Reflections from Europe

REFLECTIONS FROM EUROPE (PART I)

City of Mainz near Frankfurt Germany
A reflection of European history is there to see
The stronghold of Holy Rome in the year 800AD
Let me share the story of my trip
To great places you have never been

In my first experience in the city of Mainz
I notice the serenity and tranquillity around the town
How the people live with no pretensions or staring I see
Everyone leads their life judgement-free
That is a symbol of a civilised society

The Institute of European History is a pride indeed
Knowledge and resources many and plenty
The Library itself is a greatness one could see
What more the association with professors
In the aristocratic setting this institute has to offer

The Rhein River adds to the beauty
Castles and castles laid out in the hills and mountains
To live in the history of this great country
A thousand more years for us to feel
The richness of Germany is abound there is

The city of Trier intensify the glory
The Roman Empire was there in 300AD
Their relics and remains are signs of majesty
Trier was a city second to Rome in Italy
It is today alive just as how it has been

As I set myself in the churches of Mainz and Trier
I feel the ambience of worship and holiness among the people
The cardinals and bishops are laid in the plains
As witnesses to the congregations that place their hope
On God and Catholic religion till the end of time

Mainz is a great place to be in
Trier too is just as wonderful a view
If I have to make to a choice between the two
I will stay in Trier and work in Mainz
To have the fulfilment of both Trier and Mainz

Four days in Germany is all I have
To Leiden in Holland we now shall move on
The city where I hope to find my place
Just as how I certainly do hope
That the city of Mainz can be suitable for me too

REFLECTIONS FROM EUROPE (PART II)

Leiden University is the pride of Holland
The symbol of intellectualism many hope to be in
The Central Library has plenty of links
On the branches of knowledge throughout the country
No wonder Syed Hussein studies in Holland afterall

In this place called Leiden University
Campuses are spread throughout the city
Many thinkers are from this great university
Snouck Hugronje the orientalist and Nasr Abu Zayd the freedom fighter the few I could think
With wisdom, insight and knowledge all-encompassing

Leiden itself has few places to see
The Mummy Museum is certainly rich and awakening
Two millennium of history are rest in here
The story of mankind pursuing immortality from near
Ended up as dead bodies without a soul

The Law Faculty is a testimony of history
Understanding of once colonial territories is there as display
Shelves of resources are there to be used
For the Dutch and whoever wants to pursue
Further knowledge of Indonesia and Islam in general

ISIM, IIAS and KITLV are institutes within the city
Research and publishing are features of their expertise
Many in the world seek their assistance in acquiring and producing
Knowledge discourses of Asia and The Muslim World
Enriching Leiden as an intellectual territory concomitant

Thirteen days in Europe is now up
To Germany and Holland I say goodbye
I will be back if He permits
With financial strength and study opportunities
To pursue masters and attain doctorate by the time I am 40

REFLECTIONS FROM EUROPE (PART III)

Europe has much history in it
Of human successes and failings too
Europe is built within hundreds of years
With human effort from time immemorial
The suffering and happiness is similar I hear

Orthodox Christians was once dominant
Then came the Catholics who re-establish religion
The Protestants expounded their ideology hundreds of years
All three are now mainstay of European society
Certainly Europe is no less religious as Asia is

With more than two millennium of Christianity in the region
The society are therefore rooted though open and liberal
If other religions wish to have a place here
They will get adherents with the advancement of time
But to displace Christianity is a foolish attempt

The religion of Islam permits everything to be consumed
Except liquor, drugs and pork-related products
Fish, bread and cheese are the staple of Europeans
That we can enjoy other than meat that is endogenously slaughtered
For Islam is simple as life’s guidance

They say Europe is too open and liberal
Pornography and free sex are there to be exploited
There is for sure no one in the streets of Mainz, Trier and Leiden
Behaving wildly to fulfil that testimony we have always promote
They are clear on public civility and private space all the time

Which university shall I choose
Leiden and Mainz both are equally good
Acquire a language if I am really keen
Either Dutch or German is certainly fine
That shall be the highlight from now till then

REFLECTIONS FROM EUROPE (PART IV)

I ask God when awake and asleep
Why He gives me help when my sins are many
For indeed He declares that He will help
As long as we seek and be sincere in relationships and ambitions
He shall assist whenever is needed

I ask God when awake and asleep
Why He sent Peter Borschberg to help me in this
When it is my people that I render my services
Yet they throw at my face insult and jeer
Explain to me the attitude they has been showing me

This trip to Europe has been an eye-opener
The lessons are many and the questions are plenty
Certainly I am happy that I have made this trip
For many of my peers have never been there
Near as I am they will therefore envy but…..

That is not my problem as you know it
For it is time that I pursue my dreams urgently
Leave some people who bring no benefit to me
Except harm and ill-will springing from envy
For the integrity of family lays supreme

Thank you to my loving wife and dearest kids
Being away from them thirteen days is a huge, huge miss
Now that I am back I can plan and think
One-year from bond is all I have
Before the postgraduate studies begins its course

O ALLAH bless me and my family too
For what I am about to do will be another struggle through and through
Though I am tired and worried, yes I do
I hope and pray for Your Help and Mercy all the way through
Bless my journey till the end of my life, Amin.

Ad’ha
18 June 2006
5:23pm