14 September 2010

Abstained Agogo - The Aftermath:

Salam.

First of all, I have finished reading this wonderful book/memoir titled "My Life With The Taliban" authored by Mullah Abdul Salam Zaeef. For those who are not in the know, Abdul Salam Zaeef is one of the senior and prominent figures in the Taliban Movement due to his role as the Taliban's ambassador to Pakistan. Selalunya jika ada sidang media oleh Taliban, Brader ni lah yang selalu ada. The book gave a thorough insider's view of the history and the origin of the movement known to the rest of the world as the Taliban.

You will be able to read the author's experience and involvement in the Jihad against the Soviet Union in 70's and 80's, the re-installation of order in Afghanistan when the Taliban, led by Mullah Muhammad Omar, seized control over Kabul in the 90's and the jihad against the U.S War on Terrorism in the wake of 9/11. The book also gave an insider's view of the torture and torment of being held in the infamous Guantanamo Bay prison.

Reading this book, I could not help but to compare it with one of my favorite book, Tersungkur di Pintu Syurga authored by Zabidi Mohamed, former legal adviser of the infamous AlArqam movement back here in Malaysia in the 90's. Rangka buku memang hampir sama memandangkan kedua dua figur ini adalah dari pergerakan berasaskan agama dan kedua duanya ditangkap tanpa bicara dan kedua dua nya berkisarkan perjuangan. Cuma yang satunya secara bersenjata dan satu lagi tidak. This is a good read indeed.

Having said that, i would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a selamat hari raya Aidilfitri dan Maaf zahir batin.

I would also like to thank those who have bought and read Abstained Agogo Fanzine. Up to this point I am happy to inform you that we have already sold almost 50 copies of the fanzine. sejak diterbitkan seminggu sebelum Aidilfitri. I was quite amazed myself with the massive support. The recultivation of the fanzine culture aint that impossible after all thanks to you my dear readers. I am still getting orders and hopefully by the end of this month, i will be able to achieve my target to clear at least 100 copies of the fanzine before I prepare myself for the next issue which will be released in January 2011, Insya Allah. Nampaknya akan ada juga isu yang kesembilan.

Back in the Abstained Agogo camp, all of us, me, Faisal and Ayeh, were all quite pumped up by the awesome support and interest shown towards the fanzine. Ye lah, kami rata ratanya dah lama tak menulis apatah lagi untuk menerbitkan fanzine. I am hoping that I will be able to achieve my objectives. I hope that there will more new fanzines being published out there and to see the kids get up and start their own fanzines. I would like to see that and hopefully I'll be able to see it soon.

Thank you for the support. If you wish to buy your copy of Abstained Agogo Fanzine, kindly email me at benignism@yahoo.com or sms me through 012-9147494. It will only cost you RM5 percopy and dont forget to include an RM1 stamp for the postage. If you are in Lembah Kelang, I will be more than happy to deliver it by hand. Jika beli banyak, boleh sertakan sekali RM5 sebagai kos. Nak kena timbang apa semua. OK.. see ya.

Cheers.

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