In the morning of 11 Dzulhijjah 1429, the first day of Tashrik, while about 2 millions Muslims are at Mina and Makkah, we made our first step at 08:30 am from
Rumah Kenyalang at
El Haiyu El Ashar heading towards Suez. Albeit our tired muscles, we were energized and excited! Arrived at Ahmed Hamdy Tunnel (AHT) around 10:05 am. Some statistics about the AHT which I read from the internet: The AHT runs under the Suez Canal at about 17 km to the north of Suez city, connecting the Sinai Peninsula with the eastern lands of Egypt. The construction of the tunnel was completed in 1983 with the open face shield tunneling method and was the first project in the plan set for the development of the peninsula. The tunnel is 1.64 km with a total length of 4.20 km including the entrances. Its internal diameter is 10.40m providing two lanes with a width of 7.5 m for traffic and a longitudinal slope of 3.8%. The designed traffic capacity is 300 vehicles per hour for each direction.The original tunnel lining consisted of precast reinforced concrete rings, 0.60 m thick. Each ring has a length of 1.20 m and consists of 16 segments including the key segment. The route of the tunnel is in a stiff impermeable clay layer. The lowest point in the tunnel is at a depth of 51 m.
30 km from the AHT, we stopped at Uyun Musa dsitrict or Ain Musa - Musa Spring. The district, according to one of the soldier that we met near the Uyun Musa Fortified Firing Position memorial, kept two important historical events: A place where Israelites landed and positioned their artilleries during the 6 Days War in 1967. Secondly, thousand years back, it was said that when Prophet Musa a.s. and his followers – the Jews landed at the Sinai Peninsula after being chased by the Pharaoh, crossing the Red Sea, he used his stick and the miracle bestowed by the Almighty Allah swt, water came out from the twelve rocks or areas for the 12 Jewish tribes. However, sad and sorry to mention that the place is an eye soar; there is no proper signage or information board, the entrance is decorated with trash and the empty springs are full with refuse. There are three springs still available and according to one of the tourist police, the remaining 9 springs were covered by the Israelites! Nevertheless, personally, I still doubt the evidences of the so called story as there is also another Ain Musa at Wadi Musa, Petra in Jordan?!Allah Hu Alam.
At about 11:40 hrs, 104 km from Uyun Musa, we stopped at Abu Zenimah as a humble servant to Allah Rabbul Jalil answering His call for the Dzuhur prayer. Alhamdullillah, we prayed Jama’ for Dzuhur & ‘Asar, a gift by Allah swt for musafirin or travelers who travels for Allah swt. Abu Zenimah has no significant history to share. However, the exquisite beach facing the historic Red Sea lured people to stop enjoying the charming breeze. And, the treasure stored underneath him – the black gold has placed Abu Zenimah’s name so significant in the Sinai Peninsula map.
We made another
pit stop after the Watia Pass around 13:25 hrs; stretched our legs and bodies, answered our natures’ calls and filled up our tanks with some locally made breads and muffins. Watia Pass is range of gorgeous mountains abstract and contemporarily landscaped by the Al-Mighty Allah Azza Wa Jala. There were so amazing that one will be astonished by the natural colors and original shapes made of sandstone, marble, granite, quartz, etc. Amid the scenic landscape, the Kids took the opportunity skateboarded the Ras Sharatib – Mount Musa Highway, another lifetime experience.
We reached the entrance of the St Catherine’s perimeter gate, which is about 5 km to the town center at 14:10 hrs. We have to stop for the security inspection and as usual in Egypt; entrance tickets which cost us LE 35 for 7 persons are essential. Situated at about a kilometer from the gate, one said a tomb of Prophet Salih a.s. We stopped to have a closer look of the tomb area. With a mixed feeling though, the small mosque-like building is smeared with graffiti and litters. There are also other Bedouins graveyards around the area.
We finally reached the 434 km milestone at the roundabout which split the St Catherine’s town and the foot of the Mount Musa at 14:20 hrs. Alhamdullillah Salamah … Allahu Salamaik.
On the way to the Mount Musa’s foot, we spent about 15 minutes at an area one called the Golden Calf believed to be a place where Samiri impatiently diverted the faith of the Prophet Musa a.s. believers; built and placed the Golden Calf statue whilst Prophet Musa a.s. spent 40 days and 40 nights met the Al-Mighty Allah swt at about 2285 meters above the sea-level at the peak of now called Mount Musa to receive the commandments. In this area, you could obviously see a calf-like rock which is said to be the remnant or fossil of the Golden Calf statue. Personally, it is hard to believe though. Allah Hu Alam.
Adjacent to the Golden Calf area, is the Prophet Harun a.s’s hill. One could see the tomb said to be Prophet Harun’s?! Geographically and from the Al-Quran, there is some alignment with the stories, but I'm still in doubt mainly due to the fact that, the Jordanian also claimed that the tomb of Prophet Harun a.s. situated at Wadi Musa at the Nabatean district. Well, we need to read & study more. Allah Hu Alam.
Here we are, clocked-in at 14:43 hrs at the foot of Mount Musa. The temperature was 16 degrees Centigrade. One of the souvenir shops Assistant excitingly recognised us - the Malaysian and was able to say few Malay vocabularies! The place is decent and the ambience was awesome.
In the morning of 11 Dzulhijjah 1429, the first day of Tashrik, while about 2 millions Muslims are at Mina and Makkah, we made our first step at 08:30 am from Rumah Kenyalang at El Haiyu El Ashar heading towards Suez. Albeit our tired muscles, we were energized and excited! Arrived at Ahmed Hamdy Tunnel (AHT) around 10:05 am. Some statistics about the AHT which I read from the internet: The AHT runs under the Suez Canal at about 17 km to the north of Suez city, connecting the Sinai Peninsula with the eastern lands of Egypt. The construction of the tunnel was completed in 1983 with the open face shield tunneling method and was the first project in the plan set for the development of the peninsula. The tunnel is 1.64 km with a total length of 4.20 km including the entrances. Its internal diameter is 10.40m providing two lanes with a width of 7.5 m for traffic and a longitudinal slope of 3.8%. The designed traffic capacity is 300 vehicles per hour for each direction.The original tunnel lining consisted of precast reinforced concrete rings, 0.60 m thick. Each ring has a length of 1.20 m and consists of 16 segments including the key segment. The route of the tunnel is in a stiff impermeable clay layer. The lowest point in the tunnel is at a depth of 51 m.
30 km from the AHT, we stopped at Uyun Musa dsitrict or Ain Musa - Musa Spring. The district, according to one of the soldier that we met near the Uyun Musa Fortified Firing Position memorial, kept two important historical events: A place where Israelites landed and positioned their artilleries during the 6 Days War in 1967. Secondly, thousand years back, it was said that when Prophet Musa a.s. and his followers – the Jews landed at the Sinai Peninsula after being chased by the Pharaoh, crossing the Red Sea, he used his stick and the miracle bestowed by the Almighty Allah swt, water came out from the twelve rocks or areas for the 12 Jewish tribes. However, sad and sorry to mention that the place is an eye soar; there is no proper signage or information board, the entrance is decorated with trash and the empty springs are full with refuse. There are three springs still available and according to one of the tourist police, the remaining 9 springs were covered by the Israelites! Nevertheless, personally, I still doubt the evidences of the so called story as there is also another Ain Musa at Wadi Musa, Petra in Jordan?!Allah Hu Alam.
At about 11:40 hrs, 104 km from Uyun Musa, we stopped at Abu Zenimah as a humble servant to Allah Rabbul Jalil answering His call for the Dzuhur prayer. Alhamdullillah, we prayed Jama’ for Dzuhur & ‘Asar, a gift by Allah swt for musafirin or travelers who travels for Allah swt. Abu Zenimah has no significant history to share. However, the exquisite beach facing the historic Red Sea lured people to stop enjoying the charming breeze. And, the treasure stored underneath him – the black gold has placed Abu Zenimah’s name so significant in the Sinai Peninsula map.
We made another pit stop after the Watia Pass around 13:25 hrs; stretched our legs and bodies, answered our natures’ calls and filled up our tanks with some locally made breads and muffins. Watia Pass is range of gorgeous mountains abstract and contemporarily landscaped by the Al-Mighty Allah Azza Wa Jala. There were so amazing that one will be astonished by the natural colors and original shapes made of sandstone, marble, granite, quartz, etc. Amid the scenic landscape, the Kids took the opportunity skateboarded the Ras Sharatib – Mount Musa Highway, another lifetime experience.
We reached the entrance of the St Catherine’s perimeter gate, which is about 5 km to the town center at 14:10 hrs. We have to stop for the security inspection and as usual in Egypt; entrance tickets which cost us LE 35 for 7 persons are essential. Situated at about a kilometer from the gate, one said a tomb of Prophet Salih a.s. We stopped to have a closer look of the tomb area. With a mixed feeling though, the small mosque-like building is smeared with graffiti and litters. There are also other Bedouins graveyards around the area.
We finally reached the 434 km milestone at the roundabout which split the St Catherine’s town and the foot of the Mount Musa at 14:20 hrs. Alhamdullillah Salamah … Allahu Salamaik.
On the way to the Mount Musa’s foot, we spent about 15 minutes at an area one called the Golden Calf believed to be a place where Samiri impatiently diverted the faith of the Prophet Musa a.s. believers; built and placed the Golden Calf statue whilst Prophet Musa a.s. spent 40 days and 40 nights met the Al-Mighty Allah swt at about 2285 meters above the sea-level at the peak of now called Mount Musa to receive the commandments. In this area, you could obviously see a calf-like rock which is said to be the remnant or fossil of the Golden Calf statue. Personally, it is hard to believe though. Allah Hu Alam.
Adjacent to the Golden Calf area, is the Prophet Harun a.s’s hill. One could see the tomb said to be Prophet Harun’s?! Geographically and from the Al-Quran, there is some alignment with the stories, but I'm still in doubt mainly due to the fact that, the Jordanian also claimed that the tomb of Prophet Harun a.s. situated at Wadi Musa at the Nabatean district. Well, we need to read & study more. Allah Hu Alam.
Here we are, clocked-in at 14:43 hrs at the foot of Mount Musa. The temperature was 16 degrees Centigrade. One of the souvenir shops Assistant excitingly recognised us - the Malaysian and was able to say few Malay vocabularies! The place is decent and the ambience was awesome. 
0 comments:
Post a Comment