Brunch with the SMKB/SIC sisters...

“When faced with illness, remember that your true strength lies in your ability to maintain a positive mindset.”

(Brunch at Shah Alam Club)

The seniors and juniors of SMKB/SIC had a small get together for brunch at Shah Alam Club. It was an opportunity to meet with the SIC hostelite seniors, Kak Sar, Datin Jon and Datin Sri Dah and my former SMKB schoolmates YB Ubai, Sidah and Datin Ma. I have not met with the seniors for a long time since Kak Sar was diagnosed with Colon cancer. Kak Sar has undergone a few operations and chemo sessions and is recovering quite well.

Amidst the challenges of illness, Kak Sar perseverance becomes a beacon of inspiration for all of us.

(The juniors, Nong, Sidah and YB Ubai)

(YB Ubai and Kak Sar)

Through this journey of healing, may Allah give Kak Sar inner strength and embrace the power of self-care to get well soonest, InsyaAllah...

Migratory birds in Taman Metropolitan...

"The migratory bird's life, a sight to behold,

A journey of freedom, forever told..."

(Burung Botak Kecil)

I saw a photographer deligently taking pictures of birds and this triggered my curiousity. I tried snapping a few but most flew away.

The Lesser Adjutants (Leptoptilos javanicus), also known as burung botak kecil because of their bare heads and necks.They are wading birds in the stork family found in wetlands in Malaysia. They are migratory birds.

They face the storms, and winds so bold,

Their tales untold, a story to hold.

A message whispered, on the breeze,

Of resilience, and nature's decrees.

Masjid Jamek Cina Muslim Klang - 2024

"An inch of time is worth an inch of gold, but an inch of gold may not buy an inch of time..." - Chinese proverb

(Masjid Jamek Cina Muslim Klang)

After our lunch at Restoran Mohd Chan we drove to Masjid Jamek Cina Muslim located in Bandar Botanik, Klang.

(The signage from the main road)

(The gate into the mosque's compound)

This mosque is the only mosque characterized by Chinese architecture in Selangor. Loaded with traditional Chinese elements, the Masjid Jamek Cina Muslim was built based on the architecture of the Xi'an Great Mosque in Shaanxi province, China. The mosque can accommodate up to 1,000 worshipers. The mosque was opened to public in August 2024 and inaugerated in December 2024 by DYMM Sultan Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah.

 

(A unique Chinese architecture minaret)

(The main courtyard leading to the prayer hall)

(Beautiful garden in the courtyard)

(Partitions dividing the different courtyards)

The concept of this mosque is based on a central axis with a clear division of spaces with the use of a 'courtyard'. It has a unique mosque tower characterized by Chinese architecture and there is a prayer hall where the roof is made of traditional Chinese tiles. The garden can be used as an additional prayer area during eid or Jumaat prayers. Wooden elements are used in the main prayer room and Chinese-style calligraphy adorns the mihrab space. There are library facilities, lecture rooms, management offices, imam rooms, lounge rooms, talaqi corners, souvenir shops and restaurants.

(The use of wooden elements in the main prayer hall)

(Calligraphy writing of Asmaul Husna)

(The external ablution area for men)

(One of the cozy corners for religious classes)

There are several architectural similarities between this mosque and the Great Mosque of Xi’an, including the position of the main entrance to the open space facing the main prayer hall. The design of the handrails made of natural granite in the Masjid Jamek Cina Muslim is also almost the same as the Xi’an Great Mosque. Even the furniture there also adopts traditional Chinese designs.

(Menara Cahaya Bulan)

(I was in Xi'an in 2013 during the China Silk Road trip)

My Travel Blog: munmus.blogspot.com

A Murder of Crows...

 "Crows are the keepers of mysteries that only the brave dare to unravel..."

(Taman Metropolitan Kepong)

This morning we were late for our brisk walk and the sun was already high in the sky. After the long hiatus, we had started our twice weekly short brisk walks, hopefully help burn some calories and build up our waning stamina.

(Massive development around the Metropolitan lake)

(Smart pretty ladies ready to zumba)

The weather was beautiful this morning. I kept my pace brisk but manageable, avoiding exertion that leaves me breathless. My legs muscles are hurting slightly. I only managed to walk 4.5 km and had to take a rest in between before I could continue walking.

(The mischievous crows)

Lately I saw a lot of crows in Taman Metropolitan. The overflow dustbins attract the crows and they scattered the litters all over the place. Wondered why a group of crows earned the rather dark title of 'a murder of crows'?

(Buying our stock of Karipap King Kong)

(Lunch at Restoran Mohd Chan in Klang Sentral)

Ceramah Perdana Khas

"There are some things you learn best in calm, and some in storm..." - Willa Cather

The Muslimah At-Taiyibbin were invited to a ceramah by Ustaz Ahmad Rizam in Bandar Baru Selayang.

Ustaz Ahmad Rizam Ghazali is the Principal of Madrasah Raudatul Ulum. His father Tuan Guru Ustaz Ghazali Hasbullah, was a well known religious teacher in Malaysia and has written many religious books and Kitab-kitab Adab Suluk Al Murid.

(The ladies of Masjid At-Taiyibbin)

(Tuan Guru Ustaz Ahmad Rizam)

A few years back, a group of the Muslimah At-Taiyibbin visited the Madrasah Raudatul Ulum branch to hand over some donations and had lunch with the students in the madrasah. Madrasah Raudhatul Ulum or better known as Darul Atiq is a modern boarding school for girls founded in 1998 by Ustaz Ahmad Rizam Ghazali. This madrasah is located in the Ulu Rening Branch, Batang Kali, Ulu Selangor.

(The ladies with Ustaz after the ceramah)

(A late dinner at Mira Maju)

2025 Thailand Route 12 Trip

 “Before anything else, preparation is the key to success...” – Alexander Graham Bell

(The 16-day journey)

We will be on a 16-day road trip. The main part of the trip is to cover the whole length of the 710 km newly extended Route 12.

Route 12 or Asean Highway 12 is a part of the East-West Economic Corridor (EWEC), a route which links four mainland Southeast Asian countries, from Myanmar in the West to Vietnam in the East. The final phase of the expansion of Highway 12 which links Thailand with Myanmar and Laos in Tak and Mukdahan, respectively has been completed.

We will enter Thailand via Bukit Kayu Hitam and will exit via Sungai Golok, visiting the major towns along the routing.

Route 12 itinerary:

(18 April - 5 May 2025)

Day 01: Kuala Lumpur - Hat Yai

Day 02: Hat Yai - Tha Sae

Day 03: Tha Sae - Kanchanaburi

Day 04: Kanchanaburi

Day 05: Kanchanaburi - Tak

Day 06: Tak - Phitsanulok

Day 07: Phitsanulok - Khon Kaen

Day 08: Khon Kaen - Mukdahan

Day 09: Mukdahan - Nakhon Ratchasima

Day 10: Nakhon Ratchasima - Hua Hin

Day 11: Hua Hin - Chumphon

Day 12: Chumphon - Hat Yai

Day 13: Hat Yai - Narathiwat

Day 14: Narathiwat - Kota Bharu

Day 15: Kota Bharu

Day 16: Kota Bharu - Kuala Lumpur

Next Trip: Summer in Central America

My Travel Blog: munmus.blogspot.com

Epul's Wedding Reception in Kota Bharu...

"A happy man marries the girl he loves, but a happier man loves the girl he marries..." - Nigerian Proverb

(Saifullah & Rosaini)

On the way back from our Thailand Route 12 Trip, we detoured and entered Malaysia via Sungai Kolok/Rantau Panjang border crossing and stayed in Kota Bharu for two days to attend Saiful's wedding reception in Kg Padang Bongor. Saiful is YB Ubai's youngest son.

(A pit stop in Kota Bharu before we headed home)

(Big 5 minus the groom's mom)

(A small reunion of the SMKB gang)