McArabia or English breakfast, what your choice?

" my brunch...yum, yum, yummy. "

" Grill Kofta McArabia poster outside McDonald "

Today Saturday I had 'halal' english brunch consist of sunny-side-up fried egg, roast beef, sausage, mushroom, tomato, baked beans which gave me anus gas'sation, tasty prawn pancake with some greens and wash it down with pomegranate juice. This meal really made my day (i like...). I walk in this cafe after smelling the nice aroma of grilled meat, but can't remember the name of the cafe.

I also tried McArabia meal, it is made of Arab bread 'imported from Britain', grilled chicken 'currently being imported from Malaysia or not', lettuce, tomatoes with Arab sauce. Yap...I had Malaysian chicken 'ta pau' for supper. ..Burp!

Tags|Travel|Malaysian|Hatzputra

peaceful soul sunset at old Bastakiya district mosque

" cloudy sunset, colors that brighten my soul and be closer to God Almighty "

" sunset at old Bastakiya district mosque...peaceful "

We got wonderful sunset here in UAE, the colors are brilliance and changing or different everyday...it makes me so happy. I've got some great pixs of the old Bastakiya district with its interesting narrow lanes and tall wind-towers which gives glimpse of the old Dubai. In the past...this city was famous for a mass of wind towers that lined the Creek on either side. These wind towers were not just decorative. This were actually 'natural air con system' means for cooling houses & mosque in the olden days....cool or what

Tags|Masjid|Mosque|Islam|Travel|Malaysian|Hatzputra

islamic ritual prayer “muslim yoga” offers physical, mental, and spiritual benefits five times a day

" exterior- famous Jumeirah Grand Mosque in Dubai, I will post a set of Dubai mosque taken mostly at night (click player to listen to prayer's call) "

" interior- famous Jumeirah Grand Mosque in Dubai after my Ishak prayer here "

Couple years ago, I joint the yoga class offered by my gym in Singapore for which I had to pay for this extra lesson. Interestingly, for the millions of people enrolled in yoga classes, the Islamic form of prayer has provided Muslims for fourteen centuries with some of yoga’s same (and even superior) benefits. This simple form of “yoga” offers physical, mental, and spiritual benefits five times a day as Muslims assume certain positions while reciting Qur’an and athkar (remembrances).

If you’re interested, please read further . . .

The Muslim prayer has five positions, and they all have a corresponding relationship with our spiritual and mental well being, according to modern scientific research.

The Takbir and Al Qiyyam (mountain pose in Yoga) - found to improve posture, balance, and self-awareness. Normalizes blood pressure, breathing, thus providing many benefits to asthma heart patients.

Placement of hands on the chest during the Qiyyam position - activates the nerve pathway, which directs our awareness of self in the world and controls the health of the muscular system, skin, intestines, liver, pancreas, gallbladder and eyes.

When the hands are held open for du’a, they activate the heart ; center of the feelings of love, harmony, and peace, and to control love and compassion. It also governs the health of the heart, lungs, thymus, immune system, and circulatory system.

When Muslims recite the Qur’an, old thoughts, feelings, fears and guilt are released or healed, and blood pressure and stress levels are reduced. Some specific sounds, in fact, correspond to major organs in the body. Vibrations made when pronouncing the long vowels, 'A', 'E' and 'U,' stimulated the heart, lungs, and the thyroid, pineal, pituitary, and adrenal glands.

The position of Ruku (forward bend) stretches the muscles of the lower back, thighs, legs and calves, and allows blood to be pumped down into the upper torso. It tones the muscles of the stomach, abdomen, and kidneys. Forming a right angle allows the stomach muscles to develop, and prevents flabbiness in the mid-section.

It also promotes a greater flow of blood into the upper regions of body – particularly to the head, eyes, ears, nose, brain, and lungs – allowing mental toxins to be released.

The Sujud (see picture on the left) - activates the person’s spiritual connection with the universe around them and their enthusiasm for spiritual pursuits. This nerve pathway is also correlated to the health of the brain, nervous system, and pineal gland. Controls basic human survival instincts and provides essential grounding. This helps to develop levelheaded and positive thinking along with a highly motivated view of life, and maintains the health of the lymph and skeletal systems, the prostate, bladder, and the adrenal glands.

The position of Al Qaadah) -(Thunderbolt Pose in yoga), which firms the toes, knees, thighs, and legs. good for those prone to excessive sleep, and those who like to keep long hours. Furthermore, this position assists in speedy digestion, aids the detoxification of the liver, and stimulates peristaltic action in the large intestine.

Last, but not least, the by turning the head towards first the right and then the left shoulder in the closing of the prayer - This nerve path is linked to the throat, neck, arms, hands, bronchials, and hearing – effecting individual creativity and communication.

Wanted to know more about performing Salaat, the Islamic Ritual Prayer


Tags|Islamic Lecture|Islam|Masjid|Malaysian|Hatzputra

once i was addicted to shisha but enjoyed my company of friends

" drinking coffee with Mr Waleed using al kadou Shisha, listening to Amr Diab-Leyla "

I manage to totally quit smoking cigarette in Nov 2003. I started smoking when I was 18years old. While in Jordan for news assignment on Iraq war in April 2003, I pick-up shisha smoking there. I actually found out that shisha smoking was worst than cigarette last year and manage to quit too. But I am tempted again by my new found friend here. My spoken arabic wasn't good and he does not know english, we communicate by gesture and sign language...very funny and I learn something from him. I was even invited to his house later, but decline.

The culture of shisha smoking is not what you put in the pipe, but who is with you while you're smoking. In cafes, you find good people, old people, interesting people in good company and friendship...warm atmosphere. Along the coastal sides of Arabia, people in small towns and fishing/pearling hamlets, used for almost two centuries to smoke a particular shisha made totally from clay they referred to in the UAE as “al kadou”. Here in Dubai, a shisha costs between 5-7 Dirhams along Muttina Street and up to 50 Dirhams in classy cafes of 5 star hotels. In addition, there are now many shops that sell different types of shisha with added paste of fruits that have strong exotic aromas, such as apple, melon and strawberry. A good shisha in Dubai would cost around Dh 200, but the price may be as cheap as 35 Dirhams or as expensive as 5.000 Dirhams!

I like having my shisha with a glass of ice water and a cup of sweet, tangy, infused 'cardomom' traditional Arabic style coffee. Drinking coffee is a part of Arabic style hospitality, and you might be lucky enough to be offered some of this coffee in a tiny cup, poured from a traditional style coffee pot before business meeting in Dubai. It shows that they respect your visit and should take in the liquid just a sip at a time, and smell the aroma, it’s magical!

Tags|Shisha|Islam|Dubai|Malaysian|Hatzputra

wonderful 'masjid' architecture in dubai, uae

" Night shot of the masjid at Zabeel taken after my Ishak last night... "

I love all the mosque architecture here Mā šāʾ Allāh (ما شاء الله) and most are air-con. You can see the background are some buildings on Sheikh Zayed Road. On your left are the Emirates Towers , building on first left is the Fairmont Hotel and the far right is the World Trade Center building.

Tags|Masjid|Islam|Dubai|Malaysian|Hatzputra

hatta village in dubai world and medina project news

" taken from the watchtower with Hatta Town in the background "

I am in Dubai for a week or two and might stay longer because of work. This is my 3rd visit here and I love this cosmopolitan city, different from other middle eastern country. It is a city of contrasts, where outstanding modern architecture and soaring skyscrapers stand alongside traditional Arabic buildings and old villages. They also have a village by my name called "Hatta Village" located in the rocky "Hatta Mountains". It's a historical village that goes back thousands of years. Now part of it turned into tourist spot that consists of 30 buildings made of mud, hay, sandalwood and palmfronds. Overlooking the village are two towers, known as the "two stones" that were used as defense fortresses. Enjoyed the serenity while I was exploring and my guide find it amusing with my name . . . related to this historical place. By showing my namecard to traders there, I've got great discount on shopping from them.

I have not been checking the news lately but this piece from Najib Tun Razak here made me smile: How I love to visit Medina to be close to our Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in his beloved city.

" Masjid an-Nabawi - Medina, Saudi Arabia "

RM25b hi-tech city in Medina

By SHAHANAAZ HABIB

MEDINA: Malaysia will help Saudi Arabia build a RM25bil high-tech knowledge-economic city here.

“This is going to be a landmark not only for Saudi Arabia but also for the Muslim world,” said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

“It shows two Muslim countries can co-operate and collaborate in the interest of the ummah (Muslim community) and can indeed transform the Muslim world,” he said here on Monday.

He had earlier witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Malaysia’s Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC) and Saudi’s Seera City Real Estate Development Corporation to build the Medina Knowledge Economic City (KEC). Najib said it was only fitting that Medina – the holy city that marked the beginning of the Islamic acquisition of knowledge – was chosen to transform the Muslims and to bring about a true revival.

“This will not only transform Medina but elevate its standing in the eyes of the world,” added the Deputy Prime Minister.

Najib said he was proud that Malaysia had been chosen as Saudi Arabia's partner for the KEC, which is patterned after Malaysia’s own Multimedia Super Corridor and Cyberjaya.

“We are willing to share our experiences and all our expertise. We have built the MSC and Cyberjaya and we will share the experience gained to make this project a real success,” he said.

He also suggested that Saudi Arabia and Malaysia embark on twinning programmes between the MSC and the KEC, adding that MDeC has the framework to bring in the Malaysian companies. MDec is one-stop agency established to facilitate the development and promotion of the MSC. Seera City managing director Dr Sami Baroum said they were already in talks with a number of Malaysian companies.

“The project is huge and can absorb as many joint ventures as possible,” he added.

Physical work on the project will start in August and the first phase is expected to be completed in three-and-a-half years, he said.

That phase, he said, would include educational and health segments, hospitals, a hospitality complex, museum and some residential and retail shops.

Dr Sami said Medina, because of its holy status, was exclusively for Muslims and, hence, the projects would go to companies from the Muslim world.

“Malaysia is on top of the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) in terms of technology and capability and experience,” he added.

KEC will be ready in 12 to 15 years. Spread over 4.8 million sq metres, there will be, among others, technology and knowledge complexes, an interactive museum, a business centre and Islamic civilisation studies, technology and administrative centres.
source: The Star

Tags|Islam|News Asia|Dubai|Malaysian|Hatzputra