Raya traditions plus civic education
ALTHOUGH some major open houses were cancelled as a mark of respect following the passing of Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Raya open houses continue to take place even after the month of Syawal.
There is only so much lemang, rendang, and satay one can consume in a day, and within a month, this spreading out of celebrations has become necessary from a gastronomical perspective.
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Rakyat Post
06-06-2025
- Rakyat Post
[Watch] A Smile Through The Rubble: How Malaysian Hearts Clothed Gaza's Children
Subscribe to our FREE In the dust-swept corners of North Gaza, where hope often feels as scarce as calm days, a small miracle unfolds. Five hundred Palestinian orphans, all under 10, are about to experience something that many of us take for granted – the simple joy of new clothes for Eid. This isn't just another aid story. It's about how thousands of Malaysians, through organisations like the Malaysian Consultative Council for Islamic Organisations (MAPIM) and Malaysia-Palestine Workers Union (MPWU), reached across continents to ensure that Gaza's youngest survivors could feel the warmth of Raya (Eid al-Adha) despite their circumstances. BREAKING iof detonated Noura Al-Kaabi Dialysis Hospital in northern Gaza, destroying it completely! A residential building was reduced to rubble by israeli airstrikes this morning in Madinat Hamad neighborhood, north of Khan Younis. — Lee Golden (@LeeGolden6) Take eight-year-old Fatima. Dr Khalil Az Zayyan, Deputy Chairman of MPWU, told TRP that Fatima, displaced multiple times, had her world shrunk to survival basics until a volunteer handed her what seemed impossible – a new dress for Raya. Her reaction? She hugged it close, breathing in the fresh fabric smell, a stark contrast to the dust that had become her daily companion. 'Now I can truly feel Raya,' she whispered, said Dr Khalil, adding that her words carried the weight of a child who had almost forgotten what normal feels like. Beyond the Fabric: Where Dignity Meets Hope in Gaza The local volunteers, themselves walking wounded in Gaza's ongoing crisis, somehow find the strength to create moments of joy. They don't just distribute clothes; they distribute dignity, one child at a time. Their method is simple: personal connection, playful banter, and an understanding that sometimes, a new outfit isn't just about the fabric – it's about feeling human again. While MAPIM's broader vision aims to reach 20,000 orphans in future projects, this current initiative, which touches 500 lives, may seem modest. Faith, Fabric, and Fellowship: A Tale of Two Rayas But in the reflection of a shattered mirror, where a young boy sees himself in new clothes and manages his first smile since losing his family, the impact becomes immeasurable. For Malaysian donors preparing for their own Raya celebrations, these moments resonate deeply. Their contribution isn't just about clothing bodies; it's about wrapping Gaza's children in hope, one garment at a time. This is more than a clothing drive – it's a bridge built of fabric and faith, connecting Malaysian hearts to Gaza's hopes, proving that even in the darkest corners, humanity's light still shines through, one child's smile at a time. Gaza's Mounting Toll: A Crisis Beyond Numbers The conditions in Gaza are described as catastrophic, with significant casualties and urgent humanitarian needs reported despite recent aid efforts. Nearly 100 people have been killed in Gaza within the last 24 hours as Aid efforts have been halted amidst ongoing violence. The US has The resolution did not call for Hamas to disarm, leading to objections. As of now, at least READ MORE : READ MORE : READ MORE : Share your thoughts with us via TRP's . Get more stories like this to your inbox by signing up for our newsletter.
The Star
04-06-2025
- The Star
Growing as dad over the years
Azman Zaidy Abu Hassan used to be the quintessential protective father, keeping a close watch over his young sons' every move. Today, at 55, the Kuala Lumpur-based businessman sees fatherhood differently. With his sons, 21-year-old Eidl Adam and 24-year-old Daniel Hakimi, now grown, Azman has stepped into a new role. 'I've become more of a listener than a talker,' he reflects. 'These days, I relate to them more as a friend than a father.' This significant shift, he notes, didn't begin when they entered working life. 'It began when they moved from boarding school to college,' Azman recalls. 'That was when I realised I needed to give them space and start treating them as young adults.' Now, he sees them as young men who have found their footing, charting their own way and quietly becoming someone he can talk and confide in, even lean on. They even share common interests and passions. 'My eldest son, Daniel, picked up a passion for collecting watches from me, while his brother buries himself in his world of books, just like I did back in the day,' he shares. Azman Zaidy with Edil Adam during last year's Raya celebration. Quiet strength Though Azman Zaidy sees his past role as one of protection, his youngest son, Eidl Adam, remembers a different side of his father's early presence 'He was an authoritative and hard-headed person then,' Eidl Adam muses, 'with communication being more about instructions and guidance.' Disagreements, he recalls, were always loud and chaotic, and felt like a power struggle. 'It was like one of us had to be right, and the other had to back down. Emotions ran high, and winning was the goal, not communication,' he recalls. Despite this, Eidl Adam, who recently finished his pre-university studies at Bournemouth University in Britain, and is set to return to the UK this September to pursue a degree in Psychology, now reflects on his childhood with a quiet sense of gratitude. 'He wasn't the type to say 'I love you' all the time.' Eidl Adam shares. 'But I felt it in how he worked hard, how he waited up for me when I was late, and how he never gave up on me. 'Looking back, I always felt safe knowing he was there,' he adds. Azman Zaidy acknowledges that he shares many traits with his late father, who was a 'less talk, more action' kind of dad. 'But, I am slightly chattier than him,' he says with a smile. 'It was tough,' he recalls. 'I had to travel a lot, so I tried to make any time at home count. I tried to be not just a provider, but also a friend ... someone they could trust.' Unlike his late father, Abu Hassan Adam, who passed away four years ago at the age of 78, Azman Zaidy says that he tried to have better (and more) communication with his children. 'I remember my (childhood) days ... making a mistake would result in being yelled at or worse, getting your back imprinted with belt stripes,' he recalls. The boys and their dad while on holiday. Evolving roles Fatherhood has taught Azman Zaidy that his children are a gift from Allah that comes with huge responsibilities. 'Being a father is a responsibility I hold sincerely,' says Azman Zaidy. 'I've learned that love takes patience, compromise, and honesty.' Like most things in the world that change with time, the parent-child relationship evolves too. 'Now that they're older, it's easier,' says Azman. 'They understand my routines and responsibilities, and relate to all the things that I was trying, and still am, to say or share with them.' Eidl Adam (left) with his elder brother, Daniel Hakimi during their family holiday in Britain. His sons, he says 'don't just nod their heads'; they have stepped up when it mattered most. 'When my business faced tough times last year, both my sons worked part-time to help with household expenses,' he shares. 'It was the first time I realised I wasn't the sole provider anymore. It was humbling.' Eidl Adam echoes this sentiment: 'I've taken on more responsibility. I try to ease his burdens. I'm not just a child anymore; I'm part of the support system.' Being thousands of kilometres from home has made Eidl Adam grow up faster than he expected. This newfound maturity has allowed him to see his father as more than just a provider, protector, guide, and disciplinarian. 'I began to realise that he has his own struggles too,' he reflects. 'Our conversations changed. We began talking more as equals. He started listening instead of just advising. That shift, from being 'the kid' to someone he could confide in, felt really meaningful.' Azman Zaidy with Edil Adam during last year's Raya celebration. — Photos: AZMAN ZAIDY ABU HASSAN Azman Zaidy with his two sons, Eidl Adam (left.) and Daniel Hakimi when they were young boys The new bond Their relationship today is marked by mutual respect and a quiet sense of duty to one another. 'We don't talk about everything,' Eidl Adam says candidly. 'Sometimes there's silence. But I've come to accept that we show love differently. For us, it's in the small gestures: Checking in, remembering details, being present even if we're not always expressive.' Still, he understands that differences in worldview can make emotional conversations a challenge. 'We've got different values,' Eidl Adam says. 'Some topics feel distant. But I still value his insights ... even when they differ from mine. He's taught me a lot about resilience and duty.' His father chips in: 'We've matured. We've learned to compromise, to accept that we each have our own way of doing things.' The shift in roles, while significant, hasn't diminished the respect. Eidl Adam, currently working as a hotel associate before his return to university, has learned a profound lesson from his father's quiet resilience. 'My dad isn't the type to talk about his struggles,' he observes, 'but now I see that silence can be its own kind of strength. I've learned a lot about endurance from him – about showing up, working hard, and putting the family first, even if it comes at a personal cost.' This, he says, has made him realise that expressions of love do not need to be loud. 'Some (expressions) are quiet, steady, and rooted in duty,' he adds. Watching his sons navigate their own paths brings a deep satisfaction to Azman Zaidy. 'The life they've had – moving from boarding school to university and now starting their careers as young adults – I hope it will make things easier for them as they continue their journey,' he says with hope. Looking ahead, he adds: 'I hope my sons understand all the things I did for them and appreciate me as their father, and that they know that I will always be in their hearts.' Eidl Adam, on the other hand, still yearns for deeper emotional connection. 'I hope we can learn to be more vulnerable someday, even if it's a little,' he muses. 'We've both gone through a lot, whether together as a family or by ourselves, and sometimes, it would be nice to share that over a cup of coffee and let the both of us be heard.' Nonetheless, Eidl Adam still sees his once-authoritative father as having softened with age, into a more empathetic and laid-back friend. 'He's (now) the calm in the chaos,' he says with a smile. 'He's a good man (to have) in a storm ... and always will be.'
Free Malaysia Today
29-05-2025
- Free Malaysia Today
No plans to return to politics at least until year end, says KJ
News portal SuaraTV reported on Tuesday that Khairy Jamaluddin was in the process of returning to Umno, more than two years after his expulsion. PETALING JAYA : Former health minister Khairy Jamaluddin has hinted at a political comeback after the end of this year. Berita Harian quoted the former Umno Youth chief as saying that his current focus is on several ongoing business ventures and projects. 'I can only say that I have many unfinished projects that require my attention. 'I'm also quite content with what I'm doing right now. So, at least until the end of this year, I haven't thought about returning to politics,' Khairy told reporters after taking part in a forum at the Universiti Malaya campus here today. He was also asked whether he is currently considering any offers to join political parties. 'My focus at the moment is on several businesses. Perhaps after the end of the year, we can talk,' he said, without confirming whether any such offers had been made. On Tuesday, news portal SuaraTV reported that Khairy was in the process of returning to Umno, more than two years after his expulsion. According to the report, efforts to bring Khairy back began after the death of his father-in-law, former prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. Umno Supreme Council member Puad Zarkashi, however, has dismissed the possibility of Khairy returning to the party, saying Umno does not need 'populists' who bring no real benefit. Puad made it clear he would not support Khairy's return, describing the former Rembau MP as someone who only looked out for himself. In January 2023, the Umno Supreme Council sacked Khairy and Selangor Umno chief Noh Omar. It also suspended key leaders such as former vice-president Hishammuddin Hussein for breaching party discipline during the general election in November 2022.
