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2009/07/04


Ever since I was 10, I had wanted to go to Maqam Sultan Iskandar Shah after reading about it in the Malay textbook in Primary 4. I asked my mom several times where Fort Canning was and whether I could go visit the maqam. I remembered asking for years, and finally I forgot about it. Ten years ago, when I worked at TheatreWorks which was located at Fort Canning, I wanted to visit, but ran away when I saw an old man who was probably the caretaker there. Haha. At that time it was very early in the morning, and we were told numerous ghost stories about Fort Canning so I freaked out. Fort Canning used to be a burial site for the kings and for Christians too.

Today, I finally went to the maqam. From more than 500 meters away, I can smell a sweet scent. I had forgotten all about what I read about the sultan, but the caretaker explained to me the history. He was pretty passionate about the maqam. In fact, so much so that he insisted that is the maqam of the sultan, without a doubt. "It is not an empty maqam, as some claimed - he was actually buried there," he said. "Let them stay here at the maqam for one night, and see whether it is empty." Hmmm. Years ago, the graves of 7 others had been removed, but once they tried to remove the maqam, they failed. Just like Maqam Habib Noh. The pigeons were there too. Wallahua'lam. But I felt presence there just like some other maqams. The maqam had in fact, been visited by the descendants of Sunan Ampel, some kings from Malaysia and David Blaine, among others.Even Prof Hadijah claims it is the original grave according to available sources.

Near the maqam is a fountain, which was the king's original fountain from back in 14th century, but the fountain has now been closed from the public.

ihsan @ 9:11 PM 0 comments


Yesterday, dreamt of Shaykh Nazim again. Even though my life is crumbling, at least my dreams are a source of comfort. Today, there was talk about love, and how amazing it is that people who have never met Rasulullah (Saw) can love him so much. Saying you love Allah and the Prophet (saw) is not enough if your actions say otherwise, my friend commented. This is true. How many people actually profess such love on their tongue, but their actions are never what Rasulullah (Saw) has taught. Is such "love" possible? Is that even love?

ihsan @ 1:04 AM 0 comments


2009/06/30
My previous post wasn't even directed at my boyfriend, who has since ceased to be my boyfriend, and is just a friend. It was actually directed at the throngs of men who have been mentioned by throngs of wives at Ustaz Yusri's blog.

As my Arab friend used to say, Malays - they are very suppresive - they will never voice out their problems. In fact, a Malay entrepreneur also once said that. He said, if someone was to literally accidentally step on their toes, they will endure the pain and not say anything until the person finally moves away. He calls this unprogressive behaviour. If you don't believe in something, say it. This culture does not sit well with me because I used to be that way, and it drives me insane. I am ultimately human. I cannot go through life locked away in silence. Women are made that way - they have to confide to at least one person. If God is there, then it's fine. But if God has been unfortunately removed from a person's life, it can drive a person insane, stressed and depressed.

This culture is actually quite interesting. I used to be from a secular school which forbids its female students from keeping long hair. So, EVERYBODY was complaining and calling it a stupid rule. I thought, why not ask the school why there must be such a ruling. So, here's the thing, the moment I suggested a petition, nobody wanted to sign it. In the end, it was just me and my two friends, asking our principal why there is such a ruling and whether it can be changed.

What is the moral of the story? Two things - one, people like to complain but they never direct it at the right person. Two, even if it's directed at the right person, things WILL NEVER change. Until today, everyone in the school has short hair. You may get the satisfaction of having voiced out your beliefs and doing something, but some things just never change.

ihsan @ 7:43 PM 0 comments

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