Ust.
Ibrahim Mahmud had never harmed anybody. When he worked with JAKIM, he was
honored as “The Best Da’i” by JAKIM. He resigned voluntarily to educate his
Memali villagers – by then was succumbed by various social ills. The worst problem was gambling among
the villagers, causing many broken families. Memali youth were also fighting
among themselves. He managed to put all these social problems to a complete
stop and turned Memali folks into god loving
people.
He
started his small madrasah he made using his own money, time and energy.
Nobody paid attention to his effort, at first. He started going from door to
door inviting people to his
madrasah where he taught Islamic lessons. Within short period, his madrasah
gathered many loyal students. He became a respectable figure in Memali, not
only for teaching villagers Islam lessons, but also for his effort to help
villagers to improve their living conditions. He was known to be very vocal in
criticizing UMNO/BN policies, but he did not commit any crime. He did not
break any law. He was not, by any
mean, a criminal.
Undeniably,
Ust. Ibrahim Libya had caused problems to Kedah’s UMNO. His influence went
beyond Memali. He recruited more students and this had raised some concerns to
UMNO.
As
usual, UMNO would never face its political opponents up front. The police and
other government agencies has always been the most available tools for UMNO to
confront its opponents – dulu, kini, dan selamanya. The police managed to
restrict Ust. Ibrahim’s activities only within his house compound. Still, UMNO
was not happy enough. They want Ust. Ibrahim to be detained under
ISA.
On 19
November 1985, the police came to Memali to arrest Ust. Ibrahim under ISA.
They numbered around 2,000 personnel, bringing along tanks, and heavy
weapons. Ust. Ibrahim sent
representatives to negotiate with the police. His stand was as clear as clean
water. He would surrender to the
police only if there was any charge against him, but, vowed to fight until his
death if he was to be held under ISA. For him, ISA is an oppressive law which
is against Islamic teaching. He would not submit himself to any oppressive law
like ISA. For him, it is a shame and a sin for a Muslim to be submissive to
oppression.
Ay-Syahid
Ibrahim Libya died in dignity. He honored his words. He walked his talk. He
was shot dead within his own house compound. He did not attack anybody. He was
merely defending his right as a Malaysian citizen.
I
wish, I have his courage. He is my hero.
Smile,
Jamna.
