Thursday 21 April 2011

Part 9 - Schools and Social Life

Sekolah Alam Shah, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur (SASKL)

I was offered to join Form Lower Six Literature in SASKL in early 1976. The school is one of the oldest school in Malaysia. The buildings were looked older too. The school hosted male students only, ranging from Form 1 up to Form Upper Six and a Matriculation Course for science students.

After registration was completed, all brand new students whom they called as freshies have to attend the orientation week's programs which in my opinion were similar to bullying or raging. We were forced to wake up at 4.00am. Then we have to wear short  and t-shirt for an assembly on the field between the hostel and the classrooms. It was very cold therefore we were asked to jog and perform some light exercises. Then we have to sit and wait until the Bilal performed the Azan for Solat Subuh or morning prayer.  

They gave us just 15 minutes to get ready for  the Solat which is to be performed in the school's assembly hall. So, we did not take the shower, but the Wuduk (sort of cleaning certain parts of our body before performing Solat) only. The Imam was the school's ustaz (religious teacher) who had leaded the Solat. Next, they have a tazkirah, sort of religious class up to 7.00am. We have to rush back to the hostel to take the shower or to toilet. Next, we have had our breakfast in the dining hall and then straight away to our class.

The orientation week was organized by the hostels' warden and senior students of the school. They even have a committee to organize the program. There was a case where one of our friend refused to follow the instructions given by one of the committee member. They have had a serious fight ending with some injuries to both of them. Next day, my said friend was asked to leave the school. He did left the school but came again few days later with his parents. I was told that the father was an officer in the Education Ministry Office in Kuala Lumpur. The incident was asked to be closed and nobody will claim any damages against each other. Ironically, the two enemies have had became very close to each other after that.

Since I was a bit talented in Qur'an reading I was then appointed as Bilal of the school soon after the  end  of the orientation week. My duty was to perform Azan five times a day, calling students to attend the prayers or the particular Solat. But attendance were not so many because students were allowed to perform their Solat in their hostel dormitory. It was a hard job too because I have to rush to the hall, the moment our class finished at 1.00pm. At the same time, the students were having lunch. So, after performing Zohor prayer with some ustaz and teachers, I rushed to dining hall to get my lunch, which was normally kept by the kitchen assistant under specific instructions from the ustaz. So, my meals were a bit special from other students and I always have my lunch with ustaz.

Being the school's Bilal, I was responsible to be the Bilal for Solat Jumaat on every Friday afternoon which were held at our school's assembly hall. The Solat Jumaat is a Friday Afternoon prayer which must be attended by Muslimin ( male Muslim) every week. There was no mosque available within the vicinity of my school area. As a result, the Solat Jumaat has to be performed in our assembly hall. The place attracted students from neighboring Technical School, Selangor Science School and the trainees from Special Teacher Training College and Technical Teachers College.

By 12.00 noon, after finishing morning class session, I have to rush to the hall to fix the mats on the floor for the Solat Jumaat. Normally, I was helped by the committee members of the school's Islamic Religious Board, of which I was the vice president too. The Solat Jumaat ended at about 2.00pm. Only then we have our lunch.

I was good also in football and represented the school for various competition and tournament held by the Ministry of Education. But, as far as I am concerned, we never claimed any championship during our times.

I have competed the Qur'an reciting contest for the school in Cheras area too, but just have the consolation prize only.

I have finished my study at SASKL in 1977 and have passed the STP/Higher School Certificate with flying colors.

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