Pre-Wedding: Proton City

Sample06
Originally uploaded by Faisal Farish

Some of my friends had asked me how Pre-Wedding photo session look like. Here are some samples from my collection.

My Passion for history

In the beginning:

I have been teaching English for about 13 years. When I got my transfer to the present school I got a chance to teach history; the subject that I like most during my school time. I just can't deny that my passion for history keeps on growing especially when I started reading the translation of the Holy Quran. Since my childhood I was taught the way of reading the holy book instead of knowing the meaning. The verse that attracted and increased my passion for history was the Chapter 20 (Ta-Ha): Verses 9-80.

Literal beauty led to the passion for history:

At first I was attracted to the assonance that rhymes in every verses. It was just beautiful when I recited it alone like I was neither sing nor reciting a poem. It was just its own kind of literary beauty. Then I suddenly had a feeling that I need to know the meaning. I started to read the translation. All I got was a historical event which happened in one of the great ancient civilisation, Egypt.

Have you heard the story of Musa?" (verse 9) 

While reading this verse I felt like the God himself asked me the questions. He wanted to give me a knowledge about the one I did not know. To enlighten me,  to teach me, to reveal what had happened in the past so that I learn from it; and then I fall into a 'spiritual conversation' which (by the book) He explained one of the great historical events in the land of Egypt. One cannot feel the beauty if one did not read the rest of the verses (the whole chapter I would say).

Pharaoh the antagonist:

It did not stop there yet I found  many chapters in the holy book revealed the historical event in different types of beautiful language style. One of them was in Chapter 10 (Yunus): in particular verse 90-92.

We led the Children of Israel across the sea. Firaun (Pharaoh) and his hosts pursued them with wickedness and oppressions, until when drowning, he cried out:  "I believe that there is no God but Him in Whom the Children of Israel believe and I have become one of the Muslims (surrender).(90)

(In response it was said to him:) Now you believe! but a little while before you were disobedient and one of the mischief makers!.(91)

We shall save your body this day, so that you may become a sign for the succeeding generations; indeed many among mankind are heedless of Our signs! (92)  

 

Photo Source: Famous Pharaohs

 Verse 92, was the one that made me become more interested in knowing events in history especially the ancient civilisations. I'm not the only one that impressed the fact that the verse clearly described one of the mummified pharaohs which was revealed through prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) who was not a historian neither a scholar. Modern scholar such as Dr. Maurice Bucaille was also impressed on the relevancy of this verse with his findings about the mummified Ramses II. Thus, he published a book titled "The Bible, the Qur'an and Science: The Holy Scriptures Examined in the Light of Modern Knowledge.

My passion for history:

My students for history class may realise my historical intention is more towards the ancient civilisation. Many books that I bought and my detailed explanation on ancient Egyptian civilisation are leading to that belief. I was asked once by a friend of mine that for academic purposes I should not based my study to a holy scripture. I just let him to be in that belief. For me I cannot clarify any knowledge without referring to it since God has stated a clear and strong testimony in the first and second verse of chapter 2 of the holy book which states;

Alif Lam Mim (1)

This is the Book in which there is no doubt. It is a guide for those who are God conscious, (2)

 

who believe in the Unseen, who establish Solah (5 regular daily prayers) and spend in charity out of what We have provided for their sustenance.(3)

who believe in this Revelation (the Quran) which is sent to you (O Muhammad) and the Revelations which were sent before you (Torah, Psalms, Gospel...) and firmly believe in the Hereafter.(4)

They are on true Guidance from their Rabb(God) and the are the ones who will attain salvation.(5)

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Books I read which related to Ancient Egyptian History

 The Prophet Joseph in the Qur'an, the Bible, and history (Louay Fatoohi)

Moses and Akhenaten: The Secret History of Egypt at the Time of the Exodus (Ahmed Osman)

Should I say Ben Bradshaw has created a phenomenon?

Ben Bradshaw@Gigi Putih

Ben The Gigi Putih:

I would say Ben Bradshaw has attracted lots of fans who are impressed upon his ability to speak Bahasa Melayu. I can't deny this. I was impressed too when I first watching his first video. He has attracted 35,199 people so far to his Facebook fan page. I think our students should take example the way he showed  how fun language learning is. Now I'm thinking will this type of person included in the government's native speaker teachers package (as highlighted in Budget 2011)? If so, I would welcome them with the warmest welcome.

How English (as a second language) should be taught?:
Ben has produced some videos which according to him are for the teaching of English purpose. Many many years ago during my training I was taught (and even now I think) not to teach English by using students' first language. English language teachers should avoid using direct-translation method as possible as they can. However, Ben's way of introducing English vocabulary and pronunciation somehow develops a 'rethinking' thought in me. Should I use the way Ben is using? It looks nice though. Somehow, I don't think it is suitable because it looks nice for Ben only since he is an 'Orang Putih' who speaks Malay. That's what I think.

P/s: I like the way he pronounces 'Tak De' 

Ben's first video

Ben is teaching pronunciation of some words

Ar-Rahman: 04

(God) Most Gracious!(55:01)

It is He Who has taught the Qur'an.(55:02)

He has created man:(55:03)

He has taught him speech (and intelligence) (55:04) 

My thought:
Chomky's theory of innateness agrees with verse 04.

Ar-Ra'd:22

Those who patiently persevere, seeking the countenance of their Lord; Establish regular prayers; spend, out of (the gifts) We have bestowed for their sustenance, secretly and openly; and turn off Evil with good: for such there is the final attainment of the (eternal) home,-(13:22)