100th Hits!

Wahh - reaching 100th hits within a month using the new site meter. What a great achievement. Looking forward next 500, 1000 and more. I do hope you guys will enjoy the blog. I vow that this blog will share my experience with others especially in travels. Seems this month I didn't go anywhere except working - guess I'm just wrote anything that interesting. Looking forward any good suggestions. Thank You.

Hail to Erdogan!

Guess it's a payback time for Israel. In a recent World Economic Forum that was chaired by David Ignatius - and with panels consisted of Recep Tayyip Erdogan (Turkey's Prime Minister), Shimon Peres (Israel President), Ban Ki-moon (UN Secretary General), and Amr Moussa (Arab League Secretary); Mr Erdogan blasted Mr Peres regarding Israel's decision on insurgency against Gaza Strip.

It first started when Mr Peres pointed towards Mr Erdogan while asking "What Istanbul will do if thousands of missiles / rockets attack Istanbul?" While given insufficient amount of time to react to the question given, Mr Erdogan repplied that he regreted that the forum's participant clapped their hand when Mr Peres delivered his view regarding Israel right to attack Gaza. "When it comes to killing, you know well how to kill," he told Mr. Peres before scooping up his papers and leaving the stage.

This is one of leader wheter it Muslim or not; able to stand against issues that erode human rights. I do hope that our leaders are brave enough to stand in the international level in issues that concerning Muslim Worlds and Human Rights. TAHNIAH Mr Recep Tayyip Erdogan!

Recap : January 2009

So it's already a month since the year 2009AD begins. Looks like we have another 334 days before entering the new chapter of year 2010AD. For Muslims, it's means another 320 days to the next 1431H.

So what have happened in Malaysia and around the world in this 31 days of January 2009AD? These are some hottest news in Malaysia and around the world.

Israeli strikes over Gaza Strip and a ceasefire with HAMAS.
The strikes begin on 27th December 2008 with codename of Operation Cast Lead; targeted to to stop HAMAS rockets attack over Israel as well as to destroy HAMAS personnel and its infrastructures. The act however was condemned by World except the US that stated the Israel has every rights to protect their country. In fact, the strikes does not targeted only HAMAS but the civilians as well and up to date around 1330 Palestinians was killed and more than 5000 others wounded. More than half involved woman and children. The attack ended at first with Israel's unilateral ceasefire on 17th January 2009 followed by HAMAS and other Palestinian fighters on 18th January with condition a total pullout by Israel Army Forces. On January 21st, Israel completed their pul-out from Gaza strip.

PAS triumph against mighty Barisan Nasional and UMNO in Kuala Terengganu.
This is by far as the best news in January that I know. It seems people's tsunami against BN reign is still continued and the recent victim was the Kuala Terengganu's parliamentary seat. With these victory, Pakatan Rakyat has add another seat with a total of 83 (plus one independence)in the Dewan Rakyat. I'm agree with PAS Spiritual Leader (Mursyidul AM) - TG Nik Abdul Aziz stated that the victory was not to be arrogant towards the others but as a task by people who had elected the member. Hope in the eve of 13th General Election we can see change for better government that totally care for peoples.



Inauguration of 44th US President
Mr Barrack Hussein Obama was inaugurated as the 44th President of United States of America on 20th January 2009. The first African-American President has a lot of hopes over his shoulder not just among the Americans in the event of Economic Crisis but to the world that still waiting whether the new president will able to clean the image of US that have tarnish over the world's eye. Previously, the United States act over the war against terrorism brings chaos not just to the Muslims World but to the others as well.





There were other issues like MACC probe against UMNO leaders in view of Money-Politics, unemployment that might hit 6% overall for Malaysia due to economic-slow down, the 3rd stimulus that deepened the Malaysian's 2009 Budget Deficit,the death of A.Kugan in police's custody, the need of anti-hop law in view of BN's elected member that defected to Pakatan Rakyat's side and a lot of others. Guess it seems the month of February will be interesting and with the following months too. So guys, remember to read your newspaper as it's not just some lame material but for us to know what's happening around us. The Earth will keep Orbiting the Sun till the End of Day!

Still Can't Ignore

I'm watching Buletin Utama in TV3 tonight. There's segment from the journalist that currently in Gaza - looking with their own eyes on what happen to the people of Gaza. They've interviewed several children that suffered from the inhuman attack.

One of them had some of their family members killed during the strike. And this little girl has kept deep into their heart that she will strike back the Zionist Army when she had a chance. Hatred has been nourished in their heart and mind towards the Israeli as a consequence from the military strike. What do we expect from a little child that had experienced her own family members killed in front of them?

Another boy even though non of his family killed, had friends that used to play with got killed last couple of weeks. When he been asked whether he afraid of Israel, he replied "NO!". "It's enough with Allah's protection." What a brave kid! I wonder how man of children in Malaysia have the same spirit.Some of them even still afraid of ghost or dark. Looks like the Israel's strike unable to totally destroyed HAMAS defense as they've created thousands of Palestinian that will hunt them down.

May Allah be with the Shuahada and strengthen the Muslims. Amen.

My 12 - Great Pride for the Land of Grace

"Prayer is the Key to Heaven, but Faith unlocks the door."
- Anonymous.

Ubudiah Mosque
(Built in 1917)

One of the symbol of pride for people of Kuala Kangsar is this mosque. One of the most beautiful mosque in Malaysia - Ubudiah Mosque Perak's royal mosque. It was built in 1917 with the cost of $200,000 during that time.

From left : onion-shaped dome with multiple minarets; the mosque mimbar or pulpit is located to the side of the mihrab for a khatib or some other speaker to offer a sermon (khutbah).

It was designed by Arthur Benison Hubback, a government architect who is notably credited for the design of the Ipoh railway station and the Kuala Lumpur railway station based on Mogul architecture. The construction was interrupted twice when at first two elephants belonging to the sultan's and Raja Chulan were fighting and ran over and damaged the imported Italian marble titles. The second time when the World War 2 broke out, by the Japanese Invasion.

From left : mosque's interior design of windows and ceiling with crystal chandelier.

Me and Ayeesha infront of the mosque

My 11 - Where Leaders Were Born

"When you have all the best students cramped into one place, there is bound to be a lot of jostling to be no. 1."
- Wan Abdul Hakim (Class of 85); ADUN Air Putih, Terengganu.

The Malay College Kuala Kangsar
(Established 2nd January 1905)

I didn't have much entry for Taiping. A lot of places that we planned were eventually have to be ceased in view of weather and other unexpected reasons. Place like Bukit Larut or famous known as Maxwell Hill has to be canceled as we missed the jeep-ride time. But we did go to the Night Safari - the finest zoo in Malaysia, if you ask me.

From left : the school's canteen and the cloaktower; stairs leading to 1st floor.

After a night spent in Taiping, we moved to Kuala Kangsar; a particularly sentimental place for my father. Being one of the 'Old Boys', Kuala Kangsar was a second home for him as he spent nearly 5 years there. For me - being Hamidians, WTH! But I cannot ignore the fact that most our leaders were from MCKK. Only now that the college showed some declined as they're not performed well as they should be.

From left : the main building of MCKK; there're 4 houses in the college -origins name from the previous ruler - house of Ahmad, Sulaiman, Mohd Shah and Idris.

MCKK or Malay College of Kuala Kangsar - often some dubbed it as 'Eton of the East' (based on Eton College, England famously known as the chief nurse of England's statesmen) was establised by Mr R J Wilkinson - Inspector of Schools for the Federated Malay States during that time in January 2nd 1905. It was built as a special resedential for the education of Malays of good family and for the training of Malay boys for admission of certain branches of government services. Well it's seems a long history.

The Clock Tower. The tower and the administration block was opened by the High Commissioner for the Federation of Malaya Sir Donald MacGillivray in 1955.

My 10 - Staying at the Presidential Suite

"We all have our time machines. Some take us back, they're called memories. Some take us forward, they're called dreams."
- Jeremy Irons (b. 1948 -); British actor

The Northam All Suites Penang

Guess it's time to leave George Town. I know it not much of entry but huh - i don't know. I can't blame cause I went with my family but that's what happen.

I know what you're thinking but it is not!

Penang was fame for it's nature, historical buildings and delicious foods. We didn't have much time to cover all of it. Hope that I can be here back in future. So guys - next stop : Taiping.

I definitely need to learn how to swim

Take 5 - Part II

Giggles happily with her aunt

My niece - Hani Ayeesha was so lucky! Being at her age, she has been to several states already. And she do really enjoy it. Hope she will remember the experiences that she gain from the visits.

Lucky her!

P/S : I think my parents did bring us for holiday when we were small. But I can't remember it fully. Guess we didn't take much picture last time. So guys, picture not just worth than thousand words but somehow is some form of your own memory collection. Kinda like hard disk. Hehehe.

She's tired already!

My 9 - Temple of Supreme Bliss

"Where God hath a temple, the Devil will have a chapel."
- Robert Burton (1577-1640); English writer and clergyman.

Kek Lok Si Temple
(Built in 1893)

Next building is the magnificent Kek Lok Si temple is a Penang Hokkien for Temple of Supreme Bliss. Built in 1890, inspired by chief of Buddhist monk from the Temple of Goddess Mercy for the Mahayana Buddhism followers. The temple situated in Ayer Itam, Penang and one of the icon of Penang Island.

From left : this little girl make us carried an extra more - she's running everywhere and made others exhausted; one of the round-door, I wish I had this kind of lovely door - but minus the statue as we Muslim don't believe in idols. Hehehe

From left : one of the prayer hall; I'm not sure what the name of the hall near to the pagoda. It's not like in the Temple of Emerald Buddha, Bangkok where tourist guide and personal audio guide easily available. *sigh*

The temple was built on phases and still some construction are ongoing; particularly at the Statue of Kuan Yin hill. History stated that the temple even received the sanction of the Manchu Emperor Guangxu, who bestowed a tablet and gift of 70,000 volumes of the Imperial Edition of the Buddhist Sutras.

From left : Koi pond on the Kuan Yin's hill; the 10,000 Buddhas Pagoda from one of the several large prayer hall.

From left : Incline-lift rail - the highest in Malaysia for a temple, that brings pilgrimage and tourist to the Kuan Yin statue; the Bronze-Kuan Yin statue, inaugurated in 2002 and currently undergone major renovation to built the concentric roof that resembles the roof of Prayer Hall for Good Harvest in the Temple of Heaven, Beijing.

Currently, the temple is a focal point of festivals of the Chinese community in Penang. The Chinese New Year celebrations are particularly impressive: for 30 days following Chinese New Year, the temple remains open until late at night whilst thousands of lights turn the scenery into a sea of light.

One of the Kuan Yin statue guardian

My 8 - Head of Indian Muslim's Legacy

"I love you when you bow in your mosque, kneel in your temple, pray in your church. For you and I are sons of one religion, and it is the spirit."
- Khalil Gibran (1883-1931), Lebanese-born America's poet, novelist and philosopher.

Kapitan Keling Mosque
(Built in 19th Century)

There're several other places that I wish to highlight here in the blog from my family visit to Penang.One of it - the magnificent Kapitan Keling Mosque. It is situated on the corner of Lebuh Buckingham (Buckingham Street) and Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling (Masjid Kapitan Keling Road).

The tower only minaret - stunning architecture of British Mogul

The mosque got it name from the head of Indian Muslim Community - Caudeer Mohudeen that credited to build the mosque around 1800. The current mosque was actually upgraded in the 1910s, based on architecture of British Mogul Revival style, with the addition of Mughal domes and turrets, a large minaret and a madrasah. The mosque completed around 1916.

The mosque now is the location for the daily 5-times prayer as well as school and central community place for the locals.

Partial Solar Eclipse

"Nations, like stars, are entitled to eclipse. All is well, provided the light returns and the eclipse does not become endless night. Dawn and resurrection are synonymous. The reappearance of the light is the same as the survival of the soul."
- Victor Hugo (1802-1885); French poet, novelist and dramatist.

Partial Solar Eclipse
1747 MST on 26th January 2009
Picture taken from Taman Melawati, Kuala Lumpur.

Solar Eclipse Phenomenon

Allah All Mighty!

Just now I had a chance to observe solar eclipse - partial one not the full. This event happen from 1630 Malaysian Standard Time (MST) when the moon 'touched' the sun disk till it eventually covered the sun 'almost' at 1750 MST. The phenomenon finished on 1855 MST when the moon 'leaved' the sun.

Partial Solar Eclipse phases

The last time Malaysia having a chance to observe solar eclipse - if I'm not mistaken in 1998. The annular type. I remember that time - the best place to see it somewhere in Sabah. Hmm, where is it?

I've tried various technique using my digital camera to capture the event. But *sigh*, this is the results from the poor camera. From left to right and up to down : first direct picture, then with sunglasses on top of the camera; then with one negative film - finally with both negative film on top of it.

There's various believes among the people around the world regarding the solar eclipse. Some consider it as a bad omen. I even remember that even some believed that the sun has been 'killed'. After centuries of knowledge expansion, human knew that the solar eclipse phenomenon is one of the nature's event. It is one of the All-Mighty's power. For us Muslim - it's a 'Sunat-Muakkad' (things that obliged to do) to perform Solah during this time as a sign that we 'bow' to His Greatness.

After I've adjusted both negative films, I'm able to capture above image. MasyaAllah! Oh, another thing : Beware! Do not look directly to the sun as it might damage your retina. This is not something that fake my friends.