As Malaysians we have much to be thankful for. We have been blessed with the ability to experience the dawning of the New Year. The months of December (2008) and January (2009) have been very meaningful to us Malaysians. For the Muslims, the first month of the Islamic calendar year is Muharram and the first day of Muharram was celebrated on Dec. 29th 2008. The Islamic year is counted from the year of the Hijrah, that in which the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) immigrated from Makkah to Medina (AD July 16, 622). Hijrah means migration and our beloved Prophet’s (s.a.w) migration to Medina was under the command from Allah (s.w.t).
Maal Hijrah depicts change. Welcoming the new year should include a time for reflection, where a student reflects about his personal progress in the past year and to resolve to become one with better qualities in the current year. This is in accordance with the prescriptions in the Quraan and the Sunnah. Change has to be for the better. In Malaysia the Islamic New Year is usually celebrated in various ways. Amongst these are holding gatherings and prayers to instill knowledge, tolerance and understanding that will benefit the whole community. Apt with these challenging times, the theme from Maal Hijrah 1429 has been retained: Menjana Ummah Gemilang (Generating Outstanding Muslims) and the hope is that we continue to make changes towards striving for excellence and to aspire to be outstanding in all sectors. To all Muslim students we would like to take this opportunity to wish Salam Maal Hijrah 1430 with the hope that 1430 will be a rewarding year for you.
In accordance with the western calendar, the year 2008 came to a close on Dec. 31st and the New Year was ushered in at the stroke of midnight. In Chicago, the countdown was done with much pomp and gaiety, fanfare and fireworks in spite of the cold, blustery winds. Not to be left out from the celebrations in downtown Chicago, a number of Malaysian students from universities in the Midwest region made the journey here to experience this yearly event.
But at the crux of it all, the New Year is about making new resolutions. It is about turning over a new leaf, to have the determination and will to perform better, if one has not in the past year. If your academic performance has been mediocre, now is the time to get your grades up, to stretch yourself to the limit in order to show your potentials and worth. You need to instill confidence in yourselves that you can succeed if you make that change – in the way you manage your time, think, study, and write your assignments and exams. You would need to assess your situation, strategize and then impress upon yourself that it has to be done. Begin with the end in mind. Think long and hard about your goals in life. Remember that you are not doing this for others, but yourselves. This should be your challenge and focus for 2009.
In the midst of all your academic challenges this year, there will be countless opportunities for ‘time-off’ and relaxation. The one that’s coming up soon will be the Chinese New Year. This is the most important celebration in the Chinese calendar and this year, Chinese New Year falls on Jan. 26th 2009. The Chinese months, based upon the lunar calendar, begins on the darkest day. The New Year festivities start on the first day of the month and end on the 15th when the moon is brightest (Chap Goh Meh). Legend has it that on one Chinese New Year day, Buddha asked all the animals to meet him. Twelve animals came and each year is thenceforth named after each animal. Interestingly people born in each animal’s year would reflect some of the animal’s personality.
2009 is the year of the ox (after that of the rat in 2008, pig in 2007, and dog in 2006) and it is believed that those born this year would have these qualities of the ox – stable, fearless, obstinate, hardworking and friendly. Whether there is any truth in this belief, look around you for friends born in the year of the ox to see if they exhibit these characteristics.
In Malaysia, the Chinese New Year showcases fascinating aspects of Chinese tradition and rituals. There are family reunions and dinners on the eve of the New Year. Sumptuous feasts are prepared for this event with special dishes and desserts like kuih bangkit, kuih kapit and niangao or kuih bakul ( a sticky sweet snack made of glutinous rice and sugar, poured into moulds lined with banana leaves and steamed). Mandarin oranges are also normally served. For children this is a time for collecting ang pows (red packets containing money) and dressing up. Red, the colour of prosperity is normally everyone’s choice. To all our Chinese students, we would like to wish you GONG XI FA CHAI and May You Have a Prosperous New Year!
In view of the various New Years celebrated by the majority of the Malaysian population thus far, all of us should spend the beginning of the year to reflect upon what have been done in the past, to identify whether any incremental improvements is warranted, to determine this year’s objectives and to go all out to achieve them. Undoubtedly the year ahead will be full of challenges, but you have to stay in the direction that has been decided upon. It takes a lot of courage, strength, determination and confidence, but we believe that you can do it. If you liken yourself to a stone, it will remain dull and unpolished without undergoing extreme pressure. It is the exertion of extreme pressure and countless polishing processes that will make this stone a precious gem, a diamond that sparkles and shines, and sought after by everyone.
You are that stone undergoing the polishing processes here in the universities in the Midwest. You will become that sparkling gem at the end of the duration of your studies if you adopt a positive attitude towards academic pressure and challenges. Your family and the nation await your return as that high quality sparkling diamond!
Selamat Menuju Kecemerlangan
Maal Hijrah depicts change. Welcoming the new year should include a time for reflection, where a student reflects about his personal progress in the past year and to resolve to become one with better qualities in the current year. This is in accordance with the prescriptions in the Quraan and the Sunnah. Change has to be for the better. In Malaysia the Islamic New Year is usually celebrated in various ways. Amongst these are holding gatherings and prayers to instill knowledge, tolerance and understanding that will benefit the whole community. Apt with these challenging times, the theme from Maal Hijrah 1429 has been retained: Menjana Ummah Gemilang (Generating Outstanding Muslims) and the hope is that we continue to make changes towards striving for excellence and to aspire to be outstanding in all sectors. To all Muslim students we would like to take this opportunity to wish Salam Maal Hijrah 1430 with the hope that 1430 will be a rewarding year for you.
In accordance with the western calendar, the year 2008 came to a close on Dec. 31st and the New Year was ushered in at the stroke of midnight. In Chicago, the countdown was done with much pomp and gaiety, fanfare and fireworks in spite of the cold, blustery winds. Not to be left out from the celebrations in downtown Chicago, a number of Malaysian students from universities in the Midwest region made the journey here to experience this yearly event.
But at the crux of it all, the New Year is about making new resolutions. It is about turning over a new leaf, to have the determination and will to perform better, if one has not in the past year. If your academic performance has been mediocre, now is the time to get your grades up, to stretch yourself to the limit in order to show your potentials and worth. You need to instill confidence in yourselves that you can succeed if you make that change – in the way you manage your time, think, study, and write your assignments and exams. You would need to assess your situation, strategize and then impress upon yourself that it has to be done. Begin with the end in mind. Think long and hard about your goals in life. Remember that you are not doing this for others, but yourselves. This should be your challenge and focus for 2009.
In the midst of all your academic challenges this year, there will be countless opportunities for ‘time-off’ and relaxation. The one that’s coming up soon will be the Chinese New Year. This is the most important celebration in the Chinese calendar and this year, Chinese New Year falls on Jan. 26th 2009. The Chinese months, based upon the lunar calendar, begins on the darkest day. The New Year festivities start on the first day of the month and end on the 15th when the moon is brightest (Chap Goh Meh). Legend has it that on one Chinese New Year day, Buddha asked all the animals to meet him. Twelve animals came and each year is thenceforth named after each animal. Interestingly people born in each animal’s year would reflect some of the animal’s personality.
2009 is the year of the ox (after that of the rat in 2008, pig in 2007, and dog in 2006) and it is believed that those born this year would have these qualities of the ox – stable, fearless, obstinate, hardworking and friendly. Whether there is any truth in this belief, look around you for friends born in the year of the ox to see if they exhibit these characteristics.
In Malaysia, the Chinese New Year showcases fascinating aspects of Chinese tradition and rituals. There are family reunions and dinners on the eve of the New Year. Sumptuous feasts are prepared for this event with special dishes and desserts like kuih bangkit, kuih kapit and niangao or kuih bakul ( a sticky sweet snack made of glutinous rice and sugar, poured into moulds lined with banana leaves and steamed). Mandarin oranges are also normally served. For children this is a time for collecting ang pows (red packets containing money) and dressing up. Red, the colour of prosperity is normally everyone’s choice. To all our Chinese students, we would like to wish you GONG XI FA CHAI and May You Have a Prosperous New Year!
In view of the various New Years celebrated by the majority of the Malaysian population thus far, all of us should spend the beginning of the year to reflect upon what have been done in the past, to identify whether any incremental improvements is warranted, to determine this year’s objectives and to go all out to achieve them. Undoubtedly the year ahead will be full of challenges, but you have to stay in the direction that has been decided upon. It takes a lot of courage, strength, determination and confidence, but we believe that you can do it. If you liken yourself to a stone, it will remain dull and unpolished without undergoing extreme pressure. It is the exertion of extreme pressure and countless polishing processes that will make this stone a precious gem, a diamond that sparkles and shines, and sought after by everyone.
You are that stone undergoing the polishing processes here in the universities in the Midwest. You will become that sparkling gem at the end of the duration of your studies if you adopt a positive attitude towards academic pressure and challenges. Your family and the nation await your return as that high quality sparkling diamond!
Selamat Menuju Kecemerlangan
