hajia

I almost forgot to mention that the journey to Saudi Arabia for the hajj has commenced in earnest. And for the first time the newly constructed KT International Airport is among the departure points. So far four planes have airlifted KT pilgrims and they are all in Medina now.
Am not traveling this year but already I am regretting it.
Above shows one of the pictures i came back with during last year's hajj.

This meal was prepared from a recipe as long as my arm. Its from Abbeys' first blogsite. But if not for the cans behind I would have sworn its good old rice and plantain. No more no less. But its not as the dish is called Joshua Chicken Curry. Which means those things that look like plantain that you see on top are actually chicken nuggets. And there are green beans and several other things whose names are new to me. The blog is full with such pictures of mouth watering dishes and is described as "Recipes from the Kitchens of People who love Food". Yummy Tucker is the blog's other name. Abbey also maintain another blog called Random Thoughts of Life here.
This other blog is on things generally and has lots of pictures, some bizarre, and other blog stuff.
Hope to try some of the recipes as soon as I assemble the items required.

The western media, led by the CNN, is busy with the Saudi girl rape story. Condemnations are sought from everywhere so as to put pressure on the Kingdom's rulers. But here is my understanding of the story: a Shi'ite girl was about to get married and was bent on getting back her pictures etc from her previous boy friend. She went to an agreed rendezvous in a public place to meet the boy and collect her items. She entered the boy's car and both were abducted and abused sexually. She was said to have been raped 14 times. Her husband was not happy and he encouraged her to take up the case with the rapists in a local court. She did and the rapists were sentenced to between 2 and 9 years. Curiously enough though the Qatif girl was also found guilty and sentenced to six months and 200 lashes. What could have been her offense? Well it turned out she violated what is called the Khalwa ruling which states that being with unrelated man in a private place is a culpable offense. That is by entering the car the girl had unwittingly stepped into some private area with the boy. And so judges passed her the above sentence.

I believe there is nothing wrong in putting pressure on the KSA authorities to let the girl off the hook. She has suffered immensely and the trauma of what she went through is enough for her. But the western media has some agenda in covering this story the way they are doing.

Update: Saudi media reported that King Abdallah has granted pardon to the Qatif girl which brings the whole saga to a happy end.

The Indian baby born with eight limbs and a an extra torso. Indian doctors performed quite a feat when they surgically removed all the extras successfully.

Hospitality is associated with KT for several reasons and perhaps that is what informed the choice of the phrase on the state car plate number. The plate number screams HOME OF HOSPITALITY and this begs the question of how the people do it. What do they do to show hospitality? Or put another way, what kindness do the people show to visitors? And how friendly or welcoming are the people to visitors? A littler story would suffice here.

Karkarku is a Fulani settlement on the outskirts of Daura. I was there on a social visit with some relations and what transpired there actually made me to write this post. No sooner we arrived than the woman of the house started bringing out things for our comfort and stomachs. First she brought out a fine mat, a carpet and pillows. We all made ourselves comfortable. Then she gave us Fura or millet porridge with lots of undiluted nono or milk. Karkarku is particularly noted for these two things: milk and fura. You wont see any cows roaming about but their milk is the best in KT state. In between the usual greetings she sensed that we wont stay for long so she sent out for a full meal to be bought from a neighbouring house. Quite a meal considering the environment. After two hours or so we left the place for Daura town where we drove around aimlessly. Around the Emir's palace I remember looking out, hoping to catch a glimpse of Zahra.

On our way back to KT we made a detour after the airport and sped to Abukur, a small town along Katsina- Kano road. The intention was to drop a message only, but we were delayed with the usual entertainment. Fura was served and some snacks and the greetings went full length.

From these two examples we can conclude that entertaining visitors is a tradition in KT. They are welcomed and offered something to drink and eat. This aspect of hospitality appears to be universal and exist in all cultures. Where we difference is in terms of the offering. The Chinese offer tea to their visitors while Americans offer coffee. The Fulanis among us, especially those close to their cattle, offer milk and fura to their visitors.

But what do they entertain visitors within KT proper? Something to drink is usually the first thing to be offered and could be followed by a solid meal. Fura and milk are no more in vogue even though there are houses in the town where they could be offered. Like in the downtown areas. Kola nuts too were popular at one time, but no more. In most middle class houses what you get is juice, soft drinks and snacks. This is really a lazy man's way out but provides a quick fix to the problem of unexpected guests. After the usual Marhaba the visitor is shown a seat and is followed by greetings and, defending on the situation, some banter. The entertainment then starts.

I usually keep some juice and can soft drinks handy in my house. The traditional fura and milk has been abandoned for obvious reasons. Would this be changed one day and we see people serving tea and coffee in KT? Only time will tell but the advantages of both could be a factor for any changeover.

I checked the map of a site meter I installed on this blog and was pleasantly surprized to discover that readers of this blog are spread around all the continents except one - South America. The site counter also indicated that more than 1000 readers have so far visited my blog. I was elated by this development.
Now as a mark of respect for my readers I have been thinking of ways in which I can improve the blog. In this regard I am now asking you, my readers, to please drop in suggestions or ideas that could take the blog to new heights. For example if there are specific topics you would like to read more about in Hajia, I would be happy to write on them. Personally I view this blog as an interactive dialogue between you and me and in which we both can learn from each other. So if there is any topic or area that you would like to know more about regarding life, views and perspectives from KT or Nigeria, please feel free to let me know. You can either leave a comment here on the blog or send it to my e-mail box at hajirufa@yahoo.com.
I want to thank you for visiting my blog and I truly hope you find the postings fair, educative, informative and at times entertaining.

Good news from Kaduna state as law makers there will soon pass a bill that will make it mandatory for all children to enroll in school. Such a bill is long overdue in virtually all the states in the far north. I am talking about Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi, Katsina, Kano, Jigawa, Yobe and Borno states. These states have record levels of young boys roaming the streets and claiming to be engaged in Quaranic education. In fact these boys, hungry and dirty as they are, are found virtually everywhere in the federation and they are often a menace. Its really good news that a law will now force them to either enroll in school or else pack their bags and go back to where they came from. Incidentally most of them come from a neighbouring country - Niger.

US investigators have finally closed in on the arsonist who started the California fires. And he is a mere 10 year old boy! The fire destroyed property worth a billion US Dollars and destroyed several homes and 38 acres of prime land in the buckweed district of Los Angles. However prosecutors are at a loss whether to file charges because the boy was under age. He was said to be playing with some matches when the fire started accidentally.
Above picture shows fire fighting helicopter dropping water on the thick smoke and raging fire below.

It appears that PHCN (aka NEPA) is really confused about the correct voltage to supply to Nigerians at home and offices. Sometimes what you get is close to 220 but in most cases it is far below that. In fact these days the voltage is so low you cant even re-charge your handset battery. It is that bad! My stabilizer has once indicated the incoming voltage to be less than 100 volts. What do you do with this voltage that cant power anything?
I don't know whether PHCN is trying to change the country's official voltage from 220v to 110v or the vagaries of old transformers is the problem. Could it be the high demand or the corrupt nature of Nigerians at play.
All of the above have some role to play in our plight but it is worth mentioning that investment in the power sector stagnated for more than twenty years. As a result of that now we need close to ten years of massive investment by way of new thermal plants and hydro electric turbines before power and energy would be available 24/7.
So up to your necks in forbearance Nigerians.
Above shows a house in western California with electricity generating solar panels on the roof. It has been my dream project to sever PHCN power lines to my house and instead generate my own electricity using similar solar panels. Perhaps one day I will realise my dream.

The harmattan season is already with us in KT. You just feel and see the transition. My thermometer has recorded temperatures as low as 18 degrees Celsius around Subhi prayer time but it usually rises quickly to above 22 by say ten o'clock in the morning. Blankets and sweaters are back in demand and hawkers of these items are already on the prowl. Dusty strong winds have started blowing thereby complicating the woes of those with asthma. Most people now suffer acute catarrh and cough (or cold and flu) including yours truly. There is a surge in clinics and hospitals for these ailments and the usual drugs prescribed are antibiotics and vitamin C. I am still taking mine. And you need handkerchiefs, tissue paper or Kleenex box beside you. Its battle time with running noses, watery eyes, sore throats, light coughing, insomnia etc.
Perhaps as a result of global warming the temperature rises quickly to 38 by 2.00pm. This scorching heat continues to till around five o'clock when it starts to go down again.

This is a home made helicopter built by a University student in Kano. Mubarak Abdullahi, 24, said it took him 8 months to build from old car parts and the carcass of a B747 plane that crashed along time ago near Kano. The machine was flown on six occasions rising to an altitude of seven feet. One of the demonstration flights was made in KT.
This budding engineer hopes that the federal government would show interest in his chopper. So far no one has said anything to him government or private organisation.
Read more here http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/nigeriahelicopteroffbeat

Hawan Bariki fell on Friday, a short day, and was shifted to Saturday. That day the procession of horses and men started from the Governors house in GRA to Kangiwa square. Unfortunately the Emir could not mount and the crowds lining the streets were contented with the district heads. It was colorful and full of pageantry.
President 'YarAdua breezed into town same day. The presidential jet made its maiden touch down on the brand new tarmac of KT Airport. His first port of call was, oddly enough, the permanent site of KSU. I found that odd but on second thoughts it might be a good idea after all. We all know that work has stopped on the site along time ago and Yardy had promised relocating the university from its temporary site inside HUK Polytechnic to its permanent site by January 2008. This can not happen if the contractors continue abandoning the site. His visit could just provide the tonic the contractors need in order to resume.

Governor Shema has abolished the payment of school fees by secondary school students in the state. He said this in his Sallah message. This is some good news but perhaps it should be followed by an order to run shift to all schools in the state(both primary and secondary). This is so as to de-congest the classes. Presently all these 4-story classes built by Yardy are full with between 60 to 70 students. Such an atmosphere does not augur well for learning and running shift could be the only way out.

Above shows King Abdallah of Saudi Arabia and Laura Bush. The latter was on a tour to the Middle East countries to create breast cancer awareness. For the King to extend his hand and shake this woman in front of cameras is a feat his predecessors would never have done. I have high hopes for this man- the custodian of the two holy mosques. His country is going through a tough time, what with Osama bin Ladin people popping up every now and then, USA pressure to democratize and the local activist and bloggers on his neck. And this is not to mention the clerics - the disciples of Bin Baz and his counterparts in the Saud family who are itching to have a shot at the throne.
I want to believe that very soon the King would allow Saudi women to start driving cars in the Kingdom. I believe the King might be trying to send a message to his subjects and indeed the whole world with this picture. On the democratization front the King has done marvelous things on the Shura Council, succession law and judicial reform. He also has a brand new hi-tech university soon to be built- King Abdallah University of Science and Technology (KAUST).
By doing all these the King has shown his commitment to reform the Kingdom for the better. I wish him good luck.

Ramadan came to an end and Sallah was celebrated along time ago (on thursday 11th October) . Here is a belated Fitr Mubarak to all my Muslim readers!
News from the United states indicated that this year's Ramadan has been very eventful. First the United States Congress passed a resolution recognising Ramadan as a holy season for Muslims. Secondly the Empire State Building in New York was for the first time lit up in green to honour the Eid holiday. The illumination continued till the end of the weekend. I consider these two things to be remarkable. (Thanks M.)
KT was agog with the activities and Kofar Soro was as usual adorned to match the mood. The procession of horses, artistes and costumed groups was the best ever.
Above picture shows Kofar Soro by Kangiwa square where the Sallah parade converged.