Syawal in the land of the Kiwis
http://photos.yahoo.com/airtehdeh/

This is our first experience celebrating Eid in a foreign land. Malays are an unknown race residing in this land of the Kiwis. The Malays are either mistaken as a Chinese or a Maori. Though some of our comrades have made this land their homeland since more than 20years ago, the presence of the Malays were not significant. I reckon this is due to the natural characteristics of us Malays. We try not to shine too much, or even not to glow at all, for fear of being labelled as a show-off. Any way, lets follow me through my weekend in Eidul-Fitr 1426H.

It was Thursday evening. Asiah (my wife) has started cooking rendang, out of the meat we bought at a Halal butcher in Mount Roskill, around 100kms from our home. The speculations, then, was that Raya would be on Friday, but there were no confirmation until the Federation of Islamic Association NZ makes the announcements, sometimes after 'Isya. We had promised our friend Zul and Aidora, that we will sleep over at their place, the night before Raya. Hence, in case, Raya is on Friday, we will have to cook the dishes on Thursday. And the plan follows, after Eid prayer, Zul/Aidora family and Effiezal/Adibah family will come to our place and celebrate Eid together. In other words, three families combined.

Later that night, Asiah received a text message, from a friend that read "Confirmed esok Raya!". Asiah told me the news and we started started packing our stuff for the sleep over at Zul/Aidora's house in the city.

The moment we got to the doorstep of their condo-like-apartment, we were greeted with some familiar faces. They were the Malaysian undergrads of Auckland Uni and Auckland Uni of Technology. We greeted and went up to the Zul/Aidora's apartment. Later we found out that the boys were there for Marhaban and Takbir. Soon after our arrival at the apartment, the boys gathered in a circle and started reciting Takbir. It was such a beautiful melody, reminding me of the home. After a few rounds of recital, the event was closed with a Du'a. The host was kind enough to provide us with rendang, kuah kacang and kueh raya that she made herself. The boys and my family, together with the host Zul/Aidora enjoyed the dishes.

After the boys left, Zul suggested we go a another friends place, where some are preparing satay for their Eid open house. We accepted and tag along. It was some 5 minutes drive to Br. Khairul and Br. Fitri's apartment. The road infront of the apartment was 45deg inclined. I've never seen such a steep road, and thought my manual Iswara will not be able to take the torment of going up such a hill. We we greeted with beautiful smell of cookies. Br. Khairul and Br. Fitri are both chef in the City of Sails. I knew them through some Petronas undergraduate scholars at Auckland University. They had Br. Faiz with them, Faiz is not staying with them, but he was there to make the satay. We sat in the living room and was served conflakes cookies and they taste wonderful, as they were crafted by Chef Fitri. We stayed there for some 30 minutes and head back to Zul/Aidora's place. It was almost 12am then. The kids were sleepy and went to bed almost immediately. Aidora and Asiah stayed up as they were preparing the Nasi Impit for tommorrow.

Fajr came pass me that morning. I cleaned myself, prayed fajr and put on the baju melayu ready for the Eid Prayer. This year, the Eid prayer was held at the Auckland Showground in Epsom, something lik 15minutes drive from Auckland city. However, we were told that the Ponsonby mosque is also holding Eid Prayer, and decided to go to Ponsonby Mosque. Zul, Effiezal and I, reached the mosque at almost 8am and was greeted by 2 lad dressed in Baju Melayu. We greeted each other and went into the Mosque.

Takbir was recite. It was anything close to our Raya Takbir in Malaysia. The elder gentlemen, recited "Allahu akbar Allahu akbar Walillahilamd" repeatedly with a rather monotonous tune until the Imaam came. The Imaam started giving a tazkirah and briefed the procedures of the Eid prayer. He said 3 takbir will be performed in the first and second rakaah. This is something different from the practice we have back in Malaysia. As foreigners there, we abide. To surprise, the second set of takbir was performed after the recital of surah in the second rakaat. I was told after that, that some of the undergrads actuall went down to rukuu' after the recital of surah not knowing that others are doing the second set of takbir. That was hilarious, but a very good experience.

After solah, we went back to Zul's place and fetch our wives and children, and head to my house in the North Shore. Food from the three families were put on the table and the feast began. The kids are so happy playing in the garden in front of our house. Zharfan, Ashraf and Afiq were enjoying themselves, like the world belongs to them. Though, they don't understand the philosophy behind Eid, they seemed to enjoy their time more than any of us. Nothing makes me more happy to see them smile.

Eid Mubarak. May Allah Bless us with his Hasana and Barakah.

I'd like to put on record my sincere thanks, Jazakallahu Khairan Kathir to the family of Br. Zulkarnain and Sr. Noraidura for the continuous support through our difficult times and through good times. May Allah reward their family the best that life could offer, as they deserve it.