Happy 55th Independence Day, Malaysia

Google's tribute to Malaysia's 55th Hari Merdeka (Independence Day). The hibiscus is the country's national flower.

I know it's almost too late but I would like to wish all Malaysians a Happy 55th Independence Day!

Yes, I am aware that Sabah and Sarawak in Borneo didn't gain independence until 1963 so technically, today isn't the entire country's Independence Day but I believe 31st August 1957 is still a significant date for us. Malaysia was colonised by various countries for hundreds of years. It began when the Portuguese conquered Malaya (Peninsular Malaysia) in 1511 which led to the Dutch, Japanese and British colonisation of Malaya until 1957. My late father was a young child when the Japanese colonial powers invaded Malaya and I recall a few things he said about his experience during that time. 

Recipe for Success from the Qur'an by Fatih Seferagić

While checking my Facebook last night I noticed one of my blog readers shared a video of this young man leading the Ramadhan taraweeh prayers and it caught my attention because she wrote that he is only 17 years old. Yes, Fatih Seferagić is a teenage hafiz (a person who has memorised the entire Qur'an) from Texas and he recites beautifully, mashaa Allah. I also watched the above video of him giving a lecture at a Muslim basketball tournament and felt really proud to have a young Muslim brother like him. Here he is helping his peers by educating them about Islam. How many young people can speak like this at the age of 17? It's clear that people who dedicate themselves to learning (recitation and interpretation) the Qur'an and are sincere in embodying and conveying the message of Islam are blessed with a special kind of eloquence and confidence. I hope to have children like him someday, inshaa Allah.

Sunsilk Lively Clean & Fresh Campaign 2012

As some of you would know, my friends and I were featured in the recent Sunsilk Lively Clean and Fresh television capsules that were aired on TV 3 and TV 9. Many of my friends who aren't in Malaysia have been requesting to see them and I managed to get the mp4 version of the television capsules from the creative agency just for you lovely people. Sorry, they aren't in HD though. Don't you think my friends look gorgeous? Masha Allah. But I can't help feeling that I look like such a dork especially in the beginning, to be honest. Clearly an amateur... tsk tsk.

Eid ul Fitri 2012 Outfits

EID MUBARAK / SELAMAT HARI RAYA my lovelies! Please forgive me if I've hurt or offended you in this blog. Yes, I'm human and I make mistakes. Lots of them. I hope you are all enjoying your time with your loved ones. Truthfully, I'm sad Ramadhan is over. I feel like it came and went too soon but alhamdulillah, isn't it great that we were able to experience another Ramadhan? May Allah swt accept our good deeds and allow us to embody the spirit of Ramadhan for the months and years to come inshaa Allah. 

Preparing for Eid ul Fitri (Hari Raya Aidilfitri) is a lot of work in Malaysia and I forgot that as the last time I celebrated Eid here was in 2007. What do I mean by a lot of work? If you didn't know, Eid is celebrated for an entire month in Malaysia and we invite people to our home for a month. Yes, Eid ul Fitr is a very big deal here! And Eid (Hari Raya) clothes are a big part of this annual celebration. It is tradition for Eid clothes to be custom-made but it is common for people to buy ready-made Eid outfits these days. I personally wanted to be simple this year and the lovely Chloe Idris suggested that I should post some pictures for you guys... et voilà!

Day One: Abaya-like dress by Rimba in eggshell

The Eid Video That Made Everyone Cry

Every year various Malaysian companies and directors will produce advertisements that are centered on family values for major religious celebrations in the country, including Hari Raya Aidilfitri, known as Eid ul-Fitr to celebrate the end of Ramadhan. I know my Malaysian readers would have seen this Bernas advertisement on television already but I think my non-Malaysian readers would appreciate it too. 
Word of advice: Get your tissues ready! 

How to Have Beautiful Eyes

{photo credit: lonely planet}

Our eyes. We don't really think much about them, do we? But we know without our eyesight life would be completely different. If I were blind I would feel immobilised but there are blind Muslims who read, learn and memorise the Qur'an and some even become Imams, mashaa Allah. They don't allow their lack of vision to stop them from doing something as challenging as memorising the Qur'an. It makes me wonder, "What about me? What have I done with the blessing of eyesight? Have I done more good than bad, or otherwise?" 

Lailatul Qadr

{What is Lailatul Qadr?}
{The Night of Power: Do Not Miss!}

How Can You Say God is Just?

People often question, "Why do good things happen to bad people? How can you say God is just?" 

Simple.

Sha Elaiza in The Star, Hijabista and on TV!

I was recently interviewed by Kevin Tan from The Star newspaper about my feat of fasting from music during Ramadhan. The article is published in today's print so go get it TODAY! I'm also featured in the August issue of Hijabista magazine for a  fashion shoot called "Beautiful Dancer" along with Shea Rasol from My Amethyst, Eyqa Sulaiman from SugarScarf and Sue Anna Joe from Budu dan Belacan . Although, I should say the skinny jeans I wore in the shoot is not something I would wear in public especially as a hijabi...