On the subject of names, one curious naming convention here has to do with converts to Islam. I don’t know what the actual rate of conversion in Malaysia is, but it is significant. I’m forever running into converts. My next door neighbor turns out to be an Iban convert. As you probably know, it is […]
Yearly Archives: 2004
Naming conventions
Naming conventions in Malaysia are very different from the States. Most muslims do not use hereditary names. Instead, the father’s name is the child’s last name. Ahmad the son of Hasan is named Ahmad Hasan, or Ahmad bin Hasan, the bin meaning “son of”. Because of the different systems, you will have a bit of […]
Shaykh as-Sayyid Muhammad Alawi Al-Maliki
Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji`oon. To Allah we belong and unto Him do we return. [dropcap]T[/dropcap]oday a great scholar of Ahlus Sunnah wal-Jama`ah, Shaykh as-Sayyid Muhammad Alawi Al-Maliki Al-Hasani passed on to the afterlife. Janazah will be held for him after Salaat al-Isha prayer tonight at Masjid Al-Haraam, Makkah. He was one of the […]
Mysteries of the Coconut: Santan
When I was a kid, I remember my father bringing home a coconut once or twice as a novelty. He used a screwdriver to knock a hole in one of the three dark spots at the end of the coconut, then drained the milky liquid into a cup. After we had shared the drink, he […]
Strong Back Weak Mind
Of all the ways I could choose to fill my spare time, I’ve managed to pick some incredibly tedious, punishing yard projects. It must be from my inherited Polish virtues, a strong back and a weak mind. I intend
Hau tu spik Malaysian
Malaysia is constantly grappling with the role of English in the country and in the Malaysian language, Bahasa Malaysia. On the one hand, fluency in English is highly prized. The government’s latest initiative to improve English skills is that Math and Science courses will now be taught in English medium. On the other hand, English […]
KakUda is one month old
KakUda turned one month old today. I’ve finally gotten around to preparing a picture or two of her. The picture is already two weeks old, and at this age their faces change daily. I was gone on a work trip for 5 days, and I swear she was a new person when I came home. […]
The Yard: Hazards of Collecting
[dropcap]W[/dropcap]herever I go, I am always sure to bring my secatuers along. If it was only more portable, I’d probably bring a spade too. You never know when you will come across a plant for the garden. Institutional grounds are the best places to go, since they tend to have cultivated varities, and noone would […]