Crisis in Egypt

"To all the people of world,

The people in Egypt are under governmental siege. Mubarak regime is banning Facebook, Twitter, and all other popular internet sites Now, the internet are completely blocked in Egypt. Tomorrow the government will block the 3 mobile phone network will be completely blocked. And there is news that even the phone landlines will be cut tomorrow, to prevent any news agency from following what will happen.

Suez city is already under siege now. The government cut the water supply and electricity, people, including, children and elderly are suffering there now. The patients in hospitals cannot get urgent medical care. The injured protesters are lying in the streets and the riot police are preventing people from helping them. The families of the killed protesters cannot get the bodies of their sons to bury them. This picture is the same in north Saini (El-Sheikh zoyad city) and in western Egypt (Al-salom). The riot police is cracking down on protesters in Ismailia, Alexandria, Fayoum, Shbin Elkoum, and Cairo, the capital, in many neighborhoods across the city.

The government is preparing to crackdown on the protesters in all Egyptian cities. They are using tear gas bombs, rubber and plastic pullets, chemicals like dilutes mustard gas against protesters. Several protesters today have been killed when the armored vehicles of the riot police hit them. Officials in plain clothes carrying blades and knives used to intimidate protesters. Thugs deployed by the Egyptian Ministry of Interior are roaming the streets of Cairo, setting fire on car-wheels as means of black propaganda to demonize protesters and justify police beatings and state torture

All this has been taken place over the past three days during the peaceful demonstrations in Cairo and other cities. Now, with the suspicious silence of the local media and the lack of coverage from the international media, Mubarak and his gang are blocking all the channels that can tell the world about what is happening.

People who call for their freedom need your support and help. Will you give them a hand?

The activists are flooding the net (youtube and other sites) with thousands of pictures and videos showing the riot police firing on armless people. The police started to use ammunition against protesters. 15-year old girl has been injured and another 25 year old man has been shot in the mouth. While nothing of these has appeared in the media, there is more to happen tomorrow. Will you keep silent? Will you keep your mouth shut while seeing all these cruelty and inhumane actions?

We don’t ask for much, just broadcast what is happening"

Written by: Mariam Hussien

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[This is the message that is taken from fb. The Malaysian students in Egypt are in a suffering state. The bank had been bombed, prisoners around the street, no access to the internet and they are even rape cases. The situation is getting worst and the anger will goes on until the regime falls. In the midst of the dispute, the government's refusal to bring back Malaysian students in Egypt has aroused deeper anger among the public. This is seen as the revenge opportunity as students in middle east are mostly share the view that against the government. I believe that things are not as worst. Their writings should be based their emotion and views.Yet, none of us actually knows the exact truth. If it really is, I should say that black cloud approaching the political atmosphere in Malaysia. What we can do is to pray so that the dispute in Egypt will end soon, things back to normal and my friends can continue their study... Ya Allah..please protect my friends, please make the people respect the government and please make the government as the one that deserves respect. Amin]

Winter Sonata

One of the greatest moments being in the UK is experiencing winter. It comes after autumn, somewhere between November until the middle of March. I still remember a few days before our very first winter break last year, my lecturer Samia told me once that we have to be mentally prepared. It seemed that during winter we gonna experience some kind of depression, obviously due to the lack of light. This phenomenon is known as Winter Blues. I was not being bothered by her advice, thinking that It should be exciting. Never had I seen winter out of screen before, so I waited for the snow to fall with a great degree of anxiety. With the power of The Almighty, unexpectedly I saw the falling ice crystals that we call as snow in Southampton. Subhanallah..

Happy faces getting free 'ais kepal' from the air..!!
Location: Right in front of WestQuay, Southampton

OK, back to the Winter Blues again. The usual symptoms are lack of mood, draining, being sad, and lose of energy. It’s not surprising, though because we become like a hedgehog or squirrel- hibernating. Who dares going out anyway and for what reason? Even the shops close as early as 4 pm, pretty much like a no-win situation for me. I have no other choice except for stay indoors and eat! Frankly, the displeasure is only for the weather but not for the food. Even the boring food such as a bowl of muesli with black raisins can whet my appetite. I could sense that I easily become hungry even after eating off a main course. Is it related to Winter Blues too?hurmm.. 

Whatever it is, one interesting fact about winter is that Muslims would never be affected by Winter Blues if we try to see from the perspective of ibadah. The solid reason is because the night time is longer, more than 8 hours after Isya', which can be benefited for performing night prayers without insufficient amount of sleep time.

As Iman al-Hasan al-Basri said: “The best season to a believer is the winter, its nights are long for those who wish to pray, and its days are short for those who wish to fast.” Apparently, winter is actually spring time for the believers. There is no such thing as slowing down spiritual activities just because of the conditions around us. It would be better if we do it as a good habit and keep it going after winter season al well. Thinking of this making me realise how my winter time has been wasted with unnecessary rest. Wake up! Wake up! 

Fasting is also a lot less challenging due to the short days. It's a good way to combat laziness and maintain your waist width too. Breaking fast at 4 pm makes iftar just like a delayed lunch. It would be better if we can do what is favoured by Allah which is the prophet Dawud's (pbuh)style of fasting that is fasting one day and eating one day.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “No servant fasts on a day in the path of Allah except that 

Allah removes the Hell Fire seventy years further away from his face"

Last but not least, winter should be the booster of our faith as we can ponder over His wonderful incomparable creation. In the midst of the cold, I could see heavy blanket of snow covering all over the area, with icicles like crystals hanging from the trees and the above sky is totally grey. All of these are absolutely a reflection of the oneness and divinity of Allah

Allah says in the Quran:

”Verily in the heavens and the earth are signs for those who believe. And in the creation of yourselves, and the fact that animals are scattered (through the earth), are signs for those of assured faith. And in the alternation of night and day, and that fact that Allah sends down sustenance from the sky, and revives therewith the earth after its death, and in the change of the winds, are signs for those who are wise”45: 3-5

"O Allah! Wash away my sins with the water of snow and hail and make us of those who receive barakah from You"

The day called Birthday

Last 26^th January was my 22^nd anniversary. Alhamdulillah,  Allah still offers me chance of life to correct my mistakes and to sequence my steps to achieve my dream. I organized a small ‘makan-makan’ plus ‘melaram’ event to remember the day. Luckily lecture hasn’t yet started, suppose that there’s no reason for us not to enjoy ourselves. That day also my very first  time experimenting with chicken and ‘santan’ to produce the ‘percik’ taste. Yeah, it was not disappointing at all =D. The tiredness of cooking since early in the morning has gone just like that when seeing them licking their fingers. Alhamdulillah..alhamdulillah. The foods they had brought were also sumptuous. I believe that some of us might consider doing catering later on for extra £££..LOL. My birthday event turned out so well despite the fact that everyone is actually having money problem. [Sobs]. One thing that I can assure, if you have a sincere intention, things will happen as you wish to see.

I should express my grattitude for these people who had made my day

• ·       Afiqah: Nasi Tomato, roses, card, Hoovering the hall
• ·       Tazi: birthday cakes, coke and fries
• ·       Ejat: hosting, roses, the 60^th birthday balloon even though she knows that I’m just 22 =D
• ·       Adlyn: gift, card, styling my hair
• ·       Viki: card, minyak sapi, garlic
• ·       Tyah: Trifle
• ·       Fifi: Sweet corn
• ·       Fenny: agar2 cermin
• ·       Natra: Honey potatoes
• ·       Bila: Ice-cream
• ·       Durrah: Kuih sagu
• ·       Sze ling: Gift
• ·       Vdaa: Gift
• ·       Popo: Gift
• ·       Nandini: Gift
• ·       Kak Zu: Her presence with so much like a warden’s attitude who's monitoring her 'adik2' :D

It was such a great and memorable evening that filled with laughter , girlish stuff and joy. The best part was when we had a ‘pantun’ session. Great chance for those who have evil intention to attack each other with any crazy topics. Every single pantun had cracked everyone up insanely. I doubt that I would be able to experience this if we were in Malaysia. Good friends are always the most precious of all our possessions. Thanks Allah for having them near me. What sort of life would it be without their company especially when you are living very far from home? I really don’t know and I don’t even want to know. This year I'm not asking much, just hoping for my life continues to be alive and kicking, so do with everyone’s I love.

and of course yours too =)

5 most significant foods in Portsmouth

Salaam

Suddenly I feel like talking about food, since my tummy is still crazily gurgling and growling since this morning. Well, finding food in Portsmouth is not as hard and as expensive as I expected initially. In fact, some foods such as pastries, cakes, cheese, pizza etc. etc. are cheaper and you can have them without spending much, even when

converting to Ringgit. It's common anyway. Products from Asian will be the opposite. You might pop your eyes out to see Hup Seng cream crackers is priced at £6.90 (nearly RM 40.00). I saw it at once Chinese shop, China town, in the city of Westminster central London. I put it back on the shelve and tried to forget how perfect my tea break would be when munching the cream crackers half-dipped in Teh O..sedapnye..sedapnye. Halal meat and chicken are also within reach.The only things that would be

best not to dream about at all perhaps chicken legs and cow's stomach. Don't hesitate to contact me if you can find it anywhere in the UK =D

Now back to the topic. Below is the list of what I always have in Portsmouth, through thick or thin :D

1. CHICKEN DONER KEBAB @ KEN's

Available at Ken's, you can have one for about £3-£5. As far as I can remember my first taste of this type of

doner kebab is during the first day I hit in Portsmouth. It's

totally different from kebab that I usually see at Pasar Malam Malaysia. Hurm.. the taste is not bad, and it can sustain you longer. For the sake of others' sense of smell, please consider chicken instead of lamb. XD

2. MEGABITES BAGUETTE

This is another common lunch at the peak of my laziness t

o cook. It is actually a long thin loaf of French bread. I really enjoy the crusty outer part of my baguette. The longest baguette I've seen is 1 meter long, and surprisingly Ipi bought it for only £1. To a large extent I think UK is heaven for wheat based food lovers. I'm sure that it is not the same asRoti John in Malaysia. Baguette is even tastier with the selection of filling such as tuna mayo, chicken mayo, egg mayo, chicken tikka, and prawns. My choice is always tuna mayo but now changing to chicken mayo. I'm still adapting the taste of chicken that is mixed with the sweetness of raisins. Oh no...nak satu..yummy

3. MAK CIK's JACKET POTATO

This one is also among the best food inventions on earth..[exaggerating]. It can be regarded as a food of luck, depending on the Mak Cik, whether or not that she wants to run her business or not. I think her stall is the most inconsistent one that exists in the midst of commercial road. The potato is baked until the skin is crunchy and the interior is perfectly fluffy. It goes smashingly with tuna and sweet corn and melting cheese and of course top with butter and peppers. We normally share one jacket potato between two or three. I'm sure that small eaters like Malaysian will not be able to eat up one jacket potato. [I'm referring to the one and only Mak Cik's potato.. :D]

Aargh thinking of the Mak Cik unwrapping her potatoes making me drool.

4. FLAPJACK

Flapjack is a healthy food that I enjoy most in Portsmouth. Using the same concept as Cornflakes Madu in Malaysia. The only difference is that muesli and porridge oat are used as a replacement of cornflakes for the based. 20 pieces for £1.89 and two boxes for £3 at Co-operative shops. That is the normal price even in Tesco, Asda or Sainsburry. I won't think twice to grab it whenever I crave for biting flap jack. The perfect flavour is golden syrup. [You can guess how far that it can be considered healthy XD]

I still remember eating almond flapjack. Consequently, 4/5 of it safely thrown to the nearest dustbin at Gunwharf XD.Eugh!

5. FIG ROLL

Have you eaten Kuih Potong? Fig roll is actually like that but it has slightly different and delicious taste which I could not describe precisely. Only if you love buah Tin (fig), then you can surely imagine the taste. It is quite a cheap pastry, you can buy one packet consisting of 10 fig rolls for not more than 70 pence. I eat fig roll in UK but it is actually an ancient Egyptian pastry, ironically XD

Gosh.. I think I better stop, go downstairs to and cook. Just see what's left in the fridge T,T...nak balik!!

ISK

Salam..

Just received ISK (Ini sejarah kita) sharing for the third/fourth time.It was not merely recalling the past. Thanks to Kak Jannah and the sisters from London. I think the most important part it had clarified further was on the way I could define my self. It is either between Islam or islam..Is it the title of Islam that you carry with you, your identity or your practice?

• Islam is actually a verb=submit to Allah. When we declare that we are Islam then we have to tasdik(show) with our attitude and doings
• Why does Allah create us to worship? Because Allah is perfect, he wants nothing from us except for worshipping Him beyond everything else
• The purpose of living is to perform ibadah and become the khalifah
• Everything that we do should be based on serving Allah. Good intention will generate good action. This is very true as where intention is sound, action is sound
• Action and understanding begins from heart.. again it's all about heart

I will reflect on that in-depth soon insya-Allah. In every possible manner...

off to Wales and Bristol..

The Two Distinct Paths- Guidance form the Quran

Surah Al-Lail

By the night when it covers with darkness;

And by the day, when it spreads its brightness.

By Him who created the male and the female,

Surely your efforts are directed towards various ends.

So for him who gives in charity, fears Allah and testifies to do goodness,

We shall facilitate for him the easy way.

As for him who is stingy and considers himself inde

pendent of Allah and rejects the goodness,

We shall facilitate him the hard way.

Just think! What benefit will he get from his wealth, if he himself is doomed.

Surely it is for us to give guidance,

And surely to Us belong the end and the beginning

What Allah wants to illustrate in this Surah is clearly written. In our life there're two distinct paths and nothing in the middle. We are only given two options and we are also clarified about where each path ends. If we want to understand faith, we can look at the opposite. Brightness, male, goodness are all distinct to darkness, female and evil. If we act in a selfless manner and obey Allah full-heartedly, He will definitely grant us with pleasure in akhirat, yet if we go against Him, and being forgetful, He had offered us with hellfire. This is somewhat a stark reminder for us or at least making us ponder how far we deserve his Paradise?

Wallahualam bissawab...

Dilemma

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim

This is my third dull day before the new term begins. Each hour passes by without me doing something useful. Then I realised that life as a Muslim is never be as free per se. Even our Prophet (p.b.u.h) has said that a person who occupied his time with resting is not regarded as his ummah. This might be the right time for me to share things for the benefit of my religion. This is the least that I can do. Sorry, but until now I still have no force to commit myself fully in da'wah... even after attending many programs, ISK and stuff... I'm still looking for His path with the hope that Allah will brighten my journey. Amin

:'(

My other half

When I typed my full name on Google, I came across my brother's website, back in 1998. Kinda shock to discover Fortunecity web hosting has existed since 97, during network navigator era. =D. And of course, the greatest feeling is when we know how another person who appears to be feeling-less sharing his view about us..hehe sorry abe edy XD

MY DAD (Abah) (48 yrs): BAHAROM DIN

• A very loving and caring father. Working as a teacher (PKHem) at Gaal Secondary School, Pasir Puteh. Born in Penang in 1950. Histiry is his expert. His 'Utara' accent is still there, so 'pekat'!
• [Yes, it's truly is..abah still uses walap instead of makan, menyorok instead of nusuk. There are many more anyway..pakai and not paka. Certain words in kelantanese dialect is never heard and perhaps never existed in his dictionary of tongue XD]

MY MUM (Ma) (43 yrs): NIK HANISAH NIK ABDULLAH

• Working a as teacher too, teaching Mathematics.
• [This is too simple, why don't you highlight her sumptuous and finger-licking ikan bawal curry..?aaa]

1. ME (Edy,.....Bang Long) (22 yrs): NIK EDY ROZMAN BAHAROM

• Ehemmm,....it's me! So much responsibility for being the eldest. Huh,.... have to take care of my bro and sis later! Anyway, good luck Edy!!...8-)
• [You did a good job, really..despite the distance between us]

2. FIZI (21 yrs): NIK MOHD HAFIZI BAHAROM

• In his final year now at UKM, majoring in Mechanical Engineering. Will be graduating at the same time with me.........!
• [Now majoring Maths and Science, having a happy life but kinda fluctuating..xpe abe pizi keep rocking]

3. LI (17 yrs): NIK MOHD HAZLI BAHAROM

• Gonna sit for his SPM this year!! A very active student. Used to play badminton and chess at state level.
• [The most caring brother..yes, still active in badminton and even becomes a son-in-law of a badminton coach, maintain with S size and flat tummy. What a strong point of jealousy]

4. NOR (16 yrs): NIK NOR AZURA BAHAROM

• Studying at a boarding school this year. Chosen to be a prefect. Active too,....in debate, sketch and coir.
• [Active mom, active teacher, with a self-confident that goes beyond her petite figure. She looks even younger than me..aarghh I'm so stressed out]

5. YUNI (9 yrs): NIK NOR HANIM AYUNI BAHAROM

• This one seems to follow her bro and sis, to be active in everything. She always looks sad if she couldn't manage to get No 1 in class for the exam, which is rarely happened to her,..huh!!!

6. ANIS (4 yrs): NIK NOR ANIS AMALINA BAHAROM

• A talkative little girl. Always fighting with Yuni. Hmmmm,..... Anis, Anis!!!
• [Not anymore. We are now in a really good term..dah matured la katakan..eeugh! She is our family main attention at the moment.Pity her, for the SPM goal that never stopped choking.kikiki]

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Assalamualaikum

Seeing my housemate

posting a new blog entry last night made me decide to update my blog [thanks for the positive energy Tazi =D]. It’s not a blog, though..kan faten!? Hehe. It has been a loong while and never I realized that I had created blog, not 1 but 2. [isn’t it amazing?]. To tell the truth, I’ve always wanted to update my blog, but the plan always remains untouched. Anyway it’s all about time, spirit and the utmost important one= desire. Hold them together, let the spirit get the better of laziness and excuses..and with Allah’s blessin

gs, everything is possible, isn’t it?

Now let’s talk about resolutions. Things that we have in mind at the beginning of the year. [why must we follow Gregorian calendar?Why not Islamic calendar that we refer to? Err.. put that aside first, hee XD]

Resolutions or azam is your personal goal, good things that you want to accomplish in life, solemn promise that call forth actions , whatever way you define it. We always care of the promises that we made to people around us, but how the abo

ut ones for ourself?

Your resolutions could be anything, be it having name in the Dean’s list, increase ibadah and avoid breaking rules, or even making your jeans size smaller [gulp.. XD] but always make sure that your commitment goes in tandem, th

en only you will find that your life is spent in meaningful way, as a student, daughter, and slave of the Almighty. No more halfway doing things ok! A good reminder for myself especially. Let’s see what’s gonna happen to my blog.

We only have one life, a very short one before the afterlife. Never let the year passes without bringing ourselves towards the betterment. A

lways be prepared for the upcoming challenges, and make the best out of it. A whole new world is waiting and it's ours for the taking. May Allah assists our life. Amin

UK, Malaysia, OZ, Egypt, India, Russia, wherever you are, wishing you a wonderful year of 2011.. may it would be much better than the preceding years