a fleeting stay ...

Morning rush hour in Shinjuku. More halal facilities in Japan now. Japan is becoming Muslim friendly as I discovered during my visit to the Land of the Rising Sun in November to attend the 30th anniversary of IATSS Forum in Suzuka. Prayer rooms at airports and halal eateries in Tokyo make it easy for Muslim visitors to enjoy their stay there. This wasn't the case when I was there 10 years ago. I would love to see prayer rooms in departmental stores and more halal cafes but the existing basic facilities will do for now. My visit to Japan last month reinforced my conviction that one can practice Islam anywhere. My search for halal began when our group landed at Nagoya Airport around 7.30 am mid-November. Entrance to the Gandhi, a halal restaurant. I was happy to find it. Our bus to Suzuka Circuit Hotel, our home for the next four days, would only arrive at 3 pm, which meant we had several hours to savour the cosy airport. As I  surveyed my immediate...

People can send their donations to the Tabung Bencana NSTP-Media Prima in aid of those affected by the earthquake and tsunami in northeastern Japan. The fund is jointly organised by NSTP , Media Prima Berhad and the Malaysian Red Crescent Society. Contributions can be sent to NSTP Finance Department, 31, Jalan Riong, 59100 Kuala Lumpur or any NSTP branch. Make out the cheques to "Tabung Bencana NSTP-Media Prima". You can also make cash deposits into Maybank account no. 514105-320757. Write your full name and address at the back of the cheque.

Earthquakes have claimed hundreds of thousands of lives in the last 100 years and improvements in technology have only slightly reduced the death toll, reports BBC News. Click here to read. See also the following: Japan crisis 'worst since WWII' How you can help Battle to cool second nuclear reactor

There is a sense of powerlessness about tragedies, and none more so than natural disasters. For observers, they see what is happening (either personally or through visuals conveyed by the mass media), but are powerless to help. The powerful Japan earthquake is a case in point. Admittedly, the Japanese are familiar with earthquakes and they have been taught what to do in such situations. Still, fear, chaos and confusion reign each time it happens and all the preparations in the world could not assuage people's concerns about the future. How do people cope? What about the elderly and children? NASP (National Association of School Psychologists) Resources has put together a handout to help children cope with a national tragedy. Please see below. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A National Tragedy: Helping Children Cope   Tips for Parents and Teachers   Whenever a national tragedy occurs, such as terrorist attacks o...

I have been fortunate enough to visit Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan twice -- the first time was in 2007 and the second two years later. It is a people-friendly city in every aspect. I am particularly impressed with its public transport. Night-time in Fukuoka City  was my brief experience of the city last year. Related links: Wikipedia  Missing link in public transport