ATTENDING AN EX-STUDENT'S SON AQIQAH EVENT

    29TH AUGUST 2026    ~ Apart from wedding invitation, I also go to Aqiqah event - now of my ex-students' children. I feel so old already.

Today's Aqiqah event was of the son of an ex-student's [of SMK Taman Universiti], Mr. Syarifuddin Wahid. My friend and I were a few of the early birds who arrived at his father's house in Taman Universiti at about 5:00 p.m.

Aqiqah refers to the Islamic tradition of sacrificing an animal (usually a sheep or goat) to celebrate and express gratitude for the birth of a child. It is a recommended Sunnah (practice of the Prophet Muhammad) that serves as a symbolic welcome for the newborn.

source: AI Overview

Other than Mr. Syarifuddin, his two other brothers and sisters are also my ex-students. I have been attending many events at his house, like Eid open houses, his father is not a stranger to me.

Thanks to the family for the kind thought of inviting me again to their house. May I will have the opportunity to see the children of these ex-students grow up when I come visiting next time.

ATTENDING AN AQIQAH EVENT ON THE 8TH DAY OF EID

28TH APRIL 2026 ~ An Aqiqah event was held by two ex-students [of SMK Taman Universiti], Mr. Ahmad Khairy and Ms. Nurul Atiqah, who are now a husband-and-wife couple. The event was held to welcome their new baby boy. It was held at Lavender Event Space somewhere in Kempas Baru.

 

Aqiqah refers to the Islamic tradition of sacrificing an animal (usually a sheep or goat) to celebrate and express gratitude for the birth of a child. It is a recommended Sunnah (practice of the Prophet Muhammad) that serves as a symbolic welcome for the newborn.

SOURCE: Google AI Mode

As expected, I met quite a number of ex-students, a few are actually the family members of the hosts, and one ex-colleague as well.

Congratulations to Mr. Khairy and Ms. Atiqah. May your days be merrier with presence of the baby boy in the family.

ATTENDING AN AQIQAH EVENT AT A NEIGHBOUR'S HOUSE

  4TH OCTOBER 2025   ~ An Aqiqah event was held at a neighbour's house and it was in conjunction with his granddaughter's 1st birthday.

"Aqiqah is an Islamic practice that involves sacrificing an animal, typically a sheep or goat, to express gratitude to Allah for the birth of a child."

SOURCE: AI Overview

As usual, the ceremony was started off with a prayer session. After that, there was a Qasidah performance by a group of young men. This was something rare, in fact this was the very first time I came across this performance in an event like this. There is a video I recorded at the end of this post.

"A Qasidah is an ancient and elaborate form of Arabic poetry, essentially an ode, that originated in pre-Islamic Arabia and spread through Islamic culture."

SOURCE: AI Overview

It is customary to serve the guests with food and one of the dishes prepared would contain the meat of the slaughtered animal [I think it was mutton].

Another afternoon spent eating and putting on weight is no longer an option. Do enjoy the Qasidah performance posted on my Youtube channel.

ATTENDING AN AQIQAH EVENT OF AN EX-STUDENT'S SON IN MUAR

26TH NOVEMBER 2022 ~ Today I drove all the way to Muar to attend an Aqiqah event. I was invited by an ex-student [of SMK Taman Universiti] and the event was meant for his youngest son [at the moment].

I successfully found his house and all the delicious food was already served on the buffet table.

First, there was the host's elder sister who was also an ex-student and ex-colleague of the same school.

Then, there was an ex-colleague of SMK Mutiara Rini, who is actually the host's brother-in-law. It's a small world after all.

After I had tried [almost] all the food available, it was time to drive back home.

Thanks Mr. Amin Ahmad for the kind thought. I felt very appreciated. Distance sometimes is not a reason not to attend a function when invited.

ATTENDING AN AQIQAH EVENT OF PUAN NURUL BARIAH'S BABY BOY

14th September 2019 ~ I was invited by Puan Nurul Bariah Moosa to the aqiqah event for his newly arrived bundle of joy. It was held at her in-law's place in Taman Kobena.

Puan Nurul Bariah was a student in my English tuition class in 2002 (PMR) and SPM (2004) when she was studying in SMK Kempas. She was one of the few people who are still keeping in touch with me, especially when she is now teaching English in SMK Tasek Utara 2.

A present student of mine, a fifth former of SMK Dato Jaafar, Mr. Hassanal, had a shock of his life to see me at the same place. It is a small world after all.

Thanks a lot to Puan Nurul Bariah for inviting me and I pray that the baby boy will bring abundance of joy and happiness to her and her family.

AQIQAH EVENT ONE SATURDAY AFTERNOON

24th AUGUST 2019 ~ I was invited by ex-students of SMK Taman Universiti, Mr. Hafizuddin Abd. Wahid [SPM batch 2004] and his younger brother, Mr. Syarifuddin Abd. Wahid [SPM batch 2010], to an aqiqah event. It was held at their parents' house in Taman Universiti and the aqiqah was for Mr. Hafizuddin's third child.

I arrived there at 3.00 p.m. and there were not many people, just an ex-student, Ms. Yanie Zin [and this was her FB's name] with her husband and kids.

I have to thanks both the siblings for their kind thoughts of inviting me over. I hope there will be more chances to attend similar events, or any other occasions, in the future at their place.

ATTENDING AN "AQIQAH" EVENT AFTER SCHOOL

21st JULY 2019 ~ I was invited by Mr. Ahmad Firdaus Ahmad Shahlan [SPM batch 2001] to attend his sister's aqiqah event which was done to welcome the arrival of her new bundle of joy into the family. Coincidentally. Firdaus is married to his schoolmate, Puan Noor Al-Iman Madzlan [also of SPM batch 2001]. So I have already a few ex-students in just one family. It was held at their parents' house in Kampung Melayu Kangkar Pulai.

*NOTE: AQIQAH is an event held to show gratefulness for a baby being born. Usually an animal like a goat will be slaughtered and cooked for guests. At the same time, there are prayers, hoping for a blessed life for the baby.

I was not expecting for another reunion session of ex-students SMK Taman Universiti to take place as I arrived quite late but it happened. So there were Ms. Irma Marlis [SPM 2004] and her younger sister Ms. Minarti Marlis [SPM 2006] and I joined at at the table after getting my food.

Then I met Ms. Raubiyah and an ex-colleague, Puan A'liah Hussein inside the house.

Before going back, Dr. Syazni Rosli [SPM batch 2002] whom I had not met since she left SMKTUN in form four, arrived with her family.

I got to thank Mr. Firdaus for inviting me and he will be going back to Saudi soon. It was an afternoon after school well spent.