Bekam

Bekam (or bloodletting) is the withdrawal of often small quantities of blood from a patient to cure or prevent illness and disease. In English, Bekam is known as cupping.

in Arabic, Bekam is called “Al-Hijamah”.  The word “hijamah” derived its origin from the word “al-hajm” which carries the meaning: to suck, to absorb, or to extract.  The practice of Bekam was practised by the Prophet Muhammad PBUH (570-635 AD) as evidenced in the following hadis: 

Rasullullah S.A.W. said," Jibrail Alaisalam repeatedly emphasized upon me to resort to cupping to the extent that I feared that cupping will be made compulsory."

(Jamul' Warsaii p.179).

Rasulullah S.A.W.  praised a person who performs cupping, saying it removes blood, lightens the back and sharpens the eyesight.

(Jamul Warsaai p. 179).

Anas ibn Maalik r.a. reported that the Messenger S.A.W. said “Indeed the best of remedies that you have is hijamah (cupping)”.

(Saheeh Al-Bukhari [5371])

Abu Hurairah r.a. reported that the Messenger S.A.W. said “If there was something excellent to be used as a remedy, then it is hijamah (cupping)”

(Saheeh Sunan abi Dawud [3857])

(Saheeh Sunan ibn Maajah[3476])

In modern-day Bekam, the practitioner first determines the part of the body that requires cupping - for migraine, it is the scalp.  Punctures are then made to the scalp (after shaving the pre-determined site).  A cup is attached to the skin surface to cause local congestion through the negative pressure created by introducing suction. This draws up the underlying tissues. When the cup is left in place on the skin for a few minutes, blood stasis is formed and localized healing takes place.  In olden days, buffalo horns are used for suction; in fact, this is still being used today in Malaysia.  After blood is removed, the area is cleansed using antiseptic swabs.  Disposable needles are used to puncture the skin.

Toxic blood of a migraine sufferer

Is Bekam painful?  Although many people claim it is painless, I found it painful when the skin is punctured (due to my lower pain level tolerance?).  When suction is introduced, it is also painful but after a while, the pain subsides.

Proponents of Bekam claim it is effective in its curative use in eliminating pain, restoring physical functions and in preventing as well as healing of diseases. Frequent usage will eventually remove the excess humours (blood, phlegm and bile) and toxic waste present in the blood vessels and muscles under the skin. In short, if given time, this method can slowly “overhaul” the whole body generating optimum health, thus contributing to a true preventive health care programmed which we are badly in need of.

Use of Clay in Traditional Malay Cosmetics

ENGLISH VERSION


Bedak Sejuk

The benefits of "bedak sejuk" (literal: cool powder) are well-known amongst ladies in the Malay community. This decades-old traditional beauty preparation is used even today, mainly amongst the older generation as the younger ladies are now opting for brand names that are widely advertised using well-known personalities as models.  What the ads don't tell consumers is that these models have flawless skin that are air-brushed and they probably don't use the products being advertised!

Bedak sejuk is made from rice which is soaked with fragrant local flowers such bunga Melor (scientific name: Jasminum Sambac), Cempaka (scientific name: Mickelia Champaka) and Tanjung (scientific name: Mimusops Elengi).  The rice is then ground to a paste and mixed with “daun pandan” (scientific name :Pandanus amaryllifolius) to enhance it’s fragrance.  Bedak sejuk is used in place of face powder and also as facial mask.

Clay

Clay is one very unique type of soil with extraordinarily rich physico-chemical properties that endow it to be one of the best detoxifier/purifier and versatile natural healing product available.  Clay has been used for beauty and medicinal purposes for thousands of years.  Today, clay is used in cosmetic preparations such as masks and scrubs and to cure acne.  It is known, among other things, to absorb oils and toxin from the face, close open pores and hydrate the skin.

Bedak Sejuk Made from Clay

An alternative available today is Bedak Sejuk Tabloq which made from 100% clay.  It is processed using mineral water and no other ingredients are added.  Listed below are some of the benefits of Bedak Sejuk Tabloq:

• Cools the skin.
• Rids skin of acne and acne scars.
• Absorbs facial oils and impurities, removes dead cells.
• Closes open pores.
• Whitens skin.
• Tightens skin.
• Moisturises skin.
• Treats nappy rash in babies.
• Cools the skin when exposed to chicken pox and prevents scarring.
• Suitable for all types of skin diseases, (scabies, shingles and eczema)
• Removes underarm hair.
• Reduces heat due to skin burns.
• Prevents stretch marks for pregnant ladies.
• Dries up wounds.
• Relieves breast pain for lactating mothers.
• Cleanses female genitals after menstruation
• Ideal for body scrubs.
• Fever (to be taken orally)
• Gastric Disorder (to be taken orally
• Diarrhoea (To be taken orally)

The above is based on the feedback and testimonials from users who have used the product, since the 1970s.

This writer was given Bedak Sejuk Tabloq to try and although sceptical at first, I decided to do so.  After using it for 2 nights as facial mask before sleeping, I could see visible results (see photo). 

I am an avid golfer and spend a lot of time in the sun.  As a consquence, inspite of regular facials using modern cosmetics, my skin tone is uneven but with Bedak Sejuk Tabloq my skin feels smoother and the tone is now even.  After washing off the mask in the morning, my skin feels hydrated and the open pores are less visible.  I use make-up minimally and my make-up regime consists of only cleanser, moisturiser, sunblock and loose powder.

I am now planning to use Bedak Sejuk Tabloq as a body scrub and see the results for myself.  I will provide an update on the results!    


VERSI BAHASA MALAYSIA
Ramai di antara kita tahu akan manfaat bedak sejuk yang telah digunakan oleh nenek moyang kita untuk beberapa generasi.  Saya ingin memperkenalkan kepada anda bedak sejuk yang diperbuat daripada tanah liat dari negara kita yang tidak mengandungi sebarang bahan kimia tambahan.  Tanah liat telah digunakan berkurun lamanya sebagai ramuan kecantikan untuk penjagaan kulit dan juga untuk tujuan perubatan.  Produk ini adalah Bedak Sejuk Tabloq (BST).  

Antara manfaat BST adalah:

• Menyejukkan kulit.
• Menghilangkan jerawat dan parut jerawat.
• Menyerap minyak muka dan kekotoran, membuang sel-sel mati.
• Menutup liang terbuka.
• Memutihkan kulit.
• Menegangkan kulit.
• Melembapkan kulit.
• Merawat ruam lampin pada bayi.
• Menyejukkan kulit apabila terdedah kepada cacar air dan mencegah parut.
• Sesuai untuk semua jenis penyakit kulit, (kudis, kayap dan ekzema)
• Membuang bulu ketiak.
• Mengurangkan haba kerana kulit terbakar.
• Mencegah tanda-tanda perut yang merekah untuk wanita hamil.
• Mengeringkan luka.
• Melegakan kesakitan payudara bagi ibu-ibu menyusu.
• Membersihkan kemaluan wanita selepas haid
• Sesuai untuk scrub badan (lulur)
• Demam *
• Gangguan gastrik * 
• Cirit-birit *

*Kacau dalam air suam dan diminum

Khasiat-khasiat di atas adalah berdasarkan maklumbalas dan testimoni daripada pengguna-pengguna yang telah menggunakan produk ini, sejak tahun 1970-an.

Penulis telah diberikan bedak Sejuk Tabloq untuk mencuba dan walaupun ragu-ragu pada mulanya, saya memutuskan untuk berbuat demikian. Selepas menggunakannya selama 2 malam sebagai masker sebelum tidur, saya dapat melihat hasil yang ketara (lihat gambar di atas).

Saya seorang yang gemar bermain golf dan menghabiskan banyak masa di bawah sinar matahari. Walaupun saya selalu membuat facial menggunakan kosmetik moden, namun kulit saya kelihatan bertompok-tompok.  Alhamdullillah, dengan bedak Sejuk Tabloq, kulit saya terasa licin dan tidak lagi bertompok-tompok. 

Saya kini merancang untuk menggunakan Bedak Sejuk Tabloq untuk lulur badan dan lihat  sendiri bagaimana hasilnya. Saya akan share dalam blog ini!

The Twilight Years

It seemed like just yesterday that dear mum, aged 82, was still able to walk, albeit rather slowly.  Now, all of a sudden, it appears that she is going downhill pretty fast!

She is now unable to perform even the basic act of getting out of bed without help.  Her strength has suddenly gone, she is totally dependent on others to get by.  This must be frustrating for one who has always been an independent, fiesty lady.  She braved a divorce at a "young" age (thirties) and single-handedly raised three daughters who have grown up to be successful adults.

She is still mentally alert and her face belies her age but just does not have the strength to carry out the basics of day-to-day living.  Just where did it all disappear?  Ageing is an ongoing process but is there a point when there is a step change in the person's ability?  I seem to think so and that point is now in mum's case.

As I watch this transformation taking place, I cannot help but wonder when would this step change occur for me?  Seventies...eighties?  

Confessions of a Shoe-Bagholic

Imelda Marcos' Shoe Collection...she had 724 Pairs!

If I like a handbag, I'd buy them in all available colors!

There was a time when I'd go ga-ga everytime I receive a notice in the mail regarding an upcoming ISETAN Sale. It would usually start on a Friday for members only where additional discounts are offered over and above the advertised discounted price.

Sometimes, I even applied for leave that Friday so that I'd be the early ones (because these sales on Fridays were usually PACKED and car parks would be full too)! Although I noticed that the same items were offered for sale again and again....it did not matter...as long as it's a SALE. The newer items are regularly priced so we would be rummaging through items that we've seen at the last sale....and there's a sale every few months.....but who cares....so long as it's a sale, we must buy!

My favs are shoes and handbags. I have them in various colors to match...if I like a bag in a certain color, then I'd make sure I'd also buy a pair of shoes to match. Did I really get to use all the shoes that I owned (at one time I had about 35 pairs)? Yes, some more than others. For work I usually stuck to the "safe" basic colors like black, brown, white, red, blue, etc. but for social outings, I'd make sure I use the other colors like orange, pink, purple, green, etc. Every night, I would prepare for the next day's wardrobe to work and made sure that if I changed to another handbag, I did not leave my keys behind!

Today, I have given away most of the shoes and handbags because as a retiree where would I go in a pair of green shoes with matching handbag? Also, my "knee-monia" can no longer take walking in a 2-inch stiletto heel. My shoes nowadays are mostly flip flops and slightly heeled Mary Janes for walking and, of course, my golf shoes!  At one time, I owned 17 pairs of golf shoes but one by one, some had to be discarded due to under-use (they just fall apart)!

Nowadays, I don't even bother to read any sales brochure that I receive from ISETAN...they are consigned immediately to the trash can!

If I count all the money that I had spent on shoes/handbags in my 32-years working career...it'll be quite a tidy sum but it's interesting how one's perspectives towards material things change with age...at least for me. Now, I'm just thankful for my health and to be able to enjoy golf with friends.

Now, every time before I purchase a discretionary item, I'd ask myself "do I really NEED this"?. The answer is always "NO"!  See what a little self-discipline can do for you?

When I Grow Old And Feeble....

When I grow old and feeble
With my creaky bones for company
I look at my treasured pics and mumble
Wow...that used to be ME!

Skydive over Marana, Arizona - circa 1983

After Royal Command Performance - Sungei Besi Airforce Base (circa 1982)

ASEAN Parachuting Championship - Bogor, Indonesia (circa 1984)

National Panasonic Karaoke Competition (1st runner-up) - 1991

Guest singer @ Bollywood/Hollywood Night - 2011

Representing Esso Recreation Club Malaysia @ Triangular Meet - Singapore (1987)

Bogor Raya Golf Club, Indonesia (2008)

Royal Pines Golf Club - Gold Coast, Queensland (May 2012)

Kajang Hill Golf Club (circa 2008)

Atop Mt Kinabalu - August 31, 1981

ATV Adventure - Kemensah ATV Park, KL (October 2011)

Jamming @ Bora Ombak (May 2010)

Remembering THE Day.....

Sunday, August 13, 1989.  I had to work that day as I had just returned from a week's vacation in Bali with the family and there was a lot of catching up to do at work.  Before  hubby and I left that morning, our 4-year old son, Nash, unusually threw a tantrum...wanting to come along.  He usually was a good boy and never cried when we left for work.

Hubby had a full-dress rehearsal for a parachute jump into Stadium Merdeka that day for the SEA (South East Asia) Games opening ceremony.  I dropped him off at the Sungei Besi Air Base where he would board the jump plane, before I set off to work.

At around 2 p.m. I drove to Stadium Merdeka to pick him up.  However, when I reached the Stadium, an anxious fellow parachutist, Aziz Ahmad, was waiting for me at the entrance.  He instructed me to let him park the car and I was being led by another parachutist (I cannot remember his name now) to the Ops Room upstairs.  As I made my way through the crowd, press photographers started to take my photos.  At that time, I felt a sense of foreboding and fear that the worst had happened.

The parachute jump was organised by the army and the Ops Room was full of army big guns.  I was seated across a Colonel and a fellow parachutist, Major (R) Mike Shukor.  Mike started off by saying that something had happened to hubby and he then broke down....I sat there dumbfounded and suddenly, the words "dia dah takde ke"? (he's no longer around?) blurted from my mouth.  Mike could only nod his head and at that time, I was struck with a sense of numbness.  I cried a little...I was in a daze....I was confused...was this real?

From that moment on, I was like a zombie...I just followed whatever instructions were given and I could not feel anything or even think.  I was taken to the General Hospital mortuary where I identified his body.  I noted that his face was intact but he had a small cut on his forehead.  At the hospital grounds, there were several pressmen taking my photos and wanting to interview me but I just ignored them....too distraught to even say anything.

Events that followed now flash through my mind like a scene from a sad movie of long ago....people coming to the house to offer prayers....the tearful scene that struck everyone's hearts when Nash wailed "I want my ayah (father)" as his body was taken to the grave site for burial....the "doa selamat" (thanksgiving prayers) held for several nights and then....everyone went back to their own lives and there I was....facing life  alone with a 4-year old son!

Today, 23 years on, the pain has lessened but the memories remain.  So many things had happened in the last 23 years that made me a stronger person today.  When I looked back at the last 23 years, I wondered where I found the strength to overcome the challenges that I faced.  But Allah is great...whatever "tests" he put you through, he made sure you had the strength to endure and that in the end, you benefit from the adversities you faced.  Today, I accept what fate had dealt me and I am thankful to Allah for giving me the chance to redeem my past transgressions before my time is up.  Amiin!

Conquering Mt Kinabalu

It happened 31 years ago...but the memories of climbing Mt Kinabalu are still vivid in my mind.

Mt Kinabalu is 4,095 metres (13,435 ft) high at its summit, known as Low's Peak.  It is a World Heritage Site and is protected as Kinabalu National Park. 

The word "Kinabalu" is extracted from the short form for the Kadazan Dusun word "Aki Nabalu" meaning "the revered place of the dead".  It is believed that long ago, the dead were buried atop Mt Kinabalu.  To climb Mt Kinabalu, one does not require mountaineering experience, but one has to be physically fit.  Training in climbing is also highly recommended as climbing requires greater use of your quadriceps and hamstrings, among other muscles.

At Kinabalu National Park before the climb 

We arrived at Kinabalu National Park on August 29, 1981 and after a night's rest, we began the climb the next morning at around 8 a.m., accompanied by guides and porters who carried our supplies on their backs.  The porters (all youngsters) seemed like they have 3 lungs.  Some were not properly attired (like we were) to climb but they were able to sprint with the loads on their back.  We were told that they had to walk about 10 km from their respective villages just to get to work at the National Park.  

Flora along the climb

The initial part of the climb was relatively easy but as the journey wore on, it became harder - on your lungs and legs.  All of us had to carry a 5-litre supply of drinking water and some chocolates (for energy).  As we got to higher altitude, even these supplies (and the jackets we wore) felt like a burden and some wished they could throw them away!

I could remember the feeling of "oh my God...how much further?"  every time I stopped to catch my breath.  Each time I looked up, I saw a looming tower of mountain to climb.  As the journey progressed, another group behind ours who started out strumming their guitars fell quiet - and I am sure the temptation to get rid of the guitars must have been strong too!  The thin mountain air at higher altitude also caused some of us (yours truly included) to suffer from hypoxia due to lack of oxygen.  It caused drowsiness and if one stopped to rest for too long one could fall asleep.  The guides were on hand to make sure that did not happen because we had to reach the camp at Laban Rata before it got dark.

My late hubby climbing on hands and feet

Laban Rata is located at a height of about 3,000 metres.  Today, Laban Rata boasts of hotel-like facilities for climbers but back in the '80s, there were only shacks with no hot showers or food.  I remember shivering in the cold that night trying to get some sleep and sometime during the night, I was rudely awaken by a rat nibbling at my feet.  The place was infested with rats because of food left over by climbers.  We ate whatever supply we brought along - biscuits and maggi mee.  It rained that night and I thought with dread of the next morning when we have to make the final assault to the peak!

Mt Kinabalu covered in mist - as seen from the National Park

The final (and hardest) part of the climb began at 2 a.m. the next day, which fell on August 31, 1981.  We were dressed for cold weather (jackets and gloves) and each of us carried a torchlight to find our way in the dark.  The final part of the climb was on rock surfaces and having rained the night before, we had to be extra careful on the slippery rocks. 

The first part of the climb involved climbing along a ridge which had to be done in single file.  There were ropes to hold on to and as the group snaked its way on the ridge, I felt a sense of trepidation...what if someone falls off this ledge in the dark?  During the climb, one climber got cold feet and suddenly stopped in the middle of the ridge, prompting those behind her to scream...urging her to move on!

As we got higher, the rocks became steeper and the air became thinner.  I remember a couple of members in the party could not make it to the last few hundred feet because they felt too sick.  The thin mountain air caused them to be dizzy and nauseated.

As dawn arrived, I crawled on all fours to get to the peak and having reached the mountain top, I felt a sense of relief never felt before.  The quietness and majestic beauty of the mountain made me feel so small and insignificant amid Allah's creation.  Mt Kinabalu stood proudly in the dawn...a towering yet foreboding beauty!

We signed the log book to record our presence and made the journey down immediately after.  The descent had to begin the latest by 7 a.m. as it would be dangerous after that due to mist covering the mountain top.  

The descent was much harder than the ascent - as I seemed to have lost control of my thigh/leg muscles.  The path was also muddy and slippery due to rain the night before and it was hard on the knees.  Negotiating the ledge that we had climbed the night before, I was horrified to see how narrow it was.  The rocks stood 90 degrees leading to a dark chasm below!  I thought to myself that it was lucky we climbed in the dark.  Had we climbed in daylight, some people would probably have been frozen by fear!   As my legs were hurting, on the rock surfaces, I slid down on my butt rather than used my legs and by the time I reached base camp, my jeans and undies were in tatters!  My late hubby (who was then recovering from an injured ankle due to skydiving) and I were the last couple to reach the peak and to return to the National Park.

We left Kota Kinabalu on September 2 and three days later (September 5, 1981) we had our "bersanding" (marriage) ceremony. Every single bone and muscle in our bodies ached from the climb and I felt like a robot walking to the hall where the ceremony was held! 


Would I climb a mountain again?  NO...it is something I would do only once especially now that I am suffering from "knee-monia"....LOL!

The group that climbed Mt Kinabalu on August 31, 1981

Yesterday When I Was Young

It's a Tuesday morning and here I am listening to songs that I grew up with.  One that I really liked (for the significance of its lyrics) is Shirley Bassey's "Yesterday When I Was Young".

As I listened, I could see my life as a screenplay before my eyes.  The foolish things one does when one is young, the devil-may-care attitude towards life and people, the people you love who hurt you and the dreams you dreamed that never came true.

Do I miss the years of youth?  Yes and no.  Yes, because there were so many things to do and explore and being young you somehow feel a sense of invincibility.  No, because what I had gone through in my younger years actually prepared me for what was to come in my later years.  I had learnt to listen to my inner voice instead of other people; I had learnt to pick myself up when I fall - and I had fallen hard many, many times.  I am what I am today because of what I went through when I was younger.

Yes, I made mistakes - some of which were due to my belief that it's my life and no one has the right to judge me.  They did not go through the pain that I went through and it was as if having gone through all that pain, I am entitled to do what I want to.  Mistakes are part of being human; you call them experience that teaches you life's hard lessons.  Some of the mistakes that I had made are still being paid for today but that is the nature of life.

"Life is not about waiting for storms to pass, it is about learning to dance in the rain" - Anon

Journey to Jerusalem (Baitulmaqddis)

Jerusalem

Abu Hurairah (ra) relates that the Prophet (PBUH) said, "You should not undertake a special journey to visit any place other than the following three Masjids with the expectations of getting greater reward: The Sacred Masjid of Makkah (Ka'abah), this Masjid of mine (the Prophet's Masjid in Madinah) and Masjid Al-Aqsa (of Jerusalem)". In another narration, the words are, "For three Masjids a special journey may be undertaken: The Sacred Masjid (Ka'abah), my Masjid and Masjid of Jerusalem (Al-Aqsa). (Muslim, Bukhari, Abu Dawud).

Abu Drada (ra) relates that the Prophet (PBUH) said, "A prayer in Makkah (Ka'abah) is worth 100,000 times (reward), a prayer in my masjid (Madinah) is worth 1,000 times and a prayer in Al-Aqsa Sanctuary is worth 500 times more reward than anywhere else". (Tabarani, Bayhaqi, Suyuti)

==============================================

The three holiest mosques in Islam are Masjid Al-Haram (Makkah), Masjid Al-Nabawi (Madinah) and Masjid Al-Aqsa (Jerusalem or, Baitulmaqddis to Muslims), in that order. It is the dream of every Muslim to be able to pray in each of these mosques. While the first two are easily accessible in Saudi Arabia, the third is not so accessible since it is located in Israel.

Al-Aqsa is revered as it is the only site in the world that all prophets performed the Solat (prayer) at one time. It was Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) who led them in prayers before he ascended to the seven heavens and eventually met with Allah, accompanied by the angel Gabriel (Jibrail), in the event known to Muslims as Israq and Mi'raj. In a single night, the angel Gabriel transported the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) from the Kaabah in Makkah, on a steed (Buraq) to "the furthest mosque" - which is believed to be Masjid Al-Aqsa in Jerusalem. It was from Masjid Al-Aqsa that the Prophet ascended to the heavens.

Al-Aqsa was also the first Qiblah (direction towards which Muslims face when they pray) before it was changed to the Kaabah in Makkah.

On my recent Umrah trip, my wish to pray in Al-Aqsa was granted by Allah the Almighty.

We arrived in Amman, Jordon at around 5 am on a cold, wet, morning. Rain and snow greeted our arrival in Amman. The plan was to enter Israel from across the border in Jordan, at a place known as the King Hussein Border Crossing. The distance between Amman and our destination is around 45km. The reason for entering at the King Hussein Border Crossing was that one can enter without having their passport stamped by the Israeli authorities. Many do not want their passports stamped because it will disallow them from entering other Arab countries who do not recognise Israel. Malaysia too does not recognise Israel so we certainly do not want our passports stamped.

The plan was to spend one night in Jerusalem and before leaving Amman, we were instructed to carry only what we needed for an overnight trip. This is because the Israeli authorities routinely check entire luggages, no matter how long it may take. We left our luggages in a storage place in Amman.

On arrival at the Israeli border checkpoint (known as Allenby Terminal), we had to go through security screening. The scene at the border post was chaotic, with machine-gun toting soldiers (young men and women in their twenties) barking orders.

Allenby Terminal (Israeli Checkpoint)

When it was my turn, the sensor sounded (as I had expected) due to a metal implant that I have in my knee. I was asked to stand aside before being led to an examination room. There, a female security officer asked me if I (1) spoke English and (2) had a weapon with me. I answered in the affirmative to the first question and negative to the second. I further explained that I have a metal implant in my knee and offered to show her the scar - however, she said I have to go through a complete check.

I was asked to remove my coat, followed by my shoes, which were scanned. Then, I was asked to stand with my hands and legs apart (spreadeagled) and she ran the scan on my body, including in between my crotch. Next, I was asked to turn around and she repeated the scan, this time running the scanner between my butt. Finally, she scanned my knee and the sensor triggered. At this point, she asked me to lift my pants to show her the scar.

Next, we went through Immigration check. In our visa application form, we were asked to provide the names of our grandparents and when we got to the Immigration counter, we understood why. The Immigration Officer would ask us the names of our grandparents and if the names did not match the info that they had, the visitor would be asked to stand aside. This happened to several of my travel mates; they had provided the names of their paternal grandparents in the application and when questioned by the Immigration officer, they provided the names of their maternal grandparents, or vice-versa. In my case, I was again singled for scrutiny because my passport had a photo in which I did not have a headscarf; with hair dyed brown to boot! The officer stared at me and the photo for what seemed like an eternity and finally asked me to remove my spectacles and had me photographed.

While waiting to board another bus (the bus from Amman was not allowed to enter Israel), I went to the ladies restroom to adjust my headscarf. Suddenly, out of nowhere, a female security guard popped up and she observed what I was doing. Then, I went to the toilet cubicle and she stood outside the door until I was done. It was indeed unnerving to say the least!

Our Palestinian guide from Amman could not cross into Israel because Palestinians who had left Israel are no longer allowed to return so we picked up another guide in Israel. At the checkpoint, we also saw a Palestinian family of four with what seemed like their worldly possessions being turned back after waiting for 2 hours! This is a reflection of Israel's policy to rid Jerusalem of Muslims!

Our new guide told us that were lucky to have spent just over 2 hours at the checkpoint. He cited a case where a group of Pakistanis had to spend 12 hours at the checkpoint and in the end, three were denied entry!

We stopped for lunch at the town of Jericho, the oldest and lowest city in the world. After some souvenir shopping, we continued our journey to Jerusalem.

We arrived Jerusalem at around noon and by that time, it had started to rain lightly. To get to the Al-Aqsa mosque from where the bus dropped us required a long walk - it felt like more than a kilometer - through a maze of narrow, cobble-stoned, streets. We also had to negotiate steps that were quite slippery due to the rain.

Stairs to climb to get to the Al-Aqsa Mosque

The Al-Aqsa Mosque is part of a large complex of religious buildings in Jerusalem's old city known to Muslims as Al-Haram Al-Shariff (Noble Sanctuary) and to the Jews as Temple Mount. For the Jews, the Temple Mount is the place where, according to Jewish belief, redemption will take place when the promised Messiah arrives. There are also sacred Christian sites in Jerusalem including the Church of the Holy Sepulchre - believed to be the site of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, the Church of John the Baptist and other sacred sites.

We arrived in time for Zohor/Asar prayers at the Dome of the Rock Mosque. After that, the guide took us to the rock from where the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) ascended to the heavens. This rock is in the Dome of the Rock mosque and a picture is seen below:

Dome of the Rock Mosque

The rock under the Dome of the Rock

A Cave-Like Area Under the Rock

After that, we went to a nearby building to pay zakat (tithes) as our contribution to the Palestinian cause. The zakat was received by the Imam of the Al-Aqsa Mosque.

After checking into a hotel, we had a short rest before it was time to go the Al-Aqsa Mosque for Maghrib prayers. By this time, the weather had turned chilly with strong, cold winds and it was quite uncomfortable for some in the group who were not adequately clothed for such cold weather.

Inside Al-Aqsa Mosque

The next morning, after breakfast, we left for Amman with stops to visit the graves/mosques of Nabi Sulaiman (Solomon) and Nabi Musa (Moses). However, due to heavy rain, some of us did not make the trip to these places as we preferred to remain dry on the bus!

After an en-route stop at the Dead Sea Resort in Jordan, it was off to Amman to collect our luggage and continue our journey to Jeddah for the Umrah in Makkah and Madinah.

Turning 60...

Turning 60 on February 12, 2012 was a time for me to take stock of my life so far. It was a time to reflect on what I'd been through - my successes, failures, disappointments and tragedies...to list a few.

Entering the 6th decade of one's existence is quite sobering. Somehow, the fragility of life stares at you in the face. But I am determined to live out the rest of my life doing what I have enjoyed doing and being closer to Allah.

My life to date has been filled with personal tragedies - I lost my beloved significant other in a bloody accident at the age of 37 and I was left with a 4-year old son. What followed was a series of health issues, surgeries and the trauma of learning that my beloved mum had cancer.

No one entered a marriage thinking about how it would end...especially when the marriage was only entering its 8th year; yet, there I was at age 37....facing the prospect of a life alone with a young son whose future depended on how strong I was.

They say you never know how strong you are until you are tested and I had my share of "tests" that I faced squarely because I did not know what else to do. In the process, the stress took its toll on my health leading to numerous surgeries....14 surgeries to date. Somehow, fate had dealt me with the cruelest blows imaginable and 3 of my surgeries went horribly wrong which required further revision surgeries. During those hours of darkness, I had relied on friends who rallied around me with words of comfort and helping where they could to lessen the burden that I had to shoulder. I have a small family and my other two sisters live in Australia and up north in Kedah, so I had to rely on my close friends for help.

Mum was a tower of strength in her own quiet ways. She understood my pain having gone through a divorce herself and she brought up 3 daughters on her own. So, imagine the trauma I went through when I learnt that mum had cancer (early stage of lymphoma). I accepted that it was Allah's test of my "iman" (faith) and I plodded on; taking care of her health issues while dealing with mine.

I was very fortunate in that I had a successful career which helped me to remain financially independent. However, when the stress of my personal issues became too much to bear, I made the bold decision to retire earlier than I had planned. It was, indeed, a difficult decision that I agonised over but Allah is great; what he taketh he also giveth. My decision to retire was the best decision I had ever made in my life. After retiring, I found more time to concentrate on taking care of mum while also having more time to do the things that I'd always wanted to do.

A life-changing event happened when I suffered from a surgery which nearly took my life. Those were the darkest days of my life. While I fought to get well in the hospital, my mum was recovering from cancer at home. I felt so helpless that I was unable to care for her and I did not tell her what had actually happened to me because I did not want her to worry.

During those dark days, I had a calling from Allah...for me to perform the 5th pillar of Islam i.e. the Haj. I performed the Haj in late 2009, 6 months after recovery from a major surgery. Since then, I realised that my life had thus far been spiritually empty. I was born a Muslim but being the sole breadwinner, I had been too occupied in chasing one promotion after another, the material things in life, that I had neglected my religious obligations. In a sense, I was "lost" and it was an awakening for which I am very grateful.

So, in entering the 60th year of my life, I have made a pledge to myself that I will strive to be closer to Allah and continue to care for mum while she is still around; while still doing the things that I like to do - like playing golf with my friends. You can say I have come full circle. It was a long and painful journey to get to where I am today but I feel blessed that Allah still loves me and has given me another chance to be a good Muslim. Thank you, Allah, for your blessings...amiin!

If Animals Could Post on FaceBook....

Goat : Friends, don’t go out, hari raya korban holiday is coming

Pig writes a comment on Goat’s status : “Luckily I am haram” 4 likes.

Goat replies :“Don’t you remember that after hari raya korban is the Chinese new year..? 211 likes

Chicken : If tomorrow I don't update my status, means I am being served at KFC. Love you all.....

Cow : Huh! They are touching my breast again..what do they think I am! Bitch?

Mosquito : I am HIV positive and this is all due to wrong sucking !!!

Octopus : I have just refilled my ink.. hurray!!

Lamb: Awwwww....he's making sheep's eyes at me!

Cockroach : Managed to skip from some one’s foot step.. Man, I lead a dangerous lifestyle.

Monkey: Stoooopid golfer...play everyday oso cannot get the ball into the hole...so I picked up the ball and put it in!

King Cobra: She actually worships the ground I ssssssslither on...*wink*, *wink*!

Toad: Errrrkkkkk!!!! The princess I kissed turned out to be a pondan :(

Life's A Raging Sea

A lone ship in a raging sea
In search of a safe harbour
With hopes of finding a lee
To ride out the cruel weather

Battered by the pounding waves
Drifting, lost, and lonely
Fuelled by hopes and prayers
Faith in the Him, the Almighty

Emptiness beyond the horizon
With ne’er a ship in sight
Wondering if I could go on
Against this brutal might

A test of grit and determination
And strength I’ve never known
Journeying to an unknown destination
A journey I must make alone

A beacon of light appears
A beacon of hope and salvation
But alas, through eyes filled with tears
Tis only a fragment of my imagination

Dare I continue this journey?
Of a life that must go on
A life of pain and tragedy
Wondering what lies beyond

With newfound strength….a direction, at last
And a dauntless will to go on
For life’s too short to dwell on the past
The darkest hour is before the dawn