Australians and Iranians - minus the neo-cons

Australian envoy visits Imam shrine Thu, 29 Nov 2007 09:14:35

Australian envoy pays tribute to late Imam Khomeini Australian envoy to Tehran has paid tribute to founder of the Islamic Revolution late Imam Khomeini, calling him a global figure. Greg Moriarty paid homage to Imam Khomeini by laying a wreath at his mausoleum in south Tehran on Wednesday night. Moriarty noted that the Imam's thoughts and ideas were influential worldwide. Imam Khomeini is revered in Australia, the envoy said, noting that no place exists in the world where people have not heard of such a great political figure and his unique ideas. AR/FH/PA

'Australian vote shows Bush backlash'
Fri, 30 Nov 2007 22:08:53

Japan's opposition chief Ichiro Ozawa

Japan's opposition leader hails Australia's election as a backlash against the US President, urging his country to revise its US policies.

"The election outcome was due to the Australians sentiment against the (Australian Premier John) Howard administration in blindly following George W.) Bush on every issue," said Japan's opposition chief Ichiro Ozawa.

He also expressed his regret over the Japanese reluctance in compelling their leaders to change the country's pro-Us policies.

Australian Labor Party leader, Kevin Rudd, won elections last Saturday.

He said he would move quickly to keep his election promise of bringing Australia's 550 front-line troops home from Iraq.

MMS/DT

4 sending large files

CLICK HERE For | Computing & Internet |

CLICK HERE For | Software & Hardware |

Muhammad & Rugby

You guys probably heard the news by now that MCKK U-16 Rugby Team lost in their Semi-Final game of the Cup Championship to SSBP (Sekolah Sukan Bandar Penawar), the National Sports School. SSBP later became the eventual winners of the 4th BCHB-COBRA Rugby 10s Schools Invitational Tournament after beating SMKYP in the Final.

Muhammad squatting second from left

The final score, between them. SSBP beats MCKK 12 - 5, with MCKK fighting untill the last minutes

In the Final of the Schools Competition between SSBP and SMKYP (Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Yahya Petra) Kelantan, the SSBP thrashed SMKYP by 43 - 0

Our MCKK boys could only watch but took pride of scoring a try against SSBP where no other schoolboys team in this tournament could do. They played their hearts out until the final whistle.

courtesy Br RMA ( with a slight edtion)



IAN DURY - WHAT A WASTE


You deserve to hear this Late Cockney Londoner lyrics (down the page) from the stage

US diplomats protest call-up to Iraq

Thu, 01 Nov 2007 09:16:36

US dimplomats oppose call-up to Iraq Roughly 300 US diplomats have protested against the State Department's decision to force Foreign Service officers to take jobs in Iraq. In the largest diplomatic call-up since Vietnam, the participants objected to the enforced service at the Baghdad embassy as part of the so-called Provincial Reconstruction Teams. This conscription is a result of a lack of volunteers willing to go to Iraq, and those who refuse service face dismissal. Many diplomats have described it as 'potential death sentence'. The ethics of sending diplomats against their will has come under scrutiny even though the embassy staff is largely confined to the so-called “Green Zone”. The President of the American Foreign Service Association (AFSA) John Naland said a recent survey found only 12 percent of the union's membership believed Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was 'fighting for them.' Under the new order, 200 to 300 diplomats have been identified as 'prime candidates' to fill 48 vacancies next year. Those notified have 10 days to accept or reject the position. However, should there still be a shortage, diplomats may be ordered to go. FBA/JC/PA

For More Hotels Click Here

Longtime Bush adviser resigns

Wed, 31 Oct 2007 21:48:23 source pressTV Karen Hughes, one of George W. Bush's last remaining advisers from his circle of Texas aides, has said she will step down this year. Her departure follows that of close Bush aides Karl Rove and Dan Bartlett. The three from Texas are widely credited with Bush's rise to the White House. Announcing Hughes' decision to leave the department in mid-December, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said she had accepted the resignation "with a great deal of sadness but also a great deal of happiness for what she has achieved" and with the understanding that she would continue to work on several projects. Hughes has spent the past two years trying to improve the image of the US abroad, especially in the Middle East. She was responsible for trying to polish the image of the US overseas in the wake of the Iraq war and the damaging Abu Ghraib prison abuse scandal. But polls show no improvement in the world's view of the US since she took over. A Pew Research survey earlier said the unpopular Iraq war is a persistent drag on the US image and has helped push favorable opinion of America in Muslim Indonesia, for instance, from 75% in 2000 to 30% last year.

One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest Trailer

The Original Cheaper By The Dozen

Disallowed England try?

england rugby world cup final 07- the tri was ours

I agree, his foot hit the line before the ball was grounded. As much as I wanted England to win, the tri wasn't ours. :-

at 1:35 foot touches line before ball grounded

View all 8 comments

South Africa wins Rugby World Cup

Sun, 21 Oct 2007 18:12:17

South African president Thabo Mbeki celebrates the victory. South Africa has claimed the William Webb Ellis Cup after punishing the Rugby World Cup's defending champions, England, with a 15-6 win. In the hard-fought title match, Percy Montgomery converted all of his four penalty kicks to goal. Francois Steyn also kicked one long-range goal to score all of the points for the Springboks, who are now two times champions of the World Cup. "It's unbelievable. We have been building and working towards winning and, ultimately we have won the World Cup," said Montgomery, the tournament's leading scorer. England's points were all scored by the boot of Jonny Wilkinson, who kicked a penalty in each half. While England fans applauded their team's performance at the Stade de France outside Paris, the British players were bitterly disappointed with the result. "It's a shame that all that spirit counts for nothing. We gave it everything but it didn't go to plan. We are immensely disappointed," said England forward Martin Corry. MD/JR/RE - Source Presstv

South Africa Rugby Team

Argentina 17 France 12

Highlights & Final Score Englang Vs France

highlights from the semi finals against france

height="350">

RWC07 Semi Final - Eng vs France (Part 14 - Second Half)

RWC07 Semi Final - Eng vs France (Part 8 - Half Time)

Type of Conspiracy ordained by Almighty

Verse 9 & 10 Surah 58 - She That Disputeth

9. O ye who believe! When ye conspire together, conspire not for crime and wrongdoing and disobedience towards the messenger, but conspire together for righteousness and piety, and keep your duty toward Allah, unto whom ye will be gathered.

The next verse remind us of the sinister conspiracy peculiar only for devil.

10. Lo! Conspiracy is only of the devil, that he may vex those who believe: but he can harm them not at all unless by Allah's leave. In Allah let believers put their trust.

( Translation by Marmaduke Pickthall )

AL-SAHIFA AL-SAJJADIYYA
Dua - The Whispered Prayer of the Obedient towards God

The man who stands between US and new war

Last Updated: 1:26pm BST 09/10/2007

Robert Gates, the US defence secretary, has taken charge of the forces in the American government opposed to a US military attack on Iran, writes Tim Shipman. Pentagon and State Department officials say Mr Gates has set himself up as chief rival to Dick Cheney in a bid to thwart the vice president's desire to bomb the Islamic state. Defence secretary Robert Gates: a force for peace Those familiar with internal battles in the Bush administration say Mr Gates has eclipsed Condoleezza Rice, the secretary of state, as the chief opponent of air strikes and is the main reason President George W.Bush has yet to resort to military action. Pentagon sources say Mr Gates is waging a subtle campaign to undermine the Cheney camp by encouraging the army's senior officers to speak frankly about the overstretch of forces, and the difficulty of fighting another war. Bruce Reidel, a former CIA Middle East officer, said: "Cheney's people know they can beat Condi. They have been doing it for six years. Bob Gates is a different kettle of fish. He doesn't owe the President anything. He is urging his officers to be completely honest, knowing what that means." Officials say Mr Gates's strategy bore fruit when Admiral William Fallon, the head of US Central Command, charged with devising war plans for Iran, said last month that the "constant drumbeat of war" was not helpful. He was followed by General George Casey, the army's new chief of staff, who requested an audience with the House of Representatives armed services committee to warn that his branch of the military had been stretched so thin by the Iraq war that it was not prepared for yet another conflict. Gen Casey told Congress the army was "out of balance" and added: "The demand for our forces exceeds the sustainable supply. We are consumed with meeting the demands of the current fight, and are unable to provide ready forces as rapidly as necessary for other potential contingencies." Mr Gates has forged an alliance with Mike McConnell, the national director of intelligence, and Michael Hayden, the head of the Central Intelligence Agency, to ensure that Mr Cheney's office is not the dominant conduit of information and planning on Iran to Mr Bush. Insiders say Mr Gates has ensured that Mr Bush has seen more extensive studies of the probable negative effects of an attack on Iran than he was privy to before the war in Iraq. One CIA insider said: "Bush understands that any increase in real military hostilities in Iran right now could have a negative effect. Bob Gates is the only one opposed to it. He's the single person in the US government who has any standing with the White House fighting it."

Source Telegraph.co.uk

MCOBA Quad Colors is ANSARA Cup 2007 Runner-Up

MCOBA Quad Colors football team is the runner-up in ANSARA Cup 2007 after losing to ANSARA Kuala Terengganu in the final game which took place at Petronas Permata Stadium, Bangi. Qaud Colors led the game 1-0 during the first half. 10 minutes before the game is over,the opponent equalized. In the end, Quad Colors lost 4-5 on penalties.

Under the leadership of Syed Khalid and Khairul Nizam, both from Class of '94, this is the team's best performance in ANSARA Cup. Thanks to the team for working so hard and coming so far. MCOBA is proud of you.

Peaceful Nuclear Rights

Aziz: Stop discrimination in N-rights
Tue, 04 Sep 2007 04:17:46
The Economic Times

Pakistan's PM says all countries have the right to access nuclear technology.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz says all of the world countries should exercise equal rights to peaceful nuclear technology.

In an apparent reference to a nuclear pact between India and the US, Shaukat Aziz said there should be no discrimination in developing nuclear technology.

Under the pact, New Delhi will get access to US nuclear technology, despite the fact that it is not an NPT signatory state. The US has repeatedly ruled out a similar nuclear deal with Pakistan.

Pakistan's Prime Minister reiterated that his country is duty-bound to meet its energy needs through all available means including nuclear technology and revealed that the construction of more nuclear reactors is underway in Pakistan.

He said all countries have the right to develop and use nuclear technology for peaceful purposes, under appropriate safeguards.

Thailand to build first N-plant
Tue, 04 Sep 2007 03:58:47
The Times of India

Energy-hungry Thailand is planning to construct its first nuclear power plant.

Thailand is to build its first nuclear power plant over the next decade in a bid to cope with a looming power shortage, a top official said.

"The construction of the first nuclear power plant will take between 10 to 15 years and we are seeking 200 nuclear experts to help us," Thailand's Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont said.

Thailand's largest energy company will invest six billion dollars in the project, which is expected to be operational in 2020.

The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) has said the planned nuclear facility would produce 4,000 megawatts of electricity.

Thailand heavily relies on natural gas for electricity production with 70 percent of the electricity needs being met from natural gas. The rest is coming from oil, coal and hydropower.

One third of the natural gas consumed in Thailand is imported, mainly from neighboring Myanmar, and EGAT sees nuclear power as a stable energy source due to worries over a future hike in natural gas and oil prices.

Lebanon opposition gives up condition

Sun, 02 Sep 2007 09:03:48
Source: Reuters

Nabih Berri, Parliament Speaker and leader of al-Amal party

Lebanon's opposition has dropped its demand for a national unity government ahead of an upcoming presidential election, Nabih Berri says.

Lebanon's opposition has dropped a condition for its participation in an upcoming presidential election in parliament, said the opposition figure Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri .

The opposition, which includes pro-Syrian Shia Muslim Hezbollah and Berri's Amal group, had demanded a new national unity government with an opposition veto and a consensus presidential candidate as conditions for attending the vote, where its MPs are needed to make it valid.

"Let us come together to approve presidential elections on the basis of consensus and a two-thirds majority ... the opposition does not want a (national unity) government before the elections," Berri said.

Berri's announcement gave some ground in a political conflict with Prime Minister Fouad Siniora's US-backed anti-Syrian government that has paralyzed Lebanon since November.

The constitution says parliament should meet on September 25 to elect a replacement for pro-Syrian President Emile Lahoud, whose term expires at midnight on November 23. Opposition MPs are needed at the vote for a two-thirds quorum to be met.

Siniora's supporters have prioritized replacing Lahoud with someone independent of Syria ever since Syrian troops left Lebanon in 2005 after the killing of former prime minister Rafik al-Hariri.

But Hezbollah is equally determined to keep the presidency out of the hands of political adversaries that are believed to be controlled by Washington, and little progress has been made on appointing a compromise presidential candidate.

Amnesty defends Muslim Brotherhood

Sat, 01 Sep 2007 02:31:17
Sources: Agencies

The Muslim Brotherhood aims to bring Islamic law to Egypt.

Amnesty International (AI) has expressed great concern over the arrest of two Egyptian lawmakers from the banned Muslim Brotherhood.

"Amnesty International is deeply greatly concerned by the recent arrests, detention and prosecution on terrorism-related charges of leading members of the Muslim Brotherhood, apparently because of their peaceful exercise of their right to freedom of association and assembly," it said in a statement.

The brotherhood has been banned since 1954, and more than 400 of its members, including four leading activists, have been jailed in a recent clampdown by security agencies.

The group is Egypt's most potent opposition group and describes itself as a moderate Islamic organization that wants to bring Islamic law to Egypt. Under recent controversial constitutional amendments, no political party is allowed in Egypt that is religion based.

The Muslim Brotherhood has 88 seats in Egypt's 454-member legislature.

UEFA Champions League Group Stage

Fri, 31 Aug 2007 02:59:56
Source: PressTV and agencies

UEFA Champions Leag draw is fixed

The group stage of the Champions League draw was made at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco and the 32 teams were split into 8 groups of four.

However one place in the group stage is yet to be filled, as the second leg of AEK Athens FC's third qualifying round tie with Sevilla FC was postponed to Monday 3 September due to the death of the Spanish club's midfielder Antonio Puerta on Tuesday. The eventual winners will play in Group H against Arsenal FC, FC Steaua Bucure?ti and SK Slavia Praha, newcomers to this stage.

The group stage for Groups A,B,C and D will kick off on Tuesday September 18, and for Groups E,F,G and H on Wednesday September19.

Group A: Liverpool, Porto, Marseille, Besiktas
Group B: Chelsea, Valencia, FC Schalke, Rosenborg
Group C: Real Madrid, Werder Bremen, Lazio, Olympiakos
Group D: AC Milan, Benfica, Celtic, Shakhtar Donetsk
Group E: FC Barcelona, Lyon, Stuttgart, Rangers
Group F: Manchester United, AS Roma, Sporting Lisbon, Dynamo Kiev
Group G: Internazionale, PSV Eindhoven, CSKA Moscow, Fenerbahce
Group H: Arsenal, (Sevilla or AEK Athens), Steaua Bucharest, Slavia Prague

MMN/RA

Iranian Volleyball Champ & player earns MVP award

Mon, 27 Aug 2007 21:26:09
Source: Press TV and agencies

Iran's volleyball player Mojtaba Ghiasi

Iran's volleyball player Mojtaba Ghiasi has been named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the 2007 Boys' Youth World Volleyball Championship.

Alireza Jadidi, another player in Iran's squad, won the best blocker award at the tournament.

Indian Singh Mandeep was named the best scorer; Chinese Huang Bin the best attacker, Cuban Rolando Cepeda the best server; Argentinean Nicolas Uriarte best setter; American Erik Shoji the best libero and defender and Puerto Rican Dennis Del Valle the best receiver.

Iran's name has been etched in the volleyball history book after becoming the 2007 youth world volleyball champion for the first time.

Iran defeated China 3-2 early Monday in an all Asian final.

Birth and Marriage :

On the 14th August 2007, Ghaz - Yu Nah had their third Child, a baby boy whom their parents named Muhd Iyad Mustakim.

On the 20th August 2007, Kak Ti - Mok Cik Noh organised a thanksgiving lunch to relatives and friends in Machang to celebrate their third child, Ahmad Nazipan marriage to Wan Nor Aida.

Iranian basketball team crowned as Asian Champion

Tehran, Aug 5, IRNA

Iran-Lebanon-Basketball
Iran's national basketball team scored a victory over its heavy weight rival Lebanon and won Asian Championship, thus getting green card to attend 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

In final game, Iran's national squad got 74 points against 69 and grabbed the title.

The final match of Fiba Asian Cup was held in Tokushima, Japan on August five, 2007.

AFC Asian Cup 2007: Iraq vs. South Korea -- Penalty Shots

AFC Asian Cup 2007 - semi-final | Saudi Arabia vs Japan 3-2

Teen's Secret Travels - To Iraq, now Afghanistan

AC Milan vs Liverpool

- Champions League Final 07' Goals -

FA Cup Final - 19/05/2007 - Chelsea Champion

Drogba scored Chelsea 1 Manchester United 0

Liverpool vs Chelsea Champions League

Highlights Penalties

Liverpool 1 - Chelsea 0 (01.05.2007)

AC MILAN Vs Man Utd. Champions League

Second Leg - Goals Highlights

Don't Worry, Be Happy

Performed by Bobby McFerrin


Here is a little song I wrote
You might want to sing it note for note
Don't worry be happy
In every life we have some trouble
When you worry you make it double
Don't worry, be happy......

Ain't got no place to lay your head
Somebody came and took your bed
Don't worry, be happy
The land lord say your rent is late
He may have to litigate

Don't worry, be happy
Lood at me I am happy
Don't worry, be happy

Here I give you my phone number
When you worry call me
I make you happy
Don't worry, be happy
Ain't got no cash, ain't got no style
Ain't got not girl to make you smile
But don't worry be happy
Cause when you worry
Your face will frown
And that will bring everybody down
So don't worry, be happy (now).....

There is this little song I wrote
I hope you learn it note for note
Like good little children
Don't worry, be happy

Listen to what I say
In your life expect some trouble
But when you worry
You make it double
Don't worry, be happy......
Don't worry don't do it, be happy
Put a smile on your face
Don't bring everybody down like this
Don't worry, it will soon past
Whatever it is
Don't worry, be happy

Favorite Verses

Many converts in their search for answers have in the process had become more poetic. True to Moa Tze Tungs words perhaps, he said “all revolutionaries are poetic”. These later converts look at life in a very different manner than most teachers at local schools, local hospital psychiatrists and Government paid television preachers who sees life as an okay and we err. They saw life as something not right and they too are missing something right. For example read Maryam Jameelah works in “western civilization condemned itself”.

It also interesting to note each prophet is given a dominance over the rest in a miracle that close to the social heart of its people. That’s why Solleh (as) was given a unique camel. Jesus (as) was given the cure for diseases and even death. David (as) the grace to defeat the might of Goliath and Moses (as) with his magic stick, for magic was not only dominant but also majestic during his time The prophet was given the Qur’an as a miracle. Since his time words have been used in communications of all kinds. of literatures through books, periodicals, telecommunications and now the computer’s web. Thus the Qur’an is as alive, not any less than when it was progressively revealed some 1400 years ago.

Some of the converts managed to get a hold to the Qur’an via gifts or own initiatives . The passage the first read chapter, The Opening was in fact, implementing the very meaning of the first revealed verse , Iqra’ (read). The first chapter is also known as the mother (Umm-ul) of Qur’an. It is an invocation to the Great One for guidance, in fact beseeching him for a straight path to exclude the paths taken by two kinds of deviants, first that has lost the path, gone astray and angered him and second type who had usurped the path, blinded others the true path and profiting from it while making others to follow their paths and hence challenging God himself, the extreme type.

Now we shall look at the verses . The converts were moved by the immediate reply that came in the early verses in the next surah which we will also see its translation and the terms or conditions that are placed before them if they are truly looking for and wanted guidance.

The Opening (7 verses revealed at Mecca)

1. In the name of Allah, the Beneficent , the Merciful
2. Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds:
3. The Beneficent, the Merciful
4. Owner of the Day of Judgement
5. Thee (alone) we worship; Thee (alone) we ask for help.
6. Show us the straight path
7. The path of whom thou hast favored; Not the path of those who earn Thine anger nor those who gone astray.


Al Baqarah ( revealed in Medina first 5 verses of 286)
(the surah following the Opening)

1. Alif Lam Mim
2. This is a scripture whereof there is no doubt, a guidance for those Who ward off (evil)
3. Who believe in the unseen, and establish worship, and spend of that “We bestowed upon them.”
4. And who believe in that which is revealed unto thee ( Muhammad ) and Which is revealed before thee, and are certain of the hereafter.
5. These depend on guidance from their Lord These are the successful.

Two things probably is worthy, regarding Ilmu Qur’an (Koranic Knowledge) to note here, the first concerning the arrangement. Note that Quranic verses are not arranged according to the chronological order they were revealed. It is a norm that student in the science of Quran would study in depths reasons behind, why a particular verse revealed. The Opening was reveal in Medina when early Muslims were persecuted and unable to practice Islam as a way of life. The second surah (Chapter) was revealed in Mecca where Muslims could implement a way of life in the midst of a cosmopolitan society of Mecca.

( all interpretations of the surah were of Marmaduke Pickhal's )

The FIrst Few Verses Revealed

Munajat

Supplications (Munajat) of Khwajah
'Abdallah Ansari, the great saint of Herat.

I live only to do Thy will,
My lips move only in praise of Thee
O Lord, whoever becometh aware of Thee
Casteth out all else other than Thee.

O Lord, give me a heart
That I may pour it out in Thanksgiving
Give me life
That I may spend it
In working for the salvation of the world.

O Lord, give me understanding
That I stray not from the path

Give me light
To avoid pitfalls.

O Lord, give me eyes
Which see nothing but Thy glory.

Give me a mind
That finds delight in Thy service.

Give me a soul
Drunk in the wine of Thy wisdom.

Gerry Rafferty - Baker Street

Windin' your way down on Baker Street
Light in your head and dead on your feet
Well another crazy day
You'll drink the night away
And forget about everything
This city desert makes you feel so cold.
It's got so many people but it's got no soul
And it's taking you so long
To find out you were wrong
When you thought it had everything

You used to think that it was so easy
You used to say that it was so easy

But you're tryin'
You're tryin' now
Another year and then you'll be happy
Just one more year and then you'll be happy
But you're cryin'
You're cryin' now

Way down the street there's a lad in his place
He opens the door he's got that look on his face
And he asks you where you've been
You tell him who you've seen
And you talk about anything
He's got this dream about buyin' some land
He's gonna give up the booze and the one night stands
And then he'll settle down there's a quiet little town
And forget about everything

But you know he'll always keep movin'
You know he's never gonna stop movin
Cus he's rollin'
He's the rollin' stone
And when you wake up it's a new mornin'
The sun is shinin' it's a new morning
You're goin'
You're goin' home.

DEBAT ANJURAN UIAM

KOLEJ Melayu Kuala Kangsar (MCKK) dan Sekolah Alam Shah (SAS), Putrajaya muncul juara Pertandingan Debat Sekolah-Sekolah Malaysia 2007 yang berlangsung di Auditorium Pusat Aktiviti Kebudayaan, Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia (UIAM) Gombak, semalam.

Pada pertandingan merebut Piala Tun Sri Lanang dan Piala Munsyi Abdullah, MCKK selaku pasukan pembangkang menewaskan Sekolah Seri Puteri, Cyberjaya bagi kategori Bahasa Melayu yang membahaskan tajuk Peperangan Adalah Jalan Terbaik.

Sementara, SAS selaku pembangkang menjuarai kategori Bahasa Inggeris dengan mengetepikan pencabarnya, Sekolah Tuanku Abdul Rahman (Star), Ipoh dalam tajuk This House Believe As That Open Source Software Should Be Made Mandatory In Government Offices.

Dengan kemenangan itu, MCKK yang dibarisi pendebat Aslam Abd Jalil, Mohd Amirul Asyraf Mohd Hanaffi, Muhammad Affendy Hasni dan Mus’ab Abdul Manan (simpanan) menerima Piala Tun Sri Lanang, wang tunai RM2,000, piala iringan dan sijil penghargaan.

Pasukan SAS yang diwakili Darimi Saadon, Muhammad Khalid Azizuddin, Nuruddin Abdul Aziz dan Hairul Abdul Rashid (simpanan), memperoleh Piala Munsyi Abdullah, wang tunai RM2,000, piala iringan serta sijil penghargaan.

Kedua-dua sekolah turut mencatat kejayaan berganda apabila Darini dan Muhammad Affendy diumumkan pendebat terbaik pertandingan akhir. Masing-masing menerima wang tunai RM300, piala iringan dan sijil penghargaan.

Naib johan kedua-dua kategori masing-masing menerima hadiah wang tunai RM1,000, piala iringan dan sijil penghargaan.

Pendebat terbaik keseluruhan dimenangi Muhammad Affendy bagi kategori Bahasa Melayu, manakala Muhamad Zuhri Kamil Mohd Sapii bagi kategori Bahasa Inggeris.

Hadiah kepada pemenang disampaikan Setiausaha Parlimen, Jabatan Perdana Menteri, Datuk Dr Mashitah Ibrahim.

Hadir sama, Timbalan Rektor Akademik dan Penyelidikan UIAM, Prof Datuk Dr Mohd Azmi Omar.

Pertandingan Debat Sekolah-sekolah Malaysia 2007 ditaja TIME Engeneering Bhd sebagai penaja utama, selain Petronas, Kesatuan Alumni UIAM dan IIUM Holdings Sdn Bhd, manakala akhbar Berita Harian selaku media rasmi.

Pertandingan tahun ini menyaksikan penyertaan terbanyak 162 pasukan membabitkan 810 peserta dan guru pengiring.

Berita Harian Sabtu 21 April 2007

BBBooootu, 21 April 2007

Sabtu, 21 April 2007

KELANTAN - Local delicacies

( dedicated to a friend from Machang now living in New York )
Invented by the Kelantanese among them:

• Nasi Dagang

A brown glutinous rice (special glutinous rice) which is cooked with santan (fresh coconut milk) , blended onions and garlic and some spices (such as Malay:halba (fenugreek). Fish or chicken cook similar to curry comes as an add-on to complete the dishes. Add-on include a specially prepared sour salad consists mainly of cucumber.

The Nasi Dagang is one of the tastiest dishes in Kelantan and goes well with fish curry (the spices used are different from curry), sour salad, hard boiled eggs and chicken.. It is recommended to take only a small portion as it is extremely filling.

• Nasi Kerabu

Nasi Kerabu literally means "herbal rice". There are two version.

Kelantan's Original Nasi Kerabu is a "white rice", served with "tumis" gravy and served with local herbs, leaves and vegetables. Tumis is a thickened chilli based gravy fried in a wok.

Thiere is another the version, which is a dyed-blue (using herbs – a type of flower) rice without a "tumis" gravy.

Apart from that it is also served with deep fried small fish coated with spicy ground rice, fried fish crackers (keropok), salted egg, "solok lada" (fish fillet and coconut-stuffed green chillis), and pickled garlic.

blue Nasi Kerabu with Keropok

• Nasi Tumpang

Rice packed in a cone-shaped banana leaf. A pack of Nasi Tumpang may consists of an omelet, beef floss, chicken curry and sweet gravy.

The norm is, it come in three layers of normal rice, glutinous rice and red beans. It is said that it is traditionally meant for travelers. Dubbed by young locals as Apollo.

• Ayam Golek / Ayam Percik

Wood-fire broiled chicken ( marinated in a selection of spices) dressed with sweet coconut gravy. Ayam Golek / Percik is eaten with white rice in major family dishes.

To those who do not prefer the rich coconut gravy can take the broiled chicken can also be dipped into "cholek" - a hot chilli sauce ala Thai.

• Nasi Berlauk

Nasi Berlauk is a breakfast dish. Most Kelantanese have Nasi Berlauk is rice served with fish or chicken and vegetables cooked with tumeric and galangal infused yellow gravy for breakfast. Wrapped in banana leaves brings out the special flavour.

• Keropok

These are Kelantanese fish crackers. Their texture and colour are noticeably rougher and darker than the usual variety found on the.

• Keropok Gote

Kelantanese version of sausages. Made by combining fish flesh and sago, keropok gote is rolled into long firm sticks and then steamed or boiled. To enjoy it, one has to cut it into desired bite sized and deep fried. Different from Terengganu's keropok lekor, the Kelantan variety is thicker and longer in size and has to be fried to be eaten. Keropok Gote is probably the one snack which all Kelantanese children grow up with. It is a must have, at all school canteens.

• Kelantanese Laksa and Laksam

Laksa is white rice noodles served with curry and vegetables, is made differently in every state in Malaysia. The Kelantanese laksa employs the creamy white coconut milk gravy which is richer and has full-bodied flavour. The main ingredients of the gravy is fish flesh, although connoisseurs would certainly prefer the ones made of selected fish such as eels.

Laksam is served with the same gravy. Laksam is from ground rice, turned into paste, steamed after being flattened into thin plates. Allowed to cool then rolled. Served after scissor sniped into strips of 10mm wide. Laksam is unique to Kelantan, it originates here, though one may find anywhere in Malaysia today.

Laksam

Whenever you are in Malaysia, try them.

KURSUS KEARAH PENSIJILAN HALAL
27 Febuari 2007 (Selasa) 8.30-5.00 petang
Di Kuala Lumpur, Kandungan: Memahami Prosedur
Pensijilan Halal, Meneganali dan memahami Akta serta
undang-undang dalam pengurusan Halal, isu-isu semasa
halal. Tel : 03-40235155, 012-3157358 (SMS)


Brad Pitt On Your Mobile
Hollywood's Sexiest Stars On
Your Cell For No Cost - Enter Here!

Dishing Out State’s money.

It was a happy day for the mums in Machang.. A day before Christmas Eve, 23 December 2006. Haji Jazlan a local acting leader, representing the Federal Government handed out some money to the poor kids going to school next year. Close to RM70,000.00 were handed over to the less fortunate under the scheme KWAPM , kumpulan wang amanah pelajar miskin, literally translated means -The Trust Fund For Poor Students.

The participants

Typically, the lowest stage, stage one in primary year one to three gets some RM150.00. That will be enough for exercise books and annual school charges. I refrained from using the term fees here, for education at this level in Malaysia is supposed to be free. The event was organized at Machang town level with parents from local primary schools in this town were invited to attend. The Headmistress from the local Chinese Primary School, Pei Wah was also present.

The participants leaving for a light meal

The interesting observation I found here is that on occasions like this, it is the ladies who flocked the schools. There were always more mothers than fathers present at school public days for primary school in this town including prize giving and sports. For the school that my children go to, I was told that the number of boys to girls ration is about fifty-fifty. I have to make more observation whether this phenomenon of women participation is limited to my town or ubiquitous through out the state of Kelantan.

Collecting handouts after the speech

The VIPS place for makan (meal)