Jualan Amal Untuk Mangsa Gempa Bumi Indonesia

Pada 9 Oktober 2009, Kelab UMNO Chicago telah menjalankan jualan nasi lemak untuk membantu mangsa gempa bumi di Padang, Indonesia. Lebih daripada 50 tempahan diterima melalui portal web di alamat http://217nasi-lemak.blogspot.com dari para pelajar Malaysia dan rakan-rakan dari negara-negara jiran Singapura dan Indonesia yang menuntut di University of Illinois. 100% jumlah keuntungan bersih sebanyak USD 150 telah dihantar kepada pihak Sekretariat pada 16 Oktober 2009.

Disediakan oleh: Nur Ilyani Tumeran, Setiausaha

Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, Part 1: Paradigm & Principles

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Zabiha or Non Zabiha: Three Scholars' Opinions

Amongst North American Muslims, there are two predominant views about Zabiha meat. Below, we have provided explanations from scholars representing each view.

The late scholars Syed Abul A'la Maududi and Al Phahim Jobe both argue that the meat must be slaughtered in accordance with Islamic guidelines.

Scholar Yusuf Al-Qaradawi argues that the meat of the Jews and Christians (called the ‘People of the Book') is acceptable for Muslims to eat.

ONLY ZABIHA MEAT MUST BE CONSUMED

1.Opinion of Syed Abul A'la Maududi

(On a discussion about Quran 5:5): “The food of the People of the Book includes the animals slaughtered by them. The rule that ‘our food is lawful to them and theirs lawful to us' signifies that there need be no barriers between us and the People of the Book regarding food.

We may eat with them and they with us. But this general proclamation of permission is preceded by a reiteration of the statement: ‘All good things have been made lawful to you.' This indicates that if the People of the Book either do not observe those principles of cleanliness and purity which are considered obligatory by the Law or if their food includes prohibited items, then one should abstain from eating them.

If, for instance, they either slaughter an animal without pronouncing the name of God or if they slaughter it in the name of anyone else but God it is not lawful for us to eat that animal.

Likewise, if intoxicating drinks, the flesh of swine, and any other prohibited thing is found on their dining table we may not justify our partaking of such items on the ground that the persons concerned are People of the Book.

The same applies to those non-Muslims who are not People of the Book, except for one difference-that whereas the animals slaughtered by the People of the Book are lawful provided they have pronounced the name of God at the time of slaughtering them, we are not permitted to eat the animals killed by non-Muslims who are not People of the Book.”

(Towards Understanding the Quran by Sayyid Abul A'la Mawdudi, Volume 2, Tafseer of Surah Al-Maidah, verse number 5)

2. Opinion of Shaikh Al Phahim Jobe

In response to the question, “is it permitted to eat the supermarket meat? Some people say America is a Christian country, and eating the food of the People of the Book is allowed,” Shaikh Al Phahim answered:

“Supermarket meat is not Halal. For the Halal animals meat to be Halal, it has to meet the requirements of slaughter in the Islamic way. This includes invoking Allah's name before slaughtering it, so that we may remember that all forms of life are sanctified, and we are killing the animal because Allah has given us the right to do so to satisfy our hunger.

Another requirement is that it is slaughtered in a way that most of its blood is drained away.

These principles are derived from the Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): “Forbidden unto you (for food) are carrion, blood, the flesh of swine, on which has been invoked the name of others than Allah, the strangled, and the dead through beating, and the dead through falling from a height, and that which has been killed by (the goring of) horns, and the devoured of wild beasts, saving that which you make lawful (by slaughtering)...” (Quran 5:3).

“Eat not (of meats) on which Allah's name has not been pronounced...” (Quran 6:121).

Ibn Abbas narrates that the Prophet forbade the cutting of the spinal cord of the animal when it is slaughtered (Tabarani).

The second part of the question dealing with the People of the Book also has its answer in the Quran: “this day (all) good things (Tayyabat) are made lawful to you. The food of the people of the Book is lawful for you, and your food is lawful to them.” (Quran 5:5).

It is clear that the food of the Book has to be from among the “Tayyabat”, that means the meat has to meet the Islamic requirements of slaughter as explained in the beginning of my answer.

There are some scholars who are of the view that the supermarket meats are Halal, but their arguments are weak and even they say that the Muslims should try to establish the Islamic way of slaughtering of animals (Zabiha).

I also differ with the statement that America is a Christian country, it is a secular and capitalists nation.”

A side note about "Halal" meat in non-Muslim countries

During a 1997 Islamic Fiqh Academy Meeting, the issue of Zabiha was also brought up.

This is a summary of the discussion.

“The third important topic of discussion was the new methods of slaughtering animals. The meeting discussed which of these new methods are in accordance with Shariah and which are not.

In many Muslim countries, especially in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf countries, meat imported from non-Muslim countries is widely used. The Academy was told by its researchers, based on their personal experience, that the Halal label put on such imported meat is not reliable. The producers exporting this meat from non-Muslim countries to the Muslim countries do not take care to meet the requirements of the Shariah.

Therefore the Academy appealed to the Muslim businessmen that before importing such meat, they should ensure that the slaughter is certified to be performed in accordance with the Shariah, the certification being given by observing Muslims who are knowledgeable about Shariah requirements regarding animal slaughter. The Academy also appealed to the Muslim governments that they should use their embassies in the exporting countries to keep the exporters from using the Halal label without proper Halal certification by reliable Muslim agencies.”

(Source: Al-Balagh website)

THE MEAT OF NON-MUSLIMS CAN BE EATEN

3. Opinion of Sheikh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi

“Since Allah did not prohibit it, the food of the Jews and the Christians is permitted to you on the basis of the original permissibility of things, and likewise you can share your food with them. Accordingly, you can eat the flesh of the animals they have slaughtered or hunted, and they can eat what you have slaughtered or hunted.”

(The Lawful and The Prohibited in Islam by Yusuf Al-Qaradawi, page 59).

“The application of the phrase, [part of the verse of the Quran, 5:5] ‘the food of those who were given the Scripture,' is general and includes their meats, produce, and other foods. All of these are halal for us excepting what is haram in itself, e.g., the flesh of a dead animal, pork, and flowing blood, as these are haram regardless of whether they are obtained from a Christian, a Jew or a Muslim. “

(The Lawful and The Prohibited in Islam by Yusuf Al-Qaradawi, page 60)

“If one does not hear from a Christian or a Jew that a name other than Allah's such as that of Jesus or a saint, was mentioned at the time of slaughter, the meat he offers is halal. If, however, he says that a name other than Allah's has been mentioned, it is haram, according to the opinion of some jurists who argue that it falls under the heading of what has been dedicated to other than Allah. Some others hold the opinion that the food of the People of the Book has been permitted to us by Allah, Who is aware of what they say when slaughtering an animal.”

(The Lawful and The Prohibited in Islam by Yusuf Al-Qaradawi, page 60)

“...we know that imported meats, such as chicken and canned beef, originating with the People of the Book are halal for us, even though the animal may have been killed by means of electric shock or the like. As long as they consider it lawful in their religion, it is halal for us. This is the application of the above verse from Surah al-Maidah.” (Sheikh Qaradawi is referring to Quran 5:5)

(The Lawful and The Prohibited in Islam by Yusuf Al-Qaradawi, page 62)

It should be noted that at a conference of the Muslim Arab Youth Association (MAYA) in the U.S. a few years ago, where Sheikh Qaradawi is a regular speaker, he became exasperated upon being asked this question. He has encouraged, in the North American context, where Muslim businesses are present, that Muslims buy from these stores as opposed to purchasing from the supermarket.

From: http://www.soundvision.com/Info/halalhealthy/maududi.asp

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The Economist Special Report on Energy

The future of energy
Jun 19th 2008
From The Economist print edition


A fundamental change is coming sooner than you might think

SINCE the industrial revolution 200 years ago, mankind has depended on fossil fuel. The notion that this might change is hard to contemplate. Greens may hector. Consciences may nag. The central heating's thermostat may turn down a notch or two. A less thirsty car may sit in the drive. But actually stop using the stuff? Impossible to imagine: surely there isn't a serious alternative?

Such a failure of imagination has been at the heart of the debate about climate change. The green message—use less energy—is not going to solve the problem unless economic growth stops at the same time. If it does not (and it won't), any efficiency saving will soon be eaten up by higher consumption per head. Even the hair-shirt option, then, will bring only short-term relief. And when a dire prophecy from environmentalism's jeremiad looks as if it is coming true, as the price of petroleum rises through the roof and the idea that oil might run out is no longer whispered in corners but openly discussed, there is a temptation to believe that the end of the world is, indeed, nigh.

Not everyone, however, is so pessimistic. For, in the imaginations of a coterie of physicists, biologists and engineers, an alternative world is taking shape. As the special report in this issue describes, plans for the end of the fossil-fuel economy are now being laid and they do not involve much self-flagellation. Instead of bullying and scaring people, the prophets of energy technology are attempting to seduce them. They promise a world where, at one level, things will have changed beyond recognition, but at another will have stayed comfortably the same, and may even have got better.

This time it's serious

Alternative energy sounds like a cop-out. Windmills and solar cells hardly seem like ways of producing enough electricity to power a busy, self-interested world, as furnaces and steam-turbines now do. Battery-powered cars, meanwhile, are slightly comic: more like milk-floats than Maseratis. But the proponents of the new alternatives are serious. Though many are interested in environmental benefits, their main motive is money. They are investing their cash in ideas that they think will make them large amounts more. And for the alternatives to do that, they need to be both as cheap as (or cheaper than) and as easy to use as (or easier than) what they are replacing.

For oil replacements, cheap suddenly looks less of a problem. The biofuels or batteries that will power cars in the alternative future should beat petrol at today's prices. Of course, today's prices are not tomorrow's. The price of oil may fall; but so will the price of biofuels, as innovation improves crops, manufacturing processes and fuels.

Electrical energy, meanwhile, will remain cheaper than petrol energy in almost any foreseeable future, and tomorrow's electric cars will be as easy to fill with juice from a socket as today's are with petrol from a pump. Unlike cars powered by hydrogen fuel cells, of the sort launched by Honda this week, battery cars do not need new pipes to deliver their energy. The existing grid, tweaked and smartened to make better use of its power stations, should be infrastructure enough. What matters is the nature of those power stations.

The price is right

They, too, are more and more likely to be alternative. Wind power is taking on natural gas, which has risen in price in sympathy with oil. Wind is closing in on the price of coal, as well. Solar energy is a few years behind, but the most modern systems already promise wind-like prices. Indeed, both industries are so successful that manufacturers cannot keep up, and supply bottlenecks are forcing prices higher than they otherwise would be. It would help if coal—the cheapest fuel for making electricity—were taxed to pay for the climate-changing effects of the carbon dioxide produced when it burns, but even without such a tax, some ambitious entrepreneurs are already talking of alternatives that are cheaper than coal.

Older, more cynical hands may find this disturbingly familiar. The last time such alternatives were widely discussed was during the early 1970s. Then, too, a spike in the price of oil coincided with a fear that natural limits to supply were close. The newspapers were full of articles on solar power, fusion and converting the economy to run on fuel cells and hydrogen.

Of course, there was no geological shortage of oil, just a politically manipulated one. Nor is there a geological shortage this time round. But that does not matter, for there are two differences between then and now. The first is that this price rise is driven by demand. More energy is needed all round. That gives alternatives a real opening. The second is that 35 years have winnowed the technological wheat from the chaff. Few believe in fusion now, though uranium-powered fission reactors may be coming back into fashion. And, despite Honda's launch, the idea of a hydrogen economy is also fading fast. Thirty-five years of improvements have, however, made wind, solar power and high-tech batteries attractive.

As these alternatives start to roll out in earnest, their rise, optimists hope, will become inexorable. Economies of scale will develop and armies of engineers will tweak them to make them better and cheaper still. Some, indeed, think alternative energy will be the basis of a boom bigger than information technology.

Whether that boom will happen quickly enough to stop the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere reaching dangerous levels is moot. But without alternative energy sources such a rise is certain. The best thing that rich-world governments can do is to encourage the alternatives by taxing carbon (even knowing that places like China and India will not) and removing subsidies that favour fossil fuels. Competition should do the rest—for the fledgling firms of the alternative-energy industry are in competition with each other as much as they are with the incumbent fossil-fuel companies. Let a hundred flowers bloom. When they have, China, too, may find some it likes the look of. Therein lies the best hope for the energy business, and the planet.

In this special report
The energy alternatives
Wind power
Carbon storage
Solar energy
Geothermal generation
Bespoke biofuels
Tomorrow's cars
Nuclear's return
Energy's future

The tigers that lost their roar

Click the picture for the article

Malaysia to Illegal DVDs: Release the Hounds

Malaysia has an answer to critics who say it doesn't take movie piracy seriously: dogs. Two of them. The male Labradors from Northern Ireland, named Paddy and Manny -- trained to smell chemicals used in DVD production – will become the world's first permanent canine anti-piracy unit next month. The dogs can't smell the difference between real and pirated DVDs, but they can direct officers to hidden caches of discs.

Source: WSJ Evening Wrap 03/03/08

Thanksgiving Dinner Photo Album

Click photo to go to view the album.

Thanksgiving Dinner

hellO There,
Dude #1: (From the back) How's it goin' Dude #2?
Dude #2: What da... I'm great Dude #1. Long time no see.
Dude #1: Yeah, I've been ............
Ok..I'll stop rambling. Ingat nak buat cerite for thxgiving but it is too late at night.
By the way, we are going to have a thxgiving dinner next Thursday evening (11/22) at PAR lounge (will notify everyone if there is a change in venue). You can bring your friends along to the dinner but please inform me as early as possible so we can cook extra food (malias2@uiuc.edu). Unfortunately you have to pay $4 for the dinner. But come on it's cheap compare to what you'll experience and you will not regret it I promise ;). Here is the menu:

• Turkey with Stuffing (yummy)
• Cheesy Potatoes Casserole
• Green Bean Casserole
  
• Cranberry Sauce
  
• Rolls
• House Special Mashed Potato
• Pumpkin Pie
• Pecan Pie
• French Bread
• House Special Veggies
• House Special Soup
• Chips and drinks
  

If you have any suggestion, you can leave a comment or just send me an email. Hope to see you next week during the dinner. Ciao.

Penyerahan Sumbangan Hari Raya ke Rumah Amal Limpahan Kasih

Seperti yang telah diamanahkan, I visited Rumah Amal Limpahan Kasih di Puchong, Selangor untuk menyampaikan sumbangan hasil our midnight supper/dinner events last Ramadhan. There were about 30 boys and 12 girls in the house.

I bought some beras, minyak masak, bihun, milo, susu tepung, susu pekat manis dan gula, had my mom cooked them some bihun goreng, accompanied with some air kotak laici, give them RM5 each for angpow, and give the rest of the cash, RM150 to their general funding.

Sekretariat provided some souvenir pens, buttons, and beberapa naskah buku motivasi Meniti ke Puncak.



I also gave some motivational/study technique talk to the kids.





Puan Mimi Zaidah Abdul Jalil, retired Deputy Director Kementerian Kebajikan Wilayah (also my soon-to-be mother in law) spent some time with the girls to give some sexual abuse awareness and other girl-related issues.



They asked me to send their salam and ucapan terima kasih yang tak terhingga to you guys. I had the opportunity to visit their hostel. Some of you who visited another charity house last summer may recall the condition of the house we visited near Taman Tasik Titiwangsa. The one I visited is much daif. In addition to the kids, the house also cater the needs of needy families around the area.

I really wished some of you were there to meet the lovely kids. Besides financial needs, the house would love some tutoring help to assist some murid-murid tercicir. I met an 11-year old kid who cannot read.

This is all for now. Thanks again guys for your generosity.

Thanks for Your Contribution & Selamat Hari Raya

Assalamualaikum & Greetings,

First of all, I would like to thank all of you who contributed and attended the Ramadhan Charity Supper/Dinner Series this year. Alhamdulillah, we reached our goal of collecting RM1,000 (Statement of Activities is below). All this profit will be donated to Rumah Limpahan Kasih in a couple weeks. I'll buy some food, beras etc and give some duit raya to about 40 orphans in the house.

Also, I would like to take this opportunity, on behalf of Kelab UMNO Chicago and myself, a very Happy Hari Raya. Eid Mubarak! Hope to see you all during the potluck lunch this Saturday. Those of you who plan to go to solat raya, do plan to come early as the masjid get crowded pretty early with some people coming from out of town.

As for the MSD open house in Chicago next Saturday the 20th, Kelab UMNO Chicago will provide two 9-passenger vehicles to members (sorry, the bigger van is not available), so siapa cepat dia dapat. Check your calendar, and if you wanna go RSVP ASAP to Hafiz ( mzainud2@uiuc.edu).


Best regards,
Mohd Rapik Saat
Pengerusi Kelab UMNO Chicago

Ucapan Raya from Abg Ikram & Family

Asian Film Festival 2007: Southeast Asian Popular Cinema

Dear UMNO of Malaysia Club,

Greetings! As the new Events Coordinator at the Asian Educational Media Service (AEMS) I wanted to be sure to inform your organization early of our upcoming event, Asian Film Festival 2007: Southeast Asian Popular Cinema, a highlight of our Fall semester.

The Center for East Asian and Pacific Studies (EAPS) and AEMS will present on November 9th and 10th our fifth annual Asian Film Festival. With a focus on popular cinema of Southeast Asia, this year's Asian Film Festival provides a great opportunity to bring campus and community attention to the Southeast Asian cultures. The film festival is held at the Boardman Art Theater in downtown Champaign and is open to the public FREE OF CHARGE.

We will be screening a diverse set of five films representing a cross-section of contemporary popular cinema: Love For Share (Indonesia), Citizen Dog (Thailand), Milan (the Philippines), Sepet (Malaysia), and Singapore Dreaming (Singapore). Descriptions and trailers, along with the screening schedule can be viewed online at:
http://www.aems.uiuc.edu/events/filmfestival/filmfest_2007.html

The UMNO of Malaysia Club may want to note in particular that the film Sepet is scheduled for Saturday, November 10 at 6:00pm.

If you're as excited about this program as we are at AEMS and EAPS, please consider supporting our efforts. There are many ways to help make Asian Film Festival 2007 a big success. Spread the word among your members and friends. Let us know if you'd like to receive flyers and posters to post on campus and around town. Plan a related event in coordination with the film fest. Organize carpools for your organization or others. Consider co-sponsoring specific screenings with a financial contribution of $50 or more. We welcome other ideas, too! Please let us know how you would like to be involved by Monday, October 22.

Any contributions (whether volunteering or financial) will be gratefully acknowledged in our printed program. We look forward to including you in this unique opportunity to bring attention to Southeast Asian culture in the Champaign-Urbana community. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about the event.

Sincerely,
Jason Finkelman

Events Coordinator
Asian Educational Media Service

Center for East Asian & Pacific Studies
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
805 West Pennsylvania Avenue, MC-025
Urbana, IL 61801

TEL: 217-265-0640
FAX: 217-265-0641

finkelma@uiuc.edu
www.aems.uiuc.edu

-------

So here's basically the summary of the event above:-

Event: Asian Film Festival 2007: Southeast Asian Popular Cinema
Date: 9 - 10 November
Venue: Boardman Art Theater (downtown Champaign)
Fee: FREE!
Films Screening:
Love For Share (Indonesia)
Citizen Dog (Thailand)
Milan (the Philippines)
Sepet (Malaysia) *10 Nov, 6pm*
Singapore Dreaming (Singapore)
Due date to sign up to volunteer: 22 October 2007

:)

Buka Puasa Gathering

Alright, so this will be the final installment of our sahur/buka puasa gathering that we've been having for the past 2 weeks.


Please read carefully:
Unlike the previous 2 events, this event will be held on Saturday(Sept 29th)

Not Friday.


Anywaaayyyss.


The other details are as follows:
Venue: Carr Lounge (PAR)
Time: 6:30pm onwards
Menu: Chicago Style Hotdogs + Fries (Prepared by Cikmat)
Price: $5.00 (This includes 2 hotdogs + fries)
RSVP: By Friday Night


*You MUST RSVP to Alina or Nadiah either
1. In person (You can meet them at Is' housewarming)
2. by Email, or
3. by calling them.

See ya then! :D

Change of plans, Buka Puasa instead of Latenight Supper

Dear all,

Sorry for the late notice but tomorrow, we'll be having buka puasa instead of the latenight supper from 6.30pm onwards at Carr Lounge. The menu is still the same, Syauqi will be cooking nasi paprik ;) as always, its a fundraising, so it's still $3.50 . Please spread the words around just in case ada yang tak sempat baca email okay..

Thanks! See you ;)

Regards,
Nadiah

p/s: 100% profit from this event and next will go to the charity fund. So far we have collected $52 from last week and $100 from personal contribution from Dr. Gabriel Walter (my housemate). Our goal is to reach RM1,000 (equivalent to about $295). So spread the words guys. - cikmat

Iftar @ Masjid

SALAM TO ALL AND RAMDAN MUBARAK

THE PAKISTANI FAMILIES IN OUR COMMUNITY ARE INVITING THE WHOLE COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND THEIR FRIENDS TO THE IFTAR TODAY, THURSDAY, THE 8TH OF RAMADAN.

from CIMIC mailing list...

Sahur No. 2

Assalamualaikum and hello again every one :)

On behalf of the UMNO committee,
I would just like to sincerely thank everyone who came out last Friday makan², donated $3.50 (or more :)) and made our first "sahur" together enjoyable.

So with that, I'd like to invite all of you to attend our 2nd Sahur :)
The details are as follows:

Date: Friday, 21st of September 2007
Venue: Carr Lounge
Time: 11.30pm - 12.30am
RSVP: To Alina Amir by Wednesday Night (11.59pm) Noon on Thursday (12pm)
*Please RSVP cause it'll be easier for us to decide on how much food to prepare.
Tak nak bazir kan? :)*

This Friday, we will dine with only the finest food, cooked by one of the finest chef (teehee),
Muhammad Syauqi Alias :)

Syauqi will kindly masak paprik for us to eat this Friday :D yuumm!!

So yes. Come come. Sila datang!
Don't forget, it'll be $3.50 /meal.

Any inquires?
Contact Shahiratunnawwar Mohd Sharkar [Shahira] at (217) 819-1568.

Selamat Berpuasa everyone! :)

$2-Show @ Krannert in September

One of the best kept secrets in CU.

Wednesday, September 19 at 7:30pm
UI New Music Ensemble
Eduardo Diazmuñoz, conductor

A program of newer music featuring A Mirror on Which to Dwell by Elliott Carter, who will be turning 100 in 2008. Also on the program will be Acta Non Verba by U of I graduate composer James Bunch, and other works by guest composers to be announced.


Friday, September 21 at 7:30pm
UI Symphony Orchestra
Donald Schleicher, director

Donald Schleicher leads this School of Music ensemble in Wagner's Prelude to "Die Meistersinger," Prokofiev's class suite from Romeo and Juliet, and Symphony No. 3 by Chen Yi.


Saturday, September 22 about 10pm
Afterglow: Screaming Salsa

CU's premiere salsa band will ignite the night with their electrifying Latin rhythms. This saucy eight-member ensemble features some of the area's finest musicians and vocalists and promises a salsa fervor that will have everyone up and moving (FREE EVENT)

Selamat Berpuasa

Quick note guys, insyaAllah puasa start besok, Thursday. Usually ada free iftar/buka kat masjid for students everyday, both for male and female. Terawikh start every evening at 8.30pm.

Lafaz Niat Puasa Untuk Sebulan:
نـَوَيْتُ صَوْم َ شـَهْرِ رَمـَضَانَ كـُلـِهِ لِلـَّهِ تـَعَالىَ
“Sahaja aku berpuasa keseluruhan bulan Ramadhan kerana Allah Ta”ala”

Lafaz Niat Puasa Harian:
نـَوَيْتُ صَوْمَ غـَدٍ عَـنْ ا َدَاءِ فـَرْض ِ شـَهْرِ رَمـَضَانَ هـَذِهِ السَّـنـَةِ لِلـَّهِ تـَعَالىَ
“Sahaja aku berpuasa esok hari menunaikan Fardhu Ramadhan tahun ini kerana Alalh Ta’ala"

Wassalam

Kelab UMNO Chicago Fundraising Latenight Supper

Assalamualaikum & a big hello to all, =)

Now that Ramadhan is heading near (in 3 days time actually), Kelab UMNO Chicago will be organizing a fundraising latenight supper for 3 consecutive Friday nights starting this Friday (14th)!

It's a big yaaay for the freshmen, i know since it's our first puasa here ;) but anyways, here are the details..

Date : Friday 14th, 21st & 28th

Time : 11pm - 12.30 am

Place : Carr Lounge (PAR block)

It's $3.50 per meal and half of the profit will be donated to Rumah Amal Limpahan Kasih (Charity Home of Flowing Love) back in Malaysia where they help the orphans, children of the poor and even the senior citizens. For more info, you can check out the website http://limpahankasih.blogspot.com/2007/04/ralk-introduction.html

and for those who are willing to donate more, you are most definitely welcome to do so and we will put 100% of your donation into the fund ;)

RSVP : Please contact Alina , aamir2@uiuc.edu by Wednesday night, 11.59 pm. If you'd like to pay before hand to Alina, you can. If not, (to make it easier for those who are not within the PAR radius) you can pay on the day itself.

Menu : Friday 14th, Cik Mat is sooooo kind to cook us Mee Jawa! definitely don't wana miss this guys! =) http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a236/hanieliza8/masakan/MeeJawa.jpg

For the next 2 Fridays, I'll constantly update the blog to let you know the menu and who the beloved chef will be hehehe. So remember to check it here ya..

Feel free to contact me, Nadiah at affendi2@uiuc.edu or lagi senang 217-819-1690 for any questions okay ;)

Hope to see you there! And Happy Fasting!

Merdeka-UMNO BBQ in Chicago

The "long" drive from Urbana to Chicago didnt turn out to be so long :)
At least it wasnt in the UMNO (Scooby Doo) Mystery Machine!
Lol. I'm not probably making sense. But oh well.

We drove around Michigan Avenue and checked out the awesome architecture of Chicago
And i sweartogod, i kid you not when i say they are amazing :)
*We didnt actually get to stroll down Michigan Ave. So pictures are limited*

Once we arrived at the BBQ Place (sorry, i cant recall the name of the place), we headed straight towards Lake Michigan.
It was breathtaking.
It's pretty awesome to see a lake so huge that it actually resembles the ocean. Complete with sand AND waves.
It was simply beautiful.

As usual, we spent the day eating chicken and playing football + Frisbee.

After that, we headed to Abg Ikrom's (apologies for any misspelling) place for prayers.

Of course, the day would not be complete without any money spent on shopping.
We actually went to Wisconsin! To the Prime Outlet.

Alhamdulillah, the day ended well and we arrived back in Urbana-Champaign a lil over 2am :)

Changes in the Passenger's List to Chicago

There have a been a few changes in the passenger's list to Chicago (who's going with whose car and all).

The changes are kinda minimal, and most of you guys are still going with the same people in the previous list, but just to be sure, check it anyways alright? :)

See you tomorrow! :D

Budget 2008: More Money Coming In?

"Effective September 2007, the Government will increase the COLA for students in the United States, United Kingdom and Canada by up to 97%, almost double the current rate". - PM tables three-pronged Budget 2008

Selalunya, kalau JPA naik, MARA, TNB and the rest would follow.

Chicago Trip This Weekend

Here is the plan on Saturday:

7.45am - Drivers will pick you up(passenger list***)
8.15am - All vehicles meet up at PAR to convoy to Chicago
12-3pm - BBQ at Northwestern University campus
3.30pm - Solat jamak in a masjid in Devon
4-6pm - Shopping in Aurora* (Chicago Premium Outlet)
8-10pm - Millennium Park in Downtown Chicago**
11pm - Drive pass through Michigan Avenue and Return to Champaign

* Check out the website and plan accordingly. You'll only have 2 hours.
**There will be a free classical/opera concert in the park.

Driving time to Chicago is about 3 hours. Feel free to bring your homework/reading assignment etc.

*** Passenger List:
A) Minivan with Syauqi (Depart 5pm FRIDAY)
Akmal Arif Abd Rahim
Amalina Nadiah Affendi
Mohamed Syazzwan Mohamed Nasir
Mohd Umar Mohd Marzuki
Muhammad Syauqi Alias
Khairil Azlan Rasemi
Muhamad Naquib Suhairi

B) Car with Hafiz
Mohd Hafiz Zainudin
Mohd Khairul Nizam Samingon
Muhammad Afiq Hamzah
Muhd Iskandar Shah Safar
Yeong Hoong Chieh

C) Car with Iskandar
Norshahida Ismail
Muhammad Isa Mansor (Six-Pack)
Ezra Zaidi Zainal
Mohamad Iskandar Yahaya

D) Car with Billy (All at Six-Pack)
Ehsan Mohd Saleh
Feisol Aqmel Che Hamzah
Abdul Azim Abdul Hamid
Billy Lau
Zainul Afkar Zainal Azim

E) Van with Cikmat
Ezamil Suhaimi
Alina Amir
Asma Zalykha Mohd Zahid
Mohd Rapik Saat
Muhammad Shafiq Abdul Majid
Nur Hafizah Mohamad
Nur Syahida Mohd Shafei
Safiyyah Mohsin
Shahira Mohd Sharkar
Wan Intan Suhaila Wan Ahmad Ridzuan

Friendly Match

Today, at the field behind the FAR building, our Malaysian UMNO team had a friendly soccer match between the Singaporean team :)


The sun was blazing hot. Yet, we marched on the field and gave it our all.
It was a tough game, no doubt.
Dehydrated and exhausted, our Malaysian team gave an incredible performance.
We scored a good 3 - 0 against the Singaporean team.
Good job everybody! And i mean, everybody!


P.s. Just wanna mention a very patriotic player..Ezamil Suhaimi.

He got injured by half-time. But he kept playing. And even scored the 3rd goal for our team.
So yeah. Bravo Ezamil! :)

Craigslist, Blue Book, Hospital, Working on Campus

been asked with a couple questions lately and think that i should share to all of u especially the freshmen

if u lookin for used tv, bicycle, car or anything that u can think of, go to http://chambana.craigslist.org/ note a "free" section under "for sale"

talkin abt buying a car, to get a general idea of a value of a used car, go to http://www.kbb.com for example, from craigslist, u can get the info on model, year, mileage and conditions...put that in the blue book and u should get the estimate market value, you should negotiate for a price below the value...the best time to get a used car here is in May when seniors graduating..

with car, come insurance...the best way to get a good deal is actually to deal with an agent, not a specific company's agent but an agent of all companies...give a call to agent like Sticklen Insurance in town, they will do the homework to find the cheapest insurance company for u..u can check the rate online, but most likely u can't beat them

if u got sick during weekday, go to McKinley..but if got sick on weekends when McKinley is closed, u need to know which hospital to go to..fyi, there are 2 hospitals in town, depending on your insurance,u need to go to the right one..as for jpa students, u need to go to provena hospital...mara, ytn with aig insurance i think should go to carle hospital...identify which insurance u got, and which hospital to go..this is super important guys, jgn nnti dah sakit br nk terhegeh to get the info...and of course, i'm at ur disposal if u need a ride in emergency

last but not least, workin issue..unless u r a u.s. passport holder, meant u were born here in the States, NEVER ever work off-campus like at restaurants, hantar pizza, painting or any labor job etc..even if the boss gonna pay u under the table, the risk is not worth to take..i can't emphasize this enough guys..i had a fren who got the same deal as mine - had an offer to do master and phd by his univ, but got deported home becoz the INS somehow found out he worked off campus briefly...

work on campus is ok, i'm sure some of u hv met some seniors working at dining hall..working on campus means ur employer is the university of illinois...i think for ur 1st semester, get urself settle down 1st, weigh ur credit hours vs free time...next sem, if u think u can handle it, can always try to get extra money by working on campus..the best source is at UIUC Virtual Job Board i like to classify on-campus jobs into 2 category: 1) juz 4 money; 2) for research/learning experience n 2 look good in ur resume...i've done both, and one is not necessaryly better than the other

my very 1st job, during the my 1st winter break, i work as an animal lab assistant for 2 weeks, 8 hrs/day (during break u can work up to 40 hrs/wk, 20 during school), then the next 2 wks i enjoyed myself in florida, all those disneyworld, miami, daytona, key west etc...then i worked at the library, abt 10-15 hrs per week for 3 yrs...these were easy jobs, and i just needed the money to travel n buy stuffs...

then before my junior yr, i applied to work as undergrad research assistant with a prof in my dept..this kinda jobs usually open a lot of opportunities even though when u start u'd just do some clerical data entry jobs...it may make it easier for u to get an internship or to go to grad school...this opportunity usually is very rare, u may ask around, ur advisor, ur profs etc

damn this is long...

Malaysian Soccer Team Selection & Friendly Match vs. Singapore

Dear all,

In preparation for future Asian Games, Malaysian Midwest Games etc, we would like to invite anyone who's interested to play soccer for Malaysian team to contact cikmat (mohdsaat@uiuc.edu ) for Men, and Ezamil (suhaimi2@uiuc.edu) for Women. We will have a combined practice (Men & Women) this Saturday at 10am, indoor at CRCE if we got the space, or outdoor at the field near FAR/PAR.

On Monday, 10.30am, the Men team will have a friendly match vs. Singapore, at the field near FAR/PAR. Please bring your Malaysian flags and high spirit to cheer for us.

Njoy the long weekend!

-cikmat

haha

yeah..
this is my first posted blog here..
ermm.
proudly announce that i've just registered in this blog community..
ha...
long live umno chicago

Video video video!

A video on the Ambang Merdeka day :)
Just for entertainment.
Y'know..since Merdeka's in 2 days (1 day, if you're in Malaysia ;))

Start of Something New

Several activities have been held since the arrival of incoming freshman at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.

#1. The BBQ at Illini Grove.
First time HALAL meat for the Freshmen.

#2. The FIRST UMNO Meeting on August 24th.
Several matters, including the Independence Day BBQ that will be held in Chicago on September 8th was discussed.
Btw, you're suppose to pay $5 to Alina for the trip (this includes food + transportation).


#3. The Ambang Merdeka Celebration on August 25th
We gathered at the Engineering Quad and took our "official group photo". If im not mistaken, that'll be sent to Utusan Malaysia :D
Then a couple of speeches later, we ate and took more pictures. For personal pleasure ;)

For more pics, leave a comment and your email address.
I'll try to send them to you :)

A New Era

This Blog finally has a new official moderator :)

Posts will be updated soon.