In 1994, nearly 23 years ago, I (Khairul Hisham Hassan) graduated from The University of Sheffield in the UK with a Bachelor of Laws degree or LLB. And one of my core subjects was International Law.
Hence, together with my 3 Jakarta friends who come from Indonesian legal background and who graduated 15 years ago from Fakultas Hukum of Universitas Trisakti in Jakarta, I have set-up an international consulting firm in Jakarta which provides 'Consultancy on Doing Business in Jakarta' comprehensive services. Currently, most of our clients are Malaysian companies and factories which set-up their PT PMA branch company or Representative Office in Jakarta. These companies were referred to us by Matrade in Jakarta which is part of the Embassy of Malaysia in Jakarta. Having said that, at the end of the day it is purely and entirely up to those Malaysian investors to select or appoint any consulting firm or legal advisor of their own choice for their "Doing Business in Jakarta" matters.


.

.


Sahabat-sahabat saya sekalian, tolong benarkan saya berkongsi dengan anda semua sedikit rasa gembira dan sedikit rasa bangga saya (Khairul Hisham Hassan) atas kurniaan anugerah darjah bangsawan "Raden Tumenggung" oleh Sultan Pakubuwono XIII dari Keraton (Istana) Surakarta, Jawa Tengah seperti dalam photo di atas. Sebenarnya selepas Indonesia merdeka, Sultan Keraton (Istana) Jogkakarta dan Keraton Surakarta hanya berperanan sebagai "Gabenor" di Jawa Tengah sahaja. Tapi Perlembagaan Indonesia tidak menghalang pihak Istana ini memberi anugerah darjah kebesaran kepada sesiapa yang Baginda Sultan mahu. Penyanyi Rossa juga ada menerima Darjah Kebangsawanan dari Sultan yang sama i.e Sri Sultan Pakubowono XIII pada 26 Jun 2011. (http://www.cumicumi.com/news/read/20596/rossa-senang-bergelar-bangsawan). Syukur kepada Allah atas anugerah ini.


Tapi yang penting ialah saya tidak pernah meminta-minta, tidak pernah melobi dan tidak pernah membayar kepada pihak Istana Surakarta untuk mendapat gelaran bangsawan ini. Sri Sultan Pakubuwono XIII berkenan menganugerahkan, maka saya terima sajalah anugerah bangsawan ini dengan rasa sangat berterimakasih kepada Sri Sultan dan rasa syukur kepada Allah yang takdirkan semua ini. Anda mahu lihat Mohor Diraja Tulisan Jawa Lama? Sila klik dan besarkan photo di atas. Kemudian sila anda lihat disebelah atas kanan foto. Anda mahu tahu siapa itu "Sultan Pakubuwono XIII"? Sila anda lihat: http://id.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kasunanan_Surakarta dan juga http://id.wikipedia.org/wiki/pakubuwana_XIII serta anda lihat http://www.karatonsurakarta.com/.



Saya beritahu isteri saya, di Malaysia kita ini biasa-biasa saja tapi Alhamdulillah di Pulau Jawa nama kita berdua secara rasmi ada di dalam "Senarai Bangsawan Istana Surakarta". Nenek-moyang saya yang ratusan tahun dulu datang dari Jawa Tengah pasti bangga dan gembira dengan gelaran bangsawan Keraton Jawa ini. Saya sering berkata kepada diri sendiri seandainya orang mengetahui siapa sebenarnya nenek-moyang atau leluhur saya, maka pasti mereka tidak merasa aneh kenapa saya bisa mendapat gelaran bangsawan Tanah Jawa ini. Hmmm... Namun semua ini tidak penting sehabuk pun bagi saya kerana akhirnya nanti saya akan berbaring di dalam liang lahad kubur seorang diri, tanpa gelaran "Raden Tumenggung" atau gelaran apa pun. Yang penting adalan amalan soleh saya. Period. Full stop.




.

.


January 2015 photo of my 2nd DAUGHTER (Not my wife) i.e Intan Nur Qistina Khairul Hisham (Left) with my 4th kid, Mehmed Al Fateh Khairul Hisham (Right). Intan Nur Qistina is 20 years old now. She is now studying at University of Malaya (UM) after completing her SPM at an Islamic boarding school in Kelantan while Mehmed Al Fateh in this photo was 4 months old newborn son. Now Mehmed Al Fateh is a two years old active 'young man'





THIS IS MY LIFE PRINCIPLE
(KHAIRUL HISHAM HASSAN)
(A 47 YEARS OLD REAL MUSLIM FUNDAMENTALIST)
(i.e PROGRESSIVE, HONEST, HARDWORKING AND ROMANTIC MUSLIM)


As a Muslim I believe that the day will DEFINITELY come when my helpless dead body or jenazah finally will be carried away to the grave. As a Muslim I also believe that the day will DEFINITELY come when I will be in my Liang Lahad alone, dealing with Malaikat Munkar & Nakir. And that will be the day when anything else does not matter anymore except my good deeds, my amalan and my amal jariah that I have done when I am still alive. At the end of the day it does not matter anymore whether or not while we are living on this Planet Earth we have a big business empire or a beautiful wife or a big house or a big car or a high position in a big company etc. Does not matter anymore, my friend. Does not matter.




As a Muslim, I solemnly believe that: "The only true measure of my success in life is as to how far I have obeyed Allah's commandments, according to the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad S.A.W". Ukuran kejayaan SEBENAR seseorang manusia itu ialah sejauh mana dia dapat taat perintah Allah, berpandukan kepada sunnah Nabi Muhammad S.A.W. Justeru itu,
kalau seseorang itu kaya-raya atau berpangkat besar atau berwajah cantik atau berumah besar atau berkereta mewah atau bergelar 'Datuk', 'Datuk Seri', 'Tan Sri' tapi dia lalai solat, tidak berakhlak Islam dan tidak amalkan apa yang Islam suruh, maka di mata saya orang seperti ini bukanlah orang yang berjaya. Saya langsung tidak hormat orang seperti ini. Orang seperti ini tidak ada nilai di sisi Allah dan juga tidak ada nilai sehabuk pun di mata saya. Apakah saya kagum dengan kekayaan dan kedudukan orang seperti ini? Jauh sekali. Am I scared of this type of rich and 'powerful' people? Never. Insya-Allah I am not scared of any human-being in this world. Not even for a nanosecond. In my eyes, he or she is nothing. Yes, nothing. Period. Tetapi saya sangat hormat, sangat kagum, sangat kasih dan agak gementar apabila berhadapan dengan orang yang sebenar-benarnya 'Orang Yang Berjaya' iaitu orang yang menjaga solatnya, membaca Al Quran setiap hari, berdisplin Solat Tahajud setiap malam, berakhlak Islam dan tidak pongoh, pemurah dan tidak kedekut-pahit serta cuba mengamalkan keseluruhan ajaran Islam dalam kehidupannya.




.

.


On 28 January 2017 my age will be 47 years old. By the way, my eldest daughter is now 22 years old. She is currently studying at International Islamic University (UIA) Malaysia. My second daughter is 20 years old and she is now studying at University of Malaya. And my third child is a 13 years old son. He is now studying to be a hafiz at Pondok Moden Saadah Addaarain. Alhamdulillah after a gap of 10 years, my wife who was 44 years old at that time delivered our fourth child on 24 September 2014 (Photo Above). Well...I do not call myself 'The Descendant of Majapahit Palace Warrior' for nothing, right...? :-) Syukur Alhamdulillah my wife has a smooth and safe delivery. Actually I have told my wife that if our newborn child is a baby girl I will name her 'Intan Nur Iriana'. The meaning of Iriana in Greek is 'peace'. Iriana is also the name of the wife of new Indonesian President Joko Widodo. However, it is our destiny to have another son, not daughter. Hence, I name my newborn son 'Mehmed Al Fateh Bin Khairul Hisham'. Sultan Mehmed Al Fateh is the Muslim Chalip whom at the age of 21 conquered Constantinople which is the modern-day Istanbul. He also brought Islam to Bosnia, Albania and Southern Europe. It is said that Sultan Mehmed Al Fateh has never failed to perform Solat Tahajjud every single night throughout his life from the age of puberty (akil baligh) until the day he died on 3rd of May 1481. It is my wish and also my wife's wish that our son, Mehmed Al Fateh Khairul Hisham will be a brave and pious Muslim like Sultan Mehmed Al Fateh and will never fail to perform Solat Tahajjud each and every night. Amin Ya Allah.



.

.

These are my two beloved daughters: (Left) Intan Nur Farhana Khairul Hisham. She is my 22 years old eldest child. She is the one who is now studying at International Islamic University (UIA) Malaysia. (Right) Intan Nur Qistina Khairul Hisham. She is my 20 years old second daughter. She is now studying at University of Malaya (UM). Yes, both are my lovely princesses! Or shall I say my Javanese and Kelantanese princesses because I am a Javanese warrior and their mother is a Kelantanese lady! I have 4 kids. Apart from two daughters, I also have two sons. Their name are Mahathir Khatami Khairul Hisham who is now 13 years old who is now studying to be a hafiz at Pondok Moden Saadah Addaarain and Mehmed Al Fateh Khairul Hisham who was born 15 months ago on 23 September 2014.




Kepada Teman-Teman Sekalian Di Mana Jua Pun Anda Berada: Saya Ucapkan Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Fitri Dan Salam Lebaran Minal Aidin Wal Faizin. Saya (Khairul Hisham Bin Hassan) Adalah Seorang Manusia Yang Banyak Kelemahan. Maka Sempena Hari Raya Aidil Fitri Yang Mulia Ini Saya Memohon Agar Anda Bisa Memaafkan Saya Jika Selama Ini Ada Bicara Saya Yang Menyalakan Api Kemarahan Anda, Jika Ada Perbuatan Saya Yang Menimbulkan Kebencian Anda, Jika Ada Tulisan Saya Yang Menyinggung Perasaan Anda, Jika Ada Akhlak Saya Yang Berbau Keangkuhan Dan Jika Ada Jenaka Saya Yang Berlebihan. Sesungguhnya Suatu Hari Nanti Pasti Akan Tiba Jua Saatnya Saya Akan Bersendirian Di Dalam Liang Lahad. Dan Semoga Pada Hari Apabila Jenazah Saya Diturunkan Ke Liang Lahad Itu, Tiadalah Dosa Sesama Manusia Di Antara Saya Dan Anda. Amen..
.










The above photo was taken by my wife near our rented house when both of us lived in Sheffield, north of England 24 years ago. I publish this photo here in my blog just to share my sweet memory with my dear blog readers only. Not to show-off whatsoever. That time I was doing my law degree at The University of Sheffield. It's Winter 1993. Being newly married I just wanted to impress my wife with some steps of my Pencak Silat during the snowfall. Maybe, just maybe, I was the first Malaysian man to perform Pencak Silat (an Indonesian and Malaysian martial art) during heavy snowfall in Sheffield. Well...I do not think Hang Jebat or Hang Tuah dares to perform Pencak Silat during -5 degree Celsius snowfall just by wearing their thin Baju Melayu. Yes, no doubt that Hang Jebat was a brave and hot-tempered man. Yes, he was also the only Malay who was not afraid to tell the cruel Sultan of Malacca more than 500 years ago: "Wahai Sultan Yang Zalim, don't make me angry. You wouldn't like me when I'm angry". But I am sure this -5 Celsius degree snowfall will melt whatever spirit left in this great 'Incredible Hulk of Ancient Malacca Kingdom' who loved to run amok here and run amok there.


And...what about Gusti Adipati Handaya Ningrat? (For your information,
Gusti Adipati Handaya Ningrat was a Majapahit Palace Warrior who failed to assassinate Hang Tuah. He was also a hot-tempered Majapahit Prince with a significant high blood pressure problem who could not accept any slightest criticism on his style of leadership. His sister by the name of 'Gusti Putri Retno Dumillah' eventually became the legendary 'Puteri Gunung Ledang'. Legend has it that even after 500 years, Gusti Putri Retno Dumillah is still residing at Gunung Ledang in Malaysia although the Malaysian Immigration Department has never granted her any Expatriate Visa, Permanent Residency or even Spouse Visa). I guess Gusti Adipati Handaya Ningrat would easily win 'Mr Bean Of The Year Award' if he did perform his Pencak Silat here in Sheffield just by wearing his traditional shirtless Majapahit warrior's costume. But one thing for sure..., no matter how sakti this Gusti Adipati Handaya Ningrat was, the -5 degree Celsius temperature would make him shivering non-stop to the extent that the English people would think this shirtless Majapahit Palace Warrior was high on drugs or narkoba while performing his Javanese Pencak Silat!











Who's that guy in the above photo snapped by my wife during Winter 1993 when we lived in Sheffield? Is he Dicky Zulkarnaen The Indonesian Famous Actor? Wrong. Is he Si Pitung Macan Betawi? Nope. He is just 'Si Khairul Kucing Malaysia'! A blast from the past. Look at the background of the photo. Oh! I love living in England. For me, the Victorian style houses in England make it so picturesque. It's a romantic place to live especially in the northern part of England like Sheffield which is near the lake districts. That Winter 1993 was the most memorable winter because I just married in that year. So that Winter 1993 was the first Winter that I had a halal companion sleeping next to me, as husband and wife during long cold night. My wife said I was her 'Natural Winter Heater' that kept her warm and comfortable throughout very cold -5 degree Celsius Winter night.


Sekadar menggamit secebis kenangan lalu saja nih. Hmmm...selagi dinamakan manusia, kita nggak akan bisa melupakan kenangan lalu.
Pasti nggak akan bisa. Nggak seperti komputer yang kapan-kapan saja bisa di delete memory dalam CPU. Maka, apabila kenangan lalu tiba-tiba datang menjelma dan mampir di Inbox pikiran kita, tanpa kita minta, tanpa kita undang, tanpa kemahuan kita, sama ada kenangan itu kenangan yang manis ataupun kenangan yang amat menyedihkan dan sadis, sebagai seorang Muslim mari kita redha dengan Qada dan Qadar yang Allah telah tentukan untuk kita.
Seperti kata teman saya dari Surabaya yang ganteng, Bapak Firman Hadi Sukma Pratama (Pakar Kuasa Pikiran Bawah Sadar dan Founder Wahana Sejati): "Iya, nikmati ajalah..."


JUST MY SPECIAL NOTE: Mari kita tenang-tenang aja karena sebagaimana Allah bisa menjadikan apa pun untuk hal-hal yang sudah pun berlaku, maka sesungguhnya Allah juga bisa mentakdirkan apa pun untuk hal-hal yang akan datang walaupun kelihatannya mustahil untuk berlaku jika menurut logika akal. Bukankah dalam Surah Al Maidah Ayat 40, Allah berfirman: "Dan Allah Maha Kuasa atas segala sesuatu".










PHOTO: THESE BAMBOO TREES FORM A MIND-SOOTHING PANORAMIC VIEW AT THE ENTRANCE OF THE PONDOK PESANTREN AT DESA KERTARAHAYU. I SPEND EVERY WEEKEND AT THIS PONDOK PESANTREN; LEARNING TAFSIR AL QURAN, CONDUCTING MY FREE ENGLISH CLASS TO 'SANTRI & SANTRIWATI' AND MAKING A CONTINUOUS EFFORT TO BE A HAFIZ AL QURAN BEFORE I DIE. AMEN YA ALLAH...


No doubt I love every single minute running my own consultancy business from Monday to Friday at my Jakarta office located not far from the Embassy of Malaysia. BUT for me, the most beautiful thing about living in Jakarta is being able to spend my time every weekend at a Pondok Pesantren Tahfiz Al Quran at Desa Kertarahayu in Kecamatan Setu. This Islamic traditional learning place is located at a panoramic remote village which is a two-hour drive from Jakarta. This is my Paradise. This is my 'Heaven on Earth'. The Pondok Pesantren is located in the middle of a green aromatic ginger and sesame farm, surrounded by paddy fields and green hills. During my weekend stay at this Pondok Pesantren, I diligently learn in-depth about Tajwid and Tafsir Al Quran directly from a charismatic ulama by the name of Pak Kiyai Sarno who is very religious and very well-versed in Ilmu Fiqih, Tafsir Al Quran and Ilmu Hadith. Every single of his explanation is substantiated by the relevant verses in Al Quran and Hadith Sahih.










PHOTO: THREE BEAUTIFUL MUSLIMAH AND HAFIZAH OF PONDOK PESANTREN AT DESA KERTARAHAYU WHO WON THE “MUSABAQAH TAHFIZ AL QURAN SE-JABODETABEK" RECENTLY. THEY ARE ISTIQOMAH IRSYADIAH (LEFT) AND AMATULLAH ASSAATIRAH (YOUNGEST DAUGHTER OF PAK KIYAI SARNO)


Pak Kiyai Sarno is a Hafiz who has memorized 30 Juz of Al Quran and could recite the Al Quran verses from memory. His wife (Ibu Rachmah Julaeha) is also a Hafizah. And the 3 sons of Pak Kiyai Sarno are Hafiz Al Quran too. They are Mas Salahuddin, Mas Muhammad Al Fateh and Mas Mujahid. By the way, Mas Salahuddin and Mas Muhammad Al Fateh are now studying at Al Azhar in Egypt while Mas Mujahid is assisting Pak Kiyai Sarno to run his Pondok Pesantren. But Pak Kiyai Sarno plans to send Mas Mujahid to further his study in Sudan in 3 years time. Pak Kiyai Sarno's 10 years old beautiful youngest daughter (Amatullah Assaatirah) so far has managed to memorize 10 Juz of Al Quran.


Actually this is not so much about how many verses, chapters or Juz of Al Quran that a Muslim has managed to memorize. Having said that, it is indeed a proven fact that in order to succesfully memorize all 6,666 verses or 30 Juz of Al Quran, a Hafiz needs to observe his behaviour, akhlak and ibadah strictly based on Islamic rules and regulations. They must also lower their gaze. It is extremely unlikely that a person can eventually be a Hafiz or Hafizah if he or she is not humble. And for a Hafiz or Hafizah, patience is definitely a virtue. They also need to ensure that they do not use their mouth to talk bad about others or insult other human-beings or cause hatred among human-beings. These underlying principles which actually have shaped a Hafiz or Hafizah's behaviour or akhlak to be a very well behaved human-being or 'manusia berakhlak mulia' that makes our Planet Earth a better place to live. Since they have to put in practice in their daily life all the life principles outlined in the Al Quran verses that they have memorized, they ultimately become 'Al Quran Bergerak' or 'The Moving Al Quran'
.










PHOTO: THIS IS THE VILLAGE ROAD OUTSIDE THE PERIMETER WALL OF THE PONDOK PESANTREN. FOR ME, THIS IS THE ROAD TO MY 'HEAVEN ON EARTH'. FRIDAY EVENING IS MY BEST MOMENT OF THE WEEK BECAUSE EVERY FRIDAY EVENING I WILL TRAVEL TO DESA KERTARAHAYU TO SPEND MY WEEKEND AT THE PONDOK PESANTREN.
FROM MY OFFICE, IT TAKES ABOUT 2 OR 3 HOURS TO REACH THERE. I CAN'T DESCRIBE TO YOU THE NATURAL SENSE OF HAPPINESS IN MY HEART WHEN I SEE THE ENTRANCE GATE OF THE PONDOK PESANTREN, THE PADDY-FIELDS NEARBY AND ALSO THE VERY MOMENT I SEE HIJAB-CLAD MUSLIMAH STROLLING AROUND THE PONDOK PESANTREN AREA. AND USUALLY 10 TO 15 MINUTES AFTER I HAVE ARRIVED AT THE PONDOK, THE MUSLIMAH OR HAFIZAH WILL SERVE ME DELICIOUS INDONESIAN VILLAGE DISHES. OH DEAR! I LOVE THE 'SUASANA AL QURAN' AT THIS PONDOK. I LOVE THE HEAVENLY BEHAVIOUR OF THE PEOPLE AT THIS PONDOK. I LOVE THE VILLAGE FOOD SERVED TO ME AT THIS PONDOK. WHAT CAN I SAY...I SIMPLY FALL IN LOVE WITH THIS PONDOK PESANTREN!


The truth is I am a 47 years old man. So, I asked Pak Kiyai Sarno whether it is too old for me to start memorizing all 30 Juz of Al Quran, slowly but surely, during my weekend stay at this Pondok Pesantren and Insya-Allah eventually become a Hafiz Al Quran. Pak Kiyai Sarno answered that no, it is not too old because he has seen a 50 years old man successfully memorizing the whole 30 Juz of Al Quran and became a Hafiz at that later stage of his life. This true story really inspires me. Yes, Monday to Friday I am an International Law Consultant who run my own consultancy business at the heart of Jakarta City Centre but that does not stop me to start learning to become a Hafiz Al Quran during my weekend rendezvous at this Pondok Pesantren. I told Pak Kiyai Sarno that no matter how challenging it will be and no matter how long it will take to become a Hafiz Al Quran, I will persevere and I will istiqomah because I want to die not just as a businessman. In fact I want to die as a Hafiz Al Quran. Yes, I do. This is despite the fact that I come from British law education background and not from Islamic studies background. Indeed this is my new personal ambition. Amen Ya Allah... By the way, to read the 12 benefits and prerogatives of being a Hafiz Al Quran please scroll your mouse to the bottom left of my blog. Each prerogative is supported by the relevant Hadith and verses from Al Quran.










PHOTO: THE MUSLIMAH AND HAFIZAH OF PONDOK PESANTREN ARE IN THE MIDST OF PERFORMING MURAJA’AH OF THE VERSES OF AL QURAN. THESE KIND-HEARTED MUSLIMAHS ARE BEAUTIFUL, SOFT-SPOKEN, POLITE, RELIGIOUS, OBEDIENT AND NO DOUBT THEY ARE SMART


Each time I am at this Pondok Pesantren, the Muslimahs ('Hafizah' or future 'Hafizah') who are learning Islam at this Pondok Pesantren would happily serve and cook for me very delicious Indonesian village dishes for my breakfast, lunch and dinner. These kind-hearted Muslimahs are beautiful, very soft-spoken, very polite, religious, obedient and no doubt they are very smart (what can I say, they memorize 30 chapters of Al Quran). These virgins have the discipline of performing Solat Tahajjud and Solat-Solat Malam every night. For me, it is an honour and a privilege to conduct my free English Class to them every Saturday and Sunday during my weekend rendezvous at this Pondok Pesantren, learning Tajwid and Tafsir Al Quran from their Guru (Pak Kiyai Sarno). And I must confess that by looking at their mind-soothing face alone is enough to make the work stress of my consultancy business in the heart of Jakarta City Centre from Monday to Friday simply gone with the wind. Oh dear...no kidding. And I am very sure this such a soft-spoken Pondok Pesantren lady can definitely make even an extremely violent man like Mike Tyson or Incredible Hulk purrs like a kitten. Yes, you hear me right, purrs like a kitten...


JUST MY SPECIAL NOTE: The purpose I disclose that I am now conducting free English class during my weekend stay at Pondok Pesantren is NOT to show-off or menunjuk-nunjuk. On the other hand, my ONLY purpose is I hope by sharing this story I can inspire all my other friends wherever they are, who have certain skills and specialization to infaq (donate) their skills for the benefit of others by giving their free services or free class during their weekend or free time. Pak Kiyai Sarno has taught me that infaq does not necessarily in the form of money or tangible assets only. Well...besides spending our weekend at Wet World, Taman Negara, Zoo Negara, Pantai Seri Tujuh, Genting Highland, shopping mall, restaurant or other entertainment centre, wouldn't it good if we can also do something and infaq our skills for the benefit of other human-beings during our weekend, right? Wrong? Of course 'right' lah, right...










PHOTO: IN FRONT OF THE 'KAMAR TAMU' ALLOCATED BY PAK KIYAI SARNO FOR ME AND MY KELANTANESE WIFE TO PUT UP DURING MY WEEKEND STAY AT THE PONDOK PESANTREN


Pak Kiyai Sarno has also allocated a comfortable Guest Room for me and my Kelantanese wife to put up during our weekend stay. What a romantic night at this Pondok Pesantren with extremely mind-soothing night breeze blowing from the nearby mountain and paddy fields. I always have a 'feel-good' feeling whenever I am at this Pondok Pesantren. It reminds me of the same feeling during the honeymoon time with my wife when we were newly married 20 years ago in 1993. At that time both of us were nothing but just a 23 and 22 years old young innocent couple who married at such a young age to get Keredhaan Allah. And what a feeling to have my bath here using very clean natural mountain ground water from the well. Oh Mammamia! Mammamia!


JUST KIDDING: But please do not have any slightest imagination of a gagah-perkasa man like me having a romantic private bath or bermandi-manda with a beautiful virgin Muslimah or Hafizah during my weekend rendezvous here. Sheesh...Tak elok tu.











PHOTO: THIS PONDOK PESANTREN IS LOCATED IN THE MIDDLE OF A GREEN SESAME FARM, SURROUNDED BY GREEN PADDY-FIELDS AND GREEN MOUNTAIN. INDEED IT’S MY GREEN PARADISE!



Furthermore, I can't find any word in any dictionary ever published on this Planet Earth to describe my happiness performing Solat Tahajjud and Solat-Solat Malam together with these 'santri-santri' each night when I am staying at this Pondok Pesantren. And what a satisfaction to conduct free English lesson class for them
every weekend at this Pondok Pesantren. The unique thing about this Pondok Pesantren is apart from Islamic studies, this Pondok Pesantren also teaches 'modern' subjects such as English Language, Mathematics and Computer Skills because for their school-age 'santri' they also sit for Indonesian Ujian Nasional which is similar to SPM Exams in Malaysia or O-Level Exams in the UK.










PHOTO: PADDY-FIELDS AROUND THE PONDOK PESANTREN MAKE THE VIEW HERE VERY PICTURESQUE ESPECIALLY DURING SUNRISE AND SUNSET. INDEED THIS IS MY ‘HEAVEN ON EARTH’



Perhaps it's worth mentioning that it's my dream and also my wife's dream to spend most of our post-retirement time later
in a Pondok Pesantren like this which is located in a beautiful Indonesian village surrounded by green hills. We also plan to contribute something to the Pondok Pesantren in term of our skills. I plan to continue teaching these 'anak-anak Pondok Pesantren' English Language and my wife can teach them Computer Skills. By spending our time at Pondok Pesantren, my wife and I plan to learn more about Tafsir Al Quran from the Pak Kiyai. It's also our dream to have the discipline to perform Solat-Solat Malam and Solat Tahajud each and every night together, as a husband and wife, at the Pondok Pesantren. And during day time we will enjoy doing some farming over here. No doubt, it is Heaven on Earth in whatever way both of us see it. Indeed it is.










PHOTO: THIS IS THE ACCOMMODATION BUILDING FOR THE MUSLIMAH AND HAFIZAH OF THIS PONDOK PESANTREN. THE SECOND AND THIRD FLOOR ARE STILL UNDER CONSTRUCTION. PRAISE TO ALLAH, ALHAMDULLILAH I HAVE MANAGED TO GET MANY OF MY MALAYSAN FRIENDS TO TRANSFER MONEY TO THE PONDOK PESANTREN AS THEIR ‘INFAQ AMAL JARIYAH’. PAK KIYAI SARNO HAS TAUGHT ME THAT IN SURAH AL BAQARAH (VERSE 261) ALLAH HAS PROMISED THAT FOR EVERY 1 THING YOU INFAQ, ALLAH WILL MULTIPLY IT AND GIVE YOU BACK 700 TIMES. INDEED. ALLAH WILL NEVER BREACH HIS PROMISE. NEVER. NEVER. EVER.










PHOTO: THIS IS THE PONDOK PESANTREN MOSQUE WHICH IS USED AS THE CENTRE OF ACTIVITIES. I CONDUCT MY ENGLISH CLASS DURING MY WEEKEND HERE INSIDE THIS MOSQUE. AND EVERY SATURDAY NIGHT I HAPPILY WATCH ISLAMIC FILM INSIDE THIS MOSQUE BY USING PROJECTOR AND PORTABLE WHITE SCREEN TOGETHER WITH ALL THE HAFIZ AND HAFIZAH. WHO SAYS IN ISLAM WE CANNOT 'MENONTON WAYANG'? OF COURSE WE CAN. BUT WE MUST OBSERVE THE SYARIAH GUIDELINES. NO PROBLEM AT ALL. I CAN SEE THEY ENJOY 'NOBAR' AND THEIR WEEKLY MOVIE WATCHING SESSION...











PHOTO: I WISH M.NASIR, THE LEGENDARY MALAYSIAN SONG COMPOSER IS HERE WITH ME, SPENDING TIME UNDER A TREE NEAR THE PADDY-FIELDS AROUND THE PONDOK PESANTREN. THIS SCENIC VIEW MAY STIMULATE M.NASIR’S CREATIVE MIND TO COMPOSE MANY NEW ROMANTIC SONGS! OH I LOVE ROMANTIC SONGS COMPOSED BY M.NASIR SUCH AS 'KEPADAMU KEKASIH' AND 'SUATU MASA'. DO YOU REMEMBER THESE BEAUTIFUL LYRICS?: “BAGAIMANAKAN KU MULA, DAN APAKAH KATA-KATA, YANG INDAH UNTUK DIABADIKAN, TIAP WAJAH BERKISAH, TIAP MADAH BERERTI, MANAKAH ILHAMKU…, CAHAYA DI MATAMU, SENYUM DI BIBIRMU, MENGUKIR SERIBU TANDA PERTANYAAN, MUNGKINKAH KAU JUA DALAM KERINDUAN, DI SAAT BEGINI AKU MERINDUKAN…” (WELL...GEMUK-GEMUK SAYA PUN ADA PERASAAN JUGA..., SIAPA BILANG ORANG GEMUK NGGAK DIBENARKAN ADA PERASAAN 'JIWANG' YA...? NGGAK SALAH KOK..., APATAH LAGI PERASAAN 'JIWANG' ITU HANYA TERHADAP ISTERI SENDIRI. GITU...) BY THE WAY, SINCE M.NASIR ALREADY COMPOSED 'KERONCONG UNTUK ANA' SONG, PERHAPS IT’S A GOOD IDEA IF HERE AT PONDOK PESANTREN HE CAN COMPOSE 'KERONCONG UNTUK ANTA'. I CAN BE THE PENYANYI LATAR











PHOTO: THE PONDOK PESANTREN IS SURROUNDED BY PADDY-FIELDS ON ONE SIDE AND THIS JUNGLE GREENERY ON THE OTHER SIDE. BEING HERE IS LIKE SPENDING TIME IN OUR TAMAN NEGARA BACK IN MALAYSIA. DURING NIGHT TIME ALL SORTS OF MUSICAL VOICE OF INSECTS AND BIRDS CAN BE HEARD COMING FROM THIS JUNGLE. BUT I HAVE NEVER HEARD THE SOUND OF TIGER OR LION ROARING. THAT’S GOOD NEWS BECAUSE COMPARED TO 20 YEARS AGO; I CAN’T RUN THAT FAST ANYMORE. FURTHERMORE, I MUST CONFESS THAT I AM A MAN WITH 3 MONTHS 'PREGNANT' TUMMY. THANKS TO INDONESIAN DELICIOUS FOOD SUCH AS ES TELER, BEBEK KALEYO, PECAL LELE LELA, AYAM BAKAR MAS MONO, AYAM BAKAR WONG SOLO, CHICKEN STORY, SOTO GEBREK, PISANG BAKAR, AYAM KALASAN, MARTABAK BANGKA, KONRO DAENG TATA, AYAM GORENG MBOK BEREK, GADO-GADO BOPLO, SOTO BETAWI, SOTO MAKASAR, SATE SENAYAN, RAWON SETAN, TAHU PETIS KEDUNGDORO, BEBEK SONGKEM, SEMANGGI DEMPO, NASI KRAWU BU RIDA AND MANY MORE. IT SEEMS THAT UNLESS AND UNTIL I CONSUME 'ALPHA LIPID SLIM DIET 2', I WILL BE FOREVER PREGNANT....

















Mari Kita Tetap Rendah Diri Meskipun
Punya Wajah Cantik,
Karena Wajah Terakhir Kita Adalah Wajah Jenazah Pucat Pasi

Mari Kita Tetap Rendah Diri Meskipun Punya Rumah Besar,
Karena Rumah Terakhir Kita Adalah Liang Lahad


Mari Kita Tetap Rendah Diri Meskipun Punya Busana Mahal,
Karena Busana Terakhir Kita Adalah Kain Kafan


Mari Kita Tetap Rendah Diri Meskipun Punya Kulit Mulus Dan Kinclong,
Karena Kulit Terakhir Kita Adalah Tanah Kuburan


Mari Kita Tetap Rendah Diri Meskipun Punya Mobil Mewah,
Karena Kendaraan Terakhir Kita Adalah Keranda Mayat


Mari Kita Tetap Rendah Diri Meskipun Punya Minyak Wangi Bergengsi,
Karena Wangian Terakhir Kita Adalah Kapur Barus









"Ya Allah...Jika Dengan Terus Hidup, Saya Khairul Hisham Bin Hassan Akan Dapat Terus Beribadat Untuk Menambahkan Pahala Dan Akan Dapat Terus Berbuat Amalan Kebaikan Serta Akan Dapat Terus Memberi Manafaat Kepada Orang Lain, Maka Saya Mohon Tolonglah Panjangkan Umur Saya Ya Allah..."

"Tetapi Ya Allah...Jika Dengan Terus Hidup, Saya Khairul Hisham Bin Hassan Akan Hanya Menambah Berbuat Dosa Dan Akan Hanya Menyakiti Hati Orang Lain Serta Akan Hanya Memberi Mudarat Kepada Orang Lain, Maka Saya Mohon Tolonglah Matikan Saya Secepat Yang Mungkin Jika Mati Itu Lebih Baik Bagi Saya. Dan Matikanlah Saya Dalam Husnul Khotimah..."





Friday, June 26, 2009

The Beauty & Uniqueness of Sudanese Wedding


The Magic of a Wedding!

Last Friday, 19th of June I was invited to attend the wedding of Mr Mutasim Osman's nephew. Mr Mutasim is one of my three Sudanese partners. No, it was not Mr Mutasim's new wedding. It was Mr Mutasim's nephew wedding (above photo). Don't hear it wrongly. There is a difference between the word 'new' and 'nephew'. Mr Mutasim is already 50 years old and a happily married man. Nevertheless, if Mr Mutasim was informed that this wedding ceremony is in fact prepared for him by his family in Khartoum, instead of for his nephew, I am pretty sure he will run and run and run as quickly as possible from London where he is currently based to Khartoum, the same way Tom Hanks runs in "Forrest Gump" film. Definitely the 'wedding-magic' would make him reaching Khartoum earlier than even Emirates Airlines which has to stop for a transit at Dubai. This is the magic or the power of a wedding. It can makes everything possible.

Have You Ever Seen A 'Berudu' (Tadpole) Forever A 'Berudu' For 22 Years Without Being A 'katak (Frog)'?

Some of my former MRSM Muar school mates e-mailed to me how shocked they were to see my body looks very prosperous now because the last time they saw me was 22 years ago, in 1987 during SPM. I told them even a 'berudu' (tadpole) takes just eleven weeks to change his body from a 'berudu' to a 'katak' (frog). Have you ever seen a 'berudu' forever a 'berudu' for 22 years without being a 'katak'? So after a long time, I think it is normal that my face now look as charismatic as President General Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. I surely have done better than a 'berudu', haven't I?

You Prevent a Wedding, You Can Cause the Collapse of a Kingdom!

Shall we start our 'class' today about my experience attending a Sudanese wedding by showing you how sometimes if we try to prevent a wedding, it can even cause the collapse of a Kingdom. I am sure most of us still remember how on 1st June 2001 (slightly more than 8 years ago) the Crown Prince Dipendra of Nepal (above photo) shot himself after killing his parents and seven other royals just because his mother tried to veto his beautiful chosen fiancée, Devyani Rana (below photo) for the wedding.

Narayanhiti Palace became a witness that you should not try to prevent a wedding. By using an assault rifle, Prince Dipendra shot his father (King Birendra), then gunned down his uncle (Prince Dhirendra), as well as Prince Nirajan, Queen Aishwarya and Princess Shruti, before turning the weapon on himself. After this tragedy, the rest were history. Unlike his brother the late King Birendra who was revered by majority of the Nepalese, the new King Gyanendra on the other hand was extremely unpopular and he has made many wrong decisions in policy making that lead Maoist insurgents finally winning power after an election in April 2008 and then abolished the monarchy on 28th May 2008.

Do you see how I have managed to prove my point that preventing a wedding can even lead to the downfall of a 239 years old monarchy?. Not only you cannot found any more KING in Nepal nowadays, but also I can guarantee you Nepal is one of the country where there is no Burger KING Restaurant. Even though I am not a serious person like Mr KING Kong, this time I am not joKING. You can check with Burger King Corporation if you are in doubt.

What About Premarital Relationship Among The Sudanese Youngsters?

On the way to the bride's house, I had a casual discussion with Mr Abdul Jalil Abujjoud, my Sudanese partner who drove me to the wedding's place (bride's house). He said in Sudan generally free and open relationship between young man and girls is prohibited before they get married. In other words, premarital sexual relationship between the young person is not an accepted culture and definitely not a widespread practice here in Sudan. As we all know Islam strictly prohibits committing adultery. Everything should be reserved for the joyous time after both of them officially solemnized as a husband and wife. That's the beauty and thrill of a wedding in Islam. For a practicing Muslim, wedding day is the 'graduation day' or shall I say 'payday' for those who diligently observed abstinence during their premarital years.

What a Contrast Between UK And Sudan

Before I came here for this 3 months attachment, I was living in the UK. Over there as everybody knows you are free to live or cohabitate with your boyfriend or girlfriend without married. You can also make love with anybody that you wish as long as it is a consensual act. There are so many magazines, CD, internet website portals that will give you a kind of 'Dummies Guide To Premarital Sexual Relationship'. I know. I live there . Saturday night is a heavenly night. This phenomenon is even more rampant among the British college and university students. Some of the young boys who engaged in free-sexual activities in the UK are still studying in secondary schools.

Does It Matter How Tall You Are? The Youngest & Shortest Father In The UK

For your information, Britain's youngest known father is Sean Stewart, who was 12 years old at the time his girlfriend Emma Webster gave birth to their son in 1998. The second school boy record holder is Alfie Patten (above photo) who was just 13 years old when his girlfriend Chantelle Stedman (15) delivered birth in February this year. And Alfie, the youngest father is just 4 feet tall. For me it does not matter how tall you are. Even if you are as short as the seven dwarfs or as cute as 'Pakcik Jamal Pendek' but you involved in an unprotected sexual intercourse, chances are your girlfriend may get pregnant (as long as your girl friend is not menopause yet or as old as Queen Elizabeth). As simple as that. The truth is the sperms couldn't care less how tall you are. Well... Alfie is just a 4 feet tall boy, but made no mistake he has at least one 'proven performance'!

The Story of 3 Pack, 6 Pack And 12 Pack of Condoms!

Every good marketing man knows that in order to target the right group of prospective clients, they will have to do market segmentation. So I always joke with my friends that by observing how many packs of condom displayed at Tesco Express store in Manchester I can more or less guess that pack of condom is targeted for which group of consumers.

Let us start with the 3 packs of condoms first. This type of 3 pack of condom is most probably targeted for secondary school lads. Why? One for Friday nite, one for Saturday nite and one for Sunday nite. What about the 6 pack condoms? The answer is easy. Those are for university and college lads whose energy as wild as a horse. Rationale? Two for Friday nite, two for Saturday nite and two for Sunday nite. So, what about the 12 pack of condoms? Well.. that 12 pack is for married man, one for January, one for February, one for March, one for April.....

I guess that's logic. If before getting married they already have engaged in millions of total accumulative credit hours of sexual activity, the thrill surely less and faded after they got married. That's common sense. If everyday you eat Satay or KFC Fried Chicken, one day one time you will reach a stage when just by seeing the silver colour of KFC Colonel Sander's beard is more than enough to make you loose your eating appetite.

On the other hand, a practicing Muslim who has never in his life making love before marriage, surely after the marriage his sexual appetite is like those college and university boys. But my theory is only applicable in the UK case only. I believe married men in Malaysia who practice 'sex after marriage' will definitely not fit for the above "12 packs" category. No..No..No, definitely not once only per month. Don't ask me how do I know. I know'lah'.


Wow! 40,298 Conceptions Among Under 18th Years Old Girls in England!

A person like me always talk based on facts and figures. Let me make my point about this teenage pregnancy issue in the UK by quoting an official statistics from The Office for National Statistics (ONS) and Teenage Pregnancy Unit. According to the ONS, in 2007 alone there were 40,298 Under 18 conceptions in England. This does not include Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales. Look at that! More than fourty thousands pregnancy among under 18th years old. This means more than fourty thousands premarital sexual activities among the young girls in England. And...this is just conceptions alone, what about those who were engaged in premarital sex but their sperms are unfortunately so 'shy' to chase after the eggs, that made conception not possible. Surely more., right?


Can You bite or Taste Every Cake On Display At Starbucks Before You Finally Choosing One?

Not long time ago my British friend, Joe asked me how come a Muslim man like me decided to marry a lady even before knowing fully well as to how she will perform on the bed or in simple language before we even testing her. He certainly cannot accept the concept of marrying a lady whom he has not had any sexual intercourse with at all before the wedding. For him marrying a lady without testing first, is actually taking a big gamble or risk. To live and to make love with only one lady until the rest of his life without really sure how that lady will treat him on the bed is not acceptable to him.

Initially it was very difficult for me to rebut his opinion because he will never accept Quranic verses as the basis of my argument whereas as a Muslim I should base my argument on the Holy Quran. On the first place he never believe in Quran. So I decided to use the 'Starbucks' analogy. I said to him:"Joe, now we are in Starbucks, right? Just now before you decided to chose this particular cake in front of you, among all the Starbucks variety of cakes such as Starbucks Iced Lemon Pound Cake, Marble Loaf Cake, Swirl Coffee Cake, Old Fashion Crumb Cake, Orange Loaf, Banana Coffee Cake and Starbucks Blueberry Coffee Cake, did that Starbucks cashier lady allow you to taste by biting each of the cakes first before you finally settled with just one cake that you are eating now? No, she did not, did she? Did she, Joe?.


"So Joe, if you are very much enjoying your chosen slices of cakes now even until you reach your orgasm, it is not because you were allowed to bite and test every single cake on display first but most probably because you yourself know fully well what type of cake is this, its ingredients and its general characteristics. You will not bite and test every single cake on display before you settling for one, will you?"

"Similarly, I humbly think you do not need to make love or 'bite' every single lady that you know before you can arrive to a decision which particular lady that you will choose to be your wife and mother of your future children, do you?"

However, at the end of the day, as a practicing Muslim this is what I can say to my British friend who believe his 'free-sex' way of life is more lively than a person like me who believe in sex after marriage: "Unto you, your religion, and unto me, my religion" Chapter 109, Verses 6 of the Holy Quran (Surah Al Kafirun, the 6th Ayat). In other words, you do whatever you solemnly believe and I put my trust on whatever I believe. In a way, we agree to disagree.

Okay enough rumbling about sexual before marriage, Let u see what happened on that day itself of the Sudanese wedding of Mr Mutasim's nephew.

What Happened a Day Before Wedding?

Actually a day before the wedding day normally the bride's female family will have a party called a 'Henna'. I was told that a Sudanese woman doesn't regularly wear henna until she gets married. This is when they decorated her hands and feet with henna for the first time. Not only putting henna. They will sing and dance. But I can't visualize how they can put henna at the feet while they are dancing and singing. Anyhow it's an all-girls party, and man like me are not allowed to join . There are various colours of henna such as red or orange but basically Sudanese ladies like to choose shiny and black colour for their wedding. Not only for the bride, the groom also have it put on their hands and feet

The Wedding Tent Is So Comfortable, The Heart of The Visitors Were Filled With 'Feel Good' Aura

I reached the bride's house at around 2:30pm after the Friday prayer time. When we reached the place, there were many guests already sitting on the chairs under the huge canopy. What do you expect? Surely they were sitting ON the chairs. Not UNDER the chairs. Come on..Yes..I foresee some cultural difference between Sudan's wedding and Malaysian wedding but that does not include the way they were sitting.

This huge tent was supplied by the caterer company. I was surprised that although there are at least 400 people sat under the sun, we did not feel hot at all. Usually these two factors (direct sunlight and sitting in a crowd of people) enough to make all of us sweating like sitting in a sauna. Maybe the tent is made from quality materials that can absorb the heat. Furthermore there were two big cool blowers at both sides of the tent blowing cool air inside the tent.

Unlike the Scottish Kilt, The Malay Kilt Allows Its User To Wear Underwear

If you see many photos that I posted here, almost all of them were wearing jalabiah (white long robe) and emma (turban). I was the only one different. Not only I looked different with my so-called oriental face, but also I was the only one wearing my traditional 'Baju Melayu' (Malay traditional costume). The biggest regret was I forgot to bring to Sudan my full set of Baju Melayu attire which includes my 'samping' . 'Samping' is a Malaysian kilt, more or less similar to Scottish kilt. A kilt is a knee-length garment that covers the body from the waist down to just above the knees. Unlike the Scottish who always believe that tradition has it that a "true Scotsman" should wear nothing under his kilt, not even his underwear, we Malaysian are different. I can guarantee you every Malaysian man who wears 'samping' will certainly wear an underwear under his 'samping'. If you ever found any Malaysian man wearing a 'samping' without any underwear, please report to me. I will declare him a a sex-lunatic.

Women were sitting inside the other tent and some of them inside the house. There was indeed a 'feel good' feeling that time. Everybody was seen chatting and smiling. Even the reflection of the colour of the pink coloured tent above their head made everybody looks pink in colour as you can see in the photo. That's why two of the photos here are pink in colour. This has nothing to do with the quality of the photos that I have taken. The pink colour is a reflection from the colour of the tent. The feeling was indescribable. I was told by Mr Abdul Jalil that almost all who attended the wedding reception that day were family members either from the bride or the bridegroom sides which means it just involve two big clans.


Wedding Meal Pack, Better Than Emirates Airways

After sitting for about half an hour, the caterer started to distribute pack of food to all the guests. When I opened it, the meal consisted of several dishes. Maybe the above photo does not really shows there were different sorts of dishes inside the meal pack. Some of the dishes were underneath the bread and some already safely landed in one portion of my tummy. The meal pack is certainly better than the one that Emirates Airways or Qatar Airlines serve you on their flight. Inside it you can find a stick of frilled kebab meat, a roasted chicken's breast, a bun of bread complete with butter, a pastry, a nan bread, a mini pizza and at least three more Sudanese dishes which I do not know what to call. There was a second pack that contains fruits such as grapes, apple and banana. Eating the food certainly made my stomach full. It is very easy for me to know whether the food is considered sufficient for the guests or not. If it can fill the diesel tank-size of my tummy, the portions given to the guests surely can be considered as generous.

Language and Malay-Face Sudanese

The problem with me that day was communication. I can only talk with Mr Abdul Jalil. The rest of the people sitting on my table hardly know any English words. They were friendly and I could see they tried to start a conversation with me but the language was the hurdle. You see...how friendly a chicken is, if the chicken can't speak the language of a tiger this chicken surely cannot invite the tiger for a discussion and a cup of tea.

When I looked around me. I was surprised to notice some the Sudanese men also look like the Malays in term of their face-design. However the moment they take off their white skullcaps ('kupiah') which shows their North African Arab unique curly hair, all the so-called Malay's face resemblance totally gone and you know these men are not the Malays from Teluk Intan, Benut or Mengabang Pok Jin.

What? Even the Bridegroom Was Not There To Solemnize His Own Wedding?

After enjoying a very delicious dishes, then the time everybody was waiting for finally arrived. The Marriage Registrar has arrived at the tent. He is indeed a sweet-looking old man. He was the centre of attraction. Unlike in Malaysia where the marriage solemnization is done between the Marriage Registrar ('Jurunikah') and the bridegroom himself, in Sudan the solemnization or wedding wow is done between the most senior person from the groom family and the most senior family member of the bride's family. This means the groom was not there. He did not attend his own wedding solemnization ceremony!

I was wondering what if some of the old man 'hijacked' the solemnization proceeding and instead of marrying the intended bridegroom, he decided to marry himself to the girl. Its difficult but still possible. Out of sudden the pretty bride got a disgusting old man as her husband purely on technical reason. For the old man, he will not give a damn whether it was on technical or non-technical ground. For me, this is strange because normally in Malaysia the groom will definitely present to recite the official wedding wow and perform the marriage acceptance himself. Mr Abdul Jalil told me in Sudan both sides are represented by the most senior member of the family according to the seniority guidelines prescribed by the Islamic rules.

No Matter How Good Kassim Selamat Plays Sudanese Musical Instruments He Can Never Persuade A Sudanese 'Sabariah' To Marry Him! Why?

The bride was represented by her father and the groom was represented by the most senior member of the family sitting in front of the Marriage Registrar under the huge tent surrounded by all the jalabiah wearing guests.This means it will be highly unlikely in Sudan any marriage can be solemnized without the blessing of the family from both sides.

So our dear friend Kassim Selamat whom in the Malay movie entitled 'Ibu Mertuaku' (My Mother In Law) married his lover Sabariah without the blessing of the bride's mother (Nyonya Mansor) had clearly no chance to marry a Sudanese lady without the blessing of his future in laws family. No matter how good he can play Sudanese musical instruments he can never persuade a Sudanese 'Sabariah' to marry him!
Ala Kassim..

I can't describe my feeling that time, The situation was full of happiness. The tent was very comfortable. Indeed the tent was also 'smiling'. Everybody was smiling either through their facial expression or at least smiling inside their heart.

Can Marry Four Times? So All The Men Said: "Ya Be Da Be Duuuu"

The Nikah Registrar started the wedding solemnization by giving his 'Khutbah Nikah' (advice on the beauty of Islamic marriage). Although I did not understand what he was talking about, during certain part of his speech I saw all the guests who sat around the Nikah Registrar under the huge tent and also the representatives of the bride and representatives of the groom laughed and smiled broadly. I asked Mr Abdul Jalil why they were all laughing. He told me it was because the Nikah Registrar explained that in Islam you can have four wives but if you unable to be fair to all of them, then Allah asked you just to marry only one woman. Hmm...men being men, all over the world are the same. When comes to marry more than one, they were all very excited. Similar to the excitement of a 5 years old girl who just got her first Barbie doll or a 5 years old boy who just received his Power Rangers toy!. Yes, I can see their excitement.

The Imam prayed: "O Lord! May All The Divorcees And Ugly Women Taste The Juicy Of Marriage"

After the official wedding solemnization recited by both representatives of the bride and the groom, it is official that the bride and the bridegroom now a husband and wife. Everybody express their happiness by saying 'Alhamdullillah' (praise to the lord). Then finally the Nikah Registrar recited a doa (a prayer). Since they recited the prayer in their mother tongue language (Arabic) they certainly know fully well what they were talking in the doa. In the middle of the doa everybody was smiling. So after the Nikah Registrar finished his doa, I again asked Mr Abdul Jalil why just now they were all smiling. Mr Abdul Jalil told me in the doa just now the Nikah Registrar did mention something like this: "O Lord, please also grant the ugly women and the divorced woman in our community to marry so that they can taste the beauty of marriage". You see, this Nikah Registrar wanted everybody to taste the juicy of marriage, But....maybe he has got a hidden agenda here. Maybe this is a diplomatic way for him to invite the woman to be his second, third or fourth wife, who knows? Remember this nice old man, the flamboyant Nikah Registrar can also marry four. Similar to a surgeon who cannot operate himself, this Nikah Registrar also cannot solemnize his own marriage, but he can do the 'marketing' of himself!


Marriage Is A Knot That Ties Two Families, So What About The Corleone Family And Barzini Family In "Godfather" Film?

After the official solemnization was officially over with the doa, almost everybody automatically line up to shake hand with the father of the bride and father of the groom to convey their congratulations. Now, not only the two souls are tied in a marriage knot, but also the two clans or the two families become a one big family. Wow? When talk about 'family-family' I felt like I was in scene of a Godfather movie that time. So... in Sudan marriage is indeed a knot that ties the two families. This reminded me of my favourite movie "The Godfather" which stress on the important of unity among the family members, 'Never Go Against The Family". Tying two families huh? Is it like the Corleone family and the Barzini family make a peace through marriage. I am sure my brother, Michael Corleone (above photo) would say: "Only in your dream, Don Khairuleone! Didn't our father Vito Corleone already reminded us anybody sided with Barzini is a traitor? ". If I have my way, I wish I wanted to let all the guests listen to that classic Godfather's soundtrack theme song and melody through their p.a system with a mixer, amplifier and loudspeakers



What Happen Next?

After that, outside the big main tent there was a stage performance by four nicely dressed gentlemen (above photo) who sang various nasyid songs (Islamic oriented songs). It is like their Sudanes El Divo group. In one glance, their costume looked like the Malaysian nasyid group Rabbani or Raihan. With a good electronic amplification sound system, the singer sang a very nice song. and the music is thrilling.. Everybody was very happy. Song after song was sung by that good singer. From what I was told the lyrics actually praising the Lord and they were all expressing their happpiness that the marrige has finally been concluded and now the bride and the groom can live happily as a husband and wife, making love through the halal way!



A 85 Years Old Man Dance To The Tune Of The Nasyeed. All In the Name of Expressing Happiness!

As you can see at the above photo, that handsome and macho man shown in the above photo is the oldest person in the family. Somebody brought him in front of the stage and yes they all danced happily with this old man. That old man, nearly 85 years old, danced passionately with the help of somebody who were holding his right and left hand while he was dancing. You know what, in my heart I said to myself: "Slow down uncle. Slow down..You are no more young. You are not Sudanese Michael Jackson. Slow down". But it seems almost everybody else followed him to dance by shaking their body and hold their both hands straight up on the air and twisted their thumb and and forefingers together and yelled "Apshir! Apshir! Apshir"

Was It 'Sudan Got Talent' Or What?

Imagine all men in white jalabiah (long robe) and emma (turban) danced to celebrate a halal relationship via marriage (above photo), as if you were seeing a stage show by participants of 'Sudan Got Talent' or 'British Got Talent' competition. What a day! I really enjoy the occasion. One song after one song. Since this huge crowd was basically consist of members of the two families, (the bride and groom families), you can see the strong bondage among them. These were the people who can say without a doubt the famous quote: "You mess with me, you mess with my family".

The 'Pelamin' & Memory Tunnel

They danced and danced until Asar prayer time. Then they stopped for a while. After the Isyak prayer at around 9pm, that was the first time the groom and his bride appeared in public together and walked to their wedding stage (or 'pelamin' in Malay). It is a very nice 'pelamin' (above photo). When a married man like me saw the 'pelamin', automatically we would remember the sheer joy, happiness and the beauty of our own wedding last time. The memory tunnel would travel back to our own wedding day.

Celebration Over The Success of Observing Abstinence

When the bride and groom reached the wedding stage and sat on the special chairs, almost everybody wanted to take photo with the newlywed couple. And the Arabic music filled the air again. Its sheer joy.

People dance in happiness (above photo). Song after song were sung live by the singer opposite the wedding stage. I can't describe to you the happiness atmosphere that night. The men sat on one side of the stage and on the side there were the ladies. In the middle, there were the bride and her groom dancing with their members of the family with almost everybody hold up their hands up on the air with the thumb and forefinger twisted together to express their great joy . They celebrated because finally both the groom and the bride have managed to observe their abstinence and today they finally got the green light to make love and started their life as a husband and wife.

So Children That Night Learned The Beauty And Joy Of Islamic Wedding

You can see at above photo they danced happily but still observing the Muslim rule. Men were sitting at one side and women were placed on the other side. Children certainly the happiest species that night.

The above photo is the photo of two cute daughters of my Sudanese partner (Mr Abdul Jalil's daughters). Initially I felt funny to see people in long robe (jalabia) and emma (turban) moved their body, holding up their hands with the thumb and forefingers twisted together. But what's wrong to show genuine happiness? Especially if the lyrics praising God for the beauty of following the halal way of Islamic wedding process. The grandeur of the wedding will certainly encourage all the children who were present to be patient when they grow up later and observe strictly their abstinence so that they also will be given the same grandeur wedding reception like that memorable night.

Jeng...Jeng...Jeng. What's Next? Tonight Itself They Will Go To The Hotel?

At nearly 10:45pm the wedding night ceremony was over. So I innocently asked Mr Abdul Jalil: "What's next, brother?", He said: "You asked me what's next? Both the bride and the bridegroom will go to the hotel and stay in the hotel usually for seven days or five days to celebrate their first week as a husband and wife." I was so surprised and I asked him further:"What? Are you saying tonight itself they will start staying overnight in the hotel like a honeymoon?" Mr Jalil answered: "Why not? They are now husband and wife, so why not?"

In Sudan, First Night Is In The Hotel, Not At Bride's House!

Wow! This was news to me. In Malaysia, the first night normally will be spent at the bride's house and the so-called honeymoon will only take place usually at least one or two weeks after the wedding day to enable the newlywed couple enough times to pay a visit to all the relatives of both side first. But in general it is a normal tradition in Sudan for the newlywed couple to stay even the very first night of their marriage in the hotel. Of course the hotel bookings have been done much earlier before this.

In Malaysia, If You Rush To Hotel For First Night, You Are 'Gelojoh Man of the Year'

If in Malaysia the newlywed couple ever dares to spend their first night together in the hotel and leave the house of the bride that soon, I think everybody will say the bridegroom is so impatient or 'gelojoh'. Maybe somebody may say the bridegroom is the descendant of Rasputin (the Russian sex legend during the last Russian Tsar era)


But lets us pause for a second, before we dare to accuse our Sudanese friends of impatience or 'gelojoh', lets take a very deep breath.

After doing a soul-searching session for 3 minutes just now, I think I favour the Sudanese way. Not because I was bribed by them with such a nice variety of food and their pure friendliness but I personally think it is indeed a good idea for the Malaysian newlywed couple to spend their time in the hotel right from the first night of their wedding day like the Sudanese culture.

Being a very innocently curious man, I asked Mr Abdul Jalil very openly why should they spent their first night in the hotel. Mr Abdul Jalil stared at me as if I am a 5 years old PASTI kindergarten kid who asked his elder brother to enlighten him.


However he still explained to me one by one the rationale behind this culture. In conclusion it is for the benefit of everybody. Let us see why he said like that.

Make Sure The Bellboy Of The Hotel Is Not 'Peeping Tom Of The Year" Award Winner

Let me put this way. If you stay in a hotel starting from the first night of your wedding day until the seventh or sixth day, instead of at the bride's family house like all the Malays always do, surely the newlywed couple enjoys an absolute degree of privacy except if the bell boy of the hotel that you are staying just became the "Peeping Tom of the Year" Award Winner! Or else, nobody will disturb you.

The Newlywed Wants To Sleep Early, The Relatives Want To Chat Late, So How?

Another good thing for spending first night in the hotel has got something to do with the bride's relatives who normally would stay overnight at bride's house. The relatives who are staying overnight at the bride's house also have more freedom to do anything they wish without fearing they may disturb the newlywed couple who of course want to go bed as early as possible. If not, during your first night, these bunch of relatives maybe want to have a nice discussion among themselves till mid-night after not meeting each other for a long time, but on the other hand you really wish all of them drop-dead sleeping as soundly as possible so that you can spend the first night with your newly-married wife comfortably in the bride's room.


You Can Do a 'Zorro' or 'Tarzan' or 'Apache Warrior" Inside a Hotel Room

In the hotel room nobody can disturb you and your newly-married wife. The room are normally very sound proof too. The bridegroom can jump like 'Zorro' or can swings here and there like 'Tarzan' inside the hotel room or if he wants to run here and there very happily and crazily like an Apache warrior, who cares? Nobody will be annoyed. Try to do that same thing when you spend the first night at your parents-in law house? I think the moment they hear you scream like an Apache warrior in the middle of your first night, both of your parents in law will have a heart attack. Plain and simple

What About Singing "Hum Tum Ek Kamre Main Band Ho" Like In a Bobby Film?

Perhaps you and your wife want to sing a song inside the hotel room first like Dimple Kapadia and Rishi Kapoor in the 1973 Hindi film "Bobby". Remember the hotel room scene when out of sudden they found themselves locked and trapped inside the hotel room? In a hotel room which is sound-proof you definitely can sing like Rishi Kapoor the song 'Hum Tum Ek Kamre Main Band Ho' (To watch, please copy this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2Pf1HcdaXI and then paste). Can you do that if you spend your first night at your parents in law house? Surely you can't.

Even Siti Nurhaliza Did Not Sing Inside Her Room During First Night, BUT if Malay Culture Allows The First Night Held In a Sound Proof Hotel, Datuk 'K Will Sing!

Excuse me, even our famous singer, Siti Nurhaliza did not sing any song when she was in the room at her house during her first night with Datuk K (not me 'Khairul', but 'K is Datuk Khalid). Let say our Malay culture long time ago already adopted the practice of newlywed couple to spend even from the first night of the wedding at hotel without being labelled as 'gelojoh' or impatient, I am sure Datuk Khalid will go to the most sound proof hotel room so that he could sing loudly R.Azmi's old song "Hooray! Hooray! BergUmbiraa..Aha..Ahaa" during his first night with Siti Nurhaliza or he might sing the song 'Bila Hati gUmbira Tepuk Tangan' (When you are happy please clap your hand)!


Malaysian Village House Is Not Sound-Proof, So I Whisper..

Generally speaking, Malaysian typical house in the village is not fully made from bricks and walls. Some part of it maybe made from quality woods. But how nice and how quality the wood is, normally it is not 100% sound proof. I still can remember clearly during my first night with my beloved wife, I have to whisper to her to communicate. Oh yes..in a way it was indeed very romantic but my point here is if even for talking we have to whisper, there was no way on earth I can act like an Apache warrior or Zorro, or Rishi Kapoor in Bobby film, let alone Tarzan. The way I see it as if both of us that night were staying inside a Japanese War Prison and we simply did not want the people outside our room i.e the Japanese Prison guards to hear anything that we intimately talked between us.

If You Can Hear Them, They Can Also Heaaaar Youuuuu

And the scary part is what if you want to clear your throat during that first night by saying "ehem", and out of sudden you get an uninvited respond from outside your room another "ehem" maybe from your brother in law or you relatives who are sleeping in the same house. If you can hear them, this simply means they can also heaaaar youuuuu. Isn't that scary? On that basis this Sudanese culture of spending from the very first night until normally the seventh night in the hotel really makes a lot of sense.

Very Embarassing Effect of "Total Infibulation"

Last but not least, Mr Abdul Jalil with his extraordinary seriousness explained to me that spending time in hotel can save everybody from embarrassment caused by a very sensitive reason, which is something to do with the the effect of illegal practice of certain type of "clitoridectomy" (female circumcision). Unlike the normal female circumcision allowed by Islam, the illegal female-circumcision involves the type of circumcision called "total infibulation" which is the most severe type of 'Female Genital Mutilation'.

Learn Something New Today From "Pak Bidan Khairul"

"Total Infibulation" is the practice of surgical closure of the female labia majora by sewing them together to seal off the female genitalia, leaving only a small hole for the passage of urine and menstrual blood.

Please... I don't mean to talk dirty. Do not be silly. We are learning some new facts today from 'Pak Bidan Khairul' (Midwife Khairul). These are all medical facts. The key word here is "sewn back together to create just a very small opening". I was told by Mr Jalil that this severe type of female circumcision is originated from Egyptian ancient culture and the government of Sudan publicly opposes this total infibulation. Although today there is no law against it, Sudan is the first country in Africa to have a record of legislating against it. I can spend another one hour explaining the chronology of the Penal Code with regards to this severe 'Female Genital Mutilation' practice, but mind you this Professor Khairul got some other better things to do than continue lecturing in details about the female private parts. I touch this sensitive issue purely to make a very scientific-based explanation as to why normally the Sudanese newlywed couple spending their very first night of the wedding day in the hotel, instead of at the bride's house.

When Mr Abdul Jalil told me that he explained all this matters to me based on reality and scientific point of view, this man was not talking dirty to me. Even though that particular type of circumcision is considered illegal, there are still some people practicing it. So can you imagine if long time ago when the bride was just an innocent small girl she was subjected to this type of female circumcision, she will surely feel the great pain, and maybe she will cry loudly during her first night with his husband.

But please take note just now I said 'IF' but of course NOT all the brides in Sudan have their vagina partly sewn by the midwife when they were just a small girls. NOT all...By the way can you imagine the big embarrassment it will cause if the newlywed couple spent their first night together at the bride's house? Not only our hero or 'Zorro' (newlywed husband) will be embarrassed, even the parents also will be embarrassed because people who can hear the bride's screaming will now know there is a possibility that the family of the bride last time practice this illegal severe type of circumcision by sewing the female genitalia when their daughter was very small. The wedding day should be the happiest day. Crying loudly for whatever reason surely is not the way to express happiness.

Much Easier To Penetrate Guantanamo Bay Camp Security Now, Than To Enter The Paradise of a Sudanese Lady!

Throughout his explanation, I just listen innocently like a PASTI kindergarten kid. Shortly after Mr Abdul Jalil finished explaining this matter at great length, here come my response which I 'selamba-rock' told Mr Abdul Jalil:

"Brother, after listening to your story regarding
"Total Infibulation" which involves sewing part of the female genitalia, I now honestly think it is much easier to penetrate the security at Guantanamo Bay Detention Camp, than to 'enter' the paradise of a Sudanese lady!"

Starting next week I plan to write more frequently in a week, not once a week like now.
Jumpa Lagi, Ma'as salaama, Salam, Permisi, Khoda Hafez, Pamitan, Bye For Now..(By right, this week I would like to write about houses in Sudan and the tradition of sleeping outside the house open-air in Sudan but the wedding invitation made me giving priority to post wedding story first. My next posting will be my story regarding the uniqueness of houses in Sudan and about the normal practice of Sudanese sleeping outside their house 'open-air ' while enjoying the nice night sky with thousands of stars)


27 comments:

  1. Hi Khairul, excellent piece of writing, fantastic photos. No doubt you are KHAIRUL THE GENIUS!!!!, Chong USJ

    ReplyDelete
  2. Your Secret AdmirerJune 26, 2009 at 3:01 PM

    Dearest Khairul,

    I am addicted already to your blog! Keep on posting, more more

    ReplyDelete
  3. Dear 'Your Secret Admirer', I am very pleased to read that you enjoy my writing. Of course I am humbled by your compliments. It is better for you to get addicted with my blog than to get addicted with illegal drugs, or 'Ah Long', or GRO (if you are a man) or Sugar Daddy (if you are a lady) or even addicted to 4 Digit Numbers Gambling. I plan to find more time during night time (if I am not too exhausted) to write my blog more frequently than now. Thank you for your comment

    ReplyDelete
  4. Dear 'Anonymous' (Chong USJ), Thank you for your words of encouragement. It will motivate me to write more and put many more photos. Thank you again for finding your time to read my blog. I appreciate that. I guess you must be either a professional or a businessman. Just guessing. So people like us will be always be busy. Only my makcik (auntie) and my pakcik (uncle) living in kampung (village) who are not busy. Thank you for your comment.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Beautiful culture, different but generally is more or less the same as Malay/Muslim ceremony. Don't you think?

    ReplyDelete
  6. A little bit long posting but ...frankly speaking i enjoyed reading it to the very last words.....very observant and critical.
    I like the 85 yr old sudanese pix....so candid.
    Good job....blog more.
    Dr Mutalib Yong Peng

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hari ini merupakan hari penamat untuk kerja-kerja sebelum 30hb Jun, ada 3 hari lagi, sebelum merayakan hari "tension" dan "stress". 3hb Julai ke Surabaya melihat tinggalan Kerajaan Majapahit.

    Melihat kepada pengalaman kali ini, suatu analogi kek di Starbuck, amat menarik analogi itu untuk mematahkan hujah yang berfikir "rasional" itu.

    Khairul, banyak cerita dan kaya idea dalam penulisan. Dan juga selama perkenalan hanya kenal dari susuk kata bualan. Saya simpulkan, tulisan dan bualannya adalah "matching" yang berpadanan, bukan "hipokrit".

    Ada 2 bulan lagi, tentu banyak cerita cerita yang menarik perhatian bersama.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Dear 'Anonymous'(Dr Mutalib Yong Peng), I am proud to have a person like you spending your busy time to read my blog. I will try to make it shorter next time by writing more frequently than putting everything in one posting once a week. As per now, to minimize the effect of my 'long-winded'ness I put my writing into separate headings. The topical heading is in red colour. I was born with a 'long-minded brain'. Even if I want to say 'No' I have to do it n a very long-winded diplomatic way. I feel great but at the same time humbled by the fact that you enjoy until my very last words. Regarding the 85 years old photo, it was not easy actually to make him to look at camera because he did not understand 'cheese'. Thank God finally his photo managed to be captured. Take care Doc. Thank you for your comment.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Dear En 'HISHAMUDIN', I know 30th June is the last day to submit tax form to IRB for your business source income tax clients. So its must be very pressuring time now for you. But I have a good news for you! Your 'tension' and 'stress' comes with non-stop payment from your clients or shall I say your office will be showered by rain full of 'fulus' from clients. Unlike in Darfur or Palestine, it seems that the stress they are suffering do not come with rain of money. May you enjoy your incoming Surabaya trip. My great-great-great grandfather was one of the great warrior in Majapahit Palace. This is true. That's why I fear nobody when I traveled worldwide. I only fear Allah. Really. But when come to Thomas Cup Badminton, of course I support Malaysia. Regarding Starbuck Cafe analogy, this is because many British will never want to listen if I try to quote Al Quran as the basis of my argument because on the first place they don't believe in Quran. By the way, I am not a politician who always try to win everybody's heart, who are hypocrite sometimes. But a true practicing Muslim politician like Tuan Guru Nik Aziz will never be hypocrite because he fears Allah, not the voters. Thank you for your comment

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hi Khairuuuul...you tau tak last night my husband and I laugh like hell when we remember all your jokes especially yg Datuk K sing 'bila hati gumbira tepuk tangan' tu.... Lagi satu pasal doing a Tarzan or Apache in hotel room during first night. kah kah lah.I even told my husband why not you do an Apache warrior to me like khairul said!!! Keep on posting, we love your blog!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I'm reading ur blog alone while having my nasi goreng ikan masin and neslo ice at Selera Terkini BBB. Keep blogging.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Good day Khairul (still daytime now in Sudan, right?) You are the man! Funny loh...Really aah there is "Peeping Tom of The Year" Award Winnner? Like that scared maaa to stay in hotel! Thank you for making stress people like me laughing again by reading your blog. Keep on writing!

    ReplyDelete
  13. bro..bro..bro khairul...., kat mana tu I boleh makan kek sampai orgasm macam you tulis kat atas?, hehehe- Aku Budak Minang

    ReplyDelete
  14. Dear 'Lina',...but please tell your husband Red Indian tribes like Apache actually very romantic. Remember "Dances With Wolves" film which won 7 Academy Awards? Regarding Kevin Costner acted as Lieutenant John Dunbar fell in love when he befriended a Sioux tribe. It is still fresh in my memory the tag line "Inside everyone is a frontier waiting to be discovered". So when I said 'do an Apache warrior' it is more than running here and there crazily. Absolutely more than that. Hehehe. Good to know both you and your husband enjoyed my blog. Thank you for your comment

    ReplyDelete
  15. Dear 'azrienazin', reading your comment about you were having Nasi Goreng Ikan Masin (Fried rice with salted fish) while reading my blog is enough to make my saliva flow. Over here in Khartoum almost all the restaurants do not put rice in their menu because Sudanese staple food is bread. Every dishes they eat with bread. Without doubt I miss dearly my wife's cooking..Thank you for your comment.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Dear 'Michael KL', yes sir..there is that kind of award, albeit informally. And the Malaysian "Peeping Tom of The Year Award" in 2008 went to 'the hidden camera at Katerina Hotel Batu Pahat!' whereby our Datuk Tak Berseri Choi Soi Lek was filmed committing fornication. So beware...Thank you for your comment.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Dear 'Anonymous' (Aku Budak Minang), in my writing when I wrote "even until you reach your orgasm" is just my cynical way to say "even if Joe really liked that cake very much.." The way I see 'free sex' group lifestyle in the UK is it seems when come to man and woman relationship everything geared towards orgasm, and as if in this life some of them think achieving orgasm is everything. But I cannot deny the fact that every normal human-being loves 'orgasm'. Okay bro, enough talking about orgasm. Next time let's talk about organ or piano or saxophone etc. Take Care bro. Thank you for your comment.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Hidup ini tak seperti yang kita impikan, namun ianya adalah pengetahuan ALlah semata, apa yang baik dan buruk untuk hambanya. Justeru itu, berbaik sangka apa yang terjadi, semuanya mempunyai pengalaman untuk bekalan hidup yang sementara ini.

    Biasalah ragam client, semuanya perlu cepat dan menurut kehendak mereka. Tak seperti dan semudah yang dijangka.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Dear En. 'HISHAMUDIN', regarding client's behaviour, let me summarize it this way: When come to providing services, our clients want us to provide all the services to them, or shall I say to do everything under the SUN for them, unfortunately when come to payment they sometimes behave like they are the SUN itself. Why? We can see them, but we can't touch! We know they are there, but they are hiding during cloudy day! And similar also to the sun, we thought they are so near to catch for payment, yet they are far, far away. We want to stare at them, yet we will be blind! For me, since customer is the King, who am I to force the King to pay. Thank you for your comment.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Salam Khairul

    pertama kali wa dapat lu punya 'invitation' ke facebook lu, wa memang tak kenal lu siapa. tapi bila wa baca tulisan lu, gaya pemikiran lu, serta berpino mata wa menelek rupa paras lu, akhirnya memang wa tak salah lagi, lu memang Khairul Hisham

    Your Fairuz Homeroom mate, EM AR ES EM Muo

    ReplyDelete
  21. Dear 'Dentist and Me', yes indeed I AM that 'Khairul Hisham'. I believe we have not met for 22 years because last time all of us met was in 1987! What a beautiful day..this blog is the place we can talk again. As the former Head Prefect of MRSM Muar (which is a boarding school), I have committed a lot of 'sin' by bringing many 'criminals' among my own comrades to Guru Disiplin (Discipline Teacher), the handsome Cikgu Atan Lazi. Hehehe. For that, please forgive my 'sin' oh my comrades. But I think you are the 'goodie-goodie' one who never been 'arrested' by me before. Take care friend wherever you are now. Thank you for your comment.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Khairul, I really like the selection of photos that you posted here...Superb bro! I like almost all of them. I can feel the depth of love just by seeing how romantic Rishi Kapoor hugs Dimple Kapadia photo...The Apache warrior photo simply stunning and the confidence & arrogant face of Don Michael Corleone a.k.a Al Pacino photo is mind blowing and also the rest of the photos...Well done brother! I am proud to know you "Don Khairul Hisham"!!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Hello Khairul..boleh kopak tau tak pengantin lelaki kalau adat tidur hotel ni orang Melayu amalkan. Cuba you kira, kalau satu malam hotel RM150, 7 malam dah RM1,050. Tu belum kira kos makan pagi, petang, malam hantarke bilik sebab 7 hari nak tumpu buat benda tuuuu je dalam bilik sampai malas nak keluar. Kalau bakal emak mertua aku baca blog you ni dan suruh aku finance duduk hotel 7 hari, kopaklah aku Khairul..., kopak... Walau macamanapun aku suka engkau punya blog. Budak Bujang

    ReplyDelete
  24. Khairul, all ok?
    I was born Sudanese, I love Sudan what-so-ever, still vivid picture of childhood (39 years later).
    I do Computers/Networks/AD&DCs/Web Apps/E-mail server-client, Apps, Currently Network Admin in the UK.
    Thinking of going to Sudan, any business opportunities? crazy question????.
    What a blog! cool photos!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Dear Anonymous,
    I am sorry I just realized that you have written a comment here because all this while I focus more on my year 2010 blog topics. Regarding any business opportunity in Sudan you may want to contact my business partner (Mr Abdul Jalil) in Sudan via his email abduljalil@pro-versatile.com . Mr Abdul Jalil is the most honest Sudanese I have ever dealt with and one of the most trustworthy person that I have ever met. He is also very reliable. Thank you so much for reading my blog and thank you also for finding the time to write your comment here. Take care. Bye for now.

    ReplyDelete
  26. I’ve read some good stuff here. Definitely worth bookmarking for revisiting. I surprise how much effort you put to create such a great informative website. singapore wedding photography services

    ReplyDelete
  27. When one sees the Virgin and the Child, one sees a witness to the Trinity. Pope John Paul II explains that this picture of Mother and Child "constitutes a silent but firm statement of Mary's virginal motherhood, and for that very reason, of the Son's divinity." cbd oil bath bomb sold at ultra beauty

    ReplyDelete

Thank You Thank You Thank You Thank You Thank You Thank You Thank You Thank You Thank You Thank You Thank You
Thank You
Thank You Thank You Thank You Thank You Thank You Th Thank You
BEAUTIFUL SONG DEDICATED TO MY BELOVED WIFE
hank You Thank You Thank You Thank You Thank You Thank You T