Bin Gregory Productions » Blog Archive

Official Organ of an American Muslim in Malaysia

Masjid as-Syakirin

13 April 2003 3 Comments

Muhajaba has an entry on a Malaysian mosque. I think it’s the Masjid as-Syakirin. If it is, I’ve been there! It is a beautiful mosque on the grounds of the KLCC. The grounds are a work of art in their own right, designed by the late Brazilian landscape architect, Roberto Burle Marx, probably the most famous tropical landscape architect. And the KLCC (Kuala Lumpur Civic Center) is the name of the complex containing the Petronas Towers, the tallest buildings in the world! I was there in 2000, shortly after the birth of my second child. I had one day to show my mother around KL before her return flight to Michigan. Since it was Friday, I thought I could show her the Petronas Towers and pray juma’a at the mosque nearby. I’d never been there before, and as it turned out, we were dropped on the wrong side of the 50 acre complex. We were already late, so we hustled off toward the masjid. Just as it came into sight, prayers had come to an end. With the gentlest murmur of voices and footsteps, people streamed out of the masjid and began strolling down the winding pathways back to the Petronas Towers. My mother and I stopped in our tracks. It was an awesome sight, thousands of people emerging peacefully onto the lush green landscape, with the masjid gleaming brilliantly behind them. Subhanallah! Rasulallah said,”Verily, Allah is beautiful and He loves beauty.”

3 Comments »

Bin Gregory said:

I remember that day very well. What an impressive site! The masjid was absolutely gorgeous – so grand and yet so peaceful. I remember stopping to watch children splashing in the pool on that hot day – even Ridhwan got his feet wet – while all around us were huge buildings bustling with industry. And it was a comforting site to see the men streaming forth from the masjid after Friday prayers, speaking quietly, stepping lightly. ~ mom

# 14 April 2003 at 11:15 pm

nadhra said:

interesting, I am from Malaysia and ere I am in the United States. when i first came, i thought things are going to be different. and I won’t miss Malaysia that much.

but the food, the people, the fruits, the views, the shopping malls…

i think Malaysia is MUCH better.

# 16 April 2003 at 5:46 pm

sheSays said:

beautiful mosque….i tink my dad would be excited to visit it when we visited kl.

# 18 April 2003 at 9:55 pm

Leave your response!

Agripleasure # -
An article about Three Roods Farm by Garrison Benson.

When Dr. Greg uses the verb "observe" (which is often), he means a willful action, not a passively received effect. Once, for instance, we delivered a cartload of dead leaves to the adolescent chickens, to "stimulate their instincts," and Dr. Greg suggested that we observe them. We sat in silence for ten minutes (that’s a third of a TV show, for most of us) watching the chickens stand still and nervously eye the leaves. "Well," he said eventually, "We can come back later."
Rebel Sell: Why the Culture Can't be Jammed # -
Interesting critique of consumerism, counter-culture and the culture-jamming movement:

So here we have the paradox of anti-consumerism. The major remedy of the consumer society which has been adopted almost without question by the Left and by the radicals more generally has been one of the most powerful forces driving consumer capitalism. The Adbusters sneaker is just the latest and most extraordinary example. This is also why counter-cultural rebellion is not a threat to the system, but rather has become the system.[Update: link fixed]

[Via]

Vaguely related in ways I can't fully articulate to themes in Yursil's ongoing series on Suburban Capitalist Islam.
Brass Crescent Awards # -
Eid Mubarak, Selamat Hari Raya Korban! The 6th Annual Brass Crescent Awards have been announced. Congratulations to all the winners. If you haven't subscribed yet to Islam in China, Muslimah Media Watch and Seekers Guidance, you ought to do it right now. I'm very happy to be mentioned along with Folio, Al-Miskeenah, and the Manrilla, honorable people all. Keep your eyes on TalkIslam and AltMuslim to take part in the contest next time. Thanks to everybody who voted.