A Reunion by the Sea...

“Friendship is the golden thread that ties the heart of all the world...”

(Friends forever)

It is time for our SMKB classmates’ reunion once again.

This year feels a little more special. We have managed to gather a small but meaningful group of girls from the Class of ’69. Each carrying her own stories, her own journey through time. Our meeting place: the breezy shores of Bayu Melawi Beach in Bachok, Kelantan, where the sea stretches wide and the wind seems to whisper memories from long ago.

Some of the girls, together with their families, will be staying the night at the resort, turning this reunion into a brief family retreat. Others will join us just for the day. Just enough time, perhaps, to laugh, to reminisce, and to reconnect. The plans are simple, but filled with joy. A seafood barbecue by the beach, light-hearted games, and the kind of conversations that only old friends can share.

I find myself feeling unexpectedly excited. There is a certain warmth in meeting old friends, those who once shared classrooms, laughter, secrets, and youthful dreams. Some I have not seen since the day we went our separate ways after school. Time, of course, has left its gentle marks on all of us. We have aged, each in our own way, shaped by life’s many turns.

We may not recognise one another immediately. Faces change, voices soften, and years quietly reshape us. But beneath it all, something remains untouched.

 

(SMKB Reunion - 2017)

There is something timeless about friends who knew you before you became who you are.

My Trip Itinerary:
Day 01: Kuala Lumpur - Kuala Terengganu
Day 02: Kuala Terengganu
Day 03: Kuala Terengganu - Kota Bharu
Day 04: Kota Bharu - Bachok (Reunion Day)
Day 05: Bachok - Kuala Lumpur

My Overseas Travel Blog:

munmus.blogspot.com

Epilogue: Reflections from the Road...

“We came home from the road, but part of our hearts will always remain in the quiet mosques we visited...”

(Kembara Ramadhan 2026)

Ten days on the road. Hundreds of kilometres travelled. Dozens of mosques visited. Yet the true journey of this Kembara Ramadhan cannot be measured by distance or numbers.

Along highways and village roads, across coastal towns and quiet kampungs, each stop became more than just another place on a map. Every mosque welcomed us with its own story. Some grand and historic, others humble and serene. But all united by the same call to prayer that echoes across this land.

There were early mornings after Subuh, long hours behind the wheel, moments of exhaustion, and moments of quiet reflection. But above all, there was a deep sense of gratitude, for the safety of the journey, for the beauty of these sacred spaces, and for the opportunity to spend this blessed month moving from one house of Allah to another.

And so this chapter of Kembara Ramadhan comes to a close. May every mosque we visited bear witness to our prayers, and may the road always lead us back to places that bring our hearts closer to Allah.

Kembara Ramadhan Malaya 2026 - Vol 9

“Sometimes the journey itself becomes the ibadah - every mile travelled a quiet zikr of gratitude...”

(The start of the 10-day Kembara Ramadhan)

On the Road with the Qur’an and Terawih

(01 - 10 March 2026)

The first ten days of Ramadhan slipped by quietly, filled with the rhythm of verses and shared intention. I joined Masjid At-Taiyibbin tadarus circle - just four of us in my group, gathering each day to recite the Qur’an together. There is something deeply comforting about reading in unison, correcting and encouraging one another softly, without much words. By the tenth day, we had completed 25 juzuk. A collective effort, a shared amanah.

Today is the 11th of Ramadhan, my final day with the group. They will continue with the remaining five juzuk without me. I leave them with gratitude in my heart, thankful for the companionship, striving for the same divine reward in the hereafter.

As in previous years, dear hubby and I will soon set off on our annual Kembara Ramadhan - ten days on the road with our trusty four-wheeler. This journey has quietly become a tradition for us. A moving sanctuary of sorts.

This year, our plan is simple yet ambitious, to perform our terawih prayers in mosques across the states of West Malaysia, with the exception of Kedah, Penang and Perlis. Along the way, we hope to stop at several other mosques - some grand and well-known, others modest and tucked away in small towns, each with its own story, its own congregation, its own warmth. At every mosque we visit, we offer a small contribution to their donation boxes.

Ramadhan feels different when you experience it on the road. Every night brings a new imam, a new recitation, a new community standing shoulder to shoulder. Yet the purpose remains the same - seeking His mercy, His forgiveness, His nearness.

As we prepare to depart, I carry with me the echoes of the Qur’an from our tadarus circle, hoping they will accompany us through every state, every mosque, every sujud.

Ramadhan Mubarak - wherever the road may lead us, insyaAllah.

2026 Kembara Ramadhan itinerary:
(01 - 10 March, 2026)
Day 01: Kuala Lumpur - Melaka
Day 02: Melaka - Johor Bahru
Day 03: Johor Bahru - Kuantan
Day 04: Kuantan - Kuala Terengganu
Day 05: Kuala Terengganu - Kota Bharu
Day 06: Kota Bharu
Day 07: Kota Bharu - Pangkor
Day 08: Pangkor
Day 09: Pangkor - Ipoh
Day 10: Ipoh - Kuala Lumpur

My Overseas Travel Blog:

munmus.blogspot.com

Kembara Ramadhan 2026 – Day 01: Tracing Light Through Seremban and Melaka...

 “In visiting the houses of Allah, perhaps we are really learning how to rebuild the house within ourselves...”

(Watching the sunset at Krubung, Melaka)

Day 01: 01 March 2026 (Sunday)
Route: Kuala Lumpur to Melaka
Hotel: MITC Hotel, Melaka

On the first day of our Kembara Ramadhan, we set out to visit four mosques across Negeri Sembilan and Melaka. Each mosque stood different in design and character, yet all shared the same quiet invitation - to pause, to reflect, to return to Allah. Four mosques. Four atmospheres. One serenity.

(Masjid Saidatina Khadijah, Seremban)

Located within the busy township of Seremban Jaya, this mosque serves as a central place of worship for the surrounding residential community. Established to meet the growing needs of the neighbourhood, it reflects the practical yet warm design typical of many Malaysian community mosques built in the late 20th and early 21st century.

Its architecture is modest, prioritising space and comfort for congregational prayers. The prayer hall is spacious and well-ventilated, creating an atmosphere of calm simplicity.

There is something deeply grounding about beginning a spiritual journey in a mosque that feels so close to everyday life - where faith and routine gently intertwine. Sometimes the most meaningful beginnings happen in the simplest spaces.

(Masjid Saidatina Aishah, Seremban)

Situated in Bandar Seremban Selatan, this mosque represents a more contemporary architectural style. Designed to serve a rapidly developing township, it features clean structural lines, bright interiors, and a layout that accommodates large congregations, especially during Ramadhan.

Like many newer mosques in Malaysia, it functions not only as a place of prayer but also as a centre for community engagement — hosting religious classes, iftar gatherings, and terawih prayers that bring together families across generations.

Standing inside, I could feel the vibrancy of a living community. The mosque did not feel static, it felt alive. Modern in structure, timeless in purpose.

(Masjid Muhamad Al-Fateh, Seremban)

This mosque is one of the architectural highlights of the Forest Heights township. Inspired by Ottoman design elements, its prominent dome and slender minaret immediately draw the eye - reminiscent of classical Turkish mosque architecture.

Named after Sultan Mehmed II (Muhammad Al-Fateh), the Ottoman ruler who conquered Constantinople in 1453, the mosque symbolically reflects strength, vision, and spiritual determination.

The landscaped surroundings add to its peaceful presence. As we stood in its courtyard, there was a sense of both grandeur and humility - grandeur in its structure, humility in the act of prayer within it. Some mosques comfort you quietly. Others inspire you to look upward. This one does both.

(Masjid Cina Melaka)

Commonly known as the Melaka Chinese Mosque, this mosque is one of the most distinctive in Malaysia. Officially opened in 2014, it was built to reflect the historical presence of the Chinese Muslim community in Melaka, a state long known as a crossroads of civilisations.

Its architecture departs from the conventional dome-and-minaret form. Instead, it features a pagoda-style minaret, curved roof ridges, and design elements inspired by traditional Chinese temples. Yet despite its cultural expression, its function and spiritual essence remain fully Islamic.

Melaka’s history as a trading port brought Arabs, Indians, Chinese, and Malays together centuries ago. This mosque stands as a modern reflection of that historical harmony - a reminder that Islam has always travelled across cultures without losing its core. With the beautiful sunset as the background, we had our iftar and performed our terawih prayers here.

(MITC Hotel, Melaka)

By the end of the day, we had travelled across towns and architectural styles, from modest community spaces to culturally symbolic landmarks. But what stayed with me was not the structures themselves. It was the stillness found inside each one.

Ramadhan slows the body through fasting, but it awakens the heart through reflection. And on this first day of Kembara Ramadhan, my heart felt gently recalibrated - one mosque at a time.

Kembara Ramadhan 2026 – Day 02: Leaving a legacy for future generations...

"The quiet miracle of Ramadhan - No matter where the road takes you, the direction of your heart remains the same..."

(Terawih prayers at Nusa Idaman, Johor Bharu)

Day 02: 02 March 2026 (Monday)
Route: Melaka to Johor Bahru
Lodging: Nongchik Height, Johor Bharu

There is something sacred about beginning the day before sunrise. The roads were still quiet. The sky carried that soft indigo hue that only Ramadhan mornings seem to possess. Calm, patient, and full of promise.

(Masjid Al-Alami, Melaka)

Standing gracefully near the Melaka International Trade Centre, Masjid Al-Alami MITC, serves as a spiritual landmark in the bustling administrative hub of MITC. Completed in 2003 and officially opened in 2004 by former Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, the mosque can accommodate around 2,500 worshippers.

But this morning, what stayed with me was not the capacity nor the architecture. It was the stillness. As we lined up shoulder to shoulder for Subuh prayers, the world outside felt suspended. The recitation echoed gently beneath the high ceilings, and for a moment, time slowed. Ramadhan does that. It reminds you to breathe deeper, to listen closer.

(Masjid Haji Muhammad Yassin, Pagoh)

By mid-morning we reached Masjid Haji Muhammad Yassin in Pagoh. This mosque, named after a respected local scholar, Haji Muhammad Yassin Mohamad, has quietly served its community since the 1970s. Situated near the Pagoh Higher Education Hub, it now welcomes students, academics, and travelers alike.

There is something humbling about this mosque. Here, the pace felt unhurried. The mosque stood firm, like a patient teacher watching generations come and go.

(Masjid Tan Sri Ainuddin Wahid, Johor Bahru)

In Taman Universiti, near UTM Skudai, stands this modern mosque. Masjid Jamek Tan Sri Ainuddin Wahid was completed in 2003 and named after Ainuddin Wahid, a former Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. Its design reflects a blend of contemporary architecture and traditional Islamic elements -  spacious, structured, purposeful.

Being close to a university, you can almost feel the intellectual energy surrounding it. Young faces. Backpacks at the entrance. Quiet discussions after prayers. Faith and knowledge meeting under one roof. A mosque near a university reminds us that knowledge without faith is incomplete - and faith without knowledge is fragile.

(Masjid Daing Abdul Rahman, Johor Bahru)

We ended the day by performing Terawih prayers at Masjid Daing Abd Rahman, Nusa Idaman in Johor Bahru. Daing Abdul Rahman was one of the prominent Bugis leaders who played an important role in the early history of the Johor–Riau Sultanate in the 18th century.

What began as a small surau in a shop lot around 2010 has now grown into a beautiful community mosque, completed in 2019. It stands as a testament to what collective effort and sincere intention can build.

Terawih prayers there felt intimate. Children played quietly in the courtyard. Elderly men walked slowly with tasbih in hand. The imam’s voice rose and fell with the rhythm of long verses, and fatigue from the day melted into gratitude. There is a different beauty in Terawih prayers after a long journey. Your body is tired, but your heart feels awake.

(A full moon in Nongchik Height)

Day two was about witnessing how every mosque, whether grand or modest, old or new, carries the same qiblah, the same call to prayer, the same longing for Allah.