Credit: Pinterest

JB, as it is more commonly called to the locals, is the state capital of Johor which is located on the southern peninsula of Malaysia. It is separated by a causeway from the more suburban Singapore.

JB is continually growing, but still retains plenty of old world charm and culture which many other cities start to lose.

With this in mind, there is plenty to keep children amused, and there are plenty of hotels in Johor Bahru to cater for any family taste.

You can opt for the most modern to something quirky like the hotel in Legoland where even your bed might be made from plastic bricks.

Here are the top ten things to see and do in the multi-cultural city.

Top Ten Places to Visit in Johor Bahru

1. Jalan Tan Hiok Nee
This is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Johor Bahru, and Jalan Tan Hiok Nee was named after one of the first founding fathers. There is an abundance of restaurants and cafes along with numerous antique shops in this cultural center.

The architecture is somewhat different because it is mostly traditional Chinese styled and also some colonial buildings you and the family can roam around for a late afternoon.

This cultural heritage street is one of a kind and having such a Chinese influence, it is very colorful.

2. Danga Bay
This is a far cry from the old culture and is a modern waterfront complex which has numerous dining and other Johor Bahru attractions.

The area is home to the World Petting Zoo which is ideal for the kids but is smaller than the central zoo. It does have shows, and kids are able to get up close and personal with some of the animals.

Danga Bay is home to some of the regular theme parks where there are many rides such as spinning teacups and Ferris wheels. If you want to get away from the new side of the bay, you can take a stroll along the beach and catch the sunset.

The sunsets will always be there, but with the amount of construction going on around the bay, the beach might not last forever.

3. Istana Bukit Serene
While you are letting the kids enjoy themselves in the bay complex, you can pop to the Istana Bukit Serene and take a look at the official home of the Sultan of Johor. This needs to be done from a distance unfortunately because it isn’t open to the public.

There are a vast number of people who visit to take in the building exterior because of the arch which is topped with an oversized model of the sultans crown.

The art deco styled building dates back to 1933 and is covered in interesting carvings, and there is a central tower that reaches to a height of 35 meters.

4. Puteri Harbour
If there was one of the things to do in Johor Bahru which was for younger kids, then Puteri Harbour has this covered. It has plenty of things to do for younger children and is home to the Sanrio Hello Kitty Town for the girls in the family, and the younger men might be more interested in Thomas Town or Bob the Builder.

When it’s time to unwind, there is the Marian Walk which houses plenty of cafes and restaurants, and keeping the kids in mid you can try out any of the Hello Kitty, Red Bow Café, or the DC Comics Superheroes café.

With all these more modern attractions, you can quickly see Johor Bahru is becoming one of the top cities in Malaysia.

5. Arulmigu Sri Rajakaliamman Glass Temple
Being one of the most important buildings in Johor Bahru for the Hindu community, the Arulmigu Sri Rajakaliamman Glass Temple was also the world’s first Hindu building to be made of glass.

Both the inside and the exterior are decorated in glass which makes it sparkle in the sunlight. It is a one in a kind structure and when walking around you can see various statues of both Buddha and Christ although it is primarily a Hindu building.

The Arulmigu Sri Rajakaliamman Glass Temple was initially inspired by the Guru Bhagawan Sittar’s visit to Bangkok when his attention was piqued from two miles away.

This was also a glass temple, and it was this which gave him the inspiration to create something similar.

6. Royal Palace at Istana Besar
The Istana Besar is the name of the Royal Palace. Back in the day, it would have been home to the Sultan of Johor. Constructed in 1866 in the days of Sultan Abu Bakar it is a unique mix of Western and Malay architecture.

The most striking points are the large blue roof and a dome that tops the building. It is currently used for state banquets and royal functions, so public access is strictly restricted.

7. Bazar JB
In the Johor Bahru city center is the Bazar JB, this was previously known as Pasar Karat. In a city that is more renowned for high-tech shopping malls, this night market is a world away.

It starts around seven in the evening and is open until 1.0am with the best time to be in the center of activity is around ten, especially on the weekends.

The flea market is much more than just native products and souvenirs, it includes clothing, accessories, and shoes plus much more.

If you are stuck what to do in Johor Bahru in the evening, then this is an event not to be missed, and it is a great excuse to let the kids stay up late for once.

8. Kota Tinggi
One place that should be visited by any family while they are in Johor Bahru is Kota Tinggi. It is a town around 40km outside the city, but the trip is well worth it.

Here you will find the ‘Firefly Leisure Park,’ and at night you can take a boat trip along the sides of the mangrove swamps and see the fireflies come to life.

Situated in the heart of a palm tree plantation where there isn’t much to be seen once the sun sets, you are fronted with entrance to the park.

While you are waiting for your boat, there are plenty of animals for children to see in the mini farm, and if they tire of this, they can play on a quaint old-fashioned playground.

If they want something a little more adventurous, there is an old rickety bridge they can cross from one side of the farm to the other.

With no photos being able to be taken, it is a memory only experience, and once you and the family experience fireflies in such abundance, it will be something which is never forgotten.

9. Johor Premium Outlets
If you are on the lookout for some branded or designer gear, then Johor Premium Outlets is the place that might empty your wallet faster than you can blink.

Being the first outlet for branded clothes and accessories in Southeast Asia, you can find top names like Adidas, Nike, Pony, Swatch, Akemi Uchi and many more.

Although not one of the largest malls in the city, it does have the highest concentration of branded gear any fashionista could desire.

If you need to get away from the designer labels, then a trip to the JBCC mall could be right up your street. With lots more regular stores to browse through, you can even leave the kids in the Angry Birds theme park which is located inside the mall, for a few hours to give yourself a breather.

10. Legoland Malaysia
If there is one thing for a family to do in Johor Bahru Malaysia, it is to visit Legoland. It opened in 2012 and has an adjoining water park, so it is one of the best places to bring the kids after they have ventured around the more adult places.

With over 70 rides, slides, shows, and attractions, it is a great place to unwind and relax. With the water park you can kick back when it gets a little warm and rest in the cooling waters, or you can take on the Lego wave pool, float along the build-a-raft river or hit the brick blaster for a quick adrenalin rush.

Kids of all ages will enjoy Legoland Malaysia and the nearby water park. For a full day of enjoyment, it is easy to relax and keep cool while keeping the kids amused for a few hours before hitting one of the many restaurants for some local delicacies, or searching out the famous ‘Bomba’ burgers for a junk food hit.

The list above is only an overview of what is on offer, and kids can find something to explore in their natural surroundings, or taking in the more modern aspects of the city.

JB must have something extraordinary to offer because it is a regular day trip haunt of families making the trip over the water from Singapore.

 

Credit: braldiblah.com

It’s no secret that small bedrooms can be tricky to decorate. But have you noticed when a room is well styled, you tend to forget about the size? These simple and stylish ideas to make a small bedroom look bigger will help you make the most of your visual space in even the closest quarters.

This list of small space hacks are easy to incorporate, and are sure to make any small bedroom feel more open and airy. Try combining a couple of these tips, to turn your tiny bedroom into a retreat you’ll never want to leave!

#1 – HANG YOUR CURTAINS HIGH
When hanging curtains, the closer to the ceiling- the better. Hanging them well above the window frame will draw the eye up, and make a cramped room feel more spacious.

Always make sure you measure for the right size curtain to fit the space. Curtains measuring 108 inches or 120 inches are some of the longest you can buy, or you can always DIY long curtains for custom sizes.

Patterned curtains can make a room look busy, so opt for a single shade in a light colored. This will help a small bedroom feel even more bright and airy!

#2 – USE LIGHT COLORED BEDDING IN SMALL BEDROOMS
I’m obsessed with a gorgeous patterned bedding as much as the next gal, but in tiny bedroom- they just don’t work. Instead choose a light colored bedding that blends in with the rest of the room.

Light colored bedding always looks elegant, and helps the space feel more open in airy. Plus, you can always add a splash of color with some pretty pillows or a throw.

#3 – DEFINE SMALL SPACES WITH RUGS
Rugs work wonders in smaller rooms. Placing an oversized rug in a small bedroom helps draw attention to the full length of the space, and feel more open,

If you don’t have space for a giant rug- no worries! You can also push a smaller rug slightly under furniture. Try keeping the front legs of your sofa, chair, or bed, and leave the back legs off it. The rug works to connects the pieces together and creates a nice sense of proportion in a small bedroom.

#4 – BEDS WITH STORAGE DRAWERS
Having furniture that works double duty, can help you save space in any tiny room.

I’m obsessed with my storage bed, because it’s perfect for storing extra bedding, throw pillows, and clothes. It cuts down on clutter while keeping the items easily accessible.

There are some beautiful options out there for storage beds, or if you love your current bed, you can always DIY under the bed storage.

#5 – ADD LIGHT WITH LARGE MIRRORS
Light is key to making a small space feel more open and airy. Large mirrors help you make the most of your natural light, and they look phenomenal in bedrooms.

Try placing an oversized mirror on the darkest wall of your room, or hang a a pair of mirrors behind your nightstands for a lovely symmetrical vibe.

#6 – SAVE SMALL SPACE WITH SCONCES
In a small bedroom, every inch of real estate in valuable. Using wall sconces instead of lamps, helps you make the most of your availible surfaces.

Plus without a lamp on your bedside table, you have more space for evening reads, and pretty accessories.

#7 – LOW PROFILE NIGHTSTANDS
When it comes to small spaces, it’s no surprise that the more open looking the better. That’s why nightstands with open shelves, and acrylic bedside tables are a great choice for small bedrooms.

Nightstands with light colors, mirrored finished, and floating end tables are also great low profile picks for a tiny bedroom. Style them sparingly with bedtime essentials and you’ll have a space the feels instantly bigger.

#8 – DECLUTTER A SMALL BEDROOM WITH TRAYS
Accessories can help spruce up a small room, but placing them on a decorative tray keeps them from looking like clutter. Try using a glass tray for arranging anything from candles, to perfumes, and flowers.

Using trays lets you show off your favorite items, while making a small bedroom look neat and tidy. Decluttering your bedroom is one of the smartest ways to make it look bigger, but don’t worry- you don’t have to go full Marie Kondo to make a big impact!

#9 – LARGE SCALE ART
Bigger art helps expand the visual feeling of the space, and make sure that the size of the room isn’t what you notice.

Try using large artworks that compliment the wall color of the space, or multiple frames in the same cohesive color to help a small bedroom feel more open.

#10 – TRANSPARENT FURNITURE
Acrylic furniture helps make small spaces feel more open, and these nightstands can work double duty as a vanity table. When space is tight, it’s always a major plus to have furniture that serves multiple purposes.

The acrylic trend isn’t dying down anytime soon, so look for an chic chair, or lucite table for your tiny bedroom. And if you’ve got a low bed, an acrylic coffee table will works wonders to maximize your visual space.

#11 – ATTENTION GRABBING LIGHTING
A showpiece lighting fixture is a sure fire way to draw the eye up in a small bedroom.

Try an elegant chandelier, or sculptural fixture for some fun visual texture that will maximize the feeling of space in a petite bedroom.

And there you have it! Small bedroom decorating ideas that will help you turn your tiny space into your favorite room in the house.

Try a few of these ways to make your small bedroom look bigger, or apply some of these tips to other small rooms in your home!

Tell me, have you tried some of these techniques to make a small space feel more open? The curtain trick has always been one of my favorites!

Thanks for reading, and for more bedroom decorating ideas, check out this guide on easy ways to decorate a french country bedroom.

Credit: flourishmentary.com

Swimmers wrestle with colourful rubber rings at a pool in Daying county, Sichuan Province, this past August, in a situation that looks anything but relaxing. Between the late 1970s and January of this year, it controlled its fast rising numbers with a one-child policy. One-child policy China adopted in the 1970s that it claims has prevented 400million births, but demographers have called the claim into question.

 

More than 1,700 secondary school students in Yichuan, Shaanxi province, sat this exam in 2015, which had to take place in its open-air playground due to lack of space inside. A two-child policy has since replaced old laws, so its massive population is set to rise steeply once again.

 

Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station, which sees an enormous number of travellers and commuters pass through its halls.

 

Outside Beijing’s International Airport, taxi drivers – one shirtless – line up to await passengers in the sweltering summer heat.

 

Amid a sea of wheels and handlebars in Beijing, a woman who has somehow located her own bike prepares to cycle away.

 

At a university is Wuhan, Hubei province, students sleep on mats laid out on an air-conditioned gym floor to escape the heat.

 

Thousands upon thousands of job-seekers collect eagerly around booths at a job fair in Chongqing, southwestern China.

 

This summer in Dalian, Liaoning Province, countless beaches were packed full of sunbathers and crowded with parasols.

 

College students queue up for a job fair in 2014, which roughly 50,000 people attended in Zhengzhou, Henan province.

 

People queue up before viewing the soaring tide near the bank of Qiantang River in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province in 2010.

 

Vehicles are seen on a snaking avenue during the evening rush hour at sunset in Beijing in 2014, surrounded by skyscrapers.

 

Credit: pelikaneh.blogspot.com

Biasa kalau kita fikir nak diet, kita mesti fikir samada ia sesuai dengan kita yang sibuk bekerja. Tu yang kita fikir, nak diet time puasa lah, time cuti lah.. tapi jadi tak plan tu, atau terkandas di tengah bulan.. ?

Jadi lihat senarai resipi yang dikumpulkan di sini, yang dipilih berdasarkan persediaannya yang mudah (atau boleh buat selonggok terus untuk bekal seminggu) dan pastinya mengenyangkan ketika berdiet.

Alang-alang tengah sibuk, masa makan sumbat ja resipi ni, tak payah fikir nak makan lauk apa, lulus ke tak masa dekat food court/cafe nanti. Hanya masak dalam kuantiti 2,3x makan ketika di hujung minggu, dan simpan dalam bekas asing-asing. Capai berapa banyak korang nak, panaskan sebentar (masa korang tengah pakai baju dan mekap2 ke) dan siap dah.

*pastikan juga makanan yang dipilih sesuai dengan diet dan/atau isu kesihatan korang ya. Ada orang alergik sekian-sekian, jangan le korang makan karang mc pulak.

TELUR REBUS DENGAN SERBUK PAPRIKA
Resipi yang paling mudah untuk disediakan kerana korang hanya perlu rebus telur dalam 10 minit gitu ja. Dan kemudian boleh tambah perasa ikut suka, dengan paling asas ialah sedikit kicap. ?

Atau boleh cuba dengan serbuk paprika, seperti dalam gambar ini. Cuma telur rebus ini adalah resipi deviled eggs (jangan tanya kenapa nama dia begitu), namun prinsipnya sama ja: perencah atas tu boleh dipelbagaikan ikut selera korang.

Hari-hari makan telur rebus muak kot.

Sapa yang letak mashed avocado dekat telur rebus dia memang hipsturrr

RESIPI MUFIN TELUR
Yang ini pula resipi peberet Shai sebab ada perisa sikit, iaitu mufin telur. Hanya pukul telur secukupnya, tambah bahan yang korang nak (paling basic hirisan cili, bawang, dan tomato) dan bakar dalam acuan atau di oven sehingga masak. Mufin ni tahan disimpan 3-4 hari dalam peti sejuk bawah, jadi buat lah banyak sikit untuk mudahkan kerja korang.

*sama juga kalau korang nak buat dalma bentuk telur hancur. Maklumlah telur ni sangat versatil.

Kimchi pun boleh letak. Ada orang nak letak tempoyak pulak tak? Hehe

SAYUR YANG DI KUKUS DENGAN SEDIKIT MAYONIS
Sayur yang di kukus/ stim adalah antara hidangan sayuran yang paling sihat kerana kandungan nutrisi dalam sayur tu masih banyak lagi (berbanding stir fry). Pilih sayuran pilihan korang yang rangup seperti kacang buncis ke, brokoli, kacang botol, terung, kentang, dan lobak dan kukus.

Untuk mudahkan kerja korang, potong siap2 sayuran pilihan ini dan simpan dalam bekas di dalam peti. Masa nak kukus tu keluarkan sebanyak yang perlu dan kukus sementara korang bersiap. Ikuti rajah di bawah untuk bajet masa mengukus. Kalau dressing seperti mayonis, malah sekadar minyak zaitun boleh buat disiapkan lebih awal sebab ia lebih tahan lama.

Kredit: http://www.theproducemom.com/2016/04/07/how-to-steam-vegetables/

AYAM GORENG, IKAN GORENG
Lauk pauk bergoreng/bakar seperti ayam, ikan, dan daging pasti menjadi pilihan ketika berdiet. Dan sebagai rule umum, apa sahaja resipinya tak kira goreng, bakar, dalam bentuk lauk dan sup boleh ja korang makan sehingga kenyang sebab ia adalah sumber protein.

Hanya korang masak siap2 waktu weekend, asingkan ikut portion yang biasa korang makan dalam satu bekas, dan panaskan semula (dekat microwave/periuk). Setel satu kerja. ?

Tangkap leleh tengok ayam goreng ni. Kalau diet hanya ambil isinya ja ya. Kredit: http://www.lodgemfg.com/recipe/mother-s-favorite-fried-chicken

SANDWIC TUNA, AYAM, TELUR
Yang best, resipi sandwic ni paling mudah korang nak sediakan sebab boleh je gunakan bahan apa yang ada (melainkan korang nak canggih macam dekat Subway tu). Shai sendiri, ada lebihan isi ayam dari lauk sebelum ini, dihiris halus untuk dijadikan sebagai bahan untuk sandwic.

Tinggal hiris bawang, tomato, dan tuang mayonis sedikit, sebelum digaul.

Kalau nak rasa kick sikit, letak sedikit sos cili (ala-ala mexican gitu). Atau nak rasa Italian letak serbuk mixed herbs sedikit untuk rasa lemon dan tangy. Setel.

Buat satu bekas banyak, boleh tahan 3-4 hari. Macam biasa korang asingkan ikut portion satu hari korang makan. Rotinya pula beli satu letak dekat meja pejabat. Bila lapar makan ja, sambil buat kerja. Jimat kan?

*boleh guna dengan telur sekali, sebaiknya dalam bentuk telur hancur untuk tekstur yang lebih creamy. ?

KESIMPULAN
Resipi diet ketika bekerja ini akan di update ja kalau ada resipi terbaru yang sesuai dalam senarai ini. Semoga membantu korang untuk berdiet ya. Share di fb korang, supaya senang cari balik blog post ini. ?

Credit: mommysado.com

Berikut adalah beberapa gambar cicak yang dikenali sebagai Secret Toadhead Agama dari (famili agamidae), atau nama saintifiknya Phrynocephalus mystaceus.

Dalam 44 spesies yang tersenarai dalam genus Phrynocephalus, hanya P.mystaceus sahaja yang mempunyai ciri yang agak istimewa, iaitu lapisan kulit pada bahagian tepi mulutnya yang boleh dibuka. Saintis menggelar lapisan kulit tersebut sebagai “Labial flap”.

Bukan labia minora ya?.

Credit: Shahmil Hafiz Syed Kamaruddin

Tahukah anda bahawa kertas saintifik paling pendek dan ringkas yang pernah diterbitkan tidak mempunyai sebarang isi pun?

Dan kertas saintifik tersebut “ditulis” oleh Dennis Upper. Beliau merupakan seorang ahli psikologi klinikal yang mengalami kesukaran untuk menulis, a.k.a ‘Writer’s Block’.

Bagi menghadapi permasalahan beliau itu, Upper kemudiannya bereksperimen, iaitu dengan mencuba untuk menulis kertas saintifik.

Eksperimen beliau bagaimanapun gagal (gagal untuk menulis). Tetapi umumnya di dalam bidang sains, jika eksperimen tersebut tiada hasil atau keputusan sekalipun, ia tetap dikira sebagai satu keputusan.

Kertas saintifik tersebut bagaimanapun tetap berjaya untuk diterbitkan di dalam “Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis” pada tahun 1974.

 

—-

References:

Upper, D. “The Unsuccessful Self-Treatment of a Case of Writer’s Block”. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis. (1974) Fall; 7(3): 497
DOI: 10.1901/jaba.1974.7-497a

 

Credit: Shahmil Hafiz Syed Kamaruddin

Peristiwa serangan tentera bergajah yang berlaku pada Tahun Gajah 570 M (mengikut sumber Islam) sudah diketahui meluas oleh majoriti umat Islam, khususnya pada tahun tersebut juga, lahirlah seorang utusan Allah swt yang terakhir iaitu Nabi Muhammad saw.

Abrahah al-Asyram (Si Wajah Terbelah) merupakan salah seorang gabenor yang mewakili Raja Kaleb (Pemerintah Kerajaan Aksum di Habsyah) menguasai wilayah Yaman yang berpusat di kota Sana’a. Pada waktu ini, jajahan kerajaan Aksum meliputi wilayah Aksum, Adulis, Wiqro (Afrika) dan Najran, Sana’a, Zafar, Aden, Marib, Shibam, Qana, Samham (Arab). Sumber lain pula menyatakan yang Abrahah menghadapi beberapa siri peperangan dengan kerajaan Aksum setelah beliau merampas kuasa di Yaman. Setelah kemenangannya, beliau menjadi raja yang merdeka dengan gelaran Raja Abrahah al-Asyram.

Abrahah juga mempunyai misi besar untuk membangunkan geoekonomi wilayah Yaman dengan menciptakan bandar perdagangan yang besar di selatan Semenanjung Arab yang menghubungkannya dengan wilayah Syam yang berada di utara. Agama rasmi di kota Sana’a, Yaman pada waktu ini adalah agama Kristian sepertimana agama yang diamalkan oleh kerajaan Aksum di Habsyah (Ethiopia).

Tetapi untuk membangunkan misinya ini, Abrahah perlu menghapuskan penghalang utamanya, iaitu kota Mekah. Ada dua sebab mengapa Abrahah ingin menyapu habis kota Mekah dari bumi Arab.

Pertama, kerana kedudukan kota Mekah yang berada di tengah-tengah Semenanjung Arab ia tidak langsung menjadi sebagai sebuah tempat persinggahan rasmi para kafilah dagang dari Syam.

Kedua pula, di kota Mekah wujud sebuah binaan yang digunakan oleh masyarakat Arab pada waktu tersebut untuk beribadah iaitu Kaabah. Selain masyarakat kota Mekah dah disekitarnya, masyarakat Syam juga datang ke Mekah untuk beribadah di Kaabah. Dua hal ini memaksa Abrahah untuk melakukan dua hal, iaitu pertama membina sebuah gereja bernama al-Qullays (Ekklesia) di kota Sana’a (560 M). Kaedah ini digunakan oleh Abrahah untuk menciptakan sebuah simbol ibadah untuk menarik para penziarah dan kafilah dagang datang ke kota Sana’a tanpa perlu bermukim di kota Mekah. Abrahah menghantar utusannya ke empayar Rom Timur dan kerajaan Aksum untuk meminta bantuan menghantarkan bahan bekalan seperti emas, mozaik dan tenaga pekerja yang mahir dalam projek membina Gereja al-Qullays.

Gereja yang dibina oleh Abrahah dibina dengan sangat megah, dihiasai dengan pelbagai perhiasan sehinggakan Abrahah merasa, gereja indah miliknya mampu menyaingi binaan Kaabah.

Tetapi hasilnya tetap nihil. Impiannya menyimpang jauh seperti yang diharapkan. Tiada sesiapa yang berhasrat ingin mengunjungi gereja miliknya apatah lagi untuk memuji hasil jerih payah usahanya untuk membangunkan wajah kota Sanaa. Tatkala kota Yaman yang dihiasai dengan gereja indah sepi tanpa pengunjung, kota Mekah semakin sesak dipenuhi oleh manusia. Abrahah semakin dirasuki dengan hasad dengki. Beliau wajib melakukan langkah terakhirnya iaitu menakluk kota Mekah dan menghancurkan Kaabah buat selama-lamanya.

“Daun-daun yang dimakan ulat..”.

Maka, berlakulah sebuah peristiwa gempuran pasukan bergajah Abrahah menuju ke kota Mekah. Dan kisah ini berakhir dengan tragis yang dimana pasukan tentera bergajah pimpinan Abrahah dihancurkan oleh sekumpulan burung Ababil yang membawa batu dari neraka. Niat buruk Abrahah dilenyapkan oleh Allah swt tanpa jejak. Peristiwa ini diwahyukan Allah swt di dalam Quran, Surah al-Fil (Gajah).

Baik, daripada kisah ringkas di atas, kita sudah tahu bagaimana ia dikenali sebagai Tahun Gajah, mengapa Abrahah ingin menghancurkan Kaabah dan bagaimana pengakhiran riwayat hidup Abrahah. Tetapi bagaimana pula maklumat penting yang kita lewatkan tanpa sedar? Jalur apakah yang digunakan oleh Abrahah dan tentera bergajahnya menuju ke kota Mekah? Mengapa kita ingin mencari tahu jalur ini sedangkan ia tidak penting? Tidak, ia memang penting. Penemuan jalur dan jejak sejarah laluan yang digunakan oleh Abrahah mampu membuktikan lagi kebenaran kisah yang sudah dinyatakan di dalam kitab suci agama Islam, Quran. Kitab yang mengisahkan sebuah peristiwa yang berlaku sebelum kelahiran Nabi Muhammad saw. Bukan sebuah kitab karangan manusia, tetapi wahyu Allah swt.

Pada tahun 2014 yang lalu, sekumpulan penyelidik geologi dari Universiti Raja Saud menemukan beberapa rekod penting berkaitan jalur yang digunakan oleh Abrahah dari kota Yaman menuju ke kota Mekah.

1. Gabenor Abrahah memimpin pasukan tenteranya keluar daripada kota Sana’a, Yaman ke arah utara menuju ke Najran lalu menuju ke timur Asir.

2. Dari wilayah Asir, Abrahah menyambung perjalanan bersama pasukannya menuju ke timur Baha.

3. Setelah mencapai wilayah Baha, Abrahah tanpa lengah membawa pasukannya menuju ke kota Mekah.

Tiga jalur utama ini dikemukakan setelah ahli geologi tersebut menemui beberapa buah petunjuk penting iaitu inskripsi catatan lukisan gajah pada batu-batuan di sekitar gunung al-Qahr (Najran), penemuan perigi lama di daerah Hafaer (timur Asir) dan jalan berbatu yang tersusun kemas berhampiran Kara di daerah Aqeeq (negeri Baha). Pembaca boleh merujuk jalur yang digunakan oleh Abrahah pada gambar peta dibawah.

Ketua yang memimpin ekspedisi penyelidikan ini, Mohamed al-Amry menyatakan, mereka telah menemui beberapa buah jalur jalan berbatu di daerah Tathlih dan Baha. Selain itu, bukti ini dikukuhkan dengan penemuan tulisan Humairiya yang menyebutkan tentang sepasukan gajah. Selain digunakan sebagai jalan utama untuk para pedagang, selalunya jalan berbatu seperti ini dibina oleh sesebuah kerajaan untuk memudahkan perjalanan pasukan tenteranya menempuhi pelbagai daerah lain dalam waktu yang singkat.

Dengan penemuan ini, ia secara tidak langsung mampu mengukuhkan lagi kebenaran kisah yang disampaikan dari Quran.

“Sesungguhnya pada kisah-kisah mereka itu terdapat pengajaran bagi orang-orang yang mempunyai akal. Al-Quran itu bukanlah cerita yang dibuat-buat, akan tetapi membenarkan (kitab-kitab) yang sebelumnya dan menjelaskan segala sesuatu dan sebagai petunjuk dan rahmat bagi kaum yang beriman”.

(Surah Yusuf ayat 111).

Wallahu’alam.

Peta yang menunjukkan jalur perjalanan yang digunakan oleh Abrahah memimpin pasukan bergajah dari kota Sana’a menuju ke kota Mekah.

 

Jalan raya berbatu yang ditemui berdekatan Kara di daerah Aqeeq dalam negeri Baha, Arab Saudi.

Lukisan dan tulisan gajah-gajah pada batu-batuan yang ditemui di sekitar pergunungan al–Qahr dalam tulisan Humairiya.

 

Sumber rujukan:

1. History of at-Tabari, Vol. 5, Holders of Power After Ardashir bin Babak oleh At-Tabari.

2. Sacred Precincts: The Religious Architecture of Non-muslim Communities Across the Islamic World (Arts and Archaeology of the Islamic World) oleh Mohammad Gharipour.

3. Trans-arabian routes of the pre-Islamic period oleh Daniel D.Potts (1985-1986).

4. Saudis retrace route of Abraha’s army that came to destroy Kaaba, Arab News, 2014.

– TAMAT –

Credit: Yoo Mat

Ya tuan-tuan dan puan-puan yang sudah ada anak ataupun yang masih bujang/andalusia kesepian. Inilah bentuk botol susu yang dikenalpasti berasal dari zaman Gangsa yang berusia sekitar 5000 tahun.

Bekas-bekas tanah liat yang menyerupai macam kanggaru ini ditemui di tapak penggalian manusia zaman Gangsa di Jerman tepatnya, bekas ini ditemui terkubur bersama tulang rangka budak kecil. Selain Jerman, bekas tanah liat ini juga ditemui di tapak penggalian di Czech dan Austria.

Pada mulanya, bekas tanah liat ini disangkakan hanyalah sebagai sebuah perhiasan atau permainan anak-anak, sehinggalah beberapa orang saintis mengambil artifak ini untuk diselidiki. Setelah dikaji melalui beberapa analisis dan pengekstarakan, mereka menemui molekul ‘lipid’ yang berada di dalam bekas-bekas ini dan selalunya molekul seperti ini hanya wujud pada lemak dan minyak.

Kajian dilanjutkan dan keluarlah teori yang menyatakan bekas tanah liat yang kecil ini merupakan botol susu yang digunakan oleh ibu bapa untuk menyusukan anak mereka. Selain susu lembu, bekas ini juga diisi dengan susu kambing dan biri-biri.

Dengan penemuan seperti ini, dunia pengetahuan sekali lagi menemui jawapan bagaimana orang tua zaman dahulu memberikan susu kepada bayi atau anak-anak kecil mereka.

Selain digunakan oleh manusia Gangsa di Jerman, bekas seperti ini juga ditemui di dalam peradaban Yunani, Rom dan Sudan. Rupa-rupanya, botol susu tanah liat sudah ‘hype’ dan mendunia pada suatu ketika dahulu sehinggalah manusia modern menciptakan botol susu daripada plastik dan dibentuk dalam bentuk yang membosankan. Bentuk botol.

Yeah. Manusia zaman prasejarah lebih kreatif daripada manusia zaman modern. 1-0.

Tapi, yang peliknya, bentuk macam kanggaru itu, mana muncung puting susunya? Di mulut kanggaru tu atau di bontot kanggaru itukah?

Musykil. Okbai. Tamat.

Sumber:

1. CBC News (Incredibly cute’ ancient baby bottles discovered by archeologists).

2. CNN Health (Prehistoric baby bottles still have milk residue inside).

3. Phys Org (Discovery of prehistoric baby bottles shows infants were fed cow’s milk 5,000 years ago).

Credit: Yoo Mat