Madinah

‏اَلسَلامُ عَلَيْكُم وَرَحْمَةُ اَللهِ وَبَرَكاتُهُ‎

السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ يَا رَسُوْلَ اللهِ

Alhamdulillah, as promised I am back with something worth sharing here about my recent spiritual journey to the holy cities of Mekah and Madinah with At Taqwa Travel & Tours. After an overnight in Jeddah, the next day right after Zohor time we embark for a long drive to Madinah. Knowing that we are going to a place of perfection and where Masjid Nabawi is located, we wish that Madinah is just right across the road :)

I do read and study a lot about Madinah before but the only excitement is when you are able to set foot there. It took us about 5 to 6 hours drive from Jeddah to this special city. Madinah then known as Yathrib is the city of our Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ 

Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ migration or better known as hijrah from Mekah to Madinah which was happening 1440 years ago does not seem to be an easy ride for our beloved prophet (I broke in tears writing this line). Nothing else but as an act of obedience to الله سبحانه وتعالى and to spread the teachings of Islam. The Hijrah was also the beginning of islamic calendar which we muslims commemorate annually on the 1st Muharram.

Please do enjoy some pictures of my Madinah visit :)

Smooth ride I can say, Alhamdulillah.

Obligatory pit-stop for prayer...

...and a quick refreshment of course.

Entering the Haram Land of Madinah

My first ever encounter with Masjid Nabawi, Allahuakbar.

But first hotel check in at Rawda Royal Inn

I just can't wait any longer, with my teary eyes entering the Masjid Nabawi compound on a solo visit which means I need to work on my poor selfie skill :)

Gate 1 or As-Salam Gate or best known as Babussalam which leads you to Raudah and the final resting place of Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ 

السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ يَا رَسُوْلَ اللهِ 

The Makam of our beloved Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ just right behind me. Alhamdulillah, so blessed to be chosen as the guest of حَبِيْبَ اللهِ Very calming and amazing feeling to be here, my write up and pictures just cannot do it justice. May الله سبحانه وتعالى answer all my prayers and allow me, my wife, my three children Zahra', Sa'adah and Abdul Aziz as well as my whole family an opportunity to visit the holy cities and grant us Jannah امين يا رب العالمين

السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ يَا رَسُوْلَ اللهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ يَا نَبِيَّ اللهِ، اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ يَا خِيَرَةَ اللهِ، اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ يَا حَبِيْبَ اللهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ يَا سَيِّدَ اْلمُرْسَلِيْنَ وَخَاتَمَ النَّبِيِّيْنَ. اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ يَا خَيْرَ اْلخَلَائِقِ أَجْمَعِيْنَ. اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ وَعَلَى آلِكَ وَأَهْلِ بَيْتِكَ وَأَزْوَاجِكَ وَأَصْحَابِكَ أَجْمَعِيْنَ، اَلسَّلَام ُعَلَيْكَ وَعَلَى سَائِرِ النَّبِيِّيْنَ وَجَمِيْع عِبَادِ اللهِ الصَّالِحِيْنَ

Distracted by this hotel, of course not my wife's hotel although the name is there :)

Subuh at Masjid Nabawi with Ustaz Haji Ghani bin Idris

On the same group with us which happened to be my ex schoolmate, Cikgu Haji Hakim bin Besar (far left) and his brother Haji Azahari bin Besar (next to his left) with their kids. 

Didn't see this man for ages since he retired ماشاء الله Good to see Haji Jahair here in Madinah.

Another visit to Raudah and Makam, such a long queue.

Always worth a long wait

الروضة

Another queue for ziarah

My first Madinah lunch at Abu Khalid Restaurant with Awangku Rezki bin Pengiran Haji Shahminan and Ustaz Abdussalam bin Haji Ali.

Plenty of choices

While waiting at Starbucks, taking home some pictures.

Didn't quite to hit the spot, to sweet to my liking :(

مسجد ابو بكر الصديق

I don't know who karat the banner :)

Masjid Quba

Kurma Ajwa

Masjid Quba

Masjid Quba

A father figure among us, Ustaz Haji Bagol and his wife Ustazah Hajah Zainon

Ladang Kurma, about 10 minutes bus ride from Masjid Quba

Sightseeing at the holy city of Madinah #MyHeartStillThere

Maghrib

Sungkai or better known as iftar

Along with my brothers of faith. Alhamdulillah always good to see good people at a place of perfection.

Tazkirah in arabic

Heading to Jabal Uhud

With our mutawwif Ustaz Haji Dermawan

Decision to make during midnight for sahur. I opted for a kebab on the left and it didn't disappoint, so good.

On the final night in Madinah I just knew that there's a coffee house next to our hotel.

Bidding farewell to our beloved Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ Leaving Masjid Nabawi with heavy heart and of course this is not our final ziarah.

Taken couple of days earlier, ziarah on my own on my free time.

Didn't see my ex colleague for ages but here in Madinah. Alhamdulillah, good to see Pengiran Haji Osman bin Pengiran Ismail a broadcasting veteran.

Everybody are all set for Rukun Umrah and heading towards Mekah Al-Mukarramah

Obligatory pitstop midway through, as usual for Jamak Zohor and Asar as well as a quick refreshment. Another 300km to go before we reach Mekah Al-Mukarramah.

Umrah

اَلسَلامُ عَلَيْكُم وَرَحْمَةُ اَللهِ وَبَرَكاتُهُ‎

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ

Segala puji dan syukur dipanjatkan kehadrat الله سبحان و تعالىٰ dengan izin-Nya jua saya berpeluang untuk kembali membuat kemaskini pada blog ini setelah hampir empat tahun tidak membuat sebarang postings. Tidak lain tidak bukan ini adalah atas kesibukan mentaati komitmen pada keluarga dan tugas di pejabat yang menghadkan ruang masa kepada saya untuk membuat coretan dan melampirkan gambar sebagai kongsian. Namun sepanjang tempoh itu saya lebih banyak tertumpu dan melayan addiction pada instagram dan facebook yang ternyata lebih mudah dan tidak terlalu banyak mengerah buah fikiran bagi saya membuat nukilan panjang lebar sedang hanya perlu menyertakan caption pada setiap gambar yang dimuat naik.

Baiklah, sebenarnya sepanjang tempoh empat tahun itu saya telah banyak bermusafir samada atas urusan rasmi mahupun bercuti bersama keluarga. Tidaklah ada yang luar biasa sepanjang masa itu akan tetapi sekadar rutin biasa bagi saya sebagai penyiar yang mematuhi aturan assignment dan sebagai seorang ketua keluarga yang mengharapkan isteri dan anak-anak saya gembira bersama khususnya ketika bercuti.

Namun ada satu perjalanan yang saya anggap sebagai sangat istimewa dan luar biasa yang telah saya lalui dan sempurnakan iaitu menjadi tetamu الله‎ dan baginda صلى الله عليه وسلم . Allahuakbar. 

Tidak pernah terlintas pada fikiran saya untuk menjejakkan kaki ke tanah suci dalam masa terdekat. Ini adalah atas beberapa faktor; faktor kewangan dan faktor urusan keluarga. Namun aturan Allah lebih sempurna berbanding perancangan hamba yang kerdil ini. Peluang dan kesempatan ini hadir pada waktu yang sangat tidak terduga.

Kesempatan ini sangat besar nilainya. Selain dua faktor tadi, beberapa faktor lain seperti urusan visa yang agak ketat dan pembahagian waktu bagi menghadiri kursus praktikal kadang kala sangat menguji kesabaran dan kesanggupan kita.

Selain daripada itu, untuk sampai ke tanah suci ini juga bergantung pada situasi dan keadaan bahkan adakalanya agak ajaib bagi sesetengah orang. Mengapa tidaknya, ada orang yang berkemampuan dari segi material dan wang ringgit akan tetapi belum sekali berhaji atau berumrah sedang ramai pula yang hidup sederhana tapi sudah ke tanah suci lebih dari sekali. Tidak ajaib kah itu?

Secara peribadi saya berpendapat ini bergantung pada niat dan diiringi dengan izin Allah jua. Usaha yang berterusan serta doa kehadrat yang maha esa, tidak pun segera pasti waktunya menyusul juga untuk kita menghambakan jiwa dan raga di tanah suci. Allahuakbar.

Sebenarnya tidak banyak yang ingin saya perkatakan akan tetapi sekadar curahan ringkas bagi hamba yang kali pertama ke tanah suci dan agar menjadi dorongan kepada saya sendiri dan pembaca semuanya untuk memperkuatkan azam dan tekad untuk menjadi tetamu الله عز وجل dan tetamu baginda صلى الله عليه وسلم.

Turut dipaparkan adalah gambar-gambar kenangan ketika saya berada di Jeddah. Saya telah menyertai Jemaah Umrah Rombongan Ke-8 (R8) At Taqwa Travel Tours Sdn Bhd Insya Allah semoga saya akan diberi kelapangan untuk seterusnya memuat naik coretan dan gambar kenangan ketika berada di Madinah Al-Munawarah dan Mekah Al-Mukaramah.

Sejurus mendarat di King Abdul Aziz International Airport, Jeddah. Suhu agak dingin pada ketika ini dan kebanyakan para jemaah sudah bersiap lebih awal dengan berpakaian sedikit tebal.

Bersama salah seorang rakan jemaah Pengiran Haji Idris bin Pengiran Haji Jaidin

Hotel Holiday Inn As-Salaam Jeddah, tempat penginapan ketika berada di Jeddah.

Lorong-lorong kecil di Jeddah

Usai mendaftar masuk hotel, kami menjamu selera dengan Chicken Mandy dan Mutton Soup. Paling kanan ialah Ustaz Rushdi, rakan yang banyak membantu urusan kami sepanjang berada di Jeddah, Madinah dan Mekah.

Meninjau sekitar kawasan berdekatan hotel penginapan kami

Menghirup udara pagi dan dingin di Kota Al-Balaad, Jeddah.

Perniagaan baru saja bermula, tawar-menawar harga barangan adalah menjadi kelaziman. Bazaar seumpama ini adalah pemandangan biasa di Al-Balaad, Jeddah.

Kota Jeddah

Rakan jemaah Haji Wardy bin Haji Masri dan isteri, jemaah yang sering membantu dan berkerjasama baik dengan rakan jemaah yang lain. Terima kasih.

Bergambar kenangan bersama rakan-rakan saya Ustaz Haji Abdul Kahar bin Haji Ali (No.2 dari kiri) dan Ustaz Abdussalam bin Haji Ali (No.3 dari kiri) bersama sebahagian rakan jemaah Rombongan Ke-8 At-Taqwa Travel Tours Sdn Bhd usai kami menikmati sarapan pagi.

Sembahyang Jamak Takdim Zohor dan Asar sebelum bertolak ke Madinah Al-Munawarah

Gambar terakhir sebelum meninggalkan Jeddah

Another Landmark.

Salam, good day. The week has been taken from me, it was a very hectic schedule throughout. I start to feel the heat now. Working with-in the broadcasting and media agency is very demanding, I wouldn’t say it is a 24-7 duty but 10-7 would fit to my experiences.

The year 2014 offers a big challenge to me as well especially on how I am going to schedule my daily routine very properly. I have no choice but to keep going what I’m currently doing; family commitment, office commitment etc.

Alright, this week Brunei Darussalam has once again witness a historical event. The Sungai Kebun Ground Breaking Ceremony was held last Thursday in the capital. His Royal Highness Prince Haji al-Muhtadee Billah, The Crown Prince And Senior Minister At The Prime Minister’s Office consented to officiate the ceremony.

Soon after the completion in the next three years, it is a dream come true for those living at Mukim Lumapas and Mukim Sungai Kebun including for those working in these areas to have a faster way to commute from their place to the city, back and forth.

Beside using water taxi as a popular means of transportation crossing the Brunei River to reach the city centre, the residents in the respective area may also choose a land route.

But it has never been nearer and faster on the road, it takes more than 30 minutes drive and also more than 25 km for them to reach the capital. Midway through, they are also facing a heavy traffic at Jalan Bengkurong and Jalan Tutong especially during rush hour.

The travelling time and distance is expected to be shorten soon the bridge is open for public:)

HRH The Crown Prince consents to received a pesambah (souvenir) from the representatives of Daelim, Korea. Daelim, Korea is the main contractor of this project. Click here to know more about Daelim.

A signed plaque by HRH The Crown Prince

A group photo of HRH with the government ministers and the Daelim representatives with their associates.

A man walk passed a huge illustration of the Sungai Kebun Bridge

Right after the signings many took opportunity to snap a pictures 

This is the exact point of the ground-breaking / foundation-laying

A prayer was read to blessed the ceremony. I was there too :)

Whilst this picture is taken a day before the actual ceremony. Mr.Ahn of Daelim along with Jaemin and the rest of the team ensuring the ceremony to run smoothly and accordingly. 

This is at the PA System control room which also responsible for the video screening

I really like their helmets and the boots looks cool too. As for myself, it was a very good experience working and coordinating with this internationally recognised contractor from Korea. I could see their commitment and determination in order to ensure their job is a well done!

Click for more coverage on the ground-breaking ceremony here

More or less.

Salam, good day. The year 2013 is heading towards the end and of course next is the year 2014 which I believe is going to be very tough. I have mixed feelings about the year 2013, especially when I have been switched to another unit from the previous 12 years position under my belt.

Just like anything else’, change is a must in life but it’s only the matter time for us to adapt to our new world.

However I’m still enjoying what I've been doing until now whilst at the same time I was thinking of to further my studies. Although I felt that it is going to be very tough as husband and a father of three, but I badly need to further my education. Of course this is for my own good.

As this is my last post for 2013, I would like to review a moment to remember for me throughout the year:

Aziz day one in school, CHMS BSB. 

Sa'adah day one in Muqaddam Class. 

My first case in 2013. 

Singapore trip with Mrs in April. 

My first CT Scan in May for the purpose of my atrial firbrillation ablation procedure which was conducted by Gleneagles's prominent consultants. The procedure was a success and now I rely heavily on my medications. 

A couple of hours after the ablation procedure, I didn't feel good for the first week but getting better after. 

Charity drive visit to underpriviledged at Kampong Kupang, handing over donations for the upcoming Hari Raya. This is actually my department's annual project. 

The kids during Hari Raya. 

The crew for Borneo Games coverage at Federal Territory of Labuan, Malaysia. 

10th wedding anniversary. Actually we both was born on the same date on 17th October and got married on our birthday in 2003!

Aziz (Captain America) came 2nd place for best dress at The Empire Hotel.  

Farewell function for my fellow attachment students of Jefri Bolkiah Technical College and this is the boys. 

Followed by the girls. 

It's a wrapped for 2013 and let's hope the coming years be very wonderful for every of us as well as very productive. This is no other than for us to achieve our goal, every success in our carreer and happily live our life with our wonderful family :)