The first book I read in 2013 is the utterly interesting travelogue by Hasrizal Abdul Jamil or also known as Abu Saif entitled Secangkir Teh Pengubat Letih. Although this is the second book I read that comes from the same author, it is actually written earlier than Di Hamparan Shamrock Ku Seru Nama-Mu (2012), which I have read and reviewed in this blog.
Title : Secangkir Teh Pengubat Letih
Author : Hasrizal Abdul Jamil
Publisher/Year : Galeri Ilmu Sdn. Bhd. (2010), 267 pg
Language : Malay (with a bit of English and Turkish here and there)
ISBN : 97898309723811
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I am amazed by this author's travelling notes compilation that resulted in an amazing piece of writing. In this book, the author relates about his frequent travels to Turkey during the 90s, while he was still a university student in Jordan. From this, I gained an insight on this unique country of Turkey, from the historical, Islamic and academic perspectives. I learned and became aware of the Othmaniyyah era, Abu Ayyub Al-Ansari, Mustafa Ibn 'abd Allah, Badiuzzaman Said An-Nursi, Sultan Muhammad Al-Fatih, Sultan Abdul Hamid II and other important figures and significant events of the past.
I am well fed with my own imagination, guided by the author's descriptions of seeing Bosphorus Strait and the nearby Blue Mosque, Canakkale and other beautiful and peaceful places where Islam is still deeply embedded in the hearts and souls of the dwellers, and from the author's observation and close relationship with his Turkish friends, enlightens me of what it means to be a Muslim in this country (and the best qualities they portray because of that fact) and being true to who they are and the challenges they have to face in the midst of secularism attacks. Perhaps now it's a different story in Turkey, or still the same? I guess this motivates me to read further and open my eyes, my mind and my heart to other parts of the world. A very good read. Delve in the author's views and analysis, and learn from his experiences and observations.
It's like seeing a new horizon. I guess I'm craving for Turkish tea now.
One of my favourite quotes extracted from this book:
"Siapa kamu menentukan cara kamu melihat."
"Cara kamu melihat menentukan apa yang kamu dapat."
Loosely translated;
Who you are as a person determines how you see. The way you see things determines what you get in return.
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