, serta mampu mencari penyelesaian dari masalah.

Dalam ‘Memimpin Rakyat dalam Menhadapi Tantangan’, Dino menunjukkan teladan dari SBY dalam situasi yang penuh tantangan dan bagaimana mengatasinya. Sikap SBY yang peduli dengan rakyat dan mau melayani rakyat dengan keikhlasan mengawai bagian ke-tiga buku ini. SBY pun memiliki cara khusus untuk tetap menjaga kepercayaan rakyat, yaitu dengan menunjukkan keberpihakannya pada rakyat dan dengan mempertahankan reputasinya ketika dilanda masalah. Dalam memimpin, SBY paham bahwa dia tidak boleh sesumbar dan dengan leluasa mengumbar janji.

Dalam kondisi politik yang bergejolak pun SBY tetap mampu mempertahankan warna politiknya. SBY juga dinilai Dino sebagai seorang presiden yang memiliki akhlak dan moralitas dalam memimpin. Masalah dan tantangan memang bagian dari kehidupan manusia, ketika menghadapinya pun SBY harus kuat. Dia telah membuktikan mampu untuk melawan fitnah dan mampu mengakui kekalahan dalam percaturan dunia politik.

Dalam memimpin tim untuk membuat keputusan, Dino menilai SBY sebagai seorang pemimpin yang cakap karena berbagai kemampuannya yang menunjang bidang ini. SBY mampu memilih anggota timnya secara mandiri, tanpa intervensi pihak lain. SBY pun memahami pentingnya factor ‘timing’ dalam menentukan keputusan. Misalnya, ketika Pak Suharto sedang dirawat di rumah sakit, SBY dengan santun menolak tawaran PM Malaysia untuk menyanyi ketika jamuan makan malam, karena SBY harus peka pada masalah ini.

Budaya korporat yang telah mendarah daging di lingkaran kepemimpinan pusat pun bisa beliau atasi. Sebagai presiden yang super sibuk dan harus mengambil keputusan di manapun beliau berada tanpa ada toleransi keadaan, beliau harus mampu mengambil keputusan sambil berlari. Pola piker dan paradigm presiden yang “harus bisa!” dalam melaksanakan sesuatu, beliau tidak mentolerir alasan yang mengada – ada dan menginspirasi setiap bawahannya untuk ‘harus bisa’ dalam melaksanakan sesuatu karena beliau yakin pola pikir lah yang akan menentukan keberhasilan.

SBY sangat teliti terhadap setiap detail yang beliau hadapi dalam berpidato, beliau hampir selalu mengecek setiap teks pidato yang Dino dan rekan – rekannya tulis, untuk memastikan semuanya sesuai visi beliau. SBY mampu menjaga jarak dengan setiap bawahannya, untuk tidak terlalu dekat atau terlalu jauh, karena beliau yakin bahwa beliau harus berlaku objective.

SBY, menurut Dino, telah mampu meningkatkan peran Indonesia di kancah politik global. Indonesia tidak lagi dianggap sebagai negara yang cuek terhadap kondisi global. Sikap beliau yang mampu bersikap internasionalis menguatkan sikap nasionalis beliau. SBY tidak lagi merasa inferior dalam percaturan politik global, tapi sudah merasa sejajar dengan bangsa yang lain, sehingga kerjasama pun dilakukan atas dasar kesetaraan derajat.

Dalam dunia internasional, SBY menyadari bahwa seorang pemimpin harus percaya diri terhadap setiap keputusannya. Dalam berdiplomas, SBY pun telah mampu menggunakan political capital secara cerdas. Kemampuan beliau dalam membuka dead-lock selama konferensi global warning di Bali sehingga tebentuklah Bali Roadmap menjadi salah satu bukti sukses pemerintahan beliau. SBY pun dinilai Dino sebagai sosok yang mampu menggagas ide dan mengaplikasikan ide itu dalam inovasi – inovasi nyata.

Terakhir, sikap SBY untuk mampu memimpin diri sendiri dijadikan Dino sebagai penutup dalam buku ini. SBY sangat menhargai waktu, dan selalu berusaha datang 15 menit sebelum waktu kesepakatan perjanjian. Salah satu contoh konkret yang sangat meningkatkan citra Indonesia adalah ketika sidang mengikuti sidan OKI di Senegal tahun 2008. Sesuai jadwal acara harus dimulai jam 9.00 pagi, namun pada saat itu, hanya SBY yang telah duduk di ruangan. Beliau harus menunggu pemimpin – pemimpin lainnya yang baru datang secara lengkap setelah satu setengah jam menunggu.

SBY pun meyakini bahwa beliau harus mampu menjadi dirinya sendiri, tidak usah ikut – ikutan orang lain. Salah satunya adalah kecintaan beliau akan musik dan menyanyi yang menjadi ciri khas beliau. Dua sikap terakhir yang dimiliki SBY adalah kemampuannya untuk tidak mendewakan kekuasaan dan mentalnya yang tangguh.

Terlepas dari berbagai kontroversi alasan politik di balik penerbitan buku ini, “Harus Bisa!” bisa menjadi referens para pemimpin muda seperti kita dalam melatih jiwa kepemimpinan kita. Karakteristik – karakteristika SBY yang diungkapkan Dino dalam buku ini harus kita pelajari dan terapkan untuk meningkatkan kemampuan leadership kita.

Wallahualam bish-shahhab

Linux Symbol

Ah….pengen pindah ke Linux atau mau nyoba Linux? Tapi bingung mau milih kernel yang mana karena banyaknya jenis Linux yang berkeliaran di pasaran?

Yah, milih jenis Kernel yang pas buat kita memang agak susah, karena banyaknya tawaran yang ada serta (mungkin) kurang pahamnya kita dengan Linux. Di pasaran saat ini ada banyak jenis distro Linux yang tersebar, diantaranya: Ubuntu, RedHat, Fedora Core, Mandriva, SuSE, Lycoris, Xandros, Linspire, Knoppix, and Slackware.

Untuk orang yang baru mengenal Linux, pilihan ini bisa menjadi hal yang memusingkan kepala. Meski terkesan mudah, tapi memilih jenis distro yang paling tepat cuku membingugnkan juga.

Oleh karena itu, berikut ini saya coba menguraikan sedikit gambaran tentang masing – masing Linux sehingga kita bisa lebih akrab dengan Linux dan kalaupun ingin pindah ke Linux bisa memilih jenis kernel/distro yang paling cocok.

Selamat mencoba!!

1. Ubuntu. Barangkali Anda sudah sangat sering mendengar nama ‘Ubuntu’. Ini karena Ubuntu adalah distro Linux yang (menurut saya) paling terkenal saat ini, sehingga banyak orang yang menggunakannya. Ubuntu terkenal dengan strukturnya yang didesain secara teratur, sehingga Ubuntu mudah untuk dioperasikan. Selain itu, Ubuntu memiliki fitur desktop yang menarik.

2. SuSE. Bagi para pengguna Windows yang ingin pindah ke Linux, SuSE bisa menjadi pilihan yang menarik karena tampilannya yang cukup mirip dengan tampilan Windows, sehingga cukup pas untuk migrasi dari Windows ke Linux. Beberapa keunggulannya adalah tingkat konfigurasinya yang cukup mudah, installasi yang lebih ‘user-friendly’ serta tampilan yang cukup mirip Windows. SuSE terkenal dengan julukannya sebagai Linux yang paling ‘un-Linux’ karena tidak menyediakan ISO untuk installasi secara resmi.

3. RedHat. Setelah cukup lama dikembangkan, RedHat terkenal dengan tingkat konsistensi dan tingkat kepercayaan dalam penggunaannya. RedHat bukanlah distro Linux yang paling mudah digunakan. Dia juga bukanlah distro yang paling canggih dan mutakhir, namun yang menjadi andalan dari RedHat adalah bahwa dia memiliki kualitas yang tinggi sehingga banyak dihargai oleh perusahaan – perusahaan besar, bahkan di Amerika Serikat, RedHat telah menjadi standar untuk banyak perusahaan.

4. Fedore Core. Distro ini merupakan bagian dari RedHat juga, namun yang membedakan keduanya adalah bahwa Fedora disebarluaskan untuk para pengembang terbuka sehingga tampak bahwa Fedora merupakan percobaan dari RedHat untuk dikembangkan secara terbuka.

5. Xandros. Distro Xandros sangat disarankan untuk para pemula di dunia Linux. Namun teknologi Xandros telah dimanipulasi sedemikian rupa sehingga dia tidak memungkinkan untuk di distribusikan ulang secara bebas. Selain itu, vendor Xandros tidak memberikan download gratis bagi para users.

6. Mandriva. Distro Linux jenis ini memiliki proses installasi yang sangat bersahabat bagi para users. Oleh karena itu, Mandriva telah menjadi sangat terkenal bagi para pemula dalam Linux serta bagi mereka yang menggunakan Linux di rumah untuk kebutuhan sehari – hari.

7. Knoppix. Salah satu keunggulan Knoppix adalah bahwa dia dilengkapi dengan banyak perangkat lunak pendukung sehingga bisa memudahkan user dalam menginstall program di komputernya. Knoppix memiliki daya deteksi yang tinggi serta mudah untuk diinstall. Dengan banyaknya perangkat lunak pendukung, software tersebut bisa diinstall untuk meningkatkan kinerja komputer users.

8. Slackware. Sejak mulai diluncurkan tahun 1993, Slackware secara konsisten dikembangkan untuk memenuhi pasaran Linux yang mirip dengan Unix. Semboyan utama mereka adalah kesederhanaan dan kestabilan. Dengan dasar itulah Slackware dikembangkan serta dengan itu pulalah Slackware menjadi terkenal.

9. Lycoris. Distro ini dikembangkan dengan penekanan pada kemudahan di pihak pengguna. Lycoris secara spesifik ditujukan pada para pengguna yang ingin migrasi dari Windows ke Linux. Lycoris merupakan pilihan yang bagus untuk para pemula dalam Linux.

10. Linspire. Distro ini dikembangkan oleh Xandros. Dengan teknologi sekali-klik yang berbasis pada installasi berbasis Web, Linspire merupakan distro yang cukup mudah untuk diinstall. Akan tetapi, user harus membayar biaya tahunan dalam mengakses perangkat lunak ‘Lindows’

Semoga cukup membantu dalam memilih distro yang paling pas untuk Anda. Selamat memilih.
best regards,
~nasikun

Indonesia Goes Open Source

Sejalan dengan semakin pesatnya perkembangan teknologi informasi dan komunikasi (TIK) di Indonesia, kebutuhan akan perangkat lunak (software) semakin meningkat. Kebutuhan TIK (ICT) pada perangkat lunak adalah mutlak, ibarat mobil pada bensin. Biaya pembelian perangkat lunak pun tidak sedikit, bahkan kadang melebihi biaya perangkat keras atau perabotan kantor yang lain. Sekitar 15% dana perusahaan dihabiskan untuk keperluan pembelian perangkat lunak.

Di sisi lain, pemerintah Indonesia semakin berusaha untuk melindungi hak atas kekayaan intelektual (HAKI a.k.a Intelectual Property Rights) terbukti dengan diterbitkannya Undang – Undang No.19 tahun 2002 tentang Hak Cipta dimana program komputer secara gamblang disebutkan di dalamnya.

Pelanggaran terhadap UU itu pun bisa membawa sang terpidana untuk tinggal di buih penjara selama 5 tahun dan/atau denda sebesar Rp 500.000.000,00. Tentu bukan suatu hukuman yang ringan bagi perusahaan – perusahaan ICT di Indonesia.

Open Source sebagai Jawaban

Secara umum, Open Source berarti suatu metode perancangan, pengembangan, dan penyebarluasan perangkat lunak secara bebas dan membuka secara lebar “source code” dari pogram yang dikembangkan pada public. Dengan demikian, semua orang bisa dengan bebas dan gratis mengunduh program – program serta source codenya, memodifikasi program tersebut sesuai dengan keinginannya serta menyebarkan kembali program yang telah di edit tersebut.

Bagi Indonesia yang secara ekonomi akan kesulitan jika ingin secara resmi berlandaskan pada perangkat lunak resmi dan legal, open source bisa menjadi jawaban. Pertama, pada umumnya Open Source adalah gratis dan legal. Dengan demikian para perusahaan skala kecil dan menengah yang kurang memiliki dana untuk pembelian software “closed” source yang harganya sangat mahal untuk ukuran Indonesia, bisa memfokuskan modalnya pada resource yang lain dalam perusahaan.

Kedua, software Open Source sangat mudah untuk didapatkan secara resmi. Kita bisa meminta dari provider Open Source tertentu untuk mengirimkan CD installer ke kita dan kita pun hanya dikenakan biaya pengiriman. Misalkan untuk mendapatkan installer Ubuntu kita bisa ke https://shipit.ubuntu.com/ meminta untuk dikirimi installernya. Atau jika kita memiliki koneksi Internet yang cukup bagus, kita bisa mengunduh installer Open Source tertentu langsung dari website provider.

Faktor ketiga, sekarang komunitas pengguna Open Source sudah menjamur di mana – mana. Di semua kampus – kampus besar sudah ada kelompok atau komunitas pecinta Open Source tertentu, di luar kampus pun juga ada lebih banyak komunitas Open Source. Dengan demikian para pengguna baru tidak perlu khawatir untuk pindah ke Open Source karena bisa belajar dengan mudah dari komunitas – komunitas yang ada.

Faktor legal-struktural dari instansi resmi adalah faktor yang keempat. Per 30 Juni 2004 lima kementrian Indonesia menandatangani pendeklarasian penggunaan Open Source Software, dengan nama Indonesia Goes to Open Source, ataud disingkat IGOS, di lingkungan pemerintahan. Kampus – kampus unggulan di Indonesia pun secara resmi sudah menyarankan penggunaan Open Source di kampus mereka. Misalnya UGM dengan “u’gos” (UGM Goes Open Source).

Terakhir, faktor dukungan dari software – software pendukung Open Source juga sudah mulai kompatibel dengan software serupa di lingkungan software yang tertutup. OpenOffice sudah cukup kompeten dan interoperability-nya tinggi untuk bisa bersaing dengan Microsoft Office. Sehingga para pengguna pun juga tidak perlu khawatir untuk mutasi dari “closed” system ke “open source.”

Tulisan ini dibuat untuk menyukseskan Lomba Blog Open Source P2I-LIPI dan Seminar Open Source P2I-LIPI 2009.

Sejak negara – negara Eropa mulai mencari rempah – rempah ke daerah timur karena dikuasainy bandar mereka di Konstantinopel oleh bangsa Turki, maka Indonesia pun menjadi lahan untuk mereka kuasai karena melimpahnya rempah – rempah di Eropa. Dari abad ke-16, Belanda, Britania Raya, Portugis, dan Spanyol berusaha bersaing di Indonesia untuk menjadi penguasa, namun sejak abad ke-17 Belanda menjadi yang terkuat dan terus menjajah bangsa ini sampai 1942 setelah kalah mutlak dari Jepang. Selama 3.5 tahun kemudian Jepang menggantikan peran Belanda di Indonesia. Dengan embel – embel “Pan Asia” Jepang berhasil merayu rakyat Indonesia untuk mau lebih bekerjasama dengan pemerintah Jepang. Sampai akhirnya Sukarno dan Moh. Hatta memproklamirkan kemerdekaan R.I pada tahun 1945.

Selama masa penjajah Belanda, berjuangan melawan mereka dilakukan secara fisik, melalui perang di medan pertempuran. Dengan strategi dan peralatan militer yang kurang memadai serta minimnya koordinasi secara nasional dan terlalu terpaku pada ketokohan, perjuangan dengan metode ini sering tidak berkutik melawan imperialis Belanda. Ratusan tokoh nasional gugur selama proses perjuangan membebaskan bangsa ini. Mulai dari Cut Nyak Dien dan Tengku Cik Di Tiro di Aceh, Sisingamangaraja di Sumatra, Pangeran Diponegoro di Jawa, sampai Pierre Tandean di Sulawesi Utara serta jutaan pahlawan lainnya. Semua telah berusaha sekuat mungkin untuk kemerdekaan bangsa namun pengorbanan dengan nyawa mereka pun belum membawa keberhasilan.

Dengan kepemimpinan Dr. Wahidin Sudirohusodo, sejak tahun 1908 Budi Utomo menjadi awal bagi perjuangan pemuda intelek Indonesia dengan metode baru, bukan medan peran namun meja diplomasi. Sejak saat itu, perjuangan kemerdekaan dengan Belanda dan Jepang terkoordinasi karena pemikiran cemerlang kaum cendikiawan yang sudah paham akan pentingnya koordinasi dalam pencapaian kemerdekaan nasional. Tokoh – tokoh besar nasional seperti duo proklamator kita, Bung Karno dan Bung Hatta, Sutan Syahrir, M. Yamin, Soepomo, serta H. Agus Salim juga lahir dari masa perjuangan diplomasi. BPUPKI dan PPPKI merupakan bukti keberhasilan mereka dalam melakukan diplomasi dengan pemerintah Jepang. Puncak dari periode ini adalah hari Jum’at 17 Agustus 1945 jam 10.00 pagi saat Ir. Sukarno didampingi Moh. Hatta mendeklarasikan kemerdekaan kita.

Merasa tidak terima dengan pendeklarasian Indonesia, pemerintah Belanda mengirimkan kembali pasukan untuk mengambil alih komando Jepang di Indonesia, namun rakyat yang pastinya tidak menginginkan hal itu berjuang mati – matian selama 5 tahun untuk menjaga kemerdekaan bangsa. Berbagai pertempuran di kota – kota besar di Indonesia pun tidak bisa dihindari, dr Karyadi menjadi simbol bagi pertempuran lima hari di Semarang serta Bung Tomo dengan strategi “Bandung Lautan Api”nya mampu menggetarkan bangsa penjajah.

Sebagai klimaks dari perjuangan ini adalah tercapainya kesepakatan dalam Konferensi Meja Bundari di Den Haag, Belanda, yang menyatakn pengakuan kerajaan Belanda atas kemerdekaan Indonesia. Pada tanggal 27 Desember 1949 Kabinet pemerintah sementara dilantik dengan komposisi duo-proklamator sebagai presiden dan perdana mentri.

Dengan sistem politik negara yang sangat tidak stabil, pemerintah kita sering mengalami pergantian perdana menteri, tidak ada perdana menteri yang mampu bertahan lama karena adanya intervensi dari lawan politik. Akan tetapi, dukungan rakyat pada Bung Karno tetap sangat tinggi, sampai akhirnya mereka mengangkat beliau menjadi presiden seumur hidup yang kemudian membawa Indonesia pada demokrasi terpimpin di bawah beliau. Inilah saat dimana kita sangat dekat dengan komunisme karena paham Nasakom bung Karno. Selain mulai dijauhi negara – negara demokratis, poros Jakarta – Pyeong Yang – Beijing pun semangit menguat  yang akhirnya membawa PKI menjadi partai no-2 terbesar di negara ini pada pemilihan umum.  Indonesia semakin dekat pada komunis. Sampai akhirnya terjadi kasus “30 september 1965” dimana jenderal – jenderal TNI diculik dan dibunuh oleh para PKI dalam upaya mereka untuk mengkudeta bangsa ini.

Dengan adanya ancaman dari PKI yang semakin menguat, akhirnya hampir setahun darl kejadian penculikan jenderal – jenderal oleh PKI, pada 11 Maret 1966 Presiden Sukarno memberikan surat perintah pada Let.Jend. Suharto untuk mengambil alih segala tindakan yang dianggap perlu untuk mempertahankan kedaulatan bangsa. Surat ini pun terkenal sebagai supersemar. Inilah awal dari 32 tahun pemerintahan Suharto di negeri ini.

Di masa pemerintahan Presiden Suharto yang disegani oleh pemimpin lain di dunia, Indonesia mampu meraih banyak kemajuan. Salah satunya adalah prestasi swasembada pangan pada tahun 1994. Dengan GOLKAR-nya, Suharto mampu melanggengkan kekuasaannya di pemerintahan. Ditambah lagi kemampuannya untuk mengambil hati rakyat membuatnya semakin susah digoyahkan dari pemerintahan. Sayang sekali, pemerintahan gemilang Suharto harus diakhiri dengan kisah tragis korupsi dari kerabatnya. Akhirnya demonstrasi dari rakyat dan mahasiswa pada tahun 1998 mampu menurunkan pak Harto yang kemudian dilanjutkan oleh pak Habibie yang hanya setahun lebih sedikit sebelum beliau digantikan oleh presiden terpilih GusDur yang sangat kontroversial. Tak berhasil melakukan program – program untuk mensejahterakan rakyat, maka GusDur pun lengser di tengah jalan yang kemudian digantikan putri proklamator, Megawati Sukarno putri.

Pada pemilu 2004, megawati tidak mampu menghadang serbuan dari mentri polkamnya, SBY yang berpasangan dengan Ketum Golkar, pak JK, yang akhirnya berhasil menjadi presiden ke-6 bangsa berpenduduk 240 juta jiwa ini. Tahun 2009, meski dengan pasangan baru, SBY masih tetap tak terkalahkan. Alhamdulillah perkembangan bangsa semakin terasa dan rakyat pun semakin optimis terhadap perkembangan bangsa ini. Semoga angin segar perbaikan semakin berpihak pada kita. Amin.

The most-wanted month of all has come. Every Muslim’s 11 month-waiting is relieved by its presence. The month where on the first ten days Allah gives abundant Rahmah to all His creatures, on the second ten days He provides forgiveness for any mistakes that we made, and on the last 10 days Allah will put us away of hellfire.

During this holy month, when Al-Qur’an was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh – Peace be upon him), every Muslim should be fasting, as stated in Sura Albaqara (2) verse 183:

“O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you that ye may (learn) self-restraint.”― (Al-baqara: 183)

For 29 or 30 days long, every believer should not eat during the day, neither should conduct sexual intercourse nor other lust-driven activities. It’s the month when our physical body and soul is trained.

It is believed that during that month we should increase our frequency in submitting good deeds to Allah Almighty while reducing the number of foul as minimum as possible since during this month, every ‘ibada that is worth sunnah in the other months, will be judged as worthy as fardu ‘ibada.

Therefore, it’s almost mandatory to always be doing great good things during Ramadan as well as spreading the invitations to do so. Not only conducting the good deeds by ourselves, but we also need to invite the others to do so.

How ICT meets the needs

In the last two decades, ICT has been the most developed technology for humankind. Since the use of first personal computer in 1970s and first laptop in 1980s, nowadays the use of computer for business applications, education purposes, military services, and personal needs is inevitable. We can find the application of ICT in almost every area of human interest.

In this modern age we can personally witness how ICT solve the distance problem in business life by the implementation of teleconference-distant learning. The use of cell phones has provided a great aid for businessmen to manage their networks wherever they are.

ICT has eased the teachers and professors in teaching their students. Power points based application is now everywhere in every classes throughout high schools and universities. E-Learning is now very popular in education field as Michael Jackson in music.

In modern military and security defense of major world leader nations, ICT has truly played significant role. The real life simulation of 3D helps them practice to adjust the war site. Satellite images from above-the-sky let them know the current conditions of enemies they are about to face.

Those applications can even be more useful for even much greater purposes, the da’wah of Islam. By implementing those advantages of ICT, the da’wah of Islam can even be much greater. There are some points where we can utilize the ICT for the sake of Allah.

Internet has been one of the greatly rapid developments of ICT. It’s the core value of modern communication and information dissemination. Implementing the Internet-based application, we can conduct the online da’wah in which we don’t have to meet face to face.

Using Internet technology, we can replace the old fashioned book with online e-book or article. In addition to its free price, we can also spread them out easily since they don’t need the packaging and delivery service. We can share those Islamic e-books and articles to our Muslim friends so that they can have the lessons inside the pages of those online books.

Moreover, Internet helps us to find out information that we need easily. In the decades before, Muslims brothers had to go from one library to another to search the articles/hadeeths that they needed, but now, every Muslim can just simply sit in front of his Internet-connected computer and look for any articles or information they need easily via Internet.

During Ramadan, we can surely find as many articles as we want. We don’t have to seek on library for Ramadan guide; finding on Internet is now much more favorable. Moreover, hadeeths or verses that we need to refer for better Ramadan daily activities will be easier to find on the Internet than looking for them in textbooks.

Short Messaging Service (SMS) has been a must in every cellular application service. There is no any mobile phone without SMS services. This function is very powerful, unlike its physically unsophisticated feature.

One important implementation for da’wah is by sending hadeeths to our colleagues or mentee students. We can send reminders to our friends to keep their minds on Allah. Another way is by sharing congratulations or good willingness for our acquaintances’ great achievements so that we can be better Muslim brother for them.

In the very basic function, SMS helps us to arrange religious meeting with our brothers. It could be mentoring meeting or discussion group for more advanced talk. During our Islamic holy days, we can send greetings to our friends everywhere in the globe.

During Ramadan, we can send religious message and reminder to our beloved colleagues, wishing their great day during Ramadan or wishing them nice dinner at night after fasting for the whole day. In society where there are no many mushollas or masjid, SMS is very helpful in collecting people to have the Teraweh together.

Another common ICT application is live (web) messenger in which we can communicate with our distant friends in real time. Not only chatting via text, the current development of web live messenger even allow users to call another freely through Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) as long as those two computers are connected to Internet access and possess microphone and headphone. Moreover, the current notebook even supports real time video calling for free as well. As both end-line computers have web-camera (web-cam for short) we can talk face to face to our friends.

This application is very important for mentoring or chief meeting whose members are on different places. In mentoring, the mentor and mentees don’t necessarily to stay in one room, sitting together on the same table. The mentor could be in Saudi Arabia while some mentees listening the mentor’s lecture in their room of Harvard’s students’ dormitory while some are participating from their Finish NOKIA’s office. The mentor can deliver his lecture and the students can also asking questions on real time and watching the mentor’s face on the screen.

Using live messenger such as Yahoo!Messenger, MSN Messenger, Google Talk, Skype, and Nate on, a transferred mentee can still join his old mentoring group even though he’s moving out to different country. Distance is no longer a problem since the fundamental needs of mentoring (live talking that enabling two-way communication) are fulfilled.

Many Muslims don’t live in the same city with their family, and therefore during Ramadan, the holiest month of all, they need to talk to their family to know how their fasting. Web messenger will be so helpful on that time since live conversation is possible during the day and night.

Moreover, mentors can still remind his mentees everywhere they are to keep up the good deeds during the Ramadan and to compete in good practices. A brother can encourage his sister not to get involved to her non-Muslim friends who don’t conduct the fasting during the days. A father working abroad can still monitor his children’s fasting even though they’re not in the same place. Those are possible in current age because of the rapid development of web live messenger.

Online video streaming is very powerful to spread out the news of Islam as well as for lecturing to Muslims all across the globe. Unlike the old era when we had hard times to get qualified lectures of Islam, nowadays we can find any kind of online Islamic teaching in Google Video or Youtube as well as other video streaming providers

If we need lecture, we can just open our computer and connect to Internet, and then we can get (almost) any kind of lecture that we want. We can find any information we deserve, from the application of fiqh in daily life, the tajwid of the Quran, the history of Islam, to the life of Muslims in different states.

During the Ramadan, we can also get live lecture from Ulama whose hometowns are in different countries. Their teachings are easily found on the Internet. If we are living in non-muslim are, we don’t have to travel two hours back-and-forth for the teaching so frequently, we can save our time by the use of online teachings that are almost ubiquitous in the current age.

Even though ICT is not the product of Muslim or Islamic Organization, its promising application for Islamic da’wah is very clearly visible, and therefore we the Islamic believers must utilize such technology for the sake of Allah.

The Secret by Rhonda Byrne

This book was firstly published in 2006, following a DVD video with the same title published earlier in the same year. Written by Rhonda Byrne accompanied by several other who she thinks are those who know the secret of “The Secret”, “The Secret” was sold over 4 million copies with more than 30-different language translations are available. The DVD itself was sold more than 1.5 million copies, putting both the book and the DVD as “best-sellers”

Basically, “The Secret” tells us that we can do, achieve, or be whatever we want, since our thoughts are so great that it can control the Universe. Why Rhonda Byrne believes this way? It’s because the unmistaken “law of attraction” in which like attracts like and dislike attract dislike. If we think that we want to be ‘that way’ then our thought will transmit a frequency to the Universe that will spread out our thought, then the Universe will re-transmit back what we thought, calling the “like thoughts” lying in the Universe, and bring them to us.

“The Secret” puts our mind like a magnet; it will attract everything similar to it. Moreover, the “likeliness” is even in wider scope, our thought is much more powerful than regular magnet; it will attract ‘thoughts,’ in the state of both conscious and the other way around. It’s just like the Law of Gravity that will work no matter no one understands it or not.

It says that if you think greatness about your life, then every greatness will be provided to you. Vice versa, if you think your life is a misery, then you’ll find it that way. Therefore, “the Secret” tells the reader to always be thinking good about their life, no matter in what condition, so that he will attract great things to be summoned into his life.

Then how do we use “the Secret?” Mrs Byrne and her colleagues explain that there are 3 steps to implement “the Secret” in our life, asking, believing, and receiving. Asking means that you firstly need to ask the Universe what you want to get/be/do. It might look like simple step but it is not. We have to create a clear visualization of what we want. If we want a house, then how we want our house will be look like, what color it is, how big it is, and so on so forth.

The second step is believing, putting yourself in trust that you have gotten already what you’re wishing for. You need to act, speak, and think as you have gotten what you want. Do not make any contradictive actions toward you’ve asked for. When you transmit the frequency of having received it, then the Universe will listen to your wish and re-transmit what your thoughts attract, providing the circumstance you deserve, and finally bring your wish into reality.

Then the last step is receiving, suggesting us that we should feel like we’ve received what we’ve asked for, and meaning feeling good about it. If we feel our desire has come to reality, then the Universe will bring us there.

My View upon this book

Basically, this book is such a tremendous book to me. I learn a lot from this book in how I should feel and behave toward our thought and state of being. This Rhonda’s book is just amazing in the content. However, on the greater span, I don’t agree in her saying that by only having good thought and the belief toward it, we can be whatever we want, that we are the creator of our own Universe.

In that state, she neglects the existence of God, the True Creator. Nonetheless, If I were supposed to comment in regard of this book, I will follow the story within, except that instead of leaving everything to the universe, I will leave it to God Almighty who has the control over everything.

In the 3 steps of applying the Secret, I believe the most correct way is asking to God what you want, then believing that you would get what you want if God Thinks that what you’ve asked is the best for your, if not, God will Replace it with better occurrence.

Sholat

Meanwhile, staying in other countries where Islam isn’t really recognized, neither did many people believe in, is not easy to conduct our pray. There are some burdens, which we dont face in the muslim countries, that might not support us to fullfil our basic need. Sometimes the environment prevents us from doing it.

Having staying in United States of America (USA) for 1 year and Republic of Korea (RoK) for the other 3 months gives me a clear understanding toward this circumstance. While I was studying in Gaithersburg High School (GHS) in 2005-2006, I have to take more than 1 hour to go to the nearest masjid from my host family’s house.  Even in our biggest day of the year the “Eid Ul-Fitr” the school isn’t in holiday, I have to ask for permission for excuse in my morning class so that I can go to the tennis court, 45 minutes away, to join my brothers and sisters in celebrating the most merciful day of the year. Afterward, I have to go back to school again to attend the next class.

Residing in RoK (South Korea) isn’t much better. In the town where I live in, there is only one small ‘masjid’ (we call it “musholla”) in KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology), about one hour and half from my dormitory. During my daily routine, I have to conduct the “sholat” in some places that I’ve never imagine to practice such important religious duty.

Sholat in Korea

 At school it might be a little bit not easy. Usually we have class from the morning until late afternoon, so I dont have time to go back to dormitory for my ’sholat’ conduct. Therefore, 2 of my “muslimah” (term for female muslim) friends and I usually do our “sholat” in the class, either during the break time or after the end of the class.  If we have any events with our ASEAN friends of Daejeon University, where I study,  we have to sneak out and conduct our pray. Last time on the Teachers’ Day, we had party with our professors from 6.30 pm until 10.00 pm, meaning that the Maghrib and Isya’ time was in the middle of it, and therefore we went out to International Office nearby the party was held for the sake of our sholat need.

Things might get worse if we go out with others who dont really know about Islam.  One of this example is when we joined a field trip for Floretopia Festival in Asan, the tour agency didnt give us break time for sholat. Therefore, we had to find out our own time and place to do that.  I did my ’sholat’ between the bus chairs, unconvenently, since the space was not clean and wide enough for a single man to conduct the pray.

Another story was when I had an internship period in Incheon. Working for UN-APCICT, the UN agency whose goal is to strenghten the use of ICT for the developing countries in order to achieve the MDGs, in Incheon gives me less space and time to conduct my sholat since there’s no muslim there, neither is a masjid nor musholla. One day, my friend from Malaysia and I were going to exercise in the gym. Since I hadn’t conduct my sholat, then I gotta do it there. After looking for some places, unpublic and clean enough, I found the ‘changing’ room inside the gym since there was nobody there. I did my Sholat THERE! The funny thing was when I just ended my sholat, someone came seeing me sitting on the floor as I finished my praying.

My fellow brothers and sisters, you might be from different religion or belief. That doesnt really matter to me. What we should do isn’t judging that the other religion is wrong, and ours is the best one; but we need to stick up to our religion no matter what! Eventhough we are living in a country in which there are no many people believe in our religion, eventhough there are no place to conduct our worshipping to God, eventhough no friends to accompany our praying, LETS JUST DO WHAT WE’VE GOTTA DO FOLKS. Praying to the God is the most important thing. In the words of Steven Covey, he would call it ‘The Quadrant II” activities, and I even put it as the most importan quadrant 2 activities.