la ilaha illa Allah
Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, Alahu akbar
wa li-illahi al-hamd
Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest
There is no deity but Allah
Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest
and to Allah goes all praise
When Muslims finish their fast at the last day (29th or 30th Ramadan), the above called Takbir is recited. I was listening to it on the Internet at work. How I wish I was in Malaysia celebrating with my parents. Insyallah, next year.
But when was Eid? At first, on the London Mosque and Muslim Council website it stated that Eid will fall on Saturday. Fine, another day of fasting. But then I received an e-mail from the University Muslim Society that Eid prayers is on. What???
It seems that London Mosque (with its Arab majority) wants to follow Saudi Arabia which is celebrating on Friday. But we are not in Saudi Arabia. What happen to the obligatory glimpse of the new moon? There was even an apology on their website. Astronomy was one of Islam's greatest achievement but it doesn't show? What a joke!!! I called Kevin and we decided to stick to the Muslim Council of Britain.
The first Muslim and Malaysian astronaut, Dr. Sheikh Muszafar Shukor was in space. He was launched to the International Space Station aboard Soyuz TMA-II on the 10th . I wonder whether he was able to see the new moon. Congratulations to him and to Malaysia. At least, we are not in any nuclear race often associated with Muslim countries.
For Eid dinner, we had lontong (boiled rice cakes), rendang (spicy dried beef stew) and lodeh (vegetables in yellow stew). Proud to say, I cooked all by myself. I've got to thank the Malaysian residents here in the UK for the tips and the short-cuts they posted on the web.
Made my obligatory call to my parents wishing them “Selamat Hari Raya. Ma'af zahir batin” which means Happy Eid and forgive my physical and emotional wrongdoings. Eid is not only for celebrations but also a time for Muslims to cleanse their sins and strengthen ties with families and friends. Quote from Kevin “Let's start sinning again :-)
Chatted with my sister and her 6 (phew) children. Could hear the arguments (6 thousand km away) on who wants to be first. Bless my sister, shouting, arranged them from the youngest (8 years) to the eldest who is 19. I don't mind repeating and answering the same questions. It was nice talking to all of them.
Dee (my sister) sent us a parcel of goodies which hasn't arrived. It might take longer due to the on-going dispute with Royal Mail. She says that the post office in Malaysia stressed that the British government forbid the sending of meat products due to the foot-and mouth disease outbreak. Hmm. couldn't wait what's in the box.
How did we celebrate Eid? We went to the University to try Kevin's new toy. I got him a helicopter for his birthday which falls on the 28th. He just couldn't wait to test it. We went to one of the playing fields which was wet and muddy. The first few times, the poor thing went down like a sack of potatoes. But as soon as he got the hang of it, managed to keep it afloat and safe landing, the battery went flat. Ha... I'm glad he's happy with his pressie but now he wants a bigger one. Men!!! (Better not bigger, women, they never listen :-) .......K
I also had my flu jab done in preparation for winter. Last year, I didn't get my jab in time and was off work for 2 weeks. The students are back for the new term and they tend to bring with them all sorts of virus too. And I'm like a sponge, viruses are attracted to me. Go away...
Life on the top floor is very lonely. I'm so isolated that I resorted to opening my office door. The problem is every Tom, Dick and Harry pops in with queries. Sometimes, colleagues who takes pity on me, for a chat. Although it disrupted my work, I enjoyed it and there's a better understanding of the collection I'm working on. But, I only have an open door policy either in the morning or afternoon. Otherwise, no work done.
Selamat Hari Raya. Ma'af zahir batin” to all Muslims out there. We have the whole month of Syawal to celebrate. Yay
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