Mar 9, 2011

Nursery Rhyme

Islamic Nursery Rhyme
Being Peace (By Nurunnur)
Peace be, peace be, peace be,
Peace be upon u and me. (x2)
When we meet we have to say,
Assalamualaikum peace be upon you.
To reply salam we need to say,
Wa alaikumussalam and peace be upon you too.
Peace be, peace be, peace be,
Peace be upon u and me. (x2)


General Nursery Rhyme

Little Birds on Tree (By Nurunnur)

One two three little birds on tree
Cukkoo cuk cukkoo cuk
Four five six they fly over twig
Cukkoo cuk cukkoo cuk
Seven and eight they wait for bait
Cukkoo cuk cukkoo cuk
Nine and ten la la now and then
Cukkoo cuk cukkoo cuk

General Nursery Rhyme changed to Islamic Nursery Rhyme
(The music available on http://www.nurseryrhymes4u.com/NURSERY_RHYMES/Page_949.html)

Oats, Peas, Beans and Barley Grow.
Oats, peas, beans and  barley grow,

Oats , peas, beans and barley grow,

Can you or I or anyone know

How oats, peas, beans and barley grow.

First the farmer sows the seed,

Then he stands and takes his ease,

He stamps his foot and claps his hands

And turns around to view his land.

Oats, peas, beans and barley grow,

Oats, peas, beans and barley grow,

Can you or I or anyone know

How oats, peas, beans and barley grow.

Waiting for a partner,

Waiting for a partner,

Open the bean and take a risk

And we will gladly dance and sing.

Oats, peas beans and barley grow,

Oats, peas, beans and barley grow,

Can you or I or anyone know

How oats, peas, beans and barley grow.
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Five Pillars of Islam (By Nurunnur)

The five pillars of Islam,
The five pillars of Islam,
Do you, or I, or anyone know
What are five pillars of Islam

First is shahadah of faith,
Then solat five times a day,
Then pay zakat upon Muslims,
And in Ramadhan we’r fastin’,

The five pillars of Islam,
The five pillars of Islam,
Do you, or I, or anyone know
What are five pillars of Islam

Last pillar of Islam,
Last pillar of Islam,
That is pilgrimage to Makkah
Allah bless us Insha-Allah

The five pillars of Islam,
The five pillars of Islam,
Do you, or I, or anyone know
What are five pillars of Islam

A Wonderful Trip to Taman Tamadun Islam

By Nurunnur
The first day of our Terengganu trip passed blissfully; then the second day itinerary was waiting for us to explore. I was very excited to visit Islamic Civilization Park (Taman Tamadun Islam, TTI), where was the main destination for us, because I had dreamed to be there since the first day of its official launch; around three years ago. Our tour guide set up a time at 7.00 a.m. of local time to be ready on our coach so that my friends and I woke up very early to prepare ourselves. As soon as we left from Kenangan Hotel where we spent our nights, I was a little joyless when I noticed that it was pouring rain.

We took some times to find a restaurant for our breakfast. At last, we stopped at a little restaurant that is so called ‘warong’. We did not know what to eat; so we just ordered ‘roti’ and ate it on the coach. Along the way to TTI, I could not see anything clearly through the coach windows because the rain fell down, so there came a continuing little stream flowing vertically passing on the window surface. All at once, we arrived at TTI.

TTI or Islamic Civilization Park is an interactive journey of Islamic monuments of the world. It is an entertainment and educational destination that is located on Pulau Wan Man (Wan Man Island) in Kuala Terengganu by the main Terengganu River. It is set to become one of the most distinguished and unique tourist attractions in Malaysia and indeed in the world.

At the time we entered through the gateway of TTI, we could see some of very amazing scaled replicas of Islamic monuments. It was rising up my excitement and I could not wait anymore to see them nearer.
Actually, TTI is divided into two zones: the Islamic Civilization Complex and the Public Zone. The Islamic Civilization Complex features the first theme park that glorifies the achievements of Islamic architecture which contains replica popular Islamic Mosque around the world. The 23-hectare-land TTI monument Park provides its visitors with a unique experience, featuring 21 great Islamic Monuments that reminisce the rise of Islam into a sophisticated global religion. It is included National Mosque, Malaysia; Kudus Minar, Central Java, Indonesia; Pattani Central Mosque, Thailand; Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin, Brunei Darussalam; Taj Mahal, Agra, India; Badshahi Mosque, Lahore, Pakistan; Kubbah As-Sakhrah, Baitul Muqqaddis, Palestin; Great Mosque of Samarra, Iraq; Sheikh Lutfallh Mosque, Iran; Abu Nasr Parsa, Afghanistan; Al-Haram Mosque, Mecca, Saudi Arabia; Aleppo Citadel, Syria; Mosque of Mohamed Ali, Egypt; Nabawi Mosque, Madinah, Saudi Arabia; Suleyman Mosque, Turkey; Great Mosque of Qairawan, Tunisia; The Palace of Al-Hambra, Granada Spain; Kylyan Minaret, Uzbekistan; Great Mosque of Agadez, Niger; Kul Sharif Mosque, Kaazan, Russia;  and Xian Mosque, China.

Each monument provides different features and knowledge. Some stand only scaled replicas of Islamic monuments while the others provide educational video shows, touch screen puzzle, costume and exhibitions. Fascinatingly, visitors can enter to the one of the monument provided -- monument of Kubbah As-Sakhrah, Baitul Muqqaddis, where they can see and touch how it looks like inside the real place of the monument.
We got off the coach and headed amid drizzly rain towards the building where we stamped our passport to enter the Islamic Civilization zone. We were the first group who arrived there so that it did not take much time for stamping passports. While waiting for stamping passport, I was busy with looking for the passport without any noticed for the circumstance around me. Only then I realized when I was surprised at very attractive something like a playground together with charming bus stops. I then rushed to the bus stop to shelter from the pouring rain. At that moment, I did not know what to do or where to go first. I just waited. Few minutes later, two ravishing buggies came and rode us around the zone.

The first interactive monument we stopped was monument of National Mosque, Malaysia. There are two floors of the building. At the downstairs, we were shown an educational video presented the mosque. We were known that the mosque was built in 1965 as a tribute to Malaysia’s first Prime Minister. Interestingly, its main roof can open and close which is reminiscent of an open Royal Parasol, and the minaret’s cap a folded one. The scaled replica of the mosque monument is stood on the second floor where visitors can take very scenic monument photographs.

Incessantly, it rained slightly for the whole morning; only few minutes it stopped. Even how, it was not our obstacle to do our activities there. We rode the buggies to the next monuments. We did the same activities as at the first monument; riding the buggies, watching video shows, partaking in exhibitions and especially taking photographs. Nevertheless, it meant not we were unhappy. As mentioned, each monument provides different things; features, knowledge and views that I was really appreciate them.

After some of monuments were visited, it became heavily rain. Accidentally, at that moment we were at monument of Kubbah As-Sakhrah, Baitul Muqqaddis where we could be inside the mosque. It is similar to the real mosque in term of appearance and decoration. I liked it most. I was not only taking photograph, but also contemplating the mosque. Afterwards when the sky was brighter again, we continued to visit and get closer to the rest of monuments.

The morning passed quickly; unawares, noon came instead. It was really cheerful to be with friends among the slightly rain taking photographs.  Almost every monument we took photographs. We again stood in lines for stamping the passports to leave from the Islamic Civilization Complex zone to the Public Zone. We peeked in the gift store to buy some souvenirs before having lunch.

By Wan Man River, it is located a place for having lunch. There were few boats with passengers floating in the river. The moderate wind blew up along with patchy rain dripped. Even so, the spectacular place did not help my appetite. It might be because of tiredness in the whole morning. While having depressive lunch, I just wondered why I did not see Crystal mosque (the mosque made of crystal shine glass and steel). By then, one of my friends pointed me towards the mosque. We suddenly headed to there. The distance between the place we had lunch and Crystal mosque seemed not too far; but we took much time to reach there. It was because nothing except taking photographs. We took every shots while walking because the scenic floating crystal mosque was very fantastic.  

Not only that, I was surprised with an attractive decorated garden and pool in front of the mosque. Furthermore, when I entered the mosque I could see and touch with very cool air of amazing air-conditioners I had never seen anywhere before, which were installed beneath the mosaic floor. 

Though we spent a half of the day, I felt it was not enough to observe the exquisite Islamic Civilization Park and the beauty of Crystal Mosque that could not be delineated. I was so proud to be there in a worthy time.

Mar 5, 2011

The First Day of Joyous Trip

By NurunNur



My enthusiasm started at the night before our tomorrow trip was begun. After getting the itinerary, I planed what to wear and suddenly packed my things into my luggage. I spent one hour and a half to finish it; hence, I slept late that night.

The 2-day trip was roommate’s house tour that we decided to go on 14th – 15th January 2011. We went there by two vans. My friends and I felt nothing seeing the parking vans in front of us. All of a sudden, the amazement began when the vans were opened. The interiors of the vans were elegantly decorated with lights, high technological audios and comfortable clean seats. It all was over our expectation that I could notice from our smiling faces.

I woke up early than usual to take a bath and prepare myself because according to the itinerary I had to be on the van at 6.30 a.m. When the time came, some of my friends and I were ready on the vans but the others still did not come yet; so, we had to wait for them. Minutes by minutes we waited, but still they did not come. Time passed slowly until 7.50 a.m., all of us were just ready so that we left from ‘Sarong’ to our first destination -- Hasnah’s house (our roommate’s house) at Khokpho, Pattani.

Our tour began in a foggy morning. En route from Yala to there, I never thought that the environment was full of atmosphere. The road was flanked by verdant green paddy fields beneath the light orange of morning sunshine. Buffaloes gazed the fields lazily. Many flocks of birds were flying over the fields in front of rising sun. Everything was fascinating and unmissable.

The beauty of nature engrossed me. Oh there we were then. We had a talk with Husnah’s family together with enjoined our simple but delicious breakfast with curry gravy bread and hot tea for only 20 minutes. Before leaving, we took a photograph with her family. We were full and happy being there. Afterwards, we moved off to the next house, it was Fatonah’s located in Thepha, Songkhla.

At Fatonah house, we ate very delicious ‘kao mhok’ with its sauce and vegetable. Unfortunately, I was full so that I ate not much. Her sylvan house garden and gently blowing wind invited us to spend a worthy time with her family there. By that, we could feel their welcomed warming to us.

The sun arose higher and higher and sunlight began to shine through gabs in the branches of the big trees over us. It signed that was the time to leave to the next house; it was Urai’s house at Tasao, Songkhla.

Having taken the peace road from rural, we veered onto a main road to town. Through the van windows, we could see endless blue sea; as well as huge waves were breaking on the seashore. After few minutes, the chaos appeared especially at the traffic lights. Furthermore, many different places and views we drove passed. If possible, I wanted to get off the van and take photographs, but I could not do that so I just photographed through the windows as I could.   

We were still full, but it could not stop our appetite because Urai’s parents served us various kinds of fish balls and sausages with so delicious and spicy sauce. It all is my favorite food. Afterwards, we went to Songkhla Central Mosque to perform our Zuhri-Asri prayers. And we went to Ar-e-choh’s house for having lunch. There, her roommates and she herself prepared very special menu, there were beef soup, fried fish with tamarind sauce (Plaa Rad Phrik), garlic and black pepper omelet, vegetable and fermented shrimp sauce (Nam Phrik Kapi). After we were replete with our lunch, we were served more food; it was fried breaded sausage served with chili sauce.

The time everyone waiting for had arrived. We all were ready in the vans. We headed to the temporary destination, KlongHea Floating Market. Many times I tried letting myself be free to visit there, but it never had been succeeded; I never had any chances. Therefore, this time I planned to window-shop all around the market. As soon as we arrived at the floating market, only one thing I could see was many and various kinds of vehicles parked at the car park. I walked through narrow alleys between vehicles to leave from the parking lot. Right in front of me stood many shops; but I could not see any floating shops. Besides sound of speaking people, I heard the sound of music and song around me. I walked beside my friend and turned right followed my other friends. Only after few steps, I could see many sellers in orderly floating boats were selling many kinds of food and drink. Most of them, the sellers, wore Thai traditional dress. Apart from sellers, I noticed that there were many crowded tourists both Thais and foreigners. The marvelous of floating boats, sellers, the colorful of various products, tourists, sounds of people and birds, the movement of people, flowing water beneath the bridge, and everything that I could see and touch were inexplicable except those who experienced themselves. I did like that scene so much.

The two of my friends and I walked along the river together and bought nothing. Any scenes impressing us, we never missed to keep it in our memories through taking photographs. We were so happy. Only last ten minutes, we bought some drink and souvenirs. Within one hour, I could not walk and window-shop to every shops of the KlongHea floating market; I felt so sorry.

It was 5.40 p.m., everyone was ready in the vans. We continued our journey to Phatthalung and spent our night there, at Wirunkarn’s house. We arrived her house at 7.30 p.m. and performed Maghrib-Isha prayers. Consequently, we had perfect dinner. Actually, I did not know what each dish called, I only known that it was very delicious. Surprisingly, her father himself prepared and cooked all meals. Then, we went to bed tiredly but happily. 

Wet Trip

After getting on the Malay coach on our long homeward trip from Terengganu, we finally reach the Malay immigration office at Rantau Panjang. At that time, sprinkling rain drummed on our bus roof and pattered to everywhere. Although deep in our heart did not really want to get off the bus, we needed to alight from the coach to stamp passport. Therefore, we rushingly trotted on flooding road towards the crowded office that caused our cloth got wet. When we finished our task, we got on luxurious Thai coach. We were cold pierced due to wet cloth and air conditioner.

Pasar Malam in Kuala Terenggan

By Nurunnur
The hustle and bustle of wide road along the right side and left side near by a place called “Pasar Malam or Night bazaar” was very chaos. Many queuing cars and buses were finding for parking, the car horns were beeping, and walking people were crossing the road. On the left side at an oblique angle to the night bazaar stood a white mosque with a very beautiful decorated garden. Every single square inch of the garden can be very gorgeous scenes for taking photographs. On the right side, the night bazaar, an open-air market, was located. Many market stalls were laid out in rows and organized into various zones- similar to those found at other night bazaars. It offered such all things from secondhand dress, fashion wares and accessories to Malay cake (kuih), delicious fresh fruit and food, especially ‘kerepok lekor’; a kind of fish sausage served with chili sauce. There were very crowded with sellers and people who came to buy something or just for spending their evening. The sellers were calling for shoppers, while some just preparing their shops and the others were selling. In the opposite way, some shoppers were bargaining or buying something; while the others just walking for taking a look. Involuntarily, the sun had gone and colorful night-light came instead.
As soon as we stepped off from a comfortable Malay coach, we paid more attention to the charming garden more than the night bazaar. We rushed to the attractive garden for nothing except taking photographs. At that moment, it might be because we could not touch the smell of various foods in the bazaar yet; but, the second we ambled out from the garden to the bazaar, the more we got nearer, the more food smell salivated us. Hence, we quickened our pace to buy some food. 
Kerepok lekor, a well-known Terengganu food, was the one that we could find in almost every food shops. We decided to buy it. We were so sorry that buying it not much because it was so delicious even we ate without its chili sauce. Besides, we bought other local food that we were not sure what was it called. Within limited time, we could not walk to all zones for window-shopping. Nevertheless, we were proud; at least we had sufficient time to learn the local lives that in every aspects of their life are not much different from Melayu people in the three southernmost provinces of Thailand. 

>>> Hotel


BY NurunNur
At the moment I arrive at the reception desk of a hotel called “..........” in the middle of Terengganu city tiredly, I only wondered and hoped my room would be comfortable for me to spend my nights. After waiting a few minutes for checking in, I myself carried my luggage to my room. It was on the third floor. The position of each room on the floor was complicated and room numbers were not in respectively order that caused me took few minutes to find my room. I then was just relief when I saw my room number, but my feeling changed to be scared when I noticed my room was placed in the innest of the floor without any light and the next door room locked. Anyway, I decided to open my room dauntingly. The room was not satisfied me one hundred percent. In the room, there were a double bed in different sizes, a cupboard with some hangers, TV, and two chairs between the beds. Next to the beds, it was placed a big glass window with pink curtain. Though the window, I could see a high building. I surveyed all inside the room except the rest room to avoid me felt worse. I sat in the bed and said to myself to accept what it be. Then, I opened the rest room door and satisfied with it.

My Warmth Family

By NurunNur
In my family, there are eleven members including my father, my mother, six brothers, two sisters and me. I am the second. Some of us have similar looks but not for  the others. The look of my younger sister - Nur Hidayah, my younger brother - Fidaa Uddin, and me are similar to my father’s. Another younger sister - Hanan, and younger brothers- Taufeeq and Abdul Salam - have the similar looks as my grandmother’s. For my elder brother - Aiman - and other younger brother - Mu’min, they have similar looks as my mother’s. And another younger brother -MUjahid, I do not know whom he is similar to. Obviously, everybody in my family are tall and has got straight black hair. For this time, I am going to describe only some of us.

The first person is my beloved father. He is a very good family head. He is in his late fifties. He has a beer belly. He has got a round face, thick eyebrows, small dark eyes, and a flat nose. He’s got fairly dark skin, little hair and a beard. He is a very gallant and hard-working man. He always wears casual clothes. He seems to be one of popular person in and near by my village.

The second person I am going to describe is my mother. She is my idol. She is nice and friendly. She is in her early fifties. She is fairly plump. She has got a round face, thin eyebrows, dark eyes, and a sharp nose. She has got lightly tanned skin. She always wears a long dress and hijab when she goes to anywhere. She is an easygoing person and charming with her intelligence, flexibility, and reliability. Not only me, but also my villagers like her because she always helps them.

Next person is my younger brother, Mu’min. His appearance is similar to my mother. Some people said that if he wears hijab, his look would be as same as my mother. He is good looking and a well-built man. He is sixteen years old. He has got a round face, thick eyebrows, dark eyes and a sharp nose. He has got light-brown skin. He is thrifty, resolute and diligent, but sometimes being a fierce man. Even so, his younger brothers and sisters like and respect him. He is always well-dressed.

The next person whom I am going to describe is another younger brother, Taufeeq. He is fifteen years old. He is the tallest and muscular. He has got an oval face, thin eyebrows, dark eyes, a sharp nose, and charming smile. He has got tanned skin. He is not fierce and well-dressed as Mu’min is. His character is quite different from the others. He is very sensitive that often be chaffed from other brothers and sisters as well as our parents. Though, he is imaginative, shrewd, gifted, and good at memorizing.

The last person is the youngest brother, Fidaa Uddeen. He is called Fidaa or Adik. He is seven years old. His face is round with thick eyebrows, small dark eyes, a flat nose and thin lips. He is friendly and talkative. He can smile and laugh, and make us smile and laugh even in the early morning. He always surprises us with his sagacious questions. Surprisingly, only few minutes he can make his dress completely dirty.

Nevertheless, even our appearances and characters differ from each other; but everyone is important person to fulfill each other in the family. I am very happy and proud being one member of the family which everyone loves and respects each other.

Jan 23, 2011

The Two Different Brothers


By NurunNur
      In the evening after taking a rest from hot weather of the afternoon, normally tribal children do various activities. In the same way, the two boys of Hu long family, Long Ta and Long Jo often spend their evening for shooting a bow. They have their own bows. They walk along the narrow lateritic road which adorn with manifold kinds and sizes of trees and flowers to shoot something.
Long Ta who is an elder brother is about eight years old. While Long Jo, the younger brother, is about five years old. Although they are brothers, they have different looks. Long Ta has got an oval face, short but thick eyebrows, small dark eyes, a long but flat nose and thin lips. Differently, Long Jo has got a round face, very thin eyebrows that hard to see, smaller eyes and flatter nose than his elder brother and thick lips. He is quite shorter than his brother. However, both of them have got the same hair style; straight, short and black hair - and wear the same dress style; black tribal traditional cloak and trousers. Under the cloak, they wear white undershirts. There is also a belt for each to hold their trousers, but Long Jo's belt cannot be seen because it is hidden by his undershirt. If compare the two brothers, the elder one is better looking and more well-dressed than the younger.

As they are going to shoot something, Long Ta brings his bow skillfully on his left hand; in contrast, his younger brother holds a bow and an arrow unskilled by his ten fingers. While they are walking to their destination, two strange men stop them. Long Ta who is fear nothing stands confidently gazes at something looks like a bag beside the man. On the other way, Long Jo who is innocent stares at the another man startlingly. After a few minutes, the two brothers know that one of the men is their eldest brother who left their hut last few years to continue his study.





Long Ta and Long Jo are very happy at the moment that they can meet with their eldest brother but so sad that they cannot continue their activity. 

Jan 18, 2011

My Loyal Fan


By Nurunnur
It shaped as a blooming flower stands on its stalk which always smiles at anyone, especially me. There are three blades together with the flower turned left and right whenever I came near by and gave me moderate blow. Their whisper -as same as the sea breeze sound while working- had never made me feel lonely even I was alone. More than that, it could be as the sun which always dried my dress off in rainy season days. After being my loyal fan for three years and a half, it gradually turned around slowly and slowly and screamed out along with scorched itself. By then, it has never turned to anywhere even I tried to press its button. It died now!.

Amusement in Rainy Season

By Nurunnur
The joyfulness begins when billion drops of nonstop pouring rain patters throughout the days and drums all over the nights on my house roof. Continuously, it entertains standing rubber trees behind the house with a gentle massage. In another side, it removes dust on the unmade road and replaces with little muddy water. Beside the road, likewise, the steady rain fills the ditch full of water where many ducks gather and have fun. It all is nothing but amusement in rainy reason.