Maulud Nabi

Today is Maulud Nabi or the birthday anniversary of the most important, blessed and influential person ever born in this world - our Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

In our small town, the affair was simple but meaningful. After a short dikir presentation, the mass walk or procession across town started. The distance covered was only two kilometers but was still quite an effort.

As usual the procession was well attended, although not truly in orderly fashion (except for the army of course!), was well attended by young and old. It was as if everyone in our town were there.

A New Project Beckons

This year we are embarking on a pilot green project next to our house!

After the plot of land has been cleared back in December last year, grass has quickly grown over and now it looks quite impressive especially after the fence has been installed.

Now what is left is to plant the trees.

A New Day in Egypt

It was expected, just a matter of time when the inevitable became a reality. The very people that he was championing in his early days were becoming restless and tired of the autocratic rule. As with many despotic leaders, the never ending thirst and hunger for power and money made him to keep his higher ground as long as possible.

But alas the people power was strong and finally brought him down on 11th February 2011. But the most amazing thing was the sight of people cleaning up the streets the next day. Young and all, the people of Egypt now given a fresh start, embraced the new era and put upon themselves to start and help the new nation.

Now the wave of change is spreading across the hard and difficult lands of Arabia. With Tunisa, Egypt and Jordan already making the steps, others such as Yemen, Algeria, Bahrain and even Oman are being challenged daily by their people.

The big message is clear. People are fed up. They need equality. The widening gaps between the rich and the poor have become unbearable and unfair. Not only that but the excessive privileges, cronyism, monopoly of business and lack of respect for the poor and have-nots have made it even more discerning. As satirically described in George Orwell's Animal Farm - all animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others. How true it is in this world.

The Most Memorable Lane

A father-and-son bonding trip. We thought of going to the Universal Studio but ending up just trolling along Orchard Road. I kept on telling my son that I know this place like the back of my hand. Well.. he was sort of half interested! This is the place I spent many hours and free time when I was sent here at the age of 12. So I felt really irrestible to show him where I used to live. Before heading to the airport I asked the taxi driver to make a short detour to this wooded area close to the shopping haven of Singapore, along Tanglin Road, we entered this most memorable road called Tanglin Hill.

Then it was a short drive to the end of the road to a gated place. The place, a former hostel better known as AKBS, is still quite imposing and felt the same like the last time I left and passed that gate. That was in March 1982, nearly 30 years ago. The place is now deserted and full of big trees.

Rainy Days

First trip out in the year - a short hop to Temasek.

The first month of the year has gone by swiftly. The one thing that January could be remembered for was the relentless rains and flooding.

Our Earth seems to be experiencing an untypical prolong wet period, flooding of mega proportion in Australia for example. Here in Temasek, what seemed to be a few spots of non-menacing dark clouds over the sky became torrential downpour for most of the afternoon.

Nonetheless the place was still very much crowded today. The big news today in the local paper was that about 11.6 million international visitors arriving in Singapore last year, which is a 20 per cent increase from a year before. What is more amazing is the level of tourism receipts which hit a record $18.8 billion, a 49 per cent increase from that of 2009. This is definitely something that every country would like to replicate.