KEMBARA KSA

an evening in RC park

2012-01-30T15:16:00.001+03:00

Kembaraksa@Istanbul-Amsterdam-London Day 2

2010-04-25T09:51:00.004+03:00

16 April 2010

Still hoping to go to Amsterdam. Checking with Airlines what are the possible flights available. From the news last night we got to know all flights to Europe were cancelled due to volcanic erroption in Iceland. I had a feeling that i will not be short time. It will take weeks. What should we do?My husband still keeping hope. We keep contacting our friend in Amstermdam, updating him our status. We are using Skype as mode of communication. Alhamdullllah the hotel provides wireless access. Then we contact him updating him our status and check with him the airport status over there. We also like to consider Paris as another destination to stop beside brussel, dusserdolf and Frankfurt. But after hearing from the news that all train station also get congested we have to re-consider our option.

Airlines are busy to check on next departure flight, trying to cancel our cruise trip from Rotterdam to London (Stenaline) and we stuck here waiting for instructions from Airlines. But Alhamdulillah at least we have hotel and good food because I could see other people they had to stayed in the airport.

by 12.00 p.m suddenly the janitor hush us to leave the room. She is talking in Turkish, I cannot understand. But from the way she is talking that she want us to leave the room. I checked with the operator was it true and he confirmed right because we will be moved into another hotel by Airlines. After having our meal we waited for bus to come and pick up us at the lobby. After 4.00 then the bus arrived. We noticed we were moved to a hotel more nearer to the airport because I remembered the road when we first took during city tour sight seeing. In comparison to the first hotel is further in the downtown.

More better I hope. Yeah it is a 4-star rate hotel. And we noticed added to group another group of passengers who also stranded in Istanbul on the way to London. Amongst them is an old lady and a young pregnant mother with a child. So pity. They were both alone and now become family helping each other.

The Hotel (Grand Senol Hotel) offers us good meal as well and the kids enjoyed the hotel so much and forget temporarily their trip.

Still no news from airlines , no flight can fly to europe. I insisted my husband we got to plan something. Sooner or later our holidays will end. We cannot keep on counting of the airline plan. So I started to search for second alternative, like what if we just stay and have the vacation in Istanbul. I started inquiring the front dest, the places of interest in Istanbul since we did not make any homework at all for Istanbul. We got several brochures from the frontdesk and I started to plan what if we have to stay here. Recall K. Dillah advice if I did not make any reservation yet, she advised me to find somewhere in Sultanahmet Area. It has train link to Airport. Easy access town for movement I guess. So I kept her words in my mind.

At the same time my husband still try to work out for option to go to Amsterdam. I had something in my mind tomorrow, if there is no plan for flight we plan to stay in the same hotel and spent time here in Istanbul. We asked about the rate of our room we had now, it was about 150TL. Family suite. We calculate our cash and it is affordable. So if things no change tomorrow we will be ready to stay in Istanbul. Again after lunch, the airline want us to get ready to move into another hotel. Then quickly we pack our stuff and move to back into another town called Merter. This time the Hotel name is Gunnes Hotel.

Kembaraksa@Istanbul- Amsterdam - London - Day 1

2010-04-25T08:19:00.009+03:00

Hotel Sahinler

15 April 2010

Today I cannot stop myself to enjoy my feelings to have our trip to Amsterdam. Feel time tick so slow. After complete my last task at 4.10 sent my last mail for this week to my Boss, I quickly took my bath and dress up the kids and do final check on all our luggage. 1 ,2 and 3. add 2 knapsack. My mom said.. I took 1 month preparation only to pack the bags ..hehehehe. sorry mum to bother you with all my request. The Deuter bag, the Brahim's pack and stuff.

Then we drove to Jeddah, to Yusof house to park our car. He offered us his help to sent us the airport tonight. Our fligh is at 2.00 a.m 16 April. The time was purposely arrangement such a manner because to we want to catch the free sightseeing tour in Istanbul by Turkish Airlines. Since this Year is Turkey visit year, the airline has arrange if we stopover in Istanbul for one whole day we are entitled for city sigthseeing tour inclusive lunch. So I could not see why we should not take this opportunity.

We arrived in Attartuk Terminal Airport at 6.30 a.m. It tooked one hour to clear all immigration check out. Only one counter was opened at that time may be too early. After an hour several counters were opened. Started searching for Turkish Airlines to ask bout our free trip. Still feel afraid if the trip is only true in clause but not available in real. But Alhamdulillah, finally we found the booth and we were told the trip will be at 9.00 it is just around the time, an hour before. We saw many others tourist also will join us. One group from Indonesia, their destination is London, few indiviuals passengers (students) , few transit passengers returning from Easter vacation from various destinations all plan to Europe countries like Amsterdam, Brussel etc.

We now with a group of tourist having our one-day Istanbul Trip. Our destination is Topkapi Sarayi, Sultanahmet Mosque(Blue Mosque), Haghia Sophia, Hippodrome, Arasta Covered Bazaar, Lunch and return to the airport.At least we had some ideas of Turkey as pre-visit and may be next time we will come again.

The places were so beautiful, we enjoyed the city buildings(the ancient time). We have one beautiful tourist guide providing infos and history of the places we went. Though it was a quick tour, but really satisfying. We had our lunch in Tamara Restaurant. Delicous Turkey meal. Kebab, Tavuk, and small portion of Egyptian rice, plus soup of the day, bread, salad and ended with Turkish tea and the famous baklava.

I have calculated in my head. One day Turkey will be my next destination. Then we returned to the airport and our kids were looking forward to fly to Amsterdam. My son was really look forward to visit the Ntural History Museum in London...

On the way to get our luggage where we left earlier at the Turkish Airline Office, my son suddenly told me a shocking sentence, " IBu our flight to Amsterdam was cancelled". I said , " No lah, you might mistakenly see the status". But he insisted it as true and mentioned that was our flight number. He was very keen to go and he had checked on every single thing he saw. We were waited for my husband to update us. When he returned, he said it was true that our flight was cancelled and next flight will be may be tomorrow morning to frankfurt. I told him to check for Brussel or Dusseldorf as well. The kids felt a little bit upset. What to do, we do not the reason. After a while I saw on the electronic board, it was not only one flight cancelled, almost all flight to Europe countries were cancelled. Whats's wrong ? Is there any problem to the world and I started to worry. How bout tonight is the Airline will provide us hotel? My hubby replied positively and now we are waiting for the bus to bring us to the hotel.

It is almost 9.00 p.m when the bus came and pick us. It took us 3 hours in the bus where mostly the bus is not moving seemed like the driver lost and cannot find the place. He frequently came down from the bus and asked for hotel direction. Our kids now all fall asleep. My watch now showed 11.30 suddenly the bus driver told us to get down and we have to walk to the hotel. The bus was stucked in the busy road. The road is so narrow and I noticed it is an hilly area and trafffic was busy at that time. It is difficut for the bus to move or turn.

As usual we are always be the last person to get down from the bus because we travelled with many small family members and its better to get down last. But unfortunately, Aina who supposed to take care of one the knapsack, she forgot to bring down the bag because still 'mamai'. When I realized the bag is not with him I told my husband to get the bag before the bus left. While all of us waited for him try to catch which direction the last bus passenger turn into. Its pretty scarry in the middle of the night, when almost every shop about to close we have to stood there waiting for our my husband with all the luggage with us. I cannot see now where the last passenger went to. It is almost past 15 minutes when my husband left. He supposed not to take so much time because the bus is not so far. But now more than 30 minutes, O my God, Now I notice, what if he did not returned. We did not have all our passport with us. They were with him. No cash, no documents and people around us cannot speak English. Almost feel like crying.

Now the kids started to worry when they saw their mum 'gelabah'. We lost from the group and lost from my husband and it was middle of the night. I tried to make myself stepped on a slightly higher pedestrian walk so that hoping my husband could see me. Luckily, he noticed and quickly returned to us and he told me that he took the wrong turn that's why it took him time. Now we had another problem, where is the hotel? We tried the route where I saw the last person went to. And we reach to a junction and we did not know which turn should we take. One more time my husband told us to wait and this time round, I am more smatter, I keep all our passport with us and some cash. Now this area is more scarrier, almost all shops were closed and some few men approached my kids offer them chocolate and tried to talk to me in Turkish language. I tried not to be so friendly neither being so ignorance.

Alhamdulillah after 10 minutes, my husband returned and told us he found the hotel. Finally , we check in and get some doner kebab as dinner. The kids intially were hungry but after what happened the felt so tired and fall asleep. I cannot sleep well thinking what is going to be happen tomorrow. Hoping we could still go to Amsterdam.
Together with us is a group of Dutch who would like to go back to Amsterdam and London after Easter Holiday VAcation and some of them from Brussel, returning from Umrah.

Finding Allah in Texas

2009-05-21T13:34:00.003+03:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBeLhu3eZ_k

YANBU RATTLED

2009-05-20T09:50:00.001+03:00

Aftershocks rock Al-Ais :Muhammad Al-Sheikh & Yousuf Muhammad Arab News

YANBU: Strong aftershocks were felt in the village of Harrah Al-Shaqah and its adjoining settlements in the Al-Ais area yesterday with the Civil Defense declaring emergency in the region and ordering complete evacuation.

According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), the strongest of the aftershocks measured 5.6 on the Richter scale at 8:10 p.m. yesterday. Earlier, a Saudi Geological Survey (SGS) statement said: “The magnitude of the earthquake has been rising notably from 3 to 4.81 on the Richter scale with a total of 46 earthquakes recorded between 2 p.m. Monday and 2 p.m. today. The strongest tremor occurred 7.7 km beneath Harrah Al-Shaqah and its adjoining villages.” Aftershocks were felt in Umlaj, Wajh and Ula.

An SGS team that is conducting an aerial survey of the quake-hit area found a large crack in the earth and opened a quake detection station at Harrah Al-Shaqah.

The USGS posted on its website that an earthquake measuring 4.9 on the Richter scale was observed in western Saudi Arabia yesterday morning. USGS pinpointed the location 195 km west northwest of Madinah (25.105 degrees N, 37.788 degrees E) with the epicenter at a depth of 10 km underground. The latest quake of magnitude 5.6 hit the same area.

The Civil Defense warned people in Al-Ais and its surrounding villages to avoid areas where smoke is coming out of the ground as such areas are more likely to see volcanic eruptions. It also said that rumblings and pungent smells are indications of possible eruptions.

Roads in Madinah are currently choked with people leaving for open areas and gardens. In Umlaj there have been reports of people fainting. The Civil Defense, which has been put on full alert, has also evacuated people to safe areas.

People in Yanbu also left for open areas and camped out on roadsides and gardens while waiting for the all clear.

Madinah Gov. Prince Abdul Aziz bin Majed ordered the acting undersecretary at his office, Ibrahim Al-Khattab, and other high officials to inspect safety arrangements in the area, and do all that is necessary to ensure the safety and wellbeing of residents.

The officials have been asked to guarantee the rehabilitation of the affected people, Al-Khattab said in a statement.

The machines that arrived at the Civil Defense Center here are the latest and most accurate to detect seismic activities — both the rumblings and volcanoes. The machines have been brought on the orders of Lt. Gen. Saad Al-Tuwaijiri, director general of the Civil Defense.

Heavy machinery that can work under rubble and cameras with remote sensors have been brought in by the Civil Defense. Powerful generators to run them are in place and experts in seismic activities are monitoring the situation.

People reported tremors all day yesterday. Students in Yanbu were excited rather than scared by the tremors.

The Ministry of Education has sent senior officials to the region to make sure teaching in schools is not disrupted.

Civil Defense authorities have also reserved more hotel rooms and furnished apartments in view of the increasing number of people leaving villages close to the affected area.

Col. Essam Farrash, acting director of the Civil Defense in Yanbu, told Arab News that evacuees who wanted furnished apartments were provided with the same. He said up to 800 people were evacuated from Al-Qarasa, Al-Hadama and Al-Amid, and were put up in various Yanbu hotels and apartments on Monday. Officials denied reports that they had stopped providing evacuees with furnished apartments.

“As part of housing arrangements, permits have been issued to evacuees to seek shelter either in Madinah or Yanbu. Those who were issued permits for Madinah will get their accommodation there and those issued permits for Yanbu will be provided accommodation in Yanbu,” an official said. He added that only the best available apartments have been selected for them.

“Seven patients have been admitted to Yanbu General Hospital,” said Dr. Abdul Rahman Al-Saeedi, director of Health Department in Yanbu, adding that an emergency hospital with 50 beds and latest instruments has been put on alert in Yanbu.

Hospitals and health centers in the city are ready to handle eventualities, he added.

Special Entry:Selamat Hari Bonda

2009-05-07T14:15:00.003+03:00

Selamat Hari Ibu kepada bonda tersayang yang jauh di mata tetapi dekat di hati.

If I can recall all those days, really hope time could turn back. But, it is impossible.
Dulu kita budak2, anak kepada mak dan bapak, wonder, nakal ke, rajin ke @ malas ke aku ni dengan orang tua. Tak boleh ingat semua tu. Tapi yang masih ingat di kepala abah tak pernah control dan tak selalu marah2 kami adik beradik tapi kami takut dengan abah. Kalau abah marah semuanye menikus. Selalunya decision abah based pada mak. Kalau mak kata ok , maka oklah abah. Huih power kan mak..

Tapi mak lain. Selalu jugak dengar mak membebel. Especially bila time kitorang asyik main dan tak tolong dia masak atau kemas rumah. Ada satu favourite phrase mak yang aku masih ingat tapi tak applicable utk aku skrg " terbakar kaki tangan mak ni nak kasi korang makan". Pernah juga try pakai. Tapi anak2 sibuk pulak cari, "kat mana ibu? tak nampak api pun?" . Lagi satu, ha main lagi.. tak habih-habih lagi main. Nanti mak rebus batu-batu tu bagi korang makan(masa tu main batu seremban) hehehehe.. Sekarang nak rebus apa yek.. "ibu rebus play-station tu buat lauk tengah hari...boleh tak agaknye..

Mak bolehla cakap macam tu, sebabnye mak full-time memasak dan suka memasak. Apa yang dia pernah makan, dia akan cuba masak sendiri , ikut sedap tekak dia dan tekak kami. Hasilnya, abah dan kami kurang berminat nak makan kat luar sebab lebih sedap makan yang mak masak. Dan the most important thing, mak masak sedap original, tak pernah letak any perasa. Kadang-kadang jek abah bawak kami makan kat luar(sebulan), itupun agaknya sebab nak entertain mak kot ataupun nak entertain kami adik beradik, dah letih masak kat umah atau tak de idea nak masak. Tapi bila makan kat luar, kalau tanya dia, " Sedap tak abah?" Dia jawab " Sedap lagi mak kamu masak". Happy agaknye mak masa tu. Abah puji mak bukan sebab nak jaga hati mak sahaja, tapi memang reality. Kalau mak tak de, sedih betul tengok abah. Ada la sekali-sekala mak pernah balik kampung tengok tok sakit. Abah tinggal ngan kami kat umah. Kami cubalah try masak macam mak. Tapi abah makan sikit sahaja. Suruh tambah lagi dia kata "Dahlah. Dah kenyang dah". Kadang-kadang abah sanggup tak makan, boleh makan biskut saja. Nama nak pergi kedai beli makanan, tak. Actually boleh bilang dengan jari sepanjang hayat mak, travel alone tanpa abah. Selalunye mesti dengan abah.

Dari dulu sampailah sekarang, mak tak pernah sanggup tinggal abah sorang2. Bila ajak mak datang sini, dia mesti kata abah kamu macam mana. Walaupun abah kata boleh pegi tapi, mak berat nak tinggal. Setia betul la mak. Aku ni boleh ke jadi macam tu? Aku harap aku boleh jadi macam mak. Sabar dan setia.

Itu abah dan mak. Mak dan anak-anak pulak. Mak jaga kami baik-baik dari kecik sampai dah kawin. Dia jaga makan-minum supaya kami tak gemuk dan tak kurus. Makanan yang kami makan cukup zat dan vitamin. Ada pernah sekali, aku main bola jaring dan bola tampar, jari kelingking terseliuh dan hasilnya terbengkok la sikit, marah betul dia(" beranak elok2, jaga sampai besar, dah besar bengkok sana bengkok sini tak tau duduk diam). Ikutkan segala macam petua mak ada. Dah lepas kawin dan lepas bersalin pun mak tolong jaga.

Tak nak membebankan dia, bila anak ke-3 dan seterusnya nekad duduk rumah sendiri. Bak kata abah " dia dah besar dah pernah beranak tau la dia jaga diri dia sendiri", sebab mak risaukan kita. Lebih-lebih lagi kat Yanbu, sayu masa sebelum bersalin hari tu dengar suara sebak dia nasihatkan kita supaya jaga makan baik-baik. Pantang elok2. Dia tahu anak dia ni suka ngelat. Dia risau. Insya-Allah mak, janganlah risau.

Sekarang ni kita pulak yang jadi mak. Segala macam perasan yang mak rasa dulu agaknya ada pada kita sekarang. Macam mana ye nak jadi macam mak?

Sempena Hari Ibu, ingin ku nyatakan betapa bersyukurnya aku kepada Allah kerana ditakdirkan beribukan bonda Habshah Mokri. Insya- Allah ya Allah, panjangkan usiaku berikan aku kekuatan, kesihatan yang berpanjangan dan kesenangan yang melimpah ruah supaya kelak akulah orang yang akan menjaga mereka.

Weekend and Cinnamon Rolls

2009-05-07T12:46:00.006+03:00

Hemmm weekend again.. What to do? Usually, to fill up my time I like to try new recipe. But this time, I remembered my newly arrived neighbour next door are actually waiting to taste my cinnamon roll again. She keep own saying that she likes the rolls and when she went back to Pakistan, she could not stop mention it to her family members.. What does it mean? .. Please send some more..hehehe. .. just kidding. She also like my curry puffs. So today may be I could entertain her.

So early in the morning, I make the dough, while waiting the dough to rise I am blogging and finish all the report analysis required by my Head. I have tried several time my recipes with different types input ingredients(whalla ..like programming le pulak) to find the best result. So this is the best recipe I have ever try I could say...

Ingredients:

1/2 kilo wheat flour(in Yanbu - Kuwait Flour is the best)
1 tbs salted/unsalted butter + some salt
1 tbs sugar 1 tbs dry yeast(saf-levure) any yeast may be works as well
1 egg
150ml low fat milk(fresh)
1/2 cup warm water+ 1 tsp sugar(to dissolve yeast)
brown sugar
cinnamon powder

Methods:
1. Dissolve dry yeast in warm water.

2. Melt butter and then add milk with sugar. Stir until all sugar dissolved. Milk should be warm not boiled. Put off fire. Cool off. Then add egg into it. Mix.

3. Get the flour into a big mixing bowl and make a hole in it. Pour in the milk mixture, yeast and mixed them together. Roll and punch.

4. Ensure it did not stick to your finger. Then cover it with plastic food wrapper and let it rest for 1 hour.

5. In baking tray, pour some cooking oil to grease and sprinkled mixed cinnamon sugar into it. The more the merrier.

6. Again hit the dough, until all air released. Divide dough into 3.

7. Roll the dough until it make about 15cm(A) X 25 cm(B). While rolling you may use some flour to avoid it sticking to the rolling pin.

8. Smeared the rolled dough with mixed cinnamon sugar.

9. Slowly roll it from the A side the until the end. Cut into 4 pieces using knife or dental floss.

10. Place it into the baking tray. Let it rise 1/2-1 hour. Preheat oven 350 F.

11. After 1/2 -1 hour later, sprinkle more mixed cinnamon+brown sugar on it and ready to bake for 20 minutes.

I usually works with 1/2 kilo flour at a time. My hand is not strong enough to work with bigger dough.

So, try it. If it does not work tell me.

note: Pictures were taken from previous entry.

Nasi Dagang Yanbu

2009-04-26T09:03:00.006+03:00

Nasi Dagang by Anak Dagang di Yanbu....heheheheh

Nasi

Bahan-bahannya

1 kg beras wangi(beras siam@Thai)
3/4 beras pulut *kedua-duanya dicampur dan direndam semalam atau paling kurang 5 jam)
3 cawan santan pekat + 1 sudu besar gula + 1 sudu teh garam
3 cawan santan cair/air 21/2 inci halia dan
8 ulas bawang merah dimayang halus
1 camca besar halba

Cara-cara membuatnya
1. Toskan beras yang telah direndam dan letakkan ke dalam periuk pengukus.
2. Panaskan air sehingga mendidih di dalam periuk pengukus
3. Kukus beras sehingga naik wap. Apabila wap telah naik, tuangkan ke dalam besen yang besar dan masukkan air atau santan cair dan gaul hingga rata. Orang banjar kata proses meng'arun'.
4. Masukkan semula ke dalam periuk pengukus dan kukus sekali hingga hingga naik wap. Proses ini diulang 1 kali lagi.
5. Akhir sekali angkat nasi yang sudah masak, masukkan ke dalam bekas besar, gaulkan bersama santan pekat, halia dan bawang yang telah dimayang dan halba. Kacau rata dan tutup selama 1/2 jam supaya lebih mesra selepas itu boleh dihidang.

Gulai Ikan Aye@Tongkol@Tuna

1 ekor ikan tongkol- dipotong dan direbus bersama garam dan asam gelugor(4 @ 5 keping) sehingga kering air.

1 biji kelapa - diambil santannya

*3 biji bawang besar
*2 ulas bawang putih
*2 cm halia
*5 cm lengkuas
*kesemua bahan * dikisar halus

3 keping asam gelugor
2 papan gula nira(boleh ganti gula merah)
3 sudu cili boh/cili kisar
5 sudu besar rempah kari (cap apa2 pun boleh kot) atau rempah nasi dagang(only available in Trengganu , menurut tuan punya resepi)
garam dan serbuk perasa secukup rasa

Cara-Cara membuatnye:

1. Masak santan hingga pecah minyak
2. Masukkan bahan-bahan yang telah dikisar halus, cili boh, rempah kari/rempah nasi dagang.
3. Masukkan ikan, gula nira,garam dan asam gelugor. Masak hingga pekat.
4. Boleh dihidang.

Acar Timun @ Salad @ Appetizer
1 batang timun - dihiris panjang
1 batang lobak merah - dihiris panjang
1 labu bawang besar - dimayang nipis
1 cili merah/cili api- dihiris kecil-kecil
sedikit garam, gula dan cuka.

Cara-caranya:
1. Kesemua bahan di atas dicampurkan di dalam mangkuk dan digaul rata.

Inilah hasil nasi dagang ku berdasarkan resepi di atas.

Tima kasih kepada tuan punya resepi(isteri Abg Pie), katanya ini resepi keluarga turun temurun.

Aktiviti Hujung Minggu - Another Happy Moment in Yanbu

2009-04-25T13:30:00.004+03:00

Kalau ada la yang masih ingat di zaman 80-an dulu, ada satu rancangan masakan yang cukup popular dikalangan mak2 di rumah, KESUMA. Masih terbayang montaj gambar bunga yang sedang mekar. Kuat juga ingatanku ni.

Rajin akak2 wife kepada hubby yang serve Yansab buat program masakan Malaysia di rumah masing2. Kami cikgu cikgi ni tumpang sekaki la. Nak harap kami ni, kalau pukul 4.00-4.30 balik office jenuh gak nak open de house untuk kumpul ramai2 dan ajar masak2. Lagi pun, kita nak offer diri ajar masak pun malu. Diri sendiri nak masak pun masih bukak buku lagi, inikan pulak nak ajar. Ajaran sesat pulak nanti.

Antara kelas memula yang boleh join, rumah K.Ima(isteri Hj Ghaz). Menu dia Nasi Dagang. Tapi rupa2nya menu dari orang rumah Abg Pee.. tak pelah.. janji ada resepi. Syok nyer dapat belajar buat Nasi Dagang. Lepas ni anytime teringin nasi dagang, dah buleh buat sendiri. Kalau tak dulu kena usya kedai atau makcik mana yang masak best, baru pergi beli. Sekarang boleh masak ikut sedap tekak sendiri. Tu yang best masak sendiri tu. Semalam layan masak Nasi Dagang. Hush.. yang paling syok tengok anak sendiri yang makan. Habis sekali hadap jek. Nanti esok2 masak lagi. Ni first time buat , trial session jek. Masak tak banyak dlm 4 pot. Riso gak kot nasi tak masak. Rendam beras pun tak lama less than 5 hours. The most important thing, lubang periuk pengukus ku ni besar la pulak, habis berguguran beras ku. Nanti nak pergi carik mangkuk pengukus lain la.

Lepas tu pegi kelas masakan kat umah k.Ina 'Z'. He ..heheh banyak sangat nama K.Ina kena bubuh initial lak kat belakang, baru boleh differenciate. Selain kIna, nama K.Za .. lagi ramai. Macam2 K.Za ada. Kat umah K.Ina, belajar masak mee udang. Part paling best, belajar buat mee sendiri tu. Tu yang mahal tu. Rational kelas memasak ni actually bukan untuk tujuan berkongsi resepi sahaja. But almost to majlis sosial sesama isteri yang hampir sepanjang minggu terperuk kat umah. Kat sini bukannya macam kat Malaysia, boleh bawak2 kereta dan menyinggah rumah sesapa bila2 masa kita nak. Nak bergerak kena la tunggu driver balik keje dulu.. Pas tu busy masak dan urusan harian. Hari minggu je lah lapang sikit. Masa ni la baru boleh nak jumpa kengkawan. Oleh kerana tak de tempat yang best nak lepak2 sesama kengkawan, maka the best place is kat rumah la.. Invite orang datang dan kumpul2 , bawak pot luck sorang sikit, then boleh le sembang2 dan bertukar cerita ceritet. Anak2 pun inilah masanya jumpa kengkawan Malaysia. Bukan semua anak2 Malaysian ni pergi sekolah yang sama. At the same time, geng lelaki pun ada jugak la aktiviti sesama mereka.

This is another happy moment in Yanbu. Masa zaman sorang2 dulu, kami asyik terperuk kat umah jela. Anak2 nak main kat luar pun kita cemas nak kasi. Sebabnya takut kena baling batu. Kat kawasan rumah kami ni bebudaknye aktif kan main. Sekali tingkap bilik dipecahkan. Second time pintu sliding door. Tak tau lah part mana yang attracted to them. End up budak2 ni kalau nak main, depa main dalam rumah sahaja. Sometimes main basikal pun dalam rumah. Hujung minggu baru bawak gi park atau beach. Adalah dalam satu semester sekali buat majlis makan2. Combine Malaysian yang serve YIC dan YUC(male and female). Sekadar bertanyakan khabar dan berita dan melepaskan rindu kepada masakan Malaysia. Kami yang kurang expert ni terpaksalah berjuang sedaya upaya memasak apa yang terdaya...heheheh..

Walau macam mana pun, semua itu tetap kenangan berharga. Sekarang ni, dah tak rasa sunyi dah. Rindu kat Malaysia pun tak berapa menebal sebab dah ramai orang Malaysia kat sini. Bukan setakat Malaysian community sahaja yang ramai, Saudi-Malaysian pun ramai. Selain daripada tu dah mula kenal Indonesian dan Saudi-Indonesian. Jadi kehidupan tak macam dulu. Routine sosial pun dah berbeza berbanding 2 tahun yang lepas. Well syukur kepada Allah kerana mengurniakan nikmat ini...

Tak ada rezeki

2009-04-02T15:52:00.003+03:00

Nampaknya tak ada rezeki kali ni parent nak datang sini, meskipun semasa proses visa tak ada masalah tapi dah takdir Allah tak izinkan, maka tak jadi juga.

Apa yang telah berlaku?

Kisahnya.. pada hari nak hantar dokumen untuk proses visa di Malaysia, kereta parent telah dipecah masuk semasa parking di depan kedai kitchen cabinet kat Batu 3, Shah Alam. Masuk kedai tak sampai 15 minit. Bila keluar tengok cermin kereta sebelah pemandu dah pecah dan suitcase bawah kerusi dah hilang. Semasa buat report polis kat balai seksyen 11, polis mengiakan sahaja kawasan tu memang favourite kes pecah kereta.. timbul le question mark kat kepala.. kalau dah banyak kes pecah kereta kat kawasan tu tak de ke hantar polis ronda kat kawasan tu? Emm tak de jawapan untuk soalan itu..

Antara item lost semua dokumen perjalanan dan ada le beberapa RM. Nak settlekan dokumen sahaja dah makan masa.. makanya tak jadi la nak ke sini..

Tak apa la.. nak buat macam mana...

Visa Dah Approved

2009-03-02T10:38:00.008+03:00

2 minggu lepas visa parent dah approved. Cepat pulak kali ni approvednye.. Tak pelah bagus le tu.. Just to share the application of visiting visa process.

The documents needed:

1) Salinan passport parent(ibu dan ayah) - jika nak jemput dua-dua sekali

2) Salinan iqama(anak yg bekerja)

3) Salinan surat beranak( anak yang bekerja) - certified translation in Arabic

4) Certified highest degree translation in English

5) Surat pengesahan gaji dari Employee

Note:

Semua maklumat di atas adalah merujuk kepada saya yang bekerja di bawah Royal Comission. Ingin dinyatakan bahawa keperluan kepada dokumen-dokumen yg disebutkan di atas mungkin berbeza. Sila rujuk kepada pegawai masing-masing. Visa ziarah(invitation visa) HANYA TERHAD kepada ibu dan ayah SAHAJA.

PROSES UNTUK MENDAFTAR VISA ZIARAH

1) Isi borang permohonan manual untuk ziarah - saya dapat daripada pegawai RC

2) Isi borang permohonan online juga di - https://visa.mofa.gov.sa/

kena isi borang ni dalam arabic, tapi baru2 ni pegawai RC yang buatkan (sbb website masa tu takleh reach, please take note, borang dlm bahasa arab, so kena isi dlm bahasa arab KECUALI nama orang yang akan dijemput ditulis dalam rumi ikut ejaan dalam passport). Bila dah register online - akan dapat no permohonan(application request number (guna nombor ini untuk search kemudian)

3)Hantar borang (1) dan dokumen yg disebutkan di atas.

4) Proses mungkin ambil masa 1 up to tak tau berapa minggu

as for me 2 times experience (1 week min and 2 weeks max)

5) Dalam tempoh selepas 1 minggu boleh la semak kat

https://visa.mofa.gov.sa/SrhComFamilyVisa.asp

masukkan no permohonan dan no iqama dan print.

6)Proses di Malaysia, kena bagi print out ni ke agen Saudi Embassy, passport, surat beranak(translated in arabic), duit RM300 utk visa(200) dan processing(100) per person.

Then.. insyallah boleh le datang sini..

Permohonan Sijil Daftar Kelahiran Malaysia

2009-03-01T10:54:00.005+03:00

Alhamdulillah , Laila Najla telah pun mencecah usia 1 bulan hari ini. Bermakna lagi 10 hari sahaja boleh duduk di rumah looking after her. Cuti maternity di sini hanya 40 hari. Any comment? Very short indeed. Kenapa? Maybe wanita kat sini yang bekerja very few, so tak de concern for this issue. While other non-islamic country dah go forward 3 months , 6 months and some even 1 year for leave, kat sini hanyalah up to 40 days. Unless kalau ada masalah kesihatan, approved by physician( ada MC) baru lah boleh dapat leave tambahan. What a pity. Anyhow, since kerja kat sini, we must obey and respect the rules, so pandai2lah adjust our time for baby and duty. Proses men'dokumentasikan kelahiran Laila juga telah selesai. Though ada le probs arised during the process, tapi biasa la kan. None is official in this country. Kami ingin berkongsi maklumat dan pengalaman kami sepanjang proses tersebut.

Fasa 1: Mendapatkan Birth Notification(dikeluarkan oleh pihak hospital - RCMC)

Dokumen yang diperlukan:

1) Salinan Iqama (suami/isteri atau kedua2nya sekali jika ada)
2) *Salinan sijil perkahwinan(certified translated arabic)
- mula2 officer hospital tu nak certified translated certification itu diapproved juga oleh MOFA Saudi, tapi luckily kebetulan ada orang yg dikenali dekat hospital tu, dapatlah consideration. Katanya undang2 baru nak cop certified MOFA, Saudi. Wonder kalau kenalah certification dari MOFA, Saudi berapa lama pulak lah baru boleh register Najla dan buat passport dia)

3) Salinan passport suami dan isteri

* sesiapa yg akan datang ada anak akan dilahirkan, mungkin boleh start survey dengan pegawai masing2 tentang maklumat ini.

Fasa 2: Mendapatkan Birth Certificate dari Wizarah Dakhiliah, (imigresen dan kemasukan kalau tak silap), Mudiriah Aamah LilEhwal Madinah, Yanbu Al-Bahar.

1) Birth Notification - yg dapat daripada hospital tadi.
2) Salinan Iqama (suami/isteri atau kedua2nya sekali jika ada)
3) Salinan sijil perkahwinan
4) Salinan passport suami dan isteri

Fasa 3: Mendapatkan Sijil Daftar Kelahiran dari Kedutaan Malaysia dan Passport

1) *Birth Certificate ( di terjemahkan ke Bahasa Inggeris - cost (SR 60-100)
2) *Sijil Perkahwinan
3) *Kad Pengenalan suami dan isteri
4) *Passport suami dan isteri
5) Gambar anak ukuran passport - 3 keping

* semua di atas mesti ada 3 salinan dan original masa submission

Maklumat lain yg perlu tahu:
1) Tempoh utk daftar kelahiran (dari 0-12 bulan umur anak)
2) Tempoh siap passport(1 bulan)
3) Hari khidmat passport (Sabtu dan Ahad - hari lain better call Embassy dulu)
4) Anak kena hadir sebab kena turunkan thumbprint depan officer)
5) Fee Passport : SR 158

Maklumat Konsulate Jeneral Malaysia,Jeddah

Consulate General of Malaysia,
Lot 241, Al-Mualiffin Street, Al Rehab District,
P.O Box 593, Jeddah 21421.
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Telephone :00966 2 6727740;(minta sambungan kepada En Ali)
00966 2 6728019
Fax : 00966 2 6760877
Email : maljeddah@kln.gov.my
Work day : Saturday - Wednesday 8.00 am - 3.00 pm
Holiday : Thursday & Friday

Little Updates

2009-02-24T14:41:00.006+03:00

It has been a while we have not updating this blog. Busy?, no not really. Maybe out of ideas and stories. But for sure, we thanks a lot and thousand of apology to the visitors who keep visiting this little and tiny blog "nyamuk".

Little updates

1) The new members of family has been given name Siti Laila Najla.

2) We have to take her along(as told by Pak Ali , she needs to give her tiny thumbprint for her passport) to Malaysian Consulate in Jeddah tomorrow to register her as a Malaysian.

3) Her moms is getting slimmer (macam dulu2).

4) She's cries a lot at night. As usual, the father is always a patient man...and he just let the mother entertained her....huhuhu.

5) Both of us have same blood group (A+). The other childrens follows their mom(O+).

6) Alhamdulillah, Hannan is not jealous to Najla, otherwise it will be a big problem to us.

7) My Parent in Law is coming soon. Their visa is ready. Just get ready with the delicious and mouth watering mom in law cooks.

Ahlan Wa Sahlan ya Bint

2009-01-31T09:30:00.003+03:00

Alhamdulillah, praise and worship to almighty Allah alone, Who have blessed us with a new member in family, a baby girl born on Thursday, 29 Jan 2009 (3 Safar 1430).

O Allah, I crave Thy protection for her and for her offspring from Satan the outcast.

Masa..Masa ( Bahagian 2)

2008-12-20T20:25:00.016+03:00

There is something precious I found it here, but it is so difficult to share with others. Is it too precious till I refused to share? Let me check.. No.. no.. I don't think so. In fact, it is my big hope to share with other people that so-called friends and family members to me.. and soon my community.

I tried several times to share my knowledge but it was rejected. Some said, this is new. Another said it is against what we have learnt in Malayisa. It is not according to our Imam, Shafie. Some even said, this is difficult, we have a simpler option and some scholars approved it, Islam is easy and why must we troubled ourself when we have easiest option? Emm .. my first reaction, my mouth shut immediately and realized that I have a big weakness lying in myself. I may have good Islamic education background, good scores but still cannot defend my points. Words become so difficult to utter maybe due to less of knowlegde. I have to read more and pray for His guidance.

I asked myself again, am I wrong? If I was, I need to check all my resources. But they were from Hadis sahih and Al-Quran itself. What makes people reject the knowledge? The only thing that I understand is the peoples are so comfortable with their current practises. I don't blame them. May be it is how we have being brought up and taught in our Islamic Education curriculum. It's really demotivated at the beginning, but keep telling myself , "our duty is only to deliver the truth and let Allah decide to whom He guide to the right path and those who He let them astray. Wisdom does not come very easily. It will go to whom He pleased to give.

The most disturbance that lingered in my mind is the issues or being particular in a certain madhab. Is it compulsory for a muslim to follow certain madhab? The same issues also arised to some enlightened Japanese in Tokyo when they conveyed their intention to be Muslim. The first question that popped-out from their mouth after acceptance of Islam, is it necessary for a Muslim to follow any one of the prevalent Imams and their sections? Is it correct to say that we are better than others because we follow certain Imam? I could feel some proud feeling for becoming a certain followers. The feeling of "I am better than you. My madhab is more pious compare to others and promised to heaven and et cetera." Ultimately, without realizing, this opinion and circumstances spoiled the unity and brought downfall and misery. One group is blaming others for a very small and ordinary differences. The issue of disunity among the Muslim Ummah grew so much that various sections always confront to each other. May be I will share this issue in the next entry, because it requires more details.

Lets talk bout ouself as parent and our responsibility to the children. This is from my observation on the community in general in Malaysia. We were blessed with good school curriculum and our government had carefully plan the education system so that it could produce individuals balance with both spiritual and world knowldege (ukhrawi and duniawi). I could see the approach is to balance the number of conventional schools and islamic religous school.

The govermnet has established boarding school like MCKK, STAR and etc and also Islamic based boarding school like KISAS and etc to give better education to the people. Why they need Islamic based school if the conventional boarding school has produced good professional and leaders. The words uttered from my ustazah in one day was the answer "Whoever you are, either you are an engineer, doctor, teacher, housewife or even you are a general labour, you must make sure yourself a mukminah or a mukminin".

Islamic based boarding school became famous to parents nowaday. To the parents, these schools can give both to their children and that is what they looking for. some parents however take it as advantage as an alternative schools for their children to excell and to get a easy getways to the higher education level (university) because the conventional boarding school usually have high competition compared to these schools. Besides, these schools also show high potential for the student to excell due to good resources they have. These was proven and the school alumni record has shown it all. The graduates are securing places in many famous institutions, with good positions. Some of them now are famous intellectual with outstanding contributions in their areas/field.

I also realized some parent took this school as a place for rehabilitation centre. They have a smart children (gifted talent) but unable to control their attitude. Hoping by enrolling them to these schools can change them through the training mode and education approach. There are also parent that unable to model themselves as a good guardian and started to channel the responsibilities to school with hope the children will turn to angel, while they remain on the same path without any effort to changes themself as well. Is it too harsh if I say this school as a place for responsibility escapism?

Similarly, Islamic/Tahfiz based schools blossoming like mushrooms. Parents are now get excited to enjoin the trend to send their kids to these schools, I am not sure what are thier reasons but one thing for sure the cost is not cheap. What is their intention? Is among of the listed here is one of their objectives?

1) Would like to have children in future succesful in this world and the day after?

2) To have a child that can memorize Quran and could pray for his/her parent when they passed away.

3) As an alternative school because it is near to workplace.

4) As an alternative education, since being a huffaz also can promise you good job and income.

5) Felt honoured being a parent of hafiz/hafizah.

6) Felt doing a mistake if not having any child that know and can arrange their funeral in future.

7) Others.

Whatever the reasons were, as a parent and the guardian it is our responsibilities to correct our intention as all deeds are based on your 'niat'/ intention. Our intention is our wish and will become our pray. If Allah wish to full-fill your wish, that is because we asked for it.

Rasulullah (p.b.u.h) said
" The rewards of deeds depends upon the intention and every person will get the reward according he has intended. "

-Sahih Bukhari - 1.1

Malaysian Community

I like to share my opinion about Malaysian community. They are two types of communities as I observed (three actually). One is the pro-religious community and the other is claiming as islamic pro-modernization community. I did not want to discuss the third community which totally reject the truth. The first community described by itself. The second comunity say " We like our future generation balance with religious and academic knowledge". That is a very good intention indeed. How are we going to implement it? Is it as simple as enrolling our children to the morning school session and KAFA (Islamic class) in the afternoon? is KAFA can help to produce such generation? If true, then it will be very good. But unfortunately, the social problem in Malaysia is getting worse. Where is the mistake? Is there something wrong with the curriculum?Or is there any negligence in implementation? Is the institution really play role as an institution to develop children social development or it is only profit-based institution? When the problem arise, we started pointing fingers to others and blaming them without thinking that we are part of them.

Whatever the intentions are, I like to look at this issue from parent point of view. Parent sent their children to school generally for good reasons. Hoping the childrens will grow and be a better person.

However, some parents mixed up their good intentions with contra practical. They intent to have children will become good new generations but in the same time allowed themselves mixed with confused culture. Parent do send kids to learn Islamic Studies in the afternoon and those kids are trying their best to survive their schedules but they are not being explain the reasons. Why? Maybe we as parent also unable to determine the reasons. What was learned in school was not practiced by the parents and now we see that the school is not the place to educate the children but merely a place to train them to memorize words in order to pass an exam.

Here are few examples of our socity today and what their children was thought at school:

Basic Islamic Studies year 1.

1) Islam has 5 pillars - To make the testimony(shahadah), Solat 5 times a day at specified time, Fast, Pilgrimage and charity.

The kids view:

1) Shahadah :

I rarely see my parent say the shahadah- what does it means, what its implication if we break the shahadah and are there any actions in our daily lives can break our shahadah?

2) Pray / Solat:

I usually see my parent going to work as early before fajr being announce to avoid traffic jam, and return after the sunset gone. When did they do their 2 prayers? Or why they pray at the end of the prayer time and why sometimes I saw my parent wait to the end of prayer time to combine with the next prayer just to avoid themselves to perform another ablution? Not yet discussing about how to pray during travelling.

3) Fasting during Ramadhan:

Parent usually emphasized their childrens to fast as early as seven years old. Alhamdulillah this is the good way to train the children. Without realize we also teach them to spend more during this month. More money spent on food for Iftar (breakfast) and normally the food was wasted.

Some parents handsomely reward their children with money for the day they fasted but in other hand the parents finding way to excuse from fast. Clinincs and hospitals will receive more patients with gastric than usual a few days before Ramadhan.

4) Pilgrimage -:

Hajj is obligatory on every Muslim only once during his or her lifetime, provided that he or she
is able to perform it. The order comes from Allaah in the ayah:

Hajj (Pilgrimage) to the House (the Ka'bah) is an obligation that humanity owes to Allaah, for those who can find a way (i.e. for those who can find the means to do it). And whoever disbelieves (i.e. denies the Hajj), then Allaah is beyond any need of all that exists (from His creation).” [Surah Aali ‘Imraan: 197]

And His order in the ayah:

“"Complete (perform properly) the Hajj and Umrah for Allaah..." [Surah Al-Baqarah: 196]

Many people may be performed Hajj more than once or only once and some are not yet willing to perform Hajj although he is able to do it. Some said they are not prepared and they are still young. Coming back from hajj they wanted to be call Haji or Hajah and proud of that. Is there anything wrong if people did not call you Hj or Hjh? Have we ever read the Sirah nabawiyah the prophet (p.b.u.h) and his companions be called haji Muhammad, haji Abu Bakar or haji Omar? Hajj is to surrender ourself to the Almighty Allah and ask for His forgiveness for our past sin and yet we are creating a new one!

That is only from the first page of the Fiqh book in Year 1 in KAFA. Lets see how we can support our children in other matters. Lets say our children ask us about Sirah Nabawiyah, and we oftenly can hear parent in joking mode will say, I am sorry kid I did not know about that and asked your Ustaz or Ustazah. Is the Sirah Nabawiyyah only for those who has learned Islamic Studies? How bout us who declared ourselves as Muslim where the second 6 pillars of faith is to Believe in Prophet (p.b.u.h) and yet we don't know his story? Why we are not bother to learn as well? I suggest.. check..check.. check.. who are we?

Malaysia is a composition of multi-racial people. The people comes from different culture, background and histories. The government is very concern in retaining these cultures even some of them (politician) darely against Islam in the name of cultures. Claimed as progressive Islamic country but contradict to Islamic practices. If asked why is this happening, the answer is very simple "we live in multi-racial society and we have to respect others sensitivity" The government is very careful when to implement Islamic rules because to respect other people feelings, opinions or may be better to say due to some personal or political interest? Even the actual fact and most people can understand because Malaysian is not illeterate anymore. The Islamic rules apllied for muslim and criminal only. Why do we muslims afraid to the law if we not doing any crime? Are they now making any mistakes? Why people are rejecting these rules? Are these rules recently created by human or any bodies? Even it is an ijtimak of ulama, if it based on sahih resources it is not newly invented. I like to repeat it again , are they (muslim) now keep on making mistakes and become a culture therefore cannot get rid of it. So that makes them worry, may be I will do the mistake without realizing and then being punished? What's wrong with rules if it can help prevent us from doing mistake and hence could survive the real punishment afterwards?

When government as an authorized body is not able to control and gear community responsibility to shape the future of the next generation, therefore on whose shoulder should bear the responsbility? They said " Parent must place an important roles as a model to shape their children".

The duty of a parent become very difficult, when there is no support from the institution(education/schools-curriculum, rules), media (newspaper did not publish the correct news summary/improper conclusion or proposing view on the opposite perspectives). If there is good opinion (usually views that urge to go back to basic rules), the intention is hidden or given a highlight topic but sum-up as against modernization. If lucky enough it will be publish as a small piece of note in almost a spotless area.

Whilst entertainment program (tv program - non-educational program, profit-based real-tv program, a half kid-adult talent program) was promoted and given bombastic coverage. Kids shows so called as natural telent programme which usually the initial objective is said to dig out their talent, But after a while, I found that, this is not natural talent, it is a trained talent performed by kids. Usually to mimic their favourite artists or hot/top artist at certain season. Some parent seemed happy to see this. Enjoyed watching their kids to dress like an adult, talk like an adult, use the adult words (usually harsh words) for communication among of them and make jokes like an adult and yet their age just almost 5-9 years old.

I wonder how is it possible to laugh and to enjoy such program. For us as parent we might say, its nothing, only an entertainment. But for kids, do they know and understand that what they are doing? Will they understand that overdressing and silly harshwords only permissibile on stage but not in community?

(to be continued..)

Waiting for the new arrival

2008-12-11T17:26:00.008+03:00

Preparing and waiting for the new arrival. Either he or she, still unidentified. The baby too shy to show up. Anyway, neither boy nor girl, it did not bother us a lot. Since, we already have one boy and three girls , Masyallah. If asked the brother and sisters, they prefer girls? Why???? For Eiman he likes to be the only boy in house. While for the girls, may be they thought baby is like a doll which they can play with.

Recent news received, maternity leaves are only 40 days. Previously, the administration had announced it to be 60 days. But dunno from where the errors came from, suddenly it was changed to 40 days. And again without official circulation only verbal instruction from college administration office. This is the uniqueness of this place because rules can change in a blink!... May be I should check by myself with the appropriate channel and confirm the actual rules.

Hajj 1429H

2008-12-06T13:33:00.003+03:00

Hajj season is coming again and yesterday approximately 50 Malaysian hujjaj were departed from Yanbu. This is the biggest number of Malaysian hujjaj ever since year 2005. Only 6 people performed hajj last year and lesser a year before. With increasingly number of Malaysian coming to Yanbu, InsyaAllah better arrangement can be made in the future.

InsyaAllah, we wish and pray all of you will be granted with Hajj mabrur.

Yasmeen's Birthday

2008-11-25T16:01:00.009+03:00

Yasmeen turned 6 years old today. MasyaAllah she's already grown up. There are always grin in our faces when we discussed about her. Even her grandparents also agreed that memories of raising her could not be removed from the lane. Yasmeen is herself, neither inherited me nor my wife. When asked who does she love most between us, cheerily she replied, both of you mom and dad, slowly coming toward us and kiss us.

She's now attending one of Saudi local school nearby our house and Alhamdulillah so far she able to catch up with other kids. Language is a big barrier for her to excel but InsyaAllah with patient, practice and Allah guide, InsyaAllah she will be doing fine.

Happy Birthday Yasmeen

"Freedom - Are we ?"

2008-11-23T10:22:00.005+03:00

When people start questioning the religious matter (law/fatwa), verily the time has come to an end. In the name of freedom and people rights, laws no longer need to be abide. Accepting the laws means left behind.

We are not much different with the peoples of Prophets which constantly denying the messages send to them by Allah. Are we trully blind and deaf? Why we never learnt from histories? Trully the word of Allah is correct and Allah will keep His promises.

More story, follow links below

http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Saturday/Frontpage/20081122215437/Article/index_html

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/11/23/nation/2625368&sec=nation

Prince or Princess ?

2008-11-16T10:57:00.002+03:00

Guess whose on the next list. Prince or Princess? Will he/she be the "khatam"? Leave it as a big ? as our future is in Allah hand .
"Ya Rabb..Anta A'lam wa ma la na'lam. Anta Rabbuna wa ana a'bduka. Rabbi Ighppirlana wa liwalidaina. Anta maulana wa Anta ghappur wa rrahimin".

Masa..Masa..

2008-11-03T22:57:00.004+03:00

Salam untuk semua..

Sekian lama tidak menjengah ke ruang ini.. semester baru ni menuntut lebih banyak waktu berbanding semester yang lalu. Pertama, kerana terus memikul beban pengurusan di samping mengajar. Kedua, kekurangan tenaga pengajar, menyebabkan jumlah jam pengajaran bertambah dan ketiga, ambilan pelajar bertambah bermakna more managerial duties ... Alhamdulillah, Allah dah beri 2 tahun kelapangan, ini sahaja masanya mula sibuk semula.

Di rumah, after school at night, memandangkan 3 anak sudah mula bersekolah, bermakna more time to allocate for homework. Kalau dulu seorang sahaja. Sekarang dah bertambah 2. Cuba mencari masa tetap untuk mengajar Quran. Tapi, malu nak cakap.. kadang2 sahaja dapat. Mana taknya, dalam akademik kita boleh plan untuk mengajar dan patuh pada plan pengajaran dan akhirnya kita dapat lihat perubahan pada pelajar daripada individu yang tidak tahu kepada tahu. Anehnya dengan anak2, tidak pula diusahakan kaedah yang sama.. Secara tiba-tiba rasa malu pada diri sendiri apabila memikirkan mengapa perkara ini boleh berlaku. Mungkin ini matlamat tahun ini yakni cuba usaha kalau boleh dapatkan waktu tetap utk Quran lesson. Berazam untuk mengajar anak sendiri Al-Quran.

Selain daripada itu bila diam memikirkan masa depan anak-anak, rupa-rupanya ada banyak perkara lagi yang harus dilakukan buat anak2. Impiannya nak adakan usrah setiap hujung minggu. Mungkin sekadar Sirah Nabawiyah. Mudah2an Allah permudahkan.

Terpanggil dengan jemputan sahabat jiwamerdeka yang sudi memberi komen di ruang blog, mengajak bersama-sama menulis dengan tujuan berdakwah kepada sesiapa yang sudi membaca dan melawat laman ini. Istilah berdakwah begitu berat bagi saya insan yang kurang ilmu(mungkin masih kurang membaca, selalunya begitu), kurang fasih lisannya, dan tidak mahir berbahasa. Hasil tulisan hanyalah rumusan berdasarkan pengamatan, sedikit perbandingan hasil pembacaan dan rumusan-rumusan daripada kuliah-kuliah yang pernah didengar atau dihadiri. Walaubagaimanapun, saya tidak menolak bahawa di atas bahu setiap muslim itu ada tanggungjawab untuk menyampaikan apa yang dia tahu dan pengetahuan itu adalah berdasarkan sumber atau rujukan yang sah dan benar, tidak lain Al-Quran dan Sunnah dan Hadis. Ulama hanyalah menjadi rujukan terakhir kerana pertelingkahan(pertembungan pendapat) antara ulama bagaimanapun memberi kebaikan kepada kita. Tetapi apabila bertembung antara keutamaan Hadis Rasulullah dan pendapat Ulama, yang harus di dahulukan adalah Rasulullah. Kerana Allah telah berpesan dalam Surah Al-Imran, “Katakanlah (wahai Muhammad), “Jika benar engkau mencintai Allah, maka ikutlah aku”.” (Surah Ali Imran, 3: 31)

Hari-hari yang berlalu di bumi KSA ini, membawa saya melihat ilmu yang telah dipelajari dahulu dalam konteks yang lebih luas dan lebih bermakna. Mengajar saya melihat bangsa manusia dari pelbagai kaum dari pelbagai sudut. Membawa saya melihat tanahair dari kacamata luar. Terlalu banyak hikmah penghijrahan ini.

Proses pertama yang memberi banyak erti dan pengajaran ialah akhlak. Sewaktu kecil, di sekolah, akhlak adalah merupakan salah satu sub-topik dalam pengajian agama islam. Oleh kerana, inginkan keputusan peperiksaan yang baik, ciri-ciri akhlak seorang muslim dihafal sebaiknya dengan harapan dapat dipindahkan ke kertas peperiksaan dan mendapat keputusan yang baik. Begitu juga sirah Nabawiyah, kisah Rasulullah menjadi kekal dalam ingatan kerana peperiksaan. Tidak termasuk senarai hadis-hadis dan tafsiran ayat-ayat al-quran yang harus dihafal bersama makna dan falsafahnya. Belajar kerana peperiksaan. Contohnya terdapat di dalam hadis Rasulullah yang melarang makan menggunakan tangan kiri. Larangan ini dihafal kerana salah satu akhlak muslim adalah waktu makan mesti makan dengan tangan kanan. Makanya oleh kerana tahu peraturan itu hanya untuk peperiksaan, maka tidak menjadi amalan.

Apabila tiba di sini, diberi peluang mendengar satu ceramah yang membicarakan tentang hadis dari segi bahasa dan makna keseluruhan mengikut terjemahan bahasa Arab, barulah jelas di pada diri bahawa pesanan itu bukan pesanan biasa (yakni nak buat ..buat.. tak buat ..tak pe.. ) . Bahkan ia adalah satu yang benar-benar tidak disukai oleh Rasulullah, yakni apabila Rasulullah melarang ini bermakna jatuh wajib/jangan sekali2 makan/minum/menyuap sesuatu ke dalam mulut melainkan dengan tangan kanan. Itu hanyalah satu antara perkara asas dlm kehidupan yang dahulunya tiada signifikan, tetapi sekarang memberi satu impak yang besar dlm diri untuk melakukan satu perubahan. Keinginan yang pertama, ialah mempelajari bahasa Arab dari segi lughah dan maknanya. (bersambung)

Wonders of Ablution

2008-10-09T14:11:00.003+03:00

The Preventive and Healing Wonders of Ablution

“Nor does he say (aught) of (his own) Desire. It is no less than inspiration sent down to him” (Chapter 53, Verse 3 & 4).

A Daily Ritual
Fourteen centuries ago, our Prophet, a walking encyclopedia if I may so describe him, gave us a prescription of 26 washing movements to be carried out 5 times a day, a total of 130 daily washing movements, to grant us optimum health.

“O ye who believe! when ye prepare for prayer, wash your faces, and your hands (and arms) to the elbows; Rub your heads (with water); and (wash) your feet to the ankles. If ye are in a state of ceremonial impurity, bathe your whole body. But if ye are ill, or on a journey, or one of you cometh from offices of nature, or ye have been in contact with women, and ye find no water, then take for yourselves clean sand or earth, and rub therewith your faces and hands, Allah doth not wish to place you in a difficulty, but to make you clean, and to complete his favor to you, that ye may be grateful.” (Chapter 5, Verse 6)

Before a Muslim performs his prayers, he carries out the ablution movements mentioned in the above verse as well as others, which the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) has added.

Thus, the ablution comprises of washing the hands, arms right up to the elbow, face, mouth, nostrils, and feet up the ankle, all three times each. The inside and behind the ears, as well as the part of the head above the forehead is wiped once.

Done five times a day, it not only cleanses these vital parts of the body from dust and dirt but also "softens" and refreshes them.1

Interestingly enough, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) also encouraged doing ablution before going to bed. This same ritual is also encouraged by Yoga experts who say that washing important motor and sensory organs such as the hands, arms, eyes, legs, mouth and genitals before sleep using cool water relaxes the body preparing it for a deep sleep.2

Stimulating the Biological Rhythms
In an article titled “Muslims Rituals and their Effect on the Person’s Health”, Dr. Magomed Magomedov, assistant to the department of the Man’s General Hygiene and Ecology in the Daghestan State Medical Academy, speaks about how ablution stimulates the biological rhythms of the body and specifically Biological Active Spots (BASes), very much like the idea behind Chinese reflexotherapy.

Presently we know that a man is a complex system of electromagnetic fields, meridians, biological rhythms and so on. Man’s internal organs, in their turn, present a no less sophisticated bioenergetical whole; they all have indissoluble multi-channel bilateral connections with the skin, which hosts special spots, whose functions resemble those of buttons on “control” and “ recharge boards” responsible for particular organs. These spots are called biologically active spots (BASes).3

While pointing out to the similarities between ablution and the science of Chinese reflexology in his fascinating article, Dr. Magomedov also states the main different points. To become a doctor in reflexology, he says, one has to take a 15 to 20 year course of study, incomparable with the simple learning techniques of ablution.

In another comparison, reflexotherapy was primarily used to cure diseases and very rarely for prevention, while, as we shall see, ablution has many preventive benefits.

There was also a negative side to reflexotherapy, he says, one that is not found in ablution; a patient was exposed to traumas since doctors used cauterisation.

The majority of the most powerful BASes are being washed during the Muslim ritual. It is not the doctor, who had studied for many years, who does it, but every Muslim by himself. Besides, praying five times a day obliges a Muslim to take the preventive measures against diseases beforehand.”4

According to Dr. Magomedov, Chinese medicine says that there are more than 700 BASes, and sixty-six of them have quick reflex therapy effects and are named the drastic (or aggression or antique or prime-elements) spots.

Out of these sixty-six spots, sixty-one of them are located in zones required for ablution while the other five are located between the ankle and knee (an area which is desirable, according to prophetic traditions, to wash).

Thus, ablution becomes a kind of treatment complex, which includes the hydromassage of the BAS, their thermal and physical stimulation.5

The BASes in the face (which are washed during ablution) “recharge” such organs as the intestines, stomach and bladder, in addition to having a positive effect on the nervous and reproductive systems, says Dr. Magomedov in his findings, adding that the BAS responsible for the osseous system, intestine, nervous system, lumbar area, stomach, pancreas, gall-bladder, thyroid gland, solar plexus and others are situated on the right leg, another area reached by ablution.

The left leg has the BAS responsible for the work of the pituitary gland, the brain organ that regulates the functioning of the endocrine glands and controls growing. In the ear’s cochlea are hundreds of BASes that “harmonize the work of almost all organs, decrease high blood pressure and relieve tooth and throat pain.” Ear ablution is considered Sunna (Prophetic tradition).

Another aspect that Dr. Magomedov stresses on is that Prophetic tradition emphasized the importance of massaging and applying pressure during ablution, which is something that has a scientifically-grounded explanation.

Dr. Magomedov said that his studies were triggered by his solemn belief that the five-time-a-day Muslim prayers were bound to have not only an “indisputable spiritual effect” but were also bound to “have a purely physical healing effect as well.”

Former research carried out in the Soviet Union regarding BAS was regarded unworthy because they believed that “man was not supposed to have either soul or an energy body, because the opposite would contradict the materialistic (atheistic) ideology of those times,” says Dr. Magomedov.

Preventive Cleansing
From a non-alternative medicine perspective, Mukhtar Salem, in his book titled ‘Prayers: a Sport for the Body and Soul’, speaks about the health benefits of every aspect of ablution. He does not speak about the BASes in one’s body, but nevertheless, he describes the preventive benefits of ablution.

Ablution, he says, helps prevent skin cancer. This is his explanation: the areas that are washed during ablution are the parts of the body that are most prone to be exposed to pollution, whether it is pollution from the internal secretions of the body on to the skin surface, such as sweat, or whether it is external. Ablution, removes this ‘pollution’ five times a day, and hence maintains a clean outside layer of skin, which in turn helps the cells underneath to function properly.

Also, washing with water helps invigorate the ends of the blood vessels, as well as the nerves and glands that are near the skin surface, and hence helps them perform their functions efficiently.6
Salem adds that research has proven that one of the main reasons behind skin cancer is that the skin is exposed to chemicals, especially petrochemicals, and that the best way to prevent skin cancer is by constantly removing these chemicals.

The obvious reason behind washing the mouth during ablution, Salem says, is to remove the food particles, which could cause teeth and gum problems. That is also the reason why siwak (brushing one’s teeth) is also encouraged before ablution.

When washing one’s nostrils, (a practice, which I myself find very hard, but will try to work on), one is also performing a preventive health measure as the germs trapped in the nostrils are removed and do not pass on to the respiratory system.

According to a study conducted by a team of doctors in Alexandria University, the Prophetic tradition, which urges the exaggeration of washing the nostrils by introducing the water in the nostril then blowing it out, positively affects the inner coating of the nostrils. Those who carried out the washing in the correct form had clean, shiny nostrils with no dust clinging to the small hair inside.

However, those who did not perform ablution had light colored, greasy nostrils and their nostril hairs fell off easily.

Repeated washing of the face invigorates the facial skin cells and helps prevent early wrinkles as well as having a cleansing effect on the inside of the eyes, which prevents eye infections, says Salem.

Washing the ear helps rid them from wax accumulation, which may cause ear infections as well as affecting the inner ear, which eventually causes body imbalances.

The Prophetic tradition of encouraging one to wash between the toes while washing the feet, is also extremely important, says Salem, as it prevents the foot, which in our modern times is trapped most of the day inside shoes, from acquiring athlete’s foot.

Over all, he adds, ablution also has an exercising effect on all the muscles involved in its movement, which are thus being stimulated five times a day or even more according to repetition.

Extinguishing the Fires of Anger
Prophetic tradition, with regards to ablution, is also ecologically friendly, as the Prophet repeatedly encouraged water conservation, even if abluting from a running river. Ibn Majah related that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “There is a shaytan (devil) for ablution called `walhan', meaning greedy, avoid the waste of water.”7

Muslims are encouraged to ablute not only before praying or going to bed, but also when entering the mosque, making the call to prayer, delivering a sermon, after visiting a graveyard, after touching or carrying a dead person and also before reading the Quran.8

We are also encouraged to ablute while being in a state of anger for the cooling and refreshing effect of the water, as we are told that anger is from the devil who is made out of fire and can therefore be put off by water.

Finally, there is a moral to this article, besides understanding the benefits of ablution. One should never take things at face value, and must have strong faith that everything that Allah prescribes has a wisdom behind it that we may or may not know.

“And they say: ‘We hear, and we obey: (We seek) Thy forgiveness, our Lord, and to Thee is the end of all journeys.’” (Chapter 2, Verse 285)

Sources:
1- Health and Fitness In Islam, Halal.com
2- Avadhuta, Vedprajinananda, Yoga Health Secrets
3- Magomedov, Magomed, Muslim Rituals & their effect on the person’s health
4- Ibid
5- Ibid.
6- Salem, Mukhtar, Prayers: A sport for the soul and body, CAIRO, The Arab Modern Center (1990), pg. 52.
7- S. Atallah, M.Z. Ali Khan and M. Malkawi, Water conservation through Islamic public awareness in the Eastern Mediterranean Region
8- Al Khayat, Mohammad, Health Education through Religion, WHO, Alexandria, Egypt: 1997

Source: http://www.rasoulallah.net/subject_en.asp?hit=1&parent_id=14&sub_id=6004

Open houses

2008-10-09T09:16:00.009+03:00

This week open houses were everywhere. Since the day of Eid, almost everynight we were invited to attend our friend's house. Some of them are collegues, some islamic lecture's mate(mostly indonesian) and some of them blogger mates. What a real world Allah made this relationship(blogger-mate). We just relate and know each other through blogs that we had created and shared. Virtual relationship. Alhamdulillah, hope Allah will save this relationship and protect from evil grin.

Thanks to Fadzillah(1st house, new comer a.k.a college-mate), nice nasi briyani and nasi tomato.Also thanks to Suhaimi & Aizal, Yusof & Mahaya and K. Jo for a mouth-watering session.

Not to forget my Indonesian friends, Mbak Faridah and Mbak Yanti for introducing me local delicacies. Emm... sorry to say, this session only for the mother and the kids were invited because it is only for ladies. They are married to Saudi. As earlier entry had said, right here, local people hold separate function for man and woman. And since only us the ladies knew each other so, the event is only for us. What an unlucky time for him....

To Johorian K. Ina(Masrina & Zuraili) and Mas(Masdihana & Leman Mardi) Rendang Unta dan Sayur Goreng Jawa akak bestla. Tahniah Fortuner baru tu pasangan Zuraili. And Congratulate or Mabruk , to pasangan Leman & Mas. Rupanya Alya tunggu adik kat Yanbu. Some of the invitation we couldn't afford to make it, due to time-constraint(husband is working). May be some other time. But we would like again to say thank you to Haji Ghaz.

And..out of all open houses, insya Allah we will have the peak of the gathering session this coming weekend in Dolphin Resort, Thurs,Oct 14 2008. On that day all Malaysian reside in Yanbu are invited to come to meet and get to know each other. Hopefully all Malaysian in Yanbu since the year 2004 if I'm not mistaken Mr. Ganesan also Mr. Ayob and Mr.Suresh(2005) can join us the new comers. I am still like to consider myself as newcomer for not knowing much about this country and still exploring.

Read and Think

2008-10-06T15:41:00.002+03:00

Below are few words extract from Quran. Read, think and examine ourself where do we belongs to

For when the trumpet shall sound, (8) Surely that day will be a day of anguish, (9) Not of ease, for disbelievers. (10) Leave Me (to deal) with him whom I created lonely, (11) And then bestowed upon him ample means, (12) And sons abiding in his presence (13) And made (life) smooth for him. (14) Yet he desireth that I should give more. (15) Nay! For lo! he hath been stubborn to Our revelations. (16) On him I shall impose a fearful doom. (17).

Al-Muddathir 8-17

And that He it is who maketh laugh, and maketh weep, (43) And that He it is Who giveth death and giveth life; (44) And that He createth the two spouses, the male and the female, (45) From a drop (of seed) when it is poured forth; (46) And that He hath ordained the second bringing forth; (47) And that He it is Who enricheth and contenteth; (48) And that He it is Who is the Lord of Sirius; (49) And that He destroyed the former (tribe of) A'ad, (50) And (the tribe of) Thamud He spared not; (51) And the folk of Noah aforetime, Lo! they were more unjust and more rebellious; (52) And Al-Mu'tafikah He destroyed (53) So that there covered them that which did cover. (54) Concerning which then, of the bounties of thy Lord, canst thou dispute? (55) This is a warner of the warners of old. (56) The threatened Hour is nigh. (57) None beside Allah can disclose it. (58) Marvel ye then at this statement, (59) And laugh and not weep, (60) While ye amuse yourselves? (61) Rather prostrate yourselves before Allah and serve Him. (62)

Al-Najm 43-62

Kisah di Malaysia(Special Entry #1 1428/29)

2008-10-06T09:15:00.009+03:00

Ini adalah selitan kisah-kisah bersama-sama dengan mak-mak dan bapa saudara apabila kami pergi menziarahi mereka dalam tempoh 60 hari cuti di Malaysia.

Along,76 (Kakak Abah)

Sekarang Along sakit kuat. Tak boleh bangun dan tak berupaya nak bercakap. Dulu Along yang jaga aku masa kecil. Dari umur 4-17 tahun(itu yang aku ingat). Maklumlah adik beradik ramai dan rapat-rapat. Mak lahirkan kami adik beradik setahun seorang. Kebetulan Along tak ada anak, cuma ada seorang anak angkat yang sebaya dengan mak, jadi Along menumpang kasih anak saudara. Dijaganya aku macam anak sendiri. Kadang-kadang aku tinggal bersama-sama dengannya. Kenangan yang ada bersama-samanya, pergi menjual kuih-muih di ladang kelapa, sekolah dan kedai2 kopi. Bangun pagi2 jam pukul 4, dah mula bau kuih menusuk hidung. Along selalu bawa pegi jalan-jalan dan juga pergi kebun cari kelapa. Minyak masak ketika itu kami buat sendiri. Jadi merasa le mengupas/salai/mesin/masak santan sampai bertukar menjadi minyak. Mandi air telaga,makan pucuk paku merah, ikan talapia goreng cili katanya adalah kegemaran aku. Kadang2 bila aku tak ada Along cuba bawa adik-adik aku tinggal dengannya. Tapi mereka tak macam aku yang enjoy dengan life di situ. Jadi end up aku yang kerap tinggal bersama Along.

Sampai aku sekolah berasrama penuh dan universiti, separuh cuti aku dengan Along dan separuh lagi dengan mak sendiri. Tak tau lah perasaan mak macam mana. Sama ada dia kecil hati ke tidak. Tapi bila sekarang, aku dah tak boleh bahagikan cuti lagi. Masa bersama dengan mak sendiri pun tidak cukup. Sejak dari umur 12 tahun hingga kini kebanyakan masa berada di luar rumah(sekolah,universiti,berkahwin dan sekarang dah berhijrah).Lagipun Along sudah ada cucunya jugak. Tapi bila melihat Along tersenyum bila aku bersama keluarga menziarahinya hari itu, sebak juga rasa hati. Tidak tahu apa yang tersirat di hatinya bila dia memandang kosong sewaktu kami nak beredar meninggalkannya. Dari jauh aku tetap mendoakan jiwanya tenteram dan anak cucunya menjaga dengan baik sepertimana dia memelihara mereka sewaktu kecil. Aku juga berharap aku diberi peluang untuk menjaga abah dan mak andainya satu hari nanti mereka memerlukan aku.

Tok Su, 80+(Ibu saudara mak yang bongsu)

Kami menziarahi tok su. Tok Su orangnya kuat dan sihat. Cuma baru-baru ini dia diserang strok dan hilang daya ingatan. Keupayaannya untuk mengingati peristiwa yang lama masih kuat, tapi tentang perkara-perkara yang baru berlaku susah untuk dia ingati. Hasilnya, dia asyik mengulangi pertanyaan yang sama walaupun perkara itu baru sahaja diperjelaskan dalam 2 minit yang lalu.Apabila berbual dengannya dia asyik bercerita kisahnya berkisar peristiwa 40-60 tahun yang lampau. Walaupun demikian, alhamdulillah kesemua 8 0rang anaknya sabar melayani karenah ibu mereka. Mungkin kerana didikan yang diberi oleh arwah suaminya dan beliau juga seorang yang indah peribadinya. Anak-anaknya semua terpelajar dan berpangkat tinggi, tetapi tiada seorang pun yang bersifat keakuan malah sering berpakat adik-beradik. Malah, mak selalu menjadikan mereka sebagai inspirasi kepada kami supaya mencontohi muafakat yang diamalkan oleh keluarga tok su ini. Walaupun arwah suaminya merupakan bekas seorang menteri kabinet, tetapi keluarga ini hidup merendah diri dan sering berbuat amal jariah. Kediaman besar beliau sendiri dijadikan sekolah(Sekolah Menengah Al-Ulum, Bagan Datoh) untuk mendidik anak-anak tempatan yang berpotensi untuk pergi jauh dalam bidang pengajian Islam. Hasilnya ramai dari anak-anak lepasan sekolah ini berjaya menempatkan diri di Universiti Al-Azhar Mesir, Yarmouk Jordan, Taiba Madinah dsbnya. Iktibar dari ziarah ini, aku harap aku dapat buat sesuatu sepertinya walaupun tidak sama seperti apa yang beliau lakukan.

Mak Andak(kakak Mak)

Aku akui aku memang rapat dengan semua ibu saudara tak kira sebelah abah atau sebelah mak. Anak saudara macam anak sendiri. Kalau kenduri-kendara aku mesti pergi 2 minggu awal untuk membantu apa yang patut. Hijrah aku ke KSA rupa-rupanya tidak meninggalkan respons positif dari semua.Terutama Mak Andak. Dari awal dia tidak setuju dengan mak kerana membenarkan aku pergi. Katanya Malaysia hilang tenaga mahir. Aku tak hairan, mak Andak memang orangnya patriotik. Tapi, mak orang yang positif, dia tetap menyokong. Cuti kali ini aku pergi menziarahinya lagi. Dia tahu tempoh kontrak 2 tahun sudah tamat. Diujakan pertanyaan ini kepadaku "Seronok ka duduk kat sana? Bila nak habis kontrak" , aku jawab "Seronok, sambil tersenyum. Nak sambung la selagi boleh sambung". Dia menyambung lagi sebab tidak puas hati dengan jawapan tadi." Apa yang seronok sangat? Berapa lama lagi nak duduk? Awat ... depa kat sini tak bagi cukup kat hang ka..?" Tu dia bertubi-tubi soalan dia. Aku terus senyum...lalu berkata " Mak kata boleh." Mak juga menyampuk " Mak dia pun kata boleh.. baguih.."Lantas Mak Andak menarik muka, tanda tidak puas hati " Ish , lantak hangpa la..Kalau lagu tu aku pun tak mau ambik tau la" Kami pun memujuk le supaya tidak terus risau.. kerana menurut mak, Mak Andak orangnya cukup takut dengan dunia luar. Masa waktu dia muda dahulu, apabila siaran berita ke udara dari corong radio, dia mesti cepat-cepat tutup radio tu. Dia enggan dengar berita tentang peperangan, pergaduhan dan suasana kucar-kacir. Rumah tok Wan pernah menjadi saksi sejarah apabila Shamsiah Fakeh ditangkap dan menyerah diri di laman rumah tersebut. Kisah Pak Teh menyorok di dalam parit sewaktu perintah berkurung dan askar Iban yang menjadi peronda sering menjadi bicara dia. Baginya Malaysia mungkin sudah merdeka dan selamat. Tapi dunia luar baginya tidak selamat..Dia lebih selesa di negara sendiri..bak kata pepatah " hujan emas negeri orang ,hujan batu negeri sendiri, lebih baik negeri sendiri". Tapi , bagi kami generasi baru... "kita kutip dulu lah emas baru balik negeri sendiri".

Heheheh... itulah antara secebis kisah sewaktu berada di Malaysia.

Disebaliknya..........

Malaysia sekarang dihujani batu-batu yang meruntuh moral anak-anak yang membesar. Ngeri rasanya dalam 2 bulan di Malaysia, telefon pra-bayar kami asyik dihujani sms berbau lucah dan clip video murahan semurah 50-70 sen dan tidak diketahui pengirimnya. Imagine, nombor kami itu kalau dimiliki oleh budak sekolah. Tidak mustahil. Sumber porno merata-rata tanpa kawalan pihak berwajib. Ini tidak termasuk kes kehilangan anak yang makin menjadi-jadi. Sewaktu cuti tempoh-hari, seorang anak guru, jiran dan kenalan abah,berumur 14 tahun, perempuan, hilang dari rumah sewaktu ke sekolah.

Tidak cukup anak-anak. Peribadi individu yang dewasa sekarang juga amat diragui. Bila hidup asyik disogok dengan sumber lucah, media tanpa kawalan penuh hiburan, kedai-kedai buku mamak menjual bahan bacaan ringan tanpa ada rasa tanggungjawab, kedai-kedai ubat merata-rata mempromosi ubat penggalak syahwat, seolah-olah kritikal benar penduduk Malaysia dengan masalah ini sehingga terdapat penyelesainya boleh didapati di mana-mana. Bukan sekadar itu, malah makanan + minuman harian pun turut ditambah nilai.

Satu masa dahulu, pemandu bas sekolah, jaga sekolah, jiran sebelah, guru sekolah, saudara sepupu, kawan sekelas mungkin tidak pernah terlintas di dalam kepala untuk berlaku tidak sopan dengan anak kita. Semua yang diberi tanggungjawab, lazimnya setia dengan tanggungjawab yang diberikan. Tetapi sekarang yang berpakaian seragam sendiri pun belum tentu lagi jujur dalam melaksanakan amanah yang diberikan.

Inilah yang menjadi antara faktor utama penghijrahan kami disini. Mencari persekitaran yang lebih selamat untuk anak-anak yang bakal menjadi generasi akan datang. Lagipun, hidup dan mati di mana-mana sama sahaja. Jika ada pilihan yang lebih baik untuk hidup sementara ini kenapa kita tidak pilih perkara yang baik itu....

"Hope Allah will guide us in this matter. Matilah kami dalam Iman dan Islam. Lead us to Husnul Khatimah and avoid us from Su'ul Khatimah."

Eid Mubarak 1428

2008-10-05T08:52:00.009+03:00

2008 - Much more better..

Year 2006 - Meal

Year 2006 - only us

Kullu Am Wa Antum Bi Khair...

Like we usually say in Malaysia " Selamat Hari Raya AidilFitri, Maaf Zahir Batin" here they will wish people with these phrases when meet each other. This year we celebrate Eid right here in Yanbu. Just like the first year when we arrived in Yanbu. But this time is much more better, because we have it with other Malaysian families. During the first year, we spent our eid at home. There were few Malaysians at that time but mostly single and they opted to fly back and celebrate Eid in Malaysia.

In 2006 about 30 Malaysians in Yanbu but now we have more than 150 with families. Such a big number. When the number was small, we used to have small pot luck gathering and had chit chat and socialized to get to know to each other. But when the number is big, it is difficult to gather all at once. Some due to different timeframe and also space limitation. However the tradition still continues. Except the venue has changed. From individual house to hotels and restaurants which can accomodated more.

Having more Malaysians here it means we are going to see Malaysian traditions and cultures. Though there are many of us right here, but it does not mean we can easily transfer our tradition and practise them right here. Example, music in public is not allowed. If you want to listen music, make sure its within your hearing and in your compound. I usually joined my husband company dinner in Radison or Holiday Inn. Though they are Americans they know how to respect local cultures. They have their gathering but they observe the limitations.Their woman put on decent dress and also abayas on. I wonder it must difficult for them but they still show their respect.

Apart from that, local people did not allow mixed party among them. They have separate sessions male and female. Except if they are family members, then you may see them sit or dine together in public. Therefore big crowd in public, man and woman maybe not to encourage. Likewise in Malaysia, we have all those so fun time Family Gathering where all family members can join and play together, Company Annual Dinner or Family Day. Even in house-gathering we still need to observe if the crowd is too big, we need to ensure space between man and woman.

Yanbu - A new place with different climate and different cultures. Hope everybody can survive and enjoy the city as it is.

Baby at 22 Weeks

2008-09-28T15:32:00.001+03:00

Eyelashes and eyebrows.

Your baby weighs about 15 ounces, measures just under 11 inches head to heel, and is growing eyelashes and eyebrows. Little taste buds are forming on his or her tongue, and if your baby is a boy, his testes begin descending from his abdomen. If your baby is a girl, her uterus and ovaries are already formed, as well as all the eggs she will ever produce.

Masya Allah Tabarakallah

Vacation ended

2008-09-19T13:14:00.008+03:00

Huh... it had been 3 months I did not update my blog. 2 months in Malaysia seemed like 2 days. So much to catch that made me unwillingly to spent time on computer. I received complaints but I am really sorry for that.

In fact, we did not stay at one place. Moving from one town to another town, so its hard to bring along computer stuffs while visiting family members and relatives. Some of the weeks we spent to settle our personal matters(properties, banks,hospital) which required few weeks to clear.

Apart from that, we had vacation to treat family members. For this time we spent time in Kijal, Trengganu and few water-world resorts. Alhamdulillah the kids were enjoying themselves very much. And of course they did, after a year in Saudi without outside activities.

Now we are back and we will have the same routine to finish till next year. The children have started their schooling session on the next day we arrived in Yanbu.Also my husband has started his work. For me, I am a bit lucky. I started my duties after 3 days from the date of arrival.

We have our first day of Ramadhan in Yanbu this year. Ramadhan is the most welcoming month in KSA. It is not because of the 'bazar ramadhan' like what we are having in Malaysia. It is because the month full of Bless and Rest. Why? First the working hours is shortened to 6 hours. Instead of 40 hours a week, it ends up to 30 hours a week. Clock in time 10.00 am and ends 4.00 p.m. Like me in college, sometimes we even come home at 2 or 3. Seronoknye.... Then it is only for 2 weeks. The other two weeks is eid's break. Usually official break is one week, but towards the end of the month, the King commonly will make announcement for extra holidays to allow people to perform qiyamullail towards 10 days the end of ramadhan.

Ramadhan at night especially towards 10 days to end is so alive. You will hear quran recitation from almost all mosques in the town. I learned to know from my saudi friend that during ramadhan, it has become a custom to them not to sleep at night till sahur time. There was once I need help from her to translate my daughter school's form, she asked whether was it too late for me if she invites me at 11.00 at night. Luckily she changed her mind and ask me to come at 9.00. According to her 9.00 is like 7.30 and 11.00 is like 9.00 during ramadhan. Though, I have been staying in here for 2 years, I am still using the Malaysian clock. So the kids as well. So sleeping late at night definitely is out of my routine. There was one time I was invited to attend a wedding ceremony in Holidany Inn Hotel. It was a total new experience to me. First, it was only antended by women. Next, they have kind of a floor dance and invite close friend to dance together with the bride. Lastly, the dinner was served at 12.00 midnight. Huh...That's really new ....

Balik Kampung

2008-06-24T15:33:00.002+03:00

Looking foward to that date...3rd July 2008....9 more days to go...
Malaysia here we come.

Oooo..balik kampung, hati girang.

For "Balik kampung" song, go to this link http://ejalz.blogspot.com/
cheers!!

Four is not Enough ?

2008-06-15T13:57:00.003+03:00

Beautified for mankind is love of the joys (that come) from women and offspring; and stored-up heaps of gold and silver, and horses branded (with their mark), and cattle and land. That is comfort of the life of the world. Allah! With Him is a more excellent abode.
(Al-Eimran :13)

O mankind! if ye are in doubt concerning the Resurrection, then lo! We have created you from dust, then from a drop of seed, then from a clot, then from a little lump of flesh shapely and shapeless, that We may make (it) clear for you. And We cause what We will to remain in the wombs for an appointed time, and afterward We bring you forth as infants, then (give you growth) that ye attain your full strength. And among you there is he who dieth (young), and among you there is he who is brought back to the most abject time of life, so that, after knowledge, he knoweth naught. And thou (Muhammad) seest the earth barren, but when We send down water thereon, it doth thrill and swell and put forth every lovely kind (of growth).
(Al-Hajj : 4)

That is because Allah, He is the Truth and Lo! He quickeneth the dead, and Lo! He is Able to do all things
(Al Hajj : 5)

Subhanallah (Glory to Allah)

Education in Saudi Arabia Part IV

2008-06-14T09:47:00.002+03:00

Alhamdulillah, we received a good nwes from Mrs Boney last week. Only 4 out of many Muslim Approval applications were returned by MOE. Form these 4 applications, 3 are Malaysian and 1 Singaporean.

I met Mrs Boney the next day to submit my daughter school admission form. She was very happy to see me and say her appreciation to Malaysian Embassy in helping on this matter. Despite of that good news, YIS will lost their gems when Mrs Boney will leaving them by 25th June.

One thing I like most about YIS is, Nationality is not a border. Your children is free to interact with other nationality, races, colours and religions. The children is given an equal opportunity to develop and polishing their ability and skills.

Looking foward on next school session. Adios

Recent Good News

2008-06-14T09:27:00.003+03:00

On Wed, June 11 2008, late afternoon, I received good news for our daughter muslim approval.

I was being informed till the date only 4 muslim approvals are approved by the ministry. 3 Malaysians and 1 Singaporean. May be this will become good a sign or give a new hope for newcomers about education in Yanbu. Alhamdulillah that's means she can go to the same school with his brother next year.

It almost the end of this semester.. another week for exam and after that one week for result compilation. Then Yahooo... going back to Malaysia..

Talking about "balik kampung" since the age of 13, my days is full with counting the days to go back to my hometown. I started my secondary education in a boarding school , 3 years in Ipoh, 2 years in Klang. After that I had my Prep Year in Ipoh and then continue my second year for preparatory + degree in Penang for 5 years.As soon as I had graduated, I got married and moved to KL. Still counting the days to go back to hometown. Again the process repeats. In Saudi Arabia I am counting my days to go back to Malaysia.

Now I am keeping myself alert, to treasure my days with my children because I may probably have only 12 full years with them, after that they will start leaving you to head for their life.

Education in Saudi: Part III

2008-05-28T22:44:00.005+03:00

Refer to the previous entry Education in Saudi: Part I and II.

The issues has started several months ago. We were realized when we were bout to register/ to have entry test for our second daughter to Yanbu International School(American Curriculum).

At first we heard as rumours, so we tried to get clarification from the school registrar and then she confirmed the story. We felt very dissapointed with the news. Its not only us. Also for all muslim expatriates that have kids to go to international school. Se told us that is not only affect the YIS but also all international schools in the Kingdom. When we heard that, we were very sure this will take time to solve.

The decision only affects to muslim to enroll to international school, because one of the criteria to get registered we must have muslim approval from Ministry Education. We have been informed by Miss Bonnie(School Registrar), even the submission for approval in January still not approved yet.

For infos, the options of schools that we have right here in Yanbu are very limited.
1) Radwa International School(Indian Curriculum)
2) Al-Tawhid International School(Philiphine Curriculum)
3) Al-Israa International School( Indian Curriculum follows British Syllabus)
4) Yanbu International School(American Syllabus and Curriculum)- Accreditate by Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools

other than than Local Government Schools(Arabic medium)

If the ministry is trying to implement community schools as per said, where do our children can go ? Not only for us Malaysian, also Indonesian, Australian, Canadian,French,Italian, Singaporean, China etc.

For us kids education is the priority. If Kingdom cannot promise any place for education, why should we stay here?

Education in Saudi: Part II

2008-05-28T22:35:00.003+03:00

A Mother’s Plea for Schools

by Tariq A. Al-Maeena, talmaeena@aol.com
Saturday, May 24 2008

A letter I received recently highlighted the anguish of a mother as a result of unthinking bureaucratic decisions by some of our ministries. In this case, the culprit was the Ministry of Education. The letter read:

“Dear Mr. Tariq,
“I am writing to you this e-mail requesting a favor. Many Saudi parents including myself are having a dreadful time at the moment. In my case, the problem started two years ago when I tried to enroll my youngest son in the same Saudi school as his elder brother. The school owner refused to accept him claiming that my son is autistic because he failed the entrance exam for KG2. She insisted that we had to have him assessed and so we did.
“We felt that we had to do everything possible to have my son accepted so that he would be in the same school as his brother, but it was all in vain. She just didn’t want my son in the school, and thus we had to consider another option which I had long resisted, and that was to put my children in an international school.

“The process of registering both my sons in an international school was easy and heartwarming. After what we had faced with previous school, it was humanizing. My sons went through the assessments easily, not because they were geniuses or wizards in the English language, but because they were treated as kids who are growing, learning and have potential. My children spent that past year in Jeddah Prep and Grammar School, leaving me to wonder why I had not thought about it before. My kids come home cheerful, happy and enlightened. My seven-year old comes home with a tiny school bag with a few notebooks but with a world of knowledge and learning. The teacher recognized that he needed help with reading, so she had him go a special learning lab at the school. Now my son enjoys reading, swimming and his personality has developed tremendously.

“Now we have come to know that the Ministry of Education will not issue any renewals for permission for Saudi students to attend international schools. Not only that, the British school will have to accept only British pupils, German schools German pupils, Indian schools Indian students, Italian school Italian students, French school French students, and so on.
“Can you even start to imagine the consequences of such an irrational decision? What effect will this have on the expatriate community in the Kingdom? Many foreigners come to this country with the promise of a good salary, good accommodation and good education for their children. If these requirements are not met, they will not continue to hang around here much longer.

“Also, in my son’s class, there are only three British students. Under this new decree, most schools will not be able to operate without Saudi students who make up the bulk of enrollment.

“In countries like Qatar and the UAE, for example, nationals of these countries get a monthly stipend for their kids’ education and get insurance; they get all the help from their government to ensure that citizens live a decent life. Here we don’t have that luxury and we work for what we earn, so we pay for this school from our own pocket and still we are told what to do and what not to do.

“I will not put my sons back again in Saudi schools, I would rather have them home schooled or move to Dubai or Bahrain. There was a meeting on May 14 in Jeddah Prep and Grammar School to discuss this issue. The school sympathized with the parents but there’s little they can do. They are in more trouble than we are, because if things remain like this, they will be forced to close down.

“On Friday, May 16, an article published in Arab News by Fatin Bundagji titled “What Saudi Parents Want” touched only the tip of the iceberg. My request is that you let people know what’s going on. Hopefully, some media pressure will result. Even if my husband and I somehow manage to get a permit for enrollment, most of the other parents won’t, and the school may not be able to operate next year. F.G.”

This letter from a distraught mother who wants the best for her children highlights exactly what is wrong with some of our ministries who issue decrees without studying the destructive effects it would have on the future citizens of this country. This is akin to the Commerce Ministry dictating to me what vehicle to buy next, or the Housing and Rural Affairs Ministry telling me which neighborhood I should settle in.

And where is the rationale behind such a move? If international schools deliver a better quality of education to our children, shouldn’t the Ministry of Education be more concerned about elevating the quality of learning in our government schools, rather than depriving some of our young of the opportunity to shine to the maximum of their potential and among other citizens of the world?

Or is it that some people within this ministry fear that close proximity to foreign teachers and children will erode the “special qualities” of our society? Whatever it may be, I call on the ministry to take a second look at this ruling. Let us allow our children every opportunity to excel, no matter where they acquire that ability.

Origin:http://www.arabnews.com/

Current Issues : Education in Saudi Arabia-Part I

2008-05-28T22:29:00.002+03:00

To all parents from our District Superintendent:
April 30, 2008
To: The ISG Community
From: Norma Hudson, ISG Superintendent
Subject: Update on the Ministry of Education’s Directive About Student Enrollment

Greetings:

Recently ISG and other Foreign Education schools throughout the Kingdom received a letter from the Ministry of Education, Department of Private and Foreign Education which stated that:“… we hope that students who do not belong to the same community will not be allowed to attend our schools until pre-approval is obtained.”Note that the letter mentions “community” and at this writing that word is translated from Arabic to mean “nationality”. Since it is difficult to find community schools for all nationalities in the Kingdom, the Ministry of Education is clarifying its intent for students who cannot easily find a community school.

It is our understanding that the referenced directive does not affect current students who have received Muslim approval and are attending ISG. Students needing annual Muslim approval may be affected. The directive is currently being focused at new students because there is a desire to have more students attend schools operated under the ownership of local citizens.
We have been an international school district with an international staff and international students since 1962. For almost 50 years, the Ministry and ISG have had a successful relationship. We have worked with and supported each other. The Ministry of Education approved our name as International Schools Group several years ago. ISG has remained a not-for-profit school district and has served the Kingdom as needed to provide education to the children of men and women who have come to the Kingdom to help.

At this point the full implications of the Ministry’s letter and referenced directive are unknown. Our Assistant Superintendent of Government Relations, Rashed Al-Doulab, has diligently been working with the Ministry of Education to seek clarity on this letter.

My letter is for your information and is not to be used as a catalyst for action to the Ministry of Education by parents. My personal goal is to be respectful and considerate to everyone as we work together with the Ministry and other appropriate Government agencies by using suitable protocols.

I thank you for your time and interest. If you get new information, I would appreciate it if you would share it through your school administrators. Your patience and understanding are needed and I will continue to keep you informed.

Respectfully,

Norma Hudson

ISG Superintendent

Origin:http://www.isgyis.org/

Am I a forgiveful person?

2008-05-28T21:48:00.003+03:00

Allah had test me again last two days. He wants to see wether I am still the original "Siti Haryani" who used to forgive and tolerate. Before he had test me with a big "fitnah" to see wether I still have the courage or sabar or not.

I am about to surrender to the bad whispers that kept haunting me not to forgive those who make up the huge stories.

Today, Allah had helped me to lift up those feelings. "Allah hu Ghafurur Rahim". I realized He still love me by made me realize nothing is better for a muslim except always forgive and establish good relationship amongs muslim. With that I said " Astaghfirullah, Please Allah give me courage to face this short life always lead me to the correct path.. Ameen". Again I remind myself, Man perception (how people think , how people see you) is not important. The most important how Allah sees you.

Hopefully.. I can smile better now.. even it is not as cheerful as before.

A Very Touchy Moment..

2008-05-26T15:55:00.003+03:00

This time round the entry, is a little bit personal and emotional. I have earlier in my plan to discuss bout the current hottest issue in Saudia Arabia. But I delayed it because I like to frame my gratitude to one of my student, her name is RANA. She made me remember the most dearest friend to me in Malaysia, Arnie Fadzillah and Siti Hanim Mohd Kudus.

Usually its really hard for me to have someone attached to me. I always want to spare my little heart for those who deserved it(My husband, my parent, my brothers and sisters.. bas). I could hardly recall anyone that I can call bestfriend. Since young, I don't really have bestfriends but I have many friends that like to hang around with me. May be I kind of happy go lucky person, so people can easily attached to me. But it works contrary to me. I may look easily to be approached, but it's difficult for me to consider people as special. I can numbered them if I want. Too few too count. Arnie(in Penang now working in - Anti-Drug Department) she is my ex-prep year classmate. We have been together since then till we completed our studies though we were in different program. We have different interest, different opinion but yet we like each other. We are chemistry suited to each other. She was in Pharmacy but I am in Computer Science. Totally different line but yet we still together. Till now, before I left I made an effort to pay a visit to her family. Same to her, if happened she came down to KL for court-case hearing she will pay a visit for me though its only took 20 minutes to be together. Even sometimes, I did smsing her when suddenly I had a thought of her.

Met her and have her as my friend is a fate from Allah.

Another one is my x-collegue-mate. She has the same interest of me, share same thought, have the same inspiration. Even share the same initial name S... H.... Mine Siti Haryani. We use the same initial. Usually I dislike people that have the same characteristics with me, but with her, masyallah she is my sister billah. A very close I can say, I put all my thrust to her. I don't know if she took me the same way or not. If I died, if I have anything left to manage maybe I will put her name to manage the leftover. She is an 'amanah' person. I really pray for her so that Allah will always reward her with the most highest pleasure in this world and world after.

Today.... I felt the same feelings, someone who is a stranger to you.. suddenly shows her concern like she had knew you for many years. She did not do anything to me except looking at me while I am cheerfully talking to her. And ask one shocking question " Are you sad teacher?". It is a shocking question becoz I was laughing and cheerfully talking to her as usual whenenever she drop in to my office. Suddenly I can't hide anymore, my tears running heavily because I did not believe that she realize something from my eyes and she really concerned. Earlier she did not want to leave me till I settled, but I refused and leave her instead of waiting any longer. Her name is RANA.

For her, she had several time saw me cried before, usually due to students problem. The trouble that their makes sometimes not only broke your heart but make you burst to tears. It never happened to me in Malaysia. 6 years teaching, I am crying due to student attitude? Never happened in Malaysia, but not in here, I still remember almost 5 times I cried because too angry with the students. But this time round she knew it is not from the students. She knew almost all the students I taught now know how to behave with me. She ask from me a clarification. But I can't explain why and what the coz. I told her this is very personal to me. And I told to her not even ask or tell anyone that she saw me crying. She agreed. She does not deserve to know. She refused to leave me till she told me to read this doa'.

" Allahuma inni auzubika minnal hammi walhazan wanauzubika ajzi wal kasal, wa nauzubika minal jub ni wal bukhl, wa nauzubika min ghalabatiddai ni wa qahrir rijal"

When she mentioned the verse, I told her I knew that verse, and I pronounced it properly for her to listen, and ask her is that the one and she said yes. And I told her that is my favourite doa actually. I told her don't worry about me. I will always have Allah beside me. Then she felt relief and leaved me alone with my one world.

Why??? Too complicated to describe. But I felt so grateful Allah give me courage and wisdom to think wise so that I will not make stupid decision or reaction. I don't need hablum minannas if things go so difficult with the nas.. I prefer hablum minallah. He knows what I had done. The most important thing later, I will return to HIM and to be questioned everything for what I had done.

"Perception is man-made views, good or bad is only a phenomenon."

Who is RANA to me?

When I first came here, she is a very shy and gloomy(sad, dreamy, always wandering in class) student. She could not even understand a word of English, yet the class here are delivered in English. She faced a very difficult time to master English language. Everytime when she approached any teacher to clarify the subject matters, she will always bring along her travel dictionary(her friend (formerly - Naeemah, now Noora)).

Somehow after one year past, one of the seniour teacher in the department called me when she noticed that RANA like to cling around me without nothing to do or nothing to say, she always come and see me. She said " I realize she is very close to you and like to be with you. Since she looked like comfortable with me I want to tell you something about RANA" . I made to understand during the early semester, a year before I came, she is a very hardworking, bright and talkative person. Something is happened in her family and till then she became so quite, like to dreaming and wandering and loss in her world. When she told me the problem that RANA is facing I started to understand her problem. Nothing much I did to her just to encourage her to study and attend her when she needed me.

Soon after 2 years, she felt I am so closed to her till she did not want anything disturbing me. It was so kind of her. She now dare to meet teachers without her "walking dictionary". I started realize she comes and visits almost all teachers and communicate in English without help. During my relationship with her I taught her to make " nasi goreng ikan bilis" . I gave her some " ikan bilis" from my stock so that she can try. She made it and gave some to me. Not bad for first timer. I didn't realize it made her feel so fond to me, till today when she showed her concerns then I knew what I did, had leave special marks on her .

Thank you RANA anyway.

VIOLATION ON IQAMA,VISAS and HARBOURING RUN-AWAY :.

2008-05-24T22:14:00.004+03:00

It has been a long time for us to find answers on this issue..

IS IT POSSIBLE FOR UMRAH VISA HOLDER TO PAY VISIT OUTSIDE MAKKAH,MADINAH AND JEDDAH?

We tried to find out advices from the local residents. Some give positives views(meaning can .. no problem) some said no..(not allowed).

Even my cousin Hj Azman the Umrah Tour Operator(staying in Kingdom for 20 years) mentioned the same thing but he could not prove to us from where we can get the information.

Finally we manage to get the answers, source : http://www.moi. gov.sa

Menu: Iqama System Violation and Penalties

Related infos that we are looking for are stated in paragraph 16,17 and 18.

16. Hajj, Umrah guest or the Prophet's Mosque visitor, who travels outside Makkah, Jeddah or Madinah during validity of the visa granted to him or after its expiry. • Fine is 10,000 S.R. or one month imprisonment or both

• He shall be deported at his own expense.
• Investigate the role of the establishment responsible for his entry in the occurrence of the violation before imposing the penalty.

17. Transporting a guest for Hajj, Umrah or the Prophet's Mosque visitor outside the established routes specified for him by the establishment responsible for his arrival and departure during his visa validity • If the carrier is an expatriate resident, the fine is 10,000 S.R. or 1 to 3 months imprisonment or both in addition to deportation.
• If the carrier is a citizen, the first instance fine is 10,000 S.R. or 1 to 3 months imprisonment or both. Second instance fine is 20,000 S.R. or 3 to 6 months imprisonment. Third instance fine is 30,000 S.R. or six months imprisonment.
• Fines are multiplied according to the number of individuals involved.
• Investigate the role of the establishment responsible for his entry in the occurrence of the violation to be punished if the violation was established.

18. Transportation of an Umrah or Hajj guest, or the Prophet's Mosque visitor outside the established routes specified for him by the establishment responsible for his arrival and departure after the expiry of the validity of the visa.
• See penalties in paragraph 17.
• Publish the violator's penalty in the local press with the judgment thereon according to the censure instructions.

The sentence that we were searching for a long time, finally we found at end.
No more puzzle in our head. It is clear now. Hope this reference can help others to make decision as well.

"Rules made not to be broken"

Cinnamon Rolls

2008-05-22T10:49:00.008+03:00

My family is fan of cinnamon roll from Cinnabon. But the price is so expensive for us to enjoy the bun so much. I took effort to get recipes from internet. Several try out.. today I got this . I assumed this is the best result of my cinnamon rolls. We like to have it with cheese frosting .. umm so yummy ..

Now we can enjoy to have more than one rolls for everone of us.

If you ask for recipe.. I am sorry.. I always cook without proper measurement. Only with love and tenderness hoping to produce the best. That is the bad side of me. When it turns good.. I could not remember the exact measurement. If I follow proper measurement the dish did not turn good. So what to do....

Yanbu Al-Bahar Fish Market

2008-05-22T10:44:00.002+03:00

Here are some picuteres from the Yanbu Al-Bahar Fish Market. You can see the fish ranges from the giant one to the smallest. You can even see the coral fish. Most of us Malaysian don't dare to eat the colourful coral fish e.g , parot fish, angle fish. But I tried once.. so.. chewy.. no more next time. Usually we go the market once in a month. Its quite a distance to go frequently. So we decided to limit one trip and with bulk shopping. See my freezer as well.

Yanbu Made Teh Tarik

2008-05-21T23:25:00.013+03:00

This is an experiment to make Yanbu "Teh tarik". Specially made by chef Siti for her regular customer, It's me laaa..

Look at these two young lady. Impatiently want to sip the tea although it still hot (Harr Jiddan).

Congratulation chef Siti, the tea was perfect and "miah-miah" (100% in arabic).

Lots of love from us...zaujuki, ibnatuki wa auladuki....

Nahnu nuhibbu anti.

Mekah Al-Ann (Mecca Now)

2008-05-21T22:37:00.010+03:00

Few photos showing Mekah As-Shamiyah area at this time.

Demolishing work is in progress for future expansion of Haram Mosque and Hotels. Pictures spoke a thousand words, nothing was left behind and the only remaining was a memories.

My parents in-law has a good memories about As-Syamiyah. Their first visit to Mekah 36 years ago for hajj and yet the place still fresh in their minds. It was proven when their last visit on February where they still recall the shop selling "Tamis" and others stuff. Ohh My God! It still the same, they said. Although after 36 years the building and road were still the same. But that was on February, now everything has gone. Gone with the memories.

Oppss! We hit a Camel

2008-05-18T18:20:00.017+03:00

Last Wednesday we planned to have our last Umrah before we fly back to Malaysia on July 3. The journey was fine though all the way Hannan did not cooperate very well. She cried along the journey. Don't know what really troubling her. We assume maybe she want to free herself from the baby car seat. Together with us, are family of Suhaimi and Sadimin.

It was Maghrib time when we arrived Meqat Juhfah area. As usual, we decided to stop at Meqat Mosque to perform our Maghrib prayer and then continue our journey to Mecca. It was another 200 meters away from the mosque when we saw in the darknest,from the opposite direction a car giving high beam. We thought it was for the car that at that time was using the road(opposite direction). Unfortunately, it was a signal from camel shepherd to tell us there was a flock of camel ahead and want us to slow down. It was too late to slow down when we saw the camel just a few metres in front of us. It was a big size camel and it hit our windscreen and bounce to the side of the road. Sadimin who was leading the convoy safely passed the camel flock. Me and Suhaimi did not realize caused it was dark. Suhaimi a few metres at the back suddenly stopped his car and checked on us. Alhamdulillah, nothing happened to anyone of us. Except I had some small pieces of broken glass got into my mouth. At that time, my main concerned was how was the kids? I turned back and checked all of them and turned to my husband. When I found everyone was ok then I realized there was something in my mouth and started to spit it out.

We decided to continue our journey, since there was no point to go back, we almost in the middle of the journey. In fact,it is dangerous to drive back with shattered windscreen at night. So, we started our niat ihram and continue our journey. It was 12 midnight when we reached Makkah.After settled our kids in the hotel, at 2.30 a.m we performed tawaf and Saei. Then after fajr we returned to hotel. In the same hotel we met my cousin 'Yop Najib' and wife, Azlindawati's in laws and other relatives who happened at the same time came here to perform Umrah.

Friday, Hj Azman(my cousin , Umrah tour operator, who is staying in Makkah for 20 years) sent us home to Yanbu. Surprisingly, he never been to Yanbu. This is the hikmah of what had happened. So, after he had lunch with us, my husband brought him for city site-seeing. He seems enjoyed the city and promised to come again with his parent and family to spent a few days to enjoy the beach in future.

On Saturday, my Saudi neighbours offered us help to make police report. In KSA if you had an accident and need to repair your vehicle, the wokshop will not accept your vehicle unless you have police report. Earlier, we made to understand, the report should be done to the nearest police station of the incident. Its mean we had to go to Rabigh police station to lodge report which is 200+km away. But luckily, Alhamdulilah, we got help from my Saudi neighbour so we manage to get the police report from here. And now she is in the workshop right now.

p/s: We would like to thank to Sadimin and Suhaimi for their help and patience. May Allah will reward you hassanah.

My Handprints

2008-05-12T06:03:00.008+03:00

Yesterday , I received a most valuable gift from my dear son. I am kind a person never celebrate seriously special days. I used to treat everyday as special day to me. Yet, sometimes it makes me forget on certain special dates. 11 May is Mother's Day and I found this handprint note on my study table...

My Handprints

Sometimes you get discouraged

Because I am so small

And always leave my fingerprints

On furniture and walls

But everyday I'm growing big

And soon I'll be very tall

Then all my little handprints

Will be very hard to recall

So here's a special handprint

Just so that you can say

This is how my fingers looked

When I placed them here today....

Shah Eiman Amzar Shah Apandi

Happy Mothers Day

2008-05-10T11:05:00.002+03:00

Happy Mothers day to my beloved wife, my mother in-law (Pn. Habshah Mokri) and to all mothers where ever you are. I miss my mom very much. Indeed. I miss her cooks, her smiles, her calm face and her love.

I wish I could bring back those moment. A moment when I sleep on her lap, kiss her hands and moments surrounded with joy and happiness. I wish I could see she laugh again.

Memories are always memories. I lost her last year, May 2007. I was in Yanbu when she died. 2 weeks before, I went back to Malaysia just to be with her. My tears drop when I saw her lying on bed unconciously. Mom is a fighter, she has survived longer than what was predicted by the doctors.

I also lost my sister (Yong) on May 2007. Yong died due to heart failure. I saw tears from mom eyes when we told her about Yong. Yong is the only daughter she has after Nyah died. Both Mom and Yong is a gem in my life. Both raised me with patient and full of love.

To Mom, Dad, Yong and Nyah......may Allah bless you Jannah for your kind deeds and love.

Cuti - Cuti Malaysia

2008-05-06T13:32:00.004+03:00

We will going back to Malaysia for vacation this summer. We collected the tickets from Saudi Airline yesterday after received the travel voucher from Royal Commission in the morning. Our flight will be on Thursday 3rd July, 2008 and coming back to KSA on 31st August, 2008 which is approximately 60 days in Malaysia.

Flight itinerary as below

From Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (JED) To Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Malaysia (KUL)
SV 1072
Jeddah (JED) Saudi Arabia 20:45, Thu 3 Jul, '08
Riyadh (RUH) Saudi Arabia 22:15, Thu 3 Jul, '08
Economy

SV 3840
Riyadh (RUH) Saudi Arabia 23:59, Thu 3 Jul, '08
Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) Malaysia 13:00, Fri 4 Jul, '08
Economy

From Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Malaysia (KUL) To Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (JED)
SV 831
Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) Malaysia 11:30, Sun 31 Aug, '08
Jeddah (JED) Saudi Arabia 14:50, Sun 31 Aug, '08
Economy

Sounds good?.Yeah..for the kids, but it is quite bored and tiring for us. I don't like to travel with Saudi Airline. From my experience with Saudi Air, everything was not good starting from the airport until you fly with them. The services and comfortness are less than other airlines especially Malaysia Airline. No dedicated tv screen for passengers (we have to watch the big TV on top of our head) which already applied in other airlines, No baby bassinet for infant (they just give you bag, put your baby inside and put it on the floor infront of your leg) and the unfriendly crew.

As during summer in Middle East, most people will travel outside from their country to escape from the heat. Since September 11, people from Middle East has made Malaysia become their favourite place to visit. Some of them went to Malaysia for their honeymoon and many of them not only went there once but repeatedly.

For airflight tickets, you have to book as early as February in order to travel on July or else you will stay behind. This July, we will flock Malaysia together with the Arabs.

InsyaAllah, we will spend most of the days in our hometown, Perak. Visting relatives and friends are the main agenda, apart of that we will try to resolve all matters arised while we are here. An island in Terengganu will be our choice for relaxing.

Banana Fritters @ Pisang Goreng

2008-04-25T13:53:00.005+03:00

Wargh .. today feel like crazy to have banana fritters.. ummm yummy ..

Cannot help it anymore. One year did'nt eat Pisang Goreng....huuu..cannot "tahan"..I urged my husband to look for some banana, so that we could have for our tea time today. So he marched to the nearest shop and alhamdulillah he found half-ripe banana ("pisang montel" je..)and hope that it taste can be as good as the "pisang abu" fritters...

We told ourselves repeatedly, it might not taste as what we expected, so that we won't get frustated. Hehehe.. this is the result ...

I cup of coffee + banana fritters + sambal kicap johor emm(soya sauce+chillies+garlic+sugar) Whallah....

It sold out within few minutes... sorry...

Boat Trip - Part 2

2008-04-14T20:15:00.004+03:00

This post is a continuity from the previous entry. We can say it is an enjoyful trip becoz another chance to get together with Malaysian family. But not all were present. Some were absent due to some personal reasons.

The underwater life not as beautiful as we have in Malaysia. Maybe the place the boat took us, was so near to the Power Plant. Most of the coral reefs look whitish, deadly and not colourful. We also can see kind of "plucked- effect" on it.

Anyway, to the children it was an enjoyful trip. It is for them anyway. That's good enough.

Boat Trip

2008-04-13T10:06:00.005+03:00

We had an underwater trip organized volunteraly by Mr.Suhaimi AR. Congratulations to him on his effort. The trip was specifically held for Malaysian & Singaporean in Yanbu. Though we have short-notice pull out, Alhamdulillah the trip was succesfull. In fact, new request is coming in suggesting to have a trip to other city. This is the second activity held as a agroup after the "makan2 ceremony" in my house during Sept 07. Now, Malaysian group has increased day by day in Yenbo, reported that the new comers now dated April,15 is about 9 of them who mostly worked with the petro-chemical plant,SABIC are here. [ More photo will be uploaded soon..]

Having a big community we will face numerous "ragam" of people. You will see a "Malay culture" exist in Yenbo. Hopefully it is culture of "helping each other" and "attawuni alal insan bil bir wal taqwa"... Realized or not, sometimes Malay mixed up within its culture and Islam inspiration in leading their life. Because of too synonim with the recognition as a community that concerns each other sometimes people cannot differentiate personal responsibility and community responsibility.

Different people, different background, different ways of brought up, different knowledge, different measurement and different ways of solution. Then, we must ready to expect other people differences and learn how to respect other people thoughts and opinions..

"Criticism is a sign of concern, when criticized nobody feels being concerned".

Intensive Looosing Weight Program

2008-04-10T10:38:00.002+03:00

Soon, my parent left my appetite really boost. Within a month I put 4 kilos up. I could not wait any more. My hubby also started making noise on it. Before its too late to stop, so I plan my intensive loosing weight program with objective to get my ideal weight back.. wa..wa..(the last regular exercise session I had, before we went to Hajj, that was 3 months back).

Before I started my day with light exercises for cardiovascular, I recorded my current weight which is 5++(hehehe...).The next day one hour swimming, two days after that again cardiovascular routine and some muscle toning workout(macam angelina jolie pulak rasanya) and a very simple basic aerobic. Jangan marah... reduce 1.5 k..(hubby jeles). Yahoo... terus bersemangat..Wether I realized or not somehow somebody was observing me and wanna be friend of mine..oppss. I am kind of selective to get close but anyway.. soon I think,no harm to have saudi friend. She claimed does not have any friend here since she is from Jeddah and moved to here 5 years back following her husband. Instead of staying at home without no one to hang arround, she came to the gym to do some exercises. She requested to be friend of mine. Anyway, may be its good to have someone to socialize around apart from my collegue-friend. So we changed phone number, just wait for next week how she is..................

Abah and Mak

2008-04-10T09:54:00.003+03:00

My parent was here last February. Alhamdulillah after all the hastle process, finally they were here. Hastle? Why I reffered as hastle? Yupp.. This place is very unpredictable. The peoples, the rules, the authority almost in all. Todays rule might be not the same for tomorrow. Today approved tomorrow may be not. Even on the same day, some cases might not have same solution though the problem root is the same. But, Alhamdulillah luckily we are carrying Malaysian nationality and serving the Royal Comission(half-government bodies) and everybody knew the organization, so it really helps us a lot in expediting our tasks. I really could not imagine if I am in other people shoes. Amongs all I really appreciated Mr.Saleh Al-Raddadi who helped us a lot in processing our request and documents, may Allah reward with you hassanah and protect you.

I hope them(my parent) enjoyed for a short visit here, though not many places we went due to time constraint( I am working - academic session is running). More picture soon will be placed using slide show.

Life in Yanbu - After 2 years

2008-04-06T09:58:00.004+03:00

It is almost 2 years living in the kingdom, now I started to enjoy to stay in this city. Not a big town, well-planned with proper housing area and maintenance department to ensure city cleanliness, well-facilitate with club houses for man and woman(it houses gym and swimming pool) with low yearly fees. The drawback only its limited number of shopping area. Somehow, it is not a minus point to me since I don't like to shop a lot.Usually people here used to shop in Jeddah which took only 3-4 hours ride(ONLY???? some people yeah they think it is only 3-4 hours) or Madinah(2 hours ride) .

Living wise I have no problem, but when it is time to deal with the authority(coming in and going out from the kingdom, schooling process, dealing with utilities services oughhh... it will be a real headache). I can say I am a lucky(Alhamdulillah) born as Malaysian Muslim and working with the Royal Comission(RC- half government bodies assigned to develop Kingdom two industrial cities, Jubail and Yanbu). These two factors really help me out if I had any difficulties with the authorities or to deal with them. I dunno if I am in other people shoes.

When you work with RC, they will acknowledge thru your certificate. But to work out within the neighborhood, they would not understand your cert. They will recognized from where you are came from and for whom you work with.

Yesterday, I found out I can enjoy the recreational facilities around the "حيءة"(the residential area) with minimum yearly fees(SR120 per annum for the whole family member). Thats include the swimming pool and the gymnasium(the operation time is almost everyday). I had started my first trial yesterday. It was good. I can't get this opportunity if I am still working in Malaysia - due to time constraint. Worked with private sector in Malaysia especially in KL- its working hour(included travelling hour) was not "friendly". 6 days a week( 8.00 a.m-7.00 p.m - it was not acceptable for me, a mother with 4 growing up children). Before I came here, I had already quit my job and decided to take a break to raise up the kids. I had started to think to set up business from home where I can be close to my children. It does not matter if the business is not utilizing my specialization. Soon, God knows better, after 10 month, I got the offer and hubby gave me full support and we came here with only ONE main reason - to perform Hajj. He said " why don't we give a try, only for 2 years and we also can perform Hajj at the same time.Beside our kids are still small, we will not worry for their schooling session yet". So, yeah.. why not.

Wether we realize or not, now we are here almost 2 years and will complete soon my first contract. Think to sign for another year? Lets see..............

Raining in Yanbu

2008-03-28T10:40:00.002+03:00

Photos above was taken on January 2008. Picture speaks a thousand words. See all the smile faces especially childrens when the rain comes.

Hijaz Railway Station

2008-03-26T11:30:00.003+03:00

These photos was taken during our previous trip to Madinah together with parents. It is situated a few hundred metres from Prophet Mosques can be reached either by taxi or walk.

Hijaz Railway Station was build by the Ottomans mainly used to transport the Hajj Pilgrims to Mecca and to commute the Ottomans troops during the World War 1. The railroad was link to other several station till Damascus, Syria which covers 1760 kilometers.

Constructed by Sultan 'Abd Al-Hamid Khan II and was completed in 1908 and destroyed 10 years later by a sabotage campaign launched by Lawrence of Arabia during the WW1.

Other ruins also can be seen in Tabuk, Umluj and some other places in Kingdom.

Flowers, Flowers, Flowers !

2008-03-19T20:12:00.002+03:00

Spring in Yanbu? Kindding me? Well , trust your own eyes.

Malaysia General Election - Result

2008-03-08T15:52:00.002+03:00

As for now, 3.56 pm (KSA Time) 8.56 (Malaysia Time), the opposition party is leading. New state like Penang most likely fall under the opposition party or Barisan Rakyat,(DAP, PKR and PAS). PAS (Pan Malaysia Islamic Party) still strongly hold Kelantan seat which already won 17 out of 40 state seat.

Fuhhh...I can't concentrate with my works today....sorry boss.

Malaysia General Election

2008-03-05T13:19:00.004+03:00

Malaysia General Election 12 or famously known as PRU-12 will be held on Saturday 8, 2008. As an eligible voters, surely we will miss this year poll event and especially our right to choose our future nation leader.

Although staying abroad, all news and events still reacheable. Thanks to the technology and praise to Allah who give a man idea to developed internet. Staying abroad doesn't mean that we are far behind the "hot issues" but sometimes we are nearer from the locals. Blogs and online newspaper are the main information source nowadays.

Both parties, either Barisan Nasional (BN) or Barisan Rakyat (BR) (I don't like to use word Opposition Parties since both are oppossing each other) try to win the people heart by their manifesto and promises.

Smart citizen will always read, think and analyze all promises made by these parties. The rulling parties maybe have advantage in realizing the promises but history did teach us that they are nobody accept a bunch of liars and robbers. Out of 10, maybe 1 of them are sincere on what they are doing, the rest are useless.

Neither do I against the rulling party nor a member of the other party. I'm a non partisan people which have a freedom to cast my ballot. I have freedom to throw my opinion without restriction. The only restriction that I have is the religion and the constituency. We must adhere them. Apart from that, I'm a free man.

Living in Saudi Arabia had tought us a lot. As a Malaysian, we were respected by Saudi's. We were greatly welcomed and we have no difficulties doing our daily business. In fact, we receive better sallary compared to other expatriate from Asia. Thanks to our former Prime Minister, Tun Mahathir who has put Malaysia standing in the eyes of the world. A friend of mine from Labenon had told me, as an Arab Muslim, he feel proud of Malaysia because being a role model to other Islamic country and he also praise our former leadership. But what he missed out was, the country was no longer lead by Tun.

My point is, does anybody know who is our current Prime Minister? The anwer is "NO". What the "heck" happened in Malaysia nowdays. Is Malaysia getting rotten day to day?. Do we have a capable leaders to lead the country. My answer is NO, NO, NO. Do we still need them? defenitely NO. We need to change now before it is too late. We need a good and clean government who can lead us to a better Malaysia. A clean government mean a progressive country which can create more wealth and harmony to the people. A corrupt government don't mind about their people.

Gentlemen, in the next 2 days, you are the boss. The power is in your hand. Your vote will decide the future of Malaysia and the future of our children. Think wisely and decide bravely. As a non partisan, I knew who should I voted for.

The future is yours.

My parents were here last week

2008-02-29T15:20:00.003+03:00

It were so good to have them with us in Yanbu. I asked them wether they enjoyed Yanbu.. they said very much.. if only they do not have anything to do back in home country for sure they will stay for at least another week. Since they have business to look after(while they were not arround, my brother, Yusoff taking over the duty), and also Sofiah(my youngest sister, 9 ).. so they got not choice.

Earlier, we already plan to invite my parent also Sofiah. At first, the travel agency said they can arrange the visa. Almost 8 other people would like to join(cousins and aunties) when they heard that the agency can arrange for them. But at the end the agency declined. Not sure what are the reasons. They said the visa is not open yet. Somehow when we were in Mecca, we met a group of Malaysian(about 20) who came to KSA using visiting visa via UTAS Travel, and the cost we found quite high, almost like Ramadhan Umrah package. That's mean it can be arranged though the price we found unreasonable.

After almost 2 years staying in KSA, we found that moving around in KSA is not easy for outsiders and neither to the resident(expatriats). Every city has its own checkpoints. To purchase public transport tickets require you to show your valid identification card. Those who come to KSA with Umrah visa only allowed to enter Madinah and Mecca.Not other cities. That's what we have been informed. Only residents and those who come with visiting visa can travel around the kingdom.

All visitors will go through thorough checkup at the imigration before entring the country. It is very unlucky to women to enter or mobile in this kingdom if you do not have your mahram with you. Woman who is going to work here, before enter the kingdom, the employer representative must pick her in the airport, if not written permission will be sent through fax to the airport to allow her to come in or to change flight to another cities where she is going to work by the employer. If the employer forget to do that you will stuck in the airport for few days(in a detention room).

Woman also have difficulties in booking hotel room if you do not have man mahram. It happened several months ago reported in the newspaper, woman with small kids finally slept on the pedestrian road in the cold chilly night after unable to get room due to her husband was not with her at that time. So it sound unreasonable but that is the fact here.

Winter in Yanbu

2008-02-09T22:39:00.001+03:00

"Haza like Malizi"(this is like Malaysia).. suddenly a man behind me shouted joyfully. But I replied to him.. haza mafi like Malizi.. Malizi matar kathir.. huna qaliill... "(this is not like Malaysia, Malaysia has a lot of rain, here is very little)

This conversation has been told to me by my hubby taken place in his office. As in previous entry.. rain is very much welcome by the people here. The one and only reason why they(saudi) love to go to Malaysia just because its rainy season and so many green areas. As they said Malaysia like Jannah.In my heart( If only they have trip to the Malaysia -East Coast, what would they feel..- insya Allah this Summer Vacation I will have my trip to Lang Tengah Island-rengganu).Get excited after read thru friends review bout the place..)

Photo were taken during the downpour.

Not only kids enjoyed the rain so much. Adults also can't stop themselves playing in the rain. In the college, almost all administrative officers will stop their works and enjoyed the rain. In fact, the meeting which we supposed to have also was cancelled and adjourned to the next day... whalla.

Weekend in Madinah Al-Munauwwarah

2008-02-03T22:39:00.000+03:00

End of Muharram and Safar is the best time to visit Madinah and Mecca. During this time, both cities are not crowded, as 90% of the Hujjaj or Hajj pilgrimage already returned back to their homeland.

We went to Madinah last 2 week and this was our first trip to Madinah since we performed Hajj. We left Yanbu at 7.30 am with our new Mazda MPV, and we arrived Madinah two hours later. As usual there was nothing interesting we can see along the journey except sand dune, mountain and camels.

It was cold and windy when we arrived there. Yanbu is much better than Madinah since we enjoy moderate weather. According our local friends, Madinah can go as lower as 5 degree celcius at night while Yanbu only 11 celcius.

Quba Mosque (picture) was our first stop point. This is the first mosque built by Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) when he arrived in Madinah from Mecca. It was said, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) used to came to this mosque to offer pray in it. According to Hadith; whoever come and visit Quba Mosque and offer 2 rakaah prayer, he will be rewarded as like he perform an umrah.

We leaved to Haram (Prophet Mosque) for Jumaat Prayer and we reached there around 11.00 am. We parked our car a little bit further and walked to Haram as as to avoid crowd and traffic hastle. Chill weather forced us to keep on with jacket although we were not comfortable with it.

After prayer, we took our lunch at an Indonesian Restaurant. I met someone looked quite familiar to me.After a short taaruf, I remembered him. We were once together worked in one project in Putrajaya. He was with KLCCPB and I was the consulting engineer supervising the project. Now, he is working with Ranhill as PMT (Project Management Team) in Thuail, Jeddah.

We left Madinah after maghrib prayer and arrived home, 2 hours later.

Charity Works

2008-01-23T15:15:00.000+03:00

To those who like to do charity works, please have a time visit this blog http://drbubbles.blogspot.com/. This man called himself as Dr.Bubbles now raising fund to create a mini library in orphanage houses.

With a current collection nearly RM 9000.00 he had targeted 2 orphanage house to be equipped with these mini library.

Please visit his blog and give our support either morally or in materials. InsyaAllah, Allah will pay your good deeds with his "jannah".

Tips and Preparation to new Malaysian Yanbu

2008-01-23T13:25:00.000+03:00

Here are some tips for the new comers before they come to Yanbu KSA. All these tips are from our experiences in KSA.

1) All certificates shall be translated to Arabic language (from Bahasa Malaysia to Arabic) These certs are:

Marriage Certificate
Birth Certificate (yours, spouse and children)

2) Child Immunisation Record - don't forget to bring it

3) Chilrdrens school assesment record - Translate to English if you wish to enrol your child to International School.

4) Apply International driving licence. Previlage was given to Malaysian when applying Saudi driving licence. We're not required to sit a driving test but just convert our licence to saudi licence. That's good huh.

5) Cellphone / Handphone Charger: This is essential to man nowadays. Make sure the charger is compatible with local voltage requirements i.e 110V.

6) Performed all internet banking in Malaysia before you leave. If you have multiple bank accounts, make one as a master account.

7) Make sure you have allocate sum of money to pay all bills and mortgage for at least 3 month period.

8) Money transfer from KSA can be performed through "internet banking" and "Western Union" to any bank in Malaysia. It is best to create a master account so that you only dealing with one account when transfering money. Make a photocopy of the front page of that account book which contains information about your bank address, account number and etc.

9) There is no entertainment outlet in Yanbu. No cinema, big shopping mall, food court and other entertainment outlets as we have in Malaysia. Yanbu is a quiet and small town. For those "kaki pancing" Yanbu is a heaven.

10) Groceries are extremely expensive compared to Malaysia. Allocate enough money for your daily expenses.

The above tips are only for information to the new comers based on our experiences in the Kingdom. Readers may find our tips not relevant and not consistant with other information they gathered from other blogs or websites. Therefore, we advise the readers to gather as many as information they could before coming to the kingdom.

May Allah bless you

Used Car For Sale

2008-01-20T21:07:00.000+03:00

MITSUBISHI GALANT 1997

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

SOLD !!

We have to let go our car. It feels so sad after we have been together for a year. With "her", we explore Saudi Arabia. We went to Mecca, Medina and Jeddah and not forget Yanbu downtown. The children love "her" so much. "She" took them to Al-Baik, Mc Donald, Pizza Hut, Kudu, Hyper Panda, Star Market and not to forget, the one they like most "Play ground".

There are good and bad memories with "her", but somehow memories teach us to be a better person in the future.

Tomorrow, I will start post the advertisement on the board. Hopefully the new master will take care of "her" as much as we do.

Adios.

Searching a New Car

2008-01-17T19:00:00.000+03:00

We are in a process of searching a new car. New but used "family car". With 4 children and one maid at the back, they look like a can of sardine. We need a 7 seater car said my wife one day. Yeahh I agree.

We went to Madinah Haraj (used car centre) last week and Yanbu Haraj today. We need to be very carefull when dealing with these salesman. All cars are in good condition says them, although our eyes didn't agree with them.

We did found a good Mazda MPV model 2000. Low mileage and good engine condition but the body have a lot of scratched. My wife and I like the car very much and also the children. We put aside the scratches as it will not effect the car performance. Anyway, car in Saudi Arabia is usually like that. What we regret was, the price was too high. It is SR30,000.00.

My friend saw the same car last week and had told me about it. On that time, the price was only SR25,000.00 and yet still can be negotiated. Now we wonder why the price suddenly increase.

We will go to Jeddah Haraj next week.

Kingdom Finds Itself in Icebox

2008-01-13T19:29:00.001+03:00

Kingdom Finds Itself in IceboxRaid Qusti, Arab News

RIYADH, 13 January 2008 — Go outside this week and you are likely to hear the sound of knees knocking and teeth chattering because it is c-c-c-cold out there.

Riyadh, typically one of the world’s warmest capital cities, is not so hot now with temperatures plummeting to near-record lows. Even though temperatures during daytime in the capital last week hovered around 13 degrees Celsius; during the evening it was another story when the city officially reached the freezing point: 0 degrees Celsius (32 Fahrenheit).

When people all over the Kingdom thought this year’s winter could not get worse, meteorologists are saying even colder weather is on the way.
Hassan Al-Qahtani, spokesperson for the Presidency of Meteorology and Environment’s Central Forecast Office, said the cold spell, which has gripped the Kingdom for the past month, would continue through next week.

Al-Qahtani attributed the cold spell to high pressure in northern Saudi Arabia, which is unleashing northwesterly winds flowing toward lower pressure. The holy city of Makkah was inundated on Friday by heavy rains, and showers are expected to continue in many cities, particularly in the Eastern Province.

“Many media reports are saying that this is the worst cold spell that had ever hit the Kingdom in the past four decades,” Al-Qahtani said. “That is not true.”
The capital, according to him, has had colder days. In 1992, Riyadh recorded its coldest temperature ever: Minus 4 degrees Celsius. Jeddah also has had colder days; it recorded 11 degrees Celsius in the evenings in 1992. The coldest temperature for Madinah was minus 1 in 1973. As for the Qassim region, the coldest temperature recorded was minus 4 in 1992.
The Central Forecast Office reports that the coldest recorded temperature in Saudi Arabia in the past 40 years was in Turaif, where in 1973, it was minus 11 degrees Celsius.
Northern parts of the Kingdom have been worst hit by this winter’s cold snap. The cities of Tabuk, Arar and Hail witnessed snowfall for the first time in many years. Several schools in those cities halted youngsters’ morning exercise, according to local reports. Some mosques also combined prayers due to the cold weather.

The chilly weather, however, has had no adverse effect on the enthusiasm of Internet users, many of whom took the opportunity to record the images of northern cities covered in snow on YouTube.com.

So bundle up; stay warm, and have a good laugh about it next July.

EDISI KHAS BAHASA MELAYU

2008-01-11T10:40:00.000+03:00

Edisi ini juga khas ditujukan untuk suami saya tanda appresiasi saya dengan kehadirannya.

Gambar ini diambil masa dia kerja kat Riyadh tahun 2006. Dulu sblm kawin pun dia macam ni slps kawin pun tetap macam tu.Dan diapun nak saya macam dia jugak. Maknanya saya pun kena maintainle jugak.

Hari ni genap UlangTahun Perkahwinan Kami- 9 Tahun. Dikurniakan dengan 4 cahaya-mata. Masya allah semuanya baik-baik belaka. 1 Muharram 1420H adalah tarikh yang dipersetujui oleh kami berdua. Oleh kerana Awal Muharram di sambut di Malaysia dengan " public holiday" makanya mungkin akan datang tiada alasan untuk melupakan ulangtahun perkahwinan kami pada tarikh ini. Kebiasaan orang bila cuti mereka akan mula merancang aktiviti hari cuti. Secara tidak langsung apabila ada "event" istimewa jatuh pada public holiday, so tiada alasan untuk terlupa merancang aktiviti istimewa untuk hari tersebut.

Pertama, syukur ke hadrat Allah kerana memakbulkan doa sedari kecil supaya ditemukan jodoh yang baik, beragama dan tegas membimbing saya ke jalan yang benar. Terima kasih kepada Ustazah Azizah( atau K. Zah merangkap kakak angkat(1990) - sblm ni ketua pengawas yang sangat ditakuti, tup2 tiba-tiba nak ambik kita sebagai adik angkat) yang memberi inspirasi untuk sentiasa berdoa untuk jodoh yang baik. Walaupun ketika itu tiada sesiapa pun dalam senarai kepala tetapi tetap memohon supaya apabila bertemu dengan yang diharapkan agar dibukakan pintu hati saya, pintu hati keluarga dan seterusnya dipermudahkan urusan.

K.Zah - (Terima kasih namakan anak akak dengan nama saya. Saya tak sangka budak nakal macam saya mendapat tempat di hati akak. Sejadah yang akak bagi saya masih pakai dan simpan walaupun dah lebih 15 tahun)

Apabila usia mengenjak dewasa, sudah mula mengenal erti kawan,teman dan relationship

dan melihat persekitaran saya mula menetapkan ciri-ciri yang ingin dicari.

Syarat pertama, dia mestilah tidak merokok, bukan bekas pelajar sekolah agama tetapi mempunyai kemampuan mengatakan yang haq itu haq dan yang batil itu batil(kerana bagi saya individu yang tidak disogokkan dengan ilmu tetapi mencari ilmu adalah individu yang lebih kuat pegangannya. Maaf kalau pandangan ini salah. Tapi ini personal views).

Syarat kedua untuk mengelakkan cinta monyet, dia mesti bukan teman sekampung, bukan teman sekolah, bukan teman se-program(untuk ijazah) even satu universiti. Ini adalah peraturan yang saya telah tetapkan dan saya cuba patuh dengan peraturan itu. Mungkin saya orang yang tidak suka mendengar kata, atau pendapat orang yang tidak ada pertalian dengan saya kecuali mereka yang layak dihormati seperti orang yang lebih tua atau guru. Dan saya juga tidak suka dengan perkahwinan sesama ahli keluarga kerana tidak bagus untuk perkembangan genetik. Jadi ini adalah rahsia pilihan saya. Minta maaf jika tidak jelas satu masa dahulu. Ada orang bertanya kalau tidak jumpa pilihan hati bagaimana ? Jawapan saya : Mungkin saya seorang aktivis atau volunteery. Orang yang tiada komitmen lebih mudah menjadi sukarelawan.

Tapi kuasa Allah Maha Kaya.. akhirnya jodoh saya kuat dengan kenalan cyber yang jarang2 saya berhubung. Mula kenal tahun 1995. Berhenti, kemudian bertemu di arena cyber semula penghujung tahun 1997. Saya di utara Universiti Sains Malaysia, dia di Universiti Pertanian Malaysia a.k.a Universiti Putra Malaysia. Bersua muka pada tahun 1998 dan saling suka-menyukai( I guess ;)) kerana dia serius menghantar rombongan selepas 3 bulan bertemu dan tiada halangan dari keluarga saya maka kami bertunang selama setahun. Akhirnya berkahwin setahun kemudian 1999.

Kadang2 suami mengusik, apa kata kalau dia pelajar USM, will you choose me? Saya beritahu kebenarannya mungkin tidak. Dia kelihatan sedikit kecewa. Tapi saya beritahu dia juga. Kalau saya bukan pelajar Sains Komputer, saya pelajar perubatan(kerana dulu calon medic) kita mungkin jugak tak bertemu. Medical student is not his choice. Jadi apa yang Allah berikan ada hikmahnya.

Syukur dengan ketentuan Allah. Walaupun berkahwin dengan pilihan sendiri, asam garam kehidupan, pedas dan pahit tetap dilalui. Maklumlah kita berkahwin dengan orang yang different background, berbeza cara dibesarkan, berlainan pendapat dan pandangan. Kadang2 adakalanya bertembung pendapat tetap terguris hati. Tetapi percayalah, kalau agama menjadi tunggak atau rujukan hidup insya-Allah hidup akan harmoni.

Untuk mendapat penghormatan dari seorang isteri dan ahli keluarga, tidaklah sesukar mana. Seek for knowldge, istiqamah what have been learnt.

Apabila ada contoh dalam diri sendiri tidak sukar bagi pengikut(ahli keluarga) to follow.

Mahu isteri/anak bicara dengan lemah lembut, suami harus mula dahulu.

Mahu isteri/anak solat awal, suami/bapa harus solat awal terlebih dahulu.

Mahu isteri/anak jadi penyayang dan sabar, suami/bapa harus tunjuk sifat penyayang dan sabar.

Mahu isteri/anak berbudi bahasa, suami/bapa juga mesti berbudi bahasa.

Selepas itu tugas isteri tidak sukar apabila suami telah menjadi tauladan yang baik,

kerana hidup yang bahagia adalah " Radhitu billahi rabba" . Mengharapkan keredhaan mu Ya-Rabb.

Dan untuk mendapatkan redha dari Allah, para isteri mesti mendapat redha suami.

Apa itu redha suami? Patuhi apa yang dia suruh kecuali dalam perkara yang bertentangan dengan syara'.

Syurga bagi isteri jika suami mengatakan aku redha denganmu.

Jadi berlumba2lah suami untuk membantu para isteri kalian untuk mendapatkan syurga.

Terima kasih kepada suami yang dikasihi SHAH APANDI ANJANG DAIM kerana sentiasa bersama dalam keadaan senang dan susah, thank you for helping me during my master study, thank you for taking care the kids while I am not at home and thank you for being tolerate, understanding and always put me and family as priority in your life.

"Jazakallahu khairan kathira alaika ya zauji li ikhtari ana bizaujatika."

(Sekarang hubby tengah ambik kelas bahasa arab dan berusaha memperbaiki tajwid tilawah al-quran. So hopefully dia dah boleh terjemah ayat di atas.)

Rain in Yanbu

2008-01-05T11:54:00.000+03:00

It was a little shower in Yanbu last Thursday. The rain only took 20 to 30 minutes but yet made some streets flooded. The last rain in Yanbu was on October 2006.

Here rain was greatly welcomed by the local as it is unusual phenomenon in this country. We can see children going out to the street and playing in the rain. We can see smiles and happiness on their faces if there is rain pour.

Since now is winter season, Yanbu sometimes has it temperature goes down as low as 10-12 Cel in the morning. According to weather forecasting this year, kingdom will experience unusual temperature. Like Hail, the northen region above Riyadh even is predicted to have snow during winter this year.

1. Al-Qâri'ah (the striking Hour i.e. the Day of Resurrection), 2. What is the striking (Hour)? 3. And what will make you know what the striking (Hour) is? 4. It is a Day whereon mankind will be like moths scattered about, 5. And the mountains will be like carded wool, 6. Then as for him whose balance (of good deeds) will be heavy,7. He will live a pleasant life (in Paradise). 8. But as for him whose balance (of good deeds) will be light, 9. He will have his home in Hawiyah (pit, i.e. Hell). 10. And what will make you know what it is? 11. (It is) a hot blazing Fire!

[Al-Qariah(101:600)]

Hajj 1428H (Photos)

2007-12-30T08:57:00.000+03:00

Mina, 8 Zulhijjah 1427 H

Hajj 1428H (Photos)

2007-12-29T13:11:00.000+03:00

After I had uploaded the picture suddenly I realized the slide does not show the real means of Hajj. It is more like a tour rather than a ritual journey. Please take the picture only as a real snapshot view to share with you the scene during Hajj. You might see we had a good tent services - this is because we were following local saudi group. It will be different services if you come here from Malaysia or outside Kingdom because it depends on the agency that organize the trip. I just wanna clarify to everybody so that there will be no misunderstanding regarding the journey of Hajj.

Journey of Hajj is a "rizq biiznillah". No matter how you well you plan and prepare in the end it is finally turns up to His Will. Somehow, as a human we must always put high efforts and prepared to the fullest or the worst("berusaha dan seterusnya bertawakal"- malay words).We have to prepare knowledge wise, cost, physical, mental and emotion.

1. For example(Knowledge wise :- attend all hajj related courses, seminars, lectures, books and get different point of ulama mu'tabar views. Every point of rukun, wajib and sunnah must be clear in mind. Keep in mind with the questions of " What if I cannot make it , what is my alternative or what will be hukm?". Always check and learn in order to make you stand strong and khusu' in performing ibadah.

2. Cost wise : Prepared for the worst thing that might cost you(before , during the journey as well as the people you left behind at home. If you owe somebody better to clear everything to avoid difficulties or maybe your journey will be useless and meaningless). Because performing Hajj is not cumpolsory until you have "power" to do it. It is not like shalat. Shalat is cumpolsary in any means.. shalat is for Allah regardless of whatever condition we are , we have to perform shalat. Usually if you attend any Hajj course or lectures, the first thing the organizer will discuss to correct/check is your shalat.

I still remember how the ustaz reminded us in his joke but latter make us gave a second thought. [If you wanna make the second thought]

"Sholat: if you cannot stand, then do it while sitting. If not, you can lying down. If not, show signal with your eyes. If not sholat with your heart. If still not until that extend........... we will do solat for you. " -----> Did you get it??

And I like to remember another quote from one ustaz(" Learning without understanding is HIKAYAT". Learning with understanding is then called HIDAYAH") I will always remember this quote whenever I attend any lectures to make sure myself did not listen to any HIKAYAT from a storyteller but to receive HIDAYAH from HIM through somebody He has choosed as a cause for me to learn.

3. Finally physical, mental and emotion:

In terms of physical preparation: Advisable to start light exercises like brisk walking 3 months prior Hajj. Ensure healthy eating attitude. Minimize sugar or red meat intake. Maintain blood pressure. Maybe fasting is one way. Try to keep your health maximum. Like us we walked almost everynight 2 hours to keep us fit. Don't take age factor as granted. Young does not mean fit.

For mental and emotion preparation, the best word to describe is "sabru" or " sabar" in our words. Sabar in any means..you maybe have to walk for a long distance due to heavy traffic. There will be a lot of pushing and pulling while moving in a crowd. A 10 minutes drive might last to 6 hours journey. Maybe dinner or lunch served late. Or may be your driver had droved you to long route and get lost. And a lot of istighfar.

Until the day of tahalul(release ihram). You will feel a big relief and distressful because all the restrictions during ihram have been lift up.

And the most interesting part after all the good exercises we had done before hajj we will realize something[to those who want to think].A journey to Hajj is exactly like a journey "ila yaumul akhirah". The gathering in Mashar al Haram is almost like the gathering in "Masyar Yaumul Akhirah". Where all people will be gathered regardless of titles and genders. Justified according to their acts in this world. In other to get bless and succesful in Hajj(Hajj Mabrur) we will try to keep all above mention right to the fullest during the process of Hajj until tahalul(release ihram).

But right now we are in our journey to yaumul akhirah.. it is not 2 0r 3 days of in "ihram" ( Islamic rules restrictions: Haram,Halal,Makruh and Sunnah). Some people have 60 years , some might have 50 or 40 years( to perform of all the rukun, wajib and sunnah in life and bring them to the judgement day). Are we going to get the most satisfaction like how we feel during tahalul when the Day of Resurrection has come? What have we done to get the same feelings during tahalul?

1. Has there come to you the narration of the overwhelming (i.e. the Day of Resurrection); 2. Some faces, that Day, will be humiliated (in the Hell-fire, i.e. the faces of all disbelievers, Jews and Christians, etc.).3. Labouring (hard in the worldly life by worshipping others besides Allâh), weary (in the Hereafter with humility and disgrace) . 4. They will enter in the hot blazing Fire, 5. They will be given to drink from a boiling spring, 6. No food will there be for them but a poisonous thorny plant, 7. Which will neither nourish nor avail against hunger. 8. (Other) faces, that Day, will be joyful, 9. Glad with their endeavour (for their good deeds which they did in this world, along with the true Faith of Islâmic Monotheism). 10. In a lofty Paradise. 11. Where they shall neither hear harmful speech nor falsehood, 12. Therein will be a running spring, 13. Therein will be thrones raised high, 14. And cups set at hand. 15. And cushions set in rows, 16. And rich carpets (all) spread out. 17. Do they not look at the camels, how they are created?18. And at the heaven, how it is raised? 19. And at the mountains, how they are rooted and fixed firm? 20. And at the earth, how it is spread out? 21. So remind them (O Muhammad ()), you are only a one who reminds. 22. You are not a dictator over them. 23. Save the one who turns away and disbelieves 24. Then Allâh will punish him with the greatest punishment. 25. Verily, to Us will be their return; 26. Then verily, for Us will be their reckoning.

Al-Ghashiyyah(592:88)

Hajj News

2007-12-29T08:44:00.000+03:00

Former Priest Describes His Spiritual Journey’
P.K. Abdul Ghafour, Arab News

Ali Guatemala

JEDDAH, 29 December 2007 — Many new Muslims came to perform Haj this year to strengthen their faith by undertaking the spiritual journey. Some came as guests of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, some with the financial support of philanthropists and charitable organizations and others on their own.

Ali Guatemala, a former priest, came to perform Haj along with 17,000 other US Muslims.
According to a report in Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper, Severedoo Royes (Guatemala’s Christian name) was attracted to Islam after he read the opening verse in the chapter Al-Baqara (The Cow) of the Holy Quran.

He said conversion to Islam had changed his whole life. “After graduating from the seminary, I worked as a priest in Queen City, southern United States, and I used to engage in missionary work inside prisons,” said Guatemala. In order to improve his missionary skills, Royes started reading books on other religions, including the Holy Qur’an. “It was a turning point in my life,” he said.

When I read the first verse of Chapter Al-Baqara: ‘This Book, there is no doubt in it, is a guidance to the pious,’ it struck my mind. I pondered about this verse, which gave me the impression that the author was speaking clearly and definitely without having any doubt. Guatemala said he had found a lot of contradictions in Christianity while studying at the seminary, adding that senior priests were unable to provide satisfactory answers to his questions.

They advised me not to read the Qur’an, branding it Satan’s work. This increased my interest in the Qur’an and I found that it was not the work of a human being, he said. Guatemala prayed to God to show him the right path. “One day, when I left home I found a man in thobe going to the mosque for prayer. His name was Salim Baaqeel. I went with him to the mosque and noticed that there are no ceremonial rituals in Muslim prayers as in Christianity... After that I visited the mosque daily for a week,”he explained.

While I was sitting in the mosque, a person came to me and offered to teach me how to do wudu’ (ablution). I thought that it was a kind of black magic but he explained to me that it was for purification before prayer. On that day I declared my decision to embrace Islam at the mosque,”he added.

Ever since he became a Muslim, Guatemala has been facing a lot of pressure from his family, including his sister, who is Jewish. “She used to frighten me by saying that Muslims would kill me... Her attitude changed after she observed positive changes in my life. When I informed her about my plan to perform Haj, she asked me to bring a souvenir from Makkah for her,”he said.

Haj was a wonderful experience for Guatemala. “I consider this spiritual journey as the best days in my life. It gave me great pleasure when I learned that the places where I spent during Haj had the footprints of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). I cannot explain my strong feelings when I saw the Holy Kaaba for the first time with my naked eyes.”

Abdul Qader, Abdul Rahman and Abdul Raheem three former African priests also performed Haj this year. They converted to Islam after they understood the truthfulness of the religion during a debate with a preacher called Qamar Hussein.

The debate, attended by 5,000 people, led to 147 people embracing Islam, according to Al-Jazriah Arabic daily. The former priests said they were enthralled seeing the amazing scenes of unity and equality among Muslims during the Haj. They came to perform Haj with the support of the Riyadh-based International Authority for Introducing Islam.

It's good news that these three priests came to the fold of Islam as a result of the efforts of one of our preachers, said Saleh Abdul Wahid, the authority s executive director.

Hajj Update

2007-12-16T07:39:00.000+03:00

Today is the day. We will leave to Mekah today. It is 7.42 am while I'm writing this blog. We are suppose to gather at Rakbul Huda office before 4.00 pm. That's mean we have to leave our house at 3.00pm. Our friend, Suhaimi has volunteered himself to send us. May Allah bless him.

The night before, we spent our time with the children. We took them to the park and later we let them to choose a place for dinner.We had a difficulty at first in deciding which place to go. But we let Eiman to solve the problem. He proposed us to make vote, the stronger voice will win and everybody must respect the decision. That is the good side, being introduced social studies

since young.

While we were enjoying our dinner, we remind them to look after each other and keep out from fighting especially the two big girls, Zulaikha and Yasmeen which they always did. They nodded while chewing the pizza. We left home when the clock showed 9.00 pm.

Back to hajj preparation, basically InsyaAllah we are prepared both mentally and physically. We only carry one backpack. Actually it is two bag altogether, mine and her bag. But I put her bag into my backpack so that it becomes two in one. So she don't have to carry anything.

Yasmeen & Zulaikha

2007-12-11T22:34:00.001+03:00

Yasmeen Safa :

Born in 25th November 2002 and she is our third child. She has been enrolled to Zikrul Hakim Kindegarten. This kindergarten is run by Saudi Islamic Outreach Centre. As the named was, the kindergarten's objective mainly emphasized on memorizing Al-Quran and Arabic words. At first she was reluctant to enter the school but now she really enjoying it. Just look at her face! the teacher had painted her face to look as a cat.

Alhamdulillah, now she is able to memorize few short surah from Al-Quran although not as good as Arabic speaker students.

Aina Zulaikha :

She is born in December,13 2001 and she is our second child. We have enrolled her to Al-Tawhid International School in downtown and now in prep-school class. We are sending her to this school as a preparation before she enters the Yanbu International School next year.

She also attending Al-Quran school in the evening which also run by Saudi Islamic Outreach. Subhanallah, Aina has a magnificent ability to listen and memorizing words. May be because of her eyesight problem.

Like Yasmeen, Aina also able to memorize few surah from Al-Quran and supplication.

Hajj Update

2007-12-11T22:21:00.000+03:00

Latest news, we will leaving from Yanbu Al-Bahr at 4.00pm 16th Disember 2007 (7th Zulhijah 1427H) to Mekah. Estimate to arrive at 12.00 am due to heavy traffic. We will perform Tawaf Qudum and Sai'e Hajj. On the next day we will move to Mina and stay there until 9th Zulhijjah.

We will start moving to Arafah on the 9th for Wukuf. After Maghrib prayer, again we move to Mudzalifah and stay there for the whole night. After Fajr prayer on the next day, we will move back to Mina and soon after Dzohor prayer, we will perform stoning at the Jamrat Aqabah.

Hajj 1428H

2007-12-04T13:53:00.000+03:00

We (me and my wife) is planning to perform hajj this year. This is the main purpose we came to this place; perform hajj, umrah and pay visit to Rasulullah (p.bu.h). We received our Tasreh (security pass for doing hajj for local people) yesterday. Alhamdulillah everything was fine.

We will follow a local "hafilah" named Rakbul Huda. As we were told, our tent in Mina is around 600 mtr to 1km from Jamrat. The Hafilah will provide us transportation from Yanbu-Mekah-Mina-Yanbu, meal and tent.

Saudi government had annouced the day of wukuf will be on Tuesday 18th Disember 2007 (9th Zulkaedah 1427) that's mean we will depart from Yanbu to Mekah on Sunday 16th Dis 2007.

Our children will be taken care by our servant as well as our neighbours. We pray to Allah for their safety. To readers, please pray Allah will grant us hajj mabrur.

Gathering in Madinah

2007-12-04T13:17:00.000+03:00

Almost 2 month we have not update our blog. Not purposely, but too many stuff need to be settled.

We went to Madinah last 2 weeks, 23rd November 2007. Our neighbour in Saujana Utama, Sungai Buloh (Abg Rahman and Kak June) was here to perform Hajj. We are still in contact since we left Malaysia last year. Thanks to Allah who gives man idea to invent internet and other technologies. With these technologies, the world become closer although we are thousand kilometers away from others.

We met Abg Rahman and Kak June in Mawaddah Hotel Madinah, after Jumaat Prayer. My children, especially Eiman, Aina and Yasmeen still remember them. We had a long chat at the hotel lobby. Abang Rahman just like always, simple and humble.

We took them go around Madinah city by our car. We went to Uhud and Quba' Mosque and we stop there for 'Asr Prayer. After that we went to Dates shop behind the mosque. Abg Rahman and Kak June was enjoyed bought the dates while we enjoyed eating free dates. The prices are quite reasonable compared to other places and the dates also new. Rotab also sold there.

We left Madinah after performing maghrib prayer. InsyaAllah we will meet them again in Mekah during hajj.

Stop Over at Jeddah

2007-11-13T20:06:00.000+03:00

On the way we went back to Yanbu, suddenly we decided to stop and had a tour in Jeddah. At first we thought just want to stop for an hour or two and finally we changed our mind to stay overnight and may be we can enjoy sight seing in Jeddah city.

Here are some photos snapped during the sightseing in Jeddah Corniche and Historical Distric Area.

Before we drove home, we had our Thai-style lunch in a Philiphine restaurant. Not bad.

Eidul Fitri Mubarak, Kullu 'Am Wa Antum Bi Khair

2007-10-15T21:50:00.000+03:00

Since this year is our second year in Kingdom, and we did not know what will happen next year, we would like to take this oppotunity to celebrate Eid in Mecca ~ perform Solat sunnatu Eid in Masjidul Haram together with the children is our wish.

I still remember and I always want to remember my wish and my promise I made to Allah when I performed my Umrah in 2002, during Wida' my last wish before I left Baitullah deeply in my heart, I really hope Allah will grant me a chance to stay in Kingdom together with the children so that I can visit as often as possible Baitullah with all of them. Now, I guess He had fullfilled the wish, so now it become my responsibility to keep the promise.

Every weekend during Ramadhan we tried to make ourself in Mecca. Alhamdulillah, finally we managed to do it. Now Ramadhan has end. I feel the Yanbu city is so quite now. Before it was so alive because all mosques recited a surah during Terawih prayer. Towards 10 days to Eid, almost all mosque were opened 24 hours to the public to do i'tikaf and qiyamullail. Towards 10 days to Eid, you can hear the voice of the imam reciting the surah everywhere. But now no more. I wish every month will be like Ramadhan. The month where the poor will get a chance to eat better food because more people giving "sedeqah".

We spent 3 days and 2 night in Mecca. Since I have relatives in Mecca , so we visited them and celebrated Eid together. With us were other 2 Malaysian family (also working in Yanbu) and a few Malaysian family from other cities that spent their Eid Holidays in Mecca. According to calendar , Eidu will be on Saturday, so we still wait for Terawih on the Thursday night. Initially we heard sound of cannon blast several times and an anouncement, but since we did not understand arabic well so we did not know what was happening. Suddenly, we realized people were leaving. Few hours ago, the mosque were packed up to the third floor.Suddenly, no more. Actually it was announcement for Eidul Fitri for the next day. My friend said, if you think the this is packed, during Hajj is even worse( she had performed Hajj for two times previously). I could not imagine how it would be. I had uploaded some photos at for view. Please see link OUR PHOTOS IN KSA.

The next morning, after Sunat prayer we visited the house of Tabung Haji employees. There were 8 houses. But we managed to visit 4 of them. Among of them are Pak Wan+wife(Tabung Haji driver), K. Normah+husband(who have been staying in Jeddah more than 20 years) - t.q for a nice laksa. Fredi+wife - t.q for a tasty nice mee(home-made) rebus. During our visit, we also met En.Aziz the Consulat of Malaysia+ wife(K.Jah) and all their children + son in law. As well as Pak Long from Madinah(Insya-allah if permit by Allah we will visit you soon in Madinah).

We spent an overnight again in Mecca. The next day, we left Mecca at 11.30 and now we would like to try new route instead of Mecca - Yanbu, now we used the route Mecca- Jeddah - Yanbu( to be continued..........). Probably we will stay for another day in Jeddah.

Celebrating Eid in Mekah

2007-10-10T12:15:00.000+03:00

We will celebrate Eid-ul-Fitri (Eid Mubarak) in Mekah this time. We will go to Mekah tomorrow after morning prayer. InsyaAllah we will reach there before Dzohor prayer.

To my friends out there and also to the visitors, Happy Eid Mubarak and may Allah bless you all.

Selamat Hari Raya dan Maaf Zahir Batin.

First year in Yanbu

2007-10-03T23:53:00.000+03:00

29th September 2007, marks our first year in Yanbu. So far, we are happy with our life here. The childrens have good schools and friends though they missed their relatives in Malaysia. We have good jobs, neighbourhood, less traffic in the streets which release you from headache (this one I like most), nice food and the best ever, proximity from Mekah and Madinah.

We don't know yet what it will be in future. According to plan, there is another year for us to enjoy such a living in Yanbu. But somehow, I remember my former friend always told me, nothing will happen except by the will of Allah. Allah knows what will happen after a year, a month , a week or even tomorrow. So we leave to Allah to decide our future.

Ramadhan in Mekah

2007-09-17T12:24:00.000+03:00

Our first day of Ramadhan was in Mekah. We left Yanbu at 7.00 am on Thursdays by car and reached Miqat Juhfah two hours later. We continued the journey to Mekah at 10.00 am and arrived at 12.00pm. We parked our car at Tan'im mosque and then took a taxi to Haram Mosque. At that time the cost was 20SR per van. We heard two weeks later the cost increased 10 times which was about 200SR. At first it was so surprising, but later we understood that not only the cab rental price was increasing but almost everything including groceries and foods stuff. Even the hotel rate rose up to 900 - 1000 per night.

It almost Dzohor prayer when we reached Haram. People were walking to the mosque and we were walking opposite their direction towards to the hotel. Alhamdulillah we had booked our hotel rooms earlier through a friend, or else we will put our self in big trouble since the hotels were fully booked during Ramadhan and the room rates were hiking. Travel with 4 young children ages 7,6,5 and 2 years old was not easy. Our movement were very slow and of course we must always keep patience.

We started Tawaf (circle the Ka'abah) after Dzohor prayer end. It was so crowded with pilgrimages and the weather was so hot. My daughters couldn't bear with the situation and keep on asking when we are going to finish. (For non-muslim readers : Tawaf means circling Ka'abah for 7 times).

Next, we proceed to Mount Safa to do Sa'ei (walk between Safa and Marwa for 7 times). It was already Asar time. So we decided to perform Saei after Asar prayer.

Obviously umrah during Ramadhan is totally different from Umrah in the other months especially during the day. We will become tired and exhausted quickly since we are fasting. To my understanding after all experiences we have gone through, performing Umrah or Hajj required physical and mental strength. During tawaf we must know how to slow down and when to move quickly.While during Sa'ei, especially during Ramadhan, we can quickly get thirsty. At the end of Sa'ei you'll feel like you have totally lost all your strength and what comes to your mind is a glass of water will be so help full. I had almost fainted, both arms became numb and I feel like to throw out. Luckily I had my khadamah to help me to look after the kids, I just sat on the floor and tried to catch my breath. My husband help me to find some water and sprinkled on my face with hope that it will help me to refresh.

Suddenly the thought of Hagar(r.a) came to my mind. "Probably this is how she felt when she had to look for water for her son Ismail(a.s) running from mount Safa to Marwa". Allah is the only companion for her and also for us.

To Allah we bestowed and to Him we seek forgiveness.

First week of Ramadhan

2007-09-16T14:25:00.000+03:00

Working hours during ramadhan has been shorthened from 8 hours to 6 hours daily. Either you come to work at 7.00 am and go back at 1.00 pm in the afternoon or come at 10.00 am untill 4.00 pm.

This is great. I choose option one, I can go back early and then, definitely go to sleep. No, I will not doing that. I will go back early and then spend my quality times with my daughters. That sounds like a good father. Hehehehe.

Today is the fourth day of Ramadhan. Alhamdulillah, everythings goes well and my son start his first fasting today. He told us, all his muslim classmates but him were fasting and he felt very embarrased. Actually he want to start it earlier, even during the first day of Ramadhan but on that day, went to Mekah for Umrah and we afraid that he could not make it due to long hours journey. And yesterday, he had a swimming lesson at the school so today is the best starting date for him.

He performed his first Umrah on the first day of Ramadhan. We did't planned it at first place. Everythings comes up to my mind when I saw a young boy wearing Ihram at the Miqat. Suddenly I asked him whether he want to wear Ihram like me and perform umrah and the answer is "Yes". Umrah ritual is not an aliens to him. He used to follow us Tawaf and Sai'e but this time he will do it again in Ihram.

Alhamdulillah, praise to Allah, everything goes well and we had a pleasant journey.

Ramadhan

2007-09-12T13:33:00.000+03:00

Kullu Am Wa Antum bil Khair. Ramadhan Kareemm.

Ramadhan will begin tomorrow. This is our second Ramadhan in the Kingdom and my third ramadhan outside Malaysia. Ramadhan was celebrated with full of joy by the local and Muslim expat here. People greets each other "Ramadhan Kareem" when they meet. My mail boxes was full with ramadhan greetings from colleagues and friends.

A good things about stay in Yanbu was, it is near to Mecca and Madinah. People took advantage from this by performing umrah or ziarah. Every weekend, we can see buses full with man in white ihram dress going to Mecca. This will increase towards the end of Ramadhan.

To all Muslim out there, we wish you Ramadhan Kareem.

MERDEKA, MERDEKA, MERDEKA

2007-09-01T11:46:00.000+03:00

Malaysia has celebrate her 50 years of Nationhood yesterday. 31st August 1957, Malaysia or Malaya was declared independence from the British Colonialization. Many thanks to the fighters and warriors who fought for the independence.They sacrifice themselves for the sake of their future generations. Many of them were not remembered as part of the history or may be their name were listed as traitor to the British Government, but to me they are true warriors.

To all Malaysian out there, love our country as how our warriors did. Learn from the history and march to glory.

May Allah bless Malaysia.

And tomorrow is my birthday. 2 days after the national day.......hemmm, I'm getting older.

Allah, forgive me on my wrong doing.

Extremely Hot Weather

2007-08-27T13:30:00.000+03:00

Today is the worst summer in Yanbu for the past 2 months. The temperature reached 47 degree celcius and it is extremely hot. You can feel your face is burning, it just like standing infront of the Oven. Hopefully this extremely weather will be end soon.

An Evening in the Desert

2007-08-21T14:59:00.000+03:00

I had a chance to spend my evening in the desert yesterday. My neighbour, Mr. Muhammad Al-Otaibi had invited me to joint him and his clan. Actually he had invited me many times before but I was so busy with my familiy. Yesterday was a good time for me since my family are having summer holiday and will come back soon from Malaysia on this Friday.

Lets enjoy the little space left as a bachelor...hehehehheehe.

We spent that evening with chatting, drinking tea and arabic coffee. As a guest, I was treated handsomely.

We left the desert after Isya' prayer. The good thing about being in Saudi Arabia, people pray at anyplace when the times come. Subhanallah.

Our First Trip to Madinah

2007-08-15T10:21:00.000+03:00

Our first trip to Madinah Al-Munawwarah was on 9 Zulkhaedah 1427H last year.We celebrate our Eidul Adha in Madinah. It took 3 hours the journey from Yanbu to madinah by bus. The bus stop at Badr town (another historical place in Islam where the first war between Muslim Madinah and Kuffar Mekah took place) to pick-up another passenger.

We arrived Madinah at 11.00 am and immediately go to get the hotel room. Most of the hotel were fully booked and the rates were very expensive. We were told that many Saudis' came to Madinah to spend their Eidul Adha. Finally, we managed to get one small room with 3 beds.

It was so cold in Madinah that time. We have to buy gloves, caps and jacket for the childrens. We spent most of the time in the Prophet Mosque. We took our children to visit Prophet Muhammad (p.b.o.h) tomb. We told them who is him to us and why we need to visit his tomb.

We left Madinah on 11 Zulkhaedah after spending 3 days overthere.

Yanbu today

2007-08-14T19:39:00.000+03:00

1) Youths Cool Down in School Pool

Muhammad Al-Homaid, Arab News

YANBU, 14 August 2007 — Police in Yanbu were called to a high school following a telephone call by a local resident who saw a number of youth jumping over a school wall. The youngsters ran away when police arrived. Police found towels at the school pool, indicating the youngsters had entered the school to cool down during the summer heat.

2) Guards Save Youth From Drowning

Muhammad Al-Homaid, Arab News

YANBU, 14 August 2007 — Border guards rescued a Saudi youth, who got into difficulties while swimming in an out-of-bound area off the Yanbu coast. The youth’s family alerted border guards about the youngster, who was struggling to swim and was shouting for help. Border guards called on people to exercise care when swimming in the sea and to avoid restricted areas.

Welcome new Malaysian to Yanbu

2007-08-14T15:48:00.000+03:00

With a great honour, we welcome you new Malaysian to Yanbu Al-Sinaiyah. Ahlan Wa Sahlan. Marhaba bikum.

It is our pleasure to assist you to the new life in Yanbu.

May Allah grant you peace in this land of Prophet.

Our Family

2007-08-13T17:40:00.000+03:00

Alhamdulillah, we were blessed with 4 childrens. The eldest is Shah Eiman Amzar, second; Siti Aina Zulaikha, third; Siti Yasmeen Safa and the last but not least Siti Hannan Safiyyah. Picture was taken in October 2006 during Eidul Fitri.

Yanbu Al-Bahr

2007-08-11T14:19:00.000+03:00

From Wikipedia,

Yanbu, Saudi Arabia Yanbu' al Bahr (Arabic: ينبع "spring by the sea"), also known simply as Yanbu, Yambo, or Yenbo, is a major Red Sea port in the Al Madinah province of western Saudi Arabia. It is approximately 350 kilometers north of Jeddah (at 24°05′N, 38°00′E). The population is 188,430 (2004 census).

Yanbu's history dates back at least 2500 years, when it was a staging point on the spice and incense route from Yemen to Egypt and the Mediterranean region. Yanbu served as a supply and operational base for Arab and British forces fighting the Ottoman Empire during the First World War. It remained a small port town until 1975, when the Saudi government designated it as one of the country's two new industrial centres (the other being Al Jubayl on the Persian Gulf).

The city is subdivided into three smaller villages, which are about 15 minutes drive by car away from each other. The Town (often call "Al-Balad") which means the actual city which has most of the population and all the shops centers etc. Second is Yanbu Al-Nakhel (Al-Nakheel), which is very old and mainly only has farms. And finally the industrial city, Yanbu Al-Sina'iya (literally "the industrial Yanbu), established around 1975 with a very modern housing architecture. It houses all the major refineries and petrochemical installations and still growing very fast.

Yanbu is an important petroleum shipping terminal and is also home to three oil refineries, a plastics facility, and several other petrochemical plants. It is the country's second port (after Jiddah) and serves as the main port for the holy city of Medina, 160km (100 miles) to the east. The natural harbour is protected on both sides by wide coral reefs. These reefs remain mostly untouched making them excellent areas for diving. Three major oil pipelines lead across the desert from the oilfields in the east to terminate at the Red Sea in Yanbu. Yanbu also has a domestic airport (code YNB) and a naval base. The naval base called Al-Minhalapin utilizes islands and underwater facilities to protect the landmass.

A new highway now passes through Yanbu linking Jeddah to the northern parts of the kingdom and the neighboring countries Syria, Jordan etc

Madinat Yanbu Al-Sinaiyah

2007-08-11T10:32:00.000+03:00

Yanbu Al-Sinaiyah or Yanbu Industrial Area was located at the Red Sea coast. It was 20km away from Yanbu Al- Bahr, 200 km and 400km from Madinah and Mekkah respectively.

Yanbu is a very nice place with non extreme weather unlike other places in the Kingdom. It can go up to 41 deg Celcius during summer and 12 degree Celcius during winter.

Yanbu Al-Sinaiyah comes from The idea of H.M King Faisal as the path to reduce the Kingdom’ dependence on crude oil exports, upgrade its precious natural resources, diversify the national economy, and ultimately, raise the standard of living of the entire Saudi population.

1976, Royal Commission of Jubail and Yanbu was established by King Khaled, successor to King Faisal. The task is to developed and maintain the township.

Petrochemical Industry is the main activity here where we can see all the factory from the main road before entering Yanbu.

As a well planned township, Yanbu is a very much different from other township in the Kingdom. Consist of well planned housing, schools, hospital, shopping complexes and higher learning institution.

Malaysian in Yanbu

As todate, approximately 9 Malaysian and their families resides in Yanbu and most of them working in the Yanbu Industrial College and Yanbu University College (Male & Female)and only a few working in the industrial sector. With an attractive sallary and free schooling for childrens provided by the Royal Commision, more Malaysian were expected to come in the future.

For Muslim, its location near to Haram (Mekah & Madinah) makes it more attractive where umrah and ziarah (visit) can easily perform during the weekend.

other link to Madinat Yanbu Al-Sinaiyah :

http://www.urar.org.sa/ibda/mahawer6-6.html

Water Leaking from Apartment Above

2007-08-07T15:55:00.000+03:00

2 Aug 2007 :

Alamakk.....I saw water dripping from my house ceiling...hemm probably it comes from my air-conditioning unit. Maybe the drain pipe was blocked. My floor carpet starting get wet and tomorrow it will become stingky. I used what ever we have; bucket, trash can and even cooking pot to collect the water.

I called property department on the next day and told them about the problem and they came to my house to verified my report.

4th August 2006 :

I received a phone call from Mr. Shahin (maintenace department). Again they want to check the problem. But it was scheduled on the next day. I pleaded them to make it today since the condition is worsened. They said, they have a thight schedule today and appointment with other peoples were made earlier.

5th August 2007 :

As promised I waited them at my house at 9.30 am but the only appear at 10.00 am. Their reason was they can't find the house since the address was wrong. OK, I have no problem on that as long they come and fix the problem.

They open the ceiling maintenance access to check the aircond drain pan. There is no drain pan and that means the water not coming from the condesate water. After opening the second access panel, they saw water dripping from the floor slab above. At last we found the source but we face a new problem. The house was vacant and the owner going back to USA for vacation. They will only come back end of August.

By that time I have to live on that condition.

Durian in Yanbu ??

2007-08-02T13:54:00.000+03:00

Believe it or not, we can get durian and mangosteen in Yanbu. Panda Hypermarket (2 month old in Yanbu) is the only place offering tropical fruits. Many Saudi's loves mangoesteen and they kept it in their freezer at home.

These tropical fruit came from Thailand. Looks like Thailand is a champion in producing agricultural products from South East Asia. Salute you guys.

Price ? Hewww.....SR 38.00 /kg for durian and SR 24.00/kg for mangoesteen. Well to my fellow Malaysian back home, eat durian as you can before coming to Saudi Arabia.

P/s : still remember eating mangoesteen with my late mother under the tree. I miss that moment.

Holiday In Genting Highland

2007-07-30T11:48:00.000+03:00

I thought of giving my family members a treat. At first, we planned to go to Pangkor Islang Resort (formerly known as Pan Pacific Pangkor). Suddenly, my younger brother said , he did not agreed .. yeaahh nothing to do in Pangkor. He preferred we spent time in Genting Highland. Beside, it has been a long time for him did not go to Genting. So , we agreed with him.. Since it was a sudden plan... so we could not make any room reservation.. it was too late to book. We just went up without make any confirmed reservation.

When we reached the peak it was true there is no more room available... we were so surprised .. can you imagine , approximately 10 000 rooms were fully booked. What to do.. It ended up .. we got a private apartment.. which was poorly managed .. and the price as high as a deluxe room.

So, next time if you plan to stay overnight in Genting .. make sure you make a reservation 3 months early.. Whalla..

Summer Vacation in Hutan Melintang, Perak

2007-07-30T11:32:00.000+03:00

This is rambutan trees. Its age is 7 years old. We planted it while I was pregnant our first baby. Now we had harvested the fruits for 6 years.. This year Alhamdulillah I had another chance to taste it.. Whalla
Can you see the durians... it were sent by my Pak Anjang( My mother's brother) . He is a very kind person..I always envy his kindness and always want to be like him..
He knows.. that his house is quite far for everybody to reach.. and sometimes we coud not find suitable time to go to enjoy the fruit.. so he brought them instead of waiting for us to come....

oooo balik kampung

2007-07-30T11:26:00.000+03:00

28 Jun 2007 ..tak sabor nak balik dah..........

Blood Test

2007-07-29T14:37:00.000+03:00

I did a blood test last week, thursday 26th July and yesterday 28th July I went to see the doctor again to collect the results.

Generally everything was fine except my cholestrol level. My cholestrol level was 5.6 and it is 0.3 higher than the recommended value.

Dr. Mahmood advised me to control my diet especially fat. No more full cream milk, Cheese, full fat butter, red meat and last but not least seafood.

The next six month I have to repeat the test.

You guys out there, go get your blood check before it is too late.

Shah

Life of a lonely man

2007-07-28T09:58:00.000+03:00

Morning - Go to Work
Lunch - Shawarma / Sandwich
Evening - Cook for dinner and go to Gymnasium
Night - TV / Internet

Waaaaaa....what a boring life .....

Another Farewell Party for Benoy

2007-07-28T09:50:00.000+03:00

Kekasih yang dirindu

2007-07-09T10:47:00.001+03:00

Nazrey Raihan