MATTA Fair: March, 16 -18

Got the chance to visit MATTA Fair in PWTC last Saturday. Honestly, I have been waiting for this event since last year; not because I have excitement to travel but just my interest to have a look and make comparison between prices and what the travel operators offer.

As expected, PWTC was packed with numerous numbers of visitors and hardly to find empty parking space. Luckily, I got a space by the road side; at the road shoulder actually. No parking fee and even better, it was quite near to the entrace from Seri Pacific hotel.

The organizer still maintain the entrance fee of RM 3 per person (adult) and we were given all the brochures, pamphlets etc together with a green bag. We started with a quick tour in Hall 3 (domestic/inbound) and proceeded to the Hall 1 & 2 located across the contaminated Klang River in Jalan Ipoh. These 2 halls were allocated for outbound operators; mostly focused on China ( from my observation). Yeah, Chinese community is the major target by the organizer as they always travel in groups and more willing to spend their money for travelling compared to Malays. For most Malays, travelling isn't their priority and considered as something luxurious. If they have extra money to spend for travelling, they will choose to perform Umrah (little Hajj) in Mecca and Madinah. Unless they have more money to spend, then only they consider to travel elsewhere. Else, hi hi bye bye to the travel operators.

Honestly, I really wish to travel somewhere this year and actually the place was identified earlier; Europe (London-Paris-Amsterdam). I got my relative who married to an Englishman staying there and I have a close friend who's working there too. So, accommodation is no longer an issue. Just need some cash to spend there for foods etc. When I checked the ticket price during MATTA Fair, return tickets to London will cost me around RM 3K. Royal Brunei is slightly cheaper but have to transit for 10 hours in Bandar Seri Begawan. Ohh, I'm too far from my initial intention for this posting. J

I spent few hours walking around and asking questions and feel so guilty to the one whom accompanied me. Sorry yea! Too many questions to ask though I can't afford it. To me, having information in hand is very important for future planning. Who knows what will happen in the future, rite?? From now on, I'll double my effort and work harder to get more cash and extra money to travel. Pray hard and work smart.

For those who missed the chance to visit this MATTA Fair, don't worry cos another round will be held in September (if I'm not mistaken). You can update yourself from this URL; http://www.matta.org.my

Let us travel together, enjoy to the fullest and make ourselves free from our irrational, irritating and bossy bosses!!

Assyura Day; Muharram 10

Monday is always been a busy day. What to do as it is the first working day of a week, so many thing need to be done and things to start with. Well, I got a morning meeting today followed by another meeting. Sometimes, I wonder whether we are on the right track or not because of too many meetings to attend but the results are still the same. Nothing much to expect from these time consuming meetings.

It is not too late for me to wish all my Muslim brothers and sisters "Happy Assyura Day" as today is 10th Muharram in Hijr Calendar. For those who are fasting today, I wish a barakah fasting day and may all of you get the blessing from Allah s.w.t

Actually, I thought of writing on something else but after talking to my colleague, she asked me to consider writing something on Assyura Day. Frankly speaking, I have a little idea on this but it is good for me to read more in order to have better understanding of my faith. As I mentioned in my previous posting, I always believe in information sharing as the critical success factor. So throughout this posting, I will try my best to share something on Assyura Day.

According to the history and what the scholars said, when the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings upon him) arrived in Madinah Munawwarah in 622 CE, he found that the Jews there fasted on Muharram 10 and he asked them the reason for their fasting on this day. The Jews answered, “This is a blessed day. On this day Allah saved the Children of Israel from their enemy (in Egypt) and so Prophet Musa fasted on this day giving thanks to Allah." The Prophet Muhammad said, "We are closer to Musa than you are." He then fasted on that day (Muharram 10) and commanded Muslims to fast on this day. (Al-Bukhari)

In the following year, Allah commanded the Muslims to fast the month of Ramadhan, and so the fasting of Assyura became optional.

It is also reported that the Prophet intended to fast on the ninth and tenth. Ibnu Abbas reported: The Messenger of Allah fasted on the day of Assyura and ordered the people to fast on it. The people said, "O Mesenger of Allah, it is a day that the Jews and Christians honour." The Prophet said, "When the following year comes, Allah willing, we shall fast on the ninth." The death of the Prophet came before the following year. (Muslim and Abu Dawud)

According to scholars, we can choose to fast Assyura on:

i. three days (ninth, tenth and eleventh);
ii. two days (ninth and tenth); or
iii. one day only (the tenth).

The Prophet said, "Fasting the day of Assyura (is of great merits), I hope Allah will accept it as an expiation for (the sins committed in) the previous year." (Muslim)

Traditionally, Assyura commemorates two major events: The day Prophet Nuh left the ark and the day Prophet Musa was saved from the Egyptians by Allah. Apart from that, Shiites, however celebrates Assyura as a major festival called the ta'ziyah, which commemorates the death of Hussein, son of Imam Ali and grandson of Prophet Muhammad, on the 10th of Muharram, 61 AH (October 10, 680 CE) in Karbala, Iraq. For Shiites, Assyura day is celebrated in rituals and observances consist primarily of public expressions of mourning and grief.

May the day of Assyura brings us a step closer to The Almighty God and may also we are blessed to carry out our duties as Caliphs on this earth. Insya Allah.

Shopping For New Year

Just back from a night market in TTDI. As usual, this night market gathers crowd from different races including Caucasians who stay nearby but the majority comes from the community of TTDI itself. Please bear in mind this is not the TTDI in Shah Alam, which was flooded last time (maybe a punishment by The Almighty God - nobody knows!).

This night market is not the focus point in this posting. It is just an introduction just like a starter before we have our main course while dining. Actually, I went to One Utama before that, just to accompany my friend for his window shopping. I never expect such a big crowd like today and 90% of them are Chinese. Each and every one of them carried at least a bag or two showing that they are serious to celebrate this coming Chinese New Year.

This year according to Chinese Calendar is a pig year and my Chinese friend said this is going to be a lazy year. Well, it is not me who said that but it came out from a pure Chinese guy. I cannot say nothing much but to agree with him. Yeah, pig in Chinese community is always been referred as a lazy animal.

Back to the shopping extravaganza, I would say that now is the time and worth to buy personal stuffs especially clothes. For every shop in the mall, this is the time for them to make a big money. People are eager and excited to prepare for their upcoming celebration; the biggest celebration for Chinese community. So, for others (other than Chinese) you can also grab and take this opportunity to buy one or two clothes with cheaper and very reasonable price.