Sistem Keselamatan Instalasi Produksi Migas Daratan

Industri minyak dan gas bumi (migas) memiliki daya tarik yang besar, terkait keuntungan yang ada di sana. Namun, berbanding lurus dengan keuntungannya, besarnya investasi dan resiko yang ada menjadi sebuah hal yang sangat perlu mendapat perhatian. Maka dari itu, organisasi-organisasi professional yang telah memiliki pengalaman dan pengetahuan di bidang migas telah menetapkan beberapa persyaratan keselamatan.

Di dalam dokumen rekomendasi API (American Petroleum Institute) 14 C (Analysis, Design, Instalation and Testing of Basic Surface Safety System for Offshore Production Platform),  dijelaskan beberapa hal petunjuk-petunjuk pelaksanaan kerja yang aman untuk instalasi migas di daratan, di antaranya adalah dengan mengenai sistem keselamatan permukaan.

Tujuan dari sebuah sistem keselamatan permukaan instalasi produksi adalah untuk melindungi para pekerja, lingkungan dan fasilitas produksi dari ancaman keselamatan yang diakibatkan oleh proses produksi.

Sedangkan tujuan dari analisa keselamatan adalah untuk mengidentifkasi kejadian yang tidak diinginkan (undesirable event) yang bisa mengancam keselamatan dan menentukan jenis perlindungan yang akan mencegah atau mengurangi efek jika kejadian tidak diinginkan tersebut terjadi.

Kejadian yang Tidak Diinginkan

Kejadian yang tidak diinginkan adalah kejadian yang merugikan pada komponen proses produksi yang bisa mengancam keselamatan. Kejadian tidak diinginkan dalam sebuah komponen proses produksi bisa mengarah kepada kasus yang parah seperti dapat mengakibatkan cedera pada manusia, polusi lingkungan dan kerusakan peralatan.

Kejadian tidak diinginkan bisa diindikasikan oleh satu atau beberapa variabel proses yang keluar dari rentang normal operasi. Kondisi tidak normal ini bisa dideteksi oleh sensor yang bisa memerintahkan peralatan untuk menutup (shut down).

Beberapa kondisi tidak normal atau keluar dari rentang operasinya adalah sebagai berikut:

1. Kelebihan tekanan (over pressure), tekanan dalam sebuah komponen proses yang melebihi tekanan maksimal (maximum allowable working pressure).

2. Kurang tekanan (under pressure), jika tekanan di dalam sebuah komponen proses kurang dari desain peralatan yang telah ditentukan.

3. Kebocoran (leak), keluarnya cairan (minyak/air/emulsi) dari sebuah komponen proses ke atmosfir atau lingkungan.

4. Cairan ikut mengalir (liquid overflow), jika cairan keluar dari sebuah komponen proses melalui pipa yang digunakan untuk gas.

5. Gas blowby, terjadi jika gas mengalir melalui jalur atau pipa yang dipergunakan untuk cairan.

6. Suhu berlebihan (excess temperature) untuk komponen yang mempergunakan api atau dipanaskan, terjadi jika temperatur melampaui desain kerja sebuah komponen proses.

7. Sumber api langsung (direct ignition source) untuk komponen yang mempergunakan api, adalah paparan pada permukaan, api, atau percikan yang terjadi pada suhu dan panas yang mencukupi sehingga bisa menyebabkan kebakaran.

8. Kelebihan gas pada ruang pembakaran (excess combustible vapors in the firing chamber) untuk komponen yang mempergunakan api, terjadi jika ada kelebihan gas bakar melebihi kebutuhan normal pada ruang bakar sebuah komponen proses.

 
Safety Flow Chart (Diagram Alir Keselamatan)

Diagram alir keselamatan digunakan untuk menggambarkan kejadian-kejadian tidak diinginkan yang bisa menyebabkan cedera pada pekerja, polusi, atau kerusakan fasilitas. Dengan adanya diagram alir tersebut, kita juga bisa mengetahui alat-alat keselamatan atau prosedur apa saja yang perlu dipersiapkan guna mencegah timbulnya kejadian yang tidak dinginkan.

Tugas utama sistem keselamatan instalasi adalah untuk mencegah pelepasan hidrokarbon dari proses dan meminimalisir efek jika terjadi pelepasan hidrokarbon.

Secara umum, tujuan dari sistem keselamatan instalasi adalah sebagai berikut:

1. Mencegah kejadian tidak diinginkan yang bisa mengakibatkan pelepasan hidrokarbon

2. Menutup keseluruhan proses produksi atau sebagian peralatan proses tertentu guna menghentikan kebocoran atau kelebihan aliran.

3. Mengumpulkan dan mengganti cairan hidrokarbon dan mendispersikan gas yang keluar dari proses produksi.

4. Mencegah kebakaran dari hidrokarbon yang terlepas.

5. Menutup keseluruhan proses produksi jika terjadi kebakaran.

6. Mencegah timbulnya kejadian tidak dinginkan terjadi pada peralatan lain akibat terjadi kejadian yang tidak diinginkan pada salah satu peralatan.

Kecelakaan yang terjadi di luar proses produksi tidak menyebar dengan sendirinya, terkecuali bisa mempengaruhi proses produksi atau menyebabkan kebakaran. Jika kecelakaan di luar proses mempengaruhi proses produksi, sistem keselamatan harus bisa mematikan keseluruhan proses atau bagian proses yang terpengaruh. Jika terjadi kebakaran di dalam instalasi proses produksi, sistem keselamatan harus bisa mematikan seluruh aktivitas instalasi kecuali peralatan yang digunakan untuk memadamkan kebakaran.

Contoh dari kecelakaan yang terjadi di luar proses yaitu: gangguan alam, kecelakaan kapal atau helikopter, kegagalan peralatan atau mesin, atau kesalahan yang diakibatkan oleh pekerja. Jenis-jenis kecelakaan seperti ini bisa diminalisir melalui desain aman sebuah peralatan atau mesin, prosedur kerja baku (Standard Operating Prosedur) untuk pekerja dan peralatan, dan pelatihan bagi para pekerja.


Cara Kerja Sistem Keselamatan Instalasi

Sebuah sistem keselamatan instalasi harus bekerja dengan cara sebagai berikut:

a. Memantau dan bekerja secara otomatis. Ada sensor yang bisa memantau kondisi tidak normal yang mengindikasikan kejadian tidak diinginkan.

b. Bekerja secara otomatis jika diaktifkan manual oleh pekerja yang melakukan pemantauan atau bisa mengaktifkan alarm.

c. Terus menerus melakukan perlindungan.

Sistem Emergency Shutdown (ESD) merupakan hal yang penting, dan pekerja juga harus bisa mengaktifkan sistem tersebut secara manual.


Dasar-Dasar Analisa dan Desain

Analisa dan desain dari sebuah sistem keselamatan instalasi haruslah mengikuti beberapa hal dasar berikut:

a. Fasilitas proses produksi haruslah didisain untuk bekerja dengan aman, mengikuti aturan-aturan teknis yang baik.

b. Sistem keselamatan harus terdiri dari perlindungan dua tingkat untuk mencegah jika terjadi kegagalan peralatan keselamatan. Kedua perlindungan tersebut haruslah saling berdiri sendiri dan ditambahkan pada peralatan yang digunakan pada operasi normal. Secara umum, dua tingkat perlindungan tersebut harus berupa alat yang berbeda untuk perlindungan dengan rentang yang lebih luas. Dua peralatan yang sama akan memiliki karakter yang sama dan bisa dipengaruhi oleh penyebab kegagalan yang serupa juga.

c. Dua tingkat perlindungan tersebut harus terdiri dari perlindungan utama dan cadangan. Dibutuhkan penilaian ahli untuk dapat menentukan perlindungan utama dan cadangan tersebut.

d. Teknis analisa sistem untuk sebuah proses produksi bisa menentukan persyaratan minimal sebuah peralatan proses.

e. Semua peralatan proses mulai dari sumur minyak/gas (wellhead) sampai titik discharge akhir, harus masuk kedalam sistem keselamatan.

f. Jika seluruh peralatan keselamatan dari tiap bagian proses, dikombinasikan ke dalam fasilitas produksi, maka tidak akan ada ancaman keselamatan baru, untuk itu, semua peralatan proses diintegrasikan secara logis (logical integrated) ke dalam sistem keselamatan, agar seluruh fasilitas terlindungi.

g. Prosedur analisa harus bisa menyediakan metode baku untuk membuat sistem keselamatan dan menyediakan dokumentasi pendukung.

Sistem keselamatan instalasi proses produksi migas daratan merupakan salah satu aspek teknis yang harus diterapkan dengan ketat agar bisa mencegah cedera pada pekerja, polusi pada lingkungan, dan kerusakan pada peralatan, dan tentunya, mengamankan dan memberikan keuntungan produksi pengelolaan migas.



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Referensi: API (American Petroleum Institute) 14 C, Recommended Practices for Analysis, Design, Installation, and Testing of Basic Surface Safety Systems for Offshore Production Platforms


Syamsul Arifin, SKM

Field SHE Officer, PT. EMP Semberah (Semberani Persada Oil), a subsidiary of PT. Energi Mega Persada.
Alumni Dept K3 FKM UI angkatan 2001
Email: syamsul.arifin@yahoo.com

Thinking American and Muslim (Interview With Hadia Mubarak)

Source: http://www.islamonline.net/

Interview Thinking American and Muslim Interview With Hadia Mubarak

By  Muhammed Qassim IOL Correspondent

"Muslim youth felt like they were not being valued according to their own merit, but that they were being defined through the prism of terrorism," Muabrak said. When asked about Islam and gender, many would probably jump into the religious spectrum with either criticism or tribute; when it is political engagement of American Muslims, it is pointing fingers; and Muslim women are always oppressed and silenced… Yet, Hadia Mubarak gives it a second thought. The "On Faith" Muslim American panelist is regarding these issues differently. Her unique viewpoint of issues raised on almost daily basis in America makes her someone worth interviewing. Hadia Mubarak is a full-time doctoral student at Georgetown University's Islamic Studies department. Her research interests include the development of Islamic family law, Islamic reform, and gender issues in Islam. Mubarak previously worked as a Senior Researcher with the Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding at Georgetown University, a researcher with the Gallup Organization's Center for Muslim Studies and a researcher with American University's Islam in the Age of Globalization project. As a field researcher for the project, Hadia accompanied Professor Akbar Ahmed throughout the Muslim world and conducted on-site surveys and interviews with a range of Muslim scholars, government officials, activists, students, and journalists in Qatar, Jordan, Syria, Turkey, Pakistan, and India. The findings were published in Journey into Islam: The Crisis of Globalization. In 2004, Mubarak was the first female to be elected as president of the Muslim Students Association National (MSA) since its establishment in 1963. MSA is an umbrella organization of approximately 500 chapters in the United States and Canada, which serves to promote religious awareness on college campuses and foster an atmosphere that accommodates the religious diversity of its student body. Mubarak received her Master's degree in Contemporary Arab Studies with a concentration on Women and Gender from Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service. She received her Bachelor's degree in International Affairs and English from Florida State University. Hadia's publications include "Young and Muslim in Post 9/11 America" (The Brandywine Review of Faith & International Affairs Vol. 3, No. 2); "Breaking the Interpretive Monopoly: A Re-examination of Verse 4:34" (Hawaa Vol. 2, Issue 3); The Politicization of Gender Reform: Islamists' discourse on repealing Article 340 of the Jordanian Penal Code (MA Thesis, Georgetown University, 2005); and "Blurring the Lines Between Faith and Culture" (America Now: Short Reading from Recent Periodicals. 5th ed.), among many others. Recently IslamOnline.net did an interview with Hadia Mubarak about rights of Muslim women, American Muslims, and the Muslim world. •Muslim American Women • Islamic Family Laws • Gender & Islam • Political Engagement for US Muslims • Propagandists & Attacks on US Muslims • 9/11 & Social Role • What the Muslim World Thinks • Responsibility in the Face of Injustice • Message to Muslim World Women   Muslim American Women IslamOnline.net (IOL): American Muslim woman as an example of a Muslim woman: oppressed, silenced, or rather active and vocal? Hadia Mubarak: As the recent Gallup report on Muslim Americans illustrates, Muslim American women's status and achievements defy every stereotype that exists out there about Muslim women. They are at least as likely as Muslim men to hold a college or postgraduate degree. Their greater level of education has translated into greater numbers in the work force, as Muslim women have a greater level of economic gender parity of any group Gallup studied. More importantly, these women are not secular or non-observant Muslims, but Muslims who take pride in their faith, attend mosque regularly, and take an active part in their communities. This trumps the common stereotype that only secular, non-religious women achieve high levels of education and have successful careers.  Islamic Family Laws The truth is that a number of factors influence one's conception of gender with religion often being just one of many factors. IOL: Your PhD research is on "The development of Islamic family law, Islamic reform, and gender issues in Islam", why this topic?   Mubarak: Family law, as currently applied in most Muslim states, is one of the areas most in need of legal reform. With the codification of Islamic law and the creation of modern nation-states, Islamic family law lost much of its flexibility and pluralism which had previously characterized Islamic judicial practice. Unfortunately, many of the existing family laws in Muslim states yield great injustices against Muslim women, especially when it comes to divorce, custody rights, alimony, etc. The state of women's rights in the Muslim world – for the most part – seems to defy in every way the spirit of justice and egalitarianism which the Quran and Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) had established. Gender & Islam IOL: What difference do you see, in the Western (American) concept of "gender" and the "gender issue in Islam"? Mubarak: I think it is difficult to speak of a homogenous conception of gender whether it is in the West or in the Muslim world. The truth is that a number of factors influence one's conception of gender with religion often being just one of many factors. Hence, we can find people in both Western and Muslim societies (those societies with a majority Muslim population) who espouse patriarchal and sexist views towards women, just as we can find individuals in both societies who espouse egalitarian and progressive views towards women. However, when we examine the gender paradigm of Islam — as a religion — we find that it promotes equality, justice, and mutual respect between the two genders, with verse 9:71 being one of many such examples. Political Engagement for US Muslims People often look falsely at Muslim representation at the national level to gauge Muslim political involvement, that is because politics begins at the local level. IOL: Muslim American integration in political organizations: how far have they gone and what they need to improve? Mubarak: In recent years, Muslim Americans have made significant progress in their political participation on the local level, which is what matters most in my opinion. People often look at Muslim representation at the national level to gauge Muslim political involvement, but that is a false indicator in my opinion. That is because politics begins at the local level. With increasing numbers of Muslims getting involved in local political parties, city councils, state legislatures, etc., it will only be a matter of time — with sustained effort — before this involvement translates into great representation on the national level. There are two Muslims in the US House of Representatives, nine state legislators (two of them are women — Rashida Thlaib and Jamillah Nasheed) and a number of mayors, city council members, and county commissioners who are Muslim. Muslim Americans have begun to realize that unless they get involved and speak out on behalf of their own community, then others will fill the void and misrepresent Muslim issues and concerns, whether it be xenophobic radio hosts or bloggers who think that there is no place for Muslims in America or Muslim extremists who exploit Islam to pursue violent ends. Propagandists & Attacks on US Muslims These types of right-wing xenophobes pose the greatest threat to American democracy and liberties than anyone else, they realize that American principles would mean that Muslim Americans have an equal right as anyone else to become successful.  IOL: How would you evaluate the attacks on American Muslims including you and how popular are the propagandists against Muslims in America? Mubarak: I do not think they are relevant at all. In fact, these types of right-wing xenophobes pose the greatest threat to American democracy and liberties than anyone else. That is because they realize that American principles and values — as represented in the US Constitution and Bill of Rights — would mean that Muslim Americans have an equal right as anyone else to become successful, pursue their aspirations, lobby for their concerns, and lead Americans on the national level. Their fear and intolerance of Islam fuels them to incite hatred and fear of Muslims at all levels of society. Our struggle is not unlike the struggle of other minorities before us — be they Catholics, Jews, or African Americans — who had to overcome prejudice, hatred and xenophobia through courage, moral consistency, and integrity. There is no question in my mind that these people will ultimately lose their battle because America is larger than the hatred, exclusivity, and racism that they propagate.  9/11 & Social Role IOL: Looking back to American Muslims before 9/11 and now, how would you assess their role in the American society? Mubarak: 9/11 was a watershed moment for Americans at large, and specifically Muslim Americans. Personally, the pain I experienced in the days after 9/11 was multifold. There was the pain of the tragedy itself, the deep agony one feels towards those who never said goodbye to loved ones they would never see again. There was also the pain of seeing my religion, Islam, vilified as an inherently violent religion whose 1.2 billion followers, a fifth of the world's population, were suddenly seen as a threat to world security. I have to acknowledge that the most difficult pain I experienced in those days was the pain of realizing that people who shared my faith had committed such unspeakable horror … It was unfathomable, unimaginable, and unforgivable to see my religion, my source of refuge, hope and peace in the world, become a tool for violence in the hands of men who had no regard for the sanctity of human life, and who had the audacity to use religion and God as a pretext for their political motives. While Muslim Americans were coming to terms with what just happened, they also had the double burden of absolving Islam and Muslims from association with such violence. For the first time, Muslim Americans were confronted with a sense of perpetual displacement in the psyche of the American public. Although we were born and raised in this country and knew no other place to call home, I and other American Muslims came to realize for the first time that we were not in fact perceived as American in the eyes of a large swath of the general public. As our religious beliefs became a reason for our incrimination after 9/11, as our organizations and places of worship became the target of vandalism and hate crimes, and as we were perceived as potential threats to the security of our own nation, we felt that our very identity as Americans was subjected to scrutiny, challenge, and contestation. Muslim Americans realized that their ability to speak out and accurately represent Islam and Muslims had a direct bearing not only on their welfare and safety at home, but on US-Muslim relations abroad. As the war drums began to beat in the aftermath of 9/11, Muslim Americans were at the forefront of the anti-war movement. They underscored the fact that dropping bombs on innocent civilians and destroying a country's infrastructure would only exacerbate grievances against the United States and further jeopardize its security. We were not allowed to ask "Why did this [9/11] occur?" but only "Why do they hate us?" What exacerbated the national crisis in the aftermath of 9/11, in my humble opinion, is the failure of policymakers, academics, and political commentators to ask the right questions, to explore the historical, socio-political, and economic dynamics of the Muslim world and to ask the question "Why?" We were not allowed to ask "Why did this occur?" but only "Why do they hate us?" Thus, in the intellectual, political, and social landscape, the verdict had been pre-determined that the terrorists were driven by their deep-seated hatred and intolerance of Western values of democracy, liberty, and freedom. This final verdict allowed no room for intellectual debate or for the presentation of an alternative narrative, for what reasonable policy could one pursue towards people who hate you, who want to change your way of life, except for a policy of war and retribution? The most fundamental problem in US-Muslim world relations today is our inability to view current events through the prism of historical, socio-political-and-economic conditions in the region. When it comes to the Muslim world, there is a dogged insistence among policy makers and the American public alike to view Islam itself as the source of current tensions between the United States and the Muslim world. The most dangerous aspect of this illogical premise is that it paints a picture that is inaccurate and hopeless. Not only does this culture dependency theory reek of religious bigotry, but this faulty analysis leads us to ignore real grievances that fuel anger and resentment towards the United States. In fact, a recent poll by Gallup demonstrates that anti-Americanism in the Muslim world is not driven by hatred of US values, but hatred of US policies in the region, which can be addressed without compromising US interests. In fact, nothing would better serve US security interests in the Muslim world than to address and alleviate the widespread legitimate grievances of millions living in Palestine, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Sudan, Somalia, etc.  What the Muslim World Thinks The most fundamental problem in US-Muslim world relations today is our inability to view current events through the prism of historical, socio-political-and-economic conditions in the region. IOL: You accompanied Professor Akbar Ahmed throughout the Muslim world, what did you find? and how significant it was?   Mubarak: Here are five of our top findings based on surveys we conducted in eight Muslim countries in 2006: • US government and not Americans: Although anti-Americanism was clearly on the rise, nearly everyone with whom we spoke distinguished between the US government and the American people, making it clear to us that their frustrations, anger, and resentment were directed towards the US administration and not the American people. There was a genuine desire to improve relations and engage in a dialogue with the west. In fact the number one response on how to improve western-Muslim relations was to promote dialogue. Thus, although there was great anger in the Muslim world towards US policies in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Palestine, nonetheless, they were not at the point where that anger was threatening to translate into violence. There was still a great and deep desire to engage with the West. • Lack of authentic "representation": Youth in the Muslim world felt that they lacked authentic representation. When we asked them "who represents Islam?" many expressed frustration that those who currently represent Islam in the eyes of the West are doing a great disservice to Islam and the Muslim world. They argued that those who represent Islam in the eyes of the West are either terrorists, leaders who know nothing about Islam, or opportunistic leaders. Muslim youth felt like they were not being valued according to their own merit, but that they were being defined through the prism of terrorism. The frustration with lack of genuine representation became more pronounced when we asked the youth how we could improve Muslim-Western relations. One of the top responses to that question was to send genuine Muslim representation to the United States, meaning those who understood Islam properly and could accurately convey it. • Negative image of Islam in the West: In Turkey and in every Arab country we visited, the negative image of Islam in the West was considered the number one problem facing the Muslim world. For Pakistan, India, Malaysia, and Indonesia, this was considered one of the top three problems. Muslim youth felt they must bear the brunt of this negative image and its consequences. There was a sense that the West's persistent allegation — that Islam promotes terrorism — is one of the factors that has perpetuated a negative image of Islam and Muslims around the world. Many of the respondents feel like the media is partly to blame for the negative image of Muslims. Thus, for Muslim youth, this negative image is grounded less in reality and more in stereotypical depictions of Muslims. Although Western aggression, double standards, and influence were cited as problems, they were not as great of a problem as the West's ignorance of Islam or its incorrect association between Islam and terror. Thus, this response offers hope because ignorance can be overcome much more easily than hatred or aggression. This was evident by the respondents' claim that the second top solution to today's problems is to expose and educate the West about Islam. • Islamic revival and rejection of wholesale cultural osmosis: Our surveys reflected an increasing level of identification and commitment to Islam. In every single country we visited, without exception, one of the top three solutions to the problems facing the Muslim world is for Muslims to return to Islam or to increase their own knowledge of Islam. In contrast to a few decades ago, when nationalism dominated the discourse and public sentiment of the Muslim world, today Islam is the strongest force among the youth. Whether we were interviewing secular or religious schools, the contemporary role models of the students were all contemporary religious leaders such as Amr Khaled, Fethullah Gulen or Yusuf Qaradawi. Furthermore, many of the respondents acknowledged that one of the greatest changes in their societies was that their parents had a peripheral knowledge of Islam based on culture and family custom, but that today, the younger generation has a much greater grasp and authentic understanding of Islam. Due to greater technology and accessibility to information, youth told us they were no longer content with just relying on local imams for religious opinions, but would search for answers themselves through Islamic texts and religious websites.  Responsibility in the Face of Injustice Solution to today's problems is to expose and educate the West about Islam. IOL: In an interview, you said, "I realized that there is a lot of injustice, and by knowing about injustice, you have to do something about it", can you explain the "injustice"?   Mubarak: Individuals have a moral obligation to eliminate injustice when and where they seem occur. In the Islamic tradition, this moral obligation is captivated by a powerful prophetic hadith in which the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) tells us: "Whoever among you sees an evil action, then let him change it with his hand [by taking action]; if he cannot, then with his tongue [by speaking out]; and if he cannot, then with his heart – and that is the weakest of faith." [Narrated by Muslim in his Saheeh] The correlation between one's response to injustice and one's faith, in my opinion, is that one's response to injustice is a direct reflection of the state of one's faith in God. When one has internalized the idea that he/she will be held accountable before God for the way he/she has lived one's life, then one becomes aware of his responsibility towards others — whether it be the homeless person down the street or displaced Palestinians or Somalis thousands of miles away. Message to Muslim World Women IOL: What message, being a Muslim-women activist, you want to give to the American as well as Muslim world women? Mubarak: There is a serious need to revive the egalitarianism and justice that Islam established as early as the seventh century. When Muslim women in the seventh century set off from Mecca to Medina on their own during the hijra, they were driven by the realization that they had a role to play in the creation a new political structure that was based on justice, equality, and divine truth. These women left behind everything they had, their families, their husbands, and their wealth. Many of them carried their children with them as they traveled through the hot desert on their own. Some were pregnant and actually gave birth to new life on their arduous journey, never giving up, never returning. When Khawla bint Tha'lab went to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) to seek redress for her husband's sexual abandonment and found none, and then said, "I will take my complaint to Allah Almighty," she did so out of absolute conviction in the justice of God, that even if mortal men could not alleviate her grievance, that God would bring justice to her cause. In fact, the first five verses of chapter 58 in the Quran were revealed in response to this woman's plea. It is this sense of God-consciousness that compelled women throughout the history of Islam to break through the shackles of cultural prejudices and constraints and set their own course into the future. These women eternalized their status as God's vicegerents on earth and understood the importance of the responsibility they carried. This is the legacy of the women who came before us and this is the legacy that we need to revive. It is a legacy that recognizes the mortality of our souls, and the equality of all human beings as servants of God. It is a legacy that compels us to re-evaluate our priorities in life, to probe our hearts and check the status of our iman (faith), to improve the lives of those around us, to contribute to society in a meaningful way, and to leave this world better than we found it.

Muhammad Qasim is IOL’s Washington DC correspondent. He holds a BA in political science and an MA in journalism. He has extensive journalism experience and has worked for Asia Tribune, Voice of America, AVT Khyber TV, Pakistan Press International as Bureau Chief and as a visiting lecturer at Allama Iqbal Open University.

Obama's Muslim Advisor (Exclusive)

Source: http://www.islamonline.net/

Obama's Muslim Advisor (Exclusive)
By  Muhammed Qasim, IOL Correspondent


WASHINGTON - Dalia Mogahed, a hijab-clad American Muslim, has made history being the first Muslim woman appointed to a position in President Barack Obama's administration.

She sets on a newly-formed interfaith advisory board the administration hopes will improve relations with Muslims in the US and across the globe.

The Egyptian-born American heads the Gallup American Center for Muslim Studies, a research center that produces studies on Muslim public opinion worldwide.

In an exclusive interview, IslamOnline.net discussed with Egyptian-born Mogahed her new role, the challenges facing Muslims, Islamophobia in the US and her own success story.

- How do you feel about being the first Muslim appointed to the Obama administration?

I am not actually the first Muslim. There have been other Muslims appointed to Obama's administration. I am also not the only Muslim on the White House advisory Council on Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships. I join Dr. Eboo Patel as the second Muslim on the council. I am, however, the first Muslim woman in this council. I feel very honored for the privilege to serve in this way, but also recognize the responsibility that I've agreed to take on. I see my role much more in terms of what needs to get done rather than a historical accomplishment. I believe the accomplishments are yet to be fulfilled.

- What is the role of the Council on Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnership?

I am a member of a 25-person advisory council to the White House focused on offering solutions for societal problems sourced in the wisdom of faith communities. More specifically, I am on the Inter-religious Dialogue and Cooperation Task Force, a group of only 5. We will work on recommendations for our area of focus and these will be reviewed by the larger council and then included in an annual report with recommendations from the council to the President.

- What is your role as an advisor on Islam?

I would not say I am an advisor on Islam. I would say that it is my role to convey the facts about what Muslims think and feel. I see my role as offering the voices of the silenced majority of Muslims in America and around the world to the council so that our deliberations are informed by their ideas and wisdom. I believe that I was chosen because the administration cares about what Muslims think and wants to listen.

- What kind of advise would you be giving Obama to improve relations with US Muslims and the Muslim world?

I would advise him to listen first and foremost. Many have claimed that terrorists have 'hijacked Islam'. I disagree. I think Islam is safe and thriving in the lives of Muslims around the world. What the terrorists have been allowed to take over are Muslim grievances. Muslim concerns over injustice have been largely dismissed by the previous administration leaving a vacuum exploited by extremists. This is a dangerous reality for all of us. Instead, the US must hear mainstream Muslim concerns even if America does not agree with their perceptions. These issues can no longer be ignored or left and the extremists to monopolize.

- What areas of domestic and foreign policies you think the administration should be introducing change in?

I would endorse the action plan outlined in the report "Changing Course" which recommends four areas of action: Respect, Reform (political and economic) and Resolution of conflict. When it comes to the US, I would recommend that a senior member of the administration go on a "listening tour" of the US and hear what Muslim Americans are concerned over. Like all Americans, they are worried about the economic crisis, their financial future and jobs. And like many other US citizens, Muslim Americans are also worried about racial profiling, discriminatory immigration policy and the erosion of civil liberties.

- What do you think of the rising Islamphobia in America?

Islamphobia in America is very real. Gallup finds that Muslims are among the most unfavorably viewed groups in the US and only a little over a third of Americans say they have no prejudice against Muslims. This presents a grave danger to America as a whole. The disease of racism, by definition, is a bias in judgment. This means that racism clouds sound judgment and leads people to make irrational decisions. It also divides a nation and prevents the full utilization of its intellectual and cultural resources. Racism is wasteful. Racism is a strategic disadvantage. I am very proud of the progress America has made in fighting this problem as it relates to the relationship between blacks and whites. In 1956 only 4% of Americans approved of a marriage between whites and blacks. The marriage that produced our president was illegal in Virginia when he was born. Today 80% of Americans approve of marriage between blacks and whites. Last year, Barack Obama became the first Democratic Presidential candidate in decades to carry Virginia. We are a stronger and smarter nation because of this growth. Our next growth spurt will be in ridding our society of anti-Muslim prejudice.

- What do you think US Muslims themselves need to do?

Muslim Americans lag behind other Americans in their political and civic participation according to our research (National Portrait). The best thing they can do to strengthen America is to become fully engaged in writing its next chapter by getting involved and feeling a strong sense of ownership for the future of their country.

- What are you hopes and aspirations for US Muslims?

I hope that they enrich America by becoming fully engaged in its growth and development, as well as its struggles.

- Tell us about your own journey of success as an American Muslim woman, with hijab. What challenges have you faced along the way?

I have been tremendously blessed, Alhamdulillah. I feel that mine is a uniquely American story. I grew up in an educated middle class home, but with no special connections or privilege. By excelling in school, I was able to attend a top university and helped pay my way by working during the summer as an engineering intern. My summer job was at a paper factory in a small Wisconsin town. I was only 19 years old. Managing technicians often reminded me that they've been working on the machine longer than I've been on Earth. Many also told me that I was the first Muslim they'd ever met. Very few women worked in the factory, so I was already a minority just as a female, but I was also the only hijab-wearing woman in the entire town and the only Muslim in the factory. All of this of course presented a challenge, but one that taught me a great deal. Once people got to know me I became a professional to them, not a woman in hijab. I took this experience with me to my permanent job after college and to my graduate work. These situations taught me that living according to your conscience was more important than comfortably conforming to your surroundings. I think this simple lesson of life is one that has helped me succeed and given me the courage to face the most difficult and daunting situations.

Kekuatan Cinta

Cinta memiliki kekuatan luar biasa yang tersembunyi di dalamnya. Kekuatannya tidak terlihat, namun di balik kelembutannya, tersimpan energi yang besar.

Kamu mungkin sering mendengar mengenai hal ini. Cerita roman sering menyinggung hal ini. Seperti kalimat yang berkata, “akan kulakukan apapun untukmu”; “akan kusebrangi lautan dan kudaki gunung untukmu”; dan hal-hal yang semacam itu. Mungkin terdengar klise, tapi hal itu tidaklah mustahil.

Motivasi Perubahan

Umumnya, mereka yang mencintai seseorang akan melakukan usaha yang semaksimal mungkin untuk mendekati/menyesuaikan diri dengan orang yang mereka cintai. Membaca buku-buku favoritnya, mendengar musik-musik yang mereka suka, meniru gaya berpakaian, dan membuat hobi/ketertarikan/minat orang yang mereka suka sebagai minat mereka sendiri.

Semakin besar rasa cintanya, maka mereka akan semakin patuh kepada yang dicintainya, akan melakukan apa yang dikatakan, akan bertingkah sesuai yang diinginkan, pendek kata, akan menjadi apa yang mereka inginkan.

Dan semua hal itu dilakukan secara suka rela, tanpa paksaan. Hanya ada satu keinginan/harapan, bahwa orang yang mereka cintai, berbahagia dengan apa yang telah mereka lakukan.

Sumber Kesabaran

Kamu mencintai dia lebih dari cintamu pada dirimu sendiri. Kamu rela menderita dan sengsara, untuk mereka.

Semua hal yang ada, tidaklah berarti, jika tanpa mereka (yang dicinta).

Bayangan di Kepala

Seakan-akan semua hal di hidupmu, terhubung dengan dirinya. Bayangan dirinya memenuhi kepala. Nama tersebut di lisanmu. Dirimu tidak dapat melepaskan diri dari dirinya, jauh maupun dekat.

 
Cinta Allah dan Rasulullah

Sebagai seorang muslim, kita harus mematok prioritas cinta tertinggi kita kepada Allah dan utusannya.

Pertanyaannya sekarang adalah, seberapa besar cinta kita kepada Allah dan Rasulullah..?

Sebesar apa usaha kita untuk menyesuaikan diri dengan titahNya..? Seberapa benci kita dengan hal-hal yang Mereka benci..? Seberapa cinta kita dengan hal-hal yang Mereka cintai..? Seberapa sering kita mengingat Mereka sehari-hari..? Dan apakah kita menjadi apa yang Mereka harapkan kita untuk menjadi..?

Jawablah sendiri! Dan jawabanmu mencerminkan tingkat kecintaanmu terhadap Allah SWT dan Rasulullah SAW.

 

---000---

Samarinda, 17 Mei 2009
Syamsul Arifin

Mempersiapkan Kematian Pasangan Hidup

Takkan selamanya, tanganku mendekapmu

Takkan selamanya, raga ini menjagamu

Seperti alunan detak jantungku

Tak bertahan melawan waktu

(Tak Ada yang Abadi, Peterpan)

 

Kami tidak menjadikan hidup abadi bagi seorang manusia pun sebelum kamu (Muhammad), maka jikalau kamu mati, apakah mereka akan kekal? Tiap-tiap yang berjiwa akan merasakan mati. Kami akan menguji kamu dengan keburukan dan kebaikan sebagai cobaan (yang sebenar-benarnya). Dan hanya kepada Kami lah kamu dikembalikan. (QS. Al-Anbiyaa': 34-35)

 

Setiap manusia pasti akan mati. Kalau ada hidup, pasti ada mati.

 

Kehilangan seseorang yang kita cinta (pasangan hidup,-red) tentu terasa berat. Kehilangan seseorang yang dengannya kita berbagi waktu-mengarungi hidup dalam suka-duka, dalam tawa-air mata, tentu akan terasa sangat berat sekali, mungkin bagaikan kehilangan separuh jiwa, karena kehilangan cinta-dukungan-teman berbagi.

 

Namun bagaimanapun juga, tiap insan pasti akan merasakan kematian. Dunia hanya sementara, bagai persinggahan sebentar saja. Kepada Allah-lah kita semua akan kembali.

Agar tidak terlalu merasa kehilangan, mungkin kita perlu sejak dini mempersiapkan hal ini. Bukan dengan menyangkal atau bahkan mengharap-harap mati terlebih dahulu.

 

Milik Iman

 

Entah siapapun diantara pasangan yang terlebih dahulu meninggal, janganlah terlalu bersedih, terlebih lagi jika memang pasangan kita meninggal dalam keadaan iman dan Islam.

 

Bukankah orang-orang mukmin (yang tidak mempersekutukanNya) akan masuk surga dan menerima kenikmatan di alam kubur selagi menanti hari berbangkit?

 

Karenanya, jika memang pasangan kita masih hidup, jagalah agar selama hidup, cahaya iman dan Islam terus bersinar dalam dadanya, sampai ia meninggal. Terangi keluarga dengan cahaya iman dan Islam.

 

Kalau ada salah satu pasangan yang telah terlebih dahulu meninggal, doakan dia, agar mendapat ampunan atas segala dosa-dosa, menerima rahmat selama di alam kubur sana.

 

Jaga pula keimanan anda, jangan futur alias berlemah diri setelah ditinggalkan. Agar kalian bisa kembali berkumpul di taman-taman surga kelak, Insya Allah.

 

When my breath reach to its end

I want you to be there, with me

Holding my hand, strongly

Hoping that we shall be meet again

At the garden of heaven

 

06052009

-ipin4u-

 

Bersabar

 

Kesabaran itu ada tiga macam, bersabar ketika ditimpa musibah, bersabar dalam konsistensi melakukan kebaikan, dan bersabar dalam menolak/melawan keburukan/kemaksiatan.

 

Tidak bolehkah kita bersedih ketika ditinggal pasangan hidup..?

 

Tentu boleh, toh kita manusia biasa, yang punya hati yang merasa. Bahkan akan terkesan sangat aneh kalau sampai tidak bersedih. Yang terpenting adalah tetap terjaga batasan-batasan dalam berduka citanya, tidak boleh meratapi, bahkan sampai berbuat yang melebihi batas seperti menampar-nampar pipi sendiri atau merobek-robek baju, karena tidak bisa menerima takdir ini.

 

Dan kesabaran itu letaknya pada awal hantaman.

 

Persiapan Finansial

 

Agar tidak terlalu terkejut, mungkin kita perlu memperhitungkan cadangan tabungan untuk keadaan darurat seperti ini. Bagi seorang istri (ibu rumah tangga penuh waktu) yang ditinggal suami, tentu akan terasa imbasnya, apalagi kalau tidak memiliki keterampilan yang bisa digunakan untuk menjadi keahlian guna menjadi penopang rumah tangga.

 

Memang setiap orang sudah ada rezekinya masing-masing, namun tidak ada salahnya kalau kita mempersiapkan untuk keadaan-keadaan khusus, terutama seperti ini.

 

Saling terbuka juga mengenai nilai/kondisi hutang-piutang agar bisa diselesaikan oleh pihak yang ditinggalkan, karena hutang itu tetap diperhitungkan, meski sampai mati, dan ahli waris yang menjadi penanggungnya.

 

Saatnya Melanjutkan Hidup..?

 

Ingin menikah lagi setelah ditinggal wafat pasangan hidup? Pertimbangannya ada pada diri masing-masing pasangan.

 

 

 

---000---

Kota

Tepian, 14 Mei 2009

Syamsul Arifin

*mohon maaf kalau coretannya terkesan sok tahu, karena memang belum tahu…*

The Power of Love

Love has a tremendous power, hidden within. It strength probably aren’t seen, but from the softness lies, there’s a big energy beneath.

 

You probably have read a lot of stuff about that. Romanticism stories often mention about this. Like a line stating “I’ll do anything just for you”; “I’ll cross the ocean, hill the mountain, if you want me to do”; and such a thing like that. It all heard cliché, but it aren’t heard impossible.

 

Motivation to Change

 

Normally, he/she who loves someone shall try their best effort to match with the person whom they love. Reading their fave books/magazine, listening to their fave music, imitating their clothes/wardrobe, making ‘the person whom they love’ interest as their interest.

 

As your love getting bigger, you’ll be more obey to the person whom you love, you’ll do what he/she said, you’ll act like they desire, you’ll become what they want them to be.

 

And you’re doing it willingly, without any forces, just a simple expectation, that your beloved person shall be happy with the things that you’ve done.

 

Source of Patiently

 

You love him/her more that you love your self. You’re willing to suffer and endure pain, for them.

 

All are meaningless, if without them.

 

The Images in Mind

 

Is seems that all the things in your live are connected to him/her. Their images appear frequently. Their names are called in many times. We just can not let go from them, far or near.

 

 

Love to Allah and Rasulullah SAW

 

As a Muslim, we must set the highest priority of love to Allah and His messenger.

 

The questions now are, how much do we love Allah and Rasulullah..?

 

Do we try our best effort to match His word..? Do we hate what They hate..? Do we love things that They love..? Do we remember them in our daily moment..? Do we become what they expect us to be..?

 

You answer it your self! Those answers reflect the level of your love to Allah and Rasulullah SAW.

 

 

 

---000---

 

Samarinda, May 13, 2009

Syamsul Arifin

Kumpulan Tips-Tips Motivasi

1.      Kita menilai diri dari apa yang kita pikir bisa kita lakukan, padahal orang lain menilai kita dari apa yang sudah kita lakukan. Untuk itu apabila anda berpikir bisa, segeralah lakukan.

2.      Bukan pertumbuhan yang lambat yang harus anda takuti. Akan tetapi anda harus lebih takut untuk tidak tumbuh sama sekali. Maka tumbuhkanlah diri anda dengan kecepatan apapun itu.

3.      Jika anda sedang benar, jangan terlalu berani dan bila anda sedang takut, jangan terlalu takut. Karena keseimbangan sikap adalah penentu ketepatan perjalanan kesuksesan anda.

4.      Tugas kita bukanlah untuk berhasil. Tugas kita adalah untuk mencoba, karena didalam mencoba itulah kita menemukan dan belajar membangun kesempatan untuk berhasil

5.      Anda hanya dekat dengan mereka yang anda sukai. Dan seringkali anda menghindari orang yang tidak tidak anda sukai, padahal dari dialah Anda akan mengenal sudut pandang yang baru

6.      Orang-orang yang berhenti belajar akan menjadi pemilik masa lalu. Orang-orang yang masih terus belajar, akan menjadi pemilik masa depan

7.      Tinggalkanlah kesenangan yang menghalangi pencapaian kecemerlangan hidup yang di idamkan. Dan berhati-hatilah, karena beberapa kesenangan adalah cara gembira menuju kegagalan

8.      Jangan menolak perubahan hanya karena anda takut kehilangan yang telah dimiliki, karena dengannya anda merendahkan nilai yang bisa anda capai melalui perubahan itu

9.      Anda tidak akan berhasil menjadi pribadi baru bila anda berkeras untuk mempertahankan cara-cara lama anda. Anda akan disebut baru, hanya bila cara-cara anda baru

10.  Ketepatan sikap adalah dasar semua ketepatan. Tidak ada penghalang keberhasilan bila sikap anda tepat, dan tidak ada yang bisa menolong bila sikap anda salah

11.  Orang lanjut usia yang berorientasi pada kesempatan adalah orang muda yang tidak pernah menua; tetapi pemuda yang berorientasi pada keamanan, telah menua sejak muda

12.  Hanya orang takut yang bisa berani, karena keberanian adalah melakukan sesuatu yang ditakutinya. Maka, bila merasa takut, anda akan punya kesempatan untuk bersikap berani

13.  Kekuatan terbesar yang mampu mengalahkan stress adalah kemampuan memilih pikiran yang tepat. Anda akan menjadi lebih damai bila yang anda pikirkan adalah jalan keluar masalah.

14.  Jangan pernah merobohkan pagar tanpa mengetahui mengapa didirikan. Jangan pernah mengabaikan tuntunan kebaikan tanpa mengetahui keburukan yang kemudian anda dapat

15.  Seseorang yang menolak memperbarui cara-cara kerjanya yang tidak lagi menghasilkan, berlaku seperti orang yang terus memeras jerami untuk mendapatkan santan

16.  Bila anda belum menemkan pekerjaan yang sesuai dengan bakat anda, bakatilah apapun pekerjaan anda sekarang. Anda akan tampil secemerlang yang berbakat

17.  Kita lebih menghormati orang miskin yang berani daripada orang kaya yang penakut. Karena sebetulnya telah jelas perbedaan kualitas masa depan yang akan mereka capai

18.  Jika kita hanya mengerjakan yang sudah kita ketahui, kapankah kita akan mendapat pengetahuan yang baru? Melakukan yang belum kita ketahui adalah pintu menuju pengetahuan

19.  Jangan hanya menghindari yang tidak mungkin. Dengan mencoba sesuatu yang tidak mungkin,anda akan bisa mencapai yang terbaik dari yang mungkin anda capai.

20.  Salah satu pengkerdilan terkejam dalam hidup adalah membiarkan pikiran yang cemerlang menjadi budak bagi tubuh yang malas, yang mendahulukan istirahat sebelum lelah.

21.  Bila anda mencari uang, anda akan dipaksa mengupayakan pelayanan yang terbaik. Tetapi jika anda mengutamakan pelayanan yang baik, maka andalah yang akan dicari uang

22.  Waktu ,mengubah semua hal, kecuali kita. Kita mungkin menua dengan berjalanannya waktu, tetapi belum tentu membijak. Kita-lah yang harus mengubah diri kita sendiri

23.  Semua waktu adalah waktu yang tepat untuk melakukan sesuatu yang baik. Jangan menjadi orang tua yang masih melakukan sesuatu yang seharusnya dilakukan saat muda.

24.  Tidak ada harga atas waktu, tapi waktu sangat berharga. Memilik waktu tidak menjadikan kita kaya, tetapi menggunakannya dengan baik adalah sumber dari semua kekayaan.

 

KUMPULAN TIPS-TIPS MOTIVASI

MARIO TEGUH

(Bussiness Efectiveness Consultant )

Patah Hati..?

Supaya ngga patah hati, hal-hal berikut mungkin berguna: :hmmm:

1. Jangan cuma mengharap yang terbaik, tapi juga bersiap untuk yang terburuk.

Kebanyakan dari orang yang maju berproses, menyiapkan dirinya untuk menjadi suami/istri yang baik, namun terkadang dia lupa bahwa, ketika dia maju berproses, maka dia juga harus siap jika DITOLAK.

Siapnya hanya untuk kondisi terbaik (kalau diterima), tapi tidak mempersiapkan diri untuk hal yang tidak sesuai dengan pengharapan dirinya, sehingga malah patah hati deh.

Mengutip perkataan Bilal bin Rabah RA,

Ketika ia bersama Abu Ruwaihah menghadap Kabilah Khaulan, Bilal mengemukakan: “Saya ini Bilal, dan ini saudaraku. Kami datang untuk meminang. Dahulu kami berada dalam kesesatan kemudian Allah memberi petunjuk. Dahulu kami budak-budak belian, kemudian Allah memerdekakan…,” kata Bilal. Kemudian ia melanjutkan, “Jika pinangan kami Anda terima, kami panjatkan ucapan Alhamdulillah. Segala puji bagi Allah. Dan kalau Anda menolak, maka kami mengucapkan Allahu Akbar. Allah Maha Besar.”

2. Berikan waktu untuk diri sendiri

Terimalah penolakan ataupun apapun itu yang membuat patah hati, dengan lapang dada, karena itulah kenyataannya. Jangan disangkal. Namun jangan terlalu larut dalam kesedihan.

3. Lanjutkan hidup

Carilah yang lainnya, jangan terpaku hanya kepada dirinya. Dunia ngga kiamat kok, dan matahari juga masih bersinar lagi esok pagi, jadi.., tetaplah semangat :ehm:

4. Miliki keyakinan

Dia bisa jadi seseorang yang tampak sempurna, tapi dia belum tentu menjadi seseorang yang tepat buat dirimu. Yakinlah, bahwa Allah maha mengetahui, maha bijaksana, dan amat cinta terhadap hamba-hambaNya yang beriman kepadaNya.

[Flash Fiction] Menerima Kamu Apa Adanya

“Aku mau kamu seperti dia” ujar lelaki dengan potongan rambut pendek belah pinggir yang mengenakan kaos polo berwarna putih.

 

“Eh.., maksudnya?” sahut wanita yang hampir sepantaran tinggi dengan dirinya.

 

“Iya, aku mau kamu berpenampilan seperti dia” jelas si pria, dia menunjuk ke arah seorang wanita yang sedang fokus mengajar ngaji beberapa anak di sebuah surau kecil, “toh perubahan yang kuinginkan ke arah yang baik” ia menoleh ke arah kawan bicaranya, sambil mengernyitkan alis.

 

“Hummm…” sang wanita bergumam, “apakah kamu tidak bisa menerimaku apa adanya?” sambung dirinya.

 

“Tidak bisa! Karena aku terlanjur mencintai kamu, dan aku hanya mau sama dirimu”, jawab si pria datar, nyaris tanpa ekspresi.

 

“Oh”

 

Matahari senja mulai memerah. Segelas es cendol yang sedari tadi dinikmati, tinggal sepertiga.

 

“Kata orang.., cinta memiliki kekuatan yang unik. Dia memiliki tenaga pengubah yang luar biasa besar” sang wanita mengaduk-aduk sisa minumannya, “aku akan berubah, karena aku juga punya perasaan yang sama seperti yang kamu punya. Toh perubahan itu ke arah kebaikan” sang wanita tersenyum malu.

 

“Kamu yang bayarin ya” tambah si wanita sambil beranjak pergi dari duduknya, wajahnya bersemu merah, terburu-buru pergi.

 

“Glontang”, suara gelas berukuran besar beradu dengan sendok stainless steel.

 

 

---000---

Kota Tepian, 6 Mei 2009

Syamsul Arifin

[Flash Fiction] Diari Lianka, Sang Penyihir Cilik

5 Mei 2009,

Dear diari,

Aku tak percaya Tom berani mempergunakan mantra itu. Dia membengkakkan jari kelingking bu Nancy!!!

Hahaha.., aku tertawa geli kalau ingat moment itu. Tapi sepertinya bu Nancy tidak sadar kalau jari kelingkingnya menjadi lebih besar dari sebelumnya. Weh!

Ya wajar saja sih, karena memang jarinya adalah jempol semua, makanya tidak heran kalau kami memanggil bu Nancy dengan sebutan bu guru gembrot, tentu tanpa sepengatahuannya.

Ya.., meski kami tidak begitu suka bu Nancy, tapi tidak seharusnya Tom melakukan hal tersebut. Toh bu Nancy hanya menghukum anak-anak yang tidak mengerjakan pekerjaan rumahnya, dan juga menghukum anak-anak yang berisik di kelas, dan juga berkata keras kepada anak-anak yang kebingungan menangkap pelajaran aljabar yang ia terangkan di depan kelas, dan juga mengeluarkan anak-anak yang... lho lho lho, ternyata bu Nancy memang pantas ya mendapatkan ulah usil si Tom!

Dear diari,

Besok ada pelajaran olah raga, aku harus istirahat cepat malam ini, agar besok pagi tampil segar dan bersemangat, supaya tidak mengecewakan pa Dedy, guru baru kami yang baru bergabung tiga hari yang lalu. Lumayan lho ry, dia masih muda, cerdas dan tampan. Ah, aku mau kalau nanti punya suami yang seperti dirinya.

 

---000---

Kota Tepian, 5 Mei 2009
Syamsul Arifin

Desah Nafas dan Denyut Jantung

Kalau saya meminta anda agar memperhatikan desah nafas dan denyut jantung anda, maka baru saat inilah anda akan memperhatikan kedua hal tersebut! Merasakan hembusan udara dari lubang hidung, memperhatikan pergerakan naik-turun dada, dan menggenggam tangan kiri untuk memperhatikan denyut jantung.

 

Pernafasan adalah salah satu hal yang penting bagi tubuh kita. Melalui aktivitas bernafas, udara kotor beracun yang tinggi kadar karbon dioksida hasil pembakaran di dalam tubuh, berganti dengan udara segar yang kaya akan oksigen.

 

Denyut jantung menandakan aktivitas pemompaan. Tanpa henti, darah di pompa di dalam pembuluh darah, darah yang tinggi kadar karbon monoksidanya di pompa ke paru-paru, di sana ada aktivitas pernafasan, terjadi transfer/pengikatan oksigen dalam darah, lalu selanjutnya dipompakan lagi ke seluruh tubuh untuk aktivitas pembakaran dalam sel-sel tubuh.

 

Nafas dan denyut jantung, kedua adalah hal yang krusial bagi setiap manusia. Namun seberapa perhatian kita dengan kedua hal tersebut?

 

 

Hati, Harta Berharga Manusia

 

Ketahuilah bahwa di dalam tubuh ada segumpal daging, jika ia baik seluruh tubuh akan baik jika ia rusak seluruh tubuh akan rusak. Ketahuilah dialah hati. (Muttafaq Alaihi)

 

Begitu pula dengan hati kita. Apakah kita memperhatikan keadaannya?

 

Dikatakan bahwa, hati itu bercahaya dan bagaikan kaca. Setiap perbuatan dosa menyebabkan karat dan menghilangkan/menutupi cahayanya.

 

Lalu, seperti apakah keadaan hati-hati kita..? Apakah berkilau penuh cahaya..? Ataukah buram dan hitam legam..? Apakah kita memperhatikan dan menjaga kondisinya..?

 

 

Hati-hati Jaga Hati

 

Ustadz Muhammad Arifin Ilham pernah berkata bahwa, sesungguhnya segala sesuatu ada pembersihnya, ada pengkilapnya, ada sikatnya; pembersih hati yang kotor, sikat hati yang ternoda, pengkilap hati yang berdosa, zikrullah; maka setiap lafadz zikr membersihkan kotoran, dosa, noda yang kita perbuat; begitu kotoran diangkat dari hati itu, tampaklah ada cahaya di dalamnya; cahaya yang Allah berikan pada diri kita; lalu cahaya itu mencari hidayah, rahmah, magfirah, ma'rifat, dan berkah dari Allah.  Alangkah indahnya hati yang memancarkan cahaya Ilahi melalui dzikrullah.

 

Jagalah hati kita satu-satunya ini, perhatikan kondisinya, bersihkan ia, kembalikan cahayanya, dan senantiasa mawas dirilah, agar hati kita, menjadi hati-hati yang hidup dan bercahaya. Insya Allah.

 

 

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Samarinda, 3 Mei 2009

Syamsul Arifin