The Hadhrami Influence in Malaysia

Hadhrami Influence in Malaysia

Of all Muslim countries, none wins my total admiration and envy, as Malaysia. Not only because of its stunning, heavenly natural beauty; not only because of its foresighted, visionary leaders; not only because it is a democracy, unlike most Muslim countries; not only because of its advanced economic and technological achievements; not only because of its very fine educational and medical systems. But, too, because Malaysia is a true melting pot: where all its citizens, no matter where there origin be, live and work harmoniously together. Be their origin - Malay or Indian or Chinese or Arab. They all call themselves Malaysians. And they all are proud of being Malaysians. Of those with Arab origins, they are very few and almost all are descended from Hadhramaut. As few as they are, Hadhramis have been and are still very influential. Hadramis have long traded in Malaysia; trading in spices, timber, textiles and many other items. They have too, been leading scholars and politicians in the country.

Masjid: Mosques of the Maldives

Maldives

A short distance from Sri Lanka and the south-western tip of India. Stretching over 970 kilometers (600 miles) covering an area of about 90,000 sq. km. (35,000 sq.miles) in the Indian Ocean, made of nearly 1,200 islands of which only about 200 are inhabited, is a country like no other: of all countries in the world, it has the lowest elevation - it has an average height of just one-and-a-half meters (about five feet) above sea level. Maldives is also one of the most, stunningly, beautiful countries on Earth. And almost all the 400,000 or so Maldivians are Muslims. Since being introduced to the islands over 800 years ago, Islam has grown and is now the main driving force on the islands. Be it the Friday congregational or the daily five times prayers, all are well attended by most Maldivians.  On every inhabited island, there is a mosque or several mosques.

Around Dar Al Hajar in Wadi Dhahr

Those visiting Dar Al Hajar in Wadi Dhahr, usually miss the other attractions around the big Rock House. The valley in which Dar Al Hajar stands on, has other attractions: many old villages with old buildings; and scenic, picturesque surroundings.

Hadhramaut and its Mud Bricked Houses

In spite of the last devastating rains in Hadhramout, which destroyed many houses especially in Wadi Hadhramaut - most people in the very fertile valley are still using mud bricks to build their houses. Mud bricks which the people of the wadi have used for centuries and which has served them very well. Any one who has been to Wadi Hadhramout or Wadi Do'an will notice mud brick houses. Every where. Many, already built. And many, still under construction.

How to manage a new external hard disk

Many who use computers these days, have external, portable hard disks. And many rely on them for backing up files or as an additional data storage space. Portable, external hard disks too, are excellent when travelling and needing to take digital data or information without taking your laptop. External hard disks are also very useful for storing sensitive, private, personal information such as notes, data, copies of certificates, photos, videos and films. Instead of storing and having large files on your computer or laptop, use an external hard disk which these days come in a variety of sizes, shapes and colors. Like with computers, with external hard drives you could face some simple problems which many of us have no idea on how to fix.

Long Walk to Freedom with Mandela

It is not because I have strong roots with Africa. It is not because he is most highly regarded and renowned internationally. It is not because he is one of the greatest moral and political leaders of our time. But, being exceptional in many ways, Nelson Mandela's autobiography: Long Walk to Freedom, written by him, is one of the greatest, most; absorbing and most emotionally touching biographies I have ever read. On February 11, 1990 - Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was set free after twenty-seven years of imprisonment. And four years later, through the country's first multi-racial elections, he became South Africa's first Black president.

The Hadhrami Influence in Sudan

Early in the 19th Century, due to famine and hunger, like my father, many people from Hadhramaut migrated fled to other countries. Most of these were from Wadi Hadhramaut, especially from Wadi Do'an and Tarim. They left, usually by dhow or by sambouk. One can only imagine how hard the circumstances might have been to force a people, most of whom were very young, to take such perilous journeys and go into complete foreign, alien lands. Many of them left their parents, families and even wives and children behind. Most of these young men (yes: this great migration of the Hadharem was almost totally made up of men only, and young) when reaching the foreign lands, would marry there - Muslim local, native women. In most cases, it would be a very long time before they returned to Hadhramout to see their wives, children and families; many of whom could have already passed away. Many, too, never returned to the Homeland.