Allah hu akbar, Allah hu akbar, Allah hu akbar, Walillah hil ham.
Today is the fourth day of Aidiladha. My friends who are in Mina will now make their entrance to Mecca to complete their final ritual before I can address them as Tuan Haji. They will go back to the Grand Mosque, circle the Kaabah, seven rounds and perform the sai. Once they complete those two rituals, the Haj is completed. For those who went straight to Mecca during their arrival at Saudi Arabia, they will now have to make the journey to Medina to visit the Holy Tomb of the Holy Prophet (pbuh). If possible, they are to stay in Medina for at least eight days. It is sunat (not compulsory) to perform forty fardhu (compulsory) prayers without missing one at Nabawi Mosque.
My Aidiladha started on the eve of Aidiladha. After the Isyakh prayer, about thirty of the mosque congregation came to my house for tahlil and the recitation of takbir. On Aidiladha day, I performed my Aidiladha prayer at the kampong Mosque. It was drizzling, yet the Mosque was crowded. After the prayers the Mosque organized to slaughter twenty cows. I participated by joining two shares at cow number 13. Each cow is divided by seven shares. I did not participate on the slaughtering and cutting off the meat as the job was contracted and moreover the rain started pouring. I was glued to the television to follow the latest update of the landslide at Bukit Antarabangsa. I was sad to their misfortunes and to the affected Muslims who would not be able to celebrate Aidiladha. After the zohor prayer I collected my share, six kilos of fresh beef and few rib bones. My friend, Zaaba all the way from Mina send a short message that he was now in Mina and had completed the first stoning of the devil. Later my sister and her children visited me and we had a small Aidiladha feast. Since she would be visiting my mother in Ipoh, I packed some beef for my folks, back home. The rain finally stopped late in the evening. My fear worsened that another landslide would occur and I just prayed for the best.
The second day of Aidiladha – PAS in my kampong slaughtered three cows. I joined them late at 1100 hours and most work had already completed. Instead, I helped them to prepare the afternoon lunch. We cooked some fresh beef and fried salted fish. After the zohor prayer, the Imam came, said the doa and we had a simple lunch. Since it was very informal, the food seems to be very tasty and we really enjoyed it. I was to come later in the afternoon to help them to prepare for the night function but I was so tired and I skipped. After the Isyakh prayer we invited a Guest Speaker to deliver a sermon on the concept of Aidiladha. We then had a grand feast, beef soup and curry. The crowd was overwhelming. The function was considered a success and we went home late at night satisfied.
The third day of Aidiladha – I was back to my normal self, so as the kampong folks. Everybody got back to their routine except my friends who are still in Mina.
Insyaalah (Allah willing), I hope to be around for 2009 Aidiladha. Who knows? Maybe, I would be in Mina myself.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Aidiladha 2008.
Tomorrow 8 December 2008 is Aidiladha and at this very moment all Muslims who are performing the Haj is gathering in the Desert of Arafah. It was at this place, the Holy Prophet (pbuh) delivered his last sermon and also at this place up on a hill of Jabal Rahmah, Adam met his Eve after they were thrown to Earth from Heaven. This place is very symbolic to me and I would climb Jabal Rahmah every trip I made to the Holy Land.
Aidiladha is a grand affair in Mecca especially at Mina. About three million pilgrims would be camping at this site for the devil stoning rituals and the sacrifice of goats, sheep and camel. I seek the Almighty blessings that all my friends who are there now would be able to overcome all obstacles and able to perform all the rituals.
Back home in Malaysia, this year Aidiladha would be rather gloomy. The east coast of Malaysia is flooded and at the edge of the City of Kuala Lumpur there was a major landslide. Twenty bungalows swept away by the mud. Few lives succumbed and few injured. About 3000 to 5000 people had to be evacuated. There would be no Aidiladha for them, surely. The Prime Minister had issued a statement that there would be no more development on hill side. I welcome that but I think it was only political talk. Fifteen years ago when a condominium collapsed about two kilometer away, the same statement was issued. Something is definitely not right at the ground level. Year in and year out, the east coast is always flooded. Why don’t they do something? I remember when I was a small kid, every month a team of Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) workers would come down to clean the kampong river. I never heard or seen this thing is being done now. No wonder we get flood because the river is clog. Simple logic. The Administrators are happily sitting in their air condition office without bothering the plight of the poor people who live by the river. Come election, they would promise the moon and the stars.
There are also several deaths on the road on the eve of Aidiladha. Malaysian roads are the best in the world, so they claim. At the same time, Malaysia recorded the highest traffic accidents in the world. The reason is simple, Malaysian drivers are not afraid of the law. They can speed away, if they are caught, it can be settled out of court. Again, there is no problem and it is simple as that.
The gist of Aidiladha is sacrifice. From now on, I am going to sacrifice. I am going all out for justice.
Aidiladha is a grand affair in Mecca especially at Mina. About three million pilgrims would be camping at this site for the devil stoning rituals and the sacrifice of goats, sheep and camel. I seek the Almighty blessings that all my friends who are there now would be able to overcome all obstacles and able to perform all the rituals.
Back home in Malaysia, this year Aidiladha would be rather gloomy. The east coast of Malaysia is flooded and at the edge of the City of Kuala Lumpur there was a major landslide. Twenty bungalows swept away by the mud. Few lives succumbed and few injured. About 3000 to 5000 people had to be evacuated. There would be no Aidiladha for them, surely. The Prime Minister had issued a statement that there would be no more development on hill side. I welcome that but I think it was only political talk. Fifteen years ago when a condominium collapsed about two kilometer away, the same statement was issued. Something is definitely not right at the ground level. Year in and year out, the east coast is always flooded. Why don’t they do something? I remember when I was a small kid, every month a team of Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) workers would come down to clean the kampong river. I never heard or seen this thing is being done now. No wonder we get flood because the river is clog. Simple logic. The Administrators are happily sitting in their air condition office without bothering the plight of the poor people who live by the river. Come election, they would promise the moon and the stars.
There are also several deaths on the road on the eve of Aidiladha. Malaysian roads are the best in the world, so they claim. At the same time, Malaysia recorded the highest traffic accidents in the world. The reason is simple, Malaysian drivers are not afraid of the law. They can speed away, if they are caught, it can be settled out of court. Again, there is no problem and it is simple as that.
The gist of Aidiladha is sacrifice. From now on, I am going to sacrifice. I am going all out for justice.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Nostalgic Journey.
29th. November 2008, at 1600 hrs, I left for Port Dickson. I took the Kesas Highway and headed for KLIA. Before KLIA, I turned left and stopped at the beautiful and under utilized Mosque for my Asar prayer. I passed the F1 circuit and headed for the Selangor border town of Sepang. This town was my normal route in the 80s and 90s when I was still working. Surprisingly, the town smelt better now. Pig farming had been scaled down or had been transferred elsewhere.
Water at Sugai Sepang is much clearer, compared to those time it was blackish. As I was driving toward Lukut, all the Guthrie signboard at the former Guthrie Estates had now been changed to Sime Darby Plantations. As I was passing Tanah Merah Estate office complex, I was so sad to see it was so gloomy and quiet. The tennis court was empty and the Club House closed. The oil palm nursery in front of the Club House is no more there. During my Guthrie days, there was lot of activities around this area. The water sprinkler was watering the seedlings and the Assistants and the Managers were either at the tennis Court or at the billiard table. Some like me, who often dropped by became the member of the Bar Council. I was so sad to see the place now was almost deserted.
Nearing Lukut town, I passed by the rubbish dumpsite. I smiled to myself because at this place I burnt all the rejected rubber toys and the fire was so big even an Assemblyman stopped by to inquire what was happening. I was posted to Guthrie Bendy Toys Port Dickson to do an audit of the rejected toys and to witness the disposal. During the 80s, Jabatan Alam Sekitar was not heard off.
The main reason to Port Dickson was to attend a Reunion Dinner of Esso Port Dickson Refinery at Glory Beach Resort. I told Sharo, my PD colleague to book me a single room at Glory Beach. Unfortunately, there is no single room there and he got me a room at Beach Front Hotel, a kilometer away. Found the Hotel and it was located just opposite where I was staying during my bachelor days in Port Dickson. My car used to breakdown at the wall by the beach front and it normally happened late at night. I smiled and thank Allah, right where I was standing 40 years ago and breathing and I am still breathing 40 years later now.
The gathering started at 1930 hrs and stream of old boys walked in. Some don’t even recognize me anymore. I do not wear spectacles anymore and I have a white beard. Complete contrast of Mustapa of those days. To name a few of familiar specimes were Sabudin, Ali Karim, Chin Fun Chee, Kadir Mamak, Teoh Hui Seng, Kan See Mun, John Jew Wong, Ricky Tajudin, Chan On Wai, Harith Takiman, Ng Tiong Seng, Chelvam, Maheswaran, Osman, Sharo, Malik Yasin, Kang Lin Tong, Yeo Yan Teng and many others. The Guest of Honour was the Refiney Manager, Encik Bakar. During my time in the 60s and 70s, I never dreamt that a Malay guy to be the Esso Refinery Manager. It was only for the Americans and I recalled, Bushacker, J J Desmond and H B Canavan.
It was nice to meet plenty of old buddies again. We talked about the good and bad times when we worked together. I defended the late Mah Ah Chong, the Unit Day Superintendent who was exceptionally nice to me. To some, he was a tyrant. Actually, late Mah Ah Chong was a very nice man, he looked serious all right but he had a golden heart. Immediately he came back from Greece, he came to the Refinery one Sunday and pulled me to his Office. We had a pep talk and he told me he wanted to have questions and answer sessions with me. He caught me by surprise and I answered all the questions he asked. After the session he smilingly told me, he superseded all my immediate reporting Superintendents and he did not understand what was going on while he was away in Greece. My perception of Mah Ah Chong took a complete turn.
Some of us retired from Esso and some left to join other establishments. I left in April 1973. However, we still maintain the comrade at arm during the Esso days. We also talked about those who we were unable to attend. Those who have gone back to meet the Creator, migrated, those in hospitals and also those who did not want to fork RM 50 for the function. I came to know, Ng Koy Bee in ICU suffering from an acute stroke, Yap Chee Meang is nearly blinded, ZA (full name withheld) is in hibernation and many other interesting updates about our colleagues. Of course those migrated was mostly Chinaman. I wanted badly to meet Mazlan Chico and Ho Kok Lim, unfortunately they did not attend. I remember Ho Kok Lin who always blamed Oh Chin Weng for every little thing.
After the lucky draw, the reunion dinner ended at about 2300 hrs. However, about 12 of us adjourned to the nearest Mamak shop and we continued our chit chat until about 0130 hours. More laughter followed and more nostalgic stories were shared. Who dated whom and who married whose daughter and what not. The jokes and stories what happened in the Control Room was shared. Sabudin was telling how the late Hassan Cowboy and me played a prank on ZA tin of lychee.
The reunion ended at last and we promised to meet again in 2010. Insyaalah, if I am still around, I will make the trip again to Port Dickson.
Water at Sugai Sepang is much clearer, compared to those time it was blackish. As I was driving toward Lukut, all the Guthrie signboard at the former Guthrie Estates had now been changed to Sime Darby Plantations. As I was passing Tanah Merah Estate office complex, I was so sad to see it was so gloomy and quiet. The tennis court was empty and the Club House closed. The oil palm nursery in front of the Club House is no more there. During my Guthrie days, there was lot of activities around this area. The water sprinkler was watering the seedlings and the Assistants and the Managers were either at the tennis Court or at the billiard table. Some like me, who often dropped by became the member of the Bar Council. I was so sad to see the place now was almost deserted.
Nearing Lukut town, I passed by the rubbish dumpsite. I smiled to myself because at this place I burnt all the rejected rubber toys and the fire was so big even an Assemblyman stopped by to inquire what was happening. I was posted to Guthrie Bendy Toys Port Dickson to do an audit of the rejected toys and to witness the disposal. During the 80s, Jabatan Alam Sekitar was not heard off.
The main reason to Port Dickson was to attend a Reunion Dinner of Esso Port Dickson Refinery at Glory Beach Resort. I told Sharo, my PD colleague to book me a single room at Glory Beach. Unfortunately, there is no single room there and he got me a room at Beach Front Hotel, a kilometer away. Found the Hotel and it was located just opposite where I was staying during my bachelor days in Port Dickson. My car used to breakdown at the wall by the beach front and it normally happened late at night. I smiled and thank Allah, right where I was standing 40 years ago and breathing and I am still breathing 40 years later now.
The gathering started at 1930 hrs and stream of old boys walked in. Some don’t even recognize me anymore. I do not wear spectacles anymore and I have a white beard. Complete contrast of Mustapa of those days. To name a few of familiar specimes were Sabudin, Ali Karim, Chin Fun Chee, Kadir Mamak, Teoh Hui Seng, Kan See Mun, John Jew Wong, Ricky Tajudin, Chan On Wai, Harith Takiman, Ng Tiong Seng, Chelvam, Maheswaran, Osman, Sharo, Malik Yasin, Kang Lin Tong, Yeo Yan Teng and many others. The Guest of Honour was the Refiney Manager, Encik Bakar. During my time in the 60s and 70s, I never dreamt that a Malay guy to be the Esso Refinery Manager. It was only for the Americans and I recalled, Bushacker, J J Desmond and H B Canavan.
It was nice to meet plenty of old buddies again. We talked about the good and bad times when we worked together. I defended the late Mah Ah Chong, the Unit Day Superintendent who was exceptionally nice to me. To some, he was a tyrant. Actually, late Mah Ah Chong was a very nice man, he looked serious all right but he had a golden heart. Immediately he came back from Greece, he came to the Refinery one Sunday and pulled me to his Office. We had a pep talk and he told me he wanted to have questions and answer sessions with me. He caught me by surprise and I answered all the questions he asked. After the session he smilingly told me, he superseded all my immediate reporting Superintendents and he did not understand what was going on while he was away in Greece. My perception of Mah Ah Chong took a complete turn.
Some of us retired from Esso and some left to join other establishments. I left in April 1973. However, we still maintain the comrade at arm during the Esso days. We also talked about those who we were unable to attend. Those who have gone back to meet the Creator, migrated, those in hospitals and also those who did not want to fork RM 50 for the function. I came to know, Ng Koy Bee in ICU suffering from an acute stroke, Yap Chee Meang is nearly blinded, ZA (full name withheld) is in hibernation and many other interesting updates about our colleagues. Of course those migrated was mostly Chinaman. I wanted badly to meet Mazlan Chico and Ho Kok Lim, unfortunately they did not attend. I remember Ho Kok Lin who always blamed Oh Chin Weng for every little thing.
After the lucky draw, the reunion dinner ended at about 2300 hrs. However, about 12 of us adjourned to the nearest Mamak shop and we continued our chit chat until about 0130 hours. More laughter followed and more nostalgic stories were shared. Who dated whom and who married whose daughter and what not. The jokes and stories what happened in the Control Room was shared. Sabudin was telling how the late Hassan Cowboy and me played a prank on ZA tin of lychee.
The reunion ended at last and we promised to meet again in 2010. Insyaalah, if I am still around, I will make the trip again to Port Dickson.
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