Its a bit too far fetch for me, but things that happens lately sort of ticks me to think about this. If you have a child, when would you start to save for his/her furture? My sister just got pregnant and she is the cautious type. She has already started to plan on opening an account for the baby.
But then again, how many of us think of that. Those who are well educated probably have thought about it from day 1. But what happen to those young parents who lack of awareness in this kind of things, or worse those who 'claimed' that they don't have enough to save yet?
Cost of raising a kid nowadays is on increasing trend, let alone the education cost. When people got married and start having kids, are they prepared to bite the bullet when it comes to future planning? Have seen too many bad examples in my family (own and extended) when it comes to the children education and rights for a good life.
For a start, open a saving account. Many choices nowadays, you can opt for private finance body (numerous choices for investment planning). There will be limitations for low income parents to set aside certain amount for the premium. And that is why government set up bodies such as SSPN and ASNB to help low income Malaysian (especially Bumiputera) to start saving/investing for future needs. Many people know this but not many act to what they knew (I am talking about Malay in general). I have friends and family who already have 2-3 kids and none of the kids have any kind of saving or whatsoever. Its sad though...how much they prioritise on what they need today (fancy gadget, clothes..etc..) over their child's need for future and proper education. Its not like they don't know, just some of them have no discipline to start and dedicated to save their money.
I did a rough calculation, if you save RM50 for a child in a month from he/she is born, without fail and never once withdraw the money, by the end of 18th year, estimated total amount of saving would be ~RM16,000. That is as much as what PTPTN loan for Diploma level student. (Am not even considering an oversea degree here). So the bare minimum a parent should do is at least be prepared to provide some kind of fund for the kids education.
This is all assuming a well balanced family, with both parents present. What happened when one is absent (divorced,died,sick...etc). Is another parent prepared for these kind of situation? Worth pondering....you think?
Monday, July 20, 2009
Coretan Untuk Bakal Suamiku
Found this in a fren's blog....
Assalamualaikum wrt. wbt.
Untukmu, Bakal Suamiku….
Tangan ini mula menulis apa yang telah dikarangkan oleh hati ini di dalam kalbu. Aku mula tertanya-tanya adakah aku sudah seharusnya mula mencari sebahagian diriku yang hilang. Bukanlah niat ini disertai oleh nafsu tetapi atas keinginan seorang muslimah mencari sebahagian agamanya. Acap kali aku mendengar bahawa ungkapan “Kau tercipta untukku.”
Aku awalnya kurang mengerti apa sebenarnya erti kalimah ini kerana diselubungi jahiliyah. Rahmat dan hidayah Allah yang diberikan kepada diriku, baru kini aku mengerti bahawa pada satu hari nanti, aku harus mengambil satu tangungjawab yang sememangnya diciptakan khas untuk diriku, iaitu dirimu. Aku mula mempersiapkan diri dari segi fizikal, spiritual dan juga intelektual untuk bertemu denganmu.
Aku mahukan pertemuan kita yang pertama aku kelihatan ’sempurna’ di hadapanmu walaupun hakikatnya masih banyak lagi kelemahan diri ini. Aku cuba mempelajari erti dan hakikat tanggungjawab yang harus aku galas ketika dipertemukan dengan dirimu. Aku cuba membataskan perbicaraanku dengan lelaki lain yang hanya dalam lingkaran urusan penting kerana aku risau aku menceritakan rahsia diriku kepadanya kerana seharusnya engkaulah yang harus mengetahuinya kerana dirimu adalah sebahagian dariku dan ianya adalah hak bagimu untuk mengetahui segala zahir dan batin diriku ini.
Aku khuatir amalanku bukan sebulatnya untuk Rabbku tetapi untuk makhluknya. Aku memerlukan dirimu untuk menghindari fitnah ini. Aku khuatir kurangnya ikhlas dalam ibadahku menyebabkan diriku dicampakkan ke neraka meninggalkan kau seorang diri di syurga. Aku berasa bersalah kepada dirimu kerana khuatir cinta yang hak dirimu akan aku curahkan kepada lelaki lain. Aku sukar untuk mencari dirimu kerana dirimu bagaikan permata bernilai di antara ribuan kaca menyilau. Tetapi aku pasti jika namamu yang ditulis di Luh Mahfuz untuk diriku, nescaya rasa cinta itu akan Allah tanam dalam diri kita. Tugas pertamaku bukan mencari dirimu tetapi mensolehahkan diriku. Sukar untuk mencari soleh dirimu andai solehahku tidak setanding dengan ke’soleh’anmu. Janji Allah pasti kupegang dalam misi mencari dirimu. “Lelaki yang baik adalah untuk wanita yang baik.“
Jiwa remaja ku ini mula meracau mencari cinta. Matang kian menjelma dan kehadiran lelaki amat terasa untuk berada di sisi. Setiap kali aku merasakannya, aku mengenangkan dirimu. Di sana engkau setia menunggu diriku, tetapi di sini aku curang kepadamu andai aku bermain dengan cinta fatamorgana. Sampaikan doamu kepada diriku agar aku dapat menahan gelora disamping aku mengajukan sendiri doa diperlindungi diri.
Bukan harta,rupa dan keturunan yang aku pandang dalam mencari dirimu. Cukuplah agama sebagai pengikat kasih antara kita. Saat di mana kau bakal melamarku, akan ku lihat wajahmu sekilas agar mencipta keserasian diantara kita kerana itu pesan Nabi kita. Tidak perlu kaya seperti Nabi Sulaiman dan wajah tampan seakan Nabi Yusuf, cukup cuma akidah sekuat akar, ibadah sebagai makanan dan akhlak seindah budi.
“Kahwinilah isteri kerana empat perkara; keturunan, harta, rupa dan agama. Dan jika kau memilih agama, engkau tidak akan menyesal.” Jika aku dipertemukan dengan dirimu, akan ku jaga perasaan kasih ini supaya tidak tercurah sebelum masanya. Akan ku jadikan syara’ sebagai pendinding diri kita. Jadikan akad nikah itu sebagai cop halal untuk kau mendapatkan diriku. Biarlah kita mengikuti nenek moyang kita, Nabi Adam dan Siti Hawa yang bernikah sebelum disatukan agar kita dapat menikmati kenikmatan perkahwinan yang menjanjikan ketenangan jiwa, ketenteraman hati dan kedamaian batin. Doakan diriku ini agar tidak berputus asa dan sesat dalam misi mencari dirimu kerana aku memerlukan dirimu untuk melengkapkan sebahagian agamaku.
Dariku, Bakal Isterimu…..
My comment...touching, bet many woman are feeling this day by day....
Assalamualaikum wrt. wbt.
Untukmu, Bakal Suamiku….
Tangan ini mula menulis apa yang telah dikarangkan oleh hati ini di dalam kalbu. Aku mula tertanya-tanya adakah aku sudah seharusnya mula mencari sebahagian diriku yang hilang. Bukanlah niat ini disertai oleh nafsu tetapi atas keinginan seorang muslimah mencari sebahagian agamanya. Acap kali aku mendengar bahawa ungkapan “Kau tercipta untukku.”
Aku awalnya kurang mengerti apa sebenarnya erti kalimah ini kerana diselubungi jahiliyah. Rahmat dan hidayah Allah yang diberikan kepada diriku, baru kini aku mengerti bahawa pada satu hari nanti, aku harus mengambil satu tangungjawab yang sememangnya diciptakan khas untuk diriku, iaitu dirimu. Aku mula mempersiapkan diri dari segi fizikal, spiritual dan juga intelektual untuk bertemu denganmu.
Aku mahukan pertemuan kita yang pertama aku kelihatan ’sempurna’ di hadapanmu walaupun hakikatnya masih banyak lagi kelemahan diri ini. Aku cuba mempelajari erti dan hakikat tanggungjawab yang harus aku galas ketika dipertemukan dengan dirimu. Aku cuba membataskan perbicaraanku dengan lelaki lain yang hanya dalam lingkaran urusan penting kerana aku risau aku menceritakan rahsia diriku kepadanya kerana seharusnya engkaulah yang harus mengetahuinya kerana dirimu adalah sebahagian dariku dan ianya adalah hak bagimu untuk mengetahui segala zahir dan batin diriku ini.
Aku khuatir amalanku bukan sebulatnya untuk Rabbku tetapi untuk makhluknya. Aku memerlukan dirimu untuk menghindari fitnah ini. Aku khuatir kurangnya ikhlas dalam ibadahku menyebabkan diriku dicampakkan ke neraka meninggalkan kau seorang diri di syurga. Aku berasa bersalah kepada dirimu kerana khuatir cinta yang hak dirimu akan aku curahkan kepada lelaki lain. Aku sukar untuk mencari dirimu kerana dirimu bagaikan permata bernilai di antara ribuan kaca menyilau. Tetapi aku pasti jika namamu yang ditulis di Luh Mahfuz untuk diriku, nescaya rasa cinta itu akan Allah tanam dalam diri kita. Tugas pertamaku bukan mencari dirimu tetapi mensolehahkan diriku. Sukar untuk mencari soleh dirimu andai solehahku tidak setanding dengan ke’soleh’anmu. Janji Allah pasti kupegang dalam misi mencari dirimu. “Lelaki yang baik adalah untuk wanita yang baik.“
Jiwa remaja ku ini mula meracau mencari cinta. Matang kian menjelma dan kehadiran lelaki amat terasa untuk berada di sisi. Setiap kali aku merasakannya, aku mengenangkan dirimu. Di sana engkau setia menunggu diriku, tetapi di sini aku curang kepadamu andai aku bermain dengan cinta fatamorgana. Sampaikan doamu kepada diriku agar aku dapat menahan gelora disamping aku mengajukan sendiri doa diperlindungi diri.
Bukan harta,rupa dan keturunan yang aku pandang dalam mencari dirimu. Cukuplah agama sebagai pengikat kasih antara kita. Saat di mana kau bakal melamarku, akan ku lihat wajahmu sekilas agar mencipta keserasian diantara kita kerana itu pesan Nabi kita. Tidak perlu kaya seperti Nabi Sulaiman dan wajah tampan seakan Nabi Yusuf, cukup cuma akidah sekuat akar, ibadah sebagai makanan dan akhlak seindah budi.
“Kahwinilah isteri kerana empat perkara; keturunan, harta, rupa dan agama. Dan jika kau memilih agama, engkau tidak akan menyesal.” Jika aku dipertemukan dengan dirimu, akan ku jaga perasaan kasih ini supaya tidak tercurah sebelum masanya. Akan ku jadikan syara’ sebagai pendinding diri kita. Jadikan akad nikah itu sebagai cop halal untuk kau mendapatkan diriku. Biarlah kita mengikuti nenek moyang kita, Nabi Adam dan Siti Hawa yang bernikah sebelum disatukan agar kita dapat menikmati kenikmatan perkahwinan yang menjanjikan ketenangan jiwa, ketenteraman hati dan kedamaian batin. Doakan diriku ini agar tidak berputus asa dan sesat dalam misi mencari dirimu kerana aku memerlukan dirimu untuk melengkapkan sebahagian agamaku.
Dariku, Bakal Isterimu…..
My comment...touching, bet many woman are feeling this day by day....
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Ooowwww.......
This one just came in via Shaz, it was from Audrey (fellow BBGSians)
Girls,
As you know, this previously overworked (but now with the economic crisis, slightly more available) '98 alumni couldn't make it to the amazing reunion spearheaded by Azita, Shaz, and others last year. I just got back from Singapore this morning but managed to make it to the AGM of the (yes, long name) Bukit Bintang Girls School Old Girls Association. A group of our seniors, including those involved with Project Revive, have been very keen to have this society reincarnated in order to bring our girls together in a more concrete and consistent fashion. A primary objective will be a focus on an education fund (named after our most endearing and well loved headmistress, Ms. Elena Cooke) which the society will run under a trust.
Ideas have been mooted and details of proposed changes to the current constitution and the manner in which the association will be run, will be in the next extraordinary General Meeting, in the near future. I have to say, I don't usually have such a privilege nowadays since we're all in all our late twenties dah, but I was the youngest member present! A new committee has been voted in with:
Phang Sow Yoong (who is featured on the back2bbgs blog) as President
Cheong Wei Lee (VP)
Anniza Jamaluddin (Secretary)
Khim Goh (Treasurer)
(Gen Committee)
Joanna Yeoh
Izreen Fara Ismail
Winnie Tang
Izan Satrina
Lai Ying
Audrey Quay
Yours truly has been included in the gen comm, quite likely becos some of our kakaks figured it would be nice to have "young blood" injected in. Note that many of them are in their 30s - 50s. If anything, I would very much want to be representing all of you - I related to them how our class pulled off the great reunion last year (plus souvenirs etc), and that I knew many of the "younger" ones were just as true blue BBGSians who know how to raise funds, run events, and most of all, live and perpetuate the true spirit of BBGS! To ensure that we have a voice, I would invite all of you to join the association - it's been going at a RM3 per year membership but since that's quite leceh, its been proposed that RM100 for life membership for all former BBGS girls should be encouraged. Please let me know if you'd like to join and I'll let you have details of the next meeting soon and once the minutes are out for today's meeting, as much as possible about that.
I won't be able to attend the first part of the August 4th event at Pavilion as I have a court case on but I have committed to be there in the evening. Those of you going, please let me know or come up to me so we can meet up and talk about how we can stay in touch via the association. It's very exciting I think, that we can be part of a pretty major education fund project which will live on, even though our building itself is gone (have to say after seeing all the old schools in Singapore preserved as museums, shopping areas, etc, I just felt...)
Girls, August 4th will be the first time I am stepping into Pavilion, which everyone in my circle of influence knows I consider sacrilegeous. But hey, we need the site, we need to make it something, and we need everyone knows the ethos of the school to come together. You know, I was most touched by what one of the other general committee members, Lai Ying, said, when the nominees were invited to present a short intro speech. She said "I'm not a big shot by the way. I work for my father and we deal in spare parts in Sungei Besi. But I am grateful for what BBGS has done for me and I would like to give back. I miss those old days with my family." I think that truly captures the spirit of BBGS, which was started for girls (considered unworthy of education in the 1890s), including and especially those who were poor and underprivileged (who cared about them but our great teachers and heads, like Ms Cooke who used to go to students houses to help them), and to see the potential in every rough stone to become a berlian. We've never been elitist and always believed in including those whom for some reason or the other, may have been forgotten. Nothing and nobody should be left behind, and even in succeeding, we have been proud, not arrogant. Even though we were considered a premier secondary school for a long time, we never forgot our roots, and I always tell people that after BBGS, none of us ever came out the same - we were always, in whatever way we needed to be, shaped and changed for the better, made more humble, encouraged to be ever more confident, instilled with a sense of responsibility and duty, inspired to dream dreams.
I have to say I just ENJOYED being with BBGSians again - although today I was with other years - it's really a good and productive fellowship that we have with one another. I'm glad that can be now formalised into an active association focused on promoting the interests of education. I would like to share one more thing with my graduating class of '98. We are just as special as all the rest of the old girls, and I think by the continued efforts I see in this group, we should definitely be part of this revamped association. Please try to let us know about joining up as soon as possible.
I know most of us are active on email and FB - add me using xxxx@yyy.com or audreyquay@xxxx.com (but please try very hard not to spam my work address, although I am much more reachable there for urgent matters) and I want to hear from you!
~Audrey
.....oowwww.......Audrey mentioned my name ;) She and me were not even classmate and I don't recall having any sort of decent conversation with her back then. But she acknowledge the work that was done by yours truly....
I am going for the 4th Aug event, probably driving straight from PD..ffuuhhh....
Girls,
As you know, this previously overworked (but now with the economic crisis, slightly more available) '98 alumni couldn't make it to the amazing reunion spearheaded by Azita, Shaz, and others last year. I just got back from Singapore this morning but managed to make it to the AGM of the (yes, long name) Bukit Bintang Girls School Old Girls Association. A group of our seniors, including those involved with Project Revive, have been very keen to have this society reincarnated in order to bring our girls together in a more concrete and consistent fashion. A primary objective will be a focus on an education fund (named after our most endearing and well loved headmistress, Ms. Elena Cooke) which the society will run under a trust.
Ideas have been mooted and details of proposed changes to the current constitution and the manner in which the association will be run, will be in the next extraordinary General Meeting, in the near future. I have to say, I don't usually have such a privilege nowadays since we're all in all our late twenties dah, but I was the youngest member present! A new committee has been voted in with:
Phang Sow Yoong (who is featured on the back2bbgs blog) as President
Cheong Wei Lee (VP)
Anniza Jamaluddin (Secretary)
Khim Goh (Treasurer)
(Gen Committee)
Joanna Yeoh
Izreen Fara Ismail
Winnie Tang
Izan Satrina
Lai Ying
Audrey Quay
Yours truly has been included in the gen comm, quite likely becos some of our kakaks figured it would be nice to have "young blood" injected in. Note that many of them are in their 30s - 50s. If anything, I would very much want to be representing all of you - I related to them how our class pulled off the great reunion last year (plus souvenirs etc), and that I knew many of the "younger" ones were just as true blue BBGSians who know how to raise funds, run events, and most of all, live and perpetuate the true spirit of BBGS! To ensure that we have a voice, I would invite all of you to join the association - it's been going at a RM3 per year membership but since that's quite leceh, its been proposed that RM100 for life membership for all former BBGS girls should be encouraged. Please let me know if you'd like to join and I'll let you have details of the next meeting soon and once the minutes are out for today's meeting, as much as possible about that.
I won't be able to attend the first part of the August 4th event at Pavilion as I have a court case on but I have committed to be there in the evening. Those of you going, please let me know or come up to me so we can meet up and talk about how we can stay in touch via the association. It's very exciting I think, that we can be part of a pretty major education fund project which will live on, even though our building itself is gone (have to say after seeing all the old schools in Singapore preserved as museums, shopping areas, etc, I just felt...)
Girls, August 4th will be the first time I am stepping into Pavilion, which everyone in my circle of influence knows I consider sacrilegeous. But hey, we need the site, we need to make it something, and we need everyone knows the ethos of the school to come together. You know, I was most touched by what one of the other general committee members, Lai Ying, said, when the nominees were invited to present a short intro speech. She said "I'm not a big shot by the way. I work for my father and we deal in spare parts in Sungei Besi. But I am grateful for what BBGS has done for me and I would like to give back. I miss those old days with my family." I think that truly captures the spirit of BBGS, which was started for girls (considered unworthy of education in the 1890s), including and especially those who were poor and underprivileged (who cared about them but our great teachers and heads, like Ms Cooke who used to go to students houses to help them), and to see the potential in every rough stone to become a berlian. We've never been elitist and always believed in including those whom for some reason or the other, may have been forgotten. Nothing and nobody should be left behind, and even in succeeding, we have been proud, not arrogant. Even though we were considered a premier secondary school for a long time, we never forgot our roots, and I always tell people that after BBGS, none of us ever came out the same - we were always, in whatever way we needed to be, shaped and changed for the better, made more humble, encouraged to be ever more confident, instilled with a sense of responsibility and duty, inspired to dream dreams.
I have to say I just ENJOYED being with BBGSians again - although today I was with other years - it's really a good and productive fellowship that we have with one another. I'm glad that can be now formalised into an active association focused on promoting the interests of education. I would like to share one more thing with my graduating class of '98. We are just as special as all the rest of the old girls, and I think by the continued efforts I see in this group, we should definitely be part of this revamped association. Please try to let us know about joining up as soon as possible.
I know most of us are active on email and FB - add me using xxxx@yyy.com or audreyquay@xxxx.com (but please try very hard not to spam my work address, although I am much more reachable there for urgent matters) and I want to hear from you!
~Audrey
.....oowwww.......Audrey mentioned my name ;) She and me were not even classmate and I don't recall having any sort of decent conversation with her back then. But she acknowledge the work that was done by yours truly....
I am going for the 4th Aug event, probably driving straight from PD..ffuuhhh....
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Qudwah Hasanah
It means a good example.
I watched the repeat for BET 2009 Awards last night, and was make known that the organisers have to change the format last minute in order to pay tribute to late MJ. What kind of impact does a person leave, to have such a magnitude of tribute after his death. It is undeniable that MJ has been a legendary icon. Although the later part of his life were filled with controversy with all the courts hearing and many more issues, he is still much respected and adored.
I remember when I was small, my mom used to say that I would dance along his 'Beat It','Billie Jean' and even 'Bad' records. I couldn't even understand a single word and yet was a hardcore fan. As I was growing up, he produces more songs with message, Earth Song, Black or White, Heal the World and many more to mention here.
He is a person that has dedicated his life to entertain, and was gifted to touch many other peoples life. Whether or not he is a Muslim, Allah knows best, but all his good deeds has impacted many people. Even his songs are legendary and will last forever (I think).
This is one of my favourite song and message was deep. In other words, to make yourself a qudwah hasanah, it starts with the Man in The Mirror. RIP MJ.
p/s: hope they did not remove the clip yet.
I watched the repeat for BET 2009 Awards last night, and was make known that the organisers have to change the format last minute in order to pay tribute to late MJ. What kind of impact does a person leave, to have such a magnitude of tribute after his death. It is undeniable that MJ has been a legendary icon. Although the later part of his life were filled with controversy with all the courts hearing and many more issues, he is still much respected and adored.
I remember when I was small, my mom used to say that I would dance along his 'Beat It','Billie Jean' and even 'Bad' records. I couldn't even understand a single word and yet was a hardcore fan. As I was growing up, he produces more songs with message, Earth Song, Black or White, Heal the World and many more to mention here.
He is a person that has dedicated his life to entertain, and was gifted to touch many other peoples life. Whether or not he is a Muslim, Allah knows best, but all his good deeds has impacted many people. Even his songs are legendary and will last forever (I think).
This is one of my favourite song and message was deep. In other words, to make yourself a qudwah hasanah, it starts with the Man in The Mirror. RIP MJ.
p/s: hope they did not remove the clip yet.
The Final Analysis
Its been quite some time since I share a poem here. Again credit goes to Asma for this, actually sent from her father...
Quote"
My dearest children,Below is a very inspiring and uplifting poem by Wayne W. Dyer, which is a version of the Paradoxical Commandments by Kent M Keith. Mr Dyer’s version below was read, and given to me by Professor Niren Vyas, a very kind and devoted Hindu, as well as a very able economist and teacher, now at Ahlia University, Bahrain, when I had the good pleasure of meeting him and his colleagues there 1-2 July. It has uplifted my spirit and hope it will do the same to you all, always. You may want to share it with your friends, but please do mention where I got this precious pearls from….Dad.
The Final Analysis
People are often unreasonable, illogical and self-centered:Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies;Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;Be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building, someone may destroy overnight;Build anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;Be happy anyway.
Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;Give the world the best you’ve got anyway.
You see, in the final analysis, it is all between you and God;
It was never between you and them anyway.
(Wayne W. Dyer).
......."Unquote
Quote"
My dearest children,Below is a very inspiring and uplifting poem by Wayne W. Dyer, which is a version of the Paradoxical Commandments by Kent M Keith. Mr Dyer’s version below was read, and given to me by Professor Niren Vyas, a very kind and devoted Hindu, as well as a very able economist and teacher, now at Ahlia University, Bahrain, when I had the good pleasure of meeting him and his colleagues there 1-2 July. It has uplifted my spirit and hope it will do the same to you all, always. You may want to share it with your friends, but please do mention where I got this precious pearls from….Dad.
The Final Analysis
People are often unreasonable, illogical and self-centered:Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies;Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;Be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building, someone may destroy overnight;Build anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;Be happy anyway.
Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;Give the world the best you’ve got anyway.
You see, in the final analysis, it is all between you and God;
It was never between you and them anyway.
(Wayne W. Dyer).
......."Unquote
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Travelog Umrah : The Reflection
Looking back, I would love to go again, with my parents for Hajj and hopefully my siblings will have the same chances and opportunity, as I am to go there as well.
I even prayed for friends and others that I know who has either been good or bad to me to be given the same chance as well. Insyallah.. But before I go there, I have to learn Arabic. It has just move to my top language to learn. If it’s too hard, then maybe I’ll take Persian; at least I can converse with them or at least have the decency to understand what they were trying to say.
p/s: To ask where toilet is - Wenhammam?
I even prayed for friends and others that I know who has either been good or bad to me to be given the same chance as well. Insyallah.. But before I go there, I have to learn Arabic. It has just move to my top language to learn. If it’s too hard, then maybe I’ll take Persian; at least I can converse with them or at least have the decency to understand what they were trying to say.
p/s: To ask where toilet is - Wenhammam?
Travelog Umrah : The Lesson Learnt
Many things that I can take away from this journey and experience. Some are more personal than others. These are the things that I can think of right now;
- Do not leave/ abandon your parents to stranger if you did not stay with them. If you are there with them, it’s the best time to serve them. A roommate who happens to be a stranger can help on certain stuffs, but the responsibility to get them to the mosque is up to you.
- Unity among group; obviously Malaysia is not as strong as other nation (Turkish and Iranian). From the moment they stepped into Masjidil Haram right to the moment they perform tahallul, they did it as a group. The group that I went with splits up even in the middle of tawaf. So again if you go with family (parents, wife, kids), stick to them. The experience is more precious if you are in it together.
- Both Masjidil Haram and Masjid Nabawi are places for ibadah, make full use of it, as we did not have the luxury to get there everyday. Shop if you must but don’t overspend and don’t spend time at the shop more than you did at the mosque.
- If you plan to recite Al-Quran inside Masjidil Haram, a flask of hot drinks would come handy, good for your throat.
- Get to mosque at least one hour earlier, to get a good seat (that is with Kaabah view). I found that many Iranians and Turkish always packing in this section. Not many Asian faces that I can locate.
- Patience, things happens for a reason, and take every incident (good or bad) as a test. What better place can you get a test if not the Holy land itself?
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