SIEM REAP | Masjid Neakmah

Masjid Neakmah, or Neakmah Mosque, is the main mosque in Siem Reap, Cambodia.

Before coming to Cambodia, I have made a research of the whereabout of the mosque, and my first day out in town, I have asked the tuk-tuk driver to bring me to the mosque, and even the driver himself was not sure of the place, and never heard of the mosque.

But I persuaded him just to drive ahead, and Alhamdulillah, after all those winding and bumpy ride we managed to get to the place.


Masjid Neakmah, also written in arabic, and their local alphabets.

The residents of this kampung or village, are mostly of Melayu-Champa or Cham Malay.


Located in one of the Malay Villages in Siem Reap, the road connecting it from the town area is quite a bumpy, non-asphalt dusty road, hence without determination, one might be hindered in detouring away from the town area.


When I arrived at the mosue, the doors were closed, so I only manage to capture the photo of the outside.


There is a Champ-Malay Halal restaurant next to the mosque, (the one with the red roofing).

I still remember vaguely, during my high school's History lesson, mentioning about the Cham Malay, whereby living in ASEAN, most of the nations were having more or less the same language, which predominantly is Malay.

There are many similarity in the Malay Languages, be it in Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Phillipine, Singapore, not to forget the major Malay speaking country of Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei Darussalam.

Example of the words in Cambodia that I can relate to the standard Malay is Psar (Pasar) meaning market, Kampung = village just to name a few.


Also next to the mosque is a Madrasah, or a religious school, the green signboard stated "Madrasah Qamaruddin Al-Islamiah, Kampung Stenmai, Siem Reap" , and it also stated the building as a Gift of Excellency Sieng Nam, 23.04.2002.


With that, I leave you with the overall view of the mosque.

SEOUL | Cheong Gye Cheon Stream

Cheong Gye Cheon stream is about 6KM in length, this is one of the historic places dated since the 14th century as one of the important pathway to go places. It was "unused" during the mid 20th century due to the urbanisation of the City, not until recently, it was restored and a dash of glamour were put to modernize the area so as to be the hip area of the city.


Restoration were completed in 2005, and "million" of people throng the area to have a closer look. For more details, one can read the plaque placed at the "start" of the stream


A poster promoting the area posted at one corner of the long wall.


A glimpse of the many "natural" design of the stream.

Some parts of the stream are re-design to make it have that modern feel, where as some area are just restored as it was, every few hundred meters, the designs will be varied accordingly.


Many people opted to just walk along the pathway, some jog, some just relax, enjoying the view or just reading their papers.


There are exits every few hundred metres, and there are also bridges crossing the stream within the exits, and if one are tired from the long walk, the subway station are just close by.


Another poster of " Seoul | A Lanscape of Silent "


Oh yeap, this is how the general overview of the stream looks like, and if you have watch the Korean Tourism adverts on TV, those "Hi Seoul", this is one of the places that where they did the promo filming.

Actually this was not my first time here, the first time I was here was few years back, which I have posted earlier here.

BRUNEI | Pantai Tungku

Pantai Tungku, a.k.a Tungku Beach, is located in the northern part of Brunei Darussalam.

Facing the South China Sea, this is one of the popular places for the local to bring their family for an outing.



Canon EOS 350D; Canon 10-22mm lens; ISO 100

AN-NUR | Inside Tokyo Mosque & of Domeless Mosque...

Just as mentioned in earlier post, here are some photos of the beautiful interior.


The first thing that awe struck one who enters the main hall is this beautiful art.


I was not alone in the mosque, there were also some tourist/visitor admiring the beauty.


At one corner, one can see the Holy Quran placed on the Rehal.


And at another corner, one can find the Arabic Scripts.


A different view of the mosque's interior.


A view of the main entrance, and the upper deck is for the female jemaah.


Something to ponder:

I have this vision, that if I have the opportunity to build a mosque, I would build it in such a way that it is not those typical "dome and minaret" type of mosque.

Instead, I would build/design it according to the modern designs, perhap something like the "durian" Esplanade, Singapore, or the Beijing's Bird Nest or even their Water Cube, or the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao.

Did you know that, Masjid Nabi S.A.W (Prophet's Mosque) during the time it was built has no dome? It was made from clay and date leaves as roof, and the column was from the date's tree trunk!
As mentioned by Ibn Umar from Sahih Al-Bukhari. The dome was only been introduced in the generation after the Prophet as one of the widely used architecture by the Muslims.

Dome is not one of the condition in building a mosque, but the utmost important is the function of the mosque itself, i.e. to develop the ummah.

Despite the beautiful dome and such, some mosque fail to perform its function, where as the domeless Masjid Nabi has perform its duty and have risen the image/capacity of the ummah.


Mosque without a dome might considered to be awkward or "missing" in today's context, but as a matter of fact, a non-functioning mosque is the one which is considered to be wrongful in Islam!

Wallahuaklam bisawaf.

Just of the record, two sample of modern mosques in the neighbouring country of Singapore are the Masjid Darul Ghufran and the latest one is the Masjid An-Nahdhah. These are what I meant by mosque with the not so typical design.


Salam Ramadhan, for the Muslim, remember to pay your Zakat.
Adfddddn ddahdhah

SEOUL | Central Mosque Part II

Here are the last set of photos for the Seoul Central Mosque.

A different angle of the minaret.


A view of the mosque's interior, just a simple, yet practical area for praying.


Outside view, from the main entrance.


Prince Sultan Islamic School is located within the mosque's compound.


Seoul Central Mosque in it's full glory.

AN-NUR | Seoul Central Mosque

Itaewon in Korea is one of the happening area in Seoul, as it is some kind of an international tourist area.

Before traveling to both Korea & Japan, I have set on mind, and put on my must visit list, to visit at least one of their mosques.

Alhamdulillah, by God's will, I managed to step inside these mosques, and share with you, a glimpse, more or less, Islam in these developed cities.

Hope, by doing these, people can appreciate each other's religion more.

And amidst the busy surrounding of Itaewon, here lies the biggest mosque in Seoul, or in Korea even.

A very prominent landmark, which distinguish this structure from the others within the vicinity.


Arabic motif decorating the concrete cladding.


The traditional pillars on brick layout.


An easily recognisable Islamic patterns decorating the pillars.



Compared to the Tokyo Mosque, this mosque is quite old, built in 1976, yet it is still "flowing" along with the modern era.

AN-NUUR | Tokyo Mosque

Tokyo Cammi & Turkish Culture Centre or also known as the Tokyo Mosque, is the largest mosque in Japan.

Combined with the modern Japanese construction method with designs, material and craftsmen from Turkey, the new mosque was completed in 2000, to replace the old mosque which was constructed in 1938!


Costing more than 1.2 Billion Yen to construct, this mosque is actually situated in the Shibuya District, built "head-to-head" with the rest of the modern structures.

The flags of Turkey & Japan can be seen flying side by side outside the mosque, symbolizing the cooperation between them.


Arabic Calligraphy engraved on one of the outer facades.


Up-close with one of the details.


A glimpse of the 41.48m minaret.


During the trip, there were also some local tourists visiting the mosque.

NOTE: Interior photos will be posted in future posts.

RANDOM | ... And I Don't Wanna Be Alone ....

... in any festive season .... this is one's terrible nightmare.. being alone.. whilst the others are having fun ... with family.. relatives.... friends .... no matter where .... try not to be alone... it will only make you feel more depress ..... unless u really wanna be alone.....

... or perhaps...no one wanna fren fren u .. because... something about u ... so this the time to reflect yourself......


... thinking of going back home for this festive season or not .... or thinking of attending exam on the day itself....

.. to those trying to book ticket ... today might be too late ... you should have book it early as this is a festive season ....

.. Good luck ...

RANDOM | Lighting Up ....

... in the 'ol days... the last week of the fasting month is also known as Malam Likur ..... (not related in any way to Keropok Lekor ... ) where people usually .. lit up their premises with those old fashioned gasoline and string lantern ... but those type of lantern can now be purchased at the convenient shops at less than $5 one piece.. the stand is made of bamboo.....

.. but nowadays .. people just light any candle for any event ... to celebrate birthdays ... anniversary .... to set-up mood .... to eermm... to what ever .....


.. lighting up the hall with loads of tea candle .... some candles are scented ... hmmmm.. just can imagine those lavender .... hmmmm......


... a candle loses nothing by lighting another candle ...

.. if u r not lighting any candles... don't complain about the dark ...

... heeei don play play with fire ... small-small like friend... big-big .. aiyooo so scared meh ...

... "Heeeeeelppp.. there's a fire in here....... " "uh where...? " ... " ... there's a fire in my heart ... " ...

FLORA | Bungatum Kolorei Orenatus...

... I've always posted photo about the modern.... city-life... or landscape.... or man-made wonders.... or something thereabout ....

... hmmm.. I guess.. it is about time for me to get closer to nature .....

.. Brunei ... the Heart of Borneo .. as it is also known as.. are rich in wide variety of flora and fauna ... some of the species found in Brunei are only unique to Brunei...

... and the eco-system is such that .. within a ten metre square area .... one can find hundreds.. if not thousand... species of different breed.....


.. one of the many different beautiful flowers ... surrounded by the soothing green leaves ...

Untuk Renungan Bersama...

Telah bersabda Rasulullah S.A.W.... biasakan dirimu berdoa antara azan dan iqamat, sesungguhnya doa itu tidak akan ditolak...

Telah bersabda Rasulullah S.A.W.... sesungguhnya para malaikat akan memohon keampunan bagi manusia selagi dia berada dalam kesucian dan tidak berhadas.....

Dari Abu Hurairah r.a, bahawasanya ada seorang telah berkata kepada Nabi SAW : " Nasihatilah kepadaku ! " Dijawab oleh Nabi SAW : " Jangan marah! " Orang itu berulangkali meminta supaya dirinya dinasihati, maka tetap Rasulullah SAW mengatakan : " Jangan marah ! "

ABSTRACT | Rocks On The Water ...or... ?

... as soft it may seems ... but over time .... the "soft" water will eventually "hurt" the tough rock .... eroding the rock .... seeping through the tiny ... micro pores .... especially in area with four seasons ... entering the pores .... then ... freezing .... expanding the cores ... and increasing those cracks ... then ... thawing as the temperature rises ....

... expanding.... and contracting in long period of time ... will eventually run havoc to the atom particles.... and thus the rock will then break apart slowly ....


... depending how u see .. or imagine it ... this might as well be ... rocks above the cloud .... ;)

... done let the writing ... or the photo ... play with your mind .... ;)

TRAVEL | The Empty Escalator ...

... just a quick post .... something for the Saturday nite ..


.. the empty escalator ... hmmm... how often can one can find an empty escalator in a busy city ... ? .... not that often ....

SINGAPORE | The Esplanade @ Nite ...

... hmmm ... I think I just wanna post this up .... just kind of a break from the Brunei Street's series .....

.. The Esplanade a.k.a The Durian .... one of the most photographed icons in Singapore ....
(as always ... do click the image to appreciate a larger image of it)

... more photos & detail can be found here...

.... Selamat Malam Kingsway semuanya ... ;)

BRUNEI | FILM OUTING | The Waterfront...

... the day's getting dark ....

... the sun's setting ...

... the boat's getting bouncier due to the "wavy" water ....

... it's getting harder to get a "still" photo .... this is when u really need those Image Stabilizer ...

... with the unchangeable ISO setting .. (due to film constrainted.. ) .. you are stuck with just a single ISO setting ...

.... most autofocus lens would find difficulty in focusing in low light ... the lens would hunt for the right amount of light to get into focus .... and this is where the manual focus with the parallax-error-mirror comes in handy ......

... then gazing the magnificient cloud formations ... .. and with a limited amount of film exposure left.. ...... made you think twice .... .. either to capture the clouds .. or the waterfront .....

... hmmmm ..... but not much time to think about it .. otherwise.... you will miss the moment ....

.. then... * click * ....



... this is what I finally decide to take ...

.... another perspective of the waterfront .... with the marvellous cloud formation .....

BRUNEI | FILM OUTING | Yayasan Water Front ....

... where there's a river ... or water .... there's usually a water front .... or water/river banks ... what ever you wanna call it ...

... looking at the photo .... if only they can extend the water front (to the left of the photo) .. to about few hundred metres more ... this for sure will make a beautiful and magnificient water front .... facing the serenity of the soothing water ....

.. and that water front can then be used as a spectators arena for any water events... such as "dragon" boat race ... kayak race ... and such ...

.... and during normal day ... it can be used as a jogging track ....

.. for sure will gonna be a touristy event/area in the Brunei calendar ....

.. thou many years ago ... an annual water events were done along this stretch of water ... which include ... night time boat float processions during HM's Birthday Celebrations .. powerboat racing .... and "dragon" boat racing etc ...



... a view of the Yayasan Water Front .... from the water .... ;)

BRUNEI | FILM OUTING | School on Water ....

... sssss ... aaaaaa...... yyyy ...... aaaaa...... SAYA ....

.... aaaaa.......ddddd....... aaaaaa ...... ADA

..... bbb ... uuuu .... kkkk....... uuu .... BUKU .....


.... SAYA ADA BUKU .....


... those rythmic tune... of the school children in the school .. still lingers in my ears ....

... for those living next to the school ... or just happened to pass by the school .... never fail to capture those melodic voices of the children learning to spell .... read ..... and counts ....


.. then listening the cheers of the children everytime ... the bell rings for break ... and seeing their ever so happy face especially during the-end-of-school bell ...........

... I was still small at that time ... and I presume ... some of the children are now having some good jobs somewhere....



.. The photo shows Sekolah Rendah Dato Godam, Mukim Sungai Kedayan ..... one of the primary schools at the water village ....


..... dua kali dua ... empat ....

.... dua kali tiga .... enam ....

.. dua kali empat .... lapan .....

...... dua kali lima ...... ;)

FILM OUTING | Tahun Melawat Brunei 2008 ...

.. Tahun Melawat Malaysia 2007 ..... manakala .... tahun 2008 merupakan Tahun Melawat Brunei ....

Bangkok, Thailand terkenal dengan Pasar Terapong atau "Floating Market" nya ....

.... Gondola pula terkenal di Venice Italy ...... yang mana merupakan bandaraya "di atas air" ...

... dan Brunei Darussalam, juga mempunyai keunikan "atas air" nya sendiri.. iaitu Kampong Air ... atau lebih dikenali oleh orang tempatan sebagai Kampung Aying .... dimana di sinilah terletaknya Pusat Pemerintahan Kerajaan yang terawal ..... beberapa kurun yang lalu ....



... penduduk di Kampung Aying .. memerlukan mutu tambang (Perahu) untuk berulang alik dari rumah ke darat ....

... walaubagaimanapun setiap rumah di Kampung Aying mempunyai kesemua kemudahan moden yang ada terdapat di rumah-rumah di daratan .... seperti elektrik, paip air, telefon, TV, radio, komputer dan sebagainya ..... termasuklah kemudahan TV satelit ...

FILM OUTING | BRUNEI | Golds Within ....

... one of the most photographed landmark in Brunei Darussalam .... the Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque .... taken at a different angle .. i.e. from the middle of the Kedayan River (Sungai Kedayan) ....

.... this photo was quite challenging to take ..as the sun's setting ... (i.e. low available light) ... plus .... we were on a rocking boat .. (.. gotta need to hold the camera steady... ) .... plus ... as I was using the Leica R8 .. hence... manual focusing ....



.. btw.... Did You Know That ...

If you are lucky enough to go into the mosque .. u can find the "Tongkat Mimbar" .. ( a kind of stick/cane which the Imam hold while giving the sermons) .... which according to a source from the Ministry of Religious Affair ... the Tongkat Mimbar is about 179cm long with a diameter of 14cm on top and 13cm at the bottom....

.. the wood is made of "Kayu Impas" which comes from Kampong Bokok, Temburong.....

... the top of the Tongkat Mimbar is made from a mixture gold & silver (.. suasa... ngam kah tu ...?) .. and designed to look like the Dome of a mosque ... with comlimentary motifs of 5 stars & moon crescent ....

... the moon crescent and the stars... were meant to be a symbol of Islam.. which was the idea of Sayidina Umar Radiallahu anhu... from the style and attitude of the Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H.)

.. the Tongkat Mimbar was designed by Pengiran Abdul Momin Bin Pengiran Osman (Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Setia Jaya Pengiran Haji Abdul Momin Bin Pengiran Osman) .... and was made by 10 blacksmiths/silverware specialist from Kampong Sungai Kedayan .....

... it was a kind of Wakaf... by the Brunei Islamic Associations... to remember the grand opening of the mosque .... on the 26 September 1958 ... as written on the Tongkat Mimbar in Jawi Scripts...

SEOUL | Ol' Timer ...

... Alone ....

... being alone ... some find it confining ...
.. some find it fulfilling ...
.. some find it sad.....
... alone ... facing the time ....
.. sad time... happy time ....
... alone .... reminicing those loved one ...
.. cherishing those wonderful memories ....
... dropping tears to those tragic one ....

... being alone when u r old ...
... no family nor friend to share your laughter or tears ...
.. but still...
.. better old and alone ... than .... not to reach old ....

.... yet as they said ....
.. everybody needs a little time away ...

.... but what matter most is ...
... thou alone ... but not lonely ....

... whilst some are lonely because ...
.........they build walls instead of bridges....

... alone in the busy hectic world ....
... one might feel alone ...
... but ... one should remember....
... God is still with us.....

.. hence... we are never left alone .....

GF




.. with that .. I'll leave you with these to think about ...

.............One of the secrets of a long and fruitful life is .........to forgive everybody everything every night before you go to bed......

.........The best teacher is ...........one who suggests rather than dogmatizes, and inspires his listener with the wish to teach himself.........

.........We could learn a lot from Crayons:........ Some are sharp, some are pretty, some are dull, while others bright, some have weird names, .........but we have to learn how to live in the same box

........You are only young once, but you can stay immature indefinitely...........

........It hurts to love someone and not be loved in return,............ but what is the most painful is to love someone and never finding the courage to let the person know how you feel..........

.........it is much easier to suggest solutions when you know nothing about the problem............

........Happiness will never come to those who fail to appreciate what they already have..........

...............Don't mind criticism. ............If it is untrue, disregard it. If it is unfair, keep from irritation. It if is ignorant, smile. If it is justified, learn from it...........

............Every morning you are handed 24 golden hours............. They are one of the few things in this world that you get free of charge.............. If you had all the money in the world, you couldn't buy an extra hour. .....................What will you do with this priceless treasure?...................... Remember, you must use it, as it is given only once. .............Once wasted you cannot get it back.........

SANTAI | Kapan Kita Bisa Pacaran Lagi ...

.. waduh ... emangnya gimana eya .... meremang deh bulu gue .....

.... lagi sedang santai di tepi pantai .... asyik dong ... bisa tenang sih pikiran nya .....

... ngak apa ... udah di bilangen sama bokap dan nyokap lho .... lagi ok duang tu ...

........ bagi yang jomblo .... bisa ketemu deh ama calon pacar.... bisa jadi panasaran tu .... kayaknya ngak ada beda deh ama konglomerat ....

... atau ... bisa di goyang deh ... dengaren lagu Si Jablai .... enak dong .....



... wah jangan becanda deh ... lagi nyanyi lagu ini sih .... bisa feel melulu .... bisa kangen sama pacar nya ni ..... ;)

Kemesraan
Iwan Fals & Franky S. (Album Single 1988)

Suatu hari
Dikala kita duduk ditepi pantai
Dan memandang
Ombak dilautan yang kian menepi

Burung camar
Terbang bermain diderunya air
Suara alam ini
Hangatkan jiwa kita

Sementara
Sinar surya perlahan mulai tenggelam
Suara gitarmu
Mengalunkan melodi tentang cinta

Ada hati
Membara erat bersatu
Getar seluruh jiwa
Tercurah saat itu

Kemesraan ini
Janganlah cepat berlalu
Kemesraan ini
Ingin kukenang selalu

Hatiku damai
Jiwaku tentram disampingmu
Hatiku damai
Jiwaku tentram bersamamu

Bersamamu