Happy Lunar New Year!

Wishing those celebrating a Prosperous Lunar New Year!

A coupe of cows to be sacrificed for the poor

During the last Hajj celebrations, a few cows was sacrificed at my in-laws orchard to be given to the poor and needy.

My nephew.

Wishing everyone a blessed Ramadan

Happy Chinese New Year!

Tomorrow is the start of the Year of the Goat. To those celebrating: Happy Chinese New Year! May the New Year bring you great health, joy and laughter.

Stay safe and have a relaxing break.

Eid Mubarak to all!

May the choicest blessings of Allah fill you life with peace, joy and prosperity.

Wishing you a blessed and joyous Hari Raya

Dear friends,

I would like to wish all my Muslim friends Salam Aidilfitri.

I wish you a blessed and joyous Hari Raya.

For those not celebrating, I hope you have a great holiday and safe journey.

Tahlil, Yassin and Doa Selamat to family members that have left us

Every year just before Ramadan, the family will get together to arrange for a Tahlil, Yassin and Doa Selamat event to be held for family members that have left us. We should always be thankful with we have.

Season's Greetings!

Have a good one everyone!!!

Handbook on the Hajj and Umrah which I used when I went to Saudi Arabia in 2010

Since now is the Hajj season, I would like to share with you some of the references I used to prepare myself when I went for my Hajj in 2010. In five (5) parts:

Hajj & Umrah Handbook (2008) - Book 1 of 5: Introduction (Go)

Hajj & Umrah Handbook (2008) - Book 2 of 5: Preparing for Hajj & Umrah (Go)

Hajj & Umrah Handbook (2008) - Book 3 of 5: Performing the Hajj & Umrah (Go)

Hajj & Umrah Handbook (2008) - Book 4 of 5: Performing the Ziarah & Post Hajj & Umrah (Go)

Hajj & Umrah Handbook (2008) - Book 5 of 5: Personalising the Experience (Go)

Salam Aidilfitri to all celebrating!

Have a blessed Ramadan month!

Wishing a blessed Eid ul-Fitr to all

Ramadan 2012

Wishes everyone a blessed Ramadan month!



A short introduction on Ramandan found on the net:

"Ramadan (also known as Ramadhan or Ramzan) is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar. It is a period of prayer, fasting, charity-giving and self-accountability for Muslims. The first verses of the Koran (Qu’ran) were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) during the last third of Ramadan, making this an especially holy period.


Fasting during Ramadan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. It is a time of self-examination and increased religious devotion. It is common to have a pre-fast meal (suhoor) before sunrise and an evening meal (iftar) after sunset during Ramadan. Some groups of people, including the chronically ill, mentally challenged, and the elderly who cannot participate due to health reasons, are exempt from fasting. It is also not allowed to have sexual relations or smoke during the day.


Ramadan is also a time for many Muslims to donate to charity by participating in food drives for the poor, organizing a collection or charity event, and other voluntary activities. They are also encouraged to read the Qur’an often during Ramadan. Muslim men recite the entire Qur’an by the end of Ramadan through special prayers known as Tarawih, which are held in the mosques every night of the month, during which a section of the Qur’an is recited."

‘Deepavali Vaalthukal’ and a very happy Deepavali to all Hindus

‘Deepavali Vaalthukal’ and a very happy Deepavali to all Hindus. May it bring the light of happiness & harmony to all!

Wishing everyone a blessed Eid Mubarak

Wishing everyone a blessed Eid Mubarak to all. Have good break.

Last night was the first buku puasa away from home - nevertheless, home food is always the best

Yesterday night was the first time that I broke fast away from home. Had it at Armada Hotel. It was a big crowd and the host rented the ballroom to fit everyone. The food was nice but after one and a half week of fasting, my stomach has shrunk and I was not able to try out a lot of the food that was available. Below are my kids enjoying the food.

The hotel also provided a big area for communal praying.

I personal take of things is that home is still the best during fasting month. You will be paying a lot for a buffet spread that you cannot possible enjoy as you appetite also shrinks. Anyway, fasting month teaches us to be thankful of the things that we have and to treat life with moderation. Hotel buffets are definitely excessive.

Moral of the story: Always be thankful.

Hajj & Umrah Handbook (2008) - Book 3 of 5: Performing the Hajj & Umrah

This is book 3.  Hajj & Umrah Handbook (2008) - Book 3 of 5: Performing the Hajj & Umrah

Hajj & Umrah Handbook (2008) - Book 2 of 5: Preparing for Hajj & Umrah

This is part 2 of the book that I used for the Hajj. Click here for Book 1.



  Hajj & Umrah Handbook (2008) - Book 2 of 5: Preparing for Hajj & Umrah

Hajj & Umrah Handbook (2008) - Book 1 of 5: Introduction

Just wanted to share with all of you the book that I used when I went for my Hajj last November. It was a very good reference. I hope you will find it useful as well. Hajj & Umrah Handbook (2008) - Book 1 of 5: Introduction

Mekkah Trip 03: The Grand Mosque - Masjidil Haram and the Kaabah

Al-Masjid al-Ḥarām (Arabic: المسجد الحرام‎, "The Sacred Mosque") is the largest mosque in the world. The current structure covers an area of 356,800 square metres (88.2 acres) including the outdoor and indoor praying spaces and can accommodate up to four million Muslim worshippers during the Hajj period, one of the largest annual gatherings of people in the world.

It is difficult to describe my core feeling when I saw the Grand Mosque and the Kaabah for the first time. At first I would classify it as "trepidation". However, that is not correct term to use for the feeling that I had at that moment. There was a feeling of trepidation yet interwoven with the feeling of happiness at the same time.

Below is a picture that I took on the top floor of the Safa-Marwah Corridor looking East just after dawn with the sun just about to show itself. The people at the railing are looking down at the Kaabah. You would also note the number of cranes on the right of the picture. There is a major construction project going on that will enlarge the Grand Mosque to be even bigger.

Another picture taken on a northeasterly direction approximately 6.30 am in the morning.

This is the view of the Grand Mosque from my room at the Zam Zam Tower Hotel (room 920, on the 9th floor).

This picture (bottom) was taken on the first floor. A sea of people.

A picture of me on the third floor. I had to wear a rugby shirt (long sleeves) as the weather was surprisingly chilly.

This is what a million plus people looks like on 3 levels surrounding the Kaabah. It was an experience like no other. It was quiet as everyone focus inwards in prayer.

Another angle of the same scene. These pictures were taken approximately 7:00 am in the morning.

The skyline of Mekkah. In a few years, it will change dramatically. I was told that the Hilton Hotel, the building between the two minarets will be demolish in 2011.