Recalling back the month that was - during the Ramadan month, me got the opportunity to experience two totally unrelated events that me think worth sharing.
Firstly, an opportunity to have iftar (breaking of fast) with our ex Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir (TDM) and secondly being over charged for goods bought at IKEA.
Me first close encounter with TDM and being able to get a "one to one" photo with him was quiet an opportunity not to be missed - considering after knowing him all these years from a great distance!. Although there were many others wanting to take the "photo of a life time" with TDM, me managed to squeeze through the crowd and get a close shot with him while exchanging pleasantries and conveying me wife's "salam" to him.
TDM was very obliging and seemed to be a great listener. From near, me can sense the aura and charisma are still much alive just like meeting with great leaders such as him. The occasion had left me wondering where TDM got his "abundance of energy" to entertain the tireless crowd that seem oblivious to him being an eighty something of age. It was as if TDM was there during his heydays as PM - answering questions and bantering with the crowds on a never ending issues.
Me left the occasion that night at around eleven before TDM left. To me surprise, the next morning it was mentioned in the live coverage of Merdeka Day celebration, TDM and wife was among the earliest VIP arriving to greet the current PM!
One hypothesis that me can put forth regarding the source of TDM's "perpetual power" may well be the endless energy he gets from all the adulation of the crowd that he met, that he was very obliging and never refuse a conversation in public, seem to be the prime source of energy that made him vibrant and look much younger than his age.
In a perspective, me would guess that TDM's penchant to love the crowd had been the very source of energy for him in going through this life. As espoused in Islam, God has created us from various races and encouraged us to get to know each other especially in learning from each other for the greater good of mankind - and along the way, just like TDM, we may find our very own "fountain of youth".
The second encounter with the "truth" in the month that was, was when me realized that me had paid triple from the actual amount that me supposed to pay for the cookies bought at IKEA.
Me immediate reaction was to go back to the counter where the payment was made. On being informed of the error, the counter girl asked me to go to the customer service to ask for a refund. To me surprise, upon informing the customer service guy, he nonchalantly asked for the receipt and refund the amount overcharged in cash without even checking the actual boxes of cookies that me bought!!
It was a pleasant surprise indeed to experience such a "moment of truth" where your integrity have never been questioned or even suspected of trying to cheat the store as customary in our culture.
Me realized that the lesson learned from this encounter at IKEA has a far ranging implications if it is practiced in our everyday living. It seems, the "Muslim Culture" as originated from IKEA's home country, Sweden, has been really practiced by them in a supposedly Muslim country as in Malaysia where our "culture of telling the truth" is still much to be desired.
That was the Ramadan month which me will miss forever until the next one arrive, InsyaAllah. for those doing the "Puasa Enam" starting on the 2nd Syawal, tomorrow InsyaAllah will be the last day of experiencing an extended Ramadan, then to be followed by a "second" Eidil Fitr the day after!!...
May Allah blesses us all - Ameen!
