The Modernization of Makkah

Makkah’s brand new clock tower, located atop the Royal Clock Tower Hotel, in the Abraj Al Bait Complex, was unveiled on the first day of Ramadhan this year. The clock, believed to be the world’s largest today, has surpassed other world famous clock towers like the Big Ben in London, the Palace of Culture and Science Tower in Warsaw, the Rajabai Tower in Mumbai and the Allen-Bradley Clock Tower in Milwaukee, USA. The unveiling of the clock signalled the start of Arab Standard Time (AST) which is three hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).

When completed, the Makkah Royal Clock Tower will be 600 meters high, making it the second highest structure in the world, replacing the 101 Tower in Taiwan, which is 59 meters lower. The highest structure would be the Burj Khalifa Tower (828 meters) in Dubai.

The four faces of the clock are decorated with floral/fauna motives made from 90 million pieces of gold-colored mosaic. Another unique feature is that the clock face is lit by 2 million LED lights, and during the call for prayer, 21,000 of these lights, colored green and white, will light the tower and this light can be seen from a distance of 28 kilometers. The total cost of developing the Abraj Al Bait Complex is a staggering USD3 billion.

In a country awash with petro dollars where a majority of the wealth is owned by a minority of the population, dissenting voices are now heard about the wisdom of such extravagance and opulence in the Holy City. Some also fear that the modernization of Makkah detracts from the raison d’etre of pilgrims converging into Makkah – to worship in front of the House of Allah - the Kaabah. For most people, the sight of the gigantic structure dwarfing the Kaabah would be a distraction.

Artist's Impression of the lights during the call for prayer

Personally, I feel the Saudi Government should give priority to upgrading facilities that dot the landscape in the 475 km stretch between Makkah and Madinah, the two holy cities visited by pilgrims during the Haj. The rest stops and some mosques between these two cities, visited by millions of pilgrims year in and year out, are generally in less-than-desirable conditions. Since Islam is a religion that requires cleanliness in everything we do, something must be done quickly about these facilities.

I also hope that in modernizing Makkah, the Saudi authorities would strike the right balance between modernization and affordability so that the future cost of the pilgrimage may not escalate beyond the reach of the average Muslim. Even with current costs, there are people who sell everything they have just to make that once-in-a-lifetime trip - although Islam requires Muslims to perform the obligatory Haj only if they are physically and financially able.

Responsible Media

“The pen is mightier than the sword”, so the saying goes. After all, wasn’t it Karl Marx’s DAS KAPITAL that initially sowed the seeds of communism in people’s mind until it became a reality resulting in the oppression of millions all over the world? The media can shape people’s opinion, twist the truth or uncover lies, whichever it chooses. With the advent of online media, print media is finding it harder to retain readership and revenue. However, whilst print media needs to increase readership for profit, it also must play it’s social responsibility role and consider the impact of its news on the people.

Karl Marx

There is a worrying trend that today’s print media reports are geared towards sensational reporting to attract readership. A case in point is the reports on centenarian, Mek Wook, whose 23rd marriage to a man 6 decades younger had made national (and, perhaps, international) news. The media has painted her as a forlorn, desperate, centenarian trying to hold on to her marriage to a young husband.

Mek Wook and Hubby

When he went into rehab for substance abuse, there were frequent interviews in which she openly declared her love for him, how she missed him and other mushy stuff that would be close to the legendary love story of Romeo and Juliet. Then, when he was released, she mushed about how she would love to hear the patter of tiny feet and how she kept him by her side by giving massages in “sensitive” areas. Now that he has been re-arrested for drug abuse, she is portrayed again as the forlorn lady pining for her lover.

The poor lady probably enjoyed the attention that she suddenly received from these interviews but, alas, little did she realise that she was being made a laughing stock. I, for one, find these reports demeaning for her and all other women, including myself. I even wrote to one particular newspaper to share my views but the reports continue.

Personally, when my late husband was killed in a skydiving accident 21 years ago, I was also a victim of sensational reporting by a local Chinese media. He fell to his death at the former Bulatan Merdeka in front of Dewan Bahasa, next to the Merdeka Stadium. It was a Sunday afternoon and the reporter happened to be caught in a traffic jam at the very spot. He snapped bloody pictures of the deceased and came to my house to meet me. When I refused to meet him, he showed the bloody pictures to my family, including my 4-year old son, causing him to suffer nightmares for months and I had to seek psychiatric help for him.

The media should be more socially responsible and use it’s influence to help resolve social ills amongst the young, such as baby dumping, instead of resorting to tabloid-style reporting to capture readership.

Building Sandcastles In The Air....

Second Honeymoon Packages for couples in troubled marriages are being extended to all Malaysians. Modules to help couples include romantic walks along and beach and building sandcastles together

Four couples, whose marriages were on the brink, recently participated in a state-government sponsored trial program aimed at saving troubled marriages. Dubbed as the Second Honeymoon Package, the program was touted a “success” because the couples said they were “happy” again after the 3D/2N honeymoon on a resort island. The module includes intimate activities ranging from romantic walks along serene beaches to building sandcastles together. There were also marriage counsellors on hand to give tips on enhancing relationships.

Oh come on! Who are we kidding? Anyone would be happy if they had a 3D/2N break on a resort island courtesy of the government! If only life is that simple…you have been at each other’s throats for years (maybe even decades) and then you pack off for a 3D/2N getaway on a resort island minus the children and…Voila…all is well again!

I am surprised that the counsellors involved in the program did not advise the powers that be that like in every aspect of life, problems in a marriage can only be solved if we can identify them and then work on them. To claim success just because the couples were happy immediately after the getaway is just premature.

Couples in the West go through long therapy sessions with their counsellors to save a troubled marriage and even then, success cannot be guaranteed. Human relationships are complex... throw in financial woes, the children, work and in-laws…and you can see why marriages need hard work by both parties.

Back to the Second Honeymoon Package, it was announced that due to the “success” of the pilot program, it will now be extended to all Malaysians. The module will be similar and there will be a minimum charge imposed for out-of-state participants.

There are ramifications that must be considered. Possible abuse is one…a 3D/2N getaway on a resort island at minimum charge is too tempting that couples may even pretend to have marriage problems so that they can be included. Consideration must also be given to the socio-economic background of our lower income families who usually tend to have more children. A vacation, if you ever get one, is a luxury and the children are included. Even for middle class families, it is generally geared towards having the whole family together. It would not be good for the children, for example, if mum and dad whisked off to a resort island leaving them behind when they never had vacations before…the issues are endless.

This appears to be a hastily cooked-up program at the expense of taxpayers. The authorities have obviously not given much thought but one thing they are thinking of is a solution to tackle nagging wives. This is being considered for inclusion in the module because the state Religious Department recently claimed that nagging is one of the contributing factors in separation amongst elderly couples…bla-bla-bla-bla-bla-bla-bla-bla-bla-bla-bla!!!

Oh, Father Joseph!

When Older Men Take Younger Brides

The local media was abuzz last week with reports that two local artistes, in their 50's, had taken younger brides - one was more than half the man's age!

Singer Shidee, 50, had married a lady aged 22. The marriage had tongues wagging because he initially had a romantic relationship with her mum, 45. However, during the course of their courtship, he fell for the daughter instead. Her children had known him as Papa and Uncle and she even claimed that she had helped him financially, with a promise of marriage in return (sounds familiar?). In a classic case of "hell hath no fury like a woman scorned", she lodged a police report that her daughter had eloped with Shidee. Her daughter countered with a police report that she had married him willingly. Later, she (unwillingly) said that she accepted him as her son-in-law....but would only be ready to meet them if he can prove that he can provide for his wife (apparently, he does not have a permanent job and they are boarding with a friend).

Shidee and his bride

Mum-in-law/former love interest

Comedian/actor Imuda, who is 50+, made headlines in the local press many years ago when he was diagnosed with kidney failure. He had to plead for donations and many of his friends in the entertainment industry helped to pay the bills.

So, it was a shock to many readers to learn that he recently forked out RM22,222.22 in dowry to marry a lady aged 28. For someone who could not pay his medical bills, it must have been a hefty sum to raise for the hand of a maiden....and you cannot help but wonder where his priorities lie. If he should fall ill again in the future, would he be pleading for donations again?

One also wonders what these young ladies were looking for when they agreed to marry men old enough to be their fathers. Were they looking for that fifteen minutes of fame, no matter what the consequences are? Both said they fell for their men because they were kind-hearted, understanding and loving - that they did not look beyond economic factors, their spouse's health and what happens when that heady romance wanes off! As for the men, it was an attempt to shore up their ego... and a testimony of their virility to be able to have a wife young enough to be a daughter....a trophy wife! For a kidney patient, one wonders if he would he be able to handle a young wife?

We wish them well and let's hope we don't see them in the divorce court five years down the road!

Tiger By The Tail

This Country and Western song about Tiger's infidelity is just super!!!

Golf Fun Game - Korea vs The Rest of The World

The coveted Challenge Trophy

This was another fun game organized by KDE ladies to break the monotony of golf competitions. This time, The Rest of The World (ROTW) decided to take on the Koreans! ROTW was represented by golfers from Malaysia, Japan, Holland, Thailand, Indonesia and Taiwan.

Pre-game briefing for ROTW members

Posing with the challenge trophy - in case we did not see it again!

Many likened this challenge to the legendary David vs Goliath battle. Everyone, ourselves included, had a sense of foreboding before the game....the Korean ladies are good...they had to be good for they are at the golf course every day of the week, even when the course is closed for maintenance! They have their own teaching pro and are very serious at their game. They all have the same kind of golf swing, are very methodical and they work very hard at the driving range.

With my flight-mate, Rahimah

Our Korean opponents

To add variety to the fun game, there were certain obstacles at all the par threes. At hole number 2, one had to tee off sitting on a chair; at hole number 4, teeing off was done with one feet in a tyre and at hole number 8, it was done with an oven glove on one hand.

Now, how do I do this?

I hope I don't trip....

What is an oven doing on the golf course?

It was a close fight and to our surprise, The Rest of The World (ROTW) won 159 points to 156, thereby winning the challenge trophy for 2010. The gross winner was Shim (Korea) while the nett winner was Maisarah (ROTW).

The victorious ROTW team!

Gross winner, Shim (Korea)

Nett winner, Maisarah (ROTW)

Everyone had a great time judging from the smiling faces after the game!

Golf Fun Game - Zoo Keeper

KDE ladies organized a fun game this week called the Zoo Keeper. It was a golf competition with a difference. The objective is not to hit your ball into the bunker, water, OB-marked areas and also not to three-putt. Any golfer hitting these shots would be penalized by being given a card with the picture of an animal (turtle for bunker, fish for water, monkey for OB and donkey for 3-putts). The card then changed hands during the game; and the golfer holding the card with the most animals at the last hole will be a candidate for Zoo Keeper. The number of animals will be tallied to determine who has the most animals and that person would be crowned the Zoo Keeper.

Audi was appointed the Captain in charge of organizing the event and yours truly was one of the volunteers. As funds were limited, the ladies got creative and decided to decorate the Club House with pictures of animals. Audi's other half volunteered to draw the outline of the animals and the ladies then got down to coloring the animals, cutting them out and mounting them on styrofoam boards.

Audi, yours truly and Irene busy coloring and cutting...back to kindy!

Friday morning dawned with a slight drizzle but the ladies arrived in high spirits...all forty-four of them. There was alot of bantering as many took the opportunity to reconnect with friends they had not seen for a while. The Korean ladies came out in full force and we had a group from MALGA. One golfer even flew down from Bangkok to participate!

Our collective work of art - decor for the Club House

A good time was had by all. Although it was supposed to be fun, the pressure was unbelievable - especially putting to avoid the 3-putts!! Yours truly did not play well and three-putted the last hole so I got to keep the Donkey card (with 4 donkeys) in my flight - dang!

The next event on the cards will be the Valentine Blind Date game in February 2010....male golfers would pick their lady partners by drawing lots....that should be interesting!

The winner of the Fish Award - for most number of balls in water

Bananas for the winner of the Monkey Award - most number of OBs

...and carrots for the Donkey Award - most number of 3-putts

Karin flew in from Bangkok to participate

(L to R) Yih Ching, Aini, Zahariah and Rosni (seated)

Rabiatul (in blue) led the MALGA team

Anite, Winnie and Roza

Jose and Company

Yours truly and buggy mate, Zahariah

Happy Faces although scores could be better!

Winner of the Best Dressed Award

The Korean ladies came out in full force...three of them pictured here

Judy won the Zoo Keeper Award for 2009!

Uproar About Fake Hymen Kit

In a country noted for honour-killings due to loss of a woman's virginity, the fake hymen kit is god-sent. This product, made in China by a company called Gigimo, is advertised on its website and Egyptian politicians have demanded a ban on the product as it will encourage illicit sex outside the confines of marriage.

However, the product has met with some support. An Egyptian blogger and activist for women’s rights said the Artificial Virginity Hymen "sticks in the face of every male hypocrite" in an Arab culture that condemns women’s sexuality but turns a blind eye to male promiscuity.

The product consists of a pouch that is inserted into the vagina before sex and leaks a blood-like substance when broken during intercourse.

In broken English, the product advertisement goes as follows: “No more worry about losing your virginity. With this product, you can have your first night back anytime... Add in a few moans and groans, you will pass through undetectable”.

A fake hymen with fake moans and groans - perhaps centenarian Wook Kundor's secret is about to be unravelled????

Note:

Wook Kundor, a centenarian aged 107, made headlines in Malaysia when she married, for the 22nd time, a 38-year old bachelor...

In The Still of the Night...

I am watching a rerun of the movies; a reflection of my life...the joys I had known, the emotional and physical pain I had endured and people whose paths I had crossed. A journey fraught with bumps and bruises – lessons learnt the hard way that I will remember forever…in the still of the night!

“I have been a rover
I have walked alone
Turned a hundred highways
Never found a home
Still, in all I’m happy
Reason is, you see…
Once in a while along the way
Love’s been good to me…”

Mum's Sewing Machine

She sits in a corner of the maid’s room – worn, dusty and dull…a relic of the years gone by. Yes, it’s mum’s trusty Singer sewing machine. She was once the prized possession of the house; with a gleaming veneer finish, well-oiled and ready to rumble when there are things to be sewn. The apron that I had made as part of my school project, the curtains I sewed for Hari Raya, even the tent dress that was the rage 40 years ago – these were some of the products proudly turned out by that machine.

I can still conjure images of mum in her younger days, sewing her kain batek or baju Kedah, sometimes late into the night…cluck, cluck, cluck, cluck… the sound of the foot pedal breaking the silence of the night. We would always be anxious to see the finished product.

Then there were the repairs to be done – torn school uniforms (my sisters and I only got a pair each year; to be worn until they were no longer in presentable condition) and out-of-date dresses to be given a refreshing look!

Today, I had a piece of batik that needed to be stitched, to be used for prayers. It was a simple task – just straight sewing – no creativity needed here! I was pleasantly surprised to find the sewing machine still in working condition; albeit a little noisy. As I pedalled away, my thoughts drifted back to the good old days when life was simpler, we would wear what mum sewed for us and the machine would be most busy with the approaching Hari Raya.

Today, it sits quietly in the corner, waiting for that rare occasion when someone would have something to sew….just like in the twilight years of one’s life…waiting for that rare occasion to be useful and appreciated again….sigh!