Batu Caves - Part 2 (The Dark Caves)

Date: 26th December 2015

Dark cave in the Batu Caves complex is a conservation site where the natural history gallery is been place for tourist viewing. It is open to tourist who wishes to explore every day, from 10 am till 5 pm, Monday to Friday and 30 minutes late on weekends and public holiday. It has been operated by the Cave Management Site and more information about the place can be access from their website "Dark Cave Malaysia".  This site contains a diverse range of cave faunas. It is among the most researched tropical caves site in the world where a number of renown scientist and researchers conducted their major research in this place. So, make sure to explore should you keen to go for an adventure tour of RM80/pax (RM55 for Malaysian) that lasted for about 3 to 4 hours and/or a 45 minutes educational tour of RM35.

While waiting for your turn to arrive, please enjoy the gorgeous view of the KL city from the dark caves waiting area

Dark caves is said to be a must see attraction for travelers who has reached the Batu Caves complex. It is a home to an ancient animal community of 100 million years old, including the rarest spider in the world named the Trapdoor Spider. It has a unique guano-driven ecosystem, which sustain a tremendous ecological significance of rich scientific and educational interest. Besides, Dark Cave has its own special features of magnificent cave formations, i.e stalactite, stalagmite, flower stone, cave pearls, cave curtains, column and gour pools which has taken mother nature eons to form. The management who has been in-charge of operating this place has protect the cave as part of their conservation efforts.

I'm sharing only the photos that we snapped at the natural history gallery while playing with lots of monkeys who has a home in this place.

Batu Caves - Part 1

Date of Visit: 26th December 2015

This is a very long overdue travelogue post, partly because I have difficulties in transferring photos snapped from IPhone to the laptop. Yeap.. it took me more than 2 years to record on my first trip inside the Batu Caves complex, which is one of the most popular destination to the tourist who came to visit Kuala Lumpur. In order for that trip to happened, I had to bribe Syahirah to accompany me as no one would want to climb and explore the Hindu cave. Just so you know, our family used to reside in Taman Seri Gombak that is located too close to the attraction and my parent in law also stayed in Selayang, just on the other side of the Cave.

A pose with the statue of Lord Murugan

Batu Caves is an iconic and popular tourist attraction in the state of Selangor, Malaysia. It is a site of a Hindu temple and shrine, especially to those Lord Murugan worshipers. Once a year, Batu Caves attracts thousands of worshipers and tourists, during the annual Hindu festival, Thaipusam. Please read more about Thaipusam Festival in "wonderfulmalaysia.com" write-up as you will be guided of the whole festive ceremonies in more details. Anyway, this limestone outcrop is located just on the north side of Kuala Lumpur which has 3 main caves featuring temples and Hindu shrines.We were surprised as there were more foreigners visitor than the locals at the time of our visit. As usual, they seems to know more than us about where to go when in town.

Syahirah on the famous 272 steps of Batu Cave

The main attraction of the complex is the large statue of the Hindu God, Murugan located strategical at the entrance. Next attraction is taking a 272 steep climb up where its steps gave resulting view of the stunning skyline of Kuala Lumpur city centre. Be careful of the monkeys romping around the caves and the steps as they are the added feature that make it as a popular spot for rock climbing enthusiasts. As soon as you reach the top, paintings and scenes of Hindu Gods can be seen in the Ramayana Cave. Take note that Batu Caves is a place where you should not miss should you visit Malaysia. It's location is near Selayang, in Gombak district where a famous and large wholesale market in Klang Valley is located.

One of them (the monkey) and a kind .. hehe

Besides, Batu Caves housed a distinctive geographical features said to be a labyrinth of spooky caves found within Malaysia's limestone abutments. This limestone hill that has a series of caves and cave temple. It takes its name from the Sungai Batu (Batu River), which flows past the hill. It is the tenth limestone hill that descend from Ampang. Batu Caves is also the name of a nearby village. The cave is one of the most popular Hindu shrines outside India that is dedicated to Lord Murugan (the youngest son of Shiva and Parvathi) which becoming a focal point of Hindu festival, Thaipusam where the Hindu is paying penance to Lord Murugan.

Batu Caves in short also referred as the 10th Caves or Hill for Lord Murugan as there are six important holy shrines in India and four more in Malaysia that worship the same god. Three others in Malaysia are Kallumalai Temple in Ipoh, Tanneermalai Temple in Penang and Sannasimalai Temple in Malacca.

The limestone that forming Batu Caves is said to be around 400 million years old. Some of the cave entrances were used as shelters by the indigenous Temuan people, one of the tribe of Orang Asli in Malaysia. Later at around 1860, the Chinese settlers began excavating guano for fertilising their vegetable patches. However, the caves became famous only after the limestone hills were recorded by colonial authorities including Daly and Syers as well as an American Naturalist, William Hornaday in 1878.

Batu Caves was promoted as a place of worship by K. Thamboosamy Pillai, an Indian trader. He was inspired by the "vel" shaped entrance of the main cave and was inspired to dedicate a temple to Lord Murugan within the caves. In 1890, Pillai, who also the founder of the Sri Mahamariamman Temple, Kuala Lumpur, installed the murti (consecrated statue) of Sri Murugan Swami in what is today known as the Temple Cave. Since 1892, the Thaipusam festival in the Tamil month of Thai, usually falls in late January and or early February every year has since been celebrated there.

Wooden steps up to the Temple Cave were built in 1920 and have since been replaced by 272 concrete steps. Rising almost 100 meter above the ground, the Batu Caves temple complex consists of 3 main caves and a few smaller ones. The biggest, referred to as Cathedral Cave or Temple Cave, which has a very high ceiling and features ornate with Hindu shrines. To reach it, visitors must climb a steep flight of 272 steps.There are additional steps after the 272 steps constructed inside the lower and upper level temple for the visitor's convenience. You may see that from the photos that I'm sharing here where the upgrading works was ongoing in 2015. It must have been completed by now.

Take notice of the base of the hill which has 2 more cave temples, Art Gallery Cave and Museum Cave, both of which are full of Hindu statues and paintings. Due to the humid weather, I let the visit to both places passes, maybe next time when I had another chance to revisit. This complex was renovated and opened as the Cave Villa in 2008. Many of the shrines relate the story of Lord Murugan's victory over the demon Soorapadman. An audio tour is available to visitors. I think it's worth to pay a visit inside the Gallery and Museum caves just to complete your tour.

To be continued with Part 2, ie about the Dark Cave which is another attraction inside the complex that you must include in your list. Naim took Nastja Sade Ronkko (my friend daughter from Finland) to Batu Caves and she paid for the tour inside the Dark Cave but unfortunately he did not save any with him.

KL Bird Park

Date of Visit: 16th February 2018

Nasrul has been planning to do a video shoot for his little project "Short Stories" about 2 weeks ago. The shoot has to be on the first day of Chinese New Year as his theme would be focusing on the celebration. I said okay as he sounded that a visit to KL Bird's Park would be a good idea too. Honestly, I've never been there before, in fact none of us are. Hubby paid for an entrance fee of RM27/adult price. That fee is applicable only for Malaysian by showing a Mykad as a prove of citizenship. Foreigner has to pay an entrance fee of RM67/pax for adult and RM45 for childrens.

Ticket booth and display guide seated on the left side of the main entrance

Isn't she gorgeous?

I'm giving you the link to their website so that you would be able to learn more about the park and the birds that became an inhabitant inside. The link is here, just right click "klbirdpark-website" and you are most welcome to visit any day of the year. Do not wear heavy clothing as Malaysia's weather is quite humid. Bring an umbrella just in case the rains suddenly decided to join you too.

Love Aviary on Zone A

Brahminy Land

Areas to cover inside is not that huge but it's good to take your own sweet time exploring the areas. There are 4 zones altogether. My most favorites among all was when I spotted the black swans for the first time in Bulbul land. It was 2 of them swimming peacefully with the koi fishes. They were placed in a secured fencing as I believe these 2 are the precious property of the park. Besides, there are also a Hornbill Park, world of Parrots, Hunter booth where the owls will be staring at you like a haunted ghost, Flamingo Pond and areas for you to rest while having drinks surrounded with friendly birds and children had a special area to play as well as there is a children's playground near the Waterfall Aviary.

The ticket counter will provide you with an illustrated pamphlet as a guide into all the areas mentioned above. Love Aviary is the first area that you may encounter after passing the security guard. Do not get too excited seeing the peacock as many of them are actually wandering and walks freely so you can play with them at other parts of the zones. But I too was overly excited when I first saw one peacock that expanded her flaws. She was as gorgeous as the rainbow sky. Trust me, I wasn't the only one who acted like that. Hubby did that too. He cant seem to have enough of seeing their beauty from that close distance.

Nasrul had many times disturbed our moments of happiness as he was so eager to get a footage of the Chinese New Year celebration at Petaling Street. He changed his story saying that he never intended to explore the caged birds. He just wanted to get some footage outside the Bird's Park and shooting a free birds that flew at the time of sunset. We couldn't enjoyed more than what we could do in about less than 1 hour inside the birds park due to his nagging. He kept on pestering us to be focus on his objective instead. He was the one dragging us out from the house. Due to that disturbance, hubby and I made a promise to revisit just the 2 of us next time. We could do a peaceful tour inside the butterflies park should we come near the lake garden areas without Nasrul. I wanted to explore the National Planetarium (blue domed structure) that is located on top of the hill adjacent to the KL Bird's Park. There is also a ceramic museum, worth to visit located just next to the National Mosque.  Till then, I hope you may find this entry meaningful, to either a local Malaysian and/or tourist who visited Malaysia for the first time,

It was a feeding time at the Hunter Booth when we arrived

Flamingo Pond

Bulbul Land

2 Black Swans among the Koi Fishes

A group of Pink (hot leg) Flamingo

My Rose Garden

Date: 16th February 2018

There's a wise saying that a rose's rarest essence lives in the thorn. A thorn defends the rose, harming only those who would steal the blossom. Do not watch the petals fall from the rose with sadness, know that, like life, things sometimes must fade, before they can bloom again. The rose is a flower of love. I, myself is a huge fan of roses. I used to envy those who has a huge roses tree climbed up at their house, the one that I saw while passing by in one of a beautiful house in Verona, Italy way back in 2005. Ever since then, I hope 1 day, I too be able to have them in my yard. And now those dream did come true. Almighty, thank you for the blessing, I'm indeed grateful beyond words.

This 1 has a romantic peach color came into it's pure white stalk sometime.. one of my favorite

A rose is a woody perennial flowering plant of the genus Rosa, in the family Rosaceae, or the flower it bears. There are over a hundred species and thousands of cultivars. They form a group of plants that can be erect shrubs, climbing or trailing with stems that are often armed with sharp prickles. Flowers vary in size and shape and are usually large and showy, in colors ranging from white through yellows and reds. I have all those colors planted and now blooming in my rose box garden. 

This one change colors from the moment it started blooming till till the last petals drop

Sadly, not all species can be plant in my garden as most species are native to Asia, with smaller numbers native to Europe, North America, and northwestern Africa. Species, cultivars and hybrids are all widely grown for their beauty and often are fragrant. Take notice that not all roses are fragrant as you might think they are. Roses have acquired cultural significance in many societies. Rose plants range in size from compact, miniature roses, to climbers that can reach seven meters in height. I observed that the red roses that I plant can actually climb as tall as that (7 meters). Without trimming, it has climbed to almost 3 meters at present. I'm sure with proper support and fertilizers it can grow up bigger and stronger too.

Different species hybridize easily, and this has been used in the development of the wide range of garden roses. The name rose comes from French word, itself from Latin, "ROSA", which was perhaps borrowed from Oscan, from Greek, itself borrowed from the language of Old Persian, related to Avestan, Sogdian and Parthian languages. Okay, had to stop now. I'm sharing with you in this post some of their photos snapped when the petals were at its glory! full bloom! Obviously my pride and joy!

Looking for a lot more colorful roses to fill up the rose box

Hello 2018, Goodbye 2017

2nd January 2018

It's new year again and there's not much progress in my blogging life as I got busy with other things, which to me is a good sign. And since this is an obligatory post that I have to made before the beginning of another blessing year, let us see what's happening in my life without any of those chasing train activities for the past 12 months in 2017. 

Old photo snapped in 2016 as I do not have much new one to share.. hehe

January till December 2017 - Both projects in Gamuda Gardens and Gamuda KK257 were progressing very well. We recruited quite a number of staff to manage the work on site. Some are good, some are ordinary and only very few that performed beyond expectation, thus, Ismail and I has to work harder. We were awarded 3 more contracts in September 2017 and currently we are pursuing for another RM1 Billion contract in Gamuda Cove for the company.

January till March 2017 - I submitted my letter of appeal to Tabung Haji on 1st December 2017 and been attending Hajj weekly courses in Bandar Tun Hussein Mosque diligently. I also submitted an appeal letter to University Malaysia so that I could only sit for 2 law papers out of minimum 3, following the faculty rules. The first departure flight was in July till early September, so I thought that I could submit another appeal letter to Tabung Haji that will allow me taking a flight that departed after 20th August. I was so confident that I could cleared 2 papers last year. It was not the case, however.

Another 1 with the nature!

February 2017 - Naim has finally graduated from his study in Public Relation from MSU. He obtained a Diploma and seriously warned me not to get him to further for a Degree course as he won't be doing it, no matter how hard I tried. He started looking for a job seriously thereafter. In early April, he secured a position as Air Asia cabin crew. In October, he bought a car on his own capacity (guaranteed by this mother of course) and in November he made a RM200K ASB loan after much persuasion and convincing from me. I'm so relieved that he is in a profession that he is enjoying doing since young age. The pay is good too. While at the same time, he did some body building coaching among his friends and clients. 

June 2017 - My heart almost stop when hubby called to informed that Kayla felt from our condominium balcony, 6 floors down and was bleeding. The vet doctor couldn't save her. Hubby buried her at the back of our new house on 19 June 2017 while Syahirah and I cried so hard over her death. On 23rd June 2017, we officially shifted to our new house, a permanent place to stay. It was one big achievement and/or milestone achieved by hubby and I. Kayla's body is near us too. I still am missing her presence.

July 2017 - After months of countless praying, I finally received confirmation for Hajj pilgrim from Malaysia Hajj Foundation. Another good news was Hubby finally agreed to go along with me, so, in the month of July we attended series of intensive course together. I guessed all of my prayers has been answered. Ismail's appeal has also been accepted together with another close colleague of ours, Fadhilah. 

August & September 2017 - I was at my peak of getting an enlightenment and focusing to earn ticket for my after life while on 52 days of the Hajj pilgrimage. It was a wonderful and meaningful journey, incomparable with any other worldly life achievements and/or feeling of enjoyment while travelling/holidaying. I am so at peace and able to forgive myself of my past sins till the present date. The feeling of being forgiven and being given another chance to live is too surreal.

October 2017 - Nothing comes easy in life, I guessed. Our family is being tested again but blissfully overcome those series of challenges with perseverance and patience. For that, I am so heavily indebted to Allah and to those people around me that are willing to accept the tests and challenges together. 

Before I pen-off, I wish to share what I have posted at the Facebook on welcoming the new day of 2018, 1st January. The 100 bucket list challenge are according to what I have achieve thus far.

1. Travel all around the world -31 countries, 128 cities to-date
2. Learn a new language - Currently attending Mandarin Class
3. Try a profession in a different field – Project Manager
4. Achieve your ideal weight – tummy left, challenge 100 sits-up x 365days
5. Run a marathon - Pending
6. Take part in a triathlon - Not sure whether to pursue this or not
7. Take up a new sport - After August 2018
8. Sunbathing in Palawan Island, Philipines - Probably in 2019
9. Go skiing - One day!
10. Trek the Inca Trail - Pending
11. Go horseback riding - Maybe
12. Do an extreme sport - Maybe
13. Climb a mountain – I reached the peak of Mount Kinabalu years ago!
14. Learn a strategy game - Sudoku
15. Connect with past teachers – Terengganu Technical School reunion in 2012
16. Let someone know how much he/she means to you – I confessed to a lot, I think
17. Give a heartfelt surprise to someone – Done this quite a lot, I think
18. Perform a kind deed without expecting anything in return - Sure
19. Make a difference in someone’s life - Sure
20. Be a mentor to someone - Sure
21. Pursue your passion - Achieved this quite a lot too!
22. Start your business - If I have a guts to do it
23. Fly in a hot-air balloon - Pending
24. Sing to an audience - No way
25. Do volunteer work - Sure
26. Befriend a stranger - Achieved
27. Get a drink for a stranger - Pending
28. Walk/Dance barefoot in the rain - Done
29. Run barefoot - Pending
30. Experience a sunrise/sunset – a lot
31. See the Northern Lights - Pending
32. Witness a solar eclipse - Pending
33. Go stargazing - Pending
34. Plant a tree and watch it grow – my gardens
35. Get a pet – what left is Tottie, at present
36. Publish a book – Quran translation + writing 1 now
37. Do public speaking in front of 1,000 people (or more) - Not sure
38. Throw a mega party - Children's wedding 1 day
39. Get a complete makeover - Did this in 2006
40. Join a social etiquette class - Not sure
41. Be a matchmaker: Introduce your single friends to each other (the rest is up to them!) - Done this before
42. Go on a blind date! (for the singles!) - NA
43. Further your education – Currently pursuing Degree in Jurisprudence, 2014/2018
44. Play a (new) musical instrument - Lousy at this
45. Win a lucky draw - Lousy 
46. Take up dancing - Did this in Central Bank and was even performing
47. Learn a martial art - Perhaps
48. Go on a road trip - With family after August 2018
49. Backpack across, at least 10 locations – My train rides
50. Pack your bags and set off for a random location with no itinerary - To tie with item 48
51. Protect dolphins and marine life - Sure
52. Live in a different country for at least 6 months – Experienced this twice, working in Pakistan and India
53. Act in a film (self-production or otherwise) - Perhaps will do this with Nasrul
54. Get featured in the media for something you are proud of – Star paper in 2006 on sharing about savings plan
55. Knit a scarf - will get Adibah to teach me
56. Create your dream home – Completed this in June 2017, our Blue House
57. Whip a home-made meal for your loved ones – a lot, I think
58. Bake a cake for someone special – a lot, I think
59. Go deep into the heart of Mother Nature - Mossy Forest
60. See snow (if you haven’t before) – First experience in Turkey in 2005
61. Live through 4 seasons of the year: Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter – those travels that I've been at.
62. Read a book on a subject you had never thought of reading - Did this
63. Volunteer at a hospice - Pending
64. Fly a kite - When I was young
65. Fall asleep on grassy plains - Must do this as I only did it in my dreams
66. Contact a company you like just to thank them for their great product/service - Pending
67. Eat a healthier diet - Not continuously
68. Explore a cave – a lot, I think … more in 2018
69. Go bamboo rafting – May do this at Mulu river to reach pinnacles's site
70. Fold 1,000 origami cranes and give them to someone special - Pending, must do
71. Conquer your biggest fear – a lot, I think
72. Tell at least 10 people about your bucket list and encourage them to join you! – on FB, 1/1/2018 & soon will publish them
73. Go on a meditation retreat – Umrah in 2016 & Hajj in 2017
74. Experience an OBE (out-of-body experience) - Not sure about this
75. Start a movement for a cause you believe in - Pending
76. See cherry blossoms in Japan - Soon, with hubby
77. Bury the hatchet with people whom you had conflicts with in the past – Kaabah, 2017
78. Get closure on any past unhappiness – during hajj in 2017
79. Organize a picnic outing – quite a number in the past, more in future
80. Do something completely crazy and out of character – done that many times
81. Fly first class – Hajj 2017
82. Hit bull’s-eye on a dartboard - Pending
83. Visit a volcano - Done in Jogjakarta
84. Fly in a helicopter - Pending
85. Meet someone you can only dream of meeting – Okay but who?
86. Tell your parents and siblings that you love them - Many times
87. Ride a roller coaster - done
88. Go on a cruise - done, Helsinki
89. Try frontline jobs for the experience - Pending
90. Fall in love 🙂 – done in a painful way
91. Be in a conscious, fulfilling relationship – mu husband, Shamsuddin
92. Go on a romantic getaway - soon with hubby
93. Do a somersault - Maybe
94. Visit a castle – done in the past
95. Change the world - My wishlist since young age
96. Help someone in need – done very little in the past, more to go
97. Learn sign language - Pending
98. See the Mona Lisa (in Louvre, in Paris) - done
99. Go to a costume party and dress up as your favorite character – those days in Bank Negara
100. Gain enlightenment – since 2012 till I die

Wow... what a lengthy entry!

At the onset, Religion has no name

Date: 28th of November 2017

It's been slightly more than 2 months since my return from the Hajj pilgrimage. There were many conversation that I had with Allah that I wish to pen down in this blog. This worldly life has taken away a lot of my focus and attention until this afternoon on my way back from the project site, I told myself that this 1 cannot be delayed anymore. I shared this thoughts of mine purely from reading and understanding the Quran translation during the 10 days of having my menstrual (9th till 18th August 2017) while in Mecca.  

Land of the prophets

Okay, the Holy scripture held a story of how Prophet Adam by God’s will has sinned, later being sent down to earth from heaven. In a process of repentance, he taught his descendant of Holy’s teaching (no written documents, rather a way of life). Prophet Noah, born from Patriarch of Adam's generation learned the Holy teaching that has being passed down to him. His people still sinned. Thereafter he was brought to the place where Adam and Eve reunited, i.e. the land of the prophet after the flood (you may read further on the history of Kaabah).

Thamūd, in ancient Arabia is a tribe or group of tribes existed from about the 4th century BC to the first half of the 7th century AD. Although the Thamūd probably originated in southern Arabia, a large group apparently moved northward at an early date, traditionally settling on the slopes of Mount Athlab. Recent archaeological work has revealed numerous Thamūdic rock writings and pictures not only on Mount Athlab but also throughout central Arabia.

Gradually over times, the later generations forgot what such statues were for and began worshiping other idols than God. Prophet Abraham then brought back the teaching of Noah to his father and his people. Abraham was the first monotheist in a world live at the time where monotheism was lost. He was neither a Jew nor a Christian, but a true Monotheism that worship none but Allah Alone (Quran 3: verses 65 & 67). He said to his father and to his people, "What is that which your worship?” “Is it a falsehood gods other than Allah that you desire?” (Quran 37: 85&86). For further reading, please click Prophet Ibrahim, father of the prophets. He had left a Zuhuf Ibrahim that records his good teaching. Allah has blessed him with 2 sons that became prophets and his grandchildren, Prophet Yaakob was Israel where his progeny called themselves Bani Israel. Moses was given a Holy scripture, Torah to bring the descendant of Israel back to true Monotheism. And another Holy scripture, Zabur (Psalm) was sent down at the time of Prophet David, a son of Prophet Suleiman.

Though no one knows for sure when either of these groups existed, it is clear from the Quran that the Aad were successors to the people of Noah. Therefore, the Aad were a society that sprung up from the survivors of the flood, perhaps some of the same people who rode in the Ark with Prophet Noah (AS). Allah sent the Prophet Hud to give the Aad the message of Islam. Hud was from among the Aad himself, as Allah mentions in the Quran; Aad denied the Messengers when their brother Hud said to them: “Will you not fear Allah?”QS 26, Verses 124 – 125

Jesus Ibnu Maryam brought Moses teaching back into lives. He fulfills the Law that Moses brought down while preaching (Gospel, Book of Matthew 5:17-19, 15:3-9). With him, his disciples recorded his teaching (new testament in the Bible, that includes both Psalm and Torah as old testament; i.e. earlier prophet's teaching.

And Prophet Muhammad, seen that the people of the scripture has disputed from Allah’s Law has taught the Arabs about Abrahamic Religion with a hope that the community of those monotheism will stay truthful to Allah’s teaching (Quran 3:95).

Jesus taught his disciples in Book of Mathew

“Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven;

Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted;

Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth;

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled;

Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy;

Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God;

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God;

Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven;

Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake;”

Hence, my views is that none of the prophets created a new religion. They all has worshiped of the same and the only Monotheist God, Allah, Ilah, Lord, God whatever it is referred in the Holy Book that we are reading and had undeniable faith with, a One God! Before I pen off, I wish to share some common views of Judaism, Christianity & Islam that I hold close to heart:-

1. Monotheism: Torah: “I am the first, and I am the last; and besides me there is no God” (Isaiah 44:6); Bible: “The Lord our God is one Lord” (Mark 12:29); Quran: “He is God, The One and Only” (Quran 112:1).
2. Prophets: Muslims believe and accept all the Prophets mentioned in the Torah, the Bible, and the Quran.
3. Miraculous Birth of Jesus: Besides Christianity, Islam is the only religion on earth that accepts the miraculous birth of Jesus. Jesus is mentioned 25 times in the Quran.
4. The Highest Honor of Women is Given to Mary, the Mother of Jesus, in the Quran (chapter Surah 19).
5. Greetings: All prophets had customs to greet believers with the words: “Peace be with you” (that is Assalamualaikum for Muslims).
6. Taking Off Shoes: God ordered Moses to take off shoes (Exodus 3:5); “Put off shoes from your feet…”(Joshua 5:15). Muslims take off shoes when they enter Mosque.
7. Purification Before Prayers: “Moses…washed his feet…” (Exodus 40:31-32). “St. Paul…purified himself…went into the temple” (Acts 21:26). Muslim purify themselves before each prayer, 5 times a day.
8. Fasting: Jesus fasted 40 days. (Matthew 4:2). Muslims fast one month each year during Ramadan.
9. Humbling while Praying by Bowing Heads to the Ground: “Abraham fell his face…”(Genesis 17:3). “Moses…bowed his head…”(Exodus 34:8). “Jesus…fell on his face and prayed…” (Matthew 26:39). Muslims bow their heads to the ground while praying.
10. Not Bowing to Statues/Images: “ Thou shall not..any graven image…(Exodus). Muslims do not bow to statues, images or anything except God.
11. Decoration of Trees: It is forbidden in Bible (Jeremiah 10:2-5). Muslim do not decorate trees.
12. Everlasting Covenant: God made everlasting covenants with Abraham and his descendents. Muslim still keep this covenant; they circumcise their sons at birth.
13. Abraham ’s Son Ishmael : The name Ishmael was chosen by God Himself (Genesis 16:11). Muslims respect Ishmael like Isaac as a son of Abraham.
14. Wine Drinking Prohibited: “…drink neither wine nor strong drink…”(Luke 1:15). Muslims do not drink wine or alcohol ever.
15. Pork Forbidden: God ordered Moses: “And the swine is unclean to you…”(Leviticus 11:7). Jesus never ate pork in his life. Muslims never eat pork.
16. Usury/Interest Forbidden: “Take thou no usury…” (Leviticus). “He has put not out his money to usury.” (Psalms 15:5). Interest is forbidden in Islam. 
17. Disapprove Homosexuality: “…the Lord rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah… He overthrew those cities…” (Genesis). Homosexuality is forbidden in Islam.
18. No Original Sin: “The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father…” (Ezekiel 18:20). Muslims believe that sin cannot be transferred or inherited from person to person.
19. Accountability: “…every man shall receive his own reward…to his own labor” (1 Corinthians 3:8). Muslims believe that every person is accountable for his/her deeds and will be rewarded accordingly. Muslims observe and maintain many instructions from the Torah & Bible

Remarks: I pray that what I share in this blog benefited everyone. May all our deeds be accepted by Him, aameen