24

Market is ruthless. The bear ate my profits like nobody's business. I wish I could just go away on holiday for 1-month. Then come back & resume work. Umm, like its gonna get any better. The truth is I think it's gonna stay this way for the next 6 months. Pure torture.

Meetings during Ramadan .. hmmm.. I try my best to avoid. Coz I just don't know when the tummy is gonna growl. Like this afternoon, I think Alex heard the growlings, hence her questions about Ramadan.

Just completed Season 2 of 24. Thrilling! Very interesting depiction of White House management. Season 1 is almost like what's happening in the US at the moment, where a black senator (David Palmer = Obama) is in a race for the Presidency of the USA. Season 2 is quite wicked, full of conspiracies. Totally worth it.

Now, I should get some sleep before sahur. Nat's teacher is coming for a home visit tomorrow.

The Admirable Exercise of Restraint

It's getting chilly nowadays. The office has the heater on .. emmm .. ramad lah pulak. Coz its dry and I long for a gulp of cold diet coke .. fizzzzz!! Aaah .. ok ok, lets ponder an old article by Bro Rehman .. (I do not share some of his interpretations though .. anyway read on, a good article)

THE ADMIRABLE EXERCISE OF RESTRAINT
By : Rehman Rashid

RAMADAN commemorates the time of year during which the man who would
be the Prophet of Islam, Muhammad bin Abdullah, peace be upon him,
took his annual retreat into the hills behind Mecca to fast and
meditate in a spiritual cleansing.

About three weeks into that seclusion in the year 610, Muhammad
underwent the shattering experience that marked the commencement of
the Revelation of the Holy Quran — the affirmation and seal of the
great message of Abraham (Q3:95).

Ever since, Ramadan has been observed by Muslims as a month of dawn-
to-dusk fasting, prayer and spiritual observance (Q2:184-185). The
classical Arabic word for this abstinence is siyam or sawm. It refers
to a condition of stillness, expressing an ideal tranquility of mind,
heart and soul.

A mundane interpretation of the Fast says it is meant to remind
Muslims of what it feels like to be poor and hungry. To some extent
this is valid (though millions of Muslims would need no such
reminder), but the Fast is much deeper. It seeks to cleanse the
physical body by asserting the discipline of the will. As such,
fasting is an exercise in transcendence.

Yet, Ramadan is not meant to be a sequestered, joyless time. The
duties of life are not to be forgone; work continues by day, if at a
gentler pace to allow for leaner fuel. By night, families are meant
to commune at the Breaking of Fast, and married couples are
encouraged to intimacy (Q2:187) — many Muslim cultures consider
children conceived during the month of Ramadan to be doubly blessed.

Most of all, Ramadan is a time for the suspension of hostilities. The
Quran is too knowing of human nature blithely to call for peace and
goodwill, but for this one month, there was to be no warring.
Instead, antagonists were to reflect on themselves in contemplation
of who they are, what they are intended to do, how they are to do it,
and above all, why (Q4:94).

Ramadan is a time of contemplation towards clarity; of the analysis
of motives and deeds.

The 22nd or 23rd night of the month is known as Laylat Al-Qadr,
the "Night of Power" marking what is believed to be the actual
anniversary of the Revelation; of the conjoining of Heaven and Earth
for the salvation of Man. At this time, those who have most
diligently observed the Fast engage in night-long vigils of prayer
and meditation, with their physical constitutions cleansed and their
consciences clear and open to insight and epiphany.

A week or so later, with the sighting of the new moon, Ramadan ends
in the most important festival of the Muslim year — a day or two
spent in soulful memory of the departed, communal prayers, charitable
acts and festive family gatherings.

Ramadan is, therefore, a crucial annual check in the cycle of life.
Observed as it should be, each year includes a month in which
humanity pauses for a stock-taking and "spring-cleaning" of the
individual soul, and of the societies formed of them. In this noblest
of months, there is no place for negative thoughts — except insofar
as they can be seen for what they are, and pondered upon for
realisation, repentance, and forgiveness.

For all these reasons, the simple sacrifice of food and drink never
seems to be so great as to merit much fuss. Think of it as having an
earlier breakfast and skipping lunch, no big deal.

But, as Bob Marley observed, "a hungry man is an angry man". A
definite crabbiness does come with an empty belly — which is all the
more reason to welcome the discipline of fasting as a reminder to not
be such a grump about it. (Besides, Marley was referring to hunger
caused by repression, corruption and bigotry, not a passing
peckishness.)

In sum, though, the fundamental ethos of Ramadan is one of retreat.
Some take this literally, opting to take their annual leave off work
to ease back on the throttle and glide a loftier trajectory; perhaps
even spending the month in the Holy Land at this very special time of
year.

For most, the "retreat" has to be more internal than actual; furling
the sails to rest on calmer, more reflective waters.

In search of those calmer waters, there are certain places that are
best avoided during the fasting month. Pre-eminent among them are
the "food courts" of shopping malls and the buka puasa buffets of
hotels.

The final hour of the fasting day is perforce the longest and
hardest, hypoglycaemia being what it is. Remaining calm, therefore,
may be hardest of all when witnessing what happens in that hour in
such places during Ramadan.

They fill to overflowing with Muslims sitting at tables with their
dinners piled high before them congealing on their plates, ice
melting in their tumblers, tea cooling in their cups, waiting in dry-
mouthed and glazed-eyed anticipation for the call of the Azan, not to
pray but to eat.

What's worse, this never happens at any other time of year, when the
call to prayer means exactly that.

True, it is proper to break one's fast at the appointed time, but
this was supposed to be done with a piece of bread or fruit and a
drink of water prior to prayer, with a leisurely and hopefully
convivial dinner to follow. This is a perfectly sound dietary regimen
while fasting; gently restoring fodder to depleted alimentary systems.

Suddenly shoving a kilo of dates, rice, curry, satay, meat,
vegetables, lobster thermidor and air bandung down a parched throat
into an empty stomach, however, can play havoc with the system. Blood
drains from the head to the gut to deal with the sudden engorgement,
blood-sugar levels skyrocket, and the brain is left stuporous.

That the blessed hour of Maghrib throughout the holy month of Ramadan
in this country is now associated with such public spectacles of
preposterous gluttony — for an obsession with food to be the hallmark
of the fasting month — is a riddle to be contemplated with detachment
(Q42:37).

To all Muslims everywhere: Peace and Coolness be upon Thee. Enjoy the
month. Selamat Berbuka Puasa. (Q5:93.)

Indonesian Passport Extension

Part of my 1st day of Ramadan was spent at the Indonesian Consular, getting Kak Yah's passport expiry extended.

The location is at Adam's Row, W1K near Grosvenor Square (where the Indonesian Embassy is: 38 Grosvenor Square, London W1K 2HW, Tel: 020 7499 7661).
It looks kinda like a back lane! However I must say I was pleased to see that there's no queue! Not like the Indonesian Embassy in KL. The office is smallish with a just a few row of seats (3 rows x 6 kot), nothing like the Malaysian Immigration/Consular office. Machine ambik nombor pun kong!

This office is for those who decide to visit instead of mail their application for:
Renewal of passport/New passport.
Extension of passport expiry.
Visa to Indonesia.
Registration of new births.

Official times are:
10.30 - 13.30 Submission
14.30 - 16.00 Collection

Anyway, the officer was sempoy .. semua boleh. Among others:
Q: Bisa buat bayaran bila buat collection Pak?
A: Boleh

Q: Boleh fax kan saja bank statement?
A: Boleh

Q: Can my father fax his bank statement?
A: Can

Yang tak boleh: Pay by Cash. From 24 July 2007, the policy is to only accept payment either by postal order or bank draft.

So how to extend passport?
1. Fill in form (formulir) for extension, get it here (Form_Perpanjangan_Paspor)

2. If you are an Indonesian but yet to register your existence with the Embassy, you are required to fill in this form (include 1 passport photo),get it here (Form_Registrasi)

3. Write your details in the "black book" (register)

Wallah! That's it. Then you wait if there's not many people. Kak Yah's passport took about half hour from the point of submission. Best if you pre-fill all those forms. And extension is free!

Then we went back for iftar - mee kari!!! Yiihaaa!
Tapi nak tunggu 7.48 pm tu .. hmmm .. tengok movie la, Simpson la, exercise la.
Nasib baik la makin lama makin cepat Maghrib bulan pose nie.

Ramadhan

2:183. Hai orang-orang yang beriman, diwajibkan atas kamu berpuasa sebagaimana diwajibkan atas orang-orang sebelum kamu agar kamu bertakwa.

The London Central Mosque has announced that, the first month of Ramadhan is confirmed to be on the 1st September 2008.

Selamat menyambut Ramadhan Mubarak kepada semua.

Seperti kebiasaan, setiap tahun akan ada saja isu mula puasa tidak sama hari. Ini kerana ada negara guna falak, ada negara lihat anak bulan. Alangkan satu negara pun tidak sama jika berlainan area. Macam di UK, Egham where my home is, and Croydon (Khalil & Jai's homes) - puasa dan raya selang sehari last 2 years.

I am amazed that this phenomenon keeps popping up year in year out. Not unlike the terawih 8 rakaat vs 20 rakaat debate. Oh ya, by the way, terawih tu sembahyang sunat, meaning - tak buat pun tak dapat dosa. I suppose new technologies can pinpoint the day anak bulan will emerge, if not the second. So, on that score - actually its a non-issue if you use technology.

BTW, we have been so hard up on this precision of when to start and end Ramadhan all our life. However, looking at Al-Baqarah 2:183 (translation above) - it clearly says puasa is wajib "sebagaimana diwajibkan atas orang-orang sebelum kamu ". This means before me and you, there were people which fasting is ordained e.g. our parents, grandparents, forefathers .. etc. going back to Rasulullah. And since this ayat was first delivered to Rasulullah, it means before him, there were people ordained to fast too. Perhaps Nabi: Isa, Musa, Ibrahim, Noh .. all the way to Adam.

Fact:
1. All of believers (orang2 yg beriman) must puasa/siam (as in "kutiba alai kumussiam")
2. Puasa is in the month/period of Ramadhan (2:185)

The Islamic Calendar, which is based purely on lunar cycles, was first introduced in 638 by the close companion of Rasulullah cum the second Caliph, Umar ibn Al-Khattab (592-644). He did it in an attempt to rationalize the various, at times conflicting, dating systems used during his time. Umar consulted with his advisors on the starting date of the new Muslim chronology. It was finally agreed that the most appropriate reference point for the Islamic calendar was the Hijrah. The actual starting date for the Calendar was chosen (on the basis of purely lunar years, counting backwards) to be the first day of the first month (1 Muharram) of the year of the Hijrah.

Fact:
3. Rasulullah - Nabi Muhammad (lifetime - circa: 570 Mekah – June 8, 632 Madinah)
4. Hijrah calendar created after his death by Saidina Umar Al-Khattab.

Therefore, how do "orang-orang sebelum kamu (Muhammad)" fast in Ramadhan, when Ramadhan was established - say, for Nabi Isa, about 638 years after his birth?

Interesting question innit?

So lets all not get too uptight about the timing of the month & events.

Ramadhan is time to:
1. Refresh our faith
2. Reflect on how Rasululah & his companions "puasa dunia" to achieve what we are enjoying today.
3. Reflect and find ways to improve the lives of the unfortunate ones among us.

Salam Ramadhan.

Isle of Wight

Went to Isle of Wight for 3D 2N Wednesday to Friday.
Excellent! Beautiful island!
Some pics.
This is the Ferry (St Catherine) we took from Portsmouth to IoW. Damage: about £71 (depending of headcount). Once parked, everybody must go up to the lounge or wherever as long as not in the car. View on a good day is superb.

This is the Needles - the name 'Needles' is believed to have been derived from a slender tapering rock pinnacle which was formerly situated a little to the north (i.e. on the Alum Bay side) of the present central rock. This needle-shaped rock, about 120ft high and known as 'Lot's Wife' collapsed into the sea in 1764 with a crash which was said to have been heard many miles away! The stump of this pinnacle can still be seen at low water where it forms a dangerous reef.

URTV Moment

Alum Bay is rocky and the sands are of many colours. Going down to the beach - you can either walk down or take the chair lift. We chose to walk down .. jimat sket beb! Beach is not sandy however, but made of pebbles! Close your eyes & listen to the pebbles knocking each other with the ebb & flow of the sea. I like.

Needles Park - kind of a mini park. Check out the sand store .. fill in souvenir glasses with colourful sands of Alum Bay. See how glasses are made. Play mini golf. Layaaannn!

Sandown: Dino Isle - IOW is one of the world's great dinasour localities. Probably the 4th richest dinasour localities in the world. I think about 15 species were found on this island. This Dino Isle is rather small but full of info on dinasour.

Sandown Beach - quite a nice beach. But nothing compared to Tioman lah. This portion of the beach is just infront of Dino Isle, ada jetty.

Ventnor - ramai gak orang but beach is full of sea weed plus its sand is reddish. Sandown sand better.

I count at least 12 layers of building structure starting from the street level. Reminds me of Switzerland.

Shanklin - a lot of old houses like this in Shanklin. Dell told me the beach here is better than Sandown. Tak sempat nak pegi beach.

Ryde - singgah before leaving for Portsmouth (from Fishbourne Ferry jetty). Had lunch at Alexanders .. pekena Fish & Chips last kopek.

Paling Kodi

Been away a few days. Checking out the Isle of Wight - Cool!

Something to ponder on a Friday (courtesy from Amali)

At-Tiin

95:4 Sesungguhnya Kami telah menciptakan manusia dalam bentuk yang sebaik-baiknya.
95:5 Kemudian Kami kembalikan dia ke tempat yang serendah-rendahnya.
95:6 kecuali orang-orang yang beriman dan mengerjakan amal saleh; maka bagi mereka pahala yang tiada putus-putusnya.

Terdesak

Found this while surfing .. ye lah, agaknya Kampong Jubai tak de internet. Kalau tak, boleh cuba online match making sites.

Any takers?