WELCOMING SYAWAL ( AIDILFITRI) BUT NOT BEFORE REJAB, SYAABAN AND RAMADAN

 Four months in the Muslim Calendar (Hijrah ) one following the other instill their own significance and awaited by Muslims throughout the world. Ramadan of course is more observable and recognized  because of its own distinction when Muslims observed the fasting month. The atmosphere during the day and night time takes a change from the normalcy. Mosques and 'suraus' see their spaces filled with the devout who come forth for the jemaah prayers. Besides they too offer 'breaking of fast' for those who take the opportunity to be with their brothers at 'maghrib' or  time to break fast. In the city like Kuala Lumpur when traffic does not allow you to reach home in time, the mosques especially are better stopping venues when the 'azan' is heard at 'maghrib' times. In homes the atmosphere too take a  certain change when the lights are on in the hours before dawn when Muslims take their meals before beginning their fast. The women folks are awake much earlier to prepare the dishes. Alarm clocks and lately the telephones break the stillness of the night to awake the sleepers from the comforts of their sleep to perform their duties in the month of Ramadan. I have always felt the candour of Ramadan and like many its closing stages are saddening;leaving us wondering whether 'Ramadan' will meet us again.

On record are poignant moments or photographs of events recorded in the months just past. We usher activities involving neighbors, friends and relatives both at Putrajaya and Titi Gajah Alor Setar.   

              Before Ramadan began, we had a 'bacaan yassin' and 'tahlil' at our new home in Putrajaya. It was good to meet new neighbors and their families. Surprisingly the reception from neighbors and the Prescient  Community Association was extraordinary. All attended together with their families and those who can't forwarded 'sms' apologies.

                   We were at Putrajaya Prescient 16 and attended the Al Rahman Mosque for the 'majlis buka puasa' and 'terawith' prayers. during the earlier parts of Ramadan. The picture shows the attendance and the contributions during the 'breaking of fast'. 

Like others we too received invitations for ' majlis berbuka puasa' . This was from an ex - student who has done well in the motor industry. Earlier it was at Jalan Tun Razak Kuala Lumpur and a week later at Alor Setar. Naturally it was an invitation not to be refused. Opportunity and good luck permitted us to attend both functions.   

Back at Masjid Tuan Hussein Titi Gajah 10th kilometer of the Alor Setar Jitra road, opportunities allowed us to attend 'breaking fast' functions at the mosque most evenings and therefore enabled us to meet the community and neighbors especially.The 'gotong royong' spirit allows things to be organized and carried out especially during Ramadan with spirited vigor and understanding. The jemaah 'tarawith' prayers too were well attended.

When friends and families return home to the 'kampong; for the Aidilfitri break, many of course organized get-together or 'return to school' functions. Being a former teacher and Principal make you a favourite invited guest. My former students at Sekolah Menengah Darulaman ( 1973 - 1979) continue to ask our attendance and we accepted it with pleasure. It is gratifying to see them and heartening to know that they remember their teachers despite the strictness that we imposed then

          With my wife and students of SM Darulaman Alor Setar. Many distinguishing persons among them. bankers, entrepreneurs,TV personalities, Penang State Secretary and a Motor Vehicle Importer.  

 On the 4th day of Aidilfitri it was another invitation to a former school. One of the earliest in my career. It was Sekolah Menengah Sultan Abdul Halim Jitra Kedah. A premier residential school next to Sekolah Menengah Alam Shah Ceras ( the only two Malay Medium Residential Schools of the period).We were here in 1964 - 1968. Two distinguishing students being Dr Abdul Rahman Mustapha (VC UUM) and TV personality and actor Abu Bakar Omar as seen in the picture.

InsyaAllah at the later part of this month we will be visiting Brunei Darussalam and hopefully we will meet much elder ex school 'boys' and 'girls' when we were seconded to the oil rich Sultanate in 1960 - 1964.

No, no it was not to be the last of the celebrations and invitations that come especially during Shawal. Here we were at  Sdr Mansor ex KSDN director, an ex student of SMSAH Jenan; again an opportunity to know more people.  

THANK YOU ESPECIALLY TO ALL MY FORMER STUDENTS WHOM I HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO KNOW SINCE 1959.