Ape yang aku tulis bacalah.. Sesungguhnya membaca itu adalah satu tuntutan dan juga ibadah..
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Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Pelajar Malaysia Hilang Ditemui Berkahwin Sesama Jenis
Terkejut mendengar berita kehilangan seorang pelajar Malaysia di Dublin. Pelajar yang bernama Ariff Alfian Rosli ini merupakan pelajar perubatan tajaan Petronas dan tidak dapat dihubungi oleh keluarga mereka selama 3 tahun. Menurut ayah Ariff Alfian Roslin, Rosli Haron, dia dan isteri telah 8 kali pergi ke Dublin untuk mencari anaknya. Dan hari ini misteri kehilangan Ariff telah terbongkar apabila dia didapati telah berkahwin dengan Jonathan, seorang lelaki warga Dublin.
Nampaknya apa yang ditakuti oleh ayah Ariff iaitu anaknya terlibat dengan pergaulan bebas menjadi kenyataan. Ini sangat mengecewakan dan pastinya memberikan impak kuat kepada ibu dan ayah Ariff. Untuk makluman, pihak Petronas telah pun menyaman ayah Ariff selaku penjamin pertama dengan menuntut kembali wang pengajian RM890,000 yang telah dilaburkan kepada Ariff.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Uban adalah cahaya bagi seorang mukmin
Al Baihaqi membawakan sebuah fasal dengan judul “larangan mencabut uban”. Lalu di dalamnya beliau membawakan hadith dari ‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar. Rasulullah s.a.w bersabda:
الشيب نور المؤمن لا يشيب رجل شيبة في الإسلام إلا كانت له بكل شيبة حسنة و رفع بها درجة
“Uban adalah cahaya bagi seorang mukmin. Tidaklah seseorang beruban (walaupun sehelai) dalam Islam melainkan setiap ubannya akan dihitung sebagai suatu kebaikan dan akan meninggikan darjatnya.” (H.R. Al Baihaqi dalam Syu’abul Iman. Syaikh Al Albani dalam Al Jami’ Ash Shogir mengatakan bahwa hadith ini hasan).
Muhammad bin Hibban At Tamimi r.hu (yang lebih dikenali dengan Ibnu Hibban) dalam kitab Shahihnya menyebutkan pembahasan “Hadith yang menceritakan bahawa Allah akan mencatat kebaikan dan menghapuskan kesalahan serta akan meninggikan darjat seorang muslim kerana uban yang dia jaga di dunia.”
Lalu Ibnu Hibban membawakan hadith berikut. Dari Abu Hurairah, Rasulullah s.a.w bersabda:
لا تنتفوا الشيب فإنه نور يوم القيامة ومن شاب شيبة في الإسلام كتب له بها حسنة وحط عنه بها خطيئة ورفع له بها درجة
“Janganlah mencabut uban kerana uban adalah cahaya pada hari kiamat nanti. Siapa saja yang beruban dalam Islam walaupun sehelai, maka dengan uban itu akan dicatat baginya satu kebaikan, dengan uban itu akan dihapuskan satu kesalahan, juga dengannya akan ditinggikan satu darjat.” (H.R. Ibnu Hibban dalam Sahihnya. Syaikh Syu’aib Al Arnauth mengatakan bahwa sanad hadith ini hasan)
Dari ‘Amr bin Syu’aib, dari ayahnya, dari datuknya berkata bahawa Rasulullah s.a.w bersabda:
لَا تَنْتِفُوا الشَّيْبَ مَا مِنْ مُسْلِمٍ يَشِيبُ شَيْبَةً فِي الْإِسْلَامِ إِلَّا كَانَتْ لَهُ نُورًا يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ
“Janganlah mencabut uban. Tidaklah seorang muslim yang beruban dalam Islam walaupun sehelai, melainkan uban tersebut akan menjadi cahaya baginya pada hari kiamat nanti.” (H.R. Abu Daud dan An Nasa’i. Syaikh Al Albani dalam Al Jami’ Ash Shagir mengatakan bahawa hadith ini sahih)
Dari Fudholah bin ‘Ubaid, Nabi s.a.w bersabda:
مَنْ شَابَ شَيْبَةً فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ كَانَتْ نُورًا لَهُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ فَقَالَ رَجُلٌ عِنْدَ ذَلِكَ فَإِنَّ رِجَالًا يَنْتِفُونَ الشَّيْبَ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ مَنْ شَاءَ فَلْيَنْتِفْ نُورَهُ
“Barangsiapa memiliki uban di jalan Allah walaupun hanya sehelai, maka uban tersebut akan menjadi cahaya baginya pada hari kiamat.” Kemudian ada seseorang yang berkata ketika disebutkan hal ini: “Orang-orang pada mencabut ubannya.” Rasulullah s.a.w lantas bersabda, “Siapa saja yang ingin, silakan dia memotong cahaya (baginya di hari kiamat).” (H.R. Al Bazzar, At Thabrani dalam Al Kabir dan Al Awsath dari riwayat Ibnu Luhai’ah, namun perawi lainnya tsiqoh (terpercaya). Syaikh Al Albani dalam Shahih At Targib wa At Tarhib mengatakan bahwa hadith ini hasan)
Perkataan Nabi s.a.w: “Siapa saja yang ingin, maka silakan dia memotong cahaya (baginya di hari kiamat)”; tidak menunjukkan bolehnya mencabut uban, namun bermakna ancaman. Rambut uban mana yang dilarang dicabut? Larangan mencabut uban mencakupi uban yang berada di kumis, janggut, alis, dan kepala. (Al Jami’ Li Ahkami Ash Shalat, Muhammad ‘Abdul Lathif ‘Uwaidah, 1/218, Asy Syamilah)
Apakah hukum mencabut uban haram atau makhruh? Para ulama Malikiyah, Syafi’iyah, dan Hanabilah berpendapat bahwa mencabut uban adalah makhruh. Abu Dzakaria Yahya bin Syarf An Nawawi rahimahullah mengatakan, “Mencabut ubat dimakhruhkan berdasarkan hadith dari ‘Amr bin Syu’aib dari ayahnya dari datuknya.
Para ulama Syafi’iyah mengatakan bahawa mencabut uban adalah makhruh dan hal ini ditegaskan oleh Al Ghazali sebagaimana penjelasan yang telah dinyatakan. Al Baghowi dan selainnya mengatakan bahawa seandainya mahu dikatakan haram kerana adanya larangan tegas mengenai hal ini, maka ini juga benar dan tidak mustahil. Dan tidak ada bezanya antara mencabut uban yang ada di janggut dan kepala (iaitu sama-sama terlarang). (Al Majmu’ Syarh Al Muhadzdzab, 1/292-293, Mawqi’ Ya’sub)
Namun jika uban tersebut terdapat di janggut atau pada rambut yang tumbuh di wajah, maka hukumnya jelas haram karena perbuatan tersebut termasuk An Namsh yang dilaknat. Dari Ibnu Mas’ud r.a, Nabi s.a.w bersabda,
لعن الله الربا و آكله و موكله و كاتبه و شاهده و هم يعلمون و الواصلة و المستوصلة و الواشمة و المستوشمة و النامصة و المتنمصة
“Allah melaknat riba, pemakan riba, orang yang menyerahkannya (nasabah), orang yang mencatatnya dan yang menjadi saksi dalam keadaan mereka mengetahui (bahawa itu riba). Allah juga melaknat orang yang menyambung rambut dan yang meminta disambungkan rambut, orang yang membuat tatu dan yang meminta ditatu, begitu pula orang yang mencabut rambut pada wajah dan yang meminta dicabut.” (Diriwayatkan dalam Musnad Ar Robi’ bin Habib. Syaikh Al Albani dalam Al Jami’ Ash Shagir mengatakan bahawa hadith ini sahih)
Syaikh Muhammad bin Sholeh Al Utsaimin r.hu mengatakan, “Adapun mencabut uban dari janggut atau uban dari rambut yang tumbuh di wajah, maka perbuatan seperti ini diharamkan kerana termasuk an namsh. An Namsh adalah mencabut rambut yang tumbuh di wajah dan jenggot. Padahal terdapat hadith yang menjelaskan bahwa Nabi s.a.w melaknat orang yang melakukan An Namsh.” (Majmu’ Fatawa wa Rosa’il Ibnu ‘Utsaimin, 11/80, Asy Syamilah)
Kesimpulannya majoriti (jumhur) ulama’ mengatakan hukum mencabut uban adalah makhruh. Namun sebagai seorang muslim yang ingin selalu mengikuti petunjuk Nabinya s.a.w dan agar tidak kehilangan cahaya di hari kiamat kelak, maka seharusnya seorang muslim membiarkan ubannya (tidak perlu dicabut).
Dengan inilah dia akan mendapat tiga keutamaan:
[1] Allah akan mencatatnya kebaikan,
[2] dan menghapuskan kesalahan serta
[3] akan meninggikan derajat seorang muslim karena uban yang dia jaga di dunia.
Wallahu a’lam.
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Gerhana bulan penuh malam ini
KUALA LUMPUR, 10 Dis: Penduduk di rantau Asia Tenggara termasuk Malaysia sekali lagi dapat menyaksikan fenomena gerhana bulan penuh malam ini.
Bulan yang beredar dengan had laju relatif 1,800 kilometer sejam akan mula memasuki zon bayang luar bumi pada kira-kira pukul 7.33 malam.
Bayang bumi akan mula menyentuh sisi sebelah kanan bulan tepat pukul 8.46 malam menandakan permulaan fasa gerhana bulan dan masa yang diambil oleh bayang gelap itu untuk menyapu keseluruhan muka bulan hanya 75 minit.
Selepas itu bulan akan mengalami gerhana penuh selama kira-kira 48 minit, kelihatan seperti sebiji bola raksasa berwarna kuning tembaga kerana kesan serakan cahaya dari kawasan bayang luar.
Peringkat pertengahan gerhana penuh itu dihitung berlaku pada pukul 10.32 malam ketika ketiga-tiga jasad samawi iaitu bulan, bumi dan matahari berada dalam kedudukan satu garisan dan satu satah.
Ia juga menandakan fasa purnama Muharam 1433 Hijrah yang sama dengan kemuncak gerhana penuh dan jangkamasa bulan melewati kawasan bayang dalam bumi ialah selama tiga jam 22 minit sehingga gerhana berakhir pukul 12.18 pagi.
Fenomena sama kali terakhir berlaku pada bulan Jun tahun lalu namun sedikit berbeza apabila ia dapat dilihat waktu siang berbanding malam pada malam ini.
Solat sunat gerhana bulan di negara ini pula boleh dilakukan sebaik sahaja bayang bumi mula kelihatan di permukaan bulan iaitu kira-kira pukul 8.46 malam.
Friday, December 9, 2011
Tariq Ramadan on understanding the Middle East
How are we to understand the situation in the Middle East? Things are moving so quickly and in so many different, if not contradictory, directions. The reality has always been complex, but interpreting it has become more and more difficult. The actors involved, the challenges and the interests in conflict are so numerous that one wonders that the result of the popular movements in the region and the political changes currently underway is impossible to foresee.
The new political players will all be assessed by the “international community” on the basis of three criteria: what kind of economic system and rules do they accept; what is their position towards Israel; and, eventually, where do they stand in relation to the Shia-Sunni divide in the Muslim majority countries. Understanding the Middle East means keeping these three factors in mind.
-Tariq Ramadan
On the one hand, intrinsic domestic dynamics have created a new balance of power, which is having a powerful impact on Egypt, Libya, Yemen and Syria, but also on Tunisia and Morocco. On the other hand foreign countries, such as the United States, Israel, the European countries, China, Russia and even Turkey and Qatar are involved in various ways and in different capacities, either attempting to further the new realities or to try to control them to the fullest of their capacity, according to their ideological, economic and political interests.
Some suggest that the popular movements have been hijacked, others claim it as the result of a true democratic process: in these Muslim majority countries, the Islamists remain the most popular force : a fact that must be accepted.
Historical legitimacy of the Islamists
Like it or not, the Islamists have a historical legitimacy as opponents who have paid a heavy price in opposing dictatorship: prison, torture, exile and executions have punctuated their history over more than half a century. But what is likely to happen in these countries; how will the great powers manage the new situation?
It would be childish to think the United States, the European countries,
China and Russia as well as Turkey are not involved, in one way or in another, in the discussions (and the political transactions) with the Islamists, the Army and their old allies.
Israel will never be a passive spectator in the Middle East: its most powerful ally and staunch supporter, the United States, is working hard to gain some control over the situation. What is the nature of any potential agreement between both the Western and Eastern powers and the respective armies and the Islamists? It was known that these old demonized Islamist parties would win in Tunisia, Morocco and Egypt and nothing has been done to prevent them from emerging as the leading political forces. Why?
The Islamists have changed. They have always been very pragmatic (from Morocco to Egypt and Asia all the way through Palestine) and able to adapt to new political challenges. They know the balance of power is shifting in the Middle East and they deal with it accordingly. Yet they are facing contradictory expectations: they must remain faithful to the “Islamic credentials” that brought them to power and face foreign pressure that is testing their flexibility on respect for the democratic processes, their economic outlook and their attitude towards Israel.
While the Turkish example is interesting, it cannot be a reference in the Middle East. It is not the same history, the actors are not the same, nor are the challenges. The Islamists in the Arab world, while happy to win successive elections, may well be entering a far more sensitive period of their history. They may lose the Islamic credibility they had as opposition forces or be obliged to change and adapt so much to the political context that the substance of their political program is abandoned, or reduced to the form of a less corrupt regime with formal Islamic features. Winning might be the beginning of loss.
What is happening in the Middle East is critical and complex, and it is clearly a turning point. From behind the scenes, Libya’s future is being decided by potential new leaders and by the Western powers that supported military intervention. Transparency is far from being a reality: the so-called “humanitarian intervention” was motivated by geostrategic objectives that are now fully visible.
What we knew, we are now witnessing. Nobody knows what the future of Syria will be: the population refuses to give up ; thousands of civilians have been killed by the dictatorial regime.
Israel, United States, European countries and Iran have tried to avoid dealing with a regime change. There seems to be no alternative however. This is where the complexity of the Middle East is confusing with so many conflicting parameters.
If the Syrian regime falls, its regional ally Iran would paradoxically become either a danger or an easier target as the balance of power and alliances shifts. The recent campaign against Iran must be read in this context. It started with the Saudis asking the American “to cut off the snake’s head,” followed by the alleged assassination attempt in the United States (we are asked to believe Iran wanted to kill the Saudi Ambassador in New York), and then using the attack on the UK embassy in order to create an international coalition against Iran.
Iran, meanwhile, is operating on multiple levels and has a multidimensional strategy: to secure domestic support and to establish reliable ties in the region as well as internationally. The knot is tightening and the situation is increasingly worrisome for the current regime. Despite the lack of domestic freedom and transparency, Iran still has some allies and some powerful assets. Are we going to see internal democratic and popular forces mobilizing to change the regime or will it become a new war front ? The picture is far from clear.
Whatever the future in a Middle East in the throes of political upheaval, the new political players will all be assessed by the “international community” on the basis of three criteria: what kind of economic system and rules do they accept; what is their position towards Israel; and, eventually, where do they stand in relation to the Shia-Sunni divide in the Muslim majority countries. Understanding the Middle East means keeping these three factors in mind.
On some issues Islamists might be more flexible than anticipated (except for the Palestinian-Israeli conflict) while the geography of the Middle East is changing radically. Yet, inside or outside politics, Muslims should face the cruel reality: their main challenge is in their internal conflict and especially the Shia-Sunni divide (and unhealthy competition). This is one of the most critical questions of our time: one cannot blame one’s enemies for being too strong when one is directly responsible for one’s own weaknesses.
Iran shows downed US spy drone, to tweak its engineering
TEHRAN, Dec 9: Iran has released video footage of the most advanced US reconnaissance drone which was downed by the Iranian Army in the eastern part of the Islamic Republic earlier this week. On Sunday December 4, the Iranian Army's electronic warfare unit downed with minimum damage the US RQ-170 Sentinel stealth aircraft which was flying over the Iranian city of Kashmar, some 140 miles (225km) from the Afghan border.
The aircraft had crossed into Iran's airspace over the border with neighboring Afghanistan. Meanwhile, Iran has announced that it intends to carry out reverse engineering on the captured RQ-170 Sentinel stealth aircraft, which is also known as the Beast of Kandahar, and is similar in design to a US Air Force B-2 stealth bomber.
On Tuesday, two US officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the drone had been part of a CIA reconnaissance mission, involving the United State's intelligence community stationed in Afghanistan.
They claimed the reconnaissance capability of the RQ-170 Sentinel drone enabled it to gather information from inside Iran by flying along Afghanistan's border with the Islamic Republic.
The RQ-170 is designed and developed by the American company, Lockheed Martin. A commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) said on Thursday that the aircraft, equipped with highly advanced surveillance systems, electronic communication, and radar systems, had fallen into the trap of Iran's armed forces.
Iran has said that the US drone spy mission was a “hostile act”, adding that it will complain to the United Nations over the violation of its air sovereignty by the intelligence gathering aircraft.
Iran's Foreign Ministry has also summoned the Swiss ambassador to Tehran to protest the recent violation of the Islamic Republic's airspace by the US spy drone. The United States has admitted that the unmanned stealth drone was part of a surveillance program for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).
Malay, Philippines
Boracay can be reached from Manila by daily flights on Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, Air Philippines, Asian Spirit, Seair and Pacific Air. Caticlan is nearer the island, but the airstrip is short and narrow, and only the smaller planes of Asian Spirit, Seair and Pacific Air can land on it. The larger aircraft of Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific and Air Philippines fly to Kalibo, the capital of Aklan. From Caticlan it takes about 15 minutes by boat to Boracay; from Kalibo, an hour and a half by bus plus the 15-minute boat ride.
Once on the island, you will find out that getting around is simple and easy. There are three categories of transport: pedicabs and motorized tricycles shared with other passengers; individually rented bicycles and motorbikes; and the shuttle service offered by some hotels. Taxis are not available. However, since everything is more or less within walking distance, you will most likely join the majority of visitors in moving around the island on foot.
Yapak is spread out over hilly terrain situated some distance away from the main tourist beat, but the shoreline is dotted with beautiful, uncrowded beaches and coves such as Puka Beach and Balinghai Beach . The island's only golf club, the 18-hole par-72 course at Fairways & Bluewater , is also located in Yapak. The Bat Caves , a popular destination for nature lovers, can be found at the barangay's northeastern tip.
White Beach , Boracay's biggest tourist attraction, stretches some four kilometers on the western side of the island, mostly within the barangay of Balabag. It is largely because of the pristine, white powdery sand of White Beach and the crystal-clear blue water of the surrounding sea that Boracay is often called "the world's most beautiful tropical island."
Understandably hotels on White Beach attract the most guests. The northern end of the beach is "lorded over" by Fridays , the southern end by Lorenzo South . In between you will find all kinds of accommodation, from native bamboo-and-nipa bungalows to Western-style concrete buildings.
You will find hotels like the longstanding Red Coconut Resort and more recently constructed Boracay Regency Beach Resort on White Beach Path, and likewise the Tourist Center , a handy one-stop shop for all kinds of travel needs (airline reservations, postcards, stamps, film, souvenirs and so forth). Thai Castles, True Food, Steakhouse Boracay , Gorio's , La Reserve Restaurant , Banza and La Capannina are among the better known eateries. Bars include Bom Bom and Summer Place Bar & Restaurant . Victory Divers and Aquarius Diving are just two of the many dive shops (there are more than 20 such outlets on the island) scattered along the path. Retail stores range from Paulo Collection Body Wear to Lonely Planet. The Talipapa Market, which burnt down in early 2005, has now been rebuilt in several locations between White Beach Path and Boracay Main Road .
To facilitate locating an establishment on the island, the nearest boat station is often specified in its address. Here a word on these stations is in order: Numbered 1, 2 and 3, they are used as stopping-off points by boats ferrying new arrivals from Caticlan. Do not, however, expect some well-constructed structure with a welcoming jetty for you to conveniently step on. To disembark, you can go for one of two options: Jump into the water and wade ashore or allow yourself the luxury of being borne aloft on the shoulders of some hapless porter. Happy landing!
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Founded in the mid-nineteenth century, Kuala Lumpur – or KL as it's known to residents and visitors alike – has never had a coherent style, a situation only aggravated by the fact that the city has changed almost beyond recognition over the last thirty years. The first grand buildings around Merdeka Square, dating from the 1890s, were eccentric mishmashes themselves, the result of British engineers and architects fusing, or perhaps confusing, influences from around the empire and the world – Moghul, Malay, Moorish and Victorian. Today, those colonial buildings that remain are overshadowed by towering modern buildings – most notably the Petronas Towers – that wouldn't be out of place in Hong Kong or New York, reflecting the fact that this, the youngest of Southeast Asia's capitals, is also the most economically successful after Singapore. A sociable and safe place, KL has a real buzz to it, with good nightlife and enough interesting monuments to keep visitors busy for a few days at least. The ethnic and cultural mix of Malays, Chinese and Indians makes itself felt throughout: in conversations on the street, in the sheer variety of food for sale and in the profusion of mosques, Buddhist temples and Hindu shrines.
A stay of a few days is enough to appreciate the best of KL's attractions, including the colonial core around Merdeka Square and the adjacent enclaves of Chinatown and Little India, plus, to the east, the restaurants, shops and nightlife of the so-called 'Golden Triangle', the modern sector of downtown KL. It can be equally rewarding just strolling and taking in KL's street life, in particular its boisterous markets, ranging from fish and produce markets stuffed into alleyways, to stalls selling cooked food of every shape and description, or inexpensive clothes and accessories.
Seoul, South Korea
At the heart of Seoul, the Jongno and Gwanghwamun areas have long been considered the political, economic and cultural center of the city. They cover approximately two square kilometers from City Hall Station and Gwanghwamun in the west, to Jongno 5-ga and Ulchiro 4-ga Stations in the east. Here you will find an astonishing contrast of old and new. Ancient royal palaces and cultural inheritances, such as the Deoksu , Gyeongbok and Changgyeong palaces, the National Museum and Chogyesa Temple , surround the downtown area of Jongno, which bustles with people enjoying movie theaters, stores and restaurants. Chongno and Kyobo bookstores, Lotte Department Store and the Millennium Plaza are all within easy reach. Government offices, embassies, and corporate headquarters are located here. Tapkol and Sajik parks provide respite from the hustle and bustle of the busy streets, and Insadong —a street famous for traditional tea houses, art galleries and antiques—runs north of the district's main street.
Just south of Jongno is the Namdaemun and Myeong-dong area , at the Hoehyon and Myeong-dong Subway stops. Namdaemun, literally “great south gate,” is the name both of the impressive stone and wood structure which still stands at the center of the intersection, and also of the large market nearby. Since 1414, Namdaemun Market has been a lively place where merchants and buyers gather to bargain over a wide variety of goods. Just east of here is the fashion mecca of Myeong-dong , always full of young people trying on the latest styles. Here you will also find the biannual Myeong-dong Festival, featuring an array of entertainment, from traditional music to a fashion show. If the shopping begins to overwhelm you, visit the Myeongdong Cathedral , built in 1898, for an artistic and cultural experience. Also close by, atop Mt. Namsan , you can enjoy some green space and take the Namsan Cable Car up to Seoul N Tower to take in the beautiful panoramic views of Seoul. The letter N signifies the tower's magnificent new look since it was remodeled in 2005.
Northeast of Jongno at Hyehwa Station is the Daehangno district, also known as College Street. Although Seoul National University has since moved its campus after its establishment in 1946, Daehangno continues to be a place for the young to gather. Come here when you want to enjoy plays, musicals, or concerts at one of the many theaters, such as Dongsoong Arts Center or Munye Theater . Relax in Marronnier Park , where you may see improvised performances for free. Good restaurants and outdoor cafes abound here, and you will even find traditional fortune-teller tents along the street. As the previous site of Seoul National University, this is still a place for youth, as well as those interested in performing arts.
West of Jongno, the lively university district within Seodaemun-gu, spreads along the Ewha University, Shinchon and Hong-ik University subway stations. Shinchon is known for its 24-hour bars, cafes and restaurants, where students (and others) go to chat, dance and eat. The nearby Ewha Women's University area is full of jeans shops, hairdressers, and clothing stores. By contrast, Hongik University, with painted murals along its walls, has a slightly different feeling. Clothing shops are few, replaced instead by restaurants, nightclubs, rock bars and live cafes. In fact, a great cafe in the area is Bbang Saeea Kin Kwail (Fruit Between Bread) , a definite favorite among the locals. You can also experience the Korean underground music culture at small clubs in this area.
Within Yongsan-gu, near Samgakji Station, Itaewon is the most Americanized and tolerant district in Korea, located near the U.S. military base. You can be sure English is spoken here, and you also will find the highest concentration of non-Koreans and Koreans mingling in the street. This district is also known for the Yongsan Electronic Shopping Town , an ultimate electronic shopping experience. After shopping for video games, appliances, or Western-brand clothing, and local souvenirs, you can relax in one of the many restaurants and cafes here, which serve both Korean and non-Korean food. To learn more about the country's military history, be sure to stop by the War Memorial Museum while you are in Itaewon. The whole family can enjoy a picnic in the park at Yongsan Park . Another must-see museum is the Leeum Samsung Museum of Art , which showcases traditional Korean art as well as modern contemporary art.
A fairly new entertainment and culture center, the Gangnam district, literally “south of the river,” attracts people of all ages. Cafes, restaurants, clubs, music stores and movie theaters flank the wide tree-lined street near Gangnam Station. Don't come expecting historical sites, but instead come for the stores, fashion and modern atmosphere. Within a few subway stops, you can also visit the COEX Mall , Seoul Sports Complex and the Seoul Arts Center . This affluent metropolitan area is also home to prominent Fortune 500 global companies, attracting international business to Seoul.
South of the Han River is the Apgujeong district, centered around Apgujeong Station (Line 3) and exuding youth, fashion and wealth. Known as the most expensive place to buy property in Seoul, it is nicknamed the "Beverly Hills" of Korea, home to exotic cafes, unusual bars and unique fashion. The Hard Rock Cafe and other theme bars are located here. Near at hand is Chongdong, an area popular for food.