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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.


Friday, April 25, 2014

The alternative road to Banda Aceh



Somewhere between Samalanga and Sigli we made a stop to get some goodies. When the car ferrying me and family were ready to move the others were still checking out goodies and such. Thus we decided to go on ahead.


After reaching Sigli we decided to take on an alternative route while the rest  which were a number of kilometres behind wanted to stick to the usual one to Banda Aceh. The way forked a few kilometres after Sigli. We took a right junction out of the main road.


The alternative road passed through many rice fields.








There were also many small villages.





Soon we can see the sea... or rather, the waters of the Straits of Melaka.


There is quite a long portion which is gravel road.








We sped on trying to chase the sunset. The driver told us there is a vantage point where local youths like to converge for a superb view.


Along the way we could catch good views of the extinct volcano called Gunung (mount) Seulawah.


But the sun seemed to move faster than us.


Soon it has set. We have to be contented with this view instead, boats with lights out in the open.


On to the tomb of Tun Sri Lanang



From Geudong we went to Samalanga where lies this old house.


Next to it lies the tomb of a person who used to stay in it.


Welcome to the tomb of Tun Seri Lanang, the Bendahara, something like royal prime minister of the Johor-Riau Empire.


Living in the early 17th century he was then brought to Aceh where he was given position as ruler of the sub-kingdom of Samalanga by the Sultan (ruler) of Aceh.



On to the house.


It has been turned into some sort of museum. Look at the article Pameran di rumah Tun Sri Lanang (Exhibition at the house of Tun Sri Lanang) in the blogspot SENI LAMA MELAYU (MALAY OLDEN ART).






We next went to a nearby mosque said to have been founded by Tun Sri Lanang. Like the house it has also received a facelift. I noticed it is much more beautiful compared to the first time I was here in 2010. Look at Rupa baru (New look of) Masjid Kota Blang, Samalanga.


HIKMAH group visit to the tomb of Sultanah Nahrisyah

Peace be upon you on this blessed day, Friday. On to the 6th day of the Aceh trip 23-30 Mac.


Friday 26th March 2014. A special phase of the trip has started.


We were in Geudong, site of the centre of the olden kingdom of Samudera-Pasai and 16 Malaysians, friends and family members joined us there.


One arrived via Medan while 15 arrived at Banda Aceh on Thursday afternoon. They headed for Lhokseumawe to spend the night. In the morning they joined me and family visiting the tomb of Sultan Malikus Saleh, founder of the kingdom of Samudera-Pasai. Look at the article Ziarah rombongan Malaysia ke makam Sultan Malikus Saleh in the blogspot Himpunan Kedaulatan Melayu Islam Akhir Zaman (HIKMAH).


From the tomb of Malikus Saleh we went to the tomb of Sultanah Nahrisyah, a descendant of his who ruled the kingdom of Pasai in the 1400s.


This is her tomb.


Besides it is her father's if I'm not mistaken.


But we were told Sultanah Nahrisyah's actual tomb is this one.





The grand marble tomb besides is actually a later addition brought as present from the Delhi Sultanate in India.


A local researcher explaining history of Sultanah Nahrisyah and kingdom of Pasai.





For the record the group came to Aceh to join an event conducted under the name of HIKMAH, an NGO founded by yours truly just a year and a half ago.





Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Bringing Johan, mum and dad to the tomb of Maulana Abdul Aziz

On to the 5th day of the Aceh trip 23-30 Mac.

Thursday 26th March 2014. We left Takengon back to Bireuen before continuing the journey eastward to Lhoksuemawe and Geudong. Then its practically southward to Idi. The target was a rural inland area in Perlak. 


We arrived at dusk. There is a tomb complex I feel must bring the family to.








Here lies the tomb of Sultan Sayid Maulana Abdul Aziz Syah. He is said to be founder of the first Islamic kingdom in South East Asia.


The kingdom called Perlak was a sovereign nation from 840 AD till more than 400 years later.


The tomb of Maulana Abdul Aziz.


My elder son Rasyid has been here twice before. It is Johan's first visit. My mum and dad just looked on...