breaking the silence

ramadan left us a few days ago and it is already the end of the third day of syawal. how time flies. i havent been writing due to being busy with syawal approaching. i meant to share so many things, like the festive lights on the tree in our front yard which looked so pretty and added to the festive mood - the first time i actually got them, well the ex got them to be honest, the traditional "pelita" which i initially didnt want to put up due to them being a bit of a hassle what with getting the "minyak tanah" and all - and i did anyway bcos it's just isn't raya without the traditional stuff. i had my oldest boy take pictures of them so that i can post them here but i have not had the time to do so. i was busy making cookies over the two weekends - cornflakes crunchies and the boys' favourite, chocolate chip cookies and on the day before raya, i was busy baking brownies - three different types in all - walnut, chocolate cheese and chocolate brownies with orange cream frosting, the latter two which were a hit with all those who were present at my parents place for the last buka puasa for the year and eve of raya.

in the midst of celebrating syawal, which somehow this year is not as festive as the previous years, at least that is how i feel - i got myself emotionally embroiled with the debate and protests over a mosque/islamic centre which is to be built in NYC, two blocks away from ground zero. well truth be told, i was already into it during ramadan when the protest and opposition against the building of the mosque started brewing. and i got into a disagreement with adam bcos he sided with the people who oppose the mosque - his argument being the building of the mosque will hurt the feelings of families who lost their loved ones during 9/11. i was and am still upset that he thinks that way bcos my argument is people who oppose are lumping the muslims and the religion of Islam into one category with the terrorists who brought down the towers and murdered many innocent people. i mean if u oppose the mosque being built there, doesnt that imply u are blaming all us muslims as being the same as those sick people? and all the mosques represent terrorism and murder? and werent there muslims who also lost their lives during the tragic day?

anyhow enough on this matter for now. i meant to drop a note here to actually break the silence and wish all a happy and peaceful eid after bidding farewell to the holy and special month of ramadan. may we be blessed with ramadan again next year.

the last seven nights of Ramadan

Angel Jibraeel cursed the one who let the blessed month of Ramadan pass by without gaining forgiveness and our Prophet (pbuh) said Aameen (Hakim and Bayhaqi). The most virtuous - last ten days of the month - have not passed us by. Layl-at-Al-Qadr (Night of Decree), the night whose worship is better than the worship of a thousand months, remains for us to make the best use of.

a reminder to myself: seven nights left - this season may never return on us. don't let the sands of ramadan slip away...