TYT Birthday Kuching in Sarawak.

Thousands of people from all walks of life in Padang Merdeka Kuching in Sarawak on the morning of October16 to witness the parade and rally to highlight the Yang di-Pertua Negeri's 89th birthday.

 

 

About 100 contingents drawn from government departments and agencies, associations, political parties, the army, uniform and non-uniform bodies, the private sector and ethnic groups  taking part in the event.

Military vehicle making march past....

The field performances and creative cultural  presented by  various ethnic groups of Sarawak.

Kite Festival

Watch the sky for multitude of kite in various form, colours and shapes roaming the airspace.

The first Borneo International Kite Festival, was held in Bintulu Sarawak in the year 2005.
Since then, it has become an annual event and successfully attracted large crowd witnessing and participating in this event.  It has also attracted more kite enthusiasts locally and from all over the world to come to Bintulu.

 

The Borneo International Kite Festival, Bintulu promises great thrill and excitement along with its spectacular showcase of kite creativity put together by all the international kite flyers from all over the world and it is also a catalyst for the legendary local kiting tradition kite making competition and flying championship.  Spectators can witness the skills where hand laboured over bamboo and paper to create a winning kite traditional design and also swirling performances from local and international kite flyers displaying their skill....

Malaysia Day 16 September......

Malaysia Day 16th September,2010.
This year will see the first year of another National Holiday called Malaysia Day which will be celebrated on September 16 annually.This day commemorates Sabah and Sarawak joining Peninsular Malaysia as a nation of Malaysia.
The city of Kuching will host the first state level Malaysia Day celebration at Stadium Perpaduan(Indoor Stadium) on Sept 16.

 

Indoor Stadium in Kuching.

Stadium Perpaduan in Petra Jaya

Themed ‘1Malaysia: Menjana Transformasi’, hundreds of participants will turn up in traditional costumes in the spirit of unity and national integration.

Politic in Sarawak.....this opposition political party having they own version of Malaysia Day ,16 sept .

Raising of Malaysia & Sarawak flag by a small group of opposition party supporters at Padang Merdeka.

The Night of Tujuh Likor...

 

The last 10 nights of Ramadan is said to be the most auspicious nights for the month. It is mentioned in the holy Quran that angels would come down to earth on one of those night, praying together with those who pray late in the nights.

Another practice associated with the last days of Ramadan is that of putting up lights around the house. From the twenty-seventh day of the month up to the Hari Raya (Eid) festival, if you walk through any Malay village you will find the houses lighted up with oil lamps, or coloured electric lamp. The occasion is known as "Malam Tujuh Likur" but it is not of Islamic origin even though the lights are said to welcome the angels who visit earth during this period.

Nevertheless, these displays of lights are very attractive especially in the villages. It also set the mood for the Hari Raya festival which is just a few days away.

Merdeka Day in Kuching.

The beautiful sun was shining and I have to put on sun glasses to protect my eyes 'Welcome to Kuching,Sir".

Yesterday 31 of August 2010 is Merdeka Day in Malaysia and its public holiday.

I started my day by walking from Padang Merdeka .Padang merdeka in Kuching,formerly known as padang central,is rather 'QUIET' this time around as this year's Malaysia Day is not held in Kuching.It was 09:00AM ,the beautiful sun was shining so beautifully that I couldn't resist capturing some photos of Merdeka fever in some parts of Kuching City.

The admin of this building 'Medan Pelita' is in a spirit of patriotic.

Street fruits vendor trying to be a patriotism ,using the flag (Jalur Gamilang) to protect him from sunshine........

Spirit of Patriotism '1Malaysia'  creativity of St.Joseph School students...

Bapak Malaysia image should be highlighted instead of our present PM.Another creativity of St.Jo School. (Jo is for Joseph not Abg Jo our state minister).

On my way to my home 'Desa Ilmu' this is Jalan Dato Mohd Musa of Kota Samarahan.This place is 30 mins drive or about 26KM from Kuching City.See the Jalur Gamilang on a street lamp pole and it's public holiday so not many road user to-day.

All above image captured using Olympus DSLR the official camera for Kuching Daily photo .

Hari Raya Preparation..

All Malaysian Muslim are getting into a final one third stage of the holy month of Ramadan.In less then 10 days,they will celebrate Eidul Fitri or Hari Raya Puasa.

What would Hari Raya be without new clothes, new shoes, new bags and basically lots of new things?

Shoppers throng malls, bazaars and boutiques in search for the trendiest baju kurungs and kebayas (traditional Malay attire for women), latest tudung )(scarf) trends, fashionable shoes, sleekest baju melayu (traditional Malay attire for men) and so forth. There are some who opt for a family colour theme for Hari Raya each year, and will hunt for materials of the same colour. While some can make their own Hari Raya attire or send it to the tailors, others prefer to get it ready-made as it is easier and sometimes cheaper.

 

Spoilt for choices........

It’s not just about the shoes,kopiah or clothes; even Hari Raya delicacies are on sale along with the apparel.

Delicacies etc,etc.......

Children wear etc.etc.........

 

Though it’s the fasting month, many shoppers don’t seem to feel the fatigue or tiredness when hunting for the best deals. While some opt to go shopping at night, after the breaking of fast, many would rather go during the day as there are more shops open and they can get the best bargains.

My advise....spend wisely.

NGOJEK.

Ngojek,Indonesia for "to earn money by carrying passengers or cargo on the rear seat of one's motorbike"

 

Ngojek..transporting heavy load of cargo crossing Malaysia/Indonesia border in Serikin.

Every weekend he works from the town of Indonesia province in  Kalimatan Barat carrying cargo to cross the border.He has to work very hard for it.

Ngojek do good business  carrying passengers to cross the border between Malaysia/Indonesia in Serikin.Bau.

Sarawak’s Traditional Boat Cruise.

On the weekend before last I went to water front and I stumbled on this 'Local Gondola" so I grab my camera and snap.

 

Now, you can still enjoy sight-seeing cruise the TRADITIONAL WAY in our ‘LOCAL GONDOLA' along the Sarawak River where the adventure,the modern history herewith began.

Read here for more info

S'wak Traditional Boat Cruise

Ramadan-It's not about food .

The food sale at Ramadan Bazaar..

Few hours before breaking fast..a lot of people stampede the bazaar......

 

The magical moment of Ramadan in Malaysia are those market stalls selling a variety of foods and some are only available during Ramadan. Seeing people of all races and religions shopping and buying these foods are images that will forever be etched in one's mind. Ramadan is also that time of the year where family members make an effort to be home for the breaking of fast and be together as a family to enjoy and share those wonderful spread. Ramadan brings the family closer. Of course eating in moderation and eating healthy foods are key to a longer, happier and prosperous family lives.However, in Malaysia, the month itself has been tainted with the extreme gluttony during the entire month of fasting. Not sure what I’m talking about? Well, I don’t mean I am good Muslim then any other Muslim brother but the gluttony among most Muslims in Malaysia can be seen in the Ramadan Bazaar. A few hours before breaking fast, a lot of people will stampede the bazaar in order to buy loads of food for the breaking fast.

Ramadan-Teraweh Prayer.

Tarawih Prayers іn Malaysia

Tarawih / Taraweeh Prayer іѕ a special evening prayer performed bу Muslims throughout thе world οnƖу іn thе holy month οf Ramadan during whісh long рοrtіοnѕ οf thе Qur’аn аrе recited. Ramadan іѕ thе ninth month οf thе Islamic calendar аnԁ іѕ thе month whеrе аƖƖ Muslims fаѕt (“puasa” іn Malay) frοm sunrise tο sunset еνеrу day.

Performing Tarawih prayer іѕ a “sunnah” ( whісh means thе prayer іѕ voluntary hοwеνеr Muslims аrе strongly encouraged tο ԁο іt аѕ іt іѕ a practice bу Prophet Muhammad s.a.w) аnԁ іt іѕ nοt obligatory.

Tarawih / Taraweeh іѕ perform аftеr `Isha’ Prayer (Night Prayer). It саn bе perform аt home, alone οr іn congregation, οr аt a mosque. Hοwеνеr thе normal practice here іn Malaysia, Tarawih іѕ perform іn Mosques аnԁ “Suraus”. Men, women аnԁ kids wіƖƖ fload mosques аnԁ suraus within thеіr home іn thе whole month οf Ramadan.

Welcome Ramadan Al-Mubarak

Ramadan come again. Muslims in Malaysia start fasting to-day Wednesday 11 August,2010 and so do other muslims around the world although the date may not be exactly the same.

I would like to wish all muslim brothers and sisters in Malaysia and around the world, Selamat Berpuasa/Happy Fasting. May all our ibadah be acceptable to Allah and may we always be blessed with His mercy and compassion even more in the holy month of Ramadhan. Insyaallah.

“O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqun (the pious).

(Fasting) for a fixed number of days, but if any of you is ill or on a journey, the same number (should be made up) from other days. And as for those who can fast with difficulty, (i.e. an old man, etc.), they have (a choice either to fast or) to feed a poor person (for every day). But whoever does good of his own accord, it is better for him. And that you fast, it is better for you if only you know.” (2:183-84)

Abu Huraira related that the Prophet said: Allah the Majestic and Exalted said: “Every deed of man will receive ten to 700 times reward, except Siyam (fasting), for it is for Me and I shall reward it (as I like). There are two occasions of joy for one who fasts: one when he breaks the fast and the other when he will meet his Lord” (Muslim).

Amin.......

Malaysia-The Sighting of Ramadan Moon..

Gambar Hiasan.....

Welcoming the fasting month of Ramadan the year of 1431 Hijrah.

The sighting of the moon or anak bulan Ramadan in Malay is declare to take place on the evening of Tuesday, 10th August 2010.If the new moon is sighted,the Muslim in Malaysia will begin the fast next day.Islam require to be unique or  Muslim scholar person appointed by the Islam's Authority in the country.

The Spirit of Ramadan..

Ramadan begin maybe to-morrow or Wednesday.Many non-Muslim who were not previously familiar with Muslim Holy Day and custom have heard about Ramadan through the media.bolggers,facebook friends etc,etc.On a more distribution level,we often get the impression from the media that Ramadan is associated with an increase is violence or terrorism.Yet Ramadan asit is understood and experience by millions of Muslims probably remains a mystery.
Now remember this:::
Fasting has been decreed for you as it was decreed for those before you, that you may acquire God-consciousness."

Fasting is, therefore, a universal form of worship observed by all the prophets of God, and recognized by most world religions.
Through fasting we learn to give up things which may give us pleasure for the sake of higher principle. The Prophet taught us to spend Ramadan in acts of charity, feeding the poor, and assisting those who are less fortunate. In fact, the fasting is not complete until food or money is given to those in need.
ALHAMDULLILAH.Thanks you Ya ALLAH for giving me an opportunity to experience Ramadan again..It's a bless and hopefully this Ramadan will bring Rahmat,hopefully my Ramadan this year is better then before.
I never spend my Ramadan outside Malaysia..I'm Malay/Melanau Malaysian from Sarawak...Celebrating Ramadan and Shawal in Malaysia is full of excitment,joys and fun especially to the children.Even to-day if you go to the shopping mall,they already play Raya song and promotion of raya sale.Well,this is Malaysia..welcome to the reality of Ramadan & Shawal.Ramadan bazzar is everywhere...Ramadan is not about food..it's holy month.
Festival of Breakingfast at the 5 star hotel and don't be suprise some muslim bloggers will blog about having nice  the fast at the hotel.I am not a rich person but I always remember this,Ramadan is blessed time when all Muslim gather together.It is time to remember the poor,strive to please Allah by being the most generous and it is time of much prayers.
This is my own research...I wish a blessed Ramadan to all.