Comments on: Taking Over the Street http://www.bingregory.com/archives/2005/05/04-taking-over-the-street/ Official Organ of an American Muslim in Malaysia Thu, 08 Jan 2009 20:52:25 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.3 by: Administrator http://www.bingregory.com/archives/2005/05/04-taking-over-the-street/#comment-705 Wed, 31 Aug 2005 06:10:27 +0000 http://www.bingregory.com/archives/2005/05/04-taking-over-the-street/#comment-705 What do you mean by a "void deck"? Is that like a floor of the tower that is left open for community use? What do you mean by a “void deck”? Is that like a floor of the tower that is left open for community use?

]]> by: JD http://www.bingregory.com/archives/2005/05/04-taking-over-the-street/#comment-702 Wed, 31 Aug 2005 04:02:36 +0000 http://www.bingregory.com/archives/2005/05/04-taking-over-the-street/#comment-702 Some of my wife's family lives in such a rowhouse as you described, and so I'm familiar with that type of housing (they're supposed to be rather cheap too, and my wife and I have talked briefly about purchasing such a home in the future, insha'allah). While having a party in the middle of a street sounds rather fun, I do appreciate the "void deck" of the HDB housing blocks here in S'pore. They're rather spacious and quite versatile (have a wedding reception on one side and a funeral on the other ;) ). Some of my wife’s family lives in such a rowhouse as you described, and so I’m familiar with that type of housing (they’re supposed to be rather cheap too, and my wife and I have talked briefly about purchasing such a home in the future, insha’allah).

While having a party in the middle of a street sounds rather fun, I do appreciate the “void deck” of the HDB housing blocks here in S’pore. They’re rather spacious and quite versatile (have a wedding reception on one side and a funeral on the other ;) ).

]]> by: Israd http://www.bingregory.com/archives/2005/05/04-taking-over-the-street/#comment-664 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 +0000 http://www.bingregory.com/archives/2005/05/04-taking-over-the-street/#comment-664 Br. Zayn, Its hard to connect kenduri (as what I think you're referring to) with party! There is usually almost a religious air about "kenduris" that makes it hard to think of one as a party. I am sure you know the difference & used it only for want of a better word, but maybe some of the other readers don't. It is all very hard to explain literally - something that you have to live and experience to actually know what is actually meant. Maybe it is something like language. Most probably, I don't really understand the true meaning and nuances of the English, Arabic, or any other language since I am a Malay. But it helps if you're immersed in that culture and start to live it. I guess that's how Muhammad Asad got down to writing and compiling his brilliant tafsir of the Quran after truly living among the Arabs for some time. Br. Zayn,

Its hard to connect kenduri (as what I think you’re referring to) with party! There is usually almost a religious air about “kenduris” that makes it hard to think of one as a party. I am sure you know the difference & used it only for want of a better word, but maybe some of the other readers don’t.

It is all very hard to explain literally - something that you have to live and experience to actually know what is actually meant. Maybe it is something like language. Most probably, I don’t really understand the true meaning and nuances of the English, Arabic, or any other language since I am a Malay. But it helps if you’re immersed in that culture and start to live it. I guess that’s how Muhammad Asad got down to writing and compiling his brilliant tafsir of the Quran after truly living among the Arabs for some time.

]]> by: Bin Gregory http://www.bingregory.com/archives/2005/05/04-taking-over-the-street/#comment-665 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 +0000 http://www.bingregory.com/archives/2005/05/04-taking-over-the-street/#comment-665 Yes, a kenduri is what I was referring to. The word party doesn't have to mean a raging kegger; a happy gathering of people is all I meant to suggest. I would be embarrassed if someone took me to mean that the malays were downing beers and dancing to rock at these events. At the same time, the most common kenduris, for wedding celebrations, are not exactly highly religious affairs. There may be some kompang or some tahlil going on inside the house, but for most guests, it's simply show up, eat some food, pay your respects and go. Not that there's anything wrong with that. For other occasions, like death rememberances or doa selamat, there is a more strongly religious atmosphere, i agree. Yes, a kenduri is what I was referring to. The word party doesn’t have to mean a raging kegger; a happy gathering of people is all I meant to suggest. I would be embarrassed if someone took me to mean that the malays were downing beers and dancing to rock at these events. At the same time, the most common kenduris, for wedding celebrations, are not exactly highly religious affairs. There may be some kompang or some tahlil going on inside the house, but for most guests, it’s simply show up, eat some food, pay your respects and go. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. For other occasions, like death rememberances or doa selamat, there is a more strongly religious atmosphere, i agree.

]]> by: Jemey http://www.bingregory.com/archives/2005/05/04-taking-over-the-street/#comment-666 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 +0000 http://www.bingregory.com/archives/2005/05/04-taking-over-the-street/#comment-666 Hmm...your identification of a kenduri as a party could have a ring of truth about it. But most probably it could be defined as a wedding reception, couldn't it? Nothing important though, just some polemics.. Hmm…your identification of a kenduri as a party could have a ring of truth about it. But most probably it could be defined as a wedding reception, couldn’t it? Nothing important though, just some polemics..

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