Berbuka at Bukit Antarabangsa

It was Julia and Salleh's turn to sponsor the berbuka at Bukit Antarabangsa on the second day of Puasa. It was a yearly tradition - my turn would be next weekend.

I went there only with Anita since the boys had tuition and mengaji that afternoon. We got there early, greeted by my Mum who prepared something extra for me, my favourite Gulai Ikan Kering. It was to die foot, with extra portion for sahur later.

Almost time Time for prayers More people than expected turned up and the food was finished 5 minutes before berbuka. We hang around until after Maghrib prayers after which in had to send Idlan for his tuition.

Mum's Kenduri

Inspired by our recent kenduri for Idlan's khatam, my Mum decided to have a quick kenduri as well for Maulud Rasul and my niece's and nephew's exam results. Unfortunately due to maid issue, we could only attend the kenduri and just hang around.

Since the boys missed their breakfast, they were rather grumpy and I decided in the end to leave half way to take them for lunch somewhere while the crowd died down. Only after that I could actually have a chit chat and just enjoyed the afternoon.

Since the last time my Mum had a kenduri was quite a while back, it was very well attended. The place was filled to the brim when I arrived. The weather was also very kind that afternoon. However, we could not hang around for too long since we had still to sort out our maid's flight ticket, and also the boys needed some major haircut!

Qurban 2015

This year, it was with my parents at Bukit Antarabangsa. The local surau had 11 cows and the ceremony had to start early for fear of dragging on till late. two of the cows were huge - one donated by the local singer who happened to live my Mum's area. That took some doing!
The weather was nice, and the haze were almost completely gone with no rain in sight. A perfect weather for Qurban.

It started at around 10, and when I left at around noon with Irfan especially making noise, our Qurban was due next. There were plenty of helpers around and it was a big occasion for the folks in the area, with my Dad being one of the organiser.

They took the security arrangements seriously with the area for the Qurban cordoned off, and the children were put on one side. The event went on orderly although there was a slight delay. Once the Qurban was downed, the meat were taken to designated area for futher cutting and later distribution. Some of the meat were also cooked at the Surau for a feast later in the day while some were distributed to the needy!

Judging from the size of the cows, this years Qurban was a lot better compared to few years back where the meat were too lean and skinny. This year, each portion of Qurban - 7 per cow - weighed in at 5kg.

I just wished that I could hang around a bit more, but the combination of the hot weather, the delay and the crowd put my boys off! They should toughen up for next year ….

Qurban

Unlike last year, Qurban and Aidil Adha this year was a low key one. We all stayed in KL. Even my parents didn't travel as my Mum's brother passed away last Ramadhan and her sister is in Mecca at the moment. My sister didn't go back to Melaka either.

The first day was a busy one for my parents as my Dad was in charge of the Qurban at his surau. Mum was also busy with cooking. I went to the surau with my boys although Idlan freaked out when he saw blood from the slaughter. That put the end of the visit.

It was almost done by the time we arrivedEvery last bitReady for distributionThe chopping boardWe went to visit my parents on the second day, having lunch there. We spent the rest of the Raya weekend at the apartment this time, more or less to ourselves.

The boys were occupied with homework, assignment and of course the PS4. I spent the weekend just doing some reading and watching TV. A lazy one actually.

My Dad was in charge of the distribution part

Idlan trying to convince everybody that it was time to go ....

They were back to school today, and I was busy with some reading in preparation for a visit by inspector at a firm I consult for. Although I technically had Tuesday off in between reading and paperwork.

Our Turn

This was 30 minutes before berbuka

Every year, we had an evening which contribute for the breaking fast, or berbuka in Malay. The pseudo-Arab among us preferred the term iftar. Last evening was our turn. We ordered the food in while the Surau prepared the venue and the drinks.

It turned out that yesterday evening being a Friday night, the Surau was packed. We only ordered food for 250 people. About 300 turned up. Nightmare.

The children killing time before berbuka by wading the small pool before heading to the surauWe managed to get more rice but still it could've been more. The same happened for the post-Tarawikh feast, or moreh. We indexed some laksa, but towards the end, there was hardly anything left.

Heading back homeBetter up the preparation when we do it again next year then ...‎