On The Move

These past weeks we have been on the move. At the end of August we were in JB for a couple of days. Then Shaffik bought us air tickets to go to Bintulu. The little kids were as usual excited that we were coming. We were in Bintulu for about a week. Two days ago we went down to JB again. And on Monday we will be leaving for a trip to Egypt followed by Medina and Mecca.

Ever since we retired from active employment, Ram and I have been attending religious classes at various places and have recently concentrated our attention to attending classes conducted at a ‘Madrasah’ in a religious complex by an Imam and Guru that I am very familiar with. This complex is known as Yayasan Al Jenderami (www.aljenderami.com.my, but the website is at the moment presented in the Malay language only). The Yayasan is a self sufficient non-governmental entity that promotes the propagation and the teaching of Islam following the Sunnah Wal-Jumaah principles. There is a main mosque, classrooms, accommodations for orphans, private accommodation for single elderly ladies, and there are 52 of them, with the same number on waiting list to be accommodated as the facilities expands, (warga emas or directly translated as golden citizens) who are themselves self sufficient and who devote time for enriching their religious knowledge and practices. It is the teaching based on the principles of Sunnah Wal-Jumaah following religious books of old that attracts both Ram and I to the place.

The Yayasan also operates a number of economic activities such as catering services, a cooperative store and mini market, a bakery, animal rearing currently concentrating on sheep rearing, tour and travel agency services and others.

The Travel agency concentrates primarily on Islamic tours and the next one they have arranged is a visit to Egypt, Medina and Mecca for the ‘umrah’ during the fasting month. The main attraction in the tour of Egypt is the visit to Mount Tursina or Jebel Musa in Sinai, apart from visits to other historical sites and the graves of past Islamic leaders and companions of Prophet Muhammad pbuh. Ram and I decided to join this tour and have psyched ourselves to the climb of Jebel Musa.

I read in the internet and the write-ups of members of virtual tourists that the climb or trek onto Jebel Musa will take approximately seven hours round trip and most who have visited and climbed the mountain gave positive recommendations. Now we are really looking forward to the visit. We have been preparing ourselves by going for daily walks, exercises and even went jungle trekking when in Bintulu recently. After Egypt we will go to Medina and then to Mecca for umrah. The month of Ramadhan will start when we are in Medina. Spending Ramadhan in Medina and Mecca will be an interesting experience. We have done this several times and have had wonderful experiences then and look forward to this next visit. I submit to the Almighty for HIS grace to give Ram and I and also the others in our group the strength, commitment and good health to perform the obligatory prayers and that the visit as a whole will progress in ease for all of us.

We will be gone for approximately three weeks. More of the visit later…….

MKI Ramblings Unlimited
Petaling Jaya