4:36 am. Friday. Batches of local visitors will add to the already massive crowd. I walked into the dark morning breathing desert breeze to reenergize my body and spirit. I hope there are reasons for me to be happy and smiling today. Seeking company from strangers has been my weakest social skill but now as I have to face it everyday it should be getting better. I am an old man, I dont need new friends. But as my students used to say over and over….”I try my best sir!” So do I.
The azan has just come on. Aaawww! My stomach is noisy again. But to tiptoe with the crowd makes me sicker. I tried to calm down my grumbling tummy to last a bit longer as I navigate through the exit.Usually, I would make my way out after Dhuha and see the beatiful morning sky. A dash of fresh air that would give more reasons to be alive. Not today. The outside was still dark and my ass was about to explode. OMG please make this walk faster than usual. Arrived just in time and released the culprit that has ruined my morning routine.
I could use some extra rest today. Boom! and the dark room made me gone in no time.
By 9am I was up and got ready. Need to be in by 11 am otherwise the guard will block the entrance and diverted the traffic to the far side of the mosque—- the new King Fahd Expansion. A bit of free time gave an opportunity to stroll down Ajyad Street. Many high street type of shops selling all sort of stuff. They look cheap to me but the price may not be as cheap. Used to be popular place of stay among Malaysians , but nowadays they move to the tower— more modern and upscale. During our survey , we came across new residence/hotels/apartment area about 5 km from the mosque. They were cheaper but you need to commute by bus. If mobility isn’t an issue , that place could be better. So do some research before you pick up a package for your next Umrah.
Bought some riyals for retail shopping. Here, one MYR can get 0.76 SAR ;back in Malaysia one MYR can get 0.81 SAR . Ringgit is very weak day in day out and it is hurting the travellers like me to keep our budget in balance. We lost a lot due to weak ringgit over the course of our flight and hotel transaction. The new online money gadget said to save the currency exchange loss but I have yet to use them. Actually , I don’t trust them …hahahah grandpa syndrome.
The khutbah was brief. He talked about Ramadhan and what is important in this month. From what I could pick up here and there—- reading quran and qiam. He quoted a few hadis and quranic verses.
Alhamdulillah iftar was fantastic. Sat beside a family from Morocco and they shared their food- Morocco tea/ coffee ,kinda puff and sweets .oh no there goes my blood sugar. The tea was so sweet my head went for a spin—— had a few sips and took it to the garbage bin. Hope he didn’t see me throwing half of the cup away. I am settled and got myself ready for Isya and Qiam(or taraweeh ).
Qiam touched my heart in more ways than I imagined. The powerful recitation gripped and shook you until the tears dropped instantly. You would start to realize being here in this mosque makes every sense when the narrative of masjidil haraam mentioned in an ayat. Allah talked about this very mosque the one I am standing on right now. I felt included and relevant. Alhamdulillah.
