KIND PEOPLE MAKE LIFE BEARABLE, BUT EVIL ONES DRAW OUTRAGE
Cruelty, like the mindless assault on Zulfarhan Osman Zulkarnain, must be stopped
THE world is full of kind people. They are helpful, considerate, obliging and seldom turn down a plea for help from friends, relatives and associates. Even strangers, for that matter.
These angels can’t be described in words. I have ample evidence of such good people and I believe you have your own list of angels, too. Their help can be in many forms — physical, emotional and spiritual.
Helping people in need is second nature to many of these Good Samaritans.
A case I remember clearly is that of Bob, who received a distress call from an old friend in some difficulties. Bob was recovering from a surgery but this did not deter him from helping. The next day, he instructed his assistant to rush and help his friend in distress.
A considerable amount of money was needed to help ease his friend’s burden.
We hear many stories of people in dire need, some more troubled than others. Another person, Dan, who is now jobless and with children in college, did the same, too.
He stopped whatever he was doing and went to rescue his friend. Dan need not have to do that, but his obliging streak got the better of him.
People like Bob and Dan do exist in our midst and they make difficult life bearable for others.
There are also angels who get together and help a larger group of people in need.
Every night, they would gather in several parts of the federal capital and feed the homeless.
We all know that the homeless have their favourite haunts. Chow Kit is one of them. The Kotaraya complex is another one. The Masjid Jamek area is also crowded with the homeless.
Every night, there are groups handing out food and drinks to the homeless. These are groups comprising families or just office mates, who get together to do a good deed.
This is a basic character of Ramadan. Muslims believe that a good deed made during the fasting month will get them 10-fold more rewards in the hereafter.
When I asked them about this extra reward, Lina said: “Really? We are not thinking about that actually. We have been doing this every Ramadan. It’s nothing much really, just some basic stuff like nasi bungkus, a banana and a bottle of mineral water.”
But the world is also full of evil people. Yesterday, we read stories of a university student killed in the most cruel way. Investigations are ongoing, of course.
But one just cannot but feel outraged at the manner in which Zulfarhan Osman Zulkarnain was made to suffer before succumbing to his injuries.
Let the police conduct a thorough investigation into Zulfarhan’s death, so that his family can get the justice they deserve.
The 21-year old student of the National Defence University of Malaysia was said to be a softspoken and kind person. His death should not be in vain.
The relevant authorities must take strong action to stop these acts of cruelties. One more such mindless act would confirm the feeling that our society is indeed going to the dogs.
The mindless act of beating a person with a belt, rubber hose and a steam iron suggests a scene from a horror movie.
Where did these students learn such methods of causing grievous hurt to a fellow being?
His family is resolute in their moment of grief. They must know that they are not alone in their moment of such tragic loss.
Our deepest condolences to the family and al-fatihah for Zulfarhan.