Happy New Islamic Year 1440H - "Maal Hijrah 1440H"

Wishing everyone a blessed and peaceful year ahead. Wishing that we be given the strength, patience and perseverance to face whatever has been decreed upon us. Wishing that it will be a year full of love, harmony and compassion. Wishing everyone happiness, joy and contentment. Wishing that all your wishes be granted.

A Dog's Tale

Last Monday I went for my morning walk as usual around the housing estate across my area. It was a Malay dominated community thus the sound of dogs growling and barking were quite unusual on an usually quiet morning. The kids were in school and traffic around the area had trickled off to just a few. I saw the dogs - a brown one - collarless which denoted that it was a stray - on the upper side of the drain growling at another black coloured dog in the drain. It had a collar. I thought the brown dog was trying to help it's friend. I passed them and noticed that the growling was very unfriendly and it was barking at the black dog. I shooed off the brown dog and it went off. Then I looked at the black dog and assumed that it could jump out safely. I walked ahead and heard a whimpering sound. I turned and saw that although it tried, it could not jump out of the drain.

I stood near the dog and urged and encouraged it to jump out. It tried again and fell on all fours back into the drain. It was knee -deep with water. Oh dear ... what am I supposed to do? How am I supposed to help it out? I was more afraid if it would bit me if I got much nearer. It looked at me. Oh dear again ... those soulful eyes ... I looked around for help. A few motorbikes passed by without stopping. I looked at the poor dog helplessly. The drain was quite deep - if I stood in it, it would be up to my knees and I was tall. Touching a wet dog is taboo in Islam.

only the front paws reached the top of the drain

I looked around and saw this loan people stickers of their phone numbers on the lamp post. I went and peeled off two pieces and surprisingly they came off in one perfect piece. Not broken due to the glue on it. I stuck the paper with the glue onto both my palms hoping it would stick so I could grip the dog. Still nobody passed by the quiet road. I approached the dog and I guessed it could sense that I was trying to help it. I grabbed one of its paws and pulled him hard and it also tried to jerk itself out. It was quite a heavy dog !!!! It managed to jump out and dashed off across the road. I was laughing at it and I was quite proud of myself.

I am not trying to give them free advertisement but this is the sticker I meant 

I tried to get the stickers out of my hands and goodness - did it stuck on them. I managed to pull them out bit by bit. Now I would have to cleanse my hands with a cleansing ritual when one had touched a dog. I felt good with myself though. It was just a dog but it was a living thing and I just could not leave it there knowing it was helpless with nobody noticing it in the drain. At least I had the comfort that a dog had gone home to its owners. It must have gotten out from an opened gate by itself without the owners' knowledge. My good deed of the day ... and the next day was "Maal Hijrah 1440H" - the start of a new Islamic year. Alhamdulillah ... I took it as a good start. Inshaa Allah.

#MalaysiaMembaca - #MalaysiaReads

This is a challenge thrown to all Malaysians to start reading and continue reading posted by our Education Minister, Dr. Maszlee Malik.

The challenge was taken up by my esteemed friend, Furziah, who nominated me to accept the challenge with one twist - instead of the ten days as suggested by our miniter to only seven days. I did not have any problem accepting the challenge. The problem was to choose only seven books from my collection. Thus, I had spread out the genre of the books that I enjoyed and had loved reading it sometimes repeatedly. Here I present you the choice of my seven books which I have read and will read with some explanation why I choose it instead of others.

Day 1 - I was introduced to Maeve Binchy when I found her book "Circle of Friends" in the public library back in the nineties. I had loved the story of relationships among friends through thick and thin. Since then I had read a few others. This book was just bought last month when I was down in KL and had just completed reading it. A wonderful book of perseverance and faith. It also explores the inter-twining of the characters and the secrets which is finally shared and perspectives of others involved to look at their problems from a different angle and to find solutions to them. A good satisfying read on a relaxing day. No rush to complete it but the characters remain with you until you have completed reading it. Perhaps this is one of the reasons that one day I should visit Ireland as the places mentioned in all her novels seem so familiar now.

Day 2 - Robert Galbraith is the name J.K. Rowling (of the Harry Porter series) writes under for her crime series. I got this book as a gift from Ismahan in Manchester. I still could not find any other books from this author here. As much as I have enjoyed the magic of Harry Porter series - yes, I bought every single book but finally gave them away to share with others when I moved into our new house as I had too many books. I like the twist and the plot of this crime thriller and I will look out for other books she has written under this pseudonym.

Day 3 - This book has been made into a movie which I have yet to watch. It is a psychological thriller and you have to focus on it as it can be quite confusing just like the protagonist who cannot be a reliable witness as she is an alcoholic. She herself questions whether she had seen is real or is it all in her confusing foggy mind.

Day 4 - If you have watched "The Da Vinci Code" then you know the book is very interesting and brilliant. The advance thinking level that is such unbelievable yet probable. It is about an underground movement protecting the heirs of Jesus and his family. Thus far, I have read a few others of his book and they are also surreal but the fear that it could be such a reality makes it so unbelievable. If you know what I mean. This book is about how to control the population of the world by spreading a virus that makes people sterile. This book is a gift from the English panel on my retirement and it is a fantastic read. It is quite heavy and thought provoking. This is also one reason to visit Rome.

Day 5 - I have chosen a book in the national language by a controversial writer as he is involve with the Syiah movement. This is in Akmal"s collection. I discovered when I read it a few years ago, this book has some similarities with Dan Brown's "The Da Vinci Code" albeit very thin. It is about the underground world protecting the heirs of Prophet Mohammad (pbuh). Quite interesting and raises the inevitable question - does this organisation exist? I think yes since he wrote about it hence the probability is there.

Day 6 - This is a book that I have not read which I bought along with ten other books during my trip to KL last month. What attracted me to choose this book is the caption. I will start on it when I have completed the present book I am reading now by Patricia Scanlan, another Irish writer. I have not read anything by this author so I am introducing myself to someone unfamiliar. Perhaps it will make itself worth my while that I will look out for more books by him. Or like some books I have bought, it was not captivating enough to get another one. SOmeone used to say -"If you find the book dragging to read, then stop. Don't punish yourself."

Day 7 - A favourite of all times among my siblings back in the nineties. It is a series of seven books and we went in search of them at most second hand book stores. It is magical - I believe in magic - with wizards and dragons. We love dragons. It has been well read all these years as can be seen from its cover. It makes its round among us and along the way, I only have three of the series with me. Worth reading again. Just like "Lord of the Rings" trilogy by Tolkien.

A seven day challenge accepted and completed. Come on, reviewers, take up the challenge and post your seven day reads on you facebook because that is where our Education Minister started it. It has received overwhelming support as we still have many Malaysians who love to read. Come on ... share !!!

Travel ....

Enough said.

Edinburgh, Scotland - Photos

The Witches' Fountain 

The narrow cobbled stone road reminisce of horse carts 

The iconic telephone booth - still functioning

Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh, Scotland

 Ikram and I were given train tickets and accommodation to Edinburgh which Ismahan insisted that I must visit as that was where she started her studies. Thus, Edinburgh was very close to her heart and she wanted me to see the place for myself. I loved it. Edinburgh is divided into two -  namely the old and new Edinburgh. The old one consists of old buildings, cobbled stone roads, castles, large sprawling gardens which we did not get to see the splendour of its blooming flowers as it was the end of winter. We walked all over the town. The old part retains its old buildings but they are turned into commercial purposes.

Museums are free and fantastic. One can spend hours in the museum. Large old buildings which are converted into multi level exhibit areas yet retaining the grandeur of the building. There was also a museum on money - Museum on the Mound. It was having an exhibit of how much a million pounds consisted in twenty pounds notes. Sure was a whole display box of them!!! Ikram had this crazy idea to catch the sunrise at 6:05am over the bridge that overlooked the sea. It was freezing cold but worth it.

There were quite a few castles all over the town. We only went to Edinburgh castle due to constraint of time. We saw many Asians and other ethnics besides the British/Scottish. It took some time to get used to their English that although I taught the language, the dialects and pronunciation of some words were quite foreign.

We took the train - very fast and quiet. It passed by grazing fields as far as the eyes could see with big, fat lazy white and black sheep lazing and grazing in them. We could see the boundaries between each owned field marked by huge stones arranged and put up to form them. It reminded one so much of "Little House on the Prairie". Enjoy the photos below ...

Edinburgh Waverly train station

National Museum of Scotland is four floors up with a basement which has a cafe, souvenir shop and toilets

The basement of the museum

Entrance into the National Museum of Scotland is through the basement first




Museum on the Mound


Scottish National Gallery - an Art Gallery

My Manchester Trip - Just sharing

One had not visited Manchester if one did not go to visit it's famous football stadium - Old Trafford - home for the Manchester United or Red Devils. I did not go for a tour of the iconic stadium but Akmal and Noor did courtesy of Ismahan. I just went as a courtesy visit and of course, the must take photo of the legendary statue - The Trinity brothers of MU namely George Best, Denis Law and Bobby Charlton. I hope I got that correct. We also went to visit the football museum in town and there was a Manchester City parade on the said day. Thus, it was a sea of people in blue all over town. The guys also managed to catch an MU game as arranged by Ismahan. We owed her so much for her warm and welcoming hospitality.

It was interesting to observe that an ancient heritage church has been taken over by the British Muslim Heritage Centre and converted into a mosque, religious studies classes and a museum too. Since it is a heritage building, they cannot demolish and rebuild but to preserve the building while turning it into something else. Thus, one can see gargoyles guarding the building. I love it for its historical value and antiquity. But then ... I have always loved old buildings and historical places.

BMHC - British Museum Heritage Centre - where the guys went to perform their Friday prayers

Another ancient building at Manchester University

Religion is more tolerated in the west amidst the fear of Islamophobia and terrorism. Wythenshawe Hospital in Manchester has a multi faith room for all religions to practise their faiths and a chapel which also acted as a prayer room for Muslims and Christians or meditation space for other religion. It is comforting to know that one has privacy and respect in each corner of the room.

The arrow shows the kiblat - where Muslims face for prayers at one corner of the chapel

When going through such a turbulence in life, having "someone" was so comforting and healing. Mieko, Ismahan's cat which kept me company for the whole week everyone was away. Besides her, there were also Brutus and Kylo who sent me off at the doorstep and were always around to welcome me home in the evening. Even though it was actually just for their food to be refilled.

There were so many photos taken that Loh said I should share as many as I could so that the photos  did not remain in the phone or iPad. Hence, I hope you have enjoyed the photos too although it really has taken some time to post in my blog due to so much that had happened over the last few months that to be in the mood for writing and posting this was just not in me. Finally, I shall post some photos of Edinburgh, Scotland which captivated me with its old world charm and antiquity.

My Manchester Trip - Quarry Banks Mill

This was a place where they preserved one of the mills back during the industrial era. Children were the main workforce in these mills. We managed to catch a tour of the mill and I felt like I was transported back to the "Oliver Twist" by Charles Dickens era. The classroom, the sleeping quarters, the medicine used and the kitchen. The flowers were blooming especially tulips. When I first arrived, it was the yellow daffodils that were in full bloom everywhere. Most the photos taken had our faces in it, so I can only share some with you. But I do want you to have an idea of the beautiful places ...

I just could not resist blowing at the dandelions. I learned that it was not a flower but weed ... and meant to be pulled out and thrown away ... 

One of the many greenhouses - especially strawberries