Battle of Badr: Fasting, Love, and Faith

the UNITAR Staff Club (USC) organized a Ramadhan tazkirah... the session was delivered by Habib Muhiyiddin Al‑Attas, a Philosophy graduate from the University of Otago, New Zealand, whose thesis explored Syed Muhammad Naquib Al‑Attas’ Conception of the West... he is currently furthering his studies at Dar Al‑Mustafa, Tarim, Hadramaut, Yemen, where he is expected to complete another 2 years after Eid... heartfelt appreciation is extended to Habib Ali Al‑Attas for introducing him to UNITAR for this meaningful session... the essence of the tazkirah centred on the immense sacrifices of Rasulullah SAW and his companions during the Battle of Badr, which took place in the blessed month of Ramadhan - reflecting their deep love for the struggle of Islam and unwavering faith... from this pivotal event, we inherit the strength of Islam as it stands today... may we take lessons from it to strengthen our faith, face every challenge with perseverance, and nurture our love for Rasulullah SAW, who will one day guide us towards the path of Jannah...

Back to SMADATA

we sent Azim back to SMADATA... last year he was on the first floor, and this year he has moved up one level - quite literally! this time, the hostel accommodates students from all forms together... as expected, the boys’ hostel may not be as neat or orderly as the girls’, but it has its own character... after completing the necessary payments, we headed to Azim’s dormitory to settle him in... wishing you all the best in your studies, Azim... now officially in Form 2, may you succeed both in this world and the hereafter... 

Oh, Coconut Milk!

if you go out to the sea, remember my request for a male crab; should you become glutinous rice, I will be the head of the coconut milk...

sweet glutinous rice with coconut milk, the coconut finely grated; sweet words, wandering hands, once they wander, sleep soon follows...

Palm sugar from Melaka, coconut milk added, the colour begins to change; greetings exchanged without prejudice, goodwill grows strong and does not fall...

Kak Wan Heri Daughter's Wedding

we received an invitation from Kak Wan Heri, the daughter of the late Penghulu Wan Hassan of Padang Tengku, Pahang... it was a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with Wan Danny, Wan Nazar, Bonda Chu, Bonda Chik, Wan Rozita (Adik Besaq), and other relatives from Padang Tengku... we had to depart a little early at 9:30 pm, as we needed to return to Simpang Durian, Negeri Sembilan, in preparation for the next day’s task of sending Azim back to the hostel at SMADATA...

Farah Nurhani’s Engagement Ceremony

today marked the engagement ceremony of my niece, Sharifah Farah Nurhani Barakbah, with Muhammad Asyraf, held at Alamy Event Hall, Space U8, Shah Alam... the occasion was a meaningful and joyous gathering, bringing family members together to witness and celebrate this important milestone in their journey towards marriage...

the opening doa of the ceremony was recited by Syed Adeen Jamil bin Dato’ Syed Faisal Al‑Attas at 10:40 am, setting a solemn and respectful tone for the occasion... this was followed by the discussion session, during which Abang Mahdi acted as the spokesperson, seated beside Abang Mohar... I was seated behind Abang Mohar, in the same row as Dato’ Syed Faisal and Syed Fadil, as the proceedings continued in an organized and cordial manner... the engagement ceremony concluded with a mutual agreement between both families, with the wedding arrangements set for this year... the akad nikah is scheduled to take place on 23 September, followed by the wedding reception on 24 September in Subang Jaya... the groom’s reception will be held later on 21 October in Melaka... any changes or further matters will be discussed and finalized through mutual consultation as the preparations progress...

MADANI Fest 2023

MADANI Fest 2023 at the carnival grounds of Stadium Melawati, Shah Alam, was a vibrant community‑oriented event that brought together families, youth, and the public to celebrate the spirit of unity and togetherness... the festival featured a lively mix of food stalls, small business booths, activities, and entertainment, creating a fun and welcoming atmosphere for visitors of all ages... More than just a carnival, the fest served as a platform to promote values of inclusivity, cooperation, and shared prosperity, making it an enjoyable and meaningful outing for the whole family... 

Wall Mural

as usual, we parked the car along Campbell road, Kuala Lumpur, with a flat rate of RM10 for the day, before heading straight to the bustling sales lanes of Tuanku Abdul Rahman (TAR) road... along the way, we noticed the beautiful wall murals lining the buildings and took the opportunity to snap a few photos - simple moments turned into lasting memories for the children... the day’s mission was clear: to find a headscarf for Mak, shoes for Abyana, and a songkok for Azim - and thankfully, all tasks were completed successfully...

A Day with Naja

Naja was on leave and took the children out for a day of leisure with Syazi... for those of us tied up with work like me, joining them was simply not possible... with the school holidays coming to an end, this was the perfect time for the kids to enjoy themselves and create happy memories before returning to school again...

Recreation at the field

I thought they were finally eligible to join a football game on the main field, but it turned out they were not quite ready yet... in the end, Azim and Hakimi found a smaller field nearby and happily played alongside the younger kids instead, making the most of the moment and enjoying the game in their own way...