Contents

President's Message - By Raymond Sin
The day the world changed - By John Wan
Anwer Islam the Muslim - By Francis Wann
The World Trade Centre Tragedy - By Ho Chi Ming
A Taxi Driver's View - By Michael Eyles
Ho Chi Ming's Column - By Ho Chi Ming
Notice Board
Photo Album
Coming Up Events
Board Members

President's Message

By President Raymond Sin (2001-2002)

Last week, my heart seemed to beat faster than normal. My emotions had also gone through the two extremes, the highest and the lowest, like riding on a roller coaster. Those of you who read last week's bulletin would have some ideas as to what I am talking about which made me feel happy. For the past few days, I was waiting for the moment to come. I was wondering when I would have to change from my normal schedules. Finally, I had to cancel all my appointments on Saturday, including my clinic bookings and my close friend's wedding. Just because of my wife, Eliza who had given birth to our second child on that day, 15th July 2001. It is a 8.25lb (3.75Kg) baby boy, named Matthew. The birth of Matthew is really a blessing from the Lord to my family. I also thank all Kingspark members and your Rotaryannes for being so supportive to Eliza and me. Of course, we would not forget the beautiful flowers that members brought along to the hospital to visit us on Monday. After staying for a while, members took me, with Eliza's permission, to the staff club for drinks and dinner. Having read the following list of members who were present that night, you would agree with me that we had enough numbers even for a regular meeting. Tom, John and Rosita, Ted, Peter Lo, Sunny, Anwer, Michael Eyles, Macro, Dominic, Alex and Joseph, thank you all for coming and sharing my joy and happiness.

The tragedy that happened on 11th September 2001 had sent my mood down to hell. It was a day of terror. No one could ever dream that such things could happen in the USA. The death and wounding of hundreds of thousands of people was tragic to the family concerned and also to the World. I could hardly take it even up to now. Even worse is that it marks the beginning of a long period of instability. Or war? Most of us would agree that the root cause of the whole thing is anger and hatred. Some suggested that Rotary and Rotarians could do more for world peace. Some suggested that we could stop the vicious cycle of hatred, revenge and hatred by learning to forgive. However, I do not believe it works like that. Let me be a little religious here for once. True forgiveness only comes from our Lord, Jesus Christ. "Reconciliation" with God is the only way you can get real peace because it shows you how to love. Love will forgive hatred. DG Johnson has suggested to every Rotary clubs in District 3450 that we observe a one-minute of silence for condolence to the victims before starting our club meetings. We will do it in the coming Thursday meeting.

Those were the ups and downs I want to share with you this week. May peace be with us and do love your beloved ones before it is too late.

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The Day The World Changed
By John Wan

That was the title of The Economist's leader for last week. By now, numerous articles must have been written, magazines and books produced, tons of paper used for their printing, endless emails exchanged across countries and continents, even more endless discussions in all media, airports and stock markets closed and re-opened, and so on. World leaders, politicians, journalists, commentators, strategists, anybody who is anybody, and many more have spoken. It was war on America, the free world, and humanity.

From now on, many would remember for as long as they shall live those vivid, horrid, seemingly unreal, unbelievable, unspeakable, unthinkable and indescribable images. They would remember what they were doing at the time, just as most of us who are old enough would remember what we were doing when we first heard the news that John Kennedy was shot on that fatal date in 1963.Many people have alluded to what happened six decades ago in Pearl Harbour which led to a changed America and hence a changed world. Still more people have highlighted the differences in terms of the protagonists involved or the lack of their identity, the targets under attack, the atrocities and the casualties.

Most of the people in Hong Kong would have relations or friends, or friends of relations or friends, or somebody they know, or somebody who knows somebody who were close or close enough to the event and must have spent agonizing moments waiting for news of or waiting to get through to those near and dear to them.

The day passed. No doubt the world has changed. America has been attacked and is preparing for war. One can ask many related questions and even attempt to answer them, but I am not going to go through the exercise here. At such time, leadership is vital to unite communities, to reinforce values and to practise rather than preach humanity. We call ourselves leaders. Rotarians are all leaders. As the reality begins to sink in and life returns to normal, it is time for leaders to show their mettle. Let us hope that the day has changed the world for the better, that people will learn to treasure what they have instead of moaning for what they have not, that they would learn to forgive as our Father in Heaven has forgiven them, and that they would work together for peace and international understanding. Talk to you again next week.

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Anwer Islam speaks Chinese, was born here, educated here, started his antique business here, married here, and considers himself no different from anyone here. Is he a Chinese with an Arabian face? Francis Wann walks behind his antiques.

Anwer has always given me the impression of someone flamboyant, loud, cheerful, flashy, and colourful. We arranged to meet on Monday 17th in his shop "Chine" in Central after work. When I arrived, Michael was strolling outside and told me he'd join others to see President Raymond's new baby at Canossa.

Perhaps I shouldn't have called it an interview, and as Anwer suggested he was giving interviews almost every week and the articles and reports are well-documented. I really haven't got that much to add.

You would of course remember a week before our meeting. The twin World Trade Centre towers in New York were being reduced to smithereens, an act which had left the whole world speechless for quite a while. Terrorism has always been related with the Islamic religion, and there was so much confusion and ignorance, as Anwer remarked. I agreed, but is it also painfully true that being a muslim by birth has also made him ill at ease at this point in history?

"No, I think people are simply immature. They don't know much about the religion (Islamic), and they'd do what the vast majority believe." Yes there is always the darker side of religion. Anwer pointed out in a matter-of-fact manner the attacks carried out by the Irish Republican Army (IRA) every now and then. He was certainly right when he lamented so many people did not understand Buddhism, and in some Middle East countries, women are still not allowed to show their faces in public.

So how religious is he? Does he attend the services at the mosque? "No I can't observe all the rules. I still go to the mosque sometimes. Though I was born a muslim because of my origin, I don't practise the Islamic religion. I suppose I think very differently from others (in middle east). I am more liberal and practical. I can't possibly say the prayer and worship the Allah so often…… I think modernization has taken away the true meaning of religion. And in some of those countries where illiteracy is high, political extremists can take advantage of the religion as an excuse to stir up emotion."Anwer said he couldn't identify himself with the Islamic religion even though his name has always been a constant reminder of his origin. "I was born here. My first language is Chinese, all my friends are here, and I've developed my community here."

On our way to the Canossa Hospital [to visit President Raymond Sin's newborn baby], Tom and Peter called him terrorist. "Sometimes you do bother how others see you. People tend to generalise. Of course I know they're only joking." But what about others? Will the joke be him? "I think the most important is how you look at yourself." Anwer remarked. There was a distinct air of seriousness in the way he spoke.

Like most people, he was shocked and angry at the news, and he immediately called up friends in the States to make sure they're safe. Yes, muslim or not, we all share something fundamental when it comes to human values.

Anwer's shop looks relatively calm among the line-up of antique establishments which dotted Hollywood Road. Are they all genuine? I asked causally. "Our clients are very demanding." I remember not long ago he auctioned something like an Aladdin's lamp during a Rotary meeting, allegedly acquired in Italy. Was it real? I wondered. After all, here's a man who puts "antique trading" on his namecard.

Loud? Perhaps. But clear. I recall a short mention in the Post magazine about a Ming dynasty furniture exhibition at Chine a few months ago. And if what he told me about press interviews is anything to go by, Anwer Islam is certainly no empty vessel.

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Today's meeting of the Kingspark is one of the most meaningful I have ever attended. We observed a minute's silence prior to commencement of the meeting. Edward Lau, PP, who was in the US at the time of the attack, talked about his experience and feeling. He has scheduled to go to New York on the day after the attack for his bank's meeting. Fortunately all his colleagues and friends were OK. However, no one in the World Trade Centre Club came out alive. They were the chefs, waiters etc, serving in the Club. The news talked a lot about the staff of Morgan Stanley etc but never mentioned these people serving the buildings They were the last ones to evacuate. His friend's wife observed the World Trade Centre when the attack happened from the room of her hotel. She saw people falling off from the building. She was still in shock several days later. Jimmy Chen was at that time flying to the US. He also gave an impassioned talk. Although he did not prepare for the talk, his talk was touchy and impressive. He was in Beijing on 4 June 1989. He experienced the same sadness now. Both Edward and Jimmy were impressed by the patriotism of the American people. The Americans used to be a noisy people but this time they did not complain and stood firmly behind George Bush. If Hong Kong people could behave like the Americans, the financial crisis which the Hong Kong people are experiencing can certainly be overcome.

Other Reflections

Raymond Sin: If the Hong Kong people have the singleness of purpose and cohesiveness of the American people, what is there to worry about? What we are seeing in our government is indecisiveness and the loath to accept responsibilities.

HO Chi Ming: The chefs and waiters of World Trade Centre Club which Edward Lau talked about were typical of the ordinary folks who worked hard to earn a humble living. They have thousands of things to worry about - to make ends meet, take care for their kids, about the kids' upbringing, about their job, so on and so forth. But what they get? Being blown to pieces or burnt to charcoal. That is simply not fair.

Alexander Mak: That is how a person gets a proper perspective on life. A person facing life and death will see what is important in life. A person should not lose his perspective by drowning himself in petty matters.

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Notice Board

This is formal notice of an application for membership in our club of Mr. CHAN SAI WAH, JOHNNY.
Classification: Marketing - Motor Vehicles. If you have any objection please write to Pres. Raymond or the board of directors within the next 10 days.

President Raymond has just got a baby boy who will be named 'Matthew'

Joseph Leung has just been appointed the Executive Director (Chief Executive) of the Hong Kong Computer Society and he will assume this position on the 1st of October.

The Board meeting on 13th February, 2002 will be rescheduled to 20th February, 2002.

The lunch meeting on 14th March, 2002 will be rescheduled to the District Conference on 16th March, 2002.

The lunch meetings on 27th December, 2001 will be cancelled

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Coming Up Events

1) DISTRICT SWIMMING GALA - 23rd September 2001 (Sunday), 11:00 - 6:00 p.m., at Ma On Shan Swimming Pool. All members and their family are welcome. Deadline 15 Sep 2001. - Rtn. David Cheung In-charge.

2) CLUB DINNER MEETING - 27th September 2001, 6:30pm at Chinese Club.

3) ROTARACT CLUB COMMUNITY SERVICE AND GENERAL MEETING - 29th September 2001

4) DISTRICT VOCATIONAL SEMINAR - 1st October 2001 (Tue), 12:30-2:00pm (luncheon meeting). Vocational Director Amy will call you later.

5) DISTRICT BOWLING TOURNAMENT - 28th October 2001 at Mei Foo Super Fun Bowl, 10:00am-1:00pm.

6) DISTRICT VOCATIONAL SERVICE SEMINAR - 30th October 2001, 12:30-2:00pm luncheon meeting MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

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