Filed under: writing, internet, journalism, The Malaysian Insider | Tags: baby, fat bidin, journalism, parenting, The Malaysian Insider, zan azlee
Dropping the baby
By Zan Azlee
FEB 10 — Have you ever tried dropping a baby on his or her head? I have. Well, I didn’t exactly try. The baby just dropped on her head on my watch, that’s all. Athena’s mother was leaving her for the first time since she was born. She had to go to Singapore over a weekend for work and I was put in charge.
The first night went well. Athena woke up quite early in the morning and I picked her up from her cot and brought her into bed with me. Before I knew it, I had dozed off and woke up just in time to see Athena tumbling head first down from the bed and onto the floor. [Click to read the rest of the article at The Malaysian Insider]
Filed under: Afghanistan, directing, documentary, film, GUIDE TO AFGHANISTAN: The Adventures of a KL-ite, internet, journalism, new media, photo essay, The Malaysian Insider, video blog, writing | Tags: afghanistan, ANP, askar, bamiyan, bamyan, blood, conflict, culture, defence, documentary, fat bidin, film, history, insurgency, interview, isaf, islam, journalism, kabul, kementerian, kuala lumpur, magazine, malaysia, malaysian armed forces, malcon, media, middle east, military, mindef, ministry, mullah, museum, muslim, new media, news, pertahanan, september 11, solo journalism, taliban, tentera malaysia, terrorism, torah, video journalism, war, web video, yadkawlang, zan azlee
This week is part 9 of my multimedia documentary, Guide To Afghanistan: The Adventures of a KL-ite, which includes video, still photos an text. As you would know, this is concurrent with the 10-part feature on The Malaysian Insider website, of which you can view part 9 here:
A Taliban ambush
By Zan Azlee
FEB 6 — The next day, we all had to wake up early because our vehicles were supposed to start rolling right at dawn. We were in for another challenging journey and heading deeper into the heartland of Afghanistan. I decided to forego another shower since the temperature in the mountains of Bamiyan were in the single digit in the early mornings.
Before we headed out, we had a security briefing. This is a must since it is when everyone gets information on the journey and also to talk about any emergency plans should there be an attack by the Taliban. After the briefing, we had the mandatory prayers for a safe journey and then we headed out.
This time, the journey was almost twice as difficult. The mountain area we had to go through was higher and rougher. Security was another concern since we were moving further away from central Bamiyan and heading nearer to the border with Daykhundi province, which had a stronger Taliban presence. This time it was serious and I made sure my bulletproof vest was strapped on tighter than ever. [Click to read the full article at The Malaysian Insider]
Guide to Afghanistan: The Adventures of a KL-ite
Part 9 of 10
‘A Taliban ambush’
While embedded with the Malaysian Armed Forces in Afghanistan, Zan and the soldiers encounter a Taliban ambush.
Full Synopsis:
Zan Azlee, a Malaysian KL-ite journalist who has lived all his life in non-conflict zones, travels to Afghanistan to see if he can come up with the best travel guide for the country. With no idea what he is getting himself into, he dodges suicide bombers and IEDs, and even gets embedded with the army, to plan out the best tourist route in Afghanistan. This is a multimedia documentary produced by Fat Bidin Media and directed by solo-journalist Zan Azlee.
To view all the episodes, head to FATBIDIN.COM/AFGHANISTAN.
Click the thumbnails below to launch the photo essay (Part 9).
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- The men having a meal together in Panjab base.
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- Major Dr Mohd Arshil Moideen & Corp Mohd Saiful Karim helping the injured Afghan National Police (ANP).
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- Major Dr Mohd Arshil Moideen & Corp Mohd Saiful Karim helping the injured Afghan National Police (ANP).
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- The entire Malaysian Contingent ISAF 2 (MALCON 2).
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- Dr Borhan Rahmani, an officer from the Afghan Ministry of Health, along with Lt. Col. Rusman Sanip and Major Dr. Mohd Arshil Moideen briefing the local officers.
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- Panjab base.
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- Locals in the small town of Panjab.
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- Students of Panjab High School.
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- Students of Panjab High School listening to the briefing done by MALCON ISAF 2.
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- Students of Panjab High School.
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- The students of Panjab High School playing volleyball with the men of MALCON ISAF 2.
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- The main street in Panjab town.
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- MALCON ISAF 2 assessing the situation of the Afghan National Police (ANP) who were ambushed by the Taliban.
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- A stunned Afghan National Police (ANP) after being ambushed by the Taliban.
Sponsorship and advertising opportunities are still available… just give me a buzz if you are interested and we can talk! If you would like to own original FAT BIDIN MEDIA documentary films and books to enhance your coolness factor, visit the FAT BIDIN e-STORE!
Filed under: internet, journalism, new media, The Malaysian Insider, writing | Tags: 1malaysia, fat bidin, identity, islam, journalism, kuala lumpur, malay, malaysia, The Malaysian Insider, zan azlee
I am Zan Azlee first!
By Zan Azlee
FEB 3 — When I meet people for the first time, I always introduce myself as such: “Hello! My name is Zan Azlee.”
But if the ruling government has its way, I would be introducing myself like this: “Salam 1 Malaysia! I’m Malay, Muslim and Malaysian. By the way, I happen to be Zan Azlee.”
And if the opposition has its way, I would be introducing myself thus: “HIDUP RAKYAT! I’m Malaysian, Malay and Muslim. By the way, BEBAS ANWAR!”
As far as I’m concerned, I am Zan Azlee first and everything else comes second. So we can forget about using the 1 Malaysia concept to define ourselves. In fact, we can also forget all those psycho-religiosi who angrily and fiercely say that they are Muslim first before anything else. Of course, what contributes to who I am is me being a Malaysian, being a Malay (a very impure one!), and also a Muslim (pure or impure is not for me to say!). [Click to read the rest of the article at The Malaysian Insider]
Filed under: Afghanistan, directing, documentary, film, GUIDE TO AFGHANISTAN: The Adventures of a KL-ite, internet, journalism, new media, photo essay, The Malaysian Insider, video blog, writing | Tags: afghanistan, askar, bamiyan, bamyan, blood, conflict, culture, defence, documentary, fat bidin, film, history, insurgency, interview, isaf, islam, journalism, kabul, kementerian, kuala lumpur, magazine, malaysia, malaysian armed forces, malcon, media, middle east, military, mindef, ministry, mullah, museum, muslim, new media, news, pertahanan, september 11, solo journalism, taliban, tentera malaysia, terrorism, torah, video journalism, war, web video, yadkawlang, zan azlee
This week is part 8 of my multimedia documentary, Guide To Afghanistan: The Adventures of a KL-ite, which includes video, still photos an text. As you would know, this is concurrent with the 10-part feature on The Malaysian Insider website, of which you can view part 8 here:
Lending the Afghans a hand
By Zan Azlee
JAN 30 — We arrived in Yadkawlang in the evening after travelling for several hours. Yadkawlang is a small village in Bamiyan province. The Malaysian troops (MALCON ISAF 2) were due to conduct a blood donation drive and also to fit a water filtering system at the village well. When we arrived at the location, which was a school, another group from MALCON ISAF 2 was already there and had set up tents for the day’s event. They had arrived several days earlier and had been staying at the Yadkawlang base.
A group of villagers had already gathered and the commander was informed that the local mullah, Ali Muhammadi, had also arrived. One of the mullah’s men rushed inside the school block to call him. When the mullah came out, the commander greeted him and they proceeded to brief the crowd that had gathered. The main reason the mullah was involved is to convince the villagers that what the Malaysians came here to do is for the benefit of the village.
The local Afghans are actually very apprehensive about foreigners and I can only guess that it must be due to the decades of oppression they have faced from the foreigners that have invaded their country; from the British to the Russians and now the Americans. So it was important that MALCON ISAF 2 implement the proper strategy if they wanted to penetrate and help the local community. [Click to read the full article at The Malaysian Insider]
Guide to Afghanistan: The Adventures of a KL-ite
Part 8 of 10
‘Lending the Afghans a hand’
Zan is embedded with the Malaysian Armed Forces as they patrol the mountains of Afghanistan.
Full Synopsis:
Zan Azlee, a Malaysian KL-ite journalist who has lived all his life in non-conflict zones, travels to Afghanistan to see if he can come up with the best travel guide for the country. With no idea what he is getting himself into, he dodges suicide bombers and IEDs, and even gets embedded with the army, to plan out the best tourist route in Afghanistan. This is a multimedia documentary produced by Fat Bidin Media and directed by solo-journalist Zan Azlee.
To view all the episodes, head to FATBIDIN.COM/AFGHANISTAN.
Click the thumbnails below to launch the photo essay (Part 8).
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- A local Afghan donating blood.
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- Capt. Dr Juhanis Safira Johari (second from right) listening to the daily security briefing.
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- Major Dr. Mohd Arshil Moideen leading the team in prayers before heading out.
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- Capt. Mohd Faddillah Ahmad and the men resting at Yadkawlang Base.
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- On the road.
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- Capt. Dr Juhanis Safira Johari playing with a local Afghan baby.
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- The Bamiyan landscape.
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- Mullah Ali Muhammadi and MALCON ISAF 2 Commander, Lt. Col. Rusman Sanip.
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- Mullah Ali Muhammadi checking out the filtered water.
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- The security detail making sure the site is secure.
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- The men of MALCON ISAF 2 installing the water filter system.
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- Major Dr. Mohd Arshil Moideen demonstrating how the water filter system works.
Sponsorship and advertising opportunities are still available… just give me a buzz if you are interested and we can talk! If you would like to own original FAT BIDIN MEDIA documentary films and books to enhance your coolness factor, visit the FAT BIDIN e-STORE!
Filed under: internet, journalism, lecture, new media, The Malaysian Insider, writing | Tags: entrepreneurial, fat bidin, frontline, journalism, malaysia, media, money, The Malaysian Insider, zan azlee
So… you want to make money? I’ll teach you how!
Entrepreneurial Journalism
By Zan Azlee
JAN 27 — In one of my previous columns several weeks ago, I wrote about not wanting a lot of money for my work as a journalist. Many who read it seem to agree with my idealism (fuuyo!), but many also seemed to think that making money isn’t important.
I don’t want people to think that working in journalism or the media means that one will live poor and hungry forever. What I believe is that one must be resourceful and enterprising in whatever one does.
A term that I particularly like is entrepreneurial journalism, which describes what I ideally think journalists should constantly practise. [Click to read the rest of the article at The Malaysian Insider]
Filed under: Afghanistan, directing, documentary, film, GUIDE TO AFGHANISTAN: The Adventures of a KL-ite, internet, journalism, new media, photo essay, The Malaysian Insider, video blog, writing | Tags: afghanistan, askar, bamiyan, conflict, culture, defence, documentary, fat bidin, film, history, insurgency, interview, isaf, islam, journalism, kabul, kementerian, kuala lumpur, magazine, malaysia, malaysian armed forces, malcon, media, middle east, military, mindef, ministry, museum, muslim, new media, news, pertahanan, september 11, solo journalism, taliban, tentera malaysia, terrorism, torah, video journalism, war, web video, zan azlee
This week is part 7 of my multimedia documentary, Guide To Afghanistan: The Adventures of a KL-ite, which includes video, still photos an text. As you would know, this is concurrent with the 10-part feature on The Malaysian Insider website, of which you can view part 7 here:
Malaysia at war!
By Zan Azlee
JAN 23 — Being a journalist, one of my dreams has always been to be embedded with the military in a conflict zone. I had been to and reported on conflict zones before, but always as an external journalist and never embedded, and when I was given the chance to do so, I jumped at the opportunity.
It wasn’t so much of an opportunity that cropped up rather than one that I had to persistently pursue and create for myself for more than a year. I had been writing multiple e-mails and making phone calls to the Ministry of Defence ever since I learnt that Malaysia had started deploying troops to Afghanistan.
But my attempts were never fruitful and I finally decided I would just head to Afghanistan on my own without being embedded in the military, just like the times I’ve been to Beirut in Lebanon, and Patani in Southern Thailand to produce my wartime documentaries and news reports.
I had been in Kabul for almost a week shooting and filing news stories for the TV station that was commissioning me as a correspondent when I thought I would just send a text message to Lt. Col. Salawati Yahaya, the army’s Media Operations Director, in Kuala Lumpur to say that I was in Afghanistan.
Her reply caught me by surprise. Probably impressed (or shocked!) at my ballsy move to just head to Afghanistan on my own, she managed to get clearance from her bosses to actually allow me to be embedded with MALCON ISAF 2, the Malaysian contingent that was currently serving in Bamiyan. [Click to read the full article at The Malaysian Insider]
Guide to Afghanistan: The Adventures of a KL-ite
Part 7 of 10
‘Malaysia at war!’
Zan arrives at the military base in Bamiyan to be embedded with the Malaysian Armed forces in the war in Afghanistan.
Full Synopsis:
Zan Azlee, a Malaysian KL-ite journalist who has lived all his life in non-conflict zones, travels to Afghanistan to see if he can come up with the best travel guide for the country. With no idea what he is getting himself into, he dodges suicide bombers and IEDs, and even gets embedded with the army, to plan out the best tourist route in Afghanistan. This is a multimedia documentary produced by Fat Bidin Media and directed by solo-journalist Zan Azlee.
To view all the episodes, head to FATBIDIN.COM/AFGHANISTAN.
Click the thumbnails below to launch the photo essay (Part 7).
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- Major Dr Mohamad Arshil Moideen, of MALCON ISAF 2
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- Hanging out with a Hazarat boy in Bamiyan city.
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- Capt. Mohd Faddillah Ahmad leading the mandatory security briefing before heading out on patrol.
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- Saying prayers before heading out on patrol.
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- The view from Kiwi Base in Bamiyan city.
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- The Malaysian flag flying high in the mountains of Afghanistan.
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- The men of MALCON ISAF 2 taking a cigarette break while on patrol.
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- MALCON ISAF 2 commander, Lt. Col. Rusman Sanip, speaking to the local Afghans during a stop for provisions.
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- Security personnel, Corp. Mohd Saiful Karim.
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- A routine vehicle check while on the road.
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- Sergeant Azizan Hashim making sure the coast is clear for the rest of the team.
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- Ariel view of Kabul city.
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- Security personnel on the USAID helicopter flight to Bamiyan.
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- Ariel view of Afghanistan’s landscape.
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- Ariel view of Afghanistan’s landscape.
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- The writer sharing a laugh with MALCON ISAF 2 commander, Lt. Col. Rusman Sanip.
Sponsorship and advertising opportunities are still available… just give me a buzz if you are interested and we can talk! If you would like to own original FAT BIDIN MEDIA documentary films and books to enhance your coolness factor, visit the FAT BIDIN e-STORE!
Filed under: internet, journalism, lecture, new media, The Malaysian Insider, writing | Tags: fat bidin, journalism, malaysia, media, new media, news, orson welles, perception, rob reiner, spinal tap, The Malaysian Insider, war of the worlds, zan azlee
The perception of honesty is a lie
By Zan Azlee
JAN 20 — When people watch the news, it is automatically perceived as something real because that’s what news is all about, which is the reporting of actual happenings. When people watch documentaries, it is also automatically perceived as something real because that’s what documentaries are. Sometimes, this perception that people have can actually be manipulated and used against them.
I remember showing a group of undergrad students of mine the popular 1980s film, “This is Spinal Tap”, directed by Rob Reiner. For those who aren’t familiar with the film, “This is Spinal Tap” is a mockumentary about a fictional rock band called Spinal Tap. The film follows the band as they go through their career from uber famous to uber has-beens in true documentary form.
The film is hilarious and absurd since the band members are not that bright and make ignorant and comedic comments and actions all the way. After the film ended, my students and I had a discussion about it. Many of them were shocked to see how stupid these rock stars were. In fact, several students even asked me if I knew what happened to the band and its members since they were just unbelievably stupid.
Now this seemed hilarious to me. All of the students thought the film was a real documentary about a real rock band. [Click to read the full article at The Malaysian Insider]
Filed under: Afghanistan, directing, documentary, film, GUIDE TO AFGHANISTAN: The Adventures of a KL-ite, internet, journalism, new media, photo essay, The Malaysian Insider, video blog, writing | Tags: afghanistan, bamiyan, conflict, culture, documentary, fat bidin, film, history, insurgency, interview, islam, journalism, kabul, kuala lumpur, magazine, malaysia, media, middle east, military, museum, muslim, new media, news, oliver, percovich, september 11, simantov, skateboard, skateistan, solo journalism, taliban, terrorism, torah, video journalism, war, web video, zan azlee
This week is part 6 of my multimedia documentary, Guide To Afghanistan: The Adventures of a KL-ite, which includes video, still photos an text. As you would know, this is concurrent with the 10-part feature on The Malaysian Insider website, of which you can view part 6 here:
Skateboarding in Skateistan!
By Zan Azlee
JAN 16 — Merza Muhammadi is one of the best skateboarders in Afghanistan. This 17-year-old is an instructor and mid-level manager at Kabul’s only skatepark, Skateistan, and is looked up to by hundreds of Kabul kids. But Merza hasn’t always been in this positive situation. Only four years before, he was working the streets cleaning cars to help support his family.
“Skateistan has been a real positive influence in my life,” said the ever-smiling Merza.
Started in 2007, Skateistan is more than just an ordinary skatepark. It’s an NGO that aims to bring together the many different ethnic youth in Kabul, whether privileged or not, through the sport of skateboarding.
“Skateboarding really fits the Afghan psyche in the sense that it challenges the local kids to overcome personal fear and limitations in whatever situations,” explained founder and executive director, Oliver Percovich.
Merza had always been interested in skateboarding ever since he saw pictures in a skateboarding magazine, but never had the opportunity to try it out. Not until he met Oliver who was working in Kabul at that time and often skated near an old fountain in a park on the outskirts of the city. That was back in 2007. [Click to read the full article at The Malaysian Insider]
Guide to Afghanistan: The Adventures of a KL-ite
Part 6 of 10
‘Skateboarding in Skateistan!’
Skate or die on the streets of Kabul.
Full Synopsis:
Zan Azlee, a Malaysian KL-ite journalist who has lived all his life in non-conflict zones, travels to Afghanistan to see if he can come up with the best travel guide for the country. With no idea what he is getting himself into, he dodges suicide bombers and IEDs, and even gets embedded with the army, to plan out the best tourist route in Afghanistan. This is a multimedia documentary produced by Fat Bidin Media and directed by solo-journalist Zan Azlee.
To view all the episodes, head to FATBIDIN.COM/AFGHANISTAN.
Click the thumbnails below to launch the photo essay (Part 6).
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- A young Afghan skateboarder.
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- Kids skating at Skateistan, the only skatepark in Kabul.
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- A young Afghan skateboarder.
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- Kids skating at Skateistan, the only skatepark in Kabul.
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- Kids skating at Skateistan, the only skatepark in Kabul.
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- Kids skating at Skateistan, the only skatepark in Kabul.
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- Merza Muhammadi, one of the best skateboarders in Afghanistan and an instructor at Skateistan.
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- Merza Muhammadi, one of the best skateboarders in Afghanistan and an instructor at Skateistan.
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- Oliver Percovich, founder and executive director of Skateistan.
Sponsorship and advertising opportunities are still available… just give me a buzz if you are interested and we can talk! If you would like to own original FAT BIDIN MEDIA documentary films and books to enhance your coolness factor, visit the FAT BIDIN e-STORE!
Filed under: internet, journalism, new media, The Malaysian Insider, writing | Tags: corrupt, corruption, fat bidin, journalism, media, money, new media, solo journalism, The Malaysian Insider, zan azlee
I need money… just not a lot of it.
By Zan Azlee
JAN 13 — Recently, someone I know was playing with my daughter Athena. My baby looked like she was having a good time, smiling and coo-ing. Then that someone actually said, “Athena, you’re going to grow up to be a millionaire, aren’t you little girl?”
Oh, can you imagine my horror!
Why are people so obsessed with making money? No matter how hard I try to understand this, my simple mind just really can’t. I definitely understand why we need money and, I need it to. What I don’t understand is how certain people want to make A LOT of it, and make it their life obsession too.
I run my small little media company that does my small little passion projects, and people always ask me if I can “make money” by doing this. I tell them that I’m not interested in making money. All I want to do is be happy doing what I like doing and just make a living out of it.
These people will smile and pretend to understand, but I can see it in their faces. They really look all perplexed and confused. [Click to read the rest of the article at The Malaysian Insider]
Filed under: Afghanistan, directing, documentary, film, GUIDE TO AFGHANISTAN: The Adventures of a KL-ite, internet, journalism, new media, photo essay, The Malaysian Insider, video blog, writing | Tags: 9/11, afghanistan, ahmad shah massoud, angkatan tentera, ariana, armed forces, army, askar, bamiyan, buddha, cinema, conflict, culture, documentary, esquire, fat bidin, film, history, insurgency, interview, isaf, islam, jew, jewish, journalism, kabul, kuala lumpur, magazine, malaysia, malcon, massoud, media, middle east, military, mindef, museum, muslim, nato, new media, news, perang, sediq sediqqi, september 11, simantov, solo journalism, synagogue, taliban, terrorism, torah, video journalism, war, web video, zan azlee, zebolon simantov, zebulon
This week is part 5 of my multimedia documentary, Guide To Afghanistan: The Adventures of a KL-ite, which includes video, still photos an text. As you would know, this is concurrent with the 10-part feature on The Malaysian Insider website, of which you can view part 5 here:
Finding Rambo in Afghanistan!
By Zan Azlee
JAN 9 — No matter how much I read and watch the news about Afghanistan, the one thing that always frames my perspective when it comes to the country is its Islamic extremism. And I know that this is how many people around the world perceive it as well. So, during my time in Afghanistan, one of the issues that interested me was the fact that so much of the country’s culture had been suppressed, or even eradicated, by the Taliban during their rule.
And now that the United States has blown the Taliban out of political power, a lot of this culture, which was deemed haram by the Taliban, is making a comeback. I spoke to Ahmad Bilal Raghbat, my local fixer, about this and the first thing that came to his mind was movies.
“I love watching movies but during the Taliban time, cinemas were shut down,” said the big Bollywood fan.
After days of driving and walking around Kabul with Bilal, I noticed that there was actually quite a big cinema in the middle of the city right next President Hamid Karzai’s office. It’s called Ariana and you can hardly miss it due to all the brightly coloured movie posters adorning the walls on the outside. [Click to read the full article at The Malaysian Insider]
Guide to Afghanistan: The Adventures of a KL-ite
Part 5 of 10
‘Finding Rambo in Afghanistan!’
Zan finds Rambo, Nicholas Cage and Dolph Lundgren in the mountains of Afghanistan.
Full Synopsis:
Zan Azlee, a Malaysian KL-ite journalist who has lived all his life in non-conflict zones, travels to Afghanistan to see if he can come up with the best travel guide for the country. With no idea what he is getting himself into, he dodges suicide bombers and IEDs, and even gets embedded with the army, to plan out the best tourist route in Afghanistan. This is a multimedia documentary produced by Fat Bidin Media and directed by solo-journalist Zan Azlee.
To view all the episodes, head to FATBIDIN.COM/AFGHANISTAN.
Click the thumbnails below to launch the photo essay (Part 5).
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- Ismail Daud of the National Museum of Afghanistan.
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- Rambo is alive and well in Kabul!
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- Ariana Cinema in the heart of Kabul.
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- Pictures of a recent archaelogical excavation in Afghanistan.
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- A statue of Buddha at the National Museum of Afghanistan.
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- The National Museum of Afghanistan in Kabul.
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- The National Museum of Afghanistan in Kabul.
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- Nicholas Cage in Kabul!
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- An old artifact being restored at the National Museum of Afghanistan.
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- Zan at the National Museum of Afghanistan.
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- Zan with his new buddy (ANP) at the bombed-riddled Darul Aman Palace next to the National Museum of Afghanistan.
Sponsorship and advertising opportunities are still available… just give me a buzz if you are interested and we can talk! If you would like to own original FAT BIDIN MEDIA documentary films and books to enhance your coolness factor, visit the FAT BIDIN e-STORE!
Filed under: internet, journalism, new media, The Malaysian Insider, writing | Tags: fat bidin, journalism, live stream, media, new media, news, occupy, occupy wall street, OWS, solo journalism, streamers, The Malaysian Insider, tim pool, timcast.tv, ustream, video stream, zan azlee
Right here, right now!
By Zan Azlee
JAN 6 — The Internet is so damn instant. If an incident, say a huge plane crash, happens at 9 in the morning, the news can be published at 9.05am. No wonder conventional news media such as television and (especially!) newspapers are struggling to keep up with the pace.
News on television is at a set time and any news will have to wait. Newspapers are worse because they can only publish yesterday’s news. So yes, the Internet is damn instant. However, recently, a young journalist by the name of Tim Pool took this “instant” feature one step further.
You must have heard of the Occupy Wall Street movement that has been sweeping across the United States, and spawning similar movements all around the world too.
Pool utilised a mobile phone with an Internet connection and extra batteries to actually stream video “live” of protesters in Zuccotti Park in New York City. Through his video (Timcast.TV), over 250,000 people witnessed thousands of protesters being raided, evicted and arrested that November night.
Now, you may say that this isn’t really groundbreaking media since conventional television broadcasts “live” too. [Click to read the rest of the article at The Malaysian Insider]
Filed under: Afghanistan, directing, documentary, film, GUIDE TO AFGHANISTAN: The Adventures of a KL-ite, internet, journalism, new media, photo essay, The Malaysian Insider, video blog, writing | Tags: 9/11, afghanistan, ahmad shah massoud, angkatan tentera, armed forces, army, askar, bamiyan, conflict, documentary, esquire, fat bidin, film, insurgency, interview, isaf, islam, jew, jewish, journalism, kabul, kuala lumpur, magazine, malaysia, malcon, massoud, media, middle east, military, mindef, muslim, nato, new media, news, perang, sediq sediqqi, september 11, simantov, solo journalism, synagogue, taliban, terrorism, torah, video journalism, war, web video, zan azlee, zebolon simantov, zebulon
(Last week, I received news from my friend and fixer, Ahmad Bilal Raghbat, that his father, Abdul Baqi Raghbat, an advisor for the Afghan Ministry of Tribal and Border Affairs, was assassinated by the Taliban in his hometown of Kandahar. May God bless his soul.)
This week is part 4 of my multimedia documentary, Guide To Afghanistan: The Adventures of a KL-ite, which includes video, still photos an text. As you would know, this is concurrent with the 10-part feature on The Malaysian Insider website, of which you can view part 4 here:
The Last Jew in Afghanistan
By Zan Azlee
JAN 2 – I had heard rumours that there was a Jew, apparently the last Jew in Afghanistan, living in Kabul when I was planning my trip there. I knew that I had to make sure I meet this person. Pursuing the story about the last Jew wasn’t meant to be a scoop since it’s been reported before.
But what I was really interested in was to just meet him and listen to his story first hand and to shake his hand myself. So, when I finally arrived in Kabul, and all the 9/11 anniversary hype had died down, I told my fixer, Ahmad Bilal Raghbat, that I wanted to look for Zebolon Simantov.
We walked around Flower Street where Simantov was reportedly living and started asking the people there if they knew of such a person. After a few false alarms, we finally found a restaurant owner who just pointed to a flight of stairs at the back.
We walked up one floor and marched through a narrow and dusty corridor. We arrived at a pastel-coloured wooden door. I knocked. A slightly overweight, middle-aged Caucasian-looking man opened the door. I asked him if he knew Zebolon Simantov.
“Yes, that’s me,” he said in Pashto, which was translated to me by Bilal.
I was finally meeting face to face with Zebolon Simantov, the last and only Jew living in the entire Afghanistan. I introduced myself as a journalist from Malaysia and said that I would like to interview him on camera. He nodded and invited us in. [Click to read the full article at The Malaysian Insider]
Guide to Afghanistan: The Adventures of a KL-ite
Part 4 of 10
‘The Last Jew in Afghanistan’
Zan haggles over an interview price with the last Jew standing in the whole of Afghanistan.
Full Synopsis:
Zan Azlee, a Malaysian KL-ite journalist who has lived all his life in non-conflict zones, travels to Afghanistan to see if he can come up with the best travel guide for the country. With no idea what he is getting himself into, he dodges suicide bombers and IEDs, and even gets embedded with the army, to plan out the best tourist route in Afghanistan. This is a multimedia documentary produced by Fat Bidin Media and directed by solo-journalist Zan Azlee.
To view all the episodes, head to FATBIDIN.COM/AFGHANISTAN.
Click the thumbnails below to launch the photo essay (Part 4).
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- Zebolon Simantov, the last Jew in Afghanistan, holding an old jewish scripture.
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- Zebolon Simantov in his abanoned synagogue.
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- The one and only synagogue in Afghanistan.
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- An old Jewish scripture in Kabul’s only synagogue.
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- Zebolon Simantov, the last Jew in Afghanistan, in his one room flat.
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- Zebolon Simantov, the last Jew in Afghanistan, in his one room flat.
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- Zebolon Simantov with his best friend, a Muslim, Abdul Shukor.
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- Zan Azlee with Zebolon Simantov.
Sponsorship and advertising opportunities are still available… just give me a buzz if you are interested and we can talk! If you would like to own original FAT BIDIN MEDIA documentary films and books to enhance your coolness factor, visit the FAT BIDIN e-STORE!
Filed under: broadcast, directing, documentary, film, internet, journalism, new media, The Malaysian Insider, writing | Tags: ban, censor, censorship, fat bidin, film, home ministry, journalism, lpf, malaysia, media, new media, pas, self censorship, The Malaysian Insider, zan azlee
No more Film Censorship Board. Yay or nay?
By Zan Azlee
DEC 30 — The news that the Home Ministry has decided to do away with the Film Censorship Board has definitely caught me by surprise. Apparently, the ministry has declared that now filmmakers need to practise self-censorship when it comes to their works.
As someone who has been directly affected by decisions made by the board, I’m really not too sure how to react to the news. In the past, I’ve had my films — which to my own eyes were harmless — get ridiculous ratings like 18PL. I even had a film banned two years ago for no apparent reason (by the Prime Minister’s Office, no less!).
So when the government says that the responsibility now lies with filmmakers to make sure that their films do not contain undesirable elements, what do I do? [Click to read the full article at The Malaysian Insider]
Filed under: internet, new media, The Malaysian Insider, writing | Tags: athena, baby, cinderella, disney, fat bidin, kardashian, miley cyrus, parenting, paris hilton, princess, princess complex, sleeping beauty, snow white, the little mermaid, The Malaysian Insider, zan azlee
Don’t you dare call my daughter a princess!
By Zan Azlee
DEC 23 – I don’t want my daughter, Athena, to be a princess and I pray everyday that this concept will never be planted in her head, now or ever. It scares me to think that she will have a room filled with pink objects, frilly dresses, silver and diamond tiaras and girly wedding gowns.
Some of you might say that is what being a girl is all about. But I beg to differ because the princess complex goes way deeper than pink toys. Can you tell me one princess story that doesn’t involve a girl suffering or lying in wait for a handsome prince charming to come rescue her to happiness?
Think about it. Snow White, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Rapunzel… they’re all the same helpless girl that needs a man, whom she has never met, to rescue her. [Click to read the rest of the article at The Malaysian Insider]
Filed under: Afghanistan, directing, documentary, DVD, film, GUIDE TO AFGHANISTAN: The Adventures of a KL-ite, internet, journalism, new media, photo essay, The Malaysian Insider, video blog, writing | Tags: 9/11, afghanistan, ahmad shah massoud, angkatan tentera, armed forces, army, askar, bamiyan, conflict, documentary, esquire, fat bidin, film, insurgency, interview, isaf, islam, journalism, kabul, kuala lumpur, magazine, malaysia, malcon, massoud, media, middle east, military, mindef, muslim, nato, new media, news, perang, sediq sediqqi, september 11, solo journalism, taliban, terrorism, video journalism, war, web video, zan azlee
This week is part 3 of my multimedia documentary, Guide To Afghanistan: The Adventures of a KL-ite, which includes video, still photos an text. As you would know, this is concurrent with the 10-part feature on The Malaysian Insider website, of which you can view part 3 here:
Ahmad Shah Massoud and Martyrdom
By Zan Azlee
DEC 19 — Arriving in Afghanistan in September, and especially on the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, it would be foolish of me not to expect anything to happen. On my first full day in Kabul itself I had already stumbled upon a huge street demonstration opposing President Hamid Karzai’s government.
And now, I was told by Ahmad Bilal Raghbat, my fixer, it was also Massoud Day weekend. It’s actually the 10th anniversary of the death of Ahmad Shah Massoud, the great Muhajideen general who fought against the Russians and then the Taliban. He was assassinated by the Taliban two days before the 9/11 attacks, and that date is now a national holiday.
The morning of Massoud Day, I woke up early and waited for Bilal to come pick me up. I hopped into his car as soon as he pulled up and we sped off into the city.
“There will be lots of people gathering at Massoud Square to pay tribute to him,” said Bilal as he drove without regard of any traffic rules, as is the case with all Afghan drivers. “Security is going to be tight so it might be difficult for us to get in.”
I just nodded as my fingers gripped the dashboard in fear. “Funny. I come to a war zone willingly but I’m scared of dying in a traffic accident!” I thought to myself. [Click to read the rest of the article at The Malaysian Insider]
Guide to Afghanistan: The Adventures of a KL-ite
Part 3 of 10 – ‘Ahmad Shah Massoud and Martyrdom’
And they celebrate a hero like they’re going to war!
Full Synopsis:
Zan Azlee, a Malaysian KL-ite journalist who has lived all his life in non-conflict zones, travels to Afghanistan to see if he can come up with the best travel guide for the country. With no idea what he is getting himself into, he dodges suicide bombers and IEDs, and even gets embedded with the army, to plan out the best tourist route in Afghanistan. This is a multimedia documentary produced by Fat Bidin Media and directed by solo-journalist Zan Azlee.
To view all the episodes, head to FATBIDIN.COM/AFGHANISTAN.
Click the thumbnails below to launch the photo essay (Part 3).
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- An Afghan National Police (ANP) paying his respects to Ahmad Shah Massoud.
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- Afghans pay their respects to Massoud.
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- Afghans pay their respects to Massoud.
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- Representatives from the Afghan National Police and the Afghan National Army pay their respects to the fallen tribal leader at Massoud Square.
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- Parade vehicles decked out with pictures of Massoud.
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- Afghans pay tribute to Massod.
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- Massoud Square in Kabul, Afghanistan.
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- Vehicles decked out with pictures of Massoud.
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- Afghans pay tribute to Massod.
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- Parade vehicles circling Massoud Square with ISAF NATO troops looking on from their perch.
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- Ahmad Shah Massoud was assasinated two days before 9/11.
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- Zan Azlee at Massoud Square as the crowd is slowy dispersing.
Sponsorship and advertising opportunities are still available… just give me a buzz if you are interested and we can talk! If you would like to own original FAT BIDIN MEDIA documentary films and books to enhance your coolness factor, visit the FAT BIDIN e-STORE!
Filed under: Afghanistan, directing, documentary, e-store, film, GUIDE TO AFGHANISTAN: The Adventures of a KL-ite, internet, journalism, new media, The Malaysian Insider, video blog | Tags: 9/11, afghanistan, angkatan tentera, armed forces, army, askar, bamiyan, conflict, documentary, esquire, fat bidin, film, insurgency, interview, isaf, islam, journalism, kabul, kuala lumpur, magazine, malaysia, malcon, media, middle east, military, mindef, muslim, nato, new media, news, perang, september 11, solo journalism, taliban, terrorism, video journalism, war, web video, zan azlee
That’s right people! We will release one episode every Monday (for the next ten Mondays!) of my multimedia documentary, Guide To Afghanistan: The Adventures of a KL-ite, which includes video, still photos an text. As you would know, this is concurrent with the 10-part feature on The Malaysian Insider website, of which you can view part 2 here:
Hidup hidup! Afghanistan!
By Zan Azlee
DEC 12 — Although it was the 10th anniversary of 9/11, it was clear that many Afghans felt that it was irrelevant to them and their lives. I don’t blame them since, in their country, 9/11 seems to be happening every day.
“Every day, in my country, people are killed. If not by the Taliban, then by the American and ISAF forces. We are looking at 9/11 every day here,” gripes Ahmad Bilal Raghbat, my fixer in Afghanistan.
It seems that after 10 years of the United States’ presence in Afghanistan, the situation in the country isn’t much better. One would think that at least security and safety of the locals would have improved, but no. Attacks by the Taliban still happen regularly. And to be honest, this scared the wits out of me! The first few days sleeping in my room was spent… NOT sleeping!
One of the first things Bilal said to me when I arrived in Kabul was not to wander around Kabul on my own since it is particularly dangerous for foreigners. I had no objections there since everyone in the streets dressed and looked like dangerous Taliban members! You just couldn’t tell the difference.
That’s why, although central Kabul is considered the Green Zone and is safe, attacks still happen almost every week. How do you tell a Taliban from a non-Taliban? They are all Afghans and they all dress the same. And if it’s the beard that you go by to differentiate them (growing one is compulsory for a Taliban), well, most Afghans have beards. [Click to read the rest of the article at The Malaysian Insider]
Guide to Afghanistan: The Adventures of a KL-ite
Part 2 of 10
Hidup hidup! Afghanistan! (Long live Afghanistan!)
Zan meets up with dissatisfied Afghans who want the USA to leave their country and allow them to govern themselves. He also stumbles upon a street demonstration that is opposed to the current Karzai presidency.
Full Synopsis:
Zan Azlee, a Malaysian KL-ite journalist who has lived all his life in non-conflict zones, travels to Afghanistan to see if he can come up with the best travel guide for the country. With no idea what he is getting himself into, he dodges suicide bombers and IEDs, and even gets embedded with the army, to plan out the best tourist route in Afghanistan. This is a multimedia documentary produced by Fat Bidin Media and directed by solo-journalist Zan Azlee.
To view all the episodes, head to FATBIDIN.COM/AFGHANISTAN.
Click the thumbnails below to launch the photo essay (Part 2).
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- Fardin Khan would like to see his own police and army in charge of the peace.
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- A tailor in Kabul, Afghanistan.
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- Zarghon Shah owns a shirt store and is happy the Americans are bringing in the Dollar.
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- A protestor holding the Afghan flag.
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- Daud Sultanzoi speaking at a demonstration in Kabul, Afghanistan.
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- A demonstrator holding the Afghan flag.
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- Demonstrators holding a banner in Kabul, Afghanistan.
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- Police keeping the peace during a deomnstration in Kabul, Afghanistan.
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- Mohamed Ismail, a demonstrator, leads a group of his fellow Afghans.
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- Police looking on as demonstrators gather in front of President Karzai’s office.
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- Police keeping the peace during a deomnstration in Kabul, Afghanistan.
Sponsorship and advertising opportunities are still available… just give me a buzz if you are interested and we can talk! If you would like to own original FAT BIDIN MEDIA documentary films and books to enhance your coolness factor, visit the FAT BIDIN e-STORE!
Filed under: internet, journalism, new media, The Malaysian Insider, writing | Tags: 1malaysia, allah, book, fat bidin, haram, hard truths, islam, jakim, journalism, lee kuan yew, malay, malaysia, muhammad, muslim, obedient wives club, quran, read, singapore, The Malaysian Insider, zan azlee
I can’t eat pork or drink alcohol. Now I can’t read a book either? Oh yeah… no touching bananas or cucumbers too!
A haram book? What next?
By Zan Azlee
DEC 9 — Do not eat the book. Do not drink the book. Do not touch the book. Do not use any kitchen utensils that have been used with the book. Because it is haram.
The book that I am referring to is “Lee Kuan Yew: Hard Truths To Keep Singapore Going”, which has been declared haram by our Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim).
I find the decision utterly ridiculous. Apparently, Lee mentions that Muslims in Singapore are “socially distinct and separate” and should “be less strict on Islamic observances” to aid integration and the city-state’s nation-building process.
In my opinion, I see the act by Jakim as an act that clearly defies the teachings of the Quran as it obstructs the quest for knowledge. [Click to read the full article at The Malaysian Insider]
Filed under: Afghanistan, directing, documentary, e-store, film, GUIDE TO AFGHANISTAN: The Adventures of a KL-ite, internet, journalism, new media, photo essay, The Malaysian Insider, video blog, writing | Tags: 9/11, afghanistan, angkatan tentera, armed forces, army, askar, bamiyan, conflict, documentary, esquire, fat bidin, film, insurgency, interview, isaf, islam, journalism, kabul, kuala lumpur, magazine, malaysia, malcon, media, middle east, military, mindef, muslim, nato, new media, news, perang, september 11, solo journalism, taliban, terrorism, video journalism, war, web video, zan azlee
Today is the launch of the online version of my multimedia documentary, Guide To Afghanistan: The Adventures of a KL-ite, which includes video and still photos. This is after TV news reports (for Astro AWANI) and a magazine feature article and photo essay (for Esquire). Radio and TV versions of the documentary are also in discussion. This launch is also in conjunction with the launch of a 10-part feature on The Malaysian Insider website, of which you can view part 1 here:
Guide to Afghanistan: The Adventures of a KL-ite
Part 1 of 10
9/11? What’s that?
Full Synopsis:
Zan Azlee, a Malaysian KL-ite journalist who has lived all his life in non-conflict zones, travels to Afghanistan to see if he can come up with the best travel guide for the country. With no idea what he is getting himself into, he dodges suicide bombers and IEDs, and even gets embedded with the army, to plan out the best tourist route in Afghanistan. This is a multimedia documentary produced by Fat Bidin Media and directed by solo-journalist Zan Azlee.
Click the thumbnails below to launch the photo essay.
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- Children on the way to school in Kabul
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- A young Afghan National Police (ANP)
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- The bullet-riddled Darul Aman Palace
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- A hillside neighbourhood on the outskirts of Kabul
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- A mobile phone credit vendor and money-changer on the streets of Kabul
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- A mobile phone credit vendor and money-changer on the streets of Kabul
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- A clothing store on Chicken Street, Kabul
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- A kebab seller preparing for the day
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- The infamous Ghazi Stadium in Kabul where the Taliban held public executions
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- Kabul, Afghanistan
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- A market in Kabul
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- Women shopping in a Kabul market
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- My fixer, Ahmad Bilal Raghbat, at a Kabul petrol kiosk
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- The writer, Zan Azlee, with an Afghan National Police (ANP) at the bomb-riddled Darul Aman Palace
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- The youth of Kabul
Sponsorship and advertising opportunities are still available… just give me a buzz if you are interested and we can talk! If you would like to own original FAT BIDIN MEDIA documentary films and books to enhance your coolness factor, visit the FAT BIDIN e-STORE!
Filed under: internet, journalism, new media, The Malaysian Insider, writing | Tags: bbc, corruption, fat bidin, journalism, malaysia, media, new media, news, pbs, The Malaysian Insider, zan azlee
It’s just duit kopi!
Corruption in the media
By Zan Azlee
DEC 2 — Corruption was the topic of discussion on the evening programme of my favourite local radio station, BFM, yesterday while I was stuck in traffic. They were talking about corruption relating to the country’s governance and law enforcement. I had my opinions on that but that’s not really what I want to write about here.
The discussion on the programme really got me thinking about corruption in my profession, which is journalism and the media. I’m sure most of you readers would have heard about the recent controversy involving the BBC and the Malaysian government.
The BBC was found to have breached its editorial guidelines by broadcasting paid-for programming that was promoting the Malaysian government. This act would be considered by many, me included, as unethical and corrupt. It involves money and it is misleading. Am I right? [Click to read the full article at The Malaysian Insider]
