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| Tuesday, 9-Nov-2004 00:00 |
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Malam Tujuh Likur
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Light 1
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Light 2
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Row of lights
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The last 10 nights of Ramadhan 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 Ramadhan 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 bubs. The occasion is known as "Malam Tujuh Likur" but it is not of Islamic origin eventhough 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.
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| Monday, 8-Nov-2004 00:00 |
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Zakat Fitrah
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Within te month of Ramadhan and before the Eid prayer on the first day of the month of Syawal, the payment of Zakat Fitrah (tithe) is made compulsory for all Muslims who are obliged to pay this, regardless of their age, status or wealth. The amount of zakat payable is approximately 3kg of staple food of a place or an amount of money that is equivalent to the price of the food. Here in KL, the rate for this year is RM4.50 per person.
The payment can be made to the authorised representatives (amil) who would normally be stationed at the mosques. However in big cities like KL, the amil would also be stationed in places with high traffic such as shopping malls and transportation terminals. The zakat collected would then be used for distribution to the needy and for the betterment of the Muslim community in general.
p/s Dah bayar zakat?
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| Sunday, 7-Nov-2004 00:00 |
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Shopping for Raya
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With Hari Raya (Eid) festival just around the corner, the city is hectic with shopping activities especially on weekend. From shopping malls to the Bazaar Ramadhan, its peoples every where...
The Masjid India area in KL can be said as THE place to be for the Hari Raya shopping. Even the Bazaar Ramadhan here also mostly cater to the Hari Raya needs instead of the local delicacies for breaking of fast mostly found in other Bazaar Ramadhan. Almost everything is sold here - from traditional outfits, home decoration to cookies.
To cater to the shopping need, the City Council has constructed a covered traders centre in the Jalan Masjid India vicinity - just opposite the historical Masjid India mosque. Though the idea is good, the construction of the traders centre at the door steps of the mosque is not well accepted by all, particullarly by the mosque goers. Personally I think the city planners don't use their head when planning for this. Can't they think of the religous sensitivity among the community? I can't imagine a place that supposed to be solemn and quiet is now turn into a carnival like atmosphere, courtessy of the traders. 
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| Saturday, 6-Nov-2004 00:00 |
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Kolam
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As the Hindu religous festival of Deepavali or Diwali is just around the corner, its common to see the "kolam" in some of the offices and shopping malls in KL.
Kolam is an intricate floral design made of colored rice, normally drawn on the floors at the main entrance of a house/building. The Hindus believe that the Goddes of Wealth Lakshimi would only enter a home that is decorated with a ‘kolam’ at the entrance.
Personally, I like the artistic value of the kolams - with their vibrants colors and design just suitable for the festive mood. 
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| Friday, 5-Nov-2004 00:00 |
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Heavy Rain
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Reserved
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Noddle & black pepper chicken
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It was raining heavily today from noon till late evening. As usual, flash floods hit some part of the city and I was stranded on my way back home ... 
As I won't be able to reach home on time for breaking of fast, had my iftar at KL Sentral station instead. Afterall, the building management provided light meal to "lucky" commuters 
Had my iftar at Rasa Ayamas though its kinda hassle to get a table by myself - all table are reserved by couples waiting to break fast together.... and they don't wanna share the table with others 
Finaly had to share a table with a gentleman which was fine for me (and for him to I guess).
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| Thursday, 4-Nov-2004 00:00 |
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Buka Puasa Buffet
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My freind is in town for a conference over the weekend. So for iftar today (actually its dinner as I've had light iftar of dates before meeting him) we went to The Shang's Lemon Garden Cafe for its Ramadhan buffet.
The food there are just fine to me but my freind commenetd that the buffet dinner that we had last year (when he was in town during last Ramadhan for the same conference) at Islamic Art Museum's restaurant were much better. Probably he's right as the Islamic Art Museum's restaurant is more focus on its menu - its generally middle east food but here in Lemon Garden, its an international buffet so lack of focus on the menu - so carca merba campur campur (all mixed up)
Carca merba or not, I had a sumptuous meal tonite (the most stuff that I had for Iftar this year )and by the time for desert, I was kinda full and can try all those delicous pastries.
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| Wednesday, 3-Nov-2004 00:00 |
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Its George Bush!
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Opss he won it again :)
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Its official that George Bush was elected for the second term as US President, winning over Senator John Kerry marginally. Its the choice of the US citizens that should be respected by all.
Whoever was elected as the president is, my hope is that it would lead to a better foreign policy and relation to other nations of the world, particulalrly to the Islamic Nations.
Peace on earth!
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| Tuesday, 2-Nov-2004 00:00 |
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Halloween Candies
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Halloween Candies
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My collegue Syl is back from her vacation to States and all I got is this Halloween theme candies? Now, is it a trick or trieat?  Well it doesn't matter to me, its the tought that counts - thanks Syl for the treat! 
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| Monday, 1-Nov-2004 00:00 |
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Nuzul Quran
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Quran 1
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Quran 2
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I am on leave today to spend this Nuzul Quran holiday in my hometown. Nuzul Quran - which falls yesterday on the 17th day of Ramadhan - is to commemorate the revelation of the Holy Quran for the first time to Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).
As in the previous years, peoples (particulalrly frm Selangor) will take the opportunity of the public holiday to come to KL for their Hari Raya shopping spree. Thats why I decided to be on leave today to be with my family rather then getting stuck in crowded KL - yet Im still stuck in the jam on my way back to KL in the late afternoon
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| Sunday, 31-Oct-2004 00:00 |
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Halloween
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Horror movies
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Movies & masks
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Happy Halloween
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Halloween is not celebrated in a big way here in KL. Nevertheless, some of the nite spots here would organised Halloween theme parties while cinemas would screen horror movies specially realeased to co-incide with Halloween. It also time for departmental stores to get rid of those horror movies CDs & DVDs from their shelves as well as those scarry masks.
Happy Halloween! 
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especially bila mengenangkan bebudak berlari2 sambil main bunga api... riuh rendah suasana... 
Bush again!!!...OOooooOoooo Noooo 
