Let The Strong Man Win Always! 

Or difference between rhetoric and reality! Practising what you preach!

Difference of preaching and practice – rhetoric and reality – and hypocrisy and being sincere and genuine! Islam is not just talking – but doing it!

Drawing blood from a stone!

The other day I met this friend of mine who was in The Zanzibar boat disaster case a few months back. I would not put him as a ‘strong fan’ because he would normally go by the discussions around him on his stand and point of view. Our late Father had always cautioned us on those people who seem to get along with almost everybody – but that is another story for now!

So the good friend says to me – I have been reading your articles for a long time now – but the messages and themes just come in one ear and goes out from the other! But you will find this strange and morbid now – I should have remembered God but not you! This as everyone was panicking around as the boat was sinking – I remembered one of your articles being stuck in a rock without a paddle as the saying goes – and you just watch everything around you as you wait for the final end result and outcome – which is coming soon and there is simply nothing you can do about it! He says to me he remembers the metaphor I had quoted several times of this fast moving train as it starts to derail. Or the one more about the Titanic with the young captains on board – as they watch it in horror as it was moving towards the iceberg to its utter and final destruction!

A few years back I never knew I was a diabetic case until one day I found my head so heavy and that it looked like falling off my body! My family had to persuade me to go to hospital – a private one – but when they saw my case they had to send me to The Emergency Ward of Royal Hospital in Bowsher! When I reached there I found so many people fussing around me – because my glucose levels were so high imaginable. Even one of the doctors insisted to the nurse to bring a new machine – because they could not believe the readings!

The Doctor said to me – This is a first time case for me at least – because with these temperatures you must either be dead, paralysed or in a coma. Do you have steel in your veins?The joke was continuously repeated by other doctors – and frankly I was so frightened and scared stiff to see so many doctors paying me such attention – like I was guinea-pig case for them to study! Frankly too, I think money and other worries had contributed significantly to my sad state of affairs – if you will excuse me playing my fiddle here! It was not only discovering to be a diabetic case!

This nice caring lady doctor had seen me so emotional and distressed one night and she asked me what gives? Then we started talking. The shock was hers to hear my tales and that these things can happen to one when you have tried to be self-employed after opting for voluntary retirement – and the worst part of what can befall you if you try to challenge the system by going to business as an underdog – and then having the audacity and impudence of failing too! I do not want to repeat my story – I have said it so many times before – even trying again to be an Author, Writer and Columnist – and the story repeating itself all over again!

No one can give you money for free – even in your family too! But there is compassion, care and feelings too! In addition to being considerate and kind – being also ethical, professional and principled. If you are down there in the hole – do not expect kindness or mercy – or a helping hand out – but people will throw in more stones to hit you – and there is nothing you can do about it.

People are selfish, self-centered and cruel – no mercies extended – and a short memory too. There is need to be considerate and kind – being also ethical, professional and principled. And remembering the profits you have made – and to remember your old customers too in social responsibilities

I am watching the many cases now of Buddhist monks self-immolation cases – because they find it too much and have given up – as the situation only gets worst day by day – and there is simply nothing you can do about it if you are a weakling and an underdog! We have all conveniently forgotten the Tunisian Fruit Seller whose self-immolation started the Arab uprising! How a great Arab Leader otherwise before all these was left in a fish market being viewed and being mockingly photographed by not interested buyers too – and just like Alexander The Great had said – I came in this world with empty hands – and I leave with empty hands to my grave. But will we learn? No – we will not – all the wealth and power has been left behind!

Three days back I find my glucose levels rising again – and all because as a Pensioner with over 35 years solid, dedicated, committed, loyal and faithful service to the Nation – I cannot now touch my Pension (my only earnings left in my life now!) – and as it is all taken. And even those supposed to pay you have not done so for the last 7 months – or find an excuse not to pay you even though you did the works successfully for them. Yet they have the courage and bravado to smile at you as if nothing has happened – and have forgotten conveniently all the good things and sacrifices that you have done for them.

I am going on a fast diet to bring my glucose levels down. I say – as the East African say in Swahili – Mwenye Nguvu Mpishe – literally Let The Strong Man Pass (Win)! And there is simply nothing that you can do about it – as your fate is doomed and sealed – yet we pride ourselves to be in a Islamic and Arab country too!

What is the point? There is simply no point! Either you lose your money – and your health and sanity too! I have tried hard to go by the system and contacts – but it is simply not working! I wish I was Buddhist – then I could come back! But as a Believer it is Eternal Hell only! They do not even read my letters anymore – but delete as it comes in!

As my friend said to me – I tried to recollect myself fast and do something quick to abandon the sinking ship! The only way I can – is to leave things to Allah SWT God – because only He can save me now. I have tried with all peoples I could – even sending them free copies of my books – only to find the results more unexpected – because I had the audacity and impudence to raise my voice – and complain. Allah Is Great – In the name of God; The Most Gracious and The Merciful – Amin.

Take Care!

By:

Majid Al Suleimany