not enough

I wonder why Muslim organizations, particularly in Indonesia, are less organized and limited in providing help programs, compared to Christians? Indonesia is damn famous for being the most populous Muslim nation, but I only think that is because we are over populated. However, what I notice is that far too many Muslims in Indonesia take over context the meaning of PASRAH which literary means : surrendering - to be well.. a little too passive in terms of overcoming social problems. Almost as if people are waiting for a giant hand or miraculously someone of authority to solve it. I am not belittling people in need. I too believe in prayers and in human limitations, but their are far too many sufferings. Too many needs, and far too many misunderstandings in Indonesia. What I'm sad is too many people become hopeless as a result. And in many ways people are mislead in far too many religious sanctions that leaves people stagnant and afraid to take matters into their own hand. When in truth religion should be liberating. They wait for that structure from the government, from people that lead religious organizations. But this is not just about structure, or a limited budget, but also the mindset of our people.

For example when we have Zakat Fitrah in Eid, I watched masses of people on the news, that should have qued up either at a mosque, or wherever they provide those free basic necessities,. Yet people do not learn to line up or wait out of fear they won't receive any. People rush, push and in many cases stomp over each other killing people. I learned that this is a common event every year. Which I can't fathom. There are people donating their money to built mosque after mosque, orphanages, madrasah's - yet they don't necessary provide good facilities, have a good teaching system, or the basic teaching for the student's to be independent. Near my home, student's sleep on a carpet floor all together only with a sarung covering them up. Why?

I once checked out a Christian orphanage for a school project. The place is considerably large, neat, beds were provided and with good learning systems. They teach them ENGLISH as well. Then teach them to wash and cook, in turns. They learn to take turns. Recently, in Bangkok, Alex told me to check out this ship from the US that contained many used books from all over the world. The ship traveled around the world, and I thought hey I'd check it out. I didn't know it was a mission ship, but I got a tour cause a friend from school, Remy turned out to be there and we got a free tour. The people volunteering were from all over the world, they simply take out 2 years of their lives to travel and help in many rural places of the world. However, I was amazed at how organized everything was. The cabin, the laundry, the canteen - they make events, they have dentists, they have cooks, whatever - all of them were professional, but all were volunteers. I don't know whether they go around to preach their teachings as well. The ship stopped in Malaysia and Brunei but was unsurprisingly banned to enter Indonesia. I thought, this is exactly what I'm talking about. We also have a populous amount of Christians in our country that should be free to learn more about their religion. Why does the government have to ban the ship then?? What are they afraid of? I learned from the crew, when they go to certain places, such as a rural areas, they go in and teach the people how to built wells. Or teaching in orphanages and things like how to take care of themselves with medicine. When would or could Islam have such a system? What I think is people need to learn not just to receive things. Whoever those guys are -the authorities, organizations - people need to be reinforced with practical knowledge. Sure spiritual education is necessary but people need guidance and the optimism to understand how to make something more of them selves., so people can learn how to survive with that basic tool of knowledge and not just PASRAH....