LOST MEMORIES

Some of the Islamic movement’s persistent detractors were once members and were part of the cause. Indeed some of them still smugly flaunt their past movement credentials and seem to cherish their once held fling and sense of belonging to the organization. To the young and newly acquainted, they wish to be seen as alumni activists who have advanced to become successful members of high society with cushioned government jobs, influential positions and a high standing in the corridors of power. They thrive to be in the limelight of high profile publicity. But the part of the bargain was to become endowed hatchet men to attack the movement, discredit its leaders and stifle its cause for justice.

Treachery or slander is not and was never part of ABIM or of any true loving Muslim nor by any right thinking Malaysian. No one with any sense of morality and human decency would accept and condone such vile behaviour. These wayward people seem to think that they could make indecency and offensiveness become tolerable and outrageously acceptable norms just because they are people with the polished qualifications, brandishing their pedigree, their coveted positions of office and sprouted up with their array of flamboyant awards. They seem very eager to try to make people think that “wrong is right” and success can come by way of pursuing unethical conduct. They work hard to convince people especially the young of their “good intentions”.

They wish for those they reach out to to become captive audiences with enthralled minds mesmerised by their antics. They fail to grasp that the movement came as a resurging conscience of the ummah, as a liberating force to free the people’s minds, to be true to faith and not to be fooled. These disparagers are heartless souls tending to reap apart the innocence and virtue of the ummah by their foul scheming and their lewd language. On the other hand, the movement came to nurture habits of the heart enjoining graciousness and civility. The movement came to foster bonds of brotherhood and spread love and mercy among mankind but these foul people entice towards betrayal, hate and cowardice.

They say they were proud of the movement but conjure every bit of smear to disparage its undisputed founder and patron. They are a people without honour. They have become preachers of indignity. They fail to realise that  without honour and a sense purpose to serve justice, they are living a life of contempt and scorn. Without the courage of conviction to remain true to the faith, being steadfast and enduring the fight for truth,  any memory of ABIM is maybe just pure nostalgia and a mushy mellow feeling of something dear that was lost a long long time ago.

O Allah, please show us the truth as the truth for what it is and grant us the strength to uphold it, and show us falsehood for what it is and grant us the strength to fight it.