15 May 2015 - The Day I Gave Away My Daughter's Hand In Marriage (Akad Nikah)

After all the months with the preparations, came the day that I have to pass my lovely daughter's hand in marriage. The "Akad Nikah" ceremony was scheduled to be held after the Friday prayers at the Al-Muttaqin Mosque, which is near to our house.

Family and close friends were gathered at 2.50 PM, waited for the arrival of the bride-groom's entourage. The boy's family arrived at 3.05 PM. Gifts from the both sides were laid out beautifully on the carpet of the main prayer hall. An old friend, Sanuddin, acted as the spokes-person for the ceremony, started the opening greetings.

By 3.15 PM, the Imam began the "Akad Nikah" ceremony with advise to the male and female of their  duties and responsibilities as husband and wife, the proper conduct of handling disputes and other matters under the Syariah Law of Marriage.The groom, myself and my daughter were asked to put our signatures on two sets of forms.

 Hah! Somewhere during the Imam's speech, little tears flowed in my eyes. Images played in my mind of my "little girl" and how fast she has grown up.

The Imam asked me, whether I will perform the "Lafaz Akad" by myself or to allow him to be my representative. I replied that I would like to perform it myself since Nur Amalina is my only daughter. The Imam allowed the groom and I to have a practice run. The practice went well.

The moment of truth, the real "Lafaz Akad" was pledged between myself (father of the bride) and the groom, my daughter's husband. The two male witnesses agreed that the pledge was true and clear. I have passed my daughter to the man of her choosing to be her husband.

Mohamad Fazree and Nur Amalina proceeded to put on the wedding rings on each other's finger.


My dear daughter has now become someone's wife. May Allah bless their marriage and may they live happily ever after.

Preparations for daughter's wedding 14 May 2015

We are now almost in the final stages of preparations for Nur Amalina's wedding. Her Akad Nikah will be on tomorrow afternoon. The  trays of gifts for the bride-groom side were being added their final touches.

My wife's cousin, Azura, came to help us today. The decorations for all the trays were done by my sister, Eliza, much earlier. All that was needed were to finally arrange the gift items. Azura helped my wife to pick the fruits for the fruit-tray.

All that is left is the cake and "sireh junjung".

 

 

 

Visit Taiping - What to do (or eat and see)?

An office colleague of mine asked me about the hotel near the Lake Gardens. She and a group of friends are planning to visit Taiping and ask about places to eat and visit. So, I prepared the following write-up.

Brief History

Taiping was born out of several wars in Larut that began in 1861 and ended in 1874 with the signing of the Pangkor Treaty. The wars were fought over mining rights between two feuding groups of miners – the Ghee Hin’s and the Hai San’s. The Pangkor Treaty brought peace to the area with a heavy presence of a police force manned by Sikhs and lead by British Officers. An area near what was known as Klian Pauh, was chosen for the new town called “Tai-ping” which means “forever peace” in Hokkien.

While the town was being built, early British administrators were located in Matang, where the local chieftain appointed by the Perak Sultan, Ngah Ibrahim, was also based. The house of Captain Speedy, the first Assistant-Resident, has been restored and can be seen at Matang. Visitors can also visit the Kota Ngah Ibrahim nearby.

When the town of Taiping was built in 1875, the British administration moved from Matang. The first to be built were the Land Office (which also function as a court house), the police station, the central market and shop buildings along the Main Road and the Kota Road. The rich communities contributed to building of temples, mosque and schools. The Christian Missionaries introduced the English Schools in the 1880’s – Treacher Methodist, Convent, St. George. The first government English School of Perak was started as the Central School in 1883. This school was later renamed as the King Edward VII School in 1903. All these Schools still stand to this day.

The old disused tin mines of Klian Pauh were gazetted as a park in 1880 by the British - Colonel Robert Sandilands Frowd Walker and Charles Compton Reade. The land of 64 hectares (160 acres) was donated by tin-miner Chung Thye Pin. Thus, the first public garden in Malaya was born. The unique sight of the Lake Gardens is the Raintrees that lined along the road. Many TV commercials have used this part of the Gardens in their advertisements.

At the Lake Gardens, is also the first zoo in Malaya, the Taiping Zoo. It is open daily and also has a Night Safari.

There is also a hill station at Bukit Larut (formerly known as Maxwell Hill). The trip up and down can only be travelled by the Government Land Rovers. There are only basic facilities like bungalows, a small cafeteria and a Government Rest House.

There is the Perak Museum, located opposite the Taiping Prison. Taiping also has one of the large Commonwealth War Graves Memorial located near the foot of Bukit Larut. The natural spring water swimming pool, the Coronation Pool is located just a few hundred meters away.

Do you know that Taiping was the first state capital of Perak? Yes, Taiping was the state capital of Perak until 1937, when Ipoh had grown to be a bigger and more prominent town.

Food (Where to eat)

A visit to Taiping would not be complete without sampling some of its local food. There are many food courts, stalls and restaurants to choose from. Food courts are located at the Casual Market or Larut Matang Food Court (near Bangunan Sri Larut), Bomba Padang and near the Lake Gardens (Chinese Hawker stalls only). Also recommended to try – Ansari Cendol and Pasembor located at Jalan Chung Thye Pin. Just one caution – you might have to park your car and walk a bit to these places.

Restoran Yut Sun, well known for its Hainanese style chicken and beef chops, is located near Jalan Pasar, Taiping. Muslims frequent this restaurant as long as I can remember because it serves pork-free food. Operating hours 8.00 AM to 7.00 PM daily, except Sunday.

Matang is famous for its seafood and Mee Udang restaurants. Just head towards Kuala Sepatang (Port Weld). There are several Mee Udang outlets along the road, facing the Matang Mangrove Forest. The Mangrove Forest also has a Visitors Center that opens during the Day Hours. Check its webpage for the Opening Hours.

Other Attractions

If you have time to spare, visit the Kuala Gula Bird Sanctuary. It is located several kilometers from Taiping – Bagan Serai road. 

The district of Taiping (or Larut & Matang) has a load of history, of which I mentioned only a few here. You are Welcome to visit my beloved hometown.

Old Friend, Jayaraj, Passed Away Today

While lounging at home this morning, I received a message from Ramli,"Not confirmed but I heard Jayaraj passed away this morning". Ramli said he will check with another friend, Hanapiah, whose daughter works at IJN. True enough, Jayaraj had passed away.
Jayaraj had been warded for over one month due to complications in his heart and liver. I had visited him last month but he was in a state of comma.
Today, Jayaraj has left us forever.
A few years back, a few of us visited Jaya at Sitiawan when he broke his leg. I was suppose to car-pool but I drove by myself instead. Jaya and wife's hospitality were great. My visit was cut short due to my father-in-law's passing. Jaya said it was fated that I drove my own car. Otherwise, I have to ride a taxi back to KL.
I was on medical leave today with a strange feeling. Perhaps, it was fated that because of my medical leave, I could see my friend and bade Jayaraj the final goodbye.

 

Late Jayaraj (fourth from left), beside me.

Myself with Late Jayaraj (acting manja-manja).

My Article For 2015 Reunion Dinner Booklet Completed

Yes, I have completed my article for the Reunion Dinner Souvenir Book. The write-up has about 3000 words detailing my life at the King Edward VII School, Taiping from Primary to Secondary School years. I also submitted quite a number of pictures to go with it.

Looking forward to read the article in print.

My Daughter's Wedding is less than Two Months

My daughter's wedding is not that far away now. In less than 2 months and time is really moving fast.
We had a second meeting with the caterers on 8 February 2015. The caterer also provides the whole package that covers the hall decorations, bride and Groom's clothes, the PA system, photographer and an MC.

We have begun sending out the invitations via internet or the post mail.

My wife asked me how do I feel? Despite my relative calm appearance, I feel excited. Hey! It will be my daughter's wedding.

Old Schoolmate In IJN

Received news that an old schoolmate has been admitted into Institut Jantung Negara.
I made a visit during lunch time one day. My tears flowed when I saw him in very heavy sedated, induced comma. Most of the Old Boys have been notified.
All are praying for your recovery, Jayaraj.