GoOD Malaysians, Have a BLESSED Holiday!

Yesterday, Malaysians, especially those of the Hindu faith, celebrated Deepavali, the Festival of Lights when GOoD Triumphs Over Evil. Malaysians are won't to go on xxtended leave -- is this good or bad? -- so many are still back at the kampong, village or estate celebrating -- as TOMORROW the Muslims celebrate a new year.

For better understanding, here's from publicholidays.com.my:~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Awal Muharram dates for 2012 & 2013

Year	Date	Day	State
2012	15 November	Thursday	National
2013	5 November	Tuesday	National

What is Awal Muharram?

Awal Muharram (also called Maal Hijrah) celebrates the beginning of the Islamic new year, and is also the beginning of ten days of rememberance for the martyrdom of Hussein ibn Ali, Prophet Mohammed’s grandson, who was killed in the battle of Karbala on the tenth day of Muharram.

Muharram, derived from the word haram which means sinful, is a month considered most sacred of all besides the month of Ramadan. During this time, Muslims are forbidden to fight; hence, a time of mourning and peace.

This first month of the Islamic year coincides with the migration of Prophet Mohammed from Mecca to Medina in 622 A.D and is therefore, considered a time for self-evaluation and a starting point for change.

This event is celebrated by Muslims all over the world. The Shia Muslims (Shi’ite) spend the day mourning—some even to the extent of flogging themselves—to commemorate the martyrdom of Hussein ibn Ali. The Sunni Muslims fast and celebrate the day according to the Sunnah of Mohammed which is in honour of Moses’ rescue of the people of Israel from Pharaoh.

On the 10^th day of Muharram most Muslims start fasting when the sun rises and do not eat until later in the evening. Muslims cook sweet rice, also known as Bubur Asyura and share them among family members and friends during their break fast. It is also during this time that Muslims gather in mosques to usher in the new Hijri year.

At the same time, various religious activities will be carried out such as spiritual singing, religious activities and the recitation of Koranic verses. Since special prayers and sermons are conducted in public halls and mosques, areas around mosques might be congested in the evenings and at night.


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Meanw'ile, BUMmers can join Desi as he heads for his/"our" spiriteDEStination for a rendezvous wit' the Bee Gees, yes, for a Holiday!:):):):):):):), with like-minded scribes from across the se7en  c-C~C~C~C~C-c,

via: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJmRdE3WBgE ~~~~~~~

Songwriters: GIBB, ROBIN HUGH / GIBB, BARRY ALAN

Ooh you're a holiday , such a holiday
Ooh you're a holiday , such a holiday

Its something I thinks worthwhile
If the puppet makes you smile
If not then you're throwing stones
Throwing stones, throwing stones

Ooh it's a funny game
Don't believe that it's all the same
Cant think what Ive just said
Put the soft pillow on my head

Millions of eys can see
Yet why am I so blind
When the someone else is me
Its unkind, it's unkind

De de de de de de de de de de de de de
De de de de de de de de de de de de de

Yet millions of eyes can see
Yet why am I so blind
When the someone else is me
Its unkind, it's unkind

Ooh you're a holiday , evry day , such a holiday
Now it's my turn to say , and I say you're a holiday
Its something I thinks worthwhile
If the puppet makes you smile
If now then you're throwing stones
Throwing stones , throwing stones

De de de de de de de de de de de de de de