Reflections of my life: March 2024

Friday, 29 March 2024

2024 Kembara Ramadhan

"Focus on the journey, not the destination. Joy is found not in finishing an activity but in doing it..." - Greg Anderson

(Masjid Al-Rahman Kubang Batang, Kelantan)

2024 Kembara Ramadhan

(19 - 28 March 2024)

Thursday, 28 March 2024

01 Kembara Ramadhan - Melaka

“Never look down on anybody unless you're helping them up…” - Jesse Jackson

(Masjid Selat Melaka)

Day 01: Tuesday, 19 March 2024
Route: Taman Bidara - Melaka
Distance: 171 km
Hotel: Hallmark Crown Hotel, Melaka (Rm81)

Today was the start of our 10-day Kembara Ramadhan. We had the opportunity to have iftar and perform solat tarawih at some of the mosques we visited along our kembara routing.

(The start of our 10-day Kembara Ramadhan)

Started from Bidara House around 9.00 am. By noon we reached Melaka and drove direct to my hometown, Kampung Seri Minyak. Solat jamak Zohor/Asar at Masjid Al-Abrar where we met with my brother-in-law, Zul and my big brother, Abang.

(Pantai Siring overlooking the Straits of Malacca)

(Jetty Anjung Batu)

At the Tanah Perkuburan Kg Seri Minyak, we cleared Ja’s grave and recited prayers to those who had earlier left us.

(Masjid Al-Abrar Kg. Seri Minyak)

(Reciting the doa at Ja's grave)

By 4.00 pm we checked-in Hallmark Crown Hotel Melaka located in Taman Melaka Raya and rested the whole afternoon.

Had iftar and performed solat terawih at Masjid Selat Melaka. The magnificent mosque seems to be floating on the bank of the Straits of Malacca, the longest and busiest straits in the world. At sunset, the rippling reflection of the modern mosque with Middle-Eastern influences was a spectacular view. Terawih prayers were 8 rakaat with witir. Here, the Imam recited a different qiraat. Later we had mee goreng for moreh at Alif Maju Restoran in Melaka Raya.

(Watching the sunset at Masjid Selat Melaka)

(Hallmark Crown Hotel, Melaka)

02 Kembara Ramadhan - Kuantan, Pahang

“Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it's thinking of yourself less…” - C. S. Lewis

(Masjid Sultan Ahmad 1, Kuantan)

Day 02: Wednesday, 20 March 2024
Route: Melaka - Bandar Muadzam - Pekan - Kuantan
Distance: 318 km
Hotel: Hotel Shahzan, Kuantan (Rm136.29)

Had sahur of nasi kandar and toasts at Subaidah Restoran Melaka Raya. Solat subuh was at Masjid Kampung Hulu, Melaka. The mosque is located in Malacca City and the oldest in Malacca and among the oldest in the country, having originally been built around the year 1720 - 1728 and had underwent several renovations.

(Masjid Kampung Hulu, Melaka)
(The old mosque is located in the middle of the city)

Checked out at 9.30 am and drove towards Pekan via Bandar Muadzam Shah, Rompin. A brief stop in Bandar Muadzam for solat Zohor/Asar at Masjid Al-Muadzam Shah. The mosque that was built in 1986 has the influence of local architectural design and does not have a dome. The pyramid roof design is the identity of this mosque. The mosque reflects the characteristics of traditional Malay house architecture. There is a square-shaped minaret, with pyramid-shaped roof resembling the roof of the mosque.

(A short break for prayers)

(Traditional Malay house architecture)

Arrived in Pekan around 3.30 pm and visited the two mosques Masjid Sultan Ahmad Shah and Masjid Sultan Ahmad Shah Al Haj. As there were no accommodations near the two mosques we drove on to Kuantan.

(Our favorite mosque in Pekan, Pahang)

(Dark clouds looming over the horizon)

By 5.30 pm we checked in Shahzan Hotel which is strategically located near Masjid Sultan Ahmad 1, the State Mosque of Pahang and next to the Pasar Ramadhan. The mosque is located in the heart of Kuantan town. The smaller original mosque, was built in the 1960s. Due to its centralised location and importance, the mosque was later demolished and rebuilt to make way for a new and bigger mosque which became the State Mosque of Pahang which was completed in 1994.

(Muslims families breaking fast on the field)

(We had iftar in the mosque)

Had iftar and solat terawih at Masjid Sultan Ahmad 1, Kuantan. Received two packs of nasi berlauk for sahur, alhamdulillah.

(Checking out next routing at Shahzan Hotel)

03 Kembara Ramadhan - Kerteh, Terengganu

“The greatest friend of truth is Time, her greatest enemy is Prejudice, and her constant companion is Humility…” - Charles Caleb Colton

(Masjid Tengku Mizan Zainal Abidin, Kerteh)

Day 03: Thursday, 21 March 2024
Route: Kuantan - Paka - Kerteh
Distance: 137 km
Hotel: Kerteh Inn Homestay (Rm100)

Woke up at 4.30 am. After solat tahjud, had our sahur of rice with sambal ikan and vege. This morning we solat subuh in the hotel room as I was not feeling well. We checked out at 11.00 am. On the way out of town we visited Masjid Tepian Putra, Kuantan.

(Our reliable lunch box to heat up food)

(Checked-out Shahzan Hotel a little bit late)

(Masjid Tepian Putra, Kuantan)

We drove to Paka, Terengganu and stopped for solat Zohor/Asar at Masjid Taman Hadhari, Paka. We could not find a suitable accommodation in Paka so drove back to Kerteh and checked in Kerteh Inn Homestay. Rested the rest of the afternoon.

(Masjid Taman Hadhari, Paka)

(Kerteh Inn, a comfortable clean homestay)

Had Iftar and solat terawih at Masjid Tengku Mizan Zainal Abidin. This mosque is located on the side of the Kemaman - Kuala Terengganu main road. This mosque was built in 1991 at a cost of RM 5.1 million donated by PETRONAS. The mosque can accommodate about 3000 worshipers at a time.

Received 2 pack of nasi lemak for sahur from the masjid. Bought fruit juice from a mini-mart and ice-cream from McD.

(Located along the Kemaman - KT road)

(A special table for orang musafir)

(Simple tasty dishes for iftar)

04 Kembara Ramadhan - Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu

“Pride must die in you, or nothing of heaven can live in you…” - Andrew Murray

(Masjid Tengku Tengah Zaharah, Kuala Ibai)

Day 04: Friday, 22 March 2024
Route: Kerteh - Kuala Terengganu
Distance: 114 km
Hotel: Sumai Hotel Apartments, Kuala Terengganu (RM138.26)

Sahur was the packed nasi lemak from Masjid Tengku Mizan. We performed solat subuh at Masjid Lama Kg Baru Kerteh. Checked out by 9.15 am and drove towards Kuala Terengganu. Stopped at Masjid Sultanah Nur Zahirah in Marang for solat Dhuha. Another stop was at Masjid Sultan Ismail in Chendering.

(Subuh prayers at Masjid Lama Kg Baru, Kerteh)

(Dhuha prayers at Masjid Sultanah Nur Zahirah, Marang)

(Masjid Sultan Ismail, Chendering)

Arrived at Sumai Hotel & Apartment in Kuala Terengganu around 11.30 am. The receptionist managed to get us a room before check-in time. Dear hubby performed Friday prayers at Masjid Al Muktafi Billah Shah, a short walking distance from our hotel. I performed my prayers in the room and rested the whole afternoon.

(Sumai Hotel and Apartment Kuala Terengganu)

(Our lodging for the night)

Drove to Masjid Tengku Tengah Zaharah, the floating mosque for iftar and solat terawih. The mosque is the first real floating mosque in Malaysia. It is situated in Kuala Ibai Lagoon near the estuary of Kuala Ibai River, 4 km from Kuala Terengganu Town. The mosque was constructed in 1993 and completed in 1995. There was a Pasar Ramadhan nearby and a recreational area at the lagoon. It was a full house tonight as it was a weekend holiday.

(The Floating Mosque of Kuala Ibai)

(The main prayer hall during terawih prayers)

After solat terawih, we drove to Nasi Dagang Atas Tol Bandar located in the middle of town to pack for sahur.

(Restoran Nasi Dagang Atas Tol, Kuala Terengganu)

05 Kembara Ramadhan - Kuala Besut, Terengganu

“Real genius is nothing else but the supernatural virtue of humility in the domain of thought…” -Simone Weil

(Masjid Nasiruddin Shah, Besut)

Day 05 - Saturday, 23 March 2024
Route: Kuala Terengganu - Kuala Besut
Distance: 103 km
Hotel: Temu Primula Hotel, Kuala Besut (Rm105.30)

Woke up at 4.30 am for sahur of packed Nasi Dagang. Walked a short distance to Masjid Al-Muktafi Billah Shah for solat subuh. By 11.00 am we checked out and headed towards Kuala Besut via the coastal route. Stopped for refuelling at Petronas Gong Badak.

(A bus cafe at Masjid Al-Muktafi Billah Shah)

(Kuala Terengganu Draw Bridge)

Detoured to Masjid Lapan Kubah, located at Kampung Lapan Kotak in Besut for solat Zohor/Asar. The architecture of the mosque is similar to St Basil's Cathedral in Moscow, Russia. The mosque was built from public donations to replace the old wooden mosque which was over 100 years old. Met Munawar and Ros who were on a road trip with some friends.

(Masjid Lapan Kubah, Jerteh)

(An antique carriage to keep the kitab and quran)

Later drove around Kuala Besut to buy some provisions. By 3.30 pm we checked in Temu Primula Hotel and rested the whole afternoon. Iftar and solat terawih were at Masjid Nasiruddin Shah Kg. Raja, located about 6 km from our hotel.

(Solat terawih at Masjid Nasiruddin Shah Kg Raja, Besut)

(Reciting the quran before Isya' prayers)

Brought back a pack of nasi lauk from the masjid. Bought nasi goreng and tomyam for sahur later.

(A spacious room at Temu Primula Hotel, Kuala Besut)

06 Kembara Ramadhan - Kota Bharu, Kelantan

“One cannot be humble and aware of oneself at the same time…” - Madeleine L'Engle

(Masjid Andalusia, Padang Kala)

Day 06: Sunday, 24 March 2024
Route: Kuala Besut - Kota Bharu
Distance: 57 km
Hotel: De Viana Hotel & Apartment, Wakaf Che Yeh (Rm 85.43)

This morning we had sahur of nasi goreng and tomyam. Solat subuh was at Masjid Ibnu Abbas, Kuala Besut. Checked out around 11.00 am and drove to Kota Bharu, Kelantan via the coastal road. Stopped at Pusat Pengajian Pondok Yayasan Islam Kelantan, Bachok and Masjid Abdul Rahman in Pauh Lima.

(Leaving Terengganu via the coastal road)

(Pusat Pengajian Pondok YIK, Bachok)

(Masjid Ar-Rahman Pauh Lima)

Solat Zohor/Asar was at Masjid Al-Rahman Kubang Batang, Wakaf Baru. This mosque has two storeyed minarets similar to Masjid Nabawi and two domes. There is a main prayer room and an additional prayer room. The marble walls are covered with inscription of holy verses of the Quran. The door to the main prayer room is also made of solid wood and has interesting carvings.

(Beautiful minarets of Masjid Al-Rahman Kubang Batang)
(The main prayer hall)
(The chandelier decorating the main prayer hall)
(The posterior view of the mosque)

Checked in at the Dé Viana Hotel Apartment in Wakaf Che Yeh. Rested well before iftar and solat terawih at Masjid Imanul Fa'izin in Peringat, also known as Masjid Andalusia. Met up with Ubai, Ani, Kid, Yati, Epul and Doc Fatah and had iftar together. A lively atmosphere even though it was a weekday.