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.

Street Vendors -T Shirt.

There is another thing which is popular in Malaysia - bargaining. When going to street market, prices are usually not displayed. Let's take for example T-shirt. It costs 5 to 20 ringgit in super market, but seeing foreign tourist vendor might ask 2-3 times higher price. Now when vendor announces price, tourist wants to bargain. Let's say price asked was 45 ringgit, but tourist bargains down to 40 ringgit. Still its rather expensive, but tourist person might feel happy about being able to strike a bargain. Other side - seller is also happy because still he managed to sell that thing for 3 times higher price. In my situation I was looking for places with prices already displayed or what price locals are paying.

Ramadhan.......

Old part of Kuching City....Dates Bazaar during Ramadhan.

We're now just few days into Ramadhan.I spent Ramadhan in simple way,we broke our fast with dates and some other fruits  then went for Magrib prayer and back for the main meal then off again for the Isyak prayer then follow by the taraweh prayer.........

Trip to Batu Ferringhi...

My last trip to Batu Ferringhi  was in 1992 ..10 years ago.My second was few weeks ago..Wow !!!! it's change a lot ,I like it.I would say Batu Ferringhi,where some of the most breathtaking beaches in Penang lay.Its balmy and scenic surrounding provided the perfect climate for blissful vacation.For these reasons the tourist foreign and local  flock here,and for that matter,it is also haven for a string of world-class resorts including rows of specialty restaurants and shops.Business is often brisk here especially during Pubic Holiday & weeks end.

 

This prime of stretch of beach is always a hive of activity .Their facilities include water sport  and windsurfing .

The Batu Ferringhi  sidewalk bazaar,night market start from 7pm-12pm  most nights,offering tourist a verity of cheap merchandise.This business that's currently thriving and attracting the tourist is this night market.........

Jalan TAR & Jalan Masjid India-Kuala Lumpur.

 

If we talk about hunting for carpet,textile,fabrics and hijab(tundung in Malay),I always talk about this street of Jalan TAR(Tuanku Abdul Rahman).In fact ,Tuanku Abdul Rahman is the name of the first Yang di-Pertua Agong(His Highness or King) of Malaysia.However there is another area near little India(or Jalan Masjid India) that you can find many textile store and fabric outlets.

Normally this place will be crowded when festive season are around "Hari Raya".We can see many new street vendors.For women Jalan TAR & Jalan Masjid India is a place to seek matching hijab(Tudung in Malay) and spending the whole day checking & hunting every store for the perfect colours.

 

 

On saturday and as expected the crowd begin for a night market(Pasar Malam) hunting and bargaining for their goods from the street vendors.

 

 

Beside many textile,clothing,carpet and fabric store I also notice there are many budget hotel around Jalan TAR and Jalan Masjid India.Most budget hotel around this district offer very competitive discount & more discount if we book online.

LRT @ Rush Hour........

 

Taking LRT at rush hour is no fun at all. You are being squeezed like sardines, male and female alike, in a coach which smells of stale air. It is in fact downright unhygienic since if someone with flu sneezes in the coach, most of the passengers in that coach would probably be infected with the same virus. It is also very scary especially to the ladies, since even if you feel someone else is groping you, you can’t even move to avoid and fence off the move.