The Hajj

At this time, millions of Muslims are in Mecca to perform the Hajj. Here are some photos that I took in 2006/2007. All taken with Canon EOS 350D and 1994 28-200mm Tamron Lens. Even though the lens was already 12 years old at that time, it still performs very well.

Pilgrims gathering in Mina. This photo was recently published in a text book (double page spread).

Pilgrims relaxing in front of Nabawi Mosque in Medina. The photo was published many times in various publications.

 Old buildings being demolished in Mecca.

Pilgrims living in private tents in Mina.

Tents in Mina looking like Darth Vader mask.

New bridge

 

This is a new curved suspension bridge for pedestrians in Kuala Terengganu. It connects a new man made island named Pulau Warisan ( Heritage Island)  to the mainland.

 

The bridge connecting Pulau Warisan on the left and the mainland on the right.

World Gamelan Festival 2010 (3)

The Japanese Gamelan team at the festival.

One of the participants at the World Gamelan Festival is the all women team from Japan.

A photographer braving the rain at the show.

Horse drawn public transport

Horse drawn carriage as a public transport still exist in Lembang near Bandung in Indonesia. This is not for tourist. Just like you hop on to a bus in other places, you hop on a horse drawn coach here.

 

Zakat booth

Temporary Zakat booth - 2010, Canon EOS 7D

 

Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia - During the Muslim month of Ramadan, special booths are set up to enable Muslims to pay their alms (Zakat al-Fitrah).
 

 

Eid 2010

This is our last year's Eid family ...err...gathering. Maybe we should ban hand phone this year!

Eid celebration in Malaysia for the year 2010 was declared to fall on 10th September. Happy Eid celebration to all muslims.

Ramadan bazaar

Sunray filtering through Ramadan bazaar in Kuala Terengganu - 2010, Canon 7D 

Every year in Malaysia, during the month of Ramadan, temporary stalls are erected for traders to sell food for breaking fast and cookies for Eid celebration.

Tapai - A traditional food in Malaysia - 2008, Canon 350D

Cookies for Eid celebration - 2008, Canon 350D

Breaking fast

The bell keeper keeping track of the time to ring the big bell - 1971, Konica C35, Tri-X ASA 400. Developed in Microdol-x


In my hometown, Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia, during the month of Ramadan, signal for breaking fast used to be by ringing of a big bell and firing of a cannon. The hundred years old tradition of ringing the bell was discontinued in around the year 2000. The firing of the cannon is now replaced by firing of a single firework that gives a loud boom.

The sound of the bell can be heard in a very wide area of the town because it is located on a hill (Puteri Hill). It is the sound everyboby will be very keen to hear at sunset because they can break their fast. The bell will thereafter be struck on every hour until midnight.  At midnight, ringing of the bell is long. It begin slowly, then it gets faster in rapid succession, a pause, ending with a single ring. It is called Goncang.

The person responsible to ring the bell is said to be from one family. It is passed from one generation to another.

The bell house at Puteri Hill - 1971, Konica C35, Tri-X ASA 400. Developed in Microdol

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