Author's Note:

No. 031/2015 dated 13 February 2015

The Passing of Nik Aziz Nik Mat:
Legacy of PAS’ Spiritual Leader

By Farish A. Noor

Synopsis

The passing of Nik Aziz Nik Mat, the late Spiritual Leader of the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party PAS, has left an enormous void in the party and the political landscape of Malaysia. Though his religious educational background was traditional and conservative, he was one of the more pragmatic and realistic leaders of the party, who transformed PAS into what it is today.

Commentary

TUAN GURU Nik Aziz Nik Mat was one of the most well-known and familiar political-religious leaders in Malaysia, and it would not be an exaggeration to say that he was known throughout the country. His popularity began to rise from the 1980s when he, along with a number of religious scholars (Ulama) took over the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party PAS after deposing its leader Asri Muda. Thus began the rise of the ‘Ulama faction’ and the re-orientation of the party in the direction of political Islam in step with the global emergence of Islamism from the 1980s to the late 1990s.

In Malaysia today he was also known as the Murshid’ul Am or Spiritual Leader of PAS and the one who was most supportive of the reformist-modernist wing within the party, sometimes referred to as the ‘Erdogan faction’. The question arises as to how and why a traditional and conservative religious scholar such as Nik Aziz could have lent his support to the party’s moderate-reformist wing, who in turn brought the party into the opposition Pakatan Rakyat (People’s Alliance) coalition led by Anwar Ibrahim. To understand the rationale behind Nik Aziz’s thinking, it is important to revisit the man’s past and consider his early religious education abroad, and his experiences in Malaysia and overseas.

Product of madrasah education

Nik Aziz first attended madrasahs (religious schools) in Malaysia, but was then sent to India to further his studies. In India, he studied at the Darul Uloom madrasah of Deoband, Uttar Pradesh and it was there that he was first exposed to currents of religio-political thought in the Indian subcontinent. After graduating from Deoband in 1957, he proceeded to Lahore, Pakistan where he studied Tafsir (Quranic exegesis), and then to Egypt where he studied Fiqh (religious jurisprudence) at the well-known al-Azhar university in Cairo.

It has to be noted that in India, Pakistan and Egypt Nik Aziz did not merely study religious subjects but was also exposed to the currents of political Islam of the time: The 1950s and 1960s were the decades where political Islam was on the rise, with prominent Muslim scholar-activists such as Syed Abul Alaa Maudoodi, Sayyid Qutb and Hassan al-Banna becoming better known. In the course of several interviews that I had conducted with him, Nik Aziz admitted that he was less inclined towards the more poetic and/or spiritual variants of Islam that were found in India: On one occasion he was invited to perform a religious missionary tour with the spiritually-inclined Tablighi Jama’at movement in India, but declined on the grounds that he found their practice of Islam ‘world-denying and life-negating’.

Nik Aziz also spoke fondly of his time in Egypt, where he professed an admiration for the nationalist project of Gamal Abdel Nasser who had tried to modernise the country and who was seen as one of the leaders of the Pan-Arab nationalist movement. It was during this period – until his return to Malaysia in 1962 – that Nik Aziz developed his own approach to political Islam.

Alliance of Islamists and professionals

Nik Aziz’s educational background was traditional and conservative, and in many of the religious schools he studied, the teaching was based on the standard Dars-I Nizami curriculum that was introduced in the 11th century. Yet notwithstanding his conservative leanings, his personal experience of living in India, Pakistan and Egypt in the 1950s and early 1960s exposed him to contemporary currents of Muslim activism that later inspired and shaped his own political approach.

After taking over the Islamist party PAS in 1982, he, along with other Islamist-activist leaders like Yusof Rawa, began the internal transformation of the party and actively courted the membership and support of young Muslim professionals and technocrats into PAS.

It was from the 1980s that PAS became a truly modern organisation with strong mobilisation and communications capabilities, as a result of the alliance between the Ulama and professionals that Nik Aziz and Yusof Rawa promoted. Nik Aziz understood the need for a new kind of leadership and membership for the party that would allow it to mobilise faster and respond better to both domestic and international challenges.

The younger generation of professionals on the other hand valued the religious knowledge and moral credibility of men like Nik Aziz as they rejected the capital-driven developmental model they saw in Malaysia and other parts of the post-colonial world.

Nik Aziz’s passing thus leaves behind an enormous void in the leadership of PAS, and raises questions about where the party might head in the near future. But in recounting his personal history, it is instructive to note that even conservative-traditionalist scholars like him were able to appreciate the importance of networks and pragmatic coalitions as part of political praxis.

Farish A. Noor is Associate Professor at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), Nanyang Technological University and author of The Malaysian Islamic Party PAS 1951-2013, Amsterdam University Press, 2014.

On 13.2.2015, Malaysia lost one of its prominent figures especially in religious field. This person, whom we called him as "Tok Guru" had passed away on 9.40 PM Malaysia Time on 12.2.2015. The lost was too great that makes me feel like there will be no one that can replace him no matter how famous or intelligent they are.

I couldn't stop my tears ever since I found out his lost. It was way too much, that I don't think I could do anything like I always one before. I know many people would wonder why should I shed my tears for him. I won't say the reasons, but I want all of my readers to know that in this moment, like the other people who grieve over his lost, I also in mourning.

May Tok Guru will be place among the soleh. Al-Fatihah.

-His date of passing is only a month of my late prof's passing whom passed away on the same date but in March 2013, several months before my graduation.

Mood: Sad

Reason(s): The lost of Tok Guru...

Currently Listening: Anything that can move my brain to keep on writing, urgh...!

Currently Watching (Anime): Kamisama Hajimemashite, World Trigger, Akatsuki no Yonna, Gekkan SHoujo Nozaki-kun Specials, Ansatsu Kyoushitsu (TV), Tokyo Ghoul 2nd Season

Currently Watching (Drama/Live Action/ AMV): Law & Order: SVU, Bake with Anna Olson, Chef Micheal's Kitchen, My Kitchen Rules

Currently Reading (books/ notes): None

Currently Reading (manga): Ansatsu Kyoushitsu

Currently Reading (Fanfictions): Psycho Pass, Ghost Hunt, Katekyou Hitman Reborn!

Currently Playing (PC Games): None...

About Me

Name : Aoi Kitsukawa

Age : -_-

Gender : Female

Level of Study :Center for Foundation Study,International Islamic University of Malaysia.

-Kuliyyah of Human Sciences, International Islamic University Malaysia.

Country : Malaysia,South-east Asia.

Course: Human Sciences-Bachelor Level in History and Civilization Minoring in Political Sciences.

Characteristic: Silent, Serious (in work), don't like noise to much, easily to get angry (wrong time and mistake, I can 'punch' your face, regardless you're man or woman!), likes HISTORY (hehehehe...) and social interaction books, likes to read, listening to musics and songs, typing fanfics, writing many ideas for the stories. Study? Hmmm...maybe... :)

Favourite Anime:

Psycho Pass, Ansatsu Kyoushitsu, Shingeki no Kyojin, Witch Hunter Robin, Blood, Kyo Kara Maoh Season 1 and 2, Gakuen Alice, Ghost Hunt, Rurouni Kenshin, X-1999, Shinrei Tantei Yakumo, Chi's New Address, Shounen Onmyouji, Ghost in The Shell: Stand Alone Complex & Second Gig, Young Kindaichi Case File The Movie, Madlax,Fate/ Stay Night, Fate Zero, Poyo Poyo the Maru Neko.

Favourite Manga:

Psycho Pass, Ansatsu Kyoushitsu, Shingeki no Kyojin, Rurouni Kenshin, Canon (Chika Shiomi), Kemonotachi no Yoru/Night of the Beasts (Chika Shiomi), B-Eyes (Chika Shiomi), Dengeki Daisy, Purikyu!, Bitter Virgin, Sengoku Night, Young Kindaichi Case File, Detective School Q, Gakuen Alice, Ghost Hunt, Project ARMS, Shinrei Tantei Yakumo, Tokyo Babylon, X-1999, CLAMP Campus Detectives, Cage of Eden, 7-Seeds.

LINKS:

Facebook: Check by yourself. XP

Deviantart website :

Galleries:http:///gallery/

Ghost Hunt: http:///yoo/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogsection&id=14&Itemid=88

Pictures of:

-The Guardian of Natsume:

http:///art/Naoki-and-Izumi-80313370

http:///art/The-Guardians-of-Natsume-64641055

-Witch Hunter Robin(Azuri):

http:///art/Tirana-Beth-Nemo-Aegen-Roy-64950273

http:///art/Tatsuya-Rissa-Nabiki-Izumi-64871313

http:///art/Azuri-65881243

-Blood (Evident from the past to the future):

http:///art/Joel-and-Aya-in-Windy-Day-72323215

http:///art/Aya-Harumi-in-short-hair-72547325

http:///art/Saira-Thomas-Queen-Chiropteran-85072210

YULIA (Canon):

http:///art/Yukari-Mitsurugi-2-100791453

http:///art/YULIA-Takumi-s-Fears-107538105

http:///art/Yukari-Mitsurugi-Part-2-113220772

http://aoikitsukawa./art/YULIA-Chinatsu-and-Kuryuu-116839339

Fanfics Complete Stories List

Until We Meet Again in the Future-Witch Hunter Robin

Witch Hunter Robin:Azuri-Witch Hunter Robin

Karasuma's Trouble Day!-Witch Hunter Robin

A Night With a Thought-Witch Hunter Robin

Bored Routine!-Witch Hunter Robin

The Wound that Will Never Heal-Blood

A Young Man and A Flower-Samurai Deeper Kyo

The Lost Maoh-Kyo Kara Maoh!

Winter-B-Eyes

A Surprise Joke For You-Gakuen Alice

Time to Say Good Bye-Gakuen Alice

Evident from the past to the future-Blood

Fanfics On 'Progress-Making' Stories List

Katekyou Hitman Reborn:

Destination Unknown-Real Chapter 11

Where the Sky Resides-Chapter 02

Fanfics on the 'Set time update' List

Are You Ready for Love (Grandchild)? (Chapter 2)

Fanfiction under List of Trilogy:

Gakuen Alice (Yume Trilogy)

1)Yume...Ka-The Prologue of Faithful Destinies

Summary: After the ESP was captured, the school finally in peace, but several people had to pay a heavy price for the freedom. And the worst is Principal Kazumi Yukihira! Between life and death, he suddenly had a dream. A dream from the past…

Pairing: Mikan Sakura & High School Principal

Theme:Suspense x Hurt x Comfort x Mystery

Status: On-going.

Rank: T

2)Mikan's Toothache-Connection Between Past and Future

Summary: Sequel to Yume..Ka? and the second Trilogy of GA. Mikan had her out-day-of-academy with her mother, uncle, teachers and friends! But something happened on her that day! What will happen to her? And who is this woman with a scar on her right forehead?

Pairing: Mikan Sakura

Theme:Humor x General

Status: Fan-fics yet to come list

Rank: K

3)Crystal Chaos-The Revelations of Mysteries

Summary: Sequel to Yume...Ka? and Mikan's Toothache, also the last Trilogy of GA. Mikan found two strange, yet fascinate crystals. Then the next thing she knew was dangerous people had chased her. At the same time, one of the new teachers was acting mysteriously, and she was someone that Principal Yukihira knew from the past. With the sudden chaos that suddenly uprising, she needed to know what the reasons of the disaster or otherwise not only her, everyone around her would be in great danger!

Pairing: Mikan Sakura & High School Principal (Real pairing is Mikan Sakura x Natsume Hyuuga & High School Principal x OC)

Theme:Actions x Mystery x Suspense x Fantasy x Hurt/Comfort x Supernatural

Status: Fan-fics yet to come list

Rank: M

Ghost Hunt (Puzzles Trilogy)

1)The Curse Gift-The Start of the Puzzles.

Summary: Ghost Hunt Trilogy 1. Nearly half a year after the SPR’s last case. Mai received a shocking gifts, which unknown to her and the others it was an ultimate mistake that changed her life forever. More shocking news was the appearing of Naru's cousins! Several rape-murder cases appear, and the police had to ask SPR’s assistance through Madoka and a female superintendent officer. How do the cases have connected with Mai at all?

Pairing: Mai Taniyama & Kazuya Shibuya/ Naru

Theme: Suspense x Hurt x Comfort x Mystery x Supernatural x Investigation/ Crime

Status: On-going. Finally!

Rank: M

2)Seconds Chance-Searching the Missing Puzzles.

Summary: Sequel to The Curse Gift and Ghost Hunt Trilogy 2. Set three months after Mai's disappearing. SPR received a case of Sakura Welfare Society from a man with heterochromia eyes, asking for help. Riko's investigation upon the Nakagawa cases continued, with several clues that leaded her to unexpected findings. Naru had a strange yet familiar feeling, as he set his foot at the society.He then was shock to see someone at the Sakura Welfare Society, and decided to chase the person. Who was that person, and why did Riko seemed so tense upon her new clues and discoveries?

Pairing: Kazuya Shibuya/Naru & Mai Taniyama, Eugene Davis x Masako Hara, Ayako Matsuzaki x Housho Takigawa, Madoka Mori x Lin Koujo, Osamu Yasuhara x Chiaki Kasai, John, OC x OC.

Theme: Supernatural x Fantasy x Suspense x Hurt x Comfort x Mystery

Status: Fan-fics yet come to list

Rank: T/M

3)Shadow From the Past-The End of the Puzzles.

Summary: Sequel to The Curse Gift and Second Chance, also the last Trilogy of Ghost Hunt. The SPR family went for vacation at Yoshimi Inn, just in case they met with strange phenomenons upon their return from the inn which endangered not only Naru and his new family but also everyone! Meanwhile Riko received another clues for her own investigation -the hit and run case of Eugene Davis! A client was acting strange upon meeting with Naru, and Rosa Kishimoto appeared again, determined to steal Naru from Mai. Could it be that she was the one who responsible of all the troubles? What will happened to everyone's fate, especially Gene who finally realized that someone was actually trying to kill him again?

Pairing: Kazuya Shibuya/ Naru & Mai Taniyama, Eugene Davis x Masako Hara, Ayako Matsuzaki x HoushoTakigawa, Madoka Mori x Lin Koujo, Osamu Yasuhara x Chiaki Kasai, John, OC x OC.

Theme: Suspense x Hurt x Comfort x Mystery x Supernatural

Status: Fan-fics yet come to list

Rank: T/M

Rurouni Kenshin (Fate Trilogy)

1)Under the Cherry Blossom Trees-Fate's Meeting

Summary: Set on 16th Year of Meiji (1885); five years after the Jinchuu Arc. The Kenshingumi lived in peaceful until one day in early spring where everything suddenly changed. The Kenshingumi suddenly involved with a fight between the former Tenken –Seta Soujirou, and a group of mysterious people that led to Soujirou’s fatal injuries and lost memories. At the same time, a group of young noble people appeared and was in search of their missing relatives in Tokyo. Saitou was back to Tokyo due to mysterious murders that happened in Tokyo. What exactly the events that encountered the group’s lives, especially when it comes to Soujirou’s matters?

Pairing: Seta Soujiro x OC, Kenshin x Kaoru, Yahiko x Tsubame, Sanosuke x Megumi, Aoshi x Misao, Saitou x Tokio, Okita Soushi x OC, OC x OC.

Theme: Suspense x Tragedy x Hurt x Comfort x Romance x Mystery x Supernatural x Adventure

Status: On-going. Finally!

Rank: T

2)The Poem of the Death -Twisted Destiny.

Summary: Sequel to Under the Cherry Blossom Trees. After several of unfortunate events, the Kenshingumi once again in peace until someone appeared at Dojo Kamiya and claimed as relatives of Seta Soujiro. With the sudden appearance of his long forgotten family, how Soujiro would react with the scars that still visible in his heart? What will happen to his relationship with the Kurori and Kusanagi household, the Kenshingumi, the Oniwanbanshu and most of all, to his sweetheart Mimasaka Midori whom finally was asked for a hand in marriage by her distant aunt? Ranko, Kenshin and Saitou’s investigation continued as well as the conflicts that seemed to be not interesting to stop from interfered into their lives again…

Pairing: Seta Soujiro x OC, Kenshin x Kaoru, Yahiko x Tsubame, Sanosuke x Megumi, Aoshi x Misao, Saitou x Tokio, Okita Soushi x OC, OC x OC.

Theme: Suspense x Tragedy x Hurt x Comfort x Romance x Mystery x Supernatural x Adventure

Status: Fan-fics yet come to list

Rank: T/M

3)The Poison Hanazono-The Red String Connection

Summary: The last part of Fate Trilogy. Soujiro and Midori finally married and left the Kamiya Dojo. However, the dark shadows from the past were not willingly to let them go as mysterious attacks appeared at Tokyo. Realized that it was definitely something that related to her past, Ranko decided to protect the people whom she cared and loved by sacrificing herself, but was it the right decision to make, especially when she found out something that would change her life forever?

Pairing: Seta Soujiro x OC, Kenshin x Kaoru, Yahiko x Tsubame, Sanosuke x Megumi, Aoshi x Misao, Saitou x Tokio, Okita Soushi x OC, OC x OC.

Theme: Suspense x Tragedy x Hurt x Comfort x Romance x Mystery x Supernatural x Adventure

Status: Fan-fics yet come to list

Rank: T/M

Witch Hunter Robin (Hunt Trilogy)

1)Witch Hunter Robin: Azuri

Summary: After the Factory incident,STNJ received a replacement Rissa Weller.When they meet again with Amon & Robin,they discover about a secret organization named Azuri and 3 mysterious teenagers.Since then,they must stop the Azuri before it's getting too late.

Pairing: Amon & Robin Sena

Theme: Adventure/ Fantasy

Status: Complete; In process of remake.

Rank: T

2)Witch Hunter Robin: Azuri 2nd Stage

Summary: Second Stage of Azuri. The STN-J once again had to face the danger from Azuri and this time, they became more powerful and endangered Amon and Robin. Not only that, Izumi herself realized that she had to deal with her most dangerous choice that can lead to her own life and the others as well. Sequel to Witch Hunter Robin: Azuri.

Pairing: Mostly everyone but mainly Amon & Robin Sena; also OCs.

Theme: Supernatural x Adventure

Status: Hiatus

Rank: T

3)Dark Soul Hunter

Summary: Sequel to WHR: Azuri & Azuri Second Stage. Took place 10 years from the last hunt, Robin and Amon lived peacefully with their twin children. Dangers fell upon them once again as the twin got kidnapped and only one was saved by Tatsuya Ajuro, whom was an Elite-Superintendent in Hunter Department of Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department. With Tatsuya out of action, the STN-J must find their former part-time Hunters whose now lived in different lives and parts of Japan! Can they helped the STN-J before it's too late?

Pairing: Amon & Robin Sena, OCs

Theme: Supernatural x Action x Mystery

Status: Fan-fics yet come to list

Rank: T/M

Fanfics Yet To Come List

Ghost Hunt:

Second Chance-Sequel to The Curse Gift

Shadow From the Past-Sequel to The Curse Gift and Second Chance

Rurouni Kenshin:

The Poem of the Death -Twisted Destiny.

The Poison Hanazono-The Red String Connection

Project ARMS

Memorial

Kyo Kara Maoh:

Connected Destiny-Sequel to Something that I did not Know

Gakuen Alice:

Mikan's Toohaches!!-(Gakuen Alice Trilogy Part 2-Sequel to Yume...Ka)

Crystal Chaos-(Gakuen Alice Trilogy 3-Sequel to Yume..Ka and Mikan's Toothaches; the conclusion story)

Madlax:

The Assassin and the Phantom Killer- (Actually that's not the real name for the story; still searching for the new one...huhuhu...T_T)

Samurai Deeper Kyo:

The Sound of the Rain- pairing Akira and Tokito.

Witch Hunter Robin:

Dark Soul Hunter-Sequel to WHR: Azuri & WHR: Azuri 2nd Stage. Mostly on the life upon Amon and his family, and what the danger that they would face.

Fanfictions Uncompleted or Hiatus Status (Unavoidable!! ToT)

1) Remember

Reason: Unable to continue the story. Status either discontinued or on hiatus.

1) Witch Hunter Robin: Azuri 2nd Stage

Reason: Lost some information while I was sick three years ago, so I was unable to make the same plots, unless I have to remake again the plots and story-lines. Also, I lost all the plots that I made several years ago!

2) The Soul Flowers-Yurara no Tsuki

Reason: I lost the information that I made several months ago, since that time I was so busy packing my belongings before the semester ended! It's really irritating me!! Also, I lost all the plots that I made several years ago!

Things That I Really Don't Like About Fanfictions

1. The reviews. If you want to criticize, just say it once, no need to elaborate on it or make it as if it's important. Though, to me, it is encouraged, just not in exaggerate amounts. However, sometimes the comments are too 'bombastic' that I can't write for some time... T.T

2.Poor language. It's not that bad if you use it occasionally, but it's really annoying if you use it too often. It's also boring if you repeat it. besides, some stories seems too 'fast' to read; my head always dizzy because of it, and no explanation on some parts either!

3. The time it takes to make a good quality one. Sometimes I really hard a hard time to make long stories. Sometimes long stories are good, but the time you need to make it up really pains me!

4. It's a spare time thing. I've also got classes to attend and assignments to be done. It's not a job.

5. The anger of fans wanting more. People try their best, you know. Sometimes it can't be avoided if you're sick. I'm suffering from the side effect of my illness since three years ago; do you really think it's nothing when I see my stories just 'hanging' like that? it's aching me...

6. Punctuation. Some people complain about punctuation. It's seems that you want us to none-stop reading huh?

7. The genres. Sometimes I only realized the genre seems 'misleading' from what I done before, so I need to update again the status.

8. Actions, characteristics and the environment. It's really a pain in the neck to make these things! I need to reread the mangas or animes just to learn all of it. Even to scenes I need to make 'revisions' from other English novels, including when it comes to romance parts!

9. Romance or intimacy part. This is something that I'm kind of embarrassing to do. Usually I just read the novels for the parts but not doing it! If I'm doing it, it's not my work (my friend Lily Warren always complaining to me why don't just doing it in simple way. What do you mean by 'simple way' Lily?). Well, I can understand for the kiss but the XXX parts!? If you just giving the hints, I can understand but too details!!?? UUGHH!!!

Other Things

I don't own any of the characters or anything in my stories, unless my own characters.

Most of my stories are in 'T' ranking, however there will be 'M' rate-story, which will be in the future. Honestly speaking, it's my first try on 'M' rank so forgive me if it'll dissatisfy everyone once it comes out.

The common themes in my stories are actions, suspense, mystery, supernatural, spiritual, magic, hurt/comfort (favourite one; I'm a true sadist! Gehehehe...!),fantasy, horror(did it appear?hehe...) and adventure. In general, dark themes.

I'm a person who's not good in making joke even a simple one! if I do or write it down, it sounds weird. Let's just say that if I make a joke, everyone is crying. Such a sad life...That's why my stories always in serious mode and less humor.

I easily lost strength and inspiration if I'm stuck with problems (mostly personal but not about love) and assignments; made minor in Political Sciences. So sorry if some of the stories are in hiatus story.

My stories mostly added up with side characters that come from my own OC-like The Guardians of Natsume. Commonly seen in Witch Hunter Robin: Azuri-Izumi Mizuno.

If you see a mistake, notify me immediately, I'm prone to making mistakes really easily. I sincerely apologise if you find one.

Hope you people enjoy reading.

This is the previous part of my early time as a new member of fanfiction.net. I don't want to erase it as it's so meaningful to me.Right now, I'm at university so the updates would be late. Sorry for the unavoidable problems.

Hello,my name is Aoi this year 2007,I was 18 years old girl and will went for the higher education.Actually I come from Southeast-Asia and I live in hobby is reading and listening to music and anime theme song.I can draw just like the shojo manga style but my art teacher claim that my picture is a cartoon (That really cause me a lot of stress last year.That time I had a very big exam that will lead my own life and future!).I really glad that I finally be a member of this website.I hope I can meet with the other members.I like some anime/manga like:

-Witch Hunter Robin

-Detective School Q

-The File Cases of Young Kindaichi

-Gensomaden Saiyuki

-Dragon Ball

-Black Cat

Jack

-Kyo Kara Maoh!

-.Hack//SIGN

-Detective Conan

-Doraemon

and anything else.

For my friends : Mycha,Quickstar and Brenda,I will wait for your new stories.And don't forget to go to my deviantart website.There's a picture for my Azuri's story.Thank you for your support.I really appreciate Princese de lUna (Sorry for the spelling!),please be patient because I will try to make the new chapter of Evident.Thank you.