I lost a friend again.

Closed to midnight on 24 February 2012 I received a call from Haji Sabuddin from Port Dickson that Haji Mustaffa Che Din had passed away at Parit Buntar Hospital in Perak at about 2130 hours.

Haji Mustaffa Che Din was my ESSO colleague from 1966 to 1974. He was attached to the Ammonia Plant Unit and I was at the Refinery. His younger brother, Saruji Che Din was my batch mate at Technical Institute Penang. Haji Mustaffa himself was educated at Technical Institute Penang from 1960 – 1962. He was my super senior and I did not get to meet him at TI Penang. He joined ESSO Refinery Port Dickson and was sent to Philippine for training for the newly constructed Ammonia Plant. He was the start up team for the commissioning of the first Ammonia Plant in Malaysia in 1966. I got acquainted with him when I joined ESSO Refinery in 1966.

I did not recall when I last met late Haji Mustaffa Che Din but I did speak to him over the phone sometimes in February 2011 when his brother Saruji back in Malaysia from Germany was at his residence in Nibong Tebal. I heard Haji Mustaffa Che Din had a stroke but slowly recovering.

To my astonishment, Saruji Che Din himself called me around 0100 hrs on 25 February 2012 informing the demise of his elder brother. So happened, Saruji is currently back in Malaysia. Saruji was at the Hospital at noon on 24 February 2012 and Haji Mustaffa Che Din was his usual mood except that he had problem lifting his hand. He encountered a second stroke.

Though Haji Sabuddin, Sharo and Haji Musa travelled all the way for the funeral, I was unable to join them as they left early morning for Nibong Tebal from Port Dickson.

I remember Mustaffa Che Din with his NB 2810 blue Vespa during the ESSO days. Since he had a beard, we nicknamed him, Mustaffa Janggut as there were two (2) Mustaffas in ESSO at that time and the other Mustapa, was me.

Since retired from ESSO PD, Haji Mustaffa went back to his kampong Sungai Kechil Bandar Baru, Nibong Tebal to set his permanent base and concentrate on his orchard and agricultural farming.

Haji Mustaffa left a wife, Hajjah Hartini Ahmad and only four (4) sons.

It is a sad moment to lose a friend but this is something that we cannot run away, the reality of LIFE. Each and every one of us will eventually be called upon to face Almighty Allah. There is no escape. The demise of a colleague is a moment we have to assess ourselves. We can also recall the happy and the sad moment that we shared with someone that you acquainted. The clock is also ticking for us and when our time is up, not a second would be delayed.

Mustaffa……….I enjoyed your philosophical conversations and I always remember you for that.

Haji Mustaffa Che Din was buried at Sungai Kecil Muslim Cemetary, Bandar Baru Nibong Tebal at about 1130 hrs. May Almighty Allah bless his soul and gather him among the mukminin.

Alfatihah…….

KRU New Mosque as at 22 February 2012.

The Mehrab.

The Mimbar.

Imam Pulpit.

Incomplete cleansing bunk for the demise.

Mini ablution area.

Grass turf.

Mosque right side view.

Mosque frontage fencing.

I entered the New Mosque complex at mid morning just to see the development of the Mehrab and Mimbar. The above snap shots were the latest development.

I also took the opportunity to see the latest in the room to handle the demise (Bilek Mandi Jenazah). The final bath of those who would be summon by Allah. I was glad the concrete bunk had been constructed according to the kiblat. It is still under construction. The only setback there is no door connecting to the adjacent room where the demise would be finally wrapped. Provision had been made to break the concrete wall to install a door.

Grass had been planted at open soil area accordingly.

Someone on site inquired about the chandelier?? I could not answer him. Honestly I had hinted to several friends who are filthy rich but up to date, regret no positive response. I cannot assist further on this aspect because I am also in the dark about any plan about the New Mosque. The people who were appointed by the State Mosque Affairs are directly involved and they should know better.

Projected handover is April 2012. Insyaalah (GOD willing) but I still predict June 2012 + or – two (2) months.

Everyone can fly.

Everyone can fly nowadays, yes agreed. Book early few months in advance, maybe you don’t have to pay at all to fly.

My advice to those who want to fly especially out of the country, please take precaution with your luggage. It is much safer to spend some money before you check in your luggage. Shrink wrap the luggage and no one can insert contraband item into your luggage. I normally did that and I will continue doing it for my own personal safety. The moment your luggage had been tagged at the flight check in counter and place on the conveyor belt, you never know what’s happening to your luggage until you collect it at the destination on arrival. You never know what’s happening at the luggage sorting area of Departure or Arrival Airport. Luggage bags nowadays have several pockets with zip and contraband can easily be inserted somewhere along the way. Shrink wrap would also prevent anyone from tampering with the luggage and removing something valuable or sentimental.

Shrink wrap machine.

Shrink wrapped luggage.

It is also not worth to be a Good Samaritan at all Airports in the world. Never agree to carry someone else’s or a stranger hand luggage or packets except that belong to your own family member. Never oblige an old lady or man, no matter how frail they look. Don’t trust ant strangers. You don’t know the content. If you are stopped by the Airport Security, they will disown ownership and if it passed the Security checkpoint, they say thank you and vanish into thin air. It could be contraband goods that you carry on their behalf. You are going to face the music all alone with the Authority and if its contraband drugs that you carry on their behalf, in some countries the Hangman is waiting for your turn.

Never leave your luggage unattended at all time at all Airports in the world. If you are alone and need to go to the Washroom, take it along. At some Airport the Security personnel will remove any unattended luggage and blow them up.

If you are a Muslim having a beard the percentage of suspicion by Airport Security personnel is much higher compared to a clean shaven gentleman. Choose either one, love your well trim beard or get naked to be scan. It’s ok to have a beard at Airports of Muslim countries especially in the Middle East. To some, It is pathetic that beard synonym as Terrorists. A clean shaven man can be a Terrorist too.

Airport Porters – at some Airport they are a nuisance and pester your luggage to be on his control trolley. Most Airports the trolleys are free and some with a small fee returnable. It is far safer and economical to pay and handle your own trolley. In one of the ASEAN country, the Porter waits for the taxi to stop. Before you alight from the Taxi your luggage is already on his control trolley. You just cannot refuse and argue with the Porter because you are in foreign land and maybe there is a big syndicate going on within the Airport Departure check in counters. He got the cheek to tell you, I will check in your luggage with x amount of money. Ii is best to tell the Taxi Driver not to open the luggage boot automatically upon arrival at the Airport. Handle the luggage yourself from the boot.

If you are flying and traveling in a group, make sure you tag along with the group. Don’t stray. If you are flying and traveling alone, make sure you take an authorized Taxi from /to the Airport. Never ever share a taxi from the Airport with strangers as you don’t know what he/she is carrying. There are cases where innocent passenger was together hauled by the Authority as the so call stranger had brought along something detrimental into the country and break the country Rule of Law. You are going to be in deep shit for nothing.

Enjoy your flight. With a computer and a credit card in hand, everyone can fly. Please ensure you don’t land into the visiting country Police Lockup.

Taj Mahal.

Taj Mahal.

Longing to see Taj Mahal with my own eyes. Wonder when can I get to see it? One of the seven wonders that I still missed.

I wish I can build a Taj Mahal for you but I can only afford a double storey terrace house and I am no Shah Jahan. The double storey house is our Taj Mahal. However, better than Taj Mahal is waiting for us at “Jannah” provided we give our soul, dedication, faith and heart to Almighty Allah.

(“Rabbana atina fi dunia ha sannah, wafil hiratul hasanah, wakina aza ban nar. Wahidna janatul maal abror ya aziz, ya ghafar, ya rabil alamin”).

For the meaning of the above look at the tafsir Al Quraan. Recite that in our heart all the time, insyaalah better than Taj Mahal is our ultimate destination. The river of milk and honey flow beneath.

The descriptions of Paradise are mentioned in significant detail in the Qur'an, hadiths and traditional tafsir (exegesis). Paradise is described as surrounded by eight principal gates, each level generally being divided into a hundred degrees. The highest level is known as firdaws (sometimes called Eden). It will be entered first by the Holy Prophet Mohammed pbuh, then those who lived in poverty, and then the most pious. Entrants will be greeted by Angels with salutations of peace or As- Salammu Alaykum.

Gardens of perpetual bliss: they shall enter there, as well as the righteous among their fathers, their spouses, and their offspring: and Angels shall enter unto them from every gate (with the salutation):

"Peace unto you for that ye persevered in patience! Now how excellent is the final home!"

The Islamic texts describe life for its immortal inhabitants as: one that is happy — without hurt, sorrow, fear or shame — where every wish is fulfilled. Traditions relate that inhabitants will be of the same age (33 years), and of the same standing/equal. Their life is one of bliss including: wearing fancy robes, bracelets, perfumes as they partake in exquisite banquets, served in priceless vessels by immortal youths, as they recline on couches inlaid with gold or precious stones. Other foods mentioned include meats, scented wine and clear drinks bringing non intoxicating nor rousing quarrelling. Inhabitants will rejoice in the company of their parents, spouses, and children (provided they were admitted to Paradise) — conversing and recalling the past.

The food in Jannah is reported by the companions of the Prophet as never rotting and so sweet it will make any person on earth live without feeling hunger forever.

The dwellings for inhabitants will be pleasant, with lofty gardens, shady valleys, fountains scented with camphor or ginger; rivers of water, milk, honey and wines; delicious fruits of all seasons without thorns;

One day in paradise is considered equal to a thousand (1000) years on earth. Palaces are made from bricks of gold, silver, pearls, among other things. Traditions also note the presence of horses and camels of "dazzling whiteness", along with other creatures. Large trees are described, mountains made of musk, between which rivers flow in valleys of pearl and ruby.

The names of four rivers are Saihan (Syr Darya), Jaihan (Amu Darya), Furat (Euphrates) and Nil (Nile). Salsabil is the name of a spring that is the source of the rivers of Rahma (mercy) and Al – Kawtar (abundance). Sidrat al- Muntaha is a lotus tree that marks the end of the seventh heaven, the boundary where no creation can pass.

In spite of the goodly dwellings given to the inhabitants of Paradise, the approval of God and nearness to Him is considered greater. According to the Qur'an, Allah will bring the elect near to his Throne (aršy), a day on which "some faces shall be shining in contemplating their Lord." The vision of Allah is regarded as the greatest of all rewards, surpassing all other joys.

“Raudah” in Masjid Nabawi in Medina is one of the Garden of Gardens in Paradise.

Raudah.

I feel free......

I am relieved that my blood pressure is sustaining below the danger level. Mentally and physically is slowly recovering but not to the fullest yet. Facebook and sometimes Email is definitely no good for my blood pressure. I had to make drastic move by removing some as it had collided with my mindset. I am avoiding petty matters. There are many other things to worry of. My mother is aging closing to 90 of age at hometown and her health is a cause of concern.

Politics is totally out for me in Facebook. That’s not what facebook for!! You want to talk about politic join a Political Party seriously and shout it out at Political Party Rally. I am the least bothered. Insulting remarks in Email is simply disgusting and who need such contacts anymore?

To WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, I don’t mean to be ruthless if your name had been deleted, much regret but I have no choice. At my age I need seriously above all, consider about the pressure on my heart and my brain. I acknowledge the fact in tandem they are aging too, more reasons to sustain their condition. Probably I had strenuously overworked them during my young crazy old days.

Top priority is to stay alive, insyaalah (God willing). Not forever, that’s for sure.

Was at Pantai Medical Center for periodical checkup, the blood pressure was 110/70, weighing 61 kg and the Doctor advised at current age just maintained the BP at that level and the weight to be further reduce to below 60 kg. My weight on 10 December 2011 was 63.8 kg. Last month and off late the BP was horrible, like a yo-yo. The Acheh getaway somehow took away what was troubling me mentally. I am now a regular at the jogging track every morning after the subuh prayer except when it is raining. Life will never be the same again.

Food? Oat for breakfast, lunch – only a bowl of rice and dinner two (2) slices of whole meal Gardenia bread. No more “nasi lemak”, “nasi kandar”, “roti canai” and “ikan masin”. No oily stuff, sugar and salt for me. Even the “teh tarik” at home is being diluted and hot drink is low fat milk. As far as possible I am avoiding kenduris, wedding invitations and any feast for that matter, unless extreme necessities.

It is a lonely life out here but I still have friends around the Kampong, at the Mosque and at the Jogging Track to cheer me up. I have Kassim Selamat, Raziff, Pak Meor and few others to walk along at the track. Keeping fit is a serious matter. There are plenty of unfinished job and my “amal ibadah” is far from adequate to face Almighty Allah. As a Muslim, spiritual medication will be of good help to sooth the mind. “Zikir” - will take away all mentally nonsense and problematic.

Whatever you do, the ultimate decision and judgment is from Allah. Allah knows what you do, and the intention of all decision and actions that you endeavor. It’s best just to ignore detrimental specimens that would destroy my well beings. The ultimate aim is to have peace of mind. In LIFE, when you are down and sickly nobody cares but when you are up and about many will take advantage. Better to play smart.

110/70 - that's bloody good!!!

Every weekend, I have the little Darling to cheer me up.

KRU New Mosque as at 15 February 2012.

Mosque right view.

One of the Holy Qur'an script at the right mehrab.

The right mehrab.

The left mehrab.

Mimbar still untouched.

Deco work at Imam pulpit.

Overall view of mehrab & mimbar.

The Dome waiting for the chandelier.

Just constructed wheelchair ramp for the disabled.

Muslimah ablution area.

Muslimin ablution area. (both to be fitted).

Minaret base.

Architectural view of the Mosque.

Rear view taken from side road of Jalan Persiaran Raja Musa.

View of the Mosque from the rear entrance.

Overall rear view.

Picture tells a lot of stories. So the above pictures shot this mid morning were the current status.

Final touches here and there.

The busiest spot being address is the Mehrab and the Imam pulpit. The Mimbar remain untouched. The Dome is waiting for the chandelier. Where it would come from and who is the Philanthropist, I don’t have a clue.

My prediction of completion is still June + or – two (2) months. It can be as early either April or the latest August 2012. Anything can happen in between. Hopefully……with Allah gracious and keeping my fingers cross, in the coming month of Ramadan starting either July 20 or 21, the Kampong Jemaah can perform their terawih inside this New Mosque. Insyaalah.

I am unable to comment about equipping the New Mosque as it is beyond my jurisdiction and knowledge, so goes to all the kampong residents except the New Mosque Development Committee. I am sure MAIS, JAIS and the present State Government (perhaps they continue to be in power) knows what to do.

Building a Mosque is building a House of Allah and Allah will build the same for you at Thereafter if you participated in the construction with a noble intention. Insyaalah.

Mat Munir in memory.

I was approached by Haji Azhar Abdul my Mosque mate before Maghreb prayer that my good friend in Johor Baharu, Ahmad Munir had passed away last Friday 03 February 2012 at Sultan Aminah Hospital JB around noon. The news came to me about a week later. I met his wife recently who told me that Mat Munir was critically ill and hospitalized. I was sad of his demise as due to my poor health condition I was incapable of travelling down south to JB to visit him being hospitalized.

Mat Munir and Tuan Syed Idrus (who also had passed away) was the Proprietor of Shipping Company, Sri Overa Shipping Sdn Bhd operated as Shipping Agencies at the new Port in Pasir Gudang, Johor. They were one of the Pioneers Shipping Agents when Pasir Gudang Port was commissioned early 1975. Sad to say, the Shipping Company had since defunct.

I came to know Mat Munir personally when his Company acted as Shipping Agencies for several Shipping Lines, especially Foreign Going Tankers plying crude palm oil to various ports of the world. As I was the Superintendant and later the Bulking Installation Assistant Manager, we got acquainted and still maintain the friendship even though I was transferred to Port Klang from Pasir Gudang in 1977. He tried to set up a Transport & Shipping Company at Port Klang around the 80s but somehow it did not worked and later closed shop. At Klang he operated a Food Stall at the top floor MPK Mall in front of the former Klang Main Bus Terminal.

Late Mat Munir maintained a second home in Port Klang but off late I did not see him around and was told he was hospitalized in JB. I remember he introduced me to a traditional Masseur in Pandamaran when I had a mild stroke in 2003. The Masseur did an excellent physiotherapy on me and up to date I still patronize the Masseur service. Mat Munir played a part for my recovery.

During my tenure in Pasir Gudang late 1974 – 1977, I used to spend the free Sunday (if there was no shipment or not back to my family in Port Dickson) with him in Johor Baharu town and sometimes we drove to Singapore just for lunch at Geylang. We were often together with late Syed Idrus at Johore Sports Club, The Coves and Orchid Hotel Coffee House. I still harbor the fond memories the things we did together and it will be forever remembered. Coincidentally Mat Munir was also my wife’s sister law’s brother good friend when they served together in the Police Force.

The first buddy I lost in 2012 and I pray (doa) that he will be in the safe hand with Almighty Allah and may Allah bless his soul and gather among the “mukminin”.

All good things will someday come to an end and only Allah knows when our time is up.

Al – fatihah………….