At Fatty Crab

Thanks to my dear cousin (aunty), Nadra for inviting us to the Fatty Crab establishment.

Semalam aku makan ketam! Along with my brothers and 5 other lady cousins (hehe).

I was disappointed when I saw that we'll be eating at a Chinese restaurant. I thought that if I didn't eat anything else pon at the very least I could have some ice-cream or whatever. I assumed that we're eating at a western restaurant.

Ooops.

But I had a go with the crabs. They were delicious! Unique to get to the meat as well. You need to crack the carapace open with vice and hammer lika damn carpenter, just for a piece at the claw.

Looking forward to more crabs in the future.

Pics nanti aku mintak Nadra.

Turn, turn, turn...

Felt like posting this song....


To everything (turn, turn, turn)
There is a season (turn, turn, turn)
And a time for every purpose, under heaven

A time to be born, a time to die
A time to plant, a time to reap
A time to kill, a time to heal
A time to laugh, a time to weep

To everything (turn, turn, turn)
There is a season (turn, turn, turn)
And a time for every purpose, under heaven

A time to build up,a time to break down
A time to dance, a time to mourn
A time to cast away stones, a time to gather stones together

To everything (turn, turn, turn)
There is a season (turn, turn, turn)
And a time for every purpose, under heaven

A time of love, a time of hate
A time of war, a time of peace
A time you may embrace, a time to refrain from embracing

To everything (turn, turn, turn)
There is a season (turn, turn, turn)
And a time for every purpose, under heaven

A time to gain, a time to lose
A time to rend, a time to sew
A time to love, a time to hate
A time for peace, I swear its not too late

Turn, turn, turn
by the Byrds.

Not Just A Palestinian Issue

"ISRAEL, SAYUR! ISRAEL, SAYUR!"

was one of the chants made by a few hundreds of IIUM students (mostly the guys) during the Palestinian Rally organized at Medicine Square, IMC Campus, IIUM.

I am certainly proud that my University could at least organize this humble but necessary event, to at least show our support to the Palestinians.

Several prominent students and lecturers, local and foreign alike has had their say in the matter and all were relevant and within context.

Several resolutions has been made which include boycotting, praying for the Palestinians, and disseminating awareness.

I myself would more like to commit to the latter resolution fully. What is needed is knowledge and understanding of the situation. Not just the Palestinian occupation and Zionist agenda, but also about Islam, our way of life, Western world view, and various other issues, past, present, future.

I feel fortunate that I am studying in IIUM. Imagine, having an Islamic University. For Muslims. Just like how it was suppose to be. And I'm lucky that my university is not being bombed like it did in Palestine.

The cruelty of the Zionist have reached unprecedented proportions. Thousands have Syaheed in the land of Gaza. The land of bloodshed and death. 

All the bullshit Israel is selling in the media are nothing but that. Bullshit! There is no such thing as focused fire and specific targeting of militants when cluster bombs are used, when artillery hits mosques, refugee shelters, UN aid workers, and even their own troops! The fact that even Isreali soldiers were killed in 'friendly fire' suggests that what Israel is doing is nothing more than random shootings and destroying Gaza. 

Israel is doing all it can to kill kill kill. International journalists are barred from entering Gaza (for their safety konon), children are killed everyday (they led them into 'shelters' for refuge and then 'accidently' shell the place), even UN workers are not spared (and as a result, these cowards will not send anymore workers for aid until Israel may assure safety, convenient for the Israeli to continue their wanton destruction without having to worry of killing any UN members), and refusing the ceasefire terms tabled by the UN. Meanwhile, bombs and artilleries and airstrikes continue. Children are found with sniper bullet holes in the head.

There is worldwide protests throughout the world. However very shamefully, some of the most strongest support are made by none Muslim governments such as Venenzuela. There are the Arab leaders? What the hell are they doing to help their brothers and sisters in need.

When a brother is sick, the whole body feels it.

Muslims are definitely sick. We require a cure. But self-treatment is the only way to cure this disease. But so unfortunate many do not even realize that they are sick...

Back to the protest made by IIUM students. I agree with protests held. At least its something to show our support. What I personally detest are acts of unprofessionalism. These are like kicking mannequins and causing riots. This is very un-Islamic. I thought being professional is part of being Muslims. And Im not talking of people on the streets. Im speaking of educated, top students!

If any resolutions should be made, these are the most important in my opinion:

1. Return to Islam, the true teachings of Islam.
2. Do our best in our studies to elevate the Muslims back to its past status during the Golden age.
3. Continue support and being aware of what is happening and not end here after the dust settles down, it never will!
4. Provide whatever help that can be done, monetary aids, spread awareness, praying, and even studying. These are all Jihad! A struggle!
5. To be the best of Muslims and to help our brothers and sisters to be one too.   

No more late night DOTAs. No more giving excuses. No more procrastinating. 

Like the title says, this is not a Palestinian issue. 

This is a Muslim issue.

We're all responsible for what happens in Gaza. For what is happening to ourselves.

There Was Death in My House

Yesterday was the 6th day since my dear grandmother passed away.

Since then things went back to normal (on my side at least).

When my mom called that day, telling me to come back if I didn't have anything to do that weekend, instinct told me to just go.

So I went.

After 2 hours of driving in the rain (90% of the way), I arrived home and went straight to the hospital. I managed to see my granma bfo she passed away. She was panting on the CCU bed sitting in a tripod position. She couldn't reply when I called her. But she responded.

As with all deathly scenery, the atmosphere was somber. Emotions ran high. My mother, predicted that she (granma) would go soon. She told us to go home and prep the house.

Sure enough she passed away about 30 minutes later.

My house was converted into a party place in an hour.

The funeral proceedings continued on til Saturday. I was directly involved in the process. From the prep to bathing to transportation to praying to burying.

I learned a lot from this experience.

There was so many cultures intermingling with how we treat the dead. And most are not Sunnah. Positioning the deceased towards the Kiblat, placing the Quran above the head, the Tahlil's, the continuous Tahlil's, siram air bunga.

We also had kids around. I learned how exposure and explanation is necessary.

A few more things occurred that I couldn't mention here. But they were valuable life lessons anyway.

I'll miss my granma. She was nice to all of us and was always the peacemaker in the family. Her lost will be a big hole in our hearts.

I hope that she'll be in a better place now. Insyallah.