.: Masjid Al-Hidayah :.

Sentul, Kuala Lumpur.

I sought shelter here during the recent rainstorm while waiting for my uncle to pick me up. The only thing that bothered me was the women's praying area. It was outside. Having gone there only once, I prefer not to comment further.

It's a Friday.

5.27am Malaysian Time

.: Trigger of interaction :.

An abridgment.

As adults, we have this general perception that kids do not know anything and that our word overrule theirs in every single way. The thing here is, things which we deem are right are based on our experiences then. The kids these days have their own standpoints that suit their situations. Most of the time, we disregard this fact. We are hearing them, but we are not listening. We choose to absorb information that is at our best interests, beneficial to us or something that we are familiar with while neglecting the others. That is not communication let alone effective communication. As long as we have this frame of mind, issues will not be solved; problems may prolong ultimately producing series of breakdowns.

How often does one communicate with their family? What is the kind of information one shares? Why is it so difficult to cut loose, open up and give the slip to your own flesh and blood as compared to someone that is out of the circle?

Occasionally, people ask me to be the intermediary. When asked why they’re incapable to hold the conversation with the other, the reply will be the age, generation, cultural etc. gap. They haven’t even tried. I suppose, the hurdle is caused due to neither of the parties willing to initiate the initial step for the tête-à-tête. It doesn’t necessarily take two to tango if one party is adamant, determined for it. On another area, it is sad when one is about to speak up, making the stand; someone shushes the individual on irrelevant grounds.

A family, I figure should make a point to have quality family time. My concerns are the ones that are completely ignorant of the issues their family may have even though all are staying under the same roof. They see each other every day, day in day out saying routine sentences. When things start to go wrong or a family unit crumbles, the blame practically goes entirely on the hectic schedule, lack of communication, fate and so forth; the ever-popular blame game.

What does it take for one to do a self-reflection and realize that the cause is really from our own self?

To put the world in order, we must first put the nation in order; to put the nation in order, we must put the family in order; to put the family in order, we must cultivate our personal life; and to cultivate our personal life, we must first set our hearts right.

Confucius

A thought.

10.12am Malaysian Time

.: Another year :.

The man of the house.

This morning, as I was getting ready for work I heard the familiar Qur’an recitations from dad. Yesterday was his birthday. Birthday celebrations are almost fictional for us, yet at that moment it occurred to me that without fail, dad will recite du’a on my birthday. Even when I’m not around, mum and dad will call me, wishing happy birthday with many happy returns telling me that they prayed to God for my well being. Simple gestures that I have taken for granted. Took me long enough to realize this.

Mum is coming back tomorrow. I’ve roughly planned a few things for dad. Just need to get my sister on the track with me. *shouldn’t be a problem, either she is with me or I’ll disable her broadband access. I can go a notch higher by challenging her computer literacy but that is plain cruelty.*

Me:: So you won’t be around on dad’s birthday?
Mum:: Your dad understands. Take care of him while I’m gone.

Once I brought dad's younger days photo to school without telling friends who he is. Friends that saw it asked whether they can get acquainted with him. I replied by saying presently he's happily married, with 3 kids and they happen to be speaking to his child, me.

Happy birthday dad. :)

3.28pm Malaysian Time

.: First lesson :.

In Arabic class.

Sis:: You know, if you had given the class your other names, chances are the others would use it more often in the answers as compared to mine.
Me:: I’m no attention seeker. :P
Sis:: Right. Well, it’s too late for that. The teacher keeps calling you. :P

I presume in Malaysia, Hajar is not a common name as compared to Khadijah. Subsequent classes later, let's see whether I make the cut as the teacher's pet. *coughs*

At home.

Sis:: Dad, the teacher picked on lil sister. He kept calling her name, and she blurs out.
Dad:: :)

Because the teacher had called me to answer a question, I assumed he’d pick someone else. Apparently not. He constantly picked on me. I wasn’t looking at him, I wasn’t having one of my inquisitive looks neither was I not paying attention nor sleeping in class. *sleeping, a tempting act indeed*

1st Task - Introduce the names of our classmates in Arabic. In all, 15 people including the teacher.

Teacher:: Hajar, you!
Me:: starts sputtering in Arabic.
Teacher:: Mumtaz! :)
Sis:: You remembered everyone’s names? *gasping look splashed allover*

2nd Task - Identifying words that sound similar to Malay. Total, 3300 Arabic loan words are present in the Malay language. *as alleged by my teacher. I shall not be held responsible if the facts are far from the truth*

Teacher:: Yes Hajar? Did you find something?
Me:: Yeah. Insan?
Teacher:: Yaban?
Me:: Insan?
Teacher:: Yaban?
Me:: Insan?
Teacher:: Yaban?
Me:: Aih~ Ya ya, yaban. *whatever that means* Have it your way.
Teacher:: Barakallah feek! Haha~ Mumtaz! starts speaking Arabic, laughing like it’s the biggest joke he ever heard. I still don’t get it.

The number of times he said mumtaz each time I answer his questions. The word has practically embedded itself in my head. Anyone can tell me what it means? I'm too lazy to google it up or go through my books. The spelling is based on my acute sense of hearing, as like all the other Arabic words he used so I may get it wrong. *you have been warned* In case anyone is wondering, my teacher is Egyptian.

Considering this is my first time being in a class with my sis, after catching a glimpse of my notes, answers, behavior, observation etc. she has only one thing to say about me …

My little sister, the ultimate geek.

9.46am Malaysian Time

.: Nocturne :.

Having one too many of it.

A fraction of the scenes observed in the mosque besides the common bickering, gossiping, idle chit-chatting.

• Sleeping in the mosque.

As most of the sisters leave after prayers, I hardly see this occurring among us. However, it is much reflected on the brothers. After plopping myself in some corner hidden away from sight, it feels odd to see a brother reciting the Qur’an whereas the brother next to him is snoring hard, lost in his forty winks. No, he’s not homeless. His dressing is far too fancy shmancy. *coughs*

• Eating in the mosque.

More like picnicking. I have seen people laying their foodstuff on their picnic cloth, chit-chatting rapidly with kids scampering about catching frisbees in the mosque’s compounds.

• Couples in the mosque.

Couples that insist they stay together. I’ll stop there.

• Dating in the mosque.

I’m sure they’re happily married; *being positive here* though kindly keep the affectionate displays at home where it belongs. No doubt that sharing one's happiness is pleasant, but there should really be a limit. Really.

Curious as to whether these scenes are displayed elsewhere, and the numerous other kinds along the lines.

Best be on my way now.

1.02pm Malaysian Time

.: Masjid Jamek :.

Also know as the Friday mosque.

Masjid Jamek, dates back to 1909 is the oldest surviving mosque in Kuala Lumpur. Located in Jalan Tun Perak, the red-bricked structure of Masjid Jamek features attractive domes, marble floors together with numerous arched colonnades, minarets and chatris [umbrella-shaped cupolas, usually domed and open-sided].

Even though the designs are represented in Moorish architecture, the actual inspiration came from the Mogul mosques in North India being the source of inspiration to Arthur Benison Hubbock.

Photos taken on 2 separate days. The second photo was taken just before the Friday prayers. I couldn't get a good shot as scores of worshippers had started to congregate, flocking every nook and cranny available hence I had to add some distance, giving way to them. The other shots were taken on a normal day.

Approximately 30 mins till Fajr. :)

5.38am Malaysian Time

.: Maulidur Rasul :.

The National Level Celebrations.

Theme:: Wahdah Pemangkin Khaira Ummah
[Unity as the Catalyst for Creating the Best Nation]

"Adherence to Islam as demonstrated by the glorious history of Islam has proven that Muslim nations were at one time united on the axis of truth," he said.

However, Tuanku Mizan said some people had become contaminated by greed and self-centredness, and neglected noble values by chasing worldly possessions, which resulted in many forms of catastrophes and disasters that befell the people because of the wrath of God.

"Therefore, Islam forbids any form of misappropriation, abuse of power and discrimination. Instead, Islam preaches, equality and cooperation."

"Islam makes it obligatory to protect and ensure equal rights for all strata of the society, regardless whether they were Muslims or non-Muslims," said Tuanku Mizan.

Info and pictures source from The Sun.

~

Typically, the celebrations include parades, forums, conferences, marhabans [Islamic songs], nasheeds, berzanji [praises to the Prophet Muhammad S.A.W, historical accounts], performances, treating the needy etc.

Close to 8 years since I participated in the celebrations. As compared to where I am now, the community in my hometown are very close knit when it comes to Islamic celebrations. Without fail, we will have people coming over for marhabans, separated into 2 sessions, men and women of all ages. It was from them did I learn the marhabans, nasheeds and berzanji. Berzanji is now a dying art.

Something else that I am unable to find here is the makan berdulang. Normally, after the marhaban or berzanji sessions, the hosts will serve refreshments and one of the ways to serve was the makan berdulang. It's basically food placed in a circular tray where 4-5 people will share the food by eating from the tray.

There are 2 ways of doing it::

1st. - The dishes are placed into bowls, the bowls placed in the tray and people scoop it from there. If the bowls are placed directly on the table / sapra [cloth to cover the floor], then it is called makan berhidang.

2nd. - The dishes are ladled straight into the centre of the tray, no plates, no cutlery. Sometimes someone will divide it into portions, or else everybody just help themselves to it using their hands. Trust me, it can get excruciating at times particularly when you have friends fighting for the chicken. To solve matters, we do trade-offs, e.g. my chicken piece for your potato.

*First-timers may find the second approach as repulsive. Of course, one has to know the etiquette.

Friend:: I'm surprised. None of my Muslim friends ever share their food with me, and here you are sharing what's on your plate.

Me:: Apparently, you don't know any southerners.

Note:: Makan berdulang I believe is actually a Malay culture. The response I gave was because I was being biased. :P

Hopefully, this answers to Ms. Unique's query. :)

9.57am Malaysian Time