Ten days ago Ram and I went to JB on a planned trip. We had planned to drive to JB on Tuesday, take a cab to Singapore (I have given up driving in Singapore.... too much hassle!!) on Wednesday to visit and also attend a 'maulid' in one of the mosques in Bukit Timah on Thursday evening , return from Singapore to JB on Friday, attend Ram's nephew's new grandson thanksgiving ceremony on Saturday morning, attend a wedding on Saturday night and return to PJ on Sunday.
On arrival in JB we went to see my mother. I mentioned to mother that it had been a long time since we held a prayer session for my late father and the other deceased in the family and mum agreed that it was high time we hold it. I only had Friday evening free and hence it was decided that the session be held on Friday starting from the dusk prayers onwards. Again, by default, I was to lead the congregation. We decided that we should not cook but buy cooked food instead. All my siblings were duly informed and except for one or two members, most agreed to attend.
Yes, nice plan, and properly scheduled..... But.... it was not to be...... The Almighty has His plans imposed on us.....
Ram, her elder sister Siti and I (younger sister Shidah decided not to follow as she was not well) took a cab to Singapore on Wednesday afternoon. On arrival at the Rochore Road terminal we hopped on the MRT light rail transport, and headed for Kembangan area to visit Ram's 'distant' half-sister whom she calls Achi Limah or 'Chik' (no blood relation to Ram but by family lineage they are half-sisters.... its complicated and the family is reallyyyy big....) It has been a very long time since we last visit them. It had been too long I guess, as Chik, very much older than us, is beginning to be forgetful. She could not remember us and kept asking who we were. When we explained she understood and asked how so and so is and where so and so is. She remembers receiving news of the demise of Ram's sister and brother-in-law but after a while she asks the same questions again!!
Chik's daughter sent us to Pasir Ris where Ram's nephew and family lives. Ram's nephew was away in Philippines but his wife and children were at home waiting for us. They had expected us but Siti's presence was a surprise to them. Siti had not been to their house for a long time too. It was nice to visit. We stayed for two nights.
On Thursday morning we took the MRT to Tanjong Pagar station and then took a cab to visit a 'makam', a grave of a well known 'ulama' or religious guru and personality, Makam Habib Noh. At the makam we met members of our mosque group (they came in two buses) who were in Singapore to attend the 'maulud' too. At the makam we realised that we were only a short walking distance to the MRT station, hence after visited we walked back to the station and took the MRT to Bugis station and went for lunch at one of the popular local restaurant, good food and cheap by Singapore standard. Two doors away from the restaurant was the former house of another close relative. Siti was seen walking around 'inspecting' the house. I imagine memories flooding back in her mind.....
We went back to Pasir Ris after lunch, rested awhile, and then left for the mosque at Bukit Timah for the maulud. The session was scheduled to start soon after the late afternoon prayers. We took the MRT to Newton and then took a cab to go to the mosque. There was already a huge crowd and the mosque was full of people. We followed all the proceedings held that lasted through the dusk (maghrib) and the after dusk (isya') prayers. The crowd were made up of Singaporeans, Malaysians, Indonesians, Bruneians, and there were preachers and 'ulama's' from Egypt, Saudi Arabis, Iraq, Iran, Indonesia, Thailand and phew... many more. It was a very good and enlightening session. The maulud and praises for the Almighty and the prophet pbuh. was performed with full enthusiasm. The session ended at about 10.00pm. We took a cab to Pasir Ris after that.
Early Friday morning we returned to JB taking the MRT from Pasir Ris and then a cab to JB arriving home in JB at just before noon.... to be continued....
MKI Ramblings Unlimited,
Petalinh Jaya
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