I’ve known this person for more than two years. Very quiet, yet deeply thoughtful, one seldom expects that Akmal Nasir has a burning desire and noble aspiration of leading a reform movement for social betterment and political justice with particular emphasis on Islam and the Malays - the two aspects that form his identity. But that is as detailed as I can go on describing him.
You see, Akmal Nasir is an enigma. I can’t myself quite explain who he is despite the two years of companionship. His old blog, which I was a part of, took us Malay students in the US by storm. But it died out as quick as it rose.
Now back and better, he has decided to go at it alone. This is a changed man. Will he be the next Nik Nazmi? Only time will tell. Follow the progress of Akmal Nasir here.
9 responses so far ↓
Jenny // Oct 24, 2006 at 3:45 pm
I was awed reading your short description of this Akmal Nasir until I clicked on the link… Ohhh, Akmal Nasrullah ropanya. My classmate during the first semester in INTEC
Apa2 pun, hidup AKMAL!!!
Din Mericannn // Oct 24, 2006 at 5:44 pm
Not so long ago, he came up with the proposal of combining the annually-held mu’tamar with ISNA etc.
Should his brainchild becomes reality, then I would say he’s the pioneer among the the modern Muslim scholars. The history is about to be made, but his noble step was opposed by the decision of several “key figures”. In fact, until today I still can’t admit the credibiilty of those key figures.
He intended of nurturing himself as well as his fellow collegueus to become global Muslim technocrats instead of just bunch of narrow-minded-cum-no-vision-at-all youths.
Khadam // Oct 24, 2006 at 5:47 pm
Why are people keep saying his name although he’s no longer the Ameer for Mu’tamar?
Grrr…I have got to think on how to delete his name from people’s mind.
Future-NOLBEL LAUREATE for LITERATURE // Oct 24, 2006 at 5:55 pm
Here’s some food for thought that’s worth sharing.
If you’re about to take the “ROAD NOT TAKEN”, you better have some courage with you. Otherwise you will not go that far. Also don’t be afraid of being labeled unislamic by the community for people’s judgement means nothing.
Just asked those noble laureates if they ever being opposed, assaulted, humiliated just because of their actions. Similar with your case, just go head & there’s no turning back.
Bare in mind, there’re many ways of MENDUKUNG PERJUANGAN ISLAM.
Former Custodian on Earth // Oct 24, 2006 at 7:25 pm
Dear Imran & Akmal,
Hopefully we’re on the right track although our final destination is still uncertain. I guess, one thing we have in common, is our noble intentions of helping fellow UMMAH in every single aspect that in turn will bring back those glorious days of Islam, inter alia.
I fully respect NikNazmi and a number of his buddies. As a matter of fact, they are of exemplary level and it’s my ultimate goal to be standing on the peak next to them.
Alas, not many figures can we find among the Malay scholars here in the US to be taken as role-model. I would say, we are stucked at the bottom of the barrel & ‘m struggling to get out of it.
As of now, just don’t let yourself being pulled by our colleaques of mediocre level. The 2 major aspects that worth more attention are our mentality and thinking/vision.
To borrow future-nik-nazmi’s words, “it’s almost improbable to change the current disastrous circumstance. We had been trying so many times and I still can’t see any beacon of hope out of our efforts. I have told them this & that & what should be done and DON’T WORRY, they won’t change themselves. If that’s the case, let’s focus on ourselves then. Try to improve and establish ourselves first. Once we are quite sure of our status, then go head and let’s rock this world”.
One more thing, I don’t think it’s a matter of Islamic or Unislamic. Instead, it’s a matter of improving ourselves and not running away from our weaknesses. I do agree that there are many ways of MENDUKUNG PERJUANGAN ISLAM.
Here’s a comparison.
First option: We spend 4 years(mind you, that’s a long time) attending programs and merely be among us. At the end, we’ll have a batalion of good friends that can help us in our future carriers should we need their help. In other words, it’s a network consisting Muslim scholars studying in the US. That sounds tremendously Islamic. However, could someone please help figuring out the contribution that we had, if any, to the Muslim ummah?
Second option: For some reasons, we don’t join the programs held around the US. That does not mean we are non-Muslim, nor does that mean we are refusing to accept the teaching of Islam(nauzubillah). It just means we have many other commitments that should be given the priority. Sometimes, we need to sacrifice our deeds and ibadah, depends on the situation we are in. Most importantly, we have the NAWAITU of improving ourselves and spreading the Islamic way of life.
Which option is the best & which option did NikNazmi take?
We better take THE ROAD NOT TAKEN although that’s the infamous one.
How comes people tend to come up with the islamism-related kind of argument merely to justify their unjustifiable actions? I am yet to find the counter-act reply to that seemingly complex and undefeatable argument.
What’s the difference between the modern Islamic society and the ancient one? Well, I am talking about the time when we conquered 2/3 of the world. And now, we don’t even conquer 2/30, let alone be our own country.
As the most probable pioneers of the movement, we as Malay(Muslim as well) scholars studying abroad should take the lead. But, what I see is that we are just competing in our 1-inched-radius circle to the extent that we no longer serves the interest of Muslim ummah as a whole. A lot of things need to be done, surely.
Based on my observation, our learning curves are being limited to a very narrow horizon by several things.
The only possible solution that I can think of right now is breaking up the MISG and any other Malay-or-Muslim societies that seem no longer relevant? If that’s going to help opening up our horizon into more wide open, then why not?
Judging from the current pace that I am walking, there’s no chance of me becoming a global Muslim technocrat, sadly.
Who will finally be the next nik nazmi? Maybe akmal nasir, maybe kaki bangku & I myself can’t tell the answer. Only time will tell, as you said. Just strive for the excellence and excellent people we will be, InsyaAllah.
Should I officially start the race of LeTourDe BECOMING THE NEXT NIKNAZMI? Let’s see who can beat Akmal Nasir as the leader in the race…
“Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe”
-Abraham Lincoln-
kayu // Oct 24, 2006 at 9:13 pm
“There should be a number of you who actively call people to righteousness; who encourage goodness and
forbid evil. These are the ones who shall prosper.” [3:104]
Yup,I agree that the horizon needs to be expanded.
Besides nurturing our own ummah, we also carry a huge obligation to those who await to be introduced to this beautiful religion of Islam. We no longer live in our Malaysian ‘homogenous’ founded society where to make better is our main goal. We do have a lot in our hands rite now. And I guess, all of us are capable of making our own small contributions in the cause of Islam, right? Be it within or across the horizon.
And We have made you a moderate community that you may be a witness to humanity even as the Messenger is a witness to you…” [2:143]
Selamat Berjuang.
Also Khadam // Oct 24, 2006 at 9:23 pm
mrq // Oct 25, 2006 at 8:26 am
Haha, I felt like this is not kakiblog anymore but an MISG forum instead.
I brought this topic (together with imran) in MISG forum a while ago and the answer is of course NO. I knew Kimal is not the first one who brought up this idea. Well, it is something out of the box and extremely interesting.
I don’t like seeing Malays continue being under the coconut shell. I see a lot of this scenario. Malaysians just mingle among themselves and then what happened? They become mediocre, incompetent, arrogant and selfish. And then what happened when these fools form a group in the name of development? They strangely behave like typical Malay politicians. They handpicked their own people from their own community. And guess what type of people they picked? The quite ones, and why? Coz then you will have the final say in whatever you do. And then what happened? You became arrogant, incompetent, selfish fools. Exactly back to where you started
Well, I don’t point this out to the MISG qiyadah. I respect them and they deserve the position to lead the ummah (I’m not kidding, they really are wonderful individuals ). But I’m concern about other people. Not all people are adventurous, digging information from internet to develop critical thinking. These people deserve the scholarship academically but do they deserve the chance to study overseas, learn the culture and method of a developed country and come back to use these knowledge to develop our religion, race and country?
True, not all MAS/ ISNA/ ICNA people is nice. Not all MAS/ ISNA/ ICNA people will accept us, not all IMSA people will agree with us but why do we have to care? Remember that the only one close with IMSA is the ones who followed MISG progress closely (the qiyadah and the ‘pelapis’). other members don’t even greet the IMSA members during the last muktamar. The mutual line is thin. It might be rude but if we explain to them politely, we could avoid harsh confrontation. (it is rude to just divorce you wife without informing them, I agree)
I personally hate it when the Ameer back down. Revolution comes with a price, improvement comes with a price. You might be opposed, assaulted and humiliated but didn’t Prophet Muhammad experience that too. Did he retreat or did he advance and grab the destined glory. Think.
Well, no point arguing now. Muktamar ‘06 is in 2-3 months so lets make this a memorable experience. But we still have muktamar ’07. I hope we could see some changes by that time(at least not the typical ones). And since this topic is already discussed, please don’t reject us again…….
adibahabdullah // Oct 26, 2006 at 1:00 am
salam,
MISG~
-masih mengenal dan memerhati. tunggu. -
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