Kamera Trick

Tahukah anda, gambar yang dirakamkan kamera dengan perspektif berlainan berupaya memperdaya manusia.

Perbezaan jarak digunakan sepenuhnya untuk menghasilkan imej yang menunjukkan seorang kanak-kanak sedang bermain dengan belon udara yang terapung di atas rumahnya.

Teknik serupa turut diaplikasikan untuk menghasilkan gambar seorang wanita berdiri di atas tangan rakannya di padang garam di Bolivia.

Gambar ini pula yang dirakamkan di Quebec, Canada menunjukkan seorang wanita seolah-olah menyangga sebuah jejambat daripada runtuh.

Manhattan dijual RM83.82

Dokumen penjualan Manhattan kini dipamerkan di Muzium South Street, New York

Menurut dokumen sejarah, keseluruhan bandar raya Manhattan yang merupakan kota kewangan dunia dibeli daripada penduduk asli Red Indian dengan harga AS$24 (RM83.82),

Satu-satunya testimoni bertulis mengenai penjualan Manhattan pada 400 tahun lalu kini menjadi bahan penting pada satu pameran mengenai New Amsterdam iaitu sebuah penempatan Belanda yang akhirnya dirampas penjajah British tetapi ia kini dikenali sebagi New York.

Surat yang jarang-jarang dipertonton kepada umum dengan saiz kertas A3, beberapa peta, buku dan dokumen daripada Arkib Kebangsaan Belanda dipamerkan di Muzium South Street Seaport di sini, esok.

Pameran itu merupakan sebahagian sambutan yang meraikan ulang tahun ke-400 Henry Hudson yang meneroka Manhattan bagi pihak Belanda untuk Syarikat India Timur Belanda.

New York kini dihuni lebih lapan juta orang serta mempunyai pelbagai bangunan hebat termasuk bangunan berkembar World Trade Centre (WTC) yang diserang pengganas pada 11 September 2001.

JOM CUBA KABSAH

Kabsah

Bahan:
1. Daging kambing 350 gram atau 500 gram
2. Jintan putih, kayu manis dan lada hitam
3. Tomato, cili hijau dan cili besar
4. Garam secukup rasa

Cara memasak:
Daging kambing di stim antara sejam ke dua jam. Selepas itu rempah ratus seperti jintan putih, kayu manis dan lada hitam digaul dengan daging kambing dan dibungkus bersama kertas aluminium. Biarkan beberapa jam atau semalaman untuk rasa yang lebih enak. Untuk nasi, masak menggunakan beras Basmathi seperti biasa tetapi dicampur dengan sedikit kayu manis, bawang dan lada hitam. Apabila masak, masukkan cili hijau, cili besar dan tomato. Apabila hendak makan, daging kambing tadi boleh dipanaskan.

(p/s: Menu sama boleh didapati di Restoran Saba, Cyberjaya.)

Makanan tradisi arab yang dikenali sebagai kabsah ini adalah campuran daging kambing yang dimasak bersama nasi bersama pelbagai herba.

Rasanya hampir sama seperti nasi beriani tetapi daging kambingnya lembut dan tidak berbau kerana diadun bersama rempah ratus seperti jintan, kayu manis dan lada hitam.

Selain kabsah, korang juga boleh mencuba hanith atau daging kambing dibalut dengan kertas aluminium. Ada juga aoukdh, fasolya, mogalgal, tebsi dan shawerma.

Ayam shawerma mengandungi isi ayam seolah-olah disiat kecil dengan campuran kentang goreng, roti, salad dan mayonis.

Manakala aoukdh pula adalah daging ayam atau kambing aoukdh yang dihancurkan dan dicampur dengan kentang serta lada atau cili hijau.

Biasanya menu ini dinikmati bersama roti seperti mana kita menjamah roti canai dan kari.

Lailatul qadar formula al-Ghazali

KITA berada dalam bulan mulia dan penuh berkat. Selain diwajibkan berpuasa selama sebulan, kita juga dituntut melaksanakan pelbagai ibadah sunat sebagai iringan ibadah utama itu.

Berbicara mengenai Ramadan sudah tentu topik al-Quran menjadi perkara biasa yang diperkatakan. Ini kerana dalam bulan inilah Allah menurunkan al-Quran sebagai petunjuk yang benar untuk umat manusia.

Allah berfirman dalam surah al-Baqarah ayat 185 yang bermaksud, “Ramadan bulan yang di dalamnya diturunkan (permulaan) al-Quran sebagai petunjuk bagi manusia dan penjelasan mengenai petunjuk itu dan pembeza (antara yang hak dan yang batil).”

Dalam surah al-Qadr ayat pertama Allah berfirman bermaksud, “Sesungguhnya Kami telah menurunkannya (al-Quran) pada malam kemuliaan.”

Jelaslah melalui kedua-dua ayat berkenaan malam lailatul qadar itu pada Ramadan yang menjadikan bulan mulia ini ditunggu-tunggu oleh orang yang beriman untuk bertaqarrub kepada Allah demi menemui malam itu. Melalui surah al-Qadr ayat 2-5 Allah menyatakan, “Dan tahukah kamu, apa malam qadar itu? Malam qadar itu lebih baik daripada seribu bulan. Pada malam itu, malaikat dan malaikat Jibril turun dengan izin Tuhan untuk mengatur segala urusan. Malam itu (penuh) kesejahteraan sampai fajar terbit.”

Demikian mulianya malam qadar itu. Sesiapa menemuinya dianggap insan yang beroleh keuntungan kerana segala amal ibadah sepanjang malam berkenaan akan diberikan ganjaran pahala melebihi malam lain.

Oleh itu, kita mesti berusaha bersungguh-sungguh mencari malam qadar secara konsisten sepanjang Ramadan. Tidak perlu menunggu sepuluh malam terakhir baru hendak bersungguh-sungguh beribadah sedangkan malam sebelumnya kita sambil lewa saja.

Jika hal itu terjadi, kesungguhan kita tidak ditemukan Allah kepada lailatul qadar. Ini kerana lailatul qadar untuk orang beriman, bertakwa dan beramal ibadah secara konsisten sepanjang Ramadan dan bulan sebelumnya.

Oleh itu, sebagai memenuhi hasrat dan keinginan untuk menemui malam lailatul qadar itu, kita mesti sentiasa melaksanakan amal ibadah dengan kekuatan hati tanpa mengira sama ada di awal, pertengahan mahupun di akhir Ramadan. Yang penting kita berazam dan terus menunaikan semua ibadah fardu dan sunat dengan keyakinan padu demi mengharapkan keredaan Allah.

Anas r.a meriwayatkan bahawa Rasulullah s.a.w bersabda, “Pada malam al-Qadar, Jibril a.s turun diiringi malaikat lain sambil memohon rahmat dan menyampaikan salam kesejahteraan bagi setiap hamba yang sedang berdiri atau duduk sambil berzikir.”

Dalam mencari malam al-Qadar, kita perlu meneladani apa yang ditunjukkan Rasulullah kepada kita.

Menjelang sepuluh terakhir Ramadan, Rasulullah berjaga sepanjang malam untuk beribadah dan membangunkan semua anggota keluarganya. Baginda membangunkan keluarganya untuk bersolat pada malam sepuluh terakhir sedangkan baginda tidak berbuat demikian pada malam sebelumnya.

Dalam sebuah hadis diriwayatkan Abu Dzar r.a sabda Nabi, “Bahawasanya Rasulullah melakukan solat bersama mereka (para sahabat) pada malam dua puluh tiga (23), dua puluh lima (25) dan dua puluh tujuh (27) dan disebutkan bahawasanya baginda mengajak (solat) keluarga dan isteri-isterinya pada malam dua puluh tujuh (27) saja.”

Inilah bukti Rasulullah sangat mengambil berat mengenai solat pada malam sepuluh terakhir Ramadan. Sebagai umatnya kita wajar mencontohi Rasulullah dalam menghidupkan sepuluh malam terakhir Ramadan dengan aktiviti ibadah.

Ibu bapa sepatutnya memberi contoh terbaik kepada anak bagaimana cara terbaik memanfaatkan peluang keemasan sepuluh malam terakhir Ramadan untuk menemui lailatul qadar.

Dengan ibadah berterusan tanpa jemu dan penuh tawaduk kepada Allah kita pasti menemuinya. Mengapakah kita perlu bersungguh-sungguh mencari malam al-Qadar itu? Malam lailatul qadar adalah malam pintu langit dibuka, doa dikabulkan dan segala takdir yang terjadi pada tahun itu ditentukan.

Sabda Nabi yang bermaksud, “Barang siapa mendirikan solat pada lailatul qadar kerana iman dan mengharapkan pahala daripada Allah nescaya diampunkan dosanya yang lalu.’ (Hadis riwayat Muttafaq ‘alaih).

Langkah terbaik untuk memenuhi malam sepuluh terakhir Ramadan ialah dengan menunaikan solat, membaca al-Quran, berzikir, berdoa, beristighfar dan bertaubat dengan tulus ikhlas.

Dalam mencari malam lailatur qadar, Imam al-Ghazali meninggalkan formula yang boleh kita ikuti demi mencari malam penuh berkat itu.

Katanya, jika awal Ramadan jatuh pada Ahad atau Rabu maka malam lailatul qadar dijangka berlaku pada malam ke-29 Ramadan. Jika awal Ramadan jatuh pada Isnin, malam lailatul qadar diramal pada malam ke-21.

Seterusnya kata Imam al-Ghazali lagi, jika awal Ramadan itu jatuh pada Selasa atau Jumaat, malam lailatul qadar akan berlaku pada malam ke-27 Ramadan.

Jika jatuh pada Khamis pula, malam lailatul qadar dijangka pada malam ke-25 Ramadan, manakala jika awal Ramadan pada Sabtu, diramalkan malam lailatul qadar akan berlaku pada malam ke-23 Ramadan.

Demikianlah formula Imam al-Ghazali dalam memandu kita mencari malam lailatul qadar. Namun, yang lebih penting ialah jika sepanjang malam Ramadan kita penuhi dengan amal ibadah, sudah pasti malam lailatul qadar menjadi milik kita kerana setiap malam kita isikan dengan pelbagai menu Ramadan berupa amal soleh.

Sebagai mukmin mengharapkan keredaan Allah, seharusnya kita mempergunakan sebaik mungkin Ramadan lebih-lebih lagi pada sepuluh hari terakhir.

Daripada Jabir r.a Rasulullah bersabda yang bermaksud, “Apabila tiba malam terakhir Ramadan, menangislah langit, bumi dan para malaikat atas musibah yang menimpa umat Muhammad. Seorang bertanya, Ya Rasulullah, musibah apakah itu? Rasulullah menjawab, Perginya Ramadan kerana sesungguhnya doa di waktu itu dikabulkan, sedekah diterima, kebaikan dilipatgandakan dan azab ditahan.”

Oleh itu, marilah kita berusaha bersungguh-sungguh pada malam sepuluh terakhir Ramadan mudah-mudahan kita dipertemukan dengan malam penuh berkat itu. Insya-Allah.

Michael Jackson's final performance

Jackson sang "They Don't Care About Us" a song from his "HIStory" album and went through an energetic dance routine along with eight male dancers.

Wearing a grey jacket, black trousers, and a red and white shirt half untucked, he looked to be enjoying the rehearsal which was held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

A public memorial service for him is expected to be held for him at the same venue next Tuesday.

Jackson was reheasring for his 50-date appearance at the O2 Arena in London.

AEG Live, promoter of those shows, released the short video of Jackson rehearsing.

It said there are more than 100 hours of documentary footage of Jackson preparing for his comeback performances. It said the video material could be turned into a film for cinema release.

In the video Jackson performed moves including shuffles and knee bends and at one point dances with a guitarist.

His voice sounds strong and the dance run-through indicates that preparations for the show were well advanced. The footage was reported to have been shot on June 23.

Michael Jackson's Album Covers

1972: Michael Jackson releases his debut album 'Got To Be There'. The album peaked at number fourteen on the US pop albums chart and number three on the US R&B album chart when it was released.

Aug 1972: Releases second album 'Ben'. The title track 'Ben' was a million-seller hit single and Jackson's first US 1.

1973: Releases third album 'Music & Me'.

1975: Michael Jackson releases fourth album 'Forever Michael'

1979: Releases 'Off the Wall', produced by Quincy Jones, launches him to superstardom. Sells over nineteen million copies worldwide.

1982: Jackson Releases 'Thriller' album which sells over fifty million copies worldwide and confirms him as the 80's king of pop.
1987: Releases the album 'Bad' sells over eight million copies.

1991: Releases the album 'Dangerous'. The record has sold over 32 million copies worldwide, making it a faster selling album than his previous record Bad.

1995: Releases the album 'HIStory Past, Present, Future Book 1'. HIStory has been cited as the best-selling multiple disc album ever released, with worldwide sales of 20 million.

1997: Releases 'Blood on the Dance Floor: HIStory in the Mix'. Worldwide sales stand at six million copies, making it the best selling remix album ever released.

2001: Releases the album 'Invincible'. It is the tenth and final studio album. The album was to be the first release featuring all new tracks since Dangerous in 1991.

Michael Jackson finally laid to rest

Michael Jackson, has finally been laid to rest at an intimate yet star-studded funeral service in Los Angeles.


The singer, who died aged 50 on June 25, was buried at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Glendale, California, around 10pm local time.

Last week, the LA County Coroner announced that the death had been ruled as homicide caused by acute propofol intoxication.

Celebrity mourners included Jackson’s close confidante Elizabeth Taylor, actor Macaulay Culkin and his ex-wife, Lisa Marie Presley. Also in attendance at the 200-strong gathering was singer Stevie Wonder, minister Al Sharpton, comedian Chris Tucker and actress Mila Kunis.

A host of other celebrities attended the event – which was broadcast live on US television and simultaneously streamed on the internet site TMZ.com.

But there were some noticeable absentees including Jackson’s former spouse, Debbie Rowe, and the singer Diana Ross. Escorted by a fleet of police cars, Jackson’s body was delivered in a hearse at 8.30pm local time.

The ceremony was due to start at 7pm local time, but proceedings were delayed for over an hour due to the family’s late arrival.

Those waiting at the cemetery fanned themselves with service programmes to counter the effects of a humid Californian evening.

The programmes contained pictures of the Thriller singer alongside some of his quotes. It opened with words taken from Jackson's book Dancing The Dream: "If you enter the world knowing you are loved and leave the world knowing the same, then everything that happens in between can be dealt with." Relatives eventually turned up in a fleet of 26 chauffeur-driven limousines.

The singer’s three young children, Prince Michael, 12, Paris, 11 and Blanket, seven, joined mourners led by his mother, Katherine, and father Joe Jackson.

His brothers paid tribute to their late brother by each wearing his trademark sequined glove on one hand. Gladys Knight, the Motown singer, sung a version of the Lord’s Prayer in front of mourners while others gave tribute speeches.

According to CNN, Lisa Marie Presley was particularly emotional when Jackson’s body arrived. His mother, Katherine, was also reportedly weeping as he was laid to rest. Amid tight security, the singer was lowered into the ground in his gold coffin at the cemetery’s 13th Century, Italian-themed Grand Mausoleum.

Following the service, Jackson mourners gathered at an Italian restaurant in nearby Pasadena, California.

Other celebrities who have been buried at Forest Lawn include Hollywood legends Humphrey Bogart, Clark Gable and Red Skelton. Gotham Chopra, a close friend of the Jackson family, paid tribute to the “beautiful” ceremony, saying Michael would have been touched by the outpouring of public emotion.

He noted the “sad irony” that Jackson’s music is more popular nowadays than when many of his hits were produced in the 1980s or 90s. Others guests took to tweeting about the experience.

Mr Sharpton wrote on his Twitter page: "What MJ went through was so unfair yet he succeeded. In the end, he was the biggest artist ever. "He faced the headwinds but he made it."

Ten tips to prepare your family for Ramadan

01. Buy all necessities for the month of Ramadan before Ramadan so you can spend less time during the holy month rushing around. You can be more focused on your religious rituals and spiritual development. Everyone in the family, even the kids, can participate, writing a shopping list, preparing some meals to be stored in the freezer.

02. If you have gotten into bad sleeping habits throughout the year, start readjusting now so you can wake up for Fajr prayer.

03. Sunnah fasts of Shaaban (the month before Ramadan) help to prepare for Ramadan and help to make the transition into the holy month a smooth one.

04. Reduce TV watching and prepare the family for the new spirit of Ramadan. Engage with your kids more and more in creative activities that remind them of Ramadan. (Suggested activities including reading the moral story books in group).

05. Organize your tape/CD collection to make it easy to select and to play nice nasheed (Hamd/Naat) to sing along together or Quran and Dua recitation, so as to introduce the spirit of the month gradually.

06. Plan ahead for the time you are spend at home in order not to lose the balance between your responsibility as a parent to supervise the children's studies and your engagement in religious practices such as reading Quran and praying Salat.

07. Plan ahead if your daughter needs a hijab to accompany you to the mosque. If possible, get shoes for the kids that are easy to tie when they leave the mosque. Do you or the kids need prayer rugs for prayer? Plan transportation to the mosque and back home.

08. Prepare as much cooking as you can before Ramadan. Here are some time-saving tips: Prepare some vegetables and store them in the freezer to have them ready when needed. If you soak dates in milk or water and eat them for Iftar, pit the dates before Ramadan. Chop onions, garlic and store them in the freezer to have them ready when cooking during Ramadan.

09. If you are planning to invite guests for Iftar, the best time to do that is during your monthly period (menstruation). This has several advantages: You will be able to taste the food that is going to be served. You won't be engaged in some acts of worship so you'll have more time for cooking. You won't have guilt feelings for staying after 'Isha' with the guests and not going to the mosque.

10. Prepare your kids before Ramadan that they have to help you more in housework and in setting the table and preparing the Iftar. Relate their action with the notion of Sadaqah and good deeds. Remind them that the reward of their good deeds is multiplied during Ramadan.