The Philharmonic of Cleopatra Bazaar

The color of the Burtaan or Burtuqal or orange cheers the market, however, it will soon gone together with the departure of spring 2009. Masalamah Spring 2009, Ahlan Summer 2009.
Alexandria has at least six main open-air marketplaces or souks that I know. But, the one new Kafr Abdou called Souk Zananery in the local dialect aka Cleopatra market is our favorite one since we moved here in 2006. Since then, we had built good networking and rapport with the fishmongers, fruit & vegetables sellers, and even the fresh juices owner at the North entrance of the market. The good network has given us certain ‘privilege’ like discounted price – I mean without raising your voice begging for good price; sincere advice on the quality of the produces, and ‘security’. In general, the decent ambience of the 150 meters stretch open-air market and the hospitality of the people make you feel at home.
These are not alien or other freaky creatures’ nests, but rather, a usual scene that one could find in any marketplaces in Egypt. There are actually cow meat wrapped with locally blended herbs and spices.

Standing tall, watching people from all walks of life, the Greyie duck will greet you with her sweet wide smile.

The local pigeons or hamam in local dialect, sitting obediently after being fed by the owner enjoying the chilly weather of Alexandria spring.

The rabbit aka bunny or arnab in Arabic is one of the favorites dishes of the local Egyptian. They preferred it grilled, but Mulukhiaah (similar to vegetable soup) with arnab is one of their specialties’.

One of the happy Assistant fish sellers, Muhammad, with his friendly smile handed over the mackerels to us. The mackerels cost us EGP 50, which is cheaper than Terengganu.

One may wonder why the pigeons are mouth-feed by the owner. That is, first, the woman will store the bird’s food in her mouth, mix it with her saliva, then, she will hold the pigeon by its wings and force the mixed food to the pigeon’s beak. Honestly, I do not have the answer.

The locally grown Faraoghla or strawberry, replaces the oranges during summer. It is only EGP 3 per kg and the price will go down further during the peak of summer.

The friendly crew of the Philharmonic Cleopatra Bazaar. See ya.

The Treasures of Kom El Dikka

It was a sunny but cold day in Alexandria and we decided to explore the Roman Theatre in Kom El Dikka (pronounced Dakka), the city’s largest archeological park. I have visited Rome, but this was the first time for me to explore a Roman monument in Egypt!
After we paid the admission fees of EGP 20 each, passing through the highly guarded gate, we went in with high curiosity, but skepticism. Immediately after the entrance gate, you will see some statues, sarcophagus, and some other artifacts from other places in Alexandria at the Open Air museum.
After spending about 15 minutes around the 50 meters Open Air Museum, we went to the amphitheater or the odeum, which is 10 meters away. The amphitheater consists of thirteen gray and white marble levels of terraces that lead down to the arena. Its buttressed wall, designed in a semicircular style act as a passageway that ran beneath the early theater. Built in the 4th century AD, it remained in use until about the 7th century AD, or about the time of the Arab invasion. It was discovered during the 1960s when a government building was planned for this location over the ruins of a Napoleonic fort that had earlier been destroyed. The theatre has seating, elevated towards the rear part, in the shape of a horseshoe. There are thirteen rows of white and gray marble seats probably imported from Europe - Italy, except for the first row, which was made of red granite to give strength to the structure. It could hold up to 800 people. The step seating of the Roman Theatre was built upon a thick limestone wall with another brick wall surrounding that one.

There are passages and rooms beneath the theatre seats where actors were stationed before their performance, and for use as to store equipment.

Walking about the well preserved Roman Theatre, one will notice a number of stone columns and capitals that once supported its domes. There are also a number of old Roman decorations, including Byzantine icons. It consists of a cross inside a circle. The cross of course is the standard icon of Christianity, while the circle is the circle of light on the face of Christ. There is also some Greek inscriptions that proclaims a political victory, which indicates that the theatre was used for political meetings during the Byzantine period.

Below are photos of some of the artifacts that we captured around the theater.

Rejuvenating your Psyche at The 'Garden' of Alexandria

An amiable evening at the Montaza Palace, Alexandria, rejuvenated our paradigm. Montaza literally means ‘park’ in English, or promenade, walk or stroll. It is about 20 kilometers east of Alexandria’s old district. One has to pay EGP 6 to enjoy the magnificent Montaza Palace and Park, which is certainly a highlight of Alexandria.
This complex is surrounded by great walls from the south, east, and west, and with the beach on its north side. This area used to belong to the Mohamed Ali family, which ruled Egypt from the mid 19th century until 1952. King Abbas II, who built a large palace inside the complex called the Salamlek, started the construction in 1892. Later in 1932, King Fuad built a larger palace called the Haramlik.

However, the Montaza is always associated by many people with the black history of the penultimate King of Egypt – King Farouk, who succeeded his father King Fuad I in 1936.
The teenage monarch was enamored of the glamorous royal lifestyle. Although he already had thousands of acres of land, dozens of palaces and hundreds of cars, the king never seemed satisfied with his wealth. He would often travel to Europe for grand shopping sprees.During the hardships of World War II, criticism was leveled at Farouk for his lavish lifestyle. And, as he got older, the king began pilfering objects and artifacts while on state visits abroad, including a ceremonial sword from the Shah of Iran and a priceless pocket watch from Winston Churchill. Common people were also often the victims of the kleptomaniac monarch. His well-known panache for thievery soon earned him the nickname "The Thief of Cairo". This excess would be one of the leading sparks that triggered the 1952 military coup.

The King's alleged corruption in Egypt and defeat during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, led to a military coup on July 23, 1952, directed by Gamal Abdel Nasser, who forced Farouk to abdicate and exiled him to Monaco, where the former king lived the rest of his life. Immediately following Farouk's abdication the monarch's baby son, Fuad II, was proclaimed king, but for all intents and purposes the monarchy had been de facto abolished. In 1953, it was formally abolished and a republic was declared.

The new regime quickly moved to auction off the King's vast collection of trinkets and stolen treasures.Farouk continued to live a lavish life even in exile, and continued his obsessive accumulation of material goods. His gluttony for fine cuisine soon made the former king dangerously obese, weighing nearly 300 pounds (140 kg). On March 3, 1965 he collapsed at the dinner table, following a heavy meal.

Today, after 57 years passed ago, the complex provides varieties of facilities, the 5 Star Helnan Palestine Hotel, acres of Palm garden for the weekend picnickers, Boat club, a Marina, decent Restaurants, Conference Halls, beautiful Mosque, Pine garden, and the virgin beach line. These amenities are very essential for the 4 millions local Egyptian and tourists alike.

Air condition by the Mediterranean breeze, the Palm and the Pine Gardens, will unite one’s mind and soul with the nature and history of the past. The original well-maintained landscape provides the contrast of the pastel desert color and the bluish Mediterranean cools one mind and vision.

These are what the past and the Almighty Creator Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala had given us, the coolness of the mind for us to think and the clear vision for us to see the future, our ultimate destination. Thus, who ever we are; whatever we do and where ever you go, always remember Allah Rabbul Jalil………and, He will remember you.

The Colors of Life

Someone came to me and said, “wow…great pictures!”…yes, indeed there are great pictures that I captured around Alexandria during this Spring 2009. The short episode brings me to another subject, which I called the challenge. Well, let us challenge ourselves, provoke our thinking, and be open about it. Let us first start with one fundamental question: who creates the colors of that great pictures; who mixes and blends the colors before the flowers flourish into beautiful subject that attracts others, which decorates the environment; who creates the sweet natural scent that boost one’s vibe?
Leading to it, the point that I try to make is, we need to utilize our brain appropriately and wisely. Wise enough to drive our actions to the right path that will lead us to the right destination.
We says the pyramids are great structure on earth, without realizing that our both eyes are much more miraculously amazing than the pyramids or other so-called great structures in this world. We spent hours in the meeting room deliberating anything that we though will benefits us, but reluctant and hesitantly spare ten minutes of our time praying supplicating before Allah swt inside His ‘house’ – the Mosque. When we are on the road, 30 minutes stop for a cup of coffee at the Rest & Revive restaurant is some sort of obligatory thing to do as compared to spending 5 minutes stop at any Mosque performing prayer in-group. We talk proudly about the good and the bad things about anything – the BMW, Mercedes, Nikon, Mont Blanc, Conoco Philips, Timberland, Polo, Starbucks, …etc., anything! But, indolently and sluggishly boost our interest to improve our knowledge about the return that we will gain if we perform our 5 times obligatory prayer in group in the Mosque promptly; the benefits of investing our wealth in building the poor and the community in general; the blessing that Allah promised if we spend our time for Him in helping others, etc.
This reminds me about one saying by the great Messenger of Allah swt, Prophet Muhammad saw (peace be upon him), he said, “A wise man is, a man who always remember the dead”.

Ask ourselves; where are we heading to? What is our destination? Have we made enough and necessary preparations for the long, winding, and bumpy journey? Are we ready?
In the nutshell, we should think and act wisely before making any judgmental conclusion that will derail and divert us away from the right track.

Eastern Tower of Alexandria

In the centre of town today, an area laid out in the 20th century preserves military vestiges from the medieval period and from the reign of Mohammed Ali. Its builder, Sultan Ibn Touloun, had it constructed in the 9th century. Its design of high walls and square and circular flanking towers is typically medieval. All that exists today are two enormous towers, which once dominated the eastern section of the wall and marked its corners. The south-eastern corner tower is not easily accessible these days because it is built into the wall of the sports stadium situated to the south of Shallalat park. Its two semicircular turrets flank a doorway that gave access to the space between the double curtain wall.

Spring '09: Life at Kafr Abdou

PETRONAS Token - La Poire

The EGP 150 voucher - a token given by PETRONAS as a remembrance of the Mawlid dur Rasul or the birthday of the great Prophet Muhammad saw (peace be upon him) has brought us to the La Poire Pastry at Loran, Alexandria. It has varieties of cakes, pastry, as well as locally brewed coffee. The hospitality and the friendliness of the crew, Ibrahim Amir, Ibrahim Ali, Amany Moursy and Amir were amazing and commendable. One good thing of this branch is the strategic location along the 22-kilometer Alexandria Corniche facing the romantic Mediterranean. Again, we would like to record our sincere gratitude to PETRONAS.

12 Rabiul Awal 1430 Hijri: The Day to Remember

photo: the above photo was taken by NIKON D90;f/5.6;ISO-800;A 1/60 sec. at Amr Ibn 'Ass Mosque at el-Fustat, Cairo. It depicts the concept of Oneness; the sign of Peacefulness; the reflection of Sincerity and Repentant; the spirit of Convergence, and the fruit of Obedience.

12th Rabiul Awal - A day to be reminisced by all Muslims globally. The day that witnessed the arrival of the utmost supreme-man ever lived in this temporary world. A man who has brought us lights, which shown us the right path and destiny. This is the day where all Muslims should stands united irrespective of colors, race, language, culture, shapes, and ideologies. The birthday of a man loved most by Allah Rabbul Jalil, who had sacrificed his life, time, wealth, and efforts to bring people to the path of Allah Subhanahu wata’ala, the path which assures success in the life thereafter – the ultimate destination of human kinds. This is the man, when one follows his words, his philosophies, actions, and his lifestyle, will gain the genuine and true success in this world and thereafter. He is the last prophet of humankind, Prophet Muhammad saw (Peace be Upon Him).
Recorded below are some of the people opinions, says, and views about this great man, which I collected from various sources:

”If a man like Muhammed were to assume the dictatorship of the modern world, he would succeed in solving its problems that would bring it the much needed peace and happiness."
- George Bernard Shaw
"If ever a man had the right to say that he ruled by a right divine, it was Muhammad. for he had all the powers without their supports. He cared not tor the dressings of power. The simplicity of his private life was in keeping with his public life."
- Rev. R. Bosworth-Smith
"Muhammad was the soul of kindness, and his influence was felt and never forgotten by those around him."
- Diwan Chand Sharma, The Prophets of the East, Calcutta 1935, p. 122.
"Four year after the death of Justinian, A.D. 569, was born at Mecca, in Arabia the man who, of all men exercised the greatest influence upon the human race . . . Muhammed."
- John William Draper, M.D., L.L.D., A History of the Intellectual Development of Europe, London 1875, Vol. 1, pp 329-330.
"In little more than a year he was actually the spiritual, nominal and temporal ruler of Medina, with his hands on the lever that was to shake the world."
- John Austin, "Muhammad the Prophet of Allah," in T.P's and Cassel's Weekly for 24th September 1927.
"Philosopher, Orator, Apostle, Legislator. Warrior, Conqueror of ideas, Restorer of rational beliefs, of a cult without images; the founder of twenty terrestrial empires and of one spiritual empire, that is Muhammed. As regards all standards by which human greatness may be measured, we may well ask, is there any man greater than he?"
- Lamartine, Historic de la Turquie, Paris 1854, Vol. 11 pp. 2762727.
"It is impossible for anyone who studies the life and character of the great prophet of Arabia, who knows how he taught and how he lived,. to feel anything but reverence for that mighty Prophet, one of the great messengers of the Supreme. And although in what I put to you I shall say many things which may be familiar to many, yet I myself feel whenever I re-read them, a new way of admiration, a new of reverence for that mighty Arabian teacher."
- Annie Besant, The Life and Teachings of Muhammad, Madras 1932, p.4
" Muhammad is the most successful of all Prophets and religious personalities."
- Encyclopaedia Britannica
"I have studied him ? the wonderful man ? and in my opinion he must be called the saviour of humanity." - George Bernard Shaw in "The Genuine Islam"
"By a fortune absolutely unique in history , Muhammed is a threefold founder of a nation, of an empire, and of a religion."
- Rev. R. Bosworth-Smith in " Muhammad and Mohammedanism 1946

Bottles and One Hobby

I am not very sure why I like to store empty perfume boxes and bottles (mostly I bought at Duty Free shop whenever I travel), and hotels’ shampoo bottles, which I collected from the hotels that I stayed. Some says it is just a dust collecting things; another says what sentimental does it gives. Well, this is what unique feature that a creature called human being has to keep them busy in their life. It is fun though, besides reducing the adverse impact to the environment and return to the money you have invested.

photo: some of the perfume bottles

photo: some of the hotels’ shampoo bottles collection that I line up on my Ikea shelves back home.

The Nilometer

After had been two and half years settling in Egypt, alhamdullillah, at last we finally landed at one of the island along the longest river in the world called the Rowda Island. We had been planning to visit this place since 2007, but due to time and work constraints, the plan deferred many times. The significance of this Island is one can fine an old instrument used to measure the Nile’s level – the Nilometer. The entrance fees are LE 15 for adults and LE 8 for children and/or students. Amid the hazy weather eight of us, M Yacob, Haziah, Humairah, Nasihah, Nana, M Aiman, Afiqah and I, dared ourselves to learn in depth the significant of this historical instrument to the Egyptian's economy in the past.
The Nilometer in Arabic known as a miqyas, was used to measure the flood levels of the Nile River. It is a heritage of Egypt's distant past, when such structures marked the course of Egypt's grand river. These types of devices continued to be useful up until the modern era when the Nile was tamed by modern dams. During August and September, it was used to regulate the distribution of water as well as to compute the levy of taxes paid as tribute by Egypt to the Arab Caliph, since the generosity of the Nile was in large part an indication of Egypt's prosperity. It was built by order of the Abbasid Caliph al-Mutawakkil (847-861) under the direction of Ahmad ibn Muhammad al-Hasib at the end of his reign in 861. Devised by Abu'l 'Abbas Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Kathir al-Farqhani, a native of Farghana, West Turkestan who was known in the West as the astronomer Alfraganus, the Nilometer undergone several restoration. Ibn Tulun had the Nilometer restored between 872 and 873 AD, and it was again restored in 1092 by the Fatimid Caliph, al- Mustansir. It remains mostly original, except for the wooden painted conical dome roof, which is a modern restoration.
It consists of a pit that extends well below the level of the Nile that in turns connects with the Nile through tunnels dug on three levels on its eastern side. The pit, which is lined with stone, is circular at the bottom and rectangular at the top, is accessed by a staircase on the interior walls. Its walls have four recesses with pointed arches, and small, relatively thin columns to either side adorned with two types of zigzag framing decorations carved on its stone voussoirs. Though these arches, known as "tiers-point" are the same type as those used in Gothic architecture, they preceded the Gothic arch by some four hundred years. In the center of the pit a marble, octagonal column with a Corinthian capital that rises from its depths surmounting a millstone. At the top there is a wooden beam spanning the Nilometer. To measure the Nile flood, this column is graded and divided into 19 cubits (a cubit is slightly more than half a meter, and hence, it was capable of measuring floods up to about 9.2 meters). The flood that this Nilometer measured was both important to the rulers of Egypt as well as the whole population. An ideal flood filed the Nilometer up to the sixteenth mark and less then this could mean drought and famine. On the other hand, if the measurement exceeds the 19 cubits, a catastrophic flood was at hand. In the days prior to the expected flood, this column would be anointed with saffron and musk in order to help induce a good water level.
Plain Kufic inscriptions adorn the walls of the Nilometer and are the earliest surviving examples of architectural epigraphy (inscriptions considered as a group) in Egypt. However, the inscription recording the establishment of the Nilomter by al-Mutawakkil has been removed. Creswell, a well known historian of this period, believes this was done by Ibn Tulun, who replaced it with additional verse, as part of a campaign to assert his independence from the foreign Caliphate. Part of the original inscriptions read:
"We send down rain as a blessing from heaven, whereby we cause gardens to spring forth and the grain to harvest." (50:9) "Hast thou not seen how that God has sent down out of heaven water, and in the morning the earth becomes green?" (22:62)

Because of its importance in determining the prosperity Egypt would experience during the following year, this Nilometer was the departure point of the greatest of Cairo's celebrations throughout the medieval period. This was the Fath al-Khalij, the festival of the Opening of the Canal, which ceased in 1899 when the Khalij (Khalig) was filled in (this Nilometer itself probably continued to be used up until the last flood in 1970). The Khalij Canal started opposite Rawda Island, bordered the medieval city to the west, and irrigated its outlying gardens and fields. The Khalij canal was blocked with an earth dam and was cleaned before the flood. It would then be opened when the water level reached the sixteenth cubit level, when the caliph and later sultans and pashas would inaugurate the celebrations that lasted for several days.

The summer flood from the Nile would then fill this canal, together with many ponds that would have winter beds green with vegetation. During the celebrations, decorated boats would crow the waters, and among these, the most splendid would be that of the ruler and its shores were lined with entertainment. Those who witnessed this event refer to it as Cairo's most spectacular celebration. Near the Nilometer was a mosque for prayers during the flood celebration, and a palace for banquets held by the various rulers.

On the Eastern side of the panaromic scenery, one can find a Ummu Kalthum museum, which provides information on the significant contibution of the late Ummu Kalthum, one of the greatest Egypt celebrities to the socio-economy then. Well, as usual you will have to fork out LE 2 from your pocket to enjoy the five minutes walk inside the museum.

References for Spiritual Enhancement

Some of our references, the four volumes of the Translation of Sahih Muslim (rahmatullah ‘alaih); the Characteristics of the Sixty Prophet Muhammad saw (peace be upon him) Companions, and ultimately, the Holy Quran el- Kareem, the main guidance for all Muslim and humankind at large, without which, Rasullullah saw said during in his sermon at Arafah, one will lost his way in his pursuit to happiness.

Visit by Our Great Old Friends

It was honored to accommodate our good old friends Md Yacob and Haziah. They spent almost two weeks with us and came here to visit their daughter Humairah who is studying in Alexandria Medical School. They short presence had reminisced and evoked our memories of our 12 years stint in Bintulu which stored and treasured significant nostalgic stories and histories of my life. Four of our kids were grown up, spent their primary phase in Bintulu, and our daughter Afiqah was born there. Well, too long the episode to share and too many details to write in this humble blog.The latest thing about Md Yacob and Bintulu is, they have Brilliant Kindy Kids’ School and Tahfiz Institute Bintulu or in short ITB, an institute for people to learn to by-heart the holy Al-Quran el Kareem. Md Yacod is the chairperson of the ITB and both of them are one of the shareholders of the Brilliant Kindy. Congrats to both and may Allah swt always be with them.

Ta'lim - Part III

Suddenly, there was a person who said salam.
“May I come in?” he asked.
However, Fatimah did allow him to enter the room.
“I’m sorry, my father is ill,” said Fatimah, turned back and closed the door.
She went back to her father who had opened his eyes and asked Fatimah, “Who was he, my daughter?”
“I don’t know, my father. It’s the first time I’m seeing him,” Fatimah said gently.
“Know one thing…He is the one who erases the temporary pleasure; he is who separates the companionship in the world. He is the Angel of Death,” said Rasullullah saw (peace be upon him).
Fatimah bore the bomb of her cry.
The death Angel came towards him, but Rasullullah saw (peace be upon him) asked why Jibrail did not come along with him.
Then, Rasullullah saw (peace be upon him) looked at his daughter with a trembled look, as if he wanted to reminisce about every part of his daughter’s face.
Jibrail was called. Jibrail was ready in the sky to welcome the soul of the Habibullah, the leader of the earth.
“O Jibrail, explain to me about the rights in front of Allah?” Rasullullah saw (peace be upon him) asked with a very week voice.
“The doors of the sky have opened; the angels are waiting for your soul. All Jannats are widely open waiting for you,” Jibrail said.
However, all that did not make Rasullullah saw (peace be upon him) relieved. His eyes were still full of worry.
“You are not happy to hear this news?” asked Jibrail.
“Tell me the destiny of my people in the future?”
“Don’t worry, O Rasullullah saw (peace be upon him). I heard Allah swt told me: “I make Jannat haram for everyone, except the people of Muhammad,” Jibrail said.
The time for Malaikat Izrail to do his work became closer and closer. Slowly, Rasullullah saw (peace be upon him)’s soul was pulled. The body of the greatest man ever lived on earth was full of sweat; the nerves of his neck became tight.
“Jibrail, how painful the sakratul-maut is!”, Rasullullah saw (peace be upon him) slowly uttered with groan.
Fatimah closed her eyes, Ali sat beside her bow deeply, and Jibrail turned his face back. “Am I repugnant to you that you turn your face back O Jibrail?” Rasullullah saw (peace be upon him) asked to the Deliverer of Wahyu.
“Who is the one could see the Habibullah in his sakratul maut,” Jibrail said.
“Not for a while,” then Rasullullah saw (peace be upon him) uttered a groan due to the unbearable pain. “O Allah how great is this sakratul maut. Give me all these pains, but not to my people”
The body of Rasullullah saw (peace be upon him) became cold, his feet and chest did not move anymore. With tears in his eyes, his lips vibrated as if he wanted to say something. Ali took his ear close to Rasullullah saw (peace be upon him). “ Uushiikum bis salahti, wa maa malakat aimanku” which means “take care of the salat and take care of the weak people among you.”
Outside the room, there were cries, each one shouting, the companions holding each other, Fatimah closed her face with her hands.Again, Ali took his ear close to Rasullullah saw (peace be upon him) and with his mouth which became bluish, and tears in his eyes, he uttered “Ummatii, Ummatii, Ummatii” which means “My People, My People, My People.”

That was the conversation recorded during the last Day of the Most Nobel Man on earth.

Despite have read, heard, and received the stories many times, the soul of the message still burning in my mind, touched my hearts and shed tears from my eyes. This is the philosophy and passion of the last Prophet Muhammad saw (peace be upon him) towards his people. Thus, as a Muslim, we should subscribe to his philosophy religiously with no exemption

February - its Origin and Significance to us

I am updating this chapter of My Story at the First Class Lounge Doha International Airport Qatar. Departed Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) at 02:30 am in the morning, alhamdullillah, out flight QR512 landed safely at the Doha airport about 05:20 am (local time) in the morning - just a right time for us to perform the Fajar prayer our obligation to Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'la as guided by His great Messenger Prophet Muhammad swt (Peace be upon him). The lounge concept and design is quite similar to what we have at KLIA except for the size which is slightly smaller. However, it has few extra facilities like Jacuzzi, Sauna, SPA and 5 2-star bedrooms for a long hour transit passengers. It serves varieties of foods and bevearages in their pleasant dining hall. To cut the story short, the 9 hours transit was just like home and entertaining.

As promised earlier, in this update, I would like to share you my knowledge about the origin of the month called February - the shortest month, pronounced as fe-booae-ry.

February was named after the Latin term februum, which means purification, via the purification ritual Februa held on February 15 in the old Roman calendar. January and February were the last two months to be added to the Roman calendar, since the Romans originally considered winter a monthless period. They were added by Numa Pompilius about 700 BC. February remained the last month of the calendar year until the time of the decemvirs (c. 450 BC), when it became the second month. At certain intervals February was truncated to 23 or 24 days and a 27-day intercalary month, Intercalaris, was inserted immediately after February to realign the year with the seasons. Under the reforms that instituted the Julian calendar, Intercalaris was abolished, leap years occurred regularly every fourth year (after a few years of confusion), and in leap years February gained a 29th day. Thereafter, it remained the second month of the calendar year, meaning the order that months are displayed (January, February, March, …, December) within a year-at-a-glance calendar. Even during the Middle Ages, when the numbered Anno Domini year began on March 25 or December 25, February continued to be the second month whenever all twelve months were displayed in order. The Gregorian calendar reforms made slight changes to the system for determining which years were leap years and thus contained a 29-day February.

And, today, 28.2.2009, is the birthday of my great sister-in-law, Kak Hjjh Rahmah, aka Mok Mah by her niece and nephews. Wish you a prosporous and happiest birthday and may Allah swt always give you His Blessings.

D90 - Satisfies our Craze

Our latest gadget – NIKON D90, to satisfy our craze on photography and art in general. It is not mine but rather we bought it for future ‘Afi’s tool – his art work and aspiration to become an architect.
In Dubai, the cost for the basic unit is USD 2471 or QR 6289 whereas in Malaysia the tag price is RM 4588. However, after went through at least 5 shops at Sungai Wang Plaza, Suria KLCC and Low Yatt Plaza, I managed to cut a good deal with Fotokem Low Yatt Plaza with a total cost of RM 4370 with 5 freebies – a Steinseizer Tripod, a Steinseizer bag, 8GB Toshiba memory card, HOYA filter and a camera cleaner set. Besides the basic unit, I equipped the D90 with NIKON SB-600 Speed light as a ‘slave’, which I bought separately from Amara Beta Sdn Bhd, 3rd floor Low Yatt Plaza for RM 830. To ease one life instead of hauling the whole unit, and tempted with the 25% discount offered by the Foto Shangrila, I grabbed a stylish sling Lowepro camera case for RM 460. The total damage for the whole items was RM 5660 with an expected Return within 3 years time!

What is D90, and its features ?

The D90 is a digital single-lens reflex camera model announced by Nikon on August 27, 2008. It is a "prosumer" model (cross between professional and consumer) meant as a replacement for the Nikon D80. Some of the improvements the D90 offers over the D80 include 12.3 megapixel resolution and live view capability. The D90 is also notable for being the first DSLR to offer video recording, with the ability to record HD 720p videos, with mono sound, at 24 frames per second (for up to 5 minutes or 20 minutes for smaller videos). In summary, below is the basic features and capabilities:

-Nikon's 12.3 megapixel Nikon DX format CMOS sensor.
-Movie mode (720p,with mono 22kHz sound).
-Active D-Lighting (4 levels and Auto).
-3-inch TFT LCD with 920,000-dot resolution (VGA) and 170-degree ultra-wide viewing angle.
-Live View shooting mode (activated with a dedicated button).
-Continuous Drive up to 4.5 frames per second.
-3D Color Matrix Metering II with Scene Recognition System.
-Multi-CAM 1000 autofocus sensor module with 11 AF points.
-Face detection autofocus in live view mode.
-ISO sensitivity 200 to 3200 (100-6400 with boost).
-Nikon F-mount lenses
-Built-in Sensor cleaning system (vibrating low-pass filter).
-HDMI HD video output
-Support for GP-1 GPS unit.
-File formats: JPEG, NEF (Nikon's RAW, 12-bit compressed), AVI (Motion JPEG).
-EN-EL3e Lithium-ion Battery, Battery Life (shots per charge) approx. : 850 shots (CIPA).
-Weight: Approx. 0.620 kg (without battery), 0.703 kg (with battery)

Riding the Perfect Storm

Session 8 of the PETRONAS Management Forum 2008/09 obligated me to travel back to my beloved Malaysia – the truly Asia. Amid the chilly ambience and rainy weather of the 12th day of February, I went to the el-Nazouha airport, which is 15 minutes away with my lovely wife, Nana. Upon arrival at the airport area, the Meet & Assist staff, named Bassem – a pleasant and decent guy speak good English welcomed to assist my checking-in process. With his smile on his face, he ushered me to the check-in counter of Qatar First Class section. At the counter, whilst Bassem resumed his task, I patiently observed some self-centered people tried jumping the queue and there was small commotion between the Qatar airways supervisor, I presumed, with one nicely dressed young Egyptian. Making it worst, what provoked my patience was the officer himself who allowed the passengers behave in an uncivilized way. However, credit must be given to the Supervisor though, who managed the situations in a very professional manner. It took us about 25 minutes crossing the first hurdle! Alhamdullillah, we crossed the second hurdle – the immigration counter with no hustle in a smooth civilized queue.

I went straight to the water closet (WC) to do my ablution. There was no proper prayer area, I mean AREA, not ROOM, allocated for the Muslim to carry out their obligation inside the airport where 95% of employees and passengers/users are Muslim? Just could not believe it myself. If we can have a beautiful garden around the airport which I think cost them hundreds thousands LE, why can we have a small but proper prayer room say at least for 30 people?
Despite the lack of proper prayer area, we performed our Maghrib -‘Isya prayer at the corner of the departure hall. One could imagine how tough it was to achieve the standard of concentration or khusyu’ amid the un-conducive ambience of the hall!
After about one hour waiting, the gate opened, I joined the queue, and then the Security passed me in but the Qatar airway Supervisor politely stopped me. He asked me to wait for another bus, for the first class passengers. Again, I patiently watched the economy class passengers boarded the good-looking bus and wondering why they cannot just let me in, after all, it was only me alone, I thought. Finally, they ushered us, 2 other Egyptians to another bus, which is actually in bad-shape as compared to the one I mentioned earlier for the economy class passengers. I could understand their intent though, and would not be really bothered with the segregation either, but the point that I want to make is how people should use their common sense appropriately.
Greeted by the multi-racial Qatar Airlines’ crews, we finally boarded the Qatar Airline Airbus 320 safely.

Subhanallazi Sakharalana Haza Wamakunallahu Muqrinin Wainna illa Rabbina lamunqalibun.

Nawah @ Alexandria

Last few days, Alexandria experienced gloomy and murky weather – raining with heavy wind, and definitely chill. Despite the nawah, in local dialect, the locals, tourist and us, ventured the weekend at Fort of Qaitbey, the western wing of Alexandria. The Fort or the Citadel of Qaitbey is a 15th century defensive fortress built upon the ruins of the Lighthouse of Alexandria - Pharos, was one of the seven ancient wonders of the world. It was established in 1477 AD by Sultan Al-Ashraf Sayf al-Din Qa'it Bay.

Amid the chilly windy weather, few buses of Chinese tourists watching the wild Mediterranean wave smacking the retaining wall of the Qaitbey castle and Behery beach line. However, the walls standing proud cuffing back the current to the Mediterranean basin. Retaliating back persistently and driven by the nawah, the wave slapped back the wall again tirelessly. These phenomena had taught me great lessons – teamwork, persistent, perseverance, and most of all, their obedience to the command of the almighty Creator Allah Rabbul Jalil.
Lured by the amazing design and size of the Fort, out of curiousity we decided to have an inside view of the historical castle. We paid 10 LE at the front entrance, which we initially thought the main entrance of the entire castle. Felt cheated and not worth paying, it was just a five minutes walk-around a room with artificial sea animals! Well, that is Egypt.

Saturation

February has only 28 days on the normal year. Amid the nawah in the local dialect, literally means monsoon in Malaysian or heavy & windy weather in laymen English, I had nothing much to share in this chapter of my story I called saturation. The world news either CNN or BBC or Sky News or Aljazeera had one thing in common, the Israel-Gaza issues and propagating their base home stories, wrecked havoc my migraine and ruined my appetite. Akin the ELNG challenge and its political game, had made me more stressful and shrunk my mental stamina. I have tried to complete the book “whatever else ever happened to Egyptians” this month though, but the saturation dampens the mood and the enthusiasm.
Fortunately, the team of Yayasan Yusuf fraternity that I have, my greatest asset that I own managed cheering and boosting me up. The strength and characters that each one of them possessed entertained me with colors and music of life.

The first two weeks was a little bit busy though, turned on by the unchartered training plan and staff movement, and had to drag my leg and soul to Cairo often.
On the 5th of this nostalgic month, I had a dinner with Adnan, the CEO of ELNG, at the Nile restaurant, el Hayu el Saba’ or district Seven in English. It had been quite a long time I stop patronizing the restaurant, the Nile restaurant that fully own by few Thailand students pursuing their religious study at el Azhar, had undergone a remarkable face-lift of the main dining hall. We asked for the typical Thailand and Malaysian cuisine – the nasi goreng kerabu or fried rice with herbs, mixed vegetable, tom yam and Nasi Goreng Pattaya or Pattaya (Pattaya is one of a very popular tourist towns in Thailand) fried rice. The hospitality, the service, the food, and the price were highly commendable. It cost us LE 35.00.
Well, that is not the gist of my story though, what I like to share here is the topic of our conversation that we had during the dinner. It was about education, specifically the essential of mastering the Arabic. We had been taught that the language one speaks in the life thereafter is Arabic; the holy Quran revealed by the Almighty Allah is in Arabic and the common language of the Muslim brothers and sisters all around the globe is Arabic. However, in Malaysia, since hundreds of years ago, the approach the so-called Arabic was through learning the basic of reading the basic Muqaddam vis-à-vis the mushaf of holy Al-Quran. We were not saying it is wrong, but the approach and the methodology are not right. I personally think that, people must be educated on the comprehension of the language, not on how to read without actually understanding the meaning of what he read. We were taught on how to read, write, and comprehend English, since the pre-school level, which had made English as our second language if not mother tongue to few of us – the so-called high-end fraternity. The product of this approach has helped many Malaysians – the Bumiputra and Non-Bumiputra alike, achieved high standard of living, had demonstrated significantly in many aspects, and recognized by the global community.

Now, sad to mention that some Malaysian al-Azhar students are not able to master the Arabic language, which is their medium of study?
Reading or reciting the holy mushaf Al-Quranul Kareem is indeed important, but comprehending what we read is much more important than the reading itself. Nonetheless, comprehending without practicing is futile. Hence, for that reason, the approach need to focus more to understand the fundamentals of Arabic language be it ‘ameya or local dialect or the fusahah or the standard.
The tête-à-tête during the nonchalant dinner became more interesting when we moved on to another important topic , the education system of the Al-Azhar University vis-à-vis the attitude of many Malaysian Al Azhar students’. Well, I am not going to elaborate further the subject that might have boiled up my disposition.