fade out into the stars

what does it feel like?

i still remember when i was in my secondary school, i saw my brother sticking"No Detention Without Trial" sticker on his car windscreen. i asked him what does it mean. he explained to me that it is wrong to detain a person without trial as every person has a right to a fair trial.

as i grow older, i learn what rule of law means. it's a matter of principle, justice and fairness. This is what I've been holding on to.

when i started practice, i got the opportunity to be involved in Abolish ISA Movement (GMI). i got to know Kak Laila, whose husband has been detained for almost 7 years. i got to know Suhaib, Kak Laila's only son. I got to talk to these people, i got to listen to their stories, their grievances and their experiences, being victims of the draconian ISA.

you can read Kak Laila's blog to find out what are the things she is forced to endure, being a victim of the draconian ISA.

i can hardly imagine what does it feel like to be in their shoes. all this while, i only have my principle to affirm my belief and i can never imagine what would happen if that only one thing (principle) is lost somewhere along the line the moment we start to justify the wrong.

now, i realize that, when something is grossly wrong, there are thousands of explanation why it is so wrong that it becomes an unforgiven sin if committed.

i quote what Alfian used to tell me - "ultimately i would argue that the highest morality remains the morality of the process and not the result", and i concur.

"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 well-acquainted with all that ye do." [An-Nisa 4:35].