CrossingCulture

★NICE TO MET BOTH OF YOU.....

Tuesday, 8 May 2012 • 19:51 • 0 comments

     On 26th April, we met two Somalian girls at Edu Cafe around 8 p.m. One of them is Syikin's classmate (Aminah) and the other one is Syafiqah's roomate (Nada). We make an appointment to meet them when they have a free time. Our purpose to be friend with them are to know about their culture and make friend with them. Moreover, we can have a new experience when we know international student in this university since we not have many friend from other country.

     Aminah is a HS student and majoring in Communication. She is 4th year student and 25 years old. While, Nada is 1st year student and she did not enter kulliyah yet because now she is taking EPT class. She is 19 years old and she came here with her older sister.

     We ask them some question but we did not get much information because they have a limited knowledge about Somalia. Actually, they are Somalian but they live and stay in the other place. Nada stay with her family at Dubai.

     Aminah said that, first time be in other country (Malysia), she did not know anything. She only know our country from the discovery in the television. She also said that people in Malaysia is nice but some of them is unfriendly. Other than that, she also mentioned about their superstitious. Based on our coversation, her told that they have some of superstitious but she did not believe on that and did not practice it.

     Whereas, Nada have different opinion like she is easy to be friend with Malaysian. She said that Malysian is nice and friendly. She also mentioned about the superstitious like they cnanot sing in a toilet. Furthermore, in Somalia, they are prefer to use much spices in their foods. From her experience, she still cannot adapt Malaysian food, but there is some food that she can eat like 'Nasi Ayam'. She is very excited to go to any island in Malaysia and other beautiful place here but she cannot because her parents did not allow her to go without them.

     We also look for the clothes that they wear on their wedding ceremony in the Aminah's laptop. Besides that, they also not have many races like us but they are divided like Badawi and Hadari. They also been influenced by other country which is near to them like Kuwait.

     At the end, we are lucky to know each other even though they are quite shy to talk. At least, we can know little thing about them and can make friend....<3

Labels: immersion

★Visiting Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia

• 09:59 • 0 comments

Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia
2nd May 2012, Wednesday

Introduction
Our group decided to go to museum after we went to Pasar Borong Selayang for interviewing the refugee he works there. Now, we would like to share about our experiences during our visit to the museum. The purpose we chose to go to this museum because of some reasons. Firstly, we would like to explore the uniqueness of culture from different background which includes national and international country. However, the exhibitions is only focusing on country who has Islamic influence. Then, we also want to learn more about other cultures that is might be differed with our culture.
We went there by rented car that involves all of our group members which are Liyana, Adilah, Asyikin,Syafiqah and Nabila. We reached the museum around 12.50 pm and we took about 2 hours and 30 minutes before we left the museum. As for students, we have to pay RM 6 each person. Meanwhile, for adults they have to pay RM 12 each.
Our journey starts with many conflicts. There was raining on that time. So, we were late to start our observation. Then, we were stuck on the road because of traffic jammed. however, we manage to finish early where there were not many visitors on that time. The lack of visitors maybe due to lack of awareness among Malaysians towards history. This is wasteful effort for the government where the citizens itself does not appreciate the effort. So now, we would explain in details about 12 galleries that we have visited.

The galleries

Quran and manuscript gallery

firdawsi Shahnama: Poetry
Illustrated manuscript

Quran stand : wood inlaid by mother -of -pearl and tortoiseshell

Quran leaf on vellum : early kufic script

mini Al-Qurans

China Gallery

some ceramic famous in Malaysia

Jewellery Gallery

Torkoman woman headress

pectorial plate

Bangles

Pectorial plate was made from silver

Arms and Armour Gallery

there are two major categories of Islamic arms: firearms and edged weapons. Blades have a much longer history than barrels. The greatest advance in metalworking was the development of watered steel, associated with Damascus and used throughout the Islamic world.

Metal work Gallery

grain measure

Dulang

grain measure

Living with woods Gallery

wood throne: carved with Quranic verses
maybe comes from Deccan, Mughali, India

khatib chair : silver and ladder
was used by Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj and was presented by India

Architecture Gallery

Al-haram Mosques, Saudi Arabia

Taj Mahal, Mugal, India
Emperor Shah Jahan built the celebrated Taj Mahal in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal.

Mosque at Daxuexi Lane, Xi'an, China
This mosque consists of Chinese elements such as pagoda, freestanding gateways, and the moon pavilion minaret.

Kampung Laut Mosque, Kelantan, Malaysia

Tengkera Mosque, Malacca, Malaysia

The mosques in Malaysia is quite different to each other although they are built in the same country. This happened because of the cultural influence in each state. Each state consists people with different custom and culture although they share the same religion (Islam). This can be seen from the pictures above where the Kelantan mosque and Malacca mosque have different architechture.

Wadi Hussain's Mosque, Pattani, Thailand
This mosque was contructed entirely of wood and survive today until now. This mosque is one of the oldest mosques in Thailand.

Every county has their own design or architecture that can be observed on mosque buildings which happened because of the cultural differences.

India Gallery

Fly Whisk

Sword and Scabbard

Gunpowder horn and powder flask

Wood throne

Coins Gallery

Collection of coins

Malay world

Traditional Female Baju Kurung

Jewellery

Traditional Male Baju Kurung

Textiles

Conclusions

As for the conclusions, we believed that there are pros and cons from our visits about the museum. So, we would like to share our point of view about the weaknesses from the visits. Firstly, this museum is complete with many facilities that are very modern and advance. However, it cannot be compared with small number of visitors there. Most of the visitors on that time come are international tourists. Local citizen should show their interest to visit the museum so that to support the effort of our government. Secondly, most of the historical heritage came from Asian countries. The exhibition might be more interesting if the heritage come from western country who influenced by Islam ever little. The visitors can get more advantages as they get whole picture of the uniqueness from different cultures.
Now, we will explain about the strengths that we got from our observations. Firstly, we can say that the exhibitions covers all aspect of people lives in the olden days. For example, the exhibitions includes architecture, textiles, coins and seal, arms and armour and etc. Then, it was not difficult for us to explore the whole building where it is organized systematically. We were provided with the maps so that it easier for us to observe. Then, every item will also provided with an explanation in two languages which are Malay language and English language. So it make the visitors easy to understand.

Labels: immersion

★CHITRA POURNAMI

• 07:29 • 0 comments

On 5^th may 2012 previously, I had an opportunity to attend a ceremony celebrated by Tamil ethnicity in my hometown, which is Teluk Intan, Perak. The celebration is called Chitra Pournami. It is started since early in the morning on that day. However, I went there around three o’clock in the evening.

Unfortunately, I did not have a chance to ask anyone because everyone is busy with their own matters. So, I just took so many pictures as I can. Based on my findings, Chitra Pournami is said to be one of the important festivals especially for females. They are meant this day for worshipping Chitragupta.

On that day, people will worship him with chakkarai pongal and other things without salt. This action is believed will give immense pleasure to the whole family throughout the year.

Also, they should avoid milk and milk products because they believed that Chitragupta came out from kamadhenu. Then, after finishing their ritual worshipping methods such as usual pooja and naivedhya, they are encouraged to donate rice, vegetables, dhal and dakshina in a "MURAM".

Also some persons will draw a kolam (padi kolam) with the south side alone leaving empty as a mark of entrance to him. After finishing pooja they will immediately wipe the kolam.

There are a lot of people in that ceremony. I can feel like strangers in my own town because there are so many Tamil people scattered here and there in that place. Malay people only can be count by fingers. Sometimes, I am ashamed to take pictures as I feel like those people looking and feeling angry towards me.

The surrounding at that time is really uproar and noisy. There are a lot of booths built around the kuil. They are selling various things such as jewellery, henna, things use to worshipping, dress and clothes, sweets, titbits, and so on so forth.

Everyone is looked busy with their own activities. The sellers busy with their running business, the buyers struggle to haggle to get the best price, some of them put an effort to appeal the visitors to donate some money to be given to the temple and so on. Interestingly, in other part there are a group of people who are launching and promoting Tamil albums. Congrats!!!

In front of the kuil, I can see a Tamil people carried a huge decorate things, maybe it is like holy place for them. Also, there is someone who is sitting on the chair exhaustedly. Amazingly, on his back side, there are plenty of sharp things impaled to his body. So scary!!!

That is my experience regarding attend a religious ceremony and festivals as stated in the immersion project assignment. :)

Labels: immersion

★IMMERSION: REFUGEES FROM MYANMAR

• 06:33 • 0 comments

Name : Mohamed Hashim

Age : 30 years old

Nationality : Burmese

Status : Married with 2 child

Sibling : 14 from 15 siblings

Malaysia Address : Taman Mulia

Language Spoken : Burma, Thailand, India, Bangladesh and Bahasa Malaysia

On last Wednesday, 2 Mei, we met with Hashim, a worker in a food stall in Selayang. We interviewed him for around 1 hour. We found out that he is a refugee from Myanmar or Burma as he calls it. He comes here 12 years ago to seek for job. He follows his friend with bus to Malaysia. We were shocked to hear that the cost of one-way trip to Myanmar cost him around rm3000++ and around rm900++ for one-way trip to Malaysia. Since 12 years he had come to Malaysia, he had gone back to Myanmar for 4 times and stayed for 1 year for each time.

We started of by having him to describe his life back in Myanmar. He told us that life in Myanmar was hard. Muslim was not given work opportunity, can not walk around, killed, and is encouraged to migrate, no marriage permit and many others. They had to eat only the food that they found. Muslim has no freedom. They have to stay in village as he calls it. I quoted a word by him ‘Sana hidup susah, itu bukan negara kita’. Majority of people there, Chinese and Thailand were against Islam and Muslim was often being discriminated. They had to build the house and mosque by themselves. Among issues that often arise include trespass of the village and fighting.

Talking about marriage and religion, Muslim was encouraged to married Muslim. If they want to married Burmese, they had to convert to their religion. He had been married for 8 years and had no intention to married Malaysian girl. He had been missing his child and hope to bring them here after he had stabilize (~~so sweet!). After marriage also, female Myanmar wears along clothes and proper hijab.

In terms of weather, compared to Malaysia, Myanmar had 6 month of rain, 3 months of hot and remaining 3 months for cold weather. Other than that, Myanmar and Malaysia are also different in terms of food. He is not used of eating sweet and cream. They usually eat very spicy food. Fortunately, there were a lot of Burma stall near his house. So he would normally buy plain food and buy Burma dishes at that shop. Since living in Malaysia, he had only tasted Nasi Lemak once and never tries it again.

Instead of the differences, he loves Malaysia very much. He had very grateful for having a work here. Since living in Malaysia, he is able to sent some money back to Myanmar, settle his debt and to have some saving. He want to improve his family condition of living in Myanmar. He had little difficulties in adjusting to Malaysia lifestyle as Malaysian is very friendly and helpful. There are plenty of job opportunity in here and the weather and food is not that much different.

From the interview, I learn that refugees had very strong motivation and determination. They learn life through hardship. They work their hardest to survive each day. Just to continue their living. Malaysian should be grateful that we are born in a peace country with our religion had a secure position in society. Other than that, they are very defensive of themselves and their territory. They had little confidence for local people and are very much worried of people perception of them. However, we can see that they want nothing more than a better life for themselves. That is why they are here. But because of system, they were look down as a thrown away.

Labels: immersion

★Dealing with Cultural Differences

Tuesday, 24 April 2012 • 20:54 • 0 comments

Now, I want to share my experience during my studying at one of local universities in northern Malaysia. During my studying there, I’m having difficulties in adapting myself to mix around with students and friends that majority of them came from northern Malaysia such as Penang, Kedah, Perlis, and Langkawi. I admit that I cannot understand well especially in communication as their way of speaking (dialect) is totally different than mine. I used to mix around with friends who have same dialect before this and it makes me more comfortable to understand and communicate.

During my time at the university, I found hard to understand at begin but later I managed to understand after several months I mixed around with them. It is hard for me at beginning because I’m still in adapting process to understand their culture, background, and dialect. Mostly, my group works allow me to work together and deal with friends who come from northern. I try to adapt myself by learning their dialect slowly and communicate with them when I having problems in my study. This adapting process needs patience and strength to improve myself to understand other culture background and dialect. I found it is interesting to know other culture background. They have different ways of communication and lifestyle than mine. I came from Southern Malaysia (Johor). I respect their lifestyle, background and dialect. Most of them are very kind, friendly, humour, and understanding. No matter who they are, I respect them because they all are unique. They had attracted me to get closer with them because of their humour and that’s made me feel more comfortable and close. At the same time, I never forgot about my friends that come from other part of Malaysia.

Now, I have a best friend, came from Penang. I’m very lucky to know him for three years. He has totally different background than mine. I’ve learned lots of things from his culture. He is kind, very friendly, enthusiasm and humour. He taught me a lot on how to respect and mix well with people who have different culture. He always persuades me to meet his friends and family, and always talking about his culture lifestyle and background. His family and friends are very friendly and kind. They treat me very nice and well. I’ve learned lots of term that I did not understand before this. Now, I understand almost all the terms and dialect that he usually use when speaking with me. It is so meaningful moment for me to understand other culture background and lifestyle. I love to learn other cultures! Absolutely! Thanks to him ;D

As we are growing older, we should use our time and opportunity to know other people who come from different country and background. As a future counselor, we have to learn lots of different culture because later we will meet those people and it will help us to build comfortable relationship between counselor and client. Here, I attached several tips to deal with cultural differences in a relationship (or friendship).

1) Understand and explore

2) Respect differences

3) Look for commonalities

4) Don’t make assumptions

5) Be patient

Labels: immersion

★FURARAMAAAAAAAAA

• 10:27 • 0 comments

On the previous mid break, my father brought us to have a journey to Taiping, Perak Darul Ridzuan. We went there after Friday Congregational Prayer, 30th April 2012. Along the way, we are really happy, exciting and keep chatting on many things. The traffic condition on that day are quite congested. It is because there is a death of Sultan Perak's son. Two hours later, we arrived at Bandar Taiping. Firstly, we went to restaurant to eat before doing anything else. After that, we looked for hotel as we are going to stay there for one night. Actually, we never stay in Taiping before. So, it makes us difficult to find place for accommodation.

As the cloud become dark, we found out one hotel in the Bandar Taiping. The hotel name is 'Hotel Furama'. The owner of the hotel is Chinese man. At first, I looked at the guest book. I saw a lot of Malay people had been stayed there and gave a good response. So, before thinking too much, we just check in. Then, the owner asked my mother whether we need telekung or sejadah. Also, there is sign of qiblat inside the room. The good point is that even though he is Chinese, he is really concerned on other religion's needs. He respects our religion so much.

I am glad to meet this kind of people who is really cares on others, no matter where we are and who we are.

Labels: immersion

★THE MOST VALUABLE MEMORIES

• 09:45 • 0 comments

Talking about cultural, I remember my memories during my working days previously. After completed my diploma, I decided to look for a job. Fortunately, my uncle offered me to work as a supervisor of cleaners for his company. So, I accepted his offers with a big hand. At that time, I need to take care of about hundred cleaners. Interestingly, most of my cleaners are Orang Asli. Everyone is unique to me in their own ways. I really enjoy working with a lot of people which are not in the same blood. For Orang Asli, they respect me too much. Even though they are more older than me, but they called me 'kakak' to show their respect. I still remember the time when one of my worker celebrated her son's birthday. A day after that, she brought me a piece of birthday cake. I really touched on what she did to me.

One thing that I realized is that, they have a unique name that makes me remember until now. For man, they have 'Bah' at the beginning of their names while women got 'Wak' at the starting of the names. I did not know what is the significant behind all these. Moreover, I can see that they are actually hardworking. I never asked them for overtime. They lessen my burden as offers themselves to work overtime. However, they need someone to motivated them to do the work. Amazingly, some of them are really impressed me. They always got compliment from the floor managers for their good works.

Along the journey working with them, they always met me whenever they have problems. Sometimes, they asked me to settle down their problems regarding works, family, relationship and so on. Seems like they put their trust on me. I just helped them according to my capabilities. The experience being a problem solver before makes me choose the counseling field nowadays. Thank you my former workers....

Labels: immersion

★PRE-IMMERSION PROJECT 1 & 2

Wednesday, 4 April 2012 • 08:37 • 0 comments

In discovering different culture, we decided to start our journey with making friends with foreigners and also to go visit several museum around KL. We have several places in mind like Museum Orang Asli and National Museum.

During the meeting with the foreigners we would love to know of their background backhome, their traditional cloth, language, food, games, tradition and etc. On our visit to museum, we would love to see their history, their historical event and date, to know more of the people and their norms. Surprise us and it would be better..^^

Labels: immersion

OLD

1) Understand and explore

2) Respect differences

3) Look for commonalities

4) Don’t make assumptions 5) Be patient

1) Understand and explore

2) Respect differences

3) Look for commonalities

4) Don’t make assumptions 5) Be patient

4) Don’t make assumptions

5) Be patient

4) Don’t make assumptions

5) Be patient