Pi Mai Pi Mai Tang Tu

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Home sweet home.

We were in Penang to attend the 1st International Seminar on Islam Andalusia 1300. The husband, of course represented his institution while I attended as an independent delegate. I first bought and read the book The Story of Islamic Spain by Syed Azizur Rahman in 2001. Then, I had just completed the History module at the part-time Islamic Studies course I was pursuing. And in that module, we studied Andalusia. It was also then that M.Nasir’s song Andalusia was a hit in the radio stations. It was also then that I surfed the internet for as much materials on Andalusia as I could. Hence I could safely say my love affair with this 800 years old worth of history began and continued for the past 7 years.

When I found out USM was going to organise this seminar, I knew I had to attend. For two days, 63 papers were presented by academicians on Andalusia in areas of Philosophy, Art, Science and Technology, Theology, Spirituality and Education. Delegates were given a banquet of 63 presentations to choose from, whichever that interest us. I chose the one pertaining to education, philosophy, art and spirituality theme. Education being my field and the rest being my interests.

There were alot of grievances pertaining to the organization of the seminar, or rather, the lack of it that annoyed and irritated the participants. Closing an eye to that, some of the papers were very well presented, especially the ones on education. It kept me thinking…

Anyway, towards the end of the seminar before the closing, a delegate from Nigeria stood up and asked the panel this question,

‘ We have listened for two days the glory of the Muslim Andalusian past. What are we doing about it now and why aren’t we channeling all our energy to going back to the era where Andalusia was the focal point of science and technology, arts and culture and the greatest civilisation of that time. What is happening to us now that we cannot go back to that era or even try to emulate it ?’

My sentiments exactly.

Yes, looking back to history is good. History is meant to be learnt from. The good part of history is meant to be emulated while the bad part not to be repeated. But to be lulled by the glorious images of the past and not doing anything about it now, to me is just like kedai kopi politics. Sit and talk but do nothing. But not to talk about it is also not so correct, otherwise our generation or the coming generation would not know our heritage and the beauty of it, especially in this time where to be a Muslim in this world is often scorned at. It all boils down to balance, I guess.

In the light of the Malaysian election tomorrow, I was tickled by the hilarious campaigning we saw in Penang. Of course I cannot vote as it is not my country. However, if I had any chance at all to vote for a government, I would want to be able to vote for a government who can bring me back the governance that was Andalusia. A period, where for 800 years there was no record of revolt or unrest, where people from different nations, languages and religions came together and spent time in learning and research, where instead of wars and problems, it was all about learning and discovering and living in peace.

Am I asking for too much? After all we are at the weakest and lowest point of ‘civilization’. But as the rule of the wheel goes, when you are at the lowest low, the only way to go is up, right ? Maybe.. just maybe.. the Andalusian era can come back. But to do that, we have to realise that talking about it and remembering it is just not enough.

If we keep on talking and doing nothing, the Penangites will tell you..‘ Hang pi mai, pi mai, tang tu jugak !’ ( go here go there, it’s still the same ! )

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