.: ramadan notes 5: better than a 1000 months

“And what will make you know what the night of Al-Qadr is? The night of Al-Qadr is better than a thousand months ( Al-Qadr:2-3)”

As the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) informed us, the Night of Power (Arab: Al-Qadr) can be found in the last 10 nights of Ramadan and he further went into more detail by informing us that it is in the odd nights.  It means the night of 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th and 29th of Ramadan. There is no history in the Quran as to when the specific date is.

If Ramadan were a marathon race, the last 10 days of Ramadan is as if that sprint (to finish line). This is the time for Muslims to really buck up in their religious deeds when night comes. Ramadan will soon be over. If we manage to secure The Night of Power (Laylat Al-Qadr) just once in our lifetime, it’s like doing religious deeds for 83 years. And the night comes every year!

In Qatar, on the last 10 days of Ramadan, tarawih  (extra prayers performed by Muslims at night in the Islamic month of Ramadan) are shortened, leaving closing prayer (Witr) to be done on the last third of night, to be added up later with more and longer tarawih prayers. A mosque nearby my villa compound, for instance, conducts 11pm – 12.30am midnight prayers whereas other mosque starts at 12am or 1am. Who can’t resist the temptation of 83 years equivalent rewards of good deeds? Even if it requires staying awake past midnight praying to Allah. Those who can afford to devote their time in the remembrance of God stay in the mosque for the final ten days of Ramadan. This worship is called Iʿtikāf (retreat). They observe a fast during the day and occupy themselves with the remembrance of God, performing voluntary prayers and studying the Quran, day and night, apart from the obligatory prayers which they perform with the congregation.

We know, however, some people waste the entire last 10 days of Ramadan preparing for Eid, shopping and frequenting malls, etc. neglecting prayers, good deeds and the Night of Power.

I pray that each and everyone of brother/sister Moslem manage to secure The Night of Power and May Allah be pleased with all of you.

 

 

.: ramadan notes 4: random pictures

Random pictures from several occasions.

The quietest road traffic is ON FRIDAY MORNING, DURING RAMADAN, IN SUMMER. Photo taken on Al Shamal Road around 6.30 in the morning

 

Al Gharrafa Street on Friday Morning. Ramadan. Summer

 

Souq Waqif is boisterous during Ramadan at night, even after past midnight

 

Group iftar along with temporary bachelors 🙂 at Bandar Aden – Yemeni Restaurant, Souq Waqif

 

Iftar with Yemen cuisine at Bandar Aden

 

Group iftar at the Indonesian Embassy Doha, coinciding with Nuzulul (the descend of the) Qur’an celebration.

 

 

 

 

 

.: ramadan notes 3: nocturnal sauna

Completing Taraweh Prayer, I was in Souq Waqif, Coffee Bean and Tea Leaves, sipping iced mocca latte along with other local bachelors. Fortunately one table inside air conditioned shop was available. Cool enough to beat sauna-like weather outside. We went only outside to accommodate smokers within our group and then sauna comes. It’s probably around 34 deg C but humidity has already risen to maximum 84% that we’re dewy. Phew! It’s come now a period of hot and humid. Hot may be bearable especially for long time residents like me (5 years huh!), but hot and humid? Suffocating, sweaty. On positive side at least we can reduce our weight, said my friend.

It was around 10pm and people started flocking the souq. Until we left at midnight, the area were still boisterous. Even on the roads!

During Ramadan, life in Qatar is really upside down. The city turns to nocturnal. It is buzzing at night (some stores close at 1 am!) and hibernating during the day (don’t expect stores to open before 4pm)

.: ramadan notes 2: iftar-brotherhood

Yesterday I attended a mass iftar sponsored by RAF and organized with Indonesian Muslim Society in Qatar, Indonesian Embassy and other prominent Indonesian organizations in Qatar. This is probably the n-th consecutive year for mass iftar. The Sheikh bin Abdullah Foundation for Humanitarian Services (RAF) also holds separate iftar feasts for other expatriate community such as Nepal, India, Bangladesh, Srilanka, Pakistan and Philipine. Held in Tariq bin Ziad School near Indonesian Embassy, the mass iftar was attended by approximately 600 Indonesians. Few Malaysians also joined.

Unlike last year, this mass iftar was served with Indonesian iftar package, managed by three Indonesian restaurants in Qatar: Restaurant Jakarta, Central Restaurant and Griyo Solo.

Before breaking the fast, in collaboration with Ministry of Interior, the committee held traffic safety awareness presentation. Ustadz Dr. Agus Setiawan, MA from Indonesia also presented a short religious sermon focusing on the values of working and five potentials of Muslim world.

It was a nice experience for mass iftar including opportunity to socialize with other Indonesian fellows.

Thank you RAF and all committee members.

Indonesian mass iftar by RAF

 

Representative from Malaysian Embassy, Indonesian Embassy and RAF

 

Posed with Indonesian Ambassador to Qatar near 2014 Election stand

 

 

 

 

.: ramadan notes 1 : mysterious iftar package

“Whoever gives food to a fasting person with which to break his fast, he will have the reward equal to his (the fasting person), without it detracting in the slightest from the reward of the fasting person.”

In Ramadan, Moslems try to reap as much rewards as they can, including rewards from giving iftar for breaking the fast. I was going home from a non-work related meeting when I saw a plastic bag hanging at the door knob. Alhamdulillah, an iftar package for this lonely fasting man – (a local bachelor,  husband who stays in town due to work circumstances while his family is away/has been sent back home). The package is so generous that its leftover can still be consumed for my suhoor.

I don’t know who sent this, for sure one of my complete neighbor. It is not uncommon for me during any ramdan local bachelor time yet this attention and good deeds flattered me.  May Allah give you the equal reward of fasting person. Jazzakallah.

Why should I clear my own table?

It was a weird weekend where we went to home furnishings store just to have our dinner: yup…meat balls! We sat at one very clean table in a modern-minimalist-designed restaurant. I struck at a rhetoric question displayed on acrylic triangle on the table. Why should I clear my own table?

“Yes, why should I?” , you may think; if I am in this country that cheap services are common; from petrol station attendant, groceries helper or foodcourt I-clean-your-mess helpers.

So I cleared my own table and then sat for quite a while…observing restaurant patrons if this question really works

…and (I was surprised) it did.

People follow what ‘suggested’ by the question. Are they doing it because others doing it? because it hits their bottom line (you should clear your table so that we can maintain our price low) or it is a polite thing to do? You won’t never see this in mall’s food courts nor in fast food restaurants.

Wonder if this sign is put in those places…..

Do you clear your own table?

People discuss in the net about this question: http://www.yelp.com/topic/chandler-should-i-clean-up-my-table-at-fast-food-places

The Sign

One of the many du’a (prayers) I had made in Masjid Al Haram during my umrah last Feb is to have a good and succesful career at work.

Few days later, while I was in Quuba Mosque in The Prophet City of Madinah, a headhunter rang me. Not a good time. However, I gave a hint to talk briefly. She then talked about an exciting opportunity with a supermajor. I didn’t discuss much further and in detail about it owing to the situation at that time.

Will this be the sign? I don’t know.

During the last few months I have been a witness to departures of close friends to move to another companies: two went to UAE, one to Oman, one to Aberdeen, one to Saudi, one to Australia, and two to Indonesia. While it is normal thing to expect from a life of an expat, but still it left me with a question: what if I were they.

I am repeatedly comforting myself and I am afraid that I am creating a too-much comfort zone inside and around my life. Sigh.

Imaginary inner voice:  “Just go back focused to work Wahyu and get another Outstanding appraisal like last year!” 🙂

A How much? Encounter

If you are newcomer in Qatar, you may be shocked to get a straightforward question from a stranger: “How much is your salary?”

What?

Been living in Doha for almost 5 years now, I should have been familiar. But still, I am shocked.

#1. I was in a tire shop; changing old tires. Engaging a conversation with the service desk personnel; from cars, tires, nationality, where i work until we finally came to an awkward and shocking situation (at least for me) when he asked how much salary did I get? Very straightforward.

My mom doesn’t even know.

#2. I was giving a ride to a worker from Ras Laffan Industrial City. As usual we’re engaged in a conversation. Until a time, “My salary is QRXXXX a month. How much is your salary sir?” Fortunately I could still control my car 🙂

Even I don’t want my boys know how much his father earns.

#3. I had a quick shopping in one of the Indonesian stores in Doha. A stranger caught me in a mere two minutes conversation. Again at the end, “How much? Ten thousand? Thirty thousand? or more?”

I am sorry. Not your business.

#4. A car accessory shop mechanic was installing roof mount DVD player in my car. I supervised him and unfortunately this got me into the same conversation ending. “Kam? (Arab: How much) Too much? (He tried to speak in a broken English)

My friend, don’t bother with what other grass looks like. Just focus to your job and you’ll get what you dream of.

Oh Doha.

4 years and going

Tomorrow, 24 Nov, marks completion of my 4th year in service with Qatargas. Time flies so fast huh.

I still remember the day when I stepped out of Qatar Airways plane that took me from Jakarta to Doha. It was the onset of Ramadhan 2008 (September), temperature was 39 C and I was able to maintain my fasting amid long flight trip. The interview went well with two good people who already left the company now. I owe them for their decision to have me onboard.

Then a new beginning started when I embarked a new endeavor as an expatriat in Qatar. That was on 24 Nov 2008. Then a complete new beginning started when my family joined me on 28 Feb 2009. Fast forward, throughout this flying-fast four years I have been nothing but having excellent work experiences and working with extraordinary people.

Despite many seductions of leaving Qatargas and Qatar, I am still here today, looking forward to more exciting work and life experience years to come.

4 years and going….

Honeymoon at Kampung Sampireun

::. This is again a post from our recent mudik trip to Indonesia during summer

We hadn’t have our honeymoon yet until even our 12th anniversary. Many plans just gone; not materialized. So  when we have a chance to make this happen we try hard.

Kampung Sampireun (http://www.kampungsampireun.com), our selected place, is located about 2-hour drive from Bandung capital of West Java, 15 km from the city of Garut, on the road to Kamojang Crater, where a geothermal plant is located at. A drive to Sampireun is a mixed experience in itself: passing through typical crowded towns, winding roads, and mountain backdrop.

Mount Guntur

How I miss this greenery

Built in 1999, this resort features back to nature concept with Sundanese culture as a center soul: the lake, the bungalows, the art performance, the meals, the staffs.

Taken from Sundanese Language which means “a place/village to stop by”, Kampung Sampireun’s center of attraction is the lake and the bungalows floating and around it. Once we checked in the reception, we were given a traditional drink “Bajigur” (a hot and sweet beverage native to Sunda, made up of coconut milk, palm sugar, and ginger). Then dressed in Sundanese traditional outfits, hotel staff takes us to our bungalow with using canoe! If you come in large group you may be escorted with using bamboo raft.

Check-in in class with bamboo raft 🙂

It’s a bit of nervous checking-in our room with this type of transportation mode. However, the beautiful scenery of lake, original bamboo forest, and schools of ‘greedy’ gold fish soon dampens our worry.

Kampung Sampireun

The lake, bamboo forest, bungalow and floating restaurant

Pine tree, canoe, lake and traditional bungalow

From the balcony

Our bungalow is constructed using bamboo with coconut roofing. A balcony opens directly to the lake where you can feed those greedy fishes. Once settled you’ll be given one or two bags of fish pellets for feeding. Meanwhile, each bungalow is assigned with its own canoe. You may use it for canoeing, or to access lobby and different areas of resort. A beautifully landscaped walking path is available at the back of bungalow that links all bungalows to resort facilities such as restaurants, playground, swimming pool, spa, mosque, and lobby.

Enjoy at balcony overlooking gold fish filled lake

Learn how to canoe

Feeding gold fishes from balcony

These greedy gold fishes got used to people feeding them

Kampung Sampireun at night

 

Kampung Sampireun at night

 

A beautifully landscaped walking path at the back of bungalows

Art performances and snack breaks can be enjoyed at regular intervals. In the afternoon we can enjoy the Sundanese music performance “calung and angklung” (bamboo tube xylophone). While dinner, “kecapi suling” (a zither-like Sundanese music instrument is played at the restaurant.

“Calung” performance in the afternoon

After dinner, around 9 – 9.30pm, a traditional drink called ” Sekoteng ” warming up our body from cold mountain air. The drink is again dropped to our bungalow by boat.

Hotel staffs deliver pre-breakfast traditional floating pancake

Surabi – Sundanese floating pancake

Lastly, in the morning around 6am before breakfast, traditional snack  Floating Surabi (Traditional pancake) is delivered to our balcony.

Spending our honeymoon at Kampung Sampireun is indeed a memorable experience. A peaceful, exotic, romantic, tranquil environment is perfect for honeymooners. As part of our package (we ordered a honeymoon package from http://www.weddingku.com) we’re treated with the floating candle light dinner (on raft), the couple spa treatment, a specifically decorated room, a photo session, breakfast and lunch and a photo session.

Candle light dinner at floating restaurant

The hotel is also offering a trange of activities such as fishing, a tour to nearby village, a tour to tourist areas such as Papandayan Mountain, Waterfall, Traditional Snack and Leather Factory, or to hot spring water as we did.

Sabda Alam Hot Spring Water Park at Cipanas, Garut at the foot of Mount Guntur

As we leave Kampung Sampireun we get nothing than stronger bond among us; exceptional experience of city-escape break, and thirst quencher to Indonesia’s invaluable asset: nature, people, and culture.