Zain: Nak ke rumah mak saya. (I want to go to my mother’s house.)
Security Guard: Rumah mak saya? (My mother’s house?)
This is the second time he has humoured me.
People often give them a hard time. Be it when they’re are complacent or diligent. Indeed many of those who live in gated communities or apartments never have worked as or closely amongst security guards or personally know someone who does.
So all that’s left is empathy, which is oftentimes missing as well in (sub)urban middle class societies. Or what some call educated communities.
Because of where I live now and the news, people often ask if it is safe in #Tareem or #Hadhramout or #Yemen. This is understandable and expected.
I’ll share this. It has to do with what you understand as safe. And there are many levels and aspects to it. Since most of you know what it is like in Malaysia’s Klang Valley, I’ll give the examples on the other side.
I’ve never seen a police officer in Tareem. Children there do go play outside on their own. If someone walking on the street indicates he wants to hitchhike, he’ll get a ride easy. Dawn or midnight.
Safe includes not being in an environment where we concern ourself with things that do not truly concern us. Occupy ourself with things that bring us further from our priorities.
More importantly, the meaning of safe includes being in a good state of self, corresponding with an environment that is safe for you to live for the sake of this life, and to live for the sake of afterlife.
When we do not know this, or are forgetful of this, then know it’s time to go and seek it. Safety.
