NIGERIA: Lagos: Eid al-Kabir / Eid ul-Adha 2016 (Part 1)

This would be our second time celebrating Eid al-Kabir/Eid ul-Adha (click here) in Lagos, Nigeria. Alhamdulillah, thank Allah this year we were able to participate in the Qurban (sacrifice of livestock during Eid ul-Adha). 

In the morning of Eid, I went to my usual masjeed near Awolowo Road. The jama'ah (congregation) this year is much bigger and even the imam took his time before we began to perform the solar (pray). It was not until 9.30am and still, throngs of people entered the area we performed the solah so special, only twice a year according to the Islamic calendar. 

MALAYSIA: Kuala Lumpur: Petronas Twin Towers and Skybridge

When the Petronas Twin Towers were completed in 1996, Malaysia had announced to the world that it had arrived. It was designed by Cesar Pelli, a renowned architect from Cesar Pelli and Associates of USA. The 452metres tall, 88 stories high building with Islamic geometric pattern as its base floor design and a skybridge connects both towers at levels 41 and 42. It was the tallest building when it was build, surpassed by Taiwan 101 but still, it holds the tallest Twin Tower record till today. 

Petronas Twin Towers

The skybridge (41st level) and 86th floor is open to public. It opens from 9am to 9pm (closes every Friday from 1pm to 2pm, and also during Eid ul-Fitr and Eid ul-Kabir) and only 40 people are permitted each session. One session lasts 30 minutes and it covers both the skybridge and 86th floor. You can buy the ticket at Concourse level or buy it online (here)

Since my brother and his wife, Azmeir and Dina are Petronas  hard working employee (wink wink)... we followed him to office (well he went to office) ....went straight to the counter only to find this...

queue at the entrance!

NIGERIA: Lagos: Eid al-Kabir (Part 1)

We celebrated Eid ul-Fitr (Aidil Fitri) in Malaysia and that was during the school summer holiday, but Eid al-Kabir, Aidil Adha, Hari Raya Korban or Hari Raya Haji (Hajj) in Nigeria for a change. It's a two day public holiday, so going back to Malaysia is not an option. 

certainly a one way ticket for the ram

This year's Hajj season was marred with tragedy. First was the crane accident at Masjidil Haram in Mecca and the stampede in Mina (May Allah grant them Jannah). In my mind, the previous Friday's khutbah (sermon) by Imam Sulaiman Ibrahim urging Muslims to do the Qurban (slaughtering of livestock). 

If you've met or have Nigerian friends, they can be very animated during conversation, so does this particular Imam. 
He told the story of Allah's prophet Abraham and his son, Ismael in a very out of ordinary manner....but in a nice way, actually (all the hand gestures and slaughter was a hand across the neck). He mentioned about the livestock, the age, the condition, price and the dividing of the meat. Regarding price, he was talking about the need to strive for the best livestock...but within budget. Do not abandon your niat (intention) and focus on the reward in hereafter....and that is faith. He reminded the verse from the Holy Koran which we recite at least 5 times a day...

"Say. Indeed My prayer, my rites of sacrifice, my life and my death are all for Allah, The Lord of The Worlds"

- Surah Al An'am/The Cattle (6:162)

I put off the idea of doing the Qurban this year until the moment we were on our way back to Lagos from Abeokuta, Ogun state (story here) where we passed the Kara Market which was full with goats and cattle. 

Kara livestock market, Lagos