Kunming

This last few months of the year, I have decided to see more of China whenever possible. Unfortunately the weather did not favor me. Going to Kunming, China in October was not a good idea as it rained most days. The Stone Forest was the main attraction there and the group went there on 23 October 2013. It was cold at 10 degrees Celsius and the rain made it worse. Internet weather forecast has already warned this.

At  Stone Forest of Kunming. 231013

Amazing limestone formation at Stone Forest of Kunming. 231013

The limestone at the Stone Forest is amazing. But before going into the Stone Forest park proper, we were treated with beautiful landscape garden, lake and limestone formations that created curiosity and excitement in our minds. Though raining, the park was packed with tourists.
Our trip from 21-25 October 2013, included a tour of Shadian where there is a large Muslim community there.

Big Mosque of Shadian. 241013

Big Mosque of Shadian is a large mosque in China, constructed depicting Medina Nabawi Mosque. Indeed it's a beautiful mosque with beautiful garden but it is not on the tourist map, which is a pity. The tour agency, Alia Tours and Travel, has arranged for us to visit the Kunming Islamic Institute where they offered a 4 year degree course in Islamic Studies. We were received cordially and had a short meeting with faculty members and toured their facilities.The Institute is financed by the Association of Kunming Muslims and a bit comes from the government.

Awesome Nuler Kindergarten in Shadian. 241013

Adorable well-disciplined 3 year olds in class learning Mukaddam. 241013

The most impressive visit in Shadian was at Nuler Kindergarten which is founded by Hj. Yusof Mu who funded the kindergarten by his own money amounting to RMB 15 Millions. The kindergarten is really beautiful with first class facilities for the kids ages 3- 7 years. Hj. Yusof believes that Islamic education should be taught from young and so Nuler Kindergarten was born. Looking at the 3 year olds in class  made me miss Rania so much. I can't imagine having Rania taken away to stay in a hostel but this is what happened to the kids. They come from poor families in China. The Kindergarten gives them a place and basic education. They go back to their parents for 2 months each year. I adore the chubby rosy cheeks of the 3 year olds!!  
Visit zuraidaharahman.travellerspoint.com

Aidil Adha 2013

Like the previous years, my Aidil Fitri and Aidil Adha celebrations were very quiet ones, spending times with my immediate small family members. So there is no different with Aidil Adha this year - very quiet. Maz cooked some food and Ika cooked meehoon goreng and we had our breakfast together after Maz and I came back from prayer. My children are not very sociable people, especially Ika. Since her marriage, I have never seen her entertaining or having friends at home. Visiting relatives could be a big resistance. I just hope Rania would be more willing to get to know her friends and relatives and be reasonably sociable. Since Ika works in the evening today, she spends her time at home with Rania and Justin. Izrin, Haidi and Gabe didn't come.
I went to the mosque late morning to help cutting Qurban meat to be distributed to the poor. I saw a lot of Indonesians and Bangladeshis collecting the meat but they helped in cutting and portioning the meat as well.

The family Qurban for Adha at Kratie Village, 4 hrs away from Phnom Penh, Cambodia. 151013

Familu Qurban in Cambodia

The Kratie villagers cutting the meat for distribution for Adha. 151013

Alhamdullillah, our family Qurban benefited the villagers in Kratie Village, Cambodia.

For my family, Maz has arranged for all of us to do our Qurban in Phnom Penh, Cambodia through her friend, Ses Mohamad, a Cambodian member of Parliament we met during our last visit. Cambodia has many more really poor Muslim people over there.

My small immediate family members celebrating Maz's birthday on 12 Oct 2013.

Maz with her adorable niece, Rania and handsome nephew, Gabe. 12 Oct 2013.

Since I requested for family meeting on Saturday 12 October, we decided to celebrate Maz's  birthday on the same day. Hers is on 13 October. Allahyarham my father's birthday was on 10 Oct. The meeting is about my land in Tampin which I neglected and the income was harvested by the Chinese caretaker for 30 years. It's high time my children take responsibility. We decided to proceed with our first step in November. Hopefully things will get better and we get a good lawyer.
It's sad to think that I am a land owner but was cheated by people without mercy. The fault lies with me too for being so trusting and complacent. My dream was shattered and I hope my children will help to rebuild it.

MAB

Every time I go for my glaucoma checkup, I got upset. Though knowing glaucoma is a degenerative disease, getting feedback about its deterioration is depressing. Since I have advanced glaucoma with less than 10% sight, the threat of losing my sight seemed so real. I am frightened - frightened of being dependent on someone else. My left eye sight is getting worse though I appear normal. I want to be as normal as possible.
I approached The Principal of the Malaysian Association of the blind for a skill course in braille and the use of computer and handphone.  Blind herself, she was very helpful and told me that such courses are conducted in Ipoh for 6 months and I can get help from Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat for funding. But the curriculum does not actually meet my need.
Through my sister-in-law, Juriah, I was introduced to En. Silatur Rahim of MAB who is charge of IT for the blind. Immediately I got in touch with him and met him personally at MAB, Brickfields. As a blind person, he understands my needs and promised to teach me himself if I come to MAB for an intensive personal tuition. This suits me fine but I have yet to set up my schedule with him bringing my laptop and iPhone. In a way I am relief, there is help.
For this year, I want to do my round of traveling first before I could focus on the course.
Insyallah I'll be alright.