Attending al-Barmawi hosted iftar

Supposedly if one plans to host an iftar, he does not need to ask when he should organize the event, rather he will set the date at his convenience. However, my friend Mostafa did it in the opposite way. He asked me to decide the date based on my convenience. Perhaps, he considered the limited time I have as a working guy and the distance I would be traveling. Truly I felt honoured and believed this kind of kindness was another good example of Arab hospitality.

Mansef, that's the menu he told me. Oh yeah? I miss that. Actually I miss Arabic food. I have many Arab friends who cook, and Mostafa al-Barmawi is a new one that made up to the list. Actually, Mostafa and I are so new to each other but he treated me like he knows me for years. Thanks to Khalid Jabir, my Jordanian brother, otherwise I would not have known this nice person. 

What do you think am I looking at?

Joining me was brother Hadri, another Malaysian from Machang Kelantan. Perhaps I should call this "al-Barmawi Iftar special for Malaysians" hehe..

Whether it's for Malaysians or not, we really enjoyed the iftar, as much as we enjoy our friendship and brotherhood. And that's the spirit of Ramadan.

Date: 24 July 2012 (Tuesday)

Venue: Mostafa's room, USM 

Well, seems that I'm the one who do the cooking... Congratulations Az'ouz! Good acting... hehe

This is the real cook.. Mostafa, and our friend Hadri

Mostafa's version of chicken mansef - Taste better than its look

Bachelor Iftar at Taman Mutiara

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Yesterday was a great day for me and my housemates, Khairuldin and Shams, when eight of our colleges came and broke their fast at our rental house. We prepared fried noodle (courtesy of Shams al-Thani), water melon, cold drinks (courtesy of Tengku Kudin), wet and fried popia, satey and karipap (curry-puffs). This was the second after the first closed iftar we did last year.

The spirit of iftar was further realized when my colleges brought plenty of food with them, even though we expect them to bring only their mind and body.

Enjoying our meal before prayer congregation

The weather was so hot that evening but no one was complaining, alhamdulellah. Really, this was the spirit of iftar.

Among all the food I ate, I enjoyed fried noodle the most. Cooked by the creative hands of Shams, I think he cooks far better than the girl next door. By the way, I can cook too, but of course not more than the famous instant noodles, hehe...

Guys, thanks for coming. May Allah bless you people. Barakallahu feekum.

From left to right: Asri, Azmir, Firdaus, Ridhuan, Muzaffar and Jaber
(Married - 2, Bachelor - 4, Still available - 2)

Iftar at Nurhas

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This is one of the best iftars (breaking of fast) I've ever had with my local friends. Having it at Nurhas Restaurant, Kulim Town, would save a lot of time searching for food at Pasar Ramadan (Ramadan Bazaar). Million thanks to Zubri for proposing the idea since the beginning of Ramadan and also to Khairuldin for making it click.

Truly we were so happy with the food. It was delicious and we really enjoyed it, alhamdulellah. Not forgeting we had our Maghrib followed by Isha' and Tarawih prayers at Kilang Lama Mosque.

From left to right: Azmir, Shams, Zubri, Khairuldin and Yushamdan