MEMOIRS OF ASYRAF

I was at anas kamaruddin's house in syatbi that night
I had to take an arabic fusha language test with ustaz sami along with several friends to start a class
Well, actually we would have already know the outcome of our score long before we got started..
musawar awal that is.. no doubt about it
but, for procedure purposes, we took it eventually....
Done with the examination, after negotiating time of studies, some went back.. I decided to stay and watch nasyid
The team were practicing all night for tomorrow's talk with Dr Abdul Latiff
I really enjoyed feeling their ethutiasm
How I wish I could join the team too, but, with one day preparation, and because they were only asked to perform it late the same evening, there were no time to train new members
And I in particular, even with deep interest in mind, do not have any background of singing...

Dr Anas Mat Asis were there too to watch as they practice
Coincidencely, he was looking for someone to be a master of ceremony for the event
At first, he wanted to get akmal, but he was busy with some work and sincerely apologise for not being able to take the job
And somehow with a little bit of bravery I decided to take responsibility
Dr Anas agreed and detailed be about how to conduct

A day went by
Night were drawing nearer and I, not much equiped with all much unsettled assignments to consider, were wearing nervous

I dressed up my best
6.30pm I made my way to Ramsis Hotel to meet with Dr Abdul Latiff and family for an early self-introduction
How embarassed I was seeing him wearing casually, while me on the other hand, was all suited up
What made me more nervous was when he apologies for not being able to bring the topic decided for the night forward for he was on a holiday, and were not ready for such a heavy and sensitive topic

Excusing myself for tafakuf class.. I cooled myself a bit
As anybody would do, practising in front of the nice friendly wall calmed me down

8.30 ticks it time
the talk began
starting very woobly, few minutes after that I gained momentum and starting piecing myself together
And alhamdulillah, everything went well but with some flaws of course
As Dr Abdul Latiff ended his speech, everything around me seems normal again
Job done....

This was my first time handling such a huge event
The attendants were enormous
And having all eyes staring at me, were certainly not an easy feeling

However, I reasoned myself, for if I do not try now, then when else could the same chance be presenting itself, and for how much longer would I stay timid, and remain hidden among the crowds
I took a step... and though I do not get everything, win or lose
lessons were learned

Experience and maturity don''t come easy
And incertain time and place, we gotta make stand

So hereby, I apologise for all my short coming being master of ceremony to whom it may concern
Even if its not something big, it certainly is for me

Be brave for what we seek................
And may what we seek,
Stays inside
Til next time