Wrote to Fazil
Me: This is one of the strangest mornings of my life. And that is saying something indeed. There is a lizard in my sink . People born in Canada have no innate knowledge of lizards I have decided. But it is not an emergency. I am bigger than it is. Hahaha
(He responded later by sending a laughing emoji to the ‘it is not emergency’ comments.
Later I sent an amazing sunrise photo, which you shall see at the conclusion on the blog.
Me: Look at what Allah sent to me to send to you.
He: Wow That is stunning indeed.
Me: It is amazing how it happened. Usually I sit outside (awake from Fajr prayer) watching the sun slowly rise. But not this morning, I was in bed communicating via phone and computer. Noticed suddenly it was daylight so ran to look out. There was this sunrise in full glory.
We spoke of other private matters.
Me: I think I figured out how to get the lizard out of the sink Self help Hahaha My blog got posted while we slept (we are on the same time zone). I was rewarded for staying up late and finishing it. The backstory to the message of solace SO interesting. I will send it in an email to explain. Going for a blow job (no blow dry) in the Enyaw Salon. If I reach success in my lizard eviction I will let you know. I know your prayers are with me. (Hahaha)
My efforts at communicating are not altogether being rewarded. Shamir the Faithful is not responding. I am not ‘reaching out’ to Mohan.
There is a backstory to my morning message to Fazil. I awoke for Fajr prayer, deciding to pray outside. I heard the most beautiful sound, the waves were lightly slapping on the shore AND the Call to Prayer, from the Floating Mosque. This was music to my ears (so to speak). I can only guess that during my numerous prior prayers, the noise of the waves slapping on the shore and the noise of the air conditioners drowned out the melodious entreaty.
Perhaps some definitions are in order.
Entreaty is an earnest or humble request. It was the perfect word to use “melodious entreaty to describe the call to prayer. Some synonyms: plea, beseeching, supplication, bidding. In French cri de coeur cry from the heart. Please understand and remember this: “In Islamic faith, the “heart” (qalb) is a central concept, representing not just the physical organ but also the seat of emotions, intellect, and spiritual awareness, considered crucial for understanding and connecting with God.”
Music to my ears is something that is very pleasant or gratifying to hear or discover. What figure of speech is music to my ears? It is a metaphor. Metaphor is a figure of speech in which two unlikely objects are compared without using the words – “like” and “as”
I could continue regaling you with stories of my day but I must discipline myself to look back on my KL days. You have heard, and seen, reels of the final days. We shall recreate the morning of April 8, 2025. Plans began earlier, on April 6.
He: I am potentially free on Tuesday for an Islamic Arts Museum visit. I bring you there. And then perhaps we can have early lunch at the Pavilion and then I have to rush for a conference at 2:30 pm. How’s that?
Me: It could not be more perfect. WOW Mashallah. I can extend my stay here at the Marriott.
Later
Me: I extended my stay with late checkout on Wednesday. Same room rate. Phew
He: Hoho congratulations.
Negotiations continued. Communication is so necessary, things do not just happen accidentally.
He: For tomorrow I will be at the hotel at 8:30 am. We can go straight to the museum for their opening time at 9:30. But I only have a window. I can leave your there if you want to stay longer. Up to you.
Me: Okay. I understand. We will see how it goes. Is that okay?? It may be that just getting the lay of the land so to speak will be enough I think so but do let us see. Over and out.
He arrived in a timely fashion, I was outside the lobby with an umbrella held high aping a tourist guide.
We arrived at the Museum. It was not as yet open, we walked along the tree lined street – most magnificent trees I have ever seen. Born in Canada I am accustomed to deciduous trees – Malaysian trees do not loose their leaves during winter. There ain’t no winter. I arrived from Saudi Arabia, to live in Penang about a year ago. I remember looking out window in awe
Me: Look at the trees!! Look at the trees!!
We walked and talked slowly. Well not exactly. We walked rather slowly but talked in our usual fashion. Haha
We were the museums first customers. I had, in my usual fashion, done some homework. Learning this from the web site.
Interest in Islamic art has grown enormously in recent years. Reflecting this awareness, in December 1998 Malaysia became home to Southeast Asia’s largest museum of Islamic art.”
I read about those trees I admired on our walk. “Situated amid the leafy surroundings of central Kuala Lumpur’s Lake Gardens, the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia occupies a large area of 30,000 square meters.
The architectural style is truly amazing – so well thought out and designed. The web site explains. .
“The architectural style of the museum building is modern, with an Islamic feel created by the details rather than by the structure itself. Iranian tile workers transformed the swan-style entrance into a ceramic tapestry that frames a welcoming verse from sura al-Ankabut (“the Spider’) of the Quran. On the roof, these artisans turned the dome-construction traditions of Central Asia into the building’s drowning glory. The turquoise-coloured domes are now a landmark on the Kuala Lumpur skyline. Inside the building, the angularity of the 21st-century design is contrasted with the soft, rounded forms of the five domes that dominate the museum’s interior. Labored over by craftsmen from Uzbekistan. These imposing features help form an ambience that is both airy and harmonious. The seamless continuity of light and space is maintained throughout the galleries and into other areas of the museum, such as the Scholars Library and the MOZA Restaurant.”
That was, more or less, my mindset. But what happened when we got there was unexpected. Fazil, on his own accord, got a wheelchair and I was pushed about. It was so considerate and caring. I can walk, do so without a limp but tire easily. It also meant we could share the experience. I forgot this about myself until just now. When going to a museum with anyone my whole adult life I would customarily designate a meeting spot and time, then go in solitude to see what I wanted to see at my own pace. I am laughing to myself at this moment.
Me: Somehow he had a better plan and knew I had to be confined. How did he know this? .
Alter Ego: Do not ask me. He must be clairvoyant. Are you happy he got you a wheelchair?
Me: Of course I am. He has so much to share. Learned so much about the displays and architecture – and lots about his travels and experiences.
Alter Ego: So it worked out?
Me: Perfectly!!
Although my trusty 16 Pro Max was clutched firmly in my hand I took very few photos as I was totally immersed in the experience. Seeing richly, beautifully and gold inlayed Qurans from the earliest times was mind boggling. I kept wondering how they had been preserved for such a in such pristine conditions.
I looked through my few photos. They are few and far between, all related to our conversations. Fazil had travelled to Kazakhstan, so there are photos of Kazakhstan headdresses. A photo of a display cabinet of Malay knives, some ferocious ones.
He: You see, those are knives of assassination, designed to do the utmost damage.
Me: I can see what you mean. Remind me never to mess with you.
He: Hahaha
I was having difficulty completing this blog.
Me: I am having writer’s block, usually never experienced.
He: Do you know why?
Me: I cannot figure it out at the moment.
Pondered this over in my mind. ponder think about (something) carefully, especially before making a decision or reaching a conclusion. I mulled over, chew over, turn over in one’s mind; put on one’s thinking cap about.
This is what I came up with. My modus operandi is write about my solitary experiences at the time, with no interference, speaking in candor of my own situation. This day was different – in the past with lots of other things doing on, not solitary, (there were two of us) and some of the words spoken were private.
A sudden thought came to mind: “You Had to be there.” “You had to be there” is an idiom meaning that someone could not fully understand or appreciate something because they didn’t experience it personally. It suggests that the situation was unique and cannot be easily recreated or explained without being present.
All of that is true. This was an absolutely unique morning, it could not possibly be recreated or explained. No wonder I had writer’s block?!?!
