the short wanderer

First. New. Fresh. Latest. Refreshed. Everyone would love to have something new. It can make us feel more energetic, more excited or just feeling a bit extraordinary. Doesn’t really matter what it is all about; it could be buying something new, starting a new day, getting a new job, or making new friends. So what’s new recently is we just celebrated the beginning of Islamic New Year, which is more familiarly known as “Maal Hijrah”. Well, it is actually more than just a start for a new year. There are actually two definitions of Hijrah. First, it is literally defined as the migration or journey of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him; pbuh) and his followers from Mecca to Yathrib, later renamed to Medina. During the time of Prophet Muhammad, Hijrah is a movement from place to another, done in the name of Allah, for the sake of the “deen” (religion; Islam). The second definition of ‘hijrah’ still carry the meaning of moving, but you do not literally move from a place, or ...

Leaving Malaysia on Malaysia Day is ironic. It doesn’t at all imply that I am going to put away that lovely Malaysian part of me on its memorable day. I believe it’s sending me off with mountains of hopes that I have a 'valuable gift’ when I come back one day. It was a beautiful Saturday morning, and my family were watching traditional dance performances on the television. Everyone must have been thinking of how blessed it is to live in such a peaceful country, while at the other side I was counting hours to be far away from this homeland. Going to London wasn’t worrying me that much. Instead, I was nervous about fitting in with people, fear of not understanding the lectures, and maybe missing my favourite ikan keli! T.T I tried hard not to cry when I was at the airport, but of course I do feel sad to leave everyone that I love, everyone that matters the most in every point of my life, miles away. It wasn’t that hurtful at first, but as time flies, (not only the time,...