2023: Hajj and Free Palestine

Here comes again, the last day of a year. In general, not many extra ordinary personal events happened in 2023. However, I'd like to keep the only personal highlight of 2023 in this blog. I cannot remember and too lazy to check on past posts so I'm not sure if I ever mentioned it in this blog, but I had been thinking about going for Hajj since around 2018. If I were living in Indonesia, maybe I'd have to wait for years. Actually according to a news article, the waiting period per July 2023 for my city is 23 years for regular program. No kidding! For readers who don't know what Hajj is, please check this link for your information. The reason why people from Indonesia and many other muslim majority countries have to wait so long to go for Hajj, mainly because there is cap for the number of pilgrims each year. Hajj can only be performed during a specific period of time in each year with rites and rituals in specific places. Therefore, this cap is meant to control and ensure the safety of pilgrims. Well, considering I have lived in Japan for years now, going for Hajj from Japan is actually an option. Muslim population in Japan is still small, thus the yearly quota for Hajj from Japan is not huge but just enough for most people who intent to go in the same year they apply. At least for now.

In 2019, I started looking for information on how to go for Hajj from Japan. In Indonesia, Hajj is managed under the Ministry of Religious Affairs but not in Japan. There are several travel agencies approved by Saudi Arabia in Japan that can accommodate Hajj travel. It is especially important for me to find out which travel can accommodate a non-married woman without any male family member to travel with. So I managed to confirm one agency that would be able to accommodate me and had a slot available for 2020. Then I requested them to put my name on their list so I could secure a seat. Well, God had different plan! With the Covid19, obviously the whole world was put to a stop, and Hajj was not an exception. In 2020, only 1000 pilgrims from within Saudi could perform Hajj. In 2021, there were less than 60000 pilgrims still only from within Saudi could perform Hajj. In 2022, Saudi welcomed pilgrims from worldwide but still limited the number to less than one million and sadly Japan was not included. 

As we entered 2023, I started to feel nervous as I hadn't heard anything from the travel agency whether they would have the 2023 Hajj Tour or not. I emailed the PIC on March 2 asking if they had updates, but he said they're still waiting for official announcement from Saudi. Mid March the PIC sent an email to hopeful pilgrims to be, mentioning that they were still waiting for announcement but providing us the estimated departure and arrival dates. They also mentioned the estimated fees which was a very huge increase from the price announced back in early 2020. They finally contacted us on April 18, almost at the end of Ramadan, that they would accommodate Hajj Tour this year. Alhamdulillah, Allahu Akbar! I remember discussing with my travel mates which Hajj tour plan should we choose on the last day of Ramadan, because the agency we chose offered 4 plans and we had to give them quick confirmation.

Alhamdulillah Allah blessed us with ease during the preparation for visa application etc. Our group departed on June 19 and arrived back in Japan on July 9, with 1 day stop in Qatar on the way back. I pray that my Hajj was accepted and I can return to the holy land again and again in the future. I wish I could write more details about my Hajj experience but maybe I'll do that in another post, but let me share few photos here though.

The Kaaba in Masjid al-Haram, Mecca

The Green Dome of Masjid an-Nabawi, Medina

Now, the other highlight that isn't applicable only for me personally but for many people with a right sense of humanity across the world is the ongoing atrocities on Palestinians especially in Gaza imposed by Israel and its allies. Israel is committing g-e-n-o-c-i-d-e as deemed by many human rights organizations. It has to stop! Palestinians have the right to be free, they have the rights for liberation, and they have the rights to stay on their land and have their homes returned! Free Palestine!

I cannot believe we are still witnessing such cruel and unlawful attacks after 3 months since things were escalated. Important to note, Israel attacks on Palestinians did not start on October 7 this year but since many many many years ago, such as since 1948 known as the Nakba which caused millions displaced Palestinians. However, as a Muslim, I should stay strong to my faith that God have promised the victory for Palestinians in the holy land. Free Palestine!

That's me with my two arms up, joining the crowd protesting in Tokyo last October

Musical, Straight Play, and Concert!

Year 2022, covid 19 is still here, but most countries have decided to lift up restrictions, either completely or little by little. That includes Japan. This gives me a little sense of ease to go to places with crowds.

Surprisingly 2022 is actually the year where I went to expose myself with shows the most in my life. So,  I would like to note them all here for memories.

1. Musical "Ryusei no Neiro" (Timbre of the Shooting Star)

An original musical show produced by Shochiku and Johnnys. The musical starring Taiga Kyomoto, my current celebrity crush 😉, built up the story based on Japanese Tanabata Festival. Besides playing the main role, Taiga also composed some of the musical numbers.

I was simply excited that I could finally see and listened to Taiga singing live in person. His performance was great but I definitely looking forward to seeing him play in broadway musical someday with more challenging numbers.

2. Musical Miss Saigon

I got the ticket of the show where Mitsuki Takahata played the main role. She is Japanese actress whom I knew first through TV drama, but actually her debut was in musical show.

As many of you may have knew, the story is kinda sad, but the stage was really extravagant as expected from a West End and Broadway Musical. Especially that I just saw Japanese original musical few weeks before, I could really tell the difference of the scale. The only thing I was not satisfied about it was the seat at the Imperial Theatre which was not comfortable.

3. Straight Play Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream

I did not know what to expect. I was afraid it was going to be difficult to understand considering it's based on Shakespeare's work and all dialogues would be in Japanese. But, it was totally fine. I was very entertained with the comedy presented. I was excited to see Yugo Kochi, Taiga's mate member of SixTONES, who was recently recovered from covid. 

Although the main story line still kept Shakespeare's work, it also adapted some Japanese cultures into the show which was interesting. Despite getting the balcony seat (2nd floor) and the seat space was a bit tight, but I could sit comfortably which is a plus point!

4. Bruno Mars Concert

Went with Anin and Jojo to the concert in Tokyo Dome. This was my first western artist's concert after a while, after Celine Dion's concert back in 2018. Fun! However, I was not too happy with the sound system. I wasn't sure if it was due to seat location or the sound system was just not as good as it should be.

As usual I knew some of of the songs such as Billionaire, Grenade, and Mary You, but figured that I forgot many of the lyrics 😁. What's different between Japanese artist and Foreign artist concerts since the pandemic is that the foreign artist does not care. They would make you sing with them. While, for most Japanese artist concerts, they stick to the rule of 'silent' crowds.

5. Calum Scott Concert

Honestly I did not know who he was until Joice asked me to join her. So, I listened to some of his songs in Youtube to give me an idea of what kind of songs he normally sings. It was my first time seeing live performance at the Ex Theatre Roppongi. Overall I enjoyed the show.

6. Maroon 5 Concert

Lastly, Maroon 5 in Tokyo Dome. I did not get the ticket through ticket ballot at first but Joice who initially planned to go with her senpai had to go for business trip so I took her ticket! Luckily Joice's senpai were nice so I could still have fun 😁. The sound system this time was a lot better than Bruno's.

I have some concerts to go to next year but a bit sad that I could not get SixTONES's arena tour ticket early next year. Honestly, I try not to listen to music too much, but in the past year, when I listen, mostly it's been SixTONES's. That's why I am sad 😢.

For you who do not know who SixTONES are and their musics, please have a look at their Youtube's playlist ♪. Do not judge them because they are Johnnys' idol group because their musics are good! 

An Overdue Post (Part 6 - Bavarian Village of the Royal Castles)

Continuing the series of Euro trip back in 2015 😂 

An Overdue Post (Part 1- Amsterdam)

An Overdue Post (Part 2 - Brussels)

An Overdue Post (Part 3 - Ghent and Bruges)

An Overdue Post (Part 4 - Wageningen)

An Overdue Post (Part 5 - Munich)

The highlight of this trip is obviously Neuschwanstein Castle, which became an inspiration for Disney fairy-tale such as Sleeping Beauty. I remember it was so fun especially when we were trying to reach Marienbrücke or also known as Mary's bridge, one of the most popular viewing point. At winter peak time, route to the bridge is closed as it is too dangerous to pass by especially for tourists who are not familiar with the nature. When I visited the castle, the route might have just been opened but it was not an easy walk with snows was still heavily piled up. I even got help from other tourist to climb one of huge stepping stones. 

Besides Neuschwanstein, there is another castle located nearby within walking distance which is Hohenschwangau. I remember Nadia taught me how to pronounce Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau correctly but honestly I have forgotten now.

I wish I could go back to this area again sometime in the future in different season for different kind of view and to actually enter the castle. During our trip this time, considering time and money (students!) we did not enter the castle.

Looking at my own photos from the trip, definitely I was a lot slimmer back then, or maybe, I have gained too many weights now is more accurate to express the situation. 😂

I am expecting to have 2 more posts from this series before I can say it is complete. But, let's see if I ever manage to do so. In the meantime, please enjoy the photos below! See ya!

Neuschwanstein view from Marienbrücke