New Year always bring me back to the time when I was embracing the coming of 2001 alone (without my family - then, I already have 2 children). Work brought me to the Fish & Chips land (to borrow DrSam's terminology). Watching people rushing somewhere with their loved ones while I dragged myself back from Cavendish Square to Porchester Mews in the cold winter evening made me feel so...alone and foreign. But, coming to think about it, I think it was more to the fact that I was down in flu than the celebration itself - you see, I never actually celebrated New Year (I mean by having a special dinner or going to watch the fireworks and all - it is just that in Shah Alam where we stayed, we can watch it from my bedroom's window!)
What does it mean anyway, this New Year thingy? Other than the fact the Earth has completed its tour of duty around the Sun - completed its 365.24 days journey?
Could it possibly be a time for reflection? Looking back at what have been accomplished the past 365.24 days? And what not? If not, why? A time for post-mortem.
Or is it a turning point? To embark on a new career? To be kinder to oneself, to others, to Mother Earth? Or simply to set a new milestone. To change the way thing is done? Or, to look at the same thing through different eyes? Whatever it is, it is good to at least have some points to reflect and to relook into the directions and the purpose of our life. It is also good to want to achieve something as long as it is not destructive to mankind.
As for the Moslem, our New year is 11 days earlier than the solar calendar. Islamic New Year is based on the revolutions of the moon, such the Islamic year is only 354 days. It is a low-key event compared to Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha. There is no specific religious ritual on this day except many regard it as a time for reflections and resolutions. It is also a day to reminisce in the Hijra or migration of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) from Mecca to Medina. And this marked the beginning of a Moslem community - a community inspired by the Creator to live in complete harmony; a group of people who is bounded by faith with the responsibility of creating peace to the whole world - also, to treat one another with kindness regardless of race, colour and beliefs.
For my non-Moslem friends, suicide bombings and killings of the innocent people are not part of Islamic teachings. Islam in itself means peace. And never once in its teaching it resort to violence. It teaches its followers to avoid conflict :
But turn away from them and say "Peace!" (43:89)
.....take not life which Allah has made sacred, except by way of justice and law : thus He commands you that you may learn wisdom (6:151)
Even in war, there are certain rules which include :
(i) no killing of any old person, child or woman;
(ii) no killing of the monks in monasteries and those who are in the place of worship
(iii) do not attack a wounded person
So, to all of us regardless of race, color and beliefs - let us be kinder, more considerate and more generous with forgiveness for the year to come and more. May 2010 brings us what we have wished for.
Happy 2010 everyone! :-D
(Source of image : www.chemistry.about.com)
