To anyone who's tried this general knowledge quiz on computers, which question is the toughest? :)
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Monday, January 25, 2010
Gold nanoparticles to trap toxins...
Tiny particles of gold could soon be helping to spot viruses, bacteria and toxins used by bio-terrorists.
Researchers in the UK have found that gold nanoparticles are very effective detectors of biological toxins.
The particles reveal the presence of poisons far faster than existing techniques which often involve shipping samples back to a lab.
The aim is to integrate the technology in a portable device that could give instant answers at crime scenes.
Colour Chemistry
Led by Professor David Russell, researchers at the University of East Anglia are studying ways to use the nanoparticles as a detector of dangerous biological substances.
The research makes use of gold nanoparticles that are only 16 nanometres in diameter - roughly 1/5000th the width of a human hair.
Earlier work by Professor Russell's team has refined manufacturing methods so relatively large amounts of the particles can be made quickly.
Once made, the particles are coated with sugars tailored to detect different biological substances.
When mixed with a weak solution of the sugar-coated nanoparticles, the target substance, be it a poison such as ricin or a bug like E.coli, binds to the sugar. This changes the properties of the solution and makes it change colour.
Professor Russell said pure solutions of the gold nanoparticles are a strong red colour but instantly change to blue when the target substance is present.
He said work had been done with solutions of particles tailored for just one toxin as well as mixtures that combined nanoparticles tailored to spot different substances.
The scientist said colour changes were less dramatic with mixtures of nanoparticles but were still significant enough to easily spot. The extent of the colour change can also reveal how much of particular toxins were present.
Researchers in the UK have found that gold nanoparticles are very effective detectors of biological toxins.
The particles reveal the presence of poisons far faster than existing techniques which often involve shipping samples back to a lab.
The aim is to integrate the technology in a portable device that could give instant answers at crime scenes.
Colour Chemistry
Led by Professor David Russell, researchers at the University of East Anglia are studying ways to use the nanoparticles as a detector of dangerous biological substances.
The research makes use of gold nanoparticles that are only 16 nanometres in diameter - roughly 1/5000th the width of a human hair.
Earlier work by Professor Russell's team has refined manufacturing methods so relatively large amounts of the particles can be made quickly.
Once made, the particles are coated with sugars tailored to detect different biological substances.
When mixed with a weak solution of the sugar-coated nanoparticles, the target substance, be it a poison such as ricin or a bug like E.coli, binds to the sugar. This changes the properties of the solution and makes it change colour.
Professor Russell said pure solutions of the gold nanoparticles are a strong red colour but instantly change to blue when the target substance is present.
He said work had been done with solutions of particles tailored for just one toxin as well as mixtures that combined nanoparticles tailored to spot different substances.
The scientist said colour changes were less dramatic with mixtures of nanoparticles but were still significant enough to easily spot. The extent of the colour change can also reveal how much of particular toxins were present.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
I came across an article on nanotech on the BBC website...
Nano Circuit Offers Big Promise
The first computer circuit to be built on a single molecule has been unveiled by researchers in the US.
It was assembled on a single carbon nanotube, a standard component of any nanotechnologist's toolkit.
The circuit is less than a fifth of the width of a human hair and can only be seen through an electron microscope.
The researchers, from IBM and two US universities in Florida and New York, told the journal Science that the work could lead to faster computer chips.
The first computer circuit to be built on a single molecule has been unveiled by researchers in the US.
It was assembled on a single carbon nanotube, a standard component of any nanotechnologist's toolkit.
The circuit is less than a fifth of the width of a human hair and can only be seen through an electron microscope.
The researchers, from IBM and two US universities in Florida and New York, told the journal Science that the work could lead to faster computer chips.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Information on nanotechnology...
On the day when Internet access was intermittent due to technical problems resulting from PC lab maintenance that was being carried out by the technician, I asked my students to email me some information on nanotechnology so that I could test every PC's Internet connection and give them exposure to such sophisticated knowledge.
I teach ICT for IGCSE but nanotechnology is not specifically in the syllabus.
Somehow, educators have to have a penchant for paradigm shifts in their pedagogic skills, don't they?
After all, "ICT and Its Implications" is one of the topics in the syllabus and ICT does have something to do with nanotechnology.
I teach ICT for IGCSE but nanotechnology is not specifically in the syllabus.
Somehow, educators have to have a penchant for paradigm shifts in their pedagogic skills, don't they?
After all, "ICT and Its Implications" is one of the topics in the syllabus and ICT does have something to do with nanotechnology.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
I used to write in Pascal when I was at university...
I liked programming in Pascal very much especially when I took a computer course which was compulsory for all First Year Engineering students at UiTM, Shah Alam. That was 20 years back.
As an engineering student, I planned to go to Germany to further my studies there after graduation at UiTM. I wanted to become a professional engineer, not a computer programmer, but I ended up teaching ICT and Computer Studies at a holistic Islamic educational institution in the Klang Valley. :)
When I came across an article on picture-driven computing on the BBC website, I thought to myself: Things are really getting less tough nowadays and this seems contrary to one's self-motivation with the motto, "When the going gets tough, the tough get going." :)
Anyway, in order to keep abreast of the times and latest technologies, if you're into cool programming, go for it!
An excerpt of the article is as follows:
Picture-Driven Computing
New research could enable computer programming based on screen shots, not just code
Until the 1980s, using a computer program meant memorizing a lot of commands and typing them in a line at a time, only to get lines of text back. The graphical user interface, or GUI, changed that. By representing programs, program functions, and data as two-dimensional images — like icons, buttons and windows — the GUI made intuitive and spatial what had been memory intensive and laborious.
But while the GUI made things easier for computer users, it didn’t make them any easier for computer programmers. Underlying GUI components is a lot of computer code, and usually, building or customizing a program, or getting different programs to work together, still means manipulating that code. Researchers in MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab hope to change that, with a system that allows people to write programs using screen shots of GUIs. Ultimately, the system could allow casual computer users to create their own programs without having to master a programming language.
As an engineering student, I planned to go to Germany to further my studies there after graduation at UiTM. I wanted to become a professional engineer, not a computer programmer, but I ended up teaching ICT and Computer Studies at a holistic Islamic educational institution in the Klang Valley. :)
When I came across an article on picture-driven computing on the BBC website, I thought to myself: Things are really getting less tough nowadays and this seems contrary to one's self-motivation with the motto, "When the going gets tough, the tough get going." :)
Anyway, in order to keep abreast of the times and latest technologies, if you're into cool programming, go for it!
An excerpt of the article is as follows:
Picture-Driven Computing
New research could enable computer programming based on screen shots, not just code
Until the 1980s, using a computer program meant memorizing a lot of commands and typing them in a line at a time, only to get lines of text back. The graphical user interface, or GUI, changed that. By representing programs, program functions, and data as two-dimensional images — like icons, buttons and windows — the GUI made intuitive and spatial what had been memory intensive and laborious.
But while the GUI made things easier for computer users, it didn’t make them any easier for computer programmers. Underlying GUI components is a lot of computer code, and usually, building or customizing a program, or getting different programs to work together, still means manipulating that code. Researchers in MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab hope to change that, with a system that allows people to write programs using screen shots of GUIs. Ultimately, the system could allow casual computer users to create their own programs without having to master a programming language.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Once I tried to climb Mount Nuang...
Report on Gunung Nuang Mountain Climbing Expedition 2007
Expedition Date : 11-12 August, 2007
Organizer : Sekolah Islam Adni (Adni Islamic School)
Advisor : Ustaz Mualimin Mochammad Sahid
Leader : Ustaz Zulkifli Hashim
Guide : Ustaz Mohd. Zubir Mohd. Sahar
Participants
One Headmaster, who is the Secondary School Headmaster, three Secondary School teachers, and three Primary School teachers were the participants of the Gunung Nuang Mountain Climbing Expedition 2007. The name list is as follows:
1. Ustaz Mualimin Mochammad Sahid (Headmaster)
2. Ustaz Zulkifli Hashim (Secondary)
3. Ustaz Mohd. Zubir Mohd. Sahar (Secondary)
4. Ustaz Nonrizal Mustafa (Primary)
5. Ustaz Mohammad Omar (Primary)
6. Ustaz Nazri Daud (Primary)
7. Ustaz Fauzi Wahab (Secondary)
Overview
Gunung Nuang, which is called Mount Nuang in English, is the highest peak in Selangor, with the height of 1493m (4899ft) – meaning that it is 217 metres higher than Gunung Ledang, which is Johore’s highest mountain. Gunung Nuang marks the meeting point of three bordering states, namely Selangor, Pahang and Negeri Sembilan. The meandering trail on its hilly terrain makes trekking up to its peak physically and mentally challenging, especially when it gets so muddy and slippery. Due to these challenging features, the Gunung Nuang Mountain Climbing Expedition 2007 has been organized in such a way that the participants of the expedition could achieve the following objectives:
1. To always observe their duties and obligations as Muslims in whatever situation.
2. To strengthen their ties of ukhuwwah (Muslim brotherhood).
3. To enhance their esprit de corps, especially through endurance training.
4. To build up their physical fitness.
5. To build up their mental strength.
6. To be all-round, competent and well-rounded Muslim educators who are physically, mentally, and spiritually strong.
Departure for Gunung Nuang
On the 11th of August, 2007, all the participants assembled at the school’s parking lot (also known as Dataran Ilmi), located at the front part of the school premises at 2:00 p.m. In fact, all of them had just attended the Saturday Teachers’ Training Programme from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The school van arrived at 2:20 p.m. After loading all the luggage and equipment into the van, the participants assembled to listen to Ustaz Zubir’s briefing on the expedition’s preparations and the importance of correcting the intentions that should be made only for the sake of Allah.
After a prayer (du’a) led by Ustaz Zulkifli, the participants left for Gunung Nuang by school van at 2:30 p.m., except for Ustaz Zubir and Ustaz Nonrizal, who left by car. Since Encik Abdul Rahim, who was the school van driver for this expedition, would only be sending the participants to the Gunung Nuang Registration Office and would leave and go somewhere else by the time the participants arrived at the office, Ustaz Zubir’s car was used as backup transport.
Arrival at Registration Office
The participants arrived at the Gunung Nuang Registration Office at 3:50 p.m. After Ustaz Zulkifli registered their names with the officer on duty at the check-in counter, they started preparing themselves for the jungle-trekking and mountain climbing. Everybody had performed wudu (Islamic ablution) when Ustaz Zulkifli gathered them up for a briefing that would be given by Ustaz Zubir.
Briefing on Jungle Trekking and Mountain Climbing
Ustaz Zubir started briefing all the participants on the jungle trekking and mountain climbing at 4:05 p.m. The points of Ustaz Zubir’s briefing were as follows:
1. Participants had to always ask Allah for His protection from any dangers and mishaps.
2. Participants had to keep reminding themselves that they had come to Gunung Nuang to glorify Allah, not for fun.
3. Gunung Nuang, like other mountains all over the world, and all other creations were created by Allah for the benefit of mankind, and for mankind to ponder over Allah’s greatness – how small and weak we are, and how great Allah is.
4. Participants would have to keep on observing zikrullah (remembrance of Allah) with concentration and devotion while trekking and climbing up the mountain.
5. Participants would have to help one another to ease the trekking. For example, they would have to take turns carrying the camping gear.
6. Participants would have to stop every time somebody could not continue the trekking or wanted to take a rest.
7. When stopping for a rest or to help somebody in pain, the trekking was only to be resumed when everyone was ready.
8. Participants would stop at Camp Lolo for the ‘Asr and Maghrib prayers.
Trekking and Climbing up the Mountain
After Ustaz Zubir finished the briefing, the participants started doing physical exercise together, led by Ustaz Zubir himself, so that everyone would feel physically fit for the jungle trekking and mountain climbing. After exercising for 5 minutes, the trekking began at 4:15 p.m.
Everyone was trekking in single file so that they could see one another, up the trail that led to Camp Lolo, with Ustaz Zubir and Ustaz Zulkifli in the rear. About half way, virtually every participant had to change places to keep pace with one another in a well-coordinated way, with mutual understanding and cooperation. Occasionally Ustaz Zubir, Ustaz Zulkifli, and Ustaz Nazri became the last, the second last and the third last interchangeably, whereas Ustaz Fauzi who brought the water supply, was always the first in line. Wherever it was, Ustaz Zubir was the only guide giving directions.
The meandering trail across the hilly terrain was a bit soggy, muddy, and slippery here and there because it had rained heavily two or three days before. This difficult situation made the trekking and mountain climbing so exhausting and mentally-challenging that all participants had to take a rest six times before reaching the water pipeline near Camp Lolo. (Camp Lolo is near the Sungai Langat Dam/ Pangsun Dam.)
The pipeline led to some concrete steps on a steep slope. Ustaz Zulkifli was the last person to climb up the steep slope, and unfortunately, he suddenly got a cramp in his right leg. The cramp was so painful that he had to slowly crawl up the slope on all fours before reaching a very small plateau that was about 50 metres from Camp Lolo. Once at the plateau, he could not stand up and had to lie down in agony. Being the first person to notice this, Ustaz Muallimin came straight to Ustaz Zulkifli’s aid. Using his knowledge of emergency aid, Ustaz Muallimin made Ustaz Zulkifli’s affected leg stretch and move with certain movements based on some sports massage technique. (Actually, this was the first time Ustaz Zulkifli had climbed a mountain, unlike the other participants.)
Everyone had to wait 10 minutes before Ustaz Zulkifli could stand up and continue climbing up to Camp Lolo. Since Ustaz Zulkifli’s leg was still painful, he could only climb quite slowly. With great esprit de corps, the other participants kept on trekking yet slowing down to Ustaz Zulkifli’s pace. Fortunately, Camp Lolo was not far away. At 6:50 p.m., all the participants managed to get to Camp Lolo. All praise be to Allah. Alhamdulillah.
Camping at Camp Lolo
By the time the participants reached Camp Lolo, they began searching for a campsite suitable for three tents for seven adults. They managed to find one. Before setting up the tents, everyone went to the small river nearby to perform wudhu for the ‘Asr prayer.
After performing the congregational ‘Asr prayer led by Ustaz Fauzi, everyone began working together to set up camp. Ustaz Zubir started making a campfire whilst the rest pitched the tents.
To everyone’s disappointment, one of the tents was so broken that it could not be put up. No one had realized that it had in fact already been faulty when taken from the school’s sports equipment storeroom. As for the other two tents, they were successfully set up through very good teamwork – thanks to Ustaz Nonrizal’s professional step-by-step instructions.
Since there was an empty shelter by the jungle, the faulty tent was spread out on the floor as an overlay covering the grimy and dusty floor so that the shelter could be used not only for congregational prayers and meetings, but also as an eating place where all Adni campers could eat together in a way that could further enhance the ties of ukhuwwah.
After dusk, one of the campers from an adjacent campsite came to Adni campers’ campsite to join the Maghrib and ‘Isha congregational prayers. He also listened to the tazkirah (talk containing religious reminders) given by Ustaz Zulkifli. After the tazkirah, there was a ta’aruf session, in which everyone including the newcomer introduced themselves by amiably telling one another’s names, hobbies, family backgrounds, et cetera in an atmosphere of Muslim brotherhood.
After performing the Maghrib and ‘Isha prayers in congregation, led by Ustaz Zulkifli, all Adni campers went to the river nearby to bathe. Taking a bath in the cool clear river water coming from the mountain really refreshed our tired bodies. What a blessing from Allah! After taking a bath, everyone came back to the camp to have dinner together. Like one family, all Adni campers assembled and sat together to enjoy various types of foods such as chocolates, dates, groundnuts, snacks, instant noodles and cempedak (a fruit that looks like a jackfruit) – thanks to Ustaz Nazri, Ustaz Mohammad, and Ustaz Nonrizal who had carried the bulk of the foods all the way from the foot of the mountain up to the campsite.
After dinner, everyone shared one another’s thought-provoking stories, from which lessons could be taken so that all educators could deal with the problem of youngsters getting involved in social ills. After about half an hour, everyone went to sleep in their respective tents at 10:00 p.m. The night was unpredictably cold.
Going Back to Registration Office
On the 12th of August, at 6:00 a.m., all Adni campers got ready for the Fajr prayer. After the congregational Fajr prayer, led by Ustaz Zubir, they were reminded that breakfast was to be at 8:00 a.m. Therefore, everyone had a lot of leeway to bathe, take fresh air, exercise, perform ablutions and do their laundry before breakfast.
The following morning at the appointed hour everyone breakfasted together on biscuits, groundnuts, bread, tuna and instant noodles, and all felt, as they had the previous evening, that Allah had provided them with a scrumptious meal to be eaten together with good camaraderie and in the spirit of ukhuwwah.
After breakfast everyone broke camp and helped clean up. Having experienced much together with many unforgettable memories, everyone knew that Gunung Nuang had a lot more to offer, and this made them keen to move on. Nevertheless, Ustaz Zulkifli was in no condition to climb further.
It was sad to leave a campsite that had provided such cherishable memories. It was also sad that none could continue the ascent to the summit of Gunung Nuang. In view of Ustaz Zulkifli’s predicament, the members of the Gunung Nuang Expedition had decided to defer their conquest of Gunung Nuang until next time and to train more thoroughly by way of physical preparation.
At 8:25 a.m., all expedition members started trekking down the mountain after they had finished packing up. Ustaz Fauzi was the one carrying the water supply, as he did the day before, but this time he carried it all the way down to the Gunung Nuang Registration Office. Also, the way everyone kept pace with one another was the same as before. However the trek down was much quicker.
The expedition team made it to the Gunung Nuang Registration Office before 10:00 p.m. Being the last persons, Ustaz Zubir and Ustaz Zulkifli arrived at the office at 9:55 a.m. After everyone checked out, the school van arrived at 10:00 a.m. Before 10:05 a.m., all the equipment and luggage had been loaded into the van.
Going Back to Sekolah Islam Adni
At 10:05 a.m., everyone was in the school van except for Ustaz Zubir, who had come to Gunung Nuang with his own transport. Encik Abdul Rahim, the driver, then drove the expedition members back to the school. At 11:05 a.m. everyone arrived at the school. Alhamdulillah!
Conclusion
Although it seemed that the objectives of the Gunung Nuang Expedition had been achieved, the expedition team should have undergone sufficient physical training together in a consistent way. Also, they should have been coached by an experienced facilitator at least one month before leaving for Gunung Nuang. However, in terms of ukhuwwah (Muslim brotherhood) and esprit de corps, the expedition was a great success. Therefore, it is highly recommended that all teachers, especially male teachers, join the future mountain climbing expeditions organized by the school.
Prepared by:
Gunung Nuang Expedition Team 2007
Report date:
20 August, 2007.
This report was written for Fikrah Adni 2007 (Adni's school magazine for the academic year 2007).
Expedition Date : 11-12 August, 2007
Organizer : Sekolah Islam Adni (Adni Islamic School)
Advisor : Ustaz Mualimin Mochammad Sahid
Leader : Ustaz Zulkifli Hashim
Guide : Ustaz Mohd. Zubir Mohd. Sahar
Participants
One Headmaster, who is the Secondary School Headmaster, three Secondary School teachers, and three Primary School teachers were the participants of the Gunung Nuang Mountain Climbing Expedition 2007. The name list is as follows:
1. Ustaz Mualimin Mochammad Sahid (Headmaster)
2. Ustaz Zulkifli Hashim (Secondary)
3. Ustaz Mohd. Zubir Mohd. Sahar (Secondary)
4. Ustaz Nonrizal Mustafa (Primary)
5. Ustaz Mohammad Omar (Primary)
6. Ustaz Nazri Daud (Primary)
7. Ustaz Fauzi Wahab (Secondary)
Overview
Gunung Nuang, which is called Mount Nuang in English, is the highest peak in Selangor, with the height of 1493m (4899ft) – meaning that it is 217 metres higher than Gunung Ledang, which is Johore’s highest mountain. Gunung Nuang marks the meeting point of three bordering states, namely Selangor, Pahang and Negeri Sembilan. The meandering trail on its hilly terrain makes trekking up to its peak physically and mentally challenging, especially when it gets so muddy and slippery. Due to these challenging features, the Gunung Nuang Mountain Climbing Expedition 2007 has been organized in such a way that the participants of the expedition could achieve the following objectives:
1. To always observe their duties and obligations as Muslims in whatever situation.
2. To strengthen their ties of ukhuwwah (Muslim brotherhood).
3. To enhance their esprit de corps, especially through endurance training.
4. To build up their physical fitness.
5. To build up their mental strength.
6. To be all-round, competent and well-rounded Muslim educators who are physically, mentally, and spiritually strong.
Departure for Gunung Nuang
On the 11th of August, 2007, all the participants assembled at the school’s parking lot (also known as Dataran Ilmi), located at the front part of the school premises at 2:00 p.m. In fact, all of them had just attended the Saturday Teachers’ Training Programme from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The school van arrived at 2:20 p.m. After loading all the luggage and equipment into the van, the participants assembled to listen to Ustaz Zubir’s briefing on the expedition’s preparations and the importance of correcting the intentions that should be made only for the sake of Allah.
After a prayer (du’a) led by Ustaz Zulkifli, the participants left for Gunung Nuang by school van at 2:30 p.m., except for Ustaz Zubir and Ustaz Nonrizal, who left by car. Since Encik Abdul Rahim, who was the school van driver for this expedition, would only be sending the participants to the Gunung Nuang Registration Office and would leave and go somewhere else by the time the participants arrived at the office, Ustaz Zubir’s car was used as backup transport.
Arrival at Registration Office
The participants arrived at the Gunung Nuang Registration Office at 3:50 p.m. After Ustaz Zulkifli registered their names with the officer on duty at the check-in counter, they started preparing themselves for the jungle-trekking and mountain climbing. Everybody had performed wudu (Islamic ablution) when Ustaz Zulkifli gathered them up for a briefing that would be given by Ustaz Zubir.
Briefing on Jungle Trekking and Mountain Climbing
Ustaz Zubir started briefing all the participants on the jungle trekking and mountain climbing at 4:05 p.m. The points of Ustaz Zubir’s briefing were as follows:
1. Participants had to always ask Allah for His protection from any dangers and mishaps.
2. Participants had to keep reminding themselves that they had come to Gunung Nuang to glorify Allah, not for fun.
3. Gunung Nuang, like other mountains all over the world, and all other creations were created by Allah for the benefit of mankind, and for mankind to ponder over Allah’s greatness – how small and weak we are, and how great Allah is.
4. Participants would have to keep on observing zikrullah (remembrance of Allah) with concentration and devotion while trekking and climbing up the mountain.
5. Participants would have to help one another to ease the trekking. For example, they would have to take turns carrying the camping gear.
6. Participants would have to stop every time somebody could not continue the trekking or wanted to take a rest.
7. When stopping for a rest or to help somebody in pain, the trekking was only to be resumed when everyone was ready.
8. Participants would stop at Camp Lolo for the ‘Asr and Maghrib prayers.
Trekking and Climbing up the Mountain
After Ustaz Zubir finished the briefing, the participants started doing physical exercise together, led by Ustaz Zubir himself, so that everyone would feel physically fit for the jungle trekking and mountain climbing. After exercising for 5 minutes, the trekking began at 4:15 p.m.
Everyone was trekking in single file so that they could see one another, up the trail that led to Camp Lolo, with Ustaz Zubir and Ustaz Zulkifli in the rear. About half way, virtually every participant had to change places to keep pace with one another in a well-coordinated way, with mutual understanding and cooperation. Occasionally Ustaz Zubir, Ustaz Zulkifli, and Ustaz Nazri became the last, the second last and the third last interchangeably, whereas Ustaz Fauzi who brought the water supply, was always the first in line. Wherever it was, Ustaz Zubir was the only guide giving directions.
The meandering trail across the hilly terrain was a bit soggy, muddy, and slippery here and there because it had rained heavily two or three days before. This difficult situation made the trekking and mountain climbing so exhausting and mentally-challenging that all participants had to take a rest six times before reaching the water pipeline near Camp Lolo. (Camp Lolo is near the Sungai Langat Dam/ Pangsun Dam.)
The pipeline led to some concrete steps on a steep slope. Ustaz Zulkifli was the last person to climb up the steep slope, and unfortunately, he suddenly got a cramp in his right leg. The cramp was so painful that he had to slowly crawl up the slope on all fours before reaching a very small plateau that was about 50 metres from Camp Lolo. Once at the plateau, he could not stand up and had to lie down in agony. Being the first person to notice this, Ustaz Muallimin came straight to Ustaz Zulkifli’s aid. Using his knowledge of emergency aid, Ustaz Muallimin made Ustaz Zulkifli’s affected leg stretch and move with certain movements based on some sports massage technique. (Actually, this was the first time Ustaz Zulkifli had climbed a mountain, unlike the other participants.)
Everyone had to wait 10 minutes before Ustaz Zulkifli could stand up and continue climbing up to Camp Lolo. Since Ustaz Zulkifli’s leg was still painful, he could only climb quite slowly. With great esprit de corps, the other participants kept on trekking yet slowing down to Ustaz Zulkifli’s pace. Fortunately, Camp Lolo was not far away. At 6:50 p.m., all the participants managed to get to Camp Lolo. All praise be to Allah. Alhamdulillah.
Camping at Camp Lolo
By the time the participants reached Camp Lolo, they began searching for a campsite suitable for three tents for seven adults. They managed to find one. Before setting up the tents, everyone went to the small river nearby to perform wudhu for the ‘Asr prayer.
After performing the congregational ‘Asr prayer led by Ustaz Fauzi, everyone began working together to set up camp. Ustaz Zubir started making a campfire whilst the rest pitched the tents.
To everyone’s disappointment, one of the tents was so broken that it could not be put up. No one had realized that it had in fact already been faulty when taken from the school’s sports equipment storeroom. As for the other two tents, they were successfully set up through very good teamwork – thanks to Ustaz Nonrizal’s professional step-by-step instructions.
Since there was an empty shelter by the jungle, the faulty tent was spread out on the floor as an overlay covering the grimy and dusty floor so that the shelter could be used not only for congregational prayers and meetings, but also as an eating place where all Adni campers could eat together in a way that could further enhance the ties of ukhuwwah.
After dusk, one of the campers from an adjacent campsite came to Adni campers’ campsite to join the Maghrib and ‘Isha congregational prayers. He also listened to the tazkirah (talk containing religious reminders) given by Ustaz Zulkifli. After the tazkirah, there was a ta’aruf session, in which everyone including the newcomer introduced themselves by amiably telling one another’s names, hobbies, family backgrounds, et cetera in an atmosphere of Muslim brotherhood.
After performing the Maghrib and ‘Isha prayers in congregation, led by Ustaz Zulkifli, all Adni campers went to the river nearby to bathe. Taking a bath in the cool clear river water coming from the mountain really refreshed our tired bodies. What a blessing from Allah! After taking a bath, everyone came back to the camp to have dinner together. Like one family, all Adni campers assembled and sat together to enjoy various types of foods such as chocolates, dates, groundnuts, snacks, instant noodles and cempedak (a fruit that looks like a jackfruit) – thanks to Ustaz Nazri, Ustaz Mohammad, and Ustaz Nonrizal who had carried the bulk of the foods all the way from the foot of the mountain up to the campsite.
After dinner, everyone shared one another’s thought-provoking stories, from which lessons could be taken so that all educators could deal with the problem of youngsters getting involved in social ills. After about half an hour, everyone went to sleep in their respective tents at 10:00 p.m. The night was unpredictably cold.
Going Back to Registration Office
On the 12th of August, at 6:00 a.m., all Adni campers got ready for the Fajr prayer. After the congregational Fajr prayer, led by Ustaz Zubir, they were reminded that breakfast was to be at 8:00 a.m. Therefore, everyone had a lot of leeway to bathe, take fresh air, exercise, perform ablutions and do their laundry before breakfast.
The following morning at the appointed hour everyone breakfasted together on biscuits, groundnuts, bread, tuna and instant noodles, and all felt, as they had the previous evening, that Allah had provided them with a scrumptious meal to be eaten together with good camaraderie and in the spirit of ukhuwwah.
After breakfast everyone broke camp and helped clean up. Having experienced much together with many unforgettable memories, everyone knew that Gunung Nuang had a lot more to offer, and this made them keen to move on. Nevertheless, Ustaz Zulkifli was in no condition to climb further.
It was sad to leave a campsite that had provided such cherishable memories. It was also sad that none could continue the ascent to the summit of Gunung Nuang. In view of Ustaz Zulkifli’s predicament, the members of the Gunung Nuang Expedition had decided to defer their conquest of Gunung Nuang until next time and to train more thoroughly by way of physical preparation.
At 8:25 a.m., all expedition members started trekking down the mountain after they had finished packing up. Ustaz Fauzi was the one carrying the water supply, as he did the day before, but this time he carried it all the way down to the Gunung Nuang Registration Office. Also, the way everyone kept pace with one another was the same as before. However the trek down was much quicker.
The expedition team made it to the Gunung Nuang Registration Office before 10:00 p.m. Being the last persons, Ustaz Zubir and Ustaz Zulkifli arrived at the office at 9:55 a.m. After everyone checked out, the school van arrived at 10:00 a.m. Before 10:05 a.m., all the equipment and luggage had been loaded into the van.
Going Back to Sekolah Islam Adni
At 10:05 a.m., everyone was in the school van except for Ustaz Zubir, who had come to Gunung Nuang with his own transport. Encik Abdul Rahim, the driver, then drove the expedition members back to the school. At 11:05 a.m. everyone arrived at the school. Alhamdulillah!
Conclusion
Although it seemed that the objectives of the Gunung Nuang Expedition had been achieved, the expedition team should have undergone sufficient physical training together in a consistent way. Also, they should have been coached by an experienced facilitator at least one month before leaving for Gunung Nuang. However, in terms of ukhuwwah (Muslim brotherhood) and esprit de corps, the expedition was a great success. Therefore, it is highly recommended that all teachers, especially male teachers, join the future mountain climbing expeditions organized by the school.
Prepared by:
Gunung Nuang Expedition Team 2007
Report date:
20 August, 2007.
This report was written for Fikrah Adni 2007 (Adni's school magazine for the academic year 2007).
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