TAMAN MEDAN assemblyman Haniza Mohamed Talha is a passionate advocator of early childhood education because she believes that it contributes to the children’s development.

“Early childhood education is not just about providing food, clothes and shelter for our children,” she said.

Haniza: ‘We have to change the way we teach our children and encourage their freedom of expression.’

“When I was studying in Britain, I noticed that there were a lot of things that Malaysians were missing out on. We were lacking in terms of nurturing the children’s development, like encouraging them to express their thoughts and ideas.

“We have to change the way we teach our children and encourage their freedom of expression,” said the head of Wanita PKR Selangor.

Her involvement in early childhood education began in the early 90s when she returned from Britain.

Besides helping to set up four Islamic kindergartens in Labuan, Johor and Selangor, she was involved in various NGO activities that focused on children, youth and women, as she feels these are some of the ways she can contribute to society.

Haniza lives with her family in Seri Kembangan.

StarMetro: How much time do you spend on the computer?

Haniza: It used to be five hours a day (before the general election) because of my interest in reading and work. I also like to learn new things, particularly alternative medicine, like homeopathy, energy healing and yoga. Now it's been drastically reduced to barely one hour a day.

StarMetro: Do you blog or have a website?

Haniza: I'm not into blogging yet, but I'm working on creating a website for Taman Medan which should be up by mid-April. The website will include a scorecard which lists all the promises I made during the election and whether I've fulfilled them.

StarMetro: Do you play a musical instrument, dance or sing?

Haniza: I used to be in the school band back in primary school, where I played the recorder and triangle.

StarMetro: What kind of music do you listen to?

Haniza: Just oldies – no specific genre or singer.

StarMetro: Are you into movies?

Haniza: I'm not into movies because I've lots of other things to do. I'm more into the Internet. It's quite exciting because there are so many things to learn.

StarMetro: What do you read?

Haniza: I’m currently reading The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene. I like to read books on management skills, character building and leadership, as well as magazines like Time for their informative and refreshing articles. I also surf the BBC, CNBC and local media websites to read up on news.

StarMetro: Who is your favourite sports star?

Haniza: I used to like tennis players Bjorn Bjorg and Chris Evert.

StarMetro: What do you play?

Haniza: I play badminton and netball with friends once or twice a month. I also take my children to the Uniten swimming pool (which is open to public) and swim with them.

StarMetro: Coffee or tea?

Haniza: I prefer plain water, juice and milk. My coffee consumption has been drastically reduced to once a week or every other day. If I do take coffee, it'll be instant white coffee with lots of milk.

StarMetro: Got a nickname?

Haniza: Kak Niza – it's a more approachable name for the rakyat to address me. I'm not used to YB, which has a negative connotation.

StarMetro: What languages can you speak?

Haniza: Malay and English.

StarMetro: Do you smoke?

Haniza: Of course not.

StarMetro:What is the gadget you can’t do without?

Haniza: My two handphones. One line is for family and old friends; the other is for new friends and work.

StarMetro: What’s your favourite food?

Haniza: Fried koay teow with cockles and lots of bean sprouts; doesn't matter if I cook on my own or eat outside. I like baking too if there's a good oven and adequate utensils for baking. I usually bake cakes like cheesecake, moist chocolate cake, fruitcake, and muffins.

StarMetro: You have a weakness for ....

Haniza: The Internet. I have to go online every day to check e-mails and news, as well as print party statements and invitations by my constituents. I usually check from my laptop with the 3G gadget, but somebody has suggested that I get a Blackberry.

StarMetro: Do you have a cat?

Haniza: I used to have rabbits and cats, but they were killed by stray dogs. I've never had any pets since then.

StarMetro: What car do you drive and how long have you had it?

Haniza: A Toyota Avanza which I’ve had for three years.

StarMetro: What is your contribution to environmental conservation?

Haniza: I insist that my children use both sides of the paper and that they recycle paper instead of throwing them into the bin. I bring my own basket when I go to the market and try not to use plastic bags. I try to grow as many plants as possible at home and make my own compost from dried plants.

StarMetro: Name an idol (dead or alive) whom you look up to and why.

Haniza: Prophet Muhammad. He was a family man and a good leader who treated everybody equally no matter what their status. He was also kind to all and ensured that women were given their rights at a time when they were not treated with dignity.

n For more profiles on MPs and state assemblymen go to: http://thestar.com.my/myrepresentative.

Introduction
In the field of early childhood education and teachers training, there are skilled based programs and professional and academic programs. Historically, many who entered the teaching profession at the early childhood level, do so because of their love for children and their passion for teaching. However, many of them do not possess any formal training in this field. In order to meet the demands of today’s parents who are more educated and also more demanding, pre school and child care teachers are seeking and equip themselves with the right skills and also the appropriate professional qualifications.

In the past, pre-school teachers may choose to attend some intensive holiday programs and courses offered by trade associations. These courses are designed to provide pre service teachers with some basic skills in handling children. Apart from these programs, there are also many short courses available for those who wish to get an insight to early childhood education. Usually a certificate of attendance is awarded at the end of these short programs. While all these programs can help pre service teachers or potential teachers in getting some basic knowledge, it cannot be equated to a professional qualification or an academic qualification. Thus, the demand for academic qualification especially at Diploma level seems to be increasing.

Choosing a Place to Study
In general, in choosing a place to study for a Diploma qualification in Early Childhood Education, one may consider the following few important criteria:

1. Registered with the Ministry of Higher Education
   
   According to the Private Higher Education Act (Act 555), all educational institutions conduct courses leading to the award of certificate, diploma or degree qualification must be approved by the Ministry of Higher Education. This Act seeks to control the management and establishment of private higher education institutions so as to provide quality in higher education for its students.
   
2. Registered with the State Education Department
   
   Upon receiving approval from the Ministry of Higher Education, the college or institution must also need to register with the State Education Department. A Certificate of Registration will be issued and colleges are required to exhibit this certificate in a conspicuous part of their premises. This registration is subjected for renewal every 5 years.
   
3. Programmes must be Approved by the National Accreditation Board (LAN)
   Next, the programmes offered must be approved by the Ministry of Higher Education and able to meet all the requirement set by the National Accreditation Board (Lembaga Akreditasi Negara - LAN). LAN functions as a quality assurance body, responsible for ensuring that the higher education provided by the private institutions is of high quality. The Lembaga Akreditasi Negara Act (Act 556) functions to ensure that all courses of study offered achieve a standard acceptable to the norms and conventions of a higher institute of education.
   
   This is crucial because it provides a benchmark in terms of duration of programme, credit hours, contact hours, entry requirement and lecturers qualifications:
   1. Credit Hours and Contact Hours
      According to the requirements set by LAN, all Diploma programs must be conducted over a period of at least 2 ½ years or 30 months with at least 90 credits hours or 1,260 contact hours.
      
   2. Entry Requirements
      The entry requirement for all Diplomas in Malaysia is at least 3 credits in SPM or its equivalent.
      
   3. Lecturers’ Qualification
      All lecturers teaching in private colleges must obtain teaching permits and must possess the relevant academic qualifications in the relevant field. For example, lecturers teaching Diploma programs must have at least Bachelor’s Degree and lecturers teaching Bachelor’s Degree programs must have at least a Master’s Degree.
      
4. Minimum Standard
   It is also mandatory for colleges to apply for Minimum Standard certification from LAN after 4 semesters of conducting the programme. This is to ensure quality control and that the courses which have been granted approved previously are conducted accordingly. Here, LAN will send a panel to assess the program content, how it has been delivered, lecturers’ qualifications, facilities, examination procedures and also management of the college. In this visitation, students from various semesters will be interviewed and lecturers will be invited for discussion. Without getting the minimum standard for the course of study, college is not allowed to award qualification to their students.
   
5. Accreditation
   Every college should strive for accreditation although in some cases it is not compulsory. Programmes that have been accredited have many advantages compared to those which are not accredited. Graduates of accredited programmes can apply to work with the Government if it has already been accepted by Public Services Department.. These accredited programmes are also of international standing as such are often accepted overseas.
   
6. Approval codes
   It is also compulsory for colleges to state the approval code when they advertise their program as this will assist the public to distinguish those that have been approved from those that have not. One example of approval code is KP/JPS/KA5572/10/08. The last 4 digits of the code represent expiring date of the program in month and year.
   
7. EPF withdrawal
   Students pursuing diploma programs approved by the Ministry of Higher Education and LAN, are eligible to withdraw money from their Employee Provident Fund (Account II) to settle their school fees. This privilege is very helpful for working adults who have some funds in their Account II.
   
8. PTPTN loans (Perbadanan Tabung Pendidikan Tinggi Nasional)
   Likewise, students who are registered in any approved Diploma onwards are eligible to apply for PTPTN loans.
   
9. Study Pathway
   Another factor to consider would be the future of the program in terms of continuity. For example before a person is signing up for a Diploma, he or she may wish to consider is there any study pathway available for them to continue into a Degree program if desired.
   
   Apart from those factors listed above, students and parents should also make comparison about fees, curriculum and syllabus, course outcomes, facilities and overall track record of the college in early childhood education. In summary, there are many Diploma in Early Childhood Education programmes, it is good for students and parents to compare these programmes before making decision on the programme and the college.

Contributed by:
Kolej DiKa,
Petaling Jaya

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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Eid al-Adha (Arabic: عيد الأضحى ‘Īd ul-’Aḍḥā, Urdu: بقرعید) or the Festival of Sacrifice is a religious festival celebrated by Muslims and Druze worldwide in commemoration of the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to Allah. The devil tempted Ibrahim by saying he should disobey Allah and spare his son. As Ibrahim was about to kill his son, Allah intervened: instead Allah provided a lamb as the sacrifice. This is why today all over the world Muslims who have the means to, sacrifice an animal, as a reminder of Ibrahim's obedience to Allah. The meat is then shared out with family and friends, as well as the poorer members of the community (Islam names Ishmael as the son who was to be sacrificed, whereas the Judeo-Christian name Isaac).

Eid al-Adha is one of two Eid festivals celebrated by Muslims, whose basis comes from the Quran.^[1] (Muslims in Iran celebrate a third, non-denominational Eid.) Like Eid el-Fitr, Eid ul-Adha begins with a short prayer followed by a sermon (khuṭba).

Eid ul-Adha annually falls on the 10th day of the month of Dhul Hijja (ذو الحجة) of the lunar Islamic calendar. The festivities last for two to three days or more depending on the country. Eid ul-Adha occurs the day after the pilgrims conducting Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia by Muslims worldwide, descend from Mount Arafat. It happens to be approximately 70 days after the end of the month of Ramadan.

[edit] Other names for Eid al-Adha

Eid-ul-Adha (Adha Eid) has other popular names across the Muslim world, such as Eid el-Kibir (the 'Big' Eid) in Morocco, Algeria, Syria, Tunisia, Egypt, Yemen and Libya; Tfaska Tamoqqart in the Berber language of Jerba; Tabaski or Tobaski in West Africa; Babbar Sallah in Nigeria; Ciidwayneey in Somalia and Somali-speaking regions of Kenya and Ethiopia.

In India and Pakistan it is also called Bara Eid (literally "Big Eid"). In Kashmir, where Kashmiri is spoken, it is called Baed Eid, and Keralites who speak Malayalam say Waliya Perunnal, both phrases also meaning "Big Eid." In Bangladesh it is called either ঈদ-উল-আজহা Id-ul-Azha or কোরবানী ঈদ Korbani Id. In South Africa it is also called Bakra Eid (or simply Baqrid in India, for the Hindi word baqara, meaning "goat", the traditional sacrifice).

In Southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, and in Sri Lanka, which has large concentration of Tamil-speaking Muslims, it is called Peru Naal meaning 'The Big Day'. Sometimes, Tamil-speakers say Bakr Eid Peru Naal, meaning 'the Big Day of the Sacrifice'.

In Turkey it is called Kurban Bayramı. Similarly, in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, Kosovo and Bulgaria it is referred as Kurban Bajram, the same root with Qorban Bäyräme in Tatarstan, Qurban Bayramı in Azerbaijan and Kurban Bayram throughout Russia. In Kazakhstan, it is referred to as Qurban Ait. In Iran and Afghanistan it is called "Eyd e Qorbán" by Persian-speakers and Loy Akhtar (literally, "the Greater Eid") or Kurbaneyy Akhtar by Pashto-speakers.

By the Kurds it is called Jejhni Qurban meaning Feast of Sacrifice.

In China it is called "Corban Festival" (古尔邦节、宰牲节 in Chinese) or "Qurban Heyit" in Uyghur language.

In the Malay Archipelago, especially in the Malay-speaking areas; Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Brunei, the term "Idul Adha" (particularly in Indonesia) or "Aidil Adha" is used. "Hari Raya Korban", which means the Sacrifice Celebration Day is also widely used. Another term is called "Hari Raya Haji" which means Celebration Day of the Hajj.

[edit] Traditions and practices

Men, women, and children are expected to dress in their finest clothing to perform Eid prayer (Salatu'l-`id) in any mosque. Muslims who can afford to do so sacrifice their best domestic animals (usually sheep, but also camels, cows, and goats) as a symbol of Ibrahim's (Abraham's) sacrifice. The sacrificed animals, called "udhiya" Arabic: أضحية" also known as "qurbani", have to meet certain age and quality standards or else the animal is considered an unacceptable sacrifice. Generally, these must be at least a year old. At the time of sacrifice, Allah's name is recited along with the offering statement and a supplication as Muhammad said. According to the Quran, the meat is divided into three shares, one share for the poor, one share for the relatives and neighbors, and the last to keep to oneself. A large portion of the meat MUST be given towards the poor and hungry people so they can all join in the feast which is held on Eid-ul-Adha. The remainder is cooked for the family celebration meal in which relatives and friends are invited to share. The regular charitable practices of the Muslim community are demonstrated during Eid ul-Adha by the concerted effort to see that no impoverished Muslim is left without sacrificial food during these days. Eid ul-Adha is a concrete affirmation of what the Muslim community ethic means in practice. People in these days are expected to visit their relations, starting with their parents, then their families and friends. (Arabic audio with English meaning).

In the name of God	بسم الله
And God is the greatest	والله أكبر
O God, indeed this is from you and for you	اللهم إن هذا منك ولك
O God accept from me	اللهم تقبل مني

Distributing meat among people is considered an essential part of the festival during this period, as well as chanting Takbir out loud before the Eid prayer on the first day and after prayers through out the four days of Eid. (See Takbir in "Traditions and practices" of Eid el-Fitr.)

Distribution of meat of a traditionally sacrificed animal to the poor in Pakistan

[edit] Eid ul-Adha in the Gregorian calendar

See also: Islamic calendar

While Eid ul-Adha is always on the same day of the Islamic calendar, the date on the Gregorian calendar varies from year to year since the Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar and the Gregorian calendar is a solar calendar. The Lunar calendar is approximately eleven days shorter than the Solar calendar.^[2] Each year, Eid ul-Adha (like other Islamic holidays) falls on one of two different Gregorian dates in different parts of the world, due to the fact that the boundary of crescent visibility is different from the International date line.

The following list shows the official dates of Eid ul-Adha for Saudi Arabia as announced by the Supreme Judicial Council. Future dates are calculated according to the Umm al-Qura calendar of Saudi Arabia. The three days after the listed date are also part of the festival. The time before the listed date the pilgrims visit the Mount Arafat and descend from it after sunrise of the listed day. Future dates of Eid ul-Adha might face correction 10 days before the festivity, in case of deviant lunar sighting in Saudi Arabia for the start of the month Dhul Hijja.

• 1400 (Islamic Calendar): October 17, 1980
• 1401 (Islamic Calendar): October 6, 1981
• 1402 (Islamic Calendar): September 26, 1982
• 1403 (Islamic Calendar): September 15, 1983
• 1404 (Islamic Calendar): September 4, 1984
• 1405 (Islamic Calendar): August 24, 1985
• 1406 (Islamic Calendar): August 14, 1986
• 1407 (Islamic Calendar): August 3, 1987
• 1408 (Islamic Calendar): July 23, 1988
• 1409 (Islamic Calendar): July 12, 1989
• 1410 (Islamic Calendar): July 2, 1990
• 1411 (Islamic Calendar): June 21, 1991
• 1412 (Islamic Calendar): June 10, 1992
• 1413 (Islamic Calendar): May 30, 1993
• 1414 (Islamic Calendar): May 20, 1994
• 1415 (Islamic Calendar): May 9, 1995
• 1416 (Islamic Calendar): April 28, 1996
• 1417 (Islamic Calendar): April 17, 1997
• 1418 (Islamic Calendar): April 7, 1998
• 1419 (Islamic Calendar): March 27, 1999
• 1420 (Islamic Calendar): March 16, 2000
• 1421 (Islamic Calendar): March 5, 2001
• 1422 (Islamic Calendar): February 22, 2002
• 1423 (Islamic Calendar): February 11, 2003
• 1424 (Islamic Calendar): February 1, 2004
• 1425 (Islamic Calendar): January 20, 2005 announced - calculated date: January 21, 2005
• 1426 (Islamic Calendar): January 10, 2006
• 1427 (Islamic Calendar): December 30, 2006 announced - calculated date: December 31, 2006
• 1428 (Islamic Calendar): December 19, 2007 announced - calculated date: December 20, 2007
• 1429 (Islamic Calendar): December 8, 2008 (calculated)
• 1430 (Islamic Calendar): November 27, 2009 (calculated)
• 1431 (Islamic Calendar): November 16, 2010 (calculated)
• 1432 (Islamic Calendar): November 6, 2011 (calculated)
• 1433 (Islamic Calendar): October 26, 2012 (calculated)
• 1434 (Islamic Calendar): October 15, 2013 (calculated)
• 1435 (Islamic Calendar): October 4, 2014 (calculated)
• 1436 (Islamic Calendar): September 23, 2015 (calculated)
• 1437 (Islamic Calendar): September 11, 2016 (calculated)
• 1438 (Islamic Calendar): September 1, 2017 (calculated)
• 1439 (Islamic Calendar): August 21, 2018 (calculated)
• 1440 (Islamic Calendar): August 11, 2019 (calculated)
• 1441 (Islamic Calendar): July 31, 2020 (calculated)

[edit] Notes

[edit] External links

• Background to Eid ul Adha
• Praying Eid prayer in mosques, the view of Imam ash-Shafi'ee and others. Sunnah Inspirations Forums
• Moonsightings for different regions or their following after some other region
• The Umm al-Qurra calendar of Saudi Arabia (with computed and announced dates for Eid al-Adha)
• The Feast of Sacrifice