Last Days of Ramadan

Saturday: 27 Ramadan 1429/27 Sept 2008
On a rare occasion both the Gregorian and Hijah Calendars are on the same footing. I could not recall of any sharing of the same date among the two in the last few decades. I might be wrong though.

Yesterday, Friday was the last day of lectures for UiTM students for this semester before they headed home to be with the loved ones. Malaysian students, primary and secondary schools, polytechnics, community colleges, private and public universities, are given a speacial Aidil Fitri Holidays from 27 Sept to 4th October.

Fortunately I had only one two-hour lecture with the BBAM 1A students and I didn't dread to see empty lecture rooms because quite a big number of students have already bolted from campus due to trasportation schedules. Three of my students, including Md Kahiri, the Class Representative, stayed away from the lecture. The remaining 25 faces in the room looked gloomy and dejected for having to hear to my lecture.

The slot was well spent to encourage and anticipate questions from the floor. Intially the students were slow in forwarding their questions. In order to motivate them to ask any question, I told them that I would be giving them some marks as their students' participations grade. Gradually I received some mind boggling questions from Fatiyyah, Fathur, to name a few.

Malay students, at all educational levels, primary to university, are non-paticipative in class. They are either unwilling or hesistant in voicing their problems openly. On numerous occasions I have already reminded them that There is nothing wrong with not knowing, but it is very wrong for not asking. My noble attempts in all these years of teaching in UiTM came to no avail. Malays students must undergo a shift in their learning paradigms in order to achieve academic excellence. If the students are willing to share their problems, then the teachers would be able to comprehend their inabilities to absorb whatever is being taught. Besides whenever a student is daring to ask question in public, in class to be specific, he or she has let known his handicap to the society. This effort will trigger a brainstorming session to derive with an answer or decision. He or she would become more confident, in his daily life. Malays, like the Third World Country Students, are timid and are non-participative in class. This maybe one of the reasons that Malays are weak in English and other foreign languages beacause they would like to stay numb during language lessons. So buckle up in order to achieve higher academic performances by asking many questions during lectures.

By now, students and parents are busily preparing for the Aidilfitri. Some Muslims have the wrong concept about religious and cultural diversities. They have the wrong priority about Puasa. Instead some prioritise Aidil Fitri rathan than Fasting. This perspective must be put in the right order from now. Muslims must put Fasting ahead of Aidil Fitri. Allah has promised to reward all good deeds in the of Ramadan with handsome bonuses. We must grab this opportunity once a year. In encouraging His servants to achieve maximumum rewards, He has imprisoned all the negatives forces, Satans and devils. Muslims will not be cowed or influenced or distracted in performing their obligatory and supplementary rituals by the opposing forces.

We have 4 days more to grab this offer, so spend the remaining days of Ramadan by doing all chores totally for Allah. Besides studying and doing house chores, the remaining time should be filled with reading the Quran or reciting the wirids and doas. The night should be spent by performing the Trawih, Tahajjud, Taubat and Hajat prayers. Insy'Allah we will get the blessing from Him.

Insy'Allah, Aidil Fitri would be celebrated on Wednesday, Oct. 1. Wake up prior to the Azan of Subuh and perform your Subuh prayer together with the other Jemaahs in suraus and mosques. Join in the Takbir Hari Raya before having your heartious breakfast, which has eluded us for one month, with our beloved ones. Finally, don't you ever fail to perform the Aidil Fitri prayer in the suraus or mosques because if we fail to do so, is jus like having conquered the enemy but we lost the war.

To all my students, Aina (BACC 1A), Kelana (BBAM 1B). Azizah (BBIB3B), Megat (BBAF5D), Jamilah (BBAF5E), and Ben (BAS5A, just to name a few, and the rest of my July - October 2008 students and to all Muslims all over the world I wish Happy Aidil Fitri and please accept my humble apologies.

Assoc. Profesor Hj Sa'aban Hj Salim
0123630698

Happy Days are Here Again

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

It has been 24 days that Muslims have fasted in this holy month of Ramadan. Today is the last Wednesday that Muslims will fast as the next upcoming Wednesday, Muslims would be celebrating their joyous day, Aidilfitri.

Let us walk through the remainings days with pride and dignity. Do not let the days pass without committing wholelly to Allah. Fasting does not only mean to abstain and deprive our bowels from food and beverages, it should also to deprive the eyes from seeing and watching things that are forbidden by Allah; it is also to deprive the ears from listening the audios that would not enhance your belief and fate to Allah; it is to deprive your mouths from uttering words that does not recite the words of Allah; it is also to deprive the brain from planning and thinking of doing somethings that Allah forbids; it is also to forbid other parts of human body from doing something that derail their conviction and submission to Allah.

The remaining days should be treasured wholeheartedly because we could never know that we will ever be in this world in the next Ramadan. Go through the days with more serious and sincere submission to Allah. We must perform our obligatory prayers on time; read our Quran; recite all the doa; read some hadis; have an early breaking of the fast; perform the Tarawikh prayer; go to bed early so as to enable us to wakke up early and perform or Tahajjud and Hajjat Paryers. Then have a late supper, 10 minutrs befor Fajr prayer, and head to the mosque or surau to join the morning prayer.

Allah has always been and will always been benevolent and kind by offering a solitary moment, called Lailatul Qadr, in one of the last 10 nights of the month of Ramadan. We have 5 nights to grab this golden and spiritual opptunity. Hence you ever waste the nighty hours without doing something to submit to Allah. The reward to be offered to His subservient servant would be something that will be equivalent to 1000 months or 33 years and 4 months. Don't let these last days gone by without trying to do something to redeive the blessings of Allah.

The schools, colleges, politechnics and universties would be giving special Hari Raya Breqk from September 27 to Octoeber 5, 2008. Muslim students would be allowed to share their joy with thier loved ones for a week and they will business will be back as usual on Monday October.

A word of advice, Hari Raya comes every year, Final Examination will only come when you maintain your CGPA. Enjoy when you can, Study when you must.

Please plan your trip home. If you fail to plan your trip, there would never be anymore trip home.

Happy Hari Raya. Maaf ahir Bathin.

Dr Bano

Ramadan AlMubarak

Sunday September 21, 2008
Selamat Berpuasa and get ready to celebrate Selamat Hari Raya.

Well, what have you aquired or experienced after abstaining form food and beverages in duration of you fast? Allah has promised to His servants that thosewho fast will experience two golden moments in their quest to submit to Him i.e. the moment you want to end your fast and the moment of meeting Him in the YaumilAkirah.

As His humbleand suservient servants, we are to change our lifestyle and our submission to Him. Firstly, as promised, Ramadan is the Holy Month whereby all the negative forces, the satans, are being locked away theroughout the month from carrying out their terms of references - to distract humans from obeying the commands of their Creator.

Fasting, not only be deprived of food and beverages, means to abstain from doing the act ofmunkar. Munkar can derive from you eyes, ears, mind and body. Hence, Muslims are offered tremendous rewards for guarding their acts of munkar. The month of Ramadan ensures Muslims that good deeds will be rewarded from 70 to 700 times.

Hadis, has it said that by having a late sahur, supper, Muslims will be accorded with rewards from Allah. Upon waking up, he would then perform his Tahhujud prsyer; had is last supper and headed to mosques or suraus to perform his ubuh prayer. Having answered Allah's call to perform Subuh prayer, he would then read a few verses of the Holy Quran.

The day begins with his normal jobs in whatever that he is involved in. Then during Lunch Break he would be congregating with the other Muslims in the performing of Zuhr prayer in a mosque or surau. While waiting for the afternoon session to start, he is advised to read the Quran and Hadis. By 5 his day would be over and he heads ome to be with his family. On reachng home he must perform his obligatory Asr prayer, either alone or with his family.

The Asr prayer is the mid-prayer of the day i.e. the middle prayer between Subuh and Zuhur and between Maghrib and Isy' prayers.his is the testing time during the fasting. It is only about 2 hours before the beaking of the fast but it will be the most challening minutes of the 12 hours fast. You would feel the the second-arm of your watch or clock, moves slowly than the normal movement. Even second of the 24 hour system is meaningful. Some people would use this challeging time to help his wife prepare food for the breakfast, while some would be reading the verses of he Quran and some would be languishing in front of TV.

Usually the last 300 seconds to the breakfast time would be really the most difficult test of your spiritual endurance. Hold your desire because as Prophet Muhmmad (pbuh) once stated that The most difficult thing to do is to fight against desire. Humans differ from the other creation of Allah is their ability to control and master thier emotional and spiritual quotients. Both quotients would be uncontrollable or unmanagable without the intelligent quoutient. islam is a religion the evolved around Intelligent Quotient, Spritual Quotient and the Application of both.

Finally, the breakfast time is here. Azan would signal the end of one's fast. This signals he success of one's spiritual effort to gain Allah's blessing. Children and adults too would instanly gargle and swallow whatever food and beverages on the dinner table. No ne woud be able to describe the thrill and excitement of tasting the first drop of liquid after 12 hours of thirst and hunger.

Hold and behold. Islam has it made that once Azan Maghrib is filling the air, we must pronounced our thanks to Allah for having successfully performed our fast. Then before sipping our first drop of liquid through our mouth, we must offer ourdoa to Allah for providing the food for our consumption. Quench your thist and tasted the delicaries that Allah has provided for you and at the same time we must also bear in mind that Muslims all over the world are not so lucky to have lavish food o quench their thirst and to fulfill their hunger.

That's the rationale of having to fast is to understand the difficulties and hardships of other fellow humans who are starving to live in this planet earth. As Muslims we are to pay Zakat and Fitrah so that the fund could be used to help the sufferings of others.

Does our fasting process end hee? No. Don't eat as if that is the last meal of your life. Our Beloved Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) once said Stop eating before your are satiated because someone with full stomach would be hesistant or worse would be unable to perform his obligatory solat. That would be the worse thing to happen to someone who has managed to perform his fast but fail to perform his utmost obligation, to pray. of course Maghrib prayer. Fortunately most Muslims who have fasted during the day would not fail to perform his oher Maghrib prayers.

Is that the end of our routine in he month of Ramadan? Not yet, though. Take a break after Mahrib prayer beafor preparing yoself to attend Isya' and Tarawikh prayer at home or at the surau. A day in Ramadan would only end once you have performed your Witr prayer which is usually performed at around 10 pm.

Time to sleep and ready to roll he same routine throughout Ramadan.

Selamat Meneruskan Puasa and Selamat Hari Raya Ailfitri.

Maaf ahir Bathin.

Dr Bano

D-Day for Politicians

Friday March 7, 2208

Less than 24 hours, Malysians will go to the polls to elect a new government of the day. To developed countries like, US, UK, France, Japan, Italy, just to name a few, election to them is just a formality whereby the government of the day will be thrown out from power at the most for a period of 8 years.

To a lesser developed countries like Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, South Korea the governments are being ruled by Prime Ministers who sometimes go beyond 20 yerars, while the least developed countries in Asia, Africa and South America the Prime Ministers and Presidents were actually dictators of the world.

The unique issue of the Malaysian government is that the country is being ruled by a bunch of politicians who represent a coalition of more than 10 political parties whose ideologies are knotted into one theme the National Front. Hence, these politicians, on elected would not only serve his party, but also his constituents, as well as the electors of other parties.

Another uniqueness of Malaysian politics an the unfair treatment among the winners of this election is the allocation for development of RM 400,000 are only allocated to the Ruling Party winners. The MPs from the opposition are unable to develop the infrastructure of his constituency due to the deprieval of the fund. The government, National Front, must change this unfair treatment to the people because they are the obedient tax-payers who deserve developments evethough they elect the opposition parlimentarianns.

Use your rights in accordance to the law of the land and elect the best candidates who represent political parties than can bring freedom, happiness and tranquality to this beautiful country.

Happy Voting. Kamousta.

Election Fever is Here Again

Saturday, February 23rd, 2008

It's been some days and hours that I have lost my touch in writing for D Banos due to family, work and society commitments and obligations.

As an academic staff, we were allowed to go on leave from February 3rd to 9th, in junction with the Chinese New Year Holidays. My wife and I were ready to spend 4 days and 3 nights in Medan from Feb. 7th to Feb. 11th. Our tickets were orcestraed through UTAS Travel Kuala Lumpur.

On Tuesday, Feb. 5th, we were shopping at Giant Muar hen my wife received a call from Shaik, our second son, relaying his health condition that he felt to experience a mild stroke while driving home from his golf session. I saw my wife was in ears and asked or my response. Oh Allah! What sould we do? My instinct directed me to order him to park immediately while waiating for hisbrother's presence.

We called and told Adik to send his sibling to Damansara Medical Centre. Adik, with Shafik's PA, did as was told. Hurriedly we headed home and started calling everyone in Kuala Lumpur and nationwide. We were unable to head to KL because TND, who were to fix our 3 phase connection to our house, would only be coming at around 4 pm.

UTAS Travel was contactd to cancel our plan and we could only head o KL at around 5.30 pm. Meanwhile my wife had cried her soul. Finally, we mananged to see our beloved Shafik, at around 8.00 pm at MC. Alhamdullilah, Shafik was physically stable. At around 100pm Shafik was awake and from his statement we concluded that he had experience a terrible stress due to family and business commitments. We lft DMC at around 1230 pm and spent the night at Saujana Impian.

At 1030 am, Wednesday morning we headed back to Damansara to be with our son. The good news came with the doctor's positive report that Shafik cleared of Heat Case, Cholestrol and mild stroke. Everyone, Pak Long, Uncle, Pak Li, Pak Aziz, Pak Moed, with the excepton of Pak Ngah, were present to hear the good news. We stayed around till 830 pm before heading for Kajang.

Thursday, Feb. 7th, Kong Hee Fatt Choy, my wife and kiddos headed toDamansara, while I headed for Muar at around 1030 am. he traffic was bad from Kajang to Seremban. I managed to be safe and sound at the comfort of home at around 230 pm.

Friday and Satuday were spent on marking students' assignments. At around 430 pm, Saturday, my wife called and wanted me to be Shafik's house immedately. After my Maghrib prayer,at around 830 pm, Jais, my close friend, and I, headed for Damansara and we reached Damasaradamai around 1145 pm.

Many people were there to settle Shafik' marita status. Besides my wife and I, Moed, Mak Nah, Pak Aziz, Hj Mahzan, Noi, Anja, Linda, Julianaa, Atuk Linda, Jais, Adik, and Emi wer e there. After much deliberataion we ended our discussion with Shafik and Linda were irreconcilable at around 100 am Sunday morning. The rest was history.

In the time of bad taste I mananged to watch Nigeria to beat Ivory Coast. Jais and I left Damanasara for Muar at around 500am Sunday morning, Feb, 10th. After breakfast at Pak Hussin I reched home.

Well, Leoprdas never change their spots.

Xong Hee Fatt Choy

Friday February 8th, 2008

Chinese New Year,Xong Hee Fatt Choy, is here again. This celebration is associated with traditional, rather than religious, occasion. 2008 is called as the Year of the Rat. Rat, or sometimes called rodent, envisages negative attributes. Rats brought diseases and cause losses to human economy. Chinese believe that those born in the year of the rat are involve in unstable economy.

Chinese New Year 2008 was on Wednesday, February 7th. On Monday, February 4th, my wife and I planned to make a trip to Medan, Indonesia through UTAS ravel Agency. While we were shopping at Giant Muar, at noon on Tuesday, Shafik, called my wife that he had mild stroke while on his way home afer a game of golf. My wife was dillusioned and made frantic calls to our third child, Mohammad Asshad to attend o his brother's medical problem. Immediately we cancelled our flight and left for Kuala Lumpur after Asar prayer.

We safely reached Damansara Medical Centre at about 2000 hrs. Alhamdulillah!Our beloved son was physically stable. We stayed around until 2230 before we headed for Kajang. It was already 0030 hrs, Wednesday, February 5th. I performed my Maghrib and Isya' prayer before ending my day at around 0130 Wednesday Morning.

At about 1030 Wednesday Morning, we headed to Damansara to be at my son's bedsite. We were informed by the medical staff that Shafik was cleared of heart case and he needed fuher investigation till Saturday. The joy of receiving the news made me to call for a treat. All my in-laws were treated for free food at the cafetaria. We left Damansara for ajang at around 2230 hrs. I managed to perform my obligatory prayers before I fell asleep at around 2300 hrs.

On Thursday, Chinese New Year Day, I performed my Subuh Prayer at 0630 hrs and read my Yassin. We had our breakfast at around 0830 hs with Nasi Lema, Mee and Tea. My wife, daughter Juliana and her husband, Udin, and our kiddos left for Damansara at around 1100 and I headed for Muar alone at the same time.

The journey from Kajang to Seremban was really testing my patience. I could hardly accelerate up to 40 km per hour. The traffic flow was clogged. After reaching What a journey!

Well that's all for now. Kamusta

Semester Break is ere Again

Sunday, February 3rd, 2007

Tomorrow, Monday 4th to Sunday 10th February, 2008, MARA University of Technology students would be enjoying heir short break. It's the time for the students to back with their loved ones after a separation of about 4 weeks. Students must be wise to manage the leisure times by playing around with their younger siblings, or by visiing old friends and relatives and at the same time not to forget their books and assignments.

As a lecturer like me, it's time for me to obtain fresh materials to be imparted to my students after the break. It's also the best time for me to exchange ideas, to have breakfast and lunch and dinner outings ad lastly to visit our beloved grandchildren in Kuala Lumpur. Perhaps we may make a 4-day trip either to Medan or Jakarta.

The break is also the best time for both of us to spend quality time together. This is m 39th year of my service with the government. On any working day we would have about 1 to 2 hours of quality time. Usually I would leave home for more than 8 hours and I would be hme at arund 1700 hrs. On reaching home, I would perform my Asr prayer, had my tea and read my newspaper and took my bath. At 75 hs I would be heading to the surau from my Maghrib prayer and I would be home at around 1945. My wifewould be praying in her room for her Maghrib and Isyak rayers. Upon reaching home I would read Yassin then I headed to the surau for Isya' prayer till 2105 hrs.

At aound 1920 we dined together and went separate ways. I would be engrossed with my academic chores, while my wife would be engrossed wih her Quran reading or she wuld be watching her favourite tv programmes. Sometimes I would only in bed at around 1000 hrs. At 0530 I would clean myself and prepared for the Subuh prayer either at home or at the surau. After Subuh I was ready to leave for lectures either at 0645 hrs or )745 hrs at the latest.

The daily routine would go on until Friday where I would be home at around 1430 hrs, immediately after Friday pray. My wife and I would lunch together and we would be able to chat anything at the lunch table. Usually I would take a short siesta for 1 hour and then I would perform my Asr prayer and soon afte that the rountine spin again.

On Saturdays and Sunday mornings, ether I played golf till 1130 hrs or I would be having breakfast with my wife in town. Sometimes Saturdays and Sundays were spent attending wedding receptions r meeting fiends.

Since the break will break the daly routine, we would be planning to visit our beloved kiddos or make a trip overseas.

Well that's life to be managed wisely and meaninfully.

Happy Holidays to Shaipul and Kamarul (BTSL, Fa'iq (BBIB), Hamsyah, Saveas, Hafis, Iqbal, Hakim and many others whose names are yet to be recorded in my RAM.

Birthday Blues

Saturday, January 26 th, 2008
According to Gregorian Calendar, at midnight 0000 hrs I have managed to to attain my 60 th Birthday. At exactly midnight I offered prayer to Allah swt for extending my life to 60 years.

Looking back down my memory lanes from the days I was born to Hj Salim Hj Sirat and Hjh Kamsiah Hj Salleh, 60 years ago, I always Allah swt for making me a man, a father, a husband, an uncle, cousin, brother, lecturer and a humble servant to Allah. According to my late mother, I was bor on a Monday, coincentally the day when our Beloved Prophet Muhammad was born. My early life started with sickness and at one stage I was prononced dead. Thanks to Allah swt for giving me a second chance to be in this temporary world.

My first 7 years of my life was a beautiful one. As Sayedina Omar said that children at this age must be treated as toys. In factI went outside the toy era by attending Sekolah Umum Bukit Soga, Batu Pahat at an early age of 5. My classmates were 7-year-old children and that experience of being with older boys later has transormed me to be a matured person.At Standard 4, 9 yers old, I sat the Entrance Examination for the Malay Students to enter a special programme for top Malay Students, Special Malay Class. I was succeesful and I had to repeat standard 4 in Lim Poon Primary Boys' Schhol to continue my Standard 4 - 6. When I was in Lim Poon Primary Boys' School I became a teacher's Pet especially Miss Teo and at one stage I was adopted by my headmaster, En Zainal Abidin.

I left LPBS to join High School, Batu Pahat in 1960, at a tender age of 11. Here again I was a teacher pet to Indian Lady Teachers. When I was in my early teen I started to be active in social services by joining Boys ScoutGroup. My involvement in this association has led me to be what I am today. Baden Powell, the founder of Bys Scout had made a man out of me. He once said,"Once a Scout is Always a Scout." Scouting acivities have me friendship, loyalty, honesty, obedience, resilience, accountable, responsible,commited and decidication. My activess in scounting had made a Royal Scout,bestowed by HRH Sultan Ismail when I was barely 16 years old.

This early experience had later repeated itself when I was awarded the Melaka State Award, Bintang Kepujian Tertinggi, by the Governor of Melaka.
In 1963 I sat and passed my Lower Certificate of Education and I attended the Science Steam. Unfortunately I was undecided whether or not to pursue my studies in Arts or Science stream. Finally I decided I joined Form 5 Arts. Some of my former Form Fourers becane doctors or scientists while I became a college train teacher from Language Institute, Kuala Lumpur in 1968.

My first posting as a teacher was Sekolah Menengah Air Baloi, Pontian from 1968 to 1973 teaching English, Mahematics and Physical Education. I ended my bachelorhood by marrying Azizah Ab Rahman, a Muarian, on December 24 th, 1970. Our marriage is blessed with three wonderful children, Julianaa, a Business Graduate, Dato'Shafik Rizaal, a corporate figure, and Mohammmad Asshad, computer scientist working in his brother's firm.

In 1974 I applied for a transfer to Muar and I was posted to Sekolah Menengah Pagoh from 1975 to 1979 teaching English and Geography. Later in 1980 I was transferred to Sekolah Menengah Jalan Junid Muar. Besides teaching in these schools was actively involved in Boys' Scout Association, as Scoutmaster and as I was an avid footballer, I held the post of Secondary School Football Secretary for many years. Apart from that I was the English Key Personnel for the Muar District for many years too.

In 1979 I was selected to pursue my studies for the Diploma in Ensglish as a Second Language in Universiy Malaya. Then in 1982 I was managed to get a scholarship, under the Young Lecturer Scheme, ITM, now currently known as UiTM, to pursue mys BA and MA in Northen Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois, USA. Upon my completion of my studies, I was posted to ITM Shah Alam on 19 August 1985. After serving Shah Alam for one semester, I was posted to ITM Melaka on December 1 st, 1985. During my service in Melaka, I held the post of Language Coordinator, English Proficiency Course Coordnator and the Deputy Director of Students' Affairs until I officially retired on January 26 th, 2004. I duly served the Malaysian Government for 35 years.

Now I am a contract lecturer from 2004 till 2010. My family is now made up of 3 children, 2 in-laws and 5 grandchildren. On my 60th birthday I pray to Allah swt to offer me with Iman, Takwa, Good Health, Healthy Children and Grandchildren and be a Good Muslim.

Till my next birthday I will sin off now.

The Beginning of a New Era

Monday January 21, 2008

It has been quite some time I didn't write in my blog due to work committment and I had had not nothing much to share with fellow bloggers.

Yesterday, Sunday, January 20th, 2008, YAB Prime Minister announced that Thaipusam would be declared a Holiday to KLites and Dato' Seri Samy Valu has appealed to other states, particularly Melaka and Kedah, to follow suit. Sincerely I hope Thaipusam should be declared a national holiday rather than sates holiday.

This is the 4th week of this semester, Dec. 07 - May 08, and the ball has started rolling at the feet of the students. At 0830 hrs, the BBAIB 3B students would be presenting their first tasks of BEL 492, the Introductory section, which carries 20% of the whole course.

Tomorrow, Tuesday, January 22, 2008, UiTM Melaka would be having its Quality Day and Maal Hijrah Celebration in Lendu. All lectures for tomorow would be postponed so as to enable lecturers and staff to attend the function. Unfortunately I had to replace 6-hour lecture some time this semester.

This week, to be exact Saturday, January 26 th, 2008, I would be celebrating my 60 th Birthday. Thanks Allah swt for giving me the Iman, Takwa, Good Family, Excellent 3 Children and 5 Grandchildren, Good Health, Beautiful Friends and Good Profession during the last 60 years. I beg and succumb to Allah swt to prolong this beautiful life for some time to go. How Long. Waullahuaklam.

Bye for now.

Two be or not To Be

Mon January 14, 2008

The new semester has already reached for he third week today, Monday. the students' name lists, the exact numberof students and the right group are still in disarray.

Supposedly these things should have been finalised by January 10, with the icoming of the second-intake students. Unfortunately it did not materialised. To add salt to injuey, certain groups were disbanded due to lack of students.

What is really happening to the new members of this instituition? Are we lacking the right number of students to pursue their basic degree? Or are we lacking in he number of students who have form and substance.
Some students lack the form of aspiring to be the intellectuals of the future. Quite a number of the students are still unprepared to be matured students by not dressing well, coming late to class and or staying away from lectures. These students need to change their attitudes now.

Hopefully, the students would change for the better, tomorrow, Tuesday, January 15 th. Insya'Allal.

The Day of the Rekoning

Saturday January 12, 2008

Well, it's Saturday, the day that government workers have been waiting for. For what? Recreation, travelling, wedding reception, social gathering and many many more.

Last night I was invited to atend YB Datuk Dr Harris's daughter's Akad Nikah. Her husband is from Johor Bahru. It was the first Akad Nikah since my own daughter's wedding in 2002. The occasion was colourful, awesome and simple. It was over by 2300 hrs.

Ismail, a close buddy from Aolr Star, called to remind me about our colleague's daughter's wedding in Alor Star, Mohammad Abdullah, today, Jan. 12,2008. I told him i wouldn't be going because I had to attend Haris's Wedding Reception which happen to be today too.

I wouldn' be playing golf this morning because I would be busy peparing for my lectures, shopping at Giant for my beloved kiddos' toys, breakfast with my wife, and I would be attending two wedding functions.

The day sated with my Subuh prayer and Yassin reading and then blogging. Unfortunately I have not much to share with you today.

Kamusta.

New Bottle New Product

Friday December 11th, 2008
The Gregorian Year was celebrated on Tuesday, January 1st, 2008, while the Islamic (Hijjrah) Year was on Thursday, January 10, 2008.

New Year will always be coming annually and do we have to change our personality, character, attitudes and ethics every year too? To some who have no basic pricipals in life will keep on searching for new hopes and aspirations but to the majority who have incalcated the right paths would keepn on trying to achieve their goals.

Happy New Year and Happy Maal Hijrah.

Old Wine in a New Bottle

Monday, January 7, 2008
The Dec. 07 - May 08 started on Monday Dec. 31st followed by the New Year Day on Tuesday.

On the first day of the semester, I was in campus by 0730hrs eager and motivated to embark on my pedagogical assignment. At 0735 hrs I took my breakfast at the MARA Corner alone. By 0820 I was already in DMK 3 to launch my teaching. Unfortunately nobody was around. I fixed the OHP, which I carried from the 15th floor.While waiting for the audience to come in, I scroughed through the notes of BEL 492. It was 0830 hrs when the lecture should have started. Nobody showed up.

Time ticked by. Waiting is not my game. I waited and waited until 0930 hrs when I decided to call of the class carrying the OHP to the next class which should start at 1030 hrs, BEL 422. As usual I was ready for my next lecture. There I fixed the OHP again in Z 13 6. Then the same experience of having an empty class occurred. So I called off the class at 1100 hrs.

Then I started to ponder about the attitudes of the previous and the current students towards the old habits of abstaining from lectures when a holiday is coming. I have been lecturing for the past 23 years in ITM, now UiTM. UiTM is considered a New Bottle and the Students are labelled as the the New Wine, as the Engllish saying goes. With a new terminology I expect the students would have new attitudes. Unforunately, only he bottle is new. The new students still possess the old habits of abstaining from lectures whenever there will be a holiday next.

The attitudes of the Bumi students must change for the better. It's the Bumis themselves who can change, not others. My expectations hat the new students would inculcate new attitudes were high. As mentioned earlier, t's a new bottle with old wine.

Hopefully as the semester moves on, the wine will change and it will take some time because Old Habits Die Hard.

2008

Tuesday January, 1st, 2008

It has been two hours and 33 minutes that 2007 has left us. Millions who share the same time zone celebrated the birth of a new lunar year in various wayss, while the rest of the world would be celebrating new year as the clock ticks at mid-nightlater.

As the clock struck at 0000 hrs, January 1st, 2008 few thousand Malaysians, including, the Prime Minister, shouted, clapped and overjoyed at Dataran Merdeka n Kuala Lumpur. Some Malaysians gathered in Johor Bahru, Penang, etc to welcome the new day.

Prior to the great moment of tme, my Azizah, Hazli and his wife, Aida and I were chitchatting from 2200 hrs till 2330 hrs. We had tea and fruits from Giant. At the exact moment I was watching TV3's New Year Celebration Countdown.

Walking back to memory lane, I celebrated my 59th Birthay on Jan. 26. My Beloved kiddos were 4 in February. We went to perform Umrah in May. My contract was renewed on Oct. 1 still Sept, 30 th, 2010. Not much happening this year except for a new happy moments andxpectations this year.

My expectations? Off course I would pray to Allah swt to give me good health and mind, increase my iman and takwa and please fulfill my children's wishes and dream to reality.

Happy New Year

2007 Days Before They End

Friday December 28, 2007
As time ticks by, the days for 2007 will be over in a 4 days time. Hence we have already spent 365 days of 2007.

Looking back what have we achieved or failed to achieve in 2007? Let us walk backwards to our memory lane. January is the month that I would be looking forward to because my birthday falls on every 26th January. This time it was on Friday too. Do you want to know what was my wish for my birthday? Well, as usual, I would ask Allah swt to bestow me with Takwa, Iman, Good Health and Happy Family. Since that day, I managed to get what I wished for. My daily routine submission to Allah swt is greater than ever. In fact i even went further by Umrah in June. I still possess my great sound mind and body to serve my community by lecturing English in UiTM, Melaka.In fact, I was appointed as a contract lecturer from October 1, 2007 to September 30th, 2010. Malaysia Qualification Agency, formerly known as LAN, still needs my services.

Nothing much has happened to Julianaa, my eldest daughter, who is still serving RHB Bank in Kajang; while Shafik Rizaal, my second child, had been conferred Datukship by HRH Sultan of Pahang and Mohammad Asshad,my youngest baby, 25, still works with his brother.

My eldest grandchild and granddaughter, Fathin Aliya, 4, is an intelligent and higly inquisitive girl. Next comes my twin grandsons, Abang and Anand,4, are the best gift Allah swt has given us, both are intelligent, active and healthy. My fourth grandchild and grandaughter, Maryam Khatijah, 3, is brilliant and talkative and my youngest grandchild , Aiman Danial,3, is intelligent, healthy but rather timid. These are the God Gifted humans who would be carrying my good name.

Did I fare well economically? Well, I am a poor money manager. I would always throw rather than keep my money. Fortunately my money is well spent on my family, especially my 3 grandchildren. I bought 2 motorcycles, a Kriss and a Comel, for my daily transport to the mosque.

To recall 2007, I found it to the year that has given me peace, tranquilty and happiness to my family and I.

Thak you Allah swt what what you have given me.

The Day to Remember

Tuesday Dec.25, 2007

Christmas is here again. Christians are spending thier times with their lost and loved ones. Cookies, goodies, present and liquor freely available for everyone. To my Chritian friends , Merry Christmas.

What does Dec. 25th, mean to me and mt wife? The day is the most important in our married life. We were legally married on Dec. 24th, 1970 and our Wedding Reception was held on Dec. 25th 1970.

To be exact we have been happily married for the last 37 years. Our eldest daughter, 36, married to Ab Latiff, has a set of twins (both boys) and a 3-year -old daughter. Our second child, Dato' Shafik, 33,married to Linda, has a daughter and a son, while our youngest baby, Muhammad Asshad, 25, is still single.

After 37 years we have experienced ups and downs in our careers, marriage and life. Professionally I have achieved something beyond my wildest dream, that is to be accorded associate professorship. On the religious point, we performed our Haj in 2001. Together we have been to England, Paris, Bangkok, Beijing, Jakarta, Bandung and Padang. On the economics front, we own a semi-detached house, 2 cars and 3 motorcycles and a small plot of land. Educationally we managed to send our children to the universities.

I will always pray to Allah swt that the 10 of us be blessed with strong conviction in Islam, be healthy, economically stabilised, committed and dedicated to Allah and the nation.

Merry Christmas. Happy 36th Anniversary

2nd Day of Aidiladha

Friday December 21, 2007

By the time Muslims in Malaysia celebrated Aidiladha, the former Prime Minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Muhammad would be 82. May Allah swt bless him with good health.

Well, today is the second day of Aidll Adha. Last night I went to bed with my beloved Abang at around 2300 hrs. I was awakened at around 0430 hrs and washed myself and performed solat Tahajjud and Hajjat. Then I went to Al Nasirin to perform my Subuh prayer, imammed by Samsuddin Husi. We had Tashkirah about Takwa. It was read by Imam 3, Shamsuddin Bajuri.

Upon completion of my morning prayer, I proceeded reading my Yassin. I am on leave today so I have all the time to be spent with my kiddos. We went shopping for cookies on my Kriss. Then we had breakfast together. Most of the time, I did some searching for my old notes while throwing the unwanted things into the trash bag.

At around 1230 hrs I cleaned myself before picking up Yus, TV techncian, for my Friday prayer. The weekly congregation was over by 1400hrs. I invited Yus for lunch at home and while waiting for my wife to serve the goodies, Yus atended my TV. Lunch was served at 1420 hrs. After lunch I sent Yus home.

The rest of the evening was spent with my kiddos.

The Day of Sacrifice

Thursday Dec. 20th, 2007

Most Muslim countres of the world celebrated Adil Adha, the second greatest day in Islam yesterday, Wednesday, Dec. 19th, 2007 while my own country celebrate the great day today.

Why there is a descrepency between Islamic Nations in clebrating the great occasion? Muslims are required to pactice hisab (astrology) and rukyah (technology) in determining the sighting of the beginning of the Islamic months. The sighting of he new moon varies from one demographic location to another, due to the geographical features, weather and the high techonology apparatus being used by the authorities. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia declared that the new moon of Zulhijjah was sighted on Dec. 10th, while Malaysia which is about 5 hours East of KSA, declared that the sighting of the Zulhijjah was on Dec. 11th. Therefore the day pilgrims performed the most important ritual, i.e to be in Arafah, was on Tuesday, Dec. 18. Non-Pilrims were to celebrate he Aidil Adha on the 10th of Zulhijjah. The majorty of the Muslims, therefore celebrated Aidil Adha on Wednesday, while Muslims in Malaysia celebrate it today.

We are sure whether Muslims in Malaysia are celebrating the right Aidil Adha at the right time. Only Allah swt knows. Whatever it is, we started the celebration as of Maghrib prayer, where Muslims display their pledge of Loyalty to Allah by reciting Takbir after Maghrb and Isya' prayers at homes, suraus and mosques.

For record, for the first time my eldest daughter and her husband did not celebrate Aidil Adha with us because the nursery would be closed for the holidays on Friday Dec.21st. Her three children are with us in Muar. Hence my wife alone, she prepared the cookies and goodies till 0430hrs. My beloved Asshad came home at around 0400 hrs due to tarffic jam.

My Subuh prayer was performed outside the regulatory hours and then I performed the Adil Adha prayer at Al Nasirin at 0830 hrs. The congregation was led by Samsudin Hussin, assisted by Hj Ahmad Siraj.Immediately after the sermon, ketupat was served.

Upon reaching home at around 0930, I took my beloved Abang for a shot ride on the easy rider. Then I exchanged my bike with Kriss and I took Abang and Anan to cruise around he housing estate.

At around 1220 hrs mys second son, Shafik,and his two kids were home. they had ketupat and headed for his in-laws house at aound 1300. My kiddos and I siestaed at round 1330. I was awakened at around 1430 and quickly I performed my Zuhr prayer. Then I had ketupat for lunch.

Happy Aidil Adha.

Qualification Agency

Tuesday December 18, 2007

The former National Acreditation Board (LAN), will be upgraded to a new name, Malaysian Qualificaton Agency (MQA) as of January 2008.

MAQ will be more organised in scurring the realm of Academic Acreditation to all the Private Instituitions of Higher Learning in Malaysia. The officers will have to work thoroughly hard to analyse, evaluae and decide on the accreditaions of few thousand of cerificates, diplomas, degrees and post degree courses which had been accredited some time ago. Besides assessing the educational programmes run by the PIHL, MQA will also venture into the accredited programmes run by he Public Institutions of Higher Learning.

This would be a great task for a small organisation like LAN to perform this gargantuan task, hence it is agressively looking for fresh and matured graduates of various disciplines in order to cope with the ensuing tasks.

The objective of restructuring LAN is to safeguard the integrity of the paper qualifications churned out by public and private colleges and universities in Malaysia. Thousands of graduates produced by our universities are now applying their knowledge in the Middle East, Eastern Europe, the Far East and Southeast Asia.

Malaysia, to a certain success, has already achieved the status of Educational Hub of the East. Therefore it is the reponsibility of the government, through MAQ, to upgrade the syllabus and curriculum of Malyasian colleges and universities to meet the challenges and demands of the current global issues to attract the local and foreign youth to get the best from a highly acclaimed colleges and universitiesin Malaysia.

As one of the Eavaluation Panelist, I am fully confident that the future products of these instituitions would be able to perform extremely well in whatever profession they are in. In a smaller note, let our universities, be it private or public, play an important contribution for the betterment of mankind.

Good Luck MQA!

Friday is Here Again

Friday December 14, 2007
Luckily it's not Friday the 13! Gee! We escape the tabooed Friday the 13th. are we not. 13 is considered unlucky to some communities. Some societies consider the number brings bad luck in their busniess, life, fate and you name it.

To me, 13 is just one of the units that makes into millions and trillions. I was born in a family of thirteen siblings, 9 males and 4 females. Unfortunately I have never got to know two of my elder brothers who passed away at an early age before I was born. I have 4 elder brothers and two elder sisters and I have two younger brothers and two younger sisters. I am the 9th in the siblings of 13.

My late eldest brother, Hj Buang Hj Salim, a former army personnel and TNB Securiy Guard, married to Hj Rahmah, passed away a few years ago. Next came, Md Yusof, commonly known as Abang Amin, odd-job worker, married to Kak Som, was he first of my siblings to pass away in a drowning case in Johor Bahru, in the 70's. The third in line of my sibling is my first 72-year-old sister, Hjh Rahmah, a full-time housewife,married to Hj Hadi, is currently staying in Batu Pahat Johor. Next in line is the fourth in the family, Hj Naim, a former Senior Technician in TNB, married to Hj Fatimah, not in good health, is residing in Batu Pahat Johor. The fifth and sixth member of my family passed away while they were young. The next in line was my seventh brother, the late Hj Zainal, a former Sub-Inspector in the Police Force, married to the late Hjh Asiah, passed away about four years ago.

My second elder sister, the eight member of my sibling, 61-year-old Hj Saniah, married to Hj Mazlan, full-time housewife, is residng in Batu Pahat now. The ninth and the only graduate in my family is 59-year-old Associate Professor Hj Saaban. That' me. I am married to Hj Azizah and currently residing in Muar Johor. Next comes my 57-year-old sister, Kamariah,, the 10th in my family, full-time housewife, married to Abad Hashim, is currently residing in FELDA Sungai Mas, Kota Tinggi, Johor. The 11th member is my 55-year-old, Hj Hasnah, a retired Sister in the Sg. Buluh Hospital, married to Yatim, is curently residing in Sungai Buluh, Selangor. My 54-year-old brother, Zainuddin, a retired Sargeant Major in the arm, married to Rubiah, is currently residing in Kluang Johor and finally my last, youngest and the 13th flesh and blood, 51-year-old Zainuddin, a full-time electrical and plumbing contractor, married to Masitah, is currently residing in Batu Pahat, Johor.

Who says number 13 is unlucky. We were born to a couple, Hj Salim Hj Sirat and Hjh Kamsiah Hj Salleh, who have passed away more than a decade ago. My parents, especially my late mother, who was illiterate could only recite the relevant verses in prayer, and my late father, who could only read Jawi and passed away in Mecca, managed to bring us up and could produce an Associate Professor among their children.

We always and will pray for thier well being in the other world.

Hey! What a derailment I have been. Back to Friday, the noble and great day for Muslims. As usual, Subuh was performed at 0600 hrs, and followd by assin reading. I am on leave today and I am going to spend my vacation with my kiddos.

It's 0851 hrs. Salam and Cheerio.