Dsitribution of Qurbani meat, MSD

30 Nov. 2009 - Praise be to Allah, for the third year in a row, I managed to organize the qurban of 1 beef/cow and 23 lambs to be distributed this year. My special thanks to my fellow students and community for their presence and helping me out distributing the qurbani. May Allah accept our sacrifice and may this act granted with His rewards.

Forum and Eid Celebration, Univ. of Southampton

29 Nov. 2009 - After updating the latest situation on rail traffics which are still struggling with the effect of bad weather last night, I decided t o drive in this early sunday morning to Soton. Put aside the fatiguness, and I'm sitting back of the steering again. The journey was very smooth, to which I was grateful with a little bit wonder. M25 normally serves us heavy traffics but not today. People maybe seems to choose to stay comfort at their homes rather than braving the cold weather. Afterall, it's sunday morning. As for my journey to Soton, I was invited by the Malaysian Students Association of USouthampton to team up in a forum for their Eid gathering. I was partnered by my friend, Ramizi and Siti Nur Baya, both are our Phd candidates in Southampton. The event went smooth and I managed to share some moments with our students there. During the session, I've also been invited to launch their new website. Thanks to Hilmi Faiz, the MSA Soton President and his committees for the efforts. Look forward for the next event with them. Thanks for the hospitality given.

Eid Talk, Cardiff Keluarga, Cardiff

28 Nov. 2009 - Yup, within a short period of time, I past again the Severn Bridge, right in to the capital of Wales, Cardiff. This time, to fulfill the invitation came from the postgraduates and families. I delivered the speech and responded to few questions later on. Thanks to Faithal, the CK President and his committees. The talk went well. I had to excuse myself few minutes after 6.00 pm, as to catch the train back to London. My friend, us Nazri gave me a lift to the station. I was supposed to arrive at London paddington at 9.30 pm, but due to the bad weather, and UK will always frantic whenever this type of weather hits, the train I was in stucked and stranded few times along the way. I finally arrived at London Paddington at not 10 pm, not 11 pm, but at 12.30 am. The journey altogether took 6 hours to arrive in London ! By the time I got home, it was 1.10 am. I realized that I haven't got a chance to framed some moments during the event in my camera, so I hope anyone of them will tag me of few :) The photos were finally tagged at the FB by the family of the new born baby whom we did the tahnik. Thanks.

Eid Talk, Malaysian Community of Bristol

28 Nov. 2009 - I would like to thank our postgraduates at Bristol University, for organizing this event and invited me to deliver a talk. Bristol was my regular point of pitstop, and I oftenly stop by unofficially whenever available, during my trip from London to Wales or anti clockwise. Friday was so stretched and tiring, and I honestly couldn't see myself qualified for driving. So, I took the train to Bristol. The journey from London Paddington to Bristol Temple Meads Station took around one hour and 40 minutes. The journey was fine, the train quite smooth and I get to do some reading whilst on it. Upon arrival at Bristol, my friend Zul has already there waiting to give a lift. This reminds me to the first time I commuted the train to Bristol on the 27th January 2007, where he himself and bro Mazlan fetched me. Thanks again guys. Zul then brought me back at his place, and met his wife Eyja and their kids. Visiting them means 'langkah kanan' as Eyja is a great Chef. The chicken Kuzi was so irresistable and I really 'helped' myself eating it :) The event took place at the Knowles Community Centre and there I met the rest of our postgraduates, and some undergraduates too. The talk that I delivered circling around the current situation of muslim in UK and Europe, and the Q&A session filled with fiqh questions and issues. I was supposed to catch my next train to Cardiff at 1.45 pm, but I really wanted to prolong the session with them. Praise be to Allah, one of our Phd candidates, Jamal from UTHM and wife, voluntaring to drive me to Cardiff for my next event. Jamal himself is a great singer with a lovely 'high note' voice. he even performed nasyid during the session. So for the extra time left, I joined the congregation for the Zuhr and Asar and Eid Takbir. Thanks Jamal for the lift to Cardiff. It was really nice chatting with you. Thanks to the community for their great attentiveness and hospitality. And the photos tagged in FB by bro Mazlan too. I arrived at Cardiff and head on for my next talk.

Nikah Ceremony at MSD

27 Nov. 2009 - Right after the Friday prayer, as scheduled, I received a couple who wish to solemnize their marriage. Abg Wan Hulaimi and Nazir were the witnesses. I wish the couple all well and may Allah bless this marriage. Barakallahu lakuma wa jama'a bainakuma fi khair.

Eid Prayer and Khutbah, Malaysian High Commission

27 Nov. 2009 - Just like the Eid al Fitr celebration, the Eid al Adha Celebration kicked off at our Malaysian High Commission Office. Although it's Friday, the number of attendance was just slightly lower than the previous, which falls on Sunday. I led the prayer which commenced at 9.00 am, followed by my Eid sermon. Straight after the speech from our HE High Commissioner, we then headed to the feast. I was chanelled to join the seating with Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, our fourth PM, who joined the congregation. We exchanged few thoughts, together with HE High Commissioner, Deputy High Commissioner and Head of agencies. Kullu 'Am Wa Antum Bikhair and Eid Mubarak.

Tribute to our director, Mr. Ahmad Nazri

27 Nov. 2009 - After Zaki and Haji Zainal, MSD sadly has to witness another seat vacated at the office. Our director, Mr. Ahmad Nazri Sulaiman completed his service and left UK for Malaysia. He came in 2006, around a month after my arrival. A great director, who always direct with a long term purposes in mind, who make decisions and justify things based on what's in hands and not just heresay, who really good in teaching us on how to be a good administrator. His wide experience clocked justification and rationales in many aspects. For the past three years, I've been traveling a lot with him, reaching and meeting our students all over UK and Ireland. I really adore the way he thinks and balance between what needs to be done, with the capacity and limitation given. Some of his styles remind me of one of the Director that I used to served back in Examination Syndicates, Datuk Yaakop Ederis. Some of his quotes were still imprinted in my mind. The powerful management concept is, when the leaders manage to catch people when they're doing things right. Unfortunately, most leaders have a sort of genius for catching people doing things wrong. I believe, what make any leaders an effective person, is when he or she managed to make sure that people know what his or her goals are, and he or she is willing, and always willing, to do everything possible to support, encourage, and coach the subordinats to accomplish those goals. Thanks to En. Nazri, for your believe in my capability, for the opportunities and freedom given in serving our students, and most of all, for never say 'no' to any religious events to be conducted by me, or attended by me organized by our students. This, I believe, make these particular three consecutive years, the most memorable phase in my career. All the best to him and family. We'll see you again.

Tribute to Haji Zainal, the MSD living legend

16 Nov. 2009 - He put his first step on London back in 1975. Back then, he himself didn't have the prediction that he'll get this big circle of altogether, 34 years living in UK. Haji Zainal, our Assistant Officer of Welfare, left UK for his mother in Muar, Johor, on the 16th of November. I couldn't be at the airport, as I was scheduled to board the Eurostar to The Hague, for the World Halal Forum. So, on the 15th, my family and I organized a special dinner with him, and his son, Taufik and his daughter, Almaz. I choosed Makan Cafe, Portobello, as it was one of the regular restaurants that we used to dine together. He taught me a lot, he helped me more than I can list it down, he assisted me, voluntarily in all religious matters and sharing me his wide experiences with my predecessors. 'You're the 10th ustaz in MSD', that's what he said it to me. During my early days in London back in 2006, he gave me a list of names of all Education Attaches (Religious Affairs) who've served here in MSD. I've met two of them, Ustaz Anuar and Ustaz Rahim, and for the late Ustaz Hussain Unang, he's relative. He used to teach me back in KIK in the '80. Since 2006, Haji Zainal humbly served the interest of our congregation in many aspects. Everytime when I'm preparing our hall and surau for any events now, I can't help but to remembering him, as he's the one who will make sure that everything is in order before I come and start the session. I used to stand side by side with him, whenever I'm available, to ready the hall. But now, I've to and I eventually doing it alone. His wife, Kak Nariman, I would say, never failed to prepare malay kuih for our weekly circle. Too many memories with him, that's all I can say. Thanks Haji for your attentiveness to me right from the first day I came to MSD. Thanks for all 'unseen' assistance that you gave to me and my family. We will surely miss you. The legacy remains... All the best to you in Johor and take care