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(Choose your own title)

1.       Shabri Abdullah

2.       Professor Abdullah

3.       Syafri

4.       Poltak

5.       Mother

6.       Reisha

7.       Annisa

8.       Mrs Lecturer

9.       Clerk

10.   Guard

11.   Guard Chief

12.   Prisoners

13.   Demonstrators

14.   Narrator

15.   Music

Written by MR SUBHAN SHABRI

Shabri was smart diligent university student. He was in the second semester in his university level in Indonesia.

One day, in a lecturer about politics.

Lecturer: Shabri: Lecturer: Shabri: Lecturer: Shabri: Lecturer: Shabri: Poltak: Shabri: Poltak: Lecturer: Staff: Class: Lecturer: Staff: Lecturer: Poltak: Lecturer:

“Politics is the art in controlling something, related to state, politics is the art to control the progress of the state in choosing or taking which kind of policies will be applied in the country. How do the government and the legislators plan the policies, how is the action of the plan, and of course also the reflection after the policies have been applied.”  “Madam!” “Yes, Shabri?” “It seems that the mentality of the government and legislators will affect the typical of the political colour of the country.” “What’s your reason for that one?” “If the persons in the government and the legislators are good ones, the policies of the country will lead to the right way; instead, if the persons in the government and the legislators are bad ones, the policies of the country will lead to the wrong way. This is about mentality.” “You’re right, Shabri.” “And that’s the role of religion as the way of life, Mum.” “There’s no relationship between politics and religion, you know!” “Religion controls everything in our life,” “Just bring your religion to your mosque! And don’t...!” “Hey stop! Poltak, it’s okay if you have different idea, but you have to appreciate other’s opinion. Well, everybody it’s the end of our lecturer today.” “Assalamu’alaikum!” “Wa alaikum salaam.” “Madam, a letter.” “Oh ya. Thank you.” “Welcome. Assalamu’alaikum.” “Wa alaikum salaam. Well, this is about the students’ exchange program. One of you is admitted to have a short course for four months in Arizona State University, United State. Do you know who the lucky person is?” “It must be me. Poltak!” “Shabri will go to America for four months. Congratulation, Shabri. Everyone may congratulate Shabri.”

One by one his classmates congratulated him, except Poltak, he left the classroom. Outside he saw many students were doing demonstration against the government.

Poltak:

“Aha! I know how to make me go to America, not him!”

Poltak called someone to make an appointment to meet. Shabri went back to his village to meet his mother and two sisters and also to visit the grave of his late father.

Shabri: Mother: Shabri: Mother: Shabri: Reisha: Shabri: Reisha: Shabri: Reisha: Mother: Shabri: Mother: Shabri: Reisha:

“Assalamu’alaikum, mother.” “Wa alaikum salaam. What news makes you come back, Son?” “Mother, I will go to America!” “What?! How can! Do you think that we have money? Oh come on Son, wake up! You must be dreaming.” “I’m not, Mother. I get scholarship. Here’s the letter from the university.” “Are sure, Bang? We will go to America?” “Not we, but I. “No, I want to go with you. Please....... Bang........” “Look, my beloved sister. I go to America with my achievements, not because of money. That’s why you can’t go with me. So, if you want to go there, you have to study seriously. Who knows you will go there one day. You get it?” “I see. Okay Bang, I will study seriously and I will go to America too, and ...... I will bring mother there.” “How long will you be there, Son?” “Only for four months, mother.” “Be careful Son. Don’t forget to always pray.” “Okay, Mother. I will always remember your suggestion. I will always pray. Come on, Reisha, accompany me to father’s grave. “Okay, let’s go.”

At their father’s grave.

Reisha: Shabri: Reisha: Shabri: Reisha:

“Father! We’re coming!” “Father. I will go to America. I’m sure you can hear me from there. I want to make you proud of me. I want to make mother proud of me. I promise I will look after mother and Reisha.” “But he doesn’t want to bring me, father.” “Shhhhhh. Allaahumaghfirlahu warhamhu wa a fihi wa’fuanhu.” “Aamiin.”

Shabri came back to his campus to prepare his leaving to America. In his campus, there was a demonstration against the government.

Friends: Shabri: Syafri: Shabri: Syafri: Shabri: Annisa: Shabri: Annisa: Shabri: Annisa: Shabri: Annisa: Shabri: Annisa: Shabri: Annisa: Shabri: Annisa: Shabri:

“Hi, Shabri, come with us.” “What is happening?” “We’re doing demonstration against the government. Will you join us?” “Sorry, I’m busy now preparing my leaving for America.” “Dont you join us for the last time?” “Sorry, I can’t, Bro.” (Annisa passed) “Hi Annisa!” “Hi!” “You know, I’m leaving for America.” “Ya, I know.” “But......” “But what?” “I mean, I will leave you....” “Ya. I know that, but, what can I do?” “Will you wait for me?” “I will, but I believe that God gives the best for us.” “What do you mean?” “Although we have planned to be together, who knows Allah says different.” “But I just to be with you, Nisa.” “I do too, but never forget to always pray for everything that we want, akhi.” “Okay.”

Shabri was busy with his preparation for the course. Coming back from Immigration Office,

Policeman: Shabri: Policeman: Shabri: Policeman: Shabri: Policeman: Shabri:

“Excuse me.” “Ya? What can I do for you, Sir?” “Is your name Shabri?” “Yes?” “You are suspected getting involved in a demonstration. You are under arrested.” “What? Are you kidding? I didn’t do it.” “You can explain it in the police station. Come on. Come with us.” “No, no, nooo!”

Shabri did not believe it. He would go to United States, but he was sent to the jail for something he did not do.

Shabri:

“Nooo! It is not fair! God, how can You give it to me? I don’t believe it. Huu hu huu. Noo! ”

When he was crying, Poltak came to visit him.

Poltak:

“Haa ha haa. Shabri, you see? Who wins finally? Who is going to United States? Haa ha ha. United States, Arizona, I’m coming! Haa ha ha, Boy, Will you send your regard to Barrack Obama? See you....... Haa ha ha!!!!!”

Poltak left the jail while laughing. Shabri could do nothing but crying. He wanted to kill himself.

Shabri:

“It’s too heavy for me. I’m very embarrassed to my mother and sister. Now, I just want to die! God, where is your justice? What is my life for? Nothing!!!”

When he would just do suicide, when a hand stopped it.

Professor: Shabri: Professor: Shabri: Prisoner: Professor: Prisoner: Shabri: Professor: Shabri: Professor: Shabri: Professor: Shabri: Professor: Shabri: Professor: Shabri: Professor: Shabri: Professor: Shabri: Professor: Shabri: Professor: Shabri: Professor: Shabri: Professor: Shabri: Professor: Shabri: Professor: Shabri: Professor:

“Stop it, young man! “Nooo! I just want to end my life! God doesn’t love me. He doesn’t give me the chance to make my dreams come true. I’m supposed to be in United States, in Arizona University now, you know!” “Wait! Arizona State University, is it what you say just now?” “Ya. Why? You know nothing about it old man.” “Excuse me, Prof. I just want ask your opinion about my article. Is it okay?” “Okay. II will check it later.” “Thank you, Prof.” “Prof? Are you a professor?” “Come with me.” “Where?” “Come on. Take the books.” “For what?” “Just take them” (went to the shelf of the books) “Are they your books? You write the books? Professor Abdullah Jalal, Arizona State University Press. Oh! I don’t believe it! How can you be here? “Long story, young man. Oh ya, what’s your name?” “Shabri, Sir eh Prof. My full name is Shabri Abdullah.” “Hah! You use my name. Is Abdullah your father’s name?” “Yes, he passed away when I was still six.” “Sorry to hear that.” “Thank you, Prof. By the way, can you explain about these books?” “Well, three years ago I was still a professor at the campus, Arizona State University, as a professor didn’t only give lecturer, but also expressed my idea in many books and articles.” “Ow, I like that, Prof.” “But, it was the problem, Shabri. Some of my books and articles were accused as the idea of terrorism because many scholars and university students used my books and articles as their references to set their Islamic foundation for their actions.” “You mean like Hamas, Al Fatah, Taliban, and Ikhwanul Muslimin?” “Yes. You know about it. Well, Shabri, in this jail I just feel like in heaven.” “How can?” “I have much more time to do pray to Allah SWT. You know Sayid Quthub and Hamka wrote their bokks in jails, and the books in your hand now are my writing along my time here.” “But they are produced by State Arizona University Press.” “Internet, you know. I sent them via email to my friend, Professor Ibraheem, who is still teaching there.” “How can you get the facility in this jail?” “I teach all Muslim prisoners about Islam here. How to make them know their religion more. You see, many prisoners do prayers and learn reciting al-Qur’an. The head of this jail is very thankful, that’s why when I asked internet, he gave it.” “I see. Prof, would you mind to teach me how to make good writing, please?” “No problem, son. I’m your father, aren’t I? “Ha ha ha. Yes,..... father, thank you.” (Adzan came, Allaahu akbarullaahu akbar.......) “Come on, let’s pray together.”

Since that time, Shabri was not sad anymore. He realized that it was a fate from Allah SWT. He spent his time in the jail by learning writing to Professor Abdullah Jalal and also helping him guiding other prisoners in learning reciting al-Qur’an.

While, out of the jail, Shabri’s friends were fighting to prove that he was not guilty.

Guard: Shabri: Guard: Shabri: Guard Chief: Shabri: Guard Chief: Shabri: Guard Chief: Shabri: Professor: Shabri: Professor: Shabri: Professor: Shabri: Professor: Shabri: Professor: Shabri: Professor: Shabri: Mother: Shabri: Friends:

“Mr Shabri.” “Yes?” “Come with me to the office.” “Okay.” “Well, Mr Shabri, this is a letter from Police Department that explains that you were not involved in the demonstration. It was not you, Shabri, but Syafri. Poltak did it. He reported you as the actor of the demonstration. And police will ask U.S. Police Department to send him back to Indonesia soon.” “Really?” “Yes. You are free today. Congratulation and thank you for your help here.” “You are welcome, Sir. I just want to see Professor Abdullah for a minute.” “Okay. No problem.” “Prof, I’m leaving, but I also want to be with you.” “Look, Son, many things are waiting for you outside there. Face them, take them.” “Okay, Prof. See you. Assalamu’alaikum.” “Wa alaikum salaam warohmatullaah.......... Wait, Shabri, I have a little gift for you, Son.” “What is it?” “Just open it.” “State Arizona University? Dear Mr Shabri Abdullah, after reading your articles and with the recommendation from Professor Ibraheem Al-Haneef, you are admitted as the new student at our campus in under graduate program with scholarship for eight semesters........ Is it true?” “Ya. I sent your articles to my friend Professor Ibraheem. I told him what happened to you. I asked him to help you.” “Thank you, Professor, thank you, father.” “Say Thank you to Allah. He makes this rule. I just play my role from Him.” “Astaghfirullahal aziim. God, forgive me. I was wrong. I have a bad putative about you. I’m so sorry. Thank you yaa Allah.” “You see. Allah doesn’t give what we want, He gives what we need. Don’t be prejudiced against the destiny of Allah.” (Shabri hugged Professor Abdullah.) “Yes, father. ” (Shabri left the jail. In front of the jail, his family, Annisa and friends had been waiting.) “Mother, Reisha forgive me.” “Allah give you the best, Son.” “Hi Nisa. Buddies, thank you.” “We believe you are right, bro.” “America, I’m Coming.............!”