Friday, September 25, 2009

25th September, 4th years ago...........Wedding anniversary
























































Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Experience Vanuatu - Eid ul-Fitr (EID) Celebrating the end of Ramadan in Vanuatu













































































































































































Eid ul-Fitr (EID) Celebrating the end of Ramadan in Vanuatu by Sumantri.

Port Vila, 21 September 2009. Two billion Muslims around the world celebrate Eid ul-Fitr (eed al-fitter), the festival commonly known as "Eid." "Eid ul-Fitr" literally means "the feast of the breaking/to break the fast." The holiday marks the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting and is a culmination of the month-long struggle towards a higher spiritual state.

Ramadan holds special significance for Muslims, since the Quran, the book of Muslim scripture, was revealed during this month.

It is also the time when Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset every day, refraining from food and water. Fasting is not only a symbol of sacrifice and purification, but also a measure of self-restraint and to teach humility and patience and for encouraging compassion for those less fortunate. Charity and service are particularly emphasized during Ramadan, and Muslims are required to donate food and a percentage of their wealth to the poor.

The first Eid is considered to have been celebrated in 624 CE by Muhammad after winning the Battle of Badr. At that time, there had been a fast by the armies that was broken after their success in this battle.
As the Islamic calendar follows the lunar cycle, Eid begins with the sighting of the new,
In this Eid Fitrie 2009 is one the most EXTRAORDINARY Ramadhan and Eid festival experience I ever have in my life.

In Indonesia, Brunei and Malaysia Eid is called Hari Raya Aidilfitri - literally "Grand Day." Banks, private offices and government are usually closed for about one week. It's customary to wear traditional clothing and to pay a visit to the grave of the late family and friends. Not too forget, in celebrating the festival we too have “open house” inviting families and friends to the house and at the sametime, visiting the same members of the families, relatives and friends houses as a joy and reunion of this wonderful festive. During this event, plenty of Raya food will be served, especially you will be served with rendang, satay, semur, ketupat, lemang, sayur lodeh, sayur santan and many more. Festivities also begin on the night before Eid with Takbir on the street or Masjid.

To decide 1 Syawal, Vanuatu follow FIJI. On 29 Ramadhan, we were waiting whether it will continue fasting the next day or not to completed 30 days of fasting. Indonesia and Malaysia announced that 1 Syawal will be falls on Sunday, 20th September 2009. 9.00pm we received the news that fasting will be continued the next day.

On Sunday at 5.43 pm was the last breakfasting for us in Vanuatu, it means TAKBIRAN night has begun. Free TAKBIRAN download from google help to make environment at the home real TAKBIRAN night. My wife cooked Ketupat package made in Malaysia from a friend from Queensland accompany with my cooking - sayur lodeh and my wife beef rendang which make this EID festival a superb MUBARAK.

On Monday 21st September 2009, on the day of 1st Syawal as early as 5.00 am morning we woke up, take a shower wear my white top, after Fajr prayer, I had my breakfast with ketupat, sayur lodeh and beef rendang and accompany with Hari “Nurhalizah “ Raya song, again free download from google.


I have informed my boss that I will be absent and away for two hours for this Eid festival and will be back to work at 11.00 am onward. I and my wife very exciting went to Melle village 25 minutes by car from Iririki. Arrived at the masjid, however, no one there to break the silence of the mosque, so I begin takbir alone and the ladies corner at the back and my wife as well reading al-Quran. At 8:30am, people arriving to the mosque, join with my takbir 27 people include man, women and children. And then, 8:50am jemaah start discussing on how many times takbir for EID prayer.

IED prayer begin with 3 time takbir for the first and second rakaat follow by IED khutbah in Arabic language. Imam and Khatib was Sultan Ni-Vanuatu who learnt Islam in Fiji. IED prayer concluded with doa, festive celebration begin with a very simple way, shake the hand, hug and asking for forgivness among jemaah and followed by a simple sneaks contribute by Abdul one of Indian Fijian brother for the tea break.

Alhihamdulilah, wa Syukurillah…. Ya Allah the Al Mighty for giving us an EXTRAORDINARY IED, this year is MUBARAK.

Thank you to my wife Amirah for being with me throughout the period of ramahdan and being my Masterchef, thank you lieke for the ketupat, thank you to the technology and google, and last but not least thank you to iririki island resort ( Dan, GM ) allowing me to go for my IED prayer on that day.

Then we back to the Irirki island resort the place where we live and begin to work.


About Vanuatu :

The Republic of Vanuatu, an archipelago of 83 islands, has a land surface of just over 12,000 km2 and an Exclusive Economic Zone of about 860,000 km2. The majority of the population is Melanesian and 25% live in the two largest towns: the capital Port Vila on Efate, and Luganville on Espiritu Santo . Due to migration to the capital, Efate has the fastest growing population.
More than 100 languages exist on the islands, however Bislama, the national language, is popularly spoken and the official languages – French and English – are used in schools, the civil service and in business. Before independence in 1980, Vanuatu had been administered as the Anglo-French condominium, the New Hebrides since 1906.

Approximately 83% of the population of Vanuatu is Christian. An estimated 32% is Presbyterian, 13% Roman Catholic, 13% Anglican, and 11% Seventh-day Adventist,Groups that together constitute 14% include the Church of Christ, the Apostolic Church, the Assemblies of God, and other Christian denominations.[1] The John Frum Movement, a political party that also is an indigenous religious group, is centered on the island of Tanna and includes about 5% of the population.[1] The Baha'i Faith, Muslims, Buddhists, Jehovah's Witnesses, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) also are active.[1] There are believed to be members of other religions within the foreign community; they are free to practice their religions, but they are not known to proselytize or hold public religious ceremonies.[1]




































Friday, September 18, 2009

EID MUBARAK GREETING FROM VANUATU




Wishing all of viewer, friend and family ' HAPPY EID MUBARAK' May Allah bless you in all endeavors and lead you to the part of continued success and prosperity. Minal Aidin Wal Faizin....Selamat Hari Raya Aidul Fitrie 1430 H
from South Pacific, Vanuatu to you all, Sumantri & Amirah