Farewell Ramadhan

Another holy month of Ramadhan has gone by.

It was around this time last year that I spent a few days in the Holy Land, accompanied by a corporate figure, a Government pensioner and a medical doctor, as we sought to wash away our major and minor sins in Makkah and Madinah as the guests of Allah.

When I reported back for duty at the Malay Mail, a mock-up of Page 1 with me on the cover was pasted on the wall at the sports desk. I knew instantly Zam the Penangite was behind it. I guess it was done in good spirits, for he appreciated the blessings one gets performing Umrah as he himself had completed the Haj years before.

The words were contributed by former Malaysian Sportswriter of the Year, Ian Augustine Pereira, hiding behind the pseudonym special correspondent, while the culprit who superimposed my picture alongside King of Jordan, King Abdullah, was no doubt Raven. As a self-styled French stooge as the blurb on top clearly pointed out, I took it home as a souvenir.

We bid farewell to the month of good manners, farewell to the month of generosity, farewell to the month of mercy. May Almighty Allah take mercy on us and grant us the opportunity to face Ramadhan yet for another year. Insya Allah, the blessings and grace of Allah (SWT) be bestowed upon you. Happy Eid Mubarak. Selamat Hari Raya Eidul-fitr. Ampun dan maaf dipinta.