KRU New Mosque as at 27 July 2011.

Last posting for July 2011.

The Mosque from various angles.

Ceilings to be installed.

Ceilings frame installed.

Some progress on the Mimbar.

Installing the aluminum frame of the ceilings.

Tilings almost completed all round.

Situation of the Main septic tank.

I would be away for forty (40) days from the community and would not be able to follow the development during August 2011.

It is for sure that the New Mosque would not be completed for Ramadan and solat sunat Aidilfitri. From reliable sources on site, it is expected to complete within two (2) months time. I reckon, plus minus, it would be within six (6) months from now.

The snaps taken as of today, 27 July 2011 afternoon would tell the latest situation.

Packing off to KLIA.

Ramadan 2011.

Ramadan is approaching in the Hijrah Calendar and yours truly as usual will pack his bags, stuff the umrah garments and venture to the Holy Land. Ramadan 2011 falls in August 2011 and the entire program for Ramadan umrah had been set.

For forty (40) days I am going to forget about Malaysian nonstop politicking. To hell with Bersih 2, the China Doll, TBH suicidal (or murdered?) and Mat Sabu head on with the Police Land Rover and injured his knee cap? My simple ideology, Politics and Religion cannot go together; it may sway off my “akidah” and concentration. I am going to stand behind the Multazam in prayer and doa communicating direct with Allah, for me, parents, family and Malaysia sake.

Insyaalah, as already reserved I would fly by Etihad to Abu Dhabi on 27 July 2011 at 2040 hrs and expected to land in Jeddah on 28 July 2011 at 0355 hrs, Saudi Arabia local time. After Immigration, Custom and Muasasah formalities at Jeddah International Airport, it would be an onward overland of five (5) hour journey to Medina by Coach. The spiritual journey is not that easy, crossing the barren desert and the scorching heat. However, the usual practice the Saudi Arabian counterpart would provide an air- conditioned Coach.

For the second time in 2011, I would have the opportunity; insyaalah to be presence in the Holy Prophet’s Mosque, Masjid Nabawi and visit the Holy Prophet’s Shrine. I had been round the world but to me, the most beautiful place on earth is inside Masjid Nabawi. I really have peace of mind and my concentration is spiritually confined. The program is four (4) days in Medina.

The Holy Prophet's Mosque - Masjid Nabawi in Medina.

Inside the Holy Prophet's Mosque.

On 31 July 2011 the entourage would cross the Desert of Al Rabathah, again by Coach for six (6) hour journey to the Holy City of Mekah. We all would be clad only by two (2) pieces white umrah garment and slippers to perform the umrah ritual upon arrival at the Holy Kaabah. (Underwear and shoes is not permissible to men). I would welcome the arrival of Ramadan in Mekah and will spend the rest until a couple of days of Syawal. This year there will be no Ramadan for me in Medina and will not be able to break my fast with the Ansars and the Mujahirins in Masjid Nabawi, most unfortunate.

Across the desert to Mekah.

Masjidil Haram in Mekah.

Haji Bakir Azizan, my usual Ramadan companion from Melaka would leave for the Holy Land on 31 July 2011 and we would rendezvous in Mekah. Haji Zaaba will join me in Mekah mid Ramadan as he would be taking the last two (2) week package. Haji Faharuddin and Hajjah Rogayah will leave on 1 August 2011 and they will be staying at the same Hotel as last year Ramadan.

( Haji Bakir was my roommate when we performed the Haj together in 1999. Since then we remain good buddies and had spent couple of Ramadan umrah together).

My Group Leader would be Ustaz Hassan Yatim and I was with him during 2008 Ramadan umrah. I am glad I will have several familiar faces around.

Insyaalah during EIDUL FITRI, we will be in the Holy City of Mekah and solat sunat EIDUL FITRI together at Masjidil Haram. I would surely miss Haji Suran Abdul Malik who was with me during last year Ramadan in the Holy cities but he had returned to Almighty the Creator on 16 April 2011.

On 02 September 2011, from Mekah I expected to depart for Jeddah to Abu Dhabi and insyaalah touching down at KLIA on 03 September 2011 at 1400 hrs, Malaysian time. By then Malaysia had celebrated Eidul Fitri and I am going to miss the lemang, ketupat and rendang. I am going back straight to my hometown Ipoh from KLIA and hopefully my folks back home will set a mini Raya feast for me.

I will blog on my journey come September 2011, insyaalah.

EID MUBARAK and EIDUL FITRI.

(To have an in depth knowledge of “Ramadan”, please google Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia).

Down Country Road.

24 July 2011, a beautiful Sunday I went down the country road back to ancestral hometown, BOTA KANAN.

I visited the ancestral graveyard of Padang Tenggala to pay homage to my late father and the rest of the Abdullah clan. I always pursue the trouble to visit the graveyard just before every Ramadan. This time I was accompanied by brother Azman who joined me all the way from Taiping.

After the visit I dropped over at my late sister’s house and I was delighted that the old house is now occupied and being rented out. Rather than the house being left abandoned and left to rot, I thank my nephew for making the good decision. That old house was once belonging to my late paternal grandparents. I remember when I first visited the house when I was a kid the house was facing the Perak River. The River was the main means of transportation then. Later when the Bota/ Parit road was constructed, the house was dismantled and rebuilt to face the road.

Last year before Ramadan when I passed by the house I saw creepers crawling to the windows and I was sad to see the house in that deplorable state but today I am really delighted that the old house is now occupied and would be maintain. If it remains that way, perhaps one day I am able to show to my grandchildren and great grandchildren where his/her roots originated.

Never ever forget your root. It is they that you exist today.

Qiblat.

Qiblat - the setting sun is an indicator.

The qiblat when you are stranded in the desert.

Ablutions? There is no water. No problem!!. We can tayamum by using clean sand.

ALLAH understands and knows all. ISLAM is simple, only the interpretations of some PEOPLE that make it difficult.

Therefore……..there is no excuse for not praying when the time is up.

KRU New Mosque as at 20 July 2011.

The Mosque frontage.

Right side frontage.

Right side main entrance.

Mosque right wing. Note the ventilation.

Tiling in progress.

Main prayer hall status.

Facing the main prayer hall and the qiblat.

Beautiful Moorish arches.

Left is Muslimah washroom & wuduk area and passageway to main prayer hall.

Rear view of Mosque.

The septic tank in place.

It was about 1800 hrs when the sun was setting on the western horizon that I entered the New Mosque complex to be updated of the latest development.

Concrete culvert at the frontage drainage was completely laid. Tiling work was in progress. The septic tank was now in place. Workers were removing the right temporary spandex walling.

The main prayer hall was at it was seen on 11 July 2011. I was imagining a beautiful decorative chandelier hanging from the main dome to brighten the magnificent Mosque prayer hall. I wonder who would be the Philanthropist donating the grand chandelier. I hope somebody is working towards it.

It is very unlikely that the New Mosque could be put into use during the forthcoming Ramadan as it is only about ten (10) days away. If the main Contractor mobilizes full force and speed during Ramadan, maybe it could be use for solat Aidilfitri. I pray (doa) so. The chances for solat Aidiladha is surely promising, insyaalah.

A Mosque is the place to instill “ukwah”, not a place otherwise as regrettably and shockingly happened on 2009 solat Aidilfitri. One can talk nonsense outside the Mosque but not inside even within the Mosque compound. Only “jahiliyah” do that. My Ustaz had preached that since I was a small kid. For talking rather than concentrating on my “jahama” lesson, I was even caned by the Ustaz. I was about eight (8) year old kid and the lesson was in the kampong Mosque. I always respect the Mosque since then. Alfatihah to late Ustaz Manaf and I always remember what he said even I am now close to sixty six (66).