Caliph
3

Rais, 1989

One of his mother’s friends said that Rais should be schooled at school for genius people. The friend is an old friend of his mother during college. He comes to visit once a month, sometimes more.

Rais knew that his parents disagree with the friend. His father and mother always said that he must keep his feet on the ground. Rais must be blended with society. They knew that Rais is an extraordinary kid. But he must not keep his genius to himself only. Rais must spread his privilege to the people.

“You were born for some reason. You must replace out what that reason is. Even if it takes your whole life to replace it, then do it. At first, you must spread your goodness into society. Let people get the advantage of your genius. Then you can develop it time after time until you replace out the reason why you were born into this world.” Said Rais’ parents.

Finally, they decided that Rais would go to a public school. Rais blended with society perfectly. He was notable and known as a down-to-earth genius.

Whenever there was an opportunity, Rais’ father and mother taught him all their knowledge about nature.

Sometimes they also introduced Rais to art such as music, film, and theater. From here, Rais learned about how someone processes words to become more meaningful.

Rais is very interested in this. Sometimes, he was very excited to go to the theater or cinema, even to music concerts. During his time at those places, Rais learned that creating such arts needs a lot of skills. He found some majors on his campus which facilitate the students to create such artworks. Rais was interested at that time, but he found himself more interested in engineering sciences. But Rais never left his interest in arts. So, he studied it independently. Rais found out that arts such as film, music, painting, and other forms of it, have connections to human souls and brains. That’s why he’s interested in studying them.

Occasionally Rais was also invited to go to visit his father’s company. His parents want Rais to inherit this company and run it after they retired. They are sure that with his genius, Rais will bring Hoetomo’s company into a far greater future.

Hoetomo, Inc. is a company that controls almost all aspects of American life, even the world. Rais was brought by his father and mother to visit the companies at least once a week.

Every time they did it, Rais’ father wore a too casual suit exasperating him, while his mother dressed in clothes typical of women’s blouses. Rais did not understand how to dress to visit the company. He only saw his mother asking his father about the suitability of the clothes she was wearing.

“Is this feasible?” Her mother asked.

His father immediately asked his mother to turn around, and after that, he told her that she was gorgeous.

Rais saw the sincerity in his father’s eyes. When his father said that his mother was gorgeous, Rais could see that his father meant it, with all his heart.

His mother found Rais standing at the door and asked him to come to their room. He tidied Rais’ shirt, then said that Rais was very handsome.

The three of them then went to New York City, with their driver in front of the limo escorting them. Rais looked outside. He saw a lot of people walking on the sidewalk. Light rain poured from the sky. People opened their umbrellas. Some of them who didn’t bring their umbrella tidied their coat. Rais looked at them without blinking.

“You care about those people, aren’t you?” asked Rais’ mother.

“They are wet, Mother.” Said Rais.

His mother nodded.

“I want to walk there, walk like them,” said Rais again, pointing to the sidewalks and pedestrians.

“As expected, he is just like you, a person who is hungry for adventure.” Rais’ Mother said.

“We’ll try it sometime,” Rais’ Father answered.

They drove through town, past building by building. Rais saw people out there inside the wind so that clothes and their hair fluttered. On the main road, some shops are full of customers. On the other hand, the city lights started to turn on because the weather makes the sky dim.

They finally reached Hoetomo, Inc. Their company’s head office which is located in New York. The Hoetomo family entered the building and directly go to the parking lot.

There were already many cars in the parking lot, but their cars never had to run out of space. They stopped at a parking spot that was theirs. It’s the parking spot dedicated specifically to the Hoetomo family. Since the middle of the 20th century, Hoetomo became an icon in this country. Then not only in the Hoetomo company but also in other places, the Hoetomo family has their parking spot.

Hoetomo’s family stopped and got off their car. Rais’ mother tried to take his hand, but Rais refused to be held by his mother. Rais never wants to be dependent. Since he was a kid, Rais has always wanted to walk independently. He never let himself depend on anyone.

Rais’ parents smiled. They already know that Rais wants to walk by himself. Then they continued to walk. They went to their place. The Hoetomo door, the main door after the parking lot, opened.

Some people were already in formation, welcoming them. They are Hoetomo’s employees. Rais’ father noticed that it was early dinner time.

Rais found they were going to ride a special elevator for the company’s top brass. The door opened silently in front of them, they entered, and while inside, Rais could see the view of the city of New York. Rais looked outside. He saw a lot of people down there.

People entered the subway; they’re the group that runs in rhythm so regularly. Some of them looked in a hurry. Rais realized that they’re the class of society that must do it every day, for years in their life, from the beginning of their career, until their got retired. Or, until they replace a new life.

Rais had gone to big cities before, but he had never been to a city as big as New York City. For him, this city is like a city full of pillars and a continuous flow of people.

It’s a city that never sleeps. Rais never thought of staying here. Rais’ mind flew everywhere. He forgot that he was still in the elevator with his parents. Rais was already in a world of his own. Without realizing the time, he was on the top floor already, with his parents.

Rais could not hide his admiration. After getting out of the elevator, he can see from the window view, the view of New York City. All of that impressed him so much.

“Your father built this company,” his mother said.

“All because of God’s grace,” said Rais’ father.

“Your father is very good at being grateful,” Mother said.

“That’s what our family taught us from the beginning,” Father told Rais.

“All that we get is impossible if it is not for the grace and fortune of Allah. In this city, even this country, there was a time when your grandfather, the first generation of our family who moved to America, set foot on this land. But your grandfather told me that our duty was not finished yet. There is still much suffering, and poverty, which afflicts people in this country and the world. We must create jobs that open welfare for everyone.” continued Father.

“And everything is centered here,” Mother said, “in the Hoetomo Group.” she continued.

“Is this what Father and Mother do?” Rais asked.

“Yes, and we are supported by the best people,” Mother answered.

“The experts?”

“That’s right, people who are in charge of their respective fields.”

Rais strolled. He looked around. He realized that he was at the center of civilization.

“Let’s go in,” his father said, showing a large room.

The Hoetomos entered an immaculate, white, and luxurious room. The door was massive and equipped with carpet. This room was far more elegant than all that Rais had seen before. For him, this is more like a five stars hotel room.

They walked and occupied the place where chairs were marked. Each named chair, including Rais’, is a very luxurious soft chair. Some men welcomed them. Rais’ father gave some instructions to some people.

Rais’ mother whispered to some female employees, who immediately smiled and nodded as a sign that they understood. They sat down, and soon some people came with snacks. From here, they watched the presentation of several people who seemed to have influential positions in this company.

Rais’ father and mother paid close attention while occasionally asking questions. Rais realized that there were no children but him in this room.

He felt strange.

I’d instead go alone, he thought.

But he did not know where to go.

A female employee came and offered lunch.

“Just a kebab, thank you,” Mother said.

“Cordon Bleu, please,” said Father.

Rais ordered the same thing as his father.

They had a fancy meal in the room.

Afterward, several employees tidied up their former meals and offered many dessert choices.

Rais felt bored.

During the day, Rais saw the sun from the corner of the window. While Mom and Dad were still talking with people, Rais moved and went to the window. He realized that the rain that he watched before the meal had stopped. Then he can see the sky clearly with the sunset.

It’s beautiful for Rais.

Rais had often seen the sunset. But that time was different.

He felt something in this sun besides its beauty. Something great but also ... frightening.

Rais’ body shivered.

“Do you like seeing the sunset?” Asked Mother.

Rais was a bit surprised to replace his mother standing beside him, but he nodded.

“What did you see from there?” Mother asked again.

“Something that contains excellent strength. It is there, and it stores extraordinary energy. ”

“That’s right, it is the source of life on this earth. Without it, this earth will die.”

Rais looked back at the evening sun.

“Glory Allah, The Almighty who had created it all.” continued Mother.

Rais turned to his mother.

His mother nodded and smiled.

Their business was over at the company that day. They went home to take a different path than when they arrived.

But for Rais, it became a new adventure. He found something new. Something that frightened him but made him excited. The thing is in the sun. Rais promised that he will learn about it after this. He didn’t know yet what he found, but he was sure that it will be useful someday.

The thing that he found will have a great impact on his life journey after this.

Rais, 1997

Rais felt so relieved when he got back into his parent’s house. He and his parents had lived there for years. Hoetomo Residence is the name of the place, which was built after World War II. Rais lived there until he was seventeen. Then he moved to Boston to go to Harvard. Rais’ family stayed in Hoetomo Residence to run their business. The residence has a special place to work, whereas, on the other side, it has rooms for private life.

No wonder how they can do it, Hoetomo Residence is as big as the White House.

That day, Rais was seventeen years old. His father was still running their businesses. His father had decided to expand their businesses to South East Asia. So, Rais and his parents met for discussing strategies.

As they walked the grand yards in the house’s garden, Rais remembered playing there when he was a kid. He often played football there, with his father’s assistants. No, not the American ones. Not the one they called “Football”. Rais loved the one called “Soccer”. He was interested in that kind of football. Not only because of the game. Not only for the technique but also for the hype.

Soccer can make its audiences forget about everything outside the game. Rais had watched European Football, it’s what they call Soccer in there. He watched what happened in Milan, Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester, London, and Liverpool. Rais went there sometimes to watch the game. He can feel the atmosphere. People chose their favorite football club since they were a kid, maybe before they can read. They became their club’s fans like they chose their religion. Then they live with it all of their life. Even they are willing to die for their football club.

Rais found it almost the same as what he found about faith. About religion.

People are willing to die for a religion.

People are willing to die for a football club.

It’s interesting for Rais. People are willing to die for what they stand for. It can be religion, football club, or country.

Rais was still remembering the moment he played soccer in the yard. He recalled tricking the assistants one by one then shooting the ball into the goal and laughing when the goalkeeper can’t stop his shot. It was a big yard, maybe more than the White House’s. And also, it’s full of great park facilities for playing.

Even though Rais liked his house in Hoetomo Residence, he realized he wanted to go outside. He found happiness out there. Seeing the world outside, he felt a kind of fun.

Inside, in the backyard garden, Rais’ parents had prepared sound systems to play soft music. The Hoetomos had turned the backyard into the graduation party place only for that day. After this party, they can use it again to do anything. But for that day, the garden didn’t seem as bright as it had then, especially for Rais. It usually reflected the light from the sunshine in the morning or sunset. Rais looked around. The lamps were installed in the trees. It was non-permanent lamps, for sure. But for Rais, it’s disturbing. They were not supposed to be installed by anything.

High Definition cameras were set up to record their party. It will be put in Hoetomo’s archive, not only in the family but also in the companies. The recorders waited with their cameras and lighting equipment. Videographers started to record the party. Hoetomo house assistant leader handed copies of the party checklist and made sure that everything was under control. The house assistants looked around nervously, hoping everything would be okay and go as planned. They had been warned by their leaders to be on their best service performance and not to make any mistakes. He wanted to make a good impression on the Hoetomo family and their guests.

The music played and came to the middle. The man who was responsible for it stayed in the control panel and monitored it to make sure that it goes smoothly. He smiled when he found out that everything was okay. His duty came to an end when the music stopped. The audience applauded and the videographers weren’t sure whether they must applaud too or not. Their duty wasn’t over yet.

Now that the audience had stopped enjoying the music, Rais felt that they were all watching him.

There’s the genius who becomes the star.

The rich genius who inherits everything.

Rais didn’t know what they think about it, but perhaps not far from his deduction. He stared at them and smiled politely. Rais’ Parents greeted the audience and he also wanted to make a good impression. So, Rais came with his parents to greet the audience too.

They weren’t all paying attention to Rais and his family. Some of them were so excited by the garden and enjoyed the view there. Maybe the view in the garden was more interesting than a genius boy who graduated from Harvard way before he turned twenty.

Rais wished that the audience enjoyed the view around. He felt relieved not to be the center of attention. Even though many people still stared at him, Rais forced himself to smile back.

Rais was not too fond of his graduation party made by the Hoetomo family. He tried but still could not.

Do I need to be here?

Do I look like a celebrity, or artist, or something like that?

Why do they have to stare at me like I’m someone special?

Rais never liked such parties. His father and mother invited everyone happy for Rais. They were Muslim families and also Indonesian-Americans who were known by the Hoetomo family. Every year, they also held the eid prayer twice and invited the Muslim family to do it together. Sometimes, Rais joined them. Sometimes, he did it in other places in America. Rais loved to travel everywhere, then when he performed Eid prayer, he went to the different mosques each year.

Over the years, his mother had introduced Rais to some children, especially girls. Only some of them were Muslim because their parents always taught Rais not to be exclusive. Rais never has any problem playing with any children. He liked to learn a lot from them. For Rais, meeting many people can enrich his knowledge. Rais believed that everyone has his uniqueness. By learning from many people, Rais can have everyone’s uniqueness, and make himself more and more genius.

Sometimes Rais played at their house, sometimes, the contrary, those children visited Rais.

At first, it felt strange visiting someone else’s house, but Rais became accustomed over time.

From here, Rais learned to explore the life of their neighbors. Now and then, they asked if they were allowed to play at Rais’ house, where home was very luxurious even though Rais’ father tried to make it “as simple as possible”.

Rais’ Father and Mother warmly welcomed the children who came.

For them, this was a good thing when Rais started socializing. They might play anything they want while under surveillance.

So, at this time, when his family held a garden party to celebrate his graduation in their house that resembled a palace, Rais had begun to rule. In the end, Rais found that he had to be thankful for the party.

I don’t believe in destiny, but this time should, he thought.

Because that was the first time, he met Malikha.

Malikha Russel had her perfectly long brown hair. She was elegant, friendly, and attractive. Her height was almost equal to Rais. Malikha wore a light-colored blouse and blazer, making her aura look more perfect.

She greeted Rais that day.

“Miss Russel,” Rais welcomed Malikha.

Malikha was silent for a moment.

“Please call me Malikha,” she answered.

“And call me Rais, please.”

“And how do you know my name?”

“Come on, there are only a few Muslim families around here; I know the names of each of them.”

“Of course, you are a famous genius here,”

“Don’t believe everything you hear, Malikha.”

“But that’s true, right?”

“If you say so,”

“Okay, want to go to Starbucks?”

“It’s on me,”

“Why?”

“I’m the one who celebrates today,”

“Do you want to go to Starbucks?”

“Of course, why not?”

“I was just making small talk, while I’m not sure if a nerd like you want to go to Starbucks,”

“I’m not a nerd,”

“Okay,”

“Let’s go.”

They left the party that was still going on.

“So, what do you do now?” Rais asked as they entered Starbucks.

“I’m a paralegal. I just finished law school at Harvard.”

“All right, please have a sit.”

“Thank you,” Malikha replied after realizing that they had been standing for some time after entering.

“Vanilla Sky,” said Rais.

“Sorry?”

Rais pointed at the sky outside the window.

“Oh, how beautiful,” said Malikha.

“Indeed, Malikha.”

“Then, what brings you home?”

"Well, I visited my parents. When was the last time you came before this? ”

“Not long enough, only a few months ago to celebrate Eid,”

“Ah yes, good,”

“I’ve never seen you around here. Have you ever joined for Eid?”

“No, and I don’t care,”

“I understand that you are very busy. For your age, what you have is an extraordinary achievement.”

“Life is about power, Malikha. And I know how to create power. I know how to make tons of money. I know how to conquer Harvard. I know how to make people look like trash. I know what most humans want and how to fulfill them.”

Malikha’s eyes widened at Rais.

“I believe that I am the best in the world,” continued Rais. “I work smarter and harder than anyone else, I make better decisions than anyone, I have sharp instincts, sharper than anyone,”

“In other words, you are Superman?”

“I do not like it, Malikha. There is no challenge for yourself if you cannot be destroyed. I can do many things at the right time and place, far better than Superman."

“You sound like a respectful madman.”

“It’s up to anyone to say that. But if we don’t believe in ourselves, who else will? ”

“Do you believe that you have superhuman strength?”

“Not just one, Malikha.”

Malikha was stunned.

“Do you have something that you fear?” Continued Malikha.

“No, not at all,”

“Are you sure?”

“Malikha, I obtained my scholarship before I was seventeen. Some of my patents have made millions of dollars. What should I be afraid of? I’m a rich man now, even without having to rely on my father’s property. In the years ahead, I can be much more prosperous.”

“Seriously, how can you get that kind of money?”

“My difference from others is I think, and they don’t.”

Malikha shrugged her shoulders.

“You sound so arrogant,” commented Malikha.

“Not the first time anyone has said that,”

“And you’re not bothered at all?”

“I am the king of my Life, Malikha. I don’t care what other people think.”

“But you don’t live alone in this world,”

“Indeed. People need me, and I need people; I never say I don’t.”

“Then why are you so arrogant?”

“That is just a perspective. Arrogant is just only your perspective on me.”

“Then what is your perspective on me?”

“You have high integrity in fighting for the law. The reason you entered law school was not to become wealthy. You are not trying to seek financial gain from your work, even though you know you can. Besides that, you haven’t planned too seriously about your future.”

“For example?”

“Marriage?”

Malikha’s face blushed.

“But you have an interest in science, like, for example ... botany?”

Malikha’s eyeballs swell.

“Come on, I’ll take you to my hydroponic laboratory,” said Malikha.

“Do you have a hydroponic laboratory?”

“Yes, at my house.”

They left Starbucks and headed for the place Malikha meant.

Although Rais had seen everything related to science at Harvard, this was the first time he had entered a hydroponic laboratory, and it was in someone’s private home. Malikha named the place planted the plant “Malikha Nature”.

There were a lot of types of plants that Rais discovered when they entered Malikha Nature.

It was not what made Rais interested because he knew almost all types of plants there.

At least until now.

For some reason, thought Rais, this place was very different.

It felt warm and made him comfortable. His mother had taught him many things about plants, including hydroponic technology. That time was different.

Rais stood up, listened, and looked around at Malikha’s plants. There were so many kinds of them. Some were hanging or spreading. There were also some stored in pots.

It turned out that Malikha had gone to get two drinks for the two of them. She had returned and found Rais to act very differently. It looked like Rais found something, something exciting.

“What’s wrong, Rais?” asked Malikha when she saw Rais being speechless.

“Malikha, is it always this warm here?”

“In spring like this, yes. You have to try it during the day.”

Rais looked toward the sunset.

“Rais, is something bothering you?”

“Can I come back tomorrow morning?”

“Sure, why not?”

“Five o’clock?”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes,”

“Sure, please come,”

“Okay, see you tomorrow morning,”

Malikha smiled. But a moment later, she thought about what Rais meant and wanted. But she knew that she would know what the young man wanted tomorrow morning.

Rais returned home with still his curiosity. In his mind, he knew that he had obtained something.

The next day, Rais appeared in Malikha’s home at four-thirty.

“What are you doing so early? We promised at five, right? ”

“May I enter your Malikha Nature?”

“Yes, of course,” Malikha nodded.

Malikha gave Rais the key.

Rais entered and stood inside.

“What are you doing?”

“Waiting for the Sunrise,”

“You can do it at my house,”

“This is your house,”

“I mean my real home,”

“No, I prefer it here.”

Malikha shook her head and went back into the house.

Rais smiled, knowing that he was alone now.

Then he continued the “ritual”.

The sun rose, and the light entered Malikha Nature.

Rais was still standing, long enough.

He pulled his breath, then exhaled forcefully, so many times.

Something strange but full of energy went over his body.

It’s something similar to what happened to him when he watched the sunset at his father’s company building many years ago.

Instantly Rais felt a sensation. It’s a pleasant sensation.

Hundreds, thousands, even millions of sensations of energy points entered his body.

He felt himself floating, lighter, and higher. A few moments passed then he slowly felt what he was looking for yesterday, even long before, since he found the same thing at Hoetomo, Inc.

“Here it is, I found it!” said Rais.

Ibn Awwad’s Lecture on Al Qaeda

2001

Brethren, the end is coming. I have been told that the Messiah will come soon. We must prepare to welcome him. I think it’s clear that our Great Leader is the Messiah.

He is our savior. He will bring the glory of Islam throughout the world and destroy the Antichrist of the United States.

Therefore, we must prepare a welcome for him. We have to start the attack.

I have completed our plan. New York City will be the first experimental tool. I did not expect much from this first attack.

I just want all Muslims to reunite. We must fight our enemies, and we have one main enemy: the United States of America.

All Muslims must fight against America. There is no doubt about that. War might not be the primary way. But at this time, there is no other way.

The infidels have invaded Islamic countries and put corruptors at the top of his leadership.

People obey them because of their weak faith and knowledge of Islam.

This is a perilous situation.

False clerics who worship the Americans and Israel have made these people weak. They let the infidels rule the Holy Land and the qibla of the Muslims. This is the darkest history in the journey of Muslims.

Why are we keep in silent?

Though the Christians had entered a new era, and now the Crusaders had won their victory by conquering Islamic civilization centers.

While wealthy Sheikhs don’t care about this condition. They did not realize that the assets they had kept in the banks of infidels had been used to oppress their people. Also, the property of the people is stored in the infidels’ banks. It is sad to see people being colonized using their wealth.

O my people, and Scholars, please realize that this is a hazardous situation from the crusaders’ invasion of Muslims. We must stand up and declare jihad in defense of our people. The truth must be upheld.

This challenge is enormous, but we have to face it.

The destruction of Islam is in sight, and who will defend it if not us?

Saudi Arabia, Palestine, Chechnya, and many more lands of the people are controlled by unbelievers.

When do you realize that this is a horrible situation?

In the name of Allah, let’s fight!

Allah has said that “If you do not go out and fight, Allah will punish you and others like you. But you cannot hurt Allah in any way.”

What a terrible warning from Allah!

And currently, the most embarrassing history is happening.

All of this is because people have abandoned their understanding of Islam and also jihad.

Let’s lead our people. To Allah, to jihad, spread their knowledge, and lead them back to their religion.

Allah is with us, and this cannot be delayed. The infidels will lose because no one can match the power of Allah. He will help us and lead us to victory.

If you are not able to do it in your own country, then emigrate. That has been exemplified by our noble Prophet.

Hijrah is very closely related to jihad.

All will be counted on the day of judgment.

Then arise, my people!

Raise your weapons!

Finish the infidels!

If you don’t, then Allah will be angry and punish you. Then obey Allah’s commands.

May Allah always give us His guidance. Only to Allah, the truth is. May the peace be with you all.