EGYPT UPROOTED: PART 4`

Day 3 29 Jan

Amal was still in deep sleep when we rose. Not knowing curfew has been imposed I decided to stroll alone at the sea front. With my DSLR I strolled up down catching photos of the beautiful sceneries against the morning breeze of Mediterranean Sea. I noticed there were very little traffic and not many people at the sea front. I remembered Amal saying that the day started about 10 or 11 am here. The morning was usually less busy. However, today it was super quiet. No traffic. No people walking around. None at all. Why? I saw a homeless under the bus stop and photographed him in his deep sleep. The sea breeze got stronger and I decide to go home as I was lightly attired

Top and bottom: super quiet highway and sea front due to the curfew

Few people passing by, taxi and tram co no where to be seen. Few people were waiting for the missing taxis and tram co. I believe they too were not aware about the curfew.

I saw a donkey pulling an overloaded cart loaded with recyclables waste. I photo graphed a few shorts as that was quite unique. .

“Why u photo?” a voice came charging at me from no where

A short big size guy stared at me

“It’s my hobby”

“Why you photo?”

“What’s wrong? This is unique. I don’t have this in my country!”

“No you won’t! No you won’t!” his hand gesturing at me, saying that NO you are not allowed.

Donkey cart, i was scolded while photographing this.

Not wanting to have any trouble, I headed home. With Amal, I went to meet mama the house owner to tell her that we are going to Cairo tomorrow, Amal translated. Though stammering at times, Amal did well. So proud to hear her talking and translating Arabic to Malay. Mama the house owner strongly advised us NOT to enter Cairo as demonstration there is getting worst. She even called Zul, another Malaysian student next floor to explain to me. Then only I knew there were a few other units of the apartment being rented by Malaysian. Zul, 3^rd year Medic student explained to me the situation and informed me that the curfew today was 5 pm to 8 am. I went out at 630 am! I breached the curfew! Masya Allah!

We went back to our apartment. Sat down, paused, and blinked. Puzzled.

We took a cab and headed for MARA building. Met few people and rumors started to spread about situations in Cairo and Alex getting bad. Met Hj Idris of Mara and he said better not to enter Cairo. Called our going to be guides in Cairo, Ustaz Nawi and Ustaz Mustaffa. Both of them said it was perfectly all right to go Cairo. It was safe! Pyramid was still open for visitors.

After lunch at MARA Office we headed for the ALEX train station. Cairo was safe. We purchased express tickets to Cairo @ 30 Jan 12.15 pm, Genih 36 X 3

Alexandria rail station.

From there we took a cab to Alexandria University to see the medical faculty. To our horror we passed a burning police station! It was badly damaged. The whole building equivalent to the size of our IPD office was completely burnt. A group of people gathered to see what happened. I took a photo quietly from the taxi, cautiously, after being scolded few times earlier on my DSLR. Traffic was heavy and all road junctions were guarded by big bodied youngsters, equipped with chains, woods, roods and what not!

What is this? Masya Allah….my heart trembled. Later part of the day, we learnt that all police stations and vehicles were burnt and weapons were stolen. Worst, about 6000 prisoners escaped. Police was no longer in power. Who ever remains, gone into hiding? Now only I understand why army tanks were every where. But who are the able bodied youngsters manning the road junctions? Who are they? Why are they carrying weapons?

Torched police stations. where are the policemen?

The taxi dropped us at a junction

We walked about 50 meters towards Alex Faculty of Medicine only to be stopped by three security guards. Nicely they told us we can’t get in as it was a holiday now and the current situation didn’t allow us to enter. We photographed from far and decided to go home. We walked home as it was quite near to our apartment. We crossed several junctions, passing through few groups of armed youngsters manning traffic. Every time we past hem, my heart trembled. They just did their work. They were nice guys. I console my self.

At home, we locked in ourselves.

Background: Alexandria University Medical Faculty

Day4-Day 6: 30 Jan-2 Feb

Days of uncertainty. We locked ourselves in most of the time. We were cut of from outside world. We did not know the development. The TV in Arabic kept showing demonstrators in action. Amal couldn’t really grasp the message. However we knew something bad was happening then.

We stayed in doors. We heard the screaming of people, shouting , yelling etc. We survived by eating breads and serunding we brought home. Survive on fruits we bought earlier. Shops were closed. Prices of food rocketed sky high.

Second day of confinement, we ran out of food. We braved ourselves going to the shops around Camp Caesar. Not that bad down stairs! Much movement going around. Many students seen shifting houses. They have been instructed to assembled at three different locations only to ease evacuation process, if need be.

Shopkeepers assured us all will be over within two days. Prices of goods escalated. Demand high, supply limited. We bought rice, fish, canned food and fruits. In case situations worsen. We ate what we had. At times, rice with sauce. Oh dear….

Third day of confinement, we stumbled upon a group of youngsters in front of grocery. Sharp samurai sword, sharp edge wood and what not. Who are they? Bad? Good? We took no chance. We rushed back to our apartment.

ght I realized our TV has English Channel! zeera and CNN. These two channels really blew out proportion the real situations. In away they too, blew our emotion, fear and worry. It showed shooting of protesters in Alexandria.

That night I couldn’t sleep a minute. At 3 or 4 pm I could hear voices of people talking, scolding and shouting. I dared not open the window. Some just switch the light off. I blocked the main door with the sofa. At least they find it hard to break open.

Messages, sms from home kept coming in. spent the night answering the messages until celcom sent a reminder that my credit limit is 99 % used. So was Umi’s phone.

Wahizan topped up the bills to keep us in contact.

I was in a living fear. Sms Dato Razif and Ustaz Fajuri, asking for their prayers and doa. I felt I was helpless in this alien world. Their encouraging words and assurance gave me comfort.

EGYPT UPROOTED: PART 3

Day 2 : 28 Feb 2011

The day was supposed to be just like the normal, ordinary day.. We look forward towards discovering more of the beautiful Alexandria.

Without breakfast about mid morning , Amal the Guide took us to the Alex library. This was a land mark of Alex as it stood by itself with the modern architecture oblivious to the old worn out building surrounding it. It was very uniquely designed and I had been wanting to get myself photographed here ever since seeing Amal did that in her FB! We took photos around it .

Alexandria library

In the chill wetaher, hunger easily got the better of us. The little young guide, Amal, took us to Mandarah using tram co (a passenger van actually) for the NASI MANDI at Hadramont. On the way, we passed through a group of armed soldiers on the army tank. Gulp! We arrived before mid day and the restaurant was still closed. It would only open after mid day, we were told. Amal and Umi strolled the beautiful private beach while I went for the Friday prayer at a nearby mosque. The sermon was in Arabic of course and it was well 45 min long!!!All that I could understand was the mention of Masriah (MESIR), America, and Palestine etc. Every one was attentive and did not fall asleep like Malaysian mosque!

Another prominent land mark by the sea front

Hadramont Restaurant: Little demonstration took place out side.

Manshiah before the demonstration started

Locals, looking suspiciously at me with my DSLR

After prayer, I was heading for the meeting point to meet Amal and Umi. I heard a little commotion and Amal and Umi rushed towards me. Umi looked very frightened. I was cool. Demonstration took place beside the mosque.

We entered Hadramont Restaurant who was now open. Amal did the ordering and we ate out heart out! The restaurant staff was glued to the TV broad cast, showing protestors demonstrating some where. Later we knew it was in Cairo. Oh….Cairo. Land of far away, I said. We are in Alex.

We strolled to Mandarah the opposite edge of Alex and entered into a paid public park. It was 6 genih/pax. It was after lunch and the stroll was sluggish. This park housed the palace of King Farouk and it spread over a real large area. The number of korma trees planted here were said to represent the number of wives the king married !!!!!. Visited the beach and took a taxi out of the park as the distance was quite far.. Met a group of Malaysian lady students from Cairo holidaying in Alex. Asked them whether it was safe to go to Cairo. They said it was ok, as long we avoid Tahrir Square. We were advised to travel NOT after Dzuhor as demonstrations normally started then.

How many wives king Farouk has? Count the number of Korma Trees please!

Mandarah , the Garden Front

!

We took a tram co home. The young driver was speeding at about 90 km/hr on the cramp van withArabian music went full blast. It reminded me of our Bas Mini Wilayah in the 90s!

Lau Samah…(excuse me) ! An arab seated at the back gave me the fare and I instead passed it to the driver in front. So simple. The fare was paid to the driver by passing thru passengers. It was 1.5 genih/pax regardless how far you travel.

Back home we rested .Ready for the night outing later. Amal the guide said the next destination would be IBRAHIM MIA where nuts, fruits, vegetables were plenty at low cost.

.

Mandarah Water Park adjoining the sea

Every one was tired. Decision made…IBRAHIM MIAH trip was called off. We decided to stay home. We never realize that today was the real final outing without fear. We thought tomorrow would be there like many other days that came and go before. . We went to bed not knowing that there was a heavy demonstration in Alex itself other than Cairo and Suez and other cities!

Amal Tati, our little guide of the day.Well done though on stammering arabic at time!

EGYPT UPROOTED :PART 2

Off we went, heading blindly and anxiously for Sesostress, Raml Station. The taxi was really in poor shape. Not surprise because we had been informed prior to this through internet reading. The taxi stopped couple of time asking for direction. He seemed lost and not knowing Sesostress St. After some back and forth movement in the city we were dropped in front of the building, no 17 Sesostress Street. Its MARA OFFICE cum Students' hostel.. It stood elegantly, outshining the other old worn out buildings around it.

Amal! Here we came! An indian looking guy greeted us. I looked at him suspiciously.

" Hello, are u from Malaysia? Don’t worry; I am working here in MARA." He intoduced himself. I felt comfortable, a bit. He carried the luggages together with few another boys to the lobby. I called Amal and she rushed down. We hugged. We kissed. We shed tears of joy. The Indian looking guy kept watching before we parted. Later I came to know that he was an Arab, working at MARA, good English and ardent supporter of Mubarak.!

A tearful reunion , Umi and Amal.

We adjourned to the SRI PUTRA CAFETARIA at the basement before we stumbled upon a MARA officer Hj Idris, whom I mistakenly addressed as Ustaz Isahak. We exchanged greeting and started talking about every thing. Ustaz Isahak came and we exchanged greetings. Small in size but super duper friendly. He was the director of MARA MIDDLE EAST

Tn Hj Idris who offered us a shelter at his house during the riot.

After stuffing away the luggage, Amal led us to the rented apartment at Camp Caesar. Miscalculation by Amal in getting off the taxi led us to struggling and negotiating the 250 meter walk with heavy luggages! Quite a distance though and it really kept us catching our breath

The two room apartment with cable TV plus cooking facilities was good. What more it was just 80 Genih /day. The conversion rate: 1RM = 1.85 Genih.

In The afternoon, Amal began her tourist guide role. The apartment was only 20 meter from the sea. We were taken to the sea front, wide beautiful frontage over looking the Mediterranean Sea. The breeze further lowered the winter temperature to close below 10 C.

A nice leisure stroll indeed while capturing some photos in between.

We hope into a van called tram co and headed for the Salehuddin Al Ayubi. A huge brick building where people picnic beside it. Spend about 1.5 hours there before Amal treated us with her favorite meal Ruz billaban. Very nice indeed.

Backround: Al'alah, Fort of Salahuddin Al Ayubi

Sun set , Mediteranean Sea

Beautiful murals

Leisure by the beach

We then headed for some tourist attraction along the beach before we adjourned to the city centre Manshiah For a stroll. It was about 745 pm and the street was bustling with traders trying to get the attention. Suddenly I observed two army tanks parked at the junction. I stared and walked past. Turned my head again to catch a second glimpse, and walked. Why army? Normal…may be, I said to my inquisitive mind. We had a simple dinner of take away kebab at a nearby park before call it a day. Jet lag was still heavy and that night, we dozed off peacefully till the next morning.

Egypt Uprooted: Part 1

In the name of Allah the Most Merciful, Most Compassionate.

26 Jan 2011:

Arrived KLIA about 7 pm and check in at Qatar Airways counter went on smoothly. Met Dato Dr Wan Mokhtar who was there to send off his relatives, also to Egypt. The flight took off smoothly at 9.05 pm. The flight would have been smooth had it not been due to two aliens from Middle Europe, seated behind me who kept talking, coughing and laughing all the way. Occasionally they pushed my seats due to space constraint, hence disturbing my sleep. Mid way through the journey I confronted both of them for putting the feet against my seat in front. Their smelly shoes almost rub against my arm.

Duty Free: Doha International Airport

Landed Doha airport after 8 hours flight. Headed for the transfer lounge. A 7 hour transit. Our next flight was at 7.05 am, counter 20, Doha-Alex. After a nap I decided to go on line. Surprise Amal was there and chatted with her for a while. Anxious, both on her part and ours, to meet for the first time after 4 parting months.

Discovered the duty free shop downstairs and did some purchase of Lyndt, my favorite chocolate. Enough for Amal and us in Alex. For the trip home, I shall be stopping over for another 3 hours. I shall buy then, for the love ones at home. That was my plan.

27 Jan 2011

Flight to Alex ready for boarding. At the departure hall, Umi’s hand luggage was stopped into the cabin and directed to be checked in. Too large, and heavy, it seem.

11 am landed Alex Airport. Fist surprise, the El Nouzha airport was really in poor shape. Long queue to get through. Once my turn, the passport was examined and instead of being given back to me, it was chucked into a small box for the next officer next door. The same went for every one. Walked past the counter without the passport.

First impression of Arab system. We waited with large groups of Arab travelers for our passport back. We were the only two non Arabs. In batches, the passports were given back, one by one through name calling. What a system!

We hurried to conveyor belt to collect luggage once the immigration procedure cleared. Loaded the luggage on the handle less trolley and was stop by the custom officer for the boxes of dry stuff we brought along. Not much hassle all cleared within second. Changed US 300 for the Genih at the airport “bank”. Headed for the taxi. My first fear in this alien land.

60 Genih to Sesostress Street!

No! Only 40.

No! This a Government controlled.

Headed for another taxi

How much?

75 Genih! Government Controlled.

Heh..Goverment controlled! Ustaz Fajuri’s advices came into practice right away. Just go on and on till you get the cheapest!

How Much? Next taxi

50 Genih ok?

OK. Done.

The infamous Alexandria Taxi: old Junk!

Moments of truth March 11, 2010

Breaking the good news to Umi and the loved ones...the jovial look was a far contradiction to the earlier situation before the result was out

Pengetua Cemerlang with Pelajar Pelajar Terbilang. May Allah bless you and your family Tn Hj Rafei.Ameen.

Mixed feelings...Happy,unbelievable,surprise....some still sobbing in disbelief when they were called upstage as top scorers

...others, anxiously queing ,waiting to know their fate...

Syukur alhamdulillah to Allah SWT for the blessing that has been granted to these children

..to all the teachers (Miss Zil is one of them) , for all the effort, assistance, knowledge, guidance and preserverance that you had given and gone through in moulding and upbringing my kid, may Allah SWT rewards you the blessing. Ameen.

...the inseparable twins. They were together thru thick and thin. Alhamdulillah...together with others they made it.

My beloved Amal, the success today, is just the beginning of a long challenging journey that lies ahead of you. Let the success today spur you to a greater height but never ever sway you from the fact that the journey to success is yet to complete. Remember: whatever that we do, what ever that we got, it is HIM that decides. To HIM we beg for mercy, to HIM we rekindle our sincere thanks and to HIM we surrender our life and soul. May Allah SWT bless us all, guide us all and protect us all. Ameen

Do remember: Sweet harvest of success will never materialise without endless effort. The victory is much sweeter when what ever effort you have thrown in, bears the fruit of success beyond your level of expectation.

Amal, I love you!

A STEP TOWARDS REALITY

Today I played host to Amal and her 5 other friends in a study visit to Cyberjaya University College of Medical Science (CUCMS). KZ, ATAI,SALIA,FIKHRY, AMIR and AMAL met Prof Dr Latif of CUCMS and were given clear explanation about route to be a medical practitioner. I broke the ice by telling Prof that all these 5 + 1 aspired to be doctors. Why +1? Oh! That was because of the uncertain KZ who was still undecisive whether to be a doctor or an engineer. Well, I let them had the full 2 hour session with Prof Latif. Prof, was very professional, caring and loving figure. He was never biased towards CUCMS. He explained the various possible routes and opportunities to be a doctor. The kids listen attentively. They interjected intermittenly whenever there was doubt. Prof covered a wide spectrum of possibilities, ranging from doing it local to abroad, IPTA or IPTS, sponsored or otherwise.

I was engrosed witth the discussion so much so that I felt I was one of them who wanted to pursue medicine.

"Saya takut darah Prof, tapi saya nak jadi Doctor. Camana tu? " said KZ!

Prof gave a broad smile and responded. " You could be a specialist from A to Z in medicine. You hate blood? Then be a radiologist! Even a doctor could be a prime minister!" Smart answer.

A quick tour around the complex after dzuhor prayer gave us the feel of how the ambience of CUCMS was.

We left the complex about 4.30pm, heading straight to Precint 8 food court. By then KZ already forgotten being an engineer. Atai shifted from being a veterinar to a medical practitioner. Amal look firm about pursuing medicine abroad instead of doing local.

Dear beloved kids,
That was just a little effort Pak Cik could offer with the hope that it help you boys and gals be more decisive and determined. The rest, please seek blessing from HIM, Allah SWT . He knows the best

We tried our best
He will do the rest!

InsyaAllah, my prayers are all for you kids. Insya Allah, with His blessing, we would have 6 more young doctors who will serve for the benefit of the muslimin and muslimat, and...for the ummah. Ameen.

MAL TATI MADE IT AGAIN! THANK YOU AMAL

27th Dec 2007.

I remember the date. I composed one blog which I shared with the wholw world how proud I was, when AMAL HAYATI @Mal Tati scored straight 9 As in her PMR exam. Three years later, on 11th March 2010, again Mal Tati made us a proud parents again, this time in a real much sweeter manner. Amal, my third beloved "very manja" daughter really made us proud when she again scored straight As in her 2009 SPM. Amal, the word thank you is too mild for me to describe, how mummy and daddy are feeling right now. We are so proud of you Amal. You have proven that you are such a very studious, dedicated, commited and visioned daughter.
Let me share the prelude to the auspicious moments when her exam result was announced, where she was declared as one of those top students with straight As.

After the exams, Amal kept telling us that add maths and chemistry papers were killing. She felt that she did badly in both. Of course, after the exam of both papers, Amal called home, sobbing in the phone, as usual!

For three months she was at home, she was confident with other papers but not the two. When the annoucement was made that the exam result would be announced on 11th March 2010, Amal went into her world of "abnormality"

10th March 2010:

That nite Amal took very little for dinner. She didnt get hook to the cyber world like normal. Restless, I would say. HP was clutched in her hand all the time. She was in constant contact with close buddies like KZ, Atiqah B, Hani etc. I could understand. Mummy was away in Kemaman. I had to pacify her. That nite she hardly slept.

11th March 2010

After breakfast, about 9 am we left for SEMASHUR.Only Amal and me. The rest were attending classes. Umi in Kemaman. Amal was real restless. My "counselling" session was fruitless. Her mind was well ahead of where we were. When I stopped by at Tang Ling, to kill time and had some nasi lemak, Amal for go the breakfast.

By 10 am we entered the school compound and Amal look pale! The area was already crowded with parents and students. For a while Amal was out of my sight. She was with her friends, in her very own circles of friends. Occasionally she would drop by my side, telling me that she was scared, nervous and anxious.

The announcement was delayed. The school need to analyze the result before releasing. By then words started spreading that SEMASHUR did well than last year. Alhamdulillah, I said, equally nervous. Umi and I cracked a deal. She wont call from Kemaman until I call her once the result was out!

By 1 pm every one converged into the TITIWANGSA HALL. Moment of truth finally arrived. I was very nervous then. It was obvious although I tried very much to hide it from Amal. I sat at the corner of the hall, all by myself. I didnt expect much though deep inside I did hope that Amal got excellent result. I was prepared for the worst. Who was I to feel dissapointed when my cute sweet daughter has spent all her effort in preparing for the exam? I kept telling myself, I shall accept what ever that the result may be. 5a? 4B? what ever. Amal had tried. Bertawakkal now. Allah SWT knows the best.

The moment of truth started! Three students were announced to have scored straight 9A+.Alhamdulillah. I applauded. Weakly.

The MC announced. "Now are the names of the students who got straight As. Please come upstage with the parents to receive the gift from the school".
There went the name of the first student. A male malay. The parents hug him and they went up to the stage. Deep inside I did a prayer to Allah SWT. I begged from HIM to grant Amal a success and give us both the opportunity to go upstage too. I was hopeful, though less optimistic.

The MC went on."Pelajar kedua yg mendapat straight As ialah......AMAL HAYATI SOBRI!"

What? Amal? Amal Hayati? I couldnt believe what Ive just heard until I saw her name flashed on the screen. We both rose and hug each other. Walked to the stage, with Amals friends shouting her name. We went up the stage. Amal received her gift. I hugged the HM and Cikgu Bahar. I was in tears. I wish Umi was with us and NOT in the city of Keropok Lekor, Kemaman. I wish my other daughters were there to witness the auspicious moment of Amal's success.

When we left the stage, Amal shook hand with the teachers. All congragulated Amal. Her add maths teacher chipped " Tu lah..Amal. Dulu nangis lepas exam. Kan dah A semua?"

When we settled into the seats many of her friends came congratulating her. The girls shared the joyous moment although they themselves were not sure of what would their results be.

Amal, you have done it again. Syukur to Allah SWT for all the blessing. Both daddy, mummy, sisters are extremely proud of you amal.

Tahniah Amal. InsyaAllah, with Allah SWT blessing, one day you would be Dr Amal Hayati Sobri. Ameen.