I am now reading the autobiography of Nelson Mandela: "Long Walk to Freedom".   On page 77, he said: ....Part of my salary was spent on even more vital item - candles - for without them I could not study.  I could not afford a kerosene lamp; candles allowed me to read late into the night.  I was inevitably short more than a few pence each month.  Many days I walked the six miles to town in the morning and the six back in the evening in order to save bus fare.  I often went days without more than a few mouthful of food, and without a change of clothing. A friend, who was my height, once gave me an old suit of his and, assisted by considerable stitching and patching, I wore that suit every day for almost five years.  In the end, there were more patches that suit.

One marvels at this fantastic, incredible suffering that he has gone through.  I feel humbled and considerable admiration at how he is able to go through life with all the suffering, cruelty and injustice meted out to him.
Reading him is an inspiration.

I posted another letter (email) to the local press yesterday. I hope it gets printed, if not, I'm now publishing it here.

"I am in a state of puzzlement. There is a tendency for some Muslims to over-react, display temper tantrums over acts they consider as insulting their religion and eroding their faith.

I may be opinionated here, but I believe the religion of Islam cannot be insulted by non-Muslims. Neither would Islam be elevated if it is praised sky-high. Islam will remain as is. Only Muslims, by their acts of commission or omission determine the status of Islam and how it is regard by others.

My faith in my religion depends on me alone. It cannot be eroded by anyone else. It does not need protection.
My question is: why are some Muslims spitting out venom at others? Emotional maturity is at stake here - simply because you cannot control others, and acts "insulting Islam" will continue to provoke Muslims ad-infinitum. How long will Muslims continue to dance to the tune of others? Let them be."

I was prompted to write these comments when I read of lot of noises made by some Muslims that there are people who wrote or make comments derogatory to Muslims and the religion of Islam. My take on this predicament is simply to ignore them.

Happiness - is to see your letter (email) is printed in the mass circulation newspaper - theSundaily.
I commented on an article in which the writer asked several questions.  My comment entitled:
No man is an island
To the question: What can we do to reduce, if not eradicate, the feeling of exclusiveness? in "The dangers of exclusiveness?"
I would like to quote these words of wisdom, written more than 500 years ago:
"No man is an island, entire of itself ...... any man's death diminishes me, because I'm involved in mankind, and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls, it tolls for thee."  - John Donne (1572 - 1631).

I am happy to see my letter in print.

On July 7, Sunday, my friend and I went to Ipoh for the Ipoh International Marathon.  My friend, one year younger than I, he's 74, went for the half-marathon (21 km) whereas I opted for the 10 km (quarter-marathon).  The run started at 7.00 a.m. and I completed mine in 70 minutes and my friend completed his 21 km run in 2 hours and 40 minutes.  We were both happy with our achievements.  I believe more than 5000 people took part in all categories - also the 7 km and 5 km for the school-children.
There is something to be said about taking part in competitive running.  You tend to put more effort and you feel energised as you are running with thousands of other runners.  My usual morning jog is more a casual affair and one tends to take it easy.  Yes, I love running.  It's my adrenalin, and I keep myself healthy.