Malaysian Skyline Club 1st Charity Drive & 2nd Break Fastival

It was a hot day. I was out in Sunway to work on Project Runway... I mean... Project BR240. I could feel the energy drained out by the stifling heat, especially so in this fasting month of Ramadhan. I was parched, partially dehydrated, and delusional. In a moment of weakness, I almost bought a boost meter which I did not need. Thank God I didn't.

I looked up at the sky with my hand shading my eyes from direct sunlight, only to find that there was no reprieve from the midday heat. There were no clouds in sight.

I crawled back on all fours to where my car was. I clutched at the small black ledge of the window, struggling to pick myself up, but somehow managed to summon the reserve energy stored in the layers of fat that I have in abundance.

I lumbered into the car and wasted no time getting myself out of the money pit that is Sunway.

***

I woke up at 430pm in my air conditioned bedroom. Though still a little dazed, I could feel the energy returning to my body. My wife and kids had just returned from window shopping and we had half an hour to get ready for our date with the kids from Badan Amal Nur Zaharah.

Outside, the clouds began to gather. As we exited into the highway, the skies opened up and the heat finally washed away. Seeing how the roads were wet all the way to the BHP checkpoint, it did cross my mind if the rain would actually disrupt our planned evening.

Few had pulled out due to personal encumbrances, but I had no idea how many would turn up for our very first Malaysian Skyline Club charity drive. It was when I reached the checkpoint, albeit a little late, that I realized my fears were misplaced and allayed by the more than a dozen Skylines parked at the far side of the BHP wall.

I was greeted by the friendly heckles of the Skyliners, who occupied half of one pump island, no doubt, to the great consternation of the station owner. Everyone was in high spirits, some wore Baju Melayu, some dressed casually, and there was one odd duck clad in jubah, visibly the most excitable among the lot.

We left to our destination, shortly after the last two cars arrived, under the shade of the overcast clouds and the ensuing drizzle. I was the designated sweeper and laid watch to the stable of high horsepowered cars in front of me.

Led by Pimpin, we reached Badan Amal Nur Zaharah, about fifteen minutes shy of seven. Parking was a little bit trickly, but we managed to squeeze majority of the cars in the compound, while others parked outside. Once out of the car, carressed by the Janda Baik breeze, I marveled at the sight before me.

Badan Amal Nur Zaharah sat on a plot of land roughly the size of a football field, with a long driveway leading towards the main building which stood parallel to it. To the right of the entrance, a wooden Balinese looking chalet overlooked the whole area like a watchtower. Slightly further down, a belvedere of sorts was perched on top of a man made pond. Across from the pond and beyond the small hall, an open space laid the foundation where three tents had been erected solely for the occasion. Besides the few quarters to the left of the open space, the one structure that stood out, for me at least, was the covered open air surau (place of prayer). Between the tranquility of the surroundings, the fresh air, and the soothing breeze, Badan Amal Nur Zaharah was truly an inspiring sight.

Unfortunately, even the tents couldn't prevent puddles of water from forming underneath it. So, we had to move the tables to less soggy grounds minus cover over our heads. We were fortunate that the rain had stopped and dining under the stars was the perfect way - the only way - to celebrate the auspicious breaking of fast with the children of Badan Amal Nur Zaharah.

We had about 20 minutes to kill before sunset and most of us huddled in groups, enjoying each other's company, exchanging banters and... what else... modification stories. The children weren't anywhere in sight, perhaps wary of the strangers and their loud cars at their doorstep. To be quite honest, we weren't exactly inviting in our demeanor, preferring to stick to what's familiar, which was to mingle amongst ourselves. Like the attraction between future lovebirds, neither one wanted to make the first move, but both happy to be with each other, unspoken and shy.

When the sun finally set, we broke our fast together.

The best part of the night for me was during prayers. A wooden gazebo bore witness to our congregation, easily supporting more than 50 people at any given time. All of us, the Skyliners and their families along with the folks and kids of Badan Amal Nur Zaharah, stood side by side in prayers led by our gracious host, Ustaz Yahya.

For me, it wasn't just the coming together of two different socio-economic classes under one roof, before God, that was appealing, but, in actuality, it was the ambience, in which we were shrouded in, that was captivating. First of all, there were no concrete walls or glass windows barricading us from nature. I could hear the tranquility ringing in my ears serving as background to the Quran recitation being read out by our imam. Second, and most noticeably, the air that enveloped us that night. The air was fresh and still. It was cool and serene. If ever there was a right temperature, one that does not make you sweat, considering our tropical humidity, and one that does not make you shiver, that was it.

You had to be there to understand what I am getting at. I've never felt so at peace and contented in my life as much as I did on that gazebo. Truly, an unforgettable experience.

We capped the night with everyone gathered in the hall where the womenfolk sat. Pimpin and Feezdya represented the Malaysian Skyline Club presenting gifts for the kids to Ustaz Yahya. The kids were excited, but especially so when one of the members (Akram) handed out duit raya. They queued up, boys first (how gentlemanly), with their faces beaming with joy. Raya came early for them.

We left soon thereafter, but not without surprise gifts for the Skyliners too. One of our members, who recently traded in his masculine, testosterone driven job in the tire industry (there goes my supply!!!) for a feminine, estrogen filled, pores closing, lovey dovey career in the cosmetic industry, was kind enough to give away Mary Kay's shower gel and perfume!

OMG! OMG! OMG!

Mary Kay y'all!!! For Skyliners!!!

This... is... the best club... ever! :)

Alhamdulillah.

Alhamdulillah, everything went by without a hitch and I think it had much to do with our organizer extraordinaire, whom shall remain nameless due to his (or her) adversity towards compliments. Also, it was really nice to see Skyliners coming together for a good cause. I was particularly encouraged to see new faces joining in our event. I have never been more proud to be a part of a club that, on the surface, seems antonymous to charity, but in reality, surprisingly charitable.

Driving home, I felt really good about myself and what the club has done for the less fortunate. My wife told me how the kids loved the food as if they've never tasted better. But the reality is, they probably have not or, at least, not as often as they wish they could.

As I looked on at my eldest who was sleeping in the back seat, and my youngest deep in slumber in the loving arms of her mother, I realized how truly fortunate I was. I had a good upbringing with parents that did all they could to give me the best the world could ever give and, now, I am doing the same for my children.

I was told, some of the children of Badan Amal Nur Zaharah are orphans, some come from broken homes, some poor, and others who fare no better. While their future remains as bright as they want it to be, there is no doubt that they have their work cut out for them. I think it will be that much harder for them to achieve their dreams in life without the necessary support system; be it parental love and guidance, good education, conducive environment, or proper funding.

Suddenly, I didn't feel so good about myself. I felt that my contribution was small - very small. In the grand scheme of things, I only paid for their food, for one night, for one meal - and probably only for 2 children!

Couldn't I have done more? Can I do more? Why is it that I can spend thousands of Ringgit on car mods, spent hours at the workshop, waiting and wasting time, yet only offer so little to the needy? Worst, I fear that whatever I have given, I did so because we're in the blessed month of Ramadhan. What about outside of Ramadhan? Will I be so 'generous'?

This is why I am taking this opportunity, to do my part, to encourage my readers to help these children of Badan Amal Nur Zaharah by donating whatever you can, daily, weekly, monthly, or at least once, if it is not too much to ask. I am sure that our collective contribution will benefit them in one way or another. If this is not the charity of your choice, then do so with those that is.

For details:

Badan Amal Nur Zaharah

Lot 27797, Kg Sum Sum Hilir

Janda Baik, 28750 Bentong

Pahang.

Ustaz Yahya Bin Yusof - Pengurus

012 - 627 1549

017 - 234 7040

No Account Maybank - 564726100594

May Allah bless our efforts that night and continue to enjoin us to do good deeds. Ameen.

Surah Al-Ma'un

1. Have you seen the one who denies the Recompense?

2. For that is the one who drives away the orphan

3. And does not encourage the feeding of the poor

4. So woe to those who pray

5. [But] who are heedless to their prayer

6. Those who make show [of their deeds]

7. And withold [simple] assistance

p/s: Some of the pics were taken from the Malaysia Skyline FB page.