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This blogspot is a medium to share my thoughts and adventures apart from promoting my books. Below are the books which have been written or authored and published by myself.


"Berpetualang ke Aceh: Mencari Diri dan Erti".

ISBN 983-42031-0-1, Jun 2006


"Berpetualang ke Aceh: Membela Syiar yang Asal"

ISBN 983-42031-1-x, May 2007


"Berpetualang ke Aceh: Sirih Pulang ke Gagang?"

ISBN 978-983-42031-2-2, November 2007


It is interesting to note that while these books were written in Malay it has gained enough attention to merit being part of the collections of the American Library of Congress and National Library of Australia. Look here and here.


While the first three books were published by my own company, the fourth titled "Rumah Azan" was published in April 2009 by a company called Karnadya with the help of the Malaysian national literary body Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka. It features beautiful pictures along with stories behind selected mosques which could be related to the history of Islam and the Malays alongside the formation of the Malaysian nation. Look at the article A collaboration of old collegemates - the book "Rumah Azan".


My fifth book "Ahlul Bait (Family) of Rasulullah SAW and Malay Sultanates", an English translation and adaptation of the Malay book "Ahlul Bait (Keluarga) Rasulullah SAW dan Kesultanan Melayu" authored by Hj Muzaffar Mohamad and Tun Suzana Othman was published early 2010. Look here... My 5th book is out! Ahlul Bait (Family) of Rasulullah SAW and the Malay Sultanates... . For more information check out my Malay blogspot CATATAN SI MERAH SILU.



Like my fourth book "Rumah Azan", the sixth book "Kereta Api Menuju Destinasi" is also a coffee-table book which is published by the company Karnadya with the cooperation of Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (the main Malay literary body in Malaysia). Coming out January 2011 it features pictures and stories on the adventure travelling by train to all of Peninsular Malaysia along with the interesting places which could be reached this way.


My seventh book "Jejak keluarga Yakin : Satu sketsa sejarah" in turn is a coffee-table book which is written, editted, designed and has pictures taken by me. Coming out of the factory October 2011, this book which combines family history with history of places such as Singapura, Johor, Batu Pahat, Muar and in fact the history of the island of Java and England has been reviewed with me interviewed live in the program Selamat Pagi Malaysia at RTM1. Look at the article Siaran langsung ulasan buku "Jejak keluarga Yakin : Satu sketsa sejarah" dan temu ramah di Selamat Pagi Malaysia. Some selected contents have been featured in Sneak peek "Jejak keluarga Yakin : Satu sketsa sejarah".


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The "Berpetualang ke Aceh" series of novels could be obtained in e-book form. Enter http://www.e-sentral.com/, click general novel and go to page 4. You can also type the word "Aceh" at the search box. Or click straight Book 1, Book 2 and Book 3.


Saturday, February 23, 2013

A stop at Port Dickson



Soon we arrived at the beach of Port Dickson.


It's been a while since me and/or the family made a stop here.


Normally we'd just drive by going on to wherever it is we're going to.


This time we not only made a stop. I just felt that I must wade through the waters with my 3-year-old boy...







Linggi river from the bridge near Kuala Linggi



Three days later we took the Melaka to Negeri Sembilan coastal road to return home and avoid traffic jam which normally infest the main roads after a festive holiday.


Entering Negeri Sembilan from Melaka one have to take the bridge across the river Linggi which is the natural border for the states. Here's a look upriver.


The bridge is not so far from the estuary. See the ship middle left? That should be close to the estuary at Kuala Linggi. Refer to the old article Interlude: A visit to Kuala Linggi...





Maulud function at Pulau Besar

This is from 2 weeks ago...

Saturday morning 9th February 2013, me and family went to the island called Pulau Besar in Melaka and immediately headed for the main tomb area, the tomb of Sultanul Ariffin Sheikh Ismail.


I think I have made a number of articles on this island in this blogspot showing the many tombs around. This time however we're going to concentrate on a function.


There is a Maulud or Maulidur Rasul celebration, birthday of Prophet Muhammad SAW.




For the record the Maulud celebration is not necessarily held on the day the Prophet was born more than 1,400 years ago. It could be celebrated and is celebrated up to two months later. 


Seen in the middle is the guest of honour Sheikh Afeefuddin, a descendant of the famous king of saints, Sultanul Awliya Sheikh Abdul Qadir al Jilani of Baghdad.  The king of saints lived 800 years ago and Sheikh Ismail whose tomb is considered the main one in Pulau Besar is his 4th generation descendant.


At around 10 am the VVIPs and VIPs made their entrance.


This is a Melaka state function and leading the troupe is the Yang Di Pertua (ceremonial head of state) Tun Khalil Yaakob followed by Chief Minister Dato' Seri Ali Rustam and state council members.





 And so the function started...




Hymns and song of praises to the Prophet were recited as usual in a Maulud function.


At times Sheikh Afeefuddin led with some recitations.




This went on till noon.


Then the Sheikh gave a speech on the blessings of the celebration followed with some thoughts from the Chief Minister...